Chapter 16: Shadow's Plan

DUSK

    Nyxtryx didn't stop talking when they were walking back to the pack. "Weird, a wooden thing, dogs... Slaving creatures? What is up?"

    "Humans, no doubt," Dusk said, wrinkling her nose. "Good-for-nothing humans who hunt us creatures for their likes."

    Nyxtryx growled. "I wished I harmed more during the Hunting War."

    "Huh, be careful what you wish for," Dusk said. "I don't want the war all over again."

    "I'm sorry... I don't want it either..."

    Dusk nudged Nyxtryx for assurance. The two reached the pack. Darke was giving a speech. "We need to find a new place where we can dwell, but where can it be safe?" Darke said, and Dusk's ears drooped, realising she has missed out most of it.

    "Shadow had scouted the lands further ahead, and he has a hypothesis to move on southwards. After all, nothing's wrong, right? If we stay, we won't get anywhere, this is a dangerous area," Darke said. "Also, if anyone sees Midnight, please contact me."

    At the word Shadow, Dusk wrinkled her nose. 

    The wolves began to talk as Darke turned his back on them. Dusk heard many wails of mothers whose pups were still weak. Dusk shook her head. How did this happen?

    Dusk sauntered over to Darke. "Chief, they can't do this," Dusk whispered forcefully.

    "We're in a dangerous area, Dusk, please understand," Darke breathed shallower than usual.

    "C-chief, are you alright?" Dusk asked, hearing his breathing heave.

    "I don't remember, but I think... I think..." Darke coughed.

    Dusk nodded. "Don't force yourself, come, let's head for the river."

    "I'd rather not," a voice hissed. Dusk looked back, Shadow stood there, his blue-yellow eyes seem to glow.

    Dusk growled. "For what reason now?" she asked.

    "Darke just had a fight," Shadow implied. "He got pushed down on the chest- hard. I stopped his assailant before he got clawed and gnawed at."

    Dusk eyed Shadow, the grey marking around his eyes seem to have deepen, to blend with the black. Shadow turned around, the scratch mark becoming visible to Dusk, it was grotesque.

    "Let him rest," Shadow coaxed.

    "Then we won't leave tomorrow," Dusk stated. "He's not in a stable physical condition, and worse and he'll be dead."

    Dusk looked into Shadow's eyes. "Isn't that what we want?" he suddenly said.

    Dusk expected Darke to growl, snap and even attack, but the wolf was frozen into place.

    "What did you do to him?" shrieked Dusk.

    Shadow, with elegance, turned around Dusk, brushing the tips of her fur with his tail. "We all know this old fool's reign is over. You can take over, Wisp can, you can change the traditions, all over from the start..." Shadow whispered.

    So this is what he means... He once said... If Midnight completed the Pack Quest, it would be all over... He would have obliterate all traditions and customs if she did...

    "Join me, let's build an army to save this fool from more trouble, we'll start a new belief amongst these lost wolves..." Shadow hissed, and Darke still frozen.

    Dusk felt a strong urge, to accept. Dusk, Dusk! Keep a hold of yourself! You are NOT joining... this mad wolf!

    "Come, come to me," Shadow whispered, a little more harshly now. "We'll dance amongst the wolves as King and Queen."

    "No," Dusk coldly said, making sure she left an icy glaze on her pale grey eyes.

    Shadow whispered, more silky this time. "You can't deny me, by my Queen."

    "I said no," Dusk firmly stated, and, with a swipe of her paw, landed it on Shadow's chest, and pushed him backwards. Dusk quickly rushed to the Chief. His body was stiff, yet warm.

    "Dusk, you'll never know when to stop, do you?" Shadow asked.

    "Shut it!" Dusk growled.

    Darke stayed silent. Dusk tried to tip the body, but it was like a hundred-years-old tree rooted onto the ground.

    "He's becoming as the earth," Shadow said. "Hurry, accept, and he might be saved."

    "Might?" screeched Dusk.

    "Can't rush a bargain," Shadow snorted.

    "Why do you even need a Queen?" Dusk asked.

    Shadow smiled, revealing his teeth. A broken fang displayed itself. "I need a black sheep."

    Dusk lunged for the menacing wolf. Then all was dark, and Dusk felt like she was forgetting where she was.

Author's Note: I might not kill characters yet, I still need them. Cullen, by the way, is permanent unless the creator wants to kill him because he's been here since the first part. Blaze needs to be careful, but he wasn't appearing any time yet, so what about every 5 posts of the character's appearance? If the character appears five times and the creator has not commented, permanent or not, be prepared to see your beloved character disappear... even though I won't like that.

Re-count starts from today.