the two had struck a deal: if Aleu could feel Camyar’s muscular body, Camyar could look at Aleu’s lovely figure. They spent a while doing this, kissing each other now and then. Camyar was admiring the curve of Aleu’s hind legs when he took notice of how late it was. “Aleu?” he said. She looked up from nuzzling his shoulder. “Yes?” “We ought to go back now.” “You’re right. It’s probably getting pretty late.” Aleu went to walk out. “I love you, Aleu,” said Camyar. Aleu drew a surprised breath, and her mouth hung open a little. “You do?” she said after turning around. “Yes,” Camyar replied. “It’s real?” Aleu asked. Camyar nodded. “It is true, honest love. I know this in my heart.” “Wow…Camyar, um, this is amazing…” “How do you feel about me?” “I…I love you, too.” “Is that the truth?” Camyar said, quietly but eagerly. “Yes,” Aleu said. “I’ve fallen deeply in love with you.” She smiled. “Oh, I really love you, Camyar!” “I love you so much, Aleu!” They embraced, giggling with joy, and kissed each other several times. “This is not customary,” said Camyar, “but…would you like to share my nest again?” “Oh, yes, if you don’t mind. I’d enjoy that very much.” They returned to the pack and went to Camyar’s nest. The strongest hunter in the pack, by the name of Xaikel, who was a good friend of Camyar’s, quietly vacated his nearby nest to give them privacy. They used a great deal of their time for necking, also speaking about their love, and the moon was setting by the time they decided to go to bed. Camyar lulled Aleu to sleep, stroking her and singing quietly, gave her one last kiss after his song was over, and nodded off. 

The next morning passed without incident, other than Nava was absent for most of it on unknown business. He returned at about noon, asking to speak with Aleu. When she arrived, he had news for her. “Muru wishes you to come to his cave, for a reason I do not know. He said it was urgent, however.” Aleu left shortly, arriving at the cave before long. Muru was waiting for her, and wasted no time getting to his business with her. “Aleu,” he said, “I am sure that at some point while you have been here, you have heard of the Shirae pack of old?” Aleu nodded. “They were excellent in combat, right?” “Extremely so. Thank goodness they were not evil; terrible things could have happened to the other packs in the region otherwise. They were also highly proficient in the area of emotional influence.” He gestured for Aleu to come closer. “I suspect,” he said, “that a battle is close at hand, one that will require a combatant who knows the arts of the Shirae. I believe that combatant is you.” Aleu was startled. “Me? I don’t know how to fight. Besides, what makes you think it’s me?” “I can feel that you have a natural gift for the Shirae skills, as many do; it is simply not pursued most of the time. I know you do not know how to fight, but you will…if you allow me to teach you.” “Teach me…how to fight like one of the Shirae?” “Indeed. I have learned how from many elders. The knowledge of Shirae combat technique is one of the best things fighters can do to help themselves. Are you willing to learn?” Aleu thought for a moment, feeling unnerved by the fact that if she agreed, she was walking into the responsibility of whatever fight Muru was predicting. “What battle are we talking about?” she asked. “I believe that the fate of the Shavenya pack must be decided soon,” Muru replied. Aleu nodded, knowing all too well what Muru meant. Now, she knew that if she didn’t accept Muru’s offer, perhaps no one could act in her place. “I’ll do it.” “Good!” said Muru. “We do not have a great deal of time. Let us begin now.”

The training was very rigorous, which didn’t surprise Aleu since she apparently only had a short time in which to learn. First, Muru taught her the basics of emotional influence and empathy, having her practice on him. Next, he had her practice basic combat moves on imaginary foes. He taught her how to both mount and resist emotional influence attacks, and then began on the longest part; learning the intricacies of the Shirae combat arts. This part took hours, and they actually had to stop in the middle of it so Aleu could eat some food. Balto had brought her some meat when it was time for dinner, but he didn’t stop to inquire as to what they were doing. Finally, Aleu faced a sort of test of what she had learned; a battle Muru created in her mind against four foes at once. This was the most difficult part, but Aleu came through it, defeating the imagined enemy. Muru was quite impressed. “Well done, Aleu. Well done indeed.” Aleu sat down, panting from exertion. “Now what?” she asked. “Have I finished the training?” Muru shook his head slowly. “Not yet. You will rest, and then…there is one final task you must complete. I will tell you of it tonight.” Aleu lay down, but sleep didn’t come to her easily; there was too much to think about. Very soon, she would be finished with her training, ready to fight Niju and save the pack. After she thought this, however, another thought crossed her mind. What was her final task to be? For some reason, the idea disturbed her. After a couple of hours, she drifted off, her sleep filled with dark dreams.

Aleu awakened late in the evening, looking around for Muru. She didn’t see him at first, so she walked to the entrance of the cave. It was quite dark outside, and a wind was blowing. Muru stood there, staring out. “There you are, Aleu,” he said. “It is time for you to become a Shirae warrior.” “You said you would tell me how?” Muru nodded and turned his head to look at her, his face dark. He spoke with a deadly serious voice, the vibrancy not present. “Have you ever heard of a wolf named Shadow?” Aleu inhaled, the memory of Niju’s gruesome story flying into her head. “Shadow…he’s been dead for years.” Muru shook his head slowly. “No. He has not.” “But…that girl…she tore his throat out.” “He never died.” “How could he not die?” “You see, a few days before Shadow took that female, he had taken and killed one from another pack. She was the daughter of the pack elder. In his grief and rage, he placed a curse on Shadow. The elder said that Shadow would have to suffer the pain of death for all eternity after dying. The last female did slay him, Aleu. He is dead, but he cannot pass on. The curse is keeping him here, alive in a body that is supposed to be dead, trapped in endless agony of dying forever as retribution for his horrible acts. However, he can break the curse and pass on.” “How?” “By finding, defiling, and slaying one final female. The curse was on his wicked desire, and only by satisfying that can he break the curse. But he is not invincible; there is a way that he can be killed once and for all. A female that he wants to mate with and so break his curse must fight and destroy him. Shadow cannot break his curse now, because knowing about him, no females go up on the mountain anymore. However, he kills many male wolves for spite, and everywhere, he is feared greatly. He must be stopped. That is your task. Come outside.” They went out and looked up the mountain. Muru pointed up the slope. “You must go up there tonight and kill Shadow.” Aleu swallowed hard. “But…he’s unbeatable. He learned so much of the Shirae arts that no one could defeat him.” “Yes, Aleu, but you are training to fight another Shirae warrior, a very powerful one at that. If you can destroy Shadow, it will prove that you can overcome fear and danger to save others. Remember, if Shadow is gone, no one will have to be afraid of the mountain anymore.” Aleu nodded, knowing that Muru was right, and knowing she wanted to stop Shadow. At the same time, though, she was trembling with fear. “I’m afraid, Muru,” she whispered. “I know,” Muru said gently. “Fear is natural. Just take care not to let it overcome you. You have a strong heart. Go now and kill him. He will find you. Bring back his skull as proof that you destroyed him. I wish you luck.” Aleu set her jaw, turned toward the mountain, and began moving her feet, walking up the mountain at slow pace.

About an hour’s walk brought Aleu to a wide, flat section of rock. Feeling an evil presence, she looked around, breathing hard. “Shadow,” she called, her voice a little shaky. “Shadow? I know you’re here.” “But of course.” Aleu turned around slowly to look at where the evil voice had come from. Directly behind her, several yards away, there stood a tall wolf, whose gaze drilled into her with little resistance. Aleu was surprised to see that he was actually quite handsome; he had a fine build and a well-shaped face, with dark eyes. This all was offset by his dead-looking gray-white fur, but even more by his throat. It was shredded, some skin hanging loosely, still looking freshly torn. His face was full of pain, but for the most part looked normal. He stared at her intently, smiling. “You are even more beautiful than all the others. Even more than the last from when I was not like this.” Aleu swallowed hard, staring at Shadow with determination. “I’m here for you,” she said, her voice afraid but brave. Shadow raised his head a little and smiled. “You are here to set me free? To break my curse? I am almost touched.” “I’m here to set you free, but not the way you want. I’m here to kill you.” Shadow shook his head. “Why? Why that way? That way means you will die anyway, because I will be forced to kill you. Would you not rather die and free me? Then it would not be so senseless.” “You’re making the mistake of thinking I’ve come up here to die.” “You have,” Shadow said, in a low and hostile voice. “Anyone who comes to me dies.” “Then let me be the first to survive…and the last to have an opportunity.” They approached each other, ready for battle. “It does not have to be this way,” said Shadow. “Yes, it does,” Aleu replied.

They exploded into combat, trading bites back and forth, smashing and kicking each other with their paws. Aleu bit into Shadow’s shoulder, and he turned and used his