When the melee was over, Bryan lay unconscious. Every one of the dogs bore cuts from his knife, but thankfully none were serious. Toby smiled at Luna. "Thanks," he said. "I would've been a goner without you."

Luna beamed back. "Hey, you're my friend. What else was I supposed to do?"

"Friend?" asked one of the team with a laugh. "I thought he'd been your boyfriend for about the last three months. Or was it four?"

"Oh, be quiet," said Toby good-naturedly. "And remember, you're witnesses when we get back to Nome that Luna and I did not 'run off together.'"

The team nodded, but as soon as Toby looked away several of them exchanged winks. "It was five, at least," whispered Exile.

"Now come on," said Toby, ripping off the various weapons the hunter was wearing. "Let's get him back to the chief before he wakes up. I wonder how we'll keep him from escaping if he…" Toby turned to see Luna pulling her head out of the sack the man had been keeping his things in. In her teeth, she clutched a bundle of rope. Toby shook his head, amazed at Luna's eerie timing. "How do you do that?" he asked.

Luna dropped the rope and flashed Toby a smile. "Just one of the tricks us girls know. Want to see another?" She returned to the sack and pulled out some dried meat. "Who's up for dinner?"

The trip back to the cave of the White Wolf pack was not at all pleasant for Bryan Lawrence; somehow the dogs had managed to bind him. And since they didn't have the sled and he was too heavy to lift on their backs and likely wouldn't sit still anyway, they had no choice but to drag him over the ground, which came in two types: Rocky and muddy. By the time they got back, he was battered, dirty and cold. As for the dogs, their ears felt much the same after the barrage of language the man had unleashed upon them. They were happy to see that the chief was awake now and apparently none the worse for wear. He was a bit unnerved at being surrounded by wolves, but evidently, he understood by this time that they meant no harm. He was glad to see the dogs back, but when he saw their captive, his expression was mixed. "So, they caught up to you after all." He glanced at the wolves. "I guess by now nothing should surprise me."

"Didn't have the guts to come after me yourself, huh?" Bryan spat. "Just send in the dogs, that was always your style."

Toby was confused. What's he talking about?

"I didn't send the dogs after you, Bryan. I hit my head and woke up here yesterday." The chief scratched Toby behind the ears. "I don't know how, but they must've caught you by themselves."

"What are you doing here with these monsters anyway?" Bryan demanded, jerking his head to indicate the wolves.

The chief scowled. "You've got a lot of nerve, calling them monsters after you shot Rex," he said. "Now let's get you onto the sled."

"Hey, come on," said Bryan, struggling with his bonds. "You wouldn't arrest your own brother, would you?"

Brother? A bolt of realization struck Toby. So that's why he looks so familiar!

"I wish I didn't have to, but no man is above the law. You shot someone, broke out of prison, and topped it off by stealing from the general store before you set off. Not to mention shooting a police dog and, if I'm not mistaken, using a knife on several more." The chief rolled him onto the sled and tied him down. "So, brother or no brother, you are under arrest."

Toby smiled. "Well, Luna, it looks like we did it." He looked around, but Luna wasn't anywhere in sight. "Luna?" he asked. Then he saw her, hiding among the wolves.

"Pretend you don't know me," she said. "My master will want to know where I've been, and the chief will have a hard enough time explaining everything else without being connected to my disappearance."

Toby nodded.

"She's got a good mind," said Exile. "You two make quite a pair."

Toby shook his head. "What is it with you guys?" he asked. But even a blind person couldn't have missed his meditative glance at Luna.

The group left the following day. The entire White Wolf pack gathered around them to see them off. Toby thanked the wolves for their help, and Denahi and Lunau thanked the dogs for ridding them of their would-be persecutor. "You have done us a great service," said Denahi. "If you ever need our help again, for any reason at all, you have only to ask."

Toby bowed. "I hope that our paths cross again," he said. "But perhaps next time it can be under better circumstances. Until then, farewell."

The chief looked at them, scratching his head. "I could swear you're talking to each other," he said. Bending over to Toby, he added, "Tell them I appreciate the hotel room."

Denahi looked at Toby. "What's a hotel room?"

Toby laughed. "He's just saying thanks for the use of your cave."

Denahi nodded. "I know you can't speak his language, but if you ever figure out how, tell him he's welcome." They watched as one of the wolf cubs ran over to the chief and playfully tugged at his pant leg. "he's become quite a popular chew toy," Denahi laughed as one of the wolves picked up the cub and retreated back into the pack.

The chief laughed and stepped onto the back of the sled. "Come on, Toby," he called. "Let's go."

Toby jumped onto the sled, landing with a thud right on Lawrence's stomach, and the man grunted under the impact. "Watch it, mutt." Toby resisted the urge to wave his tail in the man's face.

"Mush!" called the chief. And the dogsled pulled away, followed by the chorus of the White Wolf pack.