Tambourine Clan of Aniu’s Children, and you must be Jack.”
Jack nodded.
“My brother Dash said that he and his unit found you as they were searching for the wolves that have been harassing us.”
“He did.” Jack said.
“…but that’s pretty much where he left off…” Saba said. “Tell me, how did you come to be in our territory?”
“Well Saba,” Jack said. “I used to live in the Mountain Clan.”
“You’re a long way from home then, aren’t you?” Saba responded.
Jack nodded.
“I was chased here.”
“…chased?” Saba said. “…by who?”
“…by the same wolves that are now harassing your clan apparently… they wiped mine out.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Saba said. “…so you’re without a home then?”
Jack nodded.
“Well you’re more than welcome to join us Jack.” Saba said.
“Thank you…” Jack said.
“Do you have any family anywhere?” Saba asked.
Jack shook his head.
“…no, no I… I did… but… well, she’s gone now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry Jack,” Saba said, walking over and placing a paw on his shoulder. “…I didn’t know… was it this other clan?”
Jack shook his head.
“…no… a hunter… three days ago…”
Saba sighed.
“…in our territory then…”
Jack nodded.
“…guess so.”
“I wish we could have helped sooner Jack.” Saba said.
Jack nodded.
It was silent for a while before Saba spoke again.
“Well, for now you can stay in Dash’s chambers since you already know him. In the morning I’ll see to it that you get chambers of your own, that is, if you intend to join us…”
Jack nodded.
“I have nowhere else…” he sighed. “…no one else.”
Saba smiled.
“…great, we’d love to have you… we’ll talk over all the specifics later… right now you look like you could use a rest.”
Jack yawned and nodded.
“Yeah, it has been a while since I’ve slept.”
“Well go on outside then, Dash will show you to his chambers, and you can sleep there for the night.”
Jack nodded again.
“Thank you Saba.” He said, bowing again.
“You’re welcome Jack.” Saba said. “…and there’s really no need for that.”
Jack nodded and looked up at her.
Saba smiled.
“You may stand Jack and be dismissed. I will summon you in the morning to discuss this further.”
“As you wish my Alpha.” Jack said.
Then he stood and strode out of the chamber.
Dash was already standing outside waiting, and fell into step with him as he passed.
“My chambers are just ahead.” Dash said.
Soon they had reached Dash’s chambers and the two of them stepped inside.
“Hey Dad!” A young female cried, running over to him. “I didn’t know you were home!”
Dash smiled.
“Hey Kalia, how was your day?”
Kalia glanced toward their visitor and smiled.
“…busy as ever pop, you know what a paw-full those little pups can be.”
“I still remember when you were a pup.” Dash said. “You weren’t exactly a little angel you know.”
“I’d have a hard time believing that.” Jack said.
Dash looked at him, but Jack didn’t notice.
“So dad, who’s the visitor?” Kalia asked.
“Where’s your mother?” Dash asked.
Kalia turned her head over her shoulder.
“Hey Mom!” She yelled. “Dad wants to tlak to you!”
June came around the corner and smiled when she saw Dash.
“Hey, didn’t know you were home.” She said, walking over and nuzzling her mate. “I thought you were supposed to be spending tonight outside the cave?”
“We were, but I had to bring somebody back… June, meet Jack, Jack, this is my mate June.”
Jack smiled.
“Nice to meet you.” Jack said.
“…and you.” June said.
“Jack’s going to be staying in here tonight, he’s joining the pack tomorrow.”
“Oh, welcome.” June said. “Come in here and I’ll find you somewhere to sleep. You poor dear, doesn’t look like you’ve slept for days…”
June led Jack into the next chamber.
“So Kalia, how did things really go today?” Dash asked when Jack was out of earshot.
“Well.” She said. “…no incidents.”
Dash nodded.
“…good. Listen, I’m going to go talk to Aleu right quick, I’ll be back for dinner okay?”
Kalia nodded.
“…tell you mother?”
Kalia nodded again.
“I will dad.”
Dash smiled and then turned and walked out of the cave.
As Dash approached the entrance to the cave, Aleu was just being relieved of guard duty.
She started to walk in the cave, and Dash could tell that she was tired… but the look of weariness vanished when she saw her brother.
“Hey Dash!” Aleu said, trotting over to him. “What brings you back so early?”
“We found a wolf out there by himself, says his clan was destroyed up by Shishmaref.”
“My goodness...” Aleu said. “…the poor guy.”
Dash nodded.
Aleu sighed.
“Dash I can tell there’s something you wish to speak to me about… isn’t there?”
Dash nodded.
“Can we step outside?”
Aleu nodded back.
“…sure.”
The two of them walked a good distance outside the cave and then Aleu turned around.
“Alright Dash, out with it, what do you need to talk to me about?”
“It’s about you.” Dash said.
“…me?” Aleu said.
“Yes you.” Dash said. “…Aleu, that wolf said that the wolves that destroyed his clan were the same ones that are attacking us now, and I’ve gotten word that the Onasie Clan and the Snow Clans are both being attacked like we are… something is going on here.”
“…could be.” Aleu said. “…but how does that involve me?”
“…because you should be calling the shots right now.” Dash said.
Aleu sighed.
“Dash…”
He cut his sister off.
“Aleu, Saba hasn’t been through a war before, and I’m afraid that’s what we’re approaching. She’s already making basic mistakes.”
“…like what?” Aleu asked.
“…like leaving the cave with only one unit inside it…” Dash said. “…that’s not enough to defend if these guys decide to assault us full out.”
Aleu sighed again.
“…look Dash, Saba knows what she’s doing…”
“What would you do?” Dash asked.
“Well…” Aleu started. “I’d have one unit patrol, one guard the cave, one stationed outside in the front, and one in the rear.”
“See, that’s what I’m talking about.” Dash said. “You know about these things. Your plan makes sense, hers doesn’t.”
“Dash, listen to me.” Aleu said. “I’m not the Alpha anymore, Saba is, and you will follow her orders, just as I do.”
Dash shook his head.
“Now what are you shaking your head for?” Aleu asked.
“You’re above this.” Dash said.
“…above what?” Aleu said.
“…this.” Dash said. “You shouldn’t be on guard duty, Saba should be, we’d all be a lot better off without her up…”
Aleu cut her brother off.
“Dash, enough!” Aleu said, slipping into her leader’s voice again. “Listen to me, and listen good. I worked my tail off to protect the Talbourne Clan, I gave it everything I had, and I’ll not see it fall apart. Those are dangerous words you’re speaking there Dash.”
Dash sighed.
“…whatever.”
He turned to walk away, but Aleu’s paw stopped him.
“Dash, Saba will get the hang of it soon enough, and whether I or Saba, or even yourself is Alpha, Aniu still leads and guides us… she is our true Alpha… and as long as we have faith in her, she will protect us.”
Dash sighed and nodded.
“I… I guess you’re right. You just made such a good Alpha Aleu, why did you give it up?”
Aleu smiled.
“Dash, I loved every moment of it, but… I couldn’t lead you forever. Aniu made a bond with Saba as a way of replacing me, that way I could grow older in peace… my youth was filled with hardship, one war after another, endless deaths lay on my head Dash… this is Aniu’s way of paying me back for my service to her and to this Clan… think of it as a kind of retirement.”
Dash nodded.
“I guess…. I guess as long as you’re happy.”
Aleu smiled again and nuzzled her brother.
“I am Dash. I never got to spend time with my family before, now I do. I get to relax every once in a while… it’s great Dash. …not to feel that burden of leadership, of endless responsibility for the well being of three hundred some wolves on my shoulders.”
Dash nodded.
“Well, you look pretty tired… you should probably get some sleep…”
Aleu nodded and yawned.
“…good old twenty-four hour duty, you know how that is.”
Dash nodded.
“Yeah, well, just get some sleep Aleu. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Aleu smiled.
“Okay Dash, and don’t worry everything will be alright, just have faith. Aniu will not let us fall.”
Dash nodded and joined Aleu as the two walked back toward the cave.
Chapter 8
Shanaea sat in the dog barn thinking. Even after Josh had explained what he’d heard and seen, she still couldn’t believe it.
“Why would Tiembe want to kill me?” She thought.
She really wanted to talk to him. Thought she hadn’t know him long, she’d quickly grown attracted to the lost dog she’d rescued a few days past.
She sighed.
It was getting late by the time that Dusty returned from talking with Blaize about what had transpired this morning.
Dusty was afraid for her daughter, about what could have happened had Josh not overheard Tiembe talking. None of them would’ve suspected it. Tiembe seemed like a nice guy, and Shanaea had fallen pretty quickly for him.
Dusty walked into the dog barn and smiled, seeing that everyone was asleep. She thought of her family and how eternally grateful she was that Aniu had given her a second chance with them.
She realized then that not everyone was asleep. Shanaea was still awake and looked up as her mother entered.
“…hey Mom.” She said. “…can I talk to you?”
Dusty smiled.
“…of course Shanaea, let’s step outside so we don’t make your sibling’s okay?”
Shanaea nodded and stood, following her mother out of the shed into the cold Alaskan night.
“So, where’s dad?” Shanaea asked. “I thought he’d be coming home with you.”
“He’s still talking with Blaize about what happened today.” Dusty responded.
“Oh…” Shanaea said.
She watched the slowly falling snowflakes and it was quiet for a moment.
“What is it you wanted to talk about?” Dusty asked, finally breaking the silence.
Shanaea sighed, still watching the falling snow.
“Mom… how did you know that dad was the one?” She asked.
This question caught Dusty by surprise, and she waited a moment
4672 visits
Report this fanfic 
emotion and slight sorrow. But, like all the rest, it has a great
ending. But I have to wonder about the Talbourne's future under Saba,
not to mention Josh and his extreme hatred for Tiembe. Ah, well, I'll
have to read on, something I will do gladly. Again, Amazing work!