Hey guys, welcome to my story, my very first for Ice Age (please be gentle). I watched Ice Age: Collision Course for the first time just the other day, and this idea wouldn't get out of my head until I did something with it. So, I plan for this to span all five movies, and be full warned, my wolves are heavily influenced by Alpha and Omega. If you haven't seen that movie, you should, it's great! The second one's pretty good too, but I'd stop after that one (straight to DVD sequels never end well, just sayin'). So I've spanned through Ice Age fanfics in hopes of finding a good wolf story. Ice Age stories featuring wolves are hard to come by, ones featuring wolves in a good light even more so (but hey, they do make really good antagonists too), but still, I just wanted to try and shed a decent light on 'em. Okie Dokie, enough of my rambling, here's an extra-long prologue for you. Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Ice Age or any of its content. I do not own Alpha and Omega, even though none of the characters appear here, I feel like I should make that known, since it had part in influencing my story. I do own all of my OCs… Carry on.

A Wolf's Cry

Prologue

She hunkered down low in the temporary shelter of a hollowed out log, trying to quiet her harsh panting. Her ears perked forward, straining to listen for any signs of her pursuer. Outside her log shelter, the forest was quiet. A breeze rustled the leaves and she was able to scent a few prey animals, but nothing more. A creek babbled close by, birds twittered, and squirrels chattered from the safety of the treetops. There was none of the eerie silence that gave way to trouble, on all accounts, the coast was clear.

Still, she was cautious as she eased herself out of hiding. She sniffed the air again and eyed the surrounding trees like a skittish doe, realizing precious seconds too late that she had revealed herself too soon. A low growl emitted close by, and she turned her head at just the right time to see a pale body lunging at her like a lightning strike. Resigning herself to her defeat, she put up no fight as she found her body tumbled to the floor, rolling a complete rotation, with her adversary ending up as top dog.

She laid there a moment in stunned silence when instead of feeling teeth in her neck, she was greeted with the sound of laughter. Familiar laughter. Ire raising, she opened the eyes that she had clenched shut in fear, and let out a low growl of her own. Above her stood an off-white she-wolf, her sister, basking in the glory of her mock hunt.

"What's the big idea, Sage?"

"Oh come off it, Keeva," Sage said pretty green eyes dancing with mirth. "It was all in good fun."

"Fun for you maybe," Keeva said pushing her sister off of her, "but Omegas don't play this way." The darker wolf stood to her paws and shook the dust out of her coat. "Aw, I'm sorry, Keeva," the Alpha pup said stepping forward to nuzzle her sister's neck. "I was just practice hunting for lunch."

"Fantastic," Keeva said returning the affection, "because I think I lost mine somewhere back there."

"You did? Gross."

"You're telling me," Keeva barked as she and Sage started meandering their way back to the main den. "Those berries tasted bad enough the first time!" She shuddered mockingly to emphasize the point. Sage grinned at her sister's antics, but it faltered. "You…you didn't get any of the elk the hunting party brought back?"

"No, I did, but Aura…" the dark pup didn't need to finish the sentence. Sage knew that her fellow Alpha had stolen from her little sister and she felt her hackles start to rise as a result. Keeva nosed her cheek, intense blue eyes pleading with her. "Don't Sage," she muttered, "don't go picking fights on my account." Sage peered deep into her eyes for a moment, green eyes so focused that Keeva felt she was being challenged, she held her gaze a little anxiously, hoping her sister would see things her way and relent. Their pack already had enough problems with opposing packs to worry about fighting amongst each other. Finally, Sage backed off, resigned and discontent. "Fine," she yielded, "but if I catch wind of this again, she'll be sorry." Keeva nodded agreeably, but she fretted silently. Aura was but one wolf in near hundreds that gave her a hard time, and if all Aura was going to do was steal her food…well, Keeva counted herself lucky and went on her merry way. She was more resilient than her mother and sister gave her credit for, but she couldn't blame them, they could only see her through the eyes of Alphas.

Sage kept her eyes locked dead ahead, a menacing growl rumbling up from the base of her throat. Keeva's tail tucked instinctively. Fighting back the urge to whimper, Keeva loped out in front of her sister, forcing her to stop short, and dropped into a play bow. Smiling broadly, she tipped her head to one side, trying to draw her sister out of her dark thoughts. "You wanna race home?"

Sage grinned, thoughts of vengeance dissipating as she dropped down in a similar bow. "Sure, if you're so eager to have me take you down twice in one day." Keeva laughed mockingly, "we'll see about that."

"Girls."

The voice was new, but familiar to both pups who were grinning as they turned to greet the newcomer. "Hey Mom," Sage said, "what's up?" Keeva followed. "It's time to say goodbye dears." Keeva's heart bottomed out, tears stinging her eyes almost immediately as she glanced over at her sister. "Do you really have to go?" Keeva asked her tone wobbly. "Don't worry, it's only for the winter, I'll be back before you know it." Sage tried to sound encouraging, but the thrill of Alpha school had been lost when it was discovered that Keeva could not go with her. It was made even worse by Keeva's subtle sniffling as she tried to keep from crying in front of her. Sage nuzzled deep into the dark fur of her sister's neck, inhaling her scent for the last time, hoping to carry the memory of it through the harsh winter ahead. "When I come back," she said her own voice shaking, "I'll teach you everything I know. You'll be the strongest Omega ever."

Keeva's tail wagged, young mind already fantasizing such a version of herself, but chased it away momentarily to focus on her sister. "I'd like that," she said honestly. "Just don't change too much, okay? I don't want a snotty Alpha sister." Sage barked out a laugh and nipped her ears in a playful reprimand. "I won't! Just take care of yourself and I'll see you in the spring okay?"

"Okay. I love you."

"Love you too," Sage said over her shoulder as she walked to their mother's side. "You'll be back soon, Mom?" Keeva hated to think of herself as dependent on her family's protection, but she was. "I'll be back in two days," her mother said, "stay close to Ribar until then. She'll keep you safe."

Keeva watched them go until their bodies disappeared over the hills. The forest was quiet again, suddenly her favorite place felt like a lonely and desolate thick of trees. Sighing hollowly, Keeva pushed herself to her feet and made her way back to the den, head and tail low.

Keeva snuck her away around the main packsite, concealing her body in the surrounding foliage as she made her way to Ribar's den. Practically sprinting up the steep incline to the den's entry. Some might of thought that such behavior in your own home was a little overly cautious, others thought it was just plain crazy, but to Keeva it was survival. Being an Omega made her the target of many Alphas, and not just the pups. Thankfully, however, most of the Alpha pups had left for Alpha School, Aura included, so she had relatively little trouble making it to her fellow Omega's den.

"Ribar?" Keeva called out tentatively as she peered into the dark cavern. "Are you home?" There was movement in the back and suddenly a pup her age was racing up to meet her. "Keeva, you're here!" Yule called out barreled up to her and nuzzled enthusiastically. Keeva laughed shoving the red sable furred male away from her. Yule was Ribar's son, her only surviving pup of her first litter, and likely the only reason she was permitted to stay.

Most Omegas were driven out once they were fully grown, but sometimes certain acceptations were made. In this case an unexpected pregnancy. Now that Yule was six months old, it wouldn't be long before both he and his mother were driven out. Of course, the same could be said for Keeva, exile wasn't a matter of if for her, simply when.

"Mom's gone to get some rations from this afternoon's kill. She'll be back soon." Yule informed her as they made their way to the back of the den. "It's so cool that you're staying with us for a few days, and even better the Alphas won't be here to bother us, we can do whatever we want!" Keeva rolled her eyes at his excitement, but grinned just the same, he acted as if he didn't see her every day as it was, but she faltered a bit at the mention of Alphas. Her good mood dropped a little as her thoughts returned to Sage, her best friend, who she wouldn't see again until spring. "Yeah, I guess we can, I really wish Sage was here though." Yule grimaced at Keeva's obvious grievance, not having any siblings himself, he didn't understand the importance or the strength in a bond between littermates.

"Well," he said, "at least you can rest assured knowing she's kicking Aura's butt in school." Keeva snorted a laugh, unable to keep the image out of her head, wishing she could see it in person. She'd have to ask Sage for details later, after all, Sage had promised to teach her what she learned. "Yeah," Keeva laughed, "there is that."

"So," Keeva started scratching behind her ear idly, "you wanna play kick rock?" Yule's mischievous grin was all the answer she needed.

In truth, their little game could use a better name, but they were only three when they had come up with the game and had picked the name that was most obvious to what they were doing. Which was kicking a moderate sized rock by use of any part of the body, to keep it off the ground. Each time the rock fell, the other wolf gained a point. Simple. However, as Keeva returned the rock with a hip bump, she thought it might be time to try and find something softer and less bruise inducing.

"Alright you two, half time," Ribar said as she returned with a portion of meat. It wasn't much, it never was. "Aw," Keeva moped as she was in the lead and eager for victory, but her stomach was also eager for food. One aching grumble and she was diving in, Yule hot on her heels, neither knowing who should be counted for the last point. "Hey Ribar?" Keeva asked as she tore off a hunk of meat from the elk's leg. "Can Yule and I try to log sled tomorrow? I figured out a new technique I wanna try."

"Yeah?" Yule asked enthused, "can we, Mom?"

"After what happened last time?" Ribar asked eyeing the pups whose ears started to lower in resignation. "I'll have to supervise. Maybe you two could teach this old wolf some new tricks, hm?" The three of them shared a laugh as they finished their meal.

Later that night, Yule and Keeva curled up into Ribar's side, Keeva couldn't quite help nuzzling into the she wolf's cinnamon and crème fur, quite possibly rooting Yule away from his own mother in the process. He didn't seem to mind as he nuzzled up close to her instead, resting his head across her neck in a manner that made his breath fan out against her ear. It wasn't exactly like being curled up with her mother and sister, mostly because Yule was a male, and definitely not her sister, but he was a comfort in his own right. And pressed between the two of them, it was easy to find sleep.

Keeva was woken sometime later by a deep rumbling sound, like thunder, and harsh voices. Trying not to give her consciousness away, she cautiously opened her eyes, looking out from beneath her lashes. The Head Alpha stood at the den's entry, flanked by two of his sons, all muscled and strong, and presently looking for a fight.

"Just hand the female over, Ribar, and no harm will come to you and yours."

"Somehow, Luca, I have trouble believing that. She is Xena's cub, and anything pertaining to her, should be taken up with her mother."

"Oh, her mother will be confronted, don't you worry. For now, though, there are prices to be paid, release her to us, now!"

"No!"

Ribar rose to her feet, shaking herself loose of the two pups, effectively jostling the both of them. Yule woke, bleary eyed and confused, and Keeva lifted her head to watch. Her heart was pounding, anxiety constricting her airway. Ribar was getting ready to fight. She was going to fight Luca for her, as if Keeva was her own daughter. She was as frightened as she was moved.

"There is nothing for you here," Ribar seethed, "get out of my home!" Luca growled low in his throat, a frightening sound that sent shivers down the backs of all three Omegas. "I will not have insubordination, Ribar, hand her over. She isn't worth orphaning your son, is she?" Keeva was racked with fear as she turned her head to eye the female. She looked equally as scared, hunkered down low, ears bent back, tail tucked, she was practically half submitted. Keeva didn't blame her, she was surprised at her actually. Omegas didn't refuse Alphas, and if they did, they only ever did it once.

Ribar glanced back at the two of them, amber eyes bright with unshed tears. Her eyes locked first with her son, the only survivor of a litter of seven, and she hoped that he would continue to be strong, and survive without her there to look over him. She hoped he knew how much she loved him, and that she was doing this as much for him as she was Keeva. Poor Keeva, she looked at the little girl, who stared back at her with wide lapis eyes. She did not deserve this, no pup deserved to pay for the sins of their parents. All the little ones could see were the loving eyes of a mother about to give everything for her children. They knew what was about to happen, and it shook them to their very cores. Ribar's eyes tore away from them to look back into the cold, cruel eyes of the Head Alpha, challenging him directly as she did so.

Ribar rose from her hunkered down position, standing tall, and bristling the fur along her neck, back, and shoulders. If she was going to die, she was going to die fighting. She gave him no warning growl, no time to prepare, she just lunged for him, tearing into whatever part of him she could reach. As they collided, a great pile of flesh and bone ripping at one another, their fight was carried outside. The last thing the pups saw was Luca's sons lunging at Ribar to pry her away from their father.

The fight could be heard by the pups, loud and violent, as they sat in numbed silence of the happenings around them. All at once, as if realizing how little time they had, Yule was nudging Keeva into action.

"You have to get out of here," he said urgently, directing her back to the far corner of the den. "They'll be after you next." Keeva's thoughts were scrambling as she tried to piece everything together, making her feel rather panicky. "But," she rushed out, "Ribar! Yule-we have to-" She resisted his urging, nearly having to sit down to do so. "we have to…" Help, she wanted to say, but she couldn't force the words out. Because what could they do? Two Omega pups against fully grown Alpha males, they'd be mincemeat. It felt wrong though, to leave Ribar to fight for her, without even trying to help.

"Mom knows what she's doing," Yule assured as though his mother hadn't just rushed the head of the pack. Yule quickly moved around the dark female and began shoveling pebbles away from one corner of the den. Keeva quickly recognized the space as Yule's secret entrance, really, they had both used it more than once to escape the ridicule of their peers. "Mom will keep them busy as long as she can," Yule explained, "but you have to put as much distance in as you can, okay? You have to run far away, across the border, get somewhere safe. Mom and I'll get word to your mom, and she'll come and get you."

"Yule, I'm scared" Keeva whimpered eyeing the escape route, her only chance at freedom, at life. "Me too," Yule admitted, "but you'll be okay. It's a straight shot to the borders from here, but you'll have to go through the fields to reach them. Don't worry, you're fast enough." Keeva nodded as she approached the hole in the wall, she turned to look at him sadly. "Stay safe," she pleaded quietly. "You too."

A pained yelp from outside had Keeva springing into action, squeezing her way through the narrow exit, and stumbling out into the cool night air. She nearly fell down the steep hill, but somehow managed to keep her paws beneath her, and made her quickly into the woods at hill's base. Such cover wouldn't last long, as Yule had said, she'd have to clear the fields to get to safety. She tried not to panic as the trees grew sparser and sparser, taking her coverage away from her a few trees at a time until she found herself frighteningly exposed.

She stopped, she couldn't help but come to a grinding halt as she eyed the wide expanse of open terrain. As if to add insult to injury, a powerful chorus of howls filled the air. Keeva whimpered fearfully, they were on her trail now, she didn't have the time to second guess Yule's plan now, all she could do was pray her head start was enough to see her through and run.

The grass was tall, brushing up against her belly sides as she ran, more than once she had to fight off the urge to hunker down and hide in it, and pray that Luca and his sons wouldn't find her. It was a ridiculous notion, they were fine Alphas, they'd and find her in a second out here. Instead, she kept her eyes forward, on the trees that would provide her coverage, and the border that would promise safety. Luca couldn't cross it, she knew, it would brake pack law, and the peace among the territories was already strained for reasons unknown to her. He wouldn't cross, he couldn't.

They entered the field with her three hundred yards away from the border. They were already barking their victory. Keeva's heart jumped to her throat as she tried to resist looking behind her. They were covering ground fast, and she was greatly disturbed at how quickly the distance between her and them was disappearing.

Two hundred yards and she could hear Luca's cruel laughter, smell the blood on the wind, Ribar's blood.

One hundred yards, she couldn't keep this up much longer. Her heart was going to explode, her lungs were going to collapse, her paws and legs were heavy, like lead, she wouldn't be able to support herself much longer.

"You won't escape me, pup!"

Fifty yards, she could feel Luca's breath on her flank, his teeth missing her tail by mere hairs. No, no, no! Come on! She pushed herself hard, harder than she ever had before. Her vison was spotting, head swimming. She had to make it! She yelped as one of Luca's boys snapped at her heels, tears of desperation streaming down her face. So close, Luca lunged for her, looking to end her in one quick strike. Seeing him coming for her, she leapt, covering the mere feet left between her and the border rolling on the grass across the proverbial line. Adrenaline still flowing, she managed to stagger back to her paws and sprint for the trees, not slowing for a second.

Luca's furious howl sang through the air making her fur stand on end. She looked behind her with wide eyes to make sure he wasn't following her, but missed the sudden steep incline of a hidden hill. She yelped as she fell, the world spinning around her in blues and blacks. She laid on her side at the bottom, still and in pain, and so, so tired. She couldn't move, not even when she heard a chorus of barks raising an alarm, not when she saw the glow of fire in the night, or felt the hand of a two-legger against the fur of her side. All she could do was let out a pleading whine, before she fell into oblivion.

AN: Wow, this turned out a lot longer than I thought. I hope you guys like it. I'm already well into chapter one, and should have it up soon. Especially since the semester's almost over. Anyway, thanks for reading, leave a review if you feel like it, and I'll see ya'll in the next chapter.