Fallen Wolves #1: Dark Stars, Katie Radgowski [classic books for 12 year olds .txt] 📗

rock's cracks. 

Moon Leader almost felt cold tears run down her muzzle as they hit the limestone. The moonlight washed the jutted rock white. Moon Leader felt as if her life was ruined. 

 Suddenly, Moon Leader could make out a white, misty shape forming near the gorge. Soon, it has blue, glowing eyes and a white pelt. The breeze carried the shape's scent to her nose and she froze. Edge. 

 Moon Leader slid from the limestone rock and sprinted acorss the grass without a thought. She soon came to the gorge line and stopped. The shape blinked and it became the shape of a handsome, young wolf. 

 "Moon," The wolf began. 

  "EDGE!" Moon Leader barked as she jumped forward and licked his muzzle happily. "You're here! I've missed you so much." 

 "Me too." Edge murmured as he licked her ear caringly. "I never thought I would see you. You look more prettier then ever."

 Moon Leader and Edge stood together for a moment, his icy eyes locked into her frosty ones. Moon Leader felt her tail wag slightly. 

 Edge hesitated before speaking. Moon Leader felt a huge stone land in her belly. Edge used to never hesitate while speaking. So this must be important.

 "Listen, I've came with important news." Edge began. "It's about this wolf. His name is Dark Shadows. He's traveling across Graymarsh, with his evil horde. He's looking for power of one wolf. That one wolf is in your Pack. You must protect that wolf and your pack from Dark Shadows. Or it's the end. Protect them all," Edge's voice suddenly softened, "and yourself."  

 Moon Leader's ear twitched. This was important. This wolf mean't danger, for her and her Pack. But who was this magical wolf? 

 "But-" 

 "No questions. I must go warn the other Packs. Sorry for such a short time with you. I-I... I love you so much. Good bye." Edge whispered as he pressed his muzzle into her fur. 

 "I love you too." Moon Leader murmured as she licked his muzzle. That was it? She only saw him for about 5 minutes!

Edge etched back as he dipped his head and turned. He spreaded out his legs and then in a flash, ZOOM. He ran across the flatland in seconds, only leaving white, sparkly star dust. The Star Sprint power of a Spirit. It was magical but somewhat wierd. Moon Leader had full faith in her ancestors but when it came to this, how?

 Moon Leader turned as she slowly walked away. She must not cry. Edge was doing his duty. But she must watch out for the evil wolf. And protect the mysterious one. 

 She walked back to the forest, the breeze ruffled her pelt. She heard a voice on it, whispering in the wind; 

 "I love you more then ever. I wanted us to be together forever, but that can't happen. Protect your Pack and your loved ones. I will always be with you, my love." 

 It was Edge. 

Chapter 1: Big Prey, Little Wolf

Fang sighed as he stood stock still in the mossy nest. Snowflake of Frost, Snowflake for short, tongue rasped on his pelt, smoothing it down so he looked elegant. Fang's ears pricked as he heard the excited squealing of the other Pups as they jumped around outside and in front of the Infirmary entrance, playing Pinecone Ball with each other. It was Fang's Pack tradition for all Pups to play it before becoming a Trainee. One team must keep the pinecone from bouncing into their goal while the other team did the same. The teams had to try to get the pinecone in each other's goals. It was fun but they rarely played it. And Fang was missing it because of his stupid dirty fur! 

"Snowflake, you've cleaned it enough." Fang complained as he tried to scramble out of the nest. But Snowflake pressed an hefty paw on his back gently as she sighed. 

"Fang, your fur is dirtier then the soil itself! I'm not going to let the other Carers think I can't take care of you properly. I'm not your real mother, but I'm trying, sweetie. Just stand still for a moment, please. I'm almost done." Snowflake started licking the back of his ears. 

 Fang groaned as he forced himself from rolling over. Fang sat in silence as he heard the barks and jibberish from the other Pups outside. Fang had to agree, though, with Snowflake that he had the most fluffiest and dirtiest pelt then any other Pup. It was natural, for his shaggy fur to get dirty. I mean, really? 

 Fang barked joyfully as he heard pawsteps and a joyable scent come from the dirt tunnel that led to the hollow and Infirmary. Fang's father, Storm in Clouds, short for Storm, came padding from the tunnel and to his nest. He had a huge buck head in his jaws, about the size of Fang itself! Snowflake let Fang go as he ran around his father's paws. 

 "Woah, that's a big elk head, Dad!" Fang gasped as he started climbing up the buck's white and huge horns when Storm dropped it. 

 "Yep." Storm laughed as he nuzzled Fang a greeting. "The Hunters brought it back. I thought you may love to see it. Maybe you'll  be a Hunter some day and get to hunt elk as big as these." 

 Storm's gaze traveled to Snowflake. Snowflake's crystal like eyes were wide as she gazed at the elk. Her voice sounded sweet but a bit hesitated as she barked. "It's big. Very neat, I must say." 

Fang lifted his head from chewing on the elk's horns and looked from his Carer and to his father. They were both staring at each other. Fang always thought that Storm liked Snowflake and Snowflake liked him. Fang considered Storm never liked his mother, but had to accept her as a mate because of the Pack's population. He didn't even know who his mother was, but hoped that she was proud of his growth. And Fang would love it if Snowflake was his real mum. 

 "Er, yeah." Storm mumbled as he diverted his eyes from Snowflake. "Cool, isn't it?" 

 Fang climbed off the elk's head as he nodded. "It's awesome! I want to be a Defender, though. I want to battle panthers and bears, Beings and hunting dogs and rival Packs!" 

Snowflake stepped forward as her snowy paw stepped in front of Fang. "I would prefer if you were a Hunter, sweetheart. It's more cooler, hunting fast prey and taking down huge moose. And besides, more safer too." 

 "Yeah yeah." Fang muttered. "But still." 

 "Okay, I have to go." Storm announced as he licked Fang's ear. "Stay strong, son." He shyly raised his muzzle and nodded to Snowflake. "Bye." 

 "Bye." Snowflake and Fang said together at once as he padded back up the tunnel, his pawsteps echoing through the chamber. 

 "Okay, you can go out now." Snowflake exclaimed after a moment of silence. "And Fang, be careful. It's a dangerous sport." 

 "Don't worry, mum." Fang reported as he bounced to his paws and ran up the tunnel. "I'll be safe!" Fang didn't like to call her Snowflake all the time, so it made him feel homey if he called her mum instead. 

 It was better. 

 

 

Chapter 2: The Pinecone Game

Fang raced up the tunnel and bursted out of the entrance. The hollow was buzzing with busy wolves. The Search Patrols and Prey Patrols headed out into the territory while Moon Leader, his Pack's leader and the General, Stone of Crevice, were talking near the Storage Chamber. The Trainees were doing some battle moves (Defenders of course) near the Trainee Den while the Pups were nearby, doing the Pinecone Ball Game. 

Fang padded over. He saw that the first game started. The Pups were racing evenly over the soft nettle bedded ground as they threw the pinecone in the air with their teeth. About six Pups were on each team as some busted into each other as the goalie swatted his or her paw to keep the pinecone from scoring in. Fang walked over to the small boulder patch where the Pups who were waiting were sitting. Fang sat by one Pup called Misty. 

"Hey, can I join next game?" Fang asked her as she turned her leafy eyes at him. Her gray and white fur was a bit dirty but otherwise, clean. 

 "Sure." Misty replied. "We needed one other Pup, too. Your name is Fang, right?" 

 "Yep." Fang barked. "I know, your name is Misty. How long as the game been going on?" Fang looked at the Pups playing in the area. 

   "Not for long, actually. About five minutes ago they started. All the pups who have the high ranked Carers go first. Rubbish, it is." Misty murmured. 

 "Well, that's stupid." Fang agreed quietly. He watched as one of the teams, a team with pure black Pups, got a score and howled in the other team's faces. Fang felt his belly boil in rage. What a loath of fatties! 

 "Hey, how about we help the losing team and teach those blackies a lesson?" Fang asked Misty as he rose to his paws. 

 "What?" Misty gasped in puzzlement. "That's crazy! We'll never be able to play again if we disturb the game! You know the rules, Fang!" 

 Fang shrugged as he descended from the boulder patch and to the arena. He called from his shoulder. "I don't care!" 

 Fang then ran into the game. The other Pups from the boulder patch gasped in shock as they lifted their muzzles to see what he was up too. Misty was along the line that matched the field, yelling his name. 

The Pups who were playing barked angrily as they howled for him to get off the field. But Fang didn't listen. He kept running. He then saw the pinecone flying in the air, aiming straight for him! 

 With a yelp, he jumped above the other Pups and smashed his paw to it. The pinecone flipped, being carried with the wind, as it aimed for the losing team's goal. The Pups on the boulder patch cheered but they stopped quickly. 

 One large, male black Pup leapt forward and hit the pinecone back with his muzzle, sending it back across the field. Fang turned and ran sharply, beating the other Pups by incredible speed. The goalie for the losing team was talking to another Pup who was near the sideline. Fang knew he couldn't let the pinecone get in the goal. Or the blackies, as he liked to call Full-blood pups in higher rank Carers, would win the game! It was too bearing. 

 Fang felt energy surge into his limbs as he jumped through the air. The wind blowed through his fur as he grabbed