An Introduction

  As the Romans expanded their territory, they began to clear out the lands. The Ashwinter Pack, who had been living peacefully in the mountains for generations, was one of the many wolf packs affected by this expansion. The day the Romans attacked, many Ashwinter wolves fell, including the pack's alphas. However, their selfless sacrifice to defend the pack was not in vain. With the help of the pack's beta and the pack's lead medic, a small group managed to escape. Within this group were the alphas' three children: Seiymier, Valerie, and Elaine.

  Unfortunately, within weeks of their successful escape from the humans, disease struck the surviving wolves. Nix, the lead medic, did everything she could to keep the others alive. Sadly, she passed away soon enough, along with almost all of the others. Only Seiymier and Valerie had survived the wretched virus. While the two grieved, desperately searching for a place of refuge, they came across another wolf, known as Cato. He spoke of a safe haven, free of humans, located only about a week's travel from their current location.

  The two Ashwinter wolves followed Cato, eager to see the land he had described with their own eyes. However, what was supposed to be a one week journey turned into a three week journey. Other wolves had decided to join the group, almost all of whom had been left packless thanks to the humans. The pit stops may have lengthened their travel time, but it was worth it. There were now enough wolves in the group to form a small pack. As a result of this, the Ashwinter Pack was reborn. Valerie stepped up as alpha female, with Cato by her side as the alpha male. Seiymier was appointed as the beta. As for the others, their ranks were to be determined at a later time.

  Two days later, the group arrived at their destination. Hidden in the mountainside, behind a thicket of bushes, there was a dark, winding tunnel. As the wolves emerged out of the other side, they stared in awe. A few rabbits raced away in the distance, and a lone chamois intently watched the group from the safety of the cliffs to the west. To the east, the rocky terrain soon faded to lush green grass, and there was a peacefully flowing river that branched off further south. There were no signs of humans, nor of other wolves. Amazingly, the entire valley seemed to be sealed off by mountains. It was exactly what the pack needed.