Warclaw (21 page)

“You know that will do no good right? I will just ignore that remark and do what I please? You cannot stop me from coming near this part of the forest although I shall not go into it. That’s something right? Warclaw, no matter how hard you try what will happen will happen and there isn’t much you can do about it. So you are just going to have to accept that I am a free soul. Now. I shall help you guard this part of the forest. And don’t argue with me.” Winter said frustrated. She knew what was going to happen to her, so why let that stop her from being the free soul she is? She hated being controlled and being told what she could and couldn’t do. But that was going to be her downfall.

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Waya and Wren walked across the den together, chatting about how they were going to use this opportunity to their advantage. They had a good idea of how they were going to do it but they had to make sure that Winter was going to be the one to get stuck in the forest and not Warclaw. The plan would not work without Warclaw being in the den in the first place. Waya could feel eyes upon him whilst he talked with Wren. “Let’s get out of here. Somewhere private were we can talk without being watched by Warclaw.” Wren nodded in agreement. He too could feel Warclaw’s eyes burning a hole in the back of his head. “I know somewhere we can go.” Wren said before the way.

As they walked away from the centre of the den, they started to go into detail of how they could get this plan to work and get Winter into the forest. Waya knew that Wren had to earn Warclaw’s trust and give him some details of their plan. But that was the idea of their plan; to use Warclaw and Winter to their own advantage. Warclaw would do anything for Winter and it was the same the other way round. Winter was a free spirit and they knew that she would do anything that Warclaw told her not to and that even included going into the west part of the forest with Wren.

For hours they discussed the little details of their big plan to take down the Alpha. They discussed details and sites of where they would do what and how long in advance that they would tell Warclaw about the plan. In order for their plan to work they would have to tell Warclaw a small white lie. Wren would have to earn Warclaw’s trust and become Winter’s main protector. That was the only way that this was going to work. And they only had one chance.

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The bright yellow and orange sun shone vibrantly down upon the earth from high in the sky, with white fluffy clouds slowly floating past it. The blackbird sang its chorus merrily in the trees and the pigeon cooed its song high in the trees that towered above the wolves. The wind was gentle and blew the leaves softly, making them sway. The ground was alive with life, with wolves’ running back and forth from different places. Two wolves were sat guarding the west side of the forest and were a waiting for Wren and Waya to come and take over for their shift.

Warclaw looked at Winter and sighed. “Its midday they should be here by now. Why aren’t they here now? Why are they late?”

“Warclaw calm down. You don’t need to worry. They are probably on their way right now. Stop panicking.” Winter replied calmly. And sure enough Wren and Waya came running towards Warclaw and Winter. “Sorry Alpha. We were sorting a fight out. It’s sorted now so don’t worry about that.” Waya apologised. “Now do you want us to take over?”

“It’s about time that you got here! Yes I want you to guard this part of the forest with your life. No-wolf goes in here and if I find out that some-wolf has I will have your heads!” Warclaw growled fiercely before walking off with Winter in tow. Wren and Waya took their place and guarded the west part of the forest till dusk. Still plotting and planning their plan to take down the ‘big bad Alpha’. “We need you to get close to Winter in order for them to trust you. This is what you will do...” Waya told Wren how he would go about telling Warclaw of the plan and getting Wren to gain Warclaw’s trust. Unbeknown to them a large powerful wolf wondered out of the west part of the forest that surrounded the den. The large brown wolf walked towards the two chatting wolves. Suddenly Wren heard a deep growl and looked behind him. Waya howled for Warclaw to come to them before going to fight this intruding wolf.

They battled the wolf for what felt like hours. They were both becoming weaker and weaker with every attack they had made. Eventually Warclaw came and charged straight into the face of danger. With Warclaw taking over the fight, it allowed Wren and Waya to take a break before rejoining the fight that was taking place. Warclaw could see the crystal starting to glow and he knew that this was what he needed to finish this fight once and for all. “Wren, Waya get back. I will handle it from here. Get more back up just in case what I have planned doesn’t work. NOW GO!” Warclaw ordered. The two wolves ran off in the search of help, leaving Warclaw and this wolf alone. When the two wolves were out of sight, Warclaw turned round to this unknown wolf and spoke to it “What is your name wolf?” The wolf didn’t answer. “Tell me now!” Warclaw ordered. Still the wolf didn’t speak. Suddenly the wolf charged again at Warclaw, but Warclaw was prepared for this to happen. He held the Atlas Crystal in his paw and let all his anger flow through it. Soon there was blast and Warclaw was thrown backwards. Looking around dazed, Warclaw looked over to where the other wolf was laying. Slowly getting up, Warclaw walked over to where the wolf lay. Warclaw nudged it with his paw making sure that it was dead. Watching the blue haze slowly fade away from the wolf, Warclaw knew that the crystal had killed this wolf.

Warclaw was eventually rejoined by Wren and Waya who had come with back up. Warclaw could hear Winter gasp behind him and he realised that she could see the state that he was in and the corpse that lay below him. “Wren take Winter back to the den and take her now!” Warclaw ordered. Watching Wren take her away from this scene, Warclaw looked to the other wolves. “Who was at the attack yesterday?” Warclaw questioned.

“I was, Alpha.” Walter said walking forward.

“Come here and look at this wolf and tell me if this is the wolf that ambushed you yesterday.” Warclaw ordered. Walter walked forward to where Warclaw was standing and he looked down upon the wolf. “Well is it?” Warclaw asked impatiently.

“Yes it is Alpha. I remember he had these distinct markings on the side of its face and there they are.” And sure enough there were two distinct markings on the side of the wolf’s face. Two white jagged lines went down its face. “Are you sure that this is the one?”

“Yes this is definitely the wolf that ambushed us.” Walter said with confidence. “Thanks Walter. You may go back with the others.” Walter nodded his head to the Alpha before walking back to the others. “Right now we have that cleared up, every-wolf get back to your posts. Waya I want to talk with you so stay behind.” Warclaw watched as the others walked off into the distance and headed back to their posts. “Waya will you follow me please?” Waya sighed before following behind Warclaw. As they walked Waya wondered what Warclaw wanted to talk to him about. Eventually they stopped walking and Warclaw turned around to face him. “You are probably wondering why I have asked you to stay behind. And I know that you didn’t let any-wolf into that part of the forest, so you are not in trouble for that so you can relax a bit.” Warclaw smiled. He knew that with talking to him, he may be able to get some information out of Waya. He may also be able to convince Waya that his plan may not work. Warclaw knew that it was a long shot but it was worth a try. Anything was worth a try at this moment in time. Knowing that it wouldn’t be long until Waya put his plan into action, Warclaw needed to find out as much information as his could. “So what do you want me for then Warclaw? I have things to do you know.”

“Oh right sorry. I got caught up in thought. I wanted to tell you that I was impressed with the fact that you called for me whilst dealing with that wolf.”

“Do you know his name?” Waya asked intrigued.

“No I do not know his name. I asked him before he perished. He didn’t answer, so I don’t think we shall ever know what pack he was from or who he was.” Warclaw said without trying to give too much away. “Why do you want to know?”

“Curious is all. I just wanted to know if we needed to make sure that our protection was at the max. You made me the pack protector after all.” Waya pointed out harshly.

“I know Waya and DO NOT take that tune with me! I know that I made you the pack protector.” Warclaw sighed. “Let’s get back to the topic. I was impressed with the way you dealt with the intruder. And I was also impressed at how well you had trained Wren. He has become an efficient fighter. You have trained him well. Now, when you see Wren tell him to come see me. I want to talk to him. Understood?” Waya nodded. “Good now you can do as you please.” Just as Waya turned around to walk away, Warclaw stopped him. “Oh and one more thing, it will take a lot more than that to get me off of your back and stop suspecting you Waya. I know your plan.” Waya turned round.

“Maybe you do, maybe you don’t. But you’ll never see it coming. Maybe we want you to know the plan or at least some of it Warclaw. Don’t think just because you are the Alpha that you can get your way with me. Now as you have said I can go, I’m going and if I see Wren I shall tell him to see you. Goodbye Alpha.” Waya snarled as he walked off. Warclaw was shocked at the way that Waya had spoken to him. Warclaw realised that Waya had not answered his question but had just confused him even more. ‘Wants me to know some of the plan? And how dare he speak to me like that!’ Warclaw thought angrily. Walking back towards the cave, Warclaw heard footsteps behind him. “Wren, I know it is you. Now, come walk beside me. I want to discuss something with you.” Wren caught up with Warclaw. “You wanted to see me Alpha?” Wren said nervously.

“Yes I did. Now I know that Winter has proposed the idea to you that she wants you as the main protector of her...” Seeing the shocked expression on Wren’s face Warclaw continued. “Before you ask about how I know, I shall tell you. We discussed what who we were going to choose to be the protector. And although Winter did try, she hasn’t persuaded me enough at the time. Now, I want to thank you for tackling that intruder with Waya today and congratulate you on how much you have progressed. You have become an efficient fighter Wren and I shall allow you to become the main protector b...” Before Warclaw could finish his sentence Wren butted in. “Thank you Warclaw. I am honoured to be the main protector of her.”

“Don’t get too excited, you haven’t heard the rest of it.” Warclaw chuckled. “I know that you have been talking with Waya quite a lot as of recent and I know that he has told you some of his plan, if not all of it. So, if you want this role then you will tell me what the plan is, or what you know of it is. Sound fair?” Wren nodded in agreement. ‘He should tell me what the plan is now.’ Warclaw thought. But whilst Warclaw was thinking about how he could find out Wren was thinking of the plan that he and Waya had put together. This was the opportune moment and this was the ideal time to tell Warclaw what they wanted him to know. “I shall tell you what I know, Warclaw. However you must not tell any-wolf including Winter and you must not tell Waya that I have told you. My neck is on the line here you know.”

“I understand.” Warclaw replied.

“Right here goes.” Wren breathed in, trying to calm his racing heart. It was not nerves that he had but excitement for the fact that he realised that the plan was going to work. “Waya is planning on killing Winter in around three days or so at midday. He shall be doing this in the west side of the forest, the best place for him to lure you to. Where we got ambushed is near where he is going to kill Winter. I know that it is not Waya that is going to kill Winter but I don’t know whom it is that is going to do the deed. Is that okay?” Warclaw was quiet for a minute. “Is that all you know?” He asked.

“Yes that’s all I know.”

“Okay...” Warclaw said slowly, thinking about his options. He wondered whether to believe Wren about this. But what other choice did he have. After all Wren had been living the double life and had found something out. It was better than nothing. “So do you believe me?” Wren asked Warclaw.

“I believe you. I shall talk to Winter about appointing you the lead protector of her tonight. Thank you for this Wren. Now I hope you don’t mind but could you try to find out some more information? It’s a tall order I know, but I wouldn’t ask any-wolf else. I trust you now. Thank you. You may go now Wren.” Warclaw said still in thought.

“Of course, Alpha. Thank you for this.” Wren turned round and walked away. Whilst walking off, Wren smiled. Their plan was slowly coming together. ‘I have now earned his trust. Waya will be happy to hear that! And I am Winter’s main protector. He will be pleased.’ Wren chuckled wickedly to himself.

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Winter’s death was close and Warclaw knew it. There was nothing he could do but try to protect her. But with his new found trust in Wren, was it all worth it? Was Warclaw willing enough to risk his soul mate in order to try to save her? Was appointing Wren as main protector the best idea? Warclaw would soon find out...

Chapter 17: Till Death Do Us Part

The sky had become dark blue, as the sun had started to hide behind the rolling green hills. The clouds moved swiftly across the sky. The stars started to glow brightly in the sky like small yellow dots in the sky. The owl hooted its song alone, high in the tall oak trees. The owl seemed to be the only bird that was sharing its song on this night. All the other birds were quiet. The breeze was cold and the wolves huddled together for warmth on this cold night. Even during the darkest of times, there was always one day that was full of some form of light, whether that was the star light or the sunlight. But sometimes that light wasn't the sun. No, it was something completely different and much more deadly.