this cave, and that Aleu had them killed.”

“What?” Dash asked. “That… that doesn’t sound like Aleu.”

Talkeet nodded.

“I know, that’s what I thought too, but…”

Dash interrupted his son.

“Wait, if they’re such great people, why did they take you prisoner?”

Talkeet looked around.

“I said I escaped because Shadow was nearby, I didn’t escape…”

“Then how…” Dash said.

“He let me go.”

“What?” Dash asked.

“I know,” Talkeet said, “I wonder the same thing, why would he do that…. unless he was telling me the truth.”

Dash shook his head.

“I can’t believe that Aleu would do that, it’s not her.”

“Wolves change, especially in positions of power.” Talkeet said.

“What are you saying?” Dash asked, a guarded tone entering his voice.

“I.. I don’t know, now, I will soon, and then…”

Talkeet sighed.

“Dad, if it’s true, I don’t think I can fight for her anymore…”

“Talkeet…” Dash started.

He paused, as he was unsure of how to continue.

“… I think it would be best if you kept these thoughts to yourself. They are extremely close to treason.”

Talkeet looked at the ground.

“You know how Shadow is, he won’t care if it’s you….”

Talkeet nodded.

“Dad, I’ve got to know.”

Dash sighed.

“Talkeet…”

“I’m going to go talk to her.” Talkeet said.

“Don’t do anything stupid.” Dash said.

Talkeet nodded, and walked away, leaving a very stunned Dash standing on the shelf alone…

Chapter 5

It didn’t take Talkeet long to make the climb to Aleu’s chambers.

He stood outside, and scratched on the rock wall.

“Who’s there?” Aleu said.

“It’s me, Talkeet, I need to talk to you.”

Aleu appeared in the entrance to the chamber.

“Oh Talkeet, I was so happy to hear that you were okay, come in.”

Talkeet walked into the middle of the chamber, and sat down.

“Aleu, I… I need to ask you something…”

Aleu walked over, sat beside him, and smiled.

“What is it?”

“Well,” Talkeet began, “I was told something, by Daie, while I was at the Uniea’s cave, that disturbed me greatly, and I feel that I must talk to you about it.”

“What is that?” Aleu asked.

“Well,” Talkeet started.

“Daie told me that he sent messengers, pleading for peace, and that you had them killed…. Is that… is that true?”

Aleu smiled.

“Talkeet, they weren’t messengers of peace, they wanted surrender.”

“And you had them killed?” Talkeet asked.

Aleu sighed.

“I didn’t want to, but everyone of them we can take out here means one less that might kill you or a member of the team.”

“So it’s true… he was telling the truth.” Talkeet said quietly.

“Talkeet, they didn’t want peace,” Aleu said, “they wanted surrender, didn’t you hear me?”

Talkeet looked somewhat angry.

“Isn’t that about the same thing? Wouldn’t that mean an end to the fighting, and dying?”

“Well… yes, it would, but at what cost?” Talkeet, if we surrendered, it would make the Talbourne cease to exist. We’re the oldest clan of wolves on the face of the earth. I can’t, and won’t be responsible for letting that happen, certainly not to the Uniea.”

“He was right then.” Talkeet said, “my god… he was right about everything.”

“Talkeet, what are you saying?” Aleu asked.

Talkeet really did look angry now.

“I’m saying that you’ve allowed your pride to drive you down the dark path, and that you’re not concerned about the well being of us, of the pack, but yourself, maybe not even your own family.”

“Talkeet…” Aleu said.

Talkeet cut her off.

“Aleu, I… I don’t think I can fight for you anymore, I don’t… I don’t agree with you, the well being of those who serve you, those who have promised to give their very lives for you, should be he most important, not the clan, or it’s heritage.”

Aleu had no idea what to say, and was struck speechless by his words.

Finally, she regained the ability to speak.

“Talkeet, what you are saying, is dangerously close to treason, be careful, I don’t want to see anything happen to you.”

“You don’t care about me.” Talkeet said, “if you did you would have stopped this damn war.”

She shook her head.

“Talkeet, I’m afraid it just isn’t that simple.

“It should be.” Talkeet said. “It could have been. Maybe we need a new leader.”

Aleu took a step back.

She didn’t know what to say.

She tried to meet Talkeet’s gaze, but dropped her head when she made contact with his eyes.

They were ice cold, and filled with…

“With what?” Aleu thought, “hatred?”

Aleu hesitated before she spoke again.

Talkeet, don’t let Shadow hear this, you know how he is about things like this.”

She sighed.

“I won’t tell him, you can go, just be careful.

Talkeet looked at Aleu with a mixture of

disappointment and rage.

He turned and walked out.

A tear ran from Aleu’s eye.

She waked over and looked at her children, Sheik, Lima and Thunder.

She never expected to have to defend herself against Talkeet, could she even do it?”

“I don’t know.” Aleu thought. “he’s one of the best fighters in the pack, possibly even better than Shadow.”

Shadow stepped out of the shadows.

He walked brusquely over to Aleu’s side.

“What are you doing here?”

Shadow started to follow Talkeet.

“Shadow?”

Shadow didn’t stop walking.

“I’ve got to take care of this.”

Aleu ran in front of Shadow.

He stopped.

“Aleu…. move.”

Aleu shook her head.

Shadow tried to go around her.

Aleu stepped in the way again.

“Aleu…”

“No,” Aleu said, “please Shadow, don’t do this, let him think about it, he’ll come around.”

Shadow sighed.

“Aleu, he won’t, you saw the look in his eye… he’s not going to stop.”

Shadow tried to go around her again.

Aleu darted in the way.

“Shadow please, Dash…”

“…will understand.” Shadow said. “I don’t know what happened to Talkeet out there, but he’s not the wolf he was when he left.”

Aleu shook her head.

“I don’t care. I won’t allow you to kill him.”

Shadow got almost angry looking.

“Aleu, he’s turning against the pack. He knows too much about the cave and our routines for him to defect, I can’t allow that. I’m the head of Security, and this is not your call to make.”

Aleu too looked angry.

“Not my call to make huh? Well, I thought I was the Alpha, that makes me... leader, right? So every freakin call is my call.”

Shadow shook his head.

“You’re allowing feelings to cloud your judgment.”

“Well, excuse me for having feelings for my family. I’m sorry I’m not the cold blooded murderer you are.”

Shadow took a step back.

Aleu sighed.

“Shadow… I’m… I’m sorry, what’s wrong with us? We never fight like this.”

“Yeah,” Shadow said, “I… I guess that this situation has gotten us all tensed up.”

Aleu nodded, and nuzzled him.

“I’m sorry.”

He nodded.

“Me too.”

She laid her head on his shoulder.

“But, please Shadow, talk to him first, you… you don’t have to kill him just yet do you?”

Shadow sighed.

“It would be best… but I’ll talk to him first.”

Aleu smiled.

“Promise?”

He licked the side of her face.

“Promise.”

She smiled.

“Thank you Shadow.”

“…but if he goes any more to the other side, and I mean one more statement, I’ll have to do what I have to do to keep you safe.”

Aleu nodded.

“As long as you give him a chance.”

Shadow smiled.

“I’m going to go talk to the team, get a messenger to Talkeet, tell him I want to see him in the meeting chamber.”

Aleu nodded.

“… and get the team there as well, everyone who is able.”

Aleu nodded again.

Shadow turned and began to walk away.

“Shadow…” Aleu said.

He stopped and turned.

“I love you.” Aleu said, a smile spreading across her face.”

Shadow grinned back at her.

“I love you too.” Shadow said. Then he turned back and walked through the exit.

Chapter 6

Dash walked toward the chamber entrance.

He’d been told that the whole security force was to gather in the meeting chamber for a special brief.

“I hope it’s