smile on his face. “It’s our duty to protect the Alpha of the Talbourne Clan, no matter what sacrifices we have to make.”

“All right then. Let’s put it to a vote,” Saba announced. “Haroe?”

“Of course,” he responded with his orange ears twitching. “If anything would dare threaten our world here, we must be prepared for anything.”

“Kema?” Saba turned to the gray she-wolf for her response.

“We have been living peacefully since you have become our Alpha, Saba,” Kema spoke her mind. “I’ll admit it that I wasn’t too sure that I could move on without Aleu as Alpha, but you have surprised me with your sudden wisdom and authority to lead.” She smiled. “So, I vote that we do prepare to make ourselves ready for whatever awaits in our future.”

“Okay. Nava, what do you say?” Saba’s gaze turned to the tan elder, who had been an Alpha long before she was even conceived within her mother.

“We do not know what danger or blessing the future holds, but we can prepare for may approach us somehow,” the mystical lupine spoke wisely. “Despite her newness to our society, Saba speaks with a newfound wisdom, blessed to her by the Great Aniu. I believe that we should train all that are old enough to defend themselves, for I agree with what Aleu spoke of – ‘a calm before the storm’ is indeed upon us.” His tone was more spiritual now, as if the Great Spirits were speaking through him at that very moment. “Something is coming . . . but what it is, I know not. We must prepare to defend our home, our way of life, our hope for Aniu’s Clan.”

“Yes, I vote to immediately start training for all that can hunt or defend themselves,” Aleu stood up. “Saba has already agreed to help me relearn my fighting skills, as well as teaching my youngest pup how to defend herself.” She smiled back at her sister. “I believe that we should all be prepared.”

“Then it is agreed – we shall begin training in the morning for every wolf old enough,” It was hard for Saba to say her next words, but it had to be done. “I fear for my son’s life, but now is not the time for me to shed tears for him. We must protect what we have made here at all costs, even if we lose our lives in the process.” She now had a sense of confidence in her tone. “I know Aniu is watching over us now, protecting us as darker days approach us.”

As Saba slept that night after the meeting was adjourned, Tram’s parting words echoed through her mind, causing her to toss and turn.

“The next time we see each other, you’ll regret that you ever defied me . . . I swear it . . .”

That voice . . . that voice . . . Saba could see her son speaking those words to her, but she still couldn’t figure out the owner of the evil tone. It sounds so familiar to me, but why can’t I recognize it?

Oh, why do I feel so frightened whenever I hear that voice?Saba felt her heart pounding as the sentence continued to repeat in her mind. I am fearful for my son, for the Talbourne, as well as for myself . . .

She closed her eyes, hoping that she could sense the white wolf’s spirit within her once more. Oh, Aniu . . . I am afraid . . . It has been two months since I felt your presence last . . . I wonder what is wrong and what awaits your Clan and my family here . . . I know that you are protecting us, but I can’t help but worry . . .

Where are you now, Aniu?

(Act II – completed 10/22/08)

To be Continued in ACT III - MATURITY . . .