Picture of Isaac and Blossom above by the fabulous StarWolfLegacy thank you for the art you've drawn for me! It really helps others get a visual of my characters! ^_^

Misty watched the sun come up over the horizon. Gleaming orange and yellow rays splashed across her white pelt, touching the trees in the forest below.

She was sitting her usual scout post. But she wasn't guarding her territory; she was simply enjoying the coming of dawn.

Today was the day; the day her mother would be leaving. She couldn't help but feel relieved. The weight she felt every morning she woke was about to be gone forever. All of the pain, anger, and fear in her life was about to turn away. She lifted her chest, feeling proud of herself for standing up to all the wrong in her life.

The breeze lifted the fur on her cheeks and ruffled her pelt. Winter was becoming a memory. A covered print in the snow.

Spring was in the wind. She could just taste it. It was warmer and fresher. Smelling of greenery and rain. Misty couldn't wait for Spring to arrive.

Especially since her pups will be born. She glanced at her belly, which was becoming rounder each day the pups were growing inside her.

The sickness that came with expecting pups was slowly fading. She was beginning to feel more like herself, although her back was starting to bother her. But Blossom said that was normal.

"I wonder how many I'll have?" She whispered to herself. She guessed maybe five since she was bigger during this time of her pregnancy.

How many males and females will they have? Misty hoped for at least two daughters. She would teach them to be the most feared wolves in the forest.

What would Rascal be like as a father?

Misty smiled at the thought. It would be cute. Watching him fuss over his puppies. Teaching them to hunt, playing with them. Misty could picture it clearly.

She decided to head back. Rascal might be getting worried.

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

"I know we will be greatly missed." Heather's voice rang out.

No one responded to that.

"We thank you for your kindness and hospitality. And for the things you're allowing us to bring along." Heather gazed at Magnus.

"But we realized our time here has come to an end. Thank you for letting us stay." Magnus grazed the crowd with his icy eyes.

Misty glanced at Violet. The young wolf looked sad. Her parents wouldn't allow her to live here, and she was silently pouting about it.

Tyrant dipped his head. "Farewell. We wish you luck on your journey home."

The travelers began heading out. But Heather glanced over her shoulder at Misty. "Walk with me for a bit?"

Rascal and Misty shared a glance. The white she-wolf reluctantly followed her mother.

Magnus, Violet, and Velvet padded further ahead to give Heather some privacy with her daughter.

Misty didn't even look at Heather. The older wolf slowed down so Misty could walk alongside her. The young wolf's pelt was spiked with uneasiness.

"I'm not sure if we'll ever return." Heather finally spoke in a quiet voice. "But, I just want you to realize how sorry I am. About everything."

Misty finally looked at her mother.

"About River dying. Your father and I leaving. You having a difficult puphood. I'm sorry."

Misty's ears perked up. She couldn't believe how sincere Heather sounded.

Does she really mean it?

She wasn't sure if she should believe her or not. Believing her mother has caused her grief and anger. She couldn't risk that pain anymore.

Before she could even reply, Heather beat her to it.

"Don't say anything. You don't have to forgive me. I don't expect you to. I don't care if you accept my apology or not. That's up to you. But I won't force any decision on you."

Really?

She couldn't help her curiosity. Heather was actually being...kind. Misty remained wary, for she knew her mother could be all kind and loving one second, then brutally cruel the next. Her paws clenched. Unsure of how to reply.

"Anyway, I don't want to keep you." Heather started. She looked at her daughter's growing belly. She met Misty's gaze, tears in her eyes. "You'll become a mother I know I'll be proud of. Rascal is a good mate. I know he'll be a wonderful father. He treats you well." She paused. Glancing away she added. "You two will do just fine. Better than your father and I. Raising pups isn't easy. But it's a wonderful reward."

"Hurry up! If we want to be out of the forest by dark, we need to leave now." Magnus called from on a hill.

Heather lowered her head and sighed. She looked at Misty and gave a sad smile. "I wish you farewell. May our paths cross again in the future. Hopefully I'll get a chance to meet your young ones."

Heather touched her nose to Misty's shoulder. Then she padded away, up the hill where her mate and daughters were waiting on her.

Misty watched her go, tears blurring her vision.

I-I'm crying......

She pondered those words.

A strange emotion ripping through, like a long lost memory.

**********

"Please!" She begged with hot tears pouring down her face. "I'll be all alone! Don't leave!"

Her mother turned around and snarled in her face. "Remember your orders, Misty! You're going back with Isaac to the Pack!"

"But why? Why are you leaving?!" Misty's muzzle trembled as she stared at her parents glossy-eyed.

Her father whipped around and swatted her with his paw. She flew face first into a mound of snow. Instantly, Isaac was at her side and gently lifted her from the pile. Something inside Misty snapped, and she glared at her parents with such disappointment and anger, she thought she would explode.

"You know why!" Her mother hissed. "It's because of River! He's dead! There's no point in taking care of one pup when the other should be with it." The two adult wolves turned away, their heads raised high with pride and arrogance.

"It's not my fault!" Misty snarled. "I didn't kill him! He died saving me! River died protecting me!" Her voice cracked. Her father, the large fearsome wolf he was, turned around and slashed her across the face. His claws left a mark that was planted right above her left eye. She whimpered as blood dripped down her face, mixing with the tears running down her cheeks.

Her mother scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Then his death wasn't even worth it."

The two so-called parents of Misty said no more and bolted off into the snowy night. Misty screamed and yelled and cursed after them.

"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" She howled through heart eyes. "Real parents don't leave their pups! No matter what!" With all the air in her lungs, she screamed. "I hope you die!"

The dark outlines in the distance faded away.

**********

Misty felt a tear roll down her cheek. She watched her mother disappear over the hill, casting a final smile over her shoulder before following Magnus away from the territory.

Misty sat down and sniffled. She waited until she couldn't hear their paw steps before deciding to head back.

I'm sad to see you go, but I won't forgive you for the pain you've caused me.

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

The final scout group was sent out just before dark. Tyrant and Isaac led, Thunder, Thorn, Frost, Melody, and Rascal. Red Fang has been oddly quiet lately, and Tyrant was suspicious of their silence.

Rascal couldn't shake the unease making his shoulder fur bristle. He had a feeling something bad was about to happen. He was quick to volunteer for this group. He wanted to rip apart these wolves. Especially Diablo.

The group weaved through the trees and climbed the steady rock formations. They finally made it to the rise just before the border. Tyrant turned and faced his wolves.

"If it comes to it, we fight. But we won't fuel a needless fire. Got it?"

Rascal and the others nodded.

Tyrant took a deep breath. He raised his head and shoved his ears forward. With a flick of his tail, the wolves followed their alpha.

They stared down at the scene before them. Rascal felt his eyes widen.

What the...?

A group of Red Fang wolves were at the border. That was normal. But the thing that bothered Rascal was...

What are Howler and his Pack doing here?

Mystique and Howler were bristling, growling quiet threats to each other. Rascal shared a glance with Frost. Tyrant and Isaac slowed them down uncertainly.

The Flame Woods wolves awkwardly stood aside. Neither of the angry leaders acknowledged their presence. The eerie silence could've made a feather drop sound like the loudest thing ever.

"One Pack is all this forest needs!" Mystique snarled. "Hand over your territory, and we won't harm you."

"Over my dead body!" Howler snapped. "Maybe your Pack should up and leave! There have always been two Packs in this forest!"

Tyrant shuffled forward uneasily. "E-excuse me."

Howler and Mystique whipped in Tyrant's direction to glare at him.

"What do you want?" Howler didn't sound very welcoming.

Isaac asked the question they wanted the answer to. "What is going on?"

Mystique shared a glance with Hawkeye. "There's no need for three Packs in this forest. It's obvious that Red Fang is the strongest. We have repeatedly beaten both of you in battle." She turned to Tyrant. "And we were just discussing—" she glared at Howler. "That maybe it's best if Stone Hollow and Flame Woods hand over their land. Before things get...ugly."

Tyrant's amber eyes widened.

"For the last time!" Howler spat. "Stone Hollow Pack will not give up land to some new Pack that thinks they can just stroll on in here."

Mystique froze him with a glare. Her one amber eye and one blue eye gave authority over the leaders—even though she was the youngest among the Pack alphas.

"Your Pack is weak." She drew out those words. Howler's lips twitched at that.

"Stone Hollow Pack is not weak." He defended.

"Then why have you lost every battle between us?"

Howler growled. "We are strong! And we certainly won't lose to an arrogant Pack! If any Pack deserves to be the only, it is Stone Hollow Pack!"

His wolves chanted their Pack name.

Flame Woods stiffened. Tyrant ordered them to be quiet before stepping to the angry leaders.

"Each Pack has its strengths and weaknesses." Tyrant explained. "No Pack is superior. Let's just forget about this whole thing and return to our territories."

Mystique looked at him in distaste. "Says the inferior Pack."

Tyrant stiffened. His shoulder fur bristled. Rascal could see how offended his grandfather was. Tyrant was so mad, he was trembling.

"Flame Woods founded itself from seven wolves who've gone to start something better. We are brave and smart." He gave Mystique a wide glance. "Smarter than others."

The young alpha's jaw dropped. She hissed something incoherently and was preparing herself to tackle Tyrant. But Hawkeye held her back.

"Maybe there should only be one Pack in the forest!" A Stone Hollow wolf called out. "It's obvious we'd be the ones to win!"

"Not true!" A Red Fang wolf hollered. "We haven't lost a huge battle. We should be on top!"

Thorn barked. "Shut up! Flame Woods is better! We don't live with our heads up our butts!"

Commotion broke out. All three Packs were yelling and cursing at one another. Rascal lost his angry voice in the cloud of noise. Wolves began pushing and shoving. Melody was knocking over a young Red Fang wolf. Frost was pushed back by a Stone Hollow wolf.

Rascal was in a heated argument with  Diablo.

"Where's that pretty she-wolf of yours?"

"None of your business! You go on and crawl back into whatever hole you came from!"

"Sensitive? Aren't we? That female you've got is so pretty. Have her stop by and see me. I'm sure she'd love—"

Rascal slammed Diablo's face in the dirt. He could just feel his anger controlling him. No one talks about Misty that way!

"You're pathetic!" Rascal whisper-yelled in his ear. "You're so low you crawl on your belly like a snake. Keep your nose to yourself. And stay away from Misty."

"That's her name? Huh, it suits her."

Rascal gritted his teeth. He slashed a mark across Diablo's face. "Now you'll have something to remember me by."

Diablo hissed in pain and pushed Rascal away.

"There's only one way to settle this!" Mystique's voice stopped the chaos.

"And what's that?" Isaac challenged.

Her eyes were cold. An evil, cunning smile spread across her lips. With a look at Tyrant and Howler, she replied.

"The strongest Pack lives. The other two? Heh, they die."

Rascal gasped as rain suddenly began showering down. It ran through his fur, cascading along his pelt. Suddenly, he felt very cold, and it wasn't from the rain. A thick fog of doom was settling on the Packs.

Mystique finished in a frightening whisper. "A war. The three-way war..."

Word Count: 2,145

DUN DUN DUNNN!!!!!!

We have reached the END of Shadows of the Past!!! Thank you a million times over to ALL of my amazing supporters!!! <33333

BOOK 3 IS COMING IN MARCH!

It'll be called.......

*drum roll*

The Three Way War!!!!

Yes! This will be the third installment to the 'A Wolf's Tale' series!

Thank you all SO SO SO MUCH for your feedback and support! It means the world to me!

I'll be planning and setting out the storyline. I won't be as active since I'll have my hands kinda full.

Thank you again, and I'll catch ya later!

Sincerely,

15thSoccerGirl

Fun Fact: I finished writing this final chapter in bed when I should've been asleep XD but I just couldn't wait to write it down!