The biggest of the pack stepped forward, he was chocolate brown with black eyes and a deep gash ran down his front right leg, “Why haven’t you and Raven returned, been enjoyin’ too much of the cuddly life huh?” The wolf cocked a cruel smile.

            “We are never going back to Luke.” Jael snarled.

            “Luke isn’t going to be happy when he hears that.”

            “You lot will never be able to make it back to Luke, it took you months to get here.” Jael smirked.

            The big wolf chuckled, “Funny you should mention that, we had a little help meet us halfway here.” He stepped aside allowing a red and white dog stand next to him, “This is our guide, Kodiak Balto’s son.”

            “Kodi?” Riley’s voice cracked as she stared wide-eyed at the red husky.

            “In the flesh.” Kodi smirked.

            “Why are you doing this, Luke will kill you too when he’s done with you.” Riley said.

            “Jenna destroyed Balto when she left him for that filthy mutt, I’m not either side.” Kodi said, he had the same glazed over look that Riley had seen the first day she met him.

            “Luke will be here in a matter of three weeks, by then you can make a decision if you want to live or die.” The big wolf spoke. “Goodbye Jael.” The pack, including Kodi turned around and began walking back to the forest.

            “Do you see what you’ve done? You have brought all kinds of trouble to Nome. Without you we wouldn’t have to worry about Luke coming back.” Riley said as she whipped around to face Jael.

            “That isn’t true and you know it, it was Jenna’s fault he’s here and without Luke you would not exist.” Jael hissed as he glared at Riley. She grunted as she swept past him through the doggy door. Her body language radiated annoyance as she entered the living room, and everyone turned in her direction. Jael walked in a few paw lengths behind her and he plopped down on his bed.

            “What have you two been up to?” Disk asked in a mocking tone.

            Riley clenched her teeth, “Nothing.”

            “Uh huh I’m sure it was a whole lot of nothing.” Disk said sarcastically.

            “You’re asking for it runt.” Riley growled.

            “Riley…Disk stop that, it is a new day and I don’t want any of this fighting.” Jenna said crossly as she rose from her bed.

            “Oh and by the way Luke will be here in a few weeks for Raven and Jael.” Riley said, expressionless.

            Jenna was stunned, “Wha-what?” She asked.

            “Ma’am Luke sent a few of his pack mates to the house an hour ago and they requested that miss Raven and I return but I did not give him a straight answer and he expects it in three weeks.” Jael said, Riley rolled her eyes at his politeness.

            “Kodi is leading them mom, he is helping Luke.” Riley said.

            “My Kodiak…” Jenna whimpered. “We must warn Balto.”

            “There isn’t much he can do.” Raven said as she stepped closer to her mother, “We need to start training the dogs for war.”

            “You have already decided to stay?!” Jael asked, shocked.

            “Well yeah my family lives here and I’m not going back to that monster.” Raven said.

            “So you are going to train the dogs?” Jael snickered.

            “Unless you want to help clean up dead bodies.” Raven said. Jael lowered his head and remained speechless while Raven, Riley, Disk and Jenna discussed how they would approach the community of dogs about this issue.

One Week Later

            “All of you are aware as to why you are here.” Raven’s voice echoed off the walls of the boiler room. She stood atop two crates that rose high enough that she could see every dog in the room. Riley sat by the crates watching the dog’s eyes as they stared at Raven. Jael sat on the other side of the crates along with Jenna and Disk. “You are the strongest dogs of Nome and based on your body weight and size you are the perfect fighters.” Raven smirked, “We only have two more weeks to prepare for this war, so I will be training you hard so hard that I wouldn’t be surprised if half of you dropped out.”

            “Pssh.” A mocking whisper reverberated throughout the room. Raven glared at a large brown dog whose muzzle was a deep brown. He was eyeing Raven, “You expect us to be trained by a she-wolf like you?” He said.

            Raven jumped off the crates and into the crowd, immediately they parted for her as she slowly approached the dog. He glanced around the room, looking from side to side in fear. She got as close to him as he would allow and she stealthily whispered in his ear, “We could always use more bait for the starving wolves, who will eat anything they see in their way.” A shiver went down the dog’s spine and he slunk back into the crowd. Raven jumped back up on the crates and continued her speech about training.

            When the meeting ended Raven began her rigorous work out with the male dogs, there was thirty dogs in all that exited the boiler room trotting after Raven. Riley idly stood watching her eldest sister lead the pack, she sighed wishing for the life that Raven had. She was recognized for her strength and brutality; she could strike fear in any dog or wolf’s heart. Riley muttered to herself, “I hope you know what you are doing Ray.”