Part THREE – Winter’s Struggle

*WARNING: This part is rated PG-13 for the idea of a difficult mature situation and some language usage. Please use discretion when reading. Thank you. - Juuchan17

Almost a month had passed since the Kawa Clan had arrived in their new home by the river and just as expected, the rough snows of winter had arrived, causing hard times for the wolves. Food wasn’t too scarce – rabbits, squirrels, and other small woodland animals were plentiful in this area – but the small kills were nothing compared to the thought of caribou. Over a month ago, the Clan learned that their usual winter herd of caribou had migrated to the green and mountainous land across the water, never to return to the other side again; however, with only their former Alpha’s prophecy from the Great Aniu to guide them, most of the Kawa was reluctant to leave without having any proof that the prophecy was true.

It was around late fall when Balto and his runaway daughter, Aleu arrived to the Clan – first as intruders on their territory, then as welcomed guests that soon learned of the Clan’s recent hardships. Never would they have thought that their arrival was planned by an unknown deity, for one of them was already destined to fulfill a difficult task: to lead the Kawa across the wide body of water and find the caribou herd. Both Father and Daughter could easily be passed off as wolves and since the gray-brown male was older and more wolf than the naïve light-brown female, the elder Alpha, Nava, had told the Clan that Balto was the one Aniu had sent to save them from death. However, once a mysterious series of solid ice islands formed a bridge across the water, a series of events changed Nava’s judgment; he realized that he was wrong, for it was not Balto’s destiny to take Nava’s place, but it was the young Aleu’s instead. 

The experience from then until now had truly allowed the mousy-brown quarter-wolf to mature into an Alpha that was worthy enough to follow the wise Nava’s paws. She had led them across the water and even found a new place for them to settle into, just in time for them to prepare for the first storms of winter. Although her dominant husky breeding showed in her method of leadership, Aleu was learning well on controlling her wild heritage within her blood.

The sun was hidden again for the fifth day that week; a large snowstorm had finally ceased last night, leaving a blanket of white powder covering the ground; the chirping of winter-dwelling birds waking up from their night’s slumber filled the winter air with a wake-up call, but it wasn’t necessary for some forest dwellers today. In a woodland clearing, a solitary hare was crouched onto a snow-covered patch of grass, nibbling on it with its tiny set of teeth. A scruffy shadow was hiding behind a small shrub, its claws digging through the snow and into the dirt below. It pricked its ears up, slightly twitching them whenever it heard the hare’s slight vibrations in its movements. A minute went by, but the snowshoe hare had turned its back on the predator; it was time to strike the prey.  

Breathing in sync with the hare, the creature crept slowly before leaping from the shadows, revealing itself as a young light-brown she-wolf with beige-tan markings on her face, ankles, chest and tail. She panted as she spotted the hare, who had just noticed the wolf’s presence; it had darted to her left, quickly hopping back into the forest. The lupine tracked and stalked after it eagerly, hoping to still be able the catch it as much-needed food for her Clan. Within moments, the hare began to graze again and dropping its guard, allowing the perfect moment for the female to strike the small, white creature. She pounced and seized the hare, quickly placing her jaws around the hare’s neck and biting it with her sharp teeth until its head fell limp against her mouth. She released it, smiling and letting out a sigh of relief over a successful kill.

The female lowered her head and opened her mouth to grab the rabbit carcass, but her ears twitched backwards at the sound of crackling leaves underneath the snow – someone else was near. She quickly grabbed her kill and sniffed the air around her, hoping that the intruder was actually a friend and not a foe. The unknown creature’s paws crunched against the packed snowfall, causing the female to crouch and growl defensibly. All she knew was that it was a wolf – she could smell the blood of fresh kill on its lips and hear the slight gurgling of a growl escaping from its throat. She sensed it was watching her, waiting for her to drop her guard and steal her food; however, she lowered her ears, jerked her body around and leaped at a nearby bush, dropping her kill and landing on top of a mud-red lupine. 

“Well, I see you’re doing well with your hunting, Aleu,” the wolf replied, grunting a little bit. “Now if you wouldn’t mind, could you please get off of me?”

Realizing who it was, Aleu lifted herself off of the male, allowing him to get up. “Oops! I’m sorry, Scarlet!” she apologized, lowering her head. “I thought you were a intruder or something.” 

“It’s okay,” he grinned as he lifted his body up from the snow and shook off the wet snow from his fur. “I disguised myself in order to hunt easier. I will say that I am impressed by your improvement over the past few weeks. I was testing you a moment ago, seeing if you could tell apart a stranger from a friend only by using your senses of smell and sound.” He winked at her happily. “You did a great job! You’re a very quick learner!”

“Well, I did have a great teacher, after all! That one was my fourth kill today too. I buried the other three in the woods near the lake.” Aleu nuzzled Scarlet then she picked up her kill of rabbit and motioned her head back into the forest where she kept the rest of her kill. 

“Let’s head back,” he walked up ahead of the mousy-brown yearling, leading the way. “Show me where the other rabbits are and we’ll all feast.” Aleu followed quickly behind as Scarlet trotted back into the winter woods.

The two lupines arrived at the foot of the lake with Aleu’s four kills and Scarlet’s six in tow. Most of the Clan was already up for the morning, grooming each other two by two in their separate caves on the mountains; the lake and the nearby river just a few yards away, flowing beside the foot of the rocky peaks that they now called their new territory. A few of the younger wolves and matured she-wolves noticed their Alpha’s presence and began their descent down the caves and across a few flat, stationary stones that lay on the lake until they arrived at the shoreline. 

“Welcome back, Aleu!” A light gray and ivory she-wolf nuzzled with Aleu after the Alpha set down her kill. “You were up quite early this morning with your hunting, huh?”

“Yeah,” She answered back with a friendly laugh. “Scarlet’s been telling me that some animals wake up early in order to graze without fear of being caught. He’s such a good teacher, Lorna!”  

Just by looking at the yearling’s slightly flushed face, Lorna could tell that Aleu was smitten for Scarlet. “He’s cute too, don’t you think so?”

Lorna’s comment only made Aleu blush darker. “Well . . .” She turned to Scarlet’s direction where he was mingling with some of the other wolves, especially the three oddball wolves that had helped Aleu during her first couple of weeks as Alpha: Sumac, Nuk and Yak. “Well, he is quite charming . . . and handsome . . . and wise, just like your father.” She giggled as she turned her head shyly. “I think I’d like him to be my mate one day, Lorna!” 

“He’s quite a catch, I’ll agree to that!” Lorna also giggled. “If he wasn’t so infatuated with you, I’d go after him myself!” The two females shared a rabbit underneath a nearby tree while the morning as they continued to chat about recent happenings.

“So, how’s Dahlia doing, Lorna?” Aleu asked. “She hasn’t delivered her pups yet, but the time should be close, right?” 

“Mom’s doing fine,” the light gray looked up at a nearby cave where the brown and white she-wolf was still resting. “She should give birth any day now, so she’s just gathering her strength by sleeping most of the time. She might start searching for a den in the woods when her time comes to deliver, so I was thinking about digging one for her. Would you help me?”

“Sure thing, Lorna,” The Alpha agreed. Dahlia was one of the well-respected females in the Clan, and the litter that she carried was the last litter of their former Alpha, Nava. “But I was wondering about something.” 

“Fire away, Aleu,” Lorna nodded. She always enjoyed listening to the quarter-wolf’s curious queries and answering them to the best of her ability.

“Well, you mentioned a while ago that the breeding season was in the spring, right?” Lorna nodded. “So, why is Dahlia the only pregnant she-wolf in the Kawa right now?” 

“When Nava first had visions of his successor arriving to lead us across the water, he took no time in deciding to have a back-up plan, in case something should happen to the new Alpha. After seeing his previous success with Dahlia’s last litter of me and my sister from a couple of years ago, he mated with her about a month before you and Balto arrived, hoping that perhaps he would be able to watch them grow from birth. Of course, this was not in Aniu’s plan . . . but he did not pursue to follow us.”

“I remember while Papa and I were on the iceberg, he said to us, ‘Only my spirit is strong now.’” Aleu recalled. “I suppose his condition just wasn’t strong enough to go with us. Both my father and I offered to assist him across the water, but he refused.” Aleu let out a gasp, realizing something. “Maybe he refused us because Aniu needed him to stay behind. ‘Everything happens for a reason,’ right?”  

Lorna nodded. “Knowing Father, he would be out looking for Niju. Other than him still being a member of our Clan, I really don’t see what Father sees in him.” The light gray sighed. “He’s too late to be changed.” Just hearing Lorna say that made Aleu gasp. “He’s just too evil and black-hearted. I can understand why my sister wanted to make Niju her mate.”

“What?” Aleu shouted, quickly covering her mouth with a paw. “Is that for real?” She felt like telling her what Scarlet had recalled about Niju being Riza and Lorna’s older half-brother by a former Alpha of a rival Clan, but her judgment knew that now was not the best time for such things. 

“Yeah,” The light gray she-wolf continued. “Riza fell smitten for Niju during the last mating season, but she just couldn’t find the courage to confess her love. So ever since then, she became dedicated to serving Niju and became one of his highest servants . . . almost to the point of being his bodyguard, you could say.” She lowered her head in sadness. “She got so carried away with following Niju, working hard so that he could become the Alpha of the Kawa and she would be his mate. The closer she got to Niju, the more wicked she became . . . and it truly showed when she was around Mom and me. She abused me when I turned against her once in the summer, so that was when I realized that my sister, the one I had once looked up to, was no more.” She touched her cheek with her right paw, rubbing it up and down at a spot where pain remained although the markings of her abuse had vanished. “Ever since then, I decided to act childish around her instead of the serious and concerned sister that I really was. She just doesn’t understand what she’s really doing, all thanks to Niju.”

“I see,” Aleu nudged her in friendship and comfort. “I had sibling problems too, but they weren’t as complicated as yours are. I think that your sister is still there, but to you, you have someone else that’s more important to focus on right now.” She turned her attention to Dahlia. “She needs someone like you to stand by her side as she prepares to have her litter.” Once she noticed that Lorna had looked up at her with hopeful eyes, Aleu winked at her. “Don’t worry about Riza. I’ll find a way to make her happy again.” 

Lorna’s face turned into a smile. “Thanks, Aleu. You really are a true friend. I hope there is a way that things can be better once we find the caribou.”

“Yeah, I hope so too.” Aleu agreed as the two of them began to take a nap beside the lake. “I hope we can find them . . .” 

- - - - -

She was inside a cave . . . a cool, dark cave, just like the one that she first saw her spirit guide, Muru, in. Just like last time, her body was out of her control – walking forward into the dark center of the cave. 

She could hear a voice as she walked deeper into the cavern . . . Tonight . . . You must prepare for tonight, my child . . . It was a soft voice, one that she couldn’t recognize too well, but she had a feeling that she knew who it was.

“Aniu? Is that you?” Her own voice slightly echoed against the walls of the cave.  

The voice answered back. It is I, my child . . . I have been awaiting this chance to contact you like this, Aleu . . . Alpha of the Kawa Clan . . .

“How . . . how do you know my name?” The yearling’s eyes grew wide, shocked by the spirit’s knowledge. 

I know all about you, Aleu – first-born daughter of the half-wolf Balto and purebred husky Jenna . . . It was I who chose this destiny for you, after all . . .

“Wow . . .” Aleu’s eyes were wide, impressed by what the spirit knew about her family and past. “How’d you do that?” 

The spirit let out a cough, clearing her throat. That is not important right now . . . You must focus on tonight . . . tonight, you must prepare for what may happen . . .

“But what will happen?” Aleu, confused by the spirit’s ominous warning, asked. “What is to happen tonight that I should prepare for?” 

That, I cannot say . . . She replied; Aleu grimaced at the response, but she continued to listen carefully to the deity’s words. All I can say is that you must be strong . . . What will take place tonight will test your will and strength as an Alpha . . .

“Huh? Wha?” The yearling was still baffled. “I don’t understand! How will I know what to do?” Tears began to swell in her eyes. “I’m still so confused by everything you wish of me! Tell me! Please, tell me!” 

A swirl of misty fog formed in front of her, shape-shifting into her true form: a pure-white lupine with yellow eyes. She gazed at the surprised light-brown quarter-wolf and smiled. You will know what to do, Aleu . . . It’s naturally in your blood . . . I’m sure that you will have nothing to fear . . . Her snowy figure began to vanish back into the mist as Aleu began to try to stop her.

“Wait! Aniu! I still have so many questions to ask you!” She shouted back. “What about the caribou? Where are they? How long will it take for me to achieve this destiny?” 

Only the spirit’s warm voice could be heard now, encircling the young Alpha as she stood in bewilderment.

All will be answered in its own time, my child . . . Now, you must awaken and prepare for tonight . . . Tonight, your worth as Alpha shall truly be tested . . . Farewell, Aleu . . . Until we meet again, very soon . . . Very soon . . . 

Her final words echoed louder and louder as a sudden gust of wind pushed her out of the dark cave and through the entrance . . .

- - - - - 

Her eyes shot open widely as Aleu let out a gasp. She breathed hard, panting and trying to catch her breath. Once she had calmed down, she looked up, realizing that it was already early afternoon; she began to stretch as she searched for her companions. Lorna, who had fallen asleep beside her only moments earlier, was now talking with Scarlet and getting his approval to make a birthing den for Dahlia. Dahlia wasn’t asleep anymore – she had gotten enough strength to descend the rocky trails from her cave to the lake, where she was comfortably lapping up some cool water with her tongue. She was accompanied by a couple of older females like herself; they spoke their excitement of Dahlia’s upcoming delivery and of the rough winter they’d had so far.

But the words that Aniu had spoken in her dream haunted her, swarming about her mind as she began to walk towards the large waterfall that was still able to flow despite the freezing temperatures of winter. What did Aniu mean about my worth as Alpha being tested? She DID choose me to lead the Clan – I am ‘the one who is wolf and does not know’! Aren’t I worthy enough already? She thought, remembering the spirit’s words. ‘Prepare for tonight,’ she said . . . what could possibly happen tonight that would be worth such a warning? And how can I prepare for something that’s unknown? Aleu let out a sigh as she finally sat down by the edge of the falls. That Aniu really is mysterious . . . 

She watched how the thin streams of water flowed from the mountain above; her blue eyes lit up, relaxing her mind for a moment. Perhaps . . . I am already prepared . . . just the way I am right now. I think . . . I think I can . . .

“Aleu?” 

The Alpha’s ears pricked up at the sudden interruption, turning towards the voice. “Scarlet! It’s only you.” Aleu breathed a sigh of relief.

“Lorna told me all about digging the den for Dahlia,” Scarlet replied, then he quickly asked, “Oh, may I join you?” 

“Sure,” Aleu nodded as Scarlet sat down beside her. “So, what did you think about the plan?”

“I’ve already sent the Trio off to dig it. It’ll be about several yards from the shore but still within our territorial boundaries. They’re fast builders, so I expect it to be completed by sunset.” Scarlet replied. He remembered seeing the worry on Aleu’s face before he interrupted her seconds earlier. “Is there something else on your mind right now? You looked pretty worried and yet calm about something.” 

She lowered her head in silence, letting out a soft breath. She wanted to tell him about her dream and what Aniu had told her, but in the pit of her stomach, she felt afraid to do so.

“You know you can let me know about whatever is troubling you, Aleu,” Scarlet gently placed his head on top of her own, nuzzling her. “Maybe I can help you with whatever’s bothering you.” 

Just by hearing those words coming from his lips, she felt relaxed and knew that she could trust him with her visions. “Well,” Aleu began to speak softly. “I was asleep this morning after hunting and speak with Lorna when I had a strange dream. She . . . Aniu came to me.” With Scarlet listening carefully, Aleu recalled everything and every word that was in her vision from that morning.

“I see,” Scarlet responded afterwards. “Now I understand why you feel that way.” 

“But I’m still so confused!” Aleu gazed into the falling waterfall, her light-brown reflection mirrored back at herself as she spoke in a voice that made her almost break down. “I really want to do my best as Alpha, but I fear that something or someone will come along to take over the Clan.” She sighed. “It’s so difficult to prepare for some unknown event like this.”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way when it does happen,” The red wolf encouraged her. “You’ve been a great leader so far, especially after those earlier lessons that you had learned. Sure, we haven’t found the caribou yet, but I have faith in you, Aleu.” 

His last comment made her smile, cheering her up for the moment. “Thanks, Scarlet.” She leaned up to him and their noses intertwined for a kiss. She thought that at that moment, she was confident enough to conquer the unknown event that awaited her in only a few hours time.

Dusk had just settled when the hunting party had returned from their late-afternoon hunt. The four wolves of the group – all of them were dark-colored females and friends of Dahlia – had caught a few rabbits and a plump beaver that was found on the river near its dam, but still there was no word on the caribou herd. The Clan had just begun to tear off their share of meat, eating together underneath the rising moon that began to rise into the gray cloudy sky. 

Aleu and Scarlet were sharing a rabbit together at a spot near the waterfall; they were so content with each other, the wolf and the quarter-wolf never noticed the gray and black she-wolf glaring at them from a low cave.

“Yes, that’s right, Aleu,” she murmured to herself, watching them exchange licks on their faces. “Enjoy your happiness while you can . . . after tonight, you’ll be under my control . . . and I will lead the Kawa Clan to the caribou! I will succeed where you have failed!” She chuckled quietly as she ripped into a share of rabbit that she had found by the entrance of her cave. Just when she had begun to eat, the light gray form of her younger sister entered the entrance of the cavern with a curious look of worry on her face. 

“Riza?” Lorna asked. “I see you found the meat that I left for you.” She slightly smiled; although her sister was against Aleu’s leadership and dark-hearted, Lorna felt that she should at least show some act of kindness, whether Riza was wicked or not. She was still family – her older twin sister. “Aleu and I caught it just by the forest’s edge a little while ago. It’s not too tough for you, is it?”

“Why?” The dark wolf queried her younger twin, ignoring the previous question. 

“Huh? What’s wrong?” The light gray was confused.

“Why?” Riza repeated. “Why are you so much like them?” She tore another piece of meat and chewed it before continuing. “You’re just as goody-two-shoes as the two lovebirds are over there! Why can’t you see that Aleu is only leading us to destruction?” 

“Riza . . . what are you –” Lorna softly whined but was quickly interrupted.

“Are you really that dense? Have you not noticed that it’s been an entire month since we arrived here and still Aleu has done nothing truly productive for the Kawa!” She let out a gurgling growl from deep in her throat; the noise alone was enough to make Lorna gulp. “She promised us caribou as the prophesized Alpha in our Father’s dreams, but has anything happened? No! Not a damn hide or hair . . . not even the scent of caribou can be found anywhere on this land!” She began to stand up, her claws already extended from her paws. “If that tame-born stays in power any longer, we’ll die out before spring even arrives!” 

“I understand how you feel, but –” Lorna was silenced by a clawed paw against her right cheek. The force of the blow knocked the light gray hard onto the flat, rocky floor of the cavern. The wound stung as the four parallel marks burned red and blood began to trickle down the right side of her face.

“How the hell could you understand, Sister?” Riza barked, her voice echoed out of the cave, causing the remainder of the Clan to take notice. “You’re on her side, just like everyone else here! You and Mother never understood me! Nobody here in this entire Clan understood me like Niju did!” Her voice now sounded like a howl as she began to exit the cave. “I’ll make sure that our little tame-born leader gets what she deserves for leading us to NOTHING!”  

She moved faster now, leaping out of the opening and through the calm water of lake. Her rage and anger caused her fur to stand on end as she finally arrived at her destination, growling as she crouched in front of the light-brown yearling, her claws extended from her black paws.

“Aleu . . .” The gray and black she-wolf growled with a smirk of revenge on her face. “You’re mine!” 

Before the yearling even had enough time to let out a surprising gasp, Riza had lunged forward at her, claws aimed for the kill.

“Aleu!” Scarlet leaped into the range of attack, standing in front of her. His claws were also out, digging deeper into the earthy ground below him. Aleu leaned backwards, surprised by Scarlet’s show of courage for her sake. 

The gray and black she-wolf landed before hitting Scarlet. Again, she growled. “Stand aside, Scarlet! This fight has nothing to do with you!”

“Never!” He growled back, crouching downward in a defensive manner. “Aleu is our Alpha! I’d do anything to make sure she’s safe!” 

Aleu’s eyes were wide, touched by Scarlet’s words of concern for her safety; however, she realized what Aniu meant for her to do now.

“Stand aside, Scarlet.” 

“What?” The mud-red lupine turned back, looking at the straight face of his Alpha. “You’ll get hurt or even killed if you fight! Besides, how can you find the caribou if you’re dead?”

“That is true,” Aleu closed her eyes, speaking calmly. “Riza is much more experienced at fighting than I am. She may very well kill me if she desires.” A smirk fell upon her face. “But this is my destiny, Scarlet, and as Alpha, I must accept this challenge alone.” She opened her eyes, seeing the sorrowful look in his eyes and reminded him of their conversation hours earlier. “Remember what Aniu told me? She said I had to be strong and prove my worthiness as Alpha. I’m sorry, but I have to do this on my own, without your help.” Aleu’s tone changed from calm to firm, trying to make Scarlet understand her reasons. “I’ll ask you again, Scarlet: please stand aside . . . and that’s an order.” She gazed at him, this time with a smile. “Don’t worry about me; I feel prepared for whatever happens. It is Aniu’s will.” 

“Aleu . . .” Scarlet let out a soft whine, but after a few seconds, he realized that Aleu was right. He had no choice but to finally give in. “I understand.” Retreating, he walked towards the cave where a wounded Lorna watched him approach the entrance; she gave him a total look of shock.

“Scarlet!” Lorna said to him when he approached her. She was lying on the ground of the cave, licking her paws and trying to clean her scratches that would permanently mark her face. “Oh, Scarlet! Why did you leave her alone? You should be there protecting her if you love her!” 

“Yes, I do love Aleu and I’d do anything to protect her from harm, but this is Aniu’s will,” He lowered his head and spoke with a slight grin on his face. “I left her alone because this is her destiny, Lorna. It’s not my battle . . . although heaven knows I’d prefer to fight in her place, for her sake . . . but she requested that I let her fight solo.”

Lorna’s head lowered, closing her eyes in prayer. After a brief silence, she looked back at the mud-red wolf. “I understand . . . and I’m sure this is the way things are meant to be.” 

All Scarlet did at that moment was nod in agreement, although his mind was flooded with worry for the one he loved so closely. He began to lick his half-sister’s wounds, helping to clean them. “So, what happened to you?”

“Oh, this?” Lorna pointed a paw to the four-lined scar that now graced her silver-gray face where her half-brother was treating it with kind licks. “Let’s just call it a parting gift from my sister. Ouch!” She let out a quick yelp of pain when her paw gently pressed against a stinging spot of her wound. “A quite painful present indeed.” She sighed as her head turned away from Scarlet, now realizing that her beauty was now tarnished for the remainder of her life. 

“Are you at least well enough to stand?” Scarlet asked, concerned for Lorna’s well-being.

She nodded. “Of course I am! She didn’t hurt my legs – just my face – so I’ll be just fine.” 

“Good,” he grinned. “We should go to your mother. She is close to delivery and she needs someone by her side. Come on.” Lorna agreed, standing up as the two of them hurried to the cave where Dahlia rested.

“Oh, Aniu,” Scarlet prayed into a slight breeze once they arrived to their destination. “Protect Aleu . . . If this is your will, may it be done.” A tear fell down his closed eyes as he hoped that the young yearling that he had admired ever since her arrival could indeed prove her worth. 

Lorna comforted him, nuzzling against his neck. “Don’t worry, Scarlet. Have faith in Aleu and Aniu, and anything is possible.”

The remaining wolves of the Clan knew that this was a fight between the two of them, so they surrounded them in a circle formed using their bodies. The only wolves that weren’t on the grass were Lorna, Scarlet, and a resting Dahlia; they watched in fear from above them in Dahlia’s cave. 

“So, Aleu,” Riza growled, smirking proudly. “Now I’ve got you right where I want you.” Her dark gray fur spiked up again on her back as she remained in her before-attacking stance.

Aleu, knowing for sure that this was what Aniu had warned her about, stood her ground; her body was lowered to the ground, prepared to lunge towards her attacker. A soft growl emerged from between her gritted teeth, although it sounded more like a dog’s playful growl. Just hearing that noise coming from her opponent made Riza burst into laughter. 

“Are you serious?” She chortled loudly. Her supporters of only a few wolves followed suit, laughing at the sound emitted from their Alpha. “That’s a typical ‘tame-born’ growl . . . which is exactly what you are, ‘tame-born’!” She continued to bully Aleu, causing her to lower her ears. “What’s the matter, tame-born? Didn’t your Daddy teach you how a wolf really growls? Oh, that’s right – he was too protective of you to teach you anything about life on the wild side!”

“Leave my Papa out of this, Riza!” Aleu growled loudly. “He has nothing to do with this! This is between you and me.” 

“Oh, that’s where you’re wrong, tame-born,” Riza replied back, still chuckling. “He led us onto the iceberg, only to abandon us to save you!” Her dark eyebrows lowered so close that they almost touched her piercing eyes of blue. “He began all of this trouble in the first place when everyone believed that he was to become Nava’s successor, but in the end, all of the blame points straight at you!”

“What?” Aleu’s eyes shot up. “What do you mean?” 

“Heh,” The darker wolf grinned. “Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten about finding the caribou?”

“Oh, that,” Aleu calmed down for a moment. “Well, I’ve been searching every morning when I go out hunting for food for the Clan, but I haven’t found anything yet.” 

“Neither has anyone else here!” Riza’s voice rose, trying to show her point. A few other wolves from both sides of the argument barked in approval. “Aniu assured Nava that the caribou was across the water, but why would Nava stay behind while we were left with some yearling tame-born to lead us? Because . . .” She leaped forward, landing in Aleu’s surprised face. “Because he knew that crossing the water would seal our doom, that’s why!”

“No!” A she-wolf of light bluish-gray cried out in shock. “Nava would never do that to us! We were all like a large family, most of us being his children or kin and all; he knew, as well as we all did, that family should always look out for each other!” Other older wolves barked in agreement to the female’s words. 

A younger male – a medium-brown shaded wolf about Scarlet’s age – stepped towards Riza and began to speak in outrage. “But he’s gone now, back on the land that we had called our home for generations! Perhaps our caribou has begun to travel back to our homeland, unlike what Nava had told us! We should return home – for our real home and for our caribou!”

Over half of the younger wolves cheered, agreeing with the young male’s ideas; even Riza smirked in a sign of approval and continued to glare at the quarter-wolf, staring her to the point of breaking down. Aleu didn’t want her Clan to split over caribou that she felt were somewhere on the new land. 

“Rino, you know that we can’t go back across,” Aleu told the slightly older male. “The ice bridge has vanished and it won’t come back. Even if it does return someday, it won’t guarantee the safety that you have here right now . . . especially after the caribou are found, of course.”

Supporters of Aleu barked and nodded their heads at her comment, believing that her words were truth and that she, just as Nava had told them, would lead the Kawa Clan to life. No matter what Aleu had spoke about finding the caribou and leading the Clan to survival, Riza was enraged by the part-wolf female, continuing to preach what she believed was best. 

“I can’t believe that you honestly believe the carelessness of this tame-born yearling!” Riza barked. “She doesn’t truly understand anything about being a leader, especially the one of a wolf pack.” She smirked at the leader, who only lowered her ears even lower as the gray and black she-wolf made a sudden request. “Apparently, our little tame-born leader has failed to find them within a matter of a month while we’ve all been freezing and hungry for caribou!” Riza’s supporters began to cheer. “So with that being said, I request that I, Riza, take over as Alpha in order to find the caribou!”

“Never!” Aleu barked, letting a growl slip through her voice. “I would never give up my destiny  . . . or the Kawa Clan to you!” 

“Well then, it seems that you leave me with no choice.” Riza walked towards a couple of her fellow comrades, who began to egg her on to fighting the yearling leader. “If you won’t take the easy way out,” She caused the other wolves to spread themselves farther apart from each other, allowing more room for a real fight. “Then I’ll just have to make you truly suffer!” At the sound of the booming word, she charged towards Aleu, leaping only a couple of yards away from her. “Rrahhhhh!”

The nimble quarter-wolf swiftly dodged the pounce, turning her hindquarters clockwise around and still with her body in a defensive position. “I don’t want to fight you, Riza,” Aleu spoke calmly and truthfully. She didn’t want to cause a rift between her new Clan so soon, and with other things being on her mind, she had no time to add that to her list of tasks to be done by the end of the season. “Please calm down and trust me. I am searching as much as I can for the caribou as everyone else. This is the best I can do.” 

Riza released her claws from the ground, quickly checking them to make sure none of them were damaged or broken. She gave Aleu a hate-filled glare. “The best you can do isn’t good enough! Hyahhh!” Now within a length’s reach of the Alpha, Riza lunged towards her with her claws ready to kill.

“Aah!” Aleu screamed as she felt the female’s claws begin to insert themselves into her skin; never before had she felt pain such as this, but she wasn’t about to let Riza have her way. “Get off of me!” She shouted, landing on her back as Riza clawed. With quick thinking, Aleu used her hind legs to kick the rebellious female off of her. “I don’t want to fight, but it seems I have no choice.” She groaned as she rolled back onto her feet and lunged herself at the wolf, her teeth and claws bared for attack.  

“Whoa!” Scarlet said with surprise as he watched the action from Dahlia’s cave. Aleu was beginning to stand back up again, as was a very angry Riza. “She’s tough!”

“Yeah,” Lorna agreed, not realizing that her mother was beginning to stir. “I’ve never seen Aleu act so serious before! She really wants to help my sister.” A tear fell from her eyes and woke her mother up. 

“Huh?” Dahlia let out a yawn and opened her eyes, looking around her surroundings and the two wolves in her company. “Lorna? Scarlet? What’s going on?”

“Mom?” Lorna nuzzled her, glad that she was awake. “Thank goodness you’re awake. Are you okay?” 

The brown wolf nodded. “I’m fine, my child. Thank you for staying by my side, you two.” She smiled, but the sound of the fight below pricked her ears in that direction. “Hey, what’s going on down there?”

“Riza got upset and started to attack Aleu,” Scarlet explained as Dahlia began to withstand the weight of her pregnant belly underneath her and stand on her own four paws with Lorna’s assistance. “They’re fighting down there across the pond for the sake of the Clan.” 

“Oh no . . .” Dahlia gasped. “Poor Aleu . . . and my Riza . . . I’ve got to do something to stop this!”

“No!” Scarlet blocked the entrance, stopping her in her tracks beside her youngest daughter. “There’s nothing you can do, Dahlia, especially not in your condition. You have pups to think about right now. Besides, this fight is Aleu’s alone. We can not do anything to halt the will of the Great Aniu.” 

Lorna let out a sigh. “He’s right, Mom.” Those words were difficult for her to say, but she knew it was the truth. Even she wished to stop the fight between her sister and her best friend, but the only way to do anything was to watch and pray that their Alpha was doing the right thing. “You’re important to me right now, Mom – you and my siblings inside you – and that’s all that matters to me. Aleu will be fine; I trust her actions and believe that she will find a way to end this, not just because she’s our Alpha – she’s also my friend.” She allowed her mother to lay her head over her shoulder; as she continued to watch the two canines battle on the grass below, Lorna could sense that something was wrong.

I can’t hold on much longer . . . I think . . . it’s . . . It’s time! 

“Mom?” Lorna felt her mother’s head leave the safety of her shoulder and somehow felt her pain. “Mom, is it time?”

Dahlia let out a groan as she collapsed onto the ground. Her breathing began to speed up as she let out a cry. “Ohh, they’re coming!”  

“Dahlia!”

Aleu could hear Scarlet’s voice from the ground below the caves. Forgetting about the brawl with Riza, the yearling turned her attention to her friends. “Scarlet! Lorna! Is Dahlia okay?” 

The only reply was a moaning howl from Dahlia. Lorna began to stand her mother up on her feet, helping her out of the cave. Scarlet looked back at Aleu, giving her a straight look. “We’ll take her to the birthing den. You focus on your duty . . . Aleu, look out!”

Before Aleu could even defend herself, Riza had latched herself onto Aleu’s hind legs. She clawed and bit them, all while trying to avoid the swishing two-toned tail of the young Alpha. At the same time, Nuk, Yak, Sumac and a couple of Aleu’s supporters had gone to assist Scarlet and Lorna on escorting Dahlia down the rocky caves, across the pond, and through the woods to the newly-dug den that awaited the birthing she-wolf. As much as she wanted to help, Aleu was in too much pain to do anything . . . except to prevent Riza from getting anywhere near the defenseless she-wolf. 

“Let me go!” Aleu yelled, kicking the she-wolf off of her legs, but Riza remained attached. She grunted and groaned, trying to shake her opponent away from her. “Please let me go!”

The gray and black female smirked. “As you wish, ‘tame-born!’” She released her grip as Aleu pulled her body forward.  

“Who-o-o-a!” The Alpha took a misstep, falling forward. She felt a pain in one of her hind legs, but it burned once she began to stand on it; her left hind leg now caused her to limp slowly as she tried to endure the pain. Riza began to chuckle as she stood up on her feet, watching Aleu tumble back down onto the ground as she tried to follow her friends to the birthing den and use her wounded leg.

“Ow!” The Alpha screamed as tears fell down her eyes, landing on the grass with her head in between her forelegs and paws. The pain was starting to become too much for her to bear. Never had she ever been seriously injured before, so she had no idea getting hurt would feel so terrible. “Scarlet! Lorna! Let me come with you!” She barked at her slow-moving friends. She wanted to be with Dahlia at such a special time in her life, especially since this litter was Nava’s last. 

Scarlet’s voice was all that could be heard. “Stay there! Worry about taking care of your battle, and don’t worry about us! We’ll return soon! I promise!”

Aleu let out a sigh, but she understood that this was where she had to be. She sniffled as she began to feel aware of the rebel she-wolf’s presence. 

“You disappoint me, Aleu,” Riza began to walk towards her, encircling the weakened Alpha with a smirk of satisfaction. “I was hoping you would be a much stronger opponent for me, but instead, you just proved what I always knew.”

“And what is that?” Aleu groaned, although she was afraid to hear the she-wolf’s response. 

“That you’re weak,” Riza replied. The Alpha’s sepia ears lowered as Riza continued to speak, degrading the quarter-wolf with her words of hatred. “You’re weak and not strong enough to fulfill this destiny that Aniu speaks of . . . and you know that, don’t you?”

Deep down inside, she knew Riza’s words were truth. She was weak – the only reason she had accepted this fate was because of her wolf blood and the heritage that her father had hidden from her since childhood. She always had her father, someone who was physically much stronger than she was, to protect her from harm’s way; whenever she had attempted to fight, she felt that she really wasn’t strong at all. Although she was independent, smart, and full of leadership as she grew up, Aleu felt that she was always protected from who she really was all her life.  

As much as she wished to give into the dark she-wolf’s tempting terminology, Aleu realized the real reason that Aniu had warned her.

“You’re wrong, Riza,” Aleu murmured softly, spitting out a bit of blood from her mouth afterwards. 

A few of the remaining wolves took a notice of this and began to gasp in awe; Riza also turned to Aleu, twitching an ear towards the fallen Alpha. “I’m sorry,” Riza began to ask sarcastically. “Did I hear you say something?”

“You bet I said something, Riza!” Aleu spoke louder; she was now on her feet, although they were smudged with dried blood and dirt. Her injured hind foot was gently touching the ground, so to not cause any more damage to it. “Your strongly harsh words will not tempt me anymore. Sure, I may look weak to you and my blood may not be pure wolf as yours, but I have been given a purpose here to this Clan. I am the Alpha of the Kawa Clan, as prophesized by both Nava and Aniu; if you believe I am not worthy enough to serve as such, you may leave the Clan if you so desire.” She turned to the remaining wolves that began to listen carefully to her words, now that she was allowing them freedom from a tame-born’s reign. “Yes, that means all of you, my friends. I am not forcing you to decide – for you each have the ability of free will – but I do wish that you make your decision carefully.” Aleu paused for a moment to catch her breath and to find her balance once more, for she almost collapsed onto the ground due to her now-tripod state.  

“Now, if you choose to leave, I bid you farewell for now. Perhaps you may want to live the remainder of your lives away from the companionship of your fellow brethren, free of the rules that the Alphas have once made. Maybe you wish to run away for a while, only to return in a few weeks or months time. Whatever you decide, it is fine with me and with the Great Spirits above. May they all lead you and guide you to a place of happiness, wherever it may lie.” She paused again, allowing those that disagreed with her leadership to leave their Clan’s territory. Only a couple of wolves left at that moment – Tydra, a young she-wolf, and her brother Viking, both followers of Riza. Aleu nodded her head at the two, who had halted in front of her, awaiting their Alpha’s approval to leave. Quickly, the two bluish-gray siblings bolted for the forest, not daring to look back.

At least they know they can return whenever they’re ready to, Aleu thought as she sighed, watching them leave the Clan of their birth. Deep down, she believed that they did not believe in her ability to lead, but she didn’t decide to ask the real reason why the two sibling wolves decided to live away from the safety of the Clan – it was, as she had said previously, each wolf’s own choice if they wanted to leave, whether it was opposition of her leadership or other personal reasons. She then turned to the rebel she-wolf, who once again, growled in rage. 

“Do not let anger rule you, Riza,” She spoke calmly; even after all of those terrible things Riza had said before about herself, Aleu felt that she had to remain calm for the moment, revealing her true leadership qualities. “I know that you want to leave this Clan, especially since a ‘tame-born’ like myself is your Alpha, and you may go if you must. We will not stop you, and we will welcome you if you choose to return to us one day.”

Riza only grinned, chuckling under her breath. “Ha! You will regret this night! The day I return will be the day I overthrow you, Aleu!” The Alpha, still filled with the serenity of understanding tonight’s mission, nodded. “I shall have my revenge on what you have done to my sister . . . so prepare to feel my true power when I come back!” The dark gray and black female reared up onto her hind legs like a horse and took off into the woods, cackling with the evil intentions deep within her soul. 

Hopefully by then, I’ll be ready and waiting for you, Riza . . . Aleu lowered her eyebrows slightly as she flicked her ears back, hearing a rustling of bushes. Turning her head, she saw the relieved faces of the familiar mud-red male and his light-gray half sister.

“Aleu!” Scarlet ran to his Alpha’s side, with the female close behind. “Your leg . . . Are you okay?” He helped lower Aleu to a sitting position so that she wouldn’t put too much pressure on her wounded leg. “What happened?” 

“Riza attacked me and injured my leg,” She replied. Aleu began to lick it, trying to clean the dirt and blood off of the major wound. “It doesn’t look that bad, does it?”

Scarlet shook his head. “I’m surprised she didn’t cause more damage on you, Aleu. She probably could have done something serious.” They nuzzled for a moment as the rest of the wolves returned to their dinner, relieved that the threat of harm was gone and their true Alpha was okay. 

“How’s Dahlia, by the way?” Aleu asked, wondering about the condition of her friend. “I’d like to check up on her when I get a chance.”

“Lorna was with her in the den, so I’d ask her about that,” Scarlet said. “Apparently, males aren’t allowed to witness a female giving birth. I was with the Trio guarding the outside of the den.” 

“I see,” Aleu nodded slightly. “So, is she doing okay, Lorna?” She turned to her best friend.

“I don’t know for sure, Aleu. I helped calm her down and get comfortable once we arrived, but she was only having contractions – preparing to birth a pup. About some time later, she had finished having another contraction. She suddenly barked at me to give her some privacy a few moments ago. That was when Scarlet and I ran back to check on the fight between you and Riza.” Lorna’s eyes flew open as she let out a gasp. “Riza! Oh dear, where is my sister? You didn’t . . .” 

“You wouldn’t . . .!” Scarlet gave her a shocked look.

Aleu shook her head. “Of course not. I would never kill a fellow Clan member, even if they were as vicious and evil-hearted as Riza.” She gave her friend a warm smile. “I gave her and the rest of the Clan an opportunity to leave. She’s gone, Lorna.” She comforted her friend, who was crying against her shoulder. “I thought it would be for the best, especially since your mother’s about bring new pups into the Clan. I didn’t want them or any of you to be placed at risk. I think the winter’s been bad enough already.”  

That comment made a chuckle slip from Lorna’s mouth. “Thank you, Aleu. It’s probably what she wanted right now anyway: a chance to get away from the three of us,” She grinned back at her. “The Trio chose to remain guard by the birthing den, especially since they made it after all. That’s why they’re not back yet, if you were wondering.”

Aleu giggled. “That sounded like something they’d do anyway. I remember when Papa and I first arrived to the Clan, and the three of them fought against me. Who would have thought that those three raggedy-looking misfits that once was on the side of evil would end up being such loyal companions to their Clan?” 

“Who would have thought a part-wolf yearling who once hated having wolf blood in her would succeed at being the Alpha of a Wolf Clan?” Lorna reminded her.

“Good point,” Aleu smiled back. Scarlet also grinned; he was beside Aleu, cleaning her hurt leg while she spoke with Lorna. 

“I think you must have proved your worthiness to Aniu by how you acted tonight, Aleu,” Scarlet commented. “You stood your ground, acted with bravery, and even reminded the Clan of their own rights and free will.” He suddenly changed the subject, following the last part of his statement. “Speaking of which, did anyone other than Riza leave the Clan?”

Aleu nodded. “Tydra and Viking left before Riza did. No one else did afterwards.” 

“Do you know why?” Lorna asked.

“I don’t know,” Aleu shook her head. “If they left for personal reasons, I felt that I had no right to delve into their business. It was their decision and I respect them for making it, no matter what.” 

Scarlet agreed. “I doubt it was about personal reasons. Those two were faithful to Riza and disagreed with you, even though you were Alpha. It’s obvious that they would both leave first, assuring to Riza that it wasn’t a trap. I couldn’t think of any other reason.”

“But perhaps Aleu did the right thing,” Lorna said quietly as her friends looked back at her. “I mean, think about it: whoever is left in the Clan is loyal to you, Aleu. If Riza decided to plot her revenge and return, together we’ll be ready for whatever she dishes out.” 

“Right,” Scarlet agreed. “Now that Riza’s gone, this will give us more time to focus on our search for the caribou.”

“And prepare for Riza’s attack, whenever that may be,” Aleu added. She knew that with Riza gone, the Kawa was safe . . . for now. She still had to find the caribou that Aniu had promised them and remain the Alpha of the Clan throughout the remainder of the winter. She sighed in frustration at the many dilemmas that were rested upon her young shoulders. 

Scarlet quickly took notice at the quarter-wolf’s expression and tried to reassure her with a gentle nuzzle. “Right now, don’t worry about Riza. She’s probably long gone into the forest, and I’m sure Aniu will protect us from her if she dares to return to harm you or anyone else within the Clan.”

“He’s right,” The light gray smiled at her friend. “Aniu has blessed us with a great leader, one worthy of the title of Alpha. I’m sure we have nothing to worry about.” 

Aleu gave a slight smile back. “I hope you’re right.” She looked up at the night sky above her sitting figure, watching as the stars started to sparkle. Soon she and the others retired for the night, only awaiting the coming morning light in which they planned to continue their search for the caribou herd.

Little did they know, a small group was brewing up a storm within the deepest parts of the woods. Hidden beneath a series of brush was a small, rocky cavern where three shadowed wolves lay in wait, awaiting the day when their dreams would finally come to pass. 

“Grr, I just can’t stand that little tame-born!” Riza stomped her dark foot down on the rocks beneath her paws. “She thinks she’s all that because she was sent by Aniu . . . but what does she really know about being wild? She’s just a yearling! She should have been a much easier target for me to attack and take over! ” She paced around angrily, then quickly turned to her fellow companions. “This has gone far enough! What do you think we should do about this, Viking?”

“Nothing for now, Riz,” The bluish-gray male replied back calmly. “We’ve got more important things to focus on at the moment.” He turned to his twin sister and nuzzled her gently. 

“Oh, stop it, Viking,” The she-wolf giggled lovingly back at her brother. “Just because I’m carrying the ‘chosen child’ within me doesn’t mean we can’t give up on destroying the tame-born’s rule of our Clan. We still have many weeks until he arrives.” She lowered her eyes very thinly and deviously as she looked back at her fellow female. “We must destroy her reign before the child is born.”

Riza smirked. “I couldn’t agree more, Tydra. I knew I made a good choice in partners with you two . . . although I originally thought the whole brother-sister thing was a bit much.” 

“But that’s how we created the chosen child together,” Viking explained. “When Tydra gives birth, the evil one – our child – will live and grow among us at last; we all shall have the ultimate power to regain everything that we ever wanted!”

“Happiness and glory!” Tydra said happily. 

“Power, power and more power!” Viking joined in, again nuzzling his beloved. “Especially once we take over you-know-who!”

“Ha! Those items are merely child’s play,” The gray and black she-wolf laughed with pride. “But first things first – there are only two things I want right now:” Riza concluded, bearing her teeth in her large grin. “Niju by my side as my alpha mate, and revenge on that damned tame-born brat, Aleu!” She paused for a second, her eyes lit up with a bright thought. “Wait, I’ll be right back. I think I’ve got the perfect idea to begin my revenge!” Riza began to chuckle in a low tone as she ran out of the cave, through the brush and into the forest, heading towards the Kawa Clan territory by the wood’s end.  

“How would you like to be taken down by your own best friend, Aleu?” She chuckled again, speaking to herself as she sprinted through the snowy forest as the stars glinted through the layers of leaves and fallen snow. “You may have your special powers passed down from our father, Lorna,” Riza lowered her eyebrows, causing her to travel rapidly. “But you have no idea that I have my own little secret. I will block your own mind-reading abilities . . . with my own special powers!”

Lorna was fast asleep in her mother’s former cave, while Aleu and Scarlet were sleeping together in another cavern below. The light-gray she-wolf couldn’t sense the presence of the vengeful female as Riza placed one black paw on her sister’s mouth and another on her white chest. The older twin closed her eyes, focusing her energy and sudden power into her sister’s own body. A red glow began to cover the older sister as she pressed down forcefully with a thrusting grunt; the glow was now around the sleeping younger sister, but it quickly faded away as Riza released her grip on the young she-wolf, placing her paws back onto the solid rock. She began to pant quickly to catch her breath, for the amount of energy that she transferred to her host’s body was almost too much for her to bear. 

“Now, Dearest Sister,” Riza murmured into the air wickedly once her breath had returned to normal. “You will do my bidding and follow my every command.”

Lorna’s eyes opened slowly, but glowed in a soft red tint. “As you wish, it shall be so,” Lorna responded in a dazed voice.

“Now, come with me, Lorna, and together, we shall take over the Kawa . . . using brute force!” Riza growled, exiting the cavern. Lorna, still in her controlled state, followed closely behind as her elder twin led her into the woods; Riza led her far away from the safety of Aleu, Scarlet and the remaining members of the Kawa Clan, back to the new shelter that they had created.  

“Prepare yourself, you little tame-born,” Riza murmured into the wind as she paused by the entrance of her newly-formed rebel pack. “When the morning arrives, your reign shall be nearing its end!” She walked into the cave to rejoin her fellow team, continuing to speak of the downfall of her former Clan. “Without your close friend by your side, you’ll be helpless and weak as the days go on without any luck of finding the caribou or your dear friend! Your Clan will have no choice but to join me and my small band of wolves! Your best friend is one of us now, so the others cannot resist my offer of freedom from your futile reign!” A fiendish cackle escaped her lips. “And soon, Aleu, you will step down as Alpha and bow to me! Ha ha ha hah!

Riza began to howl, happily singing her glee of Aleu’s upcoming doom. Tydra, Viking and Lorna, still restrained under Riza’s power, joined in the cry as a flock of ebony birds fluttered their wings and flew off into the early-morning horizon. The difficulties of winter had only just begun, but now, the winds of change may have taken a turn for the worst as the storm of impending destruction and doom was starting to take form. It was aiming for the new Kawa Clan and their quarter-wolf Alpha female, hoping that soon the yearling would give up and follow Riza’s command.  

(Part THREE – finished 5/9/07)