took away my pack. I plan to give them what’s coming to them.”

“No,” Balto replied, standing up and looking Echo in the eye, “Your children need you alive. Going in there is suicide.”

“Then why are you going in?” Echo demanded, raising his voice.

“Because my only reason for living is being held captive by a band of crazed wolves that follow a raving lunatic who happens to be my worst enemy,” Balto shouted, his mind in no doubt as to what Steele would probably do to the love of his life. “Ever since Jenna and I had pups, I guess he’s gotten more jealous than ever,” Balto continued in a lower voice, his brow still arched in anger.

“Balto, there’s something else you should know,” Echo replied, “when you were still unconscious, Krystal volunteered to risk a journey to where Steele’s pack had last been…” Echo trailed off.

“Oh my… Did we loose her, too?”

“No, she’s back there with the pups,” Echo said, nodding back the way they had come, “but she found their old den site.”

“Wait, did you say old den site?”

“Balto, they’ve picked up and left. They’re gone.”

“ATTEN-SHUN!”

“Yes sir!,” the small army of wolves shouted, their muzzles lifted just high enough to reveal the pride filling their chests, but just low enough to appear different than when they howled. For that, that lifted their muzzles skyward and let go a wild victory howl. Steele grinned. Of all the wolves under his command, Sadera’s unit was the one he called on time and time again. They were loyal, sometimes to the point of sheer insanity. He nodded in approval.

“As you were.” They obediently resumed their former positions; some stood, while others sat down. “You have performed magnificently, and you’ve done everything I’ve asked with perfection. You soldiers are everything a leader could ask for, and more. So as of today, the third unit of the Dark Mountain Pack is no more.” He paused and looked for any response. Seeing none, he continued.

“Every single one of you is now a member of Dark Mountain’s Elite Guard.” He paused again to let his statement sink in. “And you are all being promoted to lieutenant. As for you, Captain…” He looked at his most trusted officer, and saw the scar across his left eye twitch in a rare display of fear. Steele grinned. It was good to keep everyone in the pack afraid of him, especially Nemec.

“I don’t suppose you have any objections to a promotion, do you… Colonel Nemec? You’ll be assuming command of this unit. Sadera will be promoted to my second in command.” The former captain sat speechless as all eyes turned to him. Steele laughed and said, “Well, don’t just sit there. How about some applause for your new colonel?” The clearing quickly erupted in cheers and howls as Nemec’s soldiers congratulated him on his promotion. “Colonel, why not go on a hunt to celebrate? I’m sure some of us haven’t eaten a decent meal in days.” Colonel Nemec nodded and Steele watched as he led his troops out into the forest.

Well, he thought, that should keep them busy for a while…

With that, he turned and padded over to a young white female sleeping in the clearing and nudged roughly her with his paw. She blinked awake and looked up at him.

“Sena, would you please come with me for a moment? I thought you might want to talk…about the son you lost.”

Balto had taken point, leading Echo, his three pups, Krystal, and Kaltag through the woods. Every now and then, he would stop to mark a tree inconspicuously, but he never stopped thinking about Jenna, and what Steele might be doing to her. Earlier, he himself had gone to Vanuk’s old den site, in the caves along a rock face, but the only trace of anyone was several weeks old. Now, Steele and his pack could be anywhere.

Echo sensed sorrow in his friend, but made no attempt to console him. His own hopes of finding Nevia and Resco, once optimistic, were fading with each passing hour. Visions of Vella, his soul mate, lying in a pool of her own blood continued to haunt the white wolf, and his month-old pups were still just beginning to understand what had happened. He sighed as he looked back at them, sleeping soundly on his back again. They would never be the same now, and neither would he. Echo absent mindedly cast his eyes to the sky, and nearly gasped when they fell upon a very familiar face hanging in the clouds and mist.

“Vella...” The apparition looked back at him, but before he could say another word, a gust of wind dissipated the image. Echo lowered his gaze, wondering if she had been trying to tell him something…

Krystal and Kaltag walked side by side, drawing strength from each other’s presence. Krystal, still filled with grief because of her parents’ deaths, was now worried for Jenna’s safety. Though she still questioned Aniu’s existence, she prayed that the wolf goddess would protect her, wherever she was.

Kaltag was beginning to worry about Krystal. Physically, she was fine, but mentally, she had very likely been changed forever. Still, they were together, and he would always be there to support her whenever she needed it.

Balto’s ears suddenly shot forward. Some one was approaching on four swift paws.

“Echo…” he said.

“I know,” Echo replied, “I hear it, too.” He set his pups down behind him and stepped up beside Balto as Krystal and Kaltag formed a protective ring around his children.

“Who’s there?” Balto said, his voice echoing through the forest.

“I should ask you the same question,” a voice replied. Balto and Echo turned to see a tan wolf emerge from the trees. “What are you doing on our land?”

“We mean no harm. We’re only passing through. If you’ll allow us, we’ll be on our way and out of you paws.”

“I can’t allow that. You’re in our territory without invitation, and now you must face the consequences.” As if on cue, four more wolves with fur colors akin to those of the surrounding trees stepped out of the forest on either side of him. Balto and Echo held their ground determined that if these new wolves were to attack they would not be allowed to reach the pups. As they approached, though, another voice called out to them.

“Stop.” The five wolves turned and lowered their heads as a silver female appeared from behind a tree.

“My eva,” one of the five began, “they crossed onto our land without permission. Shouldn’t we…?”

“Just let them pass through, I heard their story. If they…. Wait…” She narrowed her eyes and peered closer at the group. “It can’t be…. Echo? Balto?” Both instantly recognized the female.

“Cloud Runner.”

Sena cried out as Steele’s blow sent her to the ground.

“I gave you a chance, Sena, and this is how you repay me?” Steele demanded, “Now I hear rumors of a murdered black husky. Who have you told?”

“I haven’t told anyone!” she cried desperately.

“Liar!” he replied. Sena screamed as his claws left a deep gash in her side. “Who have you told?” he yelled.

“By Aniu’s breath, I’ve told no one! I swear- AAAA!” Sena screamed louder than ever as Steele tore at her chest. As her precious life blood seeped out into the snow, she tried desperately to crawl away, but Steele pounced on her, his claws digging mercilessly into her shoulders and neck. She choked and gagged beneath him, but Steele felt no remorse.

“Who…have…you…told?” he said. Sena, however, was beyond responding, the air cut off from her lungs for far too long. Enraged, Steele swung his paw down with all his might, crushing her skull in an instant. The last breath of life left the silver female, but her eyes suddenly glowed bright yellow and she spoke in a voice not her own.

“The blood you may wash away, but the deaths will never leave you. Do not think that you will not suffer for those you have murdered…Steele.”

Chapter Six

Cloud Runner sat back as Echo finished his tale. Though the sun had long since set in the Artic sky, a flash of anger reflected in her eyes.

“This Steele is a murderer, a lesal. I cannot begin to say how sorry we all are for your loss, Echo. Their lives were needlessly cut short.” Echo bowed his head. “You all are welcome to stay as long as you need.” She stood and padded over to the entrance to the cave and addressed one of the guards.

“Lieutenant, gather the pack. I’ll make my speech when they are here.” The brown wolf nodded and padded out into the forest, passing the word to each family’s den. Before long, the pack had assembled outside her cave, lying in a rough arch. Cloud Runner looked to Echo and the others. “Would you follow me?” The remains of Echo’s pack stood and gathered behind her as she spoke to her pack,

“Friends, brothers, sisters, a dark day has descended upon all of wolf-kind, for a terrible tragedy has befallen the pack of our friend, Echo.” She looked back at him for a moment, then turned and continued. “His mate…and most of his pack…are dead. Those you see behind me are all that remain of Echo’s pack.” At this, several wolves gasped