missed at the morning role call. As they walked back, Ryder asked if she would like to go out again soon. Belle had been delighted.

            Then we really got to like each other, Belle thought, so much we wanted a family. And so we did.

Presently, she reached a small landing along the incline, and padded inside a cave nearly invisible to the untrained eye; the nursery. A light brown female laying nearby rose to meet her and bowed her head respectfully.

            “It’s good to see you again, my eva,” she said.

            “And you as well, Ruth,” Belle replied, “Have my children given you any trouble?”

“No trouble at all. They’re little angels.”

A squeal of delight reached their ears, and the two looked up to where the pups were playing. One after another, seven pups were chasing each other happily on one of the upper shelves of the nursery. One of them looked down and saw Belle.

“Momma!” she squealed in delight, jumping down from ledge to ledge until she was on the ground. Two other pups followed her. She and her brother were both white like their mother, and her sister was brown like their father. Belle smiled and bent down to kiss each one on the forehead.

“Have you all been behaving?” she asked.

“Yes, momma,” they replied in unison. Belle smiled again and nodded to her white daughter.

“Isha, are you still having trouble sleeping at night?”

“Not any more,” she said proudly.

“But now you snore, and keep us awake,” laughed her brown sister.

“Ana, be nice.”

“Momma,” said her white son, “when’s dad coming home?”

“He’ll be home tonight, Ranok,” Belle soothed, “He’ll come in and give you all kiss good night.”

“Alright,” Ruth said, “time for bed everyone.”

With a moan of disapproval, the rest of the pups made their way with Belle’s children to the small den at the far end of the cavern. Ruth and Belle waited until they were all asleep before they slipped away to talk by the entrance.

“Thanks again for watching them, Ruth,” Belle said softly, turning to leave.

“Of course, Belle,” Ruth replied, noting a tenseness in her leader’s stance, “Anxious for Ryder to get back?”

“Yes, I am. Good night, Ruth.”

Belle made her way up to the very top of the incline and padded into the small, secluded cave there. She lay down in the middle of the floor and waited. After a short while, she laid her head down and dozed off...

She woke to the scuffling of paws nearby and lifted her head, expecting to see her mate.

“Ryder?” she said, standing up.

“No, but close,” said a voice from behind her, “Care to guess again?”

Belle spun around and came face to face with a figure cloaked in shadows. Only his outline was visible, revealing that he was either a dog or a wolf and nothing more.

“Who are you?” Belle demanded, “And how did you get in here?”

“I’m no one important,” the shadow replied, “but that shouldn’t matter in a moment.”

Without another word, he leapt upon her.

Belle fought as best she could, but her assailant was still stronger and heavier than her, and he used his weight to his advantage, quickly pinning her face down on the cave floor. She tried to shout for help, but her attacker held her muzzle down.

“And now,” he said, “I’m afraid we must part ways.”

She could feel his breath on the back of her neck, and knew what he was about to do. She struggled in vain for a few moments, but gave in as she felt his teeth closing around her neck. No hope, she thought, no hope…

            Suddenly, she felt her assailant being thrown violently off of her.

            “Belle, are you alright?” said a familiar voice.

            She looked up and sighed in relief. Ryder had returned.

            He growled at her assailant, who had regained his footing and stood back amongst the shadows.

            “Whoever you are, you’ve made a bad mistake coming here,” Ryder snarled, advancing slowly, “I’m giving you one chance to get out of here.”

            “Thanks,” the shadow laughed, “but I’m here for you.”

            He leapt at Ryder, who lashed out with his claws as they tumbled over on the cave floor. Belle ran out onto the ledge and shouted down into the cave.

            “Help! Tes, call out the guard!”

            Below, Tes heard her, and readily obeyed. Bursting into a run, he shouted at the few others standing nearby as the rest leapt to their feet, instantly awake. Belle watched as they started running up the incline, but a cry of agony made her spin around in fear.

            The stranger had gained the upper hand, and had Ryder pinned. He sank his teeth into Ryder’s throat and blood began to seep from between his jaws. Ryder thrashed and struggled valiantly, but to no avail. The stranger swung his neck violently and there was a terrible crack. He released his hold on Ryder, who collapsed in a bloody heap. His throat nearly torn out, Ryder painfully raised his eyes to those of his mate and friend.

            “Forgive me, Belle,” he whispered. Then his eyes glazed over, and the last sigh hissed through his body. Ryder was dead.

            Belle stepped back in disbelief, tears filling her eyes. Behind her, Tes and the home guard surged up the incline to defend her. They moved past her and formed a protective barrier two rows thick. It was then that they saw Ryder.

            “You won’t leave here alive, scum,” Tes growled.

            “Neither will you, if you insist on fighting,” the stranger laughed, “Look behind you.”

            One of the lower-ranking wolves cast a glance over his shoulder and nearly fell in shock.

            “Tes! L-look!” he stammered.

            Tes turned around, and felt his courage give way to fear.

            In the cavern below stood an army of wolves. The few sentries Tes had left below lay dead where they had stood, an expression of disbelief frozen on their faces. Tes himself was stunned speechless. How did they sneak up on us, he thought, How did they know? Enraged, he turned on the stranger.

            “If these are your warriors, then we will deprive them of a leader!” he shouted, baring his teeth and advancing.

            Sensing his intention, the stranger laughed.

            Behind them, Belle cried out as she felt hot breath on her neck. Others had slipped behind her and now held her. Tes spun around and snarled at her captors, but Ryder’s murderer laughed again.

            “You will do as you’re told,” he growled at Tes, “unless you want her blood on your paws…”

            Tes stopped in his tracks, his chest heaving in hatred. Gradually, though, he came to realize that he had no right to gamble Belle’s life on revenge. Swallowing his pride and his anger, Tes stepped back, head lowered.

            “You win, whoever you are,” he muttered, “Let her go.”

            The stranger, still hidden in shadows, continued talking as though he hadn’t heard Tes.

            “You are to descend the incline and assemble in the cavern,” he said, keeping his hold on Belle, “No heroics, or there will be consequences.”

            “You promised to release Belle-”

            “I would not talk so freely, captain,” the stranger snarled, “I gave no such guarantee. You’re lucky I’ve decided to spare your pathetic band of wolves. She will be properly seen to.” Tes glared at him. “You will join her when the time is right. Now go!”

            Tes turned, and with a heavy heart led the home guard down the incline.

            As he watched them go, the shadowy figure turned as a group of the wolf army below made their way up to him. When they reached him, they all bowed respectfully, and the one in front stepped up; the light revealed a scar across his left eye.