eyes. But if it was up to Whiskeyjack, he would have killed him. The others disbursed as well. Stone was left there, he still laid there with anger. He panted heavily and began to ache all through his body. Sadness suddenly came and grabbed Stone’s heart.

"Please...I cant live with this hereacy. Deliver me from this pain. This horrible fate. Death, I pray you take me away.....please." He whispered.

Living amongst the others, knowing what he did, was worse than death. The door opened and Thompson walked inside with the game that they caught.

"Hey, Whiskeyjack. Where did you go? I’ve been walking for almost ten minutes without realizing you were gone." He said as he opened the door.

He left the deer outside and walked into the house. He gasped at the sight of Stone laying on the floor, next to a puddle of his own blood. The wood floor soaked the blood up like a sponge, making a large maroon stain. A reminder of the act of treachery. Thompson rushed to Stone and picked him up gently.

"What happened here? Who did this to you?" He asked.

Stone never looked at Thompson. How could he? He was to blinded by his grief. Thompson laid him back down, and ran back outside.

"Im going to get the vet. Just hang on." He said as he ran out the door.

Stone remained motionless. He was still absorbing his acts. Whiskeyjack, Dawn and the others acted as if he was not there. Stone tried to pull himself up, but his hind legs were broken, and he had deep gashes on his body. He couldn’t pull himself up, the pain shot all through his body and his veins throbbed every time he pushed himself up. But as he got half way up, his muscles collapsed, and he fell to the ground, it hurt more than his shame. Everyone could hear him strain and growl at himself for being so weak. He was tired, and his body ached with pain, he cant keep doing this. He tried one last time to get up. His muscles failed him again, he felt his body fall and prepared himself for the hard floor. But....he suddenly felt himself stop. He opened his eyes and saw Whiskeyjack support him up. Stone couldn’t believe what he saw, Whiskeyjack, helping the one he hates. Stone was not the only one surprised. The rest of the group fell quiet as well. Dawn smiled, she knew he was not like Stone. Whiskeyjack pulled Stone up, and threw his arm over his shoulder.

"Why....why would you help me? I thought you would enjoy the sight of me suffering. But instead you help me? Why?" Stone could not understand. If Whiskeyjack was in his position, he would have laughed and mocked him. But why didn’t Whiskeyjack?

Whiskeyjack turned and looked at Stone. His red eye must have met with Stone’s because Stone was now showing more fear. A small smirk came to Whiskeyjacks face.

"Everyone deserves a second chance." He said.

Stone looked away, but his words cut deeper than a bears claw.

"Thank you." Stone whispered.

Whiskeyjack was astonished. He’s never known Stone to be regretful, or even thankful. He could see Stone acted like he never said anything. But Whiskeyjack didn’t care, he felt satisfied because Stone actually thanked him. The door of the house flew open and Thompson stepped in with another man to his side.

Thompson saw Whiskeyjack supporting him up. "Alright boy, stay back." He said.

Whiskeyjack put him back down gently and walked away. Dawn nuzzled him, she was more proud of him than ever before. The other dogs began to whisper to each other.

"What!? Is there something you all have to say!? Then speak now!" Whiskeyjack demanded.

"No. Its fine. Were sorry." Jason said. He walked away and so did the others. Whiskeyjack laid next to Dawn.

"What are they going to do to him?" He asked Dawn.

"I don’t know. But let them work. Im sure Thompson knows what he’s doing."

Dawn rested her head on his back, then she kissed him.

"Im so proud of you. You made the right decision, I knew you were different."

Whiskeyjack felt proud as well. Perhaps it was better to let him live. Maybe this will teach him a lesson.

"What’s wrong with him? Anything serious?" Thompson said with a worried voice.

The man turned and looked at Thompson.

"I’ve noticed you have many dogs. Is there a reason?" He asked.

"Im a hunter, and they come with me. They help catch and bring back what we kill." Thompson said.

The man let out a deep sigh. "Well there’s not much I can do. I can heal these gashes, but the structural bone damage is permanent. He wont be able to ever use his back legs again. Seeing how you’re a hunter, and your dogs need to run, perhaps it would be best if you just put him down. Otherwise he will just have to live without walking."

Thompson was shocked, but he was right. There’s not much a dog can do if he cant walk.

"No. I couldn’t do that. Ill make use of it somehow." Thompson replied.

"Alright. I gave him anesthetic for the pain, he’s going to feel some drowsiness. He needs rest, so don’t try to move him." The man said as he put his things into a black bag.

"Thank you, doctor." He said as he closed the door.

Whiskeyjack and Dawn was listening to the whole conversation. Both were in shock Whiskeyjack took away every dogs instinct. Being able to run, what dog couldn’t run? Only a pathetic one. Stone’s spirit was broken, he wasn’t the alpha anymore, he was nobody. Stone’s greatest fear came true. Whiskeyjack took his place as the alpha in the group, and everyone accepted it. The medicine that the man injected into Stone, began to take its course. He felt even weaker than before, and became more tired. He fell asleep, and even though he was sleeping, his horrible dreams already came alive.

"Maybe you should have let me killed him." Whiskeyjack said.

"I could never just stand by and watch it happen. Besides, why....why should I have let you do such a horrible thing." She asked in astonishment.

"Because, this is a fate worse than death. He must lay there, and be forced to live amongst those who hate and shun him. He must watch, as we enjoy the rest of our lives. While his has slipped out of his grasp. He will slowly rot away, while we live and fester life."

Dawn looked at Stone while he slept. She sighed and laid back down on Whiskeyjack.

"No matter what. You made the decision to let him live. You showed everyone that you were not as ruthless as Stone. And for that.....I couldn’t ask anymore." She said nuzzling him.

‘Maybe I should just try to forget about him. After all, he deserved this, if not worse.’ He thought to himself.

Thompson walked in and saw Whiskeyjack and Dawn laying together. He smiled as looked at them.

"Well...at least some of us are having a good day." He said.

"Oh! I forgot." Thompson said.

Whiskeyjacks ears stood up as he heard Thompson gasp. He watched him run outside and close the door.

"What’s going on?" Dawn asked.

"Oh yes! The game that we hunted this morning."

Thompson walked in with the doe over his shoulder, the hare in one hand, and he dragged the buck with the other hand.

"At least it was a good hunting day! This will surly help with the money finance." He said as he walked in.

Dawn, including the rest of the group, saw the game that was brought in.

"This is what Whiskeyjack caught, on his first day." He said displaying the game.

"His first day, and he already brought back two deer."

"Noone has ever done that before."

"If he keeps this up, we’ll have enough money to pay Rubashov off."

The other dogs talked amongst themselves. Dawn knew this as well, if the game kept piling up like this, they would have enough to keep those men happy.

"Im gonna go skin these, and work on dinner." Thompson said as he grabbed a large knife and stepped outside.

Whiskeyjack felt proud of the praises that came from the others.

"None of us has ever caught so much in one day. Especially on the first day of hunting." Dawn said to him.

Whiskeyjack did not answer her, but nuzzled her.

"I promised I would prove myself to you. You only deserve the best."

"You didn’t need to prove anything to me. Im not only proud of you Whiskeyjack.......but I love you." She knew it was a little wired. Raising Whiskeyjack as a pup and falling in love with him. But she did not care, she really did love him, and noone would tell her otherwise.

"I love you as well Dawn. I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else." He replied.

They both kissed and loved one another more than they ever have before. They were alone, and everyone left them alone. But only one person watched this with hate. He looked upon this sight with disgust and anguish. Stone gave a scorn and looked away, and thought about Dawn’s new lover.

"I’ve tried to be nice. I’ve tried to be respectful. Hell, I’ve even tried to like that little snot! But now I lost you. And I can never have you again." Stone whispered to himself.

He knew what he did was his own fault. But he never took responsibility for his actions. Why should he take the fall for this? After all, he was only taking what was rightfully his. At least....that’s what he thought. In his eyes, this was Whiskeyjacks fault. He took Dawn away from him, he disabled him, why should Stone pay for this? Looking at him now, you would not know that he was a arrogant, self absorbed dog he once was. He was now a broken spirit, wallowing in his despair and shame. Stone let himself fall into slumber.

Thompson walked back in and washed the blood from his hands and knife.

"Well...there’s not much to eat.