sighed. "...please."
"No," the dog said. "There is no room for anything but this. That night so long ago you destroyed me. You destroyed the bond that even made us sisters... you're nothing to me... you're dead, and I plan to keep you that way."
With that the dog leapt at the wolf, who dodged lightly. "...please don't do this." She said.
The dog glared at her. "...your pleas fall on ears made deaf by your inequity."
The wolf shook her head and the dog leapt at her again, this time slamming into the wolf's shoulder. sending them both sprawling to the ground. The red dog rolled with the wolf, and finally came up on top. The wolf tried to push her sister off, but to no avail.
The dog glared at her sister and then latched her jaws around the larger wolf's throat. She felt her teeth slide through fur and flesh, the familiar taste of blood filling her mouth. One jerk of her head and it was done.
The dog dropped the wolf's head to the ground and watched as she gasped for air but could find none. Her eyes grew larger and opened wider, then she mouthed one word...
"...Kiona."
"...Kiona!" A voice roused the red and white dog who laid at the back of a small stone cave.
The dog came awake suddenly, gasping. "...wh... what?!" The dog answered. "...what is it?" She opened her eyes to see a familiar face before her. "What's going on Ayashi?"
The wolf looked a little excited and was short of breath. "...bad dream?" She asked.
Kiona sighed. "...bad memory." She said. "Why'd you wake me?"
"...there's a trespasser in our territory." Ayashi said.
"...what?" Kiona asked. "...friendly?"
"...don't know yet." Ayashi answered. "Achak sent Dartanion out to meet him."
"He's alone?" Kiona asked. "...that's odd... where's his pack?"
Ayashi shrugged. "...don't know, that's what Achak is hoping to find out."
Kiona nodded. "Where is he?"
"Who, Achak?" Ayashi asked. He's just outside, in front of the cave."
Kiona walked out of the cave to find Dartanion and a brown wolf, Kanook just outside the cave, talking to Achak. A few yards away sat a dark brown wolf with white markings.
Kiona walked toward the entrance of the cave. As she was walking she passed a small black and white wolf sleeping behind a rock, near the entrance.
Kiona stopped and kicked him with her paw lightly. The wolf didn't stir, so Kiona kicked him a little harder. This time the wolf's eyes fluttered open and he sighed. "What is it Kiona?" He asked.
"...Shiro, I need to leave the cave for a moment, watch the pups, they're sleeping in the back."
Shiro nodded and yawned. "Yes Kiona." He said. He stood up and walked toward the back of the cave. Kiona kept walking toward the entrance and stepped out in to the snow. She made it almost all the way up behind Achak before the black and gray wolf sensed her presence and turned. "Kiona, what are you doing up so early?" He asked.
Indeed it was early. The sun wasn't even up yet. Kiona hadn't realized this until she stepped out of the cave. "Ayashi woke me." Kiona answered. "...she said there was a trespasser?"
Achak nodded. "Yes, but he's no threat."
Kanook turned to her. "He's here to ask for help."
"...help?" Kiona asked.
Achak nodded. "...he's from the Talbourne Clan."
"Why do they need our help?" Kiona asked. "Aren't they big enough to handle their own problems?"
Dartanion nodded. "...they're over two hundred strong last we knew."
"...so why do they need our help?" Kiona asked again.
Kanook sighed. "A wolf named Lytion leads a group of wolves... religious fanatics after a demonic wolf who calls himself Shade... the supposed ruler of the underworld. They intend to wipe out every pack who doesn't bow down and worship this nut-job."
Achak sighed as well. "...and they've got the numbers and skill to do it. Apparently the River, Snow and Storm Clans have been completely wiped out, and the Onasie to the northwest has been crippled. The Talbourne are the only Clan in the area with the manpower to stop this lunatic."
"Are you going to help them?" Kiona asked. "...how can we, we're too small."
"No," Achak said. "No, Kiona has said exactly what I was thinking... we're too small to make much difference, and until this Lytion threatens us we have no quarrel with him. Dartanion, show this wolf the way back to his Clan."
Achak turned to walk away, but Olathe, his mother walked out of the entrance to the cave, where she'd been sleeping. "Achak, Achak, come here." She said.
The large black and gray wolf turned and walked toward his mother. "What is it?" He asked.
Olathe smiled. "Achak, think about what you are doing." She said.
"I have." Achak answered. "I am keeping my family safe. I won't endanger all of your lives for the sake of another clan whom we have no ties with."
Olathe smiled again and she took a step closer to him. "Achak, I overheard their scout when he was talking to you. This Lytion must be stopped."
Achak nodded. "I can see that... but we will only engage him if we have to... we may be able to stay out of sight enough he'll leave us alone."
"Achak..." Olathe said. "The Storm Clan had only fifteen members... that's not much larger than our own, and this Lytion targeted them and wiped them out."
Achak sighed. "...I know."
"The Talbourne stands more of a chance of making a stand against Lytion and his clan... perhaps we should help them, do what we can."
"What can we do?" Achak asked.
"Achak... you're a great leader." Olathe said. "You've grown much over the years... grown to be much like your father..."
At the mention of his father, Achak's heart swelled with pride and he smiled.
"...I'm sure the Talbourne could benefit from that leadership. Their scout said they were down two Lieutenants. You could help them."
"...and leave you all here?" Achak said. "...not a chance. I love my family too much to leave them at a time like this."
"Tell me this Achak..." Olathe said. "What are you going to do if your don't go and the Talbourne is defeated. What are you going to do when this Lytion attacks us here?"
Achak sighed, but remained silent. He knew his mother had him there.
"...you're not going to be able to do anything." Olathe said. "They outnumber us one to twenty at least. Go with the Talbourne, do what you can to stop Lytion before he can make it this far."
Achak nodded. "You're right." He said. "...I'll go."
Olathe smiled. "...good." She said. "I know you'll make us proud Achak. Be careful, and I'll see you when I get back."
Achak nodded. "Thank you mother." He said.
Then he turned and ran toward Dartanion's retreating form.
Kiona watched Achak run past her.
"...Achak?" She said. Then she turned and ran after him.
"Dartanion stop!" Achak yelled.
The wolf stopped and Achak caught up to them. "What is it Achak?" Dartanion asked.
"I'm sorry, what was your name again?" Achak asked the brown and white wolf.
The wolf smiled. "...Nick."
Achak nodded. "Well Nick, do you plan to stop this Lytion?"
Nick nodded. "We're going to give it our best."
"Well I'm going with you." Achak said.
"...what?!" Kiona asked as she caught up with them.
Achak sighed. "...Kiona, listen to me. I have to go. I have to do what I can to keep you and our family safe."
"...then I'm going too." Kiona said.
Achak shook his head. "No Kiona, no you're not. It's going to be dangerous. You stay here and protect the kids. They need one of their parents close by."
Kiona stepped closer to him. "Achak I'm going to..." Achak cut her off. "Kiona, you're not going to do anything but stay here like I told you too. I am still Alpha, and you will still obey my orders."
Kiona hung her head. "Yes..." She sighed. "...sorry Achak... be... be careful." She said. She stepped up and nuzzled him gently.
Achak smiled. "It's alright Kiona, all is forgiven. I'll be back soon okay?"
Kiona nodded and turned, walking slowly back down the hill toward the cave.
Kanook walked up just then. "Hey, I heard all kinds of noise, what's up?"
"...personal business." Achak said. "Kanook, I'm going with Nick to the Talbourne's cave, hopefully we'll be able to stop this Lytion before he's a threat to you."
Kanook nodded. "I think that a wise decision Achak."
"I'm leaving you in charge as Alpha until I return... take care of them Kanook."
Kanook smiled. "I will." He said. "...see you soon Achak."
Achak nodded. "...see you soon."
He looked at the younger brown and white wolf. "So Nick, you know the way?"
Nick nodded. "...sure do... what did you say your name was again?"
Achak smiled. "...Achak." He
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comebacks some how I've got my fingers crossed