line.

They were satisfies, Ian was almost cured. Flame prepared the escape route with hidden meat and safe-dens all the way to Reindeer Creek. On the other bank Ian was to take initiative. All was going smoothly, carefully planned and perfectly executed. But it was not the point of success. There are many powers on this world but only few of them are mighty enough to oppose motherly love.

It seemed that Talbourne clan sentries were not one of those.

 

X. My Beloved Enemy

 

After all they slept. Bodies - exhausted with three days of extreme conditions - yelled for a break. So they put their heads on each other’s shoulders and fell asleep. Only January woke up few times, to check if Kaata was ok. During one of such inspection he discovered she was awake.

“January… I’m so sorry…” she sobbed.

“Shouldn’t I say that?” asked malawolf, licking her would. “After all you saved my back today…”

“But it was me who put you in danger.” She said. Hybrid stopped his work and looked on friend with surprised stare. “I shouldn’t tell it to you… but I must. Most likely, I won’t make it, so I need your forgiveness. But please… don’t judge us hard.”

“Judge? For what?” whispered confused hybrid.

“For the plan.” She said with shivering voice. “That was you mother’s idea in general, but my father decided to use prisoners-trade to that.”

“U… use?” uttered Steele’s son. “But Ian...”

“He volunteered. It was all set up.” Explained Kaata. “He was meant to be captured… he had order to give up. Then we knew You wanted to help him, even for the cost of breaking our diplomacy policy. That was the first stage – make You a real leader in eyes of Talbourne.”

“No… I can’t believe it…” whispered January. “That means – I do believe mom would intend something like that, but why Ian agreed on such stupid plan.”

“Because it was not so stupid. Listen then.” Continued Kaata. “That was just a stage one. By forcing Talbourne to negotiate, we hoped to enflame conflicts over succession after Shadow. And that partially was done. But now the third stage, possible to accomplish, if Maya was chosen to negotiate. Your mother hoped… she still hopes…” her voice trebled and she finished almost crying. “And I hope for it too… for you…”

“What exactly?”

“That you mate with Maya and become Pack’s and Talbourne alpha.” Finished silverfurred and burst with quiet sobbing.

“…” replied speechless January. It took a while of his consideration and her sobs, for him to say a word. “So it was planned? Oh, freedom… I bet that every falling drop of rain thinks it is flying…” murmured, then added with angry voice. “But it’s totally against last will of my father!”

“That’s why you wasn’t told.” Said Kaata, still crying. “Forgive me, that I had my share in this.”

“All right, please, stop it.” Said malawolf, awkwardly stroking her head. “I don’t blame you… I don’t blame mother… I guess it’s natural that females of some intelligence try to manipulate males… and I guess it’s not a bad thing… usually. God! I know you wanted good, but it happened as usual! There is still possibility that such a deluge of good intentions will fruit with remarkable death toll.” Then he looked on sleeping Maya and clenched his jaws. “All prepared… all planned! Have you names for our pups?”

“Name one <Kaata>, please!” in spite of tears asked silverfurred.

“Christ sake!” gasped hybrid. “What I’ve done!? I actually… fell in love with her.”

“I know… I heard it all…” said Kaata. January looked on her with confusion. “Father always told me, not to show that you are awake.”

“Talk about chaperone…” snorted wolfdog. “Kaata, is there any thing you haven’t in control?”

“Many.” She said. “And that one most important completely out of my reach…”

“Oh, yeah.” Murmured January. “We must get away alive… Listen, Kaata. Perhaps it’s all in vain, because we will die… But we must establish few things. I dreamed about father recently. He really puts hopes in me… if that dream was real. I don’t want to fail him.”

“So, you won’t became Talbourne alpha and you mate with her?” asked silverfurred. Careful listener would read in her voice a spark of hope. However malawolf was too tired to do that.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do.” He said. “Honestly, I have no idea. But listen to me… from now on you… listen to me, right? I am your alpha and I’m ordering you. Not your father, not my mother. I, January, son of Steele!”

“Yes, my alpha.” Said Kaata and lowered her ears. Then she smiled and in that expression old, cheeky and playful wolfess returned. “That was my plan. To make you my alpha. Don’t be angry on me, that I succeeded.”

“Thanks… Kaata. If we survive, I’ll think of some way to return that favour… but now we will wake Maya and try to not get killed.” He looked on window to see that sun already set. “Maya, wake up! It’s time to practise bullet dodging.”

“But maybe you practise swimming?” sounded voice from behind the wall.

“Alam?” asked Maya with sleepy voice. “What are you doing here?”

“Assisting, your highness.” Replied Tenu’s sergeant. “Sir January is saving you, but technically I’m playing the close combat support.”

“We won’t swim the river.” Said January with reasonable tone. “We are three. Girls are wounded, I’m exhausted.”

“Don’t worry, I have seven wolves with me. We will assist you. On the other side we have prepared food and shelter.”

“God dammit!” laughed malawolf. “Can’t I do anything by myself?”

“You will sir, you will.” Replied Alam. “General Tenu will explain you everything. But for now you must leave that thing discretely. Are there any holes in walls?”

“Perhaps it’s time to make one.” Smiled malawolf.

Just few minutes after three runaways were dragged after strong and unhurt wolves of Alam’s unit on the other side of Reaindeer Creek. January was almost disappointed that rescue came so easily and solved so many problems with so easy way. But then he recalled that he had many others problems and those couldn’t be fixed even with strongest paws and sharpest fangs.

*

Tenu didn’t give such an order, but in fact he put Talbourne clan in martial law mode. He made sure that Teele supported no claimant, then he made her interalphess to the time of Maya’s acclamation. Of course, he didn’t tell her that Maya was to be leader. Not only because of carefulness, but also he was uncertain how it could be done. He didn’t know if Maya was going to be acclaimed alone or with mate.

His mind read the plan of lady Ea – all circumstantial evidences led him to conclusion that widow of Steele planned to make peace with for the price of January on lead of both clans. That was acceptable price, because Tenu was sure, he was able to manipulate both Maya and January and make them tools of his plan. Or not tools, but followers. Tenu knew he wasn’t immortal and had to think large, leaving his legacy in good paws. He wanted to make sure if son of Steele was the right creature. Then help him or eliminate him, it all depended on his decision.

But he had to be sure. All his theories, built on rational basis, required empirical verification. He could be wrong, reading Ea’s and Varjo’s plans in way he wanted to read. However general Tenu felt he was able to judge young January and make proper decision.

“Soon…” he thought, marching on east with escort squad. They hoped to meet Alam and see if sergeant succeeded. Home Cave was been run by Teele, but Teele was discretely overseen by Heik. All was under control. “Soon… my dream will come true.” General smiled to his own thoughts. “With joining Talbourne and the Pack in one that would be started. Yes, I’ll introduce the New Order here to show all the world that age of tyranny is finished. And we – no more the clan, no more the pack… the Unity will march further and free all who are oppressed by the power and authority. There will be no omegas. We all will be alphas! The age of equality is just in front of us!”

“Is something wrong, sir?” asked one of his soldiers, seeing reverie of commander.

“No.” Tenu shook his head. “Get back to line.”

*

January managed to hear howling, when Alam was informing Aarre that all hostages are safe. Malawolf wondered what would his tutor do. In normal conditions he would demand returning future alpha and Kaata instantly, but then? “Why did you stayed, Aarre?” asked for thousandth time hybrid. “Are you really want me dead? But why?”

Then exhaustion cut him down. He was put in den with Maya. Kaata was taken aside, because one of Alam’s troops was skilled with basic treatment and wanted to see silverfurred’s wound. January made no questions. He (as well as Kaata) was treated not like an enemy, but beloved guest. Maybe as for good ware, but extremely valuable ware. He was a bit afraid that Tenu’s subordinates would think about another exchanges, but he was too tired to worry for long.

He put his muzzle on shoulder of Maya and closed her eyes. From tension of her muzzle – he sensed it under her fur – he read she smiled. They stayed without world for a while, then she asked.

“So… we survived. I’ll make sure that Alam let you free, if you wish. So tell me, what now.”

“I don’t know, Maya.” Replied malawolf. “It’s all so tangled… Don’t think about it, right? Whatever will happen tomorrow and day after tomorrow… let’s be silent tonight. Let… just be here and be close… that all what matters now.”

“Yes, that’s all what matters.” Replied Maya. However she was planning dreams of bright future. She simply couldn’t resist.

*

When Ea and Varjo joined Aarre’s unit, the messages were already delivered. Beta-alpha saw whitefurred wolfess, emerging from darkness with scared expression of her beautiful muzzle. In that moment he felt he wished to be dead and not looking on that. Guilt was burning his chest, yet he was repeating silently. “For you… I tried to do it for

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