a reason,’ right?”  

Lorna nodded. “Knowing Father, he would be out looking for Niju. Other than him still being a member of our Clan, I really don’t see what Father sees in him.” The light gray sighed. “He’s too late to be changed.” Just hearing Lorna say that made Aleu gasp. “He’s just too evil and black-hearted. I can understand why my sister wanted to make Niju her mate.”

“What?” Aleu shouted, quickly covering her mouth with a paw. “Is that for real?” She felt like telling her what Scarlet had recalled about Niju being Riza and Lorna’s older half-brother by a former Alpha of a rival Clan, but her judgment knew that now was not the best time for such things. 

“Yeah,” The light gray she-wolf continued. “Riza fell smitten for Niju during the last mating season, but she just couldn’t find the courage to confess her love. So ever since then, she became dedicated to serving Niju and became one of his highest servants . . . almost to the point of being his bodyguard, you could say.” She lowered her head in sadness. “She got so carried away with following Niju, working hard so that he could become the Alpha of the Kawa and she would be his mate. The closer she got to Niju, the more wicked she became . . . and it truly showed when she was around Mom and me. She abused me when I turned against her once in the summer, so that was when I realized that my sister, the one I had once looked up to, was no more.” She touched her cheek with her right paw, rubbing it up and down at a spot where pain remained although the markings of her abuse had vanished. “Ever since then, I decided to act childish around her instead of the serious and concerned sister that I really was. She just doesn’t understand what she’s really doing, all thanks to Niju.”

“I see,” Aleu nudged her in friendship and comfort. “I had sibling problems too, but they weren’t as complicated as yours are. I think that your sister is still there, but to you, you have someone else that’s more important to focus on right now.” She turned her attention to Dahlia. “She needs someone like you to stand by her side as she prepares to have her litter.” Once she noticed that Lorna had looked up at her with hopeful eyes, Aleu winked at her. “Don’t worry about Riza. I’ll find a way to make her happy again.” 

Lorna’s face turned into a smile. “Thanks, Aleu. You really are a true friend. I hope there is a way that things can be better once we find the caribou.”

“Yeah, I hope so too.” Aleu agreed as the two of them began to take a nap beside the lake. “I hope we can find them . . .” 

- - - - -

She was inside a cave . . . a cool, dark cave, just like the one that she first saw her spirit guide, Muru, in. Just like last time, her body was out of her control – walking forward into the dark center of the cave. 

She could hear a voice as she walked deeper into the cavern . . . Tonight . . . You must prepare for tonight, my child . . . It was a soft voice, one that she couldn’t recognize too well, but she had a feeling that she knew who it was.

“Aniu? Is that you?” Her own voice slightly echoed against the walls of the cave.  

The voice answered back. It is I, my child . . . I have been awaiting this chance to contact you like this, Aleu . . . Alpha of the Kawa Clan . . .

“How . . . how do you know my name?” The yearling’s eyes grew wide, shocked by the spirit’s knowledge. 

I know all about you, Aleu – first-born daughter of the half-wolf Balto and purebred husky Jenna . . . It was I who chose this destiny for you, after all . . .

“Wow . . .” Aleu’s eyes were wide, impressed by what the spirit knew about her family and past. “How’d you do that?” 

The spirit let out a cough, clearing her throat. That is not important right now . . . You must focus on tonight . . . tonight, you must prepare for what may happen . . .

“But what will happen?” Aleu, confused by the spirit’s ominous warning, asked. “What is to happen tonight that I should prepare for?” 

That, I cannot say . . . She replied; Aleu grimaced at the response, but she continued to listen carefully to the deity’s words. All I can say is that you must be strong . . . What will take place tonight will test your will and strength as an Alpha . . .

“Huh? Wha?” The yearling was still baffled. “I don’t understand! How will I know what to do?” Tears began to swell in her eyes. “I’m still so confused by everything you wish of me! Tell me! Please, tell me!” 

A swirl of misty fog formed in front of her, shape-shifting into her true form: a pure-white lupine with yellow eyes. She gazed at the surprised light-brown quarter-wolf and smiled. You will know what to do, Aleu . . . It’s naturally in your blood . . . I’m sure that you will have nothing to fear . . . Her snowy figure began to vanish back into the mist as Aleu began to try to stop her.

“Wait! Aniu! I still have so many questions to ask you!” She shouted back. “What about the caribou? Where are they? How long will it take for me to achieve this destiny?” 

Only the spirit’s warm voice could be heard now, encircling the young Alpha as she stood in bewilderment.

All will be answered in its own time, my child . . . Now, you must awaken and prepare for tonight . . . Tonight, your worth as Alpha shall truly be tested . . . Farewell, Aleu . . . Until we meet again, very soon . . . Very soon . . . 

Her final words echoed louder and louder as a sudden gust of wind pushed her out of the dark cave and through the entrance . . .

- - - - - 

Her eyes shot open widely as Aleu let out a gasp. She breathed hard, panting and trying to catch her breath. Once she had calmed down, she looked up, realizing that it was already early afternoon; she began to stretch as she searched for her companions. Lorna, who had fallen asleep beside her only moments earlier, was now talking with Scarlet and getting his approval to make a birthing den for Dahlia. Dahlia wasn’t asleep anymore – she had gotten enough strength to descend the rocky trails from her cave to the lake, where she was comfortably lapping up some cool water with her tongue. She was accompanied by a couple of older females like herself; they spoke their excitement of Dahlia’s upcoming delivery and of the rough winter they’d had so far.

But the words that Aniu had spoken in her dream haunted her, swarming about her mind as she began to walk towards the large waterfall that was still able to flow despite the freezing temperatures of winter. What did Aniu mean about my worth as Alpha being tested? She DID choose me to lead the Clan – I am ‘the one who is wolf and does not know’! Aren’t I worthy enough already? She thought, remembering the spirit’s words. ‘Prepare for tonight,’ she said . . . what could possibly happen tonight that would be worth such a warning? And how can I prepare for something that’s unknown? Aleu let out a sigh as she finally sat down by the edge of the falls. That Aniu really is mysterious . . . 

She watched how the thin streams of water flowed from the mountain above; her blue eyes lit up, relaxing her mind for a moment. Perhaps . . . I am already prepared . . . just the way I am right now. I think . . . I think I can . . .

“Aleu?” 

The Alpha’s ears pricked up at the sudden interruption, turning towards the voice. “Scarlet! It’s only you.” Aleu breathed a sigh of relief.

“Lorna told me all about digging the den for Dahlia,” Scarlet replied, then he quickly asked, “Oh, may I join you?” 

“Sure,” Aleu nodded as Scarlet sat down beside her. “So, what did you think about the plan?”

“I’ve already sent the Trio off to dig it. It’ll be about several yards from the shore but still within our territorial boundaries. They’re fast builders, so I expect it to be completed by sunset.” Scarlet replied. He remembered seeing the worry on Aleu’s face before he interrupted her seconds earlier. “Is there something else on your mind right now? You looked pretty worried and yet calm about something.” 

She lowered her head in silence, letting out a soft breath. She wanted to tell him about her dream and what Aniu had told her, but in the pit of her stomach, she felt afraid to do so.

“You know you can let me know about whatever is troubling you, Aleu,” Scarlet gently placed his head on top of her own, nuzzling her. “Maybe I can help you with whatever’s bothering you.” 

Just by hearing those words coming from his lips, she felt relaxed and knew that she could trust him with her visions. “Well,” Aleu began to speak softly. “I was asleep this morning after hunting and speak with Lorna when I had a strange dream. She . . . Aniu came to me.” With Scarlet listening carefully, Aleu recalled everything and every word that was in her vision from that morning.

“I see,” Scarlet responded afterwards. “Now I understand why you feel that way.” 

“But I’m still so confused!” Aleu gazed into the falling waterfall, her light-brown reflection mirrored back at herself as she spoke in a voice that made her almost break down. “I really want to do my best as Alpha, but I fear that something or someone will come along to take over the Clan.” She sighed. “It’s so difficult to prepare for some unknown event like this.”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way when it does happen,” The red wolf encouraged her. “You’ve been a great leader so far, especially after those earlier lessons that you had learned. Sure, we haven’t found the caribou yet, but I have faith in you, Aleu.” 

His last comment made her smile, cheering her up for the moment. “Thanks, Scarlet.” She leaned up to him and their noses intertwined for a kiss. She thought that at that moment, she was confident enough to conquer the unknown event that awaited her in only a few hours time.

Dusk had just settled when the hunting party had returned from their