face and tail. For what seemed like an hour, we stood sizing each other up. Finally, I made myself talk.

“This is my territory!” I growled.

            “Your territory?” he sneered. “You and what army?”

“My pack” I snapped.

His eyes gleamed.

            “Then I think I found who I’m looking for”

“Who?” I growled.

The wolf considered suspiciously for a second but explained.

            “I’m looking for a big black wolf… he killed my brother… and your scent is mixed with his”

“Do you mean Boss?” I asked, letting my guard down.

The wolf’s face twisted but he nodded.

            “I bet you’re his daughter aren’t you?” he snarled.

“No way! I’d kill myself before I let Boss be my father! He killed my father!” he snorted.

The trespasser relaxed.

            “Wolves like him have no business having a good life” he said quietly.

“You never had to live with him!” I retorted.

Even though we never learned each other’s names, the insults grew into a conversation. My shift flew by and before I knew it, the sun started to rise.

“I have to go… maybe we’ll see each other another day…”

            “Maybe” he shrugged, face expressionless.

With that, I took off. Dakota was going to kill me if I was late! I was dead meat if he had to send out a search party! I was very far from our makeshift den. I tried to push myself to run faster but it was hopeless. Then, without warning, my feet hit a sheet of ice and sent me sprawling down a hill. I tumbled down, out of control until I hit something very hard.

            Chink!

Something closed behind me and when I whirled around, bars prevented me from getting out. Now I was in really big trouble.

            After a month of living in my new home, I had started to adjust. I avoided Jax at all cost but found out I really didn’t need to. He was always out with his friend and was never around. However, at night, we pretended to sleep curled- up so that Ace thought we were actually in love. But there was no chance of that ever happening. During the day, I had Jade and Mackenzie escort me around, and the rule binding me to stay close to the den never really applied. We traveled all over our territory which was surprisingly big for the small pack. But with each passing day, something else grew inside me…a feeling I had never felt before.

            It took me a while to realize it was love. But I could never tell Jade or Mackenzie… because I also realized those feelings were for Mackenzie. But it would never work, right? I was engaged to Jax, and Mackenzie and I were friends. Every time I tried to deny it, Mackenzie made it impossible. When he came any where near me, my heart would race and he made everything seem brighter, better. I couldn’t even admit to myself that I loved him or else I knew I’d never give up on him.

            One night, when everyone was asleep, I slipped out of the den to sit by myself and think. The stars lit up everything and it almost beckoned me to go out by myself. I jogged away from the boulder den and traveled along the trail that seemed so different at day. I stopped by the pond to take a quick drink and looked down at my reflection. For some reason, I started to wonder about my family. Had Dakota and Sitka started a better life? Was the old pack okay? Would they recognize me? Would I recognize them? I’d probably never know…and if I didn’t go back to the den soon, I’d never know because I was sure Ace would kill me. As I walked back, I let my head go into the clouds. Suddenly, something moved and snapped me out of my day dream. I froze for a second then darted into the trees. If anyone caught me, I was as good as gone. A twig broke and I took off in a sprit. I glanced over my shoulder, then CRASH!

“Oh, my head” I moaned.

            “Ow” someone else said.

I scrambled to my feet and met the brown eyes of Jax. I don’t know who was more scared or shocked.

“What are you doing here?!” I finally demanded.

            “Me?! What about you? You shouldn’t even be out here!” he sputtered.

Fear made me stiffen but Jax drooped.

            “Actually, I have a confession. I don’t love you”

I beamed.

“Really! I don’t love you either!”

Jax perked up but continued on.

            “I don’t love you because there’s someone else… you know how I’ve been sneaking out everyday?”

I nodded.

            “I’ve been seeing this other girl and I really like her. She’s from another pack though and she lives far away. If Ace ever found out… I don’t even want to think about what would happen”

“I haven’t told anyone this before, but I think it’s only fair that I tell you because you told me. I like Mackenzie.”

  Jax smiled.

            “So we’re officially not engaged?” he asked.

“Yes!” I replied gratefully. “Thank you so much!”

I gave him a quick brother- sister nuzzle and we walked back to the den side by side, talking about our loves.

Sitka never returned. The whole pack searched for her but we couldn’t find her. The devastation of her disappearance gave me a sort of power though. It was time to put the rebellion into action.

I sat in the chamber, calling for help but before anyone could rescue me, a strange animal same. It walked upright and scared me. I growled. It opened the chamber but instead of freeing me, clubbed me with some strange stick. I hit the wooden floor and everything went black.

When we had gotten back to the den, the sun had set up the mood perfectly. Pink rays stretched across the sky and made the clouds look gold. Mackenzie was awake but Jade was still asleep. Could this be any more perfect? I motioned for Mackenzie to follow me and he leapt up to his feet happily. I led him down the trail to the pond and smiled at him. Well, here it goes…

“Mackenzie, I think I love you…”

Mackenzie, Jade, Melora, Tanner, Diego, Ace, Jax, Sasha and Skyler (golden wolf) © Xion Fan

Dakota, Anyu, Sitka, Kaya, Atka, Bear,  (and Boss’s pack) © me

Bristol (c) Anileu

Boss (c) Tadie