swollen left eye.

            “Buck, this is a war! Things like this happen every day! One more wolf can make a huge difference!”

“War’s never going to end unless someone stops first” I shot back.

Ataneq stared at me, Kaya and the two packs, weighing what I had just said against the risks. The other alpha nodded and ordered his pack to go back. Ataneq watched the other pack go and smiled at me.

            “She can come with us; I guess you need someone your age any way” Ataneq said, giving in. “But this isn’t something I’m going to do every day so don’t get used to it”

We started for home, Ataneq leading the way while Kaya and I trailed behind.

            “Thanks Buck”, Kaya said, licking me on the cheek and blushing.

“It was, uh, nothing”, I said, a little caught off- guard.

                                                            *          *          *

            Later on that night, I sat looking out over the valley at the edge of the cliff in front of the den. Ataneq came over and sat next to me.

            “Did you know your mother used to sit there?”, he said.

I glanced at Ataneq; he rarely talked about Aniu.

            “You did a good thing today Buck. Not many pups would do that”

“I’m not really a pup anymore”, I replied, shrugging off the compliment. “How can Mom came back?”

Ataneq sighed, creating a cloud as he exhaled.

            “She never really left. She isn’t mortal anymore. She had a golden soul”

“What’s a golden soul?”

            “There’s a long story behind it…” he mumbled. I stared at him eagerly, wanting to hear the story “But I guess you’re not going anywhere anyway”

I lay down and so did Ataneq.

            “First, you need to know that all of these packs weren’t always at war. We used to be peaceful, until the leading golden- souled wolf called Talus was killed. After that, any wolves rumored to have a golden soul were usually killed even before they had reached adulthood”

He sat up, and took a break, staring up at the stars.

            “A wolf with a golden soul will always be the strongest and knows the best thing to do. Alphas of other packs would look up to them. But many were jealous. They wanted the power and strength just like Boss wanted from your mother… There have only been a handful ever born and only two have done their job: Aniu and Talus. They are the only two that are in a way immortal. Not alive, but not dead. They influence everything we know, decide who lives and who dies and save those who are still needed”

“How do you know all of this?”

            “Tradition and stories like I’m telling you now”

“Oh. How do you know if someone has a golden soul?”

            “They are selfless, brave and kind. They don't kill unless there's a big, very good reason to. They aren’t immortal until they die, and I'm not even sure if they're immortal or not. Aniu never knew though… I never told her. I slipped up and told the pack but not her… I was afraid that if she knew, if anyone knew, she’d be killed for sure. If I ever had a chance to do it all over again, I’d never tell anyone…”

Ataneq sighed sadly and I yawned widely. Ataneq grinned.

            “I think it’s time for you to go to bed. You’ve been through a lot today”

I stood up, stretched and went back to the pack. Kaya was shivering by herself so I went over to her instead and curled up next to her. I started to close my eyes but felt like I was being watched. I opened my eyes and saw Ataneq staring at me in a kind of wonder.

“What?”

Ataneq opened his mouth, but shook his head”

            “Nothing”

I shrugged it off and covered my nose with my tail.

“Goodnight Kaya”

            “Goodnight Buck. Hope you look better tomorrow morning then you did this morning”

I smiled to myself and drifted off in a deep sleep.

 Buck, Kaya and Ataneq (c) me

Boss (c) Tadie

Aniu (c) Universal