Chapter 1: Bleak Future

Natalia

The sun's rays filtered through the canopy of trees, dappling the forest floor as I ran through the woods. My paws thudded rhythmically on the leaf-strewn ground, the wind ruffling my fur. As I leaped over fallen logs and ducked under low-hanging branches, I felt utterly free. This was my element. My name is Natalia and I am the daughter of the Alpha of the Wild Crest Pack. For as long as I can remember, I have been groomed to one day take over and become the Alpha myself. It was my solemn duty and greatest honor. 

I had just finished my training for the day with some of our best warriors, working on combat skills and battle tactics. As the future Alpha, I needed to be ready to defend our pack at a moment's notice. My mentor Rylan was impressed with how much I had improved, even beating him in our last sparring match. 

"You're getting fast, Nat," he had chuckled, picking himself up off the ground. "Pretty soon you won't need me around at all."

I had grinned, shifting back into my human form as I wrap my robe around. "I'll always need you, Rylan. Who else is going to knock me on my tail during training?"

We had laughed together before he sent me off, telling me to enjoy the rest of my day. And so I did, losing myself in the feel of the forest as I scoured the forest. I loved this time to myself. As much as I cherished my pack and took my role as future Alpha seriously, it was nice to get away from the pressures and responsibilities sometimes. Out here alone amongst the trees and winding trails, I felt at peace.

By the time I arrived back at the pack dens, the sun was starting to dip low on the horizon. I was expected to attend a meeting with the council of elders, as I did every evening. They provided guidance and wisdom to both myself and my father, the current Alpha. 

I paused by a stream to get a drink and tidy my fur before shifting into my human form and dressing quickly. As I made my way through the small town of wooden buildings, various members of the pack nodded respectfully or called out greetings. I smiled and waved, embracing my role among them.

Inside the main hall, the elders were already gathered around a long wooden table. My father sat at the head, speaking with Elder Josephine in hushed tones. But he looked up and smiled as I entered, pride shining in his eyes.

"Ah Natalia, there you are," he said warmly, beckoning me over. "Come, we were just about to begin."

I took my place at my father's right hand while the rest of the elders settled into silence. This was an important ritual - the passing down of knowledge to ensure the strength of the pack for generations to come. 

One by one, the elders offered me advice, tales of our history, or insights into the unique challenges of leadership. I listened with rapt attention, knowing their wisdom was a gift. Some day these lessons would help me guide the pack when I became Alpha.

My father watched me closely the entire time, nodding in approval as I asked thoughtful questions or absorbed the elders' advice. 

"You have raised a fine daughter, Alec," Elder Josephine said to him. "The pack will be in good hands with her one day."

I swelled with pride at their faith in me. To have earned their trust meant everything. I would need their support when my time came to lead. 

As the meeting drew to a close, my father came over and placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. "You make me proud, Natalia," he said, smiling.

I returned his smile, my heart full. With my father guiding me and the elders at my side, I truly felt ready for the responsibility ahead. I excused myself to clean up before bed, heading out into the moonlit night feeling confident about my future. 

But as I strolled across the quiet grounds, a sudden cacophony of horns and howls shattered the peace. I froze, my breath catching in my throat as our warriors took up defensive positions around us. 

"We were under attack!"

Snarls and screams erupted around me as massive dark shapes stormed through the trees, colliding violently with my packmates. I stood, stunned and disoriented amidst the chaos. These were not just rogues trespassing on our lands. These were the Night Walkers - the most vicious pack around. "But why would they attack us so brazenly?"

I startled back to my senses at the sound of a pained yelp. 

"Father!"

He was battling fiercely with the Beta of the Night Walkers, but he was outmatched. They must have caught us off guard, while our most able fighters were asleep. 

Without thinking, I shifted into my wolf form and leaped into the fray. I had to defend my pack, my father. I raced to his side, slamming my full weight into his opponent. The Night Walker Alpha was momentarily stunned, giving my father time to regain his footing. We stood, hackles raised, side-by-side ready to drive the intruders from our home.

But our small victory was short lived. Three more Night Walkers joined their leader, encircling us. My father and I fought desperately, working in tandem to keep them at bay. But there were too many. Their savage blows came from every direction. I could feel my energy waning, my reactions slowing. Still I fought on, snarling and snapping every time they tried to get past me to my father.

One massive Night Walker crashed into me, his jaws closing around my hind leg. I yelped in pain but did not give in, twisting around to sink my own teeth into his shoulder. We grappled viciously until I managed to kick free.

I whirled, frantically looking for my father again. When my eyes found him, my heart dropped like stone in my chest. He was on the ground, the Night Walker Beta at his throat. "No!"

I rushed forward but a pair of Night Walkers slammed into me, holding me back. "No! Father!" I cried out helplessly, struggling against them with all my might. But I could only watch in horror as the beta's fangs tore out my father's throat in one savage jerk. 

His body convulsed once, then went still. A chilling howl of victory rose from the beta, one that was soon echoed by the rest of the invading pack. The battle was over. We had lost.

Numbness washed over me as I stared at the lifeless body of my father - my mentor, the mighty Alpha. His fur was matted with blood that still poured from the gruesome wound in his neck. This couldn't be real. It had to be some horrific nightmare. My father couldn't be gone. 

But the truth seeped in like a creeping sickness. The Night Walkers had decimated us in one bloody attack. Half my pack lay dead or dying in the dirt. The rest cowered, broken and directionless now that our leader was slain. Our home and lives burned to ashes around me. The warm den I slept in, the elders who guided me - it was all ripped away in one savage night.

I had failed in my duty. As the future Alpha, it had been my responsibility to safeguard the pack. But I was too weak, too slow. And now my father paid the price. It was a bitter reality I would be forced to live with forever. 

The Night Walker Beta approached me, his massive shoulders rolling as he stood over my defeated form. I glared up at him, my grief morphing into a sulfurous hatred. The fur along my spine bristled as a growl rumbled in my throat. I no longer cared that he had me pinned. I would rip his throat out too, if it was the last thing I did.

But the beta merely sniffed in disdain at my useless anger. "Your pack is beaten," he rumbled. "From now on, you will abide by our rules. There will be no Alpha here. You are rogues, living at our mercy."

With that, he turned and stalked away, signaling his pack to retreat back into the forest from whence they came. They left chaos and carnage in their wake.

I managed to crawl to my father's body, tears blurring my vision. I had never felt so lost and alone before. My perfect life was now shattered forever. But as I grieved, a spark of defiance took hold in my heart. 

One day, I would have my revenge. I would rebuild my pack, grow stronger, and make the Night Walkers pay for what they had done. Looking down at my father's ravaged form, I swore this oath upon his grave. No matter what it took, justice would be had.

Even if it cost me everything.