Chapter 1:

--Night out

Laceh was born in a litter of four including herself. Her mother and father Alphas, and soon all four were welcomed into the pack. The pack was blessed with two males and two females. All shades of pink, black and gray...

Although the whole forest belonged to the pack, a daring trespasser walked into their territory, hiding in the thickest of shadows. And one night when Laceh's mother wandered out to get a drink of water, she had met the strange, demented creature. It's pelt dark like the shadows, fangs glistened in the moonlight and pupil-less eyes sparkled like the stars. A soft red whisp of smoke writhing around it's dark body, as a mischievous grin creep across it's face. Only the small flowing river separated her from the creature.

Hello Hello.." it breathed, and it let out a menacingly laugh, it's large thick claws scraping against the crusty ground.

Wh-who are you..?" came the reply from the female, her body seemed fragile compared to the large, towering muscular body of the stranger. Her voice shook a little at first but then came firm and determined.

Who are you?" she demanded.

The creature pulled his head back a little, as if taken aback. But then once again another smile slithered across it's muzzle, jagged sharp fangs poking at his bottom lip. He stepped forward a little, stopping at the beginning of the river before striding ahead, walking calmly as the river gushed at his belly fur. He stood a few yards away his head lowered as he looked at her, small and petite figure. Beginning to encircle her, he nudged at her back, her gaze following him as he circled her like a vulture. Her fur bristled in alarm and she tensed.

A sharp smile crooked at the corners of his mouth, before he stopped behind her, resting his muzzle next to her ear as he whispered, "Why are you so...tense? Hmm...are you..NERVOUS?" his voice suddenly raised and he pressed against her shoulder with his massive paws, knocking the breath out of her, and his wicked breath curled around her muzzle. She squirmed and a sharp pain shot up through her body. She yelped, and wriggled free as he slowly lifted the pressure on her shoulder.

Gasping for air, she scrambled up to her feet, her chest heaving, and she smirked in disgust. "If you are planning to take away our lands, you will have to kill us all." she said, her chin lifted high and she stared hard at him. And he sat with his back against the tree, examining his claws. And his eyes suddenly narrowed as she finished speaking, lifting his head to glare at her, and he jumped to his feet to where he was face to face with her, lips pulled back in a threatening snarl.

Is that a challenge?" he growled.

Well what do you think?" she growled back, glaring just as hard. And she huffed as a sudden flash of red and black before she hit the ground with a sickening 'thump'. And a sharp sting on her cheek made her realize that he had swat at her face. She gasped and suddenly fear struck her, she scrambled to get up, but then weight on her chest made her gaze flicker up, to see red glowing eyes. And his foul breath wreathed around her. She struggled under his large paw pinning her to the ground.

Wh-what do you want?" she whispered.

He stared up, a small 'hmm' escaping his lips. Then he looked back down at her, a wicked smile carved into his face as he replied with a low, raspy breath. "Give me someone who will serve me well." a soft grin swept across his chin. Before lifting his weight off of her chest. "Bring them tomorrow night, do not tell anybody, or bring anybody else, or... else." he threatened with a snap of his jaws.

Goodnight." he laughed. She jumped to her feet to see he was gone. She was left clueless. And slowly walked a few paces before running at full speed. She entered the pack's cave before hurling herself at her love's sleeping body, nudging him sharply and poking him in the ribs. Getting a painful groan from him before he blinked open his eyes. And suddenly they softened, a small yawn exiting his large powerful jaws.

What is it Tess?" he mumbled.

Rist,....we need to move...we need to leave...now" she urgently whispered, beginning to pull at his scruff.

He shook his head lightly, still half asleep, before gently laying his chin on his paws. Struggling to keep his eyes open. Another yawn as he replied, "Tess...what's wrong? It's late, I think you need some rest..." he murmured, his eyes slowly closing.

Rist...you don't understand...we have a trespasser..."

He opened his eyes once more, "Tess, if there was a trespasser our pack would of recognized them by now...just lay down, you need your sleep, and our pups need you. Now goodnight." he muzzled her before closing his eyes one last time and drifting back off to sleep. She watched helplessly, a soft sigh, and she turned to pad behind him and lay down next to him, her pups sleeping, all but one, which yipped hungrily. A warm smile glided over her muzzle, and she lay with her back brushing Rist's, and guided her pups to her stomach. The small, pink and black pup continued to yip as she was separated from the others, Tess having to reach with her paws to welcome her in. And suddenly dread struck her again as she realized, she had to make a choice, whether it would let her pack survive, or have them all perish...

Chapter 2:

--Horrible dream

The next day...

Tess slowly blinked open her eyes, and a scent of fresh blood filled the cave, she gasped, her vision still blurred she saw the figure of her mate outlined at the entrance, blood splattered all over his fur. She shot up to quickly bolt to his side.

Oh my.." she breathed. Tears edged at her eyes. And she nuzzled him roughly before licking his nose, and then examining him quickly. "Did you get hurt? Are you okay? What happened? Was it him? It was him wasn't it I am SO SOR-" she began to break into muffled sobs, and was stopped by his soft chuckle, and nuzzled under her chin.

What are you talking about? Me and the few of the pack members just went hunting. Are you....feeling okay?" he raised a brow before padding slowly into the den and plopping down and licking his fur.

She scrambled over to him, a sigh of relief as she exhaled. She frowned, and sat next to him. Watching him as he cleaned himself. Her face now deep and serious. "Rist...I have to tell you something.." she began.

He suddenly looked up, attention now caught by her serious tone. "Wh-what is it, Tess?" he stuttered.

Rist...when I was out last night...I met a strange creature...h-he said...tha-that...he wants someone....who will serve him well.....he wants one of us to be his slave. And I'm scared Rist..." a small tear trickled down her cheek, and she began to quiver.

He frowned, turning away to consume everything he just told her, but then a soft tilt of his head and he nuzzled her comfortingly. "It's alright Tess...I'm sure this...thing won't attack a pack of 15 canines, bigger and stronger than him...don't worry, he'll leave soon-" he was swiftly interrupted as she swiveled her head.

Rist, he did THIS to me..." she turned her head to reveal the deep scratches that scraped across her cheek. "He played with me, knocking me from side to side, pinning me down, nipping me...believe me Rist, we need to do something, NOW."

He frowned, his frown soon turning to a silent snarl as his mate showed him the deep claw marks, his lips pulled back to show ragged, sharp teeth. A small growl rumbling deep inside his throat. "Don't worry Tess. I'll take care of him. I'll take a few of our best fighters, and we'll show him who to mess around with." he vowed, before standing to his feet and turning to pad outside, his head down and lips still pulled back.

WAIT!" she called, but he must of not heard. She sighed, laying her head on her paws. "Oh Rist...you don't understand. I-I don't...don't think this guy is messing around...I thi-think....that he may ruin us....I feel....I feel something bad is coming...I can feel it in the pricking of my fur....I can feel it..." she whispered quietly, her voice rasped and low. Her eyes squeezed shut, and fear crackled throughout her entire body, and her heart pounded painfully in her chest.

What, have I done..?

Chapter 3:

--The Hunt

A half moon slowly rose to the middle of the midnight blue sky. Dim stars speckled the sky, seeming distant and dull, a soft chill running down Tess's spine as she rose. Dull silver light washed inside the cave, her four pups softly suckling at her stomach, nuzzling them and licking their fur until Rist appeared at the cave entrance.

It is time to find this sliming mutt.." he growled lightly, his chin tilted upwards showing his pride, and his claws gently scraped against the stone-cold floor. She nodded solemnly, and slowly rose, licking her pups one last time and nuzzling their tiny bodies.

Have Tia come and watch over the pups." she called as he walked out without waiting for her. Moments later she met with two others at the camp entrance, Stone and her brother Grud. Two strong, muscular males, their tails slowly swaying side to side, eyes determined. Although she couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Her stomach churned, and heart pounded. And she slowly worked over the face of the wicked creature, and was soon interrupted as Rist came trotting towards them, his muscles rippling beneath his coat, head tilted up to the moon.

Let's go." he murmured. And soon they walked out, Rist on her right side, with Grud on her left and Stone brushing Grud's side. Her breath began to rasp as she grew closer and closer to the spot where she had met the twisted animal. She lifted her tail in signal, and all three males halted behind her. She slowly walked forward untill she was where she had been the night before. She lifted her muzzle to sniff the air. Nothing...?

There was a sudden hiss....could that be the river- She squeaked as she was bowled over, her side slapping the ground, and large paws pressed against her throat. And in seconds she was grasping for breath, and she could hear that smooth, malicious voice as a hushed whisper.

Oh dear, you gave me,...quite a fright. Sneaking up like that.." he snickered. Pressing twice as hard against her throat. Her eyes grew wide and her paws flailed about, trying to knock him off. Where was Grud, Stone, Rist? She felt almost about to pass out when she heard a small 'huff' and the weight was lifted, and she panted, gasping for the air she breathed and lived by. Her legs trembling, and she looked over to see the devil wrestling with....Grud! A mischievous grin swept across her face. And soon a caterwaul echoed around her, she glanced around frantically, pressing herself against the ground encase the creature had brought guests.

Her heart jumped as she recognized the dark gray figure of Stone launching himself at the other canine. Snapping, growling, snarling, slicing, scraping, shoving, pinning, pushing...and shaking her head briefly, she bolted into the fight, snapping at the black fur of her enemy. She could smell blood, fresh, fresh blood...

Soon after Stone entered the battle, so did Rist, jumping on top of the creatures head and nearly ripping his fur off, but was soon tossed aside when the creature threw his head back.

A paw was thrown at her head and she thumped against the ground next to her brother.

His eyes full of excitement, blood oozed from his mouth, crimson blood trickling down from a cut above his eye. "G-grud...you saved me!" she panted. "Don't you remember..." he rasped. "when I promised mom I'd never let anything happen to you?" he chuckled and jumped to his feet, letting out a loud caterwaul. Soon she had been fighting with all three males again. Pride surged through her body at the thought of defeating the dangers that could cost them all of their pack's lives. She was soon batted across the face with sharp claws, ear nearly ripped off, side trailed with deep gashes. Her body began to ache...they had to finish him off soon! She would have already guessed any normal animal would of died..

After about 10 minutes she heard a shrill screech, and she saw a body flung into the water, and she was thrown off. Quickly scrambling to her feet, she ran to the aside of the river to search who it was. Her heart sank, and pure terror struck her like lightning when she realized it was the mangled body of Grud.

GRUD! PULL YOU HEAD UP! KEEP YOUR HEAD ABOVE THE SURFACE!" she wailed, sprinting after him and she shot into the water, it's temperature freezing her to the bone. Her limbs slowly numbing. She struggled, paddling and flailing, nearly an inch away from grasping his gray fur...

Grud..." she breathed. Her vision starting to blur, and body nearly numb. With a last effort, she jabbed forward, sinking her teeth into her older brother's neck and pulling him up. Struggling to bring him onto land, her paws slipping and as his body was nearly half on land. She nudged his rump with her muzzle and her paws slipped, and she was tugged underwater, twirling and swirling she could feel her body being thrown around like a piece of meat. And soon, her vision blurred, there was no more rushing of water in her ears, no more numbing pain in her limbs....no more...pain...

What seemed like seconds later, a soft prod in the side woke her. Her eyes drearily blinked open. Her vision kept blurring, but soon she made out the familiar den of her's and Rist's. Was she dreaming...? But the aching sting in her body alerted her she had in fact not been sleeping, but she had passed out, she re-traced to what happened last.

I fought...and....oh gosh, GRUD! She went to stand but found out her paw fell from beneath her, and she screeched as pain shot up her leg. She licked her leg, and noticed how swollen it was compared to her other paw. A soft grunt, and she looked around, the pups were out of sight.

HELLO!" she called. And soon the familiar face of Rist poked in, and she continued to attempt to get up. He quickly shot ot her side as she fell once again, catching her fall by jutting beneath her with his neck. He slowly slid out from beneath, and nuzzled her neck. "You...okay?" he whispered. Pulling back to lick her forehead.

I'm fine." she assured. "Where's Grud? Is he okay? What about Stone? Did anybody else get hurt? Did we drive that devil-some creature away? Is he still here-" he silenced her with his tail, a deep, painful sigh rolling off his rasping breath. His face expressing pain, and sorrow. Another deep hearted sigh, he stared at the ground before looking up at her.

T-Tess...I-I don't know how to tell you this but,....G-grud..." his voice cracked with a deep sadness. "T-tess....G-grud....h-he.......hes gone..." he croaked. His throat tightening and he swallowed harshly, waiting her reaction.

At first she didn't believe it. "No...no.." she whispered faintly, staring down at the ground shaking her head lightly. Her heart stopped for a moment, she stood up, lifting her right paw to make sure she hadn't put any pressure on it.

Wh-where is he..?" she squeaked. He nuzzled her softly, murmuring soft words to try and comfort her. But obviously, it wasn't working, and she could tell it on his face. He was helpless. Grud was her last family member alive. Well...maybe not anymore.

She limped out of the cave into the clearing, where tons of bodys where closely huddled together, head down and ears back, tails pulled in closely, and pups asking 'What's happening?'. All heads turned once Rist and Tess came closer. And they separated slowly to form a small gap, and in the center of them all, was the bloody, matted, scarred mangled gray body of her brother, Grud. A sharp inhale and she held it as she left Rist, limping over to her brother. Nudging him, and then prodding him gently. She swallowed harshly, trying to contain her sorrow. But she couldn't help tears fly down her cheeks. She nudged him harder. A soft whimper.

Grud....G-grud...wake up...w-wake up.." she murmured. Her breath growing faster, her nudge becoming rougher, and calls louder, tears began to stream down her cheeks, soaking her face.

G-grud...Grud. GRUD. Wake up...WAKE UP. WAKE UP GRUD!!" and she began to nip his side. Still no response. His body cold, stiff, dead. She kept taking small inhales, letting them build and build and build, untill she banged her forehead on her brother's side. And she let out a sharp wail, and her body jerked as she let everything out. Sobbing mournfully. Whispering, to him about when they were pups, and how they'd always play in the river. She nuzzled his fur.

Oh Grud...why...wh-why did you have to leave me? Y-you promised....y-you promised mom you'd take care of ME....but...b-but maybe I was too selfish...I-I...I should of been protecting YOU. Oh Grud...oh grud...please don't....don't leave me..." she bowed her head, sinking into her brother's damp fur. She felt a tail comfortingly patting her back, and she felt fur brush her side. And she turned to see Black, one of their oldest pack members. She was one of her mother's best friend.

Grud....was a great pack member...a great canine...just like your mother and father....he was.....incredibly brave...and...one of the best personalities you could ask for...he was...loving...and passionate...." she whispered, her voice cracked and rasped with age. And soon her voice grew louder.

He would of died to let his pack survive, and see his family and friends strive....which...is exactly what he did...he risked his life...knowing his pack would be in great paws if he left....and that's exactly what he did....he died....in honor to protect his family...and we will always remember, as one of our greatest warriors, Grud. May he rest peacefully in eternity."

Chapter 4:

--Mourning

Days had gone by since Grud had died, and all had been quiet and solemn, slumping around camp with their heads down. Tess was stressed. The pups finally began to open their eyes, and she had to figure out what to name them, who would be alpha next, what they were going to do about their trespasser...

Rist trotted in with a fair rabbit dangling from his jaws, and dropped it in front of her, nudging her lightly as she stared into space. He sat next to her. "What are ya thinking about?" he mumbled, and she jumped lightly, and glanced over at him, a soft sigh escaping her muzzle.

Well...trying to think of names...I think I want to name one after Grud..." she murmured, nuzzling the bundle of their four pups.

All he could say was 'Hmm'... And a soft nod, and he nuzzled the back of her ear. "If you want to...you can." he whispered ever so softly.

Another deep sigh and she daintily picked one up at a time and brought them between their father and mother. "I was thinking....this one." she lightly poked a small gray with her nose. "Could be....Grud.." she hoarsed. A small smile cracked across her muzzle, and she rasped quietly, "And this one..." she licked the forehead of a black pup, "Could be...Peri...or...Teri.." and she gently swept her tail over a red one like it's father. "Oh..and this one...I think it's a male...and the oldest...I was thinking...maybe Sid?" she coughed.

Laceh