Warclaw (17 page)

"He wants you to do what?" Warclaw asked curiously. His voice going up at the end. "Please don't get offended by this Warclaw or hurt. And just so you know I didn't agree to it."

"Spit it out!"

"Sorry, he wants me to..." Waya gulped "he wants me to kill Winter." Wren said speedily. "But I swear to the high Alpha I didn't agree to it!" Wren watched as Warclaw's eyes grew mad and enraged.

"And you didn't think to mention this to ME?!" Warclaw growled.

"No because I didn't think that he was serious. But he kept trying to persuade me. I would not dream of hurting her Warclaw. No way would I harm her!" Wren said trying to defend himself. Wren could see Winter running up to Warclaw from behind.

"Well next time her name comes up, you come tell me.
Especially
if Waya is talking about it!" Warclaw growled.

"What's wrong dear?" Winter asked, making Warclaw jump. Warclaw spun around and looked at Winter. "What are you doing here? You should be back at the cave and where's Wilda? I told her to not let you out of her sight or out of the cave until I was back!"

"Don't be upset Warclaw. She's not going to be able to keep her eyes on me all the time you know." Winter said laughing. “So what’s wrong Warclaw? I’ll find out sooner or later, you know that. So you may as well get it over and done with Warclaw.” Warclaw shook his head. He couldn’t believe how impossible she was but it had to be dealt with, without Winter knowing. However before Warclaw could say anything Wren jumped in and told Winter. “We were just talking about why I was arguing with Waya. I was saying that I and Waya had a difference in opinion shall we say, about...” But before Wren could finish his sentence Warclaw cut in, giving Wren a death glare before speaking. “What it was about is not important. What is important is that we have resolved it now. Haven’t we Wren?” Warclaw looked directly to Wren and raised one side of his mouth, showing his teeth.  Wren understood what Warclaw was meaning and quickly added “Yes it is resolved now, so nothing to worry about Winter.”

Winter looked at both Warclaw and Wren, wondering what they were up to. Winter could tell by the way that Warclaw cut off Wren that it was something that he didn’t want Winter to know. And there weren’t many things that Warclaw kept from Winter. Winter looked plainly at Warclaw and realised that she would just have to go along with it for now until Warclaw decided to tell her what on earth was going on. “Alright, but I do expect to be told what it was about if it wasn’t such of a big deal. I mean if it has been resolved, what’s the harm in not telling me?” Winter smirked. She knew that this was a good way to try to pry the information out of them. “I know what you’re doing Winter.”

“Oh and what’s that?” Winter said all innocent, giving Warclaw the doughy eyes. “Trying to pry the information out of me and Wren.” Warclaw sighed. “Wren, would you care to tell her why you were arguing.” Warclaw looked at Wren and made sure that by his look, Wren knew not to tell Winter the truth. “Alright. We were arguing about who was the smarter wolf. I said that I was much smarter than him and well he had a different opinion to that.” When Wren had finished telling Winter his lie, he looked at Warclaw for approval. Warclaw smiled and looked back at Winter. “See nothing to worry about.” Warclaw walked up to Winter and smiled. “Why don’t you head back to the cave and I’ll catch up with you in a bit once I’ve finished here? Is that alright?”

“Hmm. Well I’ll go back to the cave then and I’ll meet you there then. See you in a bit.” Winter rubbed her nose against Warclaw’s before walking back in the direction from once she came.

Waiting till Winter was out of earshot, Warclaw turned around to Wren. “You are very lucky I cut in before you finished that sentence of yours. I don’t want her knowing Wren. Why did you think I said it was resolved?”

“Oh I didn’t realise. Waya also said that she already knows, that’s why you are always trying to protect her and she’s always around you.” Wren looked surprised.

“Well from now on, you don’t say anything when Winter and I are talking. You will only answer when we ask you a question. Winter needs protecting and I want you to be that protector Wren. You get on with her so I want you protecting her when I am not around. Another thing, I want you to get close to Waya and you will report everything that he says and does that’s about Winter and taking the crystal. Do you understand? I can trust no one but you and you must NEVER tell any-wolf about this? Is that clear?” Warclaw ordered.

“Yes Alpha that is clear. I shall try my best.” Wren said in response. “Is it alright if I go now?” Warclaw nodded and with that Wren ran off, back towards where he and Waya had fought. Warclaw could feel the rain slowly seep deeper into this fur, slowly getting down to the skin. After watching Wren run off, Warclaw turned back around and headed back towards the cave that beheld Winter.

******************

The sky had become clear and the smell of fresh air was potent. It had rained all night and the wind had had some damaging effect on the world. Trees were down on the ground and leaves were scattered all over the place. The wind was lighter now, just gently moving the leaves on the ground. The sky was a pearlescent blue and the clouds were as white as snow. The sun beat down upon the earth lightly, making it warm once again.

The birds shook their feathers, getting rid of the water droplets that sat upon them, before singing their merry songs in the trees once again. The blackbird sang his happy little song, and as he sang his chorus, the robin and thrush joined in, making this morning quite musical. The birds that soared in the sky, danced magnificently, creating acrobatic displays.

******************

To the sound of the chirping birds, Winter opened her eyes to see Warclaw lying next to her. He was sound asleep and Winter watched as his chest raised and fell with every breath that he took. Looking back to the front of the cave, Winter saw Wren sat at the end of the cave looking in. Tilting her head at Wren, Winter wondered what he was doing there. Winter tried to get up but Warclaw prevented her. He had his head rested on the top of her paws, and Winter did not want to disturb him. Knowing that she couldn’t get up and ask what Wren was doing spying on them, she laid her head back down and watched as Wren got up and walk around the edge of the cave. She wondered what he was doing at the entrance of the cave. ‘Should I tell Warclaw?’ She pondered. ‘No. I don’t think I will. Wren is already in enough trouble with Warclaw. I don’t want to get him into more trouble than he already is in.’ And with that Winter let Warclaw sleep and Wren walk away from the cave without questioning one bit of it.

******************

When Warclaw woke up, he could smell the fresh air, which was sweet to his senses. Warclaw breathed in the fine air but could also smell something else. Looking down to Winter, he noticed that she was sound asleep. He gradually got up, making sure not to disturb her and walked out of the cave. He looked around, making sure that there was no-wolf there. Sniffing the air again, he could smell that another wolf had been here. He tried to place the smell but dismissed it as not being important. It could’ve been any of the wolves coming to ask their Alpha for help or advice, but when they had seen him and their Luna asleep, they decided that it could wait. As Alpha it was hard to remember every-wolf’s smell, especially with a pack as big as Warclaw’s.

Deciding that he would talk to Wren, Warclaw looked back to Winter and watched as her chest rose and fell. Warclaw then looked back around and walked towards the training area of the pack. He knew that both Wren and Waya would be there and one was most likely trying to teach the other something that the other needed to know. It took Warclaw around ten minutes to get to the training area. Warclaw sat back and watched Waya train Wren how to fight. It was funny to Warclaw how Waya in was the one training Wren when Warclaw had no doubt that Wren was much better than Waya. Warclaw had figured that Wren was a good fighter in his own right and Warclaw knew that Wren was just biding his time before he went and beat Waya. As Warclaw sat watching the training, he felt the air shift beside him. Looking to the side of him, he noticed that Winter was sat next to him. He looked at her with questioning eyes. “What are you doing here? I thought you were asleep in the cave.” Warclaw asked Winter before looking back to the training. “I wondered what you were up to is all. Just thought I’d be nosey. So once you were far enough ahead where you couldn’t see me, I followed you.” Winter laughed. “I know what you are like so thought I could be of some help.”

“Fine but remember I don’t want you going anywhere near Waya, Winter. Oh and before I forget, one of the wolves was at our cave at some point between dusk and dawn. Would you know anything about that Winter?” Warclaw asked, looking back at Winter. Winter looked at Warclaw trying to remain calm and think of something to tell Warclaw. “No I don’t know of anything Warclaw. I was asleep the whole time.” Winter took her eyes off of Warclaws and looked back out to the training ground. Warclaw studied Winter for a brief moment before doing the same and looking back out to the training wolves. “Okay, I was just asking out of curiosity. No need to worry or panic Winter. It’s not like it is massively important and besides I know that you would tell me if there was anything anyway, considering that you are my mate. And the Luna to the pack don’t forget.” Warclaw plainly stated. Winter looked back at Warclaw and sighed. She didn’t want to tell Warclaw what she had seen but realised that Warclaw would find out sooner or later and would be angry at her. Winter didn’t exactly want that. “Warclaw...” She paused, hoping that this was the right thing to do. “It was Wren I saw last night. I woke up after hearing the birds chirping and looked out of the entrance to the cave and there sat Wren. I wanted to get up and ask him what his was doing watching us, but I couldn’t as you were laying on me. After watching him for a few minutes, he got up and walked off. That’s all I saw.” Warclaw sighed.

“Why didn’t you want to tell me this? Wren isn’t going to get in trouble Winter.” Warclaw got up and walked away from the training ground. Winter followed behind. Warclaw waited until they were far enough from the training ground and from prying ears before he told Winter why Wren was there.

“Winter, I asked Wren to watch over you because of what Waya is planning. Simple as really Winter. I need some-wolf that is close enough to Waya that can get the information without being suspected and some-wolf that I can trust. I don’t trust Wren fully, as he has yet to prove himself, but you trust him and that is enough for me. Well for now anyway. I didn’t want to say anything as I know that you would dismiss the very thought of having some-wolf to protect you Winter.” Winter went to speak but Warclaw cut in “I know that you can look after yourself but against Waya, I worry that you won’t see it coming. You are too kind hearted for your own good sometimes Winter, so it is best that I have some-wolf that can protect you and keep you safe. Wren is just watching you for now but soon he will be around a lot more when he can. He is an ally for now but until I am sure that he has nothing to do with it, I have also got Wilda and Walt watching over you for now. I have absolute trust in Wilda and Walt, they are both good wolves so they will look after you and will stick around more until I am absolutely sure about Wren. He will then become your main protector until then have fun with two wolves that around you.”

“Oh okay, well I understand where you are coming from. And contrary to your belief I will be okay with them hanging around. It’d be nice to have wolves around me instead of your ugly mug.” Winter started laughing. Warclaw looked at Willow. “Oh is that so?” Warclaw started laughing. “Is my mug really that ugly? Besides it’s what’s on the inside that really matters, is it not?”

“Of course but it does help if you have the looks as well you know?” Winter joked. Both Warclaw and Winter were laughing. They laughed until there was no more laughter in them and their ribs hurt from all the laughter. Warclaw stopped laughing. He looked at Winter and smiled. “What?” Winter asked smiling back at Warclaw.

“Oh, nothing. I just don’t remember the last time we laughed as hard as this. It has all been a bit stressful as of lately hasn’t it?” Winter nodded. “Hmm. How about you meet me by the lake, at dusk and then we go on a walk. Like we did in the old days? How does that sound to you?” Winter smiled.

“That sounds good to me. Anyway how do you mean ‘in the old days’? I am not that old!” Both Winter and Warclaw started laughing again. “I know that, but we both know that we’re both getting on now.” Warclaw smiled.

“Speak for yourself Warclaw!” Winter glared at Warclaw before laughing again. “We should head back to the training ground shouldn’t we?” Warclaw smiled.

Winter nodded “Always spoiling the fun aren’t we Warclaw?” Warclaw laughed before heading back in the direction to the pack training ground.

******************

After watching the pack train, it had become midday and the light shone brightly in the sky. Some of the bids were chirping happily in the trees and some were soaring high in the sky. Winter had already left to go back to the cave with Wilda and Welt by her side. Warclaw had made sure that they were both with her now wherever she went. Ever since yesterday, when Warclaw found out what Waya had planned from Wren, he had been keeping her safe with others that he could trust, surrounding her. Winter knew that Warclaw was doing his best to protect but she knew that Waya was cunning and that he would get her in another way.

Warclaw had walked up to Wren and was already talking with him and what he shall be doing for him. Warclaw had explained that in order for him to trust him fully, Wren had to earn his trust and get at Waya and find out what his plan was. Wren listened intently trying to figure a way out of this. Talk about stuck in the middle. Wren knew that in order to get away from Warclaw’s constant nagging, he would have to do something that would antagonize Waya. But that wasn’t going to happen overnight. Wren realised that he would need to befriend both Warclaw and Waya in order to get out of this mess and even accomplish his own means. “Now don’t forget to make sure that you don’t make Waya suspicious of what is going on. Make sure that this is kept quiet, because believe me, not only does Winter’s life matter but now yours does too.” Wren nodded his head and made a note of the remark that Warclaw had made against his life if anything went wrong. “You may go now and remember not a word, do you hear me?” Warclaw growled making sure that his threat was known. “Yes Alpha.” Wren said obediently before running off, getting out of this situation before it got any worse.