1 | PROLOGUE |

A full moon shone dimly amongst the clouds, it's white light barely breaching through the thick mask which covered the sky. An ethereal silence reigned throughout the land, lulled by the occasional murmur of Summar's breath*.

Amongst the sleeping forest, a streak of silver pelt weaved between the tree trunks, disturbing the formerly peaceful night. The scent of blood and fear mingled on it's trail, betraying the fleeing wolf's presence. Paws thrumming into the muddy soil, the silver wolf dared not gaze over her shoulder, afraid she'd meet eye to eye with her pursuers. She was exhausted, pained and afraid, but most of all, she was desperate. One mistep would mean a gruesome death for her and her precious cargo.

A minuscule scrap of brown fur dangled helplessly from her tightly clamped jaws, it's frail body clashing with her chest every now and then. Her precious cargo. The only thing she had left of him...

Keep going. Don't give up. Keep running! She could hear him, his voice, delicate but strong and familiar. His warm breath drew into her ear, whilst his presence ran at her side.

Although she could not see him, she heard the thrumming of invisible paws, his paws, as she raced through the marsh. Then a guttural howl rose far behind, chilling her to the core. They've found her trail and were now quickly closing in. If she wanted even the slightest chance to survive, she'd have to cross the border.

Pushing to her limits, the she-wolf pelted forward and tightened her grimp onto the little scrap's scruff, leaping over a dead tree. She weaved, dodged and ducked, determination fueling her legs and she pushed away the searing pain of her wounds. The damp smells of the marsh stung at her nose, making her sick as it mingled with the scent of her own blood, the scarlet liquid dripping at an almost rhythmic pace. As her energy slowly began to seep away, she knew she'd have to hurry.

At last, she broke through the final line of trees and noticed an immediate change of foliage. She was close to the border, only a few more paces- a yelp ripped from her throat as one of her paws caught in the clump of a large root. Pain surged through her leg as it became increasingly swollen, hindering her movements. She kept hold of the brown scrap dangling between her jaws, careful to protect it from her fall before she stood up again.

The howls. They were getting closer.

The female growled, clenched her jaws and pushed forward. Just a little further! Forcing her limbs to stretch as far as her muscles could bare, she took long strides and pelted for the border, crossing the invisible line that marked her former territory. Relief washed over her body, soothing her worries. However, she wasn't out of danger just yet; although she had crossed the border, she knew her pursuers wouldn't give up so easily. They'd go through anything to kill her even if it meant leaving the territory.

She couldn't stop now, she had to continue on.

Draining from her last reserves of energy, she pelted onward till her legs went numb and left bloody traces in the cold soil. Her run reached into a wide field of reeds, moonlight shining silver onto the sparkling dew which covered the field. A strong scent breached her nostrils, snapping her back to reality; she was in another pack's territory. Fear settled into her limbs, rooting her to the ground.

Would she be willing enough to risk death by entering another pack's hunting ground? A pack which could be even more ruthless than her own?

No. She shook her head to and fo. I won't let him win.

Her pace slowed to a trot, hindered by a heavy limp due to her sore paws. Silently, she crossed through the golden reeds, relieved to feel their gentle touch brush against her fur. Finally, she reached the other end of the plain and entered another part of the forest, the terrain much more firm and solid than the goop of the marshlands.

The she-wolf had burnt through her last wave of energy and exhaustion quickly settled in her body. Struggling to stay awake, she took cover in a small hollow beneath a bush and curled herself into a ball. Delicately, she placed the small pup on her flank then grazed her tongue over the tiny beings head.

"Stay strong..." she crooned, pressing her snout against it's flank. "I'll protect you."