• The cool, crisp night air felt extremely and unconditionally soothing, almost numbing, as my Pack raced through the shadows, tearing past the tall trees and feeling their leaves rain down upon us. I loved that feeling of being untouchable, indestructable, and I knew within myself that I would cherish the emotion in my heart forever. No one could stop me and pull me back down to the earth, for I was far from human. My Pack flew through the dense foliage of the forest that stretched as far as the eye could see, the May shower of rain coming down now even harder than before upon our bodies, sending a chain reaction of goose bumps up and down my arms. A half-smile spread across my face as my heart rate kicked up, the sensation of soaring lifting my spirits even higher. For a brief, split second, I even considered letting out a deep, emotional howl to the full moon rising high above us. It was bright tonight, even though large, deep grey clouds were now scattered across the sky. I was running at an unbelievable, breakneck speed, only given a few seconds to examine my surroundings, which was all the time I needed. After all, the only things around me were tall oak trees and the deep, crushing endless darkness. My human form was nigh useless, save for the speed, but I knew that I couldn't change. Not yet. I had to wait for Svenia to give us the signal...but, when exactly would that be?

    Nita, I heard a familiar voice enter my thoughts, and, speak of the Devil, it was her! Lucy, Danny, Esmeralda, Franzia, Harvey! I nodded, confirming that her thoughts were directed at all six of us. After all, we made up the IceMark Pack, with our leader, Svenia, and her husband, Lono. Are you ready? We should be nearing the destination any minute now, everybody. I frowned, my worry lines creasing like folds on a well-worn sheet of paper as I began to slow my pace just slightly. I felt a little stupid, seeing nothing but night and more bushes and trees; it was hard to distinguish one place from another.

    Wait a minute, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here. My name is Nita Callahan, and I am the fifteen-year-old daughter of Amber and Louis Callahan. I have jet-black hair that reaches to about the small of my back, falling in little ringlets all the way down. My eyes are emerald green, the eyes of my father, who I never really got to know. He died when I was three years old, in some sort of accident that was apparently linked to why I'm a member of IceMark now. IceMark is a clan of Hunters, people gifted with specific powers who are assigned to clans based on what their powers are. The IceMark Pack is a clan of werewolves, but not your traditional, killed-with-silver-bullets, covered-with-hair-from-head-to-toe werewolves.

    There's eight of us; the youngest, thirteen-year-old Franzia, our newest member, is the most optimistic of all of us, although, I have to admit, she does have a tendency to...run her mouth in all the wrong places. Eighteen-year-old Harvey, the oldest member, apart from the Alpha Male and Female, is the most strategical one, often helping Svenia and Lono with our plans for attack when we went on hunts. Fourteen-year-old Danny, my best friend out of the whole Pack, has a sarcastic and witty sense of humor, which, from day one, impressed me. It's not every day you meet a kid with the smarts to joke like he does. The only one my age, fifteen-year-old Lucy, is a bit of a loner, and hardly ever listens when Svenia gives us orders. She likes to "run on her own agenda" as she prefers to call it, straying away from the Pack and running off on her own. Then, lastly, there's sixteen-year-old Esmeralda, who is the most skilled in hand-to-hand combat. She has a very strong, athletic build, and takes advantage of her abilities. When she begins to hunt and fight with other Clans, it's like she turns into a completely different person. Svenia and Lono, the only couple in the Pack, certainly made good desicions when selecting the best-of-the-best out of the Academy.

    Svenia! I'd recognize that happy, floating, church-bell tone anywhere. Franzia! I was wondering if you'd ever give us the signal. Any sign of Gareth's Clansmen yet?

    No    , I heard the disappointed tone of Svenia re-enter my mind, and I could almost picture the look of worry playing in her dark brown eyes as she raked her slender fingers through her curly, honey-blonde hair. Unfortunately. I've sent Lono and Harvey up ahead, too see if they could spot any signs of them.

    I can't wait until they do find them    , Esmeralda piped up, eager as ever, a certain fervor decorating her already-excited voice. Because when they do, I'll be ready to do some damage! Oh, yeah!

    Calm down, Esmeralda, commanded Svenia in a hushing tone, remember, they can still hear us! Immediately, I heard Esmeralda silence herself mid-howl, signaling me that, since everyone else had changed form, it was about time that I did so, as well. OK, Svenia, I'm going to change now. Cover me. Svenia sent me a near-silent bark in response, and I slowed down my pace, coming almost to a halt as I began to concentrate, clearing my mind except for thoughts of my changed form. In an instant, I felt my body heat raise to an intense level, as if I had been slipped into a furnace. I was on all fours again, leaping through the trees and hearing tree branches snap under my weight as I ran. My dog form was a light grey-furred wolf, its shaggy fur very warming and protective. My ears cocked to the West, I ran as fast as I could to catch up to everyone else. It was annoying sometimes, being the last one to change, and the slowest, no doubt. It took a large amount of practice, though, and no one in IceMark could say that I haven't been practicing.

    Svenia! I think that Lono has a scent! Came the urgent, cautious, worried tone of Harvey. He told me that it smells like one of Gwendolyn and Gareth's Clansmen. Not just one...maybe...five?

    Five    ! Gasped Franzia, apparently frightened by the large amount. This would be her first hunt yet, and she had been talking anxiously about it all week. When the big night came, however, she suddenly got cold feet and almost refused to come along. S-Svenia, maybe I should wait until next time to hunt with you...maybe--

    Don't worry, Franzia    , Danny now chimed in, his boyish voice music to my ears. It was great to have a friend like him around. Hunting's not really all that hard. Just stick by Esmeralda and Svenia. Me, Nita, Lucy, and Lono will handle the real fighting while Harvey holds them off. Right, Svenia?

    Yes. That's the plan, at least. This hunt should come out a sucess. I'm counting on all of you. Really.     said Svenia, placing her full confidence in us. I could tell when she was being sincere, and now was one of those very rare times. I loved it when she was really, truly, heart-to-heart honest and trusting in us; it showed a new sign in her not visible all the time.

    You're really passionate about hunting, aren't you, Svenia? said Franzia, amazed by the Alpha Female's dedication. It seems like it must be very important to you, after all.

    That's a story to tell you later, dear, replied the Female wolf with a gentle, low growl, her timberwolf features shining silver in the pale moonlight. Right now isn't exactly a great time for small talk.

    You're right,     Harvey confirmed, Apparently, Lono has gotten the trail of even more than five. Do you think...they're trying to swarm us? Who knew that Gareth could have the brain capacity to think ahead like that. I mean, honestly...Harvey's thoughts trailed off, like he was talking to himself, and I amused myself at the thought of him locked in an asylum, cradling himself in a loose fetal position in the corner of the dark room and shivering.

    I saw that, Nita! Har, har...His sarcasm was dripping and thick on his already-forced tone. Everyone knew that he had a temper problem, and was prone to these little "fits" in which he would lose real "sight" of where he was, and what he was doing.

    Never mind that, Harvey, Esmeralda said in a low, whispering tone. It was just a joke. Haha, I think it was pretty funny, actually. Seriously, though, Nita, you might want to steer clear of--

    I know. Sorry, Harvey. H-hey! I think I just saw Lono! Where are you guys?

    N-no, we saw you, too! We must be a little ways ahead of you.     Harvey responded in a surprised tone that nearly silenced all of the wolves...