the thud of attacks landing, howls, and yelps of pain filed the air.

It was the sound of battle, and quite a battle this was.

Talkeet’s unit was getting killed, literally.

Talkeet thought back to how strong he’d been in the attack to save Rayne.

“One more time? Could it really hurt?” Talkeet thought.

He didn’t think so.

Talkeet began to fight, using his anger, at the deaths that had been caused, and the fighting around him…. this war, to get stronger, and faster than he’d ever been, ever thought possible.

He was a red blur of slashing paws and snapping teeth.

Soon, the fight was over, and the Uniea unit, or what was left of it anyway, fled through the woods.

Talkeet was breathing hard.

He looked around him.

Once again he didn’t remember fighting, but there were over fifty dead wolves piled around him, and his chest and face were covered in blood.

“God,” Talkeet thought, “I’ve… I’ve done it again…”

Talkeet turned to his unit.

“Get inside the cave.” He said.

The wolves obeyed, and Talkeet walked over to a small stream that ran beside the cave.

“Water,,,, calm….” Talkeet thought. “… Purposeful…. Determined…. Powerful.”

He washed himself off, and turned around.

He heard…. cheering.

The entire pack was standing outside the cave.

And at their head?

Dash and June stood.

June took off running over to him.

She ran into him, and knocked him to the snow.

June licked his face and nuzzled him.

“Talkeet! I… I thought I’d never see you again!”

“Mom!” Talkeet said. “Come on, don’t do this, not in front of everyone.”

Dash walked up then and laughed.

June let Talkeet get up, and he walked over to his dad.

Talkeet saw a tear roll out of his father’s eye.

“It’s good to see you son.”

Talkeet smiled.

“You too dad, hey where’s….”

Talkeet froze, as Rayne stepped out of the pack and walked over to him.

All cleaned up, she looked even better than before.

“Hey,” she said, “you made it!”

Talkeet smiled and nodded.

Rayne stepped forward, and laid her head on his shoulder, nuzzling his neck.

She lifted her muzzle until it was right under his ear.

“Talkeet,” she whispered, “I’m sure now.”

Talkeet smiled, and nuzzled her back.

The crowd cheered again, and the two parted.

Perhaps you’d like to introduce me to your… ah… friend.” Dash said.

“It’s a long story dad,” Talkeet said, as the four of them started to walk toward the cave.

Chapter Nine

The entire pack was assembled outside the cave.

Talkeet and Rayne stood inside, waiting for the signal from Aleu.

Aleu was talking, something about Talkeet’s brave actions, but the two of them couldn’t really hear it too well.

Rayne licked the side of his head.

“You did good Talkeet.”

“I suppose so.” Talkeet answered,

“Talkeet…” Rayne said, “how do you feel about pups?”

Talkeet took a step back, shocked at this turn of conversation.

“Well I suppose that… that would be great.”

Rayne smiled.

“Good,” she said, because….”

Rayne looked around at the two guards that were at the entrance.

She whispered something in his ear.

Talkeet took another step back, and now was really shocked, completely blown away.

“You mean you’re….”

Rayne smiled and nodded.

Talkeet swallowed hard.

“Well…” he said, “that… that wasn’t really planned for a while, but…”

He smiled.

“It’ll be wonderful.”

Rayne smiled and nuzzled him again.

Talkeet smiled.

“Wait till my dad finds out he’s going to be a grandpa.”

Rayne laughed.

Talkeet then heard his name called by Aleu.

He turned to Rayne.

“You ready?”

She nodded.

The two stepped out of the cave and walked up the center of the two groups of wolves.

Aleu stood on a rock at the end, along with Shadow.

Talkeet hopped up onto the rock, and waited for Rayne to do the same, then together they walked up to Aleu.

She smiled.

“Talkeet, son of Dash and June, Lt. of the fourth unit, member of the Talbourne clan. We are all gathered here today to recognize your brave and selfless actions regarding the war with the Uniea, and the rescue of Rayne, once of the Joeka Clan.”

Paused, and shifted her focus to the assembled wolves.

“Even when he was being tortured, put through the worst pain that I can imagine, he was still thinking of the well being of others. I have found this a trend with Talkeet, and am glad to honor him today.

She nodded at Talkeet, and Talkeet knelt down in front of her.

“I did only that which was my duty.” He said.

Aleu smiled.

“Rise and turn.” She said.

Talkeet stood up, and turned to the crowd.

They all cheered.

Talkeet smiled and walked down into the group.

Rayne smiled at him.

“I’m going to go tell Aleu what I just told you.”

Talkeet nodded.

She walked away.

Shadow stood in front of him.

“Talkeet, I saw what you did, how you won that battle… I don’t approve.”

Talkeet sighed.

“I did what I had to do.”

Shadow thought about this, and nodded.

“Just you be careful Talkeet, what you did was reckless, dangerous, and could lead to your downfall if not kept in check very carefully.”

Talkeet nodded.

Shadow sighed.

“Now that you’ve tapped into it once, it’s going to be like a drug, a constant temptation to use the power of darkness.”

Shadow’s face fell.

“You’re strong, but not this strong.”

He sighed.

“I’ll be watching you, please…. keep it in check.”

Talkeet nodded again.

He thought about what Shadow had said.

“Is it true.?” Talkeet thought. “Am I doomed now?”

He saw Rayne walking towards him and smiled.

No, he wasn’t doomed, he was just starting to live, and he would do what ever was necessary to ensure that his life kept following the track it was on right now.

He smiled.

Everything was too perfect for everything to go wrong….. wasn’t it?

To be Continued….

Watch for Part 3 of The Talkeet Trilogy: Father and Son, Coming Soon from Rotramel USMC!