AN: Well guys, here's chapter two! I hope you enjoy it. Feel free to leave a review.


Stinky, Runt, and Claudette were making their way back to the mysterious cave. They had narrowly avoided punishment the day before. Their parents were a little preoccupied with the new pack member.

Runt was still unnerved about the cave and had considered feigning illness to get out of returning. However, being his siblings' brother, he could not resist the call of the cave. Sometimes, he hated his adventurous spirit.

The pups neared the dense woods at the base of the mountain. As they approached, they noticed another wolf was already entering the tree line.

"Who's that?" Claudette asked after noticing him.

"Maybe, he's from another pack!" Stinky shouted excitedly.

"Maybe, we should ask," Runt suggested.

"Alright."

Runt was surprised that his brother had actually agreed with him. The feeling did not last long as Stinky did something that was very Stinky.

The pup tilted his head back and let out a howl. Claudette and Runt looked at each other surprised. The same thought seemed to be going through their heads, This is how we're gonna die!

The strange wolf looked back and stopped, as though waiting for them to catch up.

Stinky looked at his siblings and sighed. "You wanted to ask him who he was, so I got his attention!"

"I meant we go up quietly so we could get away if need be, not let him know we're coming! He could be planning on what to do with our bodies right now!" Runt groaned.

"Well, he's not coming towards us. That's a good sign."

"Boys," Claudette cut in, using the same tone of voice their mother used when explaining things to a new Alpha. The tone was nice when she used it, but conceited when Claudette did. "He already knows we're here so we should probably go see him."

Stinky smiled as their sister agreed with him.

"But we probably should have been stealthier about it."

Runt smiled as Stinky's face twisted into annoyance.

"I'm the oldest, I'm in charge!" Stinky muttered to himself, "What makes you think you know everything?" As intentioned, Claudette did hear his words.

The three then began to move toward the wooded area. The wolf sat patiently the whole time; he never made a sound or a gesture. It was almost unnerving.

Stinky sniffed the air as they approached, trying to determine the wolf's identity. He didn't recognize it as a pack member's and had none of the traits of the other packs in Jasper.

"Well, hello there!" the wolf greeted when they finally arrived.

"Hi," Stinky replied simply. He was about to ask more about the wolf when he was interrupted.

"So, Stinky, Runt, and Claudette? Is that right?" He pointed at each one respectively as he said their names.

"How do you know our names," Stinky demanded suddenly. He straightened his back and held his head up as he did so to give himself an important air.

"Your parents told me all about you yesterday. I'm the new wolf, Nick."

Their parents had mentioned a new wolf the other day, but the pups had decided that they could meet him after exploring the cave. They were apparently wrong about that.

"Oh, right. You're a little far from the rest of the pack," Stinky observed calmly, "What are you doing out here?" His tone was almost friendly but couldn't hide the suspicion.

Nick smiled. "I could ask you the same question little ones."

"We're not little!" All three snapped at once.

"Whatever you say," the wolf chuckled. "I am out here because I heard tales of a rather remarkable cave out this way. I thought since I was in the general area, I might as well see for myself."

"We're here to see the cave too," Claudette stated, knowing that he expected their answer in return.

"Well, I won't tell on you if you don't tell on me."

"Why should you be worried about that? You said you were just exploring," Runt asked.

"That's true, but I fear how other wolves would see it. And on my first day too. I'm not the most social wolf in the world so I thought I'd do this before making friends."

The pups exchanged glances. There was something off about this wolf; they just couldn't put a paw on it. He seemed too nice and rather allusive.

"Fine," Stinky agreed, "You go your way, we'll go ours."

"First of all, Smelly-"

"Stinky," he corrected.

"-Stinky, our way is the same way. Secondly, I can't just let three pups like yourselves go running around a dark cave unsupervised. Especially when they are the pups of the pack leaders who so graciously allowed me to join their pack."

Stinky knew that the wolf wasn't going to let them out of it. They had to let him tag along. At least he hadn't sent them back.

A quick glance over his shoulder revealed a similar look of defeat on his siblings faces.

"Alright, we'll let you join us," Stinky began.

"But you have to let us do our own thing," Claudette added.

"And only interfere if we need you," Runt concluded.

Nick smiled. "Why, of course! I wouldn't want to ruin your little adventure. Especially if it keeps you out of my dangerous investigation."

"Dangerous?" Runt asked.

"Yes, I my exploration will be pretty deep and involve some less than advisable activities to be done in a cave. I wouldn't want any little pups getting hurt."

All three pups growled at once. They hated it when they were excluded from activities because they were "too young". They were intelligent, resourceful, and made a good team. That more than made up for their size and youth.

Perfect! Nick thought to himself. They're falling for it! I have them under my paw now!

"You know," Stinky spoke up, "We are all going to explore the cave. Maybe it would be better if we just all stuck together. We could help you."

I'm either smarter than I thought, or other wolves are just stupider than I wanted to believe. "Like I said, it's very dangerous."

"We can handle it! Right guys?"

Runt and Claudette nodded enthusiastically.

"I have a feeling you won't budge on this," Nick began, tiredly, "So, I give, you can help me."

He let the pups lead the way toward the cave. He smiled briefly to himself. Things were going better than expected. Now, he had some help to speed things along. And remove him from some of the danger.

They soon arrived at the cave opening. The sunlight penetrated several yards into it before dispersing, leaving a wall of darkness hovering within. There seemed to be a strange buzz about it. Most wolves wouldn't notice the sensation if they were not looking for it. Stinky and Claudette could themselves barley perceive it. Nick and Runt could though.

Runt suppressed a shiver as he stared into bowls of the cave. He was hoping the strange feeling he had was just his nerves. There seemed to be something malevolent about the shadows in the cave.

Nick noticed his agitation and was impressed. He leaned down and whispered something in the pup's ear.

"It's just a defense mechanism. A way to deter wolves from entering. Most aren't even conscious of it. Your brother and sister are eager to enter, so they block it out. You, however, are more cautious. That makes you more alert and perceptive. That's why you can feel it."

He moved away before Runt could ask what exactly it was.

The group had stopped for some reason near the entrance but now Nick was heading forward again. The pups exchanged looks one last time before following him.

Runt felt the sensation grow stronger and stronger as they got closer to the threshold. Even Stinky and Claudette were beginning to look unnerved. However, as they passed from the outside world and into the darkness, the leave the sensation behind.

The four wolves continued on. The cave, which should have been pitch black, still had a dim light to it that had no real source. In the dimness, the pups could still make out shape of the cave.

Unlike all other caves, no stalactites hung from the ceiling and no stones sat in their path. The cave was unnaturally smooth and circular. Only ever so often would an imperfection appear. They seemed to be almost deliberate. As though they existed to try to convince the observer that their suspicions were incorrect.

After several minutes of walking through the cave, the small party came upon a convergence of tunnels. The path before them split into three distinct caves. Each one seemed to go in a different direction.

Without hesitation, Nick turned toward the leftmost cave and started into it.

"Come on, it's this way!" He called over his shoulder before realizing no one was following.

Now, Stinky was getting uneasy. Following a strange wolf into a strange cave was starting to seem like a more and more foolish idea.

"Um," he began, "I think this is far enough for one day, we should probably head back."

Nick began to walk back towards them.

"Yeah," Claudette chimed in, "Our parents are probably getting worried about us."

Nick said nothing.

"Let's go guys," Stinky suggested and the pups turned to leave.

Suddenly, Nick leapt over them and landed in their path. In the half-light, they could make out the flash of his eyes and teeth.

"Oh, my little friends," he growled, "You're not going anywhere!"


AN: Enter dramatic music. I enjoy writing for Nick, I don't know why. He's just fun. Stay tuned for chapter 3!