Chapter 4

The journey from Seattle to Denver, Colorado, was long and exhausting. I chose a longer route that passed through the majestic Rocky Mountains, the Front Range, where Rocky Mountain National Park, the home of the wolf pack to which I belonged, was situated. Incredible landscapes and the beauty of nature unfolded before my eyes, but my mind was filled with worries, and the void left by the disappearance of my children seemed to expand with every mile covered. Finally, I stopped the car at a strategic point in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the place where everything began for me. Humans believed that the United States government reintroduced wolves to Colorado in 1999, but the truth was that it was Alastair, the alpha of our pack, who took charge of this place. He was the werewolf who found me on the side of a road when I was still a pup, welcoming me as his daughter. My parents had been killed by humans, and Alastair was the only family I knew. In the depths of my memories, I could see Alastair's face, his kind eyes, but also his fierce eyes when it was necessary to protect our pack. He guided me, and taught me to be a wolf, to honor our traditions, and to protect those we loved. His legacy was something I carried with me, and I wondered if he was still alive. I knew it was unlikely, given the long decades since he adopted me. However, there was another question that troubled me. If Alastair was no longer among us, who would have taken his place as alpha? I knew the answer, but I needed to be sure. I stopped amid the woods, the scent of pine and the cool breeze surrounding me. Here, the air was clean and fresh, and a sense of nostalgia washed over me. I knew I was close to home, close to the heart of our pack. I took a few steps forward until I found an area that was particularly significant to me. It was where Alastair used to take me to watch the sunset and teach me the secrets of the wolves. He told me stories about our ancestors and the covenant we had with the land and the moon. My thoughts drifted to Alastair, to the lessons he taught me, to the deep connection we had. I knew that even if he were dead, his influence, and teachings would remain with me. It was these lessons that now guided me in the quest for my children, a journey I was willing to face at any cost. My mind returned to the present when I remembered the ritual I needed to perform to confirm the pack's leadership. It was not a simple process, but I believed it was the only way to get the answers I sought. I knew what I needed to do. Carefully, I took a knife from my luggage, looking at the silver gleam of the blade. With determination, I made a small cut on my wrist, letting the drops of blood fall to the ground. It was an ancient summoning ritual that wolves used to communicate in important situations. I hoped it would work. My action reverberated through the trees and the earth, echoing through the forest. I knew they would soon appear. The silence of the forest seemed to envelop me, as if nature itself awaited in suspense. Then, a distant howl echoed, breaking the mountain's silence. It was a sound I knew well. The hairs on my neck stood up, and my heart raced when I knew I wasn't alone. The distant howl of wolves echoed as a response to my call. Other howls joined the first, a sinister cacophony drawing closer. When the wolves appeared, I faced them, aware that they wished to tear me to pieces. Hostility was evident in their eyes, and their sharp teeth were visible as they snarled in my direction. I was alone and vulnerable, but my determination did not falter. I had to continue. “I would like to speak with the Alpha,” I said, my voice firm. The wolves howled and approached, but I still couldn't understand their words. I repeated my request, even more determined, while holding a steady gaze. “I need to speak with the Alpha.” Another, more imposing and confident wolf, howled and then transformed into a human. He approached me, his penetrating gaze assessing me. “Who are you, and what do you want with the Alpha?” I stared directly at him and said, “My name is Fierce Silver, and I need to speak with the Alpha.” The human wolf studied me for a moment before finally nodding. He then turned and howled, calling the Alpha. I wondered if it was still Alastair or if another figure had taken his place. Finally, I saw him, majestic and imposing, emerging from the shadows of the forest. He was a large gray wolf with thick fur, with piercing eyes that gazed at me with wisdom. He approached me calmly and dignified, his gaze revealing wisdom and authority. It was he, the alpha, who had taken command after Alastair's departure. Our eyes met, and I knew he recognized the blood I had shed. Then, he approached slowly, his muzzle touching the cut on my wrist, and he closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, his deep eyes reflected a mixture of emotions, including surprise and perhaps a touch of sorrow. There was also something deeper, something I couldn't fully identify. “Fierce,” he murmured, his tone deep and powerful. “You have returned.” I knew that voice. It was Hunter, Alastair's firstborn and the new alpha of the pack, who had rejected me years ago. Tension was in the air, and I wondered how he would react to my presence, and the three reasons that had brought me there. *** Silence hung in the air for a brief moment before he finally broke it with his deep and authoritative voice. “What are you doing here, Fierce?” Hunter asked, his words sounding like a low growl in the night. He seemed surprised by my presence, perhaps even offended. I took a deep breath, knowing I didn't have time to waste. “I need your help, Hunter. My children have been kidnapped.” The surprise in Hunter's eyes was palpable. “Children?” He repeated, as if the idea was inconceivable. I nodded determinedly. “Yes, Hunter. I have children, and they've been taken from me. I don't know the extent of what's happening, but I need the pack to help me find them.” Hunter remained in his wolf form, but his gaze was serious and evaluative. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes fixed on mine. “You rejected the pack, Fierce. You left years ago and never looked back. And now you return as if nothing happened, demanding the pack's help. And, to make matters worse, you do it in your human form. You don't even have the decency to come to us as a werewolf.” His words were harsh, and cutting, but I was determined not to be shaken by them. My children were the priority now. I held my gaze on him, without flinching. “Hunter, I'm not here to demand anything. I'm asking for help. My children are in danger, and I would do anything to protect them.” He rose to his paws, assuming an even more imposing posture. His fur was bristling, and I could feel the tension in the air as the pack awaited his decision. “Why don't you ask the humans you revered all these years for help?” Hunter asked with disdain. I lowered my head for a moment, thinking about how to explain. “The humans are doing their part, but there's a detail I didn't mention. One of the possible kidnappers is a werewolf.” The revelation seemed to surprise him. Hunter took a step back, his eyes now fixed on me with a mix of curiosity and concern. “A werewolf? How do you know that?” I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “They left evidence, and I trust my instincts. Moreover, the scent, the aura... something is wrong, Hunter. I can't face this alone, and my children need your pack.” Hunter remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. The tension in the air was almost palpable, and I knew I was hanging by a thread. But I wouldn't avert my gaze, not when my children's lives were at stake. He slowly rose on his paws, his wolf form becoming taller and more imposing. His gaze was serious as he said, “Your presence here is an insult. And now you insult us by suggesting that a werewolf did this?” Hunter's accusation was harsh, but I was willing to face anything for my children. I lowered my head, swallowing my pride. “I didn't want my presence to be an insult, Hunter. I came here seeking help, not to claim something I don't deserve and certainly not to accuse a werewolf. But you know me better than anyone, you know my sense of smell has always been very good. I know a werewolf has been in my home and taken my children.” Hunter remained silent for a moment, his attitude now less hostile. He looked around as if contemplating his decision. “I'll call the pack. The final decision will be theirs, Fierce.” I nodded with gratitude, knowing that this was the best response I could hope for. “Thank you, Hunter. I know it's not an easy decision, but my children are in danger, and I would do anything to protect them.” He stared at me with disdain, his gaze cutting. He glared at me, his gaze sharp."Until then, Fierce. You'll stay in the Hut. And I believe you still remember the way." It wasn't an offer, it was an order. Hunter withdrew, disappearing into the shadows of the forest, leaving me behind with a heavy heart. The challenge that lay ahead of me was as vast as the moon that illuminated the path, but I was willing to prove that I wasn't the same Fierce who had left years ago.