Enter Alumina

Evergreen

grasses waved in a gentle spring breeze. To the west, towering mountain

peaks outlined one of the borders to a vast valley. In all directions, a

forest stretched deep and wild. The midday sun cast scattered shadows

through the shifting branches, giving the illusion of a spectral dance.

Several wolves idled in a large clearing, their coats all dark shades to

provide perfect camouflage in the dense wood. They were silent, save

for a few snatches of muted conversation.

A

little ways away from the group, two others romped playfully – though

they were grown adults. Strangely, one sported a creamy-colored coat,

rather than the traditional shades. Behind them, a wide path led through

the trees. On the other end of this path rose two, small hills on

either side – joined together by their lowest slopes on either end.

Small pathways and nearly thousands of caves were dug into the

hillsides. Three were larger than the rest, and all were dens – The

Alphas, the Elders, and the Young required larger living spaces. The Pup

Den was dug into the foot of the hill on the left, to keep the young

from meeting a deadly fall should they venture from their Den. The

Elders’ Den had once accommodated several hundred wolves, but after war

and famine plagued the Valleys of the Wolf Clans, only one Elder had

survived – and he had been a young Elder in those days. The Elder and

Alpha Dens were located near the top of each hill; a network of tunnels

dug through connected all dens to each other through underground

passageways. Each Clan member had his or her own Den. Most of the Clan

milled about around the Dens, or they carried out errands and chores.

In

the clearing, the idle wolves were warriors, waiting for their Alpha

and Alphess to finish their games so they could be escorted back to the

Dens. The light-coated she-wolf was straining slightly from the weight

of her belly – which carried brewing life within – and was attempting to

get her mate off of his paws.

It

was only when she suddenly reared, her hind legs sporting her massive

weight surprisingly well, that she caught him off guard. Her fur rippled

in the dappled sunlight as she pushed herself off of the earth and

crashed down onto the Alpha. With a yelp of shock, he fell under her.

“Khana!

You must be careful!” His growl was muffled as he wriggled from under

her, taking caution to not damage her swollen belly. Fur ruffled and

sticking up at odd, but funny, angles, the Alpha let out a dignified

huff and puffed his chest out authoritively.

Shyly,

Khana pulled herself onto her haunches – with much difficulty – and

lowered her head, ears, and tail in submission. “My apologies, Kiba.”

She whined softly, avoiding his gaze lest she see anger in his golden

eyes.

His

expression softening, Kiba padded back to his mate and licked her

muzzle tenderly. “I just worry that you might lose the Pups again.” He

whimpered sympathetically. In response, she pushed her nose into his

neck-fur, breathing in his scent. “I know.” She replied, so softly that

he had to strain his ears to hear her. Sighing lightly, Kiba turned his

head to the warriors – who had stood from anticipation and remained

standing, expectantly – and nodded his head. “We are ready to return

now.”

As

the group approached the two hills, they were met by the Elder of the

Clan – Tzaar – and Kiba was first to dip his head in greeting. Tzaar

barely noticed, however, for he was watching the Alphess carefully. She

ignored him, raising her head high and padding past without a jeer or

challenge.

Kiba

sighed, settling onto his haunches and, with a flick of his tail,

dismissing the warriors. Once alone, the Alpha again dipped his head to

the Elder. “You have news?” He asked as the other male settled onto his

belly in front of his leader. “I have had a vision of blood.” The older

wolf said gravely. The younger tilted his head to one side, but when he

spoke his voice was a low growl. “Khana has the markings for all to see.

You know that when an Alpha is chosen, their Clan marks cannot be

hidden. Do not tell me that this is another prophecy about my mate

bringing destruction to the Clan!”

“Do

not chastise me, Kiba!” Tzaar barked with such vehemence that Kiba

shrank away a few inches. The Elder paid no attention to his leader’s

reaction as he pushed himself back to his paws. The sky darkened as his

emerald eyes began to glow iridescent. “Only one of her children will

live through the birthing! She will bring death upon us all!

Khana must be killed!” He roared as thunder suddenly flashed overhead

and a torrent of rain flew upon them. Behind Tzaar, several shocked

gasps preceded the sound of hundreds of paws seeking cover from the

sudden storm.

Kiba

shot to his feet, and a sudden bout of wind nearly dragged the older

wolf off of his paws. Deep, crimson symbols pulsed in his fur – which

were usually still. “Khana will be the death of no one you mangy mutt!”

The Alpha snarled, his fur soaked and whipping about him in the storm

and wind. Lightning struck the earth between them, and Tzaar retreated,

glowering and muttering under his breath. “She’ll suffer a torturous

death if she is not killed before she births.”

****

It

was nearly a year after Khana birthed. Only one Pup came out alive. The

Alphess had been devastated, but did her best to raise her new

daughter. Kiba and his mate decided to name her Alumina, after the

Clan’s name – the Alluminatti. As Khana raised the young she-wolf with

love and care, Tzaar watched the two carefully. Kiba often watched the

Elder with much suspicion, for he hadn’t forgotten the Elder’s vision.

After

a few months, Alumina was required to sit in Tzaar’s Den and listen to

stories and the Clan’s history. She wouldn’t be able to learn to hunt

and fight until she was a year old. However, she proved to be rather

smart for her age, for she knew that Tzaar did not trust her.

“Why

do you treat me differently from the rest of the clan?” She asked one

morning, interrupting the lesson just before the Clan Wars. Tzaar looked

at her oddly, choosing his words before answering. “You are just like

Her… The only difference is the Clan marks…” He said at last, turning

his head from her.

Curious,

Alumina prodded his foreleg with her paw. “Who am I like?” She queried,

tilting her head to one side. Tzaar laughed ruefully, settling onto his

stomach and crossing his forelegs in front of himself. “Let me tell you

the story of how the Clan Wars started.” At this, Alumina laid as well,

watching him intensely with her fiery orange eyes.

“Leore

and Bone had only one litter.” He started, Alumina already knowing most

of the history belonging to the Alphas who ruled the Alluminatti over a

hundred years past. Under them, the Clans lived in an uneasy peace.

“She birthed ten healthy pups. As is custom to our Clan, their markings

could not be hidden until after they grew to be a year. Usually, the

color is black, later to turn ruby.”

“Among

this litter was one whose fur was much darker than the rest, and her

own marks were a bright violet. Long before their eyes and ears opened,

hers did.” Alumina suppressed a gasp, but as she stared into Tzaar’s

eyes, his voice grew distant to her ears. She suddenly felt as though

she was being pulled into his eyes. Darkness surrounded and pressed in

on all sides until even the Elder had gone from sight. Terrified, she

tried to run, cry out. But her limbs were frozen, and her voice was lost

in her throat.

As

suddenly as it came, the darkness receded. Alumina found herself in a

large, dimly lit den, and quickly realized she was not home – or at

least not home in her own time. Every color was vivid, and sounds

quickly reached her ears. Whimpering. Looking down, any questions she

had were suddenly answered. In front of the young she-wolf, a newborn

she-pup – sporting light violet markings – opened azure eyes. Her gaze

lingered on the nine other Pups for far too long.

Without

warning, the she-pup sprang on the nearest sibling. Sharp teeth glinted

in a maw that should have been barren, and the pup grew fast in size.

One by one, she took her time in ripping her brothers and sisters apart.

Young Alumina felt sick. A dismayed cry reached the she-wolf’s ears and

she whipped around. Her violet eyes widened. In the mouth of the Den

stood a light-coated she-wolf, whose markings were naked to the eye.

This could only be Leore – one of the greatest Alphas before the war.

Behind Leore loomed the massive figure of Bone.

“What’s

wrong, love?” He asked, stepping closer – but hesitating at the

entrance to the cave, yellow eyes slowly widening at the scene. Leore

growled quietly, quickly crouching low as she approached her only living

daughter – who had by then grown to be Alumina’s size and age. Crimson

tainted the pure azure eyes, and the young she-wolf lifted her head as

she let out a guttural laugh.

The

mother gathered herself to leap, but Bone quickly intercepted, his eyes

trained on the young-and-still-growing she-wolf. “No. I wish to test

what skills she may have.” Bone rasped, his voice smooth like water

sliding over rocks. Leore turned away, her own eyes darkening with

bitter hate and regret as she silently submitted to her mate’s will. “Do

as you wish.” She sighed, resigned, and walked away.

Alumina

followed Bone and the strange she-wolf through the forest, noting how

her paws seemed transparent against the soft woodland earth. She left no

trail and made no sound – invisible to all who lived in this strange

past. The two ahead paused, Bone ducking low. The she-wolf was around

her mother’s height then, and the crimson flecks in her eyes had swirled

and were slowly corrupting what was left of the blue. Fearlessly, she

leapt forward.

That

was when Alumina saw the mountain bear, towering almost as large as the

trees themselves. It stood and roared mightily in challenge. The

she-wolf had been given clear orders; attack but do not kill

immediately. For several hours, Alumina watched the strange wolf execute

one element after another, perfectly and without thought or failure.

Earth, fire, wind, water, shadow, electricity. She barely scratched the

surface of each, but delivered powerful blows that sent the bear

stumbling backwards and attempting to defend itself in vain. The wolf

was a violet blur, her Clan markings shining almost blindingly with each

new attack until Alumina could not distinguish one element from another

- and the older she-wolf seemed to be combining them.

Finally,

Bone barked a sharp order to kill. The dark gray femma fell from being

suspended in midair and, before the bear could regain its composure,

leapt high and spun vertically downwards. Her glowing claws sliced the

beast cleanly in half. The Alpha walked out of hiding as the two halves

separated then fell to the ground with a sickening splash – into a pool

of its own blood.

“Well

done, daughter.” He praised while the she-wolf caught her breath. “That

was nothing.” She growled, glancing sideways at him. Bone grinned

savagely. “You are, no doubt, the strongest wolf I have known yet. Shall

I name you, or do you have one of your own already?” He mused, circling

his daughter in examination. “Akira.” She replied, settling onto her

haunches and lifting her head high. The bear’s blood coated her fur in

thick patches, and gore had gotten stuck under her sharp claws. “Well,

Akira, rest before we continue your training.”

****

That

night, Alumina tailed Leore as she slunk to the Elder’s Den. Akira and

Bone had wandered off to a human village – disgraced creatures who had

denied their nature and calling as wolves and eventually became

two-legged beings. They had lost all wolfish abilities and attributes,

and could no longer feel the grace and power of the elements. – to

further test the young she-wolf’s skills.

“Minas.”

Leore called softly into the cave. Almost immediately, an old, dark

brown, male Elder ambled to the mouth of the Den. “Leore, what a

surprise.” He rasped, his voice whispery and slightly cracked. He looked

older than Tzaar had when Alumina last saw him. “Minas…” Leore

repeated, dipping her head in respect to the ancient Elder. “…I do not

know what to do.” Minas gave the she-wolf a sympathetic look while he

settled onto his haunches. “You speak of your daughter, the one who

named herself.” Looking over his shoulder, the Elder dipped his head to

someone in the shadows of the Den. “Young Tzaar has proven himself as an

aspiring prophet, it seems.” Alumina’s breath caught in her throat. Tzaar was already getting old!

She thought, the shock sending a rippling growl through her body. Of

course, no one heard it. At the mention of his name, Tzaar stepped up to

Minas’ side.

His

appearance was astonishing. The young Elder’s coat was a mix of light

brown and black, splotches of his fur already graying. One ear was torn,

thick scars running from the tip and spinning down to the base of his

throat. Patches of his fur were tussled out permanently, or completely

gone – revealing a thin, tan undercoat. Even in the moonlight, where he

looked darker than he was, Tzaar looked proud and calm – his emerald

eyes bright and gleaming. That was almost exactly how Alumina remembered

the Elder.

“Leore.”

The young Elder said, his tone soft. “You mustn’t allow bitterness to

cloud judgment. I have foreseen this, and must give you warning. Do not

follow Akira this night; she is insane and blood-thirsty. Bone believes

he will be made a war-lord after he destroys the other Clans.” Leore

breathed sharply, her eyes widening at the revelation. “No! You lie!”

She cried, turning and bounding away. Minas sighed softly and pushed

himself to his paws. “You have company, Tzaar. I leave this one to you,

for I am sure you know what must be said and done.” With that, he turned

and vanished into the darkness of the Den, leaving Tzaar and Alumina

alone.

Slowly,

the Elder turned. He stared straight at Alumina. “I have foreseen this

day. Welcome, young Alumina.” Alumina took a nervous step backwards,

alarmed. “I-I thought no one could see me.”

“Ah,

but the Elders could sense a disturbance in the air – a life that did

not belong in this time period. I, however, am gifted with a great and

terrible sight. I knew you, and this night would come.”

“But that doesn’t explain how you can see me!” She cried, her ears flattening.

“Think,

Alumina!” He growled, lowering his head. “I am a prophet; it is neither

my will nor choice that reveals your presence to me!” Alumina fell

silent for a moment, taking in the facts.

“Why am I here?”

“My

vision was not fully explained to Leore. There is far more…” Tzaar

sighed and shook his head. “However, we haven’t time enough for me to

explain. As we stand here conversing, Leore runs to her death. She means

to intercept her daughter and mate as they return from the human

village. What she does not know is that Akira will sense her coming. She

will run ahead of Bone and lay a terrible trap for her mother…”

“And

we must try to stop Leore?” Alumina finished, already itching to run.

Tzaar nodded. Neither said it, but they both knew the young wolf would

be unable to do anything.

****

Leore followed Bone’s scent; her daughter’s unfamiliar to the she-wolf’s nose. Tzaar is wrong! Bone would never do anything to upset the delicate balance between the Clans.

She thought. Her heart pounded in her chest as she glided across the

land. The forest path was unfamiliar to her, but she paid no heed. The

scent was all she needed.

The

light-coated wolf swerved through the trees, eventually slowing as she

neared the denser areas. Very little light found its way through those

parts. She shivered involuntarily. Something doesn’t feel right about this place…

As

the light faded away, her body went rigid. The metallic scent of blood

suddenly smacked her in the face and she reared then fell, quickly

becoming disoriented and delusional. Was that mist red? The Alphess

slunk low and quietly approached a break in the trees. Soft laughter and

agonized groans floated from the empty space.

Leore

slid through the low-hanging branches, their leaves pricking at her

coat as she passed. Two shapes loomed through the thickening mist. No

light penetrated the clearing, and it was impossible to continue

quietly. The ground was littered with millions of dead leaves. As she

looked up, the Alphess noticed that the trees were bent toward the earth

– twisted and withered, yet somehow hanging onto a thread of life – the

leaves on their branches were few and brittle, ready to fall at the

single breath of a small breeze.

She

approached the center, where she thought she had seen the shapes. As

she moved, the mist thickened until she could see nothing but red. It

pushed her back, gently at first, with increasing persistence and

violence. The light-coated she-wolf shoved against the invisible force,

digging her paws into the surprisingly warm earth and forging onward.

Suddenly,

the mist vanished and Leore collapsed forward – her nose touching

Bone’s. With a yelp, the she-wolf sprang to her paws and backwards.

Lying on the ground in front of her was what was left of Bone’s body.

Only his torso, forelegs, and head were intact. The Alpha was barely

recognizable. His lower jaw was torn off, the remaining teeth shattered

and his tongue gone. His eyes were bloodied sockets, black holes where

color had once been. Half of his skull was caved inward and his ears had

been ripped off of his head. His heart lay between his shattered

forelegs – the bones of which were snapped into small pieces and sheared

through his thick skin and fur – surrounded by veins, some of which had

been stripped open and gushed blood, and still beating feebly. His

throat and chest were torn open, windpipe and ribcage broken. Half of

his windpipe jutted out the back of his neck, while one side of his ribs

had speared through his inner organs and lungs. The other side was

curled outward, bent at impossible angles. His blood had pooled around

what was left of his body, while bits and pieces were strewn all around.

Leore

howled in dismay at seeing her mate, dying from what she could only

imagine to be slow torture. A low chuckle flattened her ears to her

skull. She whipped around, snarling while light began to gather around

her form. “I was wondering when you might be joining us, mother.”

Akira’s growl sounded, crimson eyes and glittering canines visible in

the shadows. Only, they weren’t shadows, and the edges were tinged

violet. The Alphess stepped forward – hatred and anguish forming a deep

knot in her belly. “How dare you.”

****

Alumina

rushed after Tzaar, panting slightly with the effort to keep up. Who

would’ve known that an Elder could outrun a younger wolf! The stench was

stronger as they drove deeper into the forest. Blood rushed to her

head, pounding on her ears. Her limbs were aching and she longed to find

a spot to rest. But there would be no rest that night.

Tzaar

halted so suddenly that the she-wolf nearly ran him down. “What is it?”

She queried, sniffing the dank air. All she could scent was blood – the

same thing she had smelled as soon as they started to lose Leore’s

trail.

“Shh,

listen.” Tzaar whispered, pointing – with his tail – to a break in the

dense trees. From within echoed the faint traces of a fight. Alumina

watched the spot, then looked back at the Elder wolf. What now? She asked with her eyes. He shook his head. We must wait. There is nothing we can do now; we were too late in saving her.

Alumina held back a frustrated growl, understanding the meaning of his

movement as though he was speaking. She pawed at the ground impatiently;

she could be in there still, alive!

Tzaar

snorted, irritated. “The blood scent is enough to mask my own scent.

She will be unable to see you.” He turned away, starting to backtrack.

“See for yourself what is happening and return to me when you are

ready.”

Dismissed,

Alumina slid through the branches leading to the clearing. Immediately,

she wished she had stayed out. Akira and Leore were wrestling on the

ground, and Akira had no visible injury. Leore, however, was torn and

losing blood fast. In the center lay the remains of Bone’s mangled body.

Suddenly, Akira vanished.

Alumina

watched, confused at first, as Leore tore at herself. The older

she-wolf twisted in ways that should have been impossible, ripping away

at her own fur and skin in desperation.

Alumina

could do nothing. The maddened Alphess could not see nor hear her

company. To one side stood Akira, breathing heavily from being kicked in

the ribs. She never took her eyes off of her mother. Finally, Alumina

understood. The Alphess was being controlled by her own daughter. A grin

spread across the gray wolf's maw.

But

too soon, a strangled cry broke Akira's concentration. She looked

towards the break in the trees only a second too late. Bone smashed into

the young she-wolf, toppling her off of her paws. "What the heck are

you doing?!" He snarled, slashing at her face. The illusion Bone

disappeared, leaving Leore alone in the center of the clearing.

"Father!" Akira breathed, all innocence as she attempted to regain

herself.

Leore

collapsed the moment Akira lost control. She had torn open one of her

vital veins and was bleeding out far too quickly. Alumina rushed to the

Alphess, who saw her for the first time. But she could not speak, for

blood bubbled in her throat then spilled out of her parted jaws. Alumina

lowered her head as Leore slowly passed on, the sound she made the

gurgling of blood as she attempted to breathe.

When

the Alphess finally passed, Alumina turned and watched, helplessly, as

Akira ripped Bone apart to make him look exactly as his illusion. He

backed away, quickly losing the spirit to fight against his demonic

daughter. His delusions of greatness faded as he stared into the crimson

eyes, realizing he would die there.

"You

are no daughter of mine; you are a monster!" He breathed, lashing out.

The attack unbalanced him and Akira moved in for the kill, rapidly

crushing every bone in his body and using her own teeth to bend one side

of his ribs outwards - smashing the other side into his organs in the

process. She bashed his skull in and ripped out his eyes with her own

claws, then broke his windpipe in half and bent the top half until it

jutted out the back of his neck. She shattered his spine and the bones

in his legs, then ripped is lower jaw and tongue out. Unlike in the

illusion, she left his lower body intact with the rest. Working a little

slower, she sliced his stomach open and ripped off his ears.

Alumina

ran away before she could see what Akira might have done to her mother.

Bone had died slowly, forced to feel every bit of pain as his daughter

tore him apart.

The black she-wolf ran until her limbs gave out, and then she slumped to the earth and fainted.

****

Alumina

woke in the Elder’s Den. Groggily, she looked around. Eyes peered at

her in the semi-darkness. She could barely make out the hushed whispers,

and only two voices were familiar. “How can you be so sure, Tzaar? What

if…” Minas was cut off at the young Elder’s growl. “She is the one,

Minas! The visions are never wrong!”

“Shhh!”

A gruff, female voice said as a pair of ice-blue eyes ventured closer

to Alumina. “The child is awake.” The same wolf crooned. Alumina felt a

paw gently prod her side. The young she-wolf shivered.

“You can see me?” She asked, slowly sitting up. Her limbs felt as though they were rocks.

“Yes, little one. Minas cannot, but my mate and I can.” The she-Elder replied. Alumina’s eyes widened. Tzaar had a mate?!

She thought as she quickly tried to hide her shock. But the Elder

mistook her reaction as surprise at the revelation that she could be

seen by more than one wolf.

“My name is Sitka.” The Elder said after a pause. Alumina nodded, too shocked to speak.

“I am still in the past, then?”

“Yes, and I fear you cannot leave until your purpose here is fulfilled.”

“Purpose?”

Tzaar

suddenly stepped between them, issuing a warning growl. But he was too

late, Alumina’s curiosity was aroused. The young Elder saw it in her

eyes and sighed, resigned. Sitka backed away a little, wondering why her

mate seemed desperate to keep the information hidden.

“Alumina.”

The Elder began, turning and walking away from the young she-wolf. “You

are here because you are the only one who can stop Akira, in both your

time and ours.” The black she-wolf gasped and scrambled to her paws, but

said nothing. Tzaar turned back to her, his emerald eyes hollow and

void of emotion. “In two night’s time, Akira will declare war on the

other two Clans. The Gaatii will respond quickly, for they are nothing

but Warlords, but the Raekinn will take their time in joining. They are

assassins and murderers, but they do not rush like the Gaatii. All three

Clans will lose far too many…”

Alumina

lowered her head, knowing what had happened during the Clan Wars. The

Gaatii had withdrawn early into the Wars, for they nearly died out. They

later became a Clan of Werewolves – Wolves who had given up most of

what and who they were. Their senses dimmed and they turned subject to

uncontrollable rage. They were far slower than blooded wolves, but

faster than humans. However, they could switch between both forms. The

only good thing that came out of becoming a werewolf was the massive

brawn gained during wolf form.

The

Raekinn stayed in the Wars, but also faced a war within its own Clan.

They split into three divisions and rapidly defeated the Alluminatti.

Akira, however, killed all three of the leaders. She massacred two of

the Divisions, then turned on her own Clan. The Raekinn continued to

fight while the Demon she-wolf ravaged her own forces. All hope seemed

lost, until a powerful black she-wolf rose from the din and sealed Akira

into the Tomb of Leore and Bone. No one knew what happened during that

battle, nor who the mysterious Savior was – for the final fight had

taken place within the Tomb itself. The Raekinn retreated just after

Akira’s defeat. Later, they too cast away their lives as wolves. They

evolved into humans.

Alumina

stood, cutting Tzaar off in the middle of his explanation of the Wars.

She finally understood why she was in the past. Without her, there would

be no future for any of the Clans. “Tzaar, enough talk. I know now what

must be done.” The young Elder dipped his head, quickly overcoming his

bewilderment. “Then you know where you must go.”

****

Alumina

sat in the center of the clearing. Her eyes remained closed as the two

spirits circled her, chanting a ritual in an ancient language she could

not grasp. Her body remained rigid and still. Slowly, the spirits

circled closer. Slower still, her blue Clan markings glowed. She felt

them pulse like a steady heartbeat. A shiver passed through her being

and she opened her eyes again. The spirits were nearly gone. Alumina

stood and dipped her head to each in turn, then watched them fade.

A

bright, shimmering blue light surrounded her. Her fur waved in a

non-existent breeze. She raised her head and parted her jaws, standing

as she did so. One name loped into her thoughts. Akira! She howled, summoning the Demon she-wolf from the fields of battle.

Smoke

and an overpowering scent of blood interrupted the call, forcing

Alumina to lower her head and hunch closer to the ground. Akira was

fighting the summons. The black she-wolf coughed, freeing her lungs of

the suffocating smog. The glow intensified as she raised her head again.

She stretched one hind leg back, keeping the other bent forward, and

did the same her forelegs – only on opposite sides. Her ears flattened

against her skull and she arched her body towards the earth.

Alumina

closed her eyes again and let loose a howl so powerful and clear that

the thick tangle of tree branches bent away from the clearing. Moonlight

streamed into the place that had never known any kind of light. Wind

whipped branches from the trees and violently stirred the dense thicket

of leaves. They rose in a whirlwind and spiraled around the she-wolf as

she continued to howl. She felt the ground jerk and tug at her firmly

planted feet. Akira couldn’t resist any longer, and Alumina staggered

back as a ragged cry smashed into the clearing. NO!

She

leapt away from the leaf tornado just as the moonlight streamed into

the center of it. Violet, crimson, and dark gray flashed into the column

of light, slowly merging into the form of Akira. The leaves burst

outwards and scattered, some snagging on the trees.

Alumina

lowered into a crouch, orange eyes blazing. The trees stayed shifted

away from the clearing and the moonlight intensified the icy glow

surrounding the black she-wolf, draining her fur of most of its color to

make her look light-gray. Akira snarled, whipping her tail in

agitation. “You just ruined my chance to destroy that wretched Tzaar!”

Alumina

did not respond, quickly hiding any emotion that tried to surface. She

slid one paw forward a few inches and narrowed her eyes. Akira scoffed,

moving into the same position. Her eyes studied Alumina for a long

moment, then widened slightly. “You’re just like me!”

The other shook her head. “No, I am nothing like you.”

Akira narrowed her eyes. “You have the same markings, just a different color. How can you not be like me?”

“I am not a murderer.” Alumina snarled, moving further forward. Akira mirrored her.

“You’ve never felt the impulse to kill? That wonderful voice that says one death is never enough?!”

“If ever such a feeling found its way to me, I’d be happy to tell you about it.”

Akira

lifted her head, excitement suddenly glittering in her eyes. “Really?!

Do tell! I’d love to accompany you in a fight or many!”

Alumina

snorted in disgust, leaping and barreling Akira off of her paws. She

pressed her forehead to the Demon Wolf’s, staring her straight in the

eyes. “What the heck is wrong with you?!”

“I

guess I’m just a little bit insane. Having a murderous mind can do that

to you.” Akira replied, grinning sheepishly. She moved her head to the

side, then kicked Alumina away. The black she-wolf yelped as she tumbled

backwards – stopping in a heap of herself. They picked themselves up

simultaneously.

“I must admit, you are strong, Akira.”

“As

are you, Alumina.” The Demon Wolf tilted her head to one side, eyes

going slightly unfocused. “I feel we are too… Similar, for lack of a

better word, to be calling each other by our names. How about sisters?”

Alumina scoffed and rushed forward.

“How about Dead Demon?”

Akira laughed, balancing on one hind paw and spinning away.

“Twins!”

“We

are nothing like twins!” Alumina leapt, smashing into the other wolf in

a sideways tackle. They toppled over and wrestled for a few moments,

snarling and snapping at each other. When Akira finally broke away

again, she had blood trickling down one side of her face, and was

cackling madly.

“Then

know me as your Demon Twin, dear sister! If you manage to get away

alive, you should tell your story. But always refer to me as your Demon

Twin.” She paused with a sigh, turning away from her adversary. “I feel

names are just far too cliché.”

Alumina

stared; bewildered that such a nutcase could overcome her own parents,

start a war with all three Clans, and nearly succeed in massacring them

all.

“You’re

mad!” She cried after a moment of silence. Akira narrowed her eyes, as

if in concentration, shook her head, stared, then shook her head again.

“You

don’t say?” The Demon Twin laughed again then launched into a flurry of

attacks. Alumina fell into defensive, and for a while she was

overpowered. Then Akira jumped onto the black wolf’s back. She relaxed

her body, luring Akira into a false sense of victory. As she reared her

head and opened her maw to deliver the killing blow, Alumina leapt back

onto her paws with such force that Akira went flying high into the air

before crash-landing in a tree that seemed to be little more than a maze

of thick branches grown far too close to each other.

Akira

struggled in the tree until she grew tired and frustrated. Calling upon

the elements, she blasted it apart using five bolts of lightning. The

Demon Wolf fell with a dull thud and immediately jumped back to her

paws. “You’ll pay for that!” She snarled, shaking bits of bark and twig

out of her fur.

Alumina

had to force back a laugh. Branches had stuck themselves into her coat

at such odd angles and proportions that she looked like a giant

porcupine. But she sobered at the death glare the Demon Twin was giving

her. Instead, she sat down and waited for the other to finish cleaning

out her coat. That was a mistake.

Shadows

suddenly enveloped Alumina, and Porcupine-Akira started attacking at

all sides – each hit landed sending dangerous jolts of electricity

through Alumina’s body. She yelped in agony and lashed out blindly. It

seemed to be an eternity before she finally connected a hit. Akira lost

her footing and fell to the ground mid-attack. The lightning on her paw

exploded and sent her flying into a tree trunk – which would forever

bear an imprint of the Demon Wolf’s body.

Akira

slid down the trunk and pushed herself back to her paws, disoriented.

She shook herself, nearly falling again, and managed to rid herself of

all the branches in her fur. She swaggered in Alumina’s general

direction, but had to pause several times to redirect her path – she was

seeing double.

Alumina

sighed, she had to end the fight before the Demon Twin smartened up.

She stepped forward, and immediately regretted it. Akira’s head snapped

in the black wolf’s direction and she charged forward. Alumina closed

her eyes and breathed deeply, then howled once more.

Shadows

had started to form around Akira as she gathered herself to leap. The

moonlight suddenly turned and surrounded her in a bright circle. Alumina

continued to howl. The Demon Twin’s movements began to slow. She pushed

off of the ground, maw opening to show glistening canines as she

readied for a counter-howl. Her body turned at a slight angle as the

toes of one hind-paw were the only part of her that touched the ground.

That was when she froze. Silver stone crept from the tip of her

outstretched forepaw to the tip of her tail – bent in a curved “S” –

capturing every detail from the outline of her Clan markings to every

bristling hair.

Alumina

lowered her head and opened her eyes, watching as the trees bent back

over the clearing and once more covered it in darkness. The only source

of light was the dying glow of the silver statue that then stood,

perfectly balanced, on one hind-leg.

Alumina

had fulfilled her purpose in the past. She closed her eyes again and accepted

the suffocating darkness as she lost consciousness.

Demons

Tzaar
watched as Alumina slumped to the floor, her soul traveling into the
past of over a hundred years ago. He remembered her appearance during
Akira’s short reign and settled back onto his stomach to wait. Half a
day passed before he heard a commotion outside.

The
Elder tried to wait, to see if things would calm down, but a rock
settled into the pit of his stomach. His ears perked at the sound of a
strangled cry. Silence. He surged to his paws, quickly clearing the
distance to the Den’s maw. He dared not leave the youngling alone. As
Tzaar approached the edge of the path, a bizarre sight greeted him.

Five
warriors surrounded the Alphas. Their bodies were low to the ground and
their fur was visibly bristling. All seven wolves were slowly backing
away in unison. What they were so afraid of, Tzaar could not see, but
his Clan-mates were far too focused on the disturbance for it to be one
of their natural enemies. The Elder felt panic rising in his chest. He
hadn’t foreseen any of it.

Are my abilities failing me at last?
He thought, pacing nervously. He felt his head shaking, as if the
movement could dispel the unwelcome thoughts. He turned back to the Den,
but froze as he felt eyes on him. His hackles rose and he slowly looked
in the direction of the retreating wolves. Kiba was watching him
intently, as if in question. Tzaar shook his head and watched, with a
bite of regret, as the Alpha’s eyes paled a shade.

Is Alumina safe?
The Elder nodded at the question, then looked in the direction the
other wolves had their attentions on. Looking back, he saw the answer in
Kiba’s gaze. Demons. Something has attracted them here. Tzaar’s eyes widened and he lurched forward half a step. But Kiba shook his head and gave the Elder a meaningful look. Get Alumina underground. Protect her with your life. We hope to join you soon.

Tzaar
had no time to signal his reply, for a sharp crackling caught the
Alpha’s attention and he swiftly lowered his body. “Formation!” Kiba
barked, the warriors quickly arranging into a diamond with the Alpha at
the front and Khana bringing up the rear. It was obvious they had
drilled themselves for this exact moment.

The
Elder did not linger on the ledge. He knew what would happen next.
Surging back into the Den, he didn’t stop as he bent his head and
snatched Alumina by her scruff. She was too heavy for him to carry
properly, so he half-carried her through a tunnel dug into the very back
of the Den. Halfway down the network of tunnels, he started to hear a
frantic scrabbling. There was no room for him to get out of the way, and
Alumina’s weight would only slow him down. He let go just as a
deafening screech sounded in front of him. The male Elder stepped over
the young she-wolf and snarled as two red eyes bore down on him.

For
a moment, Alumina thought she was still in the past, or dreaming. A
mixture of screeching and snarling filled her mind, quickly causing her
head to pound and ache – though that didn’t really matter since she
ached all over.

Something
kicked her in the face and she sprang up, bristling, eyes snapping
open. The orange orbs were filled with anger and confusion. What had hit
her?

It
took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the pitch blackness. It
was longer, still, before she made sense of what she was seeing. A
giant, scaled body wrestled with a wolf in the tunnel – which was far
too narrow for a squabble. White fur grew on the scales here and there,
and the thing had wings. Spikes protruded from one side of each
wing, and trailed in a jagged line from the base of its head to the tip
of its tail. A thick, spired club formed the tail tip. Its legs were
thin – too thin for its massive frame. But the claws were thick, curved,
and wickedly sharp. Its neck was elongated, and its nose was two slits
grown out of its head. The ears were short and grew out sideways, while
its jaws opened far too wide for anything mortal. Three rows of broken,
ragged fangs faced outward whenever it opened its maw. The eyes were
little more than red pinpricks below the forehead. The most of its fur
was on its head, and there it was violet.

Emerald
eyes flashed, and bile pitched in Alumina’s stomach. Tzaar was fighting
the thing, and he was losing. The she-wolf opened her maw to call, but
the thing’s head snapped in her direction. That was when she saw it was
eating the Elder alive. The gore that had been Tzaar’s innards dropped
out of its mouth with a sickening splosh.

Alumina
backed away, heart pounding, terrified. “Tzaar?” She whispered,
continuing to move away as it advanced. The emerald eyes were vacant,
void of emotion and barely glowing with life. She couldn’t look away. Run, you fool of a pup! Let it finish me off, there is nothing you can do and you are far too young to fight. Wolf tears stung Alumina’s eyes as she heard his voice in her head, feeble and dying. But –
She was cut-off by a high-pitched scream as the thing lurched toward
her. Instinctively, she turned and fled, hearing it rush after her, but
being far too slow on its scrawny legs. Death and Destruction will forever tail your paw-steps, Alumina. That is your Destiny. Tzaar’s fading whisper followed her until she burst out of the Tunnels and into a clearing.

The
night sky was beautiful, too beautiful for a night of death. Alumina
lowered her head, her sides heaving with the effort to breathe. Who else must die for my sake? She thought, closing her eyes. Her ears strained for any sounds, but there was nothing but a pressing silence. The woods mourn the loss of the Prophet. She tumbled to her side and once more submitted to darkness.

****

Alumina
woke to hushed murmurs. She opened her eyes and steadily looked around
the clearing. Fifteen wolves stared at her, some angry and others
scared. While she forced herself to sit up, Kiba, Khana, and three
warriors approached. Looking closer, Alumina noticed how none of the
wolves were unscathed.

“Mother…
Father…” She looked away, her voice little more than a whisper. The
warriors stepped back as the Alpha’s padded forward. Khana’s expression
was distrustful and brimming with hatred. Kiba looked more neutral.

“Daughter.”
He said, his tone distant, formal. Before he could say more, Khana
pushed in front of him and lowered her head, snarling low.

“Where is Tzaar?” She growled.

Alumina looked away, defeated. “He was eaten alive by some strange… Thing.”
She said. Though her voice was soft, it reached the ears of all the
wolves. There was nothing, then an outcry of sound. Words were jumbled,
some ran panicked circles until they fell, dizzy.

“Silence!”
Kiba roared after several failed tries to quiet the crowd. When the
last of the confusion died down, he looked back at his daughter. She
shrank at the rage in his eyes. But, when he spoke, it was to all the
wolves in the clearing.

“This
night, we were given an unexpected visit from Demons. The entire clan
was forced to fight this powerful enemy, and we were nearly overwhelmed.
We do not yet know what they were searching for, and because we could
not give what was wanted, we lost all but fifteen of us. Our only Elder,
and the only Prophet in the history of all the Clans, was taken by
these Demons. Eaten alive, Alumina claims. My mate, Khana, will
accompany Alumina back through the Tunnels. If she speaks true, there
will be nothing but blood left to taint the earth.”

Khana
looked stunned. “Kiba.” She snarled, backing away a step. “I will have
nothing more to do with that lying monster.” Whipping around to face the
crowd, she raised her voice to an almost hysterical pitch. “Listen to
me, my fellow Clan-mates! Alumina pleads innocent, but take a look at
her! She hasn’t a wound on her. Our beloved Elder was told to take her
though the Tunnels and to safety, to guard her with his life. Look what
happened!”

A
few wolves shifted uncomfortably at the words of their Alphess. Some
nodded their agreement, and others lowered into a crouch – growling.
Alumina moved to her feet and scrambled backward, ears flat and tail
low. She stayed that way for several moments, orange eyes shifting from
one wolf to another. Soon, all but her father were perched in a low
hunter’s crouch. Their growls merged into a strange hum.

Kiba looked confused, then pained. “Alumina…. How could you?”

She
knew she couldn’t convince any of them to believe her. Khana had
succeeded in rallying the Clan against her own daughter. She watched,
helpless, as her father’s expression hardened. She took another step
backwards and whirled around to the tunnels. Without hesitation, she
fled.

“After her!”
Kiba’s voice commanded, echoing through the Tunnels. Alumina scrambled
upwards, her paws catching on roots and tripping her. Her heart
thundered in her chest and ears, nearly blocking out the constant chorus
of barking. Her Clan had transformed into hounds on the hunt in an
instant, and they were intent on catching and tearing her apart for a
crime she never committed.

Agony
shot up her left foreleg as she struck something thick and hard. She
lurched forward and splashed into a deep, thick puddle of something. The
stench sent her reeling backwards, fur drenched and dripping, but
bristling in alarm. It was blood, in the exact spot Tzaar had been
devoured at. The yapping of her Clan-mates was suddenly drowned out as
an unearthly scream filled the Tunnels. The noise cut off immediately.

Fifteen
pairs of eyes loomed on the other side of the blood puddle, alarm
filling the glowing orbs. There was no time for whispers. Splashing
filled the silence. Alumina observed the fluid backwards motion of the
eyes as the wolves scrambled backwards. Her heart pounding, she backed
away another step. Splash. Twin pinpricks of red light slowly turned to
her. Splash. Its tail whipped out and gored the roof of the Tunnels
behind them. Splash. The Tunnel caved, cutting Alumina off from the
rest.

Slowly,
Alumina backed through the Tunnel that lead to the Elder’s Den. She
watched, heart freezing in terror, as it lifted one twig-thin, taloned
paw after another as it advanced on her just as cautiously. She was
careful not to turn her back on it.

As
their progress brought them to the Elder’s Den, she heard voices at the
end of the Tunnel. The black wolf dared not make a sound. She heard
shocked gasps and the soft scrabbling of claws against hard earth, then
silence again. Her eyes stayed locked with the creature’s. Warmth and a
soft light caressed her back, revealing further of its details. The
scales were black, but gleamed several dark colors with every movement.
Gray fur lined parts of its body unevenly, and the color of the scales
quickly faded to white on its legs. Two horns protruded from either side
of its head, the outer ones curling out, then up. The inner horns,
being smaller, twisted around the outer, and just barely touched at
their tips. The thin membrane of its wings were torn in places, and
speckled red and orange. One thin, curved, and wickedly sharp claw grew
out one part of each wing. Despite the freight it induced, Alumina
thought it was beautiful. She lurched half a step forward, mesmerized.
It froze, and so did she. Her eyes widened as she realized her mistake,
as its maw split in an impossibly wide, triumphant grin.

She
jumped backwards and ran the last bit out of the Tunnels, just as it
lunged. The wolves who’d been waiting in the den turned tail and fled. A
shriek followed Alumina as she bounded after the other wolves. It’s too fast!
She realized, scurrying out of the entrance just as it barreled over
her and off the thin path. Its tail, far longer than she thought it was,
whipped back and wrapped firmly around her middle.

Yelping,
Alumina scrabbled at the dirt and attempted to pull away, partly
hauling it back towards the den. But its weight and strength combined
were too much for the smaller being. All it took was one false movement,
and she slipped. Her claws gouged the earth where she was dragged off
of the edge. Agony hit her left side, temporarily paralyzing her. That
gave it enough time to recover, and it was quick to curl itself around
its catch, wings closing over its head and forcing near pitch darkness
around them.

This is the end…
She thought, watching through half-closed eyes as its jaws parted wide
enough to swallow one of its own wings. Defeated, Alumina nearly closed
her eyes to accept her fate. But, she didn’t. Groggily, the orange orbs
watched a silvery shadow shimmer into existence between her and the
thing’s jaws. A presence. Alumina marveled at it, feeling a strange
sensation – like she knew the glittering mass personally.

The
thing jerked, tightening its grip on Alumina with its tail, the same
grip which slackened seconds later. As she watched the silver twist and
writhe in pulsating movements until it started taking the form of a pure
white she-wolf with silvery eyes, she thought she must have taken too
much of a bashing, and was therefore delirious from her injuries and
truly on the brink of death.

But
she wasn’t. The thing dropped Alumina and, cowering, backed away from
the white she-wolf, who seemed to beholden an iridescent glow. Too
bruised to do anything but lay on her side, she watched, baffled, as the
she-wolf’s size slowly grew while she advanced.  She was massive, sporting two tails.  Her
paws left divots in the earth where they touched it, and above her back
floated icy blue flames that took the form of crystal-like wings.

That
was when Alumina noticed the droplets of crystal that formed
transparent blue streaks in her fur. It was darker around her eyes and
on her ears, giving the appearance of a warrior. Alumina stood slowly,
despite the agony, as realization struck. Two golden horns protruded
from the giant skull, and the eyes held something far more primitive and
bestial than Alumina had ever seen. The two top, sharpest canines,
extended over her lower jaw, the tips hanging just a few inches below
and curved inwards. The flames spazzed, then transformed into long,
flowing tendrils that spilled over her back. They twisted in a way that
caused them to look endless.

“Lilium.”
Alumina whispered, awed that the Demon Goddess had appeared before her,
forcing the creature back. But she knew what it was then, a Draconis.
One of an ancient and deadly race of demons. They preyed on those gifted
with the power to control time, but often became confused with their
target, or were too ravenous to care whom they devoured.

Lilium
paid no attention to Alumina as she advanced on the Draconis. It
hissed, dwarfed by the Goddess’ true size and form, and far too
terrified to do anything other than look helpless and pitiful. She said
nothing still as the ground caved in, creating a large hole between
Lilium and the Draconis. It looked from its master to the hole, then
back again. An echoing snarl rippled her fur and it squeaked, rushed to
the hole and, wings snapping open, jumped down into the darkness. As the
last spikes from its clubbed tail disappeared from view, the hole
closed with a strange sucking sound.

Alumina
dared approach the Goddess, stepping with care as she ambled next to
her. Without turning her head, Lilium spoke. “You are cursed, child.”
She shocked the black wolf with the subtle, whispery voice that rang
clearly through the air. Shaking her head, Alumina turned away. “Don’t
remind me…” The young she-wolf sighed, remembering Tzaar’s words. But
Lilium wasn’t finished. She moved one massive forepaw to block Alumina’s
exit. That time, her head was turned slightly toward the young wolf,
and her silver eyes looked straight at her. “Alumina, you have much to
learn.” Lilium’s eyes narrowed. “I sense great power within you, but you
cannot reach it. You alone are the first within the history of all
three Clans to have been born with the ability to travel back in time.
You alone, Alumina, can control the course of history. But there is
more, far more, locked within your soul.”

Alumina
clambered over the giant paw, then walked away, turning her back on the
Demon Goddess. But Lilium still wasn’t done. Her form suddenly shrank
until she was only a few heads taller than the younger she-wolf. She was
quick to over-take the other, then swerve her body and force them both
to a halt. Her eyes were glowing completely silver, and her voice
changed so suddenly to a low, demonic snarl that Alumina backed away a
couple paw-steps – her fur rising in alarm. “Unless you want Akira to
rise again, you must listen to me!” Alumina gulped and nodded shakily,
muscles tensing as she readied to spring away should the Demon Goddess
attack her.

“Your
mother wants you dead, child. You may have no choice but to kill her.
If this time comes, take caution. Akira is waiting to be free once more,
and only you have the power to bring her back. She will be stronger
than before, and you will have to destroy her, not kill her."

At
that, Alumina shook her head and growled. “You lie, Lilium. Akira is
dead, gone forever. There is no way she could return!” The Demon Goddess
narrowed her eyes and snarled, but turned away. “It seems I waste my
time with your arrogance, child. A prophet has died because of you and
your cursed power. Do as you wish, young Alumina, but know that you are
the first in all of history to survive an attack from the Draconis.
Watch your paw-steps; their king might take interest in you.” With that,
she vanished in a blinding flash of flame.

Alumina’s
ears pulled back slightly as she considered the Goddess’s words. She
stood frozen for several seconds before she finally moved again. The
sound of paws caught her attention, and she had little time to react
before a lone wolf pup slammed into her legs, upsetting her balance and
toppling her over. “Woah!” She cried, only able to keep herself from
crushing the young wolf. It squeaked, then jumped back and looked her
over. Pounding footsteps thundered close by, then the gleam of armor
told of which race was approaching, and fast. Alumina growled deep in
her throat, quickly realizing that they were most likely after the pup,
and dragged the little bundle of fur underneath her belly. She remained
careful of not putting too much weight on the youngling. “Silence.” She
whispered without looking down, her tone soft but commanding. The pup
made no noise.

Too
soon the humans surrounded Alumina, their armor bright and gleaming in
the sunlight. “Ho!” One called, bringing the mass of silver to a halt.
They formed a wide semi-circle around Alumina, who lowered her head
since she could not lower her body and allowed her thick black fur to
bristle in visible ways. She did not get up, but her growl quickly
covered the silence that tried to fall over the small clearing between
the hills. A voice spoke behind them, sounding before Alumina could open
her maw. The tenor was male and it leaked with the venom of pure
malice. “Just what the heck do you think you are doing on Alluminatti
territory?!”

The Runaway Prince

“We
have orders from the Gaatii King to find and bring his son safely home.
The prince had run from home only a fortnight ago, and turned up in
Raekinn territory.” One human explained as the silver mass parted to
allow the speaker, who was obviously their leader by way of his dress,
to turn and look at Kiba as the wolf advanced slowly. Like his daughter,
his fur was visibly bristling with aggression. “And so you show up in
the terra belonging to the Alluminatti? The ancient Clan who has never
strayed from their true-blooded path, nor their true ancestry? You half-bloods and no-bloods
have no right or business here! Leave at once!” The Alpha snarled with
such vehemence that all the humans scattered backwards several feet.

The
wolves of the Alluminatti Clan grew slightly higher than humans, which
gave them intimidation that no weapon could match. The wolves were also
born with certain abilities, such as power over certain elements.
Neither the Gaatii nor the Raekinn could outmatch a race so powerful –
no matter how few they might have been.

Alumina
was impressed with her father’s show of authority, but she remained
silent, because her Clan had attempted to execute her. The human’s
leader brandished the spear he was holding boldly, but Kiba merely
lowered his body and tensed his muscles. “You have exactly three seconds
to leave my terra and never return. Should I do so much as scent either
the Gaatii or the Raekinn, I will not hesitate to kill them myself. No
matter their standing or heritage.” He snarled low and threatening while
advancing half a step. In that instant, the Raekinn warriors fled,
their leader being a little slower to react. He ran the moment he
realized he had been deserted.

Only
after the flashing of silver subsided into the far distance did Kiba
turn to his daughter. His eyes narrowed, but he kept his distance. “Get
up, you can’t hide that little furball from me, Alumina.” He growled
icily. Alumina complied and slowly pushed herself to her feet, but she
stood hunched over the pup, sheltering him. “Is he Gaatii or no?” She
asked, getting straight to the point. “It is hard to tell since he is so
young. Gaatii do not obtain their first transformation until they are
as old as you are now. I can’t detect their distinct stench from him,
either.”

Alumina still didn’t relax. “What will you do, father?”

“I
will consult with your mother… An Alpha should never make a decision
alone. Until one is made, he is your responsibility daughter, since it
was you whom he came to.” Alumina allowed herself a harsh laugh. “What a
strange twist of fate.” She muttered.

“Until
a judgment has been reached, neither you nor that pup are to come
anywhere near the dens.” Alumina bristled in alarm and growled, “Why?”
Kiba looked at her sharply, his eyes narrowed to dagger-like points.
“You are exiled from this Clan, Alumina. However, I do not fully believe
that you killed Tzaar intentionally.” His expression softened somewhat,
but he took a step back. “Until you prove that you truly are a
murderer, I grant you what areas of our territory of your choosing, but
you are not to approach the dens or any other wolves in the Clan.
They’ll not be permitted to socialize with you, either. Instead, you’ll
be treated as the wind; utterly ignored and non-existent. You may kill
your fills, but only enough to feed both your belly and this young
one’s.”

“Now,
I must go and find Khana and discuss the day’s events with her.” With
that, he turned and trotted in the direction of the dens. Alumina
remained still and silent for several moments, thinking. After a long
time, she shook her head and snorted then peered closely at the pup.

“Well,
what am I to call you?” She asked him. Her tone was not exactly mean,
but not exactly kind either. The pup studied her for a long moment,
trying to discern exactly which emotion she was portraying. She blinked
slowly at him then, realizing he was watching her a little too closely.
The pup gave up on his search for her emotions and dipped his head
slightly.

“It’s Lucius.” Alumina nodded solemnly, then turned and started walking, bumping his rump with her tail. Follow me,
was her signal as she ambled in the direction of the trees. “What Clan
are you?” She asked, keeping her eyes pinned on the space in front of
her. Should I answer her? He thought, his ears pinning back at
the question as he half-trotted after the black she-wolf – despite her
slow gait, her size still had her going too fast for him.

She
waited patiently for his answer, letting him take his time to decide.
Her stomach was empty and aching badly – she knew all that fright had
caused her a hunger that felt nearly insatiable; though she also
wondered if it could have also been an effect of her time-traveling.
When he spoke again, she knew he was being cautious.

“I
am Gaatii.” He had paused after he spoke, causing Alumina to turn her
head enough to look at him. “And?” He shook his head and stared at his
feet as he tried to keep up with her. She sighed, feeling an itch of
irritation. “Look, Lucius. Since you’re stuck with me, you’re going to
have to tell me your standing in the Gaatii. How can I know you are not
one of importance and needs to be protected until you return safely
home?” She had his full attention after that, and she even slowed her
pace enough to where he could easily match his front paws with hers.

He
lifted his head higher and a slight gleam entered his eye as he
proclaimed, but not in a loud tone for fear of any nearby Alluminatti
overhearing, “I am Lucius Sharpfang, son of Gile Soulslasher and Sen
Brighteye – King and Queen of the Gaatii. I have run from home because
Sen, my mother, has died of illness and Gile is far too harsh and
violent in his ways. He nearly killed his only son.”

A
calm silence filled the space between the two, Lucius wondering who the
strange she-wolf was and Alumina marveling at the Gaatii tradition of
using two names. If ever I adopt another name, it will be grand and feared. All the Clans will bow before the many names I would be called by. She thought, watching the shadows before finally speaking.

“My
name is Alumina. I am daughter of Kiba and Khana, Alpha and Alphess of
the Clan Alluminatti.” She paused, then lowered her head with a soft,
but deep, sigh. “And I have been exiled for a murder I witnessed but did
not commit.”

For
reasons unknown to Lucius, her revelation caused him to admire her
highly. “But are you not the heir to the Clan?” He asked, confused. In
response, Alumina took a breath and her Clan Markings vanished. “I have
not been marked as the heir.” Lucius’s ears pressed to his skull again
in shock, and it was several moments longer before he found his voice
again. “I-I don’t understand.”

“A
member of the Clan Alluminatti who is born with markings that do not
leave at will is raised as a future leader for the Clan. They are
strongest, born with the more powerful of elements at their disposal.
Their blood flows strong in their veins, and their leadership remains
unmatched.” She paused, a look of concentration entering her eyes. “To
challenge an Alpha or Alphess is suicidal.”

Lucius
remained silent. Something had glinted in the black she-wolf’s eyes,
something he wasn’t sure he liked. Her tone had changed from slightly
accusing to harsh longing. He took a sideways step away, but immediately
regretted his action. She saw, and she understood. Her voice dropped to
barely above a whisper as she turned left and started forging a new
path into the trees. “Just follow me and don’t stray too far.”