The Desert Woods

Blaze stood strong and nuzzled his forehead against hers. He stood by her and looked at the ghost place.

"It didn't take long for fights to energe, those who had been wanting power and higher ranks finally announced it. Vulmira, she fought to the alpha female position, all the alphas, beta, and deltas had been taken or died. She was murdered though by her older sister who put herself on the top. so many more killed for power. I was helpless to stop it, just like the other healers. No one wanted to listen to our advice, or our suggestions. They chased out my teacher when he spoke out against them and made the hunters kill him. After a month of this.... Another raid came, and we were just as prepared as last time... I was the only one to get out, the others..." Khora paused for a moment, tryign to hold back her tears. But they bursted forth, dampening Blaze's white fur. "They all died or became their slaves!"

Blaze whimpered at the horror trying to picture it. He quickly stopped.

Khora continued sobbing, her eyes becoming red from it. "I don't know if the slaves are still alive, and I don't want to... We should.... we should go..." She pulled back from Blaze. "The storm's over, and raiders might return." She stated weakly, her legs shook, it was obvious that she could not travel far for some time, but she refused to show it.

He shook his head. "Rest, I will watch over you" He said nuzzling her.

She sighed and padded into the healers den. "Blaze...." She called out to him, her golden eyes showing the pain in them. "Don't get in the sentry post.... My father might not like it." She stated lowly. She believed in ghosts.

He hesitated then slowly padded over to her. All the while the place getting creepier.

The sun started to set, casting a beautiful creshendo of lights and colors across the desert sky. Khora closed her eyes, the spirits of the dead in her mind.

Blaze shivered and looked around.

Khora felt something brush her pelt, she opened her eyes. Around here were silvery forms of wolves. She jumped to her paws. Standing around, not looking at her or Blaze. The spirit-like forms moved about. A few were carrying prey, others herbs, they seemed to be busy with normal pack life. Khora's eyes flew to the sentry post, standing rigid was a large male wolf, despite the silvery appearance, was a deep brown and grey pelt. Khora's heart lurched and she struggled to her paws. Calling out to the ghosts that only she saw. "FATHER!" She ran up the cliff path to the sentry post.

Blaze shook his head and looked around. "KHORA what are you talking about" He said concerned.

Khora scrambled up the rock, and the ghost looked at her. "Father?" She whinied. The hollow eyes didn't seem to be looking at her. They were looking at somethign else. She turned to follow his gaze, Blaze. "Oh, that's Blaze. He's my mate. Father he's a wonderful wolf. He's really strong and nice, and smart. He's also rather devoted, he followed me all the way out here from the north. THat's where my new pack is, with a lot of great wolves. There is only an alpha female, same with the beta. Oh and you won't believe it! I'm gonna be a mother!"

Blaze heard Khora talking and he wondered to who he looked around but saw nothing. Suddenly a chill crept over him.

The wolf didn't reply, and Khora's joy fell flat. She tilted her head to the side. "Father?" She whispered, and then the ghost shape moved past her, right through her. Khora shivered and looked at where he walked on, keeping a watch on the pack. "Father!?" She called out after him following him.

Blaze concerned ran after her. "Khora you're scaring me!" He said looking her in the eyes.

She looked down at him. "Don't you see him? My father is right there." She padded down to him, calling out. "I'll leave you to your duties." To her father, who gave no hint of acknowledgement. She looked and spotted her mother's black white pelt. "MOTHER!" She called out and ran to her.

"Khora we need to get out of here" He said afraid she would never leave.

Khora gave him a quizical look. "What? Why?" She flicked her tail, small specks of silver dashed across her pelt, and her eyes were growing.... Hollow. "Why would I leave this place?" Only then did the wolves around her begin to notice her.

"Khora listen to me" He said anxiously as Khora seemed to fade. He nudged her hind leg and dragged her forward. "You cant raise pups here you need the pack" He said faster.

She looked at him bewildered. She moved her leg, it brushed through him. "What? Why can't we stay here?" She asked him and looked at her mother Who was wagging her tail. "Khora...." Her voice was heard, but her mouth did not move.

"Khora you need to listen to me" He said tears welling in his eyes. "Im sorry..." He whispered and grabbed her neck scruff and dragged her forwards. He thought he heard growls as he inched by.

Khora shook her head and tried to pull free. "What are you doing!?" She growled, the spirit pack just as angry.

"Khora listen TO ME!!! You cant raise pups here and you need the packs protection." He said frustrated. He finally reached the hole that led back out into open desert. "Now please listen to me" He said sadly.

Khora looked back at the pack, their eyes were hollow and bodies transparrent. "Blaze..." She whispered, inching closer to him. "Something is not right here.... You're right, WE HAVE TO GO!" She stared sprinting out the hole. THe back snarled and began to chase her.

He turned and ran after her.