walked up to the side of him and sat down,"My body feels so weak," Max complained. Nava laid by him and put his paw on Max's back, Beauti sat beside him and licked his cheek, "Such a strong leader,I've never seen you act this way Maxie, you think it's frostbite?" Beauti asked, Max nodded slowly and felt snow drop onto his nose,"Looks like the storm is up for a secound go," Max said looking at the dark clouds in the sky.

Aniu walked along the snow, nose to the ground, looking for the hunting party. She'd walked a few minuets when the smell of fresh blood filled her nose.She looked up with sadness as she saw a wolf from her clan lying dead with a hole thru his heart next to a few dogs and a wolf whos family she'd befriended. Aniu sighed,"Mitsy won't be happy about this,"She said as she burried the bodies. Aniu sniffed around untill she caught the sent of her mate and what was left of the hunting party. Happy that they were alive, Aniu fallowed the sent as the snow fall increased as did the wind.

After a rest Max,Nava, and Beauti slowly began walking, searching for shelter out of the storm. "Is it just me or is the wind picking up?" Max half yelled as he tried his best to stay up against the winds increasing speed. "I can hardly see where we're going and can feel my paws freezing up if we don't find shelter soon we'll be three nature-made statues," Beauti joked. Nava growled, "You guys should spend less time joking and more time sniffing," Nava yelled before he took anouther big sniff, looking for shelter.Max growled weakly at the pup's comment but, he knew Nava had a point and walked slightly ahead of them with his nose to the ground. Max yelped as a new rush of cold was sent through his body. Sitting, he panted and shivered, trying to get back up. Beauti leaned her body against his and try her best to get him up, "Look old boy, I know how you feel the cold weather's getting to me to but, if we give up now we'll die, think of your pups and girl Maxie," Beauti pleaded. Max laid down in the snow and his eyes fought to stay open, "Beauti, I don't think I can make it girl, please tell Aniu and the pups I love them," Beauti felt a tear run down her muzzle as she shook the sadness that filled her heart, "Listen Max, your a reble, why, your the badest, the toughest, the strongest sled-dog I've ever know, now don't let a little storm like this throw ya," Beauti yelled as she and Nava pushed Max back onto his feet. Max coughed a few times and slid back down as he felt his legs weaking. The three of them knew, Max wasn't stroung enough to search any more, the storms had taken what was left of his strength. Nava looked at Beauti and both of them sighed, Nava leaned his head close to Max's ear and spoke,"Max, is there anything I can do for you before or after you leave this world?" Max raised his head and nodded, "Please, take care of my children, my mate and if we both shall leave this world before our time I want you to take my place as alpha," Nava and Beauti both gasped, "But....I'm to young to lead Max, I will have to be taught properly," "You've shown yourself worthy of and alpha, why, you remind me of my days when I lead a sled-dog team, besides, if you need help Beauti as well as any of the dogs,wolves, and hybrids in the clan will surly help you and thoes who don't will answer to Beauti," Max said with a laugh. Nava and Beauti joined in and they moved closer to Max trying to keep him warm. Max looked into Beauti's eyes and she blushed slightly, "I know we have our history Beauti, we've been through so much and been friends so long that I know your holding back tears trying to be strong and hoping I'll make it thru this run like I have every other. I've gotta tell ya, I wish I was home right now with the team and Aniu and the pups....I mean I've not even seen them walk nor heard them talk yet, I dought they know who I even am since I'm always hunting. But anyway, Beauti I want you to know your the best friend a dog could ever have....I love you Beauti," Max said as tears rolled down his eyes. Beauti sobbed as she felt Max's heartbeat slowing, "I love you to.... as much more then a friend I always have I always will," she said softly trying to hold back tears. Max licked her as he felt his body growing colder and his world slowly going dark, Nava and Beauti licked Max's face and Beauti whispered in Max's ear, "You can go now Max, we'll see you again some day,". Max smiled and closed his eyes, a few secounds later his heart stopped and body grew slightly colder. Nava and Beauti staied by his side and fell asleep.