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Alone

He was in the middle of a storm. His howls could do nothing against the raging wind. His belly was bleeding. The snow that brushed against his wounds seemed to boil at contact. He often rolled over in pain. The wind pushed the snow against his bloodstained body like knives. The snowflakes cut him and got in his eyes until he could barely see. His pupils grew huge in pain. A scream could not escape his lips. He furiously howled hoping some wolf would take pity on him. He had tried to stand up many times. But, each time he did this his legs came out from under him. His paws were cracked and hard from the snow and the rest of his body was beginning to freeze. But, the biggest feeling he felt was dread, followed by despair. For, he knew this was the way of nature. All things must die and that he couldn't be helped. He would welcome death, after one last howl. The last howl of his life. The howl of a male wolf dying in the snow.

***************

Storm and Luna looked at their three perfect newborn cubs. Breeze, an all black female, Fang, who was the fiercest, he was constantly picking fights with the other two cubs, and lastly, was Ash, he was smaller than the other two, but twice as agile as Breeze or Fang, which helped him not to get hurt by his brother Fang.

Fang desperately tried to get away from his father, Storm, who was attempting to groom him. Breeze was lying on her back trying to catch a butterfly with her paws. Ash was digging for something.

"Ash, stop, your paws could be cut on a rock." Luna scolded.

"Sorry, mother." Ash said.

Breeze sighed contentedly and rolled over. She stood up and went over to where Ash was being groomed by Luna.

"Hey, Ash," Breeze whispered.

"What Breeze?" Ash asked.

"I'm going to go hide in the forest, then you can come and find me." Breeze smiled.

Luna had heard.

"Breeze, be careful not to go beyond the large boulder next to the creek. For that marks the boundary of our territory." Luna cautioned.

"Ok, mother." Breeze muttered.

The pups had boundaries that they could not pass. Fang would often try to go beyond them. But, by the time he would reach the boundaries Storm and Luna would find out.

Breeze walked slowly through some underbrush. The smell of the forest was on her nostrils. Breeze easily found an apparently abandoned fox set. As soon as she entered it she smelled fox everywhere.

Ash stalked through the forest. Sniffing for the scent of his sister. Ash had picked up his sister's scent on a tree. Ash could tell that he was getting closer to Breeze. He heard a twig snap. His ears pricked up in attention. Something was moving through the underbrush ahead of him and whatever it was it wasn't Breeze. Ash backed into a bush and hid there. A fox pounced on the exact spot Ash had been in ten seconds ago. The fox paced. It was angry that its prey had disappeared. Ash slowly walked out of the bush and headed back for his parents. Once Ash was sure he was out of the fox's earshot he began to run. Ash quickly realized as he was running that he was making a lot of noise. Ash stopped next to an abandoned fox set. He breathed in a deep breath and tried to howl. Ash could not howl. Something barked at him from inside the abandoned fox set. It was Breeze.

"Come, Breeze we have to get back to mother and father. I'm afraid I'm being stalked by a fox." Ash panted.

"Let's go." Breeze said.

Breeze squeezed out of the fox set and ran back with Ash to the pack. As they got closer to their mother and father. They began to hear the sound of a fox chasing them. They tried to quicken up their pace, but wolf pups aren't used to running as much as their strong parents. Ash looked back and saw two foxes, a male and a female. The foxes had left their kits in their hole. Ash and Breeze began to feel weary. The foxes didn't even break a sweat. Suddenly, Ash and Breeze burst into the small clearing that they had been in earlier. Fang was stalking a small bird, and Storm and Luna were talking. Ash went right up to his father.

"Father," he managed to spit out.

"What?"

"A pair of foxes were following us. They are still com-" Ash was interrupted as two foxes burst into the small clearing.

"Darn," The male said.

"I didn't think there would be two full-grown wolves!" the fox exclaimed.

Storm pounced on the male fox biting its neck. The fox howled in pain. The fox struggled as Storm sunk his teeth deeper. The fox's mate ran at Storm but, was taken down by Luna. The vixen bit into Luna's neck. Storm's eyes went wide as his mate went limp. Luna was dead. The distraction was all the female fox needed to drop Luna and grab Breeze who was stunned at seeing her mother's death. The female fox stayed waiting for Storm to look up.

"Let my mate go," the vixen said to Storm.

"Or I'll snap this pup's neck."

The male fox laughed quietly and then coughed up blood. Storm let the male fox go. The vixen dropped Breeze and the two foxes ran into the forest.

The pups were all nudging Luna's corpse hoping that she was alive.

"Pups, go to the den and stay there. I need to deal with these foxes." Storm demanded.

Breeze and Ash immediately started running to the den. Fang stayed.

"I want to come with you, father." he said.

"You can't." Storm stated.

"But I..."

"Go to the den, you'll be safe there."

Storm rushed through the forest sniffing for the scent of fox.

************

Fennix the fox poked his little head out of his family's den. His mother and father had not returned from hunting. His brothers and sisters were playing in the other part of the fox den. A twig snapped. Fennix's ears pricked up. Suddenly, his father and mother appeared out of a thicket. His father had scrape marks running across his belly and his neck and muzzle were soaked with blood. His mother seemed fine.

The other kits had not seen their parents arrival.

Fennix stepped out of the den and approached his mother.

"What happened?" he asked.

"We were stalking a young wolf cub. We had almost caught up to it but, then we met its parents. Your father did not fare well. But, we managed to kill the pup's mother." Fenix's mother said.

"Fennix," his father breathed.

"Go and tell the rest of the cubs that we are back."

*************

Fennix slept next to his mother's belly. He fell asleep to the beating of her heart.

Suddenly, Fennix was aroused by a twig snapping. He popped his head out of the hole and he could see two yellow eyes glaring at him through the underbrush next to his den. Fennix nudged his father and mother until they woke up.

"What is it Fennix? Are you hurt?" His mother asked.

The other pups began to awake. It was almost pitch black in the forest outside.

"There is a wolf outside, I think it wants to eat us." Fennix trembled.

Fennix's sister Amber laughed. "There are no wolves in this forest." she scoffed.

"What about the one's mother and father fought. They said they only killed the female. What if its mate is back for revenge?" Fennix shivered.

"We shall see." Fennix's father said.

"I will go out and keep watch to make the pups feel better."

"But, if there really is a wolf outside you'll die." His mate said.

"Well, at least I'll die protecting you, and besides there is nothing out there Fennix."

***********

Breeze was sobbing in the far end of the cave. Ash was speaking kind words to her. But, Fang stared out into the darkness. He was dreaming of the day when he would be free. Fang had vowed to his mother's life to kill every fox that he could to avenge her.

Breeze snuggled up against the cold wall with Ash by her side.

"Fang, come its time to sleep." Breeze said faintly.

"I will not sleep." Fang stated solemnly.

************

Storm had caught the scent of the foxes. He snuck stealthily through the underbrush and saw a small fox kit poke its head out of its family's hole. Storm accidentally stepped on a twig. The fox kit's ears poked up. Storm heard something else coming. Then he saw the foxes he had been fighting earlier. He nearly pounced but, decided to wait, until the cover of darkness.

**************

Storm's eyes had quickly adjusted to the dark. He was very hungry for he hadn't eaten in the last few days. But, the thought of his mate pushed him on. He stared directly at the entrance of the foxhole. Nothing had entered or exited the foxhole since the two foxes went in earlier. Suddenly, the same kit that had popped his head out of the foxhole earlier appeared. It stared horrified at Storm and then went back into its hole. Storm backed up and found a new hiding place behind a bush.

Soon, the male fox emerged from the foxhole. It sniffed the ground for Storm. Storm got ready to pounce. The fox's ears pricked up. Storm took this opportunity to attack. He sank his teeth into the fox's neck and this time he immediately bit much deeper.

***************

Fennix's father crawled out of the hole and Fennix immediately looked out of the entrance. His father sniffed the ground then suddenly, his father's ears pricked up. Then a wolf pounced from behind a bush and sank its teeth into his father's neck. Fennix crawled next to his mother, who knew what was happening. As soon as Fennix had crawled next to his mother, he heard a gruesome snap and a low whine from his father as he breathed his last.

*********

Storm heard the snap and the fox's body went limp. He dropped the body and was about to go to the foxhole. Suddenly, he stopped himself. Storm knew he had to get back to his pups.

He rushed back his den.It didn't take Storm a long time to get to his cave. Breeze and Ash were asleep and Fang was in the entrance of the cave staring into the night.

"Fang, you need to get some rest." Storm said as soon as he entered.

"What were you doing father?" Fang inquired.

"I was dealing with a fox."

*************

Storm was getting older. His cubs had already left to join another pack. Storm decided to stay a lone wolf. After, Storm had killed the male fox he had not heard of anything from the fox family. Storm still occupied the cave he had had his first and last litter. Storm had not found another mate after Luna, nor was he planning to.

Earlier, Storm had checked the foxhole where he had killed a fox two years ago. It was empty and it smelled as if it had been empty for a while.

************

Breeze smiled at her mate. They had just met a few day earlier and they had howled together. To a wolf howling with another wolf that you love was an act of romance. Breeze's mate's name was Duke. They were alone in a cave as the rest of the pack was hunting. it was snowing outside and it was cold. Breeze snuggled up against the warmth of her mate. Duke was softly licking Breezes muzzle. She was smiling back at him.

Only a week ago. The males in the pack had more heightened feelings for the she-wolves in the pack. Duke had fought two other wolves to win Breeze. Most of the males fought on one day. Although, Breeze knew there was still one female who didn't have a mate. That she-wolf's name was Blaze.

Blaze was an all white she-wolf. Several males were skirmishing over her but no big fights had broken out, yet.

***************

Ash was admiring Blaze's all white coat. She was the only mate he wanted. Unfortunately, his stronger brother Fang had his eyes on Blaze. Ash knew eventually he would have to confront his brother about it.

***********

Fang had stayed true to his vow. He had killed eight foxes. he still didn't feel like that was enough to avenge his mother. Fang was one of the best hunters in the pack. But, that still hadn't managed to impress Blaze. Fang knew that Ash also liked Blaze. Fang was planning to fight and kill his brother over Blaze that night. Fang slowly stalked through the forest. There were three groups hunting. Two groups were stalking a herd of elk. Blaze, Fang, and Ash were hunting two buffalos that had strayed from their herd. One was already wounded by a lethal bite from Duke, another one of the hunters.

Fang had always liked him and now that Duke was with his sister, Breeze he accepted Duke as a brother. There was one thing that Fang didn't like about Duke. Duke liked Ash. Fang had always hated Ash. He didn't really know why, but Fang loathed Ash.

***********

Breeze and Duke heard a howl which meant that the hunters had returned. They both got up and emerged from the cave.

Blaze came first from the bushes. She had a big piece of buffalo in her jowls. next, came Ash, followed by Fang. Soon the whole pack arrived and they all sat in a circle and ate the meat that the hunters had managed to find. Luckily, the pack was larger so, most of the wolves ate well.

************

Ash saw Fang whisper something to the Alpha wolf. He knew that it was a challenge for Blaze. Ash stood up. The Alpha wolf gave a distinctive howl that announced the challenge. the wolves formed a large circle around Ash and Fang. Ash looked over to Blaze, who smiled. Ash was filled with dread. He knew he was probably going to die. Fang immediately pounced at his brother. Ash barely jumped out of the way. Fang got the taste of grass in his mouth and got up humiliated. Fang bared his teeth. Ash was backed against the wall of wolves. Fang struck out his claws against Ash's belly repeatedly. Ash felt the burn of blood seeping out. Ash bit frantically for Fang's neck. He managed to bite his brother's muzzle. Fang howled in pain as his face was smeared with blood.

Ash bolted out of the circle of wolves. Fang came after him and the other wolves came after Fang. Ash made it to the middle of a wide frozen lake. Then his brother pounced on him.

**************

Ash was dying in the snow. No one was there to comfort him. He had lost his mate. Ash felt stupid for accepting a death note from Fang over a mate. He was surprised that not even Breeze had shown up for him. Ash gave a long howl. The last howl of his life.

The snow was turning red from the blood that came from all the wounds on Ash. That was when he saw his sister and her mate coming toward him. As they got closer his vision began to fade. Then he didn't see Breeze and Duke anymore. He saw his mother and father. Then all went black.

Ash was dead.

*************

Breeze nudged Ash. When she and Duke found that he was dead they howled a long howl. A howl of love and loss for Ash and hatred for her brother Fang.

*************

"Mother?" A small wolf pup asked.

"Yes, Ash?" Breeze smiled.

"Tell me about Ash, your brother that I was named after."

"Ok, but, it's a long story so you might want to go and find Storm and Duke." Breeze said softly.