Chapter 8

Dagger walked along the path that led to the Ancient Water Pack, his mind lost in thought. I shouldn't even be going here....my daughter is in this pack....and I told myself not to tell Star...or Winter.....

Before he met Winter again, he had a different female, a grey wolf named Faith, who was apart of Lightblood's pack. He was betrothed to her, she loved him...but sadly he didn't love her in return.

He loved Winter and always did. But there wasn't anything he could do at the time...later on, they had a daughter, who he named Zara... after his mother.

She was only a few weeks old and he did love her...but when he met Winter again, he left without a goodbye...he felt guilty about it, but he never said it. After the war, he and Winter had Star. He loved his son, but deep down...he wished he had brought his daughter with him to meet her brother.

He knew she was in the Ancient Water Pack because if their leader... Though they didn't get along, they always exchanged information. It's what Alpha's would do if they needed something.

He reached the border, pausing for a few minutes. He hated what he was doing, but what choice did he have? "It's now or never..." He stepped over the border, cautiously walking deeper into their territory.

He could smell wolves in every direction. It made him uneasy...a low growl from his right made him stop and look. A wolf was standing a few feet away. "What are you doing here?!" He growled.

Dagger was unphased, he towered over the male. In fact, he could smell the wolf's fear. Don't blame him.....I am a dire wolf after all..."I'm just here to talk to your alpha. A one on one talk." "Why? Are you here to challenge him?" "No, I'm an alpha myself. Now can you take me to him or no?"

"Fine....but don't get any ideas." Dagger just scoffed, allowing the male to lead him closer to the pack's main camp. As they walked, he could feel every pair of eyes on him.

When they reached the clearing, Lightblood was relaxing in the middle on his rock. When he saw Dagger, he got up and went up to him. "Dagger..." He growled. "Lightblood..." Dagger was taller, but he knew that Lightblood was a savage and merciless killer.

"What brings you to my lands?" Lightblood growled uneasily. "I'm here just to ask a question." Dagger said slowly. Lightblood studied him. "Spit it out..." "My son has disappeared, have you seen him?" "What's his name?" Lightblood was purposely acting stupid.

"His name is Star. He's tall, black fur...marble eyes, and a white star mark on his chest." "Oh him? Yeah I've seen him." Lightblood said dully. "Where?" "I sent him off with my beta to kill Slash. It shouldn't be hard..." "You.....WHAT?!" Danger bared his teeth in hate and snarled, but he knew he was outnumbered.

"Easy Dagger....you wouldn't want to put both of your children in more danger now do you?" "What are you talking about mutt?"

"Oh you haven't heard? Your daughter is my beta. But then again you left her without even a goodbye. She was ashamed of you, and thinks you betrayed her." "I didn't! I love her!" "If that were true, then why did you leave? Or better yet, take her with you?"

"Because I was already in love with another wolf! And I knew she would've been safer here!" Dagger spat, his fur on edge. How dare this nasty wolf even hold his son without telling him. He should kill him, but that would be suicide. "Lightblood.... don't you think you're being a bit harsh?" A voice rose from the pack.

A white female came into view, her eyes were white, and Dagger automatically knew that she was blind. A wolf snapped at her neck, making her yelp. "Know your place Omega!" Lightblood whipped around and grabbed the wolf in his jaws, shaking him violently.

The wolf yelped and twisted. Lightblood released his grip, snarling. "You will not treat my sister, that way! She's only the omega because she chose to!" The male whined, pulling his ears back. "Sorry Alpha...." Dagger looked amused. So they're litter-mates...but she looks like she's been treated like a chew toy...

Lightblood looked at his sister, his eyes soft. "Are you okay Peace?" "Yes I'm fine... thanks." Dagger studied her face as she spoke. She met his gaze; even though she was blind, he saw guilt, pain, and hope in them. She doesn't look happy here...she belongs in a better pack... "Are you done gazing at my sister?" Lightblood growled. Dagger shook his head. "I wasn't gazing, besides I have a mate anyway..."

"Enough if this gossip. Here's the deal Dagger...if your son returns here with Slash's head, I'll let him go. But if he fails...well he'll be roaming with the Spirit-Wolves..." Dagger growled, his tail swished irritatedly. "I won't let you do that... that's my son." "No? Well then perhaps I should take your daughter's life instead..." "You wouldn't dare!"

"I can and I would...you see, I'm not stupid. I knew she was yours right from the start. We don't allow nasty, disgusting half-dire's inflict in our lands. Even if they are no harm...So trust me when I say this Dagger: Be lucky I didn't kill her when she was born. Look at it as a way of me showing you mercy..."

Dagger huffed."You don't know the meaning of mercy you filthy, arrogant mutt.... I've seen it before." Lightblood laughed, as if what he heard amused him. "You're smarter than you look. Just think about what I said....now get out of my sight...and out of my territory."

Dagger left without a moment's notice, but he was a little agitated. I can't keep this a secret anymore...I have to tell Winter....He sighed, thinking about his children...I hope they're safe....

"But how? How are we related? It doesn't make sense to me..." Star gazed at Zara, who he now learned was his sister....well half-sister. Zara sighed and sat next to him, gazing out across the valley that lay before them. "Dad was with another wolf before her met your mother again...my mother.

Her name was Faith. They were betrothed secretly to bring the pack's together...my mom loved him, but deep down I knew even at my young age, he didn't feel the same.

Then one day...he went out and never came back. My mother thought he had abandoned us, which I thought was true for a while...but I knew he loved me..." She whined sadly, making Star feel guilty and a little sad.

"That makes you older than me...which means that you are next in line for being the next Alpha of our pack." She looked at him astonished. "Oh...I never saw myself as a leader Star, you show it more. Besides, age really shouldn't matter...it all depends on the wolf." She smiled a bit, making Star feel better.

But then his thoughts went to their father. Why wouldn't he tell me I had a sibling? Mom too... The thought made him angry, and he looked away so Zara couldn't meet his gaze.

"Listen Star....you and I share a bond so powerful I can't explain it. But I'm letting you know now that I'll always be here for you.... you're my brother, and I protect my family." Star looked back at her, seeing that she was serious.

"You and I aren't so different." he smacked her playfully with his paw. She growled back playfully. He chuckled. "Yep, you're definitely my sister." He licked her ear affectionately, Zara gazed at him; stunned for a moment.

But she returned the gesture, nuzzling his chest. "What do you say we continue our mission? Then, you and I can leave...together." "I thought you'd never ask." Zara chuckled at this, casually walking down into the forest below them, Star not that far behind her...