The Beginning

 'No!' I could feel the words tumble from my mouth, my lower jaw shivering. I was scared, that much I could tell. But why?As I stared across the vast crowd of unfamiliar faces my fur was a flame with fury. In a way, I knew they wouldn't attack or hurt me, but the wolf behind me laying on the ground they would. The hatred for that wolf burned in their eyes, I felt the pounding in my heart against the inside of my chest. There was a searing need to protect that wolf. His face was in my mind, even though I wasn't looking at him at all.

'Evelyn, don't you understand? He's a monster! We need to get rid of him!' My claws dug into the ground, my mind heard the truth in their words but my heart refused to agree. I recognized a few faces now that I looked deeply into their weary faces. My siblings were amongst those against me, my close sister Diera was there as well. She did not look at me, and her bandanna was missing. The clearing blurred as hot tears swelled into my eyes. Normally I wasn't emotional, and I didn't see why I should be now.

'I w-wont l-let you take him from me!' my mouth spoke these words through the shuddering of my body and the fear to defy the others. It was an act of bravery, I knew I could not win against them in a fight but still I tried to keep them away. My teeth clenched, I tried my hardest to keep back the onslaught of choking sobs that were forcing their way through. 'Please.' I now pleaded, the pain and hurt in my heart growing stronger and stronger with each beat, the pain was so unbearable. 'Don't take him from me...' I was already out of breath, they looked on with concern in their eyes. But it was still their duty to rid him from them. Someone stepped forward, and my head snapped up to see who.

It was my father, Balto. A stern look was plastered on his face, even the look in his eyes was unforgiving.

'Evelyn.' he said, his eyes narrowing coldly. What had happened to her kind father?'He isn't who he use to be. He is a monster and he will kill us all.' I glared at him. Had something happened between me and my father to make us act hostile towards one another?

'He's fighting it Balto!' I screamed, snarling with all my rage and fury.'He's trying not to become one of them!!! Can't you understand the pain he's going through to protect us all from the beast growing within?!'

'I don't doubt that he is trying and fighting with himself.' Balto nodded, 'But he will fail.'

'Have some hope!' I pleaded.

'Evelyn.' The next voice was from the wolf I was protecting. My heart beats slowed, I looked behind me.

He looked dreadful. His fur was all tangled and ratty, even falling out at places. And there were gashes all over, as if he'd been badly mauled by a bear or something. How could they think that he posed a threat? And the slow rise and fall of his chest meant that his breathing was failing, this wolf was dying! I could tell that he was trying his best to smile, but his ragged breathing and the hacking coughs that came with every other breath just made him look all the more worse. His eyes were crinkled and weak.

'You shouldn't be using up your strength.' I whispered, I could feel the need to nurture and care for him rise into my heart. I spoke calmly, a hint of love coming into my tone. 'Rest.'

'Evelyn...' His voice was rasping and just above a small whisper. My ears were young though and I had no problem hearing what he wanted to say. 'Evelyn, you need to let go.'

'But I cant.' My voice was faltering with the tears and sobs rising once more, 'I love you, I cant lose you. Not now, please don't leave me!' My knees grew wobbly and I collapsed at his side. Burying my muzzle into his unwounded flank. I heard held gasps, they thought he would hurt me. His tongue swept over my ears comfortingly as I sobbed and sobbed into his flank.

'I wont truly leave you Evelyn.' He tried to reason with me, 'I'll always remain in your heart. And live on in the blood of our pups.'

 Pups? What was it that he had just said?

I seemed to understand, but in a way... I didn't. This has got to be a dream.

'Thierry' Was all I whispered.

I was jerked awake by the low and hushed voices of other dogs. The closet door was closed, but I could see the thin stretch of light coming from beneath it. I knew they were only being courteous of my slumbering form with their quieter voices. Otherwise I knew that my friends and family would never be so quiet. My owners always unlocked my closet door before they all left for school or work. Every night I was confined to my bed within a locked closet, they didn't want me wandering around at night or getting out of the house. I had only been left in the locked closet all day once, but it was a day when the parents were away and my oldest child owner was taking care of the younger kids and had left to take them to school and go to school himself, but was so preoccupied he had forgotten about me.

Luckily I was the forgiving type of dog.

My dream lingered on my mind, I desperately didn't want to forget it. A part of me knew that it was vital to something to come.

I pushed the door open with my nose, it made the usual slow creaking noise. I blinked eagerly in the new light from the windows. Summer sunlight was coming through the large square windows.

“G'morning honey.” the old voice came from my side, I jumped in surprise. Not expecting a greeting from that angle. It was Balto, and even though he smiled at me I found that I was inspecting his face. There were no lines of duty or anything that suggested anger and a dark responsibility.

 'Just a dream.'I reminded myself.

“G-Good morning Ba-dad.” I replied, forcing the corners of my mouth the scrunch into a smile.

“How are you?” He wondered, I groaned inwardly. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, especially not after my strange dream.

“Good, fine.” I didn't bother to ask him back how he was, I did not want to encourage anything like a conversation. Balto only nodded, realizing finally that he wasn't exactly welcome to speak any longer.

“Your mother and I decided to drop by.” His head was down as he said this, I worried that perhaps hostility has shown in my eyes. I didn't want to hurt his feelings with the bad result of my dream.

“Is everything alright?” Jenna worried, a crease formed between her eyebrows. She was all too motherly. They were the only ones visiting.

 'Strange...'I thought, 'I Could have sworn there were more than two voices...'

 “I'm fine mother.” It was partly the truth, “I just didn't sleep well last night and when I did the dreams were quite unsettling.” When I spoke the last bit I looked at my father, Balto.

“Oh, that sounds like an awful night. Maybe you should get out into the sunshine, I'm sure your siblings would love your company.” Jenna suggested, her intentions were good but she must know how I did not get out often. It wasn't my thing exactly.

“Mother-” I began to protest, but she cut me off knowing what I was starting to say.

“Oh, No you don't Evelyn. You never get out, I can't see you all cooped up on your own on such a beautiful day!” my mouth formed a grim line, but I did not argue. I knew I wouldn't win.

“Fine.” I finally sighed. I could see the glow of triumph and happiness grow in my mother's eyes.

“Great!” Balto grinned, trying to lighten up the mood.

“You'll have a good time trust me.” I didn't look at my mother. “And your sister Diera told us she'd be out! So you two can talk as much as you want.” The idea was tempting, I had to admit. Me and my sister were very close litter-mates, but I didn't want my mother to feel she'd won any more than she already knew it.

“Diera probably has much prettier friends whom would not like to meet me.” I mumbled.

“Nonsense!” Jenna exclaimed, “Your very beautiful! You just need to get out and show that your happy and capable of having fun!”

“I can have fun mother, just as much inside as outside.”

“Yes, but when you aren't out and about how will you meet anybody to show it to?” My mother had a point once more.

“I only need you and the rest of the family to keep me happy.” I answered, it was a weak reply and my mother pounced on it immediately.

“You wont always have us around to keep you company, you need to create a life for yourself.” I was about to cut her off, but she continued on, “If you get out you'll be able to find maybe even a little love for yourself and start a family of your own.” The thought churned my stomach and the last bits of my dream came tumbling back to me. I gulped.

“Not pups.” I whispered weakly.

“Especially pups!” My mother smiled, looking into my face, “Hun, are you feeling sick?”

“Nope, I'm fine.” I gasped, turning away I mumbled, “Should we get going then?”

“Thats my girl!” I could already see her bright smile forming in my mind.

~*~

The day outside hadn't been a complete bust, it was still enjoyable. Though while with my sister Diera and her friends I was not deaf to their whispers and strange looks that they shot in my direction.

I was weird to them, perhaps if I had been a newer dog in town they would have been for allowing to my strangeness. But instead, I was native to the town of Nome, Alaska. I was the strange dog that stayed in doors and hardly ever talked to anyone.

I was lucky to be with my sister though, she always told them to shut up when being disrespectful to me.

“Don't worry about them,” She would tell me, while assuring that they'd 'Get use to me.'

But I never told her that I wasn't planning to be outside much, after today I would stay in doors like usual.

As the day proceeded I started to be use to all the looks and stares that I was receiving from the town dogs. Some politely greeted me, others turned their heads away eventually. My shoulders weren't so hunched sometime around midday. But I noticed that I wasn't the object of speculation anymore.

The dogs had found something even stranger to stare at. I could tell that my sister was being drawn to the source soon. Steering me and her friends towards the center of town where a truck was parked and a dog yapping. But it didn't speak, just made annoying barking sounds.

“Thats strange.” My sister spoke the words as they came to my thoughts. My eyes narrowed as the dog came into view. He was tall and lanky, his ribs showed. But his enlarged stomach gave signs that he was plenty-fed.

“Looks like a greyhound!” One of Diera's friends almost swooned on the spot.

“She's into greyhounds.” Diera explained, leaning in to speak into my ear.

I nodded in understanding, my eyes fixed on the strange dog I could feel the edges of my dream pulling at my mind. Trying to drag me into it once more, I resisted. Not seeing the importance of it and this instant.

The dog continued to yap at the humans outside the car, I noticed what was so strange about it.

“He's not speaking.” I whispered.

“Uh, duh?” Diera's friend raised an eyebrow at me, “What are you, stupid? Is that why you stay cooped up in your home all the time?” I didn't reply, Diera hushed her friend with a stern look.

“Evelyn was only making an observation, shes my sister so stop being so mean Christy.” Diera defended me, I only half-noticed though. Consumed in figuring out what was up with the dog.

His head roamed around the other dogs, when his eyes fell on them they flinched and he didn't say anything. When his eyes fell on mine I noticed the bottomless pits of their blackness. Fear immediately clutched me and I sucked in my breath and held it. But his eyes didn't linger any more than an instant. But I continued to stare in fear that if I moved anymore his eyes would shoot back to me.

“C'mon Max.” A strong looking human with a scraggly dark beard opened the door to the truck and let the dog out. I could see the line of dogs crowding around shrank back when Maxlooked back at them.

They disappeared into a house which I guessed was where they would stay.

“That dog was weirder than you.” Someone made a comment to me from behind, but I didn't care enough to look back. My eyes were fixed on the window by the front door in which the new strange dog was peering out at me from. I jerked my head away, though my gaze remained glued to his gaze. I was so frightened that I couldn't let my guard down. But he left the vantage point of the window. The yapping started again.

“Lets go to the collar shop.” Diera suggested, we'd just been in the collar shop but I guessed she wanted to go somewhere other than there.

So we proceeded to leave, until someone stepped into my path. A defensive growl came from my throat instinctively, until I recognized the dark red fur.

“Well, I never thought I'd see the day you left your house.” My gaze went from her paws to her face and in an instant I was prancing around her in glee. She smirked at me, but I didn't care about her sarcasm.

“Saba!” I howled her name, trampling her over in a greeting. Diera nodded curtly, she didn't like Saba as much as I did. But I could tell her eyes were lighting up when another dog stepped forward.

“What?” He said gruffly, playfulness in his tone, “I don't get any welcome screams?”

“Dingo!” I exclaimed, trampling him in the same manner I had used with Saba.

“Your both back then?” Diera made it a question so they would tell why.

“I'm going to leave before things get all mushy.” Christy announced, sweeping her tail in farewell. Though I noticed how her eyes flashed towards Dingo, was there some meaning to that look?

“Come on Betty, lets leave them to their family reunion.” The small spaniel who had a thing for greyhounds followed her almost reluctantly.

Dingo and Saba seemed to watch them go, Dingo purely out of curiosity of Diera's friend Christy. Saba narrowing her eyes in dislike.

“Can't believe who you've befriended Diera.” Saba muttered, shaking her head in somewhat disappointment.

“We decided to check back home, we cant be off exploring forever. And I'm sure my boy wouldn't mind if I dropped by.” We all knew the latter wasn't possible, I knew that Dingo sometimes regretted his choice to leave Nome for the wilderness with Saba.

“I felt a vibe that you guys were in trouble.” Saba admitted, stepping forward. Diera's ears flicked, she didn't trust in Saba's powers of knowing. But me and Dingo knew first hand how her premonitions and visions can be true.

Saba was physic. Though not everyone believed it, Diera was a perfect example of one of the non-believers. Jenna had once said that her great-grandmother had certain powers, but Balto was convinced that Saba had gotten it from his mother Aniu. So Saba could have gotten it from both, it was lucky for her.

That was part of the reason she'd dragged Dingo away, he didn't want to go. But she told him he had an impending doom awaiting him if he stayed in Nome. Lies of course, Diera had been in on the secret, which was a bit of the reason why she didn't trust Saba or like her.

It was no secret that Diera fancied Dingo more than her other siblings, even more than me at times. But so did Saba. And it turned out in the end that Saba won out. I stayed neutral to all the feuds within my siblings though. I preferred to love them all.

Anyway, Saba had left in partly the same fashion as our sister Aleu had. But she hadn't been bombed with the secret of being part wolf. We all had been told as soon as Balto returned from chasing after Aleu. But Saba felt that because of her wolf heritage and the fact that our grandmother Aniu was so special and like Saba, Saba wanted to chase after that wolf line almost like Aleu had.

So she'd dragged Dingo along with her and together they decided to seek out Aniu's old pack.

“We saw Aleu.” Dingo announced happily, by the light in his eyes I could tell that it was a happy memory that was running through his mind.

“Really? How is she?” I ventured, I'd been waiting nearly a year for my siblings to return with stories of their journeys. I remember as a pup hearing mother and father talk of their adventures and Balto tell us of the exploits he had trying to find Aleu. They all had been wonderful tales.

“Alpha, with pups and everything.” Saba sighed, I wondered if she wanted pups. It was then that I noticed that the subject of pups was coming up a lot today. Again my dream came to mind.

 'Always with the dream! What does it matter?'I wondered, almost mad. Definitely irritated.

“Really?” Diera seemed interested with the subject at least, “How many?”

“Well, she hasn't exactly hadthem yet.” Saba explained.

“Oh.” Diera seemed shut-down then.

“Where are you guys staying?” I wondered, my eyebrows scrunching together in worry.

“Balto's boat I would guess, we haven't gone to see him yet.” Dingo explained, then a glint of playfulness came into his eyes. He was famous for that glint, “I don't think we could all fit in your closet Evelyn.” He grinned and pressed his nose to my cheek momentarily. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed with surprise the jealousy flash in Diera's eyes. We all knew that Dingo never acted close to Diera, she didn't like it.

“I don't want to stay in dad's old boat.” Saba grumbled, “I wont be able to sleep.''

“Like you could sleep in stone dens and better, with the cold and hunger and all.” Diera put in, I could already see the sibling rivalry begin to rise between the two. Me and Dingo sighed, we could both feel an argument coming. But surprisingly Saba said nothing, I looked on with amazement and admiration. Had Saba matured from being with wolves? Diera still stood waiting for one of Saba's famously sarcastic remarks or comebacks. But none came, and only silence and the whisper of wind came.

“Evelyn, do you think I could stay with you?” Saba asked, sisterly love flashing in her eyes.

“Depends on how long you plan on staying.” I replied, unsure of any exact time.

“I don't plan on leaving again until we need to.” Her eyes flashed with some knowing of things to come and I was awestruck by how wise she now looked. Saba had changed greatly over her quest.

 'I wonder if Aleu had changed as well...'I wondered, 'Or Dingo...' but when looking at Dingo I saw no difference in him. Perhaps because it hadn't been his own journey he was on, unlike Aleu and Saba who both had chased after their wolf roots.

“Dingo, you could stay with me and my folks while you and Saba are staying. Maybe you wont need to leave.” Diera suggested, I looked on in worry at the lust that shone in her eyes.

“No thanks, I need to catch up with dad.” Dingo smiled lightly, not noticing or even looking at Diera's eyes. I felt bad for her, she yearned so badly for his attention but Dingo hardly seemed to notice the sister he constantly forgot.

“Oh yeah.” Diera seemed to growl, I didn't peer at her as she left. I was the only one who seemed to like her, and I didn't have a need to talk to her at the moment.

“We'll see you later Dingo.” Saba smiled curtly at him, seeming to dismiss him with a sweep of her tail. She turned and began to trot towards the direction of my home.

“Sure.” Dingo smiled after her, I tilted my head to the side curiously. Had something happened between my brother and sister over their journey? Dingo left and I only stared after him, trying to pinpoint what I'd missed.

“Coming Evelyn?” Saba smiled looking back, she was acting very strange. “After all, it isyour home.”

I only nodded and caught up to her, pondering the differences in her and Dingo.

 'It must just have been the journey, Father was a little strange when returning after following Aleu. Maybe it'll pass like it did with him.' I thought.

“You think too much, Evelyn.” Saba observed, her comment made my head jerk up in wonder. As if to say, 'How did you know?'.

 “I could see it in your eyes.” Saba almost laughed, she thought it was amusing how I thought she read my mind,literally. “You stare off into space and your eyes go blank without emotion.”

“Oh...” I whispered, looking at my paws as we walked.

“Are you tired?” Saba asked, peering into my face. She had the same worry crease between her eyebrows that mother had, had earlier. In fact, Saba looked a lot like Jenna. If they stood next to each other, the only difference would be their eyes. Saba had a brilliant sky-blue and mother had an almost amber brown color.

“No.” I answered quickly, then after a minute of thought I said, “Maybe...”

“Excellent.” Saba seemed to think aloud, I saw her lips move. But I wasn't sure if I was meant to hear her comment. I looked at my sister, she was staring off into space herself. I admired the thick dark red coat she had. That, I guess, would be another difference between her and mother. Jenna had a lighter red color in her fur, while Saba had a very dark red color. It was Diera and Kodi who had the same shade and markings as mother. Diera and Kodi were twins. But they never spoke to each other. I pondered my sister Diera, she didn't get along with most of our litter-mates. And sometimes she hardly ever got along with me! It was scary when she stared at Dingo though, the only litter-mate she cared for. In fact, she lustedafter him. Did Saba see it too? The almost hungry look in Diera's eyes whenever she looked at Dingo? Maybe Saba didn't take Dingo from her as a lie. Maybe he wouldhave been doomed if he staid in Nome, Doomed to have his every step haunted by his sister Diera!

I shuddered at the thought, and stared at Saba who was looking back at me.

“Is Diera the reason you took Dingo with you?” I asked innocently, I was beginning to see a new side of Diera and furthermore a new side of my whole family.

“I foresaw a bad future for him if he staid in Nome near her.” Saba admitted, though only repeating what she had said last year just including Diera into it's meaning. “She thought I was lying, and trying to take him from her.”

“But you weren't.” I said.

“No I wasn't, if it hadn't been for his safety I wouldn't have cared enough to bring him with me.” Saba explained, “I'm not obsessed with any of my siblings. But we all are a little strange, I suppose.”

“I agree, the only normal one seems to be Kodi. Who keeps his distance from us except mother and father.” Saba sighed. “So you don't like Dingo?”

“No.” Saba chuckled, “But he seemed pretty fond of me. Enough to run away from the human-boy who owned him, which he loved and go on a search for wolves.”

“Was it a fun trip?” I ventured, eager to hear a story if possible. We'd made it to my house and were padding up the stairs, I was picking up the sounds of my humans inside.

 'I hope they'll let Saba stick around at least for the night.' I thought, waiting for Saba to reach my side outside the door. There was no doggy door to walk in and out of.

“Yes, if you put aside the cold winter and some hunger, we got along really well. Dingo didn't seem to bicker or anything.” Saba explained, “He seemed happy and content enough with just my company I suppose.” She had a worried look on her face.

“You don't suppose he likes you the way Diera likes him do you?” I said, my own eyebrows knitted into a scrunched line.

“I hope not.” Saba grumbled, deep in thought. “He's my brother, none of our siblings should be feeling anything more than kin-ship for each other.”

“Maybe Diera is rubbing off on people.” I joked, but Saba didn't seem to catch that it wasn't meant to be an actual suggestion. Instead she looked as if she were pondering that thought.

 'Oh great. More suspicion between our litter-mates.'I thought with a grumble, 'I knew getting out wasn't the best thing to do. Now I've put thoughts in my siblings' heads!'

 “We need sleep.” I spoke up, scrabbling on my door for my owners to let me in. I hoped they wouldn't be worried about me not being home like usual when they came in.

But they just opened the door and let me and Saba in, I had to share my food dish with her. She ate a little more than her share, but I didn't complain. She was hungry from her journey, and it wouldn't be a very nice thing of me to do if I told her to stop eating her fill. I wasn't very hungry anyway.

We were soon cooped up in my closet and the door locked. It was dark, but a strip of silvery light came from under the door.

“I don't recall it being so tiny!” Saba exclaimed, trying to find a comfortable spot beside me. I guess she was use to wide open stone dens where she could splay out any which way she wanted.

“They had to move me to a smaller one when the new baby came.” I explained.

“Oh yeah, I forgot how Marian was pregnant newly pregnant when we left.” Saba whispered, as if the memory was something extraordinary.

“Yes, well the newborn isn't even half a year old yet so you haven't missed out on much but loads of crying and kicking.” Saba had finally found a comfortable position to lay down. It was indeed a tight squeeze, Dingo was right about the fact that we wouldn't all have fit.

“So about your trip-” I looked at Saba who was still, “Saba?”

She was snoring already, sound asleep. I almost laughed, I didn't think that she would have been so tired! Her journey must have been a long one to get back here.

 'I hope she didn't sprint most of the way...'I thought immediately, ' What sort of vision signaling trouble had my sister had?'I stared at Saba curiously, laying my head to the side on my own paws. I fell asleep facing her.

~*~

 'Saba are you alright?' A voice spoke to me, but why was it addressing me as if I were Saba?'Saba, wake up.' My eyes flashed open and I was facing Dingo.

'Dingo!' I leaped to my feet, happy to see him. But unsure of why he was calling me Saba.

'Hey Saba.' He grinned at me, adoration gleaming in his eyes. Why was he looking at me like that? 'I didn't expect you to be so enthusiastic this morning!'

'Oh, why wouldn't I be?' I asked, puzzled.

'It's nothing, you just usually don't act like that.' He chuckled, then advanced on me. Taking a step closer, my heart beat uncomfortably, 'I like it though.'

He craned his neck closer and nuzzle my cheek, but not in a brotherly way. I growled and snapped, taking a step back. That wasn't how a litter-mate was suppose to act. He looked hurt, and my mouth spoke for me.

'Dingo, your my brother.' I realized that my voice was Saba's! I was in a memory of hers!

'But I love you Saba. I can't help it.' He pleaded, the hurt in his voice and eyes made my heart sink. Dingo had always had a way of making you feel bad for hurting him. He was so sweet...

'Dingo, you can only love me as your sister. Nothing more can come of our relationship.' My voice spoke this sternly, I wondered how Saba could be so strong as to defy her heart and speak her mind for what she knew was right.

 Me and Saba are so different, she speaks from her mind and I speak from my heart. I guess thats what makes her so calm and brave, not to mention so smart!

Dingo looked at his paws embarrassed.

'I'm sorry Saba.' He mumbled.

'It's okay Dingo.' Saba's voice cooed comfortingly, I would have rushed in to comfort him by being at his side. But Saba's mind knew that, that would only give him mixed signals. He already had convinced himself that he loved her, if she went near him to comfort him he would take it as her returning his love. 'Your confused by your emotions, it happens to us all. But you shouldn't let it cloud your good judgment.'

I saw in his eyes that he heard the truth in m-her words.

~*~

I awoke, Saba had gone and I was slumped onto my side. I realized with a shiver that it was cold, and the door to my closet was open.

 'Thats odd.' I thought peeking at the bright window in the other room. It was morning already, 'Saba knows to shut the door, right?' I didn't think any further into the situation of the open door, it was a minor detail compared to the dream I had last night.

Should I talk to Saba about it? Was it just a dream, or had I really tapped into Saba's memories in my sleep somehow? Could it be that perhaps I was physic like Saba?

In a way it sounded like an exciting idea, but on the other hand I wouldn't want to go on some long journey to see some old wolves about it. It was one thing to hear stories, it was another to be the subject of one.(How ironic! L.O.L.)

But as I peered out the closet door I saw Saba sitting just outside of it, she was facing away from me. I pushed the door open more, so that the creaking of it would alert her to my presence.

“Saba?” I called out, she didn't respond. But she did flick her ears for me to know that she heard me. “Dingo does love you doesn't he?” It took a lot of courage that I had to muster up to ask the question.

“He did.” Saba replied.

“But what now?” I ventured.

“I was able to talk him out of it, he realizes now what a silly idea it was.” She explained.

“How can you be so sure?”

“He's avoiding me on purpose, we came back not only because of my vision. But because we both knew that we should take a break from each other.” I nodded at this. “He needs exposure to other females, so he can realize that I'm not the only one out there that he could love.”

 I could almost hear hurt in Saba's voice, I was curious about that.

“Is something wrong Saba?” A worried crease formed between my eyebrows and I stepped forward to sit beside her. Peering in close to see the wetness of her eyes. I pressed my nose into her cheek. “Saba?”

“It's all so hard and confusing.” She admitted, finally I could see how vulnerable my sister was. Saba was always so mature and certain, but now I could see that not everything she had been prepared for. There were even some situations that made Saba scared or uncertain. It was sometimes hard to think that she was the same age as me, when she always seemed more like an older sibling.

“What is Saba?”

“This situation with Dingo.” She sighed.

“But you said it's all clear.” I reminded her.

“Mostly, but not with how Ifeel.” She admitted.

“What do you mean Saba?” I was confused.

“I dolike Dingo.” Saba looked into my face, her eyes searching my features. “But I know it isn't right.”

“Is that why you want to be separated from him?” I asked.

“I have to separate myself from him.” Saba said, “If I don't I'll be over run with my emotions, and I'll be as bad as he is about it.”

“Oh, Saba...” I cooed, she slouched into me and just let the tears fall.

“Are you ashamed to have me as your sister now, Evelyn?” Saba wondered, I could smell the fear coming off of her. She didn't want to know my answer, but she needed to know.

“No.” I replied truthfully, “Saba, I could never be ashamed to have you as my sister.”

She seemed to sigh happily.

Saba didn't seem to cry long, and soon straightened her posture and pulled herself together.

“I wish I knew a way to help you Saba.” I admitted, looking at my paws sadly.

“You don't need to worry about me.” Saba said, “Me and Dingo have ended it and thats, that. We'll come to learn that it was a silly thing in the first place and later on when we both have found the right mates for ourselves we'll come to laugh about it.” She sounded so sure of that idea, it almost seemed so believable that if I told that to myself I would believe it!

“Do you feel like going out today Saba?” I wondered.

“Why, Evelyn!” She exclaimed, looking at me with wide eyes.

“What?”

“I never thought I'd hear yousuggestto go out!” A sly grin crept onto Saba face. In a way it kind of scared me.

“People change!” I defended.

“Yeah, sure.” Saba giggled. I was glad to hear that she was happy now.

So we headed out, I could hear Saba laughing to herself every so often seeing me try to find my way around the streets. It was indeed embarrassing, and at some points I regretted staying inside most of my life!

“Anything unusual happen while we were away?” Saba asked, trying to start an interesting conversation. She must have forgotten that I wasn't the type to get out and know any gossip or events that may happen. But she could also be trying to learn of any possible dangers for her to piece together her vision.

“Well yesterday there was this new dog.” I began.

“That doesn't seem veryunusual.” She murmured.

“Well, he barked a lot. But I mean, barked. He didn't speak though.” I tried to describe it, and Saba seemed to be trying to listen intently. Though I could tell that she wasn't that into my story.

“Anything else?”

“And when he stared at us, it was like his gaze was ice-cold.” I shivered at the memory of when those piercing black eyes laid on mine, “And when he approached everyone else seemed to shrink back.” As I said this the world around us seem to stop and I was consumed in the memory.

Saba only nodded understandingly.

“Thats interesting, but I don't think it's much to worry over.” Saba mumbled, “He's probably just another creepy dog.”

“And his eyes were as black as coal.” I went on, still caught up in explaining the memory, “And his fur was almost torn in a way...” I don't remember observing that the other day. But my dream from the other night was creeping back and overlapping the memories. What did it mean? The memory of my dream involving the sick wolf had something to do with this new-comer. But what?

“Evelyn.” Saba's voice snapped me back into reality, “Evelyn, I think we share something.”

“What do you mean?” I replied, puzzled.

“What I mean is, I think you and me both have some physic powers.” She grinned, but I only shrank back at the thought. I didn't want to be haunted by sinister omens like she was, it was cool for her to have that kind of power but not me.

“I don't think so, Saba.” I replied sternly, not wanting to believe what she was suggesting.

“But don't you see Evelyn?” She insisted.

“See what?”

“You see visions in your dreams.” Saba explained, “You saw me and Dingo in the cave.”

“How do you know about that!” I snapped defensively, stepping away.

“I sort of tapped into your memories a bit while you were sleeping, I saw that you were tapping into mine unconsciously.” She had an excited tone now, it was unsettling to think that she went snooping around in my mind. I didn't even think she was capable of that!

“The wolf elders of Aniu's old pack taught me a few things.” Saba explained, reading my mind and flushing.

“Well stop it!” I shouted, “I don't want to be physic like you, and I don't want you meddling in my mind! Whats wrong with you?!” I turned to leave but Saba was still shouting at me to stay so we could talk.

But I didn't want to talk, I had a freak for sisters and a brother. It was a bad idea to go out, only bad things seemed to happen when I go out. Kodi was the only normal brother, and Aleu was gone waiting for her pups to be born while she was Alpha taking care of a normal pack.

So I headed for the beach near father's boat. I remember that was where he and his sled friends played. At least there I would be amongst family who were perfectly normal, with normal lives. I was so sick of Diera, Dingo and Saba's crazy love triangle. But I then stopped dead in my tracks.

 'Dingo.'I thought, then I remembered that he was staying at Balto's boat. I had already stepped onto the beach and could see Kodi racing Kirby, Ralph and Dusty.'He's right there though.'

But the image of Dingo nuzzling Saba while I was in her body during my dream was flashing through my mind, and I turned to flee. My body crashed into a red figure who had happened to be standing behind me.

“All right there?” The voice made me shudder, Dingo. “Sorry, I thought you would have heard me coming.” He was laughing, I could hear it in his tone. But I didn't look up, I couldn't face him.

When I didn't speak he began to get worried, “Everything alright Evelyn?” He pressed his nose to my forehead. I jerked away, my mind told me that he was just being brotherly. But my body still thought it to be uncomfortable.

“I'm your sister Dingo.” I found myself repeating Saba's words.

“Oh no, she told you didn't she?” Dingo sounded hurt, but in the dream he had been the same way. I couldn't tell if it was a ploy like it had been with her or not. “Listen, Evelyn. That's over now, I wasn't thinking right.” Did he mean that? Had Saba's words truly gone deep?

“Then why do you still look at her that way?” I questioned, suspicion cut deep into my voice. I remembered when he'd left to go here to the beach to stay with father, he'd looked back with the glint of love in his eyes.

“I cant help how I feel.” He admitted, “But I'm staying away from Saba until I find someone else who I can look at the same way.”

“But what if you never do? What if Saba is what keeps you from finding true love.” I wanted to make sure that his plan was flawless, that he'd thought of all the paths.

“That wont happen.” He didn't sound sure enough for me to believe him.

“What if you run into Saba? What will you do then?”

“I don't know.” Dingo murmured.

“What will you do?” I repeated, gritting my teeth.

“Why are you so angry Evelyn?” He asked, concerned.

“Why are you so obsessed with Saba!” I screamed, glaring directly at him. “Why is Diera so obsessed with you?! Why is Saba so obsessed with you!?” Dingo stared at me surprised, I never blew up like this. I was always shy and sweet Evelyn, friends with all her siblings.

“Evelyn.”

“You all are so in love with one another!” I continued, “Your litter-mates! This isn't suppose to happen with you all! Why is this family so screwed up???”

“Evelyn, you aren't screwed up. Neither is Kodi or Aleu.” Dingo said calmly.

“Oh yes I am!” I insisted, “I'm physic like Saba! I saw you and her together in a dream! And Saba wont get out of my mind! She's so nosy!”

“So we're a little strange.” Dingo admitted, “But what family isn't? What's important is that we work out out problems together.” He spoke so calmly, it was as if the mature side of Saba had rubbed off on him. Or maybe they were just more experienced than I was, it made them older and more mature.

“Maybe we should all have a talk, mother and father and everyone.” I grumbled.

“Thats a good idea!” Dingo exclaimed, surprising me.

“But wont mother and father be a little mad at you?” I wondered.

“Why should they be?” Dingo seemed genuinely clueless.

“I mean, your in love with your sister. And your sisters in return!” I repeated, “Wont mother and father find that a little strange?”

“Saba loves me?” Dingo repeated, his face lightly up and his eyes staring off in wonder.

 'Oh no, I hope he doesn't get any big ideas!' 

“Maybe you should go talk to father about this idea.” I suggested, anything to get his mind away from Saba.

“Good idea.” He said once more, “I'll go to him right now, but in the meantime you should go to our siblings (Save Aleu) and tell them to come down by dads.”

I nodded and turned to leave.

“Oh and Evelyn?” He paused for me to turn back to look at him from over my shoulder, “Don't forget mom!”

“Okay.” I answered, turning away.

“Oh and Evelyn?” He was joking this time, and when I faced him he was smiling.

“Yes, Dingo?” I grinned.

“Oh nothing.” He faked looking away, I rolled my eyes and turned away once more. But before I could take another step he repeated his calling. I sighed and faced him once more.

“You going to keep doing this Dingo?” I asked.

“Nah, It's just fun to mess with ya'.” He grinned slyly.

I turned once more, I heard his intake of breath.

“Not again Dingo.”

“Aw.”

“Don't you have someone to go to?” I reminded him, I didn't need to turn around to know that he was scampering down the hill now. I hoped that he would talk to Kodi and tell him about the family meeting so I wouldn't have to.

~*~

It had taken me a little bit to find all my siblings but when I returned to the boat after getting Jenna we both entered at the same time and everyone was there. I noticed Diera sitting extremely close to Dingo while Dingo was gazing longingly at Saba who was seated next to Kodi who was just staring at his paws not sure of why he was there. Mother only smiled as she took a seat near Balto who was at the back of the room not talking to any of his children.

 'Did Dingo already explain things to him?' I wondered, Saba was looking at mother and father at the front. But I could see she was putting up a great amount of effort not to look towards Dingo.

I could also tell that Diera was getting annoyed with the fact that Dingo would return her stares. Or reply to anything that she seemed to whisper into his ear.

I assumed a position next to Saba, feeling bad about leaving Dingo alone with Diera on one side of the room.

“So, you've come up with a family meeting.” Balto began, “But why exactly do you need to speak with your mother and I for?” That was a dead give-away that Dingo hadn't told father anything.

Saba looked to Dingo and I, it was obvious that Kodi was clueless as to his purpose there and Diera didn't have a look that said she was going to say anything. I looked at Dingo expectingly, I felt bad to pile it all on him. But it was their problem that they needed to deal with.

“Well?” Balto looked at us all, and mother had her famous worried crease between her eyebrows.

“Dad, me, Saba and Diera have a few problems we need you to know about. And we'd like to fix them before they ruin our lives.” Dingo began, lucky that Diera actually listened to what he said and not only admired him; she had a puzzled look on her face and looked to Saba and him and then at me.

I only shrugged, hoping she would take it as a gesture meaning I didn't know anything. Her innocent eyes lingered though.

“Is there something bad?” Jenna wondered, “Are you in trouble with other dogs?”

“No mother.” Saba assured her, “Just something wrong with ourselves.”

“What kind of things?” Balto needed the specifics.

Neither Saba or Dingo seemed to talk, they were uncomfortable enough with the situation. And it was obvious that Diera was still a little confused. I felt bad for putting Dingo and the rest of them on the spot in front of mother and father. So I stepped forward, all eyes turned to me.

“They're all in love with each other.” I explained shortly.

“Oh dear.” Jenna murmured. I saw realization spark in Diera's eyes out of the corner of my eye, then embarrassment flush through her features. She shrank a little away from Dingo.

“How?” Balto seemed to disbelieve what I said.

“I'm in love with Saba.” Dingo confessed.

“And I with him.” Saba sighed, looking finally into her brother's face.

“And I love Dingo.” Diera mumbled, I now saw how left out she was in the triangle. She had no chance even if it wasalright.

“But you have a mate!” Kodi shouted in disbelief at Diera, his eyes wide.

“Jeff is more like a fling.” Diera admitted, “I'm not sure how I feel for Jeff.”

“This is complicated.” Balto agreed, turning to Jenna for some help.

“But we don't want to be this way.” Saba seemed to plead, “We know it's wrong! But we cant help it, thats why we came for you.”

“I wish I knew how to change this.” Jenna admitted sadly.

“And we cant just expose you all to everyone else, they might not be so accepting!”

“So far we've tried separation.” Saba explained.

“It's not working so well.” I spoke up, I'd observed how they both were. And even when they weren't near each other they still didn't seem like they were going to forget one another very easily.

“Are you sure your all so completely infatuated with one another?” Jenna looked at them in turn.

“I've loved Dingo since I was a pup.” Diera confessed, a misty look coming into her eyes.

“I've only just began feeling things for Saba, during our journey.” Dingo explained.

“Maybe it was hunger or something else. Perhaps admiration or awe?” Balto suggested.

“Saba were you in heat?” Jenna looked to her daughter.

“I don't remember mother. But I should be in that stage of life I suppose.” Saba's eyes seemed to be searching her memories. I wondered if I could tap into them. But her head snapped to look at me with narrowed eyes, as if to say 'Don't even try it.'

“That must be it Dingo.” Saba nodded in understanding, “You were with me in my time of heat and as a male your mind told you that you loved me. And now you are letting that incident overrule your mind and make you believe that you are in love with me even now.”

Dingo also seemed to understand it, nodding.

“That must be it!” He exclaimed, “Now that I think about it... you did smell weird.”

“Thanks a lot.” Saba mumbled sarcastically, rolling her eyes. I was glad to see her get her sense of humor back. They started to laugh, and soon we all joined in. Well except Kodi who was quite partial to the problem. I felt bad to have dragged him to this meeting which he took no part in.

“But wait!” Diera cut in, “I've loved Dingo before I even gotten into heat.”

“Diera, you have simply let your mind race with the ideathat you loved Dingo. You let your mind's strange fantasies overrule your mind. So all this time you've led yourself to believe that you loved him.” Saba explained, Diera's situation was a lot similar to what Dingo's had been.

“What about you Saba?” I wondered.

“Once I realized that Dingo seemed to love him, I began to wonder about the possibilities.” Saba explained. “In the end, we all tied ourselves up into thinking we were into each other. When in truth it was just caused by tiny incidents that we let our imaginations run wild with.”

“Thats makes sense.” I agreed.

“So then thats all cleared up.” Jenna smiled, I was sure her and father were glad that it didn't turn out to be one big problem.

“So can we leave then?” Kodi asked, yawning. His mouth gaping wide, I noticed Diera looking at him.

“Diera.” I warned her sternly.

“What?” She replied innocently, I held a gaze with her for a few moments longer though.

“Yes, we can leave now.” Jenna replied to Kodi.

It had taken a while for us to disband, Saba and Dingo were still laughing at their foolishness as they walked side by side out the door. I was glad to see that they could be together without the complicated mess of thinking they were in love with each other. Now things were mostly normal, even me and Saba's abilities seemed like distant troubles. I didn't really care anymore, she was right. There was nothing to worry about now, it was more of a birth right that I'd just have to learn to live with.

If anything, knowing when bad things were coming was a good thing! Dingo had to watch me and Saba leave together from the doorway, I was sure father still had a few comments to make just in case.

“Listen, Evelyn.” Saba stopped us short of the town edge, “I'm sorry that I dragged you into this. I made you so stressed out earlier.”

“Look, Saba. It's nothing.” I assured her, “I'm not even mad anymore.” I gave her a real smile, and she grinned back. We walked back together happily, and when we got back home my humans were happy to open the door and welcome us back in.

But me and Saba were so tired that we went straight to my closet without needing to be herded like before. Saba and I drifted asleep quite comfortably.

~*~

In my dream I was walking through an alley in Nome. I knew I was heading home, the meeting with the family fresh in my mind. I'd just left. Odd, wasn't I already home? Then I began to wonder, who's mind was I tapping into this time? I knew it wasn't a memory, because it was all happening right then.

I could even feel the cold night air begin to sting my muzzle. I had thinner fur. I hunched against the cold and looked at my paws, they were white and the fur was a lighter red. Like mothers. I knew I couldn't be in Kodi's body, he took the beach route home. And mother wouldn't take a dark alley way home, she lived along a main-road.

'Diera' the name shot into my mind immediately. It fit, she lived in a darker part of town, so she would need to take the alley routes around.

She was on her way to meet somebody, even though it was so late.Probably Jeff. It made sense, she was never around him during the day. Always off with Christy and Betty, but at night she was either at home or hooking up with her kind-of mate.

Diera veered off on a different direction towards the main street of town. Or was she heading towards the main street? I noticed that the body I was in angled a little towards another street at the south end of town.

“What are you doing here?”a voice came from ahead. It was Jeff's and he was talking to someone else.

'Whats who doing there?' It was Diera's voice inside her own head. I was glad we were thinking and wondering the same things!

“Jeff?” her voice sounded a bit high-pitched, was my sister scared? I couldn't think of a reason why she should be, after all she was going to see her mate was she not?

“Diera?” the voice called back, definitely Jeff. As she stepped forward I saw Jeff. He was a muscular malamute, a bit like Steele was. Though as a pup I saw little of Steele, he left town a while back. But Jeff was large and a dark brown color with white. His large eyes glowed yellow in the moonlight.

“There you are!” Diera's mouth exclaimed, “I was looking around for you, you weren't at the usual place.”

“Yeah, well I got a bit side-tracked.” Jeff explained gruffly.

“By what- oh.” I didn't notice as quickly as Diera did the small greyhound next to Jeff. I knew Jeff was a bit of a bully, had he taken the new dog here to beat him up for being strange? I felt bad, I never did seem to like Diera's company.

“Whats he doing here?” She asked, looked from her mate to the new-dog. He didn't seem to cower, I recalled that Max had been his name. In fact, he stood quite tall, with his chin up defiantly. It was Jeff who should be afraid, for I could see the muscles ripple beneath the small dog's pelt.

“Thats what I'd like to know.” Jeff growled, rounding on the smaller dog. He was foolish to think that he could overpower the smaller dog. He knew nothing of what the greyhound was capable of.

 But neither do I, I had to remind myself.

“So, strange dog.” Jeff addressed him, “Whatchya doin' here eh?”

“Jeff-” Diera stepped forward, I could feel the scared shivers pounding through her limbs.

“Why don't you speak?” Jeff commanded, as well as asked. He demanded answers, and was use to getting them through fear. But Max the silent dog remained just that, silent.

“C'mon speak.” Jeff growled, continuing to advance on the smaller dog who looked straight at Jeff with a bored expression.

“Jeff, he isn't going to speak to you.” Diera tried to convince him, “Come on, just leave the poor guy alone.”

“Not until he speaks.” Jeff growled, Diera's eyes noticed the irritation in the malamute's eyes. He swung a large paw for Max's face. The smaller dog let out a furious snapping snarl and dug his fangs into Jeff's pad.

Diera stepped back with fear, Jeff's blood-curdling shrieks of pain almost shattering her ears.

It was then that a horrifying sight took place. Jeff pleaded innocently for the greyhound to release his paw. Saying things like, 'Come on man, I wont bother you again. Just please let go of my paw!' But nothing worked.

“J-jeff?” Diera could barely speak, her eyes were fully dilated and her throat tight. The scent of blood was now strong in the dark clearing.

She watched as the small dog's black eyes glowed red around the edges and she noticed the white begin to advance around the edges and the veins pop, bloodshot eyes. With red irises and the pupil black and bottomless. Max stared only at Jeff, who whimpered for not only his paw now but his life. Blood seeping over the side of the greyhound's lips. His jaws clamped tightly into Jeff's paw.

Diera began to realize that Jeff wasn't going to get his paw back. I watched horrified with my sister, and as much as I tried I could not wake up. It was a nightmare that I knew was real.

Max's paws were now large and bristling with coarse long fur, black hooked claws protruding from the ends. He pinned Jeff beneath him, who was shrieking for his life.

'Oh my god.' Diera's thoughts screamed at me, I wanted desperately for her to shut her eyes. But hers were already so wide and her whole form rooted to the spot. She couldn't move, for her fear clutched her like Max's claws clutched at Jeff.

Max had transformed beneath the moonlight, no longer was he a tiny greyhound. But now he was a large bristling long-furred beast. With paws larger than that of a wolves and fangs that cut all the way through Jeff's small paw. His head is as big as a lion's!

It was then as Jeff lay unmoving with nearly his entire fore-leg in the jaws of this unnatural creature that Diera fled. Earth shattering shrieks of horror flowing from her mouth.

~*~

 When I woke I flew to my paws, gasping. My chest hurting from my quick breathing.

'I have to go out and find Diera!' I thought wildly.

“Saba!” I hissed. “We must find her! She might be dead!” the thought of my sister mangled and broken within the jaws of that beast which was that greyhound just down the street frightened me to the very bone. I knew that Saba was awake and I stared deeply into the glow of her eyes. I knew that she had tapped into my mind, she must have!

“The dark time has come.” Saba spoke coldly. Staring at me, and I now realized that, that was what she had foreseen to come. That was the vision that had forced her to return to Nome, I just hadn't realized how serious it was.

To be Continued...