PART 2

Dusty wasn’t quite sure how long she was forced deeper into the forest but all she knew was that her owner was lying some where in the distance and just like her was far from home and all alone. Turning around when the wolves stopped she saw that more wolves turned to look at her all growling. One of them quickly ran up to the wolf with green eyes, ‘Striker you dare bring her here it is insulting our power.’ The wolf glared at Dusty who looked away.

‘Now, Now my Beta have I ever let you down?’ The beta stepped back away and shook his head.

‘Now put her in the den and make sure she doesn’t escape, we will ask her the questions tomorrow but as for now I need rest.’ Dusty watched as Striker walked away. The Beta watched after his leader before pushing Dusty over to a den in which Dusty quickly went down and watched as a guard was placed outside. Slowly she lied down, she was freezing, hungry and scared all she wanted was to go home, go back to Nome find Kodi and her owner so her life could go back to normal.

A small silver tear slid down Dusty’s face as she looked up at the den entrance seeing that a huge black wolf was standing there; she knew she couldn’t take him on and escape. She laughed to herself she couldn’t even handle a few dogs her size let alone a wolf almost twice her size. Her eyes lids slowly began to shut with tears swelling silently in her eyes as she fell asleep the snow storm outside only getting worse.

The sun seeped in through the den entrance as Dusty slowly opened her eyes and looked up towards the exit and for a moment she forgot where she was, she had hoped that yesterday was all a dream but to her sadness it wasn’t. ‘She’s awake!’ Dusty heard someone yell outside as she quickly backed away from the entrance hearing someone coming down.

‘Morning Dusty.’ Striker said smiling at Dusty who just growled low but didn’t say anything. ‘Won’t you come outside with me?’ He asked his green eyes flashing as he stepped away from the entrance. Looking at him Dusty decided she had no choice and that the crazed wolf might do anything to hurt her, at least outside in the light she could see better and be a little safer. As she walked past him she could feel his hot breath on her which made her shiver as she quickly came out of the den. She was thinking of making a break for it but once she out of the den but her idea was soon dashed when she noticed that she was again surrounded. Behind her Striker leapt out of the den shaking the dirt of his fur before turning to Dusty. ‘Now my dear you will tell me everything you know about the Southern Forest Pack.’ Striker cooed flicking Dusty with the side of his tail.

‘Listen to me I’m not a wolf, I’m a dog!’ Dusty said frowning as all the wolves around her laughed.

‘Come now Dusty we went through this last night when we left your owner out in the cold….’

‘You left him to die.’ Dusty snarled stepping forward as Striker smiled.

‘Tell me about the pack what are their plans!' Striker suddenly yelled causing Dusty to step back in surprise.

‘I don’t live in a pack I’ve never heard of them before.’ Dusty said frowning. Striker growled low as he walked forward until he was only inches away from Dusty showing his sharp teeth right next to her face.

‘Tell me Dusty or I’ll kill you…’ For a moment Dusty thought about making up a story but she suddenly smiled to herself, if he was going to kill her any way she might as well taunt him as much as possible for leaving her new owner out for dead.

‘You know Striker even if I did know what you were talking about…’ Dusty said taking a step back and smiling ‘I’d never tell you.’ She growled low as Striker looked shocked.

‘I warned you Dusty…’ Striker said loudly as two wolves quickly ran forward beside Dusty blocking her escape. Watching him with her purple-blue eyes Dusty snarled she wasn’t going to go down without a fight. ‘Back away you two…’ Striker ordered as the wolves beside her quickly disappeared as the two began to circle each other. ‘You’re better off dead.’ Striker said jumping at Dusty who quickly ducked under him but he was too quick as he leapt around and was just about to bite down onto Dusty when he quickly stopped. Looking away from Dusty he looked over to see a black and grey wolf looking down at them. The wolf had one blue eye and one green one and a small dark grey fringe that hung down in front of his face but didn't block his eyes. He had a single white paw, and the tips of his ears where a light grey whilst his tail was split between black and grey. Dusty stood there transfixed at the wolf, she didn’t seem to be able to say anything.

‘You!’ Snarled Striker as he instantly leapt over Dusty towards the other wolf who quickly turned on his tail and ran into the forest. Glancing back at all the wolves around her Dusty noticed they were all looking after Striker and that this was when she saw her chance, she quickly jumped around and ran as fast as she could because if there was one thing Dusty knew how to do it was to run, she could run for hours but could the wolves?

Looking back Dusty could see a few wolves running after her but she knew they would tire quicker then her. As she was running she suddenly felt something grab her collar pulling her aside, Dusty gasped as she looked directly in the eyes of the wolf she had just seen. ‘Shhhh.’ He whispered. Looking around she noticed she was standing behind a huge tree whose roots where above ground creating an almost boulder like effect but out of wood blocking them from the view of the others. Hearing voices Dusty held her breath as she heard the wolves who were chasing her run past not even looking back at them. Breathing out Dusty quickly jumped away from the other wolf who was looking at her.

‘Who are you?’ Dusty growled looking at him, not trusting him even though he had just saved her life.

‘Names JD.’ He said walking past her as she looked after him.

‘Why did you save me?’ She asked quickly.

‘Because I’m a member of the Southern Forest Pack.’ Dusty’s ears perked up as she quickly walked beside him.

‘Do you know Cyprus?’ She asked.

‘I knew him…why…’ For the first time JD looked at Dusty and gasped. ‘You’re the daughter of Cyprus aren’t you?’

Frowning Dusty shook her head ‘My father is dead…can you show me where the town is?’

Jumping up on another tree root JD looked down at Dusty and shook his head smiling. ‘The town is over there from the land you just came.’

‘Thanks.’ Dusty said turning around starring to walk back the way she had come.

‘Heel!’ JD said jumping down right in front of Dusty who looked up at him. ‘If you go back their Striker will just catch you again.’

‘I have to find my owner…’ Dusty sighed sadly.

‘You’re a dog?’ JD said looking puzzled. ‘You can’t be.’

‘I’m sick of people telling me I’m not a dog because you know what JD I am!’ Dusty said looking at him as he raised an eyebrow as she turned around and began to walk away.

Suddenly JD ran up beside her making her stop. ‘If you’re going to persist then let me come with you.’

Dusty frowned ‘Look I’m fine…’ JD quickly jumped in front of her.

'Come back to my land with me and I promise I will take you home tomorrow safely so Striker doesn’t find you.’ Looking away and sighing Dusty shook her head.

‘How do know I can trust you?’

‘You don’t…’ JD said turning around and walking away leaving Dusty on her own looking back towards where Striker had just kept her prisoner the night before. If she went with this wolf then he could help her back to town she could find her old owner and go back to Nome, looking down at the ground Dusty knew that, that might be the only safe way home and to be honest she didn't know where exactly she was.

‘JD wait…’ Dusty called out as she turned around bumping right in to JD who was standing right behind her. ‘I’m coming with you.’ She said looking away.

‘Great now quickly follow me Strikers guards will be back soon.’ Turning around JD began to run away, for a moment Dusty watched him before quickly following him.

They seemed to run for hours with neither of them saying anything until JD broke the silence. ‘If you’re a dog how did you know about the Southern Forest Pack?’

‘I just heard Striker talking about them that’s all.’ Dusty said quickly. ‘He also said there was a war going on between you and them?’

‘A war has waged many years between us but I’m not the right person to tell you that, wait till we reach my pack.’ Nodding Dusty followed JD until they reached a small river which they quickly jumped across as they both slowed down. ‘Welcome to the Southern Forest pack.’ JD smiled looking at Dusty who looked up at him before they both walked in to the territory.

It wasn’t look before the two came across a group of wolves who were lying down in the sun but they quickly looked over at Dusty who kept close beside JD, she was still a little worried it was another trap. ‘Look what the wolf’s dragged in.’ One of the wolves said sarcastically as he laid back down.

‘Come on now don’t be like that, I found her captured by Striker and his pack.’ JD said rasing an eyebrow and looking at the other wolf.

‘The whole idea of you going there is to spy for us not to save every single wolf you see.’ Another said as they walked over and looked down at Dusty.

‘I’m not a wolf, I’m a dog.’ Dusty said frowning but the other wolf didn’t seem to notice.

‘Where’s the Alpha?’ JD asked looking past the other wolf.