look proper?” asked Japanese.

“For sure better than I.” Replied John.

Trapper was wearing his casual clothes, but doctor wanted to see more officially. He asked his daughter – Sara Ash – to make him some sort of elegant vest. Unfortunately he insisted to wear something... well known to his, so Sara sewed a cloth reassembling a Japanese Imperial Navy lieutenant’s uniform (mark 1903) – the only official vest Tazaku was able to wear feeling comfortable. Additionally, he took his samurai sword and Homeland War Order from Russian War.

“Dad, you could at least spare us that order.” Said John, looking on decoration on Japanese chest.

“Don’t you like it?”

“You got it posthumously, when your HQ thought you died on <Yashima>.”

“Well... yes!” nodded former lieutenant. “But Emperor in person approved it, when I wrote from Buckland about my retirement. And HQ sent it to me by mail...”

“Never mind...” murmured Ash. He opened the glass-door to academy hall and stood in amaze. “So where now?”

“I don’t know... Ari will guide us.”

He whistled and soon after a grey and white furred bitch joined them. It was Ari – daughter of Sky and Ice. Arashi took her to Anchorage, in spite of objections of John and Sara. But he said decisively: “If they want to employ me as a animals specialist, they can’t he surprised if I take some of my observation subjects with me. Right, Ari?” She-dog licked master’s hand and barked with excitation. She was not only great sledge dog but also real adventurer, seeking every chance to see something new. So they had to take her.

“Mister Arashi...” murmured some short man in black suit. “We are waiting in Lecture Hall. Please, follow me.” He looked on Ash carrying a rifle and sledge dog, but he said no word.

“Look, Ari.” Whispered Arashi to his pet. “That is the university. Humans here claims they know more about the nature than we. It’s time to correct them.”

*

Ceremony was quite successful. Tazaku made no more serious faus-fax and his original appearance was greeted warmly by bored professors of academy. In his speech doctor said many bitter words about scientists who have no contact with subjects of their studies. Of course none of that townies professors took any offend, maybe thinking that the fact of living in city on latitude of 61 degree automatically made them Wild-Nature-experts.

“We must observe carefully the world we are changing. Some day we may face the threat that our civilization inflict too deep wound to that wildness. And whole our science is only to be ready on that day. To be ready to prevent disaster, we are preparing in those days.” He finished and drowned in wave of applause.

When he was coming down from tribune, he noticed his old friend – Gunnar Kaasen, waiting for him. Next to Norwegian was standing tall man with European countenance and short, blond hair. He was looking on Japanese with serious interest, in opposite to clapping crowd.

“Good to see you, Arashi.” Said Gunnar. “Have you a minute?”

They exited a loud and crowded hall and go on ledge over main entrance. In spite of shining sun it was about fifteen Fahrenheit degrees. However the blond man went out just in suit, not showing any sigh of cold. “He is not from here...” thought Arashi. “But he is touch, opposite to that townies in Anchorage.”

“Arashi, this is mister Phillip Fering, a vice-director of Royal Woods Management from Canadian Yukon.”

“Nice to meet you, professor.” Said Canadian and shook Japanese’s hand.

“Yeah... nice.” Murmured a bit confused Tazaku. “But what brought you to Anchorage.”

“You.” Replied Fering and looking surprised stare of interlocutor. “As well as mister Kaasen and every man who could help me in solving this problem. Ones who really know the Nature’s way. Not just ignorant scholars.” He went to crash barrier and put a map from his folder. “Take a look. This is a map of my woods, but on left edge you can see the Alaskan border. I’ve indicated with green lines the old territories of wolfpacks. With red lines I’ve indicated the new packs, that entered my park from beyond border. That means something drives hundreds of wolves from Alaska to the east. Initially I though it was your problem, but I caught some wolves from new packs... and I discovered that some of those are Siberian ones. I know that sounds impossible...”

“But wolves from USRR are fleeing on ice-layer from Chukchi Peninsula.” Finished Tazaku. “Yes, I know few such cases. It’s natural that some of that numerous pack choose to go east due to lack of preys.”

“Yes, but on last year it grew to scaring scale!” replied Fering. “And now begins the season when ice-layer allow wolves to migrate. And they will migrate, because communist authorities are continuing the massive hunts on predators.”

“Barbarians!” gasped Gunnar. “They claims they helping local people by driving of carnivores and that way they promote the Progress. But it’s only a blind atrocity, destroying the ages of natural balance...”

“And that why I need your help.” Added Canadian. “When such a throng of wolves will enter Alaska people would be scared. They would start a massive hunts too, so wolfkind on north would be seriously endangered. You must be my eyes on Seward Peninsula. You must track new pack and report about it to your local authorities. You must...” He stopped, looking on Japanese. “I’m sorry, professor. I got too far. I know you have own duties and that is surely quest for younger ones...”

“Of course, we must!” exclaimed Arashi. “Right, Gunnar?” Norwegian nodded his head without hesitate. “Until I have strength to hold my rifle, I will guard my land. Whoever threaten it – humans or animals.”

“Great!” smiled Canadian. “That would be perfect – if you case have to win, who could support it better than the most famous musher in Alaska and most bizarre professor of Anchorage Academy?”

“She!” laughed Arashi and whistled. Instantly Ari ran to them and pounced on Fering. Without any aggression, but licking man’s face – she sensed that human was friendly and was a ally of her master. “She is a quarter wolf.” Added Japanese. “I will be proud to help that beautiful creatures.”

“My old, favourite dog choose to live in wild.” Said Gunnar. “I doubt if he lives still, but I believe that he had pups with some wolf and whose wolfdogs are now princes of forest... Yes... Those woods are my life. And I will defend my life as I could.”

Then John joined them. After escaping of crowd of local bored women, thirsty to see real northern trapper, he found father-in-law and Kaasen. Meanwhile Fering started to explain his plan of creating special sanctuary for wolves, using powers of both American and Canadian authorities.

“Right!” said Tazaku when he finished. “John, you will help sir Philip to interest press and gubernator with that case. Gunnar and I will get some evidence that whole action is required. We need make some preparations. Buy stocks, cameras, good maps... borrow a plane...”

“I know a pilot who could sell us a working plane on fair price.” Threw Ash. “His name is Jack <Duke> McReady.”

*

Drift Pack was spending its very first night on Alaskan shore. They all were hungry and scared, but Natalya was more hungry and much more scared that the others. Since the day of her father’s death she was able to eat just few pounds of meat – shock and exhaustion dimmed her senses and even needs. Also Sergey had become a real alpha. And that was another cause of silver-furred fear.

Pack was lying in cluster of dwarf-mountain-pines, just few steps from shore. The ocean was fizzing restlessly and breaking waves were the main sound heard by wolves. But that was quite easy and friendly noise. Night was clear, snowless, but thanks to that cold. Temperature dropped to about minus fifteen Fahrenheit degree, in spite of warmed wind from over the strait. Almost every pack-member was already asleep, apart of Sergey and Natalya.

“Are you cold?” asked brown-furred, looking on alpha’s daughter, cuddled in pines cluster.

“I am.” Replied she.

“Maybe you want me to... warm you?” smiled new leader.

“Thank you... I could take care of myself.”

“I bet you could...” murmured wolf, coming closer. “But it would be more pleasant if I do it for you.”

“Leave me alone!” sobbed Natalya. “What do you want? You are an alpha!”

“Ow, don’t cry my dear.” Hissed Sergey, lowering his muzzle and licking her forehead. “I just want you... to rule by my side.”

Natalya instantly stood up and jumped back from wolf’s hug. She snapped her teethes but rather in hollow gesture that in real challenge. Sergey was stronger and she couldn’t count on decisive help of the rest of pack. They were crestfallen after recent tragedies and had no will to interfere in leaders matters. Maybe Sasha, Natalya’s friend... but she was just one, where Sergey had own followers. Especially since he had taken some lone wolves to pack. Now from fifteen original pack-members Drifters grew to be over forty jaws group. And newcomers were listening to brown-furred, not to the daughter of old chief.

“Leave me alone!” cried silver-furred. “You made me almost omega by your games. Take you lead and let me be!”

“No, Natalya...” whispered wolf. “I need you as a mate.” He licked his own lips and looked on her with greedy stare. “Don’t you want to be an alpha again?” then he added quieter. “And I would be good to mate with alpha’s daughter. Leader’s blood, after all...”

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” cried she-wolf and ran away from pine-grove.

Some wolves opened their eyes and looked on Sergey with curiosity. Leader smiled and replied with soothing tone.

“Calm down... Nothing has happened... She had a bad dream...” So awoken ones laid to sleep again.

*

Natalya was running in random direction for few minutes, but then she stopped on the beach. Sea was growling with its calm growl of breaking waves, cooling