A tan wolf sat at the door of a barn. It was his home, at least, it was where he usually stayed. He lived with seven other dogs. Jean, Maribelle and Coco were the females on the team. Jean was bought from a french man, Maribelle from a spanish lady and Coco was born into the family. Coco was also Rhys' twin and only sibling. There was also four other males. Harry and Louie were troublemakers and both dark brown with black eyepatches. Thunder was mute. He was usually calm and quiet but would growl whenever he got angry or upset. Then there was Demi. Demi was the runt of his litter and much smaller than the rest of his team. He was often teased and mocked but was actually very brave, determined and serious about doing his job right. He was also the mate of Maribelle, though they'd yet to have puppies.

Rhys was usually calm. He was fake polite and enjoyed teasing people with flirty comments. However, he distanced himself due to once thinking that no one besides him was important and being recognised only for his angry outward appearance.

'Daww, puppies!!' the girls squealed.

Rhys turned his head, giving them an odd look, though they didn't notice it.

'Really?' Coco asked, eyes wide, 'Puppies?'

Maribelle grinned and nodded.

'Yep! You bet!' she said.

Rhys shook his head. She was always one to show off. He padded towards the group of dogs and sat down.

'I think it's time we slept.' he said, sternly.

The others just shrugged and settled down to sleep. Maribelle had Coco and Jean snuggled up to her on one side and Demi on the other. She sighed, contentedly. Rhys rolled her eyes and layed on some hay that was closer to the door. Thunder huffed in his sleep, making Rhys frown. He finally managed to find his way to sleep.

He woke a few hours later. He sniffed around and could smell something unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar as well. He got up from his place and walked to the door. He poked his head out. He couldn't see anything but the smell was still strong. He left without hesitation and set off to follow it, feeling somehow compelled to it. He was soon crossing the white, snow-covered forest floor. The trees weren't very close together, making it uneasy for other dogs to be able to pounce at him.

He soon found the owner of the smell. A white wolf, much younger than Rhys, was clawing at the trees around her. She snarled angrily, her golden eyes glinting in the moonlight.

'Wow, they're pretty.' Rhys thought, smirking.

'GRRR!' the wolf growled, pounding her claws into the low branches of a tree and breaking them instantly.

Rhys stepped out, rather calmly.

'What's gotten you so angry?' he asked.

The wolf snapped her head round, nose wrinkled and brow furrowed in anger.

'What do you want?!' she hissed through clenched teeth.

'Bothing much.' Rhys replied, shrugging, 'You were just making so much noise I thought it rude not to ask.'

The wolf growled.

'Well, it's none of your damn business!' she snapped.

'Maybe.' Rhys replied, 'But I'm curious.'

'Everything, OK?!' the wolf snapped, 'Everything makes me angry! All the rules, all the expectations! Everyone and everything annoys me! Including you, you nosey old bugger!'

Rhys looked down at her calmly as she slammed her front paws into the ground, angrily, and snarled.

'You all think that you're gods or something!' the wolf continued, 'You think you're better than everyone else! You treat everyone else like roadkill! You don't give a damn about any of it. You all think you're so perfect! But you're not!'

She dug her claws into the ground, panting and shaking with anger and confusion at her outburst.

'Hm.' he said, making her tense, 'I suppose your upbringing provided no warmth. No comfort. But I think that on the inside, you want everyone to care about you. You want them to look at you a realise that you're special iny our own way. You want them to keep you close and terat you like family. You want their love.'

The wolf stopped and looked up slightly, her eyes full of tears.

'I suppose you could say that i'm like that too.' Rhys said, smiling and sitting down in the snow.

'Why?!' the wolf choked, 'Why do people think like that?! Why don't I think like that? Why do I have to act like this? Like such a brat! Why did I turn out like this?'

Rhys stared at her, seeing her fully as she cried.

'Why do I have to be so alone? I'm so lonely!' the wolf cried out.

Rhys smirked and stood up, walking over to her.

'Come on.' he said, grabbing her scruff in his mouth and hoisting her up.

'What?' she said.

'Let's go have some fun.' Rhys replied, walking off.

He walked through the trees before stopping and calling over his shoulder.

'That's if you want to of course.'

The wolf stared after him, not believing what was going on. She didn't know what to do exactly. But she felt herself being pulled.

'Wait up!' she yelled, running after him.

Rhys led her to a small clearing where there were obvious signs of rabbits.'

'Quiet.' he hissed, 'Don't move.'

The wolf wondered what he was doing but shrugged and crouched. After a while she got impatient. She was about to ask what he was doing when he shot forwards and chased something. The wolf looked up, watching him in awe. She saw him halt and saw scrabbling and he picked something up. He turned, carrying the somethign towards her.

'Hungry?' he asked, placing the rabbit in front of her.

She looked between it and Rhys, wondering what he was playing at.

'Oh, by the way, my name's Rhys.' the golden dog said, smiling.

The wolf blushed and turned away, frowning.

'Aniu.' she muttered.

Rhys smiled a secret smile that made Aniu frown.

Over the next few weeks, Rhys and Aniu met up during the night time. Since there first meeting, Aniu had started to change. It was a change that both Rhys and her pack noticed. They sat on a hill, staring up at the brigth stars one night.

'So, what did your team say?' Aniu asked, 'About you sneaking off.'

'Not much.' Rhys replied, 'They wondered where I'd been. I told them I'd been hunting.'

'You lied?' Aniu said.

'A bit.' Rhys said.

Aniu watched him. He smiled and stared up at the shining stars as if something was on his mind. Aniu looked up too and sat for a few moments in silence.

'So, have you always wanted to race?' she asked, finding the silence unnerving.

'No.' Rhys said, looking at her, 'Not really. I've never had a passion for it. My father was a great race dog. The best. He raced and won so many races that he became a bit of a celebrity. I supposedly had racing blood. That's the only reason I was sold to a racer. Me and my sister.'

'That must suck.' Aniu said, 'Having it basically forced upon you.'

'A bit.' Rhys said, smiling, 'But I was trained as a hunter too so that makes up for it.'

'You like hunting?' Aniu asked, eyes wide.

'I do.' Rhys said, 'It fills me full of happiness knowing that I can do something that interests me.'

'I'll bet.'

They sat silently for a while longer before Rhys stood up.

'I'd better go.' he said, 'My team'll be wondering where I am.'

He walked back to the trees, Aniu behind him. He picked something up and gave it to her. Another rabbit.

'Don't want you getting in trouble.' he said.

Aniu took it, blushing and bowed her head in thanks.

'See you tomorrow maybe?' Rhys said, running off.

'Aniu!' yelled a voice.

Aniu rolled her eyes as she walked into her pack's camp. She dropped the rabbit in the cave with the other food. It was more like leftovers and scraps but it was enough for them.

'What?' she snapped, turning round.

She came face to face with the alpha female, Rora. Aniu's father, Achak, had been the last alpha. He was starting to get old and was challenged by a younger wolf. Achak gave his position up so that it wouldn't come to fighting when he died. He was now the beta and still viewed highly, something he made sure of. Rora was the new mate of such younger wolf.

'Where have you been?' Rora snapped.

'Hunting.' Aniu said, simply, trying to get past.

'You hunt when you are told. Are you trying to pick a fight?'

'Are you saying that hunting for the pack in order to get more food for us is a bad thing?' Aniu snapped, 'That's bad leadership right there.'

Rora snarled at her.

'Just stop thinking about your own desires, Aniu!' she hissed.

Aniu sneered at her behind her back and went to find a place to sleep. She preferred to sleep away from everyone else. They all ignored her so she ignored them.

Rhys met Aniu at the usual spot a few weeks later.

'Hey!' Aniu said, grinning.

'You seem happy.' Rhys said, smirking.

'Yeah.' Aniu replied, nodding, 'I'm second from head hunter in my pack now.'

Rhys smiled at her and nodded his congratulations.

'How's Coco?' Aniu asked, referring to Rhys' sister.

'Good.' Rhys replied, 'She had her puppies today. She and Maribelle can't stop going on about it now.'

Aniu giggled slightly. Rhys had told her about Maribelle's pups and Coco's recently found out pregnancy not long ago.

'How many puppies did she have?' Aniu asked.

'Three.' Rhys replied, 'Amy, Layla and Kaltag.'

Aniu smiled. The two of them walked off. They didn't care where they went, as long as they could talk. They soon found a clearing that overlookd a small town.

'I have some news for you.' Rhys said.

'Oh yeah? What?' Aniu asked.

Rhys sighed.

'I'll be leaving soon.' he said, 'My master has a race coming up. We'll be training harder. It'll be shortly after my sister's puppies have found homes. So I may not be able to come and speak to you regularly.'

Aniu stared at him, shocked. Was he joking? He didn't seem to be, but you couldn't tell with Rhys.

'Are you trying to toy with me?' Aniu croaked.

'I'm afraid not.' Rhys said, shaking his head, sadly.

'So... I suppose this is goodbye?' Aniu said, 'I hate to say it. But then we'll probably never see each other again. Good luck with whatever you do and please... try to remember me.'

She got up and started walking away, holding back her tears. Rhys suddenly jumped in front of her.

'What?' Aniu asked, angrily.

'I said I'd be leaving. But... I didn't say that I'd have to go.' Rhys said, smirking.

'Wha..?' Aniu said.

'I could leave my team.' Rhys said.

'You mean... you'd leave them for me?' Aniu asked.

'I would. But only if you want. After all, it's hard hunting on your own.'

Rhys crept into the barn later. He saw his sister lying on a pile of hay in the corner. He padded up to her, softly.

'Coco!' he whispered, nudging her with his nose, 'Coco, wake up!'

'Wha?' Coco said, opening her eyes, blearily, 'Rhys?'

'Shh.' Rhys whispered, 'Coco, I'm going.'

'Going where?' Coco asked, waking up a bit more.

'With someone.' Rhys replied, licking her nose.

Coco's eyes opened properly as she found her tiredness seep away.

'What do you mean?' she asked.

'I'm going into the wold with a friend of mine.' Rhys said, 'And I'm not coming back.'

'But, Rhys-'

'Don't say anything.' Rhys said, 'I've made up my mind. You ahve your pups and the team. You know I'll always love you and think of you.'

'But... I'll never see you again.' Coco whispered.

'No.' Rhys said, 'But as long as you remember me, I'll always stay with you.'

Coco looked at him sadly and licked his muzzle. Rhys smiled at her and licked the pups, who whimpered softly before continuing their suckling.

'Goodbye.' he said, 'Remember me.'

With that he padded back to the door and slipped out, taking one last look at his sister and team mates before running off into the trees.

'Did you say goodbye?' Aniu asked.

Rhys nodded.

'Let's go.' he said.

The two of them travelled silently until they reached Aniu's pack's border.

'I'd better go ahead.' she said, 'Explain everything to them. They might be a bit...'

'I see.' Rhys said, 'Don't worry.'

Aniu nodded and ran forwards into her territory. She finally made it to the pack camp.

'Again!' snapped Rora, 'You've been out again!'

'Yes.' Aniu replied, 'i have. And I apologise.'

Rora stuck her nose up as her mate appeared.

'This is getting intolerable, Aniu.' he growled.

'Yes, Aiden.' Aniu replied, 'But it won't happen again.'

'And how can you be sure of that?' Aiden asked.

'Because... because... I've brought a friend back with me.' she said.

'A friend?' Aiden replied, looking over to his mate.

'Yes. But you have to listen to what I have to say before you jump to conclusions.' Aniu said.

Aiden frowned and frowled slightly but nodded at her to continue.

'My friend, the one I've brought to you, he isn't a wolf.'

'Wha-'

'He's a dog from a team that lives near here. I met him a while ago. We've become friends. He was going to leave, but he told me he'd stay. He's a good hunter. He said he'd help me-'

'ENOUGH!' yelled Aiden.

Achak stood by his side, glaring down at his daughter.

'A dog?!' he spat, 'You're disgracful. You shouldn't have been allowed to stay in this pack.'

'How dare you think this tolerable!' Aiden snapped.

'You're just an ungrateful child. We don't want anything to do with you.' Achak snapped.

'So.' a voice said, making them all turn, 'Just because she thinks for herself, chooses her own path and decisions means that she's wrong?'

'Rhys!' Aniu cried, 'Rhys, I'm sorry! Go home!'

Rhys ignored her and stepped up to Aiden, Achak and Rora.

'Why father pups if all you do is scold them and run from them when they make mistakes?' Rhys asked, facing Achak, 'Do you think that is good parenting?'

Achak's nose wrinkled.

'And is it right for you to take control of her life?' Rhys asked Aiden and Rora, 'Monitor her? I didn't realise you were so special.'

'Listen here, you have no place in this pack! You haven't a right to question my leadership!' Aiden snapped.

'Maybe not.' Rhys said, 'But I have to tell you soemthing. No matter how many mistakes Aniu makes, I will always love her.'

Aniu gasped, eyes wide, staring at him.

'What?!' she cried.

Rhys smiled at her.

'You-! And her?!' Aiden and Achak choked out.

Aiden looked away.

'Do what you want.' he spat, 'But expect to be treated as prisoners and outcasts while you live int his pack.'

Rhys bowed his head and led Aniu away.

'Rhys!' Aniu cried as they walked off.

'Hm?' he asked, looking over his shoulder at her.

'You were kidding, right?1' Aniu cried, 'About what you said!'

'No. I wasn't.' Rhys replied, 'What I said was true. Since that day we met, when you cried and admitted loneliness, I've felt strongly for you. I fell in love with you because you were able to admit what you were feeling. That was very brave in my opinion.'

'But... I'm nobody.' Aniu said, 'I don't deserve any of this.'

'Yes you do.' Rhys said, 'As much as anyone else. You were strong. You deserve it more than anyone else.'

Aniu felt tears fall down her furry cheeks and she sobbed. Rhys walked up to her and let her cry into his fur.

Months went by and Rhys watched his former team leave. He made no attempt to go back or change his mind.

'Rhys?' Aniu said, walking up behind him.

'I'm coming.' he replied.

He followed her back to the pack where they were greeted by Achak.

'Aiden wants you two to follow me on hunting futy today.' he said, 'He knows of your potential.'

Aniu beamed and Rhys just nodded. They started walking towards the group that was departing.

'Aiden said he'd treat us the way he'd treat prisoners,' Aniu said, 'But he's treated us like full pack members for the past few weeks.'

'Maybe you decided against it.' Rhys said.

'Maybe.'

Aniu smiled and they followe dbehind the rest of the hunters. Soon, the lead hunter stopped and motioned for silence with a flick of his tail. They all got into crouching positions and spilt up around a clearing. Grazing in the clearing was a herd of deer. They were mostly quite small but the wolves had gotten used to the small amounts of food they got every hunt.

Rhys stayed low to the ground on one side, watching for the signal. The lead's tail flicked up and the wolves (or dog in Rhy's case) charged out and towards the herd. They gave chase but a grey wolf jumped up and landed on a deer's back, biting down on it's neck. It stopped, rearing and bucking. The other wolves darted out, some snapping at it's hooves and making quick dodges as it struggled. Others leapt up at it, biting into the wound the first wolf made.

'This is my chance.' Aniu hissed to herself.

She leapt forwards and jumped into the air towards the stag. She landed perfectly on it's back and clamped her jaws around it's neck, holding her sharp teeth into it's neck. The stag struggled even more and trashed about. It got harder to hold onto, but Aniu seemed to tighten her grip every moment.

Soon enough, another wolf bit one of it's back legs and a young female bit it's opposite front leg. They managed to pull it down and finish with a final blow.

Aniu released her jaws, stretching them due to the ache. She smiled at her pack members, who smiled back and nodded to her.

'Good job.' Rhys said, coming up to her side.

He had blood around his muzzle, staining the fur red. Aniu smirked and licked it clean, leaving only small marks. Rhys raised an eyebrow at her before going to help the rest of the pack with the kill.

Weeks went by again. The snow started to melt and become spring. The wolves heads were full of images of sunshine, sweet smells and puppies. All wolves loved puppies. It was like a special instinct.

Rhys smiled at the thought of puppies in the pack. Rora and Aiden must surely be expecting soon enough. Especially since there seemed to be more romantic activity happening between them.

He wandered away from the pack. He hadn't seen Aniu since that morning and evening was drawing in. He suddenly smelt her scent, strong and sweet. He chased after it, much like the first day they'd met. But what he found wasn't an angry young wolf who felt out of place in the world. He, instead, found a young wolf, cheek fur damp with tears, golden eyes burning with sadness and pain.

'Aniu!' Rhys cried, running to her side, 'What's wrong?'

'Oh, Rhys!' Aniu cried, butting her head into his side, 'Rhys!'

The tan dog nuzzled her neck fur and licked her ear.

'What is it, Aniu?' he asked.

'Puppies!' she cried, her voice muffled.

'What about puppies?' Rhys asked, not getting what was so upsetting.

She shook her head into his fur, sobbing harder. Rhys started to thinl. What about puppies could make her so upset? He started to get a headache from thinking. He'd never experienced that before. He was always the one who caught on quick...

Wait!

'Aniu.' he said, stepping back slightly so she'd look at him, 'Are you trying to tell me something?'

Aniu looked up at him, her golden eyes burning into him. She looked away but her eyes seemed to be drawn back to Rhys'.

'Yes.' she sniffed, 'i am.'

'Then tell me.' Rhys said, softly, 'Tell me what it is.'

'We'll be in so much trouble.' Aniu said, 'Much more than before. We could be kicked out.'

Rhys looked at her, waiting patiently.

'You're expecting puppies.' he said for her.

Aniu's eyes teared up again.

'I'm sos sorry.' she cried.

Rhys shook her head, sighing. His ears flicked around, checking for approaching wolves. Nothing. He quickly took a whiff of the air, just to be certain. Again, nothing.

'Aniu!' he said, sternly.

Her head faced up towards him, eyes wide with confusion.

'We will have the pups. I will talk to your father and Aiden and Rora.' he said, 'I won't let them kick us out. They wouldn't for a pregnant wolf. I doubt it highly.'

'But... what if... maybe...' Aniu struggled.

'No!' Rhys snapped, 'No, Aniu!'

Aniu just nodded in understanding.

'OK, Rhys.' she sighed, 'OK.'

Aniu's pregnancy was told to the alpha's and Achak. They were furious first but Achak soon softened. His own grandpups. He couldn't let Aiden and Rora get rid of them like that. He and Rhys persuaded Aiden to keep Aniu. He finally agreed.

'But there's one small thing that you must promise me.' he said to Rhys.

'What is it?' Rhys asked.

Aiden sighed and looked towards Rora.

'When your pups are born, you must allow us to tak one for ourselves.'

'What?!' Rhys cried.

'Me and Rora... we are unable to have our own pups. Let us look after one of your's. They will be the next heir of the pack. When they grow older... they'll know who their parents are.'

Rhys struggled with himself. He didn't know whether to say no and take Aniu away, agree with them and promise one of his children to be taken away or viciously attack him. For the sake of Aniu and his pup's lives, Rhys decided to give one of them away.

'OK.' he sighed, staring at the floor.

He left the alpha's to find Aniu. he explained everythign to her and she cried again. But she nodded and promised him that one of their pups would go with Aiden and Rora if it meant their safety.

A few months went by. Soon it came time for Aniu's pups to be born. Aiden, Achak and Rhys stayed outside the cave, pacing worriedly outside. The other wolves had to sit farther back, staying patient. Rora remained in her own cave, awaiting the chance to see one of her adopted pups.

Aniu cried and whimpered in the cave. She didn't want the pain but knew it was necessary. Soon, the pups came easily and she smiled down at her healthy litter of three. Rhys came in first and looked down at his pups, smiling. He was followed by Achak, then Aiden. Aiden brought Rora in and they looked at the three pups. Two were boys and the last was a girl. The girl was a pale brown colour, similar to Rhys but paler. One boy was the same colour as Aniu and the other was all brown.

'They're all so beautiful.' Rora whispered, as if looking down at her own pups.

They finally made a choice. They picked the female. Aniu had to feed the pup. But Rora would clean it and keep her eyes on it. When it got older, Rora would mother it and Aiden would teach it.

'Mama!' a little voice cried.

The little white pup scampered into teh acve where his mother was resting.

'Yes, son?' Aniu asked.

The little pup had the same eyes as her. He was like his mother's clone. The only thing he didn't have her the pale silver rings and thin nosebridge that his mother had.

'I smell something.' he said.

'Like what?' Aniu asked.

'I don't know.' the pup admitted, wrinkling his nose, 'But I don't like it.'

Aniu got up and stepped outside the cave. She sniffed the air and tensed. She hadn't smelt it since she was a pup his age. Hunters.

'Where is your brother?' she asked.

'Mama!' another voice yelled.

The brown pup jumped out of the bushed and behind his mother's legs. Footsteps unlike those of a wolf or dog followed. Aniu ran with her pups until a human jumped out of the bushes. Aniu tried to turn back but the first hunter was on their other side. The pups crouched beneath her legs, shaking with fear. Just as the hunters were about to pull their triggers and kill them all, a snarl came from the bushes.

'Rhys!!' Aniu cried as her tan coloured mate jumped out and slammed into on of the humans.

The human fell and landed, his gun firing into thin air.

'Aniu, run!!' Rhys yelled, 'I'll catch up with you!'

Aniu nodded, knowing that her children's safety came first. She grabbed the brown pup in her mouth and began to run. The first hunter tried to shoot but another canine jumped out. He was much larger and dark grey all over.

'Father!' Aniu cried.

'Run!' he roared.

He and Rhys leapt at the humans together, knocking one out cold. Rhys was about to run after Aniu, Achak behind him. Before he could run barely five paces he heard an exploding sound and felt a sharp pain in his side. He collapsed to the ground.

'Achak.' he hissed, 'Protect Aniu. Please!'

Achak roared and bit the human's leg before running after his daughter.

'Mama, wait up!' the white pup called.

His mother seemed to be out of her mind now. She could barely hear the pups cries. She stopped just in time to see her father pick him up in his jaws and speed forwards.

'We have to spit up!' he said, his grandson's fur filling his mouth.

'SPIT UP?!' Aniu cried, her voice muffle.d

'No!' Achak hissed, 'SPLIT up!'

Aniu realised what he meant and nodded, tearfully. Her and her father separated, each holding a pup.

Rhys! she thought, tears blurring her vision.

She somehow knew what had happened to her mate. But she blanked those thoughts from her mind. Her priority was her remaining pup. He came first.

The town! she thought, remembering the town she and Rhys had stared at one night.

She zoomed off through teh forest, hoping that the hunters wouldn't follow. She saw a flickering light in the distance and hoped it was the one that often stayed on during the darker hours. She ran through the trees and towards it. She carried on running, her pup swining about in her mouth. They couldn't go into the town. They'd surely be killed. Instead, she aimed towards a boat. It looked unused and old. Her pup could stay there until she could come back for him.

'Mama!' he cried, 'What are you doing?'

Aniu placed the pup on an old blanket that was lying under a small roofed area.

'Listen to me, son!' she said, 'I want you to stay here. Don't come out until the coast is completely clear. I promise I'll return. I will be back for you. Just stay safe, keep warm and eat whatever you can. Don't go near the humans who carry the sticks.'

'But... why not?' the pup asked.

'They're bad people, Balto.' she said, calling him the name that Rhys had suggested at the pup's birth.

'Balto..?' the pup whispered.

'I love you, my little Balto!' Aniu cried, licking him all over before rushing off.

She heard her pup whimper behind her and it almost broke he rheart. She wanted to run back to him and pull him close, telling him it was alright and that they could go home. But she couldn't. She could just hope he'd remember everything she'd been able to teach him in the short time she'd had with him.

She ran into an open area. The ground was covered in snow and a fog was starting to settle. She couldn't see anything. Her hearing was blocked out by the pounding of he rheart and her nose had gone numb.

A hunter jumped in front of her. The same hunter who'd shot Rhys. She snarled, knowing he was the one. Before she had a chance to move her stiffening muscles and bite him, he raised his gun and pulled the trigger. Aniu felt the pain and heard the sound that Rhys had experienced during death. Aniu's last thoughts were of Rhys and her three pups. She begged whoever was up above to keep her daughter, sons and father safe. Then she left the world forever.