Brandt’s POV

It was there, I felt it. I breathed in, and out. In. Out. In. Out. The feeling of power, the feeling of flames. I had thought my fire powers had gone long before Kia was pregnant with her first litter but it seems that my children may have very well been born with some powers of their own. It’s hard to tell if Blaze does because he hasn’t said anything. I’ll have to remember to ask him.

I watched Kia from my favorite perching position and squinted as I tried to find something that wasn’t there. After the two of us “made up” last night I believe she may very well be pregnant with another litter. I shook my head, I would know in a few weeks if she was.

I turned to the forest when Blaze came up to Kia and started talking. I walked mores lowly than I usually did and looked all around me, taking in the scenery, the scents, and the sunshine. The wind blew softly.....wait, it sounded like voices whispering. I looked around and there was no wind, I couldn’t even feel it. I couldn’t understand what the voices were saying even when they got louder. The voices were screaming in my head but it was like they were speaking in a different language. I started to run forward as if whatever was in my head would go away if I tired to run from it.

The voices stopped when I suddenly bumped into something large....and furry. Standing in front of me was the largest black bear I have ever seen. Easily bigger than a full grown grizzly male. It stood upright just glaring down at me before snorting and motioning with its head for me to follow. Normally, I would just turn the way I came and leave but, whether it was the voices or something was pulling me, I followed.

-*-

It was a long walk in silence and I mean silence. The wind didn’t blow, the insects weren’t making any noise, and the birds weren’t chirping. Another odd thing was that this bear walked on two legs the entire time. I also noted a change in the forest, I knew it could have only been about mid-day but it was getting darker very fast.

When the bear suddenly stopped I almost knocked into him, again. “Halt.” He growled in a deep booming voice. He lifted his head and sniffed as if checking for something. We had stopped in front of a cave but I couldn’t see inside it. “Go forward.”

I didn’t move because at this point I was very suspicious. When he saw that I wasn’t going to move he growled and brought his paw up as if he was going to strike me but a loud ragged “Stop!” sounded from the cave. The bear let his arm fall to his side and backed off. An old black-furred wolf limped out of the cave.

“Who are you and what do you want?” I asked once he settled himself in front of me.

“I am Gero. My large friend here is Boron. He is the strongest and smartest bear I know but he seems to have a bit of temper. We brought you here because you have talents that benefit our goals. We wish for you, Brandt, to lead my army across these lands so that I may rule.” He says all with an elegant tone.

I just stare at him before I finally blink “You are planning a hostile takeover and you want me to lead your army? Why?”

He coughs then clears his throat “It isn’t very often I come across a wolf with powers, especially as destructive as yours. You are strong enough for this task. I have been watching you since your arrival and I feel you can help. You see I’m not as young as I used to be and I don’t think I could lead very well in my ill-stricken state.”

After taking in what he said I shake my head “No, no way. I’m not going to help you with your sick goals.” I abruptly stood up and turned to leave.

“That is such a shame; you could have really made something of yourself. Boron, if you would.” After that I felt powerful claws grab me and throw me. I hit a tree with a nearby grunt but, I’m up on my feet growling.

Boron roars and charges at me to get another hit but before he can I belch a ball of fire in his face and he rears back swatting his snout to put the fire out and I make a break for it while he is distracted. As I run I can hear Gero’s laughter “Run now but soon, very soon. I will be coming for you and your family!”

-*-

Blaze’s POV

Fera had come back down to “see how things were going.” But she already knew. My dad had gone sometime in the morning and it was night now, he still wasn’t back. I paced in front of my den while Fera sat there watching me with her tail curled around her paws and a smile on her face. She seemed to be her own world, happy to just be down here.

I sat down with a sigh “Well, this is certainly not something I wanted to deal with.”

“Hmmm? Oh don’t worry about it, the higher ups aren’t worried so I’m sure there is nothing going on.” She said as if she was completely sure about what she just said. I wasn’t, things were far more unpredictable than she thought.

I was too into my thoughts that I didn’t notice the rustling of the bushes until my dad stepped out looking wary and tired. He nodded to me and would have kept going if I was sitting next to the pretty female that I was. “Who’s this?” He asked curiously.

I tired to think of something to say, I couldn’t say she was a Star Wolf because that was apparently a no no. Before I could say she was a loner who happened by here she said to him simply “I’m his mate Fera, a pleasure to meet you.”

Both me and my father’s jaws dropped at this statement. My Dad simply shook his head and said “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Once I made sure he left I jumped and turned on her “Why would you just say that?!”

She shrank back at my anger “What? I couldn’t tell him the truth or I would get punished.”

“So you couldn’t just say you just happened to cross my path or something? I mean to say we’re mates is....well I’m not exactly against the idea but....”

She just looked at me with big eyes and all I could do was sigh and walk to my den “We’ll talk tomorrow.”