1 Chapter 1

Pack List

Dagger's Pack (In Order of Rank)

Alpha: big thick-furred male dire with red eyes (Also known as Dagger)

Alpha Female: small white-and-black wolf with light-blue eyes (Also known as Winter)

Beta: light-brown dire female with black patches (Also known as Sparrow)

Hunters:

Raina- black thick-furred female with red eyes and pierced ear (Dagger's litter-sister)

Whisper- big grey male with thick legs and dark patches

Chase- young black male dire

Fallen- white female

Halo- young dire male with black fur and white underbelly

Koda- young male with black-dark blue fur (Winter's litter-brother)

Flower- sleek female with light-yellow fur

Arrow- young black-tan male dire

Bella- gold and white thick-furred female (Lucis's litter-sister)

Bruno- larger thick-furred brown male dire

Lucis- gold and white thick furred male (Bella's litter-brother)

Moon- black and white female

Axe- large black and brown male dire

Cannon- brown and tan female dire

Storm- young male with black-dark blue fur (Winter and Koda's litter-brother)

Shasta- mixed colored male with one yellow eye and one blue eye (Winter, Koda and Storm's litter-brother)

Brute- black and tan male dire

Patrols:

Lance- black and tan male dire

Bullet- small black and tan male dire

Forest- golden furred male dire

Sky- light grey female dire

Wolfen- brown and tan male dire

Aria- white female

Silver- brown stocky male

Golden- gold thick-furred male

Omega:

Small white female with floppy ears (Also known as Sunny)

Pups:

Star- thick-furred black male with white star mark on chest (pup of Dagger and Winter)

Chapter 1

Dagger bounded over fallen logs, his tongue lolled from the side of his mouth. His best hunters were next to him: Fallen, Skylar, Chase and Halo. Another wolf was joining them as well, a pup. He made sure to keep up with his packmates as they bounded over logs and stumps. Since the battle with the phantom pack, Dagger's pack was at peace at last. Nightlights pack and his own had joined together, making them a strong pack of thirty members. They were finally at peace. For now.

The pack had arranged their ranks to be split up into separate groups, for either hunting or patrolling. They had fine hunting grounds, and a lake to drink from. Dagger slowed down his pace, and was now walking along with his packmates. "Alpha!" Fallen stepped towards him. "We need to bring the prey back soon, we have many mouths to feed." "Don't worry," Dagger growled calmly. "We'll find them."

The five young adults were flank to flank, keeping their hackles high for any sign of danger. "Dad!" The pup scampered through the wolves and went to Dagger's side. "You kept up," he says smiling. "Well done." The pup smiled back up at him. Dagger had a dream of this pup before, with his mother Winter. Star was the spitting image of Dagger.

Like his father, he had long thick black fur, long ears and a long snout. He wore a white star shape on his chest. His eyes could get any wolf's attention. They weren't red like Daggers, and not light-blue like Winters. They were a mix of both, much more that of marbles. He was perfect.

Though he was young, Star was already showing the traits of dire from his father. He had packed muscle underneath his fur, and in his jaws were those vicious teeth. "Keep your eyes open Star," Dagger growled softly at the young wolf. "Remember, it's the bison herds we're looking for." "Why does it have to be the bison?"

Star frowned. "I can smell so much prey here." Dagger's heart sank, but he kept his voice cheerful. "Your mother wants to make sure we have enough food for our pack." Star scowled. "I know that, it's just...couldn't we bring other prey back too?" Poor Star, he's trying his best to think for his family. "We could do that, but then we'd have to haul it all back. It's easier to kill one big bison, just enough to feed the whole pack."

The pup looked up at his father, unsure of what to say. "Should I tell you a story about how wolves used to live?" Chase says. Dagger looked at him. "Go on." He was relieved that he changed the subject. Star was eager to listen. "Yes please! Tell me." Chase chuckled. "Well, many moon cycles ago, wolves lived very differently. Depending on their species, they had to live in certain areas of the lands. The bigger species, such as the dires, lived in the forests and mountains. The others, the regular grey wolves, always lived in plains and forests. But then there were the half-wolves, half-dogs. We call them wolf-dogs. Because their parents were of a wolf and a domesticated dog, or sometimes the sire is the dog and mom is the wolf, they were almost never welcomed into packs, so they lived in their own makeshift pack, in the plains and deserts. It was hard for them to live, but they managed. Wolves were named differently also.

When they were pups, they got Pup-Names. Their Pup-Name was only used until they got their full grown teeth in, and then they chose their real name. Sometimes, if there were litter-mates together and were fully grown, they would still call each other by their Pup-Name. But as the generations of wolves passed, they thought that Pup-Names grew tiresome, so from that day on, the pups would get their real name at birth, and carry it on until they died.

Slowly, the other species would run into each other, and sometimes forbidden love would occur between the different species, causing havoc. Still happens nowadays. But today, some of us live in peace and harmony. We get along fine with everyone, as long as we keep our distance." Dagger looked at Chase, amused. He had never heard of that story, but yet his mother used to tell him stories of the Spirit-Wolves before she died. Star looked up in amazement. "I never thought wolves could live like that, but the world has changed for the better. I mean look at us now!"

He gave his tail a cheerful wag. Fallen chuckled. Dagger breathed in, but stopped dead in his tracks. "That's the bison herd, can you smell it?" The others sniffed the air. "Yup, there east, I'd say two miles." Halo says. Dagger growled. "Then that's where we're heading. Come on!" He bounded east, flooding his nose. The other's hot on his tail. The bison came in view, and they skidded to a halt. Dagger nodded to them, and they knew what to do. He bent down to Star. "Stay here and watch. You'll be able to use your own skills when you're older." Star whined in acknowledgment.

Dagger padded into the shadow of the trees, keeping his body low to the ground. He peered through the long grass, eyeing the herd. The others were on the opposite side, waiting for his command. He scanned the herd carefully, making sure they found the right there. There he is… the bull of the herd wasn't hard to miss. He was grazing away from the females, and his huge size told Dagger that he had been with this herd for awhile, and his meat would feed the whole pack. He looked at the others and nodded his head. He sprang from his spot barking and snarling.

The herd scattered, towards the others, and Fallen pounced on the bulls back, sinking her teeth into his spine. He bellowed and kicked, trying to get her off. But now the others were there, biting at his ankles and flank. Dagger waited for his opportunity, when the opening came, he sprang at the bulls neck, sinking his teeth into his warm flesh. The bull wheezed and scrambled, but slowly he sank to the ground, the Halo bit his neck too, to help quicken the process. Soon the bull stopped fighting and lay still, heavy with death. Dagger released his grip and panted happily. They hunted well. "Well done everyone, that was fine hunting." Halo wagged his tail. "The pack's going to be happy with this. Now the hardest part is bringing it back to them."

Dagger knew that all too well. But with all of them together, the prey wouldn't be hard to bring back. "Well we might as well get started, we don't want to attract unwanted attention." Fallen says. Chase barked in agreement. Dagger called Star over with a bark, and the pup scampered over to his father. "That should feed all of them. Maybe with leftovers!" Dagger nuzzled his ear. "Don't get your hopes on it yet son, we still have to bring it back." With that, they grabbed the bison with their jaws and dragged it back to the camp.

When they got to the borders, they were greeted by Raina. "Raina." Dagger says to her. She dipped her head. "Hello Dagger." He looked at the others. "You guys take the kill, I'll catch up." They nodded and took it away, Star stayed put. "You too Star. Go find your mother." The pup scowled but obeyed his father. He scamped after the others. Raina flicked her tail. "He reminds me of you when we were pups."

She said it with a hint of sadness. Dagger cocked his head. "What's wrong sis?" Raina sighed. "You and I haven't got the chance to talk since…" "Since when?" Dagger looked at her closely after her words trailed off. "Come on Raina, spit it out." "Since you've become the alpha," she said faintly. "I know it's hard being a leader, but everytime I try to talk to you, you are always too busy or have to direct orders. I miss how things were." Dagger couldn't lie to himself about that.

"Raina," he began. "I know how you feel, but I have a huge responsibility now, and it's hard to just relax for a few days." Raina looked at him, her eyes filled with hurt. "You really don't get it," she said slowly. "All this ordering, all this leading around, maybe you could take a break for like a day or two! Maybe put Beta in charge for a bit." Dagger opened his mouth to speak when the bushes rustled nearby. They both turned, and a little head was poking through. Star had been there the whole time watching-and listening.

"Star," Dagger barked. Hesitantly, the pup got out of the bush and made his way over to them. "I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but you guys shouldn't be like this towards each other," he looked up at his father, his eyes large and sad. "You should be lucky to have a sibling Father, I wish I had some."

He doesn't know what it's like having a sibling, but he wishes he had one. Poor Star… "I know you do son, being the only pup in the litter is not fun at all, and you're hurt. Sadly, there's nothing I can do about that," Dagger bent down to him. "Why don't you go check on your mother? Maybe she'll play with you." Star wagged his tail hesitantly, before turning back towards the camp.

Raina turned back to her brother. "He has a point," she says. "Were siblings, we shouldn't fight or be drifted apart." Dagger nuzzled her face. "I know that too," he paused and bumped her with his shoulder. "You think you could beat me back to the camp?" Raina smiled. "Try me litter-brother. You won't win!" With that she knocked him over and ran off. Dagger growled playfully and bolted after her. At least she feels better…