VOICES:

-Everest: Ben Affleck

-Hiatus: Alan Rickman

-Quick: Jeff Berg

-Odin: Sam Troughton

-Will: Ralph Macchio

-Tempest: Ann Hathaway

-Fly: Jennifer Aniston

-Comet: Avril Lavigne

-Altea: pending...

-Mataki: pending…

-Maliky: Cascada

-Phantom: David Archuleta

Chapter I

The mid-winter cold chilled the air around a group of murmuring wolves as they huddled on the snow covered ground. The clearing they stood in was a length away from the forest of pines and icy hills but even if they had tried to make it to the safety of the woods, the wolves yawning and relaxing around them could easily catch them. So the group of wolves waited apprehensively as the white and grey wolf, Hiatus, stood at the top of the rocky hill. Arrow, cruel smile on his face, wasn’t a step behind. Hiatus briefly glanced over the group below him that he had assembled through force. There must have been two or three from each of the closest and most powerful packs. No, he wouldn’t kill them… at least not yet. Not until the one he hunted was permanently out of the way. He was the only one who could spoil his plans now! After a few moments of dead silence, Hiatus finally spoke.

“I have gathered you all here for a very important meeting” Hiatus began in a calm voice. “To get rid of a wolf who is extremely dangerous and capable of killing whole packs. He must be caught and destroyed immediately. This is for you and your pack’s safety”

Hiatus paused for a dramatic effect but no one made a sound.

“This wolf, known to some of you as Everest, must be caught. Anyone who catches him for me will be given a reward. I would rather like him to be brought to me alive but since he has been known to be deadly, I will understand if he is brought to me dead. If anyone dares to help him, we will put an end to you quickly as well. For those of you who have not seen him, he is a golden color with white and pale gold fur on his legs, face and stomach. He also has brown markings as well… be on the lookout for him and spread the word.”

With that Hiatus turned and walked out of sight. The wolves keeping the group together walked away as well, letting the group rush to get away and return to the safety of their packs. One wolf, a dusty black, brown and white wolf with crystal blue eyes walked away just as calm as Hiatus had. When he approached the stand of pine trees that expanded into the forest, he flashed a smile.

“See!? I’m fine!” he exclaimed. “Did you guys really need to follow along?”

“If we weren’t here, you’d be caught again for sure!” Odin replied.

Will nodded but Quick shrugged.

“Eeh, would’ve given us a reason to fight him anyway”

The dusty wolf shook off the ash covering him and the black dust came off in clouds, revealing the golden coat of Everest.

“That’s the last thing we want to do and you know it” Everest corrected sharply.

Quick rolled his eyes and grumbled. Everest frowned at Quick but turned to Tempest.

“You’re a genius Tempest! The ash worked like a charm! And no one needed to charge in and save me, did they?”

Odin opened his mouth again, but seeing that it was a lost cause, shut his mouth. Everest shook his head and began to lead the way back to their territory. They veered off the snowy Ublureak trail for a few moments to walk through the small creek then hurried out of the freezing water to step onto a trail they had made. Everest paused for a second once they reached the trail, looking up at the ice covered slopes.

“And your posts?”

“We had an intruder, but I took care of it” Quick said smoothly.

“Took care of it! He’s lucky he got away without any broken bones!” Odin yowled, then in a smaller voice, added, “And I helped too…”

“Food’s getting scarce” Will reported. “This winter was kinda tough… it probably wiped out their kind of food or something”

Everest thought that over.

“Well what did Hiatus want?” Will asked curiously.

“Oh the usual” Everest replied airily. “Just to let everyone know I was some dangerous villain who’s out to destroy everyone”

The group laughed at that.

“I think he’s trying to hide something though… if he wanted to catch anyone that badly, he’d send a whole pack to catch us. He’s planning something else. I just don’t know what yet” Everest added thoughtfully.

“How do you know it’s going to work?” Arrow asked curiously, following Hiatus.

“It doesn’t need to” Hiatus explained with unusual patience. “I could care less whether or not he gets caught”

“Really?”

“There’ll be time to make him pay later. Until then, just guard around his territory and make sure he doesn’t leave. And stay hidden. We’ve got other matters more important then hopeless rebellions to deal with”

As Hiatus and Arrow spoke, Fly cautiously eavesdropped behind a tree. Hiatus had good hearing but as long as she didn’t make a sound…

“Would you like to add something Fly?” Hiatus asked dryly.

Fly blinked from behind her tree, hesitating, but stepped boldly out, chin up.

“I just have something to report” she stated fearlessly. “We’re running out of food”

Hiatus frowned.

“I always took you for such a smart girl” Hiatus tsked. “But even a blind wolf could have told me that. I don’t care about that anyway.”

Fly started to stutter but quickly recovered.

“Then I am just as stupid as you think” she sighed. “Guess you should never trust me”

“That’s not true!” Arrow piped up, much to the surprise of Hiatus and Fly.

“Arrow, you can’t trust an Illiivat. Ever” Hiatus droned flatly. “And I assume you’re not dumb enough to find your way back to the pack? Before we have to escort you?” Hiatus shot at Fly.

“I can manage” Fly shot back, jutting her chin out defiantly.

“You better watch it” Hiatus uttered, glaring at the golden wolf. “You could get you killed out here.”

Fly ignored him and wandered back towards the pack. Hiatus shook his head and continued on his way. Arrow, however, glanced after Fly dreamily.

“Don’t get your hopes up” Hiatus said smoothly. “She’ll turn on you… or she just might not be alive before she gets a chance to”

As she walked out of hearing and seeing distance, Fly glanced over her shoulder once more and picked up her pace. She needed to tell Everest! And there was more then one thing he needed to know…

Everest paused for a second to nod approvingly to Will, who was being quizzed by Odin on different packs then turned back to Tempest whom he was teaching how to fight. Quick however, sat in the shade and watched. Everest noticed and frowned.

“You should practice too” Everest advised.

“I’m observing” Quick grinned devilishly, laying his head on his paws and watching Tempest.

Tempest threw Quick a dirty look and Will got up to his feet.

“Maybe I’ll fight Will” Quick grinned, noticing the Aklark stand up and playfully tackled Will.

“Practice that” Everest suggested faintly, suddenly noticing Fly emerge from the bushes. “Hey stranger!”

Fly gave Everest a stressed smile and rushed over.

“You were right!” she exclaimed. “To go check out Hiatus’s little speech!”

Before he had a chance to open his mouth, Fly cut him off.

“I’m not that stupid. Or blind. I can recognize you even if you decide to roll in ash and that you’d only be there if you had a good reason to be”

Everest grinned sheepishly.

“So what’s he planning?”

“I’m not sure exactly. But he’s got scouts hiding all over the outside of your territory. He said he’s not interested in catching you guys either… I think he’s looking for someone or something else”

“Good work Fly” Everest replied, motioning for his pack to follow.

“Wait!”

All five wolves skit to a halt.

“There’s something else too” Fly mumbled quietly, shuffling a paw around.

“What?” Everest asked urgently.

“Maybe we should go somewhere private…”

Quick snickered but a glare from Everest shut him up.

“Is it important?”

Fly bit her lip but shook her head.

“I guess it’s not” she said quietly.

Everest gave her a smile and a quick lick on the forehead then spun around.

“Will, Tempest, check the west. Quick, Odin, the east. I’m just going to do a quick scan. I’ll meet you all back here as soon as the sun sets” Everest ordered, glancing at the low sun.

In a flash, the three groups took off. Fly sighed and headed back toward Hiatus’s territory but as she walked away, Everest had to do a double take. Something seemed different about Fly... Everest shook his head. He’d worry about that later.

Odin and Quick headed for the eastern side of the territory, staying cautious all the time. Sure, enough, as soon as they snuck under some evergreen branches uphill from the small stream marking their border, a few Ublureak wolves could be seen patrolling lazily.

“I guess we just watch until sunset” Quick yawned, plopping down in the frosty snow.

Odin sighed and did the same.

“I don’t like this!” Odin complained suddenly. “Everest has Fly and Will has Tempest. All I have is you! Why can’t we get girls!?”

“Trust me, I don’t want to be stuck with you either” Quick moaned, resting his head on his paws. “Plus, we don’t know if Tempest and Will like each other yet…” he mumbled, voice trailing off.

“You like her don’t you!”

Quick shifted uncomfortably.

“It’s really a wonder that Everest hasn’t killed you yet” Quick growled.

“Will’s the only one she trusts besides Everest! Not to mention all you do is gawk at girls and turn them into… prizes!”

“That’s not true!” Quick shot back. “There’s more to girls then that…”

“Like what?”

“Girls have… uhh… nice per…son…alities”

“It’s a wonder a girl hasn’t killed you yet” Odin repeated.

“It’s a wonder a girl hasn’t killed you yet!” Quick imitated in a taunting voice.

“That’s real mature stupid face!”

“Great comeback. Didja get that one from a pup?” Quick grumbled, glancing desperately at the sun, which was only just visible behind the jagged mountains.

“Let’s go. It’s close enough to sunset”

“Fine” Odin shot back.

They both got up to go, but a sudden commotion brought their attention back. A grey female was being escorted over to what appeared to be the Ublureak wolf in charge.

“We found her sniffing around. What should we do with her?”

“Hiatus is probably going to keep her with the others… we could take her back… or we could have some fun first!”

Quick’s blood boiled.

“I don’t think Everest would mind if we were a little late…”

Chapter II

Will and Tempest patrolled quietly. They could easily see Hiatus’s wolves guarding the border through the trees, but the trail they had taken was well covered by pines and was high above the flatlands the other wolves occupied. None of the guards really seemed to be doing anything, but Will and Tempest still had some time to spare, so the pair settled down at the end of the trail.

“It’s nice out here” Tempest commented, looking up at the gold and pink streaked sky. “Back at home, everything seems bland. It’s flat and all the trees look the same”

“Yeah” Will sighed. “So… did you have anybody back at your pack? Like other guys?”

“Well of course. I’m the alpha’s oldest daughter. I was supposed to lead the pack”

“Oh…” the brown wolf replied.

“But no one I really cared about or anything” Tempest added quickly. “No one was really interested in me anyway”

The sun touched the flat plain between the mountains and rays dyed the sky with brilliant colors.

“Ooo” Tempest exclaimed. “Did you know back home, sometimes we don’t even get a sunset! Sometimes it stays dark all day or light all night”

“Wow” Will said breathlessly.

The both sat silently, knowing they had to go but trying to find an excuse to stay.

“I guess we should head back”

“Yeah”

Neither moved still.

“Get AWAY from me!” someone’s shrill voice yelled.

Will and Tempest scrambled to their feet to try to see the owner of the voice. Some grey wolf stood boldly, daring Hiatus’s guards to chase her.

“What is she doing?!” Tempest barked.

“We better follow her”

The guard wolves grinned and took off.

“There are more guards that way” Tempest stated, taking off.

“Hopefully Odin and Quick are still there” Will frowned, matching strides with Tempest and picking up the pace.

I wonder what Fly wanted Everest thought to himself. He’d already taken a walk around most of the territory and saw only a few wolves by the north but as he moved west, there were more and more of them. The sun had gotten close to setting and even though the mountains blocked his view, the sky was starting to fade. Everyone is probably waiting for me back at the den already. These guys aren’t doing anything either… just watching. Why? Everest stopped for a second and squinted. From his place on the slippery rocks, he could see two, no three figures sliding in a gap between the guards, unseen. It was an adult and two pups. Everest cautiously hurried down the rocks, making his way to the trails. By the time he had reached stable ground, the female, a grey and white wolf with green eyes, had made it up to the open main trail. The two pups following scrambled behind her as soon as they spied Everest. For a second, the female and Everest stared at each other, blinking as if each was stunned the other was there. But before the female could growl or attack, Everest quickly explained.

“I’m a friend! I don’t mean any harm”

The female studied him suspiciously.

“How do I know I can trust you?”

“Well, I’m kinda the one in charge of bringing down Hiatus”

“Who’s Hiatus?”

“You’re not from around here, are you?”

The female shook her head.

“I live very far from here. Back at home there was a war, so I left. I ran into another wolf that was fighting in it, so I took her pups for her. Now I’m just kinda looking around to start a new life.”

“You can stay with us for a while if you want” Everest offered. “We just need to find the rest of the pack...”

Everest craned his neck to try to glimpse over the tree tops that bordered the rocky slope.

“My pack’s probably back at the cave already” Everest explained, leading the way around the slippery rocks. “I’m Everest. And what was your name?”

“Mataki” said the grey female replied softly.

They traveled in silence, working their way up and neither spoke again until they reached the top of the small descent that led to the dried river bed.

“Well this is it” Everest grinned, pointing out the cave on the side of the bank. “Make yourself at home”

“Thank you” Mataki said gratefully.

While Mataki and the two pups disappeared inside the cave, Everest glanced around. No one had come back yet…

“Mataki, I’ll be right back”

Everest frowned and took off down the trail, worry growing in the pit of his stomach. Had he underestimated the “lazy” wolves? Was this some part of Hiatus’s plan? Everest plunged down until he had reached the eastern border. The first thing he saw was Quick. The grey wolf was in full flight and was making a beeline for a few Ublureak wolves holding onto an unknown female.

“Quick! What do you think you’re doing?!” Everest yelled.

Quick plowed into the wolf holding the female and Odin wasn’t a step behind.

“Odin!”

Odin skit to a stop and smiled sheepishly.

“It was his idea!”

Everest dashed after Quick who was viciously attacking a wolf and dragged the Ipiktok off.

“Get a hold of yourself!” Everest ordered furiously.

Quick stood to his feet, breathing hard and shaking with rage, blue eyes on the wolf he had just attacked. Everest turned to the intruders.

“What business do you have here?”

The Ublureak wolves exchanged glances.

“Everest?” the wolf in charge asked.

The golden wolf nodded.

“Hiatus has given us orders…”

“I know what his orders are. All he wants you to do is guard.”

“If you know his orders, give the girl back”

Everest glanced over his shoulder at the silvery female, now standing quietly behind Quick. Quick growled low in his throat.

“What do you want with her?” Everest asked suspiciously.

Suddenly, yells erupted from the upper trail and from out of nowhere, a grey wolf crashed through the brush and charged at Everest. Everest dived out of the way just in time to see the wolf miss him and sink its teeth into Quick instead.

“What the-?! Where-?! Get off me! I’m one of the good guys!” Quick snarled, fighting back.

More yells followed and a few more Ublureak wolves followed by Tempest and Will, echoed down from the upper trail as well.

“What’s going on?” Everest demanded.

“Someone’s a little too brave” Will panted.

“Or doesn't know who she's dealing with” Tempest snorted.

“We want her too” the Ublureak leader stated. “Hiatus’s orders”

“And what exactly are these orders?” Everest squinted.

The Ublureak wolves exchanged glances again, but the leader turned back to Everest with a twisted smile.

“To round up any stragglers. Pups, yearlings, females, loners, anyone we can find. What Hiatus wants to do with them isn’t our business”

Everest furrowed his brow.

“Let’s go back to the den” Everest growled, turning around.

“What about the females?” the leader yelped.

“What did you think I was going to do? Listen to Hiatus?” Everest snorted.

“Why you little-!” the leader snarled, lunging for the golden wolf.

Everest whipped around so that they were eye to eye.

“Don’t give me an excuse to attack. I will. And if I ever, and I mean ever catch you in my territory again, I will. Now get out” Everest muttered quietly, fur bristling.

The Ublureak wolf stumbled backwards, trying to maintain his appearance, but hurried along as he got farther away. Once they were out of site, Everest whirled around to face Quick.

“And what were you thinking?!”

Quick blinked.

“That I just saved her life!” Quick argued, motioning to the silver wolf. “Or at least her dignity… did you even know what they were planning to do to her?”

“Then you should have jumped in and out but instead you stayed back and fought. You lost control. You never lose control like that! That’s how you get killed or kill someone else. Violence is the whole reason we’re in this mess in the first place and if we kill, it’ll never stop”

Quick clenched his jaw and his eyes dropped to the ground.

“Now let’s head back before they return with backup”

The group hurried away from the border, traveling up the snowy trail until they reached the dried riverbed. When she heard them coming, Mataki peered out but stepped out with more confidence when she caught sight of Everest.

“Everyone, this is Mataki and her pups…”

“Maliky and Phantom” Mataki filled in.

The pack said a quick hello and introduced the grey spotted wolf, Altea and the silver streaked wolf, Comet, before slipping into the den. Before Quick went in, Everest stopped him.

“Quick, stay out here for a second”

Quick paused and glanced at the cave, as if deciding whether or not to listen to Everest, but slowly turned around anyway.

“What?”

“I can let anyone have a second chance but I’m not soft. I’m not Hiatus either. It might’ve been okay for you to kill anyone you wanted to back there, but you’re in my pack now and I don’t give second chances for anything like that”

Quick furrowed his brow.

“Who says you’re in charge anyway?”

“You did when you sucked up your pride for once and decided to help. I don’t kill. My pack doesn’t kill. That means you won’t kill either. Got it?”

Quick clenched his jaw and mumbled something.

“One more fight like that and you can go right back to Hiatus” Everest uttered in a deadly tone.

With that, Everest turned around sharply and headed into the cave. A few moments after Everest had settled down, he heard Quick enter the cave. Odin started to snicker.

“Go to sleep Odin” Everest said sharply.

Then the cave was dead silent. As soon as the cave was filled with the sounds of sleep, the two pups nestled beside Mataki slowly stood up.

“I think he’s asleep now” the female pup, Maliky whispered.

Phantom, the male, glanced over Everest.

“I think we should just stay with Mataki” Phantom mumbled.

“But there are bad guys out there! We could beat them up! Just think how proud everyone will be!”

“Yeah…” Phantom added. “They’ll think we’re brave!”

The pair of pups eagerly rushed out of the cave, accidentally bumping into Tempest along the way.

“Hurry!”

The pups scrambled out of sight and Tempest lazily opened an eye. The two pups were easy to see out of the opening of the den and even easier to see against the moonlit snow.

“Oh don’t all get up at once!” Tempest mumbled to herself. “I’ll go get ‘em…”

Swishing her tail grumpily, she followed the paw prints leading up the side of the dried riverbank and towards the trail. Tempest yawned before picking up the pace to catch up with the two young pups. She brushed past the trees and found the pups in a clearing. Both were huddled together on the ground, staring at something. Tempest froze, suddenly wide awake. As soon as they saw her, Maliky and Phantom scrambled over to Tempest. The fur on Tempest’s back stood on end and a low growl grew in her throat.

“Whoever you are, show yourself! You’re in Everest’s territory!”

“Don’t you think I know that?” came a cold, familiar voice.

Tempest growled louder as Hiatus’s white form came out of the shadows, cold grin playing across his face.

Chapter III

Everest jolted awake. Heart racing, he frantically glanced around the cave.

“Must have been a bad dream…” he mumbled to himself, setting his head down on his paws. Once again, he tried to get himself to fall asleep, eyes sweeping over his pack again, but it seemed… smaller. Everest’s eyes widened. Where was Tempest? Everest sat up stiffly, noticing Mataki’s pups were missing too. Without a word, Everest dashed out of the cave. The scent of Tempest and the pups was still strong so Everest knew they could have only just left. As he quietly snuck down the trail, the voice he had come to hate vibrated through the trees.

“Do you really think I just stumbled into this territory?” Hiatus sneered, tsking his tongue. “Everest really hasn’t taught you anything has he?”

Tempest didn’t respond.

“Then you’ll understand if you and the pups come with me”

Everest rushed out.

“Leave them alone” Everest growled.

Hiatus stopped for a second, then chuckled.

“Do you think I’m going to listen to you?”

“You’re not after my pack and I know it”

Hiatus raised an eyebrow and frowned.

“So why do you want them?”

Hiatus’s yellow eyes flicked back to Tempest and the pups.

“Just because I have my sights set on something or someone else doesn’t mean I still want you to be alive”

Everest furrowed his brow.

“I’m already getting bored of this” Hiatus yawned. “Take care of him Arrow”

Arrow pushed past as Hiatus snagged Tempest and two other wolves grabbed the pups. Arrow slunk lower to the ground, eyes on Everest and a cruel smile stretched across his face. Everest started after Tempest but Arrow cut him off. Everest frowned and shook his head.

“Arrow, any other day, I’d gladly send you cowering back to Hiatus, but I don’t have time to mess with you right now” Everest growled, shoving past the grey wolf.

Arrow snarled and crashed into Everest, sending the golden wolf rolling through the snow. Everest cunningly rolled back to his feet in the same fall and concentrated on Arrow.

“Hiatus taught me how to fight”

“Huh. I thought you were fighting like a coward”

Arrow snarled and dived for Everest again. Everest dodged easily. Arrow was losing his temper and it was ruining whatever he had learned from Hiatus.

“You’re pathetic” Everest spat. “Get out of my way”

Arrow shook with rage but Everest just walked by.

“You’ll get what you deserve just like Chief did!”

Everest froze.

“Chief was your father”

“He was no father of mine! All he did was talk about you. He got what was coming to him!”

Everest spun around so that he and Arrow were eye to eye.

“Don’t ever say anything like that about Chief. I can’t believe he called you his son at all”

Everest turned back around. Snow was falling down heavier making Tempest and Hiatus’ scents fade away. Trying to catch them in Ublureak territory was stupid. And the sun was starting to rise; that would make him too visible to even think about trying. Now he’d have to go back to the pack and think something up …

Everest gritted his teeth and groaned.

“Just great…” Everest muttered under his breath.

Then, completely ignoring Arrow, he began to head back to the pack. Enraged, Arrow stuttered for an insult.

“Just watch! You’ll end up dead just like my worthless father!”

Everest froze again. Arrow smirked, finally having the satisfaction of getting to the golden wolf. Suddenly, Everest whirled around and fired himself at Arrow.

Tempest struggled as Hiatus held her firmly.

“Everest won’t let you get away with this!”

Hiatus dumped Tempest hard on the ground.

“I already have” Hiatus replied loftily.

Tempest picked herself up, bristling.

“Are you really that stupid?! Everest is just going to make a fool out of you. Again”

Hiatus slapped Tempest across the face. Tempest gasped but bit her tongue.

“I was caught off guard last time. And this time, if he does interfere, I’ve got a plan to catch him. But it wouldn’t matter anyway. I’m not after him” Hiatus paused thoughtfully for a second.

“Speaking of captured, Everest should have knocked him out cold by now. He’s probably not even coming back!”

Hiatus rolled his eyes and turned back around, muttering something under his breath.

“Can I at least walk with the pups?” Tempest asked hatefully.

“Go ahead. Pure Ublureak wolves shouldn’t have to carry dirty blooded pups anyway”

Hiatus strutted away and Tempest was shoved along, this time with Maliky and Phantom by her side. As they were roughly escorted along the wide trail, Tempest thought frantically for a way out. At least Everest isn’t far behind…

Everest panted, looking down at Arrow’s still body. It had taken a little more then he had expected to knock the grey wolf out, but Arrow was out cold. Everest glanced around but no one was in sight through the steadily falling snow.

“Good” Everest muttered to himself. Arrow could be the ticket to getting Tempest and the pups back.

With a desperate pull, Everest heaved Arrow toward the den. The flakes of snow where getting bigger but Everest wasn’t worried. He wasn’t far from the den and it would take no time at all to get back before the storm took its full effect. Just before Everest had reached the incline that led up the dried riverbed, he heard the voices of his pack.

“Everest?!” Odin yelled.

“Down here” Everest called back.

“He’s down here guys!” Quick’s voice echoed.

Everest dropped Arrow carelessly to the ground with a thud and waited for his pack to help him.

“Where were y-?” Odin stopped midsentence, eyes dropping to Arrow.

Will’s eyes widened.

“He’s not dead… just knocked out” Everest explained. “Hiatus has Tempest and the pups. I thought we could trade him”

“Oh!” Odin breathed relieved.

Arrow grumbled and his eyes opened.

“Where…am…I…?”

Everest frowned.

“Help me get him up to the den”

Arrow’s eyes burned, recognizing Everest’s voice. Before he could say anything, Everest cut him off.

“The less you say, the better off you’ll be” then turning to his pack, Everest added, “Put him in the cave across from ours”

Quick and Will nodded, starting to push Arrow up the hill while Everest walked ahead with the rest of the pack. Arrow snarled and tried to fight back, but he was still dizzy.

“You’re weak just like Chief was!” Arrow yelled. “If I could kill him, you’ll be even easier!”

Everest stopped dead in his tracks. The fur on his back stood on end.

“You… killed Chief?”

Arrow smirked proudly.

“Well if it weren’t for me-.”

Everest charged at Arrow, knocking him right out of Will and Quick’s hold. Both tumbled down the hill flipping over and over. When they hit flat ground, Everest had Arrow firmly pinned.

“You killed Chief?!” Everest repeated viciously.

No one else around them moved; Everest had never acted like that before.

“I-!”

Everest put a paw on Arrow’s throat and pressed down so he couldn’t talk. But before Everest could do any harm, Will and Odin dragged Everest away while Quick grabbed onto Arrow again. For a few moments, everyone stayed still. The only noise was Everest’s panting. All eyes were on Everest but the eyes of the golden wolf were glued to Arrow.

“Everest?”

Everest’s unusually cold eyes darted to Comet.

“Should we put him in the other cave?”

Everest swallowed, took a deep breath and nodded.

“I’m good now… you can let me go”

Odin and Will, sighing with relief, let go of Everest. Without a moment’s hesitation, Everest fired himself at Arrow again, once again sending him crashing to the ground. Everest had never lost control before… all he smelt was Arrow and it was driving him mad. He barely noticed anything else around him until something hit him in the back of the head and everything went black.

Hiatus led the way through the Ublureak territory with Tempest and the pups a few steps behind. As usual, the pack gathered to see whoever Hiatus had captured and Fly, fidgeting nervously, waited at the front. When her eyes didn’t find Everest, she relaxed a little. Then she spotted Tempest.

“Tempest?!”

Hiatus’s suspicious eyes darted to Fly.

“Uh, I mean, beware unsuperior wolf”

Tempest stopped for a second but Hiatus nodded and a few wolves shoved Tempest towards the cave. Tempest bit her tongue and let them push her toward the dark hole. Like last time, the black wolf found she wasn’t alone. Once her eyes adjusted, she could make out the shapes of a few wolves, probably loners, against the clawed out walls.

“Hello?” Tempest asked cautiously.

None of the wary wolves responded. Maliky and Phantom shivered against Tempest and the black wolf tried to comfort them. A few moments later, Fly trotted into the cave.

“Tempest?”

“Right here!” Tempest whispered hopefully.

“I can’t stay too long but I know what Hiatus is trying to do! I tried to sneak away but Hiatus is watching me really closely… I think he knows. But Everest is going to get you out of here soon anyway…”

“So?”

“He’s trying to get help. I think someone related to him… but he’s sending out a few wolves to get a message to them. He thinks if Everest knows, he’s going to try to intercept them, which we both know he would. So he’s trying to create a distraction by killing a whole bunch of loners”

Tempest’s eyes widened.

“Well I’ll try to get you out somehow but Everest will probably have taken care of it by the time I come up with something…”

Everest’s eyes flashed open. Where am I? Did Hiatus catch me? It smelt like the den, but it was too dark. Slowly, he stood to his feet. The voices of his pack reached his ears but they were muffled. This was the den… but it looked like snow was blocking the entrance. A single beam of light shone through the wall of snow. As he got closer, he could hear what the pack was arguing about.

“… well Everest is the one who always comes up with the ideas!” Odin moaned.

“But we can’t wait around forever. I promised to protect Maliky and Phantom” Mataki argued desperately. “I’m not going to leave them with that monster!”

“Well if someone hadn’t knocked him out, we would’ve had them back already!”

Everest cleared his throat loudly. Although he couldn’t see outside the cave, Everest knew everyone was probably looking at it.

“Can someone please explain why I’m imprisoned in my own cave?” Everest asked calmly, trying to keep the rage out of his voice.

No one said anything at first.

“Well you were kind of going crazy” Altea’s voice explained.

“You were going to kill Arrow…” Comet’s voice added sadly.

Then it was silent again.

“So what are you going to do now?” Everest asked, trying his hardest to keep the bitterness out of his voice.

“What you planned to do” Will’s voice answered defiantly. “We’re going to trade Arrow for Tempest and the pups”

“No!” Everest barked sharply.

Silence again.

“But Everest, we have-.”

“I said no!”

“We have to take him back Everest” Quick’s voice finished. “Get him out guys”

Everest gritted his teeth and desperately began to claw at the snow blocking him in the cave. Snow flew everywhere and the small hole that allowed a beam of light in widened.

“Fine! Stop! He’s staying here!” Will barked.

Everest stopped.

“But you are going to help us save Tempest and the pups, right?”

Everest didn’t respond at first.

“There are more important things to be taken care of” Everest finally answered coldly.

It was quiet again.

“Fine!” Will finally growled, voice quavering with anger. “We’ll go save her without you! Quick, stay back here and watch him”

Now managing to see out of the hole, Everest saw Quick nod and settle down while the rest of the pack headed for the Ublureak territory. Something scuffled in the smaller cave across the riverbed and Everest’s eyes burned. Keep it together! You only need to wait until Quick falls asleep…

Chapter IV

It only took a few moments for Everest to claw a hole in the wall of snow big enough for him to slip out. As soon as his paws hit the ground, Quick scrambled up, wide awake. Everest ignored him and started toward the cave holding Arrow.

“Everest! Stop! You know you shouldn’t do this!”

Everest ignored the grey wolf until Quick darted in front of him.

“Get out of the way” Everest growled quietly.

“Remember what you said earlier? About losing control? You’re really losing it! Come on Everest”

“You’re one to talk” Everest spat. “For all I know, you’re probably still on Hiatus’s side and you’re protecting Arrow”

Quick paused, not sure of what to say.

“Fine” Quick finally answered, stepping out of the way. “Go ahead and tear him to shreds…”

Everest focused back on the cave and charged it, clawing away at the snow as soon as he was close enough. As soon as Everest had moved, Quick had taken off; only one wolf could knock sense back into Everest now. This time, clawing through the snow was faster. Arrow had already been digging through his side. Both paused when the last of the snow was pushed away, both unsure what to do. Then with a smooth motion, Arrow darted out of the cave before Everest could do anything, but stopped only a short distance away.

“Are you gonna fight me?” Arrow taunted.

Fur bristling and heart beating faster, Everest didn’t reply.

“Good. I’ve been waiting for this ever since my dirty-blooded father let you join our pack”

Everest bared his teeth and dived for Arrow.

“Alright, everyone know what they’re supposed to do?” Will asked the pack.

The group nodded.

“Good! Let’s go save Tempest, Maliky and Phantom!”

Altea and Odin went one way while Will, Mataki and Comet went around the other way. The snow that had been steadily falling since the night before was a good cover. Will doubted any of Hiatus’s guards could see anything. The group of three picked up the pace through the storm and soon found themselves in the heart of the Ublureak territory. But once they made out the silhouette of the cave, their heats raced. The group waited a few moments until Kourtney and Odin caught up, both surprised that they hadn’t gotten caught yet.

“Well that wasn’t so bad” Odin grinned. “Maybe luck is on our side this time”

“You guys just get stupider and stupider, don’t you” came Hiatus’s amused voice.

Quick ran as fast as he could, the icy snowflakes stinging his eyes as he ran through the storm. He could barely make anything out as he ran but the shapes of familiar trees along the trail gave him confidence. In a few short moments, he came upon a few more figures. Fly, Ice and Wave. Quick flattened his ears and launched himself at the two Ublureak, bowling them over in the snow. Fly, at first shocked, whipped around to defend herself, and then grew annoyed when she recognized the grey wolf.

“I could’ve done that myself you know” she stated.

“There’s no time for pleasantries” Quick smirked. “Something’s wrong with Everest… I can’t stop him”

Ice mumbled a little and started to get up, but Quick dunked his face back into the snow. Fly studied Quick quizzically, but her grudge against the grey wolf was overruled by her concern for the golden one.

“Where is he?”

Everest’s legs shook. Both he and Arrow were bruised and cut, tufts of fur sticking up where the other had managed a quick bite. The once unmarked snow was torn apart with paw prints and small specks of pink, but neither had hurt the other seriously.

“Getting tired?” Everest heard his unusually cruel voice taunt.

Arrow snorted.

“I’m just getting warmed up! Maybe you are a little tougher then my dad… we finished him faster”

Everest snarled and flew at Arrow, letting his rage take all skill away, and missed. Arrow smirked and took off running, climbing higher up the opposite side of the dried riverbank. Gritting his teeth, Everest took off after him. The snow became an almost white out, making Arrow’s tired form the only thing Everest could see. After a few moments, Arrow was too exhausted to run and Everest could barely force himself to follow. The pair glared at each other, then a smirk stretched across Arrow’s face.

“And I know all about you and Fly!” the Ublureak wolf sneered.

“What about it?” Everest growled.

“You liked each other didn’t you? Whenever you came back from your ‘walks’ you smelled like her. And for a while, she came back smelling like you! But now she’s forgotten all about that”

Now it was Everest’s turn to smirk.

“You think she’d ever fall for someone like you?”

Arrow made a desperate jump at Everest but missed.

“She already has!” Arrow spat. “She’s going to have pups!”

Everest froze for a second.

“Liar”

“And they’re mine!”

With his last burst of energy, Everest tackled Arrow and both tumbled down the hill they had struggled to climb, finally flying off the side of the bank and crashing in front of the den. For a while, neither moved. Finally, shaking his head, Everest sat up. At first, it took him a few seconds to remember what had just happened. Then the cold look returned to his eyes and he looked over his shoulder to find Arrow’s shape in the snow. Arrow was out cold but still breathing. If you were strong, you’d end this, Everest thought. But it’s not right! What about what you taught your pack?! What about Chief? Don’t you care about Chief and Fly?

Everest furrowed his brow and using the last of his strength, pulled himself to his feet and started toward Arrow’s dark form.

Hiatus couldn’t contain himself.

“So where is he?” Hiatus almost laughed.

Will, Comet, Altea, Odin and Mataki didn’t utter a word.

“Is he even here?” the white wolf asked, looking from face to face. “No? Is he afraid of snowstorms? Or did he finally give up?”

Will glanced at the sky. They could easily get away in the heavy snow. When he glanced at Odin, the sandy colored wolf seemed to be reading his thoughts. Hiatus tsked his tongue.

“And it seems Quick is a no show either? Pity…” Hiatus nodded toward the group motioning for the Ublureak wolves to go after them.

The group didn’t need any encouragement. All five took off together into the storm, quickly losing their pursuers in the thick snow. Just before they reached the river dividing the two territories, two more forms became visible through the snow.

“Quick?”

“Will?”

“Fly?”

“Odin!”

The group paused to glare at Odin. Odin shrugged.

“Thought it’d be funny…to lighten the mood…” Odin trailed off.

“Everest got out. The last time I saw him, he was fighting with Arrow”

“We gotta get back”

“That’s what I was doing…”

The group took off, running faster then they’d ever run before, sprinting up the open trail and diving around trees. When they finally came to the dried riverbank, the pack froze. The heavy snow had begun to let up, showing the aftermath of the fight.

“Wow… must have been a really good fight” Quick uttered in a low voice.

“Or a really bad one” Comet added solemnly.

Ignoring the others, Fly hurried past them, eyes searching for the other Illiivat wolf. Warily, the pack followed, a heavy silence settling in.

“Everest!”

The golden wolf looked up as Fly hurried toward the den.

“What happened?” Fly snapped angrily. “What was going through your mind?! Huh?!”

Everest didn’t answer. A dark expression stayed on his face.

“Where’s Arrow?” Fly pressed.

Everest’s eyes flitted to the opposite cave. Everyone reluctantly turned the same way. In the opposite cave, there was a still form.

“I’m weak” Everest growled, bringing everyone’s attention back to him.

Grimacing, Quick entered the cave. Arrow didn’t move. Quick sighed.

“I think he’s-.”

“What’s going on…?” Arrow moaned, sitting up suddenly.

Quick jumped, hitting his head on the top of the den.

“-alive?”

Everest gritted his teeth and looked the other way. Arrow sat up for a few seconds, then with a groan, dropped back down again.

“He’s out again” Quick said simply.

“Saving a life isn’t weak” Fly said gently.

“If I had guts at all, he wouldn’t be a problem anymore” Everest growled. “And I know all about your little secret too”

Fly cocked her head and smiled.

“You do?” she asked shyly. “Are you… happy?”

Everest snorted.

“You think I’m happy about it?”

Fly’s smile faded.

“I thought-.”

“You thought that him being your- your-your… would make me happy?!”

Fly furrowed her brow and clenched her jaw.

“You’re my mate” Fly snapped. “So whose puppies do you think they are?!”

“Mine?” Everest mouthed, eyes widening. “Oh…”

Fly smirked and lay down next to him.

“Whoa” Everest breathed, blinking in astonishment.

Fly smiled and licked his cheek.

“Now that we’ve got that established… why don’t you take nap or something? You look horrible”

Everest smirked but nodded in agreement. As soon as Everest had turned his back to head to the back of the den, Fly made eye contact with Quick and nodded to Arrow. Quick returned the nod and motioned silently for the others to get Arrow. By the time Everest was sound asleep, Will and Quick had Arrow firmly in their teeth.

“Odin, you need to stay here okay? Just in case he wakes up…”

Odin nodded, sitting himself proudly in front of the den.

“Let’s go” Fly whispered. “Before he decides he’s not so weak anymore”

Odin watched the pack leave, and then settled down.

“What to do, what to do…” Odin moaned, looking around.

A few lazy flakes floated down, but nothing moved. It was like everything was holding its breath. Odin sighed and rested his head on his paws. His eyes started to droop…

“Odin?” came Everest’s voice.

Odin shot to his feet.

“Hey Everest! Finally awake?”

Everest came out of the den, blinking at the light.

“Yeah… everything hurts…”

“I bet!” Odin replied confidently. “Especially after that fight-.”

Odin slapped a paw over his own mouth.

“The fight…” Everest growled, suddenly wide awake. “Where’s everyone else?!”

“They… uh… went for a walk…” Odin squeaked.

Everest growled louder and took off, stumbling as he ran.

“Wait! Everest, stop!”

Odin paused for a second. I could get there faster if I found a shortcut! Snickering to himself, Odin took off following a different trail.

Quick and the pack had made it to the Ublureak territory, but refused to go much farther then the shelter of the woods. Hiatus and the rest of his pack stood a little farther away, clearly amused with the second attempt to rescue Tempest, Maliky and Phantom.

“Well, well, well. You came back!” Hiatus called out, then added with obvious displeasure, “And good to see you again Quick”

“Like wise” Quick mumbled. “We just want Tempest and the pups back Hiatus”

“Well I have them here with me…” Hiatus replied, glancing at the securely held threesome.

“And we have Arrow” Quick shot back, nodding for Will to shove the disoriented Arrow forward.

“Hmmm… “ Hiatus mumbled, frowning. “Have Everest bring him and I’ll meet him in the middle”

“He’s not here” Quick snapped.

Hiatus tsked his tongue. “Another no show for Everest? I think I’m starting to miss him”

“You don’t need to miss me” Everest snarled, suddenly trotting out of the bushes.

“Ahhh, Everest. I was beginning to worry about you” Hiatus crooned.

“Everest-!”

“Shut up Quick”

Quick shut his mouth.

“HE”S COMING! GUYS EVEREST”S AWAKE AND HE”S… here…”

Everyone stared at Odin, who had charged out of the trees to warn the pack.

“I think Everest is here guys” Odin supplied weakly.

Will could barely stand it anymore.

“Everest, you’re not helping anyone anymore! Just get out of our way!”

Everyone froze. No one in the pack had ever talked to him like that.

“Everest…” Hiatus taunted. “If you bring Arrow, I’ll bring your precious girlfriend”

Everest tore his eyes away from Will to snarl something at Hiatus but something else caught his eye. Tempest was watching everything, silently hoping while the two pups shivered, fearfully staying close to her. Would you really forget all about them just to get revenge? You’re pathetic!

“Give me Arrow now” Everest growled.

“No! I’m not going to let-!”

“Give him to me before I take him” Everest growled at Will. “Before I decide to take Arrow back to the den instead”

Finally understanding, Will stepped aside with a grateful look on his face.

“But you’re still shaky” Odin commented. “If he starts a fight-.”

“Then let’s hope he doesn’t start a fight” Everest replied, struggling to shove Arrow forward. “Your legs aren’t dead Arrow. Walk”

Hiatus grabbed Tempest and shoved her forward as well. Everest and Hiatus walked forward until they were equally far apart from each other’s packs, then stopped, glaring at each other.

“What took you so long?” Hiatus sneered. “I bet you’re injured aren’t you?”

“Could’ve been a couple of things…” Everest replied casually. “You might be right. I could’ve just fought Arrow until I was so tired I only have enough strength left to walk out here… but that would be stupid wouldn’t it?”

Hiatus raised an eyebrow and frowned.

“Or, a more logical explanation could be that I’m still trying to figure out what you’re doing and pretending to be missing is part of the plan…”

“Is it?” Hiatus drawled, uninterested.

“Tell me your plan and I’ll tell you mine”

“Take your dirty blooded pets and get out of here” Hiatus snarled, shoving Tempest towards Everest. “Unless you want to fight it out…”

Everest knocked Arrow forward and shook his head.

“You don’t have back-up. That wouldn’t be a very fair fight” Everest grinned.

Everest started to back away, never taking his eyes off of Hiatus until he was closer to his pack. Then, exhausted, Everest tripped clumsily on his own feet and almost fell over. Hiatus’s eyes widened. It was too late to try to go after Everest now…

“You idiot!” Hiatus snarled, striking Arrow across the back of the head. “You could’ve told me!”

“Ow! What happened?! Did we win?!”

“You’re as useless as those empty headed animals you call friends!” Hiatus sneered, glaring after Everest.

Everest caught Hiatus’s eye, gave him a cunning grin and a nod, then jogged clumsily away.

Later on that day, after the sun had set and once the pack had reached their own territory, they relaxed. No one talked or said anything, understanding how hard it was to give up Arrow. But ever since they had gotten back, Everest had his head rested disgracefully on crossed paws, trying to find words good enough to make it up to his pack.

“I’m sorry” Everest finally sighed, breaking the silence. “I was… I lost control… I shouldn’t even be…”

“Hey, no one’s perfect” Quick smirked.

“You, more then anyone else, should be angry with me” Everest stated miserably. “I threatened you for losing control and I lost it more then you did. I’m a hypocrite… just like Hiatus”

“You’re not like Hiatus” Will piped up. “You didn’t actually kill anyone”

“I was going to…”

“But you didn’t”

“Only because you took him away before I could” Everest argued ruefully.

“I think I know what to do!” Odin began happily. “You just need to be cheered up!”

Everest gave Odin a sidelong amused glance.

“Oh yeah?”

“I’ll go hunting and catch everyone something to eat!” Odin grinned.

“Yeah? And what are you going to catch?” Quick smirked.

“An elk!”

“You can’t even catch a sick rabbit”

“I can too!”

“He’s right!” Comet giggled. “When we were coming back from Hiatus’s the first time, you tried to attack a raccoon and it chased you up a fallen tree!”

“That raccoon is evil!” Odin declared, “He’s out to get me!”

Everyone laughed.

“He is!”

“I think it’s time for me to head off to sleep” Mataki smiled, nudging the sleepy Maliky and Phantom toward the den.

“If I wasn’t too tired to hunt I would’ve!” Odin declared, following Mataki.

“Yup, I think I’m turning in as well” added Quick.

Everest watched the rest of the pack head back to the den, and then sat up, looking up at the sky. Tempest, who hesitated for a second, came back and sat down next to Everest.

“I just wanted to say thanks again…” Tempest said, looking up at the stars as well. “I know it had to be hard to give someone you hated. I mean I know why I bothers you so much”

“That wasn’t even the thing that bothered me though. When I came I didn’t come to trade him. Up until a few moments before I did, I only came to bring him back here”

Tempest opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out.

“What made you finally trade him?” Tempest finally asked.

“The pups… and my pups…”

Tempest smiled.

“Oh yeah… Fly’s pregnant”

“You knew-?!...never mind”

They watched the sky for a few more moments.

“Goodnight” Tempest finally said. “And thanks again”

Everest smiled and nodded, but didn’t follow Tempest. He stayed looking at the sky.

“You’d be mad at me” Everest said softly. “I am… either because I’m weak enough that I lost control… or because I didn’t have enough strength to finish him off”

With a final sigh, Everest turned around and headed back to the den, head low and tail trailing.

Hiatus glanced up at the same sky Everest had just turned away from. When the moon had reached the middle of the sky, Hiatus nodded. Two of the fastest Ublureak wolves that had been waiting, shot off in two different directions as fast as they could. Hiatus watched them leave and chuckled to himself.

“I’ll see you soon enough, brother and sister…”