LUPERCUS DAREN WOLF'S POV
PROLOGUE
I ran through the forest quickly and silently, like the true predator that I were. I was in wolf form, in all my glory. The moon shone brightly in the sky. I stopped in a small clearing and glanced up to it. The light reflected in my amber orbs. I growled low in my throat; there was a red light surrounding the moon. Blood on the moon, my mind whispered. Something bad is going to happen tonight. The wind increased forcing me to shiver, I threw my head back and howled loudly. Time passed quickly without me realising it, I was lost in the hunt, my wolf instincts alert and ready and my mind concentrating one thing. The kill. Pulling my lips back in a silent snarl I pounced.
A couple of minutes later and I had ate my fill and discarded the rabbit carcass, I knew that what was left would not be wasted. There were many other predators that lived in Elgdar Wood that would be happy to finish of the remains. Letting my instincts take over I listened to my surroundings. The forest was eerie silent. Most animals knew better than to roam the wood when the pack was hunting. Flexing my ears I listened closer to the little sounds all around me and wined happily. Testing the scent of the forest I wined happily again. My pack was near.
Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I used my tongue to clean the blood from firstly my right paw and than my left. It had always surprised me how animal-like I was in my wolf form. It was always a relief to be away from all the human emotions of everyday life. Being in my wolf form was an escape and I loved every second of it.
Throwing my head back I howled loudly, commanding my pack to meet me. I knew they would come, I was their leader, their Alpha male, by right and by vote. I didn't believe in ruling with a harsh dominating order. They weren't just my pack, they were my friends . . .my true family. As our nature commanded we are a very loyal and would fight to the death for each and every pack member. Nothing would dare harm us, apart we may well be weak but together we were invincible.
I was cut out of my thoughts by several loud responding howls. My pack had answered my call and were on their way. Sitting back on my hind legs I give my best imitation of a human smile. Yes my family were coming to me. Holding my head high and proudly I waited silently.
It didn't take long before the forms of five other wolves leaped into the clearing, ranging in both sizes and colours. The two female and three male wolves walked proudly towards me and sat in a semi-circle of protection.
Directly in front of me sat my second in command, my 17-year-old cousin, Donovan Wolf. Like all Night Worlders our names are meaningful and he truly lived up to his. Donovan meaning dark warrior and if you ever met him, in wolf form or human, you would realise why. Only a year young than I, he was the largest of the group, every ounce of a true warrior. He was a large and intimidating black wolf with bright amber eyes. Eyes that were always on the prowl, cruel and calculating, always assessing each situation to give him the best advantage. If he weren't my cousin and a member of my pack I would possibly fear him and most definitely be intimidated.
On his right sat Luna Lovell, a much smaller grey wolf with a silver sheen. Silvery-blue eyes determined yet kind. She was the smallest and most delicate of the group, not to mention the youngest. For 15 years old she was a graceful fighter, one of the best and her childish ways brought laughter to our group. Sitting next to Donovan our little Luna looked like a mere cub. Many were fooled by her small size and underestimated her abilities. It was this foolish mistake that cost them their lives or their pride.
On the left of Luna sat the only other female of our group, 16 year old Tala Lupus, a graceful fighter and hunter. Her fur a deep red in colour, so dark that it looked black from a distance. Only when the moon cast its eerie glow on her coat did the ruby red shine brightly-the colour of blood- the colour of death. Especially your death if you hurt or angered her.
Next to Tala sat her 17-year older brother, Alexander Lupus, and like his sister he was a graceful fighter but much more brutal in combat. He knew how to fight dirty and if you came up against him you would be lucky to survive with your hide intact. He was very protective of Tala and if you messed with her you wouldn't survive to tell the tale. The same went for the rest of us, he was very defensive of us all and that's why I liked him so much. I studied him a moment and found myself comparing the two siblings. Alex's frame was more masculine. Broader, taller and more muscled, a frame that was very much similar to my own. Like Tala, Alex had almost black fur, but his red cast was even darker making him appear more menacing. It was his eyes however, that stood out. They were almost black in colour with flecks of gold and shades of brown and a hint of dark red. Eyes that were either sparkling with happiness, clouded with anger or wide with surprise or concern. Eyes that were very much identical to his sisters.
I quickly found my gaze settling on the two remaining members of my pack. Degan and Clay Moon. The inseparable 17-year old twins. Degan and Clay were identical in every way, both in wolf and human form. The only difference between them was a jagged scar that passed through Clays left eyebrow. It had been caused by an angry vampire that had attacked Clay for sleeping with his girlfriend, and it was honest to say that the vampire never lived to see another day. Clay was proud of his scar and was adamant that it added character to his masculine good looks. And character it did add. The two twins were the main jokers of the group. They loved to play practical jokes and were by far the most conniving wolves I knew. They were the main planners of the group. What? How? and When? They always knew. Their devious and imaginative ways made them proud members of our pack The two brothers were well built in both wolf and human form. Wide green and golden eyes glistening with laughter and deep golden fur shining in the moonlight. They were intimidating alone, but together they were damn near frightening.
Nodding my head in recognition I threw my head back and howled at the moon only to be shortly followed by the responding calls of my pack. It was a warning to all others that the Pack were together and hunting.
PROLOGUE
I ran through the forest quickly and silently, like the true predator that I were. I was in wolf form, in all my glory. The moon shone brightly in the sky. I stopped in a small clearing and glanced up to it. The light reflected in my amber orbs. I growled low in my throat; there was a red light surrounding the moon. Blood on the moon, my mind whispered. Something bad is going to happen tonight. The wind increased forcing me to shiver, I threw my head back and howled loudly. Time passed quickly without me realising it, I was lost in the hunt, my wolf instincts alert and ready and my mind concentrating one thing. The kill. Pulling my lips back in a silent snarl I pounced.
A couple of minutes later and I had ate my fill and discarded the rabbit carcass, I knew that what was left would not be wasted. There were many other predators that lived in Elgdar Wood that would be happy to finish of the remains. Letting my instincts take over I listened to my surroundings. The forest was eerie silent. Most animals knew better than to roam the wood when the pack was hunting. Flexing my ears I listened closer to the little sounds all around me and wined happily. Testing the scent of the forest I wined happily again. My pack was near.
Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I used my tongue to clean the blood from firstly my right paw and than my left. It had always surprised me how animal-like I was in my wolf form. It was always a relief to be away from all the human emotions of everyday life. Being in my wolf form was an escape and I loved every second of it.
Throwing my head back I howled loudly, commanding my pack to meet me. I knew they would come, I was their leader, their Alpha male, by right and by vote. I didn't believe in ruling with a harsh dominating order. They weren't just my pack, they were my friends . . .my true family. As our nature commanded we are a very loyal and would fight to the death for each and every pack member. Nothing would dare harm us, apart we may well be weak but together we were invincible.
I was cut out of my thoughts by several loud responding howls. My pack had answered my call and were on their way. Sitting back on my hind legs I give my best imitation of a human smile. Yes my family were coming to me. Holding my head high and proudly I waited silently.
It didn't take long before the forms of five other wolves leaped into the clearing, ranging in both sizes and colours. The two female and three male wolves walked proudly towards me and sat in a semi-circle of protection.
Directly in front of me sat my second in command, my 17-year-old cousin, Donovan Wolf. Like all Night Worlders our names are meaningful and he truly lived up to his. Donovan meaning dark warrior and if you ever met him, in wolf form or human, you would realise why. Only a year young than I, he was the largest of the group, every ounce of a true warrior. He was a large and intimidating black wolf with bright amber eyes. Eyes that were always on the prowl, cruel and calculating, always assessing each situation to give him the best advantage. If he weren't my cousin and a member of my pack I would possibly fear him and most definitely be intimidated.
On his right sat Luna Lovell, a much smaller grey wolf with a silver sheen. Silvery-blue eyes determined yet kind. She was the smallest and most delicate of the group, not to mention the youngest. For 15 years old she was a graceful fighter, one of the best and her childish ways brought laughter to our group. Sitting next to Donovan our little Luna looked like a mere cub. Many were fooled by her small size and underestimated her abilities. It was this foolish mistake that cost them their lives or their pride.
On the left of Luna sat the only other female of our group, 16 year old Tala Lupus, a graceful fighter and hunter. Her fur a deep red in colour, so dark that it looked black from a distance. Only when the moon cast its eerie glow on her coat did the ruby red shine brightly-the colour of blood- the colour of death. Especially your death if you hurt or angered her.
Next to Tala sat her 17-year older brother, Alexander Lupus, and like his sister he was a graceful fighter but much more brutal in combat. He knew how to fight dirty and if you came up against him you would be lucky to survive with your hide intact. He was very protective of Tala and if you messed with her you wouldn't survive to tell the tale. The same went for the rest of us, he was very defensive of us all and that's why I liked him so much. I studied him a moment and found myself comparing the two siblings. Alex's frame was more masculine. Broader, taller and more muscled, a frame that was very much similar to my own. Like Tala, Alex had almost black fur, but his red cast was even darker making him appear more menacing. It was his eyes however, that stood out. They were almost black in colour with flecks of gold and shades of brown and a hint of dark red. Eyes that were either sparkling with happiness, clouded with anger or wide with surprise or concern. Eyes that were very much identical to his sisters.
I quickly found my gaze settling on the two remaining members of my pack. Degan and Clay Moon. The inseparable 17-year old twins. Degan and Clay were identical in every way, both in wolf and human form. The only difference between them was a jagged scar that passed through Clays left eyebrow. It had been caused by an angry vampire that had attacked Clay for sleeping with his girlfriend, and it was honest to say that the vampire never lived to see another day. Clay was proud of his scar and was adamant that it added character to his masculine good looks. And character it did add. The two twins were the main jokers of the group. They loved to play practical jokes and were by far the most conniving wolves I knew. They were the main planners of the group. What? How? and When? They always knew. Their devious and imaginative ways made them proud members of our pack The two brothers were well built in both wolf and human form. Wide green and golden eyes glistening with laughter and deep golden fur shining in the moonlight. They were intimidating alone, but together they were damn near frightening.
Nodding my head in recognition I threw my head back and howled at the moon only to be shortly followed by the responding calls of my pack. It was a warning to all others that the Pack were together and hunting.