him, what’ll happen to him when his leg recovers”

 

He only shrugged “I dunno. I guess we’ll just ask him if he wants to be part of our tribe”

 

Saba shot him a startled look “What?! You mean I’ll have to put up with that fleabag forever!”

 

“Only if he wants to”

 

Saba let out a groan of frustration. She wanted him out of her life.

 

“Cheer up; I doubt he’ll want to stick around”

 

“I just hope you’re right”

 

“Uh oh, here comes Nikano”

 

Saba turned her head, and sure enough the second in command was making his way over. Orkney dipped his head in respect and Saba followed suit

 

“Greetings Nikano” said Orkney politely.

 

“I’ve been told to notify Saba that she will join the morning patrol tomorrow”

 

He had dismissed Orkney’s greeting and he said her name with hint of dislike. Saba’s fur stiffened, he obviously was one the many who thought Saba shouldn’t be here in the tribe. Saba began to panic slightly, she had no idea what the patrol was and wasn’t so sure how to respond.

 

“I’ll be there” she finally said, trying her best to sound convincing.

 

As soon as Nikano was out of ear shot, she burst out saying;

 

“What is the morning patrol?”

 

“You don’t know yet? Oh well, in the mornings and at evening, we patrol and scout our territory to make sure that nothing seems out of place or suspicious. Like an attack or something.”

 

“So do just show up and walk around the territory”

 

“Yeah, pretty much. And do what everyone tells you to do. Speaking of your duty, you better go to Hetcha”

 

Saba didn’t need telling twice. Picking up a piece of prey, she dragged over to her job

 

 

Saba woke up on time and found her mentor and another wolf waiting for her. The wolf was a blue grey with flecks of brown in her hindquarters. Saba also noticed her short bopping tail, which was black tipped and spotted also. Saba trotted over, deciding not to waste time.

“Saba this is Mayeti, Karti’s daughter. She’ll be joining us on our patrol”

 

They both nodded to each other, a sighn of respect. When they where out in the woods Saba looked around for anything unusual, but she found nothing.

 

“Kalaa, can I ask you something”

 

“Of course”

 

“The wolves that attacked us the other day, when I first came here, were they part of a tribe or a pack?”

 

Saba was only curious. She wanted to figure out Hetcha’s origins and she was also trying to figure out why the tribe was so defensive about their territory. It was perfectly natural, she knew that, but when she had accidentally crossed into their territory the first time, the two patrol wolves seemed determined to get rid of her. Saba was wondering if they were facing some sort of outside threat that she was unaware of.

 

“No. The wolves you had encountered are what we call Outsiders. They are wolves you have been banished or deserted by their clans. Or they simply have never wanted to become of a clan or pack. Lately they have been trying to take territory, but they’re numbers are too small.”

 

“Why not just give them some land for themselves, that way they can leave us alone”

 

“It’s not that simple. We need land for prey and resources. The more we give away, they less we have. Outsiders have no real rules. They’ll only waste it. Besides, the law says we have to defend our territory. It’s always been that way”

 

“Why do we even have territories to begin with? Why not just learn to get along with each other, it sounds a lot easier”

 

Kalaa and her companion stopped abruptly. The other wolf cast her a look of sock and disbelief, as if she had just used a swear word or something.

 

“Tell me Saba” began Kalaa “At your previous home, where there a lot of dogs?”

 

“Yes” she said, thinking of her community of dogs back at Nome.

 

“Did you all get along perfectly?”

 

“No” responded Saba slowly, remembering all the rivalries and grudges

 

“So why should out here be any different? Our traditions might be different, but we are just as similar. By having clans and boundaries, it’s what’s makes us strong and loyal. We learn to unite with our clans and support one another.”

 

“Oh” said Saba, feeling embarrassed by her stupid question

 

“Don’t be ashamed. That question comes around every year or so from a curious junior with good intentions. That sort of thinking may mark a loyal wolf”

 

“Or a stupid one” muttered the other wolf

 

Saba narrowed her eyes slightly at that last comment, but she was elated. She just might have a home in this place after all. But she was still bothered. “A loyal wolf…” said Kalaa. No matter what happened, Saba would never be a true wolf. She looked too much like her mother. She felt even more ashamed of her wolf heritage; it only seemed to bring in such confusion and resentment.

 

After checking the territory, Saba bounded of to Hetcha. She decided to make it quick, for she still felt a large amount of anger towards him. She dropped his share of the moose and turned to leave.

 

“ Hey, Housedog”

 

It was Hetcha calling out to her. She whipped over her shoulder and cast him a small dirty look. She fully turned around and was waiting for him to make another rude remark. She despised being called that name.

 

“I have a name, you know. Its Saba, and I preferred to be called that, thank you very much”

 

“Look, I wanted to apologize for the way I acted yesterday. I had no reason to do that. I’m sorry”

 

Saba stared at him. Did she just hear what she thought she heard? No, it couldn’t be. She didn’t believe for one second that Hetcha actually apologized. It seemed impossible, but she heard the words come out of his mouth.

 

“Wha?” she stammered “I mean, apology accepted, I guess”

 

The last part was muttered for herself. She wasn’t so sure if she entirely believed him. She searched his face for a hint of taunt and lies, but his face was firm and looked possible sincere. Saba turned and walked away before either of them made an outburst. She was still suspicious of his apology but she shrugged it off. Whether he really meant it or not, it wouldn’t cause any real damage. Saba then noticed that Michigan was trotting towards her in excitement.

 

“Hey! Guess what! Karti said we could go to the Pack Meeting!”

 

“The what?”

 

“Oh, I guess no one told about it yet. Every month, the packs gather to discuss anything necessary, to keep things in order. A few juniors and varsities are invited. To make a good impression, you know. We get to go this time”

 

Saba grew excited. This could be a sign that she was being fully accepted into the tribe.

 

“When do we go?”

 

“Tonight”

 

 

Saba grunted as she climbed over the ledge. She could hardly wait to see the other clans. But she couldn’t help but feel nervous at the same time. Those in her tribe already marked her as a loner. Michigan pulled himself up beside her.

“Who would’ve thought that it would be so far away?”

Saba only flicker her tail across his nose.

 

“Don’t you feel a bit nervous?” Saba couldn’t resist asking

 

“Not really. I’m more excited” he looked down at her “Why? Are you?”

 

"No” she responded.

 

She hated admitting that she was scared. To her, it felt like she was admitting that she was weak. Michigan raised an eyebrow, he didn't quite believe her. Saba noticed this, and knew that she couldn’t lie to him.

 

“Alright, I’m a little nervous” she admitted

 

"Don’t be. The meeting is held in peace. Any disturbance, Spirit Clan will be angry”

 

“Wait, what is this Spirit Clan that everyone keeps talking about? Is it some bad luck omen or something?”

 

“Spirit Clan is our ancestors. Look up. Each star is a dead warrior"

 

Saba glanced up. Unlike back at Nome, the sky was dappled with an endless amount of glittering stars. Saba could feel her nervousness settle down a bit. She loved the stars very much and enjoyed sleeping beneath them. It sounded dumb that the stars were a different wolf. Saba decided right then and there that she didn’t believe in Spirit Clan. She figured that Michigan was only trying to pull her leg.

 

“We’re here” someone shouted

 

Saba’s ears pricked up in excitement. She ran past her brother and into a clearing. Saba looked around in amazement. Several wolves were there, having conversations and walking around to another. Several scents cluttered up in her nose, But she could detect three main ones.

 

Michigan padded up beside her and looked impressed as well. Saba looked at the center of the clearing and saw four huge stones in a circle. Karti had already lept on top of one. Two other leaders were perched on them, looking tall and authoritive.

 

“Who are those two?” she whispered

 

“That is Surgis. He is in charge of Bear Clan. The other is Crossface. He is the leader of Wind Nation."

 

“So what do we do now?”

 

“We go around and meet other wolves. Try to squeeze information out of them, without giving away some of our own. Don't get too friendly though, you might have to fight them someday."

 

Michigan bounded away to a group of guys. Saba didn’t know where to go, until she spotted a cluster of females a few feet away. Saba padded over, trying to look cool  and confident. She was determined to make a good impression. The girls noticed her approach and stopped talking. Saba felt unease come at once, but she forced it away. These girls knew nothing of her past, she had a fresh start.

 

“You must be that housedog that we heard about”

 

Saba felt her ears lay flat. They’re not in my tribe, how do they know that I’m not forest born? Did rumors go around fast out here in the wold?

 

“Yeah, so"

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