It’s the year 1929 and its mid-winter. It’s been Balto’s heroic deeds in Nome and everything in Nome is perfect, sled dogs were delivering mails and people celebrate holidays without any fatal diseases that worries them.

The sun was ascending in the sky to its highest point its mid-morning , in the snow-covered wilderness of Alaska a fully grown female adult wolfdog sat on a top of a snowy hill, looking down at her packmates who were happily talking to each other some were nuzzling, some were laughing and some were playing in the snow one of the omegas wolves approach a 5 month old pup “Hey can I join you, guys?” the omega asked the pups, “yeah sure!!” one of the pups immediately replied in joy, then they all charge at the omega wolf it was as if they’re prey, The gray wolfdog was about to laugh when suddenly she heard a voice call her

“Alphess!” the female wolfdog perked her ears up, she stand up then turn around she saw one of the wolves that scouts the border of their territories “Alpha Aleu we have spotted three wolves in our borders we have already surround them to keep them from escaping, they seem to be calm wolves I think you take a look at them.”

“Very well lead the way”  Aleu replied the scout bowed his head then trotted to the snowy forest with the alpha running behind him. The wolf turn around only to see Aleu running behind him just checking if she didn’t catch up he will have to run slower *but that’s impossible* he thought * she’s Balto’s daughter the wolfdog who saved the children of Nome* he reminded himself, he heard about Balto’s deeds from the birds especially owls and eagles, those birds were always the one who are assigned to go to Nome and to report Aleu about the town’s status especially her parents and her siblings.

Soon they arrived at the Southeast border of their territory in the bird’s eye view bushes and high hills like small mountainous regions dotted the territory that marks the boundaries and with high hills this serve as the scouts position when they were sitting at the top looking at the lands for any sign of danger or intruders.

Aleu approach the circle of wolves that they formed for the intruder, she cleared her throat for the wolves to make a space for her, her eyes open wide as she saw a handsome black and gray wolf, she cleared her throat again “Who are you?” she asked as calmly as possible

The elder wolf a scruffy and ragged gray and black wolf with long tuft in his chin took a tiny step forward and bowed at her in respect “My name is Lycaon and this are my two sons, Sokyl” he nodded to the gray and black wolf who looks just like Lycaon except for the black mane in his forehead  “and Lykos” he nodded towards the black and gray wolf .

“May I ask why are you here?” she asked

“We came here to rejoin the pack” he replied

The younger scouts gasped in surprise while the other older scouts gasped in joy they look at each other  “Could it be?” someone said “They’ve returned” someone concluded in a low whisper that Aleu heard and perked her ears towards the voice in the scouts almost silent conversation.

“Rejoin?” she said with a shock in her voice.

“Yes you see I was force to leave the pack by Nava because of Niju, when my sons were just pups Niju had a plan to kill them both because one of them were going to be the future alpha of the clan since Nava doesn’t have a mate nor a pup and his beta is old and going to die soon, Niju heard this and he was furious determine to kill my sons we couldn’t stop him because he use to sneak around in the night and often bite someone just to get out of their sight or escape in the den so Nava decided to forcefully let us leave in the clan and he promised that we will rejoined once Niju become less evil, but… well since Niju was not in the pack anymore well its time for me and my sons to rejoin the clan”

“But how do you know that Niju’s not her anymore?” she asked

“Nava appeared in my dreams and….” Lycaon was about to tell something but then Aleu began to continue his sentence. “you mean Nava’s…..dead?!” she gasped

“Unfortunately…yes but do not fret, Alphess, for he had led a full life and he was old, and his ready to leave the clan in your hands, because he believe in you, Aleu” Lycaon said in a calm voice to her that reminds him of Nava so elderly and raspy but calm and gentle.

Aleu lowered her head slightly and sadly then a voice said “Lycaon speaks the truth he never lies for he is a spiritual wolf just like Nava and I think that he had the right to be a member of the High Council” Aleu raise her head slowly then look at the wolf who was speaking, it was Bartok a dark red wolf who was leading the scouts in Aleu’s Clan: Crystal Light Clan. The scouts nodded in agreement in their leader’s idea.

“Well Lycaon… As the current alpha of the clan I hereby allow you three to rejoin the pack, but first may I ask about the skills that one of your sons will offer?” she asked

“well Lykos here is a good at hunting while Sokyl here is good at healing” Lycaon replied “very well then Bartok” he called the dark red and white wolf, Bartok approach her and bowed in respect.

“Yes, Alphess”

“give our new members a tour of our new territory” she ordered Bartok once again bowed before approaching their old members of their clan. “follow me, sir” he said then the four departed, Aleu look at the scouts and approach them they all bowed in respect “good job guys” she said to them with a smile “now go back to work” the scouts bowed down again before she trotted towards the top of the hill, then the snow fall from the sky, then she thought about Lykos the handsome black and gray wolf that she found him interesting and attracting a small smile was beginning to form in her face.

Hours passed…

The sun finally reach its highest point in the sky signaling that it was noon, the time that they need to hunt, the land was covered with snow and it will be difficult for the wolves to hunt, so more than half of the hunter wolves population need to go out and hunt for food, Aleu was still seating at the hill watching her packmates lazily when suddenly she heard a howl, it was not a howl when they saw danger, it was a howl that signaling them that hunter wolves were finish hunting judging from the tone of the wolf’s howl it was like cheerful and happy, so she jump off the hill then trotted towards the place where the hunters put their prey for the pack to eat, As Aleu arrived at her destination, she gasped as she saw a fully grown caribou and a smaller one a  black and brown wolf approach her wit a sly smile “Ah I can see your surprised, Alphess” he said

“Yes, Dalton, and wow good job this is the first time that we ever caught two animals it was amazing and impressive” she said in complete awe at her pack’s hunting skills Dalton the lead hunter chuckled “well thanks to our new member of our clan, Lykos, well if not hadn’t been him the pack would probably eat less amount of food though we always experienced that during winter but still I miss the large amount of food that we ate I gotta admit, Alphess, I hate to be skinny” he chuckled “hmm I see showing off for the females huh?” she smirked at him then Dalton step back in embarrassment “well.. I… no, Alphess…” he stammered “oh c’mon, lover-boy, admit it” she said then walk pass him to approach the carcass she ripped off a large piece in the caribou’s belly then turn around and walk towards her den suddenly there multiple sounds of crunching of snow as their others members of their pack jump from the bushes in joy towards the caribou they’ve been hungry for hours and finally they’ll taste warm fresh blood. As Aleu cautiously passing by her excited packmates, she spotted Lykos, she stop and look at his golden and blue eyes, Lykos too stop and look at her yellow and blue eyes they stay like that for a half a minute that they didn’t notice that they were smiling until they notice each other’s smile in their face, Lykos look away recovering his pose then walk towards the prey that they hunted earlier Lykos sighed *I hope she doesn’t have a mate* he thought desperately ever since he saw her, his heart pump quickly and madly and he knew what kind of feeling is this: Love

Aleu then arrived at her den, her den used to be filled with flowers before but right now they were covered with thick layer of snow. She enter the Alpha’s cave which is large than any other cave located in the territory that she found and defended for almost to years for she had been the leader of the clan when she was just a yearling but now she was a three year old wolfdog who no longer complain like a puppy about life’s not being unfair nor being like the center of attention anymore, no she had grown to be mature learning the ways of the wild, leading a once small pack of roughly thirteen wolves now twenty-five. She sighed as she remembered memories from the past two years that she led the pack she sighed and mostly don’t wanna think about it because most of it were horrible and disturbing to recall because some wolves were against her but she was lucky that she somehow prove them that he’s worthy to become an Alpha of the clan which they finally accept, she sighed then rest her head on her forelegs closing in her eyes then falling asleep

“Dad! Guess what I’m in love” Lykos suddenly said to his father, as he drop three large meats their small cave Lycaon whose eyes were closed blink open and smiled at his son “already? Who?” he chuckled  “Aleu… oh Dad! She’s beautiful!” he said in a very dreamy voice his mouth opened slightly then he look up daydreaming.

“nice one, brother” a voice said then in the cave’s entrance a gray and black wolf appeared with a smirk in his face “nice what?” he asked innocently even though he already know that Sokyl was hiding there thanks to the wind that blew inside the den that he smell his scent before he appeared out of nowhere.

“Ha! You thought that I didn’t heard all of it? And I’ve been noticing you earlier when I was wandering in the territory that you guys have been staring…” Sokyl stopped as Lykos spoke up “hey I thought you’re the healer you should be in the healer’s den waiting for a patient to visit you” he frowned a little at his brother “ah ah ah” Sokyl said smirking at his brother “hehe I knew it you would say that… besides she likes you anyway”

“yeah right… your joking” Lykos scoffed “I’m not joking, Lykos” Sokyl replied to his brother in a serious voice “I’ve been noticing her as she kept looking or should I say staring at you, well not only you were smiling but she is too, you just didn’t notice because you kept looking her in the eyes” Lykos was taken aback, this was true he didn’t even notice her smiling at him and he didn’t even notice himself smiling. “why don’t you invite her in a walk?” his gray pelted brother suggested “Huh? What? No way, bro!” Lykos immediately refused he shouldn’t be at rush well maybe he should because the season of love is getting closer but to him, unlike everyone he thinks that time is slow. “C’mon, son invite her if she’s not busy” his father suddenly spoke up Lykos look at him and blinked in disbelief and surprise “aww, dad not you too” he moaned “C’mon, son it won’t be bad” Lykos sighed, frustrated then he open his mouth to speak “Fine but give me time to think” he said then walk off the cave, Lycaon watch his son exit the cave and smiled, he sighed then look at his other son, Sokyl “aren’t you suppose to be in the healer’s den?” Lycaon asked his son and raise a brow at him “ah yeah… hehehe” he grinned sheepishly then run out of the cave, he sighed happily again and a smile began to form his face then suddenly something clic his mind, he flinched as he remembered something important “oh yeah! I too need to go to my elder’s cave to meet the other members of the High Council oh silly old me am I, Marella?” he said to himself and look up at the sky as he too exit the cave, sighing as he remember his lovely mate, then jog along the way in the different direction where his two sons take.

Hours passed….

The sky turned into pinkish orange color as the sun was about to set, in a snowy meadow more than ten wolves were hiding in the snow-adapted bush in the meadow, hiding from their prey this would be difficult to hunt even for the new member of their clan: Lykos. Dalton was looking at the herd, finding any weak looking deer, then finally he had, he saw a buck with a gray mane in its neck, the buck seemed to be weak to move, so he look at his fellow packmates then pointed them their target and their dinner. Though it was too early to hunt but hunting in the night will be difficult and dangerous especially when its winter.

So Dalton look at one of the wolves then nod, one of the wolves nod then back away to their position as silently as possible then the wolf disappeared after a few minutes the wolf that Dalton nod was in the other position of the pack’s hiding place westward of the herd they all nodded in agreement as Lykos saw them with his squinting eyes

“Get ready, guys” he whisper then he immediately stand up then howled quickly to signal that it was time to catch their prey, wolves from different north, east and west position of the herd bolted off to terminate their target. The herd suddenly break their formation panicly as they saw wolves appeared and running towards them out of nowhere, Lykos was the first to get close to their target then after a few seconds he jump then bite the old and weak caribou’s hind legs, the caribou made a cry of pain then fell down, Lykos was about to kill it with a death bite in the neck but a brownish-yellow wolf jump at the caribou’s neck then bite it hard ending its life. As the caribou died in Dalton’s jaws, the lead hunter turn around and look at Lykos “good job, Lykos” he said at the younger wolf, Lykos smiled at his leader’s comment of his performance then other wolves from the hunters group began to chase other deers Lykos immediately bolted towards them ready to help. The wolves were fighting a very strong buck, its antlers were swinging in the air to scare the other wolves but they were eager to kill the prey than ever, Lykos was silently crawling at the back of the buck but was he was soon spotted, then the buck turn around then swing its antlers towards Lykos, luckily he anticipated this then quickly dodge out of the way the others charged at the buck then bite its hind legs, the buck started to kick the wolves off of its hind legs, Lykos drop his mouth open as wolves got tossed in the air he growled angrily then charge at the buck, he jump then caught the buck’s lower jaw, the animal moaned in pain as Lykos was hanging in the lower jaw of the buck, soon all the wolves that are assigned to be hunters growled and charged at the buck bravely they bite every body part of the buck, soon the animal’s body was filled with its own blood, then finally it drop to the ground, breathing raspy dying breaths Dalton rushed towards the buck’s neck then bite it hard ending its life. Then everyone step back and panted heavily all of them have small smile in their face, happy that they were more successful than before “Good…job.., guys” was all Dalton could say then he cleared his throat  “folks time to go back to the territory” he said then began to grab the Buck’s hind leg but stop and look at Lykos “five of you will carry the older deer including you Lykos then half of you will help me carry this buck” all the wolves nodded then proceed to grab their prey then drag it to their territory, The sun was descending in the horizon from the west the colors turned to deep violet-blue then slowly and subtly the colors were widening changing the bloody orange-red color into deep violet, then suddenly snow started to fall furiously as the wind blew, Dalton let go of the deer then look at the sky they need to hurry “hurry, men! I can sense a storm was brewing in the east move quickly” he shouted in a commanding voice then everyone started to change their pace in pulling faster than before.

Aleu was sitting at the hills of the territory’s boundary, waiting for the hunters to arrived but in truth, he was waiting for the new member: Lykos, the wolf that she admired dearly she sighed then smiled as she think about him, then her eyes blinked wide and smile started to grow big as she saw ten wolves were dragging two large deer “scouts go and assist them” she commanded to one of the scouts who were scouting close to her bowed at her in respect then trotted off to help their fellow packmates, Aleu was like a ‘bosom like a bee’ bolted off the hill then run towards the deer that Lykos was dragging, she grab the same leg that Lykos was biting then she pull it

Lykos blinked in surprise then smiled and he felt his cheeks ran red, then he groaned as he continue to drag, soon as they finally reach their destination to gather the pack and eat, Aleu raise her head then howled Lykos look at her admiringly and smiled, her beautiful howl made his heart skip a beat, he sighed again admiring the howl and the beautiful slender body of hers.

As soon as they finish eating their meal they were all happy and thank the wolves who were assigned at hunting. Aleu give the hunter wolves a compliment and a joke to make them laugh and she even muttered that “laughter is the best medicine”, as soon they dismissed Dalton approached her “good evening, Alphess” hr greeted warmly at her “Good evening to you too, Dalton” she greeted him back “say can I talk to you while were having a walk in the territory?” he asked Aleu blinked slightly in surprise “well okay” she nodded, Lykos saw them then his ears drop sadly then a sad face form in his face *well she’s taken* he thought then proceed to walk away

“Alphess, Lykos is a good hunter than I am why don’t you replace me and promote him as the lead hunter of the pack?” Dalton began to speak as soon as they were out of earshot of the hunter wolves “hmm? Dalton why?” she asked in disbelief and shock “because Alphess you should have seen him on a hunt!” he said happily “uh.. uhm… well unless I saw his performance” she said “tomorrow I’ll help you guys in hunting and I will watch him closely”

“yes, Alpha Aleu” Dalton bowed his head “Good night, Alphess” then trotted off, Aleu sighed then trotted towards the place that she want to go when she was thinking about someone that she admired.

The snow fall furiously so Aleu run quickly dodging every trees and bushes swiftly then beneath the shady sight of the pine trees a waterfall with den beneath the falls appeared caught in her eyes, the water froze at the extremely low temperature, she trotted towards the cave then sat at the cave’s snow floor, she shivered as she felt the snow crunch in her fur She sighed and she saw a cloud of white cloud from her mouth, she was thinking about Lykos oh the very thought of him made her heart beat harder that she thought that she felt it, she was pacing back and forth inside the cave ignoring the chilly winds of winter, then finally with the help of the snowflakes piercing in her eyes, she got tired then soon she lay down farther to the cave then fell asleep immediately.

The next day, the sun was rising from the horizon to the top of the sky slowly in the winter  , a black wolf suddenly open his eyes from his deep slumber he stand up sleepily then stretched his body and yawned, he walk out of the den then blink his eyes a few times when the sunlight mark his eyes horizontally like a beam passing through a wall “Good morning, Lykos” a voice suddenly said then to his surprise it was none other than Aleu the Alpha of the Crystal Lights Pack, his eyes open wide in surprise, Alpha Aleu was standing in the cave entrance *what is she doing there?* he thought to himself then rb his eyes with his legs “um goo…good morning” he said with a sheepish smile on his face “so how’s your sleep?” she suddenly asked and was surprised at herself “um… good its fine though its kinda refreshing because I’m not a fully gray wolf but I’m part arctic wolf” he replied Aleu blinked she was interested at the arctic wolves, who were adapted at harsh environments of tundra. She suddenly thought that she and Lykos will take a stroll in the territory to get to know him but that would be complicated because she was asking her crush… it was one of a shy moments or actions will ever experience by a person who is in love, so she took a deep breath then open her mouth to speak “say um Lykos…” she began to speak “wanna… um… can we walk in the territory together? You know getting to know each other” she said in a very quiet voice Lykos was taken aback his smile earlier was getting bigger “well okay” he replied then together they walk towards the forest, in the shadows of the den an old gray and black wolf sat at the darkness watching his son walk off with the Alpha there was a proud smile in his face.

“wow this territory is so big” Lykos said in awe as they continue to walk the territory, “well thanks” she replied “how did you ever manage to defend this territory?” he asked

“well um… every day the scouts were patrolling the borders usually they ran and some were sitting in their posts, and some of our fighter wolves were also positioned on the  scouts post so when danger is around they were always there, so they don’t need to run all the way just to get here”

“hmm classic but it’s a nice strategy, Aleu”

“Thanks” she replied, she was thinking of a statement or a question mostly so he will talk about his history and her history also

“So um Aleu… where did you came from? Cause I’ve never seen you in the pack before when I was little…” he said hoping to start a conversation, Aleu sighed, finally he ask that once she told her story about her life he might also tell his history so she open her mouth then began “No I was born in a town called Nome… My father is a wolfdog and my mother is a purebred Siberian Husky…” “oh so you’re a half-breed? Don’t worry I love half-breeds ever since I heard about Balto… wait a minute did you say you’re the daughter of Balto?” he asked Aleu nodded “I remember papa said that I got my mum’s eyes which is the most beautiful eyes that he had ever seen”

“well your dad’s right” Lykos immediately said and look at her yellow and blue eyes with a smile, Aleu look down slightly and she felt her cheeks burning red, she cleared her throat then recovered her poise “well when papa told me the truth about my heritage I got upset when he said that because all my life I want to be adopted by a human but no human wll ever adopt me because I’m more wolf than papa so I ran away and ended up meeting Niju, Nava and the rest of the pack so I help them out by crossing the big water with the help of ice floes then here we are in a land where food is plentiful”

“haha wow your very brave” he said trying hard to find a compliment and add it “and stubborn” Aleu added “Wh…..” Lykos never finish his question when he suddenly saw a bear behind Aleu, he immediately jump at her side then push her away from the bear, he lowered his body in a fighting stance then growled fiercely his golden eyes were lock on the bear’s horrible large face, the animal charge towards him but Lykos jump away just in time to dodge the bear’s attempted tackle he quickly jump at the bear’s neck then bite it while scratching his head furiously leaving scratches on its face, The animal shake its head then Lykos was thrown off, he groaned as he landed on his back at the thick layer of snow in the cold ground he immediately stand up then jump farther from the bear as possible so he could look at it in a good view.

Then Aleu suddenly bite its left foreleg Lykos charged at the bear then bite its right foreleg the animal roar in pain then Lykos and Aleu started to pull the bear’s skin trying to rip it if they can At this moment the bear fell in the snowy ground, Both of them let it go then Lykos stood protectively at Aleu suddenly and surprisingly the bear stand up with all of its four legs it was as if the bite from the two wolves were no effect to the animal “Run!” Lykos shouted Aleu bolted off but stop then look back at Lykos who was fighting the bear, she watch him in awe on how good at he was at fighting, running around the bear in circles then biting its fur and skin weakening his opponent by biting its legs incapitating it but suddenly the bear smack his body to the tree with a mighty swipe from its big paws “LYKOS!!” she screamed then snarled angrily at the bear who just a look at her then roared, she charged towards the bear angrily willing to avenge Lykos, she bite the bear’s neck pulling its skin wildly, the animal roared in pain then suddenly she heard running in the snow then out of nowhere a brownish maroon and white appeared out of nowhere followed by five wolves they all charged at the bear with a snarl and their jaws wide open showing their sharp teeth, they bite the bear’s body, the others in the belly but mostly the wolves bite the bear in the neck, the animal fell down the ground then the six wolves jump away from the bleeding creature then the bear stand up then run away “chase it make sure that animal won’t rest in our territory” Aleu commanded breathlessly  “Yes, Alphess”  the brown wolf nodded and bowed in respect before trotting off following the bear’s scent.

She approach Lykos who lie in the snowy ground unconscious, She licked him in his cheek then Lykos slowly open his eyes and look at her with a smile “Hi” he said weakly pretending to be weak so he can know how the Alpha cared about him so much “Are you alright? Can you walk?” Aleu asked frantically, “why of course” he said then slowly sit up but as he slowly rise up their noses touch accidentally, both of them pull back and chuckled sheepishly.

The days passed Lykos and Aleu spend more time to again, the weather was ever so slowly and unnoticeable warm, they were both happy when they walking, talking or joking at each other that their bond of friendship grew, the wolves from the pack were starting to have a relationship so their bonds and love for each other grew so by the time the season of spring arrived they’re love will endure and strengthen each other to raise a family, because of their great love for each other that they’re ready and willing to build a family of their own because love is the most powerful feeling that we ever experienced in our lives, powerful than hate that cause us to do good things because we care for each other that prevents us to do bad things to anyone.

In the middle of the night, the moon was full the dark blue sky was dotted with white stars and some of the stars were blocked by the moving clouds high above the sky some move by the wind and some just stay in one place, A black and gray wolf was walking towards the Alpha’s den, he stop behind the bushes there he saw a Aleu sitting at the entrance of the den. He sighed then a smile started to form in his face *she really sat there and wait for me* he thought, then walk out of the bushes walking towards her “Hi” he greeted her with a sheepish smile “Hi” she replied looking at his eyes “Hey wanna go to the waterfall cave?” he asked “sure” Aleu replied “gotta catch me first” she laughed then bolted off towards the forest Lykos chuckled then run after her, he was immediately beside her then he jump at her then they both roll in the snow surprisingly Aleu landed on top of Lykos at this moment their lips touch Aleu blink her eye wide open then immediately stand up her cheeks were extremely warm and red, they both chuckled then they run again towards the direction of their desired location

As they finally arrived at the waterfall cave, Lykos walk towards the edge of the cave and sat to take a good look of their territory, Aleu sat beside him they were both looking at the beautiful view Lykos look at Aleu he open his mouth and began to sing

“We’re soaring flying, there’s not a star in heaven that we can reach”

Aleu know that song sometimes she often hear those songs back in Nome, she often sneak in the dark alleys and often spotting some dogs were singing each other showing their love for each other, *Maybe that was what he was doing right now* she thought then suddenly blush she was about to continue the song when a voice sang :

“There you see her sitting there across the rain, she don’t got a lot to say there’s something about her and I don’t know why that your dying you wanna try to kiss the girl”

Lykos and Aleu immediately turn their heads back so they can see who is singing the song, Lykos sighed the voice sounded familiar then he sniffed the air “Sokyl” he whispered

“huh? What?” Aleu look at him “my brother” Lykos replied “let’s just ignore him, he’ll get annoyed and tired when we ignore him”

Lykos cleared his throat then he began to think another song on how he can show his affection and love towards her, he sighed he can’t think of a song he groaned to himself silently, he heard Aleu sighed *great she’s bored* he thought, but Lykos didn’t know that Aleu was also searching for a song

“Say its true there’s nothing like me and you, your not alone, tell me you feel it too and I will runaway I will runaway yeah yeah I will runaway I will runaway with you Cause I’ve fallin in love I’ll never gonna stop falling in love with you”

Lykos suddenly look down at her in surprise, Aleu smiled at him, then surprisingly she nuzzle him in his neck since he’s taller than her comparatively, she put her head under his head, Aleu jumped in the last chorus of the song, skipping because she doesn’t know the rest of the song. Then she finally thought about a certain a song that was so lovely and harmonic, she hope that he know this one

“We were strangers starting out on a journey, Never dreaming what we have to go through, Now here we are and I’m suddenly standing at the beginning sith you”

Lykos blinked. He know that song, well he didn’t not only know it the song is his favorite he open his mouth then continue it “No one told me I was going to find you, unexpected what did you did to my heart, when I lost hope you were there to remind me this is the start”

Then together they sing the chorus

“And Life is the a road I wanna keep going

Life is a river I wanna keep flowing

Life is a road now and forever wonderful journey

I’ll be there when the world stops turning

I’ll be there when the storm is through

In the end I wanna be standing at the beginning with you” The two lovers finish the song, Aleu licked his cheek passionately “I love you” she said softly “I love you too” he replied then kiss her chick. Finally sleepiness started to creep in their bodies Lykos was laying on top of her, he put his head on top of hers his tail still on hers and his all of his legs wrap around her tightly it was as if they want to stay like that forever while Aleu sighed sleepily then they both close their eyes and drifted to sleep.

The sun was rising in the horizon, brightening the once dark sky, waking the animals from their deep slumbers, Lykos stirred in his sleep then he open his eyes sleepily and yawned then he look down, he saw a light gray fur then he realize he was on top of Aleu, he immediately stand up and smiled down on her , Aleu soon felt suddenly cold in her back then she open her eyes and saw Lykos, she smiled at him sleepily Lykos bent down then kiss her in the lips in a short while then pull back “Good morning” he said warmly then place his paw in her stomach rubbing it and tickling her Aleu let out a low laugh “Lykos stop okay okay okay I’m up I’m up” she said then began to sit up then nuzzle him, “Good morning, Lykos, you crazy wolf” she teased, Lykos chuckled then nuzzle her back. “Well gotta go back to the main territory” she said sleepily then stand up, she was about to exit the cave until “what do you mean main territory?” Lykos asked in confusion, how could this be part of the territory can’t be consider us a main territory also? “oh well its because the territory is just too large and we only have twenty-five members its not enough toguard the whole place cause we need to guard the most important and the official part of the territory… Don’t worry this part will be officially part of our territory once we recruit more wolves to guard it” she said with a smile in her face, Lykos sighed then a smile started to form in his face slowly, whenever he saw her smile, his heart melt and he feel at peace and relax

Aleu and Lykos started to walk towards the main territory, they were greeted by wolves saying their ‘good mornings’ to the two some even say “Good morning Aleu and Alpha Lykos” they just chuckled and nodded back

“Alpha” A voice said Aleu look back then she saw Dalton, the wolf approach her then bowed in respect “I think we need a Beta in our pack and… I have a feeling that I’m qualified for the job” he said full of pride, his tail almost pointed the sky, head and ears stand straight proudly. “hmm… Call the pack for a meeting” she ordered “yes, Alphess” Dalton replied but he ignore Lykos “oh and by the way Lykos is the new alpha male in our territory” she quickly added, she and Lykos was about to take a step forward when Dalton spoke “Alphess! That won’t be easy, we need to challenge him or test him in order to prove that his worth to become the Alpha Male of our pack” Aleu shrugged slightly *great I forgot about this* she thought then sighed, she knows what will happen: Lykos is going to fight a couple of strong wolves or wolves that wants to be an alpha male, oh how she desperately hope that he’s strong enough to fight those wolves in her pack

Lykos suddenly remembered about that ceremony or event, he look at Aleu slightly nervous and with another sighed Aleu finally spoke “we’re going to have a ceremony for this I’ll announce it and let the wolves challenge him” she finally said then, she nodded at Lykos as a signal to follow her, then togetherthey trotted  towards the meeting place.

The howl rang in the territory that all wolves immediately woke up even its still early morning, the snow crunch as the wolves ran sometimes they’re complaining on what is so important to be wake up this early? Then finally all the members of the Crystal Lights Pack arrived at their meeting place, the meeting place is a rocky hill with ledges, Aleu appeared in the highest ledge of the rocky hillside and look down at her pack, who have curious, sleepy and confused look on each of the member’s faces

Aleu cleared her throat then open her mouth “Good morning, everyone, I’m going to announce “something important for our pack, first as we all know we don’t have a Beta in our pack and I hadn’t decided yet, Dalton is the only one who is willing to take place of the position of Beta, second we we’re going to have a competition Lykos here is going to be an Alpha male but we need strong wolves or wolves who want to take the position as Alpha male to challenge him the competition will start in mid-afternoon, so healers” She said and look at the wolves who are assigned as healers of the pack “I expect you to prepare your medicines before the competition starts, and finally we need to recruit more wolves, there’s a waterfall cave that is close to our territory that I didn’t declare as officially part of our territory because due to our small population, we can’t guard this place completely, few wolves in our pack were scouts the rest were hunters and apprentices, so in this case I will assign few wolves from the scouts to go around the forest and recruit wolves, That’s all dismissed”. Aleu walk down the hill, then she and Lykos trotted towards the Alpha’s cave to rest.

It was mid-afternoon, all the wolves who are going to challenge Lykos were already in the arena and even Lykos who was standing at the east side, his opponent a black pelted wolf with a scar in his eyes and piercing yellow eyes like him, Aleu was standing in the ledge outside the arena, Aleu look down and nodded at the biggest wolf of their pack: Nuk

“In this competition there will be no audiences will interfere the fight or else you will receive a mild punishment from the alpha and this is just a single combat not deadly combat once the opponent is down in ten seconds then its over, the challenger will proceed to face he’s next opponent until he defeated all of the members from the pack, there are six members who will fight Lykos so when you defeated three or more than wolves you will get the rank that you want but if you defeated less than three you still stay on your current rank as a hunter in the Crystal Lights Pack understood?” Nuk finished.

“understood” all the wolves replied at once in unison, “well therefore, Alpha Aleu?” Nuk look at Aleu, asking permission for him to announce to begin the fight without asking, Aleu nodded then Nuk look back at the wolves in the arena “Let the fight begin!” Nuk shouted, then Lykos and the black wolf both charged with a growl, as soon as the black wolf was close to him he immediately slash his face with his claws, the wolf growled in pain and anger, then with a charge he pinned Lykos down then bite his throat “ARGH!” Lykos shouted, but he quickly clamp his mouth shut and growl loudly in pain instead he didn’t want to scream because for him it was a sign of weakness, he scratch the wolf furiously while his opponent bite him in the throat, there were deep cuts in his opponent’s body that blood splattered everywhere, the grip from the wolf’s teeth is slowly loosening, then Lykos kick him off in the stomach which is successfully as soon as the wolf his the ground, Lykos slowly stand up groaning.

The wolf growled then charge at him again with jaws open wide ready to bite him again aiming for the throat, but this time Lykos also charged then as soon as his opponent was near him again, he jump then put his paw on the wolf’s face, making the wolf fall facefirst in the snow then Lykos run on its back and jump off him, he turn around then quickly bite its back leg, incapitating him. The wolf shouted in pain then quickly Lykos jump on the opponent’s back then bite its throat with a snarl, the black wolf was wriggling to escape Lykos’ jaws but it was no use the motivation of Lykos was so strong that not only to become an Alpha male but he want to become Aleu’s mate and wanted to build a family with her then after a few minutes of struggle, the wolf didn’t move but he still was alive his yellow eyes were dull with pain, Lykos let him go and took few step backward and prepare himself for a surpris, but none the fight was over and he win. “Lykos is the winner!” Nuk announced

The crowds were cheering for him, Lykos smiled slightly knowing that he must not relax until this is over “alright five minutes break before the next match” Nuk shouted, Lykos walk towards the side where, Sokyl and Lycaon were sitting “congratulations, Lykos!” Sokyl said excitedly “c’mon brother it isn’t over yet” Lykos replied with a chuckle then he immediately lie down in the snow with his stomach exposed, he was tired and exhausted “hey wake me up ha?” Lykos said then close his eyes “you’ve gotta be kidding me” Sokyl replied ridiculously *what is he gonna do?* he thought *sleep while the competition is still ongoing huh*.

The next match was Lykos was going to face Dalton his leader in the hunter wolves, “Though you’re my fellow groupmate in the hunter wolves but that doesn’t I’m not letting you take the Alpha’s position easily without proving that your worth to become our Alpha” Dalton said in a serious voice, that Lykos was taken aback, though he and Dalton were friends ever since they’re pups before he left the Raven Clan but now currently called as Crystal Lights Pack when Aleu change it ever since she became Alpha, but he never heard Dalton use this kind of tone of his voice against him. He quickly erase this thoughts in his head then “Let the fight begin!!” Nuk announced. Dalton quickly charge at him, that Lykos was thrown off guard, he tumbled in the snow then about five seconds Dalton wrap his teeth at the back of his neck, Lykos snarl in pain he try to stand up but Dalton kept pushing down to the ground, until finally he focus or should I say remembered his motivation: To become the mate of Aleu, this motivation give him the strength to stand up even Dalton was biting him, the lead hunter wolf open his eyes in surprise and amazement as Lykos slowly stand up while Dalton was pushing him down, but the more Dalton was doing it the more Lykos will stand finally he stand up then jump and reach his neck and bite Dalton, Dalton let him Lykos stand on two hind legs then he put his forelegs in Dalton’s neck then pins him down, biting Dalton hard and struggling to ignore the pain from Dalton’s scratches, After about seven minutes Dalton lay in the snow-covered ground then Nuk started to count him ten seconds but Dalton didn’t stand up “Lykos is the winner!!” Nuk announced, Aleu can’t resist from cheering her mate at this moment she shouted to cheer him Lykos look at Aleu with love in his eyes “GO Lykos!” Aleu shouted.  For your final match for this time, I announce that Lykos will rest for fifteen minutes” Nuk said s he stand up in a lower ledge.

“LYKOS!” Aleu yipped excitedly as she run towards him, he pounce on him then pins him down, Lykos chuckled then groaned in pain “Oh I’m sorry” Aleu said immediately then lick his wounds in his neck, but Lykos pull away “No that’s unfair” he said “unfair?!” Aleu look at him with a surprise look “Yes” he said simply then Aleu chuckled “okay, tough guy” she said then walk off Lykos so he can stand up “you know that hurts…” Lykos said “oh sorry” Aleu replied and look down smiling and blushing at the same time “Its okay” Lykos replied then put his head under hers then raise it “hey chin up you’re the Alpha you should be always stand tall reminding your fellow pack members that you’re the leader here” She smiled at her mate’s concern about her position.

Fifteen minutes passed Lykos was already in the arena, standing with his head, ears and tail high preparing for the fight, there was a serious look on his face, waiting for his next opponent, then a large brown-maroonish wolf appeared with white marking in his muzzle down his underbelly his tail was the same color as his pelt and his green eyes seem to glow in his eyes the other wolves gasped and Lykos blinked in surprise he was expecting this opponent, it was Garth the leader of the fighters of the Crystal Lights Pack, Garth is popular not only that he’s the leader of the fighters, he was also known for skillful in fighting when he was just a yearling that he volunteered to join the fighters who will defend their territory against the Bear Clan.

“At this final match when Lykos won he will take his place as the Alpha male of the Crystal Lights Pack, but if he failed the second strongest wolves of our pack will fight him without break which our Alpha herself, Aleu” Nuk said, Lykos gasped even the wolves from the audience there were whispers from the crowd. “Let the fight BEGIN!” Nuk announced then sat, with a terrible snarl from both of the competitors they charged, Lykos position his head on the left so Garth will know in where or what part that he will bite as soon as they were close, Garth open his mouth ready to bite but Lykos tilt his head to the right then jump towards Garth’s right foreleg and bite it swiftly “ARGH!” Garth suddenly screamed but more than surprise than pain, Lykos tackle his chest while biting his leg knocking him down the ground then proceed to bite his neck, Garth wildly scratch Lykos’ neck, with groaned he let go of Garth, surprisingly the wolf staggered to his feet quickly then charged at Lykos to tackle him, who jump sideward just in time to avoid the attack and he manage to slash Garth’s side, Garth growled then turn around to charged at him again but Lykos suddenly jump and bite his neck pushing him down to the ground but Garth was tough, he shake his head at this Lykos let him go with Garth’s fur in his jaws, Garth immediately jump at him then bite him at the back of his neck “ARGH!” Lykos groaned. Aleu lowered his head ever so slightly and sadly then sighed and give a silent prayer in the spirits for Lykos to defeat Garth.

Pushing him down to the ground, Lykos look at the Garth’s bleeding foreleg, he slash the wounds with his claws then Garth let him go with a painful yelp, then tackle and pinned him down to the snowy ground, which is filled with blood Lykos bite his stomach hard in a short while, Garth yelp in pain then Lykos jump with a snarl and his mouth open wide then bite on Garth’s neck hard, as the wolf stop wriggling his way out of Lykos’ jaws. Lykos let him go then took a step back, Nuk approach Garth’s bloodied body Lykos look down at Garth sympathetically, he desperately hope that he didn’t kill him Nuk began to count but surprisingly Garth groaned now he was struggling to get up but failed and fell down in the snow “This competition is over Lykos is the winner!” Nuk announced happily then give Lykos’ a big friendly hug, there were cheers and howl from the pack, Aleu was cheering him loudly, louder than the cheers from the wolves.

Aleu walked down the ledge then began to approach Lykos, once she was in the middle of the arena facing him, and Garth’s unconscious body already remove from the arena, she smiled but also there was a look of disgust as she notice blood everywhere in snowy arena, she shrugged uncomfortably then immediately erased her thoughts about it, she sighed then face the crowd, she cleared her throat loudly as a signal of ‘silence’ “My fellow packmates from this day I now announce our newest from the pack or should I say the former member of our pack after Nava force them to leave for their safety from Niju’s vicious plans against them, and I found out that Lykos was the Alpha’s heir before since Nava’s mate died and his pups too that’s why he chose Lykos as the rightful alpha male of the pack, Since I’m the Alpha female of the pack Lykos’ will be my mate and…” she smiled then blushed “aiiiiyyyyyyiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeee!!!” the wolves yipped as they saw Aleu blushed, then Lykos smiled his heart “and..I..I’m happy to be mate” she said then recover her seriousness “Now let us pay our respects to our new Alpha male of the pack: Lykos” at this Aleu’s left hind leg step back while her right foreleg took a step forward then bowed down to him with her tail tuck between her legs and her eyes closed with a smile on her face then soon all the wolves in the pack bowed down in respect each of them silently prayed to the spirits that Lykos’ will lead the pack wisely.

Lykos was surprised that he’s the Alpha male which is a big responsibility probably the biggest responsibility he had ever had or experienced, he look down at Aleu then nuzzle and lick her forehead, Aleu open her eyes then look up and saw Lykos smiled then winked at her “At ease, my packmates, rise” he said in a commanding voice then all of them stand up and look at the new Alpha male. “Since Dalton was unable to fight to become the Beta of our pack, the competition for the Beta position will continue tomorrow afternoon now since his also a leader for the hunters, I’ll be the substitute leader for the hunter wolves, healers I expect that your medicines are ready to heal Garth, Dalton and Shade. Now all of you are dismissed. Hunters come and follow me we’re going to hunt now” he said then eight nine wolves follow him. Aleu watch as she saw her mate ran with the hunters from the pack.

A month passed…

The sun was now positioned on its highest point signaling that its already noon, Aleu lay in the den with her head resting on her forelegs, three small figures were on her white light-gray white belly, that sometimes some wolves mistaken it as white color, one has the same color as their father and the other two were dark gray but the other one has black markings on his back that almost reach the pup’s leg, the black marking runs from its mane up to his tail, then the other has a gray face and a light gray marking on his muzzle and the pup’s underbelly with a gray line at the top of the pup’s muzzle, then the black one has the markings of their father but has a same color of Aleu’s underbelly. 

Aleu was waiting for her mate, who was gone hunting with the hunters from the pack, at this she felt useless before` Lykos rejoin the pack, she was always sitting in the ledge watching her packmates doing nothing that sometimes she notice one of her pack members were frowning at her but she ignore them she thought that they were just jealous because Nava nor the white wolf, Aniu chose them to be the rightful heir for the pack but she was wrong they were mad at her because she didn’t help the hunters in hunting. She sighed then a tear leaked out from her eyes.

A cute cry coming from Aleu’s belly, she raise her head to look what’s the matter, it was the gray wolf pup with black markings and a light gray underfur with a black mane, the wolfdog pup crawled towards their mother’s chest, Aleu smiled down at the gray wolfdog pup, she covered the other pups from her stomach with her slightly thick wolfdog tail. She put her head on her forelegs then pull the pup to her face gently, she was about to fall asleep when she heard the snow crunch outside the den, she immediately snarled the pups cry from their mother’s protectively snarl that echo in the walls of the den. Then a black and gray wolf appeared in the den’s entrance, Aleu calmed down as soon as she sniffed the wolf’s scent it was her mate: Lykos with a large part of meat in his jaws, Lykos walked inside the den with a curious look on his face *what are those three figures* he thought then as he walk closer he noticed that thos figures were pups! Lykos immediately drop the meat front of her then look at at the pups “Aleu who own these cute and cuddly pups?” Lykos asked “They are our pups, Lykos” she said with a warm smile, Lykos drop his mouth open in surprise, disbelief and happiness. “That means we’re parents now?!” he look at her, scared that he can’t do his duty to the pack and to his family both. “Lykos don’t worry” she said and put her paw on his as if reading her mind, “don’t worry we’re in this together, right?” Aleu said then Lykos smiled weakly and look down at the pups.