Your Bloodline does not define you.
You define your Bloodline.
As a snowstorm raged outside the warm den of a family, six new puppies opened their eyes to the new world around them. Their parents, Bella and Abel, looked at them proudly. The oldest and finest of the puppies was Buck. Abel saw great potential for his son, he himself being the current leader of the pack, but Buck would of course be a spare to the throne if anything happened to his eldest brother Razor. Abel was a pure wolf,his rank as Alpha male had been passed down from generation to generation since the pack had began. However, Bella was half dog; her mother had run off to join the wolf pack when she became mates with her father. This made Buck only 1/4 dog, but since he lived in the wild, this trait would be helpful. In a strange twist, he looked more dog-like, since her was brown and black and white while his other siblings were gray. As the newborns fell asleep one by one, Abel looked at Bella and nodded towards Buck.
"What strange coloring!" he exclaimed. "Never have I seen this in our other pups."
Abel nodded as they turned their heads toward the entrance. The snow began to swirl until it took the shape of a white wolf.
"Aniu." Bella breathed.
Aniu the spirit wolf only appeared at a puppies' den if one of them had a great destiny.
"My brother and sister, listen well. The newborn you named Buck shall become a great leader; and a hero to dogs and wolves alike." She dissappeared as quickly as she had come.
"Nonsense!" Abel cried. "Our first born Razor will lead the pack." He said, looking over to where the young dog was sleeping.
Deep down, he knew he was wrong, fate had a funny way of changing.
**********
"C'mon Razor!" Buck called as he waited for his brother.
Razor was handsome, with a dark grey coat and brown eyes. He looked like his father, even though he was much darker. Razor looked up from sleep and walk over. Didn't Buck know that winter was a time to conserve energy?
"Now what are you up to, ya little scamp?" Razor asked as Buck climbed up a protruding rock that over looked a steep cliff.
"I'm going to practice my howl," said Buck. "All good leaders have a good howl."
"That's true," Razor chuckled. "But I think I'll be the one leading this pack, thank you very much." he said in a friendly teasing tone.
Ever since Buck had been born, he had always had the notion he would be leader. It wouldn't be long until Razor had to truly tell him his dream couldn't come true. Buck let out a loud, high-pitched howl and Razor joined him. Their howls echoed though the valley, causing many caribou to raise their heads in fear. Buck and Razor laughed. With all of Razor's training in progress,this was the most fun the two of them had in a long time. Suddenly, a growl made them both turn, a male bear had heard the two and was very angry they had crossed into his territory. She raised her paw and struck Razor, knocking him out. The bear turned to the young pup.
"Razor!" Buck screamed.
Razor awoke. "Hang on Buck!"
He lunged at the bear and sank his teeth into her. The bear growled in pain and staggered back, giving Razor enough time to take his brother into his teeth and carry him away. Razor ran as fast as he could, but he soon realized he was trapped by a snow filled gorge. He hid Buck behind a bolder.
"Stay here, Buck, if anything happens, you run. Do you hear me? You run!"
"I understand."
Razor turned and fought the bear. Tooth and claw connected, leaving a stream of blood on fur, Razor hung on to the bears shoulder as it stumbled backward. Buck shut his eyes and opened them coming to the terrible relizaton they had both fallen into the gourge. The bear's great roar echoed though the mountain...and triggered and avalanche. Buck screamed to his brother, but Razor didn't realize what was happening until it was too late...and the avalanche swallowed them up.
Buck ran as fast as he could to the pack and told them everything. He found his parents resting in the den.
"Mom! Dad! You gotta come now!"
Abel looked up. "What? What happened Buck?"
"Razor." Buck sobbed. " We were playing around and a bear came out of no where and attacked us. He fought a bear, and they fell into the gorge, and then-and then an avelanche came and got them!"
"Razor!" screamed Bella.
She bolted out of the den. "Buck, show me were you were!"
His parents rushed to the scene, and Bella leaped into the gourge and started digging.
"Razor?!" she cried out. "Razor, where are you?!"
There was no reply. She never found his body.
That night, Abel talked to Buck. The old dog had been crying, his eyes a deep red.
"Buck, I know you are very upset about your brothers death, but now you must take his place as heir. None of the others in the first litter want to lead, and I have no other choice but to choose you."
"No father, I can't"
"You must, it is crucial to the fate of this pack."
With a heavy heart, Buck agreed. This was something he could not control, nor understand. He could not fail anyone else in the pack.
Chapter 2
Buck, the future leader of the pack, assumed his role with as much pride as he could muster, but began his training with a heavy heart knowing his brother was gone. As he grew, Buck became a very handsome dog who could out fight and out run any opponent. He was ready to step up, but his father wasn't.
"All in good time Buck," assured Abel "But you still have much to learn."
Buck made many new friends, one of whom was a pretty black wolf with white points and a blue bandana. Her name was Howl and the two were soon best friends. Both of them had something in common since they had both lost a loved one. Bella soon had another litter of puppies, two of them with Buck's colors. Buck made sure nothing would happen to his new siblings and that he wouldn't loose them like he did Razor. Two of them looked like him, their names were Jade and Grace. Grace was very bratty and Buck couldn't stand her, but he and Jade had very special brother-sister relationship. He promised he would take care of her for as long as she needed him.
On an icy winter day, Buck, Jade, and Abel approached a lone wolf. Buck was now a year and a half old and Jade was 4 weeks old. Neither of them could get her to go back to the pack. In their path stood a large black wolf. He was blind in one eye and part of his ear had been bitten off.
"Oh God." Buck thought.
"Who are you?" Abel asked.
No answer.
"What do you want?"
Still no reply.
"Jade," Buck said. "Hide. Now."
She did as she was told, since it was a bad sign if a wolf didn't answer. It meant he was sure to attack.
"Who are you?!" Abel demanded.
"Why brother, don't you remember me? It is I, Cain."
"I told you to stay away from my pack!"
"Your pack? This was never your pack. You stole this pack from me, being father's favorite! I couldn't believe that he gave the title to you! I'm the oldest of the litter!"
"Nava was right! You are a tyrant!"
Cain laughed cruelly. "Yes, for once, our foolish brother was right. Now, say your prayers Abel, you have seen your last sunrise."
Abel never saw it coming as Cain sank his teeth into his neck. Buck screamed with grief and rage as he saw the light leave his father's eyes. He lunged at his uncle. Cain howled in pain as Buck bit down on his sholder, a trail of blood rushed down the black fur.
"How could you do this to your own brother?!"
"He took what was rightfully mine, you mutts are lucky I'm the leader of my own pack now, or I would have slaughtered every one of you!"
Grabbing Buck by the scruff of his neck, he threw him into the air. Buck was knocked out cold the moment his head connected with the log he fell on.
Upon a frozen lake, Buck was running like never before, in pursuit of a great raven who streaked across the skies. Suddenly, the ice broke beneath his feet and he plunged into the frigid water. Images flashed past his eyes as he struggled to swim. He saw a wolf-dog like himself and his mate, a red husky, looking right at him, and 6 puppies played upon a sandy beach. He watched in wonder as one of them, the grey one, turned into a beautiful young dog and saw himself nuzzling her. He saw himself fighting great foes and leading his pack, but it was all because of her. His saw himself become a great ledgend because of her.
"Aleu." he whispered softly as he saw another vision of the gray she-wolf howling. He did not know what an Aleu was, but he saw it was to become the most important thing in his life.
" It is your destiny, Buck." The voice of the white wolf rang in his ears...
Buck awoke with a start. The black wolf was gone, and his father lay dead in a pool of his own blood. Buck cursed Cain under his breath before looking around. Jade was not in sight.
"Jade!" he called out. He heard a soft sobbing coming from behind him. Jade was hudddled over her father's body, shaking with sobs.
"Oh Buck, Daddy's dead!" cried Jade.
"I know, I know, but we have to get out of here, that wolf might be pursuing us."
In truth, Buck couldn't bring himself to tell his mother what had happened, it was too painful. He felt as though it was his fault, as it had been for his brother's death. He had to leave this painful memory forever, and find a new life. He picked Jade up by the scruff of her neck and galloped away.
"Where are we going?" asked Jade.
"Just to the edge of the woods and back," Buck lied. "We'll be home before you know it."
Chapter 3
The snow whipped against Buck's face. How long had it been since they had left?
"Long enough." he thought to himself.
He had no idea of where he was going, but it was too late to turn back. He looked at Jade sleeping on his back. Why had he been so stupid to bring her? A puppy of 4 weeks could not survive the cold this much longer, her life could be over in a matter of hours.
"I need help," he said out loud to himself. "No, I need a miracle."
And a miracle happened.
Suddenly, a light flickered in the distance. It grew bigger and bigger...Buck relized he had been running toward it. He stopped. The lights coming from houses, houses that had been made by man and man was an enemy. As he looked at the lights, a white wolf appeared. For a moment they stared at eachother. Then, the wolf howled.
It is your destiny, Buck.
Buck found himself holding Jade in his teeth, running as fast as he could to the village. Under Anius h He must have made noise, because lights were being turned on in the houses that scattered across the town. Buck raced past the angry humans, not knowing nor caring what was going on. He ran until his legs gave out and his body went limp.
Buck's world went black.
When he awoke, he had no idea where he was. All he knew, was that he was not in the cold snow anymore, he was in a warm shack.
"Jade!" he cried out.
"What?" she groaned.
Buck was relieved she was snuggled up next to him. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he could see a wolf-dog approaching him. Buck recognized him as the ledgend who had saved Nome.
"You're-you're Balto! I heard all about you and how you saved those-"
"Easy there, kid." A deep voice coming from the dog assured Buck. "You had a rough journey,"
"Where-where are we?" Buck asked feebly.
"Nome, Alaska."
"But why didn't the humans kill us?"
"You must be the luckiest German Shepherd in all of Alaska. The humans took you for a run away sled dog. They're notifying Juneu and other cites for a lost sled team."
"I'm not a German shephered, I'm a wolf-dog, like you!"
Balto chuckled. "If you are, you sure are a funny looking one! Sadly, here in Nome, carrying the wolf gene is a curse, not a blessing. If you are to stay in Nome, you must not reveal to anyone you are part wolf. Understand?"
Buck blinked. He was confused, but understood.
In a far corner of the shed, he spotted a female Siberian husky resting in a basket. He could just make out the shapes of the puppies. They were a little older than Jade, around 5 weeks, and one of them was gray like in his dream...
"Yes sir, I won't bring it up again."
Buck raced down the beach with Aleu on his back. He had a family again. After his encounter with Balto and Jenna, they decided to adopt him and Jade into the family. The humans seemed to be happy that the dogs "took a liking to Balto." He looked to see his sister playing with their "uncle", riding on his back and playing tag.
"C'mon Uncle Balto! Faster!"
Balto chuckled.
Aleu slid off Buck's back and looked up at him. He smiled.
"Hey Aleu, come over here," said Buck. "I want to show you something."
The two ran over onto a small ismus used for fishing. It streched a good twenty feet into the ocean.
"It's just like the strait my dad and I used to cross to get to the other side of the bay, it's long gone now, but we still have so many memories. We lived far away from here, but our family was closely knit and when my uncle Nava came to visit, we would all look up up at the moon and howl."
"Howl? Like I do?"
"Yes, like wolves-"
"Buck!" Balto's voice cracked like a whip through the air.
Buck suddenly realized he had done something very wrong, he had revealed to Aleu a bit of her wolf heritage by accident; she could soon put the pieces together.
Head down, Buck trodded sullenly towards Balto.
The wolfdog's voice was gentle, but firm.
"Buck, I told you never to bring that up, I don't want you putting ideas into Aleu's head, that she's...well...different."
"I know Balto, but...you won't be able to hide it from her forever."
"I just don't want her going through what I had to go through."
"You aren't the only dog." thought Buck. "In my pack I stuck out like a sore thumb."
Of course, he couldn't complain, In Nome he was treated fine, even though he held a dark secret of wolf blood. He wondered how Aleu would ever be able to be treated like herself when she so resembled a wolf! But on that day, Buck began to deny himself for what he truly was.
The moon went through its cycle once, twice, it was hard to keep track. The seasons changed and Winter had come back to Nome.
It had been a month since Buck had watched the pups get taken by humans. All except for, that is, Aleu. He needed to get her out of his mind, but how? Why was he thinking so much about her? What did she have to do with his life instead of being a little sister?
"I need a plan fast. I can't just wander around here like a stray." he said to himself. "Ah- ha!"
He spotted the line of dogs ready to race for a spot on the mail run. Quickly, he scooched between two of the dogs.
"Hey!" said Nikki, the dog on his right. "This isn't a race for rookies! Get out of here Buck!"
Buck was notorious in Nome for his mean streak and erractic behavior. He had quite a crime record, everything from stealing the butcher's fresh goose to picking fights with other dogs. Mostly, he would just do these things to get his mind of Aleu.
Kaltag, who was on Buck's left joined in the conversation.
"He's the most arrogant, the meanest, the most dosbedient-"
"He's bad." Star finished. This interruption was quickly corrected by Kaltag landing his fist onto Star's head.
"I'll do what I have to do-" Buck started, but before he could finish the starting gun fired.
In a haze, Buck pushed his way through the crowd, blinded by flying snow. Didn't Balto tell him about how he won? That's right! He used the shipyard to his advantage! Slipping in between the harbor, Buck circled the town and made a sharp turn for the street. The other dogs were taking that traditional in town route, which ment, he was ahead!
As he galloped across the finish line, the joy of achievement rushed into his heart. He could barely believe what he had done, it was beyond his wildest dreams.
"He looks like a fine dog, John." one of the humans said as he approached Buck. 'He seems smart, rescourceful too." The man bent down to stroke Buck. Buck had never been pet before, and for some reason, he very much liked it. He swore he'd be the best sled dog he could be.
One Year Later
"Whoa Buck!" the musher cried as the dog team ran into Nome.
"It's good to be leader." Buck thought. Even since he had joined the dog team, his intelligence had brought him swiftly through the ranks. Now he was a lead dog, and his teamates respected him. He had become well known as the "Son of Balto" not because he was truly Balto's blood, but because he posessed all the qualities the wolf dog had when leading a dog team. There were famous stories of Buck saving his team's life by sensing thin ice or a sheer drop. Buck, for the first time in his life, had done something great.
Jade, harnessed right beside him, giggled at his eagerness to get out of the harness. She had been on his team for a couple of months now, and quite happy she had the chance to impress her brother.
"I guess you really want to see Aleu, huh Buck?" Jade giggled.
"Shut up Jade," Buck said. "What about you and Barry?"
"I don't even know where Barry is anymore, or if Barry is still his name."
"And Riley?"
"Riley and I are just friends. You ain't got nothing on me Buck!"
'Well, you aren't the only one, Jade, what about Kodi and Dusty?"
"Dusty likes Ralph, stupid."
Behind them, Ralph winked at Dusty, causing her to giggle. Kodi glowered. As the dogs were unhiched, one thing was on Bucks mind: his family. He trotted through the streets of Nome, on his way to the old ship. Spring was in the air, which ment Aleu and Jade would be about a year and a half old soon.
Suddenly, the scent of melting frost was blocked by a dark, menicing scent. Buck looked up to see a large, blank and white husky blocking his way. The dog stood there growling.
Buck, quite annoyed said "What are you waiting for, an introduction? What do you want Steele?"
"You took my job."
"No...your stupidity did that for you."
Steele laughed cruelly "You may have the town fooled Buck, but I'm not. Your just as worthless as the wolfdog Balto, and that little rat of a dog he calls daughter."
Buck snapped. With all his might he lunged for Steele, pinning him to the ground.
"You listen here, you mutt, don't you ever say anything about Aleu. She's twice the dog you'll ever be!"
With that Buck lept off his and kicked snow into his face. He didn't have time for haters.
It was dark by the time Buck got to the boat. Boris was the first to greet him. "Hey kiddo! Back from being famous pulling a sled, I see." he said, eyeing Buck's collar.
"But of course Uncle Boris, you didn't think I'd just stay around here did you?" Buck said jokingly.
Out of nowhere, Muk and Luk tackled Buck. He wrestled them for a few minutes, until he heard a piercing howl. With unrivaled strength, he stood up with Muk on his back and galloped off. Muk landed into Luk leaving the two polar bears quite confused with their friend's rapid departure.
"Ah, young love." mused Boris with a hint of sarcasim in his voice.
Chapter 6
Buck scissored his way though the boat, making has way to the other side. Unfortunately, he did not see the patch of ice under his feet. Slipping, he collided his nose with a grey dog's.
"Aleu?"
"Buck!"
"You-you changed."
"So did you...how is my brother Kodi on the circut?"
Buck's heart sank. "He's fine, he's been on my team a couple of times."
Aleu smiled. Buck smiled back at her. She really had changed since the last time he had seen her. She was, well, grown up.
"Uh, wow, Aleu, I really need to get some rest."
"C'mon Buck," she laughed "you just got back."
Buck sighed. "Okay, okay. What do you want to do?"
Buck had not planned on Aleu wanting him to take her to town, but at least they'd be able to catch up. As they walked across the small roads, Buck wondered what she was thinking, he was afraid to insult her. After twenty minutes of akward silence, Buck finally had an idea. Grazing at a lighted window, he spoke.
"Aleu, I kinda wanted to show you something."
She smiled. "Uh, sure."
The two of them perched their front paws on the window.
"Aleu, look at your reflection. What do you see?"
"Myself of course."
"Yes, but I mean, really look at it. See if you can find your true self-"
Buck did not see himself in the window, he saw a dark grey wolf that he could never forget.
"Father?"
His father smiled at him. A voice echoed in Buck's head "I am the voice calling out to you, Buck, the voice from your heart. Listen to me."
Buck slipped off the window. He could not believe what he had just seen. His father? His father had been dead for over a year now. How could he have seen him so very much alive? Thee only logical explaination he could come up with was that he was going insane!
Or that it really had been the spirit of his father...
"Buck? Is something wrong?" interjected Aleu.
"No, nothing. I just thought I saw..."
"What did you see?"
"I thought I saw my dad, okay? I don't want to talk about it."
Aleu was silent. Buck gestured towards the great drifts of snow surrounding Nome. Snagging a lantern off the front porch, the two galloped towards the mountains. They stopped by a huge snowdrift just outside of the town.
"Uh, what's going on Buck?"
Buck smiled at Aleu. "Now you'll see why I brought you here."
He dropped the lantern and gathered some of the old glass bottles that had been lying scattered around the snow into a pile. "Think of these as the ice caps that dot the North of Nome."
"Buck, what are you talking about?"
"You'll see. Now imagine this to be the sun." he said, gesturing to the lantern with his paw. "Apart, they are average things we see every day, but together..."
He positioned the light just like Balto had taught him, unleashing an Aurora of brilliant colors. Aleu's eyes widened in wonder.
"they make something one in a million."
"Buck," Aleu breathed. "It's beautiful."
She turned and gazed at Buck. "I wouldn't say that, Aleu. Not with you here in comparison." he said.
"Aleu!" Balto's voice called out.
Aleu turned to go and looked back at Buck. "Uh, I gotta go. See you back at the boat?"
"Yeah, see you there."
As Aleu left, Buck felt very pleased with himself. There were plenty of female huskies that would want him for their own, but he knew the one for him was right here in Nome.
Chapter 7
The snow had melted and spring had set in. Buck, enjoying the heat, had settled down for a quick nap. As he drifted into deep slumber, he felt a paw nudge him awake.
"Jade? What's wrong?"
Jade looked very scared, in a panic she said. "Buck, you have to get up now. Aleu was playing in the woods with Muk and Luk, and I just heard gunfire!"
Buck sprang up like a rocket, leaving Jade in the dust. They had killed Aleu! No, man could not have done such a horrible thing, could they? Buck galloped into the thickly wooded forest, searching frantically for his friends.
"Balto! Aleu!"
"Over here Buck." said Balto.
"What's wrong?"
Balto looked at Aleu, who was obviously very upset and angry. "I think its best if you stay out of this one, Buck."
"But-"
Balto looked at him with assertion.
"Fine."
Buck waited in the belly of the ship. Above him, he heard the angry voice of Aleu repriminding her father.
"I always knew there was something wrong with me!"
"There is nothing wrong with you Aleu, you have a proud heritage. Your mother is a purebred husky."
"Then what are you?"
"I-I'm the one who's part wolf. You see, my dad was a husky who had puppies with a wolf."
"So my grandmother was a wild animal...what about my brothers and sisters? They have wolf in them, why did they get humans?"
"Because they don't look it."
"This is unfair. I hate you!"
Buck heard the soft thud of Aleu's feet as she jumped off the boat. Weary, he got up and ran after her, using the keen sense of smell he had inherited from his pure-wolf ancestors. He circled around her and stopped her in her tracks.
"Get out of my way!" she yelled at him.
"Look Aleu, I know it's hard to find this out, but-"
"You knew, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
Why didn't you tell me?"
"To protect you!" said Buck, his anger rising.
"Protect me?! From what?! From knowing why humans want to kill me?"
"Look Aleu, you may not know this, but I am part wolf. Jade and I were both born in a wolf pack. In my pack, I was supposed to...to become leader, but everyone I was unfit, a total freak because I looked like a stupid dog!"
"So you came here and everyone accepted you."
"No! They can't accept me because I didn't accept myself. Don't you know the torture I have to go through every single hour of every single day because I have to hide a part of me?"
"It's torture knowing what you are. There were plenty of times you could have told me, Buck, especially when you were coming on to me. You're worse than my father! Get out of my way and let me got!"
Buck's anger reched boiling point when he heard those words. "Fine! Go! I don't want to be with a whiny little brat like you anyway! Go on and drop dead for all I care!"
The words left Aleu stunned. "I really do hate you, Buck." she said before galloping into the woods.
Buck galloped off too, he was sick of all the secrets, sick of the dogs, but most of all sick of Aleu's selfishness. More than anything, he wanted to go home. His guilt burned within him every day, and he knew it was finally time to face his mother. As he ran through town, he spotted Jade, who was talking to Riley, the most reviled wolfdog in all of Nome. He stopped and barked, causing both of them to turn. Jade looked at him quizzically.
"Buck! What is it? What's wrong?"
"We're leaving this two-faced town and going home-back to the pack."
Jade and Riley looked at him in utter disbelief.
"But Buck, you love it here-" Jade started.
"No I don't!" Buck exploded. "Don't you get it Jade! No one here cares about you, all they want to know is how you can benefit them, just like this scrawney little mutt over here." He gestured to Riley.
"But-" Riley started.
"Shut up ya little rat! Can't you get it though you thick skull, NO. ONE. LIKES. YOU. And don't look towards my sister for any support, she only feels sorry for you. No one wants to be friends with a little scum who shouldn't have even been born-"
"That's enough Buck!" Jade shouted, tears coming to her eyes.
Riley was now one the ground in a defeated posture, Buck even thought he saw a tear drop down his eye. Buck began to feel the weight of his words.
"Uh, anyway, c'mon Jade, we gotta start now if-"
"No, Buck."
Suprised, Buck utttered "What?'
"I'm not going with you. Not now, maybe not ever."
"But, why?
"There are dogs, and humans here that need me. And I am not going to fail them."
"Jade, you are coming with me, and that's an order."
"No!" Jade yelled. "You are NOT my father. Just leave Buck, and don't come back!"
Buck growled and ran off. Riley slowly got up and walked to Jade's side. Together, they watched him leave. She did not look at him, ashamed of her brother's actions. Jade said something under her breath Riley did not hear, because the words were carried on the artic wind, to Buck. As the young wolfdog raced towards the familiar mountains, he heard the voice in his ear, and the words of his sister chilled him to the bone.
"I never want to see you again."
Chapter 8
Jade layed down to sleep in the boiler room, just hours after Buck had left. Soon, Riley came in. He layed down beside her, making Jade a bit uncomfortable.
"You okay?" he asked.
"No."
"Your brother?"
"Yes my brother. He is the most arrogant, selfish dog I have ever met!"
Riley was silent for a short time. "Jade?" he finally said.
"Yeah?"
"Did your brother mean that, when he said you only felt sorry for me?"
Jade grinned and turned her head. "The thing you should know about my brother; he has no common sense and is impulsive when he says things like that. Besides, I don't feel sorry for you, you're my friend, I like you"
"I love you, Jade."
"I love you too, bro."
"No, not like that, I mean...I want you to be my mate."
Jade stoood up, shocked. "You what?"
"Please Jade." Riley begged.
"Oh, Riley. I can't. I-I love someone else...we can't be together!'
She ran off out of the boiler room, her heart breaking with every step she took to Balto's old ship.
Buck had never had worse luck. A full scale blizzard had set in as he traveled farther and farther North. He was way off course from his pack, but he couldn't retrace his steps. The great flurries of white got into his eyes, his ears and his nose. He was blind and deaf by the snow, completley helpless. He began to run wildly, crying out for help.
"Please!" he cried. "Help me find my way."
He stopped and sat, panting loudly. "Please..." he whispered.
Out of the blinding flurried of the a great shape soared into view, its great wings made no effort as it glided towards Buck. Smoothly, it landed right beside him.
Buck took it as a chance to look at the creature. The body was many shades of brown along each feather, while its white head seemed to sparkle like the snow. The beak and legs were a solid yellow color, and its green-yellow eyes were steady and piercing as it looked at him. A bald eagle. The creature who humans looked upon with most favor in this country, calling it an icon, or a symbol. Yet, what was it doing here?
"Who are you?" he asked.
The eagle cocked its head, as if surprised Buck did not know. It screeched at him, and flew into the air. Buck, knowing it was telling him to follow it, ran as fast as he could under the eagle, letting guide him with every turn. The snow lifted, but Buck kept running, farther and farther South.
"Where are you taking me?" he called up to it.
It looked down and screeched at him again before making a sharp right turn. Thoughts raced through Buck's head of the stories his mother had taught him; how every creature had a spirit guide that would guide them in the darkest of times.
"Are you my spirit guide?" he asked.
The eagle screeched at him, which he took as a yes.
They stopped several times to rest, before hitting the road again, for it is much easier for one to fly than to run. Only after three days did the terrian was looking more and more familiar, but it was not the home of his own pack, rather of his Uncle Nava's pack. The eagle flew down to the beach and looked at him, then looked across the horizon.
Buck looked to where the eagle was staring, he thought he could see the faint outline of several wolves on a iceberg.
"Buck!" a voice said. "I can't believe it!"
He turned to see Nava smiling at him.
"Uncle Nava, I-"
"I know why you're here, Buck, the great Aniu told me you would come just too late."
"What?"
"Aleu was on that icecap, Buck. You just missed her."
"Aniu was wrong, I don't miss her."
Nava looked grave. "Really, Buck?"
"Well..."
"Come, I will take you home. You will not survie out here on your own."
Buck nodded. The two began walking down the beach. Buck glanced back, looking for the eagle, but it, like Aleu was gone, without even a simple goodbye. He thought about Aleu, and wondered if she missed him as much as he missed her.
Chapter 9
Aleu sat atop the icecap, and howled until her throat was sore. She had sad goodbye to her old life, ready to start a new one in this new land. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath of the salty air. Suddenly, her nose caught a familiar whiff from far away. The scent of the wolf-dog that looked llike a German Shepherd. Her eyes snapped open and, just for a moment, scanned the horizon. The land was gone, but for a moment, she had believe, had hoped, he was swimming towards them.
"Buck..." she whispered.
A brown head turned in her direction. Silently he approached her.
"Did you say Buck?'
She looked at him as though he was a bit crazy "Yeah...why?"
"That was the name of my long lost brother. He looked more like a dog than a wolf though, no one knew what happened to him the day my father died."
"Was he tan and black?"
"With two white socks."
"Then, we are talking about the same wolf."
The brown wolf smiled. "My name's Amak. What Nava didin't tell you is that the ice caps will rearrange in a few weeks. If you want, we will cross it with the pack to find my brother."
"But the caribou-"
"How abouit we herd them across the ice?"
Aleu smiled. She liked Amak's wit.
"It's a plan."
The two wolves approached the valley at daybreak. Buck smelled all the familiar scents of home as the two trudged towards the pack of wolves. The entire pack raced to Nava, who all greeted him warmly. They turned their heads toward Buck and eyed him coldly.
"Who are you?" a grey wolf growled at Buck. "Why do you come here?"
Buck could not utter out a reply. He was stunned that his family did not even recognize his scent.
"Calm yourself, Juncau. I brought him here, he is a wolf like us."
"Stop defending all the dogs you see, Nava." Juncau shot back. "He has obviously fooled the old one to bring him here." he said to the rest of his pack.
Resounding growls echoed through the pack as they cornered Buck. Nava was pushed to the ground as the wolves rushed foward, ready to attack...
"Stop!" a female wolf cried.
The pack froze and sat, obeying their leader. The old wolf came out of the crowd and walked towards Buck. She lifted her nose and sniffed at the air, all the while staring at Buck. Without warning, she cried out and rushed to him, burying her face in his fur.
"My son!" she cried. "You have returned."
Buck nuzzeled his mother back. "Yes mother, I have returned, and I will stay...forever."
Buck sat atop the great stone cliff, watching over his pack. Immediatly afer his return, Bella had given up her position, and had made Buck leader. He smiled contentedly, feeling good to finally take his rightful place. He wondered about Jade. Where was she? Was she safe? Yet, he knew that she was a strong dog and would prevail. He thought about Aleu and if he would ever see her again. Their journey had only begun, and who knew? Maybe their paths would cross again in the future.
But Buck was not concerned about the future or the past; he was focused on the present, and the challenges he would face. For now, he could be sure of one thing; he was home.
Buck, Jade, Grace, Abel, Bella, Cain, Amak, and Riley (c) me
Howl(c)Leadstallion
Reaper (Barry) and Cover Art Lines (c) Sakujo
Balto, Jenna, Aleu, Kodi, Kirby, Kaltag, Steele, Star, Nikki, Nava, Ralph, Dusty, and Aniu/White wolf (c) Universal