The Heritage

          In the very next morning, Dan, Balto, Luna, Boris and even Muk and Luk were sat near the wrecked boat. He told them about what had happened in the previous day, and explained the plan Aniu had suggested. They all found it a good idea. Balto and Luna assured that they would follow Dan in his travel, to help him convincing his family about his decision. Since they had more days to think about that, they decided to make bigger plans later.

They all passed the day in that tense mood, apprehensive about that apparently dangerous travel. None of them had made a time travel before. Even Dan wasn’t completely calm. He was sat in the deck of the boat, thoughtful. Though he was sure Aniu would take them safely to Olney, he knew that his parents’ reaction wouldn’t be good. They couldn’t stop him from coming back to Nome, but if they disapproved that, it wouldn’t be the same thing. So, to distract himself from that, he analyzed and calculated his human age to discover his exact canine age. Finally, after some moments of thinking, he found out that his age as a dog was almost one year old. The rest of the day was considerably boring. In the second day after Dan’s interaction with Aniu, at the sunset, Dan went to the woods with Luna. They were heading to the cliff to feel the wind and enjoy the landscape again. They weren't exactly in the mood to plan a romantic date, so they were just taking a walk. Luna got a little tired after walking great part of the way, so they sat down to take a break. Suddenly both raised their ears instinctively. There were noises coming from somewhere in the woods. The couple got up, alert. Dan sniffed the air, trying to track any different scent, and he did. It was a wild scent, and a bit similar to his. Surely it was…

- Wolves. – the hybrid said at last.

Luna, though concerned, wasn’t exactly afraid. She was intrigued.

- Should we check out? – she asked, surprising Dan.

- It can be dangerous. – he warned, worried about Luna’s safety.

- I know. – she replied, letting show her sense of adventure.

Dan, though reluctantly, nodded that she could go. They walked silently towards the source of the noises. They walked with their bodies low to the ground, stepping carefully, not wanting to be caught invading a wolf territory. As they approached the source of the noises, they could hear them more clearly. It sounded like a fight. They could hear sounds of struggle, roars and pain cries. More voices looked to be cheering the fight, supporting one of the fighters. The couple stayed hidden behind some bushes. Dan gave a look through the leaves. It was a small clear. There were three gray wolves on a side, howling and screaming cheering someone. In other side, there were two wolves. The one who seemed to be winning was black, with some dark gray streaks on his fur. His eyes were golden yellow, and had an insane glow of anger. His mouth was forming a cruel smile, while clawing and pushing away another gray wolf. This one was smaller, and looked weak and old. Dan watched more carefully. He got wide-eyed. When the weaker wolf turned his face to the black one, Dan recognized him. It was Nava! The hybrid’s first impulse was to jump between him and the other wolves and defend him, but the black wolf started talking.

- Look at you, old wolf. Gave up from everything to help traitors. - the black wolf said to Nava, still not noticing Dan and Luna's presence – First two mutts taking over your own pack, now you're helping another one. You’re a disgrace. Unfortunately, I’m not very forgiving when it comes to treason. You’ll learn it in the hardest way.

The black wolf prepared to lunge at Nava again, but suddenly, Dan leaped from behind the bushes and landed between them, snarling. The wolf looked surprised, but quickly regained his arrogant mood.

- Who are you? – he asked, starting to snarl at Dan too.

Dan didn’t answer, and not daring to turn his back to the threatening wolf, turned his head to Luna, who had left their hideout too.

- Luna, see if Nava is okay. I’ll take care of him. – he said, turning his gaze back to the wolves.

The female stood beside Nava, checking if he was okay.

- Who are you, and why are you doing this to Nava?! – Dan asked, harshly.

The black wolf lifted his head, boastfully.

- I am Ohanzee, leader of the pack that rules this territory. – he answered, arrogantly proud of himself. – Now who are you?

- Daniel. – the hybrid simply replied. – What did Nava ever do to you?

Ohanzee looked at him in despise, but he remained calm.

- I don’t need to explain you anything. He’s a traitor, and he’s going to pay.

- I know Nava, and I know he wouldn’t betray anyone. – Dan objected.

The black wolf frowned.

- You know him? – he said. – So, you’re the mutt he helped, huh? – a malicious grin appeared on his face. – How convenient. Killing two rabbits with a single bite.

The other wolves started to approach slowly. Dan held his ground.

- What do you have against hybrids? – he asked, defiantly.

- Everything! – Ohanzee spat in anger.

- Oh, looks like I’ve hit a nerve. – Dan grinned.

The alpha stopped, mimicked by his minions.

- I was part of another pack when I was young. – he started to tell. – The leader’s daughter was fascinated by those filthy humans. I knew our pack would end up in disgrace if she ever became the alpha. And one day the worst happened. She brought that pet into our pack! – his voice showed furious despise by the mere mention of the dog. – And now he would end up being the leader too! Our pack, under the command of a mutt! – Ohanzee made a pause. – But then, he disappeared. Most likely ran away. Then, when she gave birth, our pack was attacked by hunters. We were forced to run away. But at least a good thing happened. – he made a grin. – They found her.

Dan couldn't believe it. How could that wolf feel happy about the death of someone?

- We don’t know what happened to the cubs, but anyway, it didn’t matter. – Ohanzee paused again, looking mistrustful at Dan. – And actually… you pretty much look like one of them…

The hybrid frowned. That was suspicious, indeed. That story matched with Balto's mother. Maybe Balto was one of the lost pups. And seeing that Dan was so similar to him, that would explain Ohanzee's comment.

- I reunited the survivors, and some of them accepted to be leaded by me, while others chose to die alone. – Ohanzee continued. – And then we found out about a pack that had moved through the river to another territory with the help of two half-breeds, and the responsible for that was that traitor there. – he threw an angry glance at Nava. – Our scouts saw him trespassing our territories, and we chased after him for some days, and now we finally found him. Now, are you getting out of the way or not? – he demanded.

- No. – Dan replied, snarling. – If you mess with him, you'll have to face me.

Ohanzee made a surprised expression, realizing what was happening. But then he grinned, confidently.

- With pleasure. – he said, and started walking in a circle, followed by Dan, none of them daring to turn their back at each other. – You have no chance against me. I’m trained to fight since I was young. I’ve been trough many battles. And what is your level of experience, wolf-dog? None. – he boasted.

- If that’s what you think, then you’re as good as dead. – Dan replied harshly, though realizing that Ohanzee had a point, but he would not give up.

The alpha was bigger than