wolf of solid, soldier’s constitution and veteran’s look. He was in charge of all military operation of Haven Wolves, yet in political matters he was running the Pack along with Ea and Varjo. That triumvirate kept the Pack in unity since death of its founder.

So January came to mother, licked her cheek, then turned to two alpha-betas and they all give a bow at once. Commanders were saluting their future leader. Wolfdog was giving his respect to his tutors. When that was done, he simply nudged sides of Apu and Tulo, as his best friends.

“Good to see you, sir.” Said Varjo. “Hello, my dear.” He looked on Kaata. “But let’s go down to the business. Our sources in Home Cave are confirming all good news. Shadow will be dead in just few days. The presentation ceremony could be done on solstice.”

“Are you sure to be so hasty, sir?” asked January. “I must warn you – if you recognise me as ready to take my father’s heritage, I will do it. Seriously. I mean: I will be the real leader of the Pack. No more <strong suggestions>, I’m going to run this place seriously. However, I could wait, if you are not sure about me.”

“Of course, you are ready.” Said instantly Ea. “It’s high time you get a responsibility for what we are doing. Don’t worry, you will be real alpha… We – just good… advisors.”

January smiled sarcastically, as he didn’t believed his mother. He knew that Ea loved him the most on the world, but that meant she was able to do anything that motherly love says her. And that was a problem – January already learned that dreams of his parents varied. If Steele was honestly aiming in Pack’s initial goal – destroying Talbourne and restoring old order on Alaska - after his death the visions of Ea started to prevail. She dreamed not about wiping Talbourne, but taking it over. Of course, not literally – Ea wished that Pack win the war and introduce the new order to Seward Peninsula. But that way of things was very similar to regime of hated clan. The Pack was about to be simply better Talbourne and January better Shadow. Whitefurred regentess wanted her son to rule wolves on whole Alaska, whatever was the cost. That was tempting vision, yet completely opposite to what Steele hoped for. January prayed that he had a strength to overcome that temptation.

“Yeah, I heard that before.” Murmured wolfdog. “So, what’s on tap today? Any mission for my crew?”

“No…” Aarre shook his head. “After your last performance, we decided not to put you on the front anymore.”

“What!?” gasped January. “I need to fight with my pack. And you…”

“I’m still your commander, sir.” Noticed beta-alpha. “Lady Ea and I decided that your skirmishes are too dangerous.”

“Nonsense!” snorted January. “We were very efficient recently, right guys?” Apu and Tulo nodded quickly, but froze under Aarre’s look. “And I’m treaded softly already. You’ve never let me enter some real battle, just make some second-paw forays, while my pack is wasting its potential…”

“If you are not satisfied with your combat training, that’s good – there will be no more.” Said Aarre harshly.

“For two weeks.” Replied January, smiling.

“What?” asked Ea.

“To the day I’m introduced as new alpha.” Explained wolfdog. “As I say – when you give me a power, I will use it. Surely as the alpha-alpha I won’t be hiding in last rank.”

“Young master, you are…” started Aarre, but Ea hushed him with nod. Commander took a deeper breath and continued. “Whatever. For now we are sustaining whole combat activity, except of recons and keeping the line of Reindeer Creek.” That river was only place where the front between the Pack and Talbourne could be easily shown. On eastern side of iced creek was stationing strong Pack division, when the west bank was kept by clanners. None of sides was avid to make any sudden move. Natural border made any attack highly risky, turning war to positional stalemate.

“You’re commanding here…” murmured January. “Yet.” Added quieter, but then said aloud. “Right, but I will be there, on Eastern Bank. If I have to wage a war I must know it.”

“Anyway you like.” Said Varjo. “Just be back on solstice…”

“So, settled then.” Smiled January. He looked on his friends. “Tell our crew we will set out tomorrow.” They nodded. “Anything else?” he turned to his mother.

“No… just be here at dusk, Varjo will show you the newest front-reports.”

“Right, so I’m off… for now.” Said January, nodded on goodbye and started to exit.

Kaata looked on her father, exchanging some silent mimics, then she followed wolfdog. Two young soldiers exited cavern too, but heading to plant-quarters. Aarre wanted to say something, but Ea did it first.

“Easy, nothing would happen. Just… get back to your work.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Said beta-alpha and bowed his head. Then went away two.

Only whitefurred and intelligence superior stayed. For a while they were silent, looking on each other, then Varjo said with quiet voice.

“So, my lady? Are you sure of that?”

“Of course I am.” Replied wolfess. “That was you who gave the idea.”

“Yes, but now…” started commander.

“Don’t listen to my son.” Interrupted whitefurred. “Some day he will become a real leader, but for now he needs some guidance, not necessary the visible one. I want him to think he is fully in charge, while we are discretely watching his steps. I’m trust him, but I also know that youth has it’s habits. We have to persuade him the most reasonable way of ending this war.”

“So you want me to start the plan <Spring>?” asked for the hundredth time RAIA’s leader.

“Yes, call your agent… Are you sure he is going willingly?”

“I’m.” replied Varjo. “He is very avid to serve the Pack and no one could question his loyalty. Maybe he is the outsider by blood, but in heart he is one of us.”

*

January and Kaata went to centre of Haven. Pack’s residence was the sector of forest on Yu Range’s slope, stretching on about two miles wide. The capitol was a fortress but very comfortable fortress in fact. For most time all pack united in the Pack was living outside in forests of Yukon Valley. Haven was meant to be real home only in case of siege. But for a while Talbourne offensive stuck on Reindeer Creek, so seventy miles distant (in straight line – actual shortest way was about thirty miles longer) keep was perfectly safe from enemies. For a while.

“So, what now, my future dear leader?” asked Kaata.

“I don’t know…” replied hybrid. “I guess I don’t need you as a adjutant for now.”

“Good, because I need you not as commander, sir.” Said wolfess and nudged side of friend. “Tag, you’re it!” Then run to the forest.

*

Home Cave was silent, as well as whole valley. News about Shadow’s illness – most likely terminal illness – spread wide and there was no single wolf who was not aware of crisis that clan suffered. As the mate of Aleu, brownfurred alpha was unquestioned leader. But when it came to choose an heir… it turned out that Shadow was not as strong ruler as he thought.

Tenu was in cave since morning. Dying leader was giving his last commands to clan’s general, whispering with weak voice. Mercenary was really tired and aware of pointlessness of that briefing. Tenu knew ten times better how the war should have been waged.

“That epidemic hit us hard.” Was whispering sick alpha. “Not only claimed Everest and ruined my health, but killed many of our brethren…” saying <our>, he meant his and family’s. Hoaryfurred general felt no bound with clan and he would even say: your brethren. “It weakened our forces…”

“Cut it, sir.” He interrupted Shadow’s monologue. “First of all, you are wrong. The epidemic, doesn’t matter how he grieve death of so many friends, made us even stronger. Only elder and weaker ones died. We suffer no famine this winter and that’s allow us to better prepare summer campaign against the Pack. If we survive to April – and believe me, I will make sure we will - there is no danger. But the second thing is – just… leave it!” snorted with reproach. “Sir, you are dying. If you don’t feel any urge to say goodbye to your family, at least think about the succession. That is a problem you are fully responsible. I could win the war for you, but not when this place is torn apart by civil war. Just tell me, whom I should support, Goddammit!”

Shadow slowly and carefully turned his stare on mercenary. He had to manage his strengths carefully, because he felt death so close. Most likely it was the last evening on this Earth for old alpha. He focused his vision of muzzle of Tenu, for the hundredth time thinking that in spite of three years of common fight he failed to understand the strange outsider. Hoaryfurred wanderer simply came three winters earlier to Home Cave and said he wanted to join clan’s military. He didn’t wish to officially join the Talbourne, the same as group of vagabonds that came with him. Because weak and fragile-built wolf happened to be brilliant commander and strategist, he quickly was promoted to newly invited rank of general and field commander of all clan forces. For those years he was leading conquests of Talbourne and fighting with Pack, managing perfectly. But he never told what he wanted from peninsula clan. Shadow prayed that was not a political power. If Tenu wanted to, he could easily become “an alpha-maker”, supporting one of claimants and ruling from behind.

“So… will you obey my will?” asked Shadow with hope in his voice.

“Depends on what it would be.” Replied Tenu honestly. “If you are going to appoint some weak or incompetent successor, I won’t put my paw into destruction of clan’s power.” Shadow sighed, not surprised by that answer. General was logically frank. Because dying alpha was no longer an important player, hoaryfurred was waiting for him to leave the board.

“Maya… she is the only way to keep our clan together.” General smiled, so alpha asked with

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