He is my half-brother.”

“How is that possible?” Deni questioned in awe.

“Aniu may have been captured and breed with dogs by humans.” I suggested. I wasn’t going to tell anyone of how I became his guardian or of how I bumped into that cocky wolf named David.

“Who will look after this pup? I cannot.” Deni asked ashamed of herself.

“I will.” I explained, “I found him and he seems happy with me becoming his adoptive mother.”

“Very well, Balto can stay.” Huron declared.

I feel asleep right after Huron and Deni left Balto and I. The moon came out and left a moonlight spotlight on Balto and me as we slept under the stars. I welcomed the lunar atmosphere. It was cold but I kept Balto warm by keeping him as close to me as possible.

I dreamed that night and for many weeks to come. I dreamed what happened that day, how I found Balto, how I lost Aniu, and how I met David. David. He’s different. He seemed nice deep in his eyes and I seemed to get lost in them. He was handsome. He was Shadow Peak though. Those wolves were ruthless and evil. They were raised with hate and it was impossible to take the evil out of their blood. They were incapable of love and kindness but David, his eyes showed affection.

One morning I was awoken before I could dream of David. It had been months since I first that handsome wolf. I heard Tierran and Balto in my ears. I opened my eyes and Balto was gone. I jumped up with a start and turned to see Tierran playing with Balto.

“Hahaha.” Balto giggled, “Stop that Auntie Tierran!”

I couldn’t help but smile at Tierran as she tickled Balto. Tierran was great with Balto. I walked over to Tierran and Balto.

“Oh! Hi Luna!” Tierran greeted as I walked over, “I woke up and went hunting and when I came back I found him waiting for you to wake up.”

“Is that so?” I asked Balto.

“Yep. I didn’t want to bother you.” Balto perkily explained.

“Why don’t we go for a walk?” I suggested.

“Yah!” Balto exclaimed excitedly

I turned to Tierran and asked, “Do you want to come?”

“Nah. I think I better stay behind and see if Aaron is making a move on Echo.” Tierran teased.

“O.K. We’ll see you later.” I said and walked off with Balto.

We walked into our forest and started played tag for a while. We ran and jogged through the undergrowth, the green vegetation covering us from the normal eye.

“I got you!” Balto called and tackled into my left shoulder and giggled. “Hahaha!”

I heard something in the shadows. “Shhh. Balto!” I whispered urgently.

Balto did as I said and silenced himself. I listened again. The noise was coming from behind. I got up and stood over Balto in a protective movement.

The creature was coming out of the shadows and I snarled at it. It came closer and did not stop even as my fur stood on end making me twice as furious. I could now see the figure clearly. It was a dark brown wolf, almost black in fact. It did not growl back at me, it was calm as if it knew I wouldn’t hurt it.

I looked at his eyes, they seemed familiar. Then I remembered, David! I stopped growling and I let my fur settle down. Balto looked at me with uncertainty in his eyes.

“Hey Luna.” David greeted me.

“Hello.” I replied and nodded in return in curtsy.

David looked at Balto, who was cowering behind my leg. “Is this your pup brother?” He asked as he studied Balto.

“Yes.” I informed proudly. I raised Balto from a helpless pup to a confident old pup.

“How are you?” David asked me in a chatty tone.

“I am doing fine. Raising your younger brother can be a challenge though.” I responded stepping back so Balto was between my front two legs.

David grinned at Balto and said, “I bet it is. Pups are trouble.”

“So why are you in Shaded Forest territory?” I inquired

“I was looking for you.” David informed his head down and embarrassed.

“What for?” I continued a little concerned that his pack may attack mine.

“Can we talk about this tonight?” David suggested as he looked at me and glanced at Balto.

I knew that he didn’t want to tell Balto this so I replied, “Sure. I’ll meet you here tonight.”

Balto stared at me and David for a few seconds and invited, “Wanna play tag with us?”

David laughed and answered, “I’m sorry but I need to go home.” He then saw how disappointed Balto was and walked over to Balto and whispered in his ear, “Maybe another time, I promise.”

“O.K!” Balto uttered positively.

I smiled at David when we were face to face. I then said, “I’ll see you.”

“You know it!” David responded and he walked off back to his territory. I sighed as I watched him walk off. I felt like a part of me left with him.

I nosed Balto and shouted, “Tag! You’re it!” And we ran off towards our pack campsite.

When Balto and I got back it was noon and everyone was awake. We were greeted by Tierran and Kafé; as usual Solen and Arlina were together while Aaron and Echo were sitting in the shade talking.

“Hey guys!” I shouted to Tierran and Kafé.

“Oh my gosh! You have to listen on what happened!” Tierran informed egger to tell me.

Kafé already knew and he didn’t want Balto to know so he said, “Hey Balto why don’t we go practice hunting skills?”

Balto was so excited he could barely sit still but managed to shout, “Yah! Let’s go!” Balto walked off by Kafé’s side ready to catch prey.

Tierran stared at them until they were out of sight and whispered, “There was a Shadow Peak wolf in the forest!”

I was frozen. Did David get caught? Or did they just smell him in the forest? I had so many questions to ask but I was paralyzed, and unable to speak. I gasped and fear glazed my eyes. But I managed to say, “Did you catch him?”

With that Mormon stumbled into camp with Huron and Deni with a prisoner. It was David!