The Five Howls of Fate

. The crisp morning air carried the sharp tang of pine and the muffled sounds of exertion. Thuds of bodies hitt

energy. Griffin, the alpha of their pack, stood at the edge of the clearing, his massive frame imposing even

ce rich with teasing as he ducked a wide swipe from his ol

ed than angry. "Keep running your mouth, Forrest. L

sh lunged at him again, this time faster. Ash, the largest of the quintuplets, was a tower of raw muscle and power, his dark cha

blue eyes sharp and calculating. Every movement was fluid, like water seeking a weak point. His dark hair,

rrowed, and with a swift twist, he sidestepped Brooks' attack, his golden-b

dge said calmly, his voice barel

on. "And you talk too much." He countered wi

vements were as precise and sharp as the edge of a blade. Her silver hair glimmered like moonlight, and her viole

d, circling her. His tone was playful, but th

ink I've already taken you, big br

at her with mock ferocity. Opal sidestepped gracefully, her slight frame moving like liquid. She caught Ash off

Ash flailed beneath her. "Bi

lets stepped back from their sparring, their chests heaving as they caught their breath.

with silver, seemed to glint in the sunlight, and his sharp features were etched with years of le

utral, though his eyes softened ever so

t just about skill or strength. It's about instinct. It's about knowing when to attack and wh

int smile tugged at the corner

Ash, who sighed but complied, moving to face her once more. This time, there was no tea

hind him. With a deft move, she swept his legs out from under him a

ride. "Size isn't everything. Intelligence and s

exertion and satisfaction. Ash grumbled something under hi

e quintuplets exchanged glances, the familiar topic hanging heavily in the air. "And we won't. Leader

e carrying over his shoulder. "Clean yourselves up. Tonight, the

, the siblings stood in silence, the w

roan. "Opal, you're making the rest of us

f you spent more time training and less time runn

Ridge added, smirki

s they began walking back to the pack's den. "Just wait

em," Brooks teased, dodging

re just beginning to twinkle, a reminder of the endless expanse above. Her

w to herself and her brothers. Together,

ickering light on the gathered wolves, their shadows dancing on the surrounding trees. The quintuplets arrived freshly cleaned, th

e her petite stature, there was a quiet confidence about her that turn

spered loudly, though not loud enough for Opal to

Ridge replied, his voice low and steady.

ousness that often made the others fall in line, his large frame a constant r

reement. "And the Elders will be watchi

s brought a mixture of pride and awe. His broad shoulders seemed to carry the weight of the pack with ease, his silver-streaked hair and pier

ed once, satisfied. "You clean up well," he said, his voice carrying a rare warmth. "But tonight

uintuplets. Some looked on with admiration, others with curiosity, and a few with the

r what I told you-this isn't just about strength. It's abo

eeting Alpha Griffin's. "We won't let y

, the stoic mask of leadership slipped. He reached ou

*

ena, with a circle of stones marking the boundary. Each of the quintuplets would face a series

warriors, a lean, wiry wolf named Jax. Forrest's agility was on full display as he dodged Jax's attacks with ease, taunting him with quick jabs

der his breath as Forrest left

ed like a predator stalking prey, his blue eyes never leaving his opponent.

erestimated him at first, charging in with brute force. But Ridge's movements were calculated, each step

ran, known for his strength. The fight was brutal, with neither holding back. Ash's sheer power eventually overwhelmed Tor

ircle, her slight figure almost dwarfed by her opponent, a broad-shoulder

e, little one?" Kade taunted, his

unmatched as she dodged Kade's heavy strikes, her small frame slipping through his defenses like water through cracks. She landed blow

xpression unreadable. But as Opal stepped out of the are

ire, sharing stories and food. The quintuplets sat together

st said to Opal, his earlier teasin

iest of us," Ash add

ed. "We all were," she said, her voice firm. "An

canning the darkness. The forest seemed quieter than usual, the shadows deeper. A chill ran through

g stirred, its presence a harbi