Took a while to get back into writing but at least it didn't take me nearly a year. Either way, enjoy and comment please! D
The large crowd of wolves that had gathered near their leader's den was anything but happy. Ever since Ierek's reign, they had begun to realize the great mistake it had been to let him rule after the tyrant of his father, Istain.
Auria smiled widely to herself as she watched silently from afar. She felt no need to follow the crowd and protest along with them. She had her own agenda to care for and the angriness of the pack towards Ierek was of her own doing. She had not lied about Ierek's inability to be a good leader; she had just emphasized the truth. No one knew of Ulrik's existence except Ulrik's mother, Ivanka, and her most trusted confidant and seer of the tribe, Ormaine.
"Why so intent upon the crowd Auria?" Auria closed her eyes irritated by Lea's presence. She never liked it when someone interrupted her while deep in thought. In fact, she especially hated it when it was Lea that did so.
Auria breathed in slowly and attempted to remain still. She disliked Lea at times and was the last person she felt like talking to. "Nothing really…I just want to see the outcome from all of this. What are you doing here Lea?"
Lea shrugged nonchalantly and looked off into the crowd as well. "There's nothing else to do around here anymore… Everyone is so busy trying to spread the word that Ierek needs a challenge or whatever it is. I just want to see what it is all about much like you."
Auria laughed at Lea's childish ways and shook her head in disbelief. She disliked her for that same reason but could not stop herself laughing. After all, she could be refreshing at times from all the troubles that were in the pack lately.
Lea let out a small gasp that turned Auria's attention to the crowd in the den and saw the pair coming out. "It is Ierek and Lumina!" Lea said incredulously. It was rare to see Lumina accompany Ierek whenever he handled a rowdy crowd.
Out from the den emerged Ierek and his mate, Lumina, at his side. His proud face and sharp features made him look arrogant and uncaring as he faced the angry crowd. Lumina on the other hand, contrasted with him in so many ways. Where Ierek was callous in his expression hers was innocent and warm. Auria still could not figure why out of all of the mates Ierek could have chosen he had chosen Lumina. She was beautiful but just as she was beautiful she was weak in both manner and body. She was not as strong as all the other females in the pack nor was she strong to be a good leader. She was not even strong enough to conceive for her body was far too fragile to hold a child within her womb. What then had he seen? The only explanation would be that he had fallen in love but Auria doubted that Ierek would ever feel something like that for anyone.
Both Auria and Lea stood silent as they heard Ierek speak to the crowd as Lumina clung to him as if fearful of what might happen. Though his words were faint they still managed to hear from the distance. At first, he began to reprimand the crowd for disturbing his peace. Once he realized that they would only become angrier he shifted his tone to something less angry.
"Look at her… Weak! Weak! Weak!" Lea shook her head as she watched Lumina incredulously. She then shifted her gaze to Auria who had been eyeing her warily. "Auria I know that you were once close friends but you have to agree that Ierek did not make the wisest choice."
Auria shifted her gaze back to Lumina and remembered that memories with whom had been her closest childhood friend. Those memories were faint now and there were barely any remnants from it. Once Auria's parents died and she had been placed in the care of Ormaine, things had undoubtedly changed. Lumina had not suffered Auria's fate. She had succumbed shamelessly to Istain's rule only to become Ierek's mate. Meanwhile, Auria had suffered the loss of a family and that of her closest friend, Ulrik. She thought for a while on what Lumina's fate would be once Ierek was done with for he would meet his demise just as his father.
Auria walked away from Lea without a word and into the woods as she made her way to Ormaine's den. She had long strayed from the usual nightly runs but had taken the task of counseling them on what to do about Ierek. After all, she was an apprentice to be the future seer of the pack and her words was to be taken seriously. Soon, everything would be ready for Ulrik's return and for the salvation of their pack.