The wind rustled through the trees. It brought the cries of pain and terror to my ears. It was the sounds of a pack gone insane. I leapt to my feet as birds let out screams, warning us to run for our lives. Acting on instinct, I yelled for my packmates to gather. Coats of brown, grey, and black materialized from the surrounding undergrowth. Eyes of yellow and gold focused on me intently. They knew something terrible was happening and were looking to me to guide them. I just hoped I was good enough to lead them to safety.

"My brothers and sisters, a terrible thing is happening and if we are to survive we must leave," I waited for the protests to begin.

"But our pack has hunted here for many cycles!" Many voices rose against my announcement.

"Alpha, my pups are helpless in this cold spell," One voice rose above the others.

I looked around and saw a young female with the rare white coat standing among the others.

"Speak Aluka," I sat in silence as I waited for her to continue.

Aluka bowed her head and then began, "My pups are too young and small to leave the den. They were born too soon and it's a miracle that they survive thus far. The cold will kill them if they are exposed in long periods. I shall remain behind until they are stronger to make the journey."

"Are you certain of this decision?" A pang of worry shot through my heart.

"I am," she stood proudly before us in the moonlight, her coat glittering as though in defiance.

"Then so be it Aluka," the pang beat harder in my chest and I had a sense of dread that we would never see her or her pups again. I shook away the depressing thought and addressed the pack, "It pains me to leave our home, but if we remain behind, whatever is happening in this valley shall claim us as well."

The pack turned hollow eyes on me as they slowly came to terms with the horror before them. I wished that I could give them hope that this would pass us over. But I was a young Alpha and struggling with my place in the pack alone. The madness couldn't have chose a worse time to challenge my position. I felt pain as I wished for my mother once more to guide me. She had been a wise wolf.

"Alpha?" A voice brought me back to the present.

I looked to see a young wolf sitting at my feet. It was a yearling who just now was allowed to come on hunting trips with the elder members.

"Yes Chikara?" I tilted my head to the side.

The young wolf looked at me curiously, "Are you alright Alpha?"

I paused for a moment. I wasn't sure how to reply to the question. Fear thundered through me as I sensed the madness coming closer. But I couldn't admit that I was scared. For the rest of the pack would abandoned me and find a braver leader. Possibly a more foolish leader.

"Yes I'm fine, we must prepare to leave," I rose to my feet and let out a howl to gather the pack's attention, "We shall leave once the moon is at its highest. We will not wait for stragglers."

The pack nodded and went about to gathering pups together. The only ones not coming were Aluka and her pups. I worried for the young female. It was her first litter and I understood her need to keep them safe. But maybe safety was a silly thing to hope for in such darkness. I shook away the depressing thoughts and watched as the moon slowly climbed into the sky. How could such beauty survive?

The pack was ready when the moon finished its ascent to the highest peak. I watched them in silence as varying emotions flitted through them. I turned away and decided to go west. Perhaps the madness hadn't spread there yet. I couldn't let doubt cower me now. I lifted my head and raised a challenge to the heavens. The pack joined in my defiance and then we were off.

The hunters becoming the hunted. Possibly the last animals unaffected in this area. We ran in silence, only our paws making noise as they struck the turf. Hope was a small spark in my chest. We would make it. We had to. We weren't going to be the last Dire Wolf pack. I was going to make sure of it.