course that would be followed by attack of Aarre’s army, however it wasn’t the best consolation for killed claimant. But it didn’t happened.

Teele lowered her ears as the first. Then came Istana and her unit. Fortunately Tan couldn’t spoil it – he fainted down, after one of Istana’s hits. More and more wolves bowed their heads in confirmation of the new leader. Furious and crying Sheik was held on the ground by Black. Tram was too weak even to raise his head and see what happened.

“January, alpha of Talbourne.” Called Teele.

“January, alpha of Talbourne.” Replied choir of wolves and then a collective howl reached the midnight sky.

Malawolf waited as they finished, then raised his muzzle again and called. “As an alpha of Talbourne Clan, I announce… the dissolution of Talbourne Clan.” Because silence that fell than was stunning, he added. “We are clan no more. Go back to your packs.”

And then he collapsed to the ground.

 

XV. Filiokratia (of Sons and Mothers – reprise, of Sons and Fathers - reprise, of Bellowed Enemies of all kinds – reprise: generally - about family above all else)

 

“Yes, yes, yes! We killed me!” exclaimed Maya, floating above her fallen body. But in the same moment he understood some other consequences of that fact. “So that means… I’m dead.”

Steele was waiting. Because on astral body none of injuries could be seen, his recent fight with Shade left no trace. As soon as Maya’s body was killed and Aniu pushed away from it, dark wolf ran to his mother, thrown to higher firmament. Dead malamute left alone and he could safely welcome his dead almost-daughter-in-law.

“Well… yes.” He said, standing before brownfurred. They were just above the Fighting Pillar, of course out the edge of material world, yet close. “But don’t worry so much. I discovered that being dead has some advantages.”

“You are January’s father…” whispered Maya and he nodded her head. “Nice to finally meet you sir.” But then she looked down. “January!” she exclaimed.

“Calm down!” smiled Steele. “He will manage.”

*

Apu, Tulo, Toima, Ian and others scouts from Ian’s unit surrounded malawolf with tight circle, ready to stand for self-deposed alpha. No one could predict how would act the crowd and if January’s command would be obeyed or just ignite clan’s wrath. But at least for several minutes no thing happened.

“January!” called Ea from below. She, Aarre and some bodyguards made the way through almost to the foot of pillar. “What happened?”

“I’m alive, mom.” Replied malawolf. “I’m going down to you…”

He stood up with heavy effort, but just snorted with irritation, when one of scouts wanted to support him. He walked to lifeless body of Maya, knelt down and kissed her motionless lips. Then looked on his companions.

“But… if you’re so kind… Take her down. We must find some nice place…” then he stopped, for to not burst in tears.

Apu – with Toma’s help – took dead alpha on his back and sad retinue moved to path down. There they met Kaata. Wolfess was also running to the pillar, but still aching wound on thigh made her slower. She stopped, seeing her beloved with mournful muzzle and body of Maya, carried just after him.

“Oh, January…” she whispered.

“Just… don’t say anything for while.” He replied. “I must… somehow explain it all to myself.”

He walked next to her, still down and by that accidentally pushing Tenu’s body of the ledge. Hoaryfurred wolf felt down to gorge. Meanwhile Kaata waited several hybrid’s steps, turned back and followed him without a word. In that order they got down to the foot of pillar.

“January!” called Ea and ran to her son. She nestled to his side, crying quietly.

“That’s me, mom.” Replied wolfdog. “I guess…”

Then to them came old sergeant Cayce, hobbling due to wound on his front paw. He stopped before January and bowed his head. Malawolf missed that gesture, because he was watching as Apu put Maya down on the snow.

“Ekhem…” grunted sergeant and alpha-alpha raised his stare.

“You are going to kill me or what?” asked with voice completely washed out from emotions.

“I’m waiting for orders, my alpha.”

“Are you from Beech Pack?” asked January. He shook his head. “So I’m not a proper creature to give you any commands. Where is your alpha?”

But in the same time the uneasy silence of Home Valley was pierced by a twin screams. Fida and Ama finally breached through the crown and got to lifeless Tenu’s bodies. Sisters stopped over dead wolf and gave bone chilling calls. On that sound life seemed to return to January, at least his combat routine.

“Apu, Tulo!” he gasped, gathering all will to thing he could. “Call our troops. Watch out those two, there could be a problem. Circle them and…” But then Fida called with yelling scream.

“Who did it!?”

“Easy, my ladies.” Said January, coming on shivering paws into sister’s direction.

“He is dead…” cried Ama with unexpectedly soft voice.

“Yes, he is dead.” Agreed malawolf. “But I bet he didn’t want you to do anything stupid because of that.”

White and black wolfesses looked on each other and gently nodded their heads.

“It’s over, sis.” She whisperer. “How we could life, if we let him die?”

“But… at least we were with him… and it never fell us out. I love you, sister.”

“May we talk about it?” asked January nervously, but it was too late.

Twins pounced ahead in banzai charge, biting, slashing and hitting at random in crowd of wolves that had a badluck to stand in their way. That was even not an actual revenge on anyone, just furious run against all who lived. As Tenu was dead, twin considered themselves dead too.

There were wolves of Talbourne, random watchers of duel. Fida and Ama killed five in initial rush, but then self-preservation instinct – as due to crowd they had nowhere to run – ordered them to defend themselves. Sisters were exhausted after a long run, panicked and furious, and contrary to popular beliefs such a berserk rarely make fighter more efficient. If twins wanted to break away and run, they would have done that easily. But they stayed in sea of wolves fangs and claws, quickly being overran with that flood. Just after two minutes white and black wolfesses were killed.

“Sir, are you all right?” called Toima, who made way to alpha-alpha.

“Yeah…” murmured January. “Thanks God I’m not their leader anymore. That was not my fault… But I tried.”

“Of course, you tried, sir.” Replied scout. “But now, come with me… to lady Ea.”

But malawolf ignored her and started to climb the path on main ledge. He was walking in chaotic crowd of Talbourne wolves and if anyone wanted to kill him, he could do it. But it seemed that shock of Maya’s death was so hard that claners were too lost to feel any anger. So hybrid came to cave’s entrance, where he noticed inner circle of Talbourne wolves – Sheik with Rose and pups, Teele with her scouts and some wolves examining Tram’s wounds.

“Teele!” called January. “Have you any idea how to send them away without any massacre?”

“I guess that your sidekicks are better disciplined.” Replied old agent. “If some one starts massacre, it would be you.”

“No, no more.” Said wolfdog, coming closer to cave. “Order… no, just tell them to find their packs… for every wolf to find a pack or go at her or his own if that fits better…”

“Steele!” murmured Teele. “So… you really did what Steele wished to.”

“I did!” gasped malawolf. “I doubt if I ever forgive myself…” He shook his head and looked on the other wolves. “But anyway… persuade who you know to leave Home Cave. From now on they have whole peninsula to live.”

“And you?” asked Teele with bitter voice. “The Pack is still one… You rule over Yukon Valley with iron paw and could subordinate us easily.”

“Yes, I could.” Smiled January. “But I will surprise you, I hope – I’m going to dissolve the Pack, as soon as we get back to Haven.”

“So you want to gain some practise?” asked old agent, but malawolf ignored that caustic.

“Rose!” called hybrid, coming closer to redfurred. “Was it you, who wanted to kill me?”

“Yes, so what?” asked wolfess, baring her fangs and stepping ahead to shield her pups.

“So I guess you have some brains here.” Grinned malawolf. “Just… some wolves here could want you bad… get your mate and pups… get your pack and get out of here.”

“I thought you would have some grudge.” Replied a bit confused Rose.

“I thought the same too.” Said hybrid. “But it passed away. So, will you be all right? You and… Stardust Pack.”

“I guess…” seeing that malawolf was turning in other direction, she called after him.

“And what will be the name of your pack?” she asked. “You know… to someday tell my grandpups about this mess.”

“Beech Pack.” Replied hybrid. “I’m reviving my father’s pack. And if we ever meet… I hope that would be in better times. I’m sorry for Lake. It was really unplanned. You should know a little about messing the plans.”

And then he walked to wolves, surrounding Tram. He gently pushed two of them away and stopped over wounded male.

“Hey, I see you will be most likely all right.” Tram nodded his head. “I guess that due to chain of strange events, you are alpha of Talbourne. But Talbourne Pack, not the clan. Remember about it.”

“You… killed Maya.” Whispered Tram.

“Yes. And that will be something for me to remember.” Said January and walked away.

He had still lot on his mind – to withdraw Pack’s army to the Haven, perhaps also dissolve Tenu’s divisions in progress. And there, in home, somehow made his subjects not to follow him anymore. The work seemed hard. But he smiled anyway, knowing that mother and Kaata would help him.

*

But there was someone else to assist - maybe not in our world, but close. Steele and Maya were watching malawolf, as he was leading army back and announcing dissolution of the Pack. What was quite surprising, wolves took that news

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