off of the rock. Dash hit the ground and stood, surprised to say the least. He started to climb back on the rock, but he felt a paw on his shoulder. He stopped and turned to see his father standing there. Dash sighed and walked away.
Balto climbed up on the rock to find Aleu’s face buried in the wolf’s fur again. He heard her sobbing as her body shook.
Balto walked over to his daughter and laid down beside her, putting his paw on her shoulder.
Aleu growled through her tears. “Dash if you don’t leave me alone so help me I’ll…” She stopped as she looked beside her to see her father. She sighed and returned her head to the white wolf’s shoulder. “…leave me alone Papa. If you want to leave that’s fine, leave, and take Dash and Raye with you.”
Balto sighed. “Aleu, you’re brother is right, grief is one thing, but this is unhealthy.”
Aleu looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. “Papa, this is my fault.” She said. “Aniu trusted in me, me, not you, not Dash, not Raye, me!” She fell silent. “…and I failed her.” She sniffled and sighed. “…now… all is lost.”
Balto shook his head. “Aleu, we all feel her loss, but all is not lost. There is a plan for this, whatever it is… we may not know it now, but Aniu never did anything without it being planned.”
Aleu sighed. “Papa this is different.” She said. “Aniu didn’t have a plan. Her plan was me… and I’ve failed her… I’ve failed you… and… and Alai… I’ve failed everyone. Everything is going to be destroyed by Shade now… everyone I love is going to die… and it’s my fault.”
Balto sighed. “Aleu… baby please come down… your clan needs you, Shadow needs you.”
Aleu shook her head. “…even Shadow… he’s dead papa… we’re all dead now.”
“What kind of talk is that?” Balto said. “I’ve never known you to give up on anything. Aleu, you are the most stubborn, headstrong person I’ve ever met… and I must admit it has confounded many times over the years… but you never give up. Shadow isn’t dead. He’s alive, just like we are here, and he needs you… we need you Aleu.”
Aleu sighed and sniffled. “…I.. I guess you’re right.” She said. “…but all is lost papa, you don’t understand…”
She stopped and then sighed. “…let’s go.” She said. She walked to the edge of the rock and jumped down. Balto looked at the fallen wolf in front of him and remembered all the times that his mother had guided him and saved him…
He wiped a tear from his eye and followed Aleu.
“Let’s go guys.” Aleu said. She sighed. “…let’s go home.”
Aleu, Balto, Dash and Raye were surprised to see Shadow standing guard outside the cave when they returned.
Shadow sighed with relief and completely forgot about standing his post. He ran out and nuzzled her. “Aleu!” He said. “Oh I thought they’d gotten you for sure!”
“…hey Shadow.” Aleu said, her voice downcast.
Shadow frowned and then noticed Balto. “Balto? What are you doing here?”
Balto sighed. “It’s… it’s a long story.” He said. “…I thought the Shadow Clan had occupied the cave, that’s what Aleu said anyway…”
Shadow nodded. “They did… but they left about two hours ago.”
“…what?” Balto asked. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
Shadow smiled. “I don’t care.” He said. “I’m just glad they’re gone. They said it was finished… any idea what that means?”
“They killed Aniu Shadow.” Aleu said.
“…what?” Shadow asked. “…how?” “…they killed her.” Aleu said. “I was there… and it was my fault. I’ve let you down… Shade has finally won.”
Shadow looked confused. “I don’t know anything about all that… but I do know the Clan needs you… there’s been talk of making you Alpha again.”
Aleu sighed. “I’m not fit to lead anyone anymore.”
Shadow frowned. “Aleu, are you alright?”
Aleu shook her head and buried her face in his shoulder. “Shadow… I want to go to Nome.”
“What?” Shadow asked. “Aleu are you crazy?”
Aleu looked up at him, her face streaked with tears. “I… I want to see my mother one last time.”
Shadow looked at Balto, who shrugged.
“Aleu, it’s too dangerous…” Shadow started…
…but Aleu cut him off. “Shadow I’m not asking your permission… I’m asking if you want to come with me.”
Shadow frowned. “Well… yeah, if you’re going I’m definitely going with you.”
“Good…” Aleu said. “…then let’s go.”
Aleu turned and started to walk slowly towards the woods. Shadow’s voice stopped her. “Aleu, I can’t just leave… I’m in charge right now… my temas havet he cave locked down in case the Shadow Clan returns.”
Aleu sighed. “Shadow, none of them matter anymore. …if you’re coming, just come on. If you’re not then I’m leaving.”
Shadow looked at Balto. “What’s wrong with her?” He asked.
Balto sighed. “..however it happened… Aniu did die, and aleu thinks it’s her fault… she’s taking it really hard…”
“I guess…” Shadow said.
He turned to Dash. “Dash, you’re in charge until I get back. I put Ami in charge of your unit in your absence and she can continue in that capacity until I get back alright?”
Dash nodded. “Come on Raye, let’s see if we can’t find you somewhere to lay down.” He said. Then the two of them walked toward the cave, while Shadow and Balto ran to catch up to Aleu.
Tiembe stood beside Shanaea, tears in his eyes. He’d decided something, and that something hurt him deeply. He’d waited for Shanaea to fall asleep, pretending to be asleep himself. He’d gotten up a few minutes ago. He’d decided that his mother had been right.
He loved Shanaea, and his presence in her life put her in danger, both from himself and those that conspired against him. He loved her… and he’d realized he loved her enough that he wanted nothing to happen to her, no matter what that meant.
He knelt down and gently nuzzled her, careful not tot wake her. He wished he could’ve said goodbye in person… but Shanaea would have never understood… instead it was better like this. He stood up and looked at her, more tears springing to his eyes as he realized this would be the last time he ever saw her.
He smiled as he thought of all the times the two had spent together… and then he sighed when the memory of her lying in the hospital came back to him. …but then happy memories flourished through his mind. She’d been everything he needed when he was recovering, supportive, loving, caring… but it wasn’t fair to her to have this burden placed on her shoulders.
“I… I love you Shay...” He said quietly. “I love you so much. I hope you know that. I hope you know that it’s because I love you that I have to do this… that I have to leave you. I… I know it will hurt for a long time… it hurts me too… but it’s what is best for you. I will never stop loving you Shay… and maybe… maybe when I get over this condition I can return to you.”
He knelt down beside her again. “…good-bye Shay.” He said.
Then he kissed her gently on the forehead and walked out of the Wheel house.
Aniu opened her eyes to find she was laying in a bright golden chamber. Jewels of all types covered the walls and the floor was made of pure gold. It was cold against her fur and she stood up.
In front of her a huge golden lectern rose upward toward the ceiling and at the top of it sat a lumious being.
Aniu had only seen the being once before.
He sighed. “Aniu of the Talbourne Clan, step forward.” His voice boomed through the chamber and demanded obedience.
Aniu did so and a bright spotlight of pure light swept over her, causing her to squint at it’s brightness.
“Aniu, you were appointed as the representitive of all that is good on Earth and beyond. You have served in this capacity for some time, and with great success I see. …yet you stand before me now… why?”
Aniu sighed. “I have failed you Lord.”
The being nodded. “Yes, it seems you have. I warned you about your actions regarding your so called “Origin” many times, did I not?”
Aniu sighed and hung her head. “…yes Lord… you did Lord.”
“…and you chose to deliberately disobey me, didn’t you?”
Aniu nodded, keeping her head lowered. “Yes Lord… I did Lord.”
The being sighed again. “…very well, and it is true that you agreed with our policy of influencing the beings of Earth, so that they might come to me without direct proof, without direct influence, isn’t that right?”
Aniu sighed again. “Yes it is lord.”
The being shook his head. “What has happened to you Aniu? You were created with the purpose of leading the wolves of the world. You were given insight into your creation, and you preformed well there. Even after you were killed on Earth I made you my representitive there, gave you an extreme responsibility that none other has ever received, and yet still you decide to defy me. Why Aniu, have you a reason?”
Aniu sighed and shook her head. “No Lord… I… I have no excuse.”
The being nodded. “…very well, though it pains me to so this, it is something that must be done. Insubordination among my ranks is inexcusable, and an example must be set. Pay attention Aniu.”
The light faded to a bearble level, and Aniu looked straight ahead, focusing her gaze on a large ruby embedded into the lectern near it’s base.
“Aniu of the Talbourne clan, you have lived your life and it has ended. You did so with great success and were appointed as my personal representative to the beings on Earth, a capacity which you
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