“ So you wanted Aleu? This is done out of jealousy?” When Raccoon didn’t answer, Merlin got the answer. He felt like the luckiest wolf in the world!

Gemini arrived at Aleu’s camp again and this time, with new eyes. “ Have you had a dream about Aniu?” he asked before she spoke a new greeting to him, but immediately closed her muzzle when she heard the words “dream” and “Aniu”. She nodded. “What did she tell you?” “She told me to let the cunning wolf inside me free, then I can save Merlin,” she replied. Gemini nodded. “I too had the same dream. It must be a message from Aniu herself.”

Aleu told Gemini her plan. Her plan was to have Merlin escape and hide in the woods while she tried to escape the next day and join him. Then Gemini could hold a trial for any charges that Raccoon has committed. “You see Gemini, I have nothing against Raccoon, or love. But he could be a danger to himself, Merlin, and myself.” “I agree. And I think that this is a workable plan, but I think you should have some sort of backup plan, just in case this one fails.” “Yes I know. But that one if for my pack and I. What I need from you is a spy. I will try and trick Raccoon into giving up every detail of his plot.” “Very well. And this is a brilliant plan.” He turned to choose the spy from his pack and turned, “May Aniu be with you.” “And also with you.”

As Gemini turned and trotted back to his territory, Aleu turned and ran back to hers. She quickly informed her pack of her plan. “Now we need everyone in stations. Everyone in their station will have to keep an eye out for Merlin, just in case if any other wolf happens to jump him. The middle station will have to keep Merlin near a small pool of water, there I’ll meet him and bring him home. If I don’t return, take Merlin back to the cave and have a strong fighter come and pin Raccoon down, so I can escape, with the other wolf with me.” Everyone nodded in agreement to the plan. Now, it is time to figure out everyone’s stations.

Raccoon finally heard Aleu’s reply. She was going to come and get him, alone. He turned to Merlin and grinned. “See! I told you that she would come and get you.” But there was more here then even Merlin himself didn’t know. Raccoon exited the cave and went to the top of the highest hill, there he saw Aleu waiting for his response. He howled to her that he would meet her at the south border. She howled back in agreement.

Ch: 8

Aleu went to the south border and waited for Raccoon. Everything’s in order, she thought. Finally, Raccoon came. He walked over to her with a grin on his muzzle. She tried to look as quizzically as she could. Raccoon took the bait and thought she didn’t have a plan. She greeted him with a “Where is Merlin!” “Oh he’s safe. Just follow me, I’ll take you to him.”

Aleu followed him and came to a cave. There lying at the far wall, was “Merlin!” She ran over too him and looked a him. He was sleep deprived, hungry, and when he tried to speak, all she heard was a raspy voice. “Its ok Merlin, I have you now,” she whispered quietly so Raccoon wouldn’t hear. Aleu tried to put on her act. She looked at Merlin again and gave a snort of disgust. “I don’t know what I ever saw in you. Your weak, you cant even survive 3 days without food or water. How pathetic.” She looked over at Raccoon and saw the astonished look on his face.

“Well, I guess I have no further use for you Merlin,” he said. Aleu stepped in front of him and asked, “Maybe I should kill him. After all, I was his old mate.” She said with a grin. Raccoon nodded and stepped away. Aleu turned to Merlin and put on, I’m just kidding, eyes and she saw a sudden light in his eyes. She bent down, made it look like she was going to bite his neck, and whispered “Run, go and meet one of the pack stations, there here to rescue you.” Merlin’s eyes understood. When she looked like she dove down to kill him, he suddenly, with new strength, leaped up and ran out of the cave. Raccoon turned to chase him until Aleu’s voice stopped him. “Let him go, he wont last a day out there in his condition.” Raccoon nodded and walked over to her

“So… what made you change your mind about Merlin?” “He’s just not my type.” She replied. “I’m tired, I am going to rest outside in the sun.” But this time, Raccoon didn’t let her pass. “Oh I think there are many matters we should discuss. Oh like having a family,” a smile crept over his face and a gleam in his eyes. Uh oh, not a good conversation, come on Aleu! Think. You have to get out of here and join Merlin! “Not now Raccoon! I am tired from the trip.” She said it with as much force as she could. “You can rest in here, the sun is quite warm today,” he said. With that, Aleu laid down and closed her eyes. She prayed that everything would go ok.

Merlin ran all the way to the border and waited for Aleu there. He also saw Frost Paws. He knew that he saw him because he wagged his tail. Merlin wagged back to show that he knew what was happening.
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Three days had passed and Merlin hasn’t seen Aleu at all. Not even a yelp. So now Frost Paws finally came over and told him that they were to go back to the cave. On Aleu’s instructions. By then, they would choose to see who would go and rescue Aleu.

Aleu was still in the cave and wasn’t able to leave. Raccoon was beginning to suspect something, but wasn’t able to place it.

It was day four when all of the sudden, they heard a loud roar! It was Merlin! Immediately Aleu knew that he was her rescuer. But she never would have guessed that it would be her own mate! What a surprise. Merlin leaped and attacked Raccoon. Raccoon flipped Merlin onto his back pinning him down to the ground. “GO ALEU! GO NOW!” he yelled. Aleu got up and started running to the borders, once she was in her territory, she would be safe. Merlin threw Raccoon off of him and chased after Aleu. They both ran for the border at top speed, with Raccoon at their heels.

Finally in a burst of energy, they both made it out of the woods into their own territory. They rejoiced and licked each other and hugged each other! They were so happy to be back together.

Back in Gemini’s pack, Gemini was holding a trial for all the crimes that Raccoon had committed. “Raccoon, you are charged with wolf napping, ransom, and blackmail. How do you plea?” Asked Gemini. “Guilty your honor,” he responded honestly. “Then your sentence shall be reduced to 4 years in the mountains. You will never threaten any other pack to kill so that you could have a mate. You are hear by exiled out of the pack until then.” Gemini judged. With that, Raccoon got up and walked out of the cave. He looked down, not wanting anyone to guess what his sentence was.

The next day, Gemini had howled that Raccoon would not be a problem any longer to them. “Aleu, I don’t know how to thank you,” said Merlin. “With so much at stake, you still came to rescue me.” “Well why wouldn’t I? You’re my mate after all. Anyway Merlin… I think it’s time we try and start a family,” said Aleu. She blushed slightly. Merlin looked at her with surprise and awe. She still loved him. And he loved her back.

THE END