Chapter 1 1

Scene 1- The Blankfang hunting woods

The Blackfang Pack is hunting tonight Under a Full Moon.

The forest seems to be breathing under the full moon, its silver light is pouring through the ancient trees just as strong paws are pounding the earth.*

Marcus(He growls softly). I perceive that they are near. The scent is still warm.

Adolf (He is at the front of his pack, he spoke in a low but commanding voice) "We must stay tight, there is no room for strays."

Kara (He is on his left flank)"The deer is splitting to the east, is it not better for us to flank?"

Adolf: No, I think something has spooked them off so they have taken cover.

Marcus (He sniffs the air again). Now it is smelling like fear. But it is not from us.

(The pack slowed down a bit as Adolf raised his fist. It was a halting sign; they stood under a twisted birch. Alpha's nose was lifted, smelling the air for a sign. He narrowed his eyes.

Adolf (he mutters to his pack) This smell that I perceive is not the smell of the prey.

Marcus (He steps up beside him in a tense manner) "What is it that you perceive?

Adolf. (Stilled) I perceive old roses that seem sharp; I also perceive ash.

Kara (Instinctively wrinkling her nose): "That is not a natural smell, it feels like it is magic."

Adolf (Suddenly snapping them up) Be quiet.

There was a sudden gust of wind which blew through the trees. It carried a scent that made Adolf's muscles tighten. Immediately, his wolf stirred beneath his skin. He started pacing.

Adolf (Speaking to himself):This place does not feel right. I perceive it in my bones.

Marcus (Tensed) Alpha, what do we do now?

Adolf (He spoke in a slow way): "I want you to take the pack, you should. Circle found the west and held the ridge.

Marcus (He was shocked at his Alpha's) Are you going alone?

Adolf (He was firm in his reply)Yes, I am going alone.

Kara: "But we are a stronger force when we fight or do anything together. If it is a threat-"

Adolf (immediately cutting in)"If it is a threat, I don't want anyone else to bleed before I understand what it is.

*The pack shifted uneasily, their paws were scraping against the damp forest floor.*

Marcus (He spoke quietly) "I don't think that this is just another rogue, is it?

Adolf (He spoke after a pause):"No, this is something that is older."

Kara (All these have made her nervous): "Are you saying that it is a blood witch? Or is it shadowwalker?"

Adolf:"It seems to be worse. I don't know."

Marcus: "Then you should know that I am coming with you."

Adolf (He turned to him, his voice was steel) "You are not coming with me, it should be clear to you.not. I need your eyes to be on the pack. If I don't return by the beginning of dawn, I want you to lead them."

Marcus (He was gritting his teeth as he spoke) "You better return back.

(Adolf gave him a rare smirk, but it did not touch his eyes.)

Adolf, What you should know is that wolves do not die in the moonlight. We rise in it."

(*Adolf shifted slightly, his bones were cracking, his fur rippled over his skin, and then he vanished into the silver-streaked woods without saying another word.*)

Kara (watching the trees carefully) "What the hell did he smell?"

Marcus (he was still staring after his Alpha)" I think he smelt his destiny.

End of scene

Scene 2- Deeper inside the Blackfang hunting woods

Adolf is now alone as he passed the threshold into the old woods. He now shifted to his human form. He passed symbols that were carved into bark, long faded, mushrooms glowing faintly and then he stopped.

Adolf (Startled, he said softly)There,

He followed the smell of the scent, roses crushed under his bare feet, and

(he spoke in a whisper):"This place..."

There was a single petal that drifted into his foot.

Adolf (His voice hardened )Show yourself."

(She slowly stepped into his view just like she had always belonged there. She was barefoot, calm, and she was terrifying in her stillness. Her hair spilled down her back like it was a shadow that gave her form, plus her eyes which were ancient, but they were sharp alive)

Valeria (She spoke softly) So you finally came.

Adolf (He was immediately tense) I don't recognize you. Do I know you from somewhere?

Valeria (it was with a faint smile that she said) "Not yet at the moment, but you will know in a short time.

Adolf (He started to frown). You are not from the pack, neither are you a human.

Valeria (She nods her head) "You are correct."

Adolf:" It means that you are a threat."

Valeria (She steps forward): "If I was that, you would already be dead."

Adolf (His eyes flashed golden) You should be careful.

Valeria: You felt the pull, did you not? It is the forest that is stirring. The blood which sang in your veins.

Adolf (He ignored the fast pace of his heart) "Why are you here?"

Valeria (Her gaze went up to the moon): "It has started again."

Adolf: "Why do you keep saying that? What do your words mean?"

Valeria: "You have forgotten simply because you buried the truth under your blood feuds and broken oaths. But I remember."

Adolf (He steps closer to her, growling at her): "Speak clearly to me vampire, I do not have the patience for young riddles."

Valeria (She was amused). You are still as hot-tempered as ever.

Adolf (He was startled) "Have we met before?"

Valeria: "Our souls have danced along this same path, much more times than your bloodline can count."

Adolf (He was visibly disturbed)."That is impossible."

Valeria, What do you think drew you here tonight, of all nights?

Adolf (His gaze sharpened) "What do you want from me?"

Valeria (whispering) "I want you to only watch."

Adolf (snarled) "What do you want me to watch?

(She kneeled slowly among the crushed roses. Her fingers traced an ancient symbol in the dirt, something burned beneath his skin just for him to see)

Valeria: Your pack does not know what is coming against them tonight.

Adolf (His jaw is clenched). I will protect them my pack.

Valeria (She didn't look up to him) "You can not protect them from fate."

He stepped forward. He was ready to strike her, but an unseen force stopped him, an invisible current was thrumming between them.

Adolf- I should kill you here and now.

Valeria (She finally looked up at him) And yet, you would not.

There was silence.

They stared at each other, the air was crackling up with unsaid things, then something shifted in their hearts.

Adolf (He pulls away). You should stay out of my woods.

Valeria (replied him softly) "They are not your own. Not truly."

He turned and vanished into the dark trees.

Valeria watched him go, her eyes were unreadable.

Valeria (She whispers in a certain way) "So it has started again."

End of scene