doesn’t. I have no patience for incompetence. The safety of your family hangs in the balance either way.”

          The figure nodded.

          “…until tomorrow then.” The wolf said.

          The figure nodded again. “…until tomorrow.” It said.

          With that the three wolves blended back into the darkness and the shadowy figure turned and raced back toward the cave, anxious to get some sleep.

          The figure did not see the startled young wolf in the bushes, nor did it hear him as he turned and fled the clearing as fast as his legs could take him.

          Dash opened his eyes.

          There was a sound outside his chamber, the scrabbling of claws on rock, the sound of someone outside. He rose to his paws and looked down at June, his breathing quickening, his heart thudding once more as adrenaline surged into his system, readying his body for a fight, were there to be one on the other side of the chamber.

          He walked quietly to the chamber entrance and jumped back as he saw a shadowy form standing there.

          “It’s alright Dash, it’s just me.” The figure said.

          Dash let out an audible sigh of relief. “Aleu… what brings you here in the middle of the night.” He said. “You nearly caused me to have a heart attack.”

          Aleu nodded. “Sorry Dash, but we were trying to be quiet.”

          “…we?” Dash asked.

          Aleu nodded and turned her head to the right. “…come forward and tell Dash what you heard.” She said.

          A young wolf stepped out of the darkness. His legs were shaking.

          “…what is it?” Dash asked.

          “My Alpha I am with Second Unit. I was assigned the duty of guarding the rear entrance.” The wolf looked down at the floor and sighed. “I must report that I was nearly asleep when I heard someone coming. The wolf did not announce themselves, so I remained lying down and closed my eyes, thinking that the wolf was up to something. When they left, I followed them.”

          “…you left your post?” Dash asked.

          The wolf nodded slowly. “Yes My Alpha, I did… but I did so only to…”

          Dash cut the young wolf off. “I don’t care about why and I’m not interested in excuses, continue.”

          The young wolf sighed and nodded. “…yes My Alpha.” He said. “I followed the wolf to a clearing outside the range of our guards. I didn’t get close for fear that the wolf would spot me. The wolf said something and three other wolves stepped out of an outcropping of rocks nearby. The wolf from our clan talked to them, but I could not discern exactly what was being said, only bits and pieces. I snuck a bit closer so that I could hear and I caught the end of their conversation.”

          “…what were they saying?” Dash asked.

          The wolf paused. “…well My Alpha… the wolf from our Clan intends to betray you to them.”

          Dash’s eyes snapped open wide at this. “…and who was this traitor?” He asked.

          The wolf sighed. “I do not know My Alpha. I did not get close enough to be able to give you even an accurate description.”

          Dash nodded. “…very well.” He said. “Thank you for this information. You were right to follow the wolf. However, do you know of the consequences of falling asleep on post?”

          The wolf sighed and nodded. “I do.” He said.

          Dash paused and thought about it for a moment. “…taking into account what you have told me I will not inform Ami of this breech in security, but see to it that such a thing never happens again.”

          The wolf nodded quickly. “I will never fall asleep on post again My Alpha.”

          Dash nodded. “See that you don’t.”

          Dash nodded at Aleu and turned around, looking back into his chambers at June, who was still sleeping.

          Aleu turned to the young wolf. “…you’re dismissed.” She said. “…return to your post.”

          The young wolf nodded and turned, almost running from the chamber.

          Dash turned back to face Aleu. “So that’s what she meant.” He said.

          “…she?” Aleu asked.

          Dash nodded. “Aniu visited me tonight.”

          A surprised look crossed Aleu’s face. “…Aniu?” She asked. “…is she alright?”

          Dash nodded. “She seemed to be.”

          “…what did she tell you?” Aleu asked.

          “Not much…” Dash said. “…only that a great evil threatened to swallow her clan, and me with it.”

          Aleu nodded. “…seems she was trying to warn you of this plot.”

          Dash nodded. “…it does.” He said. “It’s too bad the guard didn’t see who the traitor was… it would make dealing with this situation much easier.”

          Aleu nodded. “Dash, you’re going to find that things in this job are rarely easy.”

          Dash nodded. “Well, I’ll have to think this over.”

          Aleu nodded. “…be careful Dash, whoever those wolves that the traitor met were they sound desperate.”

          Dash nodded. “…they must be to try to get one of our oAleu wn to betray us.” He sighed. “…well at least now we know the meaning of the skirmishes that have been happening lately.”

          Aleu nodded. “…what do you want to do?”

          Dash sighed. “I don’t know, wait I guess.” He said. “There is little we can do.”

          Aleu nodded and it was quiet for a moment.

          Finally it was she who spoke. “I’m sorry for scaring you Dash, but we both thought it best if you knew of this plot right away.”

          Dash nodded. “You did the right thing Aleu.”

          Aleu smiled. “Thank you.” She said.

          Dash sighed. “Well, I’m going to get back to sleep… the clan has been informed of the meeting tomorrow.”

          Aleu nodded. “…then we’ll make it official tomorrow evening. There is something else I need to talk to you about Dash.” Aleu said.

          “What’s that?” He asked.

          “Shadow does not intend to reclaim his place as leader of the Defense Force. He feels he failed them by running away.”

          Dash sighed. “…great, who am I supposed to get to replace him?”

          Aleu smiled. “…well, he wants me to do it… and I suppose he’s right.”

          Dash nodded. “…you’d be great at it, but I thought you wanted the easy life.”

          Aleu smiled. “Well, my mate knows me