I stood outside my mother’s den. It was huge and ancient. The Tree of Hope I thought.

“Luna?” my brother Solen asked. His voice took me away from my thoughts. I looked at my older brother. His black fur shined in the sunlight and his brown and gold eyes sparkled in the bright light, but right now he was as fearful as I was.

Tierran and Aaron were also with us. Tierran, my younger sister, had beautiful brown fur. Her eyes were a deep green; they seemed to be as green as the forest and almost impossible to spot in the underbrush. Tierran was an expert at hunting; she could track a mouse from only one paw print in the soil.

 Aaron was the exact opposite; he was horrible at tracking, he couldn’t track his own tail! Aaron had blue-gray silky fur; the only place where he wasn’t gray was on his chest. He had two white clouds on his chest, unlike any wolf in the forest. His eyes were unusually gray, but they were quite handsome and filled with mischief.  Aaron did have a great talent though, he could run. He was the quickest wolf in the pack. They say you can’t run from trouble but, Aaron does all the time and is never caught.

 “You ready Luna?” Aaron asked.

“Yah, I think it’s time we learned.” I replied. Whatever we found in there would change our lives forever.

I took one step forward with Solen to my left and Tierran and Aaron to my left. The Tree of Hope was blossoming and the scent was lingering at the entrance. Tierran had no trouble ignoring it but Aaron was hesitant about it.

We walked into the darkness of the underground den. The light of day behind us was the only illumination under the Tree of Hope. Solen and Aaron had trouble seeing where they were going but Tierran and I found it easy.

We split up to find anything suspicious. In the dark, my white fur shined and it was impossible to not notice me. My black crescent moon turned silver, almost shining like a search light.

I went deep into the den leaving my brothers closer to the exit, while Tierran took a closer look at the walls for any carvings.

As I got deeper and deeper in the den it got cooler every paw step. The soil was getting damper every paw step. I was also getting misty. The cool mist felt refreshing on my fur as it soaked me.

Suddenly I stopped. The mist was surrounding a white figure. I walked nearer to the figure to see what it was. It then started towards me, I wanted to run but, something, something, ancient held me in my place.

“Hello. Luna” The figure greeted. We were now only a foot away.  The figure was a white wolf. Her voice was wise and ancient. She smelled like something familiar but I couldn’t remember what.

It suddenly dawned on me. “Aniu?” I asked taken aback that she may have been alive this whole time.

The white wolf nodded. “Yes.” Aniu replied.

Suddenly her voice filled with grief and sadness, “Luna, I am sorry.” I could now see her clearly, she was my mirror, except that I had a moon and she didn’t.

“What for?” I asked aware that she was very apologetic.

“They day I didn’t come back.” Aniu started, “I went out hunting and I got caught in a hunter’s trap. Instead of killing me he put me in a metal cage. He then sold me to a musher, a man who uses dogs to pull sleds. I was used for breeding dogs for the man. I refused entirely, all the dogs were evil and mean, especially a sled dog named Steele. Anyways, I didn’t give any of them the time of day so the musher got angry. The musher then sold me to another musher. The other musher had much nicer dogs. One of them was quite kind. His name was Artic. I fell in love.” Aniu sighed and I knew what happened after that.

“Mother. Do you have any pups?” I asked swallowing a large amount of anger.

“Come and meet Balto.” Aniu replied. I followed her to where I first saw her when I came into this part of the den.

I walked deeper into the mist following only the faint scent of Aniu. Soon the mist faded away as we walked through it. We came to a small chamber. I heard the faint cry of a pup.

I walked over to Aniu who was lying down on the soft soil curling around a young pup. The pup was grayish-brown with beautiful hazel eyes that were the exact same as Solen’s.

“He is handsome.” I commented.

“I am glad you adore him.” Aniu’s voice was filled with pride, then her voice changed very serious, “Luna my time is coming.”

I was astounded at what she said but I managed to say, “No. You must live long enough to raise him.”

“I am turning more ancient by the day. Luna, I want you to raise Balto.” Aniu declared.

“My spirit will guide you. My blood flows through you. You have the blood of a wolf goddess. Your father was a wolf who died a hero. Your destiny is to save the packs with Solen, the Sun pup; Tierran, the Earth pup; and Aaron, the Sky pup. Luna you are the Moon pup. You will raise Balto who will become a hero like his older siblings with your bravery and wisdom to guide him. For my time is almost over.” Aniu said with hope in her eyes. Then she said her final words, “I am becoming a spirit now and you must go, take Balto with you.”

Aniu laid her head down for the last time. Balto was asleep and unaware that our mother left the world. I went over to Aniu’s ear and whispered, “Good bye mother.”

I picked Balto up by his scruff trying to be careful and trying not to wake him. I gently carried him out of the chamber. The mist was gone so it was very easy to find my way out.

When I came outside it was dusk and the sun was almost down. I was alone but the familiar scents of my brothers and sister told me they went back to camp. I padded quickly in the shadows trying to not get any attention.

I was also preoccupied with keeping Balto asleep that I didn’t see what was in front of me. I ran straight into a wolf. I dropped Balto and he tumbled behind the wolf.

The wolf snarled, turned to me and growled, “Aww. Did someone lose their pup?!”

I growled and responded, “He is not my pup.” The wolf was now towering over Balto who was cowering and wining for his mother.

“You seem too young to have a pup.” The dark wolf started, “So who did you steal him from?”

My fur was standing on end and he was angering me more and more by the second. I swallowed my anger and rage and stated, “Leave my brother be!”

“Oh. He’s your brother. Then why does he smell of dog and not of wolf like you?” The wolf cocked.

“Half-brother.” I managed. The wolf was looking Balto over as Balto cowered and cringed at the wolf’s voice.

I could not control my anger anymore and I had no patience. “I will not ask again, leave my brother be.” I managed showing my ferocity.

“Temper, temper.” The wolf mocked, “My name’s David.” The dark brown wolf informed.

I studied him over for a second his eyes were light brown almost hazel and his fur was a dark brown that almost looked black. He was handsome but I wasn’t going to show my admiration.

“I am Luna, and what you were inspecting is my brother.” I informed with anger fading from my voice.

“What pack are you from?” David asked causally trying to make a conversation.

“Shaded Forest. And you?” I responded with no anger in my voice.

“Shadow Peak.” David continued, “But I fend for myself most of the time.” David got up and let me get to Balto.

I stared at him cautiously making sure he wouldn’t attack from behind. I picked up Balto and I felt his shaking stop.

“He trusts you, doesn’t he?” David observed.

“It is because my mother and I smell and feel the same to him.” I revealed.

“Well then, I think it’s time for you to go before one of my pack mates sees us chatting.” David concluded.

“Good bye, David.” I concluded. I walked off towards my pack’s territory.

“Luna…” David wondered under his breath, “She’s amazing…”

I ran as fast as I could back to camp but it was difficult because I was carrying Balto. I got back when the moon started coming up. I stumbled into camp to find Solen and Arlina talking and Aaron and Echo chatting while Tierran, Kafé and Mormon were out hunting. Huron and Deni were in their den and I didn’t want to disturb them.

When I walked into camp Solen, Arlina, Aaron and Echo were too into each other to notice I had Balto. So I walked over to a rock covered in moss and sat on it. I set Balto down on the soft grass.

Balto was exhausted and he wanted to sleep. I noticed he was getting cold so I got off my rock and lied down next to him and curled around him like Deni, my foster mother did when she raised my siblings and me.

Balto snuggled and dove into my white fur. Soon he was fast asleep. It didn’t take long for Huron and Deni to come out of their de. When they saw me they walked right over. I can still remember their worried and shocked faces. Huron was shocked and Deni was worried like I did something worse than Aaron could possibly do.

“Who?” Huron managed from his shock.

“His name is Balto.” I began, “When we went to the Tree of Hope I found him. He smelled of Aniu and dog. He is my half-brother.”

“How is that possible?” Deni questioned in awe.

“Aniu may have been captured and breed with dogs by humans.” I suggested. I wasn’t going to tell anyone of how I became his guardian or of how I bumped into that cocky wolf named David.

“Who will look after this pup? I cannot.” Deni asked ashamed of herself.

“I will.” I explained, “I found him and he seems happy with me becoming his adoptive mother.”

“Very well, Balto can stay.” Huron declared.

I feel asleep right after Huron and Deni left Balto and I. The moon came out and left a moonlight spotlight on Balto and me as we slept under the stars. I welcomed the lunar atmosphere. It was cold but I kept Balto warm by keeping him as close to me as possible.

I dreamed that night and for many weeks to come. I dreamed what happened that day, how I found Balto, how I lost Aniu, and how I met David. David. He’s different. He seemed nice deep in his eyes and I seemed to get lost in them. He was handsome. He was Shadow Peak though. Those wolves were ruthless and evil. They were raised with hate and it was impossible to take the evil out of their blood. They were incapable of love and kindness but David, his eyes showed affection.

One morning I was awoken before I could dream of David. It had been months since I first that handsome wolf. I heard Tierran and Balto in my ears. I opened my eyes and Balto was gone. I jumped up with a start and turned to see Tierran playing with Balto.

“Hahaha.” Balto giggled, “Stop that Auntie Tierran!”

I couldn’t help but smile at Tierran as she tickled Balto. Tierran was great with Balto. I walked over to Tierran and Balto.

“Oh! Hi Luna!” Tierran greeted as I walked over, “I woke up and went hunting and when I came back I found him waiting for you to wake up.”

“Is that so?” I asked Balto.

“Yep. I didn’t want to bother you.” Balto perkily explained.

“Why don’t we go for a walk?” I suggested.

“Yah!” Balto exclaimed excitedly

I turned to Tierran and asked, “Do you want to come?”

“Nah. I think I better stay behind and see if Aaron is making a move on Echo.” Tierran teased.

“O.K. We’ll see you later.” I said and walked off with Balto.

We walked into our forest and started played tag for a while. We ran and jogged through the undergrowth, the green vegetation covering us from the normal eye.

“I got you!” Balto called and tackled into my left shoulder and giggled. “Hahaha!”

I heard something in the shadows. “Shhh. Balto!” I whispered urgently.

Balto did as I said and silenced himself. I listened again. The noise was coming from behind. I got up and stood over Balto in a protective movement.

The creature was coming out of the shadows and I snarled at it. It came closer and did not stop even as my fur stood on end making me twice as furious. I could now see the figure clearly. It was a dark brown wolf, almost black in fact. It did not growl back at me, it was calm as if it knew I wouldn’t hurt it.

I looked at his eyes, they seemed familiar. Then I remembered, David! I stopped growling and I let my fur settle down. Balto looked at me with uncertainty in his eyes.

“Hey Luna.” David greeted me.

“Hello.” I replied and nodded in return in curtsy.

David looked at Balto, who was cowering behind my leg. “Is this your pup brother?” He asked as he studied Balto.

“Yes.” I informed proudly. I raised Balto from a helpless pup to a confident old pup.

“How are you?” David asked me in a chatty tone.

“I am doing fine. Raising your younger brother can be a challenge though.” I responded stepping back so Balto was between my front two legs.

David grinned at Balto and said, “I bet it is. Pups are trouble.”

“So why are you in Shaded Forest territory?” I inquired

“I was looking for you.” David informed his head down and embarrassed.

“What for?” I continued a little concerned that his pack may attack mine.

“Can we talk about this tonight?” David suggested as he looked at me and glanced at Balto.

I knew that he didn’t want to tell Balto this so I replied, “Sure. I’ll meet you here tonight.”

Balto stared at me and David for a few seconds and invited, “Wanna play tag with us?”

David laughed and answered, “I’m sorry but I need to go home.” He then saw how disappointed Balto was and walked over to Balto and whispered in his ear, “Maybe another time, I promise.”

“O.K!” Balto uttered positively.

I smiled at David when we were face to face. I then said, “I’ll see you.”

“You know it!” David responded and he walked off back to his territory. I sighed as I watched him walk off. I felt like a part of me left with him.

I nosed Balto and shouted, “Tag! You’re it!” And we ran off towards our pack campsite.

When Balto and I got back it was noon and everyone was awake. We were greeted by Tierran and Kafé; as usual Solen and Arlina were together while Aaron and Echo were sitting in the shade talking.

“Hey guys!” I shouted to Tierran and Kafé.

“Oh my gosh! You have to listen on what happened!” Tierran informed egger to tell me.

Kafé already knew and he didn’t want Balto to know so he said, “Hey Balto why don’t we go practice hunting skills?”

Balto was so excited he could barely sit still but managed to shout, “Yah! Let’s go!” Balto walked off by Kafé’s side ready to catch prey.

Tierran stared at them until they were out of sight and whispered, “There was a Shadow Peak wolf in the forest!”

I was frozen. Did David get caught? Or did they just smell him in the forest? I had so many questions to ask but I was paralyzed, and unable to speak. I gasped and fear glazed my eyes. But I managed to say, “Did you catch him?”

With that Mormon stumbled into camp with Huron and Deni with a prisoner. It was David!