Chapter 2
Dash sighed. "Look..." He said. He stood up and faced the other five wolves in the chambers. "I brought you five in because I need help running the pack. It's getting large enough I can't do it on my own. I need you all to figure out some options to take care of this food shortage and I need them five minutes ago. I've got to meet with Aleu about a defense force matter in a few minutes and I need to tell her we have a plan to feed her fighters."
The five wolves sighed and one of them, an aging gray furred wolf with white markings, stood and looked at his Alpha. "Dash, that's just it. We can't think of anything."
Dash sighed. "Slate, that's just not going to cut it. We have to think of something."
The gray wolf nodded. "Alright, there's some territory to our east that we haven't scouted yet. It was acquired during the campaign against Lytion. It will be very dangerous. There are still remnants of Lytion's forces in the area, but we could send some hunters out to see what it looks like."
Dash nodded. "Do it Slate, and lead them yourself. You're the best scout I know."
Slate nodded. "It will be done my Alpha."
Dash smiled. "Thanks Slate."
"Now wait just a minute." Ashley, a golden wolf said. "I'm leader of the hunters. I don't mind Slate leading the party, as you say my Alpha he is the most experienced of us, but we do not yet know if htat territory will support us. Is there water? Is there anything to sustain a deep exploration? We need to know this before I agree to send my wolves out on such a long journey. A preliminary scouting party is needed first."
Slate shook his head. "We don't have the time. The Defense Force needs to eat now. The clan needs to eat now."
Dash sighed. "Is anything ever easy in poltics?" He thought to himself.
Shadow stuck his head in the chamber. "Dash, I need to speak to you for a moment."
Dash nodded. "Sure Shadow." He turned and walked to the entrance of the chamber. "What's up?"
Shadow sat down, a golden furred female wolf sat beside him. "Well, Snap here saw something on duty a few weeks ago. She waited to come to me until now because she wasn't sure of what she saw. Yesterday she came to me to ask my advice as to whether she should report it or not. I thought it merited checking into."
"...and that is?" Dash asked.
Snap stood and stepped forward. "It was Melody my Alpha. She snuck out one night. She was gone for a while and then she snuck back in. She went through a lot of trouble not to get caught."
Dash froze for a second. "If anyone else finds out about Melody's actions they'll have her killed!" He thought. Then he smiled. "Oh, that was nothing." He said. "I had her checking on some sentries I was worried about."
Snap nodded sharply. "Yes my Alpha, sorry to waste your time then Sir." She turned to Shadow who nodded at her. Then she walked away."
Shadow looked back at Dash. "Dash, something you're not saying?" He asked. "I mean... with all due respect Sir. That sounds like bullshit. What tipped you off to the sentries that had you worried? ...and why in Aniu's blessed name did you send Melody?"
Dash looked at him. "Shadow, don't worry about it." He said. Then he stood and turned back to the chamber.
"...but Dash..." Shadow began.
Dash whirled back around. "I said don't worry about it! It's fine, alright?!" He said sharply. "That's what happened. She was acting under orders. ….just forget it Shadow." Dash turned back around and walked back into the chamber. "Dismissed Shadow." He said.
Shadow just looked at him for a moment, then stood up straight. "Yes My Alpha."
Dash turned his head to see Shadow turn and walk away. He sighed and his shoulders slumped a little. "I hate lying to him." Dash said to himself. "Shadow is one of the best wolves in the Talbourne and next to Timbre he is the best friend I have." Dash straightened his shoulders and steadied his gaze. "...but I have to keep Melody safe... whatever that takes."
Dash walked back into the chamber.
"So it's settled then." Slate said. "We'll take a unit of hunters and a smaller group of scouts, the scouts will lead by a day and report back if the area seems too desolate for the hunters to travel. That way they are protected, but we lose no time should the area turn out to be fertile."
Ashley nodded. "That is most acceptable councilor." She said.
Dash smiled. "So let's do it then. You have my approval get them ready to go immediately."
Slate and Ashley both nodded.
June's voice came from behind him then. "...Dash?"
Dash turned to see his mate standing in the entrance to the chamber. He smiled. "Hey June."
June sighed. "We need to talk." She said.
Dash nodded. "Sure, what is it June?"
June looked at the floor. "...alone." She said.
Dash turned to see the six wolves of the council still standing in a circle in the middle of the chamber. They were talking amongst themselves about various subjects related to the clan.
"Excuse me." Dash said. "...give me the room?"
The councilors nodded.
"Of course my Alpha." Shale said.
The councilor's turned and filed out of the chamber.
Dash waited until they were gone and then he turned to June. "Okay, we're alone. What is it June, something wrong?"
June nodded, but remained looking at the floor.
"What is it?" Dash asked. "...someone hurt you?"
June shook her head. "No, nothing like that... it's just..."
"What June?" Dash asked. He walked over to her. "You can tell me, what's bothering you?"
June sighed. "It's just... Dash, we've been together for five years now and... we've never been together." She lifted her head to meet his gaze.
Dash chuckled. "What are you talking about?" He asked. "I know my duties with the pack have kept me busy." He sighed. "...especially here lately... but I wouldn't go so far as to say we haven't been together."
June shook her head. "Dash, that's not what I mean... I..." She paused. "I mean... "been together".
Dash's eyes widened slightly as he understood what his mate was talking about. "Oh..." He said.
June sighed. "Dash... I love you, but... I'm not getting any younger. I want to have pups and... I'm starting to feel like that's never going to happen."
Dash smiled. "We have pups June." He said.
June shook her head. "We have "your" pups Dash." She said. "Don't get me wrong, I love them like they were my own, but... the fact is that they're not. I want to know what it feels like... to be a mother, to watch them grow... to teach them everything they know. That's an experience I don't want to miss out on Dash."
Dash sighed. "June, can we talk about this later?"
June shook her head. "No we can't Dash, this is serious."
Dash sighed again. "I didn't say it wasn't." He said.
"What is it?" June asked. "Talk to me Dash."
Dash sighed again and sat down. "The only wolf I've ever been with was..." He closed his eyes. "...was Shasta." He said. "I... I love you, but... I guess I feel like... I'd be betraying her somehow..."
June sighed and closed her eyes. "Dash..." She paused and a duo of tears ran down her cheeks. "That... that hurts."
Dash sighed and looked at the floor of the chamber. "That may be, but it's the truth." He said.
June sighed and kept her eyes closed.
"What did you expect?" Dash asked. "Shasta was my mate. She didn't leave me, she died. I still feel for her."
June's eyes snapped open. "...and what about me?!" She said sharply. "I know you loved Shasta Dash, but she's dead, and she's not coming back. Do you know how what you just said makes me feel? I feel like... like my heart just got ripped from my body and you're holding it in your paws. It makes me feel like I'm not enough for you. That I'm some kind of silver medal, that you'd rather be with her than me. I love you Dash, with all my heart, and I thought you felt the same way."
Dash sighed. "I do love you June. You know that, don't be stupid."
"Stupid?!" June snapped. "What's stupid is that you're still waiting on her like some lost puppy! She's not coming back Dash, ever!" June stopped and took a deep breath. "...and I'm waiting right here in front of you, begging for your love... and you're just... trampling it under your paws..." She paused again and sighed, closing her eyes. "Dash, you need to accept that she's gone, and you need to decide what's important to you, who's most important to you. ...because I've been waiting a long time, and I've been quiet for a while too, and I don't know, maybe that part of it is my fault, maybe I should've brought this up at the beginning... but..." She paused and looked back up at her mate. "Honestly Dash, I'm not waiting forever."
Dash just sighed.
"Look Dash... I won't be in our chambers when you come home tonight. I want you to think, take some time and really think about us. If you really love me, or if you're just using me to fill some hole Shasta left in you. I'll come back, and I expect an answer, but... this is very important to me Dash, and if things don't change... I'll find someone who really does love me."
June turned and walked out of the chamber.
Dash lifted his head and opened his eyes, watching as she turned the corner and walked out of sight.
He sighed and looked down at the floor of the chamber, his head was spinning.
He heard paws approaching quickly and lifted his head to see Aleu run into the chamber. "Sir, you're needed in the Main Chamber!" She said.
Dash sighed. "Aleu, I need some time to think."
Aleu shook her head. "Sir, it's 4th unit."
Dash's eyes snapped open. "Aren't they out on patrol?"
Aleu nodded. "They sent a runner. He just got back. He's out of breath and could barely talk, but we were able to make out that they were ambushed. It sounds bad Dash."
Dash sighed. "Are they still engaged?"
Aleu shook her head. "I don't think so. The runner said that the rest of the unit was ten minutes or so behind them."
"Do we know who it was?" Dash asked.
Aleu shook her head. "He had no idea."
Dash nodded. "Well, we'll talk to Ami when she gets in. Give me five minutes and I'll be down."
Aleu nodded. "Alright, I saw June, she seemed upset. Is everything okay with you two?"
Dash sighed. "...just give me five minutes Aleu."
Aleu nodded. "Of course Sir." She turned and walked out of the chamber.
Dash sighed and tilted his head up to the ceiling of the chamber. "It just never stops does it?" He asked. "Aniu, please give me strength, guide me to make the right decisions in all that I must do."
He looked back down and sighed. "...and help me know how to handle this business with June. I know I love her, but..." He sighed. "...I don't know." He said softly. Dash stood there a minute, then he straightened his shoulders, lifted his head and took a deep breath. Once he had composed himself he turned and walked out of the chamber.
When Dash got down to the floor of the main chamber he saw a circle of wolves gathered around another who was laying on the floor. He looked exhausted.
Dash walked over and the circle parted to let him through.
As the wolf looked up he recognized Dash and moved to get to his feet.
Dash reached out and put his paw on the wolf's shoulder. "Take it easy." he said. "You look spent."
The wolf nodded. "I ran as fast as I could my Alpha."
Dash nodded. "You did well, tell me what happened son."
The wolf nodded. "I'm Yuko. I serve with 4th Unit. We were on patrol as ordered and had just made the turn to the southern run when we were attacked."
" By how many?" Dash asked.
"I'm not sure my Alpha, but a lot, thirty, maybe forty of them.. they attacked us from three sides and caught us in a small dip in the earth, so there was little we could do but circle up and try to fight them off. They hit us before we really knew they were there."
"There was no challenge? No warning?" Dash asked.
"No my Alpha, nothing, they just attacked."
Dash nodded. "Very well, how bad was it?"
Yuko sighed. "...bad. I'm not sure of how it ended, or even if it has. Lieutenant Ami sent me running as soon as she saw a hole for me to get through. She called a general retreat, but... they were everywhere."
Dash nodded. "You did good son, go to your chambers and rest. I'll call you if I need you again."
Yuko nodded and stood up. He walked slowly toward his chambers, helped by a few of the wolves who had gathered around him.
Dash turned to Timbre. "Timbre, mount a rescue." He said. "We need to help them if we can... or find out what happened to them if it's over."
Timbre nodded curtly. "Yes my Alpha." He said. He turned to Aleu who was standing beside him. "Aleu, take 2nd Unit and go to 4th Unit's last position. Do not engage unless you are attacked or must assist 4th Unit. Your mission is to find out what happened and assist 4th Unit. In that mission you have discretion to use whatever amount of force is necessary."
Aleu nodded. "Yes Sir." She said. Aleu turned to Snap. "Snap, go tell the unit to assemble here immediately, form them up and get them ready to move out in five minutes."
Snap nodded. "Yes Ma'am." She said. Then she turned and ran toward the react chambers where 2nd Unit was likely sleeping."
Aleu turned back to Timbre. "Who could this be?" She asked. "We don't have any enemies at the moment."
Timbre sighed. "Apparently we do." He said. "...I'm not sure of who it could be though. I'm as baffled as you."
Aleu nodded.
Snap ran out of the react chambers then, followed by the thrity-eight wolves that made up 2nd Unit.
The wolves quickly fell into formation and Snap stepped out in front of them, looked them over and counted each one, then she turned around and waited.
Aleu sighed. "...guess we'll find out." She said.
Then she turned and walked away from Timbre. Aleu stopped in front of Snap.
"2nd Unit is assembled as ordered Ma'am. Thirty-eight wolves present and awaiting your command." She said.
Aleu nodded. "Good Snap, fall in."
Snap nodded curtly, then turned and took her position at the head of the first rank. Aleu took one step forward and looked over her unit. "4th Unit was out on patrol today. They were attacked around half an hour ago by a significant enemy force. Our Alpha has tasked us with finding out who attacked them and to assist them should they require it. Get ready to move out."
Dash looked at 2nd Unit and sighed. He hoped he wasn't sending another unit into the fire. If one had already been surprised another could be just as easily. Aleu was a good leader though and Dash knew she would keep a sharp eye.
Dash's ears perked up as he heard the thud of paws approaching the cave.
"Someone is approaching!" Dash called.
The guards at the mouth of the chamber crouched down and prepared to defend themselves if necessary, then one of them stood up. "It's Godrick, and he's carrying someone else."
Dash nodded and turned to Aleu. "Aleu, send two to escort him inside in case he's being chased."
Aleu nodded and turned to her unit. "Snap, Light, go."
The two wolves nodded and took off running out of the cave. They pulled up alongside Godrick and turned to run by his side as he sprinted for the cave.
Snap glanced to her right and recognized the wolf he was carrying. "...Ami?" she thought.
The small female's body was bouncing limply on Godrick's back and her golden fur was covered in bright red blood.
Snap couldn't even tell if she was alive or not. For a moment her mind filled with sadness at the thought of her friend being seriously hurt or even killed, but Snap quickly shook her head and cleared it of such thoughts. Right now all that mattered was that they got her and Godrick back to the cave.
Snap glanced behind her and didn't see anyone following them. She looked back forward and saw the cave's entrance fast approaching.
A few minutes of hard running later the four passed between the two sentries guarding the Main Entrance. They slowed to a trot and then stopped near the center of the Main Chamber.
Nick was among the wolves that had gathered in the chamber and as Godrick knelt to allow Light and Snap to slide Ami's limp body off of his back , he recognized his mate. "Ami!" He called. The young wolf darted forward through the crowd that was gathering around the two and made it to her side. "Ami, are you okay!"
Snap pushed him back a little. "Give her some room." She said.
Nick growled at her for a moment, but saw the wisdom in her words and stopped, his gaze fixed on Ami's inert body.
Dash and Timbre joined Snap by Ami's side.
Timbre turned to Snap. "Good work Snap, you and Light return to your Unit."
Snap nodded and she and Light ran back to their unit and rejoined the formation.
Timbre knelt beside Ami, placing his paw in front of her nose. He felt a gentle but faint warmness in his fur. "She's breathing." He said. "...she's alive."
"Oh thank Aniu." Nick said.
Timbre turned to Godrick. "...what happened?" He asked. "Is the rest of the unit still engaged?"
Godrick was panting from his run and unable to speak so he simply shook his head. "...no..." He said. "...we're... we're all that's left."
Dash's brow furrowed in confusion. "...all that's left?" He asked.
Godrick nodded. "...everyone... everyone else is dead... my... Alpha."
The wolves all gasped.
Dash turned to Timbre. "Get 2nd Unit to send everyone back to their chambers." He said. "Nick can stay, but everyone else needs to go, if this is true... we don't need them panicking."
Timbre nodded and walked over to Aleu to speak to her quietly.
2nd Unit began to disperse the crowd and soon it was only Dash and Nick standing by Ami's side. Timbre and Aleu stood. with 2nd Unit talking quietly at a distance.
Dash turned back to Godrick. "What happened?" He asked.
The wolf that answered was not Godrick. "They.. they... came at us from... everywhere... my Alpha." Ami said. She coughed up a bit of blood and attempted to stand, her legs shaking
Nick rushed forward and placed his paw on her shoulder. "Stay down Ami." he said. "You shouldn't be standing right now."
Dash nodded. "Nick is right Ami." He said. "You need to go to your chambers and rest."
Ami nodded, her eyes half open.
Nick knelt down and Godrick helped Ami onto his back. Nick stood up and started to walk away.
"Ami, one thing before you go." Dash said.
Nick stopped and Dash walked up beside him.
"What... what is it... my Alpha?" She asked.
"Who attacked you?" He asked.
"It was..." Ami coughed and paused for a minute. "...the Storm Clan."
Dash nodded. "Thank you Ami, rest assured they will pay for this." He turned to Nick. "Nick, take her to your chambers, she is to rest until told otherwise, don't let her leave. I'll come down to talk to her more later; when she's more up to it."
Nick nodded. "Don't worry my Alpha, she's not going anywhere."
Dash nodded and watched as Nick walked away, his mate draped over his back. A thin line of blood dripped from Ami's fur and spattered to the rock floor trailing behind them.
Dash turned and walked to Timbre.
"What did she say?" Timbre asked.
Dash sighed and looked up at his friend. "It was the Storm Clan." He said. "Come my friend, we have work to do."
Timbre nodded.
Dash turned to Aleu. "Aleu, dismiss 2nd Unit. I want all patrols pulled back in, all hunts canceled. Every wolf in the Talbourne that isn't standing guard is to stay in this cave until this is resolved unless I give direct permission."
Aleu nodded. "Yes my Alpha."
Aleu darted away to carry out Dash's orders and Dash turned back to Timbre. "Assemble the council." He said. "I want them in my chamber in half an hour."