Warclaw (18 page)

Wren knew that Waya would guess that with the extra protection around Winter, Warclaw knew about what was going to happen and was doing what he could to protect her. It was going to be hard for Wren to get much information out of Waya, so for Wren’s own selfish needs; he figured that it would be best to get the outline of what he was planning and twist it in order to befriend them both and to get him out of this circle. ‘I have not even been in this pack a month and I’m already stuck in this circle.’ Wren sighed as he ran back towards where he had seen his friends going. Wren had also figured that Winter trusted him, why else would Warclaw ask him to protect her if she didn’t trust him? Wren could feel a plan coming together of how he could get out this mess that he had been thrown into. And Wren wanted out quick, no matter the cost...

Chapter 15: The Lake

The great ball of fire in the sky, had started to drop down behind the horizon creating a beautiful sunset, with vibrant colours flashing down upon the land. At the bottom of the horizon, the sky was a bright yellow which then led onto a darker yellow that turned into orange. This then turned dark orange as it mixed with the clouds that were in the sky. The light bounced off of the lake and reflected the colour back into the sky. There was a gentle breeze and it glided past the leaves ever so gently, making them swing gently from side to side. The birds were singing their last chorus of the day, making the air fill with peaceful songs. The odd bird would take their last flight of the day, taking in their surroundings and letting the cool air fill their senses.

The wolves sat quietly, taking it all in and feeling the light breeze gently ruffle their fur. They looked at the sky, watching as the night sky became darker and darker. Two wolves walked away from all of the others and to the lake that was sat in a secluded area of the den. The lake was surrounded by trees and fireflies flew over the lake making it glisten with sparkling lights. The birds chirped in the background and sang their last chorus. The lake was still and the sky reflected perfectly off it, creating an optical illusion. The stars had started to appear gently in the sky, but were faded as it wasn’t their time yet to come out. The light dazzled the wolves and the air was just perfect; not too cool and not too warm. It was perfect and this time it would last for the day.

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

Warclaw walked with Winter along the side of the lake as it glistened from the night sky. Warclaw watched as the fireflies flew past, making patterns with their own light in the sky. “I can’t remember the last time it was this peaceful, can you Warclaw?” Winter asked while admiring the peacefulness and the quietness of the land. Warclaw shook his head “Neither can I but it’s nice to have it peaceful for one night at least.” Warclaw smiled. “I want to show you something.” Warclaw walked Willow through an archway that the trees made. The earthy green leaves trickled down to the ground, like raindrops that would fall to the ground. With the gentle wind, the leaves moved gracefully creating mesmerising movements. Warclaw led Winter through the archway and out onto the edge. Winter looked out across the lake and gasped at the sheer beauty of it. Being up high you could see right out to the horizon and the deep blue lake that was below them. “This is beautiful Warclaw. I can’t remember the last time we were here.”

“Oh around 10 years ago I’d say, when I first met you. It’s always been a special place to me since we met all those years ago. It’s nice to finally get some time together without having to worry about what’s going to happen.” Warclaw sighed.

“Well don’t let
him
destroy our night. He’s destroyed enough of our lives already; don’t let him destroy this night as well. I don’t want
him
to destroy our only night of peace together before something else happens. So please Warclaw, erase
him
from your mind and let’s enjoy tonight, please?” Winter said trying to keep the mood lightened. “Sorry Winter.” Warclaw apologized.

“So what did you have planned? Or are we going to stare at each other until we fall asleep?” Winter chuckled. Warclaw looked at Winter and smiled. “Well, now you mention it, I do have something planned other than staring at each other, but that is an option if you want to do that?” Warclaw laughed. Winter smiled before laughing. “No let’s see what the big bad Alpha has planned first?”

“What do you mean, ‘big bad Alpha’? I’m not that bad, am I?” Warclaw asked, whilst laughing. “Of course not, well not to me anyway.” Winter laughed. “Now do what you have planned Warclaw.” Winter smiled as she watched as Warclaw disappeared for a few minutes. She looked back out to the horizon, taking in all the sights, sounds and smells, making sure that they were imprinted before this perfect night ended.

A few minutes later Warclaw came back with a moose leg and dropped it down below her. “Well I got this for you and this, hang on...” Warclaw said before walking back in the direction from once he had came. When he came back he had a bunch of flowers in his mouth. “These are for you.” He then lay them down next to Winter.

“Warclaw, you do know how to spoil some-wolf.” Winter chuckled. “This moose leg looks very nice. When did you get it?” Winter asked, before munching on the moose leg that Warclaw had brought her. Warclaw laughed. “Yes I do. Aren’t I allowed to spoil the wolf I love?” Warclaw chuckled before continuing. “And does it matter when I got it? I got it for you and that’s all what matters.” Winter looked up at Warclaw, blood dripping down her jaw. “Not at all. And if this is what I get when you do spoil me, then please, do carry on! And no it doesn’t matter, I was just curious.” Winter smiled.

“Well, my dear, once you have finished eating that, I would like to take you down to the edge of the lake where we can have a swim if you like?” Warclaw asked with a flash of uncertainty on his face. Winter looked up at Warclaw and nodded her hair “I’d be glad to Warclaw. I’m finished with this anyway, so we can head down now if you want to.” Winter smiled.

“Sure.” Warclaw smiled before heading down to the edge of the lake with Winter by his side.

When they got to the edge of the lake, Warclaw looked at Winter and smiled. “Race you in?” Warclaw joked. Winter smiled “I’ll win as always.” They both laughed before running into the water. Warclaw splashed some water onto Winter before she splashed some water onto Warclaw. The played in the water together before swimming further out into the lake.

In the middle of the lake there was a small piece of land where a loan tree stood. Warclaw walked onto the small island and shook his fur, getting rid of the water that was in his fur. Looking behind him, he saw Winter slowly following behind. She got onto the island and shook her fur. Water flowed like a stream out of her coat. Warclaw walked up to Winter “How do you fancy sitting on this little land and looking up at the stars till dawn comes?” Warclaw asked. Winter smiled “That sounds quiet nice.” Winter walked up to Warclaw and sat down next to him. They both looked up to the sky and watched as the bright shiny stars started to come out and shine upon the earth. Looking up at the stars, Warclaw laughed. “What?” Winter asked, drawing her eyes away from the stars and looking at Warclaw.“Oh, nothing.” Warclaw looked at Winter and smiled before looking back at the stars that were now shinning even more brightly in the sky. “Hmmm” Winter sighed before looking back at the glistening stars that shone brightly in the sky.

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

Morning had arrived and the sun shone brightly against the earth. The sky shone a warm orange at the horizon and from there it turned into a lighter yellow and then into white, before connecting with the bright blue sky. There was not a fluffy white cloud in sight, the sky was clear blue. There was a gentle breeze that blew softly against the leaves in the trees. They made a quiet rustle sound as the leaves knocked against one another. The birds sung their merry song, making the air come alive with the sound of their music. The odd bird would fly high in the sky looking down upon the world as it started to awaken from the night.

On the island that was in the middle of the lake sat the two love birds, Warclaw and Winter. The breeze blew gently against their fur, slowly awakening the two wolves. Warclaw gradually opened his eyes as the bright light flooded his sight. Yawning, Warclaw looked next to him and watched as Winter slowly awakened and looked across to him. “Good morning Warclaw.” Winter yawned before getting up and stretching. “Morning Winter, I think it is best that we head back to the pack considering the time.” Warclaw chuckled. “Oh back to reality hey?”

Winter smiled. “Yes I agree to both of them.” Warclaw got up and stretched before heading down to the edge of the island. Looking back at Winter, Warclaw smiled “Come on, we haven’t got all day you know dear.” Winter chuckled and followed behind him as he walked into the lake.

When they got over to the other side of the lake, Wilda and Welt were waiting for them. Warclaw shook his coat, getting rid of the water droplets out of his fur, before walking up to Wilda and Welt. “Wilda,” he nodded at her “Welt,” he nodded his head at him before continuing “thanks for meeting me here. Could you watch over Winter today like you did yesterday. Keep her safe.” Warclaw turned around to Winter. She was grooming herself and putting all of her wet fur back into place. “Winter,” She looked up at Warclaw “please stay with these guys. I know what you are like, wandering off and wanting to do your own thing. So please stay with guys.”

“Do I have a choice in that?” Winter laughed.

“No you don’t. Winter this is serious now and I can’t believe I am going to say this but I am not telling you, I’m ordering you.” Warclaw sighed, seeing Winter’s annoyed expression on her face. “It’s not like I wanted to say that or do that, but I know what you’re like Winter, so I had no choice.”

“I know Warclaw, but it feels like you don’t trust me. However I know that you wouldn’t do this unless you absolutely had to and to be honest I know what I can be like. So I respect your choice.” Winter sighed before walking up to Warclaw and rubbing her nose against his. “And thanks for last night.” She smiled at Warclaw before walking off with Wilda and Welt by her side. Watching as Winter got chatting to the two wolves, Warclaw walked off in the other direction and towards where Waya and Wren would be training.

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

When Warclaw got to the training ground, it was buzzing with activity. All the protector wolves were training in various activities. Some were doing one-on-one combat, others were doing tracking duties and others were learning how to attack in groups. Warclaw sat on the edge of the training ground, proudly watching all the wolves perfect each of the methods. As Warclaw watched the wolves in front of him, he failed to see the wolf that was tumbling towards him. The other wolf bounded into Warclaw knocking him over, creating a loud thud as Warclaw hit the floor. It took Warclaw by surprise and he could feel the wolf that had bounded into him, shiver with fear. “Get off me!” Warclaw ordered. The wolf quickly got off of Warclaw and sat waiting for him to tear him to pieces. When Warclaw got up off the ground, he looked at the wolf that had knocked him over. As he saw the young wolf shiver with fear, he remembered what Winter had said about how he was ‘big bad Alpha’. “Why did you bound into me Wayna?” Warclaw asked.

“S-sorry Alpha, I-I-I wasn’t looking where I was going.” Wayna stuttered. “I-I-I was running away from Waya. He...”

“YES?” Warclaw’s growled at the mention of
his
name.

“He... he has been chasing me all morning. He won’t leave me alone Alpha. I-I didn’t mean to Alpha.” Wayna panicked, stuttering again. Warclaw sighed. “It’s alright Wayna. Calm down. Now tell me why Waya has been chasing you around all morning.” Warclaw was more comforting this time, trying not to be the ‘big bad Alpha’ that the wolves thought him to be. “I don’t know. I think he thinks that it’s just a big game to him. I’m not sure Alpha.” Wayna said with sincerity in his voice. “Hmm...” Warclaw said in thought. ‘Why would he just chase this wolf into me for? There is nothing to gain from it.’ Wayna suddenly spoke up disturbing Warclaw from his thoughts. “Oh. There was something else. He said, whilst chasing me, that if I did bump into you there was a message that he wanted me to give you. Waya said that he wanted you to meet him at the lake by the arched trees at midday. That’s all he said and then the next thing I know is I’ve ran into you.” Wayna looked at Warclaw, hoping that by telling him this, it would save him getting his head bitten off. Especially with the way Warclaw has been with every-wolf as of lately. “Thank you Wayna. You may go now, but mind how you go and make sure that you don’t run into any more wolves, okay?” Wayna nodded and then ran off back in the direction that he had come from. Warclaw looked up at the sky and judged that he had enough time to speak to Wren before going and seeing what Waya wanted.

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

Midday had come by the time that Warclaw had got to the arched trees that he had been at the night before. Walking towards the lake, Warclaw checked his surroundings making sure that no-wolf was around him and that he wouldn’t be ambushed as he walked towards the edge. As he looked around he saw Waya come through the archway behind him. Warclaw glared at him as Waya walked in front of him. “For a moment I didn’t think you would come, Warclaw, but I knew that you couldn’t resist it. Curiosity was it not?” Waya asked jokingly. “Less of the jokes Waya, just tell me why you asked me to come here. I have other issues that I could be attending right now, instead of being here with your sorry ass.” Warclaw said impatiently. Waya chuckled. “Now now, no need to be so rude.”