Avenge
Stone Heart

We had come to Dark Mountain in search of a new home – a place where our pack could rebuild and start anew.

Jackson, my best friend, stood beside me, his tall wolf frame silhouetted against the bright blue sky. His fierce gaze was fixed on the scene with silent intensity. It seemed like only yesterday I was the small pup chasing him through the woods. But we had become warriors in our own right, forged in the fire of our trials and ready to fight for what was rightfully ours.

Two days of travel we have fought off dozens of rogues. New scars tatter our wolf bodies for we have not shifted into our human selves since we left our home.

Pain is still fresh in my heart. The thought of never seeing my parents again. It was too much to bear. I hold back the tears threatening to spill from my bright red wolf eyes.

‘Ciana, I think this spot is good. We are high enough to have a good lookout and deep enough to stay covered.’ Jackson mind links me.

‘Sounds good. Let’s build ourselves dens against the hill over there. That way we have cover as we sleep.’ I link him back.

We both found spots along the hill to dig a den big enough to sleep in.

‘All done Ciana. I am going to go check the perimeter. I will be back.’ Jackson tells me.

I shift into my human form and grab a hoodie and sweats I had bought before to put on. I walked out of the den to be able to talk to him.

‘What the fuck!’ Jackson shouts in the link.

“What is the matter?” I ask him.

‘Your ha-hair. It is not blonde anymore.’ He says and I am not understanding.

Jackson then rushes off into his den bringing out a small mirror. I took the mirror from his mouth to see he was right. My hair was no longer its pale blonde. Now it is jet black with two bold fiery red stripes in the front. The length is still the same it is only the color that has changed. There was so much to process.

“Just be safe Jackson, please.’ I beg him and give his large wolf a hug.

As Jackson heads out to scout the perimeter I decide to set up a few things in my den.

I look around the surrounding forest for anything to use. I thought about my father and the times he took me camping. Well, it was a survival lesson. Thinking of all the things he taught me and bestowed within me.

I noticed all the bamboo surrounding the hill where we built our dens. That will be great to use, very versatile and strong.

I let my wolf claws elongate and use their sharpness to cut down over a dozen bamboo sticks that were about six feet long and two inches wide.

I use my brain to figure out measurements and how many I will need to make me and Jackson a bed. If I knew Jackson he was setting traps around the camp, so I had plenty of time.

I then went into my bag to figure out what to use to tie everything together. I know my father used to tell me Nylon was a strong enough material to use. So I went through my bag and found a few pairs of biker shorts and several packs of nylon panty hose. Thank God for fancy get-togethers for me to have bought these. They will never be needed again.

I used my claws to cut the material into strips. I then began creating a platform to use as a bed so we wouldn’t sleep in the mud or dirt.

Once I was finished I slid Jackson’s into his den and went into mine. My body was absolutely exhausted. I went into my den and used my duffle as a pillow and the large blanket I had bought to give my mother as my blanket. Better than nothing.

‘Ciana, I am sorry about our parents.’ I heard her voice.

‘Is that my wolf?’ I question.

‘Yes, Aella is my name.’ She says.

‘Aella, I am so sorry for what we have endured. I do not know if I am strong enough to make it but I will try.’ I tell her.

‘Yes, you are. You are stronger than any human in this position. Believe in yourself Ciana. I believe in you.’ She says to me.

‘Thank you Aella. I am going to rest now. We will talk more in the morning.’ I tell her.

‘Goodnight Ciana.’ She says with her wolf yawn.

‘Good night Aella.’ I tell her before my eyes drift shut.

I was awakened by pounding in my head. Someone was linking me.

‘Ciana, get up and get out here now!’ I heard Jackson.

When I rushed out of my den I was in complete shock and in awe.

‘They need a leader. We need a leader Ciana. It is in your blood.’ Jackson links me.

I knew what I had to do. I could feel Aella’s strength flowing through me for reassurance.

I stood before the remains of my pack, the survivors of the recent attack. My heart was heavy with grief, but I was not able to show it. I had to be strong. I had to be the leader they needed. I had to show them that they could rely on me.

I raised my head and looked around the camp. There were only a few of us left. Those who had fallen in battle now lay in the ground, never to rise again. But there were still those who had survived. I had to be their strength, their guide. I noticed Charolette nor her family were with us. They had fallen as well.

"My pack," I began.

"We have been through a great tragedy. We have lost brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers. We have lost so much." I paused for a moment as the weight of my words sank in.

"But we are still here. We are still alive. And we will not go down without a fight."

I looked around the circle of faces, each of them showing a different emotion. Some were filled with pain, while others were hardened with determination. I had to be strong for all of them.

"I vow that we will have our vengeance," I say.

"We will make those who have wronged us pay for their crimes. We will show them that we are strong and that we will not be broken."

I paused again, letting my words linger in the air. I could see the determination in their eyes, and I knew that they would follow me. I knew that I was their leader, and I was prepared to lead them to victory.

"But that is not all," I said. "I also vow to protect you. I will be your shield, and together we will fight for what is right. We will protect our pack, and we will protect our way of life. We will be one, and we will never be broken."

I could feel the energy of the pack surging around me, and I knew that we had made the right decision. We were going to take back what was ours, and we were going to do it with pride and courage.

I took one last look around the camp before I finally nodded my head.

"Let us go forward, and let us have our vengeance," I declared.

The air was still as we stood in silence for a moment before a collective cheer rose up. We were determined, and we were ready for battle. We were ready to reclaim what was ours, and we were ready to protect each other.

“For now we are rogues, but we will not act like them. We are going to still be a pack. We will not kill for fun, domain, and no other reason than survival. We will rebuild together and I will find the one who took our home from us. I am your Alpha.” I say and they cheered once again.

“This is our new home. Get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow we build shelter.” I called out to them and they all nodded.

“Alpha Ciana. What will we be called?” Josie asks.

I never really hung out with Josie. She was always training. Top of her class to be a warrior. I remember going over some of the pack with my father whenever I would take over.

“In our hearts, we are the remainder of the Primrose Pack. It is not the same without the others. Now we are what those monsters turned us into. We are the Stone Heart Pack.” I announced.

“Everyone raise your right hand,” I say and they follow my orders.

“Repeat after me. I do hereby solemnly swear my undying loyalty to the Stone Heart Pack.” I say as they repeat my words back to me.

“I swear to uphold its honor, to protect its members, and to be a faithful servant to its leader, our Alpha.” They continue repeating.

“I will always remain true to my pack, no matter the dangers that may come. I come to the pack of my own accord and bring with me the strength and courage of my ancestors.” I pause for them.

“I will use this strength and courage to fight for the pack and protect it from any harm that may come it's way. I will be loyal and follow the orders of the leader without hesitation, for that is the only way to uphold the values of the pack.” Another pause.

“I vow to never betray the trust of my pack and its members. In times of turmoil and hardship, I will be the first to stand up and fight for their rights and freedom. I will not waver, even when faced with danger and death.”

“I understand that loyalty is the foundation of the pack and I will never break that bond. I will do my best to ensure the safety and security of the pack and its members.”

“I will protect the secrets of the pack with my life and never reveal them to anyone. I will always do my utmost to uphold the law of the pack and follow its laws and regulations to the best of my ability. If ever I must choose between the pack and another, I will choose the pack.”

“This is my vow of loyalty to the Stone Heart Pack. I swear to remain faithful and true to it and its members, now and forever.” I finish and they all repeat the words as they were spoken. I instantly feel a newfound bond snapping into place replacing the old pack bond.

“Now everyone get some rest we have a lot of work to do.” I look out and see an elderly woman and two young children.

I remember her. She helped at the orphanage and those must be the survivors. My heart pulls to them.

“Beverly,” I call out and she walks forward with one sleeping child in her arms and the young boy holding tightly to her leg.

“Yes, Alpha Ciana.” She says respectfully.

“Take my den,” I tell her.

“No, I couldn’t. That is yours Alpha.” She tells me.

“No Beverly it is ours. Please you and the children need it more. There is a makeshift bed in there with a blanket. Please.” I plead.

She smiled gratefully and took the kids into my den. Made me happy knowing they would be able to sleep peacefully.

“Jackson, I am going to go on top of the ridge here. I will keep an eye out for any danger. Link me if anything is needed.” I tell him.

“Yes, Alpha.” He says.

“No, Ciana. No Alpha from you.” I tell him and he smiles.

I head up to the ridge and strip off my clothes. I place them neatly under a bush. I then close my eyes and think of Aella. I feel the pain coming through for the shift. My body fights its human blueprint cracking, twisting, breaking, and then reforming into a new structure.

Finally, the pain surpassed and I was once again in Aella’s large black form. I lay against the shadows to keep hidden in case of danger. I closed my wolf eyes to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a new start to this painful journey.

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