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For those of you who more enjoyed my non-anthro series, I have good news!
I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to GEICO. Sorry, couldn't resist.
Now then.... I have begun the sequel to Those We Trust. It's tenative title is In the Name of Aniu. Different from the roleplay, but the same general idea behind the antagonist. Enjoy!

Prologue

In one of the many mountainous areas of Alaska, a female wolf made her way among the trees. Her pure white fur shone in the fading evening light, and her slender but firm paws carried her smoothly over tree and rock until she reached the mouth of a cave, where a black wolf sat waiting. He stood and bowed respectfully, and she smiled and nodded back.
“The preparations have been made, my eva,” he said, revealing a scar that ran from the base of his neck down the front of his chest, “as you requested.”
“Thank you, Tes,” she replied, “But where is Dero? Isn’t he supposed to be on duty with you?”
“He was very tired, my eva,” Tes replied, “He would be on duty now, but I insisted that he get some rest. He took the incident last week very hard… I imagine that all of us did.”
“I understand,” Belle replied with a smile, “I’m glad to have such a dependable friend in the guards. Worthy of even the rank of captain, I’d say.”
Tes raised his head in surprise and shock.
“But, my eva, since Hal…you know…”
“I’ve made my decision, Tes,” she replied, “You have always been here for me when I need you, and I want to see to it that your loyalty does not go unrewarded.”
“Thank you, my eva,” he replied, bowing his head again. As Belle started past him, he added with a smile, “It’s good to have you back, Belle.”
“It’s good to be back, Tes,” she replied.
Belle made her way slowly up the rocky incline in the system of caves that was home to her pack. Though the climb would have been a challenge to nearly anyone else, she knew each rock and crevice by heart, and so allowed her mind to wander. The hunting party had not yet returned from their nightly expedition, and many of the guard were either sparring with one another or resting. She smiled inwardly. She had been waiting for a night such as this to spend time with her mate. They had been apart for many days while he had been on a border patrol with a unit of the home guard, but tonight he would return, and she planned to make full use of the evening. She drifted back to when she had first met Ryder.

It had been barely six months past when she’d first laid eyes upon him. She had come to aid in the overthrow of a militaristic pack under the guidance of a merciless malamute that Ryder and the rest called Steele. Ryder, a lieutenant of Steele’s elite guards, had staged a sort of coup in order to free a horribly mistreated female prisoner who, reportedly, was the center of Steele’s lust. She was a crimson and white husky named Jenna. By the time Belle and her guard had arrived, though, all fighting had long since ended, with Ryder and his unit the victors. Jenna had been rescued, not by Ryder, but her part-wolf mate, Balto. Belle had briefly met the two before Ryder invited her to discuss new territorial needs.

After quick negotiations, she and Ryder had stood in unison and nodded in agreement. There had been much celebration on both sides, and for that night both packs stayed in the same clearing. The moon had scarcely reached it’s midpoint in the night sky than she had been gently woken by Ryder, who asked if she would like to accompany him on a midnight stroll. She had gladly accepted his offer, and they had walked off among the trees. He had led her to the shoreline of the river, and they had both lain down, letting the cool water lap at their paws. For a long time, Ryder had talked about the river. He whispered that Aniu herself embodied the flowing waters, and when it flowed faster, it was said that Aniu was weeping for the lost souls of her children. She had asked quietly what he meant, and he began to explain…

Long ago, before man ever reached this land, Aniu, the wolf goddess, created the first wolves by will. She scooped up a paw full of snow and let the wind carry it freely from her hand while whispering, ‘Fur of snow, eyes of gold, paws of power and strength untold, forever walk the earth in peace.’ And suddenly before her stood the first wolf, nearly identical to herself. Now Aniu noticed that her new likeness would want a companion, for she could not see Aniu. But as she prepared to make another snow wolf, she saw a forest and remembered that her land was not always white. So, she resolved to create a male wolf of brown fur. She took tree bark and a patch of dirt and cast it to the wind just as she had with the snow, saying, “Fur of brown, earthen brother, be to this kind she a lover.’ And so, the second wolf was created. A brown male. He and the white female quickly grew quite fond of each other and before long they had two litters of pups, with fur of white, brown, and every color in between because Aniu, in her infinite wisdom, had made it so. Their parents, the original two, told them of Aniu, and they all praised her daily for her kindness and love. Aniu was pleased, and for a generation, there was peace in the land.

Unfortunately, this peace was not to last. One of the second generation, a black pup named Kae, grew angry at his brown brother Eli because he perceived that Aniu loved Eli more than him. Of course this was not true; Aniu loved them all very dearly and favored no one. But Kae’s belief drove him to anger, and finally, when he and Eli were alone in the woods, he leapt upon him from behind and killed him. Instantly, he was in disbelief at what he’d done. He’d killed his brother, and for what? As he tried to hide what he’d done, Aniu appeared before him with saddened eyes. He started to back away in fear, but Aniu stopped him firmly with her voice. ‘Because of what you have done,’ she said, ‘your kin will never live in harmony or peace; there will always be want, greed, lust, and death. Because of what you have done, all of wolf kind has been tainted for eternity.’

“But, before she vanished, she promised a savior for them and all of wolf kind,” Ryder added, “And so, for generation after generation, we have waited for this savior to come. As the years passed by and the wars raged on, some began to doubt their goddess’ word, while others abandoned their faith altogether. It is for these lost souls that Aniu weeps daily in the flowing of the river.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard something so sad,” Belle said softly, “I’ve never heard so much of Aniu in all my life.”
They were silent for a long time until Belle suggested that they return to the sleeping grounds before they were missed at the morning role call. As they walked back, Ryder asked if she would like to go out again soon. Belle had been delighted.

Then we really got to like each other, Belle thought, so much we wanted a family. And so we did.
Presently, she reached a small landing along the incline, and padded inside a cave nearly invisible to the untrained eye; the nursery. A light brown female laying nearby rose to meet her and bowed her head respectfully.
“It’s good to see you again, my eva,” she said.
“And you as well, Ruth,” Belle replied, “Have my children given you any trouble?”
“No trouble at all. They’re little angels.”
A squeal of delight reached their ears, and the two looked up to where the pups were playing. One after another, seven pups were chasing each other happily on one of the upper shelves of the nursery. One of them looked down and saw Belle.
“Momma!” she squealed in delight, jumping down from ledge to ledge until she was on the ground. Two other pups followed her. She and her brother were both white like their mother, and her sister was brown like their father. Belle smiled and bent down to kiss each one on the forehead.
“Have you all been behaving?” she asked.
“Yes, momma,” they replied in unison. Belle smiled again and nodded to her white daughter.
“Isha, are you still having trouble sleeping at night?”
“Not any more,” she said proudly.
“But now you snore, and keep us awake,” laughed her brown sister.
“Ana, be nice.”
“Momma,” said her white son, “when’s dad coming home?”
“He’ll be home tonight, Ranok,” Belle soothed, “He’ll come in and give you all kiss good night.”
“Alright,” Ruth said, “time for bed everyone.”
With a moan of disapproval, the rest of the pups climbed down from their lofty play area and made their way with Belle’s children to the small den at the far end of the cavern. Ruth and Belle waited until they were all asleep before they slipped away to talk by the entrance.
“Thanks again for watching them, Ruth,” Belle said softly, turning to leave.
“Of course, Belle,” Ruth replied, noting a tenseness in her alpha’s motions, “Anxious for Ryder to get back?”
“Yes, I am. Good night, Ruth.”
Belle made her way up to the very top of the incline and padded into the small, secluded cave there. She lay down in the middle of the floor and waited. After a short while, she laid her head down and dozed off.
She woke to the scuffling of paws nearby and lifted her head, expecting to see her mate.
“Ryder?” she said, standing up.
“No, but close,” said a voice from behind her, “Care to guess again?”
Belle spun around and came face to face with a figure cloaked in shadows. Only his outline was visible, revealing that he was either a dog or a wolf and nothing more.
“Who are you?” Belle demanded, “And how did you get in here?”
“I’m no one important,” the shadow replied, “but that shouldn’t matter in a moment.”
Without another word, he leapt upon her.
Belle fought as best she could, but her assailant was still stronger and heavier than her, and he used his weight to his advantage, quickly pinning her face down on the cave floor. She tried to shout for help, but her attacker held her muzzle down.
“And now,” he said, “I’m afraid we must part ways.”
She could feel his breath on the back of her neck, and knew what he was about to do. She struggled in vain for a few moments, but gave in as she felt his teeth closing around her neck. No hope, she thought, no hope…
Suddenly, she felt her assailant being thrown violently off of her.
“Belle, are you alright?” said a familiar voice.
She looked up and sighed in relief. Ryder had returned.
He growled at her assailant, who had regained his footing and stood back amongst the shadows.
“Whoever you are, you’ve made a bad mistake coming here,” Ryder snarled, advancing slowly, “I’m giving you one chance to get out of here.”
“Thanks,” the shadow laughed, “but I’m here for you.”
He leapt at Ryder, who lashed out with his claws as they tumbled over on the cave floor. Belle ran out onto the ledge and shouted down into the cave.
“Help! Tes, call out the guard!”
Below, Tes heard her, and readily obeyed. Bursting into a run, he shouted at the few others standing nearby as the rest leapt to their feet, instantly awake. Belle watched as they started running up the incline, but a cry of agony made her spin around in fear.
The stranger had gained the upper hand, and had Ryder pinned. He sank his teeth into Ryder’s throat and blood began to seep from between his jaws. Ryder thrashed and struggled valiantly, but to no avail. The stranger swung his neck violently and there was s terrible crack. He released his hold on Ryder, who collapsed in a bloody heap. His throat nearly torn out, Ryder painfully raised his eyes to those of his mate and friend.
“Forgive me, Belle,” he whispered. Then his eyes glazed over, and the last sigh hissed through his body. Ryder was dead.
Belle stepped back in disbelief, tears filling her eyes. Behind her, Tes and the home guard surged up the incline to defend her. They moved past her and formed a protective barrier two rows thick. It was then that they saw Ryder.
“You won’t leave here alive, scum,” Tes growled.
“Neither will you,” the stranger laughed, “Look behind you.”
One of the lower ranking wolves cast a glance over his shoulder and nearly fell in shock.
“Tes! L-look!” he stammered.
Tes turned around, and felt his courage give way to fear.
In the cavern below stood an army of wolves. The few sentries Tes had left below lay dead where they had stood, an expression of disbelief frozen on their faces. Tes found himself stunned speechless. How did they sneak up on us, he thought, How did they know? Enraged, he turned on the stranger.
“If these are your warriors, then we will deprive them of a leader!” he shouted, baring his teeth and advancing.
Sensing his intention, the stranger sprang out and took hold of Belle, threatening to tear into her throat.
“You will do as you’re told,” he growled at Tes, “unless you want her blood on your paws…”
Tes stopped in his tracks, his chest heaving in hatred. Gradually, though, he came to realize that he had no right to gamble Belle’s life on revenge. Swallowing his pride and his anger, Tes stepped back, head lowered.
“You win, whoever you are,” he muttered, “Let her go.”
The stranger, still hidden in shadows, continued talking as though he hadn’t heard Tes.
“You are to descend the incline and assemble in the cavern,” he said, keeping his hold on Belle, “No heroics, or there will be consequences.”
“You promised to release Belle-”
“I would not talk so freely, captain,” the stranger snarled, “I gave no such guarantee. You’re lucky I’ve decided to spare your pathetic band of wolves. She will be properly seen to.” Tes glared at him. “You will join her when the time is right. Now go!”
Tes turned, and with a heavy heart led the home guard down the incline.

*Readers will hopefully remember Ryder and Belle from the end of Dark Eyes, Cold Heart.*

More to come!

Chapter Two

Ruth watched in shock as the home guard filed past the nursery, their heads bowed in defeat and shame. The last hope that the Ice Mountain pack had was gone. Suddenly, she realized what she had to do.
She quickly padded to the small cave in the back and gently nuzzled the pups awake. They sighed in exhaustion, but she quickly shushed them and led them out into the main nursery. Once there, she began to climb the ledges, pulling the pups up after her, one by one. At the top of each ledge, Ruth looked down to the entryway, scanning for any sign of detection. Finally, they all reached the top ledge.
Ruth made her way slowly under the now low ceiling and pushed aside a small boulder, revealing a tunnel.
“Come, little ones,” she whispered, “I’ll be right behind you.”
The pups looked at the tunnel and, not yet knowing what was happening, started crawling. Once the last one had gone, Ruth crawled in, pulling the boulder back over the entrance. She heard the pups whimper as the tunnel was plunged into darkness.
“Shhh, it’s alright, little ones. Keep going.”
And so they crawled for a while until a ray of light shone in the distance. Soon, they reached the end of the tunnel. The pups leapt out one after another, overjoyed to be out again. Ruth hushed them as she tried to get her bearings.
Now, Cloud’s pack was to the southeast, near Nome, she thought, or was it the southwest? No! It was the southeast.
“Ruth,” Isha said, “Where are we going?”
“We’re going to visit another pack,” she said calmly. She looked to the sky and silently cursed. The light was fading fast. “Come now. Let’s go.”

Meanwhile, Tes and his home guards were already being seen to by the invading pack. The home guard lay in groups of three or four, as instructed, and talked quietly. No one really moved. Most were too filled with shame and despair to do anything.
Tes lay alone, contemplating Belle’s fate. They wouldn’t kill her that much was for certain. A hostile takeover was bad enough, but the murder of the leader would bring the whole of Alaska upon them. He stopped himself as he reconsidered their position. There was very little possibility that anyone outside their territory knew of their plight. Even so, she was safe, for now at least…


Meanwhile in Nome, Jenna and Balto sat alone on Jenna’s porch. Jenna rested her head on Balto’s shoulder as she wept silent tears of loneliness. That morning Jake, Carla, and Lyle had been adopted.
“I know it’s hard, Jenna,” Balto soothed, “But we knew it had to come sometime. They’ve all got wonderful homes now.”
“I know, Balto,” she whispered, “but it’s not just that.”
Jenna looked away and hung her head. Balto sensed what she was thinking.
“Jen…” he said softly.
“None of this would have happened if I hadn’t…If I…”
She began to cry softly.
“Oh Jenna,” Balto said, nuzzling her gently, “Please don’t cry. Can’t we forget about what you did?”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget,” Jenna replied sadly, “You didn’t have to forgive me. You had every right to walk away and find someone else. Someone more trustworthy…”
Balto furrowed his brow in disagreement.
“Jen, if you think I’d ever pick someone else over you…”
He stepped around in front of her and lifted her muzzle with his. He smiled reassuringly, and she couldn’t help but smile back. She nuzzled him lovingly.
“Thank you, Balto,” she whispered, “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Jen,” he replied, “and nothing in the world will change that.”
He looked to the sky, and then back at her.
A sudden gust of wind made Jenna shiver and move closer.
“Would you like to come inside?” she said, “It’ll be dark soon.”
“I’m always glad to spend time with you,” he replied, nuzzling her.


As darkness settled on the Alaskan tundra, Tes tried his best to sleep. He looked sadly at the walls of the cave that had become his cell and sighed. In less than one day, he’d failed everyone who ever trusted him and lost them the one thing that meant more than anything else: their freedom. Now he and they were prisoners, slaves to the new order in their territory. And it was all his fault.
Just then, he heard the tread of paws on the stone and looked up in surprise. Belle lay down beside him and looked at him in concern.
“Are you alright, Tes?” she whispered, “Have they mistreated you?”
“They’ve had nothing to do with me, my eva,” he replied, “How have they treated you?”
“Well enough. Most of them still respect my stature, but they won’t even let me see Ryder’s body.”
She laid her head down sadly, and Tes’ heart went out to his leader. She had lost more than he had in the takeover. Much more than he could ever hope to make up for. He suddenly felt a deep guilt rising within him.
“I’m sorry about Ryder, my eva,” he whimpered, “I should have come faster. Maybe I could have saved him.”
“You did all you could, Tes,” she soothed, “I’m not angry at you, please believe me.”
“But the rest of the pack…” he continued, “They all looked at me when the home guard surrendered. Some glared, others cried, but what difference does it make? I’ve failed them. And I’ve failed you.”
“Tes, no, you…”
“You, follow me,” interrupted one of their guards, nodding to Tes.
Tes stood obediently and was lead quickly out of the chamber.


Meanwhile, Ruth kept watch on the river bank as Isha, Ana, and Ranok slept soundly in the earthen dugout she’d found for them. Their flight had sapped much of their strength, and they were glad to rest, but it was Ruth who perhaps needed it the most. She had been on guard for more than half the night and her eyelids were starting to droop. Just as she was about to nod off to sleep, though, her keen ears detected movement across the river.
She quickly stood and scanned her surroundings, following the almost inaudible sound of leaves under paw. She was ready to sprint and draw any potential danger away from the pups, but just as she was about to bolt, two wolves came into view, and she recognized them immediately.
“Jacob, Fen!” she cried.
Both wolves looked towards her and barked in surprise.
“Ruth,” cried Fen, the older of the two, “What in Aniu’s name are you doing out here alone?”
Ruth opened her muzzle to speak, but a sudden howl sent shivers down her back. Her fear turned to panic as more howls joined in. They were already getting closer. She quickly brushed aside the vegetation that concealed the pups’ burrow.
“There’s no time to explain!” she cried, beckoning for the pups to cross the log that lay across the river, “Take the pups and get them away from here! Make for Cloud Runner’s territory, she’s friendly to us. I’ll draw them away!”
“Ruth, wait, I don’t understand. Draw who away?” Jacob replied, taking Isha by the scruff of the neck.
“No time! Run!” Ruth cried.
With that, she sped off in the direction of the howls, hoping to lead their pursuers away.
Jacob looked to Fen in confusion, but Fen pulled Ana onto his back and picked Ranok up by the scruff of his neck.
“Ruth’s never been one to joke,” he said, “Whoever’s coming, we have to get away from them!”
Jacob nodded and the two began to run. As they did, though, a though struck Jacob.
“But Fen, what of the rest of the hunting party?” he said suddenly, “When we sent them back to rest…!”
“…We sent them right into a trap,” Fen moaned.


Balto sighed and looked down at Jenna as he stood over her.
“One last time,” she whispered, pulling him down into a kiss.


Ruth ran as fast as she could, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear their laughter echoing among the trees as they closed the distance.
The bridge, she thought, I have to reach the bridge.
She spotted the river up ahead and swung to the right, following the flowing waters. Strangely, the sounds of her pursuers began to fade, and suddenly all she could hear was her own paws in the snow. Praying that she had finally lost them, she ran faster, and her heart soared when she spotted the bridge. She leapt onto it, and was already halfway across when a wolf jumped out of the bushes on the other side and blocked her way.
She skidded to a stop and staggered back and forth on her precarious crossing. Behind her, she heard the panting breath of two others, and realized that they had been waiting for her.


“…so you see, that is my offer, Tes,” finished the shadowy figure, “You command your troops as part of my new order, and reap the benefits. You will be restored to your former positions, and your warriors will be able to protect their own clan again.”
Tes glared at him. Though he could not see his face, or any part of him for that matter, he knew he was the leader by the authority in his voice and by the guards on either side of him. Tes also knew that he was either a wolf or a human’s dog, but it would be impossible to tell until he could see him properly. The similarities between the two groups were many, especially in the dark.
“No, you’re lying, Lord Shadow,” said Tes defiantly, “You say you would have me regain my honor, but this would only take it away. To serve an invading pack willingly is unforgivable! I will not accept your offer, and neither will my troops.”
There was a long pause.
“Then you may go,” the shadowy leader replied.
Tes turned and left, flanked by two guards.
As he watched him leave, the leader snorted in disgust.
“It seems as though your speech didn’t work, my lord,” commented one of his guards, the scar across his eye twitching as he suppressed a laugh.
“Then I’ll have to use other methods to convince him,” his lord replied, “Nemec, do you remember those three wolves we captured about an hour ago?”
“The hunting party? Yes, my lord,” replied Nemec.
“Kill them.”
“Yes my lord.”
Nemec started to leave, but stopped when his lord called.
“Nemec.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“That name the prisoner called me, Lord Shadow, I like it. I think I shall keep it.”


Sorry for the long delay. School's been evil. Chapter Three coming soon!

Very intense and suspenseful, like always Lonewolf my friend! But I must know, who is this mysterious Lord Shadow? And what else has he planned for Belle and her clan?

Keep up the amazing work!

Balto123

Wow. This is a nice story!

I haven't read the previous story to go with this one, but it makes me want to!

Keep it up! I like where this is going! (I especially like the whole "creation" thing that you put in. Very interesting touch!)

- Juuchan17

To Balto123: Thank you much for your praise. It always means alot to me when authors I salute review my works! But as for 'Lord Shadow' and his plans, you'll just have to wait and see...!

To Juuchan17: Aww, thanks! Truth be told, I didn't know if I'd keep it in the begining, but now, it will (hopefully) tie in with the rest of the story, esspecially the end! (And it's no big deal that you didn't read the previous story. I try to include all critical details in the next story to minimize the reading time for my readers!)

Thanks again to you both! Write on!

-LWf

Still writing! And not even half done!
Thanks for the comment, Aniu_blade!


Chapter Three

Cloud Runner rose early, and left her den quietly so as not to wake Desai. She scented the air and sighed happily. The snow was receding, the last bits of ice in the river had melted, and the trees and flowers had begun to bloom. Summer had returned to Alaska. As she looked out through the trees onto the grassy plain beyond, she took in the peaceful quiet all around her. She lay down in a patch of snow and let her mind travel back in time.
Echo and his children had arrived at her clan seeking refuge after the murder of his mate and clan. She had gladly opened her territory to them and, one summer after his arrival, inducted Echo and his three pups into her clan. That had been almost three summers ago.
Since then, little brown Kantu, his grey brother Kemen, and their white sister Laila had all grown into fine young adults, and were all excellent hunters. In addition, Kantu and Kemen were training to join Desai’s warrior unit. Echo, proud and happy for his children, had continued to age in peace, though he sometimes wept at the memory of Vella, his loyal mate.
Just then, the wind carried new scents to her nose, and she turned in surprise. Across the grassy plain, she spotted two males running toward her. Normally, she would have seen this as a diplomatic errand from one of the neighboring clans, but she suddenly realized that they were carrying pups with them.

Fen’s legs pounded the softened earth, his heart thumping wildly as his lungs burned from the length of their flight from danger. Glancing to the side, he saw that Jacob was still keeping up with him, though his breaths were rapid and labored. Then again, he was carrying Isha and Ana. Just then, a voice from up ahead brought him back to reality.
“You there, are you alright?”
At the edge of the forest in front of them was a small band of wolves headed by a stunning white female. She stepped toward them as they slowed to a trot and then stopped. Fen indicated to Jacob and they both bowed their heads in respect. Though Fen had never seen this female before, her caring but firm tone identified her as the leader of a clan; he suddenly realized that he had likely wandered into their territory without their consent.
“Forgive us, kind eva, if we are encroaching on your territory,” he said while respectfully bowing his head again, “but we are in dire need of help.”
“Your intrusion is obviously not intended, so you need not worry about that,” she replied, “But please tell me what has forced you to run for so long. You look as though you are about to collapse. And whose pups are these, since you two are quite clearly not the parents.”
“They are our leader’s children, kind eva,” Fen replied with a dry humor, “We had to keep them out of harm, and the only way to do that was to run as far as we could. We were told to look for the clan of a wolf named…Cloud Runner.”
To his surprise, the white fem smiled for an instant.
“I am she.” Her smile faded. “But tell me… What danger were you fleeing from?”
“To tell the truth, kind eva, I do not know. We only knew that Belle’s children were in danger, and as loyal members of the Ice Mountain clan we took it upon ourselves to keep them safe.”
Cloud Runner padded back and forth; she seemed to be deep in thought. Finally, she stopped and turned her head toward them.
“Follow me. You can tell me more once you and the pups have rested.” She gave them a friendly smile as she indicated a light brown male of about seven seasons padding up to them. “My mate Desai will show you around. If you’ll please excuse me, I have a lot of thinking to do.”
Belle nodded to Desai and padded away through the trees. After a short while, she arrived at the banks of the river, and lay down in the grass. For a long moment, she closed her eyes and meditated on her decisions. There was abundant food about, and she knew the two would be warmly welcomed as all visitors were, but she worried over their cause for flee.
She sighed and looked toward the river, watching as it splashed over the rocks within it and flowed away into the forest…


…and to a small bank where it suddenly turned dark red from a small river of blood that met it at its edge. There was a final cry of agony and then a splash as the body of a fine young wolf was thrown to the river’s edge. While his back end lay sprawled on the bank, the wolf’s head sank into the shallow water along the edge of the river. The air bubbles still issuing from his muzzle became fewer and fewer until his eyes clouded over and closed forever.
Nemec surveyed the bloody scene before him without emotion, but only for a moment. He quickly found himself chuckling as he remembered their unanswered pleas as they were caught unawares. At least two of the three wolves had families, and all of them had called out to Aniu in their final moments of life, but Nemec cared nothing for them. Weaklings, he thought with a snort, only the chosen ones can be allowed to live.
He turned and nodded to the five wolves waiting for him, and they padded back toward their new territory. He had one last job to attend to before his lord awoke.


In Nome, Jenna woke in Balto’s embrace, the same way she had been when they fell asleep. She kissed him gently on the muzzle and smiled as his eyes flickered open.
“Well good morning, sleepy-head,” she said.
“Good morning, Jen. Sleep well?”
“I always do when you’re with me.”


Ruth lay shivering in a damp earthen pit among the many caves and caverns of what had been her clan’s sanctuary and home. The icy river water soaked through her fur and clung to her skin, and the small gusts of wind coming through the cracks in the wall did little to help. The pit she lay in had been where prisoners were held, but in a sense the den still served its purpose. Ruth was a prisoner in her clan’s own home. And by the way the guards acted, she sensed that it would not be long before she would be punished.
A few of the guards had laughed about it quietly when their superiors weren’t around, and although she knew she had done no wrong in Aniu’s eyes she also knew that her captors needed no excuse to harm her.
Just then, her ears perked up at the sound of paws on stone, and she looked up to see a well-built wolf, likely an officer, striding toward her. The scar across his eye twitched as he grinned at her.
“What do you want from me?” she demanded, rising to her feet and backing a few steps away.
Nemec ignored her and just kept padding closer…


Meanwhile in Nome, Balto and Jenna were making their way thru the weekend crowd. No one paid the two much mind, but they were too caught up in conversation to notice.
“It was nice to see Kaltag again,” Jenna said, “It seems like it’s been years since we’ve seen him and Krystal.”
“It’s probably been a year at least,” Balto agreed, “I’m glad they’re doing well. Where did they say they were heading?”
“Krystal said they were going south, where the weather’s a bit milder.”
Balto sighed thoughtfully and nodded.
“I think it’s about time we paid Cloud Runner a visit, don’t you?”
Jenna nodded. The two left Nome behind and padded into the forest.


Ruth cried out again as Nemec threw her against the earthen wall of her pit. She had barely gotten her second wind when he was on her again. This time, he tore at one of her legs. Ruth screamed louder, choking and gagging on the blood from the cuts in her mouth. Suddenly, there came a sickening crack as her leg snapped in his jaws and her scream rang through the caves to where a black wolf lay alone under guard.
Tes jumped up at her cry and immediately recognized the voice.
“Ruth…”
He started forward and the guards stepped in front of him.
“You may not move about freely,” one of them said sternly.
“Then I demand that you take me to her,” he said in a low growl, “Under the Clan Pact and the Laws of Aniu-”
The same guard took a threatening step toward him.
“We know of the Clan Pact,” he snapped, “but you are not to even mention her again.”
“Take-me-to-Ruth!” Tes snarled, stepping forward until his nose almost touched the guard’s.
The guard glared back at him and turned suddenly away, padding quickly down a stone corridor. The other guard nodded after him.
“Go on,” he said, “Move it.”
Tes followed close behind the first guard and the other followed him.
Though Tes was containing his anger, what he came upon broke what little self-restraint he had left.
Ruth lay in the middle of the earthen pit that had been her cell. Tes cringed when he saw that her beautiful light brown coat was smeared with her crimson blood, and her right front leg was so horribly mutilated that he felt his legs tremble. But just then, he spotted a black male climbing out of the pit. With his attention centered on Ruth, he had never seen this other wolf down there with her.
“Ah, another visitor,” he said with a soft laugh.
Tes barely suppressed a deep growl.
His muzzle was red with blood.
Ruth’s blood, Tes thought, why you lousy son of a…
Tes lunged forward with his teeth bared, and was only prevented from tearing into the wolf’s throat by the guards holding him back on either side. Still he made a try for it, and his teeth snapped shut only inches from his goal. The black wolf laughed.
“By your reaction, I’ll assume you knew the vic… deceased.”
“You lousy murderer! Where do you get off killing innocent bystanders?”
“Ah, but you see, she was merely being punished for her actions against us.”
“What actions?” Tes demanded, chest heaving in rage.
“It seems your little girlfriend here aided in the disappearance of the thing we were most concerned for. Your leader’s children.”
Tes’ anger vanished instantly.
“Her- What do want with them?”
“Nothing, honestly,” the black wolf said shrugging, “But you see we cannot allow them to escape because when they grow up and learn of us…”
“Your leader’s reign won’t even last half that long!” Tes said defiantly, spitting in the black wolf’s face.
The black wolf flinched, and the scar across his eye quivered.
“Take him back to his cell,” he said to the guards, “He is not to leave again.”
“Yes sir,” they replied.
As they half-dragged Tes away, Nemec chuckled to himself as he looked back down at his latest victim.
First the leader, then this little whelp, he thought, I’m beginning to wonder what the defiant captain’s connections are with all these females…

Another 50 out of 10 my friend! You've got a knack for suspense, and I can't wait for the next part!

Balto123

Quicky update: I've recently had free time on my hands, so I decided to make covers / promotions for my fics. Check 'em out here:

viewtopic.php?t=5398

The first two, you'll know if you've read my fics, but hopefully if you haven't it'll give you incentive to read them.
The last one is a tiny teaser for my latest story, based yet again on a song. The lyrics are here:

viewtopic.php?p=148146#148146

And thanks for the review, Balto123.

Write on!
-LWf

Hello again.
Time for a quick update:
I've just recently gotten back from another one of my trips, so I've got a slight jet-lag to deal with, but that shouldn't interfere with my writing.
My main focus right now is on In the Name of Aniu and my one-shot fic Seven Spanish Angels. The latter, unfortunately, is coming along faster than the former. Go figure.
I can't reveal much more about ItNoA, but I have here a summary of Seven Spanish Angels for you all. It's another anthro fic, but I hope you'll enjoy it once it's done.

Set in Texas during the end of the Wild West era in the United States, this story centers around a storekeeper’s daughter, Jenna, and the social outcast of the town, Balto. Though she had often passed Balto in the streets and returned his smiles and waves, she never really thought much of him until the day a series of events were set in motion that would intertwine their destinies in a way neither of them could ever have imagined…

Write on!
-LWf

Now that you're done with Seven Spanish Angels, will you continue In the Name of Aniu? *gets down on the ground and begs* Please, please, please, PLEASE continue it! I love this story!

*jaw drops* Wow, this fic is amazing! To think I haven't read many of your stories... I was surely missing out! This is great! I love all the suspense! Please continue .... soon! I'm hooked!

Yes, yes, I'm continuing.
I'm very sorry to say that it will be slow going, but there will be updates!
Thanks so much for being patient, guys. I"m glad you're still behind me.

Write on!
-LWf