yelled Melody. “I gotta go,” Melody said, “It was nice talking to you Timbre. “I enjoyed it as well, thank you Melody.” “Maybe we could meet and talk some more later,” said Melody, somewhat shyly. “I’d like that,” Timbre replied. “Yeah well, I’ll talk to you later then,” Melody said, backing away. “Later,” Timbre said. Melody turned and ran to where Max was standing at the other side of the room.

It was later in the day, when Melody got the chance to talk to Timbre again. At first she couldn’t find him. She was about to give up when she spied him up on the top ledge overlooking the chamber. She walked up to him. “Hi Timbre,” she said. “Melody, right?” said Timbre. “Yes,” she replied, “that’s me. I haven’t seen you around before, when did you get here?” “I was picked up by the pack about three weeks ago,” Timbre said. My entire pack was wiped out by some hunters,” he continued. I thought that I was going to die,” he said. “Then Dash found me. I was sorry to hear that he was among the missing.” “Yeah,” Melody said, ”Dash was my brother.” “Oh, I’m sorry,” Timbre said. Melody still couldn’t shake the feeling that he looked guilty as he continued. “I wouldn’t have said anything if I’d known.” Melody smiled a little, “That’s alright,” she said. “Melody?” A voice from behind her said. Melody turned to see Shasta walking up behind her. “Hey Shasta, how are you doing?” “Good,” Shasta said. “Did your dad tell you the good news yet?” “No,” Melody said, “we left before he got back.” Shasta smiled, “Dash and I…” Her smile drooped and she looked at the ground. Melody felt sorry for her. She herself had done the same things in the days since the pack’s attack. Shasta regained her composure somewhat and looked back up at Melody. “I’m going to have pups.” She said slowly. Melody didn’t know what to say to help Shasta out. “Congratulations,” she said, but it came out sounding weak. “You know,” Shasta began, “a part of me wants to believe that he’s still alive…but it’s been days, ya know? I mean….do you think he could still be out there somewhere?” “I hope so,” Melody said. “I felt so useless,” Shasta said. “The first thing he did was come get me. When he left, he said, “I’m indestructible.” That was the last time I saw him. Her eyes clouded over. “I’m sorry,” she said. “No,” Melody said, “go ahead, cry, it helps I know, I did.” “Thanks,” Shasta said, as a tear rolled down her face. “I’ll let you go on now, I just saw you over here and had to talk to you.” We’ll talk more later,” Melody said. “Thanks Melody,” Shasta said, “I’d like that..” “Mom’s around here somewhere,” Melody said. “Yeah I know, Shasta said, I need to talk to her too.”

“Well I’ll see you again soon then,” Shasta said. “Soon,” Melody said. Shasta walked off toward the entrance to the room. Melody watched Timbre as he stared after her. He looked… sad. “You wanna go for a walk with me,” he said. “Sure,” Melody responded, “let’s go.”

It’s a little cold out here, isn’t it?” Melody said. “Do you want to go back,” Timbre started. “If you’re cold..” Melody interrupted him, “I’m fine.” They’d been walking and talking for quite a while now. Melody was surprised how much she had in common with him. ”So, have you been in many fights before?” Melody asked. “A few,” Timbre answered. “Are you good at it?” She asked. “I’m alright,” he responded, “I’m still here aren’t I?” “Can you run?” Melody asked. “You’re either good at fighting or running.” “I can run,” Timbre said, “yeah.” “Betcha can’t beat me to the top of the hill.” She said, then she took off running. Timbre took off in hot pursuit. He started to pull up alongside her. She turned her head and squealed at him. Then the side of the hill crumbled, both of them slid down it and rolled to the bottom, a big ball of hair and snow. At the bottom they slid about five feet. Melody started laughing. “Whew!” She yelled, “That was fun!” “That was kind of cool,” Timbre said. Melody looked up at the sky; the sun was just beginning to go down. “We better head back, huh?” Timbre said. Melody sighed. Yeah I guess so,” she said, “It’s getting late and we’ve still got quite a trip back.” “Well let’s get going,” Timbre said.

CHAPTER III

About two hours later Melody and Timbre reached the cave. “Hey Melody,” Timbre said, “I’m going to stay out here for a while. I really enjoyed talking with you.” “I did too,” Melody said. “Will I see you tomorrow? He asked” “Probably,” Melody said. “I hope so,” said Timbre. Melody smiled and walked inside the cave. What am I doing? Timbre thought. “Whoa, who’s that?” A voice from behind him said. “Iimos,” Timbre said, turning around. A brown wolf stood behind him. “That was so sweet,” Iimos said, mockingly, “I hope so.” “Hey shut up,” Timbre said, “did you see her?” “I sure did,” Iimos said. “In fact we need to talk, Eiko doesn’t…” He was cut off by Timbre. ”Shhh!” Timbre said as he looked around quickly. “Follow me,” he whispered. He walked out into the woods a little ways, Iimos followed. “You can’t just say Eiko’s name around here,” Timbre said. “They’re on a high alert right now, you’ll blow my cover.” “You might do that yourself,” Iimos said.” “What?” Timbre asked. “The girl, she is Aleu’s sister. Aleu is the enemy in case you’ve forgotten.” “I know who the enemy is,” Timbre said, a little perturbed. “Does Eiko think I’m gonna let a cute girl get the best of me?” “You two got pretty close back there,” Iimos said. “Eiko wants you to break it off, in fact he thought it’d be a good morale blow if you took her out.” “No, Timbre said, “she’s not involved in this yet, if she finds out ‘bout me that’s one thing, but not just for the heck of it.” “I told Eiko that would be your answer, so she lives, for now,” Iimos said. “Just keep this thing in check. I don’t need to tell you how important this is to the pack. We almost had them last time, now once you see that they’re getting lax again… boom we take them out.” “That’s the plan man,” Timbre said. “Eiko wants to know one thing, can you do the girl, if it comes to that?” “No problem,” Timbre said, my loyalty is exclusively to the pack, she’s just nice to have around. If she get’s to be a burden… I’ll just take her on another walk, and not bring her back.” “I’ll tell Eiko we’re cool then?” Iimos asked. “We’re cool,” Timbre replied. “Be careful Timbre,” Iimos said, “you’re my friend, Eiko isn’t some one to cross. You’ll find yourself way in over your head. Take care of yourself my friend.” “You too man,” Timbre said. Iimos blended intothe shadows around him. Timbre looked carefully around, then he went back in the cave.

CHAPTER IV

Hey mom,” Melody said, “I’m back. Where’s dad?” He went to go talk to your sister,” Jenna said. “I think he’s going to stop by and see Shasta too.” “She’s really taking this hard,” Melody said, softly. “We all are,” said Jenna. “By the way where were you today?” “Oh, I hung out with a wolf I met,” Melody said. “Is it a guy?” Jenna asked. “Yes,” Melody said, “but we’re just friends,” she added quickly. “Uh-huh,” Jenna said, “I know how that works.” No really mom,” Melody said, I just met him.” “Do you like him?” “Mom,” Melody said, “please don’t do this.” “Oh come on,” Jenna said, “you don’t like him just a little bit.” “Mom please?” Melody asked. “Okay, Okay,” Jenna said. She paused, “Is he cute?” Mom,” Melody said, irritably. “At least tell me his name,” Jenna said. “His name’s Timbre,” Melody responded. “I’m tired, where’s Max and Flash?” “They’re already asleep,” Jenna said. “Good,” Melody said, “I’m gonna join them.” “Okay,” Jenna said, “I’m going to wait up on your dad, so I might be a little while.” “Good night mom,” Melody said. “Good night