Credit goes to StarWolfLegacy for this cute drawing of Misty and Jumper! Thanks again it's super cute!

"AH! Geez! Be careful!" Rascal ordered through gritted teeth. He lowered his head to the ground, ears flattening, a painful grimace plastered on his face.

Misty sat nearby, watching Blossom rewrap Rascal's wounds. Her heart squeezed with every jerk her mate's body gave. His paws clenched when the smallest touch to his wounds was made. He had bad cuts and claws marks all over his body. Misty's never seen him look so helpless before.

A month ago, the very first battle began, declaring the Three Way War. Blood spilled in thick puddles. The stench of it made Misty gag. Injured, scraps of bodies littered the forest. But the biggest eye-opener of all, was when Mystique killed Destiny. Every wolf in Stone Hollow and Flame Woods was beyond shocked about her death. Her passing put Howler in a grievous state. The leader was too astounded to respond to the alpha duties. He eventually realized his Pack depended on him, and came to his senses. Destiny's death would be the first of many.

Since then, battle after battle has repeated itself. More blood, pointless fighting, and unnecessary wounds to patch. The injuries would barely have any time to heal before the next fight. Because of that, Rascal's wounds reopened often.

Misty was forced to sit out every battle. Blossom wouldn't let her out in her special condition.

Rascal hissed out a curse through his teeth when Blossom applied a stinging ointment.

Misty winced and her ears flattened. Watching her mate in pain, unable to help in any way, was heart wrenching. Her eyes stayed on Rascal, unwavering from his wretched state.

"Does this help?" Blossom pressed a moist rabbit pelt to a raw wound on his shoulder.

Rascal spat out a mouthful of inappropriate curses. "Oh sure! That really helps! It's just fantastic!" He seethes through his teeth.

Blossom ignores his complaining and continues with her duties.

Misty hasn't seen her mate look so irritated, exhausted, and sarcastic before. The things pain does to ones mind.

Rascal grunts and sucks in a sharp breath. "Put me out of my misery." He flops over dramatically, putting a paw over his face.

Misty tried to stifle her snort. Rascal heard it and flicked his glazed eyes over in her direction. But she doesn't see anger there. Instead, she sees agony and desperation.

Misty offers a reassuring smile. It takes a moment, but Rascal's lips finally twitch up in the tiniest smile. It's wiped off in an instant when Blossom begins bandaging his right hind leg.

He throws his head back. Misty's notes the veins in his throat. And the way his whole body seems to scream in protest.

I can't imagine.

Her ears droop slightly, sorrow dulling her vibrant green eyes. She shifts uneasily from paw to paw. Unconsciously exhaling while looking quite worried.

"Misty," Blossom asks. "You okay?"

The expectant she-wolf side-glanced at Blossom. "Yeah," She looks at Rascal, not wanting to worry him. "I'm good."

The healer's suspicious stare lingers a heartbeat longer before returning her focus back to Rascal's bandaging.

"Everything alright?"

A deep raspy voice sounds at the den entrance. Misty swivels around, seeing a powerful form standing, the light from outside silhouetting him against the glow. The wolf shuffles in with a heavy limp.

"Tyrant," Misty greets quietly.

The alpha nods and looks at Blossom and Rascal. His amber eyes focus on the injured wolf, who was now beginning to fall in a deep sleep due to Blossom's medicine.

"Any change?" He asks in a hard voice.

Blossom looks at him and shakes her head softly. "The continuous movement has prevented his wounds from healing properly. You can't send him in battle anymore, Tyrant. He is already so weak." She doesn't meet his gaze. "If you're not careful, you could end up killing him."

Misty's head snaps up. She bites her lip and feels her anxiety bubble higher. Her eyes sting and it takes her a second to realize she has tears threatening to spill over.

Tyrant sighs heavily. "Everyone is hurt, Blossom. There isn't a wolf in Flame Woods Pack that doesn't have a scratch or major injury. And we must defend our territory. Mystique thinks she and her Pack can just march their way through and take whatever they please. How else are we supposed to stay in the game unless we send ourselves out there, willing to fight?"

"I can help, Tyrant," Misty raises her head. "Just let me do something."

The alpha shakes his head. "No, Misty. You are in no condition to put yourself out there on that bloody battlefield."

She flattened her ears and stifled a groan.

"Go and get some fresh air," Blossom looked at Misty. "Take a breather for a while. It's good for you."

Misty casts one more unsure glance at Rascal, sleeping soundly, before exiting.

A gloomy fog hangs over the forest, setting the mood for the day. Misty plops beside the remains of a fresh killed elk. She looks at it, having no appetite whatsoever. Her face screws up in disgust. She kicks the elk away as her belly flips with nausea.

The stench of blood and infection prevented her from indulging her favorite meal. She hasn't really had much of an appetite since this whole war started.

All of a sudden she burst into tears. Being an expectant mother in the middle of a war wasn't a good thing. It made her twice as emotional as she should be. And to top it off, her mate could die, and never have the chance to meet his pups.

Misty grinds her teeth. "I won't let that happen. I promise." She whispers to her stomach.

Misty would be having the pups in a week. She was very nervous, and beyond ready to meet her little ones. She hoped Rascal would be present during the birth. There was no other wolf she'd rather have by her side.

Spring should be a happy season. New life, fresh air, warmth. It should be celebrated. But it's hard to be happy when death may be lurking in your shadow.

A lot has happened. Misty's mother, Heather, has been gone for over a month. She couldn't help wondering if she made it back to her home.

Just before leaving, Heather apologized for everything Misty's been through. She seemed sincere. But Misty couldn't bring herself to forgive her. Nor would she ever.

It was a relief for Heather to leave. Her return only put more stress on her daughter's shoulders. She tried to force Misty to forget about Rascal and go back with her to a mate she picked herself for Misty.

Misty put an end to that when she proudly announced she was expecting Rascal's pups. Enough said.

"Hey," Isaac slid in beside the sorrowful she-wolf. Scrapes and gashes crisscrossed his pelt. His brown eyes were soft. "Are you okay?"

Misty looked away and felt her lip tremble. "I'm just fine." Her voice broke.

Isaac just embraced her, understanding her. She closed her eyes and cried, pressing her face in his dark gray fur that reeked of blood. He rested his chin on her head and put a paw atop one of hers.

"I'm scared." She cried in a whisper.

"I know," Isaac raised his head to the sky, as if looking for some sort of reassurance. He cleared his throat and repeated in a lower voice. "I know."

Book 3 begins! HOORAY!

Things are already pretty dark, huh?

Poor Rascal and Misty :'(

BUT THEIR PUPS WILL BE BORN SOON :D

I will try and post at least two chapters a week!

Sincerely,

15thSoccerGirl