This part of the story is dedicated to my parents for an incident that happened a few years back.

Thanks to both of you for being so strong.

For weeks Gwen and Kuro slowly helped the clan back on its feet.

 The dead were buried with respect, the new borns are taking care of, survivers were found, and the hunting wolves were gathering a good portion amount of food.

Kuro had no problem adjusting to being the leader. Gwen admired that. He was so calm and collected. In a fix he always seemed to know what to do.

Then one day he had to go with the hunting group to check see if the land hand enough deer or cariboufor all of the pack.

"I know I can trust you here Gwen. It will be a fews hours so I won't be gone for long." he kissed her goodbye before he left.

"Love you." she said "You too!" he shouted as he ran.

"Ok. Now what should I handle first?" she said as she saw a whole day full of work ahead of her.

She sighed and began to work.

"First the river." said Gwen 

She assighed the one of the teams to dig another route to the lake in case of floods and another route closer for the pack to drink.

Since she saw that the work was almost done she went to check the young pups.

They were all taken cared for. The guards around the area were on alert.

For the most part everything went great.

She was about to go home untill she heard her own comrades talk about her.

"How come we have to work for this traitor?" one said.

"I know she's the alpha's mate and Carmen and all but he could have at least chosen someone with a better background than Gwen." another said.

"EXCUSE ME?!?" she shouted to the two wolfs that were work.

Everyone frozed to her voice. "Listin! All of you! I may not be the leader you want but I love my home just as any of you do! You will treat me with respect!" she said to allof then as she went to her den.

She heard whispering whe n she left but she was too tired to argue again.

"Gwen? Are you alright?" it was Aurora.

"No. I'm not." she said.

"Look I know it'll be hard but they'll respect you. If it wern't for you the clan would've went to war." she said sitting by Gwen.

"Maybe. But I'm not holding my breath." she said Lying down.

"I know. But we need you to be strong Gwen for everyone. You know Duncan, Angel, Blade,me, and Kuro will help you. You'll have nothing to worry about." Aurora said before she left the den.

"Bye Gwen." she said.

"Bye!" she said back.

After sleeping for an hour she was woken up by a twig snapping! 

"WHO'S THERE!?" she growled showing her teeth.

"Whoa there! I come in peace!" it was Kuro.

"Why are you so late?" she asked.

"The hunting turned to be more difficult than we thought. How was everything here?" he asked.

"Fine! Got alot of work done." She said. "I can't tell him about that. He's already in alot of stress rebuilding this clan. I can't tell him every little spat others say to me." she thought.

 He looked at her for a moment.

"You look exhausted." he said.

"Yeah! I did do alittle too much at one time. I never knew being a alpha's mate could be soo much work." she said laying back down.

He smiled and said "Don't worry! You'll get the hang of it."  

He kissed her goodnight and went to sleep by her side.

"I'll have no choice but to."she said before she finally slept.

"WAKE UP GWEN!"

Gwen nearly had a heart attack.

"What?! What is it?! A war?!" she searched her den then rushed outside.

"No but we need to go now." Kuro said already perked up.

"Where? Why?" she asked as she yawned.

"There is still more work to be done." he said.

"Ugh." she groaned.

"Let's go." he said.

They exaine almost every line of repairs made in the lands around them.

Kuro was use to all the work but Gwen was exhausted.

She could barley walk back to the den.

Kuro blocked her way.

"Sorry Gwen we have to make sure the borders are secured and trained for intruders." he said

"We have to do this at night?!" Gwen whined.

She needed her sleep otherwise she wouldn't be a very nice wolf.

"Please Gwen? It will be alot quicker if you came to help." he said using the pupy eyes on her.

"Oh......not the eyes." she groaned.

She gave in.

"Ok.I'll go." she said.

He kissed her on the cheek.

"Thanks. I would've hated it if I'd gone by myself." Kuro said.

She sighed as she followed him.

The training was boring and slow.

Every minate felt like days.

"Oh....somebody kill me." Gwen thoughtas she was lying under a tree as Kuro finnished the lesson.

Her brain died of boredom.

It was finally sunrise.

Gwen and the students were glad it was over.

"The training is over......for now" Kuro said walking to Gwen

The Students groaned.

"More training? I can barley move." one said.

"Yeah I won't move for a week.

Then one of the looked at Gwen.

"She's kinda hot for a Traitor." one snickered.

"Yeah! Looks is a good thing for a alpha's mate"another said.

Gwen growled at the students.

They all stepped back.

Gwen ran back to Kuro's side.

"Why did go back for?" he asked.

"Nothing! Just to give advice to the students." she said innocently.

"Ok....well listin. I know we've both been busy and Your tired. I'm sorry to bring this on you too. I appreciate you staying and helping."  he said looking into her eyes.

"Oh Kuro... I'm your mate I'm-"

"I know but not many mates can stay cool after doing all this. I'm really lucky to have you." he said looking the other way.

She blushed.

She kissed him.

"Your welcome."she said.

"Look. Why don't you go on and rest? You been through alot. I'll be back soon." he said nudgeing her to the den.

"But-"

"Sleep I'll be fine." he said walking away.

She looked at him then went to the den, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.

She slepted the whole day away.

She woke up at night.

She yawned and streched.

She heard some one coming.

"Kuro?" she said

but it was Kuro's second in command or backup cheif .

"Nick. Why are you here? Kuro's out so-"

"Listin. I take orders from Kuro and ONLY KURO not some wolf who just got lucky." he said to her.

"Leave now. You will not disrespect me in my home Nick. And like it or not tell everyone I am here to help this clan dispite what they think about my background!" Gwen said inraged. 

He started to leave.

"One peice of advice: Watch your back. The clan doesn't like you very well and some might act or take out their anger on you." he said leaving her with her thoughts.

Kuro was on his way back to the den to see Nick coming out iy.

"Hmm.." he thought.

"Gwen what was...?" he saw gwen huddled in a corner.

"Gwen?" he tapped her on the shoulder.

"KURO!"she wrapped her paws around him.

"What's going-"

"They all hate me Kuro! The whole clan does!!" she said crying.

  "What?" he said surprised.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" he asked.

"You were under alot of pressure. I didn't want to...." she stopped for a moment.

"Gwen, I love you. You know I woud ve done something if-" he said.

She moved closer to him.

 "Behind my back they talk about me. I didn't care but Nick said they might-"

"Gwen you are my mate. They will accept it wether they like it or not. And as for Nick I'll talk to him myelf!" he said walking out.

"Kuro wait!"but he was pretty ticked about Nick.

She tried to follow him.

"Nick! where are you!?"Kuro yelled.

"Kuro stop it's not tha-" she tried to stop him but he ran ahead.

"NICK!" He yelled again.

Kuro didn't even hear her he went passed her to see Nick sleeping in his den.

Gwen stepped in front of him.

"Kuro stop! If anyone finds out they won't look up to you as the leader anymore. calm down." she said as she seperated him from Nick.

She pulled him out of the den.

"I can't! What am I supposed to do Gwen!?" Kuro was furious.

"Just go home. It won't be eaisy but were gonna have to deal with it." she said.

"No! I won't do anything to Nick but I'm going to settle this once and for all." Kuro said going home.

The next morning Kuro demanded all the wolves in the pack to gather in the middle of the land.

Kuro was in the middle of the crowd with Gwen by his side.

"I want to say that I'm proud to be the leader of this clan and rebuilding it has been excellent but I want to get one thing straight between all of you. Gwen is my mate. Now and forever. Nothing will ever change that! So all of you will treat her with respect! That is all!"

Gwen smiled at how he stood up for her.

He walked by her and said "Let's go home. I'm a little tired. I need a nap."

"You go ahead! You can take a breack I'll handle everything." she said with a smile.

"Alright." he said yawning as he went back to the den.

Kuro speech seemed to work.

A few weeks after his speech The others stopped insulting her and helped her out more with jobs in the pack. 

A few wolves like Nick were still in disbeleif with Kuro picking Gwen as his mate.

One day as Kuro was disscussing hunting and battle plans to all the warriors, hunters, and guards.

After it was over Nick walked with Kuro home.

"Lord Kuro, may I have a word with you?" he asked

Kuro thought for a moment but desided to hear him out.

"Sure." he said.

"I must apologize. Gwen is a....good choice my lord." Nick said.

"Uh....Thanks. I think." he said.

"In fact I would like to have alittle hunt to say sorry to her. I'll bring my mate and you'll bring Gwen for hunting alittle early for the pack. Kind of like a double date." He offered.

"I'm not sure I can Nick. I have many things to do and-"

"Please sir. Let me do this." He said.  

 "Well..." He thought. "I guess Since he's willing to ..."

"I accept." he said as they both walked home.

"YOU WHAT!!?!?" Gwen screamed at the top of her lungs.

He sighed.

 "Look Gwen. At least he's trying to make up for his mistake. Come on. Can one little hunt really be that hard?" he asked her.

She groaned.

"Ok. Fine." She muttered.

He smiled.

"Wow! A double date huh?" said Aurora said as she watched the pups sleep.

Gwen has een going to her alot since she didn't have a sister. Aurora was the closest to one.

"Yeah I'm not so sure I want to go after what he said." said Gwen lying by her.

"Come on. At least give it a try." she said.

"Yeah! Besides more food for all of us if you do."said Duncan.

"Alright. Well see you guys later." said Gwewn walking back to her den.

Morning came too soon for Gwen.

The first thing for she knew she was sleeping the next thing she was on Kuro's back near the field.

"Wha?" she looked around.

"I tried to wake you up but you wouldn't move. So I had to improvise." He said walking.

"So you put me on your back while I was asleep?" she said slightly annoyed.

"Pretty much." he said with a smile.

"You are such a pain Kuro!" she yelled.

He only laughed.

"Interesting." a voice said.

"Huh?"

They saw Nick and his mate waiting and staring.

He put Gwen down.

"Ahem...Shall we begin?" he said slightly embarassed that ha was caught flurting.

He always act professional in front of the pack.

"Uh...Yes of course. This is my mate Jade." he said pointing to the red and black female.

"Its an honor to meet both of you." she said politly as she bowed.

"Well let's get started." said Kuro leading the way.

Nick was behind him. Jade walked with Gwen.

"I'm sorry for Nick. He's very stubborn and he get's alittle carried away. He heard rumors so he-" Jade explained.

"Its fineI have the same problem." Gwen said winking at her.

They both laughed.

"Something you like to share with us?" asked Nick.

Kuro looked behind him.

"Nothing they said still giggling.

"Hmp! Females." said Nick walking.

"totall mystery." Kuro said.

During the walk the whole thing was fogotten as Gwen and Jade were friends in a flash as were for the guys.

Aftter a while they found deer all in a field ahead.

They waited then they sprung out to seperate them.

None of them were sick or old yet so it was difficult to catch one.

"Look! Over there!" shouted Gwen.

A buck was getting tried.

"Gwe charged after it.

"Gwen wait!" said Kuro.

"I'll get her."said Jade runing to her.

Gwen didn't know that she chased him all the way to the riverside.

"Got you!" she she said as she lepted at it and killed it instantly.

"Hey guys! I got it!" she shouted but no one answered.

"Ooh boy! I guess I went too far." she said taking a drink from the river.

Unknown to her someone was watching her from behind.

"I guess I should wait untill they find me. Mabey if I howl they can find me." but as soon as he opened her mouth something knock her down.

She shook her head. "OW. Wha? What happened?" She looked around and saw the wolf in front of her. "Its YOU! You're-" 

The wolf snached Gwen by her neck andd threw her in the river.

"Help!! *coughs* Somebody!" she tried to talk but the water was coming in too fast.

THe wolf watched as Gwen tried to battle the river.

She swam as the river tossed and turned.

She was getting closer to the water fall.

"My body....I'm too tired but I have to keep moving." she paddled some more but it was useless.

She slowly fell backwards.

"No!!! AAAHHH!!" she screamed.

"Farewell." the wolf said. The wolf brushed tracks he made with his tail. He made new tracks making it look like she tripped into the river.

"KURO!!!!!!!!" She shouted as she slowly dissapeared into the misty water.

"Gwen?" Kuro heard something in a distance. He fflet that something was wrong. Gwen was in trouble.

"What's wrong?" said Nick.

"Its Gwen. I think she's in trouble! We need to find her now!!" Kuor said.

Nck shook his head. "Jade has it covered we can wait and-"

"No! I NEED TO FIND HER NOW!" he said storming off.

Kuro wait!" Nick said following him.

"Gwen?! Gwen! Where are you!?" Jade looked all over but she was nowhere to be found.

"Her scent." she followed her trail to the river. She found the dead deer but no Gwen.

 She found some pawprints. "The tacks lead to the- oh no! Gwen!"

"What happened Jade?!"

It was Kuro. He ran to her with Nick behind him.

"I'm sorry but she was...." she didn't need to finnish.

"No!!" he looked at the prints on the ground.

"THIS ISN'T REAL!!! SHE CAN BE DEAD!! GWEN WHERE ARE YOU!!???" He screamed.

He could hear only his voice echoed though the water fall.

He looked how far down the water was.

"Don't worry Kuro. We'll find her." said Nick.

"Gen I can't lose you again." Kuro said sadly.

He howled in pain.

The two joined him in his song of agony.

The wolf was behind them.

Smiling.