tired.”

          Dash nodded. “…two days consecutively is routine these days.”

          June nuzzled his shoulder.

          “I just wish that I could give him what he wants.” Dash said. “He’s served the Clan with loyalty and distinction for many years, at least as long as I have, and he deserves it, but there’s no one available to replace him and we need his experience at the moment.”

          June nodded. “I’m sure he knows that.”

          Dash nodded. “I think he does too, but he still asks a lot.”

          “That’s probly Melody talking.” She said.

          Dash nodded. “I know it is.” He said. “I’d go talk to her; I mean, she is my sister and all, but I’ve done that once before as a Lieutenant and it didn’t do any good. I doubt much would change just because I’m Alpha now.”

          June nodded.

          “Melody has never been one to accept authority very well.” He continued. “Even we were pups growing up in Nome if mom or dad told her something and it didn’t serve her purpose she’d ignore it… she’s stubborn that way.”

          June smiled. “…and you’re not?”

          Dash laughed. “…well maybe a little.” He said.

          June smiled. “…stubbornness can turn into perseverance, and that’s a good thing… she’s just got to learn to pick her battles, which ones she can’t win.”

          Dash laughed. “I doubt if that will ever happen.” He said.

          “It might.” June said.

          Dash nodded. “…anything’s possible I suppose.”

          June nodded. “Yes it is.” She said.

          Dash snuggled close to her. He could hear her heart beating against his ears and he longed to ask her what was wrong? …what she couldn’t talk to him about, but he didn’t. He didn’t want to argue with her tonight, and it would probably take a good long talk to get her to divulge whatever it was she had hidden deep inside her. So he just closed his eyes and let it go, for the moment. He knew that this wasn’t a permanent solution. Whatever it was, if it affected her this deeply he needed to know it, but silence was a temporary fix, and so he just silently drifted to sleep.

          A few moments of silence went by before June turned her eyes to her mate’s face. “…Dash?” She asked. Then she saw his eyes closed and smiled, licking his shoulder and snuggling close. She sighed. “…damn you Dalchei.” She said softly. “…Aniu damn you to hell.” She closed her eyes and soon she too was fast asleep.

Chapter 3

          Ami had just made it to her temporary chambers as Corporal of the Guard. Fourth Unit had just returned from patrol with Timbre and she had to inform them that Timbre was taking charge of them as interior guards tomorrow morning. She was grateful that Timbre had volunteered to take her place tomorrow. Though she had volunteered first, she was exhausted. She’d handled her own unit on interior guard today and taken them out on patrol the day before. While the days on guard were fairly easy for the Lieutenants, they left little time for sleep, something she desperately needed. She felt like she was going to fall over by the time she made it back to the Corporal of the Guard’s Chambers. Nick was waiting inside. He was sleeping soundly and she smiled. She could hardly blame him. Already the next day had come. She sighed as she realized she would have to be up early this morning to turn over interior guard to Fourth Unit and Timbre. She felt sorry for Timbre. She knew that Melody was giving him a hard time about the amount of time that he spent away from her. That was why she’d volunteered, even though she was so tired. She looked over at Nick sleeping in the corner of the chamber and silently thanked Aniu that he was so accepting of her duties. It was the difference of him having served himself she imagined. He understood the way the system worked, Melody did not.

          Ami walked over and almost collapsed beside her mate, snuggling close to him, feeling the heat that radiated from his body warm her almost instantly. She laid her head on his shoulder and smiled, sleeping into a deep and very fitful sleep almost instantly.

          In his chambers Dash was sleeping, but not well. He kicked his legs from time to time, almost striking June who was sleeping soundly beside him, her muzzle buried in his neck. His eyelids would flutter from time to time as if on the verge of opening, and he muttered intelligible words under his breath.

          Suddenly, Dash opened his eyes.

          He looked around him and found he was inside a cave, but not the one he’d fallen asleep in. His first reaction was one of alarm. He leapt to his paws and scanned the room. “…June!?” He called.

          “Fear not my child.”

          Dash instantly felt his fears replaced by a warmth that surpassed any he’d ever felt. All at once he was not afraid. He turned to look behind him and saw a great white wolf standing there.

          Instantly he dropped, his muzzle pointed at the floor.

          The white wolf smiled. “…rise my child, such formalities mean little to me.”

          Dash turned his head to face the wolf, but did not stand.

          “…but you’re… you’re…” He stuttered, unable to find the words.

          The white wolf chuckled. “…yes my child, I am Aniu.”

          Dash rose shakily to his feet. “…how?” He asked.

          “This place is a middle ground, a place where we may speak without me violating the rules that have been set forth by he who is above me. I have been sent to you at his word to warn you.”

          “…me?” Dash asked.

          Aniu nodded. “…you are the Alpha of my Clan are you not?”

          Dash nodded shakily.

          Aniu nodded back. “…very well, then it is to you that I must speak. Evil once again threatens to swallow my clan, and you with it. I cannot go into details, for I have been forbidden. I am only able to tell you that you must watch all those around you very carefully, for something evil is rising within my Clan.”

          Dash nodded. “I will Aniu.” He said. He turned his gaze away from her and continued to shake as he stood.

          “…what are you doing my child?” Aniu asked.

          “…looking away.” He said. “…I am not worthy to gaze upon your face.”

          Aniu smiled and walked toward him. The chains that had imprisoned her in hell still hung from her flanks and they scraped the floor as she moved. “Do not do such a thing my child.” Aniu said. “I too was mortal once. It is only through the grace of he who is above me that I am in this standing now. I am nothing special, simply a servant of he, as are you.”

          Dash slowly looked back at her, his expression one of pure disbelief.

          “Dash, heed my words, guard the Clan and it’s safety with your life. Should they fall my voice in the world will be gone, and with my voice also goes he who is above me. If this happens all the animal kingdom will be abandoned to Shade and his evil whims. You must find this evil and extinguish it, at any and all costs. If left unchecked it