Chapter 15: 

The pack soon found themselves climbing on the overgrown ice block. Herb caught Nebula beside him with a look of hatred in his eyes. Understandable, but not right. If anyone was to be blamed, it was our own selves. They were the ones who were curious about this strange thing in the first place. They could have still been safe and sound up on that cliff. But Herb wondered one thing. What are we going to do now? Penguin was still on the cliff, all alone, bless his heart. Herb wished there was a way to magically transport Hazel’s family back on the cliffs, if only just to get the family back together again. Most of the pack was already sick of the trip, and now we have to live on a glacier? Herb sighed. This prophecy better be important, or something bad will bound to happen here. 

Herb shook his head. He should worry about that later, after he actually manages to get on. “Help me out here, will you, Nebula?” He headed toward the edge of the glacier. He heard Nebula groan, but he followed after Herb. When the two got there, Nebula dove under Herb and pushed him up on top of the ice. Then he pushed himself up. 

Whoa! Herb thought. He forgot how slippery it was on the glacier. It was hard to stop from slipping and sliding around. He dug into the ice with his claws. He saw many other wolves with the same sign of discomfort and alarm. Now they have to deal with who knows how long with this. Herb sighed a deep breath. He tried to think positively. A glacier was better than constantly paddling in the water. Living here temporarily was hard, but not impossible. He looked back at the cliffs, getting slowly farther and farther away. There fades our home. 

The sun was setting. All the wolves started to lie down on the ice. Herb saw Alpha Sun appear in view. “Time to eat dinner. Everyone come here to eat.” She was trying to stay positive for the pack. Herb liked that. A gray wolf appeared and said, “But, Alpha, the packs with the food we brought are gone. Washed away. How can we eat?” A cry of panic swept through the crowd. “No worries,” Sun said. “Some of our best wolves brought some fish to eat.” Some hunter wolves Herb recognized stepped up with piles of fish. The pack quickly spread around the piles and started eating heartily. Others dove into the water to try and catch more fish. Herb, himself, squeezed through the crowd and grabbed some fish for himself. Like I thought, Herb smiled. Living hard is hard, but not impossible. All we need is people who believe it isn’t impossible.

Chapter 16: 

Sun watched the others eating. She smiled softly. At least they were all somewhat satisfied now. But she still felt uncomfortable somehow. When no one was watching, Sun slipped away from sight and walked to a small, flat corner of the glacier. She lied down on the hard cold surface. All she could hear was the slight swish of little waves hitting the glacier. Finally, peace and quiet, Sun thought. She had been alpha for three years and had to chin up for her pack many times. But never has it been so tiring. The three years of leadership combined wouldn’t compare to what happened today. And Sun knew she it was just the beginning. And what about the ‘betrayal’? What if it applied to her? It was childish, but Sun wished this was all a dream and she would wake up soon and find themselves in their peaceful home again with no threats of danger. Sun laid her head on the ground and closed her eyes. 

“Alpha?” Sun opened her eyes, lifted her head, and looked behind her. There was Hazel. Sun solemnly asked, “How did you find me here?”                                                                                         

“I saw you walk away and thought I would see what was going on,” Hazel quietly said. “I understand. Today was hard. It was hard for me too. It was hard for everyone.” A long silence appeared. Sun tried to think of something encouraging to say, but she was fooling no one. She was feeling as down as everyone else. Hazel said, “I... just want to thank you. For being strong for everyone. Even though I lost my brother, I am trying to have faith. Have faith. that I can find him. Faith like you that we can do this. I feel that this was the right decision. The decision to leave our homes, I mean. Just... thank you for being strong for us.” Hazel stood there for a moment, trying to find something to say. Then, she silently walked away. Sun thought for a moment. Hazel knew that Sun wasn’t strong. At least at that moment. Perhaps she was telling Sun that she needed to stay strong. To keep faith. Sun smiled. Thank you, Hazel. Thank you.

Chapter 17: 

The sun shone bright the next day. Hazel woke up laying on the cold hard ice, uncomfortable. “I miss comfort so much...” She groaned. She slowly got to her feet and looked around. Her dad, Fire, was a distance away from her, talking to another wolf. He happened to turn around and notice Hazel. “Ah, so you are finally awake,” he said, grinning. “Are you enjoying your new bed? All cold and hard?”            “Dad!” Hazel said, laughing.                                                             “Maybe it’s a good thing Penguin is not here. Probably would complain about the beds all night,” Fire said jokingly. Hazel’s laughs faded away. She knew it was just a joke, but she still felt bad about losing Penguin. The only brother she has ever had. Fire sensed he had said something wrong and his smile disappeared. He sat down.   “I’m sorry. I should have known better. But I hope you know that we will find Penguin soon. No matter what happens, we will find a way. Your old Dad will take care of that.” 

Hazel did a soft smile. She knew that. A little. But how could they get him back? The glacier will be miles away before she knew it. Hazel sighed. She wanted to get her mind off the subject. She noticed the white wolf Fire was talking to earlier was silently watching behind them. “Who is that, Dad?”                                                               Fire looked up at the white wolf. “Oh, the pack is thinking about digging into the ice to find some shelter. Especially when those... what is it again?”                                                          “Slaughtering Snowstorms,” the white wolf answered solemnly.                                                                                                       “Yes, those. When they come, we will need a place to take cover. We are practically sitting ducks out here.”                                                “Oh,” Hazel said. She had forgotten about the thing that had caused them to go this far out here.                                                                                                                                      “Too late for that,” a sudden voice said behind them. There, a bright yellow wolf stood. Hazel hadn’t noticed her sneak up on them. “Herb has said the Slaughtering Snowstorms are starting soon. Says the winds are starting up. Will hit here near afternoon. The alpha sent me to tell everyone to find the safest place you can find here. When it will hit, it will hit hard.” Having delivered her message, the yellow wolf took her leave. Already? Hazel thought. She did feel a breeze, but it was soft. Would this really turn into something fierce? Fire took it seriously though. “Come on, Hazel. We need to find your mother and get to somewhere safe. We have no time to lose.”                             “I’ll go now. I need to go somewhere safe too,” said the white wolf. Then, without further ado, he ran away. “Come on,” said Fire. He then started running. Hazel hesitated for a moment, then she ran after her father.

Chapter 18: 

“Hmm...” Herb said thoughtfully. “Where could we find good shelter here....?”   “We can’t,” Nebula said negatively. “It’s an island made of ice. What do you expect?” Nebula rolled his eyes. Even if they could find some corner to hide in, would that really stop the snowstorm? If Herb was right about the fierceness of the Slaughtering Snowstorms, the corner would hardly protect them. The pack was as good as dead. 

“Just because it’s a glacier doesn’t mean it can’t have any corners. It’s not perfectly smooth. It’s like a short craggy mountain. I’m sure we can find something,” Herb brought Nebula out of his thoughts. Herb’s stomach rumbled. “Now why don’t you get us some breakfast?” Herb said. Nebula, as usual, stood up and begrudgingly walked toward the fish pile that the pack had gathered yesterday. 

A few wolves were at the pile, grabbing whatever fish they like; others were diving in the water, grabbing some new extra-fresh fish. Nebula did want something extra-fresh, but he didn’t want to dive into the below-freezing waters again. So, he searched through it, and he was about to grab about 10 fish at one time with his mouth when a giant wave rose from the ocean. It crashed over the glacier and on the unsuspecting wolves. 

Nebula sat up and spat some water out of his mouth. He looked below his feet. He was still on the glacier, thankfully, but it was still a shock. He saw other wolves laying, soaked. The fish were sprawled all over the glacier’s surface. One wolf got up and said out loud, “Perhaps that wind that made the wave was from the Slaughtering Snowstorms. Maybe it’s building up!” The wolves murmured worryingly to each other. Now that the wolf had mentioned it, Nebula did feel that the wind was getting stronger. He had to get back to Herb. He got up and ran, picking up any fish he found on the way. 

Soon he ran to Herbs side, with about 8 fish in his mouth. Herb beamed at him. “I found it. The perfect cavern. And not a moment too soon.”

Chapter 19: 

Herb smiled proudly. He had found it. He thought he had to find a nook or cranny. He had doubts that he could find nothing. But he found a cavern. It was dark and gloomy, but the walls also could block the wind. The mouth of the cave was not too big, and it had a few icicles hanging from the top of it. It looked small, but the inside looked deep and long. It was perfect for the pack. 

Nebula stood in silence for a moment. He thought for a while, probably thinking of what to say. “Well... it’s better than a corner,” Nebula said finally. “Exactly,” Herb said happily. “It’s just what the pack needs! Go tell Alpha Sun for me and tell her our discovery!” Nebula just solemnly turned around and ran to the spot where Alpha Sun was staying on the other side of the glacier. Herb knew that he probably spent too much time giving Nebula fetch quests to do, but he couldn’t help it. He wasn’t getting any younger here, after all. Which reminded him... Herb ran inside the cave and brought out his bag full of herbs from behind a small pillar of ice. Luckily, the bag was made from water-proof materials and was super strong, enabling it to survive the crash into the water. Unfortunately, the bag with food wasn’t, but at least this had. He found the bowl with the fine green powder inside and ate it. There, that feels a lot better. Herb thought. He sat down and waited for Nebula to come back. 

A few hours later, the entire pack was herded together in the cave. The wind was blowing hard, pushing at the wolves’ ears and fur. The pack was a ways deeper than the entrance so that  the wind wouldn’t bother them that much. Sun sat by Herb’s side. “Thank you for doing this,” she said. “This is a really safe place for the pack to stay.”        “Anything for the pack,” Herb said. He was glad he was helping out, instead of being an old burden. Suddenly, he noticed an object move from the wind. It started flying into the storm when Herb noticed it was his satchel with the herbs! 

Herb immediately ran toward the mouth of the cave, jumped, and grabbed the satchel. But it was too late for safety. He was too close to the storm. The wind grabbed him and threw him out into the storm. The wind whipped him around and all he could see was white. Herb couldn’t even open his eyes. His paws groped for ground but it couldn’t find any. Herb was several feet up in the air in a full-fledged Slaughtering Snowstorm. 

Chapter 20:

The pack gasped. It had happened so fast, but Herb was gone. The wind had sucked him in. Even Sun was surprised, and she already knew this was going to be a powerful storm unlike any other. And of course, everybody flew into a panic. Many, many screams and shouts were heard, and there was so much racket that most of the shouts were indecipherable. Shouts about something like not surviving and danger and wanting to come home, as usual. Sun was starting to see a pattern in the fear of the pack. But, as usual, Sun had to calm them down with a speech. 

She stumbled through tons of fear-stricken wolves to get to the middle of the pack. “Could I have your attention please?” She said to everyone around her. However, her voice was lost in the void of the countless other voices. Us tried again. “Could you please direct your attention to me?” She said louder, but it was yet still unhearable. Sun was tired of this. “QUIET!” She shouted as loud as she could. The crowd immediately quieted and looked at her. “That’s better,” Sun said. “I know this seems bad, and it is. But we are not facing the worst of it. I and some others were studying the storms before it started, and it seems that we were merely on the outskirts of the storm. The middle of the storm is hitting on our homes. Seeing the forces of the storm on the edge of it is bad enough.... but we would all be dead right now if we were back home.” The crowd stood in silence. “We have it good here. As long as we stay away from the cave entrance, we will withstand the storm. We are safe. As for Herb, we will send out a search team. Any volunteers?” 

The crowd murmured and some wolves stepped back. Nobody wanted to face that storm. Suddenly, a tiny white wolf from the crowd shrieked, “Ice is freezing over the entrance!” Everyone’s heads turned around. They could see ice starting to stretch over the cave entrance. Everyone would soon be blocked inside. Sun said hurriedly, “Come on guys, we have to pick someone now. I don’t care how hard it is, there is a life at stake-“ Suddenly s black shadow ran toward the mouth of the cave. It was Nebula. Sun shouted after him, “Wait! Nebula!” He turned around and faced her.                                        

“It’s what I have to do, Alpha,” Nebula said quietly. Sun opened her mouth to say something, then closed it. It was what he had to do. Both of them knew it. After a moment, Nebula turned his head back toward the entrance and jumped through it into the storm. 

There was only a small hole left, and it was freezing fast. The crowd said nothing. All that could be heard was the wind. But then suddenly, another shape ran through the crowd and jumped through the tiny hole. Sun stood for a moment, shocked, and then said, “Who was that wolf? Did anybody see her?” Two wolves appeared out of the crowd. Hazel’s parents, Aqua and Fire. Oh no, Sun thought. Don’t let it be- “It’s Hazel,” Aqua sadly said. Then, the wind sounds became muffled. The cave entrance had completely frozen over. The rest of the pack were trapped in.

Chapter 21: 

"Nebula!" Hazel shouted, trying to break through the sound of the howling wind. But it was no use. The whipping winds might as well be sirens, it was so loud. She felt her body get colder every second from the nip of it. Sight wasn't much of a help either. She couldn't see two feet in front of her. White was all she could see everywhere she looked. Hazel sighed. She was going to have to fumble through all of it. So much of being a great help to Nebula. She was practically a victim here. 

Hazel trudged through the glacier, which was now covered with snow from the storm. Nothing looked familiar to her. Suddenly, something black appeared in Hazel's very little sight. It turned around. It was a wolf. "Nebula!" Hazel shouted. She ran toward him. "What are you doing here? I already volunteered to save my grandfather," Nebula shouted back. Hazel looked at him. "I... I have to help you. Herb is a nice wolf. He shouldn't die like this. Nobody should. And... I know what it's... like to lose someone. I can't let it happen to anyone else." Hazel and Nebula stood there for a moment. After a long pause, Nebula sighed and turned around. "Come on. And let's save our energy for walking, not talking." 

For a while, all was silent. Hazel and Nebula wandered through the snow and ice of the glacier, getting more tired by the minute. Then suddenly, the ground beneath them moved. The glacier had tilted from an extra-strong wave from the winds. Nebula and Hazel were sent flying into the air. Oh no, not this again! Not this nightmare! Hazel thought about the day before, when everyone was sent flying into the ocean, and when she had lost her brother. Then they fell down onto the glacier's surface. "Owww…" Nebula moaned. Hazel nodded and slowly got back on her hurting feet. Seemed like the glacier had straightened out. But it was incredible how a glacier the size of a mountain could be tilted like that. This storm really packed a punch. Nebula straightened up and said, "I thought... I saw Herb in the... storm..." Hazel quickly turned around and faced him. "Really? In the air?"                                                                                     "...Yeah. He looked like he was floating from the winds or something though," Nebula said. Hazel was baffled. Wind, carrying a wolf into the air? She actually sort of believed it, considering some of the other crazy stuff the storm had done. Suddenly, she noticed a big ice rock covered with snow. She remembered seeing that ice rock near the mountain-like peak in the center of the glacier. "Nebula!" Hazel shouted. "I think I know a way to reach Herb."

Chapter 22: 

It was even worse climbing up the peak than it was already. The climb was extremely steep, and the wind and snow kept pushing against him. He hoped that he could find Herb at the peak and get him down before he and Hazel both fall off and die. Nebula shivered. He knew he wouldn't last long. Hazel went ahead of him, her eyes searching for any more landmarks. After a long time, Hazel said, "I think we are here." Nebula looked around him. It would have been a fantastic view if the wind and snow didn't block everything. He looked up and squinted, trying to find any sign of Herb. Finally, he found a little dot in the sky. Herb. Hazel spoke Nebula's thoughts. "How are we going to reach him?" Nebula pondered for a moment. He knew he had to hurry before Herb was blown out of sight. What could I do to save him? There has to be a way. A big wind blew over him and threatened to blow him away too. Nebula dug his claws into the ice. Suddenly, his brain thought of a crazy idea. No! I can't do that! I will be as much of a captive as he is then! But it is the only way. His brain warred with him. Nebula breathed in and out. He had to try it. "I have a plan. Follow me," He said to Hazel. He stood firm at the edge of the peak. Hazel followed his lead confusingly. Then, a giant wind blew over the wolves. "Jump!" Nebula shouted. Hazel looked at him worryingly. But after a long while, she sighed and the two jumped. 

Nebula felt tons of fear wash up on him as he was sent far above the surface. He knew he was hundreds of feet in the air, and one wrong move would be the end of it all. Hazel thrashed about, extremely afraid. Nebula looked up again. The dot was becoming more big and distinct. Come on, just a little longer, Nebula thought. Soon, the wind brought them just a few feet away from Herb. Nebula gasped for breath. It was so cold and the air was thin. Nebula and Hazel were practically hovering in the air. Nebula got a good look at Herb, and it wasn't pretty. Snow and ice caked his unconscious body and Herb was breathing slowly and shaky. Nebula knew he had to get him down. But he was still a few feet too far from Herb. He couldn't reach him. The wind holding Herb began to move away. "No!" Nebula shouted. I can't lose him. Not after all this. Hazel looked down and looked back at Nebula. She had a sad but determined look in her eyes. She then, in a sudden move, tackled Nebula with all her might. Nebula crashed into Herb. The force of it caused him and Herb to fall back toward the glacier. Nebula held Herb tight in his arms. He looked back and noticed the force of the tackle caused Hazel to fall too. She said she'd do anything. And she did. Nebula thought. Thank you Hazel. For helping me save my grandfather. Then Nebula and Herb hit the ground. 

Nebula's eyes blurred. Everything in him ached. But... Nebula made a small smile. He was alive. He and his grandfather were alive. But he had to get to safety. Nebula didn't know how tired he was until he stood up. He had to get somewhere. The wind and the snow could hardly be noticed as Nebula pulled Herb onto his back and determinedly marched on. If... if only... I could get to... a cave... Nebula thought dizzily. Soon, he thought of an idea. He could make a cave. He felt for an ice wall. He soon found one, probably the side of the glacier mountain. Nebula then drew out his strength the best he could. He kicked at the ice for what felt like years. He carved more and more space. Every minute Nebula got more tired and more tired. But he wouldn't give up. He brought Herb inside, then packed up snow at the entrance of his home-made cave. He remembered Herb teaching him how to pack up snow at an entrance when Nebula was little. He faintly smiled at the memory. Finally, everything was settled. Nebula wanted to go search for Hazel, but he was too exhausted. He lied down next to his grandfather and fell asleep knowing that they were safe.

Chapter 23: 

"Grandfather? Grandfather!" an echo sounded through Herb's mind. His vision was blurry, but he recognized the furry shape of Nebula. "Are... are we safe?" Herb asked wearily. Nebula tackled him and nuzzled him. "I knew you were okay! So much has happened, you wouldn't believe!" Herb smiled. He had never seen his grandson so excited to see him before. It was heartwarming. He sat down, relaxed, as Nebula told the story of how Herb was brought to safety. After that, Nebula dug through the packed snow to the outside. It was a beautiful day. Herb smiled. "There they are!" a voice sounded. Herb crawled out of the entrance to see what was going on. There was the whole pack, with Hazel in the lead. "Nebula!" said Hazel. "You were totally crazy for tackling me right there. How did you even last until morning?" Nebula said. "Oh, I built a little snow fort and I happened to meet the pack in the morning," said Hazel. "I still feel some aches here and there, but I am ok." 

Alpha Sun appeared out of the crowd. "I am grateful no one got hurt in the process of the storm. And Herb, you are faring well?" "Yes, luckily," said Herb. "I happened to apply some cold resistance herbs to my skin earlier, so that helped. But I would have been a goner if I stayed too long up there. Thank you. All of you."                               "I'm glad that everything turned out right for once. Come on, lets eat breakfast," Alpha Sun said. Soon everyone left except for Herb and Nebula. They stood silent for a moment. "Hey, thanks for looking out for me, Nebula," Herb said quietly.                                                Least I can do," said Nebula.                                                             "Are you ready to go onward to more adventures and danger?" Herb said jokingly.                                                                      "No, not in the least," Nebula smiled. "But I feel like we can go anywhere and do anything. I mean what can stop us now that we have faced that?"                                                                            Herb nodded. "Come on, let's go get some breakfast." Then Herb and Nebula walked off toward the rest of the pack. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Almost the end! Just an epilogue and thats it! 

Epilogue: 

Penguin whimpered. He wished he could hug his sister or his parents. There was no escape from the storm. He knew he would die here in the middle of the forest. Every wind scooped him up and battered him more. He laid down and waited for his demise.

Right then, shadows appeared in the darkness. Tons of them. Penguin shrunk back. A dark red wolf appeared, with several hundreds of wolves behind them. "Do... do you know where Mama is?" Penguin said nervously.                                                                        "No..." said the red wolf. "I don't. But what I do know is that you are the one we need. You are coming with us."                                                                                                           "No. Ya scawy," said Penguin, and he attempted to run away. But wolves leapt out of the group behind the red wolf and grabbed him with their mouths. "Come on. We need to go back. We got what we need," said the red wolf. The wolves nodded and walked away with Penguin in their grasp. Penguin tried to struggle, but it was no use. He was captured.      

~~~~~~~~~

And that's it! That's all my novel! I am working on a second novel, but I will wait a while before thinking about posting it. I hope you liked reading it (whoever did read it... I don't see any other comments besides mine so I don't know who did read it so...)