two”

            “It could be infected…” I heard Nuka mumble.

“I don’t think there’s any real problem then”

I noticed Bear out of the corner of my eye. His blue eyes burned into me, but in a different way then last time.

“Uh, hi Bear”

            “Hi…” he tried to remember my name but I never told him “…Leader!”

I looked at Bristol. Bristol shrugged and shook his head.

“Do you want to come with us? We have an opening” I joked.

            “Really!” Bear exclaimed.

I glanced at Bear, eyebrows raised.

“Yeah, really”

Bristol smiled and said “That would be great. Thanks”

Kaya looked from Bristolto me.

“Are you serious?!”

“Why not?” I asked curiously.

“I don’t know! Ataneq didn’t let any strangers into the pack!”

“Well they’re hungry and I know them” I said.

Kaya rolled her eyes.

“Nuka, are you good enough to keep on scouting?” I said checking out the tiny scratch on his front leg.

            “I guess so” mumbled the young wolf.

“Then you guys keep scouting until sundown”

Xenia glared at her little brother who shrank away and I turned away before she could complain and led the way back. Bear walked right behind me, eyes on me all the time. I moved awkwardly, trying to focus on something else. But it was impossible.

“Why is he watching me?” I whispered to Bristol.

            “You’re his hero. Since the last time we saw you, he hasn’t stopped talking about you”

“Oh” I said, uncomfortable.

I looked back again. Bear was still staring. Kaya giggled.

            “Who are you anyway? You didn’t tell us your name last time”

“Oh. Right. It’s Buck”

Bristol nodded but Bear’s eyes widened.

                        “Some wolves were talking about you!”

I stopped and looked at Bear, chills racing down my spine.

“What did they say?!” I demanded.

                        “Well, after you left, a big black wolf and an old wolf were walking around, so Bristol and I stayed in the cave. The big black one was saying that you were dead. The old one said he was sure because you fought them. He said you had the scar and you were with your friend”

Kaya and I gave each other looks.

            “Is he your friend?” Bristol inquired.

“You could say that” I muttered.

I picked up the pace and when we got back, I introduced the brothers to the pack, much to their displeasure. Then I announced that Boss might be back. That took their minds of Bristoland Bear…

“We don’t know for sure yet, so don’t over react. Just to be safe, We’ll have four scouts patrol the eastern border and two on the other three borders. Okay?”

The pack quieted, but they all nodded.

A week past with no exciting incidents and I was beginning to wonder if Bear really had seen Boss. Then again, the old wolf I had fought before was from far away and that would explain his absence. The only things we could do was to watch and get ready… Meanwhile, something else had started to stir inside me. I was very close to being two years old and I should have started looking for a mate… but deep inside, I knew there was only one perfect for the job. And I didn’t have to look very far to find her….

Buck, Kaya, Ataneq, Bear, Xenia, Nuka and Boulder (c) me

Boss (c) Tadie

Bristol (c) Anileu