"Mommy, I don't want us to leave! And I want Daddy to come if we have to!"

Resa stood up with a whimper, and picked him up by the scruff. "We have to, darling." She limped for the entrance, every staring wolf moving back out of the way.

Kanook narrowed his eyes. Even if his best friend, and brother, was leaving...he wouldn't go if Resa was going too. She spit after her. "We don't NEED you! Get out of here!" He turned around and kicked up snow after her.

Suka and Chinook glanced at each other, then did the same as Kanook. They were going to help their friend get revenge, even if no one approved.

But suprisingly, all the pack started snarling and snapping at her as she went through them to the entrance of camp.

One called out, "You slut, get out!" And she raced at her and rammed her head against hers. Resa dropped Blade, and yelped.

Jei lunged forward and slammed his head into the wolf's gutt, making her jump back and the others flatten their ears.

 "Let Resa leave in peace, and we won't fight you." His muscled rippled under his fur as his hackles rised. The pack glanced at each other, then backed away.

Kanook was on the ground, snarling his head off. Suka and Chinook tried to comfort him, but he bit them every time they made a move forward. So they finally sat down and did nothing.

Akela was only watching, then stood up as Resa neared with Blade back in her jaws by the scruff. Jei took the lead, and Akela guarded behind them as Resa left the territory with Kanook's only brother.

Soro let out a howl from his den, filled with anger and no longer mourn or regret. The pack lifted their heads and joined in, banishing Resa from the pack. But they all agreed, without talking, to get Blade back somehow.

Kanook and Soro's howl was the loudest of all. Suka and Chinook exchanged glances yet again, then lifted their heads and joined in just as loud. They were also good friends with Blade, and would do anything to get him back.

But Resa? No. None in the pack cared for her anymore.

Kanook swore on his life that he would get back at Resa. Though it was a foolish swear, and stupid too, he got it from his father. He inherited his father's temper...and his madness. He would soon have to tame that...but after he got back at Resa.

The pack retreated to their dens for the night, but Kanook stayed where he was. He sat in the center of camp, eyes narrowed and blazing angrily. Suka and Chinook backed off, for Kanook was growling nonstop, and occasionally snapped at nothing, licking his jaws.

Kanook's closest friends went back to their own dens after midnight, cold and tired. But Kanook stayed...not even shaking snow off his pelt.

At dawn, Soro emerged from his den, as if on a regular day. But his red eyes were dull, and he advanced toward his son.

Kanook flicked his ears Soro's way, but didn't move. His father came up and sat by his side for a while, and they kept quiet for about an hour, watching over camp.

He broke the silence. "Kanook."

For the first time since night, Kanook turned his head Soro's way, tipping it to the side. "Yes, father?"

Soro blinked, still looking straight ahead of him. "When you reach the age of one and a half, you will be my top guard, general, and fighter. When I go, you will be the Alpha of this pack. Do you accept these positions?"

Kanook felt a surge of slight happiness, that died quickly and flamed into an ambition. "I accept. Thank you, father."

Soro dipped his head. "Good. When you reach the age of one, however...you may join the battle against Bloodclaw's pack to get Blade back. But there's something else you must do during that battle."

"What is that, father?"

"You must kill Resa with your own fangs."

Kanook grinned, his fangs glistening. "I can do that."

END OF PART 1