PART 2
Dusty wasn’t quite sure how long she was forced deeper into the forest but all she knew was that her owner was lying some where in the distance and just like her was far from home and all alone. Turning around when the wolves stopped she saw that more wolves turned to look at her all growling. One of them quickly ran up to the wolf with green eyes, ‘Striker you dare bring her here it is insulting our power.’ The wolf glared at Dusty who looked away.
‘Now, Now my Beta have I ever let you down?’ The beta stepped back away and shook his head.
‘Now put her in the den and make sure she doesn’t escape, we will ask her the questions tomorrow but as for now I need rest.’ Dusty watched as Striker walked away. The Beta watched after his leader before pushing Dusty over to a den in which Dusty quickly went down and watched as a guard was placed outside. Slowly she lied down, she was freezing, hungry and scared all she wanted was to go home, go back to
A small silver tear slid down Dusty’s face as she looked up at the den entrance seeing that a huge black wolf was standing there; she knew she couldn’t take him on and escape. She laughed to herself she couldn’t even handle a few dogs her size let alone a wolf almost twice her size. Her eyes lids slowly began to shut with tears swelling silently in her eyes as she fell asleep the snow storm outside only getting worse.
The sun seeped in through the den entrance as Dusty slowly opened her eyes and looked up towards the exit and for a moment she forgot where she was, she had hoped that yesterday was all a dream but to her sadness it wasn’t. ‘She’s awake!’ Dusty heard someone yell outside as she quickly backed away from the entrance hearing someone coming down.
‘Morning Dusty.’ Striker said smiling at Dusty who just growled low but didn’t say anything. ‘Won’t you come outside with me?’ He asked his green eyes flashing as he stepped away from the entrance. Looking at him Dusty decided she had no choice and that the crazed wolf might do anything to hurt her, at least outside in the light she could see better and be a little safer. As she walked past him she could feel his hot breath on her which made her shiver as she quickly came out of the den. She was thinking of making a break for it but once she out of the den but her idea was soon dashed when she noticed that she was again surrounded. Behind her Striker leapt out of the den shaking the dirt of his fur before turning to Dusty. ‘Now my dear you will tell me everything you know about the Southern Forest Pack.’ Striker cooed flicking Dusty with the side of his tail.
‘Listen to me I’m not a wolf, I’m a dog!’ Dusty said frowning as all the wolves around her laughed.
‘Come now Dusty we went through this last night when we left your owner out in the cold….’
‘You left him to die.’ Dusty snarled stepping forward as Striker smiled.
‘Tell me about the pack what are their plans!' Striker suddenly yelled causing Dusty to step back in surprise.
‘I don’t live in a pack I’ve never heard of them before.’ Dusty said frowning. Striker growled low as he walked forward until he was only inches away from Dusty showing his sharp teeth right next to her face.
‘Tell me Dusty or I’ll kill you…’ For a moment Dusty thought about making up a story but she suddenly smiled to herself, if he was going to kill her any way she might as well taunt him as much as possible for leaving her new owner out for dead.
‘You know Striker even if I did know what you were talking about…’ Dusty said taking a step back and smiling ‘I’d never tell you.’ She growled low as Striker looked shocked.
‘I warned you Dusty…’ Striker said loudly as two wolves quickly ran forward beside Dusty blocking her escape. Watching him with her purple-blue eyes Dusty snarled she wasn’t going to go down without a fight. ‘Back away you two…’ Striker ordered as the wolves beside her quickly disappeared as the two began to circle each other. ‘You’re better off dead.’ Striker said jumping at Dusty who quickly ducked under him but he was too quick as he leapt around and was just about to bite down onto Dusty when he quickly stopped. Looking away from Dusty he looked over to see a black and grey wolf looking down at them. The wolf had one blue eye and one green one and a small dark grey fringe that hung down in front of his face but didn't block his eyes. He had a single white paw, and the tips of his ears where a light grey whilst his tail was split between black and grey. Dusty stood there transfixed at the wolf, she didn’t seem to be able to say anything.
‘You!’ Snarled Striker as he instantly leapt over Dusty towards the other wolf who quickly turned on his tail and ran into the forest. Glancing back at all the wolves around her Dusty noticed they were all looking after Striker and that this was when she saw her chance, she quickly jumped around and ran as fast as she could because if there was one thing Dusty knew how to do it was to run, she could run for hours but could the wolves?
Looking back Dusty could see a few wolves running after her but she knew they would tire quicker then her. As she was running she suddenly felt something grab her collar pulling her aside, Dusty gasped as she looked directly in the eyes of the wolf she had just seen. ‘Shhhh.’ He whispered. Looking around she noticed she was standing behind a huge tree whose roots where above ground creating an almost boulder like effect but out of wood blocking them from the view of the others. Hearing voices Dusty held her breath as she heard the wolves who were chasing her run past not even looking back at them. Breathing out Dusty quickly jumped away from the other wolf who was looking at her.
‘Who are you?’ Dusty growled looking at him, not trusting him even though he had just saved her life.
‘Names JD.’ He said walking past her as she looked after him.
‘Why did you save me?’ She asked quickly.
‘Because I’m a member of the Southern Forest Pack.’ Dusty’s ears perked up as she quickly walked beside him.
‘Do you know
‘I knew him…why…’ For the first time JD looked at Dusty and gasped. ‘You’re the daughter of
Frowning Dusty shook her head ‘My father is dead…can you show me where the town is?’
Jumping up on another tree root JD looked down at Dusty and shook his head smiling. ‘The town is over there from the land you just came.’
‘Thanks.’ Dusty said turning around starring to walk back the way she had come.
‘Heel!’ JD said jumping down right in front of Dusty who looked up at him. ‘If you go back their Striker will just catch you again.’
‘I have to find my owner…’ Dusty sighed sadly.
‘You’re a dog?’ JD said looking puzzled. ‘You can’t be.’
‘I’m sick of people telling me I’m not a dog because you know what JD I am!’ Dusty said looking at him as he raised an eyebrow as she turned around and began to walk away.
Suddenly JD ran up beside her making her stop. ‘If you’re going to persist then let me come with you.’
Dusty frowned ‘Look I’m fine…’ JD quickly jumped in front of her.
'Come back to my land with me and I promise I will take you home tomorrow safely so Striker doesn’t find you.’ Looking away and sighing Dusty shook her head.
‘How do know I can trust you?’
‘You don’t…’ JD said turning around and walking away leaving Dusty on her own looking back towards where Striker had just kept her prisoner the night before. If she went with this wolf then he could help her back to town she could find her old owner and go back to Nome, looking down at the ground Dusty knew that, that might be the only safe way home and to be honest she didn't know where exactly she was.
‘JD wait…’ Dusty called out as she turned around bumping right in to JD who was standing right behind her. ‘I’m coming with you.’ She said looking away.
‘Great now quickly follow me Strikers guards will be back soon.’ Turning around JD began to run away, for a moment Dusty watched him before quickly following him.
They seemed to run for hours with neither of them saying anything until JD broke the silence. ‘If you’re a dog how did you know about the Southern Forest Pack?’
‘I just heard Striker talking about them that’s all.’ Dusty said quickly. ‘He also said there was a war going on between you and them?’
‘A war has waged many years between us but I’m not the right person to tell you that, wait till we reach my pack.’ Nodding Dusty followed JD until they reached a small river which they quickly jumped across as they both slowed down. ‘Welcome to the
It wasn’t look before the two came across a group of wolves who were lying down in the sun but they quickly looked over at Dusty who kept close beside JD, she was still a little worried it was another trap. ‘Look what the wolf’s dragged in.’ One of the wolves said sarcastically as he laid back down.
‘Come on now don’t be like that, I found her captured by Striker and his pack.’ JD said rasing an eyebrow and looking at the other wolf.
‘The whole idea of you going there is to spy for us not to save every single wolf you see.’ Another said as they walked over and looked down at Dusty.
‘I’m not a wolf, I’m a dog.’ Dusty said frowning but the other wolf didn’t seem to notice.
‘Where’s the Alpha?’ JD asked looking past the other wolf.
‘He’s with the elder…’ JD quickly went to find him, ‘No wait they might not want to be disturbed.’
‘Hey who couldn’t be happy to see me?’ JD laughed as Dusty quickly followed after him not wanting to leave his side for fear the other wolves would attack her.
Once she was sure the others couldn’t hear her Dusty turned to JD, ‘They seemed happy to see you.’ She laughed.
‘It’s just because I do the job I’m supposed to but I do it my way.’
‘So you save a lot of wolves then?’ She asked quickly.
‘A few…and you just wolves I thought you were a dog?’ JD said slyly as Dusty frowned but didn't say anything. The two kept walking till they reached a clearing where a white wolf turned to look at them
‘Wait here Dusty.’ JD said looking at her as he quickly walked over the Alpha where they began to whisper. As she waited Dusty felt someone watching her and she quickly jumped around to see and elderly wolf looking at her.
‘Who are you?’ Dusty said looking at him.
‘My names Zagar and I’m the elder of the Southern Forest Pack, now if you don’t mind me asking are you any relation of
'Why does everyone keep saying that? Frowning and shaking her head Dusty said loudly ‘I don’t know who he is!’
‘Forgive me young one my eyes aren’t as good as they once were.’ He said raising an eyebrow as he turned around and began to walk away before stopping. ‘If you want to know come with me and I’ll tell you…’
Dusty looked shocked but was reluctant to leave without JD by her side, she turned around where JD saw her and he quickly walked up to her. ‘I see you’ve met Zagar, he’s a little grouchy so just ignore that.’ JD winked and whispered softly ‘Go with him…’
‘But…’ Dusty said looking at JD.
‘Trust me, if you need me just call and I’ll be there I promise.’ JD said smiling as he walked away back over to the white Alpha. For a moment Dusty looked after him before turning back towards the elder who was starting to walk away.
‘Wait!’ Dusty called after him as she ran forward. ‘Show me.’ She said looking at the elder whose eyes glowed as he smiled and nodded and the two walked in to the forest. ‘Who is
‘
‘Why did they kill him?’ Dusty asked solemnly.
‘Striker was the brother of Cyprus because once we were known as the Forest Pack but a bitter rivalry came between the brothers both thought the leadership was their’s. Striker promised power to those who helped him where as
‘What happened to
‘One night about a year ago Striker launched an attack on our pack and he was killed, and Striker vowed that if we didn’t come with him then he would take us out one by one. Breeze our new Alpha took his position being the Beta female...and since then we have hid in our land waiting for the imminent attack, waiting for the return of any one of Cyprus’s children to take their place leading our pack.’ Zagar looked at Dusty who quickly looked away.
‘I wish I could help you but I’m only a simple husky and tomorrow JD promised he’d take me home.’ Dusty slowly turned around and began to walk away.
‘Please Dusty look me in the eye and tell me you are definitely not the daughter of
Stopping Dusty turned around and looked him in the eye. ‘I’m sorry but I’m not…’ With that Dusty walked back the way they had come. Her emotions were so mixed that she wasn’t sure what she was feeling. She had never known her father but she knew for a fact that she looked nothing like her mother so could it really be possible? Shaking her head Dusty laughed out aloud she was worrying over nothing she had nothing to do with this all she wanted was to go home to Nome and live life like an ordinary dog she was not cut out for being a wolf…she had been born and raised a husky even if she did have wolf blood in her she was to much like a dog to change her ways now.
Breaking through some overgrowth Dusty came to the group of wolves she had met when she first entered the pack lands with JD. For a moment Dusty felt a little worried but plucked up her courage and walked forward to them as they looked up at her. ‘I’m looking for JD.’ She asked them as they looked up at her.
‘Look dog…’ One of them said getting up and raising an eyebrow ‘JD isn’t interested in you he saves a lot a people and flirts with everyone, now maybe you should just leave him alone.’ A wolf said looking directly at Dusty who frowned.
‘My names Dusty.’ She said through gritted teeth.
‘And my names
‘Are you going to tell me where JD is or not?’ Dusty said looking at her directly in the eyes, if
‘Listen up tomorrow we leave…’ Breeze started.
‘Wait JD you promised to take me back to the town.’ Dusty said turning to JD who looked down at the ground and sighed.
‘You’re not the daughter of
‘Is that the only reason you saved me just so you could claim glory in finding me and so that I would help your pack? I think you all need to understand I’m a DOG I have no wolf blood in me at all, I want to help but I can’t and if you won’t help me then I guess I’ll have to help myself. I never knew my father and I now for sure he wasn’t this
Cana looked after her and smirked. ‘Ignore her she won’t help us…’ Breeze said turning to everyone else as she continued. Once Breeze had finished JD sat down on the snow and sighed to himself as
‘Good riddance to that dog.’ She cooed as JD looked at her and frowned before walking away making
‘She’s lying JD she looks just like her father she just doesn’t know the wolf in her she, has been living in a world of lies.’ Zagar sighed.
‘Why is she so afraid of being a wolf?’ JD asked turning to the elder.
‘Wolves fear what they don’t understand, she is scared that she will turn her back on everything she knew. If you have grown up to believe something and suddenly someone tells you something different and you know deep down it’s true then you repel it because you don’t understand…’
‘It doesn’t matter elder she won’t help she made that clear, she thinks I just saved her because I thought she was the daughter of
'You did JD and you weren’t wrong but now we just need to prove to her that her heritage is one of the greatest Alpha blood lines in Alaska and to show her who she really is…’
‘What if she won’t accept who she is?’ JD asked looking at Zagar.
‘Then we are destined to be ruled by Striker…’
‘Oh no Dusty went into Strikers territory I need to make sure she’s safe, I made her a promise…’ JD quickly stood up and began to run after Dusty knowing he might already be to late to help her.
As Dusty walked towards the sunset she couldn’t help but wonder that only a few days ago she was curled up beside her owner in
Sitting down on the cold snow Dusty shivered glad that her thick coat was keeping her warm because as the sun set further in the distance the temperature began to drop and small snowflakes began to fall. She watched as one fell on her nose and she smiled for a moment until she suddenly heard someone talking. She quickly ran behind a large tree and when she peered around it she saw two guards she had seen when Striker kidnapped her, they must be part of his pack trying to find her or any other wolves who had stumbled in this area.
Dusty watched them till they were gone and when she was sure they were gone she quickly started running hoping they couldn’t see her, she just wanted to go back to the town and was scared that Striker would catch her again and this time no one would be there to save her. Once she was sure they couldn’t see her she started to walk again and laughed softly she was so jumpy she kept scaring herself. The sound of a something snapping behind her made her instantly turn around only to see that no one was behind her. Smiling a little to herself she turned back around and bumped right into JD making her jump back instantly and gasp. ‘Hi Dusty!’ He said smiling as Dusty frowned and walked past him, ‘No Dusty wait!’ he called after her and ran in front of her making her stop.
‘What do you want?’ She said sternly.
‘I came to show you the way…’ he said smiling.
‘Well I don’t need your help!’ She said walking past him again not looking back.
‘Is that why you’re going the wrong way?’ JD said smiling as Dusty stopped and turned around to look at him.
‘Look I don’t need your help, I’m not the wolf you were looking for, I’m just a husky and I’m going back to the town where someone can take me to
‘Let me help you then.’ JD said calling after her as she looked back at him.
‘I don’t need any ones help…’ With that Dusty kept walking not looking behind her. JD quickly walked up beside her but she refused to look at him as she walked. Finally Dusty snapped as she turned to him, ‘Go away JD!?’ she said gritting her teeth.
‘Please let me help you.’ He said looking up at her with his blue and green eyes. Dusty sighed and finally nodded.
‘Just take me to the town then go....’ She said looking up at him before she kept walking with JD beside her with a chessy grin on his face.
As they walked Dusty couldn’t help but frown, why was he insisting on helping her? Why did he follow her? Why can’t he just leave her alone? Looking at him in the corner of her eye Dusty thought to her self that he wasn’t even that charming he was just stupid with his different colored eyes and grey fringe and his always flirting personality, he was so annoying and what kind of a name was JD?! She kept walking not noticing that the sun had gone down at the moon was out lighting up the snow which reflected the moonlight making it appear almost like it was day again.
‘Tell me Dusty what’s it like being a dog?’ JD asked looking at her, but she didn’t look back up at him.
‘I live in a warm house with an owner who looks after me, they feed me and look after me and I have great friends who I can always depend on.’ She said smiling before stopping and looking at JD. ‘What about you, how’s being a wolf?’
‘Well for starters we don’t get our food served to us on a silver platter…’ Dusty frowned but didn’t say anything, ‘…my pack is so close we are more like family then friends, we’re free and can go any where we please and we sing to moon when were happy or lonely.’ He turned to look at Dusty as they kept walking sighing to himself, ‘There is so much you don’t know Dusty…about what it means to be a wolf.’
Stopping Dusty looked up at him and shook her head, ‘No JD there is so much you don’t know about being a dog.’
The two kept walking until finally Dusty saw a glimmer of light in the distance, she smiled as she jumped excitedly and began to run towards the edge of the forest, JD quickly ran beside her and stopped her. ‘Wow hang on a minute there.’
‘Why?’ Dusty said a smile extending across her face at the thought of returning home.
‘The people around here don’t take to wolves to well we should wait till all the people are asleep and all the lights are off.’ JD for the first time had a very serious look on his face and Dusty simply nodded as they walked closer to the town. The two stopped on the edge of the forest and looked at the town.
‘I’ve been meaning to ask you Dusty what’s that thing around your neck?’ JD asked looking at Dusty who looked at her collar and smiled.
‘It’s a collar I wear it because it signifies I’m a mail dog!’ She said proudly holding her head up high, JD smiled down at her and for some reason she blushed.
‘It’s pretty classy maybe I should get one?’ He said smirking.
Hearing people the two quickly ducked low in the dark and watched as a few people emerged from a nearby house. Instantly Dusty stood up her mouth dropping open it was her owner the one she thought had died when Striker had taken her away from him. Her tail behind began to wag as she stepped forward a step and then another one. ‘No Dusty wait!’ JD yelled out but Dusty didn’t seem to hear as she ran forward towards her owner. The people suddenly saw her and she recognized one of them as the person who had hit her owner the other day.
‘No Dusty!’ Her owner called out as Dusty growled at the other men.
‘Restrain that animal!’ One of them called out as from behind Dusty a man crept up and through something around her neck. She growled as she tried to free herself.
‘Its my dog not a wolf!’ Her owner called as Dusty struggled against the rope trying to break free. She watched as her owner was dragged into a nearby house and her attention quickly went back to JD and she instantly swung around looking at the forest. ‘JD!’ She yelled trying to find him in the darkness remembering that he had promised if she called his name he would help her. ‘JD help me!’ she yelled as the man pulled hard against her rope pulling her away from the forest and towards a building.
The man pushed Dusty in to a room taking the rope that was holding her and tying it a hook on the wall before he slammed the door behind him locking her in the room. She quickly ran to the door and began to paw it but it was locked and she couldn’t get out. Running to a window where she could see across the street she could see her owner nearby a window looking back out of it and for a moment they looked at each other before he was dragged away from the window which had strange metak bars on it.
Jumping down she ran over to a side window where she could see the forest but she still couldn’t see JD, she pawed the window and it opened but as she tried to jump out she realized the man had tied her down so she couldn’t get out, she was trapped. Sitting down she looked up at the window for hours hoping JD would come back...
Slowly the cold woke Dusty up as she looked up at the window, she jumped up seeing a shadow and thinking it was JD she ran to the window and pushed it open a little as the wind blew snow in to her face making her close because it was so cold. ‘JD?’ She called out as she opened her eyes but she only saw the dark forest. Jumping down from the window she sat back down on the floor and hung her head low. How could she be so stupid? JD had probably allready left seeing her run to her owner he must of thought that she was accepted back by her owner... but she was so excited to see her owner that the dog inside of her ran forward whilst the wolf others claimed she had in her was pushed aside. How could she truly be a wolf when she relied to much on people who hated and feared her because of her wolfish appearance? All she knew was that wolves and humans didn't mix so did that mean she could never again be accepted in to a home? She had not only run away from those who needed her help the most but also from JD who only wanted to try and help...all because she wanted to be a dog again...but that was now impossible.
She tried to remember her father but only blurred images came to mind, she remembered her mother and how soon after she was born was taken away along with her siblings to where she had never found out. Could see truly be the wolf that they all seek to help them? Looking at her reflection in the glass window she didn’t know who was looking back at her, she was a dog, but then why did she look like a wolf? She was so confused and she hurt inside truly knowing for the first time that things could never go back to normal. Sighing Dusty raised her head up high remembering what JD said and howled not because she was happy but because she was truly alone and for the first time in her entire life she felt more wolf then dog. She felt a fire burn deep inside and for the first time in her life a hatred she had never felt before of people came to her for looking her away, trying to kill her, and for hurting her owner...she growled out aloud.
PART 3 COMING SOON