VOICES:

-Buck: Mark Harmon (younger voice)

-Ataneq: Jack Nicholson

-Kaya: Sasha Alexander

-Balto: Kevin Bacon

-Steele: Jim Cummings

    I was dead… at least that’s what I thought at first. But dead wolves weren’t supposed to feel pain, and I was feeling it in the back of my head and my chest. I sat up, realizing that I was in the pack’s cave. Dots danced in front of my eyes and my head spun. I groaned and set my head down on my paws. What happened?

Flashbacks raced through my mind and I gasped, remembering the gash down my chest. I looked down but it was all closed up. I guess I was going to be okay after all… where was everyone? No food lay on the den floor and no one was watching me.

Did I start a fight?! Was Kaya okay?! What about Ataneq?! Someone entered the cave and toenails clicking on the den’s floor told me I was going to get my answers soon. Ataneq, head low and tail brushing the ground, entered first. Kaya followed after, sniffling and eyes glistening.

 “What happened?!” I demanded. Ataneq and Kaya both jumped and looked as if they had seen a ghost.

Ataneq blinked but Kaya threw herself at me, licking me across the face again and again.

“Easy, easy EASY! OW! Kaya!”

            “Sorry” she said shyly, blushing.

                        “We thought you were dead” Ataneq said, expression unreadable.

He nuzzled me. I knew he had been through a lot since my grandmother, Sage had died from disease. This probably hadn’t helped.

                        “I’m just glad you’re alive. We should tell the pack before they dig your grave” he chuckled exiting the den. “Or else we’re still going to bury you”

I laughed dryly and gulped. Only Ataneq would say something like that at a time like this. Kaya got up to leave with Ataneq and I got up to follow. But my legs wouldn’t cooperate. They shook and I crashed into the side of the cave. What was wrong with me?! Ataneq and Kaya rushed back as I frustratedly tried to make my body do what I wanted it to do.

“I’m fine! I’m fine!” I growled.

            “You need to stay here and heal. Do you know how badly you were hurt?!”

I lay back down with a sigh. Ataneq wasn’t going to let me out without a fight and that was the absolute last thing I wanted to do ever.

Ataneq, Talon or sometimes, Kaya faithfully brought me food as the next two weeks dragged by slowly. I wasn’t completely healed, but I was through with sitting around and doing nothing!

            “Just don’t reopen the cut, okay?!” Ataneq said as I pushed past him.

“Yeah, yeah” I replied not really listening. The air was fresh and it was snowing gently; the good kind of snow.

I wasn’t out for five seconds before the pack rushed over to me. I never thought I’d be missed that much… and more surprised that no one had told me how stupid I was to go looking for a fight I knew I couldn’t win. Kaya pushed her way through and nuzzled under my chin.

One of the other wolves made a whistling noise.

                        “What!? You’ve never seen a wolf nuzzle another one before?” She snapped.

Ataneq approached and I knew what he was going to ask before he even opened his mouth.

“It’s my turn to scout” I said.

Ataneq blinked and shook his head no.

            “You’re still healing… anyone else?”

“I’m fine!” I argued, jumping back in front of Ataneq. “I missed my turn for two weeks and Kaya can help me! Right Kaya?”

                        “It has been kind of boring doing nothing….”

Ataneq looked at me, muttered something about my father then gave in.

            “You scout the north side”

It figures, nothing exciting ever happened over there.

“Let’s go Kaya” I said, before Ataneq could change his mind.

I ran off with Kaya in hot pursuit. The north side of our territory was the easiest to protect: all you had to do was sit at the edge of a cliff and look over a flat stretch of land. You could spot anyone from miles away. I parked myself at the edge and lay down. Kaya sat down next to me.

“Look, I’m really sorry about that whole fight” I started, tucking my ears back.

Kaya was silent, not sure what to say.

“It’s my fault. I went looking for him and I thought I could beat him. I wanted revenge…”

“It doesn’t matter any more. You’re still alive and that’s all I care about right now”

She looked away so I couldn’t see her face and stared out over the territory. We sat there in silence until the sun’s yellow glow stopped illuminating the snowy sky. Our shift over, we turned and returned to the den. Ataneq greeted us with good news.

“The scouts from the east border said that Boss is gone. His territory is empty”

Relief washed over me. I never wanted to see him again. Forget about revenge. I was lucky I got away with a scar down my chest. Because of him, I never wanted to fight again. But Ataneq, being over protective as always, wanted to assure my safety.

                        “By the way, no one is to tell anyone outside the pack that Buck is alive. We don’t want any unwelcome packs here again. And you” Ataneq said, turning to me “Cannot go anywhere alone”

 “Well, Kaya can be my body guard!” I exclaimed.

“You’ll need more then Kaya. We’re traveling back west” the alpha replied flatly.

Now that I thought about it, food was getting kind of scarce, and I was sure that’s why Boss and his pack had left.  

            We all woke up earlier then usual, but it wasn’t as bad since spring was on the way. There was a light snow, but it was slushy and the air was warmer. As promised, Ataneq sent two wolves to guard me; the usual Kanut and Cikuq who were best at being bodyguards. The mild wind played with our coats and kicked up the sweet scent of caribou. My mouth started to water just smelling it. But after a long journey that lasted a few days, the pack was too tired to hunt, and dug little saucers in the snow that crusted overnight to sleep. I couldn’t blame them. I dropped to the ground just as tired, but I hadn’t even closed my eyes before Kaya shook me awake. I perked my ears and listened to the two white wolves whisper.

                        “He’s asleep. He’s not going to go anywhere any way”

            “Yeah but ……” Kanut yawned widely. “…….Ataneq would kill us”

                        “Well, I’m just going to take a quick nap. Just wake me up if you need me”

The Kanut started to object, but was too tired to fight. As Cikuq nodded off, Kanut muttered enviously under his breath. But not two seconds after his brother had laid down, Kanut’s head nodded and soft snores rose up.

“Lets go!” she whispered excitedly.    

 “Iwannasleep” I mumbled.

            “Oh come on! You haven’t been yourself since Boss beat you up”

“He beat the adventure right out of me Kaya” I grumbled. “He did beat the tiredness back into me though”

            “I think he beat the fun out of you too” Kaya snorted.

Now that I couldn’t take lying down! I got to my feet but Kaya bounded out of tackling distance, luring me into a chase. As soon as we were both out of earshot, we broke into a run. I had to admit, after being cooped up and calm for so long, the wind in my face and the cold air sending shivers down my spine felt refreshing.

“It’s so good not to be observed” I sighed.

“Yeah, I’ll say!” Kaya snorted.

“It’s so… stuffy and uncomfortable”

“I can help!” she said, tripping me.

I fell flat on my face but tumbled back up. Three weeks ago, I would have never fallen for that, but three weeks ago, I hadn’t met up with Boss. Kaya stopped and looked over her shoulder. I galloped after her, stretching my legs out. I growled playfully and snapped at her. But something caught my attention. I sniffed the ground feverishly, trying to remember what had happened here and looked around. Kaya spun around and raced back.

“What is it!? Is there someone