nodded silently, her ears already focusing on someone behind her.

“And just what do you think you’re doing, Sadera?” Steele demanded as he pushed his way past her. Swatting the meat out of Jenna’s reach, he turned to face Sadera, expecting to see her quivering as most others did when he unleashed his anger on them. To her surprise, she was holding his glare with just as much intensity.

“I’m bringing her food. She hasn’t eaten in days, and some of us still have honor in our hearts.” Steele’s lips curled back into a snarl and his canines glinted in the dim light that filtered in from outside.

“She is not to receive any more sustenance of any kind,” he growled, “Do you understand me?” Sadera straightened

“I will not stand by and watch as one of our sisters is starved to death!” she growled.

“You’re coming dangerously close to the cliff your sister found herself on, Sadera,” Steele warned menacingly, “but I’m still giving you a chance to change your ways.”

“I’m not the one that needs to change, Steele. You are.”

“You will mind your place!” he shouted, striking her hard across the face. Sadera simply took the blow and turned back to face him.

“If you are wise, Steele, you will leave this pack now,” she snarled, “In doing so, you may retain an inkling of your honor, if you ever had any to begin with.”

Steele was stunned speechless. No one had ever stood up to him before, certainly not when he had the power of an entire wolf pack behind him. He had done away with Vanuk and a few others, he had even eliminated Sena, but Vanuk had been hated by everyone, and the others had been covered up. There was no way he could get rid of Sadera without attracting a lot of unwanted attention. Angry and frustrated, he shoved his way past her and snarled over his shoulder,

“I’m not finished with either of you. You’ll be seeing me.” Sadera snorted in response and padded up to the discarded section of meat. After picking it up and placing it back in front of Jenna, she lay down a short distance away and waited as Jenna gobbled down every last morsel.

“So,” she said finally, “who is this mate of yours?”

“Balto?” Jenna replied, “How did you know?” At this, Sadera hung her head.

“Sometimes I, uh, hear you crying for him when Steele isn’t with you.” There was a long moment of silence before Jenna replied.

“Well, a while back there was a terrible sickness in a human town called Nome, where I live with my girl and her family. It wasn’t long before she caught the disease, and I was scared to tears for her life! On the night she went to the hospital, Balto came and offered to help me find out what was wrong…”

It was late that night when Jenna finally finished her tale. She sighed and laid her head down to rest.

“I should go, before I’m missed at roll call,” Sadera said, getting to her paws, “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try to occupy Steele tonight. With any luck, he won’t come to you.”

“Thank you,” Jenna whispered, “for all the risks you’re taking.” Sadera nodded and left. Outside, she was slightly surprised to find two guards sitting quietly on opposite sides of the entrance.

“This female doesn’t sound so bad,” one of them said softly.

“Yeah,” agreed the other, “what’s Steele want with her anyway.”

“Hold your tongues!” whispered Sadera. They obeyed, and she listened for a moment to detect anyone who might be listening. Hearing nothing to arouse her suspicions , she replied hastily under her breath. “From what she’s told me, he’s jealous of her mate, that’s all you need to know. Now don’t ever let Steele hear of this.”

“Yes ma’am,” they whispered in response, straightening their posture and regaining their composure.

“Good,” she said softly, “May Aniu protect you.” Sadera crept out into the clearing and, curling up amongst the off-duty members of her Nemec’s unit, fell fast asleep.

The next morning, she rose with the sun and went to the river for a drink. As she bowed her had and lapped at the rippling water, she scented six of her wolves behind her. She spun around and, sure enough, there they were a few steps behind her. Slowly, they made their way toward her.

“What is this?” Sadera demanded, backing away.

“On Steele’s orders,” one of them said, “you are to be killed.”

“On what grounds?” The six were silent. “I know you, all of you. Why are you doing this?”

“Forgive us, Sadera,” another said with a tone of regret, “We didn’t want to, but Steele will have our families killed if we don’t.” Sadera felt cool water lap against the back of her rear paws and knew that she had run out of room. The six wolves advanced further, baring their teeth as they formed a wall between her and escape. Sadera’s heart pounded as she glanced behind her at the swirling waters of the over flowing river, and then looked back at the six grim faces as they moved closer.

“Aniu, grant me strength,” she whispered, turning on her heels and leaping head first into the river. Immediately, she felt the strength of the current begin to pull her under, but somehow she fought her way to the surface. Her would-be executors were already well behind her, but through the trees she could still see them. Their heads hung low, they were already on their way back to the clearing, too full of shame to even look back.

Sadera turned her attention back to her fight to stay above water. Tree limbs and rocks jutted out into the river every now and again, but each time she thought she had a grip on them they would slip from beneath her paws. In no time, her body began to ache and she could barely remain afloat. With no strength left even to panic, she was certain that in a matter of moments, the water would consume her.

Suddenly, a warm female voice echoed in her mind.

“Fear not, my child. Let the water carry you.” Then, just as quickly as it had come, the voice was gone.

Though her entire body was close to collapse, she felt her strained muscles relax and her mind fill with peace. As her eyes were about to close, she suddenly felt earth beneath her. Lifting her head one last time, she found herself on the opposite river bank, more than an hour downstream from where she started.

“I’m alive,” she said weakly, lifting her muzzle to the heavens, “Thank you.”

With that, she fell into an exhausted sleep.

Chapter Nine

Steele stopped and surveyed his pack, gathered before him and looking expectantly back at him. He cast a glance at the sun, already dipping low in the sky, and then turned back to his pack.

“The reason I’ve called you all here,” he began, “is to inform you that Sadera is dead.” The crowd was silent for a moment, and then everyone began shouting questions at him. Steele chuckled softly to himself. “Now, now, calm down. I’ll take your questions one at a time.” The crowd quieted down as he pointed to one of the guards.

“You. What’s your question?”

“How did she die?” he boomed.

“She committed suicide by jumping into the deepest part of the river,” Steele supplied, “And you?” He pointed to another warrior.

“Who’ll take her place?”

“An excellent question. Until we can find a suitable replacement, I am assuming direct command of our Elite Guard as well as our new recruit corp. Any other questions?”

No one said anything.

“Very well, you’re dismissed.”

As the rest of the pack left to resume their previous tasks, Captain Nemec walked briskly up to Steele.

“They don’t suspect a thing,” he reported obediently.

“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, there is a pressing matter that demands my attention.” Nemec snickered and nodded as Steele padded off and disappeared into the prisoner cell. The privilege of power, he sighed to himself, He always likes to take his time with her. I wonder how long she’ll last. He found a soft spot place to lie down in the clearing and for a moment tried to sleep.

Just then, a wolf with dark brown fur padded up to him, and he instantly recognized one of those who had dealt with Sadera earlier that day.

“Yes Ishmael,” Nemec grumbled, “What is it?”

“Sorry to disturb you, sir. I wanted to speak with Steele,” the young male replied, “Do you know where I could find him?”

“No, now let me sleep,” Nemec grunted, laying his head back down.

“Yes sir,” Ishmael nodded, walking past him toward two wolves that seemed to be just coming off-duty. “Excuse me,” he said, “Could you tell me where Steele is?”

“He’s in there,” one of them supplied, nodding toward the cell,” but I’ll warn you he doesn’t like to be disturbed. He always sends us away when he goes in to talk to her.”

“This can’t wait,” Ishmael responded, setting off at a trot toward the cell. As he neared the entrance, he thought he heard someone crying inside. He stopped and inclined his ear toward the sound and sure enough there it was. Some one