Prologue
"You must warn the others, Silverstreak. Something is coming, whether it be a blessing or an omen."
"Yes, Foxtail," said Silverstreak to the red-coated warrior before the vision faded away. He woke up in his den and tried to recall his dream. Once he remembered what he needed to do, he leapt from ledge to ledge until he got to the top of Raven Point. He scratched on the rock outside his leader's den. A large black wolf with silver paws and a white blaze on his chest pushed the vines out of the way and stepped out of the den.
"Ah, Silverstreak, what can I do for you my old friend?" the wolf asked.
"Cinderheart, I've had another vision. It was a warning. It involves your pups," he said urgently. The smile vanished from the Alpha's face.
"What was the warning about?"
"I'm not sure exactly, it wasn't as clear as it would have been at the Lunar Pool. Foxtail said that even he didn't know for sure. He did say that it involved a leader's cub," the gray wolf explained.
"Then it could involve another leader's cub, not just one of mine," the other pointed out.
"I suppose so. We should discuss it at the gathering. Maybe other Healers have received messages from the Spirit Grounds."
"Perhaps," the other thought. "For now we should get some sleep," the dark leader said, yawning.
The Healer agreed and jumped down the steep, rocky slope and disappeared into his den. The Alpha sighed and looked up to the skies.
"What do I do, father? You didn't prepare me for something like this. What would you do if you were in my paws?" Cinderheart asked to no one in particular. A warm breeze carried the scent of the troops returning from moonrise patrols. They smelled of prey and the deep forest. When they entered camp, he saw that they were carrying three large rabbits and two voles.
At this rate we will have plenty of food for the hard Cold-Ground season The leader thought, satisfied and proud of his warriors. He was glad to be the leader of the Forest Land pack. He yawned deeply before turning around and going back into his den to sleep. He laid down next to his mate, Goldenstar. She was snoring softly, curled around her stomach instinctively, since her pups were due to arrive very soon. He laid his nose next to her tawny muzzle and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.