Two lone figures crouched low atop a sheltered dip in the tree line, watching the scene below. They were definitely in the right place this time, not where that vixen of a she-wolf promised days earlier. Tork and Kele ran across the she-wolf while they and three others were scouting for their Alpha. Tork's lips pulled back in a silent snarl. If only Midnight, the one who caused it all, hadn't come. Wherever her shadow was seen, destruction was sure to follow.

Sudden movement below pulled Tork to the present. Kele whined softly to himself, fidgeting in anticipation. Tork flicked his ear at him, silencing his restlessness.

The rising sun sent her warming rays downward towards the partially shadowed valley below. Hazy shapes that were slowly gaining clarity were busily moving about. Shuffling forward slightly, the wolves watched the curious sight of two humans around a smoldering fire and a tent.

Peering closer, they saw a small, brown yappy dog darting between the legs of its owners and the tent, panting with excitement. The male and female humans were oblivious to Tork and Kele observing their every move. Or anything else for that matter, thought Tork with a smirk. They weren't even paying attention to what's around them! The glorious sunrise, the cool breeze, the sweet smell of the fresh air and river nearby. Only their pet seemed to notice anything; it helped the breeze was blowing towards the wolves, keeping them downwind and undetectable, especially to the dog.

Tork turned to Kele after a few moments. "Let's go back to the others and alert them about the humans and their...pet." Tork scowled as he said it.

"Yes, Beta,"Kele answered and bowed his head before sprinting off.

Turning his back to the little valley, Tork followed more slowly, deep in thought.

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A distant howl brought Drake to his paws. He was waiting under a shady bush, away from the rising heat, for his scouts to report back. Over the ridge he spotted a large, dark gray wolf emerge, a pitch black wolf at his side. The black one was slightly bigger than the other, with deep golden eyes. This one was what caught Drake's attention; another howl reverberated through the trees before the black and gray wolves sprinted towards the waiting group below.

Panting slightly, the black wolf tilted his head downwards as if bowing to Drake. "Alpha, we found two humans and their yappy house dog camping not far from here."

"It looked as if they just woke up and may leave soon," added the gray wolf.

"Well done, Tork and Kele. The humans will be easy to deal with. Their house dog we will need to be cautious with; they are protective of their precious owners."

Another wolf came trotting up and sat by Drake. She was light gray with a patch of white fur on her right ear."This is Kishi, a wolf from the mountain pack."

No sooner was this said before Kele was up on his paws in a flash, hackles raised and teeth bared.

"Stand down!" Drake was furious. He had leaped to his paws as well when he sensed Kele doing so. Drake drew his lips back, exposing gleaming white teeth, his eyes piercing into Kele's. At first the gray wolf glared back, keeping his teeth bared, his stance still threatening. Another snarl and a step towards Kele brought the wolf into submission. Tail between his legs and eyes on the forest floor, Kele settled down.

Head drooping and tail still tucked away, Kele mumbled his apologies and slumped past Tork. Tork shook his head. He knew why Kishi's presence upset Kele but knew better than to react so strongly like that, especially to the Alpha.

The sound of three sets of paws could be heard trotting towards the wolves. Down the rise where Tork and Kele traveled, a dark gray wolf with light gold eyes; a brown wolf with greenish gold eyes; and a lighter brown wolf with gray eyes made their way to Drake. The light brown wolf reached the Alpha first, bowing slightly and averting his gaze. "Alpha," the wolf said in formal greeting.

"Any news to report, Ruku?" asked Alpha Drake calmly, still eying Kele who had his back towards everyone.

Glancing quickly towards Kishi, who he just realized was beside Drake, answered his Alpha. "We found human tracks as usual around their campsites and their companions," Ruku smirked. Sensing Drake knew there was something else, he continued with his report. "There were also signs that Midnight has returned."

A shocked silence followed. Each wolf looked at one another then at the three wolves who brought this news. Kele's head snapped around after hearing Midnight's name, his expression one of pure terror. Kishi started shaking, her fur on end and Tork had an internal battle to stay were he was. Only Drake and the three returning scouts showed no signs of panic.

"Are you sure?" asked Drake calmly, ears swiveling around as if listening for Midnight.

"Yes, Alpha. Her mark is everywhere in a valley near the mountain's foothills." The other brown furred scout spoke up. "There is nothing left; its plant life and wildlife have all but disappeared."

There was an audible gasp from the mountain dwelling wolf, Kishi. Ears back and tail low, she whined softly to herself. The gray wolf knew she needed to warn her pack of the danger that was so close to their territory, but it would be a few days at best before rejoining the gray and white wolves of the mountains.

Drake took in this information. "Anything else, Bongo?" he asked the brown wolf.

Bongo turned to face Drake once more. "No, Alpha. That is all we found out," he answered with a shake of his great chocolate brown head.

Seeming satisfied, the Alpha called to the remaining scout who so far had been quiet. "Zuma, I need you to escort Kishi back up the mountains. It's no longer safe in that area. Ranshu can go with you."

A light gray wolf with deep amber eyes trotted from behind a young tree and sat by Zuma and Kishi. After stern instructions to the males, the trio set off at a brisk pace towards the snowy mountains.

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Three furry bodies cannoned out of the hole under the fallen tree. Maroco, Conin, and Tasha let out excited yelps and whines as they chased one another just out of the thicket.

Their mother, Siri, followed more slowly, her nostrils flaring and ears searching for danger. Her pup's laughter filled her heart with joy, making her smile despite what was going on in the forest.

Siri side-stepped her chocolate brown daughter who was moments later tackled by her darker furred big brother. His twin in color tried his best to knock one of them over but his little size couldn't compete with his older brother and sister. Chuckling, Siri picked up her youngest by his scruff and put him back on his tiny paws.

"Thanks, Ma!" Conin shouted over his shoulder.

"You're welcome, my dear." Siri's reply was drowned out by sudden terrified yelps. She let out a short bark of alarm and sped towards the sound. What Siri saw when she rounded the bend made her heart race and insides churn.

"Conin!" she howled, sprinting towards her smallest who was hanging by his front paws on a large boulder that danced dangerously on a sudden drop. Siri slowed down as she neared her pup. Her other two were cowering under a bush not far off. "Conin, stay calm! Don't move or it'll give," Siri called soothingly.

He could only whimper, too frightened to speak, but ceased his frantic clawing at the rock. She could see the black wolf pup slipping ever so slightly backwards towards the ground far below. Inch by painfully slow inch, Siri stretched forward across the rocky floor to the one barely holding in the sparse dirt.

In their shelter, Maroco and Tasha looked on with fear in their eyes, fur standing straight up and almost on top of one another. Tasha shook like a leaf while Maroco whimpered, wanting to help but too scared to move.

Siri reached the loose boulder's splintered edge; it looked as if something had slammed hard into the opposite side, splitting it from the solid ground. A very faint crackling sound was heard above the three wolf pups' whimpering before a louder crack resounded off the trees and solid rocks. Seconds later, Siri could only watch in horror as the noise increased, mingled with the terror-filled yowls from Conin before the whole ledge gave away.