Winter Wolf

In the early morning light standing on his balcony, looking down at his pack training grounds, Rex Callis smiled with pride at his future warriors and scouts that will be the final step to bringing the Sakura Pack back into the light, walking towards the future, rather than living in the shadows of the past.

He has been an isolated alpha for centuries. Makai, his beta does 99% of the 'official' business.The last 800 years have been the hardest so far. Rex's mate was out there, but he didn't know where or even how to begin to look for his mate in this life.

Makai once suggested he go to all the packs, and sniff around. Rex just kicked him in the ass and sent him on his way. He didn't know why Makai was so, stunted in his mind until he finally asked Makai himself.

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**FLASHBACK: Rex & Makai**

Each Royal Alpha pack has a set number of candidates, usually coming from the Nemesis Pack.

Kit and Winter Wolf were the oldest Royal Alphas of their generation. When Rex was only a Candidate to become Alpha of the Sakura Pack, Kit and Winter Wolf were the head Alphas of the time. Running images through his mind of him running with them, fighting along side them, ultimately, being there, helping to bring balance to the packs, never knowing that he would be at the center of that swing in the balance of Nature.

Rex was already 117 years old when he saw Makai coming up the ranks, as a Beta no less. Impressed as soon as he met Makai, Rex kept a close eye on him. He might be looking at his future beta.

When it came to battle, actual fighting, Rex got the 'wolf's share' in the way of brute strength, but had a hard time controlling his rage, and needed an opponent who could help him focus that rage. As a Dark Alpha, Rex got into scraps constantly, losing more than winning , but he kept going.

Makai was more of a psychological fighter. Hard to read, difficult to pin down, and keep down, This beta possessed some bad ass skills. So when Makai approached Rex one day, he asked Rex to help him with his fighting Rex agreed, as long as he would agree to help him with his focus and control.

"After lights out meet me at the falls and I will train you. Just don't get caught, and if you do get caught,, do not mention my name. It will do you more harm than good." Rex said.

"Thank you! I'll be there." Makai asid toothy smile and all.

That's how Rex had met his beta.

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Its been a long time since Rex was cursed to walk the path of loneliness until the chance of him coming across his long, lost mate, his Alpha's Spirit has faded almost completely.

When the Council gathers every 7 years, Rex always attends, hoping to find even the slightest trace of that rare jasmine and cherry blossom scent that captured his soul and wolf forever.

"Rexy?" Makai, Rex's beta as well as a senior warrior, and best friend for over a thousand years, announced before entering, shaking him from his musings.

"The preparations for our departure to the Council are near an end. We will be ready to set out for the grounds in the morning." He said.

"Thank you, Makai. Are our Omegas hidden and safe for the duration of our trip?" Rex asked.

"Yes, and I have ordered scouts to post themselves around the perimeter with a ring of Alpha and Beta muscle as the first and last defense. We are covered." Makai answered.

They had to make sure their territory doesn't get another nasty visit. The previous night a Rogue wave came from the northwest border between the Rouges and the 7 packs, there were casualties on all sides, 1 from the Moonlight pack, 1 from the Singularis pack, and 3 from the Solaris pack.

"Yes. The Rogues we caught were youngins. Our warriors handled them quietly. There are whispers from the north, the other Royal Lines are getting ready to welcome a new pack Alpha, due to Winter Wolf's passing." Makai replied.

"A new Royal Alpha..." Rex sighed heavily.

He usually never cared or focused much about who followed in a pack leader's Alpha spot after the current head Alpha dies, he's seen 50 come and go since his curse, Rex measured time much differently than the other wolves. The average life span of an Alpha Line Alpha is well over a thousand years.

Wolves of Gaia are eternal. Their human vessels are the only part of them that dies. After so long, the wolf's human is reborn, reincarnates the human's wolf can once again, reinforcing the Bond.

He has seen many thousands of years come and go, but nothing changes much. That's where having a mate helps. Eternity is a long, boring life, having a mate grounds a wolf, eliminating most of that raging, chaotic wolf brain that comes along with Eternity.

"Yes, a new Royal Alpha. Have you forgotten your 'trinket' for his arrival?" Makai smiled. He knew this was the only part of the Council meetings his Alpha hated the most.

"Lucky for you I have that covered already. Here." he handed a small, gold box over to his alpha.

"What the hell is it?" Rex held the box in between his thumb and pointer finger, flipping and shaking it. It was lightweight, metal, and had a strange scent coming from it.

"Classy as always, Rexxy. It's a Blood Amulet. It signifies brotherhood, respect and holds a single drop of the Blood Moon that has fallen to the Earth. So treat this..." Makai started, snatching the box from Rex's fingers.

"With care. Your honor as a Royal Alpha depends on it." Makai sighed and placed the box on Rex's desk before leaving.

"A new alpha, wonderful." Rex said to the now empty room.

As hard as he tried to, Rex could never stop himself from getting his hopes up when it cames to the possibility of finding his mate at these Gatherings. The Alpha taking Winter Wolf's place is his son, Tristan King. Rex knew next to nothing about him, but heard that Tristan is nothing like his father.

"This should be interesting." Rex sighed, deciding to make an early night, as they were scheduled to leave in the morning. Taking a deep breath, he laid down and stared at his ceiling thinking about the Blood Amulet and how Makai procured it. He would have to ask his beta about it tomorrow.

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The next morning Rex and his personal guard consisting of Makai and 7 of the highest ranked warriors set out to reach the Council Grounds some 350 miles north of the Sakura territory.

They lived on the border of the northern Royal Trinity lands while the other 4 Packs were further to the south and had peaceful, easy lives compared to their Royal counterparts. It was a boring trip in the past years and Rogues found a way to know when and if the Packs were meeting and usually didn't make any moves on the traveling parties.

THIS year, however, there is a new Alpha to try to convince to leave the Council, to break the Council Law and join the rogues adding to their numbers. That seemed to be the only objective with attacks of that kind. He didn't know it yet, but this year's gathering would be one to remember.

Rex and his party were oblivious to who were following them. Why would anyone attack him? His pack was the most isolated. That usually is enough to keep any rogue away from them, but things were about to change, in a dark, dangerous way.

"Rex!" Came a voice from behind. It was Damien, the captain of the scouts for the Sakura.

"What's going on? Why are you here?" Rex asked in a panic.

"My scouts discovered Jo's scouts and a few betas are shadowing you guys. I don't know why, but we have heard rumors that they are planning something to interfere with the Gathering. Something tells me it has something to do with the new Royal." Damian said.

"Why? They have never attacked a Gathering before. What are they thinking? The Council gets wind of this there will be a bloodbath. Makai!" Rex called.

"What's up Boss?" He replied, running up.

"We need to pick up our pace, there's a party of Rogue scouts and betas behind us. Something's up and we need to find out what before we reach the Council so they don't have another reason to exile and hunt any more Rogues.Take Damien, grab some scouts, and check them out. We will keep moving and you all catch up. Link if you need any help, don't attack unless attacked. Understood?" Rex barked.

The two wolves nodded and headed out, the static tingling of the link shooting through his mind.

Staying on task, Rex slowed their travel pace, and waited to hear from Makai and the others. He didn't have to wait long, however, Makai's voice crackled into his mind.

**Makai**

"Boss, we have a problem. The scouts are being accompanied by alphas, betas, and a single female omega. I don't know what it means for us, but keep your head on a swivel, there are alpha scouts out looking for us now."

**Rex**

"Use caution and get back here ASAP. There aren't enough of you to fight off Rogue wolves."

No other communication was needed. Running to his front 6, Rex informs his warriors of the situation around them and where Makai and the others would be coming back from so there wasn't any 'friendly fire' incidents.

Waiting for Makai to charge through the trees was taking forever, but when Makai came over the horizon at them Rex could see by his face something was wrong.

"Makai, what did you find out?" Rex asked concerned.

"We have to get to the Council Grounds yesterday! The Rogues are planning something big, and it does involve the new Royal. It's complicated, but I think they intend to take the new Royal in the middle of the Gathering. You were right. " Makai finished breathless.

"Hopefully Kit and the other packs are already there. Now we need to pick up our pace. Get em moving, Makai. If Jo is going to do something dumb, I want to be there." Rex barked.

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