Flash Fiction Challenge 5 at #OurAuthorGang

 Challenge accepted by Erika M Szabo

Howl of Grief

The alpha male howled mournfully into the vast, starlit night sky, his piercing blue eyes gleamed in the moonlight. His pack gathered closely behind him, their warm breaths forming fleeting clouds in the crisp, frigid air, yet he stood as an island of solitude, engulfed by his own deep sorrow. The loss of his beloved mate struck him with a gut-wrenching force, leaving an aching emptiness as if a vital piece of his very soul had been torn away.

She had been his equal in every facet of their wild existence, a formidable hunter and steadfast guardian of their pack. Her spirit matched the fierce winds that swept across their territory, unwavering and brave. But fate had dealt a cruel hand when a man in a drunken haze decided to go hunting.

He searched and stumbled with his loaded gun, ready to shoot anything that moved. He mumbled with a wide grin on his face, "A deer or rabbit for dinner would do, but a wolf fur coat for the wife... Now that would be something." He cackled, watching his unsteady steps. 

Suddenly, the man heard a threatening low growl that froze the breath in his throat as he looked up to face the wolfpack a few yards away. His hands shook in terror as he raised his rifle and pulled the trigger.

In a moment of selfless courage, the alpha female had thrown herself into the line of fire, sacrificing her life to ensure the safety of the others. The alpha male launched and tore the man’s throat out with one powerful bite. The man’s lifeless body slumped to the ground, but the wolf didn’t feel the satisfaction of revenge.

As he howled mournfully, the deep, resonant tones seemed to vibrate through the still night air, a somber lament that carried his grief far and wide. He could feel the palpable sympathy and understanding of his pack surrounding him like a comforting cocoon. Each of them had suffered the loss of wolves they held dear, but none had been as formidable, as integral, as his beloved mate. Her scent lingered in the cool night breeze, a whispering memory of what he had lost.

Even amidst the profound ache of his cries, he understood the necessity of fortitude for the sake of their pack. He would honor his mate's memory by leading them with the same unwavering courage and indomitable strength that she had so gracefully embodied. As his mournful howls echoed through the vast, star-studded sky, his pack joined in, their voices rising in a harmonious tribute to their fallen leader. It was a poignant reminder that she would forever be woven into the very fabric of their lives, an enduring presence in their hearts.

Erika M Szabo

https://authorerikamszabo.com

Erika loves to dance to her own tunes and follow her dreams, introducing her story-writing skills and her books that are based on creative imagination with themes such as magical realism, alternate history, urban fantasy, cozy mystery, sweet romance, and supernatural stories. Her children’s stories are informative and educational and deliver moral values in a non-preachy way.