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The Wolves of Lenteme by Mirakye Barnes aged 12 years Chapter 1 Spark opened her eyes. It had been two weeks since her mother had disappeared. Spark didn’t remember her mother, Blazing Spirit, but she knew that she had been born just before her mother had gone missing. Most of Fire Pack believed that Blazing Spirit had died while the Grass Healer had gone to fetch water, but Spark still believed she was out there… somewhere. Although one of her brothers had died at birth, she still had three brothers and one sister, Lava, Ash, Burning Branch and Fire Flower. Being only fourteen days old they were not allowed out of the nursing den as it was perched on the edge on Fire Mountain. The she-wolf, Cinder, cared for her and her littermates. Even though Cinder was protective of them, she still didn’t feel like their true mother. Cinder’s own litter had all died so Spark knew why she enjoyed having cubs to care for again. “Come on! Let’s play fire floor.” Her sister’s happy yelp jerked Spark from her thoughts. “Fine,” Spark yelped back. “But I’m going to beat you!” Spark’s brother Ash started to play but Lava and Burning Branch hung back. “Come on scaredy tail,” Spark called. “You think I’m going to beat you?” Spark loved all her littermates, but her and her sister, Fire Flower, had a special bond. Spark crouched, narrowing her eyes playfully. “I am Dark Pack’s Alpha. You must do as I say.” As she said that, she jumped on Ash’s back and started pummelling him with her strong hind legs. “That’s not fair,” whined Ash. “She hurt me.” “Play nicely,” said Cinder sternly. “Okay,” Spark replied. “Now I think of it you lot should be having a nap by now,” Cinder added.
“All right,” groaned the cubs, as they slowly made their way to their nest and started to settle down. “I want to have the pigeon feathers to sleep on,” yelped Burning Branch. “No, I want them. It’s my turn,” Lava shot back. “Well, what about me. I haven’t had them for days,” whined Ash. Suddenly a grey-brown flash crossed her vision as Fire Flower shot between her arguing brothers. “How about I have it and you shut-up and go to sleep.” And with that Fire Flower flopped down on the feathers and refused to move. “Fine,” they grumbled as they climbed in. Spark jumped in and snuggled up next to her sister. As she closed her eyes, she thought of how lucky she was to have such great siblings. Spark was woken suddenly by a loud howl. She recognised it as the voice of Forest Fire, the Alpha. Her movement disturbed her littermates. “Everyone, wake up. Quickly,” she whispered. “I think something’s happening outside. Let’s check it out.” Cinder had not yet woken and Spark could see her sides rise and fall steadily, so she knew it was a good time to sneak out from the nursing den. Fire Flower groaned. Hauling herself to her paws, she yawned. “Is it morning already?”
