The sleek body bulged as his head hung crooked to the side. His jaws were lassoed around the carcuss of a musk ox calf. Alyne was helping he drag it, he wouldn't have been able to by himself with its size.

A sillouette was impossible or him, his body always had the perfect sheen no matter what, so even against the sun, his full features were highlighted, sometimes even to its best to make him look unreal. Since the sun was setting, if you stood a certain way from him, he looked more angelic than not.

He paused, letting the carcass down slowly as to not dump the weight on Aylen. After settling it he looked for the alpha who was just ahead of him. Absolute wasn't going to be the one to call the pack to get their meals. He knew way better, but he wished to see all the little pups. He smiled in the thought of it and glance to Aylen. Giving a hearty tail wag.

I walked in, carrying her burden of the ox. Blood stained my ivories, but the meat that I had eaten before warmed my belly. It gave me a comforting feeling.

My gaze was locked on Absolute's as I let down the carcass. Again, over and over, I asked myself - Aylen, are you in love? Should I love Absolute?

---

They Dubbed me: Aylen

They Molded me: Fae

My Blood is of the: Grey Wolf

My pools are Dyed: Yellow

My Pelt is Hued: Light Grey

I Belong to: Aspen Grove?

My Heart Belongs to: Absolute..but should I?

Vestige dropped the oxen when Liseli did, licking his blood-stained fangs. He was pleased with his pack, which was evident due to the huge grin on his face. Trotting over to Absolute and Aylen, the alpha smiled. Tipping back his head, Vestige howled, calling the pack to the meat. He shook his coat and stretched his muscles before speaking to the pair. So, Have you come to a decision? Are you going to stay at Aspen Grove? There was no hate or anger in his voice what-so-ever. If the answer was a no, Vestige would let them eat and be on their way, but the alpha desperately hoped it was a yes. Especially when he saw a wolf bounding towards him. Vestige yipped happily, his tail wagging. Jagged was back! Fully grown too! The alpha ran to meet his son, but Jagged face made Vestige stop, dread filling him.

Jagged skidded to a halt near his father. Dad, You know the female at the den, I think her names...Aminita? Anyway, she's had her pups stolen by some wolves. We don't know who, but they attacked Damaged, we didn't see them slip away.

Vestige's face and heart sank. They quickly turned to anger. Did they say anything about themselves?

Jagged looked up, trying to remember the conversation. Yes! One of them was called Nachi. That's all I found out. But another female came along, she smelt of this pack, and said they were Shadow Haunters, I think.

Vestige's eyes widened. No! That's Risen's pack. He couldn't believe it. The alpha had almost killed Risen in a battle at the Eskers, and now she was taking it out on his pack. Vestige snarled, but knew there was little he could do. He began to pace, only stopping for a few moments. Where are your brothers and sisters? Where's your mother?

Jagged had no idea what his father was talking about with the whole "Shadow Haunters" and "Risen" thing. Damaged is with Aminita, Krypt.. He paused. It was a good question, where was his brother? He was with us a few hours ago...I don't know where he's got to now. Mother and our sisters, I dont know where they are.

Vestige stopped, wondering what an earth he should do. He had one idea, but it would be incredibly risky and highly unlikely to work. He had to try however, for the sake of his pack and for any chance of getting Aminita's pups back. He padded over to Aylen, Absolute and Liseli, who had probably heard all of what Vestige and Jagged had discussed. I want you three to look after Aminita and find out as much about the three that took Aminita's pups as possible. Keep watch here, make sure everyone is together. I'll be back as soon as I can. I'm going to see the Shadow Lurkers, to see if I can strike up a temporary alliance against the Shadow Haunters. We're going to need all the help we can get. I also need to go and see the Death Pack, and possibly find any others who could help us. I fear we are Risen's first target and she won't spare anyone. If.. Vestige paused, glancing to the ground. If I don't come back, and there's a chance I won't if Risens after me, I would like Liseli to take over. You've been here the longest, and my sons aren't wise enough in my mind to look after a pack. Anyway, I must stay positive, I'll see you later.

Turning, the alpha headed for the alleys.

Jagged padded over to the three wolves with a nervous smile. Uh, Hello, I'm Jagged. I.. He stopped however, and waiting for Vestige words to sink in, and for the arrival of his brother and Aminita.

The satin wolf paused at all of the info..... "R-Risen?" He spoke the name of his well known half sister. If only he hadn't been father by Vicious, he wouldn't feel so horrible about himself. But he shook his head. He was alive, and he had to help this pack. They were his new family. Not that stupid wench of a sister. She had done nothing for him. "I'll protect this pack with his life." He winced, as if he was signing his death certificate. He was sure as dead if he faced Risen and her comrades.

Turning a slightly shakey voice to the older Jagged. "I-I'm Absolute," He forced on a smile, hoping to lighten the blackest mood.

If Aminita had seemed submissive and tense before, she was a hundred times worse now. Her tail, tucked between her legs, was pressed up tight to her belly. Her body and head were so low that her nose occasionally bumped against the snow as she slunk across the ground. Her ears were plastered agaisnt her brown-black head, making her frame seem even smaller than it was. Her meek, lowly posture was a good reflection of her mood.

Pressed up tight against her mother trotted Scaria, the only pup not to be taken by the Haunters. The little white female nearly tripped her mother, so close was she walking to Aminita. And she adopted to same submissive, morose look.

Aminita didn't get to close to the others, and settled with lying down a few yards from the kill, her eyes staring bleakly at the ground as Scaria huddled against her side. Never had she felt this low in her life. All she could think of was her pups being carried away, and how she trembled in the den and watched them.

He watched the mother painfully. He had the feeling the kills were of no use. Nudging the food he tried to get the pup and mother to eat, knowing it was no use. "Um... we brought, food.... If... If you would like to eat." He wagged his tail dryly. Lowering himself unsure of how to comfort the mother and pup. His eyes drooped. Now feeling completely worried.

Soon a small fit of rage consumed him. Damning himself for his heiritage. "Fucking Vicious and all your kids." His eyes closed, and he slunk away. "None of us. Not even I should have been placed on this earth. All we are doing is causing harm and pain." He let himself drop into a pile of snow. Eyes dead within, breathing only slighly as half of his body was concealed under the snow. Breathing out and closing his eyes. He couldn't think of a way to cheer up anyone. All he could think of was the curse of even being related to Risen.

Damaged approached the group as Aminita did, still worried about the way she was acting. Aminita, you need to eat. Damaged dragged one of the oxen closer to the mother and her pup. A feeling of dread washed over him. Was this what his father had felt like before going to fight? In reality, Damaged and Jagged had never fought in a battle before, and the thought of fighting experianced, powerful and evil enemies scared the hell out of him.

Little did he know, his father had had some luck in persuading the Shadow Lurkers into a temporary ceasefire, until Risen had been killed.

Jagged smiled weakly at Absolute, sitting on the snow as his thought of any words of encouragement he could offer the pack, but found none. He remained silent, just blinking.

Damaged sighed. Standing near the middle of everyone, Damaged tried to boost confidence levels. It was going to be a poor attempt. I, urm, I'm Damaged. I... Much to his relief he was cut off.

A low but powerful howl echoed across Aspen Grove. Vestige. Damaged's ears perked. His heart sank. Moonpaw was caught by the Haunters. She was about to be killed. They had to save her. Damaged swung round to the pack. It's early I know, and we're not at all prepared, but Moonpaw's been taken by the Haunters and they're about to kill her. We've got to save her. Vestige has already gone. Come on!

Damaged turned and ran out, Jagged turned to follow, but glanced to Aminita. You can stay here if you wish, protect your daughter. I'll stay too. If they come to get your last pup, they'll have me to deal with. Jagged moved across to stand by Aminita and Scaria.

I stood there rather confused. Vestige was gone, everyone was in pain or terror, yet I didn't know what was going on. The Shadow Haunters? Who were they? Who was...oh...Vicious. Absolute spoke with hatred upon his tounge when he said 'Vicious'. I could easily guess who 'Vicious' was. Another bloodthirsty, cruel, wolf. I walked up to Absolute and gave him a lick on the cheek.

"Every wolf has a place in this world. Even if Vicious is as bad as he sounds. He might teach us what not to do, and show us the consequences."

I stroked him once with his tail, silencing any words that would come out of his maw. My voice then lowered to a whisper.

"I need...to tell you something. I-I love you Absolute."

Liseli dropped her burden, only to be surrounded by the befuddled sounds and smells of a pack in panic. Her own, personal fear for her pups she shoved impatiently to one side. If they were well, then there was nothing to worry for, and if they were kidnapped, there was naught she could do that V.estige would not do in her place. That settled, she lifted her dial into a position of dominance.

Finally, over all the chaos, she let her voice ring loud and clear, a sharp tone of authority in it. Nothing's to be gained by dashing around blindly. Risen has harmed our pack before, is the source of my sister's death. She is a clever and devlish female, and one to be dealt with accordingly. Our best course of action at this point is to proceed to the smaller, more unused den, taking with us all the remaining pups and our recent kill. These kills will last us several days before we will find the necessity to hunt again, and we are enough adults strong to defend ourselves should a small strike force arise against us again. And she paused, turning to look each wolf in the eye, though not with dominance, but with with the determination of a wolf who had lost much, and could not bear to lose more. Her twin's death was a wound long closed, now ripped open anew with the mention of her killer. She would not let anymore of her pack die.

She lowered her voice now that she had obtained everyone's attention, and spoke softly, voice a little sad but still holding steel. Aylen, Absolute, take that first oxen. I can manage the second well enough. Come. To the cove den. We will make our defense there, and pray Aira will preserve us all til another moonrise. And she bent her head and, with some difficulty, began to drag the oxen away.

Jagged listened to Liseli, and nodded. Silently, he nudged Aminita and Scaria, before following Liseli and the others to the Cedar Rock Den Site.

The voices were echoeing in his mind, one after the other as if none of them existed. Words were spoken but only voices were heard. Until Aylen confessed her love to him. His head perked up fearing he had heard her wrong. Watching her expression to see if it was different than what she had said. "I-I" He was lost, swimming with emotions: Confusion, Distress, joy, anger, pain, excitement. They all came crashing down on him like a ton of bricks.

Dark brown orbs hesititated as he gathered through his emotions. Then he smiled and wagged his tail. Confident in his reply. "I love you too" He gave a cheery smile as if nothing else mattered. The sky in his mind seemed to brighten up. Lighting his features with its warm bath.

But then Liseli spoke up and he was pulled back into reality like a helium balloon pulled from the sky after wondering from its child. His features grew stern again and he nodded to everyone. Seeming stronger, not sulking, he grabbed the carcass and began to haul it toward the den.