this, you’ve got to promise not to laugh at me, promise?” Tiembe nodded. “Sure Shay, what’s wrong?” “I’m… um… scared of the dark.” Tiembe frowned. “…why’s that?” Shanaea sighed again. “Well… I have this dream… have had it ever since I was a pup… in the dream I’m attacked and killed… and it’s dark.” Tiembe nodded. “Okay Shay, we’ll get headed back.” Shanaea sighed. “You don’t think it’s stupid to be afraid of a dream?” Tiembe shook his head as the two turned and started back the way they’d come. “No Shay, not at all. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me too.” Shanaea smiled. “Thanks Tiembe.” “You’re welcome Shay.” He said. The two walked through the woods as the northern lights continued to spread across the orange hues of the northern sky. The following morning Tiembe stood inside the abandoned shed he’d been living in for the past few days. Once he and Shanaea had been released from doc’s she had offered to let him stay with her, but he had refused. …not because he didn’t like her, on the contrary, Tiembe liked Shanaea very much… “…maybe too much.” Tiembe thought. “It’s always when I get close to them that they turn on me. I… I love her, but… I don’t want to hurt her… and I’m afraid she will force me to…” Tiembe sighed. “What are you doing?” A familiar voice said. Tiembe turned and saw a beautiful black and white husky standing there behind him. Her coat was black and white, and she had green eyes. “…Mom?” Tiembe said. The dog nodded and walked around in front of him. “What are you doing here?” Tiembe asked, though he already knew the answer. “That female you’ve met, what’s her name?” Tiembe sighed. “….Shanaea.” He said. “Yes, that’s the one.” Ki said. “You are getting too close to her dear. She will consume you if you’re not careful.” Tiembe shook his head. “I’ll not do it this time mother.” He said. “I’m not going to kill Shanaea.” Ki sighed. “I know it’s hard Tiembe, being the only one to know the truth, to be the only one to really see what these females do to others… but it’s a gift… it’s your job to take care of them… if you don’t, then who will?” “I don’t know, and I don’t care.” Tiembe said. “I… I love her.” “Love?” Ki said. “What do you know of love?” Tiembe sighed. “…not much really… but I know that I can’t kill her… to do that would be like killing myself.” Samm smiled. “My, my, aren’t we dramatic?” Tiembe glared at her. “No, I’m serious mother, I won’t do it.” “…we’ll see…” Ki said. “You can fight who you are Tiembe, but you’ll never be able to win.” Tiembe sighed, for he knew what his mother said was true… Josh was at that moment walking down the alley behind the shed that Tiembe had chosen as his temporary home. “…at least I hope it’s temporary…” Josh thought. Shanaea’s older brother got a very bad vibe from his sister’s new friend, and much to his horror, Shanaea seemed to be falling in love with the homeless husky. “…am I being overprotective?” Josh thought. The last thing he wanted was to hurt his sister, but something just didn’t feel right about that dog… he couldn’t explain it, but it was true all the same. Just then Josh heard someone talking in the shed, and talking loudly. “…it’s Tiembe.” Josh thought. “Shanaea?” Josh ran to the side of the shed and lept up on some crates that let him see through the window. What he saw inside puzzled him. Tiembe was pacing back and forth in the middle of the room, and he was yelling… but no one else was there. Josh put his ears to the glass in an effort to hear what Tiembe was saying. The voice was broken up because of the glass, but what came through, came through all too clear. “…I….not…kill… Shanaea… rescued… and … love… won’t kill her.” Josh jerked his head back in surprise. “…Shanaea’s in danger.” He said to himself. Just as he prepared to jump down and rush off to warn his sister, he heard a growling sound and turned quickly, expecting to see his sister had entered the room, but no, it was still only Tiembe. He was now growling and tearing at the air. “…I knew it.” Josh said to himself. “I knew it… I’ve got to find Shay.” Josh took off running down the alley. “She’s never going to believe me…” Josh thought. …something was seriously wrong with Tiembe. Tiembe growled and lunged at Ki, knocking her to the floor and taking her throat in his jaws. “Tiembe! What are you doing!” She screamed at him. “Let me go! When have I ever steered you wrong?” Tiembe stopped growling and slowly relaxed his jaws, letting Ki slide to the floor. He sighed. “I’m sorry mother… I just…” He sighed again and paused. Ki stood up slowly, stretching herself out. “I… I love her.” Tiembe said. “…can’t we let this one go… what if I leave Nome forever?” “…and what if she hurts someone else?” Ki asked. “I don’t care!” Tiembe said… “I… I just can’t hurt her.” Ki nodded. “…fine, what if she comes after you?” “…well then… then I guess she means to hurt me… and I will do what I must.” Ki nodded curtly. “Fine, that’s the deal then… we give her a chance… one chance.” Tiembe nodded. “…deal.” Tiembe turned to walk away. “Where are you going?” Ki asked. “I’ve got to talk to her.” Tiembe said. “I can’t just leave, that would hurt her… and me.” “…but Tiembe what if she…” Tiembe interrupted her. “…no buts on this one mother. I’m going.” Ki sighed as Tiembe exited the empty shed. Josh had switched directions almost five minutes ago and was now headed to the old mill instead of to the shed where Shanaea would likely be. He could see the towering form of the old mill now and knew it would be only minutes until he could speak to Blaize about what he’d heard. Josh clambered up the steps, hoping against hope that there would be something Blaize could do… Tiembe walked slowly down the sidewalk. He’d grown to love this small town. The dogs here were friendly, and as soon as Shanaea had introduced him to them they’d accepted him with open paws. “That’s never happened anywhere else I’ve been...” Tiembe thought. “It’s always been… Tiembe the scary new guy, or Tiembe the outcast… here I was accepted.” Tiembe sighed and continued walking down the sidewalk noticing with a glance forward that he was drawing near to the barn that Shanaea called home. He glanced around again. “Yes, I’m definitely going to miss this place…” “Tiembe?” A familiar voice called. He looked up and smiled as Shanaea’s familiar form darted out of the shed and up to his side. “How are you today?” She asked, nuzzling him. “…fine.” He said. “…you?” She smiled. “…great now that you’re here.” “Shanaea!” The voice was the only thing that warned her before she was slammed away from Tiembe to land on the icy sidewalk. She turned her head and saw Josh standing over her. “Josh!” She cried. “What are you doing, are you insane!” Josh helped her back up. “No I’m not Shanaea,” he said. “…but your new boyfriend is.” “What are you talking about?” Shanaea asked. “Shanaea, back away.” Another familiar voice said. Shanaea turned to see Blaize and Astarre walking up to her followed by her mother and father. “Shanaea come over here.” Kodi said, stepping forward. “…please listen to him dear.” Dusty said. “What’s everyone talking about?” Shanaea asked. “You’re in danger Shanaea.” Blaize said. “…now step away.” Shanaea looked back at Tiembe who sighed and hung his head. “What are they talking about?” Shanaea asked. “Shanaea…” Tiembe started. “He’s going to kill you.” Josh said. Shanaea couldn’t help herself, and she started to laugh. “What?” She said. “Kill me? …Tiembe? Where’d you come up with this Josh?” “He’s telling the truth Shanaea.” Blaize said. “He told me himself.” Shanaea couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The idea that Tiembe would kill her was ludicrous… “…but Blaize wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t true…” Shanaea thought. Tiembe saw the change take place in her eyes; the shift from love and protection to fear and sadness. He sighed and stepped forward. “Shanaea…” “Don’t come any closer Tiembe.” Blaize said stepping forward in front of Shanaea. “I haven’t done anything.” Tiembe said. Blaize glared at him. “You’re right Tiembe, you haven’t, yet. That is why you have one chance, leave this town now, leave and never return and you will not be punished by us.” Tiembe sighed. “Can I talk to her?” “No,” Blaize said. “…get out of here Tiembe before I change my mind.” A tear ran down Tiembe’s face. “I… I never would have hurt you Shanaea.” He said. “Go, now!” Blaize said. “...I was coming to tell you goodbye… so… goodbye Shay…” He turned and began to walk away, slowly. “…don’t let me catch you here again Tiembe.” Blaize said. “…on penalty of death.” Tiembe turned, and locked eyes with Shanaea, hoping to see some shred of doubt in her eyes… but what he saw cut him to the core… Shanaea turned away as the tears continued to stream down her face. “I never wanted to hurt her…” Tiembe thought. Then he turned and ran. Chapter 7 Jack walked up the many steps of the Talbourne’s cave until he reached the top and stepped into the Alpha’s chambers. “Wait here a moment.” Dash said. He walked into the chamber and Jake could hear his voice, though he couldn’t hear the replies. “Hello Saba…. …. yes, there is someone who would like to meet you… … we found him while looking for the wolves that have been harassing us… … sure, I’ll get him.” Dash stepped out of the chamber and walked over to Jack. “Our Alpha will see you now.” Jack nodded. “You can go on in.” Dash said. “I’ll wait out here.” Jake nodded again and walked into the chamber. A white wolf stood in the center of the room. She smiled as Jack walked forward to stand in front of her. Jack knelt to the ground. “Please, stand up.” Saba said. “My name is Saba, I am the Alpha of the Tambourine Clan of

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