XI. Of sons and mothers

Initially Ian thought that avoiding units stationing on West Bank would be hard. But it happened to be very easy task. All forces that left on right side of Reindeer Creek were at full alert, but looking on dangers from right side. Flame decided simply to enter the camp, greeting few wolves she know and smiling to other soldiers. The sureness makes for perfect cover – mother and son proved that rule right.

Of course they had to go a bit aside to cross frozen river, but that they put to the next day. After talk with general Tenu they feared almost nothing. They ask for food and place in Third Unit’s Cave – and so they get both. When they laid to sleep in corner of cavern, Ian asked.

“You want to hear it all now? It’s bit dangerous, because so many ears to hear…”

“No. On the other bank.” Replied Flame. She felt that something was wrong, but she wanted to – maybe for last time – savour with unspoiled joy of love of her regained son. All hard questions could be asked on the other side.

*

Maya was sleeping peacefully. After being dig out and warmed up, she regained awareness for short and when she was assured that January was basically unhurt and Tan was heavily bruised, but with no injure endangering life, she fell again into slumber.

Malawolf hobbled to her just before dawn, after being treated by Murtaan, new medicine wolf of unit. Darkfurred wolf, who helped hybrid day earlier, was killed by Stardusters. Post factum January learned he was called Suoj and was Murtaan’s friend. They both were Uniea whom parents gave up to Aleu. But sons joined Tenu’s forces, unable to fully integrate with the clan.

After massage of stretched muscles, Murtaan guided January to snow den with Maya inside. wolfdog managed to laid down to beloved and even fall asleep, but Tenu came just after. Gathering all his kindness and gentleness, mercenary woke only Packer, leaving Maya asleep.

“Hey, you… We must talk.” Said hoaryfurred, biting hybrid’s ear.

“At this time, if you want to talk, I’m good as pine to do that.” Murmured January, with muzzle on Maya’s head.

“No pine would be in charge of the Pack in nearest time.” Replied general. “Get out.”

He didn’t want to, but he followed. They sat down just in front of den’s entrance. It was still dark, but January spotted Fida and Ama, waiting in near junipers. Tenu wanted to give his guest discretion, yet he was ready for everything, so he kept his guards by side. If hybrid knew hoaryfurred better, he had to admit that was very kind of him.

“If you kill me now, Maya will take a living flesh out of you.” Said January, looking on hidden wolfesses.

“You are really distrustful. I like you also because of that.” Said mercenary. “But now understand that you will walk away from here and return to Pack’s Dominion at your will. No one is hurrying you, but no one stops. However, I advice get back home, take full power and return here to finish the job.”

“Job…” murmured malawolf. “You wouldn’t believe how similar was plan of my mother.”

“Well… great minds think alike.” Smiled Tenu. “Face it – I’m the best canine military commander walking the Earth. But I admit that in case of plots lady Ea has similar talents. And soon we two will combine our powers - as the one, great family. She, as your closest advisor and I, as commander of your legions.”

“Any place here for Maya?” asked hybrid with angry voice.

“I’m talking exactly about her. She is the guarantee and the key of alliance. Power of the Pack and Talbourne clan in one. No one would stop us.”

“Maya said few things about you.” Replied wolfdog. “But I didn’t believe, until I saw you. You took all this Aniu-stuff even harder than Talbourne themselves!”

“I took it better. In rational and secular way.” Smiled mercenary. “But my motivation is secondary to our plan. So, the drill is easy. Go back to your Haven take the Pack over. Then come to me. Without army, because I will be your army. Two units under my command and you will stand on the lead. We will return to Home Cave, discipline all who tried to kill Maya or who could endanger her power. Then you two will be proclaimed mates and alphas of new, perfect wolf society, the Unity!”

“Are you mental!?” yelled malawolf. “I, son of Steele, on lead of Talbourne wolves?”

“They will love you.” Assured general, then added quieter. “Or I will make them love you!”

“That’s is against all I swore to fight for. That’s against of last will of my father!” growled January.

“I know it would be hard from the start.” Tenu smiled and came to the den. He just took away some snow from above the hole, to uncover Maya partially. He put a paw on her head and started to stroke her. “But she will help you, I’m sure of that.” January made a step further, then stopped with opened mouth and silent stare of indecisiveness. “Why do you resist?” asked Tenu with unexpectedly soft voice. “I bet she is in pain, thinking about you, who still is choosing between her, so beautiful and alive and some dead dog you never actually knew.” He moved pad of his paw to Maya’s nose. Wolfess opened her eyes. “Easy, my dear.” Said Tenu. “I’m just talking with January about your common, bright future. There is nothing to worry about.”

“No!” called malawolf. “Stop it! I swore… And my mother…”

“That’s exactly what is your mother hoping for.” Said mercenary. “Her son on the throne of whole Alaska. You can’t please her more… or you can, giving her grandpups, but that’s a topic to discuss with Maya.”

“You could kill me here, I don’t care.” Growled January and Maya stood up with confused stare. “Decide now. But whatever you do, I won’t give you any promise.”

“I’m not expecting a promise.” Replied hoary furred. “I expect you just to be reasonable.”

“I’m going home.” Said January.

“No, stay!” cried Maya. Seeing that Tenu wanted to add something, she said with decisive voice. “Leave him alone!”

“Easy, my princess.” Said general with proud smile. “I’m just catalysing what is inside of him. He has to accustom to his new situation… Maybe he seems to be resistant, but I believe he already made a decision. The one we want.”

“Go away!” gasped January.

“As you wish, my prince… my future alpha.” Said Tenu with smile and bowed his head. But in gesture of commander there was no obedience nor respect. “But remember. Came to me, I’ll be there with two divisions under my power. Take your sidekicks if you want, but don’t let them go through the river, because Talbourne won’t accept you as a conqueror, yet welcome as a peaceful mate of Maya. In case, I will go with you and those two divisions. We will crush any opposition and announce you as alphas.” Then he stood up and walked away. Fida and Ama followed.

“I didn’t promise!” called hybrid after him, but mercenary didn’t reply.

They stayed alone, in front of partially broken snow-den. Snow started to fall again, but that time it was a nice and light shower of soft flakes. Sun shone from eastern side of sky, painting gold all the whitened world. Reflection of morning light shone on Maya, making her even more beautiful. Malawolf closed his eyes, to cut the scene off. A while after he sensed a tongue of wolfess at his cheek. He opened eyes.

“I’m sorry for Tenu.” She whispered to his ears. “He didn’t want to offend you… just to help me in his, weird way. Please, do what he proposed. That way we will avoid the war.”

“So, I became a peacemaker.” Said January slowly. “But yesterday we spoke about love.”

“You silly…” smiled Maya. “Of course I love you. I prayed to Aniu for such perfect outcome. We will be together, no one will die in battle. All you have to do is to say <yes>. Please, cast aside all old hurts and pride, as I did. We could be happy… we could make all them happy.”

“No! I promised!” called January with breaking voice. He jumped back, out of Maya and looked on her with mad eyes. “I won’t fail my father… Goodbye, I’m going home. I hope that after war we could…”

“You will be back.” She said. “You can’t fool me, I see it in your eyes. I love you… but I see I might expect you at my side. You follow Aniu in the same way I do… but you still don’t see it. I will help you to open your eyes.”

“Lies, lies, lies!” howled malawolf. “If I do come with you, I’ll prove we both are wrong. I won’t go this path.”

“You are already running it.” Smiled Maya. “Take care, January. I’m waiting for you in Home Cave.”

Hybrid gave a loud howl, expressing all at once – sorrow of leaving Maya, promise of returning some day and also desperate assurance he would never return. All those voices were true and false in the same time. Malawolf turned east and started to run and soon after he disappeared in white curtain of falling snow. Maya was still looking after him with smile at her muzzle, when Tan – that time hobbling on two paws – found her.

“He is gone.” Said with mixture of surprise and relief.

“He will be back.” Said Maya and nestled to side of her stepbrother. “He will be surely back.

*

Stardusters, tired, bruised and decimated, returned to Home Valley. Silent column was consisting only six wolves and maybe in general chaos no one took a notice, but who knew friends of Rose, surely understood that something was wrong.

“Black!” called surprised Sheik. He was out on patrol with squad of Second unit, given by Teele. Intelligence leaderess and temporal overseer of clan wanted to make sure both present claimants had something to do, so she sent Sheik and Tram on quite useless recons around home. Of course in different direction. “Black! What happened? Where is rest of crew? Lake… Snow?”

“Dead.” Replied darkfurred with follow voice. Seeing that Talbourne prince was looking on him with amazement, added with growling voice. “I won’t explain myself to you, Sheik! Only to Rose. It’s our business.”

“Wait!” called wolf, seeing

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