IX. All Dogs go to Hell

Steele woke up about midday. Recent day he had been practicing with pack, what exhausted him hard. Moreover - ache in paws increased caused insomnia for most of the night. But when sleepy malamute opened his eyes quickly he felt growing anger on Peninsulans and Bucks that they hadn’t awoken him. He slowly stood up, take a look ion cave, ready to scold first spotted wolf. But no one was there.

Steele went out from cave (he wanted to run, but aching paw turned that effort into just slow march) and saw that both packs were gone. The message that Niju scratched on pine trunk in front of entrance was clear. It was a sign of war.

“I can’t believe it!” snorted malamute. “Again Niju thinks he is a smart alec!” He burst in laughter but after few seconds stopped, narrowed his eyes and sniffed the fresh tracks.

About ten hours. So it would be hard, but he still had some chance to catch them. Hobbling malamute set off west trying to avoid basing on front-left paw.

*

Cris woke on dawn and instantly continued his pursuit. It turn out to be harder than he thought, because both Conquerors Pack (dog sensed well they tracks) and Natalya started to stray. Wolves made a turn north, passed the brink of Sandy Range and then turned once again and back to the west. It looked like Sergey was looking for something and when he didn’t find, directed back to the shore. Hoping that he was right, Cris decided to risk and make a shortcut, by crossing hills.

He was still confused by his nightly vision, but he was close to believe that all was true. Even running on Sandy Range we was sensing some presence, reminding him dead brother. That unseen specter seemed to guiding him, finding the easier way. At least Cris believed that – he was running fast and firmly in area he had been never before. Additionally the vision somehow calmed him down – none of his problem was solved but dog knew he wasn’t alone.

Finally Cris reached the bed of some unnamed river. It was mountain torrent, coming down from Bears Range then floating next to hills he was going. Smelling strong scent of wolves in the air, dog with relief entered frozen surface of wide river. Frosts of recent nights iced it solidly, at least near the banks. So Cris was speeding on that comfortable route, still sniffing for well known scent. About midday he sensed it right in front of him.

*

Pack stopped and was looking on leader with questioning stare. But Sergey was furious and paid no attention on his charges. And if he did, he would probably felt a bit uncertain – there wasn’t any intention in that, but wolves instinctively divided into two groups – newcomers and original Drifts. Both teams were seeing that scene from slightly different perspective. Strays were just waiting what their leader would do. Drifts looked on daughter of their old chief with expectations.

Natalya was on the road west, just next to river’s cliff. She was looking with decisive stare on Sergey and her teethes were bared. She had changed for those few days and all pack, especially brown-furred alpha knew it well.

“Welcome, my dear.” Said Sergey, covering his anger with venomous kindness. “Are reconsidered your... problems and went back?”

“Yes and no.” replied Natalya. “I reconsidered problems I have and understood that only serious one is you!” and added with louder and more willful voice. “And I haven’t leave the pack. Only you left the rightful leader.”

“Crack.” Whispered Sergey. “Get her, but don’t kill her.”

“I don’t know, boss...” murmured black-furred. “But I think you was challenged.”

Sergey looked on beta with anger. Crack smiled and in that smile all turned out to be clear. Wolf wasn’t loyal to alpha as he wasn’t loyal to anyone. He was just waiting for his chance... Maybe with few leaderess he would become an alpha male?

“You will regret that.” Gasped Sergey, setting off ahead.

“I doubt, sir. I’m not sentimental one.” Replied beta with irony.

“Sergey, stand and fight!” called Natalya. Brown-furred went before ranks of wolves and came to bitch.

“What the hell possessed you!” murmured quietly. “I will kill you...”

“Are you sure?” smiled Natalya. Sergey’s jaw dropped. “I’m sure you won’t. I could win and even if I don’t you still need me. Instead of your loyal subjects.” She smiled and pointed on laughing Crack and indifferent Olga.

“You expect to rule them?” asked alpha. “They gave no heck about you when I exiled you.”

“The same as for you now.” Noticed silver-furred. “But I’m a female after all. I still haven’t chosen a mate. So I hope at least for one, loyal ally.”

“Ow...” Sergey snorted. “I don’t recognize you! You started talking like touch one. What how it could be that you - so sweet pup – became so cynical?”

“I had a good tutor.” Smiled Natalya, although the careful observer could notice a two tears in corners of her eyes. “So, let’s fight. If I win, I will consider making you an alpha. But if you win you will have no other choice than making me mate and alpha female if you want to rule that lot.”

Sergey burst in laughter and was laughing for over minute. Then pinned his furious stare in Natalya’s eyes.

“Cool!” he snorted. “But what about if I accidentally kill you?”

“You have to try.” Replied silver-furred with still firm voice, although yet without that overwhelming certainty.

So Sergey attacked without any more warning. He pounced on enemy with outstretched paws, intending to quickly pin her down and immobilize her. But Natalya seemed to wait for that. She jumped aside and wolf hit just snow on the verge of road. Impetus pushed brown-furred further and he, slipping, got to the cliff. In spite of desperate moves, he fell behind the edge and second later hit the ice below.

Natalya was ready for that. She jumped down, landing firmly on stunned wolf and grabbed his neck. Although he was much stronger and more experienced the temporally shock of fall made him defenseless for several seconds. It was enough for Natalya to hardly grab enemy’s throat and clasp it. Steel muscles of Sergey made a unbreakable barrier for silver-furred’s fangs, so she was unable to crush his trachea. But firm grip of bitch started to slowly chocking a giant male. When he understood that danger he made an impulsive attempt to free himself. He fell down on side, overturning Natalya with him and pushed the ice with all paws. So they both slid about ten feet out from the shore. There river was turning into backwater. Wide pool of still water, all covered with ice, was about hundred meters wide. But current of river was still alive under that layer. Most probably in center of backwater ice was thin and fragile. Sergey was hoping he would scare enemy, but he was wrong.

Silver-furred was still grasping his neck, in spite that wolf was crawling to the center of pool. Slowly losing his consciousness alpha knew that he would be killed by weaker female if he wouldn’t stopped her plan quickly. That why with dimmed mind he was still marching to the thin ice, despite of louder and louder sounds of crack under their paws.

Conquerors Pack divided. When Drifters noticed that their rightful alpha had a chance to win they started to gather in group. In reply newcomers formed another club on the other side of road. Olga stayed on the road, uncertain what to do. She was sure she couldn’t hope for any privileges among strays however she felt that Crack surely wouldn’t kill her. For the other paw she offender or discouraged most of Drifters. She looked helplessly on Crack.

“So what will you do, Olga?” asked Sasha with strong voice. “Decide: we or them!”

“Touching.” Smiled Crack, looking in Olga’s eyes. “But we still have a number high ground.”

Beta took a quick look on old pack. Sasha formed Drifters in ranks, taking a leadership, but leaving one place in front free – as it was waiting for Natalya.

“You were Alexander’s beta.” Gasped gamma. “And now you are Natalya’s... whatever you do.”

“Come with us.” Called black-furred. “Fourteen to twenty five jaws! We will win!”

“I’m sorry, Crack...” whispered Olga and stepped to Drift rank.

“No... that I’m who is sorry.” Replied dark-furred with almost sad voice. Then he wagged his tail, giving a signal to attack. Wolves set off to charge, when...

Ice cracked.

Sergey with his last effort dragged Natalya almost to the middle of backwater. She noticed the danger but she also knew that loosing enemy meant almost death-sentence. She had no chance with Sergey in close combat so she was still holding hic throat hoping she would finally stun him or choke him. But when ice broke below her paws she lost her grab.

They didn’t fall into cold water. Both Natalya and Sergey managed to get on some big, solid drifts. Those two ice pieces were about five feet from each other, so enemies were on range of pounce. But they didn’t think about charging but desperately trying to maintain balance and not to fall to the frosty water. A look on river freed from ice-layer wasn’t soothing – smaller drifts were pulled under ice, because of strong current. If something gets under it had almost for sure float downriver.

“And whet now, sweety?” asked Sergey, panting, but quickly regaining his confidence. “I would say we have a draw. You prove to be worthy. How about our weeding plans?”

“We are not finished yet!” hasped Natalya.

“O my God!” snorted brown-furred. “Are bored by life? Now you have what you want. Let join me and as an alpha you will help me to conquer some territory for us!” He laid down on drift and put his paw to water. It seemed to be just random moves, but wolf started to row in solid ice direction. “It all came on your way, didn’t it? So let’s go to the shore and celebrate our alliance and... love...” smiled Sergey.

“At least...” snorted Natalya with growing anger., “Cris was lying in much more charming way!”

But then brown-furred jumped on integral ice-layer, trampled on it and pounced in she-wolf direction. All wolves on shore held their breathes seeing as giant male was hitting fragile bitch with all his mass and pushing her into water. Before Natalyta could reacted, she was under ice and Sergey jumped again on solid ground. But then came Cris.

Dog was running on frozen river, in last period jumping in long jumps, sliding on frozen layer to get there faster. He passed next to surprised Sergey but before brown-furred moved a paw, he was in zone of cracks. Without hesitation he jumped to the water and submerged. Thermal-shock was so rapid that dog initially felt nothing unusual. Just some powerful force pressed his chest, as if it was trying to crash him. With few moves of paws Cris swam under ice layer and grabbed unconsciousness Natalya. And then his reason called to him in terror.

Maybe it was an instinct, maybe some friendly spirits advised him – Cris submerged even deeper, bounced off on the bottom and holding Natalya tight in paws he hit the ice above him. Pain exploded in his head and back that pressed hard layer. But he broke it. Spitting water from mouth, Cris emerged in improvised ice-hole. Instantly he tired to raise white-furred and put her on surface but then he felt a resistance.

“Oh, no!” growled Sergey. “Before I know you are with her, I could let her live. But if she had a mate... well I do not like rivalry.” And he pushed them both again underwater.

Pack: or maybe better to say: both packs on shore howled. Conquerors in cheering, Drifts with rage. They set off to get on ice, but growl of strays team stopped them. Sasha halted the furious charge and turned to Sergey’s followers.

“You will pay for that!” she gasped, but before she gave a command to attack sounded a loud sound of cracking ice.

Surprised Cris however didn’t lose his cold blood, maybe thanks to fact it was very difficult to lose cold blood in so freezing water. He again submerged to the bottom, letting current took them. When they floated about twenty feet, he bounced from ground and again prepared himself for bump on forehead. He pierced the ice layer and they both found themselves with muzzles over water. Dog inhaled deeply and clenched Natalya’s chest. Silver-furred coughed and spat some water from throat. Fortunately she also took also a breath. So Cris, seeing Sergey running to them, submerged once again.

He knew it was extremely hazardous. They did it twice barely and both dog and she-wolf were quickly hypotherming. Paws of brownish-furred became more and more tired and senseless. But he managed to land on bottom and spring from it again.

“There!” called Olga, pointing another crack in ice. “They’re swimming!”

Drifts howled in triumph and Conquerors growled. Sergey was unable to chase escapers, because Cris efforts damaged whole ice layer and before brow-furred more and more crack appeared. So with anger he set off to the shore.

Meanwhile Cris and Natalya swam (or were took by current – depends how one looks) to the small island in the middle of backwater. Ice there was thin, so dog broke it with easy and pulled coughing Natalya on ground.

“Egh... what...”

“Hush, my dear.” Whispered Cris. “It all will be all right.” He nestled to her side, hoping to warm her... and himself too.

Sergey got to the shore and ordered.

“Crack! Get all forces and go to the isle!”

Conquerors uncertainly followed brown-furred and beta. But right after them went Drifters, still not ready to charge on more numerous enemy, but clearly intending it anyway. Conquerors circled  the isle with rank, shielding it from incoming Drifters. Meanwhile Sergey and Crack went to shore. Alpha was looking on Natalya with view to kill.

“Cover us.” He growled. “And we will finish our job.” But then sounded a loud laughter from the shore. No one from Chukchi wolves knew it, but Cris knew it well.

“Niju!” whispered to ear of Natalya. “We are saved!”

All predator turned theirs stares to the shore. On road was standing a big groups of about thirty newcomers. Two alphas on lead – one black-and-white furred, second greyish, were looking on ice.

“All in one sack.” Smiled Niju. “I will be hard, but we will manage it. First take out that first, smaller group, closer to the shore.”

“No...” panted Cris, but he was too far to be heard by leader.

So Peninsulas and Buck went on ice and started to march towards Drifters. Seeing it, Sergey called aloud.

“Sasha! Are commanding your jaws?” When she didn’t responded, he added. “I propose an alliance... maybe even one-time deal. Together we still have serious supremacy. Put our recent argument... to ice and kill those rascals.”

“We have no other way.” Murmured Olga to Sasha’s ear.

“Drift Pack...” called gamma with uncertain voice. “Form a rank with... Conquerors.”

“Not good.” Murmured Dymitr, walking next to Niju and Flame.

“It could have been worse.” Replied at once father and son. Two ranks of four pack were closing each other.

Cris raised his head and licked Natalya’s cheek. She opened her eyes.

“You are back...” she whispered and smiled. “So it was real?”

“It is real.” Said dog with serious tone. “I love you.” She closed her eyes and cuddled harder to his side.

“So I’m more important than your mission?” asked with disbelief.

“Actually it doesn’t matter anymore...” murmured dog, looking on two groups of wolves, closing each other with bared teethes. “I’ve just failed my mission completely.”

But then Cris saw a blurry silhouette of Lucas, standing before him and with smile on his face pointing on the sky. Dog looked up and in the same moment he heard the sound of closing plane. Arashi’s and Gunnar’s vehicle was flying fast and coming to landing.

In very, very improper place.

“Pull up!” yelled Gunnar, trying to overscream the loud engine. “You can’t land here! The ice is cracked!”

But it was too late. Biplane touched icy layer on eastern edge of backwater and started to slide on it towards wolves and island. It was going quite well for first hundred yards. Then ice broke.

X. For Pack and Country

All wolves froze when unknown, screaming air-monster came from over the trees. It was speeding directly on centre of backwater, so tight ranks of pack got loosen as predators were preparing to escape. But plane touched the ice and starter to slow down. Drifters and Conquerors knew the deadly power of such machine, but they also knew that it is helpless on the ground. The only danger from that were human pilots. But every human apart of powerful rifle had also a throat to bite. The enemy on the ground was dangerous however vulnerable as any other creature.

“Look!” called Sergey with delight. “It will drown!”

Biplane was carving the ice layer by its skies. Cracks appeared under undercarriage but machine was to fast to fall in holes. Yet. Airplane was slowing down and it was sure that sooner or later it wouldn’t escape from crushed ground. More perceptive wolves knew it as well as humans in machine.

“Pull up!” yelled Gunnar. “Start it!”

“I can’t!” replied Arashi, grappling with joystick. “We are going too slow.”

“So drive to that island!” called Norwegian and turned his shift-stick right.

Wolves made a way for sliding plane. It braked just before insula but submerged into water and floats about teen yards before it. It slide on bottom few yards and stopped, touching shore with propeller. Whirling airscrew halted about five inches from laying Cris and Natalya.

“What the heck that means!” growled amazed Sergey. “Regroup and keep an eye on that humans. I guess we will have some extraordinary dinner.”

Isle was surrounded by three circles of wolves: Conquerors who were the closest, Drifters farther and Peninsulas with Bucks, who just were entering the ice. Seeing that Drifters started to getting closer to Strays. The dividing line seemed to be clear: locals and newcomers.

Gunnar and Arashi get out from plane’s wreck and jumped to the dry ground on isle. When Norwegian spotted whole gathering of predators around he instinctively grabbed his rifle and aimed.

“Stop!” called Japanese. “We haven’t enough of ammo. There is over seventy of them.”

“I have five rounds in clip, and twenty in backpack.” Reported Kaasen. “Your colts?”

“Twelve in barrels and twenty in sack.... what I left in plane.” He looked on drowning remnants of machine. “Still we have to small firepower, even if we would hit with every shot.”

“I guess they should run off after we start shooting.” Murmured trapper.

“I guess that wolves shouldn’t gather in so huge packs.” Replied doctor. “If I survive, I will shock the present biology... But what...” He noticed a pair of canines, who was lying on beach. Bitch was almost unconsciousness, lying motionlessly and dog barely raised his head to look on humans. In his eyes Japanese stopped a silent ask for warmness. “Gunnar, light a camp-fire!”

“Sure.” Murmured trapped. “Now it’s our only way of defence...” Then he noticed a wolf and dog. “Ow, and who are they? Malamute, here, in wild? With wolfbitch!”

“Something strange is going here.” Said Arashi, covering Natalya and Cris with his coat. “Give me your rifle and will keep an eye on that pack. And light a fire imiedately!”

Kaasen hadn’t to be told twice. With fast moves he cut some brush from fir and lighted it. Island was about twenty yards long and ten wide. It wasn’t many trees and bushes there, but fairly enough to easily make a solid fire and keep it for long. “About forty hours of real flame.” Estimated Norwegian in mind. “And that the time we need fix something to get alive from here.”

When trapper made a campfire, Arashi dragged dog and wolf closer to it. Wolves from around were looking on that indifferently or they were ignoring scene behind theirs backs, more focused on hostile packs. Only Niju looking on worried Flame said.

“It’s about Cris? Your brother-in-law is safe right now. And we can’t go for him, because humans have guns. We will retake him after we’ll deal with those strays. Right?”

“Right, father!” confirmed wolf with official tone. “We will crush them.”

In the other group fate of pair was more in concern. Drifts joined to Conquerors to defend from locals. But they were also looking on unconsciousness Natalya with fear. She was in paws of humans – dreadful creatures with lighting sticks. The only satisfied member of coalition was Sergey, sure that silver-furred wouldn’t get alive from humans grasp.

“So, what now?” asked Sasha with anger, looking on brown-furred.

“Call Crack and we will think.” Said Sergey and seeing that dark wolf came, continued. “We don’t have to love each other to cooperate. We have to rid out those humans and local wolves and then we will finish our argument. But then...” he smiled with grim smile. “I guess we could live in peace. When we kill that lot and subdue survivors, there will be enough of territory and food for both packs... Conquerors and Drifters.”

“But first we have to save Natayla!” growled Sasha with decisive voice.

“Hold your moose!” interrupted her Sergey. “I won’t risk a charge on armed humans. All I can promise that I won’t kill her when humans are here. And later we will finish our duel according to the laws.”

“But we must save her from those hunters!”

“Calm down... We will deal with locals, then wait for humans to freeze or starve. I bet Natalya would stand longer than they.”

Warmth slowly restores senses to both Natalya and Cris. They were lying under Arashi’s coat, to shocked to be confused. After few minutes of regaining the orientation, Natalya whispered to Cris ear.

“We are still alive.”

“And we will... nor now.” Said dog. “Those are friendly humans. It will be all right...”

“Except that our pack are about to slaughter each other...” whispered silver-furred. “And what you will do now?”

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t tell you everything from the start...” said Cris. “Few days ago I thought that I know with whom I am. Niju, that alpha is a friend of my father. His son is mate of my sister. My father...” he smiled with grim smile. “Is alive and probably will be here soon. To fight with your companions, although he doesn’t want that war. My mother and my sister are looking for help for local pack.”

“Cris...” whispered Natayla with tensed voice. She licked his forehead with sympathy. “I know I did bad, saying you all that. You have your own life... And I still wish to part of it, if we manage to do that... and if you still want that.” Dog smiled and their lips joined in kiss.

“Is that normal wolves behaviour?” asked a bit confused Gunnar.”

“Not more weird than all this mess around.” said Arashi, pointing on packs but also looking on pair of mates.

“By the way...” asked Norwegian. “Why that bitch doesn’t escape?”

“Her paw is twisted.” Replied doctor, pointing on one of silver-furred’s limb. “I will take care about that when I am sure she won’t bite my hand off.”

“Do what you think as best.” Replied Kaasen. “But cover me, I’m going for more wood.” He took his knife and started to saw a trunk of dwarf pine. It was exhausting work, but they had nothing else to do. Night was slowly coming to the river’s mouth. Norwegian knew that coming night would be frosty. Fire was a matter of life.

When Natalya and Cris finished their caress, dog looked on her and asked.

“How do you fell? Can you walk?”

“Hobble - yes. But I won’t be able to get thought that packs. If your decide not to stop me, Sergey would take that idea.”

“And he surely won’t let me go...” agreed Cris. “But wait, I’ll try to solve that as I can.” He stood, went on beach and howled to gathered wolves. “Niju, Dymitr, Sergey, Crack... listen to me!”

“Hold on, boy!” replied Niju. “We will take you when we finish off those strays.”

“Ow...” hissed Crack. “And where is your famous <American hospitality>?”

“Dormancing during the winter.” Called Flame and bared his fangs. “I’m ready, dad.” He added with quieter voice.

“I know it well.” Said Niju and smiled.

“WAIT!” cried Cris. “Why do want to fight? There still could be a peaceful solution.”

“No more, Cris.” Replied Niju. “They will not let us go.” He pointed with muzzle on humans on isle. Last rays of sun faded over the trees and cold wind awoke. “Don’t you get it? Why those Russian wolves came to us.”

“To rip your throat!” howled Sergey, but seeing serious stare of black and white alpha, he added. “Actually, we were being hunted all the time. We decided to find a new territory.”

“Exactly.” Nodded Niju. “And when more wolves come where, there will be less game for us all. So pack will hunt closer to humans seats... or even for humans animals. And even people of Alaska will start a massive hunts on us. The only way to prevent that... is to decide here and now, who is destined to live!”

“No!” called Cris. “It doesn’t end in that way.”

“Shut up, dog!” barked Sergey. “You know nothing.” Wind grew stronger, showering wolves and humans with some snow from trees.

“Cris...” whispered Natalya. “Is there any way to stop that?”

“If you forgave me, everything is possible.” He replied.

“I didn’t forgive you. You did nothing you must shame.” Said silver-furred. “I grew up in those days and saw that you did what you have to... But now... show me once again that my puppyish dreams are true... That there is some way to save us all.”

“Niju!” called dog. “How do you know you will win? Your wolves would die too!”

“But those who survive, will be strong and safe!” replied wolf, looking on Cris with decisive voice. “One, when I was just young and stupid youngster, my old alpha, Nava, taught me many important things. Initially I thought that as a wolf I’m the master of all life. But then, with him, I understood that we are just a part of a Great Design, the order we can’t oppose and we shouldn’t.”

“That means we have to kill each other?” yelled Cris.

“Don’t blame me.” Replied Sergey with innocent smile. “I want to kill you to get land for my pack. But I have nothing to do with those moonshine.”

“Yes.” Said Niju. “As the Nature intended. The strong will survive and the weak will die. I’m sorry, son, but there must be that way. You say we’re doing it because of humans? Yes and no. They are subjected to Grand Design too. If we follow it, they have to follow also. We can’t shun our fate, but stand it as proud and strong species. We walked this land before humans came here and we will walk it long after they will perish. But to do that we must follow the ways of Nature, as we were following for ages.”

“I think that is nonsense.” Added Sergey. “But we will fight anyway.”

“You will understand it soon.” Said Niju.

[“Survival” song. Tune is sublime and a bit scary. Melody of verses a bit resembles “Grand Design from WQ, except to totally different rhythm and structure.]

[Niju is standing on ice, in rank of wolves from Coalition. Next to him is Flame, looking almost like father. He looks on parent, from his face expression we see the pride and want to show his valour to the father. He also is still barring teethes to scare the enemy. His paws are a bit stretched, ready to charge on enemy. Niju sees this, smiles but then starts to declaim with serious voice:]

Now I'm saying what I was told
When I was just a young fool
There one way we can afford
Being free by follow rules

[Music starts. Niju shows with paw the surrounding landscape. He goes ahead and gets to the line of Conquerors and Drifters. Although whey are growling on enemy’s leader, Sergey wage his tail to let him in. Old wolf passes the rank of adversaries.]

Since moment of a life-blood started in veins of this land
We are following the route that draw on Earth the unseen hand
It is guiding us still towards the perfection and the peak
Being strong is heaven that we seek

[He comes closer to the island, carefully avoiding ice-cracks made by landing plane. When he is about twenty yards from shore, Gunnar raises his rifle and aims on him, but Niju jumps aside with unexpected speed.]

All this purge to reach salvation is to weakness cast away
This is route for only those ones who could stand the trials I say
This is one and only duty for the creatures to fulfil
Stand and kill or to be killed

[Then he again comes to isle’s beach. Gunnar is still aiming on his and Arashi holds a flaming torch in his hand. But wolf seems be indifferent towards humans. On words < purge to reach salvation > he comes to air-hole and submerge his cut paw to cold water. Blood-spot is washed away, however we see on face of Niju that holding limb in water is very unpleasant. But he stands it with ease and shows Cris his cleared cut. He comes closer puts it on dog’s shoulder. On words < kill or to be killed > scratches his throat with a claw, of course making him no harm, but Cris follows wolf’s paw with stare.]

Chorus:
The survival of the fittest
And for weakling just death’s call
Call it cruelty for the weaker?
That’s the fairest deal of all!

[He turns to all pack and sings with louder voice. He pushes Cris with his paw – dog falters due to surprise, but regains his balance and stands still and firmly.]

Rules are simple, immutable
For one lives the other dies
No more dishes on this table
Than reach only, earthly prize

[Niju gets back to rank of newcomers. He chooses some she-wolf from rank. She is small and weak, possibly omega of pack. He pushes her, but she stands on spread paws, enduring that shove. She bares her teethes, but Niju just smiles, like he was proud of that.]

What is goodness if not power? What is beauty if not might?
Cause for every blooming flower ten more wither with no light
Does life really is the blessing, or we must deserve for it
God created our fangs to tear the meat 

[Then he comes to some other female – she is strong and is growling on old leader loud. He bends to her, as if he wants to kiss her. She snapped her jaws on him – Niju jumps back with laughter.]

You could sympathy the weakling, knowing you will fall one day
But that tragedy on road-side just can’t lead you on astray
And when my time some day will come – I won’t yell for any break
That heroism all of you will someday make

[Niju comes to Crack, who is probably the strongest of Conquerors (along with Sergey). He pretends he pushes him, but in the same time he trips dark wolf with paw, so Crack falls down. Then Niju puts a paw on his forehead, but let him go after few seconds.]

Chorus:
The survival of the fittest
And for weakling just death’s call
Call it cruelty for the weaker?
That’s the fairest deal of all!

[He is walking back to own pack, fare welled but hostile snaps of Conquerors and Drifters. His own wolves part before him with respect. Then the rank gets back to tight formation. Niju is again on lead, between Flame and Dymitr.]

By hell we’re fighting right now
We’re ascending to divine
With his instinct one understands
Be the best means be alive

[Zoom-in on Flame’s face – he looks almost hypnotized by father’s song. When it ends, he turn to enemy with even greater fury in eyes. Music stops.]

“Shoot me down!” murmured Gunnar, looking on wolves in their sophisticated ritual and nudging Arashi’s side. “I thought that such a ridicules are only in those stupid books. But now I see it on my own eyes.”

“Sometimes I’m glad I have a myopia.” Replied Japanese and then a loud howl sounded.

“Steele!” called surprised Niju.

“Dad!” cried Cris with relief.

“Not only!” called Kitty, sitting on Steele’s back. “We are in right moment for cavalry, mister sled-one.”

“What a mess here!” barked malamute. “Son, we have to clean it up. You must bring your mother and sister here. I will make sure they won’t bite themselves to death.”

“I’ll do it, dad!” said Cris and bended down to lying Natalya. “Listen to me... I have to leave... But I’ll be back, I promise.”

“I believe you, my love.” She replied with weak voice. “Help them... and that way you will help me... you will help our.” She licked his cheek.

“So I’m going.” Repeated Cris. “Don’t be afraid of those humans. As I figured out they are friends of my father.” She nodded her muzzle and dog turned to west.

“Do you think we will let you go?” asked Sergey with genuine amaze.

“No.” replied dog and added quieter. “I hate baths!”

And then he ran to other side of isle, hit the ice with paws, breaking it. Instantly he jumped under and let current to take him.

“What the...” gasped Conquerors alpha, seeing the shade of floating dog right below his ranks.

“Quick!” called Steele. “Make him an air-hole!” Several Peninsulas and Buck starts to his the ice straight down-river from isle. After few hits ice cracked and Cris muzzle appeared. Wolves grabbed his fur with jaws and helped him go out from water.

“Funny thing.” Said Gunnar to confused Arashi. Actually Norwegian was also shocked, but whole situation seemed so weird for him that he decided to ignore any new wonders. “That malamute... He looks familiar...”

XI. Fathers and Sons

Few hours passes and wind grew stronger, bringing heavy snowfall. Actually the real storm was coming. Thanks to that frost wasn’t to severe but fresh snow was even greater danger for unprepared humans. Arashi and Gunnar were dressed properly for Alaska’s frosts but they had limited supplies and whet they had, had drown with plane. So they were lacking of food and ammunition and dwarf-pines from island could fuel their fire but wood was also limited. Around them was dark, October night and tens of wolves.

“Whatever will happen, I won’t kill that wolf.” Said Tazaku, correcting Natalya’s bandage.

“So you think we will be here long enough to get so hungry that we would consider eating her?” asked Kaasen. “Come on, somebody will get know something happened. Probably right now in Buckland they are thinking about searching us.”

“Probably.” Agreed Japanese. “But it’s useless. They have no airplane and journey with sled would take full two days... under condition they know where to go.”

“So they telegraph to Nenana, ask for air reconnaissance... Ow.” Stopped Gunnar with grim smile. “Yes, that could took a while. But now don’t think about it. Take a rest, until we have fire and I’m strong enough to keep the watch.”

“I will change you in few hours.” Promised Arashi and laid down next to fire. “Wake me up if they attack or I start to burn.”

But two circles of wolves were waiting in silence. Snow in the air made that night quite bright – no stars were seen but white layer on the ground and milky cover on the sky was glowing with mild, reflected light. Also glare of campfire was enlightening whole area. Gunnar was on watch. About two hours passed in peace but then trapped spotted some moving shadow. He nudged sleeping Japanese, waking him up immediately. Arashi raised his head, turned it in pointed direction and gasped with amaze.

“I can’t believe it too.” Agreed Kaasen.

Two silhouettes ware marching to the island. When they reached inner circle of Drifters and Conquerors they were greeted by hostile growls and barks. But they didn’t stopped. Ignoring scary jaw-snaps in the air, two shadows entered the circle. In mouths of both canines were bodies of does.

“We have to go back for more.” Murmured Steele, who was barely audible due to load in his mouth.

“What?” gasped Sahsha. “That many meat will last her for few days.”

“That is meat for humans!” replied malamute. “I had to lie we giving it Natalya, because it was the only way to make your companions let me in.”

“You’re witty one, sir.” Said Sasha. “But next time I suggest you explain me your plans.” They entered circle of light from fire. Two humans froze, falling silent and lowering their guns. Then they called.

“STEELE!” cried Gunnar.

“STEVE!” cried Arashi.

“THAT’S MY DOG!” they called together.

“Ow, so you are living double life all the time?” smiled Sasha and put her load in front of humans.

“Some sort.” Replied dog. “Maybe even triple.”

Then he threw down the meat and went to humans. He lowered his ears and open his mouth, craning his tongue. He laid down in snow. First Gunnar, carefully stretched his arm and touched malamute’s head. Steele licked his glove. Then Arashi came and put his hand on dog’s side.

“It can’t be...” he said. “Steele? I’m sure that is my old sled-team leader, Steve!”

“That’s Steele! My best guide, whom I lost six years ago and saw three years ago in forest...”

“You said <Six years ago>?” amazed Japanese. “That the time I found Steve in Buckland...”

“Go back.” Ordered malamute to Sasha. “Family reminiscences could take a while. Get your wolves and hunt something for Natalya.”

“Right, sir.” Replied she-wolf and disappeared in darkness, while humans were still petting Steele and trying to create the true history of dog. Finally malamute barked.

“Ow, right...” agreed Arashi. “We must look on those wolves. You have luck they let you in...”

“O, my God!” gasped Guunar. “They left theirs preys! For us... or for that wounded bitch.” He looked on friend with amaze in his stare. “Arashi, you are the educated man. Tell me, how it is possible.”

“You are not scientist.” Replied doctor. “YOU tell me how it could be. I can only explain you that is impossible.”

“At last, master.” Murmured Steele, cuddling to Gunnar’s side. “I know you can’t hear me but I hope you feel it. That is for that in Nome. Now I’ll do what I have failed there. Save you... or die trying.”

“All right.” Said Japanese. Get the meat, cut some raw part for that wolf and let grill the rest.”

When humans started to prepare the meal, Steele came to Natalya and woke her with gentle nudging on her nose. She opened her eyes and noticed malamute in front of her.

“Who are... You look like Cris!”

“Or even more handsome!” smiled dog. “Nice to meet you, I’m Cris father. Did I understand it well? Are we going to be family?”

“If we survive this, I would like to.” Replied wolf.

“Another wolf in family.” Murmured Steele. “God has His own sense of humour. But anyway, how you paw?”

“Good... I mean: bad, but humans bandaged it.” She replied. “Do you think that Cris will make it?”

“I think he has no other choice.”

*

What was just pleasant snowfall on shore-lowland, higher in mountain, on Green Range, turned out to be real storm. Cris decided to take the shortest straw to Buckland, whatever it takes. He hoped that when he passed Bears Mountain main peak, he would be able to howl and being heard from town. He knew that his mother sharp hear would recognize son’s voice from many miles. But even that wouldn’t help if storm is still raging.

“Go, go, go ahead. If stop that means you’re dead!” was murmuring Cris silently, wresting with furious element.

Wind was hitting him with snow right into his muzzle. He left the peaceful pine forest and was marching on mountain slope, passing just dwarf-pine groves. Those gave him minimal shelter from the storm. But that situation had also some advantage – the terrain was so hard that Cris just could think about making a stop. So he was going on and on, barely sensing own paws.

“For you, dad...” he whispered. “And for you, Natalya...”

*

It was about two hours after midnight when from inner circle came Sergey. Coalition wolves started to growl and bared theirs teethes, but Niju calmed them down. They had a messenger.

“What do you want, stray?” greeted him warmly.

“Some action.” Replied brown-furred straight. “Don’t you think that it’s the best time to finish those humans?”

“Maybe.” Nodded leader. “But what I have to do with that? It is your problem.”

“We will take care of them... But you have to promise you won’t attack us then.” Proposed Sergey.

“And why it’s that?” asked Niju. “We could wait for humans to starve. We are not hurrying.”

“Damn you, Yankee!” snorted alpha. “Where is your wolves-solidarity?”

“In the same place that is your respect for host’s rules.” Grimed Niju. “If that is all what you wanted to say, go now.”

“You will regret that!” gasped Sergey and looked on Flame, who was sleeping in snow few yards away. “I don’t how many it takes but I will kill your boy, I swear!” Although Niju tired to remain indifferent, he instinctively narrowed his eyes. “I make sure that our fight... whatever it would end... hurt you really bad.”

“Shell see.” Replied alpha, however his voice was breaking a little.

“What’s up, father?” asked Flame, who just awoke.

“No, nothing.” Said Niju, looking on returning Sergey.

“He is pleading for mercy?” asked young wolf and smiled. “Right on time, before we start!” he came to Niju and whispered him on ear. “I’ll make you proud, dad. You will see me in the first line. I prove I’m strong and worthy.” Alpha shivered.

“Go back to sleep, son.” Replied. And there came Steele.

“It’s funny, but the older I’m getting and the weaker my eyes are, my hear is going better and better.” Said, looking on father and son. “Are you sure, Niju, you want out all your pack to that test?”

“Go back to your humans, Steele.” Said Niju. “There you will be safe when it all will start.”

“I will, but you won’t.” Replied dog. “I give no heck if you want to die, but I’m trying to make sure my daughter wouldn’t lose her mate. Let them all go.”

“You are crazy!” replied Niju. “They will attack us immediately after they rest. Now they are weak and tired, lacking of food. We will crush them!”

“The last of you will kill the last of them. Praised be the victory!” snorted Steele.

“With all due respect, sir.” Said Flame. “But I think you know nothing. You aren’t a wolf and I respect that. But let us solve us problems as we are designed to. That’s the way of the Nature. That’s...”

“Stop that!” called a voice from isle’s side. It was Sergey, who was standing between Crack and Sashe. “We made a decision. If you don’t want to let us kill humans. We are going to fight now.”

“Your turn!” smiled Niju. He knew well that time was playing for locals.

“Order your wolves to fight!”

“We have to attack you?” asked Flame with malicious smile. “You do it. We could wait till spring here!”

“So...” said Sergey uncertainly, looking on Sasha and Crack. “I challenge Flame for leadership of Peninsula Pack.”

“NO!” growled Niju.

“Why not?” asked Flame. “Dad I will finish him and it all will be over...”

“No... I’m an alpha and...”

“Quit it.” Snorted Crack. “Your son is your successor and he is already considered as an alpha. Isn’t he?” Dark wolf looked on father and son, knowing that was question with no good answer. If Niju deny Flame’s status it would be a great disgrace for chief’s son. But letting him to fight... “And die!” thought Niju, looking on muscular silhouette of brown-furred. “Flame, it’s to early for you. He will win with you.” Added silently, but he could say it loud.

“Dad, let me do it!” asked Flame with official voice but a quiet and desperate plead was also heard. It was everything for young wolf. Niju looked on Steele and theirs stares met. “It’s all your fault.” Seemed to saying malamute. “You made him believe in strength... his own strength.” “Help me!” begged leader.

“No, wait!” said Steele, looking on Sergey. “I heard you started a duel with claimant for your pack... but it was interrupted for some cowards who broke the rules, helping you. Is that right?”

“I don’t know...”

“...what I’m talking about?” smiled malamute. “So what happened to your ear?”

“And what you have to do with that?” snorted brown-furred.

“It happened that I’m father of dog who challenged you. I could finish it instead of him.”

“YOU?!” called all: Niju, Flame, Sergey, Crack and Sasha.

“Are so afraid?” smiled malamute.

“You are... too old!” gasped Niju.

“So we will see if I’m still deserve to live.” Replied dog with airily voice, although in mind he was carefully estimating his chances. It wasn’t an optimistic estimation.

“Good... so...” started Sergey.

“But not now!” replied Steele. “I have to hunt for myself and rest. Let meet on tomorrow dusk.”

“You’re playing for time!” growled Sergey with anger.

“Exactly.” Smiled Steele bluntly. “But it’s all according to the rules. So if you want to hurt humans or those pack... you have to kill me quickly. But for now... I wish you all good night.” He turned back, leaving confused wolves behind. Flame caught him up before he went on the shore.

“With all due respect, I was extremely stupid, sir.” He hissed.

“In opposite to your father’s philosophy?” smiled Steele. But in next second he tensed his muzzle in expression of pain. “Get some meat for me. I can’t hunt.” Flame looked on him with fear. “My paw is freaking again.” Then he hobbled to his fir-branch bedding, leaving surprised Flame on beach.

*

Cris had to turn of almost all the senses. Wind with snow was hitting his muzzle, blinding him and almost overturning him. Dog sensed as if his nose turned to a ice-cube, so no smells were reachable. His ears were filled with howls of storm. Fortunately the way was straight, as straight was Bears Range. But route became more and more blurred due to snow-cover. If Cris still was there and hadn’t fallen down from some bluff it was a kind of miracle.

Finally he decided to face the truth – he was snowblind. Way in front of him was just a distant line of whiteness, but dog saw no cracks nor trees. He was steeping at random, praying that there were no holes in his way. But he was wrong. Suddenly he submerged in the snow, where a rock crack was filled with whiteness. Dog found himself in hole and chocking snow-mass was falling on him from every direction.

“HELP!” yelled brownish-furred to no one in particular. But someone came.

“At last!” smiled Lucas who appeared in front of brother.

“You... are not real...” panted dog. “I’m chocking and my brain is going ape.”

“I’m glad to see you too.” Said pup, licking brother’s cheek. “As I say – I’m always near, but you ask me for help now. So I am.”

“Get me out from here!” yelled Cris, sensing his air-stock in hole is decreasing quickly.

“So... as you inanition I can’t help you..,.”

“Sorry, Lucas, I believe!” yelled brownish-furred. “But take out! Dad is in danger... Natalya is in danger!”

“I know, I know... I will help you if you help yourself. Just trust me.”

“I guess I have no choice.” Whispered Cris, slowly loosing his consciousness.

“So roll on left.” Ordered pup.

“There is... a bluff...” said fog with fading voice. “We will fall.”

“Exactly.” Agreed Lucas and pushed Cris side.

World turned somersault. Dog was hit by wave of fresh air – he inhaled deeply to fully regain his awareness and understand he was rolling from slope down. Lucas was holding his neck, laughing aloud. Then they hit ledge below them. Cris gasped from pain and Lucas just call with puppyish joy. Dog started to dig out from the snow, for not to be covered once again. After few minutes he was on surface... somewhere.

“Great!” yelled brownish-furred. “I don’t know where I am. And I can’t see it. My eyes are snowblind.”

“I will be your eyes.” Said Lucas. “Follow me.”

*

“It’s bad idea!” was crying Ralph Fitch, desperately trying to stay on narrow route. “David, watch out!”

“And what I’m doing for last six hours?” asked team-leader, although human had no chance to understand him. “I wasn’t careful, you would have been dead as ice.”

“What?” called Ice from the lead of second sled. “Are calling me?”

“No, nothing!” replied husky, overscreaming the storm. “It’s fine...” called. “...night to die!” added quieter and turned to his mate, Eva, who was in second rank. “Our owner should pay us more.”

And on second sled was riding a fragile, young woman – Sara Ash. During absence of her husband she decided to take over his duties. And when plain with her father and Gunnar Kaasen didn’t return from flight on cape, she alarmed Ralph – owner of the second sled and they launched a improvised rescue mission. However the trapped was terrified of idea of woman riding sled.

“You haven’t mushed the sled!” yelled Ralph. He was doing his best as a leading musher, but to express his unrest and irritation he was complaining on Sara for all the time. “You even don’t know to drive!”

“As well as my father doesn’t know how to fly.” Noticed woman.

“And how it ended?” asked trapper. “And where we are riding? We are going now only according to David’s nose.”

“To her nose!” murmured David, looking on she-wolf, who was running in second rank next to Eva. “Aleu, how the heck you know where we are going?”

“I don’t know.” She replied honestly. “But I’m suspecting where those pack are. This is our only chance to find them. We haven’t a guide.”
She was wrong. David managed to turn on left to side-road, when he noticed that white drift of snow in front of them was moving and was actually a wolfdog. He barked aloud and both sleds stopped.

“Cris!” called Aleu with amaze. “Son, how it...”

“Mom! Fast!” whispered dog. “Dad is in serious trouble!”
”What now!?” growled Ralph with anger. He went out from sled and saw a dog on snow. “Another stray... But here?”

Sara noticed that newcomer went to Aleu and licked her cheek. She ran to first team and grabbed Ralph’s shoulder.

“Harness him to your sled.” She asked.

“Are lost your mind?” cried trapped. “That’s a stray!”

“No, he will lead us.”

After few minutes Cris for the very first time in his life felt a harsh caress of harness. He was placed next to David in first line of Ralph’s team.

“So you have never pulled?” murmured husky with hopelessness in his voice.

“He will manage.” Said Aleu. “I’m pulling for eight hours and I’m using to it.”

“Damn!” called David, who was sharing the mood of his owner. “A band of amateurs. Son, can you walk?”

“Yes, sir!” replied Cris. He still didn’t see a thing, but Lucas was still near. Family was almost at full strength.

XII. Warrior of the North

Flame woke Steele two hours after midday. It meant it was almost evening, at least in technical sense. Sun was slowly setting over the forest, giving the red rays on snowed wood and dog’s den under a pine. It was something in that scene that Steele shivered and not because of cold.

“This day is getting old.” He thought. “It’s still bright and yet warm, but it’s getting to dusk. Just as me. Well... who knows it this is not the best time.”

“Your meal, sir.” Said Flame, putting a haunch of caribu in front of malamute. He nodded with gratitude and started to eat. “Sir?” asked young wolf uncertainly.

“Yes?” and seeing stare of youngster added. “No it’s finished. I will fight with him.”

“Sir, please, reconsider it.” He turned his stare to the ground. “Ami wouldn’t forgive me, if you die because of me.”

“If she shares the philosophy of your and your father, she will understand it. The strong will survive.” Smiled Steele, swallowing the portion of meat. “Sorry, just kidding. But look on that from my perspective: she wouldn’t forgive me, if you gets hurt.”

“Thank you, sir.” Replied Flame. “But it’s so unfair... You are fighting instead of me, however I’m younger, and – with all due respect – surely stronger.”

“I’ll try to surprise you all.” Murmured dog. “But now help me...” he outstretched his front-left paw. “It is aching as hell. I must warm it up. Can you massage it? Here. I don’t want them to see it.”

“Sir, if your paw is...”

“It is thirteen years old.” Replied Steele. “So it could ache a bit. But it won’t fail me. Not this time.”

*

Sergey was waiting for time of duel with serious anticipation. He was walking among Drifters and Conquerors, arguing with Crack, Olga and Sasha, just to cover his unrest. Of course he wasn’t scared by some old dog who had challenged him, but whole situation got more and more complicated. They all were hungry. Peninsulas and Buck, who were in outer circle, were able to hunt, at least with some scouts. And them were surrounded. Few times Sergey was close to make a final decision of breaking out, but ultimately he left it. He wanted to determinate the war then and there. That why he was in hurry.

“I will kill that idiot.” Growled to betas and Sasha. “Then we will attack those humans, eat them and provoke locals to action. The faster we are done, the better.”

“Natalya will be in danger if we rush on humans.” Noticed Sasha. “Sergey stopped, looked on her with fury and gasped.

“She is not a pup. If she wants to be an alpha she has to take care about herself.”

“She is wounded...”

“So what? Our main goal is to rid off those rascals around.”

“Crack!” called Sasha with tensed voice. “Don’t listen to him. He doesn’t care of Natalya, as well he didn’t care for your brother. Do you think he will be more scruples when will come time for you?”

“Amber wasn’t my brother!” growled dark-furred.

“But he could be.” Noticed Sasha. “He looked just like you. I mean: you could share his fate.”

Sergey snapped his teethes in front of gamma’s muzzle.

“Are you bossing now?” asked with venomous voice. “I will lose my temper soon.”

“With losing me, you will also lose about fourteen jaws.” Smiled Sasha. “Watch your tongue.”

Sergey furiously hit with front-right paw in ice. It cracked loudly. Although it was frosty day, the cracks on ice and then refreezing of pool made ice-layer very fragile. What was worse – the fresh snow covered most of air-holes and dangerous places so walking on that thick ice... was actually walking on thin ice after all. Fortunately Steele appeared, marching slowly from the shore.

“At last.” Smiled Serger. “Are you cold, old dog, that you want to die earlier.”

“I wish to finish you before supper.” Replied malamute, although he was intending to stretch the duel as long as he could. “But first I wish to visit humans.”

“Say them <goodbye!>” laughed Sergey.

“I will forward it from you.” Smiled Steele and went to the island. Although he tried to hide it, the hobbling was clearly seen.

“Well done.” Murmured Crack with irony. “Recently you are fighting with females, kids and invalids.”

“If you consider yourself as one of them, just tell me!” growled Sergey and bared his teethes.

Meanwhile malamute got to the isle. It changed, mainly because Arashi and Gunnar cut down most of bushes to made a defending-brush. But that wall was also continuously being destroyed, because humans lacked the fuel for fire. Steele entered unseen via one of gaps in brush, hoping that wolves on ice didn’t see it.

“Steve!” called Arashi. “I mean: Steele!” Dog went to Japanese and nudged his leg with his side. “Good to see you, old pal. What brought you here?”

“You won’t understand me.” Barked Steele. “But I have to hope you somehow fell it. Goodbye, master Arashi. Probably we won’t see again. Thank you for all... For saving me... Feeding me and... letting me meet with Sky. I will greet her from you.” Then he went to Kaasen, sitting with rifle next to fire. “And good by, master Gunnar. Thank you for all... and I’m sorry one again. But I must know before I die, if you forgave me that night on serum-run.”

“He looks like he is trying to say you something.” Noticed doctor. “But I have no idea what exactly.”

“Me too.” Replied trapped, petting his old dog. “But maybe we see him for the last time. If we won’t make it with wolves...” He looked in malamute’s eyes. “Just in case: goodbye, Steele. You was always good dog. Always.” However constitution of dog’s muzzle was making it extremely hard, Steele smiled. At least Norwegian thought that.

Dog licked face of old owner and went to Natalya. She wasn’t sleeping but looking on scene with wide opened eyes.

“I don’t know what to say...” she started. “Sir... don’t do it. Remember about Cris...”

“I’m, my child.” Murmured Steele. “That why you must listen to me.” He sat in front of wolf and started to whisper quietly. “If Sergey kills me, there will be no one to stop the slaughter... except of you. If you love Cris, you have to do everything to save pack of his sister. And he is calling help to save your companions. So you have to play on time, use every pretext to postpone the final battle. Niju believes that what he is doing is right. Sergey believes that what he is doing is beneficial. Whatever we think about those motivations those are very strong ones – faith and profit. Usually both of them are good, but sometimes they lead to disaster.”

“But what I should do?” yelled silver-furred.

“You know it well, somewhere in your heart. You are the real alpha of your pack and you are responsible for each member of it.” He bended down to her muzzle and licked her forehead. “Do not fail them. None of them.”

And then he stood up and set off on the ice, right in direction of setting sun. “Save your pack” whispered dog and turned to Sergey.

“Finally!” smiled alpha. “Let make it quick.”

“Good.” Nodded Steele. “Quick. I’ll try to get your throat.” A laughter of Coalition Wolves sounded.

“Laugh, old dog, until you can.” Replied brown-furred. “But now, follow me.”

They went to some square of ice partially cleaned out from snow. It was a ring of about forty yards wide and long. The lack of snow made able the more manoeuvrable combat, what Steele greeted with anger, due to his aching paw. “More running.” Though malamute. “I was running whole my damned life and I’m going to die running. How sweet!” And there was one thing more that should worry Steel, but in fact cheered him up. The square was between island and shore, but near to place where biplane had landed. It meant that ice was thick but very fragile there.

“Owi...” smiled dog and whispered in mind. “If you are up-... or downthere, maybe you will be pleased that your good friend is going to share your fate.” He recalled the scene when he threw the wolf to cold sea. “But this time I won’t take a bath alone. If I’m lucky, I’ll get him with me.”

Snow was still falling and wind grew up, in spite of forest cover. For short while Steele thought with anxiety how the weather could be on Cris route, but then he left gave thoughts. “I have some problems on my own.”

“I’m very sorry, that it came that way.” Said Niju, looking on malamute.

“The only thing I could wish to you, is to have similar and so spectacular end.” Replied Steele with bitter smile. “Maybe you’re right. For everybody time will come. I won’t yell for break! Bring it on!” he called to Sergey.

“He will beat him.” Whispered Kitty to Flame’s ear. “As he beat your father and Dymitr...” Then duel started.

Eyes of all wolves and two humans were pointed on ring on ice. Silence fell in ranks of predators when Sergey made few steps back to prepare way for gaining a rush. Ice made a cracking sound when heavy wolf closed to zone of air-holes, but it stood. So Sergey set of in run to Steele. Malamute was standing calmly in the middle of ring, waiting for enemy to come. Whole wolves gathering was shivering from emotions but he, alone was waiting still. Only his aching paw was shaking a bit, what dog couldn’t stop. And everyone were sure that the first brown-furred’s charge would finish all the duel. Sergey stated to run and gaining speed. Five yards before still Steele he jumped up in powerful pounce. He flied three yard above the ground, stretching his paws to pin enemy down. Falling snow dimmed whole scene – Sergey landed in white cloud and his attack, as well as surprisingly fast retaliation of Steele was unseen. But when dust felt down from under white cumulus appeared both adversaries, turned with back to each other. Steele was where he had been, Sergey stopped about five yards behind him. They both were panting heavily. After moment of freezing silence eyes of all spectators turned to brown-furred. Particularly – to his head. Directly – to his ear. And being precise – there was no ear. Wolf’s second auricle was ripped out.

“YOU... MUTT!” howled Sergey with overwhelming rage.

“Not mutt.” Replied panting Steele. “Pure-breed Alaskan Malamute, you stray!”

And then all happened in one moment. Amazed spectators saw as Sergey turns back to enemy and Steele runs to it. They collided face to face, falling on ice and rolling aside. But malamute quickly let wolf go and quickly – however: with heavy effort – stood up. Sergey slid closer to fragile ice, however he was so furious he didn’t notice it.

He jumped back on Steele, but dog shunned that charge easily. Malamute even tried to hit enemy with front-right paw, but he missed. That didn’t calmed a fury of brown-furred, who landed and turned to dog. He started to run, without jumping, just to faster get to enemy. They both collided again and started to roll to air-holes. Ice made a cracking sound, announcing everyone what Steele was intending to do.

“No!” whispered Kitty.

“Of course not!” growled a new voice behind her. “Stop it!” called aloud.

“Amber!” cried fox. “What you are doing here!?”

“Returning my part of deal.” Replied dork-wolf. His paw was still swollen but he was walking firmly. Wrestling enemies stopped and looked on him. “Where is Cris?” asked newcomer. “I have to return him a favour.”

“He is away.” Said Kitty. “But that malamute on ice is his father.”

“Right... I’ll take care for father instead of son.” Smiled dark wolf. “Sergey, leave him!”

“Look!” called Olga to Crack. “Your brother is alive... and he is back!”

“HE IS NOT MY BROTHER!” called both twin-looking black wolves.

“Ow, how do you know it?” asked Kitty. “But they have human doctor there. I suggest the blood-test and...”

“It’s absurd.” Called Amber, coming closer to Crack. “I can’t be his brother, because I grew up in Chukchi pack, who saved me from human hunt. I even remember my parents: Simon and Lilia...”

“E... Amber...” whispered Crack to ear of wolf. “There is a problem...” he added with almost inaudible voice. “My parents named also Simon and Lilia...”

“And were killed by hunting humans too? Don’t be ridiculous.” But Crack nodded his head. “What!?”

“I know this story!” called Natalya from the isle. “My father once told me that after some human hunting when whole pack was killed, three other groups found dead mother with three living pups. Because it was hard winter, alphas of those pack decided to divide triplets among them and raise as own... I know it because one of them was...” she looked on Drifters ranks. “...e... Sasha.”

“WEKR!” growled all three siblings: Sasha, Amber and Crack. They sounded with so perfect timing that then instantly fell silent, confused.

“So...” yelled Sasha. “Are we...”

“Sasha!” called Crack. “Cover Amber!” he ran to dark-furred, who was marching in Steele’s and Sergey’s direction. “Forgive me brother... I let it because I didn’t know...”

“Forget it!” replied Amber. “But are you with me now?”

“Of course I am!” he nodded his head. Then Sasha came.

“We separate them?” she pointed on malamute and wolf, who were ignoring whole touching family matters around them and chocking themselves with firm grips of jaws on each other’s neck.

“Yeah!” nodded Amber. “That dog is father of Cris who saved me.”

“And he is mate-to-be of Natayla.” Added Sasha. “And she is my friend after all.

“All right! Stay where you are!” growled Crack. He turned to back and was barring his fangs. What was more confusing he seemed to do it to both Strays and Coalition. “We will take care of those guys.”

Meanwhile Sasha and Amber with effort separated Steele and Sergey. They made it in last moment – malamute almost lost his consciousness. So both enemies fell on ice, panting heavily. Steele had few cuts on side and brown-furred’s ear was still bleeding.

“What a mess!” murmured Amber. “And what we are going to do now?”

“Natalya?” called uncertain Sasha. “Any plans?”

No one from amazed wolves reacted on that. The sudden shift of situation made whole gathering speechless. They were just measuring with stares siblings, Natalya, Sergey and Steele. Nothing was certain then. The spell was broken be some new surprise.

“They are coming!” called Kitty triumphal.

*

Cris thought his paws are burning. It is very strange felling when there is about minus twenty Fahrenheit degrees. But he had to stand it. His mother was pulling hard and after all dog was son of best leader in whole Alaska. So Cris clenched his jaws and called.

“That is near! Make a howl, to announce them!” So both teams howled.

Cris still was barely seeing, but Lucas was running before him. Dog was watching brother’s aura, who was leading him strait on road. For whole run pup didn’t say a word but he turned few times with cheering stare and smile. And Cris was sensing the friendly presence – it was enough to overcome the exhaustion.

“I see them!” panted Aleu, who was almost fainting too. “There, in river’s pool.”

“I have one question.” asked David, who seemed to be fresh and strong as if they hadn’t run for miles but just woke up. “How are you going to convince humans not to shoot all that lot down?”
”Why do you think masters want to kill them?” asked Eva.

“Because they are wolves... mostly.” Replied David. “And master Ralph took with him that nasty machine rifle from doc Tazaku’s house...”

“I hope they are alive...” murmured Aleu.

Sled was speeding down from range. Sara was barely keeping it on road, but Ice was doing his best to maintain speed and not to kill his mistress. Meanwhile Ralph was getting out from pack a heavy BAR and checking the clip.

“Damn wolves!” he murmured.

XIII. Flame and Ice

Let’s see it from the air-perspective:

On island were two humans and wounded wolf. Arashi and Gunnar were holding theirs guns and waiting for situation to get clearer. Natalya was howling to her former pack-mates to stop the fight. Near to island were standing Conquerors Pack and Drifts Pack, then they formed a one group, looking on duel before them. Bucks and Peninsulas also were gazing on fight, cheering Steele. But before fighting wolves then were three silhouettes: Sasha, Amber and Crack. When Crack was securing them, his sister and brother made an effort to divide malamute and brown-furred, what they made barely. To that situation came sleds.

Ralph on first sled – still sliding – aimed with machine gun in group of wolves. Seeing that whole team froze, waiting for David’s decision. Husky barked an order and however neither Alau, Ami nor Cris knew the code of pullers, they successfully took that instruction. LEFT! Cried leader and whole sled turned.

Burst of automatic fire swept the ice-layer. Ralph overturned and fell on sled and probably thanks to that a rounds destined to hit Peninsulas just hit the ground several yards from nearest wolf. However it still caused serious mayhem. Heavy <O point three> bullets crushed ice before them. Next to siblings, Sergey and malamute a big crack was created. Before any of canines reacted, it started to extend.

Just one, slight impulse was required to free potential energy of frozen layer. Because temperature was so low, water froze rapidly in very unnatural way. Whole layer was stretched and fragile, so after hit of bullets numerous flaws grew. In about minute whole ring and area near of it became a web of cracks, slowly breaking.

Sasha jumped quickly headed and with two pounces he reached the solid ground. Crack grabbed Amber’s neck and they started to carefully jumping on ice-floats. Barely, but they joined their sister. Steele and Sergey stayed on big but remote float. Seeing all mayhem around, brown-furred decided to use the situation. He pushed hard the panting and lying helplessly malamute. But then he cause something he didn’t expected.

Steele was old dog, however he was still muscular and – what quite obvious – heavy, almost as wolf. Brown-furred was standing on two paws, with two front-ones pushing enemy. His paw-pads made significantly lesser friction than lying body of malamute. So Sergey instead of pushing enemy, just pushed himself to the brink on float. He managed to growl with confusion, then he disappeared behind the edge.

Ice-cracks were speeding fast to Peninsulas group. Because in front of pack were Niju and Flame. Father and son found themselves on one, small float, waving on moved water. Younger wolf instantly lost his balance and started to fall into frosty water. Seeing that Niju reacted instinctively – he jumped up and fall, hitting the ice below him. Float worked as a lever, throwing falling Flame aside in shore’s direction. Dymirt and some gamma, who were standing on brink of solid layer, managed to grabbed fur of half-submerged wolf into jaws. Niju landed on ice, smiled seeing his son is safe and then a wave caused by his jump overturned float. Flame turned his head back to see drowning father. Alpha howled in that howl sounded many things at once: “Strong will survive.” “Lead my pack” “I love you.”

“No!” called Ami.

Overturned sled was in snow-drift. Cart broke on tree, musher was threw away and then was desperately digging in snow to find BAR. Harness got tangled and confused dogs were still tangling it, by slowly exiting from below the snow-surface. Ami was up as first and she could see scene on ice.

“Cut me!” yelled to Daniel, Eva and Aleu thrown in snow next to her. Immediately three jaws grabbed a three main belts of harness and after just moment Ami was free.

Steele was laid on float and submerged his paws into the water. He was trying to row in place where Niju fell, but he saw no sign of friend. Some voice in his head again called: “Save your pack!”, but malamute knew he could jump after wolf. If dog die, fate of packs and humans was grim – it was over fifty raging wolves against man with machine gun. Whatever it would end, meant slaughter. Steele was only solid connection between two worlds: of man and of creatures. “I’m sorry, friend.” Murmured, looking on air-bubbles coming from the water. “I can’t risk their lives.”

And then came Ami.

Dark-furred was jumping on loose floats, overturning most of them, but managing to escape before they were gone. Finally she got to icy-island where Dymirt and Gamma were pulling shocked Flame out. She passed next wolves and jumped ahead.

“There!” called Steele, pointing with paw in eventual Niju’s direction.

Ami was strong she-wolf, she was swimming excellent. But in freezing water every second was important, before body gets hypothermed. And she had to find a drowning father-in-law.

“It’s bad idea!” yelled Steele, still padding on his float.

“Of course it is!” smiled Ami. “I’m you daughter after all!” So dark-furred took a deep breath and disappeared under surface.

Almost no one was looking on Natalya, when whole chaos started. But she stood up and started to hobble in cracks direction. She passed Arashi and Gunnar, still aiming with rifles, entered on ice. And when she saw events in front of her, she speeded up.

“Natalya!” called Cris, chewing his harness to get free. He was still snowblind, so he saw just blurry silhouettes on ice, but he sensed that his love was going to be heroic in extraordinary stupid way. “Stay where you are!”

“I stay with my pack!” she called and jumped to the air hole. Then she surfaced in free water and started to swim. To another place where air-bubbles were seen. Where Sergey drown.

“What?” gasped Steele. But he was just one – he had to follow with float Ami and Niju.

Then just next to Natalya emerged Ami, holding her alpha by fur. She smiled with relief and started to swim in Steele’s direction. In next few seconds another two muzzles showed on surface – Natalya’s and Sergey’s. Brown-furred was clearly unconsciousness, but still alive. Malamute waved his paw to show them direction. Whole four was slowly coming to float.

“Dad, it’s all right!” called Ami and then she disappeared. Just like that: in one second she, Natalya and their load were on surface and moment later they were pulled under ice-layer.

It happened what had to happened – crack on ice reached end of backwater, that means: beavers lodge. But it was old one and strength of crushing damaged whole structure. It broke, letting current flow at its full speed. So two bitches and theirs unconsciousness charges were sucked under still ice-layer. Steele gasped.

Finally Ralph got the gun and with triumphal cry he raised it from the snow. With impulse move, taught even during the Great War, he threw out empty clip and placed the new cartridge. Then he aimed gun on the backwater.

“Ralph!” called Tazaku from island. “Give it!” and he pointed on ice.

To island was retreating about forty wolves, probably scarred by previous burst. The ice between Ralph and surrounded friends was clear and it was just about fifty yards of slippery ice. Cursing loudly Ralph put BAR on ice and pushed it with all his might. Instantly after he reached for his colt in pocket. Machine gun slid on frozen surface, passing amazed wolves. Finally it got to the island’s shore, and was picked up by Gunnar.

“You know what to do?” asked Arashi.

“What we have to.” Replied Kaasen.

Mixed group of wolves stopped, seeing gun pointed at them. Norwegian steeped few steps ahead, standing on ice and looked down. Some of predators, especially those from Russia, knew that view well – human with powerful, automatic gun.  They were too far to get to him, at least before he shoot all his clip out.

“Werk!” barked Olga, looking in black hole on the peak of rifle.

“Trust me.” Smiled Norwegian and opened fire.

Bullets hit the ice, crushing it easily. If there were wolves bodies it would be a slaughter. But Gunnar wasn’t aiming in wolves. At least not those wolves. He pointed on shades under ice, pulled by current. He fired about five yards before them and was shooting until his last round.

A big air-hole was opened. From there four silhouettes emerged. Half-drowned Ami, Natalya, Niju and Sergey were floating helplessly in few-yard-hole in-between humans and pack. They froze for several seconds then Arashi called.

“What now? We have to also pull them out?”

Then creatures ran to ice-hole and grabbed four companions. They made it in last possible moment, because bodies were sucking under ice again. But about ten jaws quickly grabbed sinking ones and took them on ice. Mean while Arashi waved his hand to Gunnar.

“Draw back to the fire.” He whispered. “I prefer not to test wolves gratitude.”

Trapped jumped back over the defensive fence. He reached the bottle of vodka from his pack and broke it on brush-wall. Then Tazaku threw a flaming branch from camp-fire on it. Poured with alcohol fence burst in flames and become glaring barrier in one second. Humans shielded on the other side of they defence, reloading rifle and revolvers.

“To the forest!” called Dymitr, who after knocking down all alphas was the last leader able to bring some order. “Take wounded and get out of here!”

Four packs – concordant as ever – retreated to grove nearby. All – including Niju and Sergey, carried on back, but without Steele, Natalya and crew from sleds. After about minute malamute got to the solid ice, jumped out from float and ran to his family.

“Ami!” called.

“With packs.” Replied Cris.

“Aleu? Cris? Natalya?” cried dog, but he saw that everyone is safe sighed. “Any wounds? Anyone still on ice?”

“I’m glad to see you too, Steele.” Said Ice, totally confused by whole situation.

“Damn it! They missed!” growled Ralph, raising his colt and pointing on Natalya, as she was the new wolf her didn’t recognize. But a concordant growl of all wolves and dogs stopped them. “She is in team too?” asked and burst with spasmodic laughter. Mean while Sara came from second sled, holding colt in one hand and two clips for BAR in second.

“Dad!” she called.

“We are all right!” replied Japanese. “We will beck there when we find some ice-passage.”

All canines who had taken a bath were taken care by sled teams. For every wet fur, two dogs laid next to, warming survivors up. Except of Natalya – apart of Eva and Daniel who were warming her, joined Cris, laying next to them and licking she-wolf’s face. After about minute from forest returned Flame, looking for father and mate. When he noticed they are next to humans, he barred his fangs, but quick look of malamute calmed him down.

“Ami?” asked wolf. “Dad? Are you all right.”

“It was better.” Replied alpha with weary voice. “But it would be much worse if not your girl.” Added, looking on Ami.

“Come here.” Called Steele. “Our big family is almost at full strength. But look, it seems that flame and ice could live together.” He added and smiled seeing that wild wolf was laying nest to sled greenland. “Ow, no one got my joke?” asked malamute with surprise. “O, my God! You even don’t know each other! Flame, that is Ice, leader of Buckland’s sled team and elder of town.”

“What?!” barked Ice. “You are alive and you are still the elder. Steele, what the hell happened here... and there... and then?” asked confused dog.

“Well, it will take some time to explain.” Smiled malamute. “But we have now time to explain.”

Natayla and Sergey were yet awake. Brown-furred moaned with pain, drawing attention of human doctor who reached to his pack to bandage wound on ear. But wolf ignored those efforts and looked on his saviour.

“Natalya... why?” asked.

“You were drowning.”

“But... I tried to kill you.”

“Maybe, but you were and you are from my pack.” She replied with serious voice. “Whatever happen, I have to take care about you.”

“Will you let me back?” asked brown-furred with amaze.

“Of course. But Sasha will be beta... and as you probably know, I have a candidate for alpha-mate already.” She licked Cris cheek and closed her eyes. She was extremely tired. Then they heard a sound of plane.

Eyes of dogs and wolves turned to incoming machine. Only Cris was looking with stare for something different. He noticed barely visible silhouette of dark-furred pup who went to Aleu and Steele, who were talking standing among town dogs. It looked a bit funny, when tiny ghost climbed on rear-paws to lick mother’s and then father’s cheek. Cris understood that no one other would see of hear the strange guest. Then Lucas looked on brother and said, probably not aloud but directly to mind of brownish-furred.

“I must go.”

“Can’t you...” asked Cris to understand he was also was talking not with his voice.

“No. But this is all right.” Said ghost. “If I go, it means that from now on you are safe. By the way...” coming to Cris he stopped nudge on Ami’s side. “Don’t tell it parents, because they won’t believe you... Just know that I really regret that I didn’t make it and be with you all a bit longer. But will be close, even if You don’t see it.” And in the same moment silhouette disappeared.

*

Philip Fering was piloting. Additionally it was a plane borrowed by his money. Neither Jack Straw – the Alaska Governor’s Special Environmental Commissioner nor John Ash were avid to fund it. US Government did what it could, giving Straw any plenary powers to appoint the area of the new national park, but gave him nothing more. The Great Crisis was still causing chaos even on remote state of Alaska. Fortunately the King’s Government turned out to be more generous. The case was fixed: it was a joined venture of Canada and US to create a special zone for wild animals. Wardens got the additional instructions on that case and Alaska governor assigned some funds for compensations for farmers for eventually killed cows. But anyway most of new pack had to be driven on eastern side of border, to Yukon. But that was the part that Philip hoped to order his American friends. Or American-Japanese-Norwegian friends.

“Prepare for landing.” Warned Fering. “Parachutes are in hold.” John and Jack Straw instantly stood up and set off from cockpit. “Stop! I was just kidding!” called Phillip and he added with quieter voice. “Those bloody stiff just can’t appreciate some well, English sense of humour...”

He lowered the plane. It was huge Fokker F. VII, triple engine machine, designed to hard conditions of the North. It was also equipped with float-undercarriage to land on lakes. Philip turned nose to plane down and smiled.

“Here they are!” called to still a bit scared companions. “And they were even so kind to clear ice from landing run for us...” He took another look, searching for something in forest. “But there are those wolves. I can see just bunch of well tamed dogs.”

*

Fokker landed easily, what pleased humans but scared wolves. They were still aware of strange, humans machines, however not as terrified as few weeks ago. Two-legged beasts turn out to be acceptable... in few cases.

“So, what’s the plan?” asked Cris, when he was standing with wolves in grove. Meanwhile his parents were telling whole story to dogs of Buckland.

“Quite simple.” Replied Natalya. “Peninsulas and Drifters will go back on their seats. They will try to make a room for one new pack and if they failed, we will worry about then... then. Conquerors... will be created as independent pack. It will be lead by Amber and Crack. Sasha still isn’t sure if she stays with me as beta or goes with brothers east. Because they have to move east. Yukon, I guess.”

“And Drift Pack?” asked Cris with tensed voice.

“It’s obvious – I will lead it.” Smiled she-wolf. “Not alone, I think.”

But then Cris narrowed his face and went away from circle of wolves. Natalya followed him to shore of backwater and asked.

“Cris... what happened? Aren’t you happy to be my mate and pack-alpha?”

“Natalya...” whispered dog with tensed voice. “I want it as nothing else on this world, but...” he sighed and looked in her eyes. “My parents need help. After that fight, dad might to cripple for good. Mom won’t be able to take care of him alone...”

“We will take him with us...” said Natalya firmly.

“Hobbling dog slowing down wolf-pack?” asked Cris mournfully. “It won’t work. I must...”

But then she interrupted him with kiss. They fell silent, caressing each other for long while and when they finally finished, silver-furred said.

“It was a time of miracles. I’m sure we could expect at least one miracle more.”

“What do you mean?” surprised Cris.

“Look!” Natalya pointed on humans, sitting next to the camp-fire.

*

“I still don’t get it.” Confessed Philip. “Why don’t you want to tell me, what happened here?”

“My friend...” said Arashi. “One thing I’m sure: you wouldn’t believe it.”

“Anyway.” Replied Canadian. “Now it’s your worry, I have much work back in Yukon. You must think about constant care over the park and some foresters in lodges...”

“We will manage it.” Assured Gunnar. “How do you think, Steele?” He stroked his dog, who was lying next to fire. “With Steele I’m sure we will manage.”

XIV. Epilogue – The Age of Cris

It was about week after last snowfall. Since that time frost had come to Alaska, calming down all life and bringing the silence into forests. Sun was shinning on white and frozen land, but even its rays couldn’t broke the spell of cold. However under that silence still was life. Hidden but still strong. Actually it was the hardest time of winter – end of February when herbivores were falling due to lack of forage and carnivores were falling due to lack of herbivores, so only scavenges had an easy life. Then was the time of trials that Niju spoke about weak ones died and strong barely survived. Usually.

Steele yawned in warmth of stove. He was laying on furry carpet in the middle of forester lodge. From his bedding he saw a white word outside what brought him strange thoughts. He wanted to be there, free and wild, running in frozen forest, looking for the last game of that winter. It was hard life, but surely life itself. The fight always made him sense the blood in his veins and gave him that bitter-sweet emotion that was the point of his existence. It was always be like that – when he was the sled-leader, winner of all mushers contests, but also later when he was alone facing the whole pack of wolves, seeking his own vengeance. In that moment he wanted to avenge Sky, but also – what he was able to face just after many years – standing in front of furious pack brought him the same taste of adventure like the hardest routes in sled. And even later – happy years in forest with Aleu and pups somehow were reminding him the never-ending trial. Every day’s struggle for food and battle with winter frosts. And during his whole, almost fourteen-year long life Steele was fighting. Others dogs, Balto, frost, own weakness, wolves, game of Alaska – it doesn’t matter – it was the real life. For the very first time malamute was calm and out of duties. Living with his master took away from him necessity of hunting and being careful of own neck.

And this was the second thought that came to Steele – it was time for that. In wild he would be probably dead – due to frost or some malnutrition illness. Of course, if not care of Aleu and Cris he would be dead long before, but it was the way of Nature. However that order was... if not disturbed, at least modified by humans. Gunnar Kaasen decided to leave all his employments and became the main warden of new-created wolf-park in Seward Peninsula. He moved to small cabin near to Northern Route, where he lived visited only by his friends: Arashi Tazaku and John Ash. But he was not all alone. He had his dog. And somehow – the wolf.

Steele stood up, sniffing the well known scent. Gunnar, napping on armchair next to stove even didn’t moved, knowing that his dog knew what he was doing. So malamute walked slowly – he was hobbling on three paws – to doors to vestibule and exited by dog-hatch. Then he went thought the next, similar passage to get outside.

For unprepared malamute frost seemed to be biting. Front-left paw instantly started to ache, but he clenched his jaws and ignored it. He looked north, where he noticed Aleu, returning from hunting. But apart of his mate, dog noticed also silhouette of wolfdog, walking from west and more wolves behind. It was the Drifts Pack.

Aleu went to Steele, with pride she put down the killed rabbit. Then she noticed another guests and she smiled radiantly.

“Look, your son came to visit you.” She said.

“And you to, mom.” Said Cris. To wolfdog joined silver-furred bitch, being in advanced pregnancy. The rest of pack stopped about fifty yards from cabin, still too scared by humans to approach closer. Natalya was able to get to seat of two-legged, because she still remembered well the care that doctor Tazaku provided her. So she marched, following her mate, to brownish-furred wolfdog and malamute.

“Hi, mom, hi dad...” said Cris.

“Good day, ma’am. Sir.” Said Natalya officially and nodded her head.

But Ale came to her and licked her cheek cordially. She was so excited with coming pups, almost as parents-to-be.

“I guess not so good, if you were forced to visit your oldies.” Said Steele and smiled.

“Mom! Not in front of pack!” hissed Cris when Aleu was licking him as if he was tiny pup.

“Ow, leave him.” Snorted malamute. “He is alpha after all.”

“Sir, we came here for advice.” Said Natalya seriously.

Steele raised his ears with interest. So now it came the age of Cris and Natalya, but he still was needed by them. An advice – well, it still was some sort of fight. Maybe not with specified enemy but with own ignorance and stupidity. Steele smiled in mind. Both aching paw and ask of daughter-in-law was making him to feel the life. Until it ends, he have to be the best.

Until that day – he was.