wait until we’re out of sight of the cave at least.” The traitor said. “If anyone hears him cry out you will have a war on your paws.”

          The lead wolf nodded. “A war we cannot hope to win, I agree.”

          The traitor nodded and sighed. “…it’s done then. Dash will die tomorrow and you will have the clan. …and my family?”

          “…will be taken care of.” The lead wolf said. “…just as agreed.”

          The traitor nodded. “This will cause me considerable pain. I hope you do not plan to double-cross me.”

          The lead wolf shook his head. “You’ve been a great help to us and that deserves reward.”

          The traitor nodded. “We’ll do it tomorrow then.”

          The lead wolf nodded.

          The traitor look behind it and sighed. “…and now I need to be getting back before I’m missed. My mate could wake at any moment and if I’m missing it will be suspicious.”

          The lead wolf nodded. “Thank you for your assistance in this matter.”

          The traitor nodded. “…and thank you for yours.”

          The three wolves stepped back and faded into the darkness. The traitor turned and started back toward the cave.

          Dash sat there in the rocks, dumbfounded, unable to believe what he’d just seen and heard. Of the treacherous member of his clan talking of his death so casually. He’d never have believed it had it come from a third party.

          He shook his head to clear it of such thoughts and stood, starting after the traitor. He had to confront the wolf, to offer it a chance at redemption. He didn’t want to think of what he’d be forced to do if it refused.

          He started running, away from the path the wolf had taken. He’d have to beat the traitor back to the Rear Entrance, luckily, he knew a shortcut that would put him there ten minutes ahead of the other, especially with the traitor still moving quietly to avoid being detected as it moved through Talbourne territory.

          Dash turned his thoughts to what he would say to the traitor when he confronted the wolf.

          He had no idea.

          He just ran.

Chapter 5:

          When the traitor came into the cave, Dash was already there.

          The wolf looked around, ensuring that no one had followed it.

          Dash looked at the wolf’s face and sighed. Then he leapt down from his perch on the rocks. “…that’s far enough.” He said.

          The traitor jumped back, surprised at the sound of his voice.

          “…Dash!?” The wolf said.

          Dash shook his head. “…what are you doing Melody?” He asked.

          “I was just… just going out for a…”

          “No!” Dash yelled. “I mean what in the name of Aniu do you think you were doing out there?!”

          Melody tried her best to look confused, though her ears fell back and she would not look her brother in the face. “I told you… I was going for a walk.”

          Dash nodded. “Yeah, you did that alright, snuck right through here and out to that clearing. I followed you Melody.”

          Melody said nothing, but a look of defiance started to creep across her face.

          “I can’t believe what I heard out there.” Dash said. “My own sister… talking of handing me over to the enemy, knowing that they would kill me.”     

          He paused.

          “I trusted you Melody.”

          Melody scoffed. “…as I trusted you.” She said.

          “What are you talking about?” Dash asked.

          “When you took over as Alpha I knew you would help us out.” Melody said. “You knew how I felt about Timbre and his duties as a Lieutenant. You were in a position to help us, and instead you made things harder. You forced my paws into this.”

          Dash shook his head. “I did what needed to be done.” Dash said. “Timbre is a very experienced leader. We’re already missing two Lieutenants, and there’s no one to replace him right now. I need his experience, his leadership. The Clan needs it. You knew that when you became his mate.”

          Melody shook her head and snarled at him. “No, I didn’t. I was young, he was young. I didn’t know he would be in danger every second. When we became mates he wasn’t a Lieutenant.”

          “Well he is.” Dash said. “…you made your own decisions…” He paused and sighed. “Melody, how could you do something so stupid. Do you know what Aleu would do to you? …what I should do to you? What the penalty is for betraying the Clan?”

          Melody nodded. “Yes I do.” She said.

          “Why would you put me in that position?” Dash asked.

          Melody glared at him. “You weren’t supposed to find out.”

          “So you’re just fine with them killing me? …do I mean nothing to you? Your own flesh and blood?”

          Melody sighed. “I didn’t want anything to happen to you, but if you wouldn’t help me, then I had to help myself.”

          “…and what of the clan?” Dash asked. “…do you think that wolf out there really cares for them? That he will care for them? When you made the decision to leave Nome you swore your loyalty to this Clan. What about that?”

          Melody shook her head. “My loyalty is first to my family, and what I do I do for them, no one else.”

          Dash shook his head. “...and what do you think Timbre would think if I told him him?”

          Melody growled at her brother. “…he won’t ever find out.”

          “…he will if I tell him.” Dash said. “…don’t you understand you could be killed for this?”

          Melody sighed. “If my brother sees fit to carry out such a sentence on his own sister then I accept it. It was worth the risk to save my mate and my family.”

          Dash backed up and shook his head again. “Don’t you even try to make me feel sorry for you.” He said. “You were plotting to have me killed out there. Don’t bring up being your brother or anything else. You’re not even worthy to call yourself Balto’s daughter, much less a child of Aniu. I should have you killed for what you’ve done. You’ve placed your whole family at risk, the whole clan, with this stupidity.”

          It was quiet for a moment.

          “…so what are you going to do?” Melody asked, her expression still one of defiant anger.

          “I… I don’t know.” Dash said. “You notice there was no guard tonight?”

          Melody nodded haughtily. “Yes, I thought that strange.