It was dark and cold that winter night. A young red and light yellow she-wolf was being led into the pack boundaries. She was limping from a wound on her shoulder and she followed the wolves around her cautiously. A large white male with a light brown patch on his muzzle and around his eyes glared at her as she stopped. She sat down with relief and started to lick her wound when a sudden shove made her stop. She looked up into one of the guards snarling face.

Prisoners must be standing at all times! Get up NOW!

Wearily she did as she was told, standing on swaying legs she watched the Alpha call the pack together. The light brown stripe down his back matched with his other markings and the scars over his left eye gave him an impressive and almost barbaric look. Standing next to him was her one true love, her mate. The light grey and black Beta wolf would not even look at her. It was then that she knew, and she started to feel an overwhelming anger and sadness deep inside her heart. He had betrayed her! By performing his duties to the pack he had told them where to find her and the pups. He had told them where they could kill the pups and probably her as well. As the wolves all gathered around she heard many whispers and snide remarks aimed at her and she was surprised at how much it hurt. Yes this had been her home but she had always known she was different, always known she would never belong.

The Beta could not look at his mate; the guilt was too much already. His heart screamed at him angrily. How could he have done this? How could he have told them where they would kill his family! Yet as he looked at the pack gathering and at the alpha standing beside him, he knew. It was a terrible thing he had done but it was for the good of the pack. After all everyone knew the ledged, the pups had been too different. They had shared the same markings and colours of the wolf demons, Nedhi and Shanlak. But still he thought one of his sons had his colours also, wouldn’t that mean that he himself was too different from the rest of the pack! No he told his heart, he had done the right thing if anyone was to blame it was Sonya! She knew that the pups had to be killed and yet she had run away with them, trying to save them. And for what? Just so they could die out in the cold? He snorted in annoyance. She had to have known that Cloud would send some after her. That he would send his best trackers and fighters after her to bring her back for proper sentencing. He shook his head. She should have just turned the pups in. It would not have been too bad; they could still have other pups again. His eyes hardened as he heard Cloud start talking to his pack.  

My friends we are gathered here today for the trial and punishment of Sonya! She has broken the most sacred laws of our ancestors and she must be punished for it! You all know that her pups were born with the markings and colours of Nedhi and Shanlak. Legend and wolf law says that any wolf with those traits must be killed immediately or terrible and unspeakable horrors will be brought upon their pack. Pack law also states that if anyone who has or knows someone who has those traits does not turn them in for exile they must also be killed. Sonya has broken these laws. She has taken and hidden her pups without getting my permission to leave. The penalty is death, however because I am a fair leader I will give her one more chance to stay alive.

Cloud stepped down from the rock he had been standing on and approached Sonya sternly. His voice was filled with menace and hate as he snarled at her.

Where are they Sonya, where are your filthy pups?

Sonya lifted her head up high and looked at the gathered pack before glaring at Cloud and saying proudly, and with little fear or respect for the Alpha male. She caught the eye of her mate as she spoke and tried to tell him as there eyes met that she understood.

You will never find them Cloud, Aniu herself told me where to hide them and they are safe

The Alpha snarled even louder and his jaws opened wide, revealing his sharp teeth. 

Then you will die Sonya! And I swear on your grave that I will find your precious babies and kill them myself! I will rip out their hearts and then you will know that hiding them and throwing your life away means nothing!

Sonya ignored the Alphas tirade; instead she tried to convey all the emotions she felt through her eyes and to the eyes of her mate. She tried to make him see that they were safe and that she understood why he could not help her. She tried to make him see that she was okay with dying because her pups were alive. He held her gaze for as long as he dared, taking in her beautiful face and committing to memory the strange markings below her eyes that had first drawn him to her. When he could not stand it any longer he nodded once and then averted his head. She knew the time had almost come, and she closed her eyes as she heard the guards circling her and snarling viciously. She knew what was coming, she had seen these executions before and it was not pretty.

A sudden force knocked her to the ground and her former leader tore at her viciously, ripping her fur and muscles apart. A loud crack rang out through the cold wilderness as Cloud broke her legs. He then circled her once more and looked at her, his manic rage still wanting to inflict more hurt on the broken body lying before him.

Her eyes opened and she watched him motion to the Beta to stand beside him. Sonya watched as Almack came forward his eyes full of sadness, yet she could almost sense anger being directed towards her from him. She knew he resented her for leaving. That in a way, he thought it was her fault he had to do this. Shaking his head, she saw his eyes harden as he worked his jaws and got ready to deliver the final blow. Sonya coughed violently and blood splattered out onto Almack’s paw. The Beta stared at her crimson blood for a second and then closed his eyes and aimed for the throat. He felt her soft fur in between his jaws and without another thought he clamped them down hard. Hoping to make her death quick, he tried to tear out the throat quickly. He felt her body struggle for a second and then go limp. Almost gagging he unlocked his jaws from her and spat out the blood that had found its way into his mouth. Almost shaking with what he had just done, Almack could hear the crowd cheering and howling victoriously. Cloud walked over to him and smiled at him brightly, as if he had just won an award instead of killing his love. Almack looked towards the sky and felt sick.

Oh God what have I done! 

Farther away from the execution, near a small town called Nome, a black and tan wolf husky hybrid walked towards her den. She looked over her shoulder and nodded towards a white and grey female walking in the opposite direction. Her teeth gently held onto the scruff of the squirming little puppy she carried. Walking closer to the den she heard the little soft whimpers of her other babies and the warning growl of her mate. Gently putting the pup down softly, she called out to him.

It’s all right Josh it’s just me! I have a surprise for you and the pups.

A large male wolf stepped out of the cave and nuzzled his mate happily. He was almost a full head taller than her and his light green eyes sparkled with relief. His muzzle, chest, ears, and underbelly were a dark brown colour, while his face, back, and legs were a lighter mahogany brown. As he moved closer to nuzzle her again a small whimper caught his attention. Breeze almost laughed as she saw his eyes widen at the little pup lying in between her paws. He looked up at her in shock and spoke loudly and in disbelief.

Honey…where did you get that thing!

Breeze looked at him sharply and nuzzled the male pup affectionately. 

Keep your voice down!  Do you want him or the kids to hear you!

The kids are only a few weeks old, and by the looks of it so is he!

Breeze smiled and tried to explain.

I was out on the other side of Nome today when I heard someone in the woods. I walked into a small clearing and found a white and grey she-wolf trying to carry two pups in her mouth.

Josh looked at the little pup again and raised an eyebrow.

I asked her if she needed some help and she started crying. She told me that she had found the pups abandoned in an old log and had decided to adopt them herself. But she had only realized now that she could not keep them both. So knowing that they were in trouble I told her we would take this little guy.

Josh started to protest.

But Breeze we already have three of our own, and besides look at him! Don’t you see he’s different! He’s …he’s… kind of cute.

While Josh had been talking the little pup had somehow managed to shift himself so that he was lying against Josh’s large front paw. He yawned tiredly and looked up at Josh with dark blue eyes. Sighing Josh shook his head and picked him up, carrying him into the den.

We had better get him into the den before he freezes to death! And I suppose you had better name him.

Breeze nodded and followed him into the den. She lay down beside her other three pups and watched carefully as Josh placed their newest addition with the other three. Watching him snuggle up to the other pups she put her tail around them protectively. As she looked at the little male’s fur, a name started forming in her mind. She licked him softly and said his name for the first time.

I will name you Macca, my sweet little Macca.

She looked over at Josh and returned his smile warmly. It would not matter to them if the pups fur and markings were different. From this day