Chapter 14
The Counterattack

Kavik snorted, pushing himself to the limit. Though he wasn't as spry as he'd once been, he was still one of the fastest among his kind and held the rapid pace he'd set with ease. Balto ran beside him, his great furry head lowered, eyes narrowed in concentration while behind him, Kirby Ralph and Nova struggled to keep up. He risked a glance over his shoulder to check up on the three sled dogs tagging along in his wake and was dismayed to see they were in danger of falling behind. He somehow managed to bite back the stream of curses that wanted to come spewing from his mouth, expressing his frustration in a low growl that rumbled up from the depths of his chest.

He found himself wondering why they weren't making more of an effort, before the all-too-obvious answer came to him, making him feel stupid and old. Anxious though he was to save the two trapped lovers, he had to remember that the three canines plodding along behind he and Balto had just completed what was supposed to be a five-day run in only three day's time and had only gotten back to Nome a little over seven or eight hours ago; hardly enough time to recuperate and be ready for something like this. It was really a wonder they were managing to move this fast at all.

Knowing he had no alternative didn't keep him from hating himself as he resolutely forced himself to slow the pace. The great wolf/dog beside him followed suit, though he shot his snowy brother a mixed look of anger and frustration. He could read it easily enough; 'What's wrong with you!? We can't afford to slow down! My son and his mate are counting on us!'

Kavik replied with a curt nod followed by an almost imperceptible jerk of the head, indicating the three sled dogs behind them, their breathe coming in ragged gasps that he didn't care for. 'I know, I know, but we have to otherwise those three will burn themselves out before we even get there.' He tipped his snout forward, indicating the area ahead from where the orgy of scent was spewing. 'Besides, strong as we are, there's no way the two of us could hope to take down Forest and his cronies while they've still got a hold of Kodi and Dusty.' Bottom line; like it or not, they'd simply have to suck it up and pray to God that they'd be able to get there in time, because if they kept it up, Kirby, Ralph and Nova would be too tired to last long in what promised to be a no-doubt bloody affair.

Their actions did not go unnoticed however. Ralph spoke up, sounding indignant. "Hey! What gives!? Why the hell…are we…slowing down…?"

"Because I want you three…to be ready for whatever we'll have to do." Kavik replied, speaking a little easier now that he had more air to spare for chitchat.

"We're wasting time!" Ralph retorted, his tongue lolling from the side of his mouth, "If we don't hurry…they'll – "

"Do what he says!" Nova interrupted, voice lashing out like a double-edged sword of rage and worry – rage over what the three mongrels ahead of them had nearly done to his sister and worry over whether or not they'd make it in time. "I'm not…gonna let…that fleabag Forest…kill Kodi or my sister…because you two were too stupid…to listen to reason!"

That ended the debate. Kirby and Ralph each slowed their pace, dropping back behind Kavik and Balto once more, identical masks of primal fury on their faces – though whether it was from the tongue-lashing given them by their furious comrade or his being right about their foolishness wasn't clear. Truth be known, Kavik really didn't care if they spurned him for the rest their lives after this rotten business was over and done with; all he cared about was their being able to save his niece and nephew without having to worry about whether or not they were up to the challenge.

A sudden gust of wind blew in from the east, carrying with it a scent that made Kavik literally freeze in his tracks, his head whipping to the right, body tensing. He barely noticed how he'd nearly caused what would've been a very painful collision between himself and Nova, who was somehow able to avoid the snowy lupine at the last minute only to have a near miss with an ancient oak. He stood there, heart hammering in his chest, his mind screaming for him to move as his nose was assaulted by the reek of blood emanating from a clearing not half-a-mile in front of them…yet it also brought with it another scent, one that was now slowly but surely closing in on them from all sides. He cursed himself for a fool for allowing himself to forget where he was…to forget who owned this snowy wood.

If tempers had been on the brink before, whatever dams held them in place crumbled like sand before a tsunami at this latest display of what seemed to be pure insanity on Kavik's part – at least in the eyes of one opinionated young canine.

Kirby turned, eyes burning, livid. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING" he roared, spit flying from his muzzle in long, foamy ropes as he glared angrily up at the larger wolf. "Do you want them to get killed!?! Is that it, huh!?! Are you in cahoots with that dirty, disgusting piece of sh – "

"Kirby," Kavik cut in, chopping off the rest of what would've been a very lengthy rant with surgical precision, "do yourself a favor; Shut up. Now."

This only seemed to further infuriate the headstrong Husky, and he seemed not to have noticed the way Kavik was looking everywhere but towards the sound of his voice. "Why I ought to – "

"Back off!" Balto interjected, the words coming out from between clenched teeth in a snarl, and angry and confused though he was, the younger dog had enough sense to follow the hybrid's advice, snapping his mouth shut. Balto took a deep, shuddering breath, trying unsuccessfully to calm himself before turning to his brother. "Kavik, whatever it is, please hurry! They're hurt, both of them, and badly! I can smell their bl – "

"I'll tell you what I smell," his white sibling interrupted, speaking with a terrible enforced calm that sent a shiver running up all their spines, least of all Balto's. "I smell wolf, and lots of it…and they've got us surrounded."

Dead silence greeted this.

Kavik moved quickly taking a step forward, head held high, his voice hardening as a note of authority rumbled up from his throat as he addressed the medium-sized pack surrounding the five of them. "That's close enough, all of you!" his nose picked up a sudden spike in the pack's collective aroma. Good…he had their attention. "If we've trespassed against you or offended you in some way, then I apologize, but two of our kin may or may not meet their demise in these very woods a few moments from now!" He paused to let the weight of this message sink in. "Whether they live or die could very well depend on how long you choose to keep us detained, so I urge you to reveal yourselves and let us see each other face to face so we can resolve this in a way that satisfies us all and be on our way!" This plea complete, he stepped back, forcing himself to remain calm while he waited for their verdict.

((()-()))

Dusty tried to scream, but her throat refused to work – either she'd damaged her vocal cords too badly in such a short time or more likely, she was simply too tired to muster the energy she needed. She was exhausted; her body was heavy with it, her sides like iron, her legs lead. She watched helplessly as the brute called Pride moved toward Kodi while Forest held him down. She started to whine, a sudden darkness touching her heart. Did she know what was coming? You'd better believe it…but that didn't make what came next any easier to bear.

He wouldn't stop…no matter how much she cried for her beloved, they still refused to leave him. Her heart seemed to shatter as the high, dry crack of what sounded like a tree branch snapping in a high wind registered in her ears. Tears streamed down her face and she wept. Not just for him, but for herself as well – for being so useless, so weak that she could do nothing but lie here helpless to do anything but watch as they tortured him. "Kodi!…Oh God, Kodi, no…no, no, no, no!"

The beast standing over the bloodied russet Husky paid no heed, merely stood back to admire his handiwork and to allow Forest a few snide remarks before seizing Kodi's other foreleg in his jaws. There came another of those high, explosive cracks, followed by another breathless scream of agony that tore at her heart like an ice pick. Kodi's forelegs lay limp to either side of his head, the bones beneath his furry flesh twisted grotesquely. His breathing became ragged, labored as he struggled to say conscious, his face ashen.

"Awww…does it hurt, Lover-Boy?" Forest asking, his mocking high soprano making the other two laugh wickedly. Forest turned his attention to Sabbath, a grin splitting his ugly face. "Sabbath…what do you say? Feel up for a little…action?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

What little color she had left drained from her face as she heard the smaller dog's reply. "Finally…I was afraid we'd never get around to this." She shuddered, feeling him press his nose against her as he savored her scent once more, helpless not to let out a sob as ran out his tongue and sloppily licked her cheek, his saliva soaking her fur, his breath foul beyond imagination. "Get ready honey…Uncle Sabbath's gonna break you in, make you a big girl…." A chuckle. "Aww, don't cry, my peach," he cooed, for he'd seen the tears that had begun to coarse down her face. "I promise I'll be gentle…or not, depending on how much you scream…."

((()-()))

Nova stood, ears pricked, eyes moving ceaselessly, trying to keep an eye on every furry body at once. For all the good it was doing him, the Husky might as well have tried to count the snowflakes that were now beginning to dance and spin as they tumbled through the frosty air. He knew it was futile, but still, he couldn't help it – it was in his blood, after all.

The wolves were larger than he was, their pelts more matted, with teeth a good deal more wicked looking. While some didn't look as though they were as well fed as he and the others were lucky enough to be, he had no delusions as to who would win in a fight. Thin and under-nourished though they might've been, but one look into their wild eyes told him all he needed to know. It was their eyes that most unnerved him, really – all the things he saw burning in their yellow orbs. Where he was accustomed to gentle browns and soft blues, here was harsh gold and flat, dull amber. They looked at him with eyes that spoke of the hunt, of the thrill of running down game in the wood, the primal surge of triumph as the stench of blood flooded their nostrils as they brought down a deer after hours, sometimes days of hunting. These creatures were hardened warriors who had survived without a comfy stove to keep them warm on frigid nights, and they were a force to be reckoned with…. If you were an enemy, that was, and he for one was heartily relieved when that fear was laid to rest soon after Kavik's booming address to the pack, who had turned out to be one both Balto and Kavik knew quite well. The wolves recognized them as friends in need and had come striding into the fading light with their claws sheathed.

First, he tried to keep count how many their were…but soon gave up on this; they were creatures of the wood and knew secrets he could only dream of. Such knowledge allowed them to become one with the shadows with an ease that was more than a little unsettling to behold. Every time he thought he had an accurate headcount, he would look away only for an instant…only to be greeted with the sight of two or three more wolves where only one had stood a moment before. It was to keep him off-guard, he knew…and to keep them from knowing just how many they were.

He soon gave up on keeping tabs on them and instead focused his gaze on the one Kavik had hailed as Ash, who, it seemed, was an old friend of his, judging by the warm greeting he gave them. Soon after the larger white hybrid had delivered his speech, the pack had come forward, Ash bounding to the forefront, his tail wagging happily at the sight of his former packmate of old. Kavik had returned his feelings, albeit for the briefest of moments, before addressing a wolf named Jeremiah, who was apparently the Alpha of the assembled pack. Here, fortune smiled upon them once more, for it turned out that the mahogany wolf knew not only Kavik, but Balto as well. Together, the group was able to quickly make clear their reasons for trespassing…and to ask for one other favor that was of particular interest to the small rescue party…one that would give them a distinct advantage on the battlefield to come….

((()-()))

"…You understand?" Balto asked, his tail twitching the slightest bit, belaying his desire to be off with all speed as soon as time allowed.

Jeremiah nodded, his eyes bright. "Aye, if it comes to that…count on us."

Ash gave his own affirmative, a thin smile spreading over his scarred face as his yellow eyes glinted in the semidarkness. "…We'll have your backs if the bastards turn yellow and run…." His smile disappeared. "But forget that – you must go, now."

Kavik nodded and he and Balto moved off, the three sled dogs falling in step behind them as they began once more to head towards their waiting friends. The light had all but faded completely and snowflakes were beginning to drift slowly downwards as winter made a desperate attempt to cling to the world. The yellow-eyed crossbreed blew out a breath and shook himself, trying to shake the tension from his limbs. His heart was already pounding, and they'd yet to even within 400 meters of their destination. If this kept up, he'd be a wreck by the time for action came…and he'd throw himself from a cliff before allowing himself to become the reason that their plan – already risky to begin with – might fail.

Feeling his brother's gaze, he said, "Don't worry…I'm fine." Which was a complete lie; he was certainly nowhere near 'fine' – in fact, he was about a hair's breadth from a heart attack, or so he felt. But, his Kodi and his mate needed him to be fine, needed him to keep a cool head, so he forced his heart to slow to a more reasonable pace.

Kavik's eyes sparked slightly – just enough to tell the hybrid he could see right through his flimsy façade – before he nodded and returned his gaze to the fast-approaching meadow before them. From the lupine's right came Kirby's anxious half whimper. "…Please, someone tell me we've got some sort of plan…?" The three looked instinctively to he and Kavik but Balto left most of it to the snowy juggernaut. True, he had had his share of skirmishes before, but they were as nothing when compared to Kavik's life in the wild, which made the scuffle he'd gotten into with Steele so long ago look like nothing more that puppy play.

Balto heard him suck in a breath and then let it out speaking in low, slightly earnest tones. "All right…. Listen up, all of you, because I don't want to have to repeat myself…and we all know just how much is at stake here." Ears perked a little higher and eyes brighten as they all turned their collective attention on him, listening as he laid it all out on the table. It seemed a simple enough maneuver…but Balto was wise enough to know that what Kavik was proposing would require precise execution from all of them.

Kavik finished and Balto, recognizing his unspoken duty, continued one where the other had left off. "…Okay…here's how we're gonna do it…." He looked to the end of their little line. "Kirby, Ralph – you to take Pride while I handle Sabbath and Nova and Kavik take care of For–"

Kavik shook his head, cutting him off. "No – that'll never work." He turned to Balto, speaking quickly, all business. "They're exhausted, Balto. Maybe if they were fresh it could be done, but Pride won't fall as easily against two as he will with three." He turned to Nova. "Go with Kirby and Ralph – they need you more than I do."

The golden Husky bit his lip, looking a little uncomfortable with leaving the elder hybrids to fend for themselves. "But…that would mean–"

"Nova, please," Balto said, and the fevered light the golden Husky saw burning in his eyes ended whatever argument he might or might not have been about to make, "I can handle Sabbath…I'll be fine." He tried for a smile, but it felt forced and ugly on his face so he put it aside.

"All right…" A beat. "…What about Forest?"

"Leave him." All eyes turned to once again lock on the formidable white-furred crusader as he spoke, his voice as flat and soulless as steel, a fiery and somehow chilling desire in his eyes. From within his muscled chest there came a low rumbling and for an instant, the fire became an inferno as he bared his teeth in a brief snarl. "He's MINE."

A few blessed seconds, of considering silence, then Ralph spoke up. "…Will this really work?" He didn't sound disbelieving so much as he seemed to be searching for a bit of balm for the worry worm trying to eat its way into his heart.

"Yes." Not a moment's hesitation.

"How can you say that?" Kirby burst out suddenly, his voice slightly scratchy with anxiety and the aftereffects of that week's run. "How can you be so damn sure?"

Kavik smiled and looking at it, Balto was glad it wasn't aimed at him. "If we're to save them, then it must." He said with an air of finality, his tone once more brisk, "For I see no other way."

There wasn't much left to say after that. Words were only good for so long…and Forest and his friends had passed the point of no return long ago. There was no recourse for their actions – had Kavik not given them fair warning? Balto knew he had – and then some. So if anyone was responsible for what came next, be it for better or worse, it was the three bloodletting monsters that had dared to lay paws on his son and his mate.

Telling himself this made it a little easier to accept what he had to do. He was no killer – none of them were, at least not in the way their quarry was – but he understood that there were times when even an angel must exchange harp and halo for flame and sword.

((()-()))

Kirby was nervous.

…. Okay, so maybe that was a load of moose crap, but he was pretty far from the calm, cool and levelheaded leader he'd always been, that was for damn sure. Heart pounding, he gulped and tried to will away the lump in his throat. This was no time to get choked up, no sir! His friends were counting on him, trusting him to save their very lives, and he wouldn't allow himself to be the one who sent this whole situation spinning off into chaos.

"…Damn it…." He growled, almost too low for even his own ears.

From his left he could feel the weight of Ralph's concerned glance and he did his best to suck it up empty his mind. Eyes narrowing, he focused all his attention on the grass beneath his paws, forcing himself to analyze every detail, knowing it would keep him sharp and on edge, right were he needed to be, in other words. The feel of it was dry, the smell tangy and sharp – it was Spring all right – yet underneath it, he could feel the mud and muck squishing between his toes. Something about it's cold, clutching caress calmed him somewhat, though if pressed, he wouldn't have been able to say why, only that it did.

From five feet to his right, he saw Kavik's great almost bearish form sink low to the ground, his belly lowering until he looked to almost be slithering through the foul mess. Kirby and the others followed suit, but none of them could slink and stalk like that great predator. He moved like the wolf he truly was, and never mind the quarter of canine in his blood; that was gone, cast out for now. The wolf/dog's eyes were flashing like twin embers and all the usual warmth and kindness they were accustomed to were nowhere to be seen. Kirby understood that such a dramatic change in character was necessary – for if there was one among them who could not be bested in true combat, it was Kavik, of this he had no doubt – but still…that look was a little creepy.

A dull, wet crunching sound cut through the murmured sniggers and jeers emanating from the clearing, followed by a hoarse cry of utter agony that made Kirby's stomach turn. Perhaps thirty seconds passed. More sniggering, now downright laughing, and all the while he could hear a low, piteous sob that was Dusty. Dusty, crying as though her heart would break as they forced her to watch as they tortured her only love. Dusty, who had never so much as gossiped or bad-mouthed even the lowest of curs, brought low by this…this pack of demons. Another of those sickening reports rang out, and the tan Husky realized what he was hearing a spit-second later.

His legs…they were breaking Kodi's legs.

As if to confirm it, the tortured dog cried out again, sounding weaker this time. Next to Kavik, Kirby saw Balto's entire body tense, the corded muscles coiling beneath his fur. Looking at him, Kirby finally realized that he himself had been preparing to spring – his exhausted muscles were bulging, pulled taut in readiness for the eventual leap to come. His heart pounding away like a drum in his chest, his whole body nearly shaking with anticipation as well as fear now, Kirby tried vainly to relax, but it was like trying to eat what the humans called 'pee-nut butt-er' without getting the stuff stuck to the roof of your mouth; impossible.

'Why in God's name are we just sitting here?!?' He thought frantically. His heart rate nearly doubling, he cast a furious look at Kavik…but he was just sitting there, coiled like a snake who's forgotten how to strike. He wrenched his gaze away, looking toward the clearing where two of his best friends were being subjected to God-alone knew what. 'Why don't we DO something!? Kodi's dying and Dusty might be too and we're just fu– '

"…Steady…" Kavik's voice carried in a mutter so low Kirby almost thought it had been only the wind…yet it held a note of command that hadn't been there before – not even when he'd addressed the combined forces of the two great wolf packs. Somewhat incredulous, the tan Husky turned his gaze back to the regard their pale leader…and saw he wasn't the one Kavik had been talking to.

It was Balto…. And it was a good thing too, because from the looks of it, the older crossbreed was even more enraged and horrified at what he could hear going on in front of them than Kirby was. The wolf/dog shivered, seemed on the verge of propelling himself forward again, but Kavik's low, deadly quite growl stopped him.

((()-()))

Kavik watched his brother's face cramp in rage and fury as the cries of his tortured son reached his hypersensitive ears. Knowing what his instincts would cry out for him to do, the other called out to him, telling him to stay put. It wouldn't bode well for any of them if all fell to ruin simply because of bad timing…and Kavik knew Balto would never forgive himself if something were to happen to either Kodi or Dusty because of it. Looking at him, the towering warrior could see the desperation and the pity burning in his eyes…and knowing he was not alone in this made things a little easier to bear. Not much…but it was still something. He tipped his head, speaking directly into the other's cocked ear.

"…Do you love them?"

A shakily drawn breath followed by an even shakier exhalation. "…You know I do…."

"…Then trust me."

An affirmative twitch of the head that was almost imperceptible.

Kavik focused his attention of the field again, his paws flexing, claws sheathing and unsheathing, digging miniature furrows in the muddy ground. Balto might hold for a few seconds more, but he knew he was a different story. If he didn't give the sign soon…there was no telling what his barely contained wolfish bloodlust would drive him to do once the dam of his willpower had broken. An eon seemed to pass in those next few seconds…then, incredibly…he suddenly heard Pride let loose a bellow of pain in the clearing in front of them, then a snarling curse from Forest…and it happened. The dam broke…and when he rushed forward, mud and grass and water flying from his furry hide, the others were only too eager to follow.

It was time to teach these monsters what happened when they touched his family…once and for all.