On the warm morning of May 19th, a young female, the proud mate to her precious Tribal Clan leader, lay in a secluded field, prepared to give birth to her first pup. And you guessed it, that's where I came in the picture but I will spare you the details. She had just cradled me to sleep, or so she thought when my father came to check up on her. My first memory of that wretched male was a look of disgust burning on his dark features. What's wrong with his face? he demanded from my mother, who simply smiled at him. That's the way he was born, dear. She replied. Nothing could ever damper her good spirit, even her own mate's disapproval of their son.

I seemed to learn quickly. I was walking long before all the other pups at the clan. I didn't like the feeling of being helpless. My accomplishment displeased my father further. Due to his status as alpha, he had his repuatation to protect and a freak like me would surely destroy it. He often just said my mother had been unfaithful to him. He was always a coward..

By the time I was a month old, my curiosity of my surroundings had become immense. My father made sure I stayed in our den at all times. My mother had gone out to socialize with my father, who was finally starting to accept me as his son. I couldn't control the urge, and I found myself heading into the lands which I had mostly been forbidden from. I did look quite odd among the older members, because only the adults who my father accepted had the tribal marks painted on...and here I was, a mere pup with tribal markings even more intricate than any of theirs, which meant my father valued me above anyone else.

Once the word of my presence on the lands got to my father, he became enraged. Almost immediately spotting me, he dragged my mother over to me. Get your son off of my lands! He snarled as he threw her at me. She fell besides me and let out a loud whimper of pain. This seemed to set something off in me. I became immediately outraged. My mother did nothing wrong. And I loved her. Suddenly, a painful burn began to sear in my markings. I was sure I was on fire, and tears of pain were streaming down my face. My normally blue markings had turned a vibrant crimson.

My father snarled at this. My suspicions were correct. You are no son of mine. You are a creature of hell that shouldn't be permitted to walk these lands." his words were harsh, and each one felt like a dagger stabbing into my heart and being twisted. The pain did not result from his rejection but rather my strong hatred for him. But before I did anything, my mother had picked me up by the scruff of my neck and had carried me back to our den. Don't worry, Zaipt...your father is a good male. He will come around eventually. I know he will. He loves you, no matter what it may seem. He is just stubborn. Please don't give up on him.. she told me. She was always telling me things to make me like him, but I never did and I never will.

For days, I sulked in the den. When I had calmed down, my markings had returned back to normal with as much pain as when they changed to crimson. Apparently, I had some type of gift, and my markings would always change colors depending upon my mood. My mother sensed my loneliness, and secretly arranged for another pup of my age to come into the den for a play date...or whatever. Hm, yes...I remember her well. Her name was Kia, or something like that. I never was too good with names. Anyway, we hit it off right away and immediately began tackling each other and any other playful antics pups of our age obtained. While we played, I moved my paw in some strange manner and suddenly...out of nowhere, a strike of lightning struck down and hit Kia. Her beautiful smile faded away, and so did every feature. Before me, she fell lifeless...and I didn't know what I did. An incredible feeling of sadness washed over me, and my colors changed to a dark gray.

And for hours, I sat helplessly in front of her body...hoping that she would come back to life. She was the only one besides my mother who had accepted me, even if I had only known her for an hour or so. When the sun started to sink beyond the horizon, Kia's mother had come to pick her up. Seeing her beloved daughter's body in front of me, she became angry. What have you done! She screamed. At first, I was sure she was going to kill me, but then her tears began to fall and she collapsed besides Kia's body. My mother came back a few minutes later, and had almost the same affect as Kia's mother. After Kia's mother scooped up her daughter and departed, my mother for the first time...looked ashamed of me. I tried to explain, but she just wouldn't listen.

By morning, my father had found out about the death. When he arrived in the den, I was afraid. I had never seen him that angry. I allow you to say in my pack lands, I keep you safe, I keep you fed and this is how you repay me!? he boomed, his voice seeming to echo for miles. I whimpered and tried to explain to him, such as I did with my mother, but he didn't listen either. You are ruining this pack's reputation. You are a disgrace to this family, and I no longer want you here. You have until sunset to get out of here. he glanced to my mother, who had been rambling on about how good I was and yet she wouldn't protest to his almighty will. Guess he thought he was doing me a favor by not killing me.

All of that day, I stayed close to my mother. I tried to make her come with me. I didn't want to be alone...I couldn't. Sunset came all to fast. Just as sun started to sink, so did my mother happiness. Sweetie, I would love to come with you...I truly would, but I need to stay here with the pack. I love your father to much to leave. she explained.

Secretly, I hated her for this, but all I could manage were sobs of protest. She looked fondly down at the dream catcher she kept around her neck. With a smile, she removed it and tied it around my neck. Wear this always, Zaipt, it will keep you safe. It can sense danger. Whenever it glows red, it means danger is around. Keep a close eye on it, and -- she paused, and made a weird sound. Immediately, a small blue spardel came bursting out of the shadows.

Semiah. she continued. She knows when danger is around as well. With her and the dream catcher, they will never get you... I was confused by this. Who were they? Zaipt...your father was really angry last night. A long time ago, he made an agreement with some spirits. Demon spirits. I don't know much about it, but it seems they owed him a favor. He told them to go after you and to never stop until you are dead.... Fear began to pulse through my veins. My own father wanted me dead.

To my dismay, the sun had nearly disappeared. My mother sprung to a stand and nudged me away. Zaipt...don't worry, there is a way to beat them. The secret is in these lands. All you have to do is--" she was cut off by the sound of my father's footsteps as he approached. Biting her lip, she nuzzled me goodbye and turned her back on me. I looked longingly up at her, quite confused. But I knew I had no choice. I had to run. I had to get off the lands before my father saw me. I knew from that moment on I would never lead a normal life...

to be continued