Sasha tore into the huge fish she had just caught watching the others Demon sat with Finlay on the other side of the clearing their heads bent low in conversation, he threw a brief glare at her and went back to talking, and Gemma and Charlie were just leaving to hunt. Dexter came up to her and sat next to her dropping a mouse at his feet before lying down " what was that all about earlier today" he asked.

Sasha rolled her eyes couldn’t she get five minutes without some other dog asking her that. She ignored him and rolled onto her side closing her eyes in much needed sleep.

Sasha saw chocolate swimming towards her through the river his brown pelt shining even under the water. He climbed onto the bank beside her and she gasped, he was young, his pelt was sleek, his eyes were bright and his muzzle was unmarked with age. "Chocolate" she gasped "but you’re…." She broke off as Chocolate snapped his head around as if he were scared of something.

Her turned back to her "you must go he yowled urgently now".

Sasha looked at him "but…." She stammered. Something slammed into her back slicing through her dream. Sasha scrambled to her paws in fright and saw Buffy tumble off her, great stars didn’t she let her and her pack have any rest. The rest of the pack was already racing in frightened circles, yowling. Buffy regained her footing, stood up and shook herself, then she dived for Sasha pinning her to the ground. Sasha tried desperately to shake Buffy off her, if Buffy got past her defence Sasha knew she was dead. Suddenly Buffy’s weight vanished, Sasha scrambled to her paws to see Dexter grappling with her " No Dexter don’t" cried Sasha scrambling to her paws.

"go away Sasha" growled Dexter turning his head to her "ill bide you the time"

Sasha opened her mouth to argue but Charlie pulled on her shoulder "come on Sasha she growled through clenched teeth if we don’t go now we’re dead". She pulled Sasha along until she reluctantly began to run, glancing back at Dexter and Buffy. But the rest of the pack pushed her along. Suddenly Dexter let out a loud screech of pain, Sasha skidded to a halt in pure terror and spun around terrified, but Dexter was limping toward them.

Sasha ran to meet him "Dexter thank….." she broke off as she saw the bite on Dexter’s shoulder, she backed away "you, you were bitten she stammered". Sasha knew that rabies was passed on through bite.

Dexter just pushed her forward "don’t worry about me" he growled "just run"

Another screech split the air and Sasha spun around to see Buffy tearing into Gemma’s throat "NO" she screamed. But it was too late Gemma’s body convulsed and lay still. Faster than a striking snake Buffy leapt onto Finlay and pinned her to the ground, then before Dexter could stop her she tore out Finlay’s throat. A loud bang made Sasha jump and look up, Charlie was standing on a ledge above then Sasha had not seen, she had knocked a rock to the ground. Buffy snarled and darted away. Sasha nodded thanks to Charlie and knew that dogs with rabies hated loud noises. Sasha heard Finlay gasp, She was alive!. She raced over to Finlay guilt washing over her at there last encounter.

She crouched down next to her "go" Finlay stammered weakly "survive for me", then she leant in close to Sasha ear glancing at Dexter "for your pups" she whispered.

Sasha looked at Finlay in amazement, she had kept the secret from Dexter for months how could Finlay know. Guilt washed over her again " Finlay" she sobbed "please forgive me for calling you a coward and your mothers death was not your fault" she looked at Finlay guiltily "can you forgive me?"

Finlay smiled warmly up at her "must not everyone forgive their friends" she growled, she touched her nose to Sasha’s "of course I forgive you my sister" then her eyes closed and she lay still.

Sasha stood staring at her body her legs felt like jelly now only she, Dexter and Charlie remained of her pack. Dexter appeared beside her looking sadly down at Finlay’s body. Silently Sasha buried her face into Dexter’s shoulder tears streaming down her face. After a few heartbeats Dexter spoke "Come on Charlie has found a hidden cave we can spend the night. Unable to speak Sasha lent against him as he led her into the cave and settled her into the sandy floor. Dexter nodded to Charlie who was guarding the entrance, then sat down in front of Sasha Will you do something for me my love" he growled seriously "and not argue or hesitate". Sasha looked up at Dexter confused "you must kill me when I turn" he growled.

Sasha looked at him outraged "but, I can’t" she stammered

Dexter flicked his tail for silence " you can" he growled "and you must". Again Sasha opened her mouth to argue but Dexter swept on "if you do not, I will kill you and Charlie and wipe out the pack, the pack must live on to warn others of this terrible curse".

Sasha didn’t reply she just lay her head on the ground and closed her eyes, letting sleep claim her.

Sasha walked through the misty night, straining her eyes to see in the eerie light. The moonlight was hidden beneath the clouds making it difficult to see. Suddenly Sasha saw a flash of yellow through the trees up ahead and flee