I put the first 2 chapters up today, so I figure, chapter 3? Why not? Here's the last part of Shadow's dream:

Chapter Four: A Winter Alone

Shadow had grown like a the sapling of a mighty oak. No longer a pup, he was ready to face the harsh world of a wolf's life.

Gone were the days reality had yet to sink in. He was a strong wolf, for as every sapling one day will become a towering tree, Shadow had a become a loyal member of the pack.

His brother and sister had both clung to life as well.

His larger sibling was a sturdy and wise wolf. His coat was a shade of gray more beautiful than polished marble, with fierce golden-green eyes that bore into wolves of lower ranking.

His sister's coat, unlike his, had remained black over the past year of growing up. Her eager stance and intrepid mind that ran on curiosity had learned patience over the past months.

The pack and its territory bloomed with life for many seasons. The hunt was always a challenge, but even if the pack failed another chance would soon present itself.

Shadow spent most of his days dutifully snapping at the flanks of prey. His skill grew in the manner of a seed, more experienced than ever.

Their rival pack, a smaller group of wolves to the south, would sometimes be caught in a skirmish. But the life of a wolf, even in the most pleasant places that nature can yield, is tough.

And on the night of a successful hunt, Shadow's voice would ring out in a chorus of the pack. His parents' low notes leading the family in a howl to the creatures of the night.

...

Winter is beautiful in the way a storm is. Its soft snowflakes blanketing a peaceful earth, the whole world seems to have stopped to watch the beautiful crystals of ice fall. Frozen streams no longer race throughout the taiga, the raw power of cold stopping their swirling torrents.

Winter is dangerous, also in the way of a storm. The prey band together. The wolves find it harder and harder to hunt. The beautiful snowflakes fall by the millions in terrible blizzards, and the silence of the world is torn apart by the chaos.

Winter is beautiful in a dangerous way.

...

The wolves could not prepare for the winter. It struck them like the rugged claws of lightning that crackle down from the sky as an angry storm brews.

The elk moved on toward the rival packs territory. Shadow's pack could do nothing to stop them. It was as if the earth had decided that after offering his pack such a peaceful year, to turn the tables on them.

Shadow's ribs showed through his dusky fur as he loped after one of the remaining elk.

His mother darted in, snapping at the old cow's side. Her teeth pieced its fur, but not far enough to do the damage she'd hoped for.

Shadow raced in once again, only to be knocked aside like a pebble by the elk's sharp hoof.

His elder sister charged, tearing into the elk deeper this time. He whined to his mother, realizing the losing battle.

The alpha female would not give in. She flung herself at the cow in a frantic snap of jaws.

The cow was slower this time, wounded harshly by her blow.

Shadow flew at its neck, ready to drag it down. A sharp hoof hit his shoulder like an arrowhead, throwing the dark wolf back. He scrambled away, his claws digging into the snow as he steadied himself.

The alpha wolf gave a furious howl. The sound tore through the air, a sound of angry determination. She charged the cow, her black lips writhing as she snapped at its side.

There was a loud CRACK as the cow struck her. But the alpha's effort was not in vain. The shock of the blow still worse than the pain, she snagged her sharp canines on the elk in an attempt to bring it down.

Burdened by the she-wolf, the elk stumbled. Shadow charged in and dealt the final deadly snap of teeth to the old cow.

There were howls of victory that night, but also of lost hopes and futures. The alpha female was wounded, several of her ribs snapped. Until they knit together and healed, the pack would have no one to lead the hunt.

A cruel silence gripped the night as the pack finished its howl

...

Shadow knew it was time to go.

The elk were nearly gone. Their hunts were growing less and less successful. As their food supply waned with the moon, the pack grew weaker and weaker.

Soon his older brother from the litter before his, passed away. Wolves of all ranking were weak and sick. Nature had dealt its hardest blow to his black-coated sister, a wolf of lower ranking, who one day was too weak to even follow them on a hunt.

Was there a future for the pack?

Shadow decided if there was, he was not in it. The pack was dangling by a thin thread. Of the proud ten only six wolves were well enough to hunt on most days.

It was a cold night when Shadow left. His dark fur blending perfectly with the moonless night sky.

He turned his head, watching the sleeping pack. Then he swung it around again and trotted into the darkness without looking back.

There was nothing but a grim future ahead.

...

Shadow opened his golden eyes. The sun was rising outside of the den, reflecting softly of the freshly fallen snow.

It was time to face another winter alone.

A little sad :'( Please review!

MauMeow