afternoon Aleu, rest well?” a voice said. “Whose there,” she demanded! “Aleu I thought you would recognize me! Its me Raccoon,” said the voice. Now she remembered the voice. “Raccoon! Are you a prisoner too?” she asked hastily. “Me a prisoner? That’s a laugh, I was the one who brought you here!” “Jupiter?” No reply. “ I presume that you took Jupiter to another cave?” “ You learn pretty quick. And yes, I did. But I didn’t do it alone, I had a few friends to help me.” Aleu smelled of someone else with them in the cave. “ Go and keep watch at the cave entrance.” “Yes Raccoon,” the other wolf replied.

“So… mind explaining why you brought me here? And tied me up?” Aleu asked. Raccoon let out a laugh but then calmed down as fast as he had started laughing. “Don’t mind if I do. The first time we met is when you stepped off the ice sheet. And as the sun was setting, its glow reflected your beautiful golden eyes and your fur glimmered with flecks of red and rippled in the wind. You looked beautiful, so I had to have you. But than I saw you with that other wolf. I had to get to you before he did.” After hearing this, Aleu was speechless. “So this is all out of jealousy?” she asked finally. Raccoon sat there, still as a stone, and as silent as a tree. “But why? You don’t even know me!” “No, but I will,” he replied. “Oh? And how’s that?” came a voice from behind Raccoon. He stood and swung around to see who was the speaker. Fortunately, it was Jupiter! He had come to rescue her! He stepped boldly forward. “I thought you were out!” exclaimed Raccoon. I wonder why he was named Raccoon. “I was, but I came too, you didn’t hit me hard enough to knock me out cold though,” Jupiter said.

Suddenly, Raccoon jumped on Jupiter, but Jupiter easily threw him off. “I believe we were on our way to meet your pack leader?” Raccoon stood up and shook himself from the fall. And nodded, easily knowing that he was defeated. He led him out of the cave, only to find his two friends outside knocked out cold. Raccoon eyed Jupiter both enviously and angrily. “Well? Are we going or not?” asked Aleu. Raccoon nodded and lead them onward. This time it didn’t take so long to get there because they were so close. Finally! Aleu thought. Raccoon stopped and another wolf took the lead to their leader. Raccoon was right about one thing though, the leader was ill.

Aleu bowed to the leader respectfully. “I am Aleu, leader of the Gray Mountain Pack. You have called for us?” “I did. My name is Gemini. My name comes from the stars I was born under in case you were wondering. My lookouts tell me that you are new to the land.” “We are. We were following the caribou across the ice bridge.” “I see. Well I assume that my representative has told you the boundaries of our territories?” “He did. There is something you should know about Raccoon… he wants me. I don’t know why he is so jealous of Merlin. Could you explain this to me?” “No, unfortunately I cant. I don’t have a clue as to why. I am sorry, but since we have already went over the territories, I see no reason to keep you any longer.”

“Gemini, if I may,” said Jupiter, “Aleu and I do not feel safe with Raccoon, so may we know of another route home?” “There is a route not far from here and it will take you straight back to your pack Aleu. Near here, there is a Great Fir tree, you will see moss on its right side, take that side and follow it straight until you see a creek, when you get there, cross the creek and continue straight forward. When you get to a bush shaped like a crescent moon, turn left; you should be back at your pack at midday tomorrow, depending on your pace.” “Thank you Gemini, your kindness is endless, may we make one last request?” asked Aleu. “Ask away,” replied Gemini with a smile. “We haven’t eaten for a day now and need to rest. May we take a little of your food and rest here for a night?” “You may.” Grateful, Jupiter and Aleu bowed to Gemini and exited the cave, which he was resting, to look for their own place to rest and to feed for the night.

Ch: 6

Jupiter and Aleu found the Great Fir tree that Gemini spoke about that same day and followed it until they reached the creek. There they rested and caught only 2 rabbits. That was enough to sustain them until they got home. Here they rested throughout the night. Once Aleu awoke for a drink and tried to go back to sleep, but was unable to. So she gazed at the stars. “You often look at the stars Aleu, what troubles you?” asked Jupiter. This startled Aleu. “I thought you were sleeping!” “I was, but I had awakened to a draft on my right side, seeing that you were gone, I looked around and saw you near the creek looking at the stars.” “Oh. I was just thinking about my father and mother.” “Ah. Well if you feel any better I can teach you a few constellations.” “You can do that?” “Oh sure. My father taught me. Those three stars all in a row, that’s Orion’s belt, if you look closely, you’ll see his hand up above his head and his bow in the other. Above your head, up there, that’s Pegasus.” Jupiter noticed that Aleu yawned and decided that it was better if they both got some rest. “Thank you.” “For what?” “Teaching me and rescuing me.” Jupiter blushed crimson and was thankful that it was dark so she couldn’t see.

The next morning they came to the bush that Gemini had spoken about and followed it back to the pack. Everyone was overjoyed that their leader and friend had returned safely. Suddenly Merlin bounded out of the cave and jumped on Aleu. “Merlin! What a pleasant surprise!” “I missed you,” he said. “Oh? Why’s that?” asked Aleu. “Well, I… er… umm… I’m not really good at commitments… but will you be my mate?” asked Merlin and suddenly fell to the ground shaking with embarrassment and fear of Aleu saying “no”, so he put his paws over his eyes and waited. Aleu gave this some thought. “Yes. I will be your mate.” Merlin almost jumped up with joy. “Really!” “Yes.” Aleu smiled at him.

Raccoon looked up at the sky, the sun was setting and they sky was a strawberry red, with pink and gold. The gold reminded him of Aleu. I will have you Aleu, one way or another, he thought.

Aleu’s New Life (part two)

By: Wolf Cuz Luna

Ch: 1

Aleu was happy that she was back at home, where she had a mate, and a home. Her pack was happy with the spot that she chose, but one thing still haunted her. Raccoon. Will Raccoon try and steal her away from her pack and mate again? She hoped every day that he wouldn’t.

Frequently she gazed at the stars during the night. I wonder what Papa’s doing right now, she wondered. Aleu and Jupiter became great friends. He taught her some new constellations, and better ways on how to hunt prey, since she still was inexperienced, but she was getting the hang of it. “Aleu!” a voice called. She turned to see Merlin, her mate, bounding happily toward her. “Going hunting?” “Yep. Getting a little hungry. Want to come?” “Sure.”

They headed into the forest together and started searching for what was around. Aleu picked up a squirrel, a couple of moles, and a rabbit or two. “The pack was beginning to wonder when we would do some group hunting,” said Merlin. “Well, we need to find a caribou herd, where it is I mean, and then we can do some group hunting,” she replied.

Ch:2

Back at Gemini’s pack, Gemini summoned Raccoon, his representative. “Our latest visitor has told me that you wanted her,” Gemini said. “Why do you want her so badly?” “Well, you see Gemini, when she stepped off the ice sheet, she looked gorgeous. I knew if I got to know her, she would be able to like me as I liked her,” Raccoon said. Gemini was silent for a time, thinking over the possibilities. His sky blue eyes looked off into the distance. “OK, Raccoon, I will let you go, there is no reason for punishment,” he said finally. Gratefully, Raccoon got up and bowed before Gemini, and left his cave.

Upon a boulder, overlooking the river, he watched the clouds go by and thought of Aleu again. I have to go and see her, he thought. With that, he jumped off the boulder, and trotted off to the woods, where the territory lines were shared.

Ch: 3

In the woods, Aleu and Merlin laughed at their funniest moments, they talked about how great life has been, and what they had caught in the last few days. “Oh Merlin, I had such a great time!” “I did too,” he replied as they started walking back to the cave, not knowing someone was watching them.

As they entered the cave, Aleu was surprised to see the pack members already assembled inside. “Well, I wasn’t exactly expecting to have a meeting, but I have an announcement to make, something that would make you all very excited. But first we need a scout, someone with sharp ears and sight. Anyone want to volunteer?” Some males raised their paws, a few females did tool. This was going to be a little difficult to decide. Than she spotted Frost Paws. He had frosty white paws, which gave him his name; he also had a great nose, ears, and sight. “Ok, how about, Frost Paws, how soon can you leave to scout for the