CHAPTER 7: THROUGH THICK AND THIN
Author's Notes: If I were that honest, it was too much for the clan to handle with the two villains that stood in their way. Shaun will eventually do anything to take over as the leader of a wolf clan, but our heroes Aleu and Taku end up in confusion on whether or not they should do battle with the wicked and hateful mountain lion. The tension between beasts seemed too much for its own good, and if that's not possible enough, they are more likely to also start a feud over lands in future. In my opinion, other people never heard about wolves and mountain lions being either as enemies or allies with each other on hunts. If not, then chances are that they don't co-exist in the wild, much to anyone else's concern, because in reality, there was no way that a mountain lion could have joined a wolf pack for the time being. Not working together means feuds and trouble for all, and that's not good at all. Prior to this debate, the wolves have already made settlement into new lands, as well as one of the Alaskan islands. It kinda almost reminds you of the time when the pilgrims from England have landed on the Massachusetts land to establish the Plymouth Colony. Sunthen and Mulguish, the two wolf characters that I came up with, are brother and sister, and they were the children of Aron and Guinil. I can assure you that they were wolves of a very few words. In a flashback scene, Aleu has been plenty taught by Taku to hunt and survive with the clan moreover, and he explains that anything in this island can be hers as long as they're cared for and respected, which honestly reminds you of the time when you enjoyed a iconic father-and-son moment from one of the beloved of all Disney movies The Lion King; the one where Mufasa explains to his son Simba, that "everything the light touches is our kingdom". I knew that this moment has been too good to last for a long time. Warning, this chapter does contain a minor breeding reference, nothing major about it, always on my mind.
After you read this chapter, please make sure to review and comment anytime. ;)
One summer's day, there came a time when a herd of caribou have finally shown up on the greens of the island. Whatever can mean right now is this...it was hunting time for a clan of wolves. But despite their excitement contained, somewhere out there, Shaun has been more than aware of the caribou herd that he plans to snitch from with his prying power...One of them! Thus, the mountain lion had nothing in common with wolves, especially if he ever hated Aleu and Taku for the time being for their existence. But when the caribou finally came out in the summer, that's when anything could happen...for him. He was not only a big cat with a mighty interest on anything weaker than deer and rabbits, not since he's been married to the mountain lion queen named Iylaqin. He then thrusts himself off the ground and stretched in the sunlight, letting out a pure cry of enthrallment. The whiff of the caribou has made him excited that everything in his body had been touched by their approach after he had a sooth-sounding nap. He then grinned, wiggled his rear end, panted heavily and licked his chops before sprinting out to reach the herd, getting ready to snitch another one of the caribou, much to Zaqueun's wicked delight.
Meanwhile, the wolves have done well in hunting the caribou down with reverence, and Aleu and Taku have especially had their task performed by a great deal of ease. Ever since he had taught his alpha mate how to hunt down caribou with pride, he believed that having to give in their all would not have been of easy perfection, character, and capacity for good. Just like in chapter one (I suggest you read it first), when a wolf kills a caribou, one gives thanks by looking straight in the eye. But unfortuately, a few other wolves, like Sage, not only failed to do so, but possibly due to his middle age.
"Do you think that we're onto him, Taku?" Aleu asked while running.
"Probably, yes." Taku answered, running alongside her. "He's one of the weakest ones that took his chance to turn tail and run away, but he isn't getting any faster."
"Oh good!" smiled Aleu. "As long as Niju's no longer with us anymore, we still have the pressence of new lands to keep to ourselves, unless we try to share ours with one species or another from around the world."
"I guess that could come as a disguise, but we gotta focus on what we're doing here! The caribou have already been here this whole summer!" Taku said.
"I agree!" Aleu replied.
Right through where the caribou roam about in the island fields. They, along with two other wolves, then took forth from the bush and out in the clearing, spotting a weak elder caribou who had lost its ability to run and was about to faint. Both wolves who are supporting them are named Sunthen and Mulguish. They never spoke too much, but they were smart and strong enough to remember their techniques. They were also quick to hunt by any means of concentration and cooperation.
"This is our chance." whispered Taku. "Much as the old and weak may die, the stronger and young may live much longer. You must be like lightning just as any of us are. You know what you need to do."
"Gotcha." whispered Aleu. "Sometimes, we may catch a eldest youngling whenever we need to or not."
Waiting one moment for the elder to stop moving, Aleu then gives out the signal to ensure that their attack is already on.
"Okay...Now, Taku!" Aleu called out.
The four wolves then sprang forward at the elder and fought at him as hard as they could, as the elder caribou had no ability to retaliate due to old age. Then afterwards, Aleu took caution within herself and was successfully making eye contact with the dying caribou, while her mate continued to clutch his jaws deeper at the elder's neck.
"Elder." Aleu told the dying beast. "When you look at me in the eyes, I speak of you. Much as you have been more than trustworthy and wise like us, we are still under Aniu's rightful wing."
"Keep going." Taku thought, still biting down hard on the elder caribou's neck. "You're doing fine just now. It's not easy to see why most of the caribou have been like spirits in this very world."
"Back in the days, we have been in feud with one another...but we still have been those who made peace with each other...respecting each other within time and place. It is not likely we have the premise of our lives...we have had our own consequences, and that is what we deserved for our wrongdoing...but you can still trust us for one time and again."
The eyes of the weak elder struggled to keep open but was obviously strained by its failure to keep them open.
"I hope you have known me well, elder. We were also taught for trust as we speak." Aleu then lowers her head and whispered, "Quana."
"...Quan...a..." The weak elder caribou rasped quietly. With that, he died out with the last breath he took after letting out a soft guttural noise like any grizzly bear would whenever it's angry or interested. Taku then stopped clinging onto the neck. Their kill has been claimed by Aleu and Taku, which was meant to be also shared with other predators.
"Well, that wasn't too bad, for us wolves." smiled Taku.
"That tells you nothing." remarked Aleu. "I'd be drenching myself in warm blood in no time flat, and you should do that too."
Taku briefly cringed at her idea and asked. "Isn't that objectionable?"
But Aleu chuckled and said to the auburn white wolf, "Trust me, like us, I'm used to all things gruesome, because I have a strong mind put to it."
"Lucky!" Taku exclaimed with a smile, and Sunthen and Mulguish followed suit with the wolves.
"Too bad that some of the others not only failed to hunt down all these respectful beasts. Sage, for example, couldn't get things right, possibly due to him being at a middle age. No offense to him."
"Yes," said Taku. "but let's not midjudge him about his age, though. He could get quite cranky when you try and say that to his face."
"True, Taku, he has emotions, but I wonder if he's ever going to be alright."
However, a painful cry from far away was let out, and Aleu and Taku couldn't have believed their eyes and ears for so much as they heard them. "OOOWWCH!" The cry actually belonged to Sage who was injured in a hunt.
"Well, maybe not." sighed Taku in disappointment.
Then, limping out of nowhere was Sage, with his injured hind leg with his tail tucked behind. As you can tell, Aleu and Taku felt bad for him.
"Why, Sage! I'm surprised that you've shown up!" Aleu said. "What are you doing over there?"
"Well, I was on the run with the others trying to catch a couple of caribou for us, and all of a sudden a huge male kicked me on one of my shins quite hard." Sage showed his injured left leg. "And now look at me, I couldn't walk a step with my left shin whacked on."
"Oh no." Aleu gasped.
"*Tsk tsk* Looks like you're not practicing hard enough." Taku said sternly.
"Hardly." Sage groaned.
"Don't worry, Sage." Aleu reminded. "Maybe you'll learn next time, especially all the mistakes."
Sage sadly nodded in agreement. Honestly, Taku would have the opportunity to help Sage to their abode with Aleu's support, but Sage wasn't aware of whatever they're going to do to him.
"Uh, Aleu, don't you think we should help Sage?"
"Never fret, Taku. He can handle things himself without any help...unless of course he needs it." Then the half-breed turned to Sunthen and Mulguish who are standing at their side, and instructed to them so they can understand what to do. "Sunthen and Mulguish, you two will have to take over for us until we get back. And by the way, Sheylac and Valaqa are always there if they had any trouble falling a caribou down. We're carrying Sage to our abode."
"Yes, Aleu!" The two wolves barked at once, as off they went to do their hunting job for them, while Aleu and Taku went up the limping Sage and lifted him up to carry him on their backs.
Sage then sighed, "I knew you'd be more appreciative to..ungh...help me, but..."
"That's allright, Sage." Aleu told him. "It would be possible if you learn to be more careful of the strong ones."
All of a sudden, they heard a mighty roar from afar, which means that someone has been running afoul. Whatever the reason, it could be Shaun, and that he's already killed a caribou viciously, tearing it apart chunk after chunk, as well as impaling its head with his claws, and biting its neck with his sharp teeth.
"What the horny devil lizards is that sound?" Taku cried out in question.
"It's Shaun alright." frowned Aleu with a look of concern. "He's finally caught one caribou, and killed it."
"Sounds pretty dishonest for a mountain lion if you ask me."
"Well, I'll be!" exclaimed Sage. "He's not only caught one, but he's certain to catch a lot of our kill."
"You're kidding me, right?" Aleu asked.
Sage replied. "No, I most certainly wasn't. That big cat, I tell you, is really bad news!"
"We heard you." said Taku.
Just as they were almost right back at their home to settle Sage on their moss ground, Nuk, Yak and Sumac charged up towards our heroes in panic and have been crying out the news in distress, much to Aleu and Taku's surprise.
"HE'S HERE!" hollered Sumac. "HE'S COMING UP ON US! HE'S ARRIVED!"
"What's going on?" Sage asked.
"Ah, the former henchmen of Niju!" Aleu said to the wolf stooges. "What news have you brought us?"
"It's Shaun! He's arrived for real!" Yak cried. "It's something about other than the both of you!"
"You mean something about us?" Aleu questioned.
"Yes! And that is not all, he snitched one of our caribou for his own needs!" Sumac replied.
"That thief!" seethed Taku with anger. "What a fool he has been!"
"And he was permitted in his welcoming community he now prepared for all of us!" Nuk panicked.
"A welcoming community?" The half-breed and the auburn white wolf questioned in surprise.
"DON'T STAND AROUND LIKE THAT!" Nuk screamed in front of their faces, causing Aleu and Taku to jump up to their hind legs as their heads started briefly shaking. "GO THERE TO THE FOREST WHERE THE CLAN IS!"
"Hold it, big fella, take it easy." Aleu told Nuk. "He's already known us, so it is possible that he might know the rest of the members anyhow." She then turned to Sumac and said to him, "For what I know, Sumac, you could be right."
"Yyyyes?"
"Maybe one of the caribou got snitched in the mountain lion's jaws." Aleu's words then made the three silly wolves shake like a leaf.
"I am not believing this!" wailed Yak.
"Ya!" shivered Sumac.
"I'll tell you he's a thief." Taku complained. "He wasn't supposed to do anything disrespectful to what we had for years."
"Ah, I can't expect to wait around any longer." Yak said as he and the others began to take off. "You gotta be lightning fast to keep up for this meeting there! HA!" In a sight of impatience, the former henchwolves then ran away to the clan at their fastest speed. Taku on the other hand felt discouraged about why they have been foolishly behaving like children instead of adults.
"Some wolves they turn out to be." scoffed Taku. "They have no patience with us."
But Aleu reminded him very calmly. "Leave then be, Taku. Even though they were rugged and rough, they have their own share of fears with each other, none too many. They'll learn."
Taku and Aleu started heading for the clan for their meeting with Shaun, but Sage would rather stay behind and rest in their den unless he can catch up to our heroes, although his hind leg was struck.
"You guys go on without me." Sage said. "I'll catch up."
"No, Sage." Aleu said as they gently settled Sage down on the ground for a while. "We need you by our side. Can you still run?"
"I don't know." worried Sage. "I guess I'll try." The wolf then began to pick up the pace by giving in it all in his running, but try as he might, he toppled over like a fallen tree. He couldn't go as fast as he could with the others due to his serious injury. "Well, almost. Ow!"
Taku nodded and smiled, as he and his mate both flanked Sage at his sides. "You just gotta take it easy on your legs though, you don't want to overuse them too much. Remember, you're still injured."
"You're right." Sage replied.
Aleu and her mate helped with Sage and they took it all easy on the pacing so they can get to the clan on an easy term.
Meanwhile, Shaun the mountain lion has roared out for the clan's attention while his master Zaqueun stood at silent attention, mostly waiting for the rest of the clan members to arrive at the spaced redwoods for warrant speaking. Alongside the feet of the mountain lion was the body of a caribou that he has successfully killed in time. He had already carried it for the proof that he has his intention on stealing the clan's half of their share as recommended by his master.
"GATHER ROUND! GATHER ROUND NOW!" roared the big cat. "I SHALL SUMMON YOU ALL HERE!"
Most of the clan members in the pack have arrived for the attention of the two beasts for their meeting, but Aleu, Taku and Sage are still absent until a moment later. Shaun already knows that himself that they will arrive soon enough. Zaqueun cleared his throat and then began their introductory speech as the wolves focused their eyes all on them, and their ears on the sound of their voices.
"Greetings." Zaqueun began. "I am very glad to see any of you in our presence the first time. My name is Zaqueun, and my companion and I have our own will to become rulers for your clan. And Aleu here, she is nothing more than just forbidden for her existence on this island. Our spirit shall be known from all of you due to our selfless pride that overtakes your life of value and leisure."
The wolves were surprised at Zaqueun's words, which depict something about a takeover that was only committed to Shaun. Wren Grey was less amused at whatever Zaqueun was saying.
"What is it you need, Shaun?" asked Wren Grey sternly
"I've come to abide with my better hope for a clan." The big cat purred. "We have something to speak about. Before you let me go any further, I also will know I have stolen one half of your share of the caribou." The clan members gasped in surprise at what Shaun did earlier during their hunt when they weren't looking.
"I know that something's fishy going on here." Wren Grey said suspiciously.
"I'm glad that it wasn't the wolverines or bears." Quoketa added.
Miqa then said, "I'm not satisfied."
Valaqa had an honest feeling that their lives were unimpressive all because of the mountain lion and his master. "It just doesn't make sense that we have no right getting caught for reasons, but it made sense that we've seen him."
"I know." Sheylac agreed. "These guys are pretty scary, yes indeed."
Shaun then cleared his throat and began his speech. "Anywho. I personally knew that the warm season is about to come to an end months later. But I cannot deal with that so-called spirit of evil and her boyfriend yet. I told them that I will have a grasp at them by the beginning of winter, and that she would never see her family ever again! Okay, I have said it already. For my power in life, I have the will to take her place for I will request myself a takeover for the clan's pressence. Even with Zaqueun's opposite gone, I've the will to fight for all things in my pride, and I happen to know that I be deemed as a major to the island myself, with my master here as a helper. I want your questions, little wolf."
Sukam looked up to Shaun and, with a concerned look, asked him. "How long have you been living in this island for?"
"I will say it probably took me years since I was a cub. Normally a mountain lion can live for 10 to 20 years, that is not too much trouble for me. But on the inside, I will have you know that I have my right to be like a wolf. Born to stalk prey day by day, and sometimes night by night. My ability is my concern, and concerns do not bother me."
"Concerned, much? I was surprised." Said an approaching voice. Aleu and her two friends arrived at the meeting of the big cat themselves.
"Et tu, Aleu, or should I say, Wolf Brute?" rumbled Shaun.
"Wolf Brute?" she repeated, and sarcastically told him. "You sound just like my type."
"Exactly." Shaun smiled walking over to her. "Even with your mate Taku around, you two would be more worthy of my possession if that's the case. Under captivity, I shall have everything in my heart, even my fangs would consume nothing less than such bravery."
"It is time you face the facts, big cat." Taku said. "A strong mammal has the right to live, but what is wrong with being different anyway?"
"I have my own subtle differences." Shaun replied. "Why bother?"
"Not every animal had any differences, but I would rather you not be disgraced for what you had and have done."
"Look. I will not tolerate you forcing me to understand what you said. Besides, I don't need no family as I tell myself. Zaqueun is one of them in my new family."
"It's true!" said Aleu. "You're not the only one to have such differences in your everlasting life. It's one of the ancient islands that had its differences; it forever remained humanless." Shaun was then amazed to have heard what Aleu had said to him, and for the point of it all, she began telling him the story about how this island was still inhabited by only the animals unlike the others. "Thirty-eight years ago, there have been many hunters who come to this island to seek big game, unaware that they were violently killed for bad purposes. For years, there have been dozens of human-related deaths in the island, and many men who have try to make their living throughout their survival have died to many brutalities caused by giant bears and big cats. All for that, these men were either destroyed or if they were forced to die. Most domestic dogs have suffered the same fate. Many women are afraid to die, which is possible for them on deciding not to go there in order to avoid getting eaten."
Shaun pretended to be sad as he heard this. "Oh...no. It's a shame they don't have any humans here." Then turning with an angry, bloodthirsty look, he then glared fiercely at the half-breed. "But at least YOU are not human."
Aleu then cocked her head with question on her face. "Pardon me?"
"Yeah, you heard me." Shaun snarled. "You will be taken for granted on living here, because this island is for the strong-hearted, like ME!"
Aleu then turned serious for a minute, making eye-to-eye contact with the big cat and his hostile ferocity. Unapproved about whatever was happening, she knew so much about his reasoning hatred against humans and their hunting dogs who seemingly ravaged him in the past tense. She can sense the fire in his eyes blazing higher, which proves as a sign that he suspects her too much like a dog, but Aleu doesn't care. She then decided to take inspection on his injuries long ago.
"I must inspect you for what you were like back then." Aleu's voice deepened.
Shaun obeyed her request and responded in a low voice, "I will stand up now."
Aleu and Shaun both stood on their hind legs, holding onto each other's shoulder with their paws, just before she can get a glimpse of the physical injuries that he had suffered for a long time. As luck would have it, Aleu could never believe that something like this really happened to the mountain lion on the outside much to her surprise. Other than a scar in his eye, there are bite marks and scars all over him, and almost anywhere on his underbelly. Claw markings were almost over his chest.
"Incredible, I'll say." Aleu said softly, still feeling serious. "You have been slashed at in a brutal manner indeed. Clashed out in the middle of your fight with many hunters shown. A troubled heart, you have. Too scared to live your own life. Much to your appearance, I still could recognize the mismatched pupil color and a scar on your eye. Nevertheless, you have a lost personality of your own, and your behavior indicates that you have acted like a wolf inside. Didn't Zaqueun teach you anything?"
"Indeed he did." Shaun purred. "With a general lack of my lionhood, it is no simple matter."
"But still, you're the big cat on the outside."
Miqa had been puzzled himself about Shaun's past-time abuse. "Who said that a big cat can't have nine lives?"
"There was no way that Shaun could have had any of those in his lifespan, unlike the other mountain lions who could live much better in value." said Quoketa.
The two creatures then got back on their four legs as they continued their conversation about whatever happened in their lives.
"It is personal, big cat." explained Aleu. "None shall be taken for granted if any deed of a better value is done. Locked by the earthly wind, the heritage of the wolf speaks for those who are special and content with whatever they are with. By only sense to the fire in our eyes, we do not make love, but we made war for ourselves, continuously. You alone would've been one of the grandest of all designs, given with the everlasting power to seek out mystic prey before gazing upon to the eyes and thanking one of them for the life you have needed most."
But Shaun lashed out at her because he didn't feel like following her orders. "HUARGH! It's times like this that there is not enough power for you to rebel. You and I are creatures with emotion upon emotion. Lucky as I shall ever take upon at your hide, and ravaged as a soulless child like you should be. I am your executioner, and I will devote my life to killing you for your existence."
"You and I must know that we weren't made for each other, and I would still keep the colors of my mother and father, and that my father I explain to you, big cat of the mountain, would be the one that saved Nome from a menacing disease. He's already led a dog team in hopes of saving an Alaskan frontier years ago. I am no dog as I repeat myself, Shaun, and that's all you will ever need to remember."
"All right. I guess I already heard that of your father right now, you insolent savage." Shaun bared his teeth in aggression.
Aleu growls in disappointment. "You tail-shocked feline."
"As for what I see, you will not have your defense as I claim you vulnerable." Shaun went on. "As a victim to my utter face of my world, I would carve you in my image of the pride from your body."
"I do not intend to be the victim of your place." Aleu said. "Even if there is a will for you to race yourself with pride and joy, you shall never again become a disgrace to your family name."
"Those must be willed to race with the wind, unify with the power, be faster and alive even with blinding freewill."
Aleu then took Shaun's advice. "I will take your word, Shaun. But it will be now or never that you are the fastest to prey upon. Any creature can fear you, but I do not fear you." But then, Shaun lets out an aggressive snarl and he furiously whips around and smacks at Aleu with his paws, knocking her on the ground.
Everyone gasped at Shaun's marvelous strength when he struck her to the ground. Aleu was laid down, but was still okay in terms of condition as she gave a bit of time to inspect herself from the injuries.
"I feel your strike so swift, Shaun." Aleu said deeply in concern, but Shaun hadn't taken it back from her words.
"HAAAISHH! This is not what you feel, half-breed, this is all for YOU and your STRENGTH!" snapped the big cat, hissing viciously. "Your gratitude would be led to your death if it hadn't been for you."
Shaun then stood around looking at the wolves who are in concern and anger, except for those who were more than worried.
"Listen, you dogs!" Shaun called out as he made his speech. "I would normally demand you to accept all what I had in this island, for as long as you live! As for my ancestors, our spirits live much longer than we do a long time ago, ever since the dawn of life. For a time that I am stronger than any wild animal in all of Alaska, and I have been with Zaqueun for a long time to come. She must go. It's either Aleu exiles herself back to Nome where she will be shot by hunters, or on this here island, she will die into my powerful jaws of no return."
Aleu was never this satisfied, for she never heard of such a bad choice for her life. Being sent away to her old home where she was hunted down by people with guns was the worst thing she'd ever had. And immanutively, being picked as a sacrifice to the big cat was even worse.
"Sounds like a bad day for Scylla and Charybdis to me." Aleu told her mate and his friends.
"I heard that, you little skunk." Shaun hissed now noticing what Aleu had said, making a few others quiver in their paws. Aleu had been always this brave since she the day joined the clan and survived her days in the wilderness.
"From now on, unless the clan is under my command, no one will be safe." Shaun warned. "One final word, when I rule the island, the price would be paid of the life that's already given to you. The caribou! That is all."
Just as Shaun and Zaqueun were about to leave the clan, he then turned once again to face Aleu with his cold-hearted stare. "I must speak of a warning for your own sake, Aleu." Shaun growled malevolently. "I am always watching you, even if I don't spare you."
Then afterwards, they went back to their open spaces to hunt down more herds of caribou. Aleu was quite in a shock at what Shaun said to her. She never would have thought that the mountain lion was being all this hateful against her no matter what. He had no business of not sparing the half-breed to her freedom.
"That Shaun, he is an idiot." Aleu seethed quietly. "Not having to spare someone for when he intends on executing someone special."
"I'm very disappointed in those guys. Not only that he and his old man wanted all the caribou for themselves." Taku said
Nuk rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Yeah, I am not all that surprised."
Miqa then went up to Aleu to check her smacked face whom she was softly rubbing it with care. "He can't be doing that to you, can he?"
"Are you all right?" Valaqa asked in disbelief.
Aleu replied, "He stroke his paw at my face and knocked me down, but I'll survive the abuse no matter what."
"Good grief," gasped Quoketa, "do you have to take his abuse?"
"Trust me, Quoketa, I'm used to this kind of injury." Aleu reminded as Taku licked her wounds. "I have a strong, protective will all over me, and so does my mate, which is why I send my prayers to Aniu almost every night. I'm not some sort of fluffy puppy anymore."
Quoketa honestly sank down to the ground in despair with tears streaming in her eyes, but Miqa calmed her down with a kiss on her face .
"Well, you've gone through the troubles of your life, and I was still than impressed." Taku said.
"Yeah, but still. Even if I can't take on the big cat, no one can."
All of a sudden, another roar was heard much to her dismay, as elsewhere, Shaun has already killed another member of the caribou herd.
"Oh, for god's sake. He's snitched another."
"Face it, Aleu." soothed Taku. "Changes like this one have already occurred one time and another."
"You're right. We'll have to get back to our hunting in reverence."
After the meeting with Shaun and Zaqueun, the clan then got back to their caribou hunting without interference. Well, the only interference you'd see is when Shaun has taken away half of the clan's share of the caribou, trying to cause so much unknown damage to many regenerations of caribou. "If only Shaun would stop hunting so much caribou, then he won't be greedy anymore." Aleu thought to herself. As the half-breed felt unfortunate that Shaun and Zaqueun are placing her into a downfall and not being spared by both, she has no business giving up her confrontation with the bad guys, feeling unafraid to die, but still afraid that her leadership would come to an end by the beginning of winter.
"That was very selfish of him. Are you sure that Shaun had been greedy?"
"I was afraid to say that, Taku, but, he had."
"That Shaun, I'll tell you, he's got some lionhood put into." Yak complained. "The cougar is tan, his teeth are white. If you touch his fur, he will bite." After finishing the poem, Yak tries to gnash at Nuk much to his anger pretending to be a mountain lion.
"Hey! That's not nice!" Nuk barked, making Yak take offense from the big wolf. These two wolves then briefly fought until Aleu commanded them to stop.
"Enough!" Aleu barked to halt their fighting. "Must you bicker over the big cat? It's not getting our lives better when you do that." Nuk and Yak then felt such a deep regret, with their faces turned from anger to shame, haunching down low with their tails tucked behind and their ears drooping down.
"Shame, shame." Taku told them. "You must understand that he's only against my mate for her existence."
In her saddened expression, Aleu then turned to Sheylac and Valaqa who were being very true to know much about Shaun's atrocity which can be an attempted slaughter on half of the herd, and why he wanted to prevent generations of caribou from happening for no reason. The auburn white wolf felt that too, which can be such a pain in the neck for him, honestly since his mother, his father, and his grandfather died.
"I don't know why Shaun had to be so hateful by any chance."
"Sheylac, I'm not lying about that." Aleu said to the tan-yellowed wolf. "The big cat never even cared too much about us, I'm afraid of that. I hated when my life is about to be put on an end." Miqa on the other hand was never this happy like before, for he was getting bothered by the warning of not fighting the big cat in a fearsome battle.
"That does it!" scoffed Miqa angrily. "We must not let our lives get thrown away."
"But what did Wren Grey told us about having to fight Shaun?" protested Aleu.
Miqa then got angry and snapped at her not standing Aleu's advice-taking demeanor, "GRRRRRRRRRRR! Forget Wren Grey! Have you no shame for him? He's just nothing more than just three years younger than Nava was! Why should I care if he were to give advice to anyone about a victimized big cat that we shouldn't fight?"
"That is not true, Miqa." Taku said. "Either a bad guy or not, Shaun was still nothing but trouble right next to Zaqueun. Don't you think?"
"Doesn't matter." Miqa grumbled. "Wren Grey was nothing but a common weakness-monger, so I don't think he's of any help at all! HMPH!"
Taku then demanded back at the blue wolf, "Don't be the judge of him, Miqa! He was the nicest wolf that we've ever known to the clan, remember? He's only three years younger than Nava! We've only helped him in case of bad situations, don't you know anything about that?"
Miqa was still discouraged, all because the clan needs to have a purpose on fighting the big cat, even if it means breaking the clan's laws. Aleu then tried to reason Miqa out of his pitiful anger. "Miqa, you've got to understand that Wren Grey was not fit for hunting. He's had experiences before, and would prefer to have his meat served to him."
The blue wolf breathed heavily as he began to walk away. "We're not sure if we were to ward off the bad guys or not. You're just gonna have to live a life and deal with it."
"Do we have to?" Aleu frowned.
"Yes. Shaun and Zaqueun were considered our enemies...and we should know better." said Miqa.
With that, Miqa turned away and then went back to his hiding spot in anger. "Blast those infernal beasts!" cursed Miqa. Aleu and Taku were unsure why Miqa refused to believe in whether they would fight the evil mountain lion or not.
"And now it's getting serious. Neither of us can be sure whether we fight the big cat or not." Aleu felt terribly sore and heartbroken about why they can't fight Shaun. She then turned to Taku with a look of concern and asked him, "Taku, do you remember when you and Miqa fought over me?"
"Well," Taku explained, "Miqa and I are never that mean to each other, but that was only once. I hope that this wouldn't have happened again today. We're like friends to each other. We are more trustworthy. We're like brothers…though I'm not related to him."
Aleu felt very sad for Taku when he said this, as tears streamed into her cheek after she sighed. Honestly, gentle as a kitten, she wiped her tears away with her paw softly, and told her mate something about Miqa's behavior. "None of us knew why Miqa had been in a cranky mood lately. Just about almost everything. When we first came to the island, his intention was to propose to me before he got Quoketa."
"I wonder why." Taku then looked back. "I remembered this happened way back right when I'm still teaching you the ways of the wild. I've taught you to hunt, to survive, to fight, and to make it interesting, to keep untold secrets."
"Hmmmmmmm." Aleu murmured in thought. The half-breed then began to think it all over when they first came to an uninhabited island that's mostly filled with wild animals.
Back before their encounter with Shaun and Zaqueun, it was at their time when Taku was still teaching her the ways of the wilderness while out on a stroll through the forest on a clear afternoon, where the sun still shone over the evergreen forests. Many birds continue to twitter, while squirrels chatter as they ran around two by two, and many bees continue to collect nectar and pollen from flowers to make honey kept in hives.
"You can never tell that afar." Aleu smiled. "I have an excellent thought of why your teaching skills seem to differ."
"That's all in the technique. Hunting, fighting, secrecies. This is usually about discipline."
"You know, I get the feeling I'm beginning to like you." Aleu started rubbing her head on Taku's face in affection, thus making him blush the whole time.
"Haha! So am I." Taku chuckled, "Once in a lifetime, anything that's in any of the wilderness isles and in these lands will be yours."
"Well, not just anything. Is there?"
"I don't see why not." Taku explained about how everything should be the clan's, even Aleu's. "All of the trees, the hills, the mountains, the lakes, dens, caves, blue skies, grey skies, everything we see around here in any of the Alaskan islands. Neither human being has ever visited the island as long as they live since they were too scared to go back."
"Ooooooooh!" Aleu was amazed, despite the fact that she remembers that no human ever wanted her because she's part wolf, just like her father. "Apart of one thing, I'd forget about humans, because being with the wild is a mighty fine thing for a half-breed to come by."
"Exactly, and we can't all be that trusting, especially if we didn't have the promise to keep everything so. For our survival, we have our techniques and skills that can take us farther into a great deal of adventure than you've ever heard before. So, I believe that you, Aleu, were to survive in the wild the first time with us."
"Survive in the wild? With anyone else in the clan? How amazing!"
"It can be amazing as long as you look around."
But then as Taku and Aleu's discussion was going pleasant, Miqa then sprang out of nowhere in the forest and pinned Aleu to the tree much to Taku's surprise. Aleu was then met by Miqa with an frustrated look on his face. She can tell that he was either about planning to throw her off the clan for her uselessness, or marry her when necessary on account that she might be made at Miqa's so-called "bride".
"Miqa?!" gasped Taku. "What are you doing here?"
"That's something you shouldn't be concerned about, Taku." glared Miqa.
"What are your concerns?" Taku asked.
Miqa then sadly replied, "I am a dejected soul."
"WHAT?!" Taku noticed Miqa's terrible thought.
"No matter how I am like, I have no one to mate with. No one! Not even since I bred with Nightflower back at our mainland."
"Wait...who's Nightflower?" Aleu asked, still being pinned to a tree by Miqa's paws.
"She was my former mate, and we are both separated when I joined the clan. She doesn't feel like going with me because she doesn't care about Niju. She hates him."
"Niju!" Taku seethed at the thought of this militant arrogant wolf who was once Nava's companion. "I should have known!"
"Come on, Miqa, can't we just learn to make amends for once?" Aleu peeped.
"NO!" Miqa barked with anger.
"Oh come on, wolf, why can't you learn to show any love and compassion towards one another?"
"I won't tell you." Miqa said, as he eyed closer to Aleu's face. "If only you'd ever shut your yapper about your friendship with Taku, none of this would've happened. Since I am without a mate...I will have you in my grasp as I please!"
"Hey!" The auburn-white wolf called out much to his friend's attention, and Miqa turned to face him after releasing Aleu from his paws. "You may have a soft spot with animals, but it's enough to pick on my half-breed friend. I'll admit that you have no mate, but what you have chosen is wrong. That wasn't a very nice thing to do, Miqa!"
"I'll show you what's not nice!" Miqa snapped, lunging at Aleu's mate. "Take that!"
Taku and Miqa then fought and wrestled over Aleu, and the reason why they have their perfection of not being alone is because Taku knew Aleu as a friend. But, even as a friend to Taku, Aleu couldn't bear the idea of being married to Miqa who honestly shows no mercy, despite him having a soft heart. In confusion, she couldn't decide whom male she should be with, Taku, or Miqa.
"If you truly liked her, then why is it that I am mateless?!" Miqa grunted while holding Taku down.
Taku replied, still wrestling, "It's because you've never fallen in love with any wolfess in your life since Nightflower left you, that's why!"
However, a commanding voice was called out by a female wolf from afar to stop their fight over the courtship for Aleu, and that voice belonged to Quoketa. "THAT'S ENOUGH!"
"Quoketa?" They finally noticed her coming into the scene of the fight. Quoketa then walked up the three wolves and began her explanation of whatever has happened. As you can tell that she was disappointed in her friend, Miqa, for his actions.
"What I have seen is disgraceful." Quoketa couldn't believe what she has seen. "Fighting over one innocent wolfess who's new to us all and being leader of the pack?"
Miqa took note of that and went up to her and argued, "What is it with you and your compassion?"
"If you're willing to be with a different mate, then you should know, Miqa." The black wolf then calmly sighed for a few seconds and said in a depressed tone. "It's me you should want. Not Aleu."
"Oh, Quoketa!" worried Miqa who was snapped out of his anger. "Why?"
Quoketa then began to explain her sad story about her troubled past before she joined Nava's clan. "I thought it over and also dreamt about it myself, and I decide to speak the whole truth to you. I know it was you whom I should be with. I've never had a mate in my whole life ever since I was sent away to join Nava's clan. I once had a mate named Gondreau and he was murdered by people who carry guns. We never had any pups in our lives."
"I...I don't know about that, Quoketa." stammered Miqa. "I'm no mate, but could it be...something we should figure out how to...uh...warm up to each other?"
"That's what I was going to say to you." Quoketa said and her tears started welling up. Taku felt much deeper in sadness about Miqa's guilt and consequence, and he would try to make amends with the tough and cocky wolf.
"We've gotten a little too far with each other, Miqa." Taku said apologetically. "It's hard times like this that dueling for mates would exist much longer, and we both felt sorry for that."
"We need to keep ourselves from trouble." Miqa told him as he went up to Quoketa and began his confession over his perfection of his dangerous love. "I knew that you were here for me, Quoketa. I've been in a lotta trouble having to take Aleu from Taku as well. I'm the one who's mateless."
Quoketa comforted his sadness by rubbing her head gently on Miqa's chest fur and then pulled her head to make eye contact with the blue wolf. "Shh shhh shhhh, it's allright." cooed Quoketa. "I'm sorry if it happened to you, Miqa, but we all get flustered up for the time being over the dangers of unknown love. We could...uh...try being together with each other, right?"
"Ummm...I don't know if it's a good idea or not. But we'll see."
"Gosh." awed Aleu and Taku together.
Miqa then walked back to Aleu and Taku to give an apology for what he did, and he would be more than forgiven for his own sake. Also, Miqa would try to do much better than to not be hurtful by any chance. "My apologies, Aleu and Taku." Miqa moaned sadly. "I seem to have no control over my life."
Aleu then smiled and said to him. "That's okay, Miqa. You'll understand sooner or later."
"Thanks, you two." Miqa smiled back. "I don't know why I was annoyed then. I may be tough, but I have a heart of a marshmallow." With any apology accepted and many forgiveness, Miqa and Quoketa then left the half-breed and his auburn white wolf friend to spend their time all to themselves. Aleu and Taku then watched them walk away, and softly turned to each other for their comfort.
"That is something, Taku." Aleu said in relief.
"Now you've known Miqa and Quoketa, have you?" Taku told Aleu and she nodded. "They are my friends. He's exactly a few months older than I am, but for Quoketa, she's at your age."
Aleu cocked her head in disbelief about Quoketa's age appeal. "You're kidding me."
"Oh no, I'm not." Taku disagreed, feeling happy. "That's just the way age goes with wolves."
"Oooooooooh! It's interesting to see how we were apart of the others." Aleu smiled as she began getting licked across her face with Taku's loving tongue bath.
Taku encircled her and laid his paw on her back, still eyeing and chuckling while wagging his tail. "Aleu. Nobody can separate us, for I am always right here by your side, and I'd follow you by your footsteps wherever you go. It's not even plain to see that there are ways that I have my strictness towards you because I'm made to respect you my whole life. Well, I guess I can't stop you."
"Stop me?" The half-breed pondered. "For what?"
Taku laughed, licked his tongue around his chops and then replied, "No reason, my lady." The half-breed and the auburn white wolf continued their stroll on the forest until they reached the river. "The chances of my loneliness are slim, but there's nothing more to life than when my brothers and I have to fend for ourselves before we joined the clan."
"I know how you feel, Taku." Aleu said with a grin, but her happiness briefly faded and she frowned when she remembered her troubled past. "Inside of me, I have a huge state of loneliness ever since I ran away from my father, after he told me the truth that no human would ever want me." She then smiled once again at the thought of Miqa's friendship with Quoketa. "On the bright side, what an interesting sight to see that Miqa and Quoketa are befriending each other."
"Yes," Taku said, "but they weren't married yet."
"Not married? Not even us?" gasped Aleu with interest.
"Sooner or later, the same thing would happen to us, though we're friends. Still they got some warming up to do, just like we both did, well that's right."
"Well," Aleu regained her confidence and snuggled her wolf friend much to his delight, "as much as I'm concerned, I'm not lonely anymore thanks to you, Taku."
"It's no trouble." Taku said with a smile. "As long as you stick with me, nothing can go wrong."
Back to present day…
"So you see, Aleu," explained Taku, "there isn't much to worry about, except for the whole mountain lion crisis thing that we're dealing with. In fact, there's also nothing to worry about Miqa and Quoketa being with each other."
"Then I guess it's possible that you and Miqa have no objection against each other."
"That's right, Aleu. We've both make good judgements. Well, we tried." Taku then chuckled.
"I agree. It's possible that Miqa and Quoketa will always be friends with us. We're like a family, and families stay close to each other no matter the odds."
Aleu looked around for Miqa, but the blue wolf never shown up because he has still been upset. Taku then began to sigh, "I hope Miqa apologizes to us for his temper and his prejudice about Wren Grey."
"I hope so." Aleu and Taku groomed each other for a while. "I feel troubled about mountain lions like Shaun." After a short moment, she then kept her ears open for Shaun's roaring, but all she could hear was the birds twittering and the buzzing of the bugs, other than the barking and howling of wolves who needed her. Finally she reminded, "Now, the big cat won't try to bother us when we get back to our caribou hunting ourselves."
"That's a good idea." Taku said as he and his mate began walking back to where the pack was hunting. "That Shaun wouldn't give us no lip. I bet you the other clan members are still back in their business with us."
Afternoon has passed, and the evening sunset existed on the red-blue skies. Most of the clan members had their fill, except for Wren Grey who had barely finished his meal. One reason for him losing his appetite is not from starvation, nor from his dislike for food, but it could be from the thought of being hurt by Miqa's mistrust against a wise wolf who is a helper to Nava, and was presumed to have told something terrible for his own good. If only Miqa and a few other wolves have treated Wren Grey better, then he would be happy the rest of his natural born life, and then he would forgive Miqa. Aleu and Taku could tell that he was feeling upset.
"Wren Grey, you haven't eaten the kill we brought for you. Is something wrong?"
"My feelings were hurt." groaned Wren Grey as he fiddled around on a piece of meat.
"Oh dear. Is it causing you your loss of appetite?" Aleu asked. Wren Grey nodded in agreement. Then Aleu laid herself down and rubbed Wren Grey softly on his head with her paw pads that can help catch his tears. "Oh, poor Wren Grey."
"I have no explanation for that." Taku sadly told Aleu. "It's odd that he was a wise and jovial wolf every single day per usual."
"Sounds like a case of bad judgement if you ask me." Aleu said.
"I get that he's sad." Taku replied. Aleu agreed for a moment, and turned to Sunthen and Mulguish just to thank them for their hard work, despite having these injuries resulted from a fight with Shaun. "Sunthen, Mulguish! You may head back to your dens, you've done good enough on hunting with us and taking over. I know you've been injured in a fight with Shaun as I can tell by the scars in your bodies, but we've had such a tough life when Shaun and Zaqueun are around."
"Always a pleasure." The two wolves replied. Because they have done a good job on co-operating with the half-breed and the wolf on a caribou hunt, Sunthen and Mulguish returned back to their dens for a night's rest. Taku and Aleu watched as they went out of their sight to get back to their dens, until Wren Grey asked a solemn question.
"Is it true what Miqa said about me?"
"Hmmm?" The two canines wondered, and they turned back to a sad Wren Grey.
"Do you supposed that I'm the weak one? Have I ever been made fun of, almost all my life?"
"I don't think so, Wren Grey. You're perfect just like we are." Aleu's words seem to calm down Wren Grey's misery. "You can always trust us for the time being. We still like you best as a wise wolf, just like Nava used to be."
"Thank you." smiled Wren Grey as he began devouring his kill with motivation, while Aleu began to explain whatever happened on their evening date out in the forest yesterday and their escapade with the big cat.
"If I remember something about whatever stopped me from my conflict with Shaun," Aleu said, "it was at a few nights ago when Taku and I were out on an evening walk. I think it's Nava's ghost that's prevented us from getting into a fight with the big cat. Look at how stern he was to me."
Wren Grey swallowed the dead caribou meat down his throat and was a little bit puzzled at whatever happened, "I haven't even seen it, have I?"
"You didn't." answered Taku.
"Oh. Did that even happen to you?" asked Wren Grey.
"Uh, yes, I guess you could say that anyway."
"Hmmm." Wren Grey shrugged in concern and replied, "I guess Nava was very strict about you two. Because he hasn't known that mountain lions aren't supposed to be docile as usual. Are they?"
"By the looks of them, it can't be anything different." sighed Taku as his ears lowered down in grief, not wanting to have their downfall to happen. "None of them can make a difference if most of the violence continues."
But Aleu soothed them with her head nuzzling on Taku's chin. "Even if we can't make a difference, then chances are that it will be our fault. Neither these spirits could reason with us, even if they did help us conquer our own fears, and that they also told us to be smart, brave, wise and responsible enough. Fear can sometimes be a weapon. Whether or not, one wolf can make any difference." Wren Grey heard of Aleu's speech about the ongoing violence against generations and knew that whether or not it was possible. The wise-man of Nava already believed in Aleu's definitive truth.
Later that midnight, Aleu's wolf clan have been asleep in their dens, but were unaware that Nuk, Sumac and Yak were missing, because they sneaked off for no reason. Perhaps they forgot to call them back to the clan so they can be together for some sleep. Aleu and Taku on the other hand are sleeping with Aga and Sukam on their own den (which I forgot to mention it was right by the beach back in chapter 1). Aleu has been awake and feeling slightly displeased about Nuk, Yak and Sumac not being back in their dens yet, which is possible that they've sneaked out trying to steal back a dead caribou that Shaun had previously killed.
Again, Aleu and Taku spoke quietly to each other so that they wouldn't disturb his brothers as they were asleep.
"Is something the matter, my love?" Taku asked.
"I'm getting a bit worried somehow." Aleu sighed.
"How come?"
"I don't know." Aleu stated. "I guess everybody's still in their dens for sleep, all except for Niju's former henchmen. They weren't back yet."
"Maybe because they were out after midnight fighting with Shaun over a dead caribou's leg."
"After midnight, are you kidding me?!" exclaimed Aleu. "That ain't right!" But then she sighed a breath of relief and told her mate the whole truth. "It's a good thing that Quoketa sent Miqa to bring those guys back to the den because he could be in charge of some of the other wolves who needed more common sense, like us."
"Yeah." agreed Taku. "They're the ones who need brains and not just brawn." Either way, they both fell back asleep, still feeling happy that their hunting day have turned out a moderate success, all because due to the fact that Shaun had stolen their half of the herd, not too many to count.
Far out on the part of the forest, Shaun have been faced by the former henchwolves of Niju who are already angry with him. Their confrontation seemed too intolerable for the mountain lion to risk, so he tries to discreetly take it all in without giving in his anger. Held between his paws was the leg of a caribou that he had severed during his hunt.
"You have been pretty warned, Shaun, you cannot defy us like you did with our comfort and our clan-ship!" growled Nuk angrily. "Now, make sure you surrender to us nice and easy, so we will not get…hurt."
"What if I don't hurt you, big boy?" teased Shaun. "If I let you go, then my master and I can have all the caribou to ourselves."
"Unfair!" berated Nuk. "You'll be sorry if you do some stupid things to us!"
Shaun had no intention to take offense from a large beefy wolf. "Oh please!" The big cat huffed mockingly. "I'm not some good guy who has to outlive my demeanor if that's the case. I would try to be innocent if you know what I mean."
"WRONG!"
Sumac humorously broke out at Nuk's conflict against the mountain lion. "Pah! You're alvays such a spad bort."
But Yak grabbed Sumac by the neck and threateningly corrected. "That's, BAD, SPORT, YOU IDIOT!" And then he uses his leg to kick the silly wolf on the face in the same manner as when Kaltag bashes Star on the head with his paw in the original Balto movie.
"Hahaha!" chuckled Sumac, not feeling any pain. "Vith yer power, you can help us kick that big cat's butt." Yak huffed and turned to Shaun, snarling.
"I won't know that until I will, normally, anyone doesn't pay me enough to spare my share of the poor thing's leg…with you." Shaun then grabbed out the caribou's leg, much to the impatience of the henchwolves. "Well, I cannot do that because it's mine." Shaun's words of complete greed sank the poor henchwolves' hearts down deep inside, and their feelings have been intentionally hurt. Sumac simply fainted on the ground, Yak cringed at why the big cat commited such actions, and Nuk was very mad like a bull whenever it sees something red.
"WHAT?! HE SNITCHED ON US!" shouted Nuk.
"Oh dear," Yak facepalmed with grief, "here it comes."
In such a rage, Nuk screams out of his anger, and that noise suddenly snapped Sumac out of his unconsciousness. "AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!" Out there, Miqa, scouting out for the members of the clan who were sneaking out at night in the forest, heard Nuk from far away with his ears, "This is it." Miqa thought to himself as he turned to ran to find Nuk, Yak and Sumac. Back there, Shaun has been impressed by Nuk's ferocity and temper.
"I love it when you scream like that, Nuk." Shaun purred meanly. "It brings me such music to my ears."
Nuk tries to pick a fight with the big cat, but was honestly held back by Yak and Sumac who are forced to stop his struggle against the mountain of a beast. "GRRRRR! CURSE YOU, SHAUN! CURSE YOU AND YOUR STUPID, STUPID OLD WOLF OF THE MOUNTAIN FOR YOUR DISCOURAGEMENT TOWARDS OUR LEADER!"
Without a care, Shaun picked the caribou's leg and swung it over his shoulder with his paw, still ignoring Nuk's aggressive rebellion. "You really think so, Nuk? I don't rely on you guys to fight me for a leg of the caribou I saved for, yes? You and your friends are just unworthy to fight big cats like me."
"OUTRAGEOUS!" barked Yak.
"DENIABLE!" spat Sumac.
"SICK AND WRONG!" roared Nuk.
Shaun resentfully rolled his eyes in such a very hateful ignorance. "Yes. That could be arranged."
"I FOR ONE AM GETTIN' MY FIGHTIN' STANCE TO SHOW YOU WHO IS UNWORTHY, YA BIG BAD PUSSYCAT!" snarled Nuk trying to go for Shaun over the leg, but the fight was interrupted by a call from far off.
"AHA!" called Miqa in a demanding tone of voice. "I CAUGHT YOU NOW!"
"Oh shoot!" Shaun scoffed knowing that Miqa is already here. "I gotta take my leave now." Shaun immediately took off without being caught by Miqa who was very demanding to a trio of wolves. A moment before, Quoketa had already sent Miqa to bring back the former henchwolves back to the clan because he knew that it was too late for hunting after midnight.
"Sneaking off into the night, I see?" Miqa had never felt pretty harsh towards the wolves who have trouble behaving themselves.
"Hwaa!" Sumac yelped and shook with fear. "Miqa! This isn't vat you think! Please, understand!"
"Quiet!" ordered the blue wolf. "You must know that there is no hunting after midnight for you, as soon as I thought. If you don't obey the clan's rules, you might end up being dead or injured. I'm not trusting you, guys, but you better march yourselves back to your dens right now."
"HEY!" barked Nuk. "Don't you dare tell us off, Miqa! We're the brains and brawns of this clan, dontcha think? We will do whatever we want, and you cannot stop us! And you're no Niju either."
"None of your back talk, Nuk!" Miqa said sharply. "I do not want to hear anything out of you unless it's something important! Understand?" The former henchwolves of Niju nodded their heads in agreement, still feeling guilty. "I'm always keeping my eye on you guys, and you three know better than to be in conflict with wild felines like Shaun. Just remember that they are still apart from each other years ago, and he knew that Aleu is forbidden in his sight, threatening to kill her and to take over as a new leader." Miqa then turned to lead the wolf stooges back to their dens as quickly as possible to avoid any more trouble they could cause. "Come on back with me, now. I mean it!"
"Yes." They replied sadly in unison.
"Quana. Now you know better." Miqa said. "You've got to stop running off from us after midnight."
"We're very sorry." Yak moaned with deep regret.
"Yes, I bet you all are." Miqa responded giving the wolves a fair warning. "Think about your obedience before you three do something stupid. Okay?"
"Allright, ve got the message." Sumac frowned. "It's not like ve have done nothing ridiculating of the sort."
Without denying the blue wolf so they can run off again, Nuk, Sumac and Yak repented their disobedience and did exactly what Miqa had told them with Miqa following them back to the dens with their looks of disappointment. Yyyyyessiree! I can tell that it was one exaggerating night that the henchwolves wouldn't forget.