To begin, I will take you to a place. Far, far from here. In a different forest. In a different world. In a different universe.
A universe where wolves rule.
The forest is made of large, thick oaks. Their branches are broad and supple. Their leaves are bright and green, the signs that spring is new. They are old. Very, very old. But there is one tree that has outlived them all. She is a pine, a white pine to be exact, and the only one of her kind. Located in the very heart of the forest. She is tall, and very, and her bark is ancient and gnarled. Her spreading branches are a good ten feet off of the ground, with a massive radius of five feet, providing a sufficient place to shelter on such a stormy night.
And that is just what these wolves were doing.
Thirteen wolves, gathered around a large white female.
The white wolf was the first one to speak. Her pelt was perfect, smooth and sleek. Her slender form was well-muscled, and a lone scar snaked its way from her shoulder to her chest. Her eyes were an icy blue, unusual for a wolf. "As you all know, this is the appointed meeting time of the Packs. Each wolf will state their status, name, rank, and pack before speaking. Understood?" Her eyes gleamed in the pale moonlight. She surveyed the thirteen wolves calmly.
As she was silent, a large, thick-furred black wolf rose up. "I am sick of the fighting in my Pack!" He spat.
"Your name, status, pack and rank please, sir." The white wolf snapped, fur bristling at his impolite behavior.
"I am Ettore, Alpha of the First Pack, the Pack of Large Game," He snarled. "And I repeat. I am sick of the fighting in my Pack!" He straightened up, squaring his broad shoulders. "Rank is falling apart. Omegas turn on the Betas and refuse orders. There is talk of rebellion!" His yellow eyes glowed angrily. "And I no longer wish to deal with it. I refuse!" As if to emphasize his point, a bolt of lightning flashed behind him, illuminating the forest for a millisecond with its fiery glow.
"I am Corin, Alpha of the Second Pack, the Pack of the Stone, and I completely agree with Ettore!" Snarled a scarred gray wolf, also rising to his paws. His muscles rippled under his shaggy pelt, and he stood supportively by Ettore. "A beta was killed by a group of Omegas earlier this week, and several StoneCutters attempted to escape!" He snarled angrily. "They were punished accordingly, but if this happens again, it might not be within my power to stop it."
"And I, Leandro, Alpha of the Eighth Pack, the Pack of Elk Hides, have had more than my share of trouble this past year. Disobedience runs in this generation as commonly as blood!"
Several other wolves rose with barks of agreement, and the white she-wolf took a step back, pondering a solution.
Suddenly a small silver she-wolf took a step forward. The other wolves fell silent, dipping their great heads respectfully to the wolf. Despite her size, she had a reputation for being a silent, merciless killer, and anyone who dared to oppose her met her claws. Her fangs gleamed as another flash of lightning split the air, followed by a heavy roll of thunder. Rain was swept under the pine's sheltering boughs, and the white she-wolf shivered.
"I am Aleit. Alpha of the Twelfth Pack, the Pack of Flamebringers. I propose an idea." The small she wolf snarled. Her harsh, raspy voice was cloaked with malice that shone in her single eye. "Each winter, two wolves will be selected from each pack," A cold, harsh smile spread slowly across her face. "One male, one female. They will be put in a large, enclosed space and forced into a fight to the death."
"And how exactly do you propose to enclose this space?" Leandro growled.
"The valley between the mountains." A large brown male howled.
"We will have leaders positioned on each peak and within the. . . arena to observe the wolves' progress."
"And what will this achieve?" Spat the white wolf.
"It will show the Packs that the Alphas have the power to do whatever they like with them. We will use pups from the age of six months to two years. Sound good enough?" The small grey she-wolf's eye sparkled with pride.
"But what is in it for the victor?" Snapped Leandro.
"Fame, respect won for their Pack."
The white she-wolf, whose name was Lumi, looked interested. "And what do you propose we call this event?"
"The Misery Game." Said Aleit, satisfied with the fitting name.
The white wolf smiled, nodding approvingly. "All in favor of Aleit's plan, stand up."
As the wolves rose confidently, murmuring their agreement, one gray male cried out, lunging forward, his eyes ablaze with anger. "I, Nero, Alpha of the Thirteenth Pack, the Pack of Small Game, believe that this idea is monstrous and savage! I will never agree to it!"
The white female eyed him coolly. "Oh, Nero. You are young and rash. I was beginning to like you." She smiles faintly, cold as ice. "Are you sure about your decision?"
"We will not participate." Spat the enraged alpha.
"Then I apologize." She turned to the other alphas, unusual blue eyes aglow. "Kill him."
His eyes widened as the other alphas slowly advanced, fangs bared, muscles tensed. Their low growls were covered by a large roll of thunder, and as lightning flashed once more, they leaped.
Nero's pained yelps were audible over the deafening thunder. They split the air like the lightning as he was slowly torn to pieces by the enraged alphas, their fangs being sharpened for the kill.
"And his Pack. Kill his Pack." Lumi called to the vicious leaders. "None of the traitors will survive."
Aleit hung back. "So when will this event take place?"
Lumi flicked her ear. "Summer. The first MoonCycle of summer." She smiled, letting the words roll off of her tongue. "The Misery Game." Satisfaction filled her, spreading fron her chest to her head. "The Misery Game."