human . . . and the ultimate cost to the Clan was severe. Many wolves fell to their deaths with honor because of his vicious attacks with guns and other fast-shooting weapons, but not even she as the Alpha of the Talbourne could stop him.

 

She knew that if Shade was to appear, she should at least try to fight him once more . . . No, I can’t . . . Oh, I can’t move . . . but Aleu was completely immobilized by her fear. If he kills me, . . . I . . . I’ll die . . . permanently . . .

 

Damn it, . . . I can’t do anything . . .

 

Bravely, Aleu was able to peek from her hiding place, looking out at the cliff that was now lined with wolves all of a sudden . . . She managed to gasp in shock – her family and friends that were somehow defending her . . . Wait a minute, why are they risking their lives to protect me? I’m no longer the Alpha . . . Saba is! I don’t understand . . .

 

Shade’s burned flesh appeared before them from a cloak of mysterious dark mist, standing at the cliff’s edge that she had only stood moments ago. One who had never seen the dark wolf before would only wished that they had stuck to hearing the stories, mainly because just the sight of him would make one shiver in total fear and smelling him would make anyone throw up. Compared to the majestically perfect ivory form of Aniu, Shade was her exact opposite. He was once a black wolf, but his fur was mostly burned off by fire, leaving only the rotting flesh of pale skin that remained. His skin – well, what was left of it – was crawling with white maggots, and his eyes emanated nothing but evil, shining with a bright blood-red. His scent was so wretched and putrid, that Aleu tried to plug her nose, but it was to no avail – the stench was far too strong.

 

However, the group of fighters seemed to ignore the scent. They lowered themselves in a defensive position and growled with their claws out, ready to attack, but Aleu couldn’t believe that Shade would even have a chance against them, most especially because one of them standing in front of him was the same one that had destroyed him the last time before – Saba, Aleu’s successor to the title of Alpha of the Talbourne.

 

No . . . NO!

 

Her eyes were wide at what she saw – the reddish form of Shadow, as well as the now-white form of her sister Saba, was completely engulfed by the darkness of Shade. They were vaporized by the dark energy that filled the air, leaving nothing but battered pieces of what was once her mate and her Alpha.

 

My God . . . Just the sight of what remained of Shadow and Saba made Aleu vomit and want to turn away. Why is this happening? O Aniu, where are you?

 

Just when she said that, a glow filled the area where her defenders were all falling and disappearing into oblivion.  She caught a glimpse of more of them as Shade’s howl blasted around them. As each one fell, Aleu shed a tear for each one, recognizing them by name as she did so.

 

Melody . . . Dash . . . Timbre . . . Everest . . . no, not . . . not the kids! She saw the red, gray and brown forms of her older children disappear into nothingness. Lima . . . Sheik . . . Thunder . . . No, no . . . Nooo! Aleu collapsed amidst her tears at the sight. There was nothing left for her to do . . . everyone she trusted and loved was gone from her sight and killed.

 

How can the Talbourne survive now? Without a leader, we are doomed . . . and Shade will be able to finish his plan, by killing me for good . . . She cried to herself as she felt Shade’s horrid presence begin to close in on her. She shut her eyes, waiting for death to welcome her, but a wolf’s howl began to clear her senses. What the –? That howl . . . The sound was piercing, almost unreal to the ears if one was able to hear it for themselves. Opening her eyes, she saw nothing but a bright blue aura in front of her, protecting her from Shade!

 

Who . . . who is that? Aleu wondered about the aura. It was a wolf, no doubt about it, but the glowing was so intensely bright that she couldn’t make out who the wolf was. It felt like the radiance was so warm against her own coat . . . it completely engulfed her body, causing her eyelids to fall as if she were merely preparing for a deep sleep . . . all feelings seemed to disappear into the brilliant light as the she-wolf had a final thought on the lupine’s identity . . . Could it possibly be . . .

 

Is it actually . . . Aniu?

 

 

 

Aleu gasped herself awake, eyes opened widely. She rapidly tried to catch her breath from what she had just seen in her dream. How . . . horrible . . . Flashes of Shade’s destruction onto her family and friends appeared in her mind. It seemed too real . . . far too real . . . She could still catch a whiff of the demon lord’s scent lightly in the air, making her nearly throw up again.

 

Oh God, . . . was he here? She tried not to vomit, but Aleu couldn’t hold it in much longer, releasing it from her mouth with a cough, nearly gagging on the thought. She had the sudden case of the chills, sensing the whiff of evil scent looming around her for a moment until it suddenly evaporated into the air.

 

He was here . . . I know it . . . She let out a slight whine of fear, knowing that somehow he had managed to get into her mind that night. But why? Why would anyone show me this? I’m not the Alpha anymore – I should no longer be the target, . . . right?

 

But this wasn’t the only thing from her vision that bothered her.

 

But that wolf in the blue glow . . . was that really Aniu or . . . was it someone else? She tried to imagine anyone she knew that had a howl like that. It wasn’t me, I’m sure of that . . . Likea and Sheae are too young to even know about how to howl appropriately, or even how to survive out here so they’re out of the picture . . . Again, more names entered her head of those that she didn’t see die in her vision. Well, there’s also Sunny, Tram and Rife . . . but they’re still far too young themselves . . . What about the rest of my nieces – Dash and Melody’s remaining children? She shook her head at the thought. No, they’re old enough, but to be able to control the force of Aniu’s being like that . . . it would be impossible for any of them to handle . . .

 

She knew what it took to harness the power of Aniu – One must be deeply bound to Aniu in order to handle the strength she possesses . . . Aniu usually is the one that appoints such a fate, so I don’t know much else . . . Besides, the only ones I know of for sure that could even do anything with her guiding them is myself and Saba . . . She remembered . . . well, she didn’t actually remember it – she was dead at the time that it happened – but Saba’s new form was being used by Aniu and Aleu was brought back the eternal coldness of death after Shade nearly had her staring death in the face. By the time Saba defeated the hellish beast, Aleu was already dead, thus Aniu’s powers came of good use.

 

But whatever that was, I just hope that never happens . . . Aleu lowered her head back down to her front legs and sighed to lower her eyelids once more in relief, praying that she wouldn’t have to witness that in real life.

 

“Mom? Are you okay?” A small feminine voice asked her, causing her to open her eyes and see the source of the query. “I hope you’re not getting sick today, Mom, or else Dad’ll make sure I stay here with you all day today.”

 

It was a young she-pup, at least two months old based on her height and appearance. Her light beige-white coat shone brightly, easily letting her two eye-patch markings of gray-brown and red stand out against her blue and gold eyes. She was light on her large paws, and her tail swished eagerly.

 

“Hey, Mom? What’s up with you this morning? Are you all right?” She shook Aleu’s neck with her paws until the older female finally responded back.

 

“Oh . . . um, I’m fine, Little Jadze,” Aleu answered with a smile, giving her daughter a little lick on the cheek. “You know you don’t have to worry about me so much.”

 

“But Daddy says I have to,” the pup retorted back. “He’s always so protective of you, so he wants me to protect you too.”

 

It must be one of those things that only a father can teach their daughter, I suppose, Aleu smiled at the thought. She certainly is her father’s child . . .She let out a soft sigh. “Hmm, speaking of your father, where is he?” Aleu asked. “Have you seen him?”

 

“Oh yeah, I did. He left about an hour ago for the security team while you were still asleep,” her beige daughter answered back in a polite manner. “I asked him if I could go with him to see what he does, but he said no. He said that I had to be with you when you woke up since he couldn’t.” Her tone easily reflected how disappointed she was at that fact.

 

Yep, that’s Shadow, all right, Aleu thought with a caring smile. Always so protective of all of us.“You’re still too young to be with your father yet – you’re still a pup.”

 

“Ohh, Mom . . . I’m only two months old – I’m not a baby anymore!” Little Jadze huffed with a whine, much to Aleu’s own amusement.

 

“I know, I know, but you’re still not old enough to do what your father does yet. Maybe in a few more months,” Aleu smiled, reminiscing on how much her daughter reminded her of herself at that age. It was good to think of something positive after that horrific vision from just moments ago. “Now stay still, darling – it’s time for your bath.” She lifted her child by the scruff of her shoulders and placed her into where her front legs were waiting for her.

 

“Ah, hey! Mom! Moooom!” Little Jadze groaned rather loudly between the licks of her mother’s tongue against her fur. “I

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