The Criminal

  I am not one person to be messed around with. My teeth have become blood stained by the flesh of my last victim. But, no one knows what a good person I am……I was. I am not some downer girl who tries to commit suicide every five minutes. So if you decide to see what a horrible person I am and leave this horrible story then I’m not stopping you. My name is Riley and this is my story.

     Well here it goes, it all started on the fifteenth of July when I was two weeks old. I was about ready to get adopted to my home, my owner.

***

We walked about a quarter of a mile out of town where there was a hill with a small cabin at the top. It wasn’t big, but it was homey. At the top, we stepped inside and he pulled me out of his bag and set me down on the ground. He pulled a light blue strip with a silver circle attached to it. It had the name ‘Riley’ on it and underneath that said, ‘owned by Jack Martin’. I figured that was his name, and that’s where I got my name. He wrapped it around my neck and buckled it in place. I was happy then and I knew this was the beginning of a wonderful friendship.

At the same time I noticed that we were the only people home. Surely he would have parents, but they strangely weren’t home. It was odd, but it didn’t mind me one bit. Jack walked in the kitchen and pulled out a food bull with my new name also engraved on it. It was filled with the puppy formula I was supposed to eat (gags) how someone could eat that, I don’t know. I didn’t mind when I was younger.

It was around eleven thirty when we went to bed. His room was at the top of the stair case. Inside, he had two massive windows overlooking a lake and a meadow. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, but of course it would have been prettier at daylight.

He lied on his bed, which was big enough to fit three people! He lied me next him with his arm around me. I was a happy puppy, thinking that my life would be perfect with a loving family……..I was the most stupidest dog I had ever seen

***

        I woke up the next morning to find Jack gone. The door was wide open and I could hear the sound of a fight going on down stairs, I looked down stairs and saw Jack cowering at the floor he had a bad bruise and was on the verge to tears. It was a horrible scene to watch, because I couldn’t get down the stairs without killing myself. Then a huge giant-like man with a long black beard came into view. He was intimidating and looked fierce. Then I yelped when he lifted his hand to slap Jack across the face. He turned toward me and then his horrible yellow eyes stared straight through me. I froze, and Jack snuck away from his clutches ran up to me and wrapped me around his arms.

“Aww, so, there is the dog you were talking about.” He growled, “Bring it to me you ungrateful little brat.”

Jack held on to me tightly and walked down stairs. I was terrified of the man. He wore the most horrible grin I had ever seen. He grabbed me from Jack’s arms and he looked at me once again.

“A female, I thought you were getting a male.” He said in a calmer voice.

“She was the only one left, and also I favored her from all the other places I’ve been to.” Jack replied, looking worried that he was going to hurt me.

He looked at me and spat in my face. He just scowled then his horrible grin crossed his face.

“even better,” he said giving me back to Jack. I nuzzled my head into his chest. “But you better not get her spayed.”

I had really no idea what he was talking about, but I was still scared.

“But she could get hurt, plus she’s my dog.” Jack replied

“How would you like saying that in an orphanage, you worthless peace of work. Now get,” He said

***

        Besides the whole ‘jerk face’ thing, Jack and I were best friends. He taught me the basic dog tricks like, ‘sit’, ‘lie down,’ but then I amazed him by doing advanced tricks like ‘roll over’, or ‘play dead’. Jack was now fourteen and was a yearling, the wildest part of a Dog’s life. I didn’t get into too much trouble, but I was still only one. Jack’s father still watched me with a grin. He brought over his ‘bar’ buddies to meet me and then say something about puppies. I thought then that they meant that they were getting more dogs, but as usual I was wrong.

  In the cold afternoon of a February night, Jack had me on a leash and walked me too the forest line. Jack wasn’t allowed to go in there by the law of his dad, but we went as far as we could. That was the night that changed my life forever.

His stupid dad came running up and shoved Jack away.

“What the heck are you doing,” Jack said

The giant smacked him across the face and he fell on the ground. I saw him fall and then I heard his laugh, “I’m going to rich with these pups.”

Then at the cabin I could see a bull dog, a male bull dog. He was leashed to one of his bar friends. He called back, “I can’t wait to sell the little suckers!”

Then everything came to me. He wanted that dog to, well you know. And then he was going to sell the puppies I was going to have. That’s why he forbade Jack to get me spayed, or the reason why his bar friends kept coming over to look at me. That’s the reason that jerk was keeping me around, to make him rich. Then I saw Jack on the snowy ground. There was a tear going down his face.

I looked at ‘him’ and started growling. He looked at me by surprise and tried to me but I dodged. I shook off the collar and growled more. After his buddy saw that he was in trouble, he unleashed his dog and he ran toward me. After then it was a blur, I remember getting clawed in the face. Then my vision was back and I remembered ‘him’ knocked out on the ground and the bull dog lay unconscious. I finished off with a triumphant howl.

***

 We ran about a half a mile, until we both got too tired to run. Jack’s shirt was torn by passing bushes with cuts on his face. I helped him sit down, and then I noticed we were literally in the middle of nowhere.

I bet Jack thought I was a monster for knocking out his dad, almost killing that other dog, and then ruining his life by making him run away from the cops. His life was ruined; my life was the least of my problems.

Jack was sweating, which was hard to do here in Alaska during winter. He looked as if he was going to pass out, but I didn’t know what to do, but I wasn’t going to let him take off his jacket in the freezing cold at night.

Then he looked at me for the first time and smiled, “I knew I made a good choice, by selecting you as my dog.” Then he stroked my ears. I couldn’t believe it; he still likes me even though I ruined his life. I jumped up to him and licked his face. We decided to sleep where we tonight, by making a den out of logs, leaves, branches etc. but the problem was how was Jack going to get warm? Yeah, he already had three sets of coats on, but here in Alaska that’s not nearly warm enough.

***

I woke up with Jack the next morning around six o’clock (Judging by the sun). By our den, there was a frozen creek that glittered in reflection of the upcoming sun . It was really beautiful, but we had to keep moving. We didn’t know if there were police after us, but just in case you can say we were on the run.

It was starting to get warmer, but it was still not warm enough for Jack. His nose started turning red. He didn’t look to well, but he still wore his smile.

We were running out of choices for food. The lake was frozen, and the little animals were hibernating. I tried to improvise by getting roots, or berries, but that was no food for a dog…….wolf, whatever, you know what I mean. I just starved for Jack’s sake. I had to worry about him, but it was so hard to do anything while you are so hungry. 

 I had an idea, when Jack was asleep I would go into the town and snatch a few things. It was risky, but I had to also worry about my health. At mid- night or so, I left Jack and started toward Nome.

The city was empty at night, and a-lot more frightening. It looked as if there were a hundred eyes staring at you and some where there is someone waiting to pounce, getting closer………….and closer.

Then, I don’t know what happened really, but as I drew nearer to the steak house, something hit me in the head and I found myself being growled at by a dark figure. It was small and skinny, probably the same size as me, and same age, and same colors.

“Who are you,” she growled. The voice was really familiar, “We don’t allow wolves in this town.” Then she got in my face and I saw her eyes, her dark brown eyes.

“Olive?” I asked. She stared at me for a moment then got off me and backed away.

“Who are you?” she asked. She obviously didn’t recognize me.

“It’s me, Riley.”

“Riley?!” She then looked at me then pounced on me again and nuzzled my face. We then pounced around each other as if we were puppies again. We hadn’t seen each other since we were adopted.

Then Olive stopped laughing and stood still, and backed away.

“Riley,” she paused, she started crying at the moment, “ you….you have to get away from here.”

I just stared at her and replied, “What are you talking?”

“You have a warrant here, for an attempted murder, of a bull dog, and for killing a little boy and attacking an over grown man. All of us as police dogs are to find and kill you. Is it true?” she asked

“Of course it’s not,” I was outraged, my own sister thinks I’ some kind of criminal! What kind of a world this is now a days. “1. The bull dog attacked me and tried to….well let’s just say it was a male. 2. That over grown man tried to hurt my kid and tried to set that bull dog on me. 3. I didn’t kill my kid, we ran away together!”

She just looked at me and hesitated she started crying more, “Please go, I don’t want to choose between you and my job.”

I stared at her and hesitated. Was she serious? After all I’ve been through, I thought I could have my own sister be on my side.

***

I ran away from Nome, with only a few scraps of meat I snatched on the way back. Was what she said true? Did mom and Dad really stopped loving me? I started crying at the thought of no longer having a family. I wonder if Shasta still loved me or not, she didn’t say anything about him. But if my parents did love he as well wouldn’t.

***

            We left the landscapes of the territory of Nome and was headed into the mountains. I didn’t know what to think really, it was where my home was, where I was born, but then again no one loved me there anymore, so now I am leaving any sight of my dear older sister. I never realized how much hate I had of her now.

            Who cares, if she wants to hunt her own sister let her, but she’ll have to catch me.

            We were at the top of Bear Mountain. It was really pretty how the landscape could look so much like an animal. I heard that there were wild moose’s up here, but I wasn’t scared one bit, more meat just meant…more dinner. I started to lose my mind at that point of how hungry I was. Jack set up a shelter and started eating roots. He got really skinny, and it worried me. He needed food quick, or else he was going to die. I wondered how I looked and how skinny I was, but that didn’t matter to me anymore.

            Jack patted me on the head and said softly, “Who’s a good girl.” I didn’t believe it. I was a refuge, a monster, Nome’s most wanted. I had almost killed a dog, and a person! My own family turned their back on me. There was no way I was near a ‘good girl’

           He sat down by the shelter and started picking grass. It was pretty on the mountain with all of fire flies and the whispering wind, but it was also a death trap. There was a snarl and a crash, and before I knew it, there was an angry moose getting ready to strike!

          Jack ran and hid and yelled at me to come with him, but I was doing something crazy. I stood my ground and growled.

“Well aren’t you going to listen to your little human friend?” his voice had a very annoying tone to it.

I then smirked and just stood where I was. Then snarled and charged. I then leaped over his head and landed on his back. The stupid thing looked around to see where I was and then I bit down into his neck. Then there was whining and groaning, then the moose lied dead at my feat. I saw Jack come out of the bush with a glazed look in his eye. I lowered my ears.

“Riley?” he paused, “that was amazing!”

                 My ears perked up. He was impressed with my kill, then he patted me on the head. He got into his pocket and pulled matches. Matches?! This hole time I was worried about keeping him warm, and he had matches. I stared at him.

“What, I kept them for an emergency.” He said as if he knew what I was thinking.

               “and you almost freezing to death wasn’t an emergency?” I thought. I then nuzzled his face.

***

                  Jack stored some meat in his jacket and attached it to a twig. We left Bear Mountain around noon. We fallowed a trail that led to something very peculiar. It was a crashed metal monster with wings. Jack stared in amazement, “It’s an airplane.”

                 Whatever this ‘airplane’ was, it didn’t look like something I could trust. Jack ran to it and looked in a hole. I didn’t know what he would find in there, but I certainly couldn’t stop him. He pulled out a canteen and a map. He opened the canteen and took a sip out of it which made me get scared. He didn’t know what was in there, but that’s the way boys were, not stopping and thinking. And why did we need a map. We were refuges. It didn’t matter where we were as long as we weren’t recognized, and if we get lost, we ask directions. He looked at me then smiled, “It’s a bush plane, I wonder where it came from?”

                I personally didn’t give a care about it. How does it help us? I hope he didn’t get any ideas about anything. I tugged on his shirt and nodded my head away from there. He hesitated and agreed to leave.

“That was really exciting, wasn’t it girl?” he said

Nope.

“I’ve all ways wanted to be a pilot, but ever since…” he paused, he didn’t need to say that made me know what he was thinking, “well that does it matter, I have you and that’s what matters.”

***

           We camped out on a cliff, where there was full view of the moon. We could see everything from there: mountains, forests, peeks, lakes etc. I loved it, but Jack was exhausted and fell asleep after set camp.

          I stared off into the stars and the moon. It was a waning crescent. Then, when I knew Jack was sound asleep, I started to sing.

“If there is anyone out there;

Come help us

If there is anyone listening?

 Come help us

If there is a living soul that understands;

Come. Help. Us.”

            It didn’t really rhyme, but it was the best I could do to find help. I couldn’t bear not being able to find a good shelter for us. A cave is better than this. Then I waited for a response and there was nothing, so I waited for a minute. Then I began to lose hope, until.

“We’re here at the lake;

Where we will always be of help

Now come before the bears wake

Or we can’t help your song of yelp.”

***

                  I dragged Jack to the lake, where the anonymous speaker told me to go. I didn’t know if I were crazy or desperate……..or both? But this was my last chance, then again it was my only chance also. The lake was  frozen and barren.

“What are we doing here, girl?’ he asked

I didn’t really know any more, I desperately howled, “Where are you?”

                      Then I saw something moving and then something started growling. The, before I knew it, something was on me growling. I opened my eyes and there was a brown wolf on me.

“Who are you, stranger?” he asked. I recognized his voice.

“I’m Riley, I called for help on that cliff over there.” I said frightened. I was really sure this was the wolf I talked to. He stared at me then tilted his head.

“Of course.” He snarled. He wasn’t how I remembered him being, “Then what are you doing with a human.”

         I looked at jack and he was surrounded by snarling wolves. He had a look of terror on his face, which scared me to death.

“If you can’t help him, then I’m leaving.” I warned, like they cared if they wanted me or not.

“Wait, “said a voice from behind, “we can’t let her leave.” All of the wolves looked back, including me. It was a dark brown wolf who was talking, he was scrawny looking and was crouching down lower than the rest of the wolves.

“Talking out of place, worthless little gnaw wolf!” said the brown male wolf that pounced me.

          I felt bad for the wolf, he was just trying to help me. He continued, “I uh, well it would be good to have a human source in the pack. I mean, after all, wouldn’t it be better or someone try to stop the hunters.” He paused. There were whispers from every direction, “and who would be better than someone who speaks their language.”

         There was a lot of talking and then the male that pounced on me came and said, “I think that the alpha would love that, but one condition….” He made an evil smirk and continued, “he’s your responsibility.” Then he shoved Jack toward him. The kid had no idea what was going on, but he was still as frightened as he was five minutes ago.

         I growled for a second but then stopped. The gnaw wolf looked at me and mouthed ‘I’m sorry,’ then turned away from me. Then the brown one came up to me and said, “I’m Kolen by the way,” he said as if he were trying to impress me.

“Oh, give it a rest, bro.” said a wolf that looked exactly like him, “I’m the one that summoned you, I’m Kolle. Welcome to the pack.” Then Kolen came up and shoved Kolle away, he was bigger but more stupid.

“Fallow me.” He said, “I’ll show you to your den.”

I looked at him then looked back at Jack, h was terrified, even for a fourteen year old, “If Jack is going to den with him,” I was referring to the gnaw wolf, “Then that is where I’m denning.”

***

          I walked with Jack and the gnaw wolf, Chinook. He was crouching so he was lower than me, must have been some sort of wolf thing. And Jack, well I had to drag him by his shirt until he decided to come with me.

“You should be with them you know,” Chinook finally said, breaking a long period of silence.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I wasn’t trying to be rude, but I came out like it.

He looked at me then said, “You had a chance to be in a quality den, with food, but instead you chose to be with me in a place where well, I’m mean look at me, “He said, “does it look like I’ve eaten in a week.”

No. He had a good point, “I didn’t choose to be with you, I chose to be with my family.” It was no use, I was rude to Chinook. He lowered his ears and then looked down. He didn’t look like he had anyone to live with him. No family, no siblings…no mate.

“I’m sorry,” I said then he looked up but still was crouching with his tail between his legs, “Um, you don’t have to do that you know.” I said in a nice way, surprisingly.

“What?” he asked. I imitated what he was doing then he laughed, “Sorry, force of Habit.” He paused, “When you’re a gnaw wolf like me, you have to give more respect to everyone, no matter who they are. We do that by being lower than anyone else”

        I wondered if I was going to be a gnaw wolf, but as long as I had Jack, we were fine. Chinook stood up straight, and then he was taller me.

“I hope you like it here, in the pack.” He said, welcoming, “My den is over there.” And he pointed.

          I looked at his paw and it was huge. It was way bigger than a normal dog’s would, but he wasn’t a dog, he was a wolf. I looked at him and he was blushing. We looked at each other for a moment, but then Jack shoved Chinook away from me, “Stay away from her.”

          I growled at Jack, which scared me. I’d never growled at him before. He just looked at me then I jumped up to him and licked his face in apology. He laughed. Then I got off him then said, “I’m sorry about that.” I said helping Chinook up.

“It’s fine.” He said, “I get that often.” He sighed, and then continued toward his den.

        Inside his den, there was a bundle of twigs, most likely a bed, and a bear’s skin on the ground. But the most unusual thing of all, there a pile of bones with teeth marks in them.

           Jack was kind of clueless, but eventually got the idea and made a fire in the back to keep him warm. Chinook was nervous about the fire and sat near the front. Jack then lied on his jacket as a pillow and fell asleep.

“You can have my bed.” Referring to the twigs, “I’ll sleep on the ground.”

         I didn’t argue and made myself at home. I lied down on the twigs (which are more comfortable than you think) and watched over Jack. I didn’t know if I could trust Chinook, for he was a total stranger. Then I wondered if there was a reason why he was at the bottom of ranks. Did he do something wrong, or attack some one? Or maybe his parents were, and he just filed in for them? All of the questions ran through my mind, until Chinook started talking.

 “Comfortable enough?” he asked

  I looked at him then said, “I’m fine.” He looked down and lied down on the bear skin.

“You should stay away from Kolen.” He said

I became more curious about Kolen; he seemed like a very mean person, “Why?” I asked

“Because he’s a jerk, been a jerk from the start.” He said and sighed

       I looked at him then said, “Wanna talk about it?” I asked

“It’s a-but of a long story.” He said.

“I’ve got time.” I replied.

He chuckled then started the story, “All right, It started when I was about a couple of months old. I was best friends with a blind snake named Gergoro. He was really my best friend, but then Kolen killed him right in front of me.” I gasped, “Then that is where I started hanging out with Kolle, his twin brother.  We got real close, but then he met Emerella, and fell in love (you’ll meet her). Then my parents died unexpectedly and Kolen blamed it on me. The alpha believed his most trusted beta and had me be put in the lowest rank. So that’s pretty much it.”

***

          I woke up first out of the three. I got up and stretched and yawned. I looked at Jack who was still sleeping. He was snoring quietly and stirred in his sleep. I licked his face then faced Chinook who was also asleep. He had all fours raised in the air and was probably dreaming of running by the way he was twitching his feet. I giggled to myself and left the cave.

           The snow was going glittering all around me. The ice sickles above me were dripping water on my head. Then something shined in my eye that blinded me for a moment. When my eyes adjusted, I saw a frozen lake was giving off light. I walked toward it and saw the ice was crystal clear. I saw myself and twitched at the sight of my scar. It went across my blue eye and was light pink.

         Then I began to wonder what my life would be if I would have let Jack’s dad set the bull dog on me and give me pups. I had no scar, Jack and I weren’t criminals. I would have had a mate, though unloving, and had pups of my own. But then I saw Jack. I flinched at the sight of him. Instead of having a scar going down my eye, he had one going down his. I shook my head. “This is not the life I want!” I yelled in my head. Then I looked and I was back at the lake where I left off.

        I looked back at the den and saw Jack stretching and yawning, but the best part was that he was scar less. I smiled then started back to the cave. Chinook woke up when I got there and got up. “Morning.” He yawned

“Morning.”  I said back. I walked up to Jack and licked his face. He laughed and then got up.

        Later on that day, Chinook and I left the cave and met up with the pack. Chinook crouched down in his normal position, and went where all the other gnaw wolves were. There was a pile of bones and they were actually gnawing them. I didn’t know the reason. People stared at me as I came up, which made feel uncomfortable. Then I heard muttering and the sound of my name being used. Then I heard something about Chinook. Was this how it always was, people making rumors about each other? I didn’t like it at all. I walked up to Kolle and a blue wolf. She was beautiful and her fur was perfect. “Hi, Kolle.” I said awkwardly.

“Oh, hi Riley.” He said, “This is my mate, Emerella.”

       Emerella looked at me; she had pretty grey eyes, “HI.” She said sweetly. Her voice was so sweet and kind.

“Hello.” I said, she smiled at my response and then asked, “Did you really den with Chinook?”

        I didn’t know what that was supposed to mean, “Yeah, I am.”

        She smiled then said, “How is he, probably the most miserable thing in the world.”

“Well he was a little bit upset.” I said, “After he told me about his past.”

They all gasped, “Chinook talked to you?” Kolle asked

“Yeah,” I said, “Why?” I didn’t get it. He seemed just fine when I was there.

“Well.” Kolle said, “It’s been months since I’ve talked to him. He hasn’t spoken since he was ranked down. And the fact that he talked to you, well, that’s downright amazing. But, don’t go telling anybody about him telling you about his unfortunate life.”

I looked at him, “Why?”

Kolle looked around to make sure he wasn’t being watched, “It is forbidden. That’s all I can tell you.”

I stared at the comment and looked at Emerella. She shook her head then said, “We can only tell you that if you go telling everybody,” she paused, “Chinook, you’re human and you will be in danger by Kolen.”

I looked down. Kolen was starting to become a crueler person to be around. I looked at Kolle and Emerella with a worried look.

Later on in the day, I started to learn the ways of the pack. When we went hunting, the alpha ate first, followed by beta and then hunters, secondary hunters and then gnaw wolves ate what was left (I gave half of mine to Chinook) I ate with the hunter with Emerella and Kolle.

That night, there was a meeting with the alpha, a big black wolf named Junt. He had battle scars going down his back and face and had half an ear. He looked rather frightening if you ask me. He stood on a rock that was higher than the wolves. He started talking once everything was settled.

“I called this meeting for the sake of the pack and to welcome our new comer,” his voice was deep and powerful, “Riley, who will be a hunter as of right now. As for other things I would like to point out that my mate, Lucia has died.”

There were cries from all around and from where I stood it looked like one of them fainted.

He looked at Kolen and continued, “Her memorial will be this Sunday. As for other things, my most trusted and humble beta will speak now.” Kolen walked up and continued the alpha’s speech

“Fellow wolves, I would like to inform you that Lucia’s death was no accident. She had bite marks in her neck.” There were more annoying cries from the crowd, “and the night she died, she had just talked to our fellow gnaw wolf, Chinook.”

 I stared furiously at Kolen. He was thinking Chinook had something to do with this, “I am not saying he is the culprit, I’m just saying is that we need to watch our backs… from the little pest.” He snickered. There were growls louder than a gunshot coming from everywhere around me. I looked at Chinook and his face was blank except for a tad of confusion. Chinook was in his crouching stance and was shaking. This is where I made my first mistake. I walked up to the front and yelled, “It wasn’t Chinook!”

          Everyone turned their heads at me and the alpha walked up to me and asked, “and your evidence.” His voice was now angrier than leader like.

“Chinook was with me the entire night. There’s no way he could have done it.” I assured the pack.

“Junt,” Kolen asked, “Why would we trust a newcomer? She barely knows the ways of the pack. I think she would need to leave.” He smirked at me.

“No, I won’t kick her out. We are losing hunters by the day.” Junt said

 “And now we have one more stomach to feed, and plus, she is nothing more than pampered dog who the only thing they fight is a cat.” He growled at me.

I growled back, “I’ll fight you now if you the guts for it!” Kolen and I got into a stare down.

“Stop!.” Junt growled, “Both of you. Kolen you don’t have the right to accuse anyone, and you” he looked at me, “shouldn’t talk to your beta like that.”

Kolen stormed off to the beta’s den and I also stormed off headed my way to Chinook. He looked up at me and said in a quiet tone, “Thank you.”

I smiled and hugged him in return. I felt his legs go weaker and then I said, “No problem.”

We pulled away after a minute and then I went to talk to Emerella. She looked at me with a disturbed look. That’s pretty much how everyone looked at me in this pack, except for Chinook. It was like I was doing something wrong just by breathing in air. The blue wolf’s face was filled with sorrow and pain.

“So,” I said sarcastically, “do you think I made a great first impression?”

She looked at me, “What were you thinking; you can’t just go up there without authority! If it wasn’t you, they’d literally have their head off!”

I looked at her, “What does that supposed to mean?”

“It means, if Kolen didn’t have a thing for you, you would be crow food.” She said looking more stern than usual.

“Well,” I protested, “I couldn’t have let them blame him for what happened. He’s been really nice to me and I thought I could help him out.”

Emerella changed the subject and talked about the pack. She informed me about training to be a real hunter and offered to help train me. I accepted and agreed to meet her at the crack of dawn.

I walked by myself back to Chinook’s den and thought about Jack. This wasn’t a place for him and he knew it, all he did was sit in the den all day and play with twigs and it made me think if I had to choose between him or my life here as a pack member. I couldn’t leave Jack nor leave Chinook to be eaten alive, literally. I lied on the bed of twigs and looked at the ceiling. Jack came up to me and stroked my chest. I smiled and licked his red face.

***

I woke up before the sun rose over the mountains and made my way to the hunter’s den. Inside I saw Kolle and Emerella in the center of the sleeping hunters cuddled up next to each other. She looked happy where she was and I didn’t intend to wake her. I sat outside the cave and waited for my new mentor to wake up.

While I sat patiently for my blue friend to wake up, I noticed a few people were also up and about. I glared as I saw Kolen walking with Junt. He just smirked at me and went back to talking to our alpha. A few moments later, three young wolves came up and sat next to me. The one closest looked up at me and asked,

“Are you the new one in the pack that came with a human?” she asked curiously. She was tawny colored with a brown spot on her eye. She and her two companions looked at her two with her similar curious expression.

“Yes I am.” I answered to the young wolf, “but you can call me Riley.”

“Riley?” said the one next to the tawny colored pup. He was dark grey, with bright yellow eyes, “That’s a weird name.” he laughed.

I sighed and then thought it was just a pup, no biggy. I smiled at the pup and asked, “What’s your name, then?” He straightened up with delight and said, “I’m Odin.” He was a prideful one.

“I’m Ashitaka.” Said the tawny one. Then the reddish one that was farthest away then stood up and finished the name call

“And I’m Klondyke, but our names aren’t really that important until we become hunters.” He said.

“Oh.” I said dumbly, “Then what are you?” they looked at me with disbelief.

“Wow, you are new!” Ashitaka yowled with laughter, “We’re apprentices, Duh!”

I was getting made fun of by little wolves; I really needed to get the pack thing right. Moments later, Kolle walked out and looked at Klondyke, “Ok, come on, Klondyke. Today, you’re starting hunting skills.” The little red wolf followed his mentor and yipped proudly.

Then a brown wolf walked out and took Ashitaka and Odin, “Odin. Your mentor, Ulysses is very ill and I’ll continue your training.” And then walked off out of the camp. Then Emerella popped her head out and yawned and gasped when she saw me.

“Oh bear-skin! I forgot, I’m so sorry, Riley!” she apologized. She didn’t look like the type of being a good teacher but I trusted her.

“Don’t worry about it; I barely woke up this morning myself.” I reassured her. She smiled and I followed her to the training grounds.

***

The training ground was along the border of the territory and was huge! I’ve never seen so much space in my life, but that didn’t matter at the moment. Emerella took me to creak that flowed through the territory and said, “Drink up. You’ll need good strength today.”

I did as she said and then faced her. She gave me a serious look and said, “Why don’t we work on your self-defense skills? It won’t be hard for you after the way you challenged Kolen yesterday.” She giggled to herself. She then unexpectedly lunged at me and I dodged it quickly. I got in fighting position and waited for her to attack again.

She did so by clawing at my feet. I tripped and fell on the ground and Emerella put her foot on my chest with pride and howled. When she wasn’t looking, I kicked at her feet, sending her to the ground. She gasped and I growled at her, then I had a horrible flash back of a bull dog looking the same way.

“Oh my!” I gasped, “Did I hurt you? Oh god, please don’t be.”

“Relax!” she laughed, “That was excellent! The way you maneuvered and sending me to the ground was terrific. You should be proud to have fighting skills as high as you!”

I didn’t know what to say, I thought I really did hurt her but then maybe I did have good fighting skills, it explained me killing the caribou.

“All right, let’s get to hunting.” She said getting up.

***

At the end of the day; I passed my self-defense, failed hunting, and passed at sneak attacks. Hunting was a problem because I kept making noise. She said that we’d work on it tomorrow at noon, which was a better timing. I walked with Emerella back to her den, laughing like girls would, then night fell and I had to get to my home. I couldn’t wait to tell everything I learned to Chinook.

As I walked, I heard someone rustling around in the leaves. I looked behind me and there was no one there. Then I heard someone yell,

“You have no right to be here, you miserable excuse for a wolf!” It was Kolen. I saw him through the bushes. He was yelling at Chinook.

“I’m sorry. Ok? It’s not my fault that badger attacked Ulysses!” Chinook fought back in his crouching position which wasn’t at all a good way too. He didn’t make I contact or look up.

“Yeah, but it’s your job to guard the senior hunters the best you can!”

“Well, maybe if you didn’t send me off to help Riley get to know the pack or offer her shelter that night that wouldn’t have happened!” I didn’t believe it, was I a burden to everyone? After all I did for him he thought I was clueless.

“Well thanks a lot, Chinook!” I growled walking out of the bush. He gasped and Kolen looked pleased.

“Riley, that’s not what I meant…”

“Yeah, I’m just a poor, helpless little house dog that needs to be taken care of, right, Chinook.” I snapped at him. He looked shocked and upset. Kolen stepped away and I heard him laughing.

“Riley, I didn’t mean it I swear.” He pleaded.

“After all I did for you?” I said and I stormed off.

“Wait.” I heard him say softly, but I kept going. After that, I got sick to my stomach as I left Chinook, but why should I care what happens to him, he obviously stabbed me in the back!

    I walked in the cave and stormed by Jack’s sleepless body. He was getting skinnier by the minute and I saw he sketched drawings on the walls. I made my way to the back of the cave where no could hear or see me and lied down and started crying…

***

It was early in the morning when I woke up. I could see the fire Jack had and fallowed it. I saw Chinook by the entrance. He was wide awake and his eyes were red. He didn’t look like the happiest wolf in the world. He looked at me and said, “I’m sorry.” I stormed off and said behind me

“You think you can just say sorry and everything will be fine?” I looked at his face which was covered by a lot of sadness, “I stood up for you and tried to be your friend and then you go and talk bad about me behind my back?!” I walked away and he didn’t answer.  I took off toward the hunter’s den and waited for Emerella to wake up from her sleep. Ashitaka and Odin were there also and then a little bit later Klondyke showed up.

Klondyke looked at me, “What’s wrong with you?” he asked, “You look like you want to kill someone.”

Almost,I thought to myself. I didn’t really want to hurt him but I wasn’t happy about what he said about me either. He had been a hurt wolf who needed someone and I was the only who helped him but he didn’t have to do what he did. Then I wondered if he did kill Lucia. It made sense for someone like him to take away something Junt cared about. He was the one that made him gnaw wolf. But that was impossible, he was with me the whole time.

“Not really.” I told Klondyke. The reddish puppy then waited for his mentor to come.

Emerella was first to come out of the den and we went back to the training grounds. We were at a different place this time and the sun shone through the bare land. It was like a meadow.

“Why don’t we start with your hunting again?” she said happily.

I was better than yesterday at hunting. I caught two mice, a vole, a squirrel and I got lucky by catching a rabbit two. But it was beginning stuff anyway. Real hunters hunted moose’s, deer, antelope, and even mountain lions! It was going to take a life time for me to get it.

At the end of the day, Emerella ended training early to talk to me about something.

“I heard you and Chinook got into a quarrel last night.” I looked at her frustrated, “What happened? I thought you two were going great together.”

I sighed and replied, “I’m sure we were, until he stabbed me in the back.” I told her about what happened with Kolen and Chinook arguing.

“Well, I’m pretty sure he was just mad. That’s all. I mean, I say things I don’t mean when I’m angry.” She told me, II hadn’t thought about that, “aw well, there goes another world’s best couple in the scrap pile!”

“What do you mean by that?” I asked her.

“Well I mean, you two would have made good mates. That’s all I’ meant.” she said. I never had thought about Chinook that way. It took me off guard for a moment. He was kind of handsome when he wasn’t crouching in his gnaw wolf position. I giggled and blushed a bit after her comment. Then I remembered why I was mad at him.

“I would never be with someone who says I’m helpless!” I snapped back at her.

“Oh come on! Fox-dung to that!” she yowled laughing, “He isn’t as bad as you think he is. Really, you’re the only one that is causing pain.” She muttered. I sighed and looked away. Maybe I did love him but it was more like a brotherly love than a mate love.

We ended the conversation and I went to the campsite in the afternoon. Kolen was in the Alpha’s cabin talking with him. I growled under my throat. Then I saw Emerella and Kolle nuzzle each other with so much compassion and love. It made me feel jealous that I couldn’t have the love they had.

Then I saw the gnaw wolves in their little area. There was a brown wolf with one ear and another with one eye. Then I almost lost my lunch when I saw a wolf with three legs. I felt bad for them and then I saw Chinook gnawing a bone. He looked like he wasn’t enjoying it. I made my way over to them and them Chinook didn’t notice me until I was over him. He looked up with his eyes filled with sadness.

“Hi.” I sighed. He perked his ears up and dropped his bone.

“Hi.” He said, “I thought you weren’t talking to me anymore?”

I sighed and said, “I need to talk you.” He looked at me and said

“Fine, but make it quick.” He said coldly he got up and we walked into a clearing with a creak in the middle of it.

I looked at him and I started, “Chinook? You don’t know how I’m sorry for the way I was. I actually shouldn’t have been eavesdropping.” He looked at me and smiled.

“No it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have said those things about you.” He hugged me friendly and I smiled. We were friends again and for moment, I wanted to be more than friends.

He looked at me and then he leaned into my nose and sniffed it. He has been so sweat to me; I couldn’t have done anything to repay him.  He then whispered something I wasn’t expecting, something that changed our lives forever, “I love you.”

I smiled and licked his cheek, “I love you more.”

***

I woke up back in the cave the following morning. Chinook lay next to me and he had his arm around me. I smiled and then I remembered that we loved each other. He woke and smiled. He had joy in his eyes. He licked my ear and said, “I have the day off. Do you?”

I nodded. It was freeday for the apprentices. We then planned a date with each other. He said to meet him near the meadow in the apprentice grounds I agreed I would and then I walked to the campsite as he went to this special place he had in mind.

Emerella was staring into a lake and grooming her beautiful fur which was radiant under the sun light. She looked at me and waved with her tail. I walked up to her and sat next to her.

“So? How did it go? I saw you go with to a meadow with Chinook but you never came back.” She asked.

“We talked.” I said then I went on with everything else, “then hugged, then kissed, then said we loved each other”

“You WHAT?!” she exclaimed, “Yesterday you were furious with him, now you want to be mates with him?”

I nodded and blushed about him being my mate.

“So where is he?” she asked

“Getting our date ready; he has something special in mind.” I said. She winked at me then said.

“Well them let me groom you as well, when was the last time you bathed yourself?” she asked looking at my fur.

“Er, never.” I said. She smiled and rolled her eyes and then started to groom me.

Her tongue was warm and wet ad it felt good to get all of this debris off me. When she was done grooming me, I was almost a radiant as she was. Then I had a meltdown, “What am I going to say, how do I talk to him?”

She laughed, “Like you usually do, strike the getting mad at him attitude though.” I rolled my eyes. She took me inside the hunter’s den, which was empty, and then we started talking about Kolle and Chinook like regular girls do. She was telling me how her and Kolle met and all that junk.

***

Chinook poked his head into the den and asked, “Er, Riley?”

I blushed and walked toward him he smiled at my fur and I said good-bye t Emerella who was giggling her fur off. I leaned on his shoulder and he grinned. We started walking out of the campsite and he lead to this special place he had in mind.

We started talking to each other after a few minutes.

“Er, I hope you like it, I know I do.” He said awkwardly. He was frightened and his legs were trembling.

“I pretty sure I will.” I said softly. He was getting very scared and then I said, “Hey, I’m new at this too.” He smiled and said

“It’s not that.” He paused, “It’s just the thought of losing you again. That’s what scares me the most.” I nuzzled his cheek fur and he sighed. He seemed kind of antsy about this and then I said

“We could do this another time if you want?”

“No, I want to be with you and I just don’t want to ruin that,” he paused, “again.”

I sighed and then my feet got tired and frustrated. I knew it was going to be worth it in the end.

***

Chinook told me to close my eyes and to fallow his fur. I did as he told and I felt a slight breeze.

“Ok. Open them.” He said. When I did, we’re coming up to two trees that were opposite each other and their branches were tangled around each other and it looked we were walking under a Golden arch. Then a breeze flew through and made the branches and they made the sound of wind chimes. We walked under the archway and then thousands of blossoms danced through the wind and were landing on a meadow and a silver pool. There was steam coming from the pool as it looked like it boiled in the sun light, “Chinook. It’s beautiful!” I said.

He sighed in relief and nuzzled my head. I walked to the pool and looked at my reflection. The scar I had across my eye was almost unnoticeable with all the grooming I’ve been through. Chinook came up and stood by me and smiled at my reflection.

Then I laughed and pushed him into the pool. He laughed and then pulled my foot in. I feel in next to him. The pool was warm and shallow. There were no fish in it or kelp. It was clear water. He started swimming and I fallowed him. I splashed at him and he went under water. I looked around for him, but he wasn’t there. Then all of a sudden I was grabbed from behind. He and I laughed and got out of the pool. He shook off the water as I did after him. We lay on the grass and then looked at the sky. The sun was going down and the stars shown through the night and it was the perfect romantic scene as the mist still roamed around the pool.

He smiled and looked at me and I did the same. His bright blue eyes were looking at me and passed me as other people usually did. He smiled and licked my ear. He whispered in it, “I love you, Riley.”

I smiled and returned what he said, “I love you too, Chinook.” Then he sniffed my nose and then he got too close to me…

***

That night, I had never loved anyone more than any one. He and I were now one. He sighed as the night ended and we fell asleep on the ground with no worries…