Wolves of the Falling Stars Book 4: The Return

Prologue

It had been many moons since the ancient ones had been called under the stars again. On a clear night, when all the stars were in view from the forest floor, the great wolves of the past had gathered once more, just as they had a few generations prior, except this time, there was a new member living among them in the stars.

Lightning Storm sat calmly but could not hide his anxiety. Here he was, sitting with the alphas past of the Pack of the Falling Stars. As the newest arrival, he was still learning the ways of the ancient ones. His resolve mirrored that of a wolf who was still alive. He was often scolded for paying too much attention and caring too dearly for the pack that had once been his home and now housed his daughter and many grandchildren.

"Times are changing," a pure white wolf, once the first alpha of the pack, noted to her ancestors. "The Pack of the Falling Stars is at danger once again."

A dark gray male, the leader before Lightning Strike, dipped his head in sorrow. "When I heard that the dogs would eventually come, even if it was not in my lifetime, I would assume the pack would be saved, but it seems to be only contributing to its downfall."

"Raven's Wing has called for our help," Lightning Storm stated. "And as the alphas past, we must give him an answer, a sign, that all will be well. I do not yet know the ways of interpreting the future like many of you, but I will be a messenger if you so wish."

A tail curled around the dark brown wolf. He turned, seeing his mate and alpha female, Silver Stream, looking and smiling at him. It had not been too long since she had been reunited with him, and her presence made him feel complete again.

"It is true that the Pack of the Falling Stars is in danger again," the white alpha stated. She blinked her eyes, then sighed. "I sense great changes coming, greater than before, when the dogs first entered the pack. A dismantling of tradition, a new breed of wolves."

"Are these good or bad changes?" Lightning Storm inquired.

"That I cannot say, but it is the only key we have to saving the pack. Yes, tell Raven's Wing this: Great changes are coming, ones not even I can quite predict, but, for now...the pack may still yet be saved..."

Lightning Storm dipped his head and nodded. With one last quick nuzzle of his mate, he turned and departed, the only remaining part of him visible the glowing lightning strike on his thigh. Then, he vanished into the stars.