moment. “…we might stand a good chance at ending this thing once and for all.”

Timbre nodded. “I agree Sir.” He said.

Ami grinned. “…as do I Sir.” She said. “…an end sounds good.”

Achak nodded. “I have to say it does.” He said.

Dash nodded. “Then assemble the Clan.” He looked up at them. “We’re going to need everyone. When you assemble your units tell them they have ten minutes to speak with their families. The Defense Force will be going in as the first wave. I will lead.” He stopped and sighed. “…the casualties among us will be... substantial. They might as well know that going into it.”

The Lieutenant’s nodded. “Yes Sir.” They said.

Just then a white wolf ran into the chamber. “I’m sorry to interrupt sir, but it’s urgent.” He said.

“What is it?” Dash asked.

“There are wolves at the Main Entrance.” He turned and looked at Achak. “They wish to speak to you sir.” He said. “…and they’re Shadowclan.”

Dash frowned. “…what?” He asked.

Achak stepped forward. “What do they want?”

The wolf shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Achak looked up at Dash and the leader nodded his head.

Achak turned and sprinted out of the chamber.

Dash turned to Ami. “Alert Achak’s unit as well.” He said.

Ami nodded.

“You’re dismissed.” Dash said.

The Lieutenants turned and walked out of the chamber.

Dash turned and walked deeper into his chambers. He had to talk with June.

 

It didn’t take Achak long to make it to the Main Entrance. He had a sneaking suspicion of the reason there were Shadowclan members here to speak to him.

He prayed he was wrong.

Finally he trotted up to the entrance and stopped. Achak turned to one of the guards. “I was told there was someone here who wished to speak to me.”

The guard nodded. “Yes sir. They’re just outside. They insisted on staying away from the cave.”

When the voice came it almost made Achak jump. “Oh we’re out here.” It said. “Come out and we’ll have a chat.”

Achak sighed. “Alright, I’m coming out.”

He took a step forward and the guard stopped him. “Sir, will you be alright out there?”

Achak nodded and continued walking.

When he had gone almost one hundred yards from the cave he heard the voice again. “That’s far enough Achak.” It said. “You can stop there.”

Achak stopped. “Why don’t you show yourself?” He asked.

A black wolf walked out of the trees in front of him. “Hello Achak.” He said.

“…what do you want?” Achak asked.

The wolf smiled. “Ah, straight to business eh? …very well. I’m here because I want to trade.” He turned his head and nodded.

Two black wolves stepped out of the trees with a very familiar looking red wolf between them.

Achak nodded, his expression still calm. “So that’s why she didn’t return.”

The black wolf smiled. “…it would seem.” He said.

“…what do you want to trade for?” He asked.

The black wolf smiled. “…that’s the easy part. We want you.” He laughed. “Your life for hers. She hasn’t hurt us, we are content to let her live for the moment, to return her to the Talbourne, but only if you take her place.”

Achak’s expression remained calm, but a fire of fury burned in his cool eyes. “What’s to keep me from killing all three of you and taking her back myself?”

The black wolf smiled. “Oh Achak, don’t you think we were prepared for that?” He nodded again and twenty black wolves emerged from the forest and encircled Achak. “…either you trade with us, or you both die.” The black wolf said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Achak sighed and looked at the wolves who had begun to walk a slow circle around him. He mentally attacked them several thousand times, but every time the attempt ended in his death. There was no way he could take them. “Alright, I’ll trade.” He said. “…but I want to speak to her first.”

The black wolf smiled and nodded. “…sure.” He said. “You have five minutes.” He turned and nodded at the wolves beside Kiona and they stepped aside.

As soon as they were clear she ran to Achak.

Achak nuzzled her and then stepped back.

“You can’t do this Achak.” She said. “I did this, let me pay for it.”

Achak shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that even if I could, and you know that.” He sighed. “…but they aren’t giving me that choice. If I don’t go with them then they’ll kill us both.”

“…but Achak…” Kiona started.

“…but nothing Kiona.” He said. “You made the mistakes that brought us to this point now I have to fix it, as I always have had to do.” Achak shook his head. “Do you see now why I told you to obey me? Why I told you to stay back when I came here in the first place?” He sighed. “Kiona, my only weakness is you. I knew that. That’s why I asked you to remain behind…” He looked up at her. “…but none of that matters. You didn’t listen to me and when I tried to correct you, to help you to understand my reasons you ran away.” He shook his head. “You ran into enemy territory and got yourself captured. Now all that’s left is for me to fix it. …and the only way I can do that is to go with them, to give my life to save yours.”

Kiona’s lip started to tremble a bit. “…no Achak, there has to be…”

“There is no other way!” Achak said. “This is it, this is what I have to do!”

The black wolf stepped behind Achak. “Sorry to break up the reunion, but your time is up.”

Achak sighed. “Go home Kiona.” He said. “Go home and take care of our children. Tell them…”

“…let’s go Achak.” The wolf said. “Any longer and we’ll just kill both of you.”

Achak glared at the wolf and stepped back from Kiona. “…tell them that I died protecting them.”

Kiona shook her head.

“…goodbye Kiona.” Achak said.

He turned and the twenty wolves drew in a tighter circle around him until they were standing in a four by five rank with Achak in the middle. Then they walked into the woods, quickly vanishing from view, leaving Kiona in the clearing alone.

 

Blaize stopped walking and looked back at Shanaea. The smaller female was struggling up the hill behind him. He turned forward again and looked toward the Outskirts. “I can’t send her against her own brother.” Blaize thought. “…and this very well could end up in a fight.” Blaize truly liked Josh and though his latest actions had been misguided and illegal he still was not relishing the idea of having to fight the young husky.

Blaize stopped walking and waited for Shanaea to catch up.

Finally she stepped up beside him, panting heavily.

Blaize turned to her. “…you going to make it?” He asked.

Shanaea nodded. “I’m fine, just need to catch my breath.” She paused and then looked back up at him. “Why’d you stop?”

Blaize sighed. “Shanaea, I think it best that you not come any farther.”

Shanaea sighed. “Blaize, we’ve been through this already…” Blaize cut her off. “No, we haven’t Shanaea.” He said. “Look… I’m afraid that…”

“…that what?” Shanaea asked.

Blaize sighed. “That this could end in… in a fight.”

Shanaea frowned. “…with Josh, no.” She paused. “…no?”

Blaize sighed. “With his actions of late… I’m afraid that it… that it might.”

Shanaea shook her head.

“Think about it Shanaea.” Blaize said. “…he kidnapped Tiembe, had you imprisoned in your home… it all depends on how much he believes that Tiembe really is dangerous.”

Shanaea sighed. “Well… he believes it quite strongly.”

Blaize nodded. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Shanaea shook her head. “…but Tiembe is my mate, I’m not going to leave him. If Josh chooses to fight then he chooses to fight. My loyalty is already decided.”

Blaize smiled. “…and I’m sure Tiembe will appreciate that.” He said. “…but I don’t want you to have to fight your own brother, or to be there if…”

“…if what?” Shanaea said.

Blaize hesitated.

“…oh my God.” She said. “You… you think you’re going to have to kill him don’t you?”

Blaize sighed. “…it’s… it’s a possibility Shanaea. Believe me. I don’t want to, but… he may not give me a choice.”

Shanaea sighed. “…so… so what do you want me to do?”

“Go to Nome.” Blaize said.

A confused expression passed over Shanaea’s face. “…to Nome, but what am I going to…” Blaize cut her off. “…you’re going to go get your father.” He said. “Josh respects him. Kodi may be the only one that can end this thing peacefully.”

Shanaea sighed.

“…please Shanaea.” Blaize said. “I really like your brother and I don’t want to hurt him. Go get your father and bring him to the outskirts, to the tuna cannery on Joyce.”

Shanaea nodded. “…alright, I’ll go.” She said.

She turned and began to walk away, then turned and looked at Blaize. “Blaize…”

Blaize stopped and turned.

“…promise me you’ll save Tiembe.” Shanaea said. “…whatever the cost.”

Blaize saw a fire burning behind the young husky’s eyes; a very dangerous fire.

“…Josh…” She stopped. “…my brother has made his decision.”

Blaize nodded. “I promise Shanaea.”

Shanaea nodded and then turned, sprinting toward Nome.

 

Dusty smiled and nuzzled her mate. “My gosh Kodi.” She said. “Can you believe how much time has passed?”

Kodi smiled and nuzzled her back. “Seems just yesterday that I was standing across the street there watching you and trying to clutch onto the dream that I could be here beside you.”

She smiled and kissed him. “Well you must have found a pretty good handhold then.”

He smiled and kissed her back. “I did, it was you.”

She nuzzled him and sighed contentedly.

Just then Shanaea burst through the door and ran up to her parents.

Kodi leapt up. “…Shanaea?” He asked.

Shanaea stopped and caught her breath. Then she looked back up at her father. “I need you to come to the Outskirts with me dad.” She said.

Dusty stood. “…to the Outskirts, why?”

“Josh has him.” Shanaea said.

“…has who?” Kodi asked.

“…Tiembe.” Shanaea said.

“...what?” Dusty asked. “I’m confused, what’s going on here?”

Shanaea sighed. “Josh came to the boat and took Tiembe from me. He

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