Midnight emerged from her hiding spot behind a tree, and stalked the rabbit carefully. She dropped to the ground, biting her tongue as the rabbit looked up. It continued to eat grass-to her relief- and she inched closer. She leapt into the air, and lashed out at the rabbit. All that was seen was a little flash of red, and it was over. She picked it up looked around, and stalked over to a place where she could eat it.

Midnight ate the rabbit quickly, for the desert wasn’t a friendly place. And other Jackals wouldn’t pay respect to her just because she was half wolf, they would take her meal in the blink of an eye. She stood, shook off and sniffed the air. Nothing.

Midnight sat down; just thinking. She had no problem being half Jackal and half Wolf, for it gave her a large size and greater running ability. She was quicker, more clever, stronger, and much more complex then most Jackals. Her mother was a Wolf named Silva, and her father was a Jackal named King. He had died long before Midnight was born, at war with the rest of the Family Pack. They had fought against a larger family pack that wanted their territory. After the news about King’s death got to Silva, she was determined to fight, too, to avenge King. But Silva’s mother would not hear of it, for Silva was carrying King’s pups, and Silva could not die. Silva’s mother demanded her to run. Run far away to a safe place to raise the pups alone, but the plan didn’t go well. One by one, the pups died after being born into the harsh, merciless world.

Silva had little to offer, after all, for there was barely enough food for her to live, and that meant that she couldn’t feed the pups well. So she chose the ones that looked like their father, and those she would give her all to. She tried to keep the rest alive, but they all died. All of them, even the male who looked exactly like his father, and Silva had favored him the most. But she had to let go of him to keep what she had left: Midnight.

But what Silva did not know is that Midnight was the only pup born with most of her father’s genes, she had more wolf in her than any of her siblings.

Midnight sighed. For it was not long after she was old enough to care for herself that her sick and now weak mother- Silva died. Silva had told Midnight to find the place where the river parted and find the Family Pack that belonged to her father. Silva had told Midnight that she was very proud that she had a daughter of great strength and courage, and that she had something worth dying for. But Midnight hadn’t understood her then, but now that she was older she had something to live up to.

Midnight finally looked up. She suddenly wanted to run. Run all the way to where the river parted, to her father’s Family Pack. So she bolted from her spot, feeling pride and energy rise from within her. And so she ran, for ten days straight, without rest nor food or drink. She knew where she was going and she knew why she was doing it.

Alas, she stopped and slept for one night. When the sun rose, barely above the horizon, she woke to the sound of many hooves beating on the ground. She jumped to her feet. It was a herd of wild horses!

They came trampling to a stop at the site of the oversized and strange colored Jackal. “Out of the way! We are being chased!” The biggest horse, a golden horse with a white mane and hooves, demanded.

“Chased? What kind of creature would dare chase a horse?” Midnight said, trying to befriend the creatures who could easily kill her.

The stallion laughed. “I thank you for your kindness, but they are called humans, and they will chase even the most magnificent creatures.”

Humans. Midnight had heard of them before, but only in stories and myths. They would kill anything in their path with their long extended third arms and sharp throwing tools. “I can help you. I will distract the humans while you run to safer ground.”

The stallion looked at the rest of his horses. “Do we trust her?”

The horses looked around at each other, uncertain of an answer. A smaller, pretty female walked forward. “Yes, Russ, we can trust him. What have we got to loose, anyway?”

Russ smiled at the female. “Okay, Jackal, do your stuff. We will be where the bushes grow thick. Come to us when you’ve made sure it is save, or I will find you myself.” And with that the horses trampled off, fast as they could toward the place where the bushes grew thick.

Midnight looked onward toward the place where the horses had come, and waited until the trampling of their hooves could no longer be heard; then she bolted toward the sound of humans screaming, whipping tamed horses. Midnight stopped in her tracks and hid behind a tree. She watched as the horses ran, their eyes clouded with pain as the whip lashed out at them. Midnight snarled. “Not when I’m around you don’t!” She leapt at a human, grasping his wrist in her jaws before he could lay the lash on the horse’s leg. She drove her fangs into his wrist, until he finally gave in and fell to the ground and the horse fled in glee. Midnight stood up, licking her chops and got ready to jump again. But the men had noticed the horse running off without a rider, and they turned around and headed back towards the bleeding man.

“Well, he’s either gonna bleed to death or die on the way back home, boys. We best get rid of that Jackal before the rest of us end up like him!” The man pointed at the dying man.

The other men nodded in agreement and they all slowly took off, not whipping the horses anymore.

They’re not looking for the horses anymore. They’re looking for me! But they can just dream on if they think they’ll kill me!

One man returned to the dying man. He got off his horse and knelt beside the man. “Travel well, friend. Soon we’ll all be with you. That Jackal won’t hold back much longer.”

And with that the man stood yelling into nowhere, “Jackal! Come out of your hiding! We’ll find you! And you’ll be sorry for what you did!”

Midnight could have laughed. It was a pity that humans were brought into existence just to put themselves in danger. Midnight leapt at the man, he hadn’t gotten on his horse yet. She lashed out at his leg, and sunk her fangs into it. She felt the lash on her backside and let go, whimpering in pain.

Rage formed a cloud over her, and she jumped at the man, aiming for his throat. The man fell to the ground, stunned as Midnight lashed at his throat in no more than a split second. She landed on the ground, and didn’t hesitate to be sure the man died. She bolted to the other men. She spotted them, slowly moving toward the horses’ hiding spot.

“No…” She muttered. “I can’t let them down!”

She ran, yet again, as fast as she could at the first man she saw. She didn’t even think about her attack. She just lashed out at the first thing she saw, and managed to bring the man to the ground and let his horse run away. She didn’t even care if he rose to his feet again and shot her, she grabbed another man’s leg an pulled him off of his horse. Snarling, she used all her strength to throw him against a tree, then bolted for the last two men who had whipped their horses to run. She ran, howling in a strange way trying to tell the horses to slow down. One was brave and jolted to a stop and reared up, and Midnight leapt at the man before he whipped the horse.

“Run!” Midnight barked at the horse as she struggled to keep the outraged man where he was. The horse ran in the direction of the herd that had been hiding all this time. Midnight ignored the fact that the last man was escaping.

She finally abandon the man that she was dealing with, and bolted at the one escaping. She ran as fast as she could, and managed to grab onto the man’s leg. But the man had already seen too much, and he kicked Midnight off of him. Midnight wanted to laugh. That man thought he knew her every trick! He thought he could kick her around! Midnight ran faster and jolted to a stop and fell to the ground. She twitched and finally was still. I’ve got a few more tricks up my sleeve, human! She waited until the man, feeling he’d won, came over to her.

“Foolish animal! You thought you could take me?” He laughed, as if he’d gone mad.

Midnight was so tempted to lash out at him now, but it wasn’t time.

The man, still gently laughing to himself, knelt down beside her, and grabbed her by the scruff, holding her to where her snout was even with his face. “You’d make a fine throw rug!”

Now. Midnight told herself. She was quick to attack his face, her jaws clenched around his throat, and she leapt off when she heard the snap of his throat.

The bleeding and dying man looked at her in the eye, and Midnight stared right back, hey eyes dark with cunningness, and her mouth curved in a slight smile. “It’s as if she’s laughing at me…” The man croaked to himself. “You’re smart, mutt. But the others will find you one day. And there will be millions of them. You won’t be able to pick us away one by one anymore.” And with that said, the man took in his last breath, and fell silent.

Midnight bared her teeth. “You think they’ll kill me one day?” She went up to the dead and lay her paw on his neck. “Dream on, human.” Her claws raked across his throat, and she whipped around and trotted away.

Midnight was almost to where the horses had made their hiding spot, when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned her head. “Impossible…” She muttered to herself. It was the man! “I should have finished you off while I had the chance…!” She snarled to herself. It was the second to last man, the one she’d left to finish the men off.

“Come here, mutt! Come here so I can see you!” The man walked lopsidedly forward.

Midnight walked over to him. She sat down. He would be easy to handle.

The man laughed. “You truly are the devil, huh?” He wiped his forehead. “You may be an animal, but you know how to torture people! How’s it possible? No clue. But it’s your time to go.” He pulled out a gun.

Midnight curved her mouth in a smile, and opened her mouth slightly.

“Don’t give me that devilish sneer!”

Midnight got ready to dodge a bullet.

The man shot at her, but Midnight quickly dodged him and leapt, snarling at the arm holding the gun. He shot again, this time skimming her arm, causing it to bleed. Midnight hit the ground in pain, rolling a bit then stood up, and leapt at him.

Suddenly, right before the man shot again-this time he was actually aiming, and it looked like he would’ve gotten Midnight-Russ trampled in, stepping on the human and throwing him into a tree with his massive head.

“Russ!” Midnight screamed as the man pointed his gun at the stallion.

Midnight flung herself at the man, cause his to fling the gun into the air. Midnight leapt back as she heard the bullet strike a tree branch. She fled to Russ’s side as the branch crushed the man.

Russ walked up to the man and looked down at him. “He won’t be causing any more trouble.”

Midnight walked over too, and saw that the man was dead as a doorknob. She looked up at Russ. “Thanks for saving me.”

“And you, I! You saved us all, Jackal. We owe you our lives. If you’d not killed those humans, they’d have turned us all to dog chow!”

Midnight smiled. “I owe it to the most magnificent creatures that roam the desert.”

Russ smiled. “How could we ever repay you?”

Midnight shrugged. “You saved my life, I guess that’s enough.”

Russ looked down at her. “Would you like to come with us to the Place Where The River Parts?”

Midnight’s eyes widened. “Could you? Do you really know where it is?”

Russ nodded. “We travel there every time the desert turns cool, or at least, not as hot as it normally is.”

Midnight nodded. She knew what they meant. The river was always flooded then, the season Spring. “It’s called Spring. A beautiful time of year.”

Russ looked at Midnight. “Spring? It sounds beautiful.”

Midnight nodded. She knew all about the seasons, her mother had told her. She got up and shook off. “We nest get going. I here the Place Where the River Parts is from here.”

“It is. It’s very far. You’re lucky you were this close. We’ve been journeying for days now just to get here.”

Midnight was puzzled. She wasn’t close to the River at all! But they must have been much farther, if it took them days to get here. She looked around at all the other horses. “No one was lost on the journey, right?”

Russ shook his head. “No one…except for Mitch. But he was old, and we paid our respects to him already.”

“Well, we best get going!”

Russ looked down at her and nodded. Then he took off.

Midnight didn’t hesitate to follow, excited about reaching her father’s pack. She knew it wouldn’t be half as exciting as if she’d found her father, but she wanted to be with his pack, even if it meant that she’d have to depart from her horse friends.

Midnight and the others finally stopped and rested for the night. She dug a hole in the ground, not that deep, but deep enough to keep her a little warm in the sheer cold of the desert night. She settled herself in a good position, and the closed her eyes. But sleep wasn’t what came to her. It was a terrifying thought of humans attacking them, slaughtering everything, and destroying what was left of King’s family.

Midnight’s eyes flew open. Sleep would never come to her. Not with the knowing that the humans were out there, looking for her. She knew that the humans she’d killed were not the only ones out there. She tried desperately to sleep, and finally, late into the night, a light sleep came over her, and soon she drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

When morning came, Midnight woke to the sound of horses whinnying and snorting, hooves clanking on the ground and desperate cries sounding. She opened her eyes and saw nothing more than a blur of hooves stomping on the ground, and stabbing blindly at the sky as horses reared and kicked.

Midnight could faintly hear the angry voices of men above the terrified horses. She leapt to her feet as she spotted Russ tied up to a tree with ropes all over him. Midnight dashed over to him, stumbling as she tried to dodge the horses’ hooves.

“Russ!” Russ turned his head as he heard his name. “Russ, what happened?”

Russ didn’t struggle or try and escape. “They came. They were looking for…”

Midnight’s eyes widened. Her. They were looking for her. It was her fault. It was all her fault that they’d all plunge into death and suffering.

“Russ, I’m sorry…I-I’m…”

“No, Midnight, you have done nothing. It was us who needed help from you, and you gave us help. You saved us. And then this. This was more our fault than your’s.”

Midnight shook her head. “No. No, that’s not true.” She backed away from him. “Don’t lie to yourself, Russ. It was me, and I’m not letting it end this way.” Midnight rushed away through the crowd of horses, ignoring Russ’s desperate cries of “No! Midnight come back!”. She ran straight at the humans, leaping in front of them, to where she was in their view.

“It’s that Jackal! It’s the Jackal that killed Bob and Rusty!” A man called out.

I’ll die for them…I’ll die for Russ, I got him into this, and I’m getting him out! Midnight did not attack. She ran. Of course, the men were trying to kill her, so they followed, abandoning the horses that they were dealing with.

Midnight ran for a long time, trying to be sure that the humans were far away from Russ and his herd.

“Shoot her!” A man called out to his companion, and they whipped out guns, and pointed at the fleeing Midnight.

I’m not going down that easy! Midnight began running in zigzag formation, no man would ever have good enough aim to hit a fast-moving target. She ran like this for at least an hour, as the men followed her on their horses, when finally they gave up, and stopped. But Midnight kept running, and she didn’t stop for days. Finally, she stopped when the river was in sight.

“I made it…” She muttered. “I must go on. I can’t get this far and give up.”

Midnight walked onward, towards the river. After a few more days, she’d reached the river, and she could drink.

“My father drank from this same river, and walked on this same ground.” Midnight sat down. She heard a strange noise behind her, and whipped around, barring her teeth.

A strange, fox-like creature approached her.

“Midnight, is it?”

Midnight’s eyes widened. She nodded. How does she know?

“Yes, I know what’s rushing through your head. “How does she know?” Well, it’s clear that you’re the daughter of King, and I just assumed you were Midnight. He speaks of you much, back at the pack. He tells us all that you will come one day, to be our Ruler.”

“What do you mean he speaks of me much?” Midnight said quietly.

“Well, he loves you! And everyone can talk, huh?”

Midnight was confused. Her father was dead! How could he talk at all?

“I’m Feather. I know I can be a little strange sometimes, but you’ll learn to live with it.” Feather said enthusiastically. “I’m a Fennec Fox mixed with a Jackal. And you must be the legendary Wolf Jackal mix, heh?”

Midnight nodded. No one new she was half wolf except for her mother and father. And they were dead…or were they? Midnight almost collapsed from the exhaustion of all the confusion, and shook herself.

“Well, Feather, can you take me to my father?”

Feather laughed. “Oh no, honey, he’s long gone.”

“Dead?”

Feather looked up at her, shocked. “No! He went on a journey! Why would he be dead?”

“I was told…”

“No, no! Don’t tell me, just come with me. I will get you all fixed up. You look like you just got finished fighting a gang of angry men!” Feather said with a laugh.

“Actually…I was…”

Feather looked up in shock. “Men? There’s men here?”

Midnight shook her head. “Not here, but they were back over there.” She jerked her head in the direction of the men. “They were trying to kill my friends, so I had to fight them.”

Feather nodded. “Who?”

“Russ, Russ and his herd.”

“Russ? You mean the stallion?”

Midnight nodded. “Yes, do you know him?”

Feather nodded. “I know him. You shouldn’t risk your life for him!”

Midnight was taken aback. “Why?”

Feather laughed. “He’s a backstabber, honey! I know your probably wondering why you’re listening to an old fool like me, but it’s all true. He’ll become your friend just for protection, and then when you need his help, he’ll run like a newborn pup!”

Midnight shook her head in disbelief. “Well, thank you for warning me. But, where has my father gone?”

“No where important. He’ll be back soon.”

Even though she was boiling with curiosity, she nodded. “Okay.”

“Now, come on. Follow me.”

Midnight followed Feather to a dark underground place. She looked around. On the walls of the underground cave were carvings. She recognized the pictures from somewhere. She looked closely and saw something that resembled her mother, and looked at Feather.

“Yes, that’s your father’s story line. Every Ruler has a story line. The Carvers are still working on his, they still need to add your birth and your mother’s death. And then when your father retires or dies, they will start your story line. If he dies, he will have an entire section of his story line drawn about how he died and his bravery and loyalty.”

Midnight nodded slowly and studied the pictures more closely.

“Come on, let’s keep going.” Feather said and gave Midnight a shove.

They traveled onward, toward a place where the bushes ended and the land was pure desert.

“Feather, where are you taking me?”

Feather laughed. “To the Place Where the River Parts.”

Midnight’s eyes widened. “Impossible…”

Feather looked at her strangely. “What?”

“How do you know where that place is?”

Feather laughed again. “Well, incase you’ve already forgotten, I am a member of your father’s pack. And I’ve been so for a long time.”

Midnight shook her head. “But they said only my father knew of the place…”

Feather nodded. “He does. But I’m the co-leader of the pack, so he showed me the place so I could take you when I found you.”

Midnight stopped. “Well, how’d you know I’d come?”

Feather sighed. “It’s obvious. It was spoken to me and to the pack that you would by your father. And you did come, and I knew you would because you wanted to be with your family, and fulfill the task your mother told you to complete.”

Midnight decided just to go with the fact that Feather knew just about everything that went on her life. She never liked to thin about things to hard, it always made her confused and angry. She normally didn’t question the way things were though. It is what it is, after all.

Feather sniffed the air. “Well, we’re pretty close. About another three days and we’ll be hunting with the pack!” She looked back at Midnight. “And you will take my place as co-leader.”

Midnight jumped back. “What? No, I couldn’t!”

Feather laughed. “Well, if your father died I wouldn’t be the one to lead the pack after him! Don’t worry, you’re not alone in this. You’ll get some training.”

Midnight sighed as the fox walked onward.

“The pack cannot be lead by a fox. If it was, then it would parish.” Feather told her, as if knowing that Midnight still pondered the fact that she was supposed to be the co-leader. “I am not strong enough, and I am old. Very old, and that is pretty obvious, as you can see.”

Midnight smiled. It was true, Feather looked very old, but in her old age, Feather seemed very humorous and active. Midnight couldn’t bare the thought of living to see the day that this full-of-life fox passed on. She flinched and shoved away the terrible thought, and continued on, now much more confident about what awaited her back at the pack.

Two days passed, and Midnight and Feather were half starved by the time they caught sight of prey.

“I’ll get it.” Feather whispered and darted after the small Jack Rabbit at lightning speed. In a matter of seconds the rabbit was dead and Feather was trotting up to Midnight with the kill dangling in her jaws. “Dig in!”

The two ate savagely, and then groomed themselves. After a good rest, and a quick drink from the river to wash down the rabbit, they continued traveling. They weren’t that far from where Midnight’s father was, but they weren’t looking for him. They were looking for the pack, which was much farther on. Another day’s journey.

“Feather, what did my father go on a journey for?”

Feather shrugged. “He never told me. He’s probably exploring new territory in hopes of expanding the pack’s land, or he’s trying to make piece with the Raphee…”

Midnight raised an eyebrow. “The what?”

Feather laughed. “And neighboring pack. We’ve been enemies for a long time, and good ‘ol King is going to fix that. It will prevent many battles in the future.”

Midnight nodded.

They traveled onward, not stopping as frequently to drink, or to rest. The Place Where the River Parted wasn’t far from where they stood, and they finally rested.

“Well, all that traveling finally paid off. We’re not far now.” Feather said, yawning.

Midnight smiled. In a few hours, she would step foot into the pack’s territory for the first time. She had never thought that today would come, she had been born thinking her father was dead, but her mother must have not known either, then.

Feather turned to face Midnight. “How did your mother die?”

Midnight sighed. Bringing back the memory of her mother’s death was always heartbreaking. She didn’t remember exactly what her mother had said to her, but she knew how she had died.

“And illness…” Midnight looked at her paws, which were dirty and hurting. “it got really bad, and there was nothing me or any of the pups could do to save her, or ourselves. All of my siblings died one by one, because there was not enough food. And I survived, only me, and I tried to hunt for her for a while, but then it got her bad one night. And she told me to go in search of the Place Where the River Parted to find my father.”

Feather sat down next to Midnight. “Did she ever tell you about your father?”

Midnight nodded with a smile. “She said he was a handsome dog, and that he was very brave and very wise. She said he ruled over more than one hundred dogs at one point; every dog a different breed.”

Feather sat down. “Yes, all of that is true. But, most of those dogs have died, and ever since your mother had to leave him he hasn’t even thought about getting more dogs. Slowly the pack is shrinking, we are only twenty-four strong now. He was very sad when he found out Silva was dead, but when you return, things could change.” Feather smiled. “You could be a hero. Because of you the pack will be able to grow and become strong again.”

Midnight didn’t know what to say. “Well…that’s not necessarily true…he might not do what we think he will…”

Feather laughed. “Aw, don’t be so modest!”

Midnight gave a little smile. “Let’s keep going.”

Feather nodded slowly and got up. She shook of and gave her paw a quick lick.

A few hours passed, and by then a few members of the pack were spotted. They didn’t come and greet Feather and Midnight, though, they simply looked up, gave a quick smile, and continued on what they were doing.

“Feather, do any of them know me?”

Feather nodded. “One, Recco. He’s your dad’s brother. He’s not here though, he’s probably with your dad.”

Midnight smiled. “I want to meet him. Is he nice?”

Feather nodded. “A kind fellow, he’s very helpful when it comes to building.”

Midnight sighed as she thought about arriving at the pack’s base, and seeing her father for the first time. She’d been waiting for this moment all her life. She had no intention on resting anytime soon, although her paws hurt a little because of the distance they’d covered. She glanced at Feather to make sure she wasn’t tired.

“Are you tired, Feather?” Midnight asked.

Feather smiled, her eyes closed. “No, honey, I’m old, but not weak.”

Midnight laughed to herself. The elderly fox’s humor was good to have around when they were trekking through miles of desert without rest, food, or water.

“Okay, just making sure.”

As they walked onward, Feather began to grow slower. Midnight didn’t want to ask why, it might offend Feather. Midnight was beginning to smell a smell that was like happiness and friendliness, a scent that was what a pack of good health and cooperation would have. Midnight knew what the scent belonged to.

“Are we there, Feather.”

Feather smiled. “Yes.” Looked at Midnight. “I know you’ve probably been wandering why I was walking slow.”

Midnight nodded. She know longer questioned the fox’s strange ability to know what she was thinking.

“Well, there’s no since in wasting energy when we’re already in the territory of the pack. Their hospitality will soon be open to us. There is a surplus of food, Midnight, and there’s more than enough for every dog to have more than his or her fill of food and water. But don’t stuff yourself just because you can. Many dogs that were knew to the pack have died because they bloated themselves.”

Midnight nodded. “I’m not that hungry as it is.”

“Good.” Feather smiled. “That means I’ve fed you well.”

Midnight nodded, and closed her eyes. She remembered her mother. Silva had always wanted to keep her pups in good condition, and had died trying to do so.

“I wish I could have done the same for my pups…” Feather looked away.

Midnight froze. “What pups?”

“I had a litter, once, and I tried very hard to keep them alive. I lived alone after my mate died, and I was no professional hunter! So there wasn’t much I could do to feed them, so I set out for help.” Feather sighed. “if only I hadn’t been so stupid as to trust a hawk to guard them while I hunted them.”

Midnight blinked. Hawks were the last creature anyone should go to for help! The creatures were fowl and only cared for their own kind, and never did they even think for a second about others and their needs.

“But I guess I did something as dumb-witted as that through how desperate I was, and of course when I returned from my unsuccessful hunt, a plump and satisfied hawk was hovering over a few bones with a cruel smile on her face.”

“What did you do?” Midnight wondered, knowing that if it were her pups she would have taken the bird and buried it alive.

“I thought about it. I sat down, shaking my head in anger, and thought. The bird just stared at me, as if she were about to start pecking at my head. But when she flew at me I grabbed her by the wing and tossed her into the tree, knocking her out.” Feather smirked. “I was a pretty smart fox, and so I let her live so that she could suffer as I saved what I had left of my pups.”

Midnight shook her head, puzzled. “But I thought the bird ate them…how can you save them?”

“The pups were very tiny, so tiny the bird could swallow them whole. So I split her open. There they all were, only one remaining alive. So I picked it up and cleaned it, and left the bird there to die a slow painful death.”

Midnight’s fur was bristling. “That’s what that evil thing gets!”

Feather laughed. “But the pup lasted no longer than a week. And I was beginning to wish I’d kept the bird for a meal. I still had no skills in hunting, so there was nothing for me to eat. Every now and again I would find a field mouse, but it didn’t do much for me and the pup.”

Midnight sat next to Feather, who had settled down in sadness. “Well, it’s the circle of life. You did what you could, didn’t you?”

Feather nodded. “But it wasn’t enough.”

Midnight looked at her. “But that’s how life goes, and we just have to learn to live with it.”

Feather smiled. “Very much so. You are learning very quickly, Midnight.”

Midnight was puzzled. She hadn’t learned anything, and if she had, what? And what was Feather training her about? She didn’t learn a thing about fighting, or defense, or hunting, so what was she learning?

“Um, Feather, I haven’t learned a thing since we started this journey…”

Feather laughed. “You just don’t realize it! You’re learning a lot. Power and strength isn’t everything, Midnight, if you are to be a leader, you must have wisdom and you must learn to be patient, and that’s not always easy.”

Midnight realized that Feather was right. As a matter of fact, wisdom, patients, and a kind heart were the most important traits of a good leader. “I guess you’re right.”

Feather nodded with a smile. “I’m glad you understand.”

“We better settled down for the night,” Midnight barked softly looking up at the darkening sky. “It’s getting dark…and cold!”

Feather laughed quietly. “Good idea. We should dig a shallow pit to sleep in, it’s going to be a pretty cold night.”

Midnight and Feather shoveled sand from the ground quickly as the air became chillier. Midnight thought about her brother as she dug. It had never occurred to her that he was her friend, he’d always been treated like a king when she was young. But now she wished he could be alive, just someone of her own kind and someone who knew what it was like to live a life so lonely. But then again, that would mean he would be the one to lead the pack after her father, and Midnight probably wouldn’t even be able to see the pack in her lifetime.

Midnight shoved the thought away and began to walk in circles in her hole, flattening the damp sand. She lay down in the hole and looked at Feather, who had finished her hole a few minutes ago and was already sleeping, and sighed. It was a shame she’d have to loose the old fox so soon. Midnight knew that in her old age, Feather wouldn’t last much longer, and as a matter of fact, she would probably loose her grip on life shortly after Midnight had some idea on how to be a leader.

After a long ten minutes of thinking, Midnight drifted into a luxurious sleep, and dreamt of seeing her father and her pack for the first time.

As morning rose high above the sky, Feather shook Midnight awake.

“Come on, sleeping beauty! We have to move! I don’t think we’d want to get caught by the vultures!”

Midnight raised an eyebrow. “Vultures? What could they do to us?”

Feather shoved Midnight to her feet. “These are know ordinary vultures. Here they get very big, due to the surplus of food.”

“Surplus? They only eat dead things though, they scavenge!”

“I know!” Feather rasped, glancing at the sky. “There are often deaths because of battle. And since they have grown big, they know longer need to just eat dead animals!”

Midnight shook off, wondering if she should believe the old fox or not. But seeing the scared look on Feather’s face, Midnight rushed to the safety of the bushes near the river alongside Feather.

Feather smiled as they reached a large bush big enough to hide both of them. “Look.” Feather jerked her snout in a the direction of where the sun was rising.

Midnight followed her snout to where the river seemed to end.

“The Place Where the River Parts.”

Midnight’s eyes widened. Her heart was pounding, and her paws were no longer hurting. She was excited and full of energy, and she stood up.

“Lets go!” Midnight barked, a smile from ear to ear on her face.

Feather smiled, but her face was filled with pain. “I cannot come with you.”

Midnight froze and looked down at the old fox. “Why?”

“I am to weak. I cannot go any farther. And none of those strong pack members want a weak, dying, old fox in their territory. I’ll just be taking up space and taking away food.”

Midnight snorted. “After all you’ve taught me,” Midnight whipped around to face Feather all the way. “After all we’ve been through,”

Feather looked away.

“Look at me!” Midnight demanded.

Feather, a bit taken aback, looked her way.

“I didn’t travel three-hundred miles to see you give up.”

Feather’s eyes were wide and awe-filled.

“A wise old fox once told me that a leader needed wisdom and a strong heart, willing to take in even those who could hardly stand. And I will do exactly that. I will make you strong again, and give you my own share of meat. I will not let you die in the sun, and let the vultures eat away your flesh and let your bones rot in the sun. You are coming to the pack, and that’s an order!”

Feather smiled. “Well said, leader.”

Midnight looked around. Three dogs emerged from around them.

“My daughter,” One large, handsome, strong, wolfish dog barked. “I have finally found you. And I know that you are truly my daughter.” He walked over to Midnight and nuzzled her. “You have a strong heart, Midnight.”

“Father,” Midnight whispered. “I have finally found you…” Her eyes swelled with tears. “I thought you were dead…I thought I’d lost my family…”

Feather laughed and walked over to the wolfish dog and sat by his side. “Old King will never die!”

King laughed. “Some day age will take it’s toll…” He took a deep breath. “But until then I put forth my every breath and bit of strength towards the safety of my daughter and my pack.”

Midnight looked up at her father, filled with awe. She’d never heard such brave words in her life. She knew that this was her father, and if it wasn’t she didn’t care. She would respect him anyway, and she knew that even if this was not her father, that this was a strong-hearted and wise leader who knew what he was doing.

“Dona, Recco, take care of Feather. Midnight, come with me.” King trotted towards the river, and paused to let Midnight catch up.

“Father,” Midnight barked softly as she and her father walked slowly towards the place where the pack would be gathered. “what happened?”

King looked down at Midnight. “What? What do you mean?”

“Mother…she said you were killed. She said they told her you were dead!” Midnight was suddenly alarmed. She hated bringing back the memory of her mother’s pain when she spoke of the death of King, and when she spoke of what she thought was true.

“Who told her that?” King snarled, obviously outraged that someone would lie to his mate like that.

Midnight shrugged. “She never told me.”

King hesitated. “When she ran off, her belly swollen with my pups, I was devastated. I’d thought for a long time she was dead. But after a while, many of my scouts smelled her scent around the territory. I was even more devastated though, after that I thought she didn’t love me.”

“Why?”

King sighed. “Well, I though she had run off because she didn’t want me anymore, I thought the others were all lying to me after that. I couldn’t trust anyone…”

Midnight was amazed. Her father didn’t seem like he would have gone out of his way to worry about Silva. “She loved you with all of her heart! When she heard you were killed, she said she wanted to fight! She was going to put her life on the line for you!”

King looked away, and said nothing.

Midnight felt a bit angry that her father had been taken over by depression, and now he wasn’t even going to try. “Dad,” She muttered.

King did nothing.

“Dad!”

King glanced at her, but kept walking.

Midnight was disgusted. “Dad! What’s gotten into you?”

King finally looked at her.

“Why are you doing this to yourself? Silva died for you, and she doesn’t want to die for nothing! She died because she knew you would go on living, and that you would teach me, and I would teach the next leader! She died for a strong, noble, and cunning Jackal, one that doesn’t give up!”

King stared down at his paws. “I know who she died for, but I’m not sure I’m that Jackal…”

Midnight sighed. What would it take to make her father realize what an awesome leader is was? She knew it wouldn’t be easy. King seemed very depressed, and it seemed that there was only one thing she could do to make him right.

“Oh, well, sorry to bring back the bad memories.” Midnight glanced up at King, to make sure he was listening. “I guess I’m not good enough to make you happy. I guess I shouldn’t have come…” Midnight looked at her paws, pretending to be sad.

King looked at her. “Don’t ever say that!”

Midnight tried to hide her smile. It was working. “No, no,” She looked away from him. “I understand that Silva was very important to you…she was a very amazing female.”

King snorted. “What are you talking about? You are an amazing young dog! I love you just as much as I love your mother, and you shouldn’t ever think otherwise!”

Midnight smiled. “Now, are you going to snap out of it and be the strong hearted, wise leader you used to be?”

King smiled and nodded.

Midnight, satisfied, turned and ran ahead of her father, laughing and barking. King laughed and chased after her, and father and daughter chased each other about, all the way to the very center of the pack’s territory.

King lead Midnight into a large scramble of palm trees and bushes, and woven walls of tumbleweed. They passed through a narrow hall until it stretched out into a large cave-like place that was filled with wild dogs of all species.

Midnight was awe-stricken. There were boulders that dotted the area, covered with paintings of wolves and other creatures. There was even a ceiling, a rock formation covered half of the cave-like structure, and then there was a thick wall of tumbleweed and other plants that were woven together to form the remainder of the ceiling.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” King whispered, spotting Midnight in her state of awe.

Midnight nodded slowly, still examining the large place.

“This was build when my great-grandfather was ruler of Ayzee…”

“Ayzee?” Midnight raised an eyebrow. “What’s Ayzee?”

King laughed. “I guess Feather wanted to let me tell you the name of my pack.”

“Ayzee…Ayzee…” Midnight chanted the name, trying to decide if it was a fitting name for the amazing pack.

“This is the Ayzee Base.” King told Midnight. “This is where all wild dogs stay to sleep, eat, shelter, and just hang out at. This place has been repaired many times, as you can see many parts of the walls and ceilings look older or newer than others.”

Midnight looked up. There were a few patches of tumbleweed that looked greener than others.

As King began to walk over to a medium sized den, Feather burst into the clearing, along with the two other dogs that had helped her.

“Ah, I see you two made it here before our scheduled time, eh, King?”

King smiled and nodded. “I was just about to show Midnight the watering den.”

Feather nodded. “Okay, carry on. But I’ll be inside the watering den! My fur has grown extremely thick from all the sand in it! I feel like I’m wearing a coat that would suit me if we were in Antarctica!”

King laughed as he watched Feather bolt into the dark den.

“What’s the den for?” Midnight asked, hearing the sound of rushing water in it.

“Rinsing yourself. The water is warm inside.” He stepped in, signaling for Midnight to follow. “We have to keep it pretty dark so that the water will stay warm.”

Midnight nodded. It made sense, but now she was eager to go soak in one of the many shallow pools of warm water that covered the ground inside the den.

King, seeing the look on Midnight’s face, invited her into one. “Do you want to try it out?”

Midnight nodded quickly. “Yes, please.”

King nosed to a large pool next to the one where Feather was. “Go in that one. It’s the warmest, and the deepest.”

Midnight nodded and walked over to it. She curled up inside and lay her head on the warm ground.

Feather, spotting her, smiled. “Ah, I thought you’d want to rest in one of these. Great, isn’t it?”

Midnight nodded. She looked around, only to notice that everyone was staring at her. She looked at Feather in alarm. “Why are they all staring at me like that?”

Feather laughed quietly. “Well, you’re in King’s resting pool. He’s usually there, and it must be very strange for a newcomer to be in the leader’s spot.”

Midnight nodded slowly, glancing at the glowing eyes of all the curious, tense dogs around her.

One of them began to snarl, and stood up. “Why is that female in Leader’s resting pool, Feather? Do something!”

Feather stood, her eyes flaring as she glared at the dog that spoke. “Shut your trap, fool!” She signaled with a stomp of her paw for him to sit down. “First, you never talk to me in that tone! And second, do you even know who this is?”

The dog shook his head, obviously now ashamed of himself.

“Well, than you have no right to speak. This is King’s daughter!”

All of the wild dogs gasped and stared in Midnight’s direction.

Midnight lowered herself and sunk back into her pool, trying to escape the gleaming eyes of all the wild dogs. She heard them murmuring among each other, “She’s been gone for so many years!” and, “How did she last so long on her own? I hear her mother died!”

Feather glanced at Midnight and laughed softly. “Don’t be so modest! Be proud! These dogs will one day be ruled by you, and their respect is all yours!”

Midnight wasn’t sure if that’s how she wanted it to be. “Well…I’m not sure they’ll approve…”

Feather smiled and shook her head, but said nothing.

Midnight gave one last glance at the dogs around her that lowered their heads as her gaze passed over them. She whimpered quietly and curled up again, closing her eyes and falling asleep.

Midnight’s eyes opened as she heard the sound of her father and Feather’s voices. She yawned and glanced around.

Maybe they’re having a private conversation. Midnight laughed to herself. I’ll see what I can get out of them.

Midnight lay there, her ears alert. She listened hard to see what the two were saying.

“I don’t know, King.” Midnight heard Feather say. “She seems ready to me.”

“But I’m not ready!” King told her. “I’m not ready to let you go.”

Feather snorted. “I don’t even want to be co-leader anymore. I’ve done my share of work and I’m just about ready to retire!”

The two laughed.

“Whatever you say Feather. Just give her a little more training and we’ll hold a ceremony.”

Feather not. “Can do.”

Midnight felt her blood run cold. She would officially co-leader in a few days! She didn’t feel ready at all. But she didn’t feel that she had much of a choice, for she could be the leader in years to come, whether she liked it or not.

“Hello, Midnight.”

Midnight jumped. “Oh, hello, Feather.”

Feather smirked. “Catching up on a bit of gossip?”

Midnight felt her blood run cold. Feather must have known she heard the whole conversation!

“Well, don’t worry about it. It was something you would find out about sooner or later.”

Midnight let out a sigh of relief.

“Well, we best get a move on, eh? You’ve got to get your straining done. I want the ceremony to take place at sun-down.”

Midnight nodded. “Okay…”

Midnight leapt to the side, dodging a blow that Feather directed to her head.

“Very good, Midnight!” Feather said, sitting down. “You have learned just about everything I know…”

Midnight shook her head. “I doubt it…”

“Ah! Yes! Before we hold the ceremony, I would like you to know how to heal the sick.”

Midnight nodded and watched as Feather showed her many different herbs and juices that helped with sicknesses.

“But you don’t have to remember all of this.” Feather assured her. “Rocco and King will be around to help you.”

Midnight smiled. “Thanks, Feather…for everything.”

Feather dipped her head. “Well, I need to have a word with King. I will see you in a few hours.”

Midnight watched as Feather disappeared. It was just as Feather was entirely out of sight when Midnight had a question for her: why had she never mentioned herself? Feather had named many members of the pack that could help her if she needed anything, King, Rocco, Sue, Lilly, but never herself.

Midnight stood up and walked back towards the Base, trying to forget her question. When she arrived, a little puppy came rushing to her paws.

“Hi! I’m Rex!” The small puppy looked up at Midnight with bright green eyes. “Have you seen my sister? She looks like me except she is smaller and she had a missing eye.”

Midnight looked around. She spotted another little puppy hiding behind a rock, giggling.

Midnight smiled. “She’s over there.”

“Thanks!” Rex said and barked at her and slowly stalked off.

“Wait!” Midnight called.

Rex looked over his shoulder.

“Why is her eye missing?”

Rex looked away. “A vulture.”

Midnight nodded and nosed in the direction of Rex’s sister.

Rex smiled slightly and bolted after her.

Midnight turned and headed for a large bolder in the center of the base. There were many dogs crowded around it, all chatting and having a good time. As Midnight made her way over to the group, she remembered Feather’s story about how her pups were eaten by a hawk. She flinched as she brought back the image of the poor pups being eaten alive by the evil creature.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the leader’s daughter herself!”

Midnight looked up as one of the dogs interrupted the conversation.

All the dogs smiled and welcomed her.

“Hello, Midnight!”

Midnight smiled. “Hello.”

The dog laughed. “Come on, don’t be shy! Come over here with us and have a bite to eat and chat a bit! And by the way, I’m Rocco.”

Midnight smiled at him. This was her uncle! She walked over and sat next to him. “What should I call you?”

Rocco looked at her. “Who? Me? Oh, whatever you want. Uncle Rocco, Rocco, anything’s good.”

Midnight smiled and picked up a rabbit leg from the small pile of food the group had gathered. Her uncle was very nice, as Feather had said, and she knew she would be very close to him in years to come.

Rocco barked for everyone to be quiet. “Midnight, let me introduce you to everyone.”

Midnight nodded. “Thank you.”

Rocco pointed at a fox-like creature that looked a lot like Feather with his snout. “This is Rose.”

Rose smiled at her. “I’m sure you are familiar with Feather, right?”

“Yes.” Midnight replied.

“Well, I’m her little sister.” Rose added cheerily. “I’m very pleased to meet you.”

Midnight smiled at her. “I’m pleased to meet you, too.” Midnight studied Rose more closely. She looked much younger than Feather, she had a much lighter color to her fur, and she was very pretty.

Rocco pointed to a scruffy, small black and white dog. “This is Jeeves.”

Jeeves smiled at Midnight and then continued his conversation.

“He’s not very friendly towards new-comers, but he’ll soften up to you soon.” Rocco whispered in Midnight’s ear.

Midnight watched as Jeeves laughed and talked, his ears alert as his friends shared the latest gossip with him. She had a feeling she would like it here, with everyone so open and friendly.

Rocco laughed and pointed with his snout to a jumpy black lab. “And we must not forget Charlie!”

Charlie smiled and came bouncing over to Midnight. “Hey, Midnight!”

Midnight smiled at him. “Hello.”

“Are you the legendary Wolf and Jackal mix?”

Midnight nodded.

“Ah, you are greatly respected around here! I’m a mutt as well. I’m a Black Labrador mixed with an Irish Wolfhound.”

Midnight looked at him closely. He had the long, flowing legs and long, pointed snout of an Irish Wolfhound, and the body, eyes, and color of a Black Labrador.

Rocco tapped Midnight on the shoulder with his forepaw. “Come on now, should I show you the main hunting grounds?”

Midnight nodded, smiling. She had been waiting for the moment she would make herself useful to the pack! Now she would be able to hunt for them! She would be starting to be true leader…she was going to provide the pack with food!

Rocco lead her to a large area where trees and bushes grew in a great abundance. She could see just by watching a bush for a few minutes that there was plenty food here, and there were the smells of small game all around.

“This is our main hunting ground.” Rocco explained. “But when it starts to get a little chilly out, we have to move to other places. Usually during the colder times we search burrows for food.”

Midnight smiled as she watched rabbits and mice run past them in a hurry to find a hiding spot. “Where does all this come from?”

“We gathered as many plant and small animals as we could and made a nursery for them. They bred and began occupying a lot of space, and the nursery grew to much larger size. And then, here you have it! The perfect forest!”

Midnight darted after a large Jackrabbit that sped past, leaping into a bush after it. She came out with it dangling from her jaws.

“How’s this for a first-timer?”

Rocco laughed. “Very good!”

The two returned to the Base, and King and Feather greeted them at the entrance.

“Midnight,” King called.

“Hm?” Midnight said, raising her head.

“May I have a word with you?”

Midnight nodded and followed him off to a spot where no one was around.

“Has Rocco introduced you to some of the pack members?”

Midnight nodded with a smile. “I truly think I will be happy here! They seem very friendly!”

King smiled softly. “Good, good. I’m glad.” His face became serious. “Are you ready?”

Midnight’s smile was wiped from her face in a split second. She knew she hadn’t much of a choice in her decision… “I…I think so…”

King smiled. “You’ll be fine! Trust me!”

Midnight smiled slightly and stood up. “So…when is the ceremony going to be held?”

King looked at the sky. “Right after the sun sets.” He told her, and walked off.

Midnight sat down where she was, just thinking. She knew that she would have to take on the role of the leader one day, and she knew that she would have to teach herself most of what she would know by then. Her heart pounded as the thought of battle came to mind. She knew she would be the one to give over one hundred dogs commands, and they would all expect her to give them directions that would lead them to victory.

“Everyone quiet!”

The crowd of wild dogs was quickly silenced.

Midnight watched, her whole body shaking. This was the moment. She would be the co-leader now! She wasn’t as nervous now, she was looking forward to it, actually. She would be able to fight and hunt by her father’s side.

“We gather here today in honor of our new pack member,” King turned and winked at Midnight. “Midnight.”

The pack members whispered amongst themselves.

“She is going to be the new co-leader.”

Feather walked up to Midnight’s side. Midnight smiled at her and took a deep breathe as King called her to his side.

Midnight strode up to the top of the large rock that King stood on. It hovered a good three feet above any of the other rocks in the base, and Midnight had a good view of the whole thing.

King finished the ceremony up and it was official. Midnight was the co-leader now, second in command, the deputy, the top dog apart from King. Midnight sat at the base of the large rock for a while, thinking about everything that she had learned in the few days she’d been with the pack. She had found her father, most importantly, and she had found out who Feather’s sister was, she met her uncle, but there was one person she wanted to meet that she wasn’t sure existed. One of her siblings. She had witnessed all of their deaths, but she had also been told her father was dead, and if he’s alive, who knows? One of her siblings could be alive, waiting for Midnight.

Midnight lay down and groomed herself, and settled down for a nap. She slept for a good hour or two, and then woke to the sound of Feather’s voice in her ear. Midnight slowly opened her eyes and stood up.

“Well, Sleeping Beauty decided to come out of her dream land?”

Midnight lay back down. “It’s late, Feather. I’m tired!”

Feather snorted and lashed her tail around in Midnight’s face. “Well, you have a few chores to get done!”

Midnight sneezed and stood up. “Okay! Okay! What is it?”

“King needs you to go with Rocco and Socko to hunt. We’re running a little low on food for Kimmey, and she’s got pups.”

Midnight nodded and walked off towards the exit. She looked over her shoulder. “Hey, Feather, who is Socko?”

Feather nosed towards a blue-gray Jackal with a missing leg, and walked away.

Midnight strolled over to the two dogs, and dipped her head in greeting. “Hello Rocco, and Socko.”

Rocco licked her snout in greeting and stood up. “Shall we?”

Midnight nodded and they walked out the exit. The three dogs ran towards the border of the territory, about eight miles out.

“So, Socko, are you new as well?” Midnight asked, jokily.

“Yes, I was abandon.”

Midnight cocked her head. “Abandon? By what? Humans?”

Socko nodded. “I don’t know who my parents are. I was taken away by Humans when I was very young. They used me as a guard dog for a long time, until they were robed. The thieves took a lot of their money and goods, and they whipped me and one of them shot me…” She glanced at her leg. “That’s how I lost my leg…”

Midnight smiled. “Well, I hope you’re happy here. We will never treat you in such cruel manner.”

Socko smiled. “Thank you, leader.”

Midnight looked away and took up the lead. She lead the group far from the base, to a place where there were no bushes or water sources.

“Where are you taking us, Midnight?” Rocco questioned, noticing the sudden change in environment.

“To the lizards.” Midnight told him, screeching to a halt in the dry sand. Her ears perked up at she heard a whisper from the sand. She smiled. “We are here.”

Rocco sniffed the air. “She’s right. There is food near by. Good work, Midnight!”

Midnight smiled as her uncle praised her. “They may be small, but one can give you enough energy to travel for over twenty miles. Me and Feather learned that one on our journey!”

They all laughed, and then split up and began the search for food.

Midnight sniffed the sand and sneezed. She followed the scent of a large reptile towards a hole in the ground. “Rattle Snake…” She muttered. “Gonna have to be cautious…” She told herself. The venomous snake could easily kill her will on small bite. The venom was enough to kill a human, but Midnight was very experienced with hunting dangerous reptiles.

Midnight skillfully reached her paw into the hole. The snake would be sleeping at this time of day, and she was quick to snatch it by the tail and fling it into the open, blocking its entrance to the hole. She quickly grabbed it right in the back of the head and beat it on the ground. She finally flung it into the air. The snake hit the ground, motionless.

Midnight smirked in satisfaction and picked up the snake and sniffed around for more food. She picked up the scent of a small lizard. Midnight was quick to track it down, and killed it easily. She picked it up, along with the snake, and trotted towards where Rocco was hunting. She sniffed the air in search of Rocco, and picked up the scent of a mouse. She darted stealthily towards it and killed it with ease. With the three kills in her jaws, she decided she’d done her share of hunting and she strolled over to Rocco, who was busy with a strange lizard.

Rocco glanced at Midnight. “Ah, Midnight, I see you were successful.”

Midnight laughed. “Yes…and, um, what is that?”

Rocco laughed. “I’m not sure…but whatever it is its prey.” He yelped in surprise as a shoot of blood wet his snout.

Midnight dropped her kills and walked over to him.

Rocco pawed at his snout. “It shot blood from its eye!” He whimpered and backed away from the reptile.

Midnight laughed. “Come on. We better leave that…thing to its business.”

Rocco nodded quickly and walked away to find Socko.

Socko trotted up to meet Midnight and Rocco with a scrawny rabbit and two snakes in her jaws.

Midnight smiled. “I see you were successful!”

Socko dipped her head. “The rabbit’s a bit scrawny, but its still something!”

The group headed back to Base. It took them a pretty long time to get back, but they made it at sunrise. Midnight lead the group to where Feather and Rose were having a conversation with the mothers. Midnight tapped Feather on the shoulder with her paw.

“Ah! Midnight! You’re back! Took you quite a while…all night! Anyway, what’s the kill?”

Midnight signaled for Socko to drop her catch off. Midnight set her catch in front of Feather’s paws.

Feather nodded. “Very good…quite a surprise to see a Rattle Snake though!”

Midnight’s eyes shone with pride. “Well, I’ll go see if I can meet a few more pack members.” Midnight stood up and trotted over to Rocco.

Rocco stood up as Midnight reached him and the two walked over to a bunch of elderly dogs. Midnight didn’t recognize their breed, but she knew she was about to find out.

“Midnight,” Rocco barked as they reached the two. “This is Shep.”

Midnight dipped her head.

Shep smiled in greeting. She appeared to be a younger creature in the group, probably looking after the elderly. “Hello, Midnight. I hear you are the co-leader now?”

Midnight smiled and nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”

Shep wagged her tail. “It’s a pleasure to be acquainted to you!”

Rocco looked down at Midnight. “Shep is a German Sheppard and Border Collie mix.”

Shep smiled and turned back to an elderly Akita Inu.

“That’s JoJo.” Rocco said signaling to the Akita.

Midnight nodded.

Rocco introduced her too three other elders, Sheila, a female Wolf Hound, Lily, a female Chihuahua, and Duke, a male Rat Terrier.

Midnight yawned as she headed back to a small nest she’d built in her spare time, with Shep’s help. She lay down in it, looking at Shep’s nest next to her own. She lay her head on her paws and waited for her to come, in need of a good conversation.