Look how cute these beautiful pups are!!! Aren't they precious!?!? UwU credit to StarWolfLegacy for this sweet drawing!!!

The battling wolves returned. Shock etched on their faces when they took in the damage of their home. The raging water went down, but only a little. The flooding water continued to make way through camp. Tyrant ordered that the Pack will sleep up on the cliff side where the healers and mother wolves took refuge from the flood.

The battling Flame Woods wolves told Misty and the others that where they were they couldn't see the flood. And to top it off they were fighting Red Fang Pack, they had been too distracted to notice what was going on.

The pups were quieter than usual. Even though they didn't understand the severity of the situation, they knew everyone was upset and obediently listened to their parents without arguing.

Thankfully, the night was warm. The warmest night they've had in a long time. It was comfortable up on the cliff edge with the breeze carrying in new scents in the coolness of the night. Stars were bright in the sky, sticking out strongly against the gloom.

All able-bodied wolves collected items for temporary bedding. It wouldn't be comfortable to roll over on sharp stones in the middle of the night. They didn't find much. A few pine leaves and feathers to soften the ground for the pups. Everyone will be stiff in the morning after sleeping on a stone-hard bed.

Misty kept her pups away from the cliff edge. Ash, the curiously stubborn pup he is, tried to crawl to the edge and look over the forest. But every time, Misty yanked him back by the tail with a stern flicker in her eyes. He reluctantly gave up and plopped down with an irritated frown on his face.

Storm calmly surveyed the working wolves. It was clear how much he admired his Packmates. Everything they were doing was for his future. The dark gray pup looked up to Tyrant with such respect and hope in his expression. He was dead set on Tyrant as his role model.

River wasn't entertained by the activity that set the cliff buzzing. He yawned and rested his head on his paws. He was asleep within minutes.

Clover clung to her mother's fur like a prickly burr. She was too anxious to fall asleep. After camp being destroyed with the sounds of angry water swirling recklessly, the she-pup could only find comfort staying by Misty's side.

Alusia, Archie, Baron, and Solar were sent to hunt. The Pack needed to keep their strength up somehow.

Blossom, Moondancer, and Ella went off in search of herbs for the wounded since their stash was destroyed by the flood water.

Isaac, Thunder, Thorn, Rascal, and Frost went on to investigate the damage of camp.

The mother wolves and pups were left on the cliff. Along with Tyrant, Melody, Moon, Oak, Sky, Saphira and Okami. 

Misty, Rose, and Twilight combined their small piles of pine leaves into one large cozy bed. They gathered their pups and placed them all on the soft bedding.

Ripple curled up in between Clover and Mountain. He softly caressed his sister's forehead with gentle strokes of his tongue. Ivy yawned and slumped down next to Clover. Bolt, Loki, Swift, Brave, Storm, Ash, and River all piled up one on top of the other. They all fought to see who would be on top of the pile.

The four quieter pups kept their distance from the rambunctious ones, falling asleep in no time.

Misty and Rose made the playful pups settle down and go to sleep. In the end, Swift was the one who slept on top. And Storm somehow wound up on the bottom, undisturbed by the previous chaotic battle for the top.

Rose let out a huge yawn. "Everyone is buzzing like bees, " she nodded toward where the few remaining wolves guarded their temporary camp. "With so few wolves here, it would be hard to defend another Red Fang ambush."

Anxiety flipped in Misty's stomach. How would Flame Woods defend against another attack? It would be hard to keep an eye on the pups and fight off their enemy at once.

Red Fang was relentless. They seemed invincible. Whatever damage was done to them, they double it right back to their opponents. Their way of fighting was different. They don't fight to defend: they fight to kill, and they mean it. No remorse behind their actions. To them, it's kill or be killed.

"Hopefully it won't come to that," Misty whispered with an inward shiver. She really didn't want to fight at a time like this.

"I wonder how Stone Hollow is holding up," Rose glanced in the direction of the other Pack. "Since Ella came and told us about Howler going insane, I can't help but feel sorry for him. He's got a huge responsibility on his shoulders. Now he has to continue carrying it without his mate beside him. That's twice the trouble to worry about. But if he isn't in his right mind, I suppose he isn't really worrying about anything other than..." She trailed off.

Misty shook her head. "What if Skylark has to take over the Pack? He doesn't exactly hold the qualities of a good leader."

The red she-wolf shrugged. "It isn't our problem. We shouldn't worry about it."

"Stone Hollow and Flame Woods have always lived in this forest. What if Red Fang drives them out in their weak condition? They would come for us next."

"Surely Howler wouldn't let Mystique drive out his Pack," Rose blinked. "You remember how strongly he insisted that Stone Hollow was the superior Pack of this forest. He's too proud to be beaten down by a newcomer."

Misty's eyes hardened as she glared off in the distance. "War changes wolves. In the end, it'll make you weaker, or stronger." She clenched her paws. "I hope it'll turn me into a tougher she-wolf."

Rose touched Misty's shoulder with a hesitant paw. "You don't have to prove anything, Misty."

The white she-wolf fixed her cold eyes on her Packmate. "I do. I have to prove those dirty Red Fang wolves wrong: that Flame Woods Pack will be the last one standing."

~~~

"Everything is destroyed," Isaac reported. "Dens, walls, all of it."

Misty couldn't shake the defeated glimmer in Tyrant's eyes. He looked at his paws with a nervous swallow before returning them to his second-in-command's hopeless face.

Misty caught his anxious whisper.

"I'm not sure what to do anymore, Isaac," He shook his head. "Between this and the war, I have almost lost all hope in our survival."

Isaac's ears drooped. "So have I,"

Tyrant looked around at his Pack. Everyone was either eating, chatting, or peacefully napping. He heaved a desperate sigh. "I'll keep trying. For the good of Flame Woods Pack. Just because I've given up hope myself, doesn't mean I should give up on them," he indicated his Pack. "But we can only go so far before enough is enough."

Isaac straightened his posture. "Whatever decision you make, I will support it. We have to stick together whenever we can." His smile was dull.

The alpha and second-in-command parted. Misty caught her cousin's attention and drew him away from the others.

"Tyrant is giving up?" She hissed a whisper.

Isaac shook his head wearily. "No. Not unless he has to."

"But he said–"

"Just because he's given up hope himself, doesn't mean that he won't try for the Pack." The dark gray wolf's voice was exasperated. "But he is reaching his end of the fight."

Misty inhaled sharply. Her chest felt like it was being constricted. She swallowed and anxiously looked at Isaac. "How much further can he go?"

Isaac glanced in the direction of Tyrant. The alpha was giving orders to Thunder and Frost. "No idea. But I know it won't be much longer."

"You'll change his mind, right? If he gives up?"

"I can only persuade him so much before it no longer becomes my decision. I'm trying to help him out as much as I can, but we're both losing hope."

Misty cursed under her breath. "You have to try something. We belong here in–"

"Misty," Isaac snapped. "If there was any more I could do, I would. As second-in-command of the Pack, it's my job to support Tyrant in his decisions. Not change his mind."

Misty sighed.

What if Tyrant agrees to surrender? What would happen to the Pack?

I've FINALLY managed to break free of my writer's block! I know it's been ages since the last update (two weeks. RIP me :/  ) but I have some ideas for the next few chapters ;)

Btw, I can't remember who Rose's mate is. Was it Thunder or Thorn? I'm leaning more towards Thorn but I can't really remember. Help me out if you can please xD

Thanks for reading!

-15thSoccerGirl