Chaz Wolf chaz_pilot_wolf@yahoo.com PROLOGUE He was small, merely a pup, when the two legs with very little fur came into his home. His mother had hid him from them in the small den that she had given birth to him in. Telling him to be quiet and not to say a word, for if he made one sound, their deafening roars and shouts would come closer to him. He understood the danger, for his mother and father had told him of it from a very young age. He could only nuzzle his mother and hope that she would return to him soon, as she ran off with his sisters to try to lead the two legs away from him. He could only wonder where his father and brothers were, and why his father had not returned with them yet. For they had gone hunting when the white disk was high in the black sky and had not returned when the bright disk was high in the blue sky. Which had always happened before, but at this moment, his mother and sisters had to run away from him. So that they could lead the two legs away from the den that protected him. For he did not know that he had been the only pup to survive out of his mother's litters over the last three months. The pup curled up in a ball, the shadow matching his black fur as he hid there. He put his paws over his muzzle and closed his dark eyes. As he could hear the retreating paws of his mother and sisters growing more distant from the den's entrance. It was then that he heard the dogs, angry barking beasts that bayed terribly in the night. The pup stifled a terrified yelp and whimpered softly to himself, as one of the two legs came too near to the den. He became very still, as the sound of the two leg's voice reached his ears, and then faded away. It was accompanied by the sound of his footfalls growing more distant and the pup allowed himself a small sigh of relief as the footfalls and the sounds of danger grew more quiet. Even so, he fretted inwardly, about the angry baying dogs. He did not understand his angry cousins, or their rage when it came to fighting with his family. For they had never travelled through their territory, or ate of their food and drank of their rivers. They had always stayed within their own boundaries, hunting game and drinking their own water, as far back as he could remember. His own father had spoken of the times before he had opened his eyes, and he had said the same thing when he had asked him of the angry ones. The pup sighed to himself worriedly, as his fear faded away. He would wait for his mother and sisters as she had told him to do, and they would know what to do. Secure in this knowledge, he felt safe and dozed off to sleep. * * * * * * * * River Moon stretched as the bright disk reminded him of aching bones and torn muscles. He stood up, regarding the only other male out of a hunting party of eight, who had survived the night of thunder and the baying dogs who had chased them. He merely regarded him back in a quiet manner, sniffing the air with his black nose. The white wolf with black ear tips, and blue eyes was a startling contrast to his own black fur and green eyes. They were both the same height in the four legs, but Moonsinger's blue eyes held a mirth to them, that River Moon had sworn the previous night that he had lost as a pup. Moonsinger shook himself, as River Moon watched him in envy. Was their nothing that could shake him of his convictions, and why did he not want to be the alpha of the pack? Why instead, was he content to simply be the beta and defend him and his pups. He was no son of River Moon's, but merely an outsider who had wandered in and impressed him one night. Even now, he seemed to hold on to a hope in his eyes, that River Moon found himself not daring to believe in. For he felt if he did so, he would end up as dead as his own pups who lay in the empty field nearby the thick copse of trees that they had hid in to escape. Moreover, why did he wait for him, as if in silent anticipation of orders from him? Moonsinger looked at him quietly, cocking his head to one side quizzically, his ears forward as he continued searching the wind for scents. River Moon walked over to him and nuzzled his neck in silence, as Moonsinger murred softly in an attempt to soothe him. Yet River Moon felt the icy grip of fear in his heart grow tighter, as instinct told him to run back to his den, where his mate and pup were. For if the two legs had found them, then they would find his mate and pups as well, and the angry cousins were very good at doing their job for the two legs. They had to be, for if they did not work hard for the two legs, then they would not eat. River Moon turned and looked at Moonsinger over his shoulder, beckoning him to follow silently, then started back towards his den at a painful run. Moonsinger followed him diligently, refusing to allow his own wounds to slow him down as he ran, attempting to keep up with River Moon in his haste to get back. As they rounded the rise, they looked down into the clearing and saw the bodies of the dead. Wolves stretched out, and rotting beneathe the bright spot in the sky. Shot to death for their skins, for the two legs had taken them. More than likely to where their packs lived and they sold the skins of the pups for shiny yellow discs of metal that weren't even good to eat. River Moon stopped in mid-stride, for he wanted to howl his grief for them to the sky. He had known everyone of them, for they had been his sons, and who should know them best? His broken heart was torn with hopelessness and he did not feel like he could go on. Yet the thoughts of his mate and daughters tugged him back into action, as he heard himself growling aloud ferally with a might he had never known before. His green eyes exploding into the hunter's vision that only an outraged father can see when his mind and heart are afire with white hot rage! Moonsinger knew he was albeit forgotten which made him even more careful. Ages ago, he had trained under a mighty swordsman who had been a were-tiger, who had taught the young werewolf how to survive in more forbidding conditions than these. It was a secret that he had sought to keep from the wolves, for he had longed for their company for so long that he would not jeopardize their trust in him. Yet as he ran after River Moon, he could sense that the wounded wolf alpha was changing and that his instincts had been correct all along. River Moon was a werewolf, born to wolves. A strength, for he would never know fully from childhood, the greed of man. A weakness, for he must know it, or die from naivete'. Chapter One The Man He wasn't interested in making time as his black horse trotted into the field quietly. All he really wanted instead, was a little peace and quiet. Yet he knew if he didn't come back with a new wolf, he would be totally out of a job, which annoyed him immensely. Merle Silver had never been one for a lot of mumbo jumbo. He had been training animals for nearly thirty years now. Often tracking down the animals he wanted and bringing them back to the circus where he had come to live for the majority of his adult life. Even the black horse beneath him was one of his own, high-spirited and roped in Arabia. She was just the way he wanted her. He never did go in for the broken down spiritless animals that he would often see in the towns, pulling their burdens and going about their daily drudgery with empty eyes. For it seemed to him like something inside had been lost on purpose. "Animals have souls too Merle," his dad had once said, and he had taught him all that he knew about tracking and training them. He shook his head at the memory as he came up over the hill and reined her to a stop. His green eyes scanned the field as he brushed a blond lock of long hair from them. The horse reared up and Merle held on to her with his knees as she came down again, making fretting noises to let him know that she did not want to be there. "Easy girl," Merle soothed softly, rubbing her neck gently as his eyebrows furrowed. He looked at the torn up ground, where once fresh green grass had been, noting the red patches of stained grass. He slid off his mount and examined the ground for tracks, noting the difference between the paw prints as he did so. For a trained eye, this ground held a tale of anger and blatant death. As he moved forward, still crouching, fingering the hoof tracks of riders on horse back at a gallop. Merle dropped the reins of the hackamore and stood up, following the tracks of the wolf with an inhuman silence to his footfalls. His mind sorting through the apparent ages of the animal that had made them, as he made his way up to the front of the wolf den. Where he found the tracks of a very young wolf, and the tracks of a hound going by the den's entrance at a run. He peered inside the den and inhaled deeply. A warmth to the air penetrated his nose, as well as the dirty scent of a young wolf pup. He laid down silently, then guessed about where the pup would be and like a cobra, thrust his hand deep into the den. His hand made contact with warm fur and pulled the sleepy pup out of the den. The startled pup yelped at him and started gnawing on his hand frantically. He pulled the pup out of the den and held the pup close to his ribs, his other hand coming up to hold the pup close to his body. As the other hand let go and held the pup's head against his rib cage. The pup continued his frantic yelping and he rolled on to his side, cuddling the pup close to him as he did so. He awkwardly sat up, gently rubbing the pup's warm black fur as he pulled the pup up into his arms and kept his face away from him so that he couldn't bite him. The pup continued to struggle in his arms for a few more moments, yelping louder. Merle continued to stroke him, holding him close to him, until the pup finally stopped struggling and whined to himself pitifully. He nuzzled the back of the pup's head with his nose, and the pup looked up at him with startled surprise. Merle blew warm air softly into the pup's fur, and the pup whined at him in confusion. "Yeah, I know. I'm a dirty human and you're mad at me," Merle told the pup in a soft tone of voice, still rubbing him soothingly. The pup seemed to be listening to every word he spoke to him intently. Merle searched the pup's dark eyes silently, finding intelligence and waning fear there. He continued to stroke him and the pup laid down in his arms, grooming his fore paws. "You're a big boy pup, look at those paws of yours. I'll bet you'll be as big as your dad," Merle told him in a soothing tone of voice, as the pup looked up at him again. The pup whined at him, frantically looking around for something. Merle could only guess what it was, and he held the pup close again, as the pup cried pitifully against him. He stroked the pup tenderly, attempting to soothe him. Yet inwardly, he knew it wouldn't help much. "It's okay pup, you're not alone any more," he spoke softly, wondering what to do next. It unsettled him to see that amount of intelligence in a wolf's eyes. Yet if things kept going the way they were, this pup just might be the last one in forty miles. He didn't relish having to keep searching for another den, and the pup seemed lonely enough to him. Maybe he'd bond to him and he'd be able to do something with him at the circus, at the very least though, he couldn't just walk away and leave him alone. Not with all the wolf killers in the area up in arms over some imagined offense or another, he'd die in a week from them, maybe less. He held the pup close as he stood up and walked back over to the mare, still petting him and making soothing sounds to him. The black mare looked at him curiously, for she had never seen such a young wolf before. She sniffed at him and he licked her nose, his tail wagging the entire time. For curiosity had quickly over come his fear, and he had never seen a horse before. She let out a startled whicker and the pup became very still, sniffing her fearfully. His tail tip still wagged, yet he had tucked his tail between his back legs submissively. She sniffed him again and put her ears forward, as Merle took up the reins and tensed to leap onto her back. "Here goes nothing and you hold still so I don't fall and break my neck," he told her. He leapt up onto her back, landing a bit too hard and nearly lost his grip on the pup. The pup struggled in his arms knocking him off balance and he fell off the mare's back, letting the pup go as he fell. The pup leapt off to the side, landing lightly on his feet as the mare let out a laugh that only horse's know. He laid there for a moment, catching his breathe as the pup darted over and licked his face sloppily. Merle laughed in spite of himself and sat up. He wiped his face with his hand, attempting to get the pup's drool off his moustache and goatee. "I should of known you'd laugh at me Nell. You're always good for a laugh at my expense. You goof ball Arab," he said calmly, rubbing the back of his head as he did so. The pup had run back over to Nell and Merle watched as the eight year old mare sniffed him, talking to him in the language that only animals knew. He could only hope that she was telling him good things about him, and that he wouldn't have to chase the pup all over creation to catch him again. Yet something told him that he was now curious, as he let out a playful yelp and scampered around Merle, darting back over to play with Nell again. He got up and reached into his ruck sack as his stomach growled at him hungrily. Merle pulled out some cheese, and what was left of his jerky, then sat back down again, pulling out his knife and cut off a few hunks of the cheese and jerky. He dropped the hunks of cheese and jerky on to the grass beside him and then cut some for himself. The pup darted over to him again and began eating hungrily beside him as he ate some of it himself. He stood up and the pup shied from him as he pulled his waterskin off the harness and took a drink. The pup darted back in and finished eating the food, then looked at him and whined. Merle pulled out a low sitting wooden bowl and put some of the water in it, then set it down. The pup went over to the water and drank it greedily, then looked back up at him again. Merle put the water skin back on the horse's harness and then tied it securely in place. He picked up the bowl and threw the rest of the water into the grass, then dropped it back into his ruck sack. He took hold of the mare's reins and then looked at the pup, who had sprawled on to the ground and now looked about playfully. He smiled, careful not to show any teeth, as the pup panted at him. He turned and led the horse off back down the trail he had followed as the pup looked back at his home for a moment and whimpered in confusion. Merle looked back at the pup, whistling shrilly at him to get his attention. The pup looked at him startled, before running over to him and playfully nipping at his knees. Merle laughed again and picked the pup up before he could dart off again. The pup struggled a bit, then play growled at him and yipped. He held him gently, yet firmly, as the pup settled down in his arms again. For a moment, Merle questioned himself about his decision. Looking off thoughtfully at the abandoned den and then at the pup, who whined at him again. He shook his head and rubbed his cheek against the pup's warm fur, sighing heavily. Slowly, almost regretfully he walked away, and leading the horse off back down the trail. * * * * * * * * * River Moon had no idea how long they had been running that day, as his muscles began to complain even more from lack of rest and his empty belly protested. He stopped, panting heavily, as Moonsinger skidded to a stop beside him. His mind was oblivious to Moonsinger's presence as he grew angry with himself for stopping to rest. Yet the den was not far away, for it had only taken half the dark sky with the white disc hanging in it, to find the game they had been hunting. Moonsinger sniffed the air and looked at the frantic River Moon calmly, murring gently to soothe the haggard Alpha's nerves. Yet River Moon only growled lowly, as he felt a coldness seeping into his heart. It was then that both of them heard the sounds of many horses and barking angry cousins, as well as the sounds of the two leg's thunder again. River Moon looked at Moonsinger and dashed off towards the den again, and Moonsinger dutifully followed him . When they arrived, he saw nothing and scented nothing there, except for the fact that a man and a horse had been there. He looked about, searching for the pup as Moonsinger helped. Yet the pup was gone and the sounds of the many horses and baying angry cousins seemed more distant from where they were at. He threw back his head and howled heartbrokenly, as the realization that he and Moonsinger were the only one's left hit him. Moonsinger joined him in his howl releasing his pain and anger at the sky. He had truly hoped to find at least some of the pack here, yet they were gone. Probably to man's guns and their baying hound's fangs. He licked his wounds as the outraged Alpha continued to howl his agony at the sun. His mind turning in twists and bends that only served to make him angrier. In a few moments, River Moon fell silent. Crestfallen, he tucked his tail between his legs and stood there numbly. Moonsinger's gaze of anger softened and he went over to him, grooming him and murring soothingly. He could only imagine how the Alpha felt, as his heart attempted to become warm with compassion for him. Yet he too, felt a coldness inside, for he had been their beta, and he had let them all down. "It's not all your fault River Moon," he whispered compassionately. "If we had only gotten here a little sooner, he would still be here," River Moon answered in a small voice that was barely a whisper. "I know," Moonsinger answered in a soft voice, attempting to rally his own courage and fan the fading flames of hope back to life again. River Moon limped over to the den's entrance and laid down, slowly resting his green eyes. As anger swelled within Moonsinger's heart at the shattered Alpha's grief. Regret chased his anger mercilessly and he darted off in the direction of the men and hounds. River Moon barely noticed him leave, for he was too caught up in his grief for his dead pack and missing son. His heart was broken and he had no strength to continue on any more. * * * * * * * * Silver Lake danced nimbly out of the way of the attacking cousin's jaws as the beast lunged at her mercilessly. Unlike her father, she held nothing but contempt for the angry cousin's and hated them as much as they hated her. The gray she-wolf darted in under his jaws, biting him in the throat as he clumsily attempted to move out the way of the bite. Her jaws hit home and she savagely ripped his throat out, dropping the bloody piece of meat on to the ground. The angry cousin yelped one last time, as she heard snarled in spite of herself. She ran back towards where her sister had been and found her wounded through the chest by the thunder of the two leg's. She skidded to a stop and panted heavily, her nose searching for the scent of her mother. Yet their were too many scents for her to follow them and she howled for her. A faint howl answered her and she followed her ears, running as swiftly as she could. She heard the sound of thunder faintly and then the howl again, as she stopped. She scented the air again and barked sharply in confusion. It was then that she heard the sound of running coming towards her and she looked behind her in surprise. A cream colored she-wolf came running out of the trees, slowing to a trot as she entered the clearing. Her coat marred by the blood that had coagulated at her shoulder from an angry cousin's bite. Silver Lake ran over to her mother and began to lick her wound anxiously. Her mother stopped, wagging her tail in greeting, murring soothingly. Winter Sun looked at her daughter, sniffing anxiously as she did so, satisfying her with the scent that her daughter was whole and unharmed. As for her own shoulder, she thought nothing of it, for wounds could wait to heal in safer places, away from the two leg's thunder. She yipped at her concerned daughter and then pulled away from her. Silver Lake looked at her in confusion, but followed as her mother headed away from the clearing, back into the thick cover of trees nearby. She was heading to the den, where they had left her little brother when the two legs and the angry cousins had attacked them. Silver Lake hoped that he would be all right and whole when they arrived, as her mother trotted onward, ignoring her pain. * * * * * * * * Moonsinger raced along the trail left by the fleeing females and the pursuing hunters. Grief burned white hot within his heart as he seethed with revenge, the hunters would pay for what they had done to the only wolf pack he had ever known. He rounded the copse of trees, never seeing the white, black striped shadow in them. He rounded the copse of trees, and the Siberian Tiger leapt, landing on top of him. Moonsinger hit the ground hard, skidding three feet on his side. The tiger ran over to him, taking on the tiger man shape and touched his side. Moonsinger's side heaved painfully as he attempted to catch his breath and move at the same time. The tiger man put a hand on his shoulder, holding him down on to the ground. "Lee, is that you?" he almost hissed in his ear, bending low over him. "Yes," he whispered weakly through gritted teeth, as Lee shifted uncontrollably back to the human form and laid there. "Lee, it's Daitia," he whispered softly into Lee's ear, "It's papa." "Papa," he closed his eyes, as Daitia's ears picked up the sounds of the hound's barking. "Lee talk to me," Daitia hissed in his ear, "Where is the wolf den? Where is it safe?" * * * * * * * * Chapter Two Trials Of The Heart Daitia threw Lee over his shoulders and ran back to his tree where the samurai swords were hanging off of a high branch. He put Lee down on the soft grass and leapt up, grabbing the swords and landing on his feet. Quickly, Daitia pulled his pack out from behind a nearby bush as he shifted to his human form and then rifled through his pack for his clothes. He heard Lee moan softly as he dressed hurriedly, then pulled out some white cloth and dressed Lee's wounds with it. Daitia watched the path, as the hunters on the back of their horses and their hounds, came up it. The hounds were looking for Lee's scent, as the hunter's watched their dogs intently. Daitia shuddered in spite of himself as he thought of a time once, when he had watched a pack of six dogs rip apart a tigeress in India. It was not a sight he wanted to repeat, especially not on Lee and himself. Daitia pulled a grey, long sleeved shirt out of his pack. Hastily, he helped Lee to sit up, so that he could put the shirt on him. Lee's blue eyes were glassy as Daitia pulled the shirt down to his waist. Lee sat their, hanging his head weakly, while Daitia went into his pack for a pair of black trousers. Daitia nudged him in the ribs hard enough to get his attention, as he handed them to him. Lee put them on numbly, as Daitia reached into his pack again, pulling out two pairs of moccasin-like black boots. "They should fit you," Daitia whispered into his ear gently, handing the a pair to him. "I'm sorry papa," Moonsinger mewled softly, as he put them on. "Hush now, all that matters is that we are together again my son," Daitia whispered in a low voice, as he stroked his adopted son's long blond hair. Lee tried to stand up, as Daitia threw on his own boots, and hastily tied up the pack. He slung it over his shoulder, as Lee fell. Daitia looked directly at the hounds as Lee tried to get up. One of the hounds looked directly at them, growling lowly as it's copper eyes focused on them. The other dogs kept baying, still sniffing the ground where they had been, only moments before. The fresh blood was in their noses, and they were looking for the source, yet the scent of the tiger had them confused. But not this one, Daitia noted, their was a look of feral intelligence and almost human hatred in the hound's eyes. It was then that the hound smiled cruelly at them, as the hunter's sat and talked on horseback about how much gold they were going to get for the wolf skins they had. Daitia kept a bland look on his oriental features, as his hands hung loosely at his hips. The hound smiled again at him, focusing on him, as Lee tried to get to his feet again. Daitia cocked his head to one side for a moment, as the hound chuckled silently, vindictively licking his chops. It was then that Daitia knew that this hound was making it personal, he wanted them both dead, and liked to kill. Daitia steeled his mind, making it placid, for his instincts told him to rip the hound's head off, throwing caution to the wind. Yet his warrior's blood cautioned him not to run off headlong into trouble. His emotion's calmed after a few moments, and he helped Lee to steady himself. As Daitia put an arm around Lee's waist and he guided him deeper into the trees. Where two trained mustangs grazed on leaves and grass, their bay coats creating almost the perfect camouflage. "Get on the mustang, don't worry, he won't throw you," Daitia hissed into Lee's ear. Lee pulled himself up into the saddle, wincing painfully as he threw his leg over the mustang's back. Lee took hold of the reins, at the mustang's neck, as Daitia looked back towards the hound again. Daitia's dark blue eyes, nearly turned black, as hatred for the beast burned within his veins. "Papa," Lee whispered, touching Daitia on the shoulder, "That's Mr. McConnol's dog, Savage. He'll track us all the way back to the wolf den if we go there. Once he has your scent, there is no losing him. He's a pure killer," Lee watched as Daitia nodded in silent contemplation. "We'll just see about that," Daitia growled lowly, as he swung up onto his mustang's back and nudged the animal into a canter. Lee followed Daitia in silence, as he nudged his horse with his knees tiredly. * * * * * * * * Savage bayed as Daitia and Lee rode off deeper into the woods, running after them with a fiendish grin on his muzzle. He loved it when his prey ran from him, and his predatory instincts thrilled as he smelled Lee's fear of him. He almost tasted Lee's blood in his mouth, as the wind practically filled his nose with the scent of the wounded werewolf. The hounds earnestly ran after Savage, for he was the dominant dog in the hunting pack. The hunters followed their dogs at an easy trot, for they felt secure in the fact that the wolves in the area were nearly gone. Yet there was one hunter who had been following Savage's gaze, and had noticed that Savage was chasing men on horseback. "I think that dog of yore's probably gone plum crazy McConnell. We ain't chasing no wolves, we're chasing a couple of guy's on horseback," Tyler Morris told him, as he trotted his horse up beside Elias McConnell. Elias McConnell looked at the twenty four year old farm hand, studying him at length. As the black haired, brown eyed farm hand, brushed his curly bangs from his face nervously. The older man was nearly forty-five, and he didn't like it when his judgement was questioned. Yet Tyler Morris fearlessly held his slate grey eyes with his own, demanding an answer. "Savage knows when ta chase and when ta back off," Elias nearly growled at him, "You can't stomach that, just turn yore horse around and ride out. Nothin' be said about it. If ya wanna continue on, then just shut yer yap and do what I tell ya to do." "But McConnell, Savage is chasin' some fellas on mustangs. We can't go 'round killin' people, wolves is one thing, but people? I'm sorry McConnell, that's where I draw the line at," Tyler fumed irrately. "If Savage is chasin' 'em, they ain't just men," McConnell sneered at him. "Yore a fool Tyler Morris," Brett Whittaker spat, spitting onto the ground as his chestnut mare trotted along beside McConnell's buckskin. McConnell looked at him again, taking off his hat and smoothing his white hair before replacing it again. His weathered face was wrinkled and cruel, just like his own smile. Tyler shivered, as Brett's narrowed his black eyes and stroked his red beard. Guiding his white stud with his knees, as Tyler pulled his palomino up short. "They ain't men?" Tyler asked quizzically. "Their somethin' else, but it shore ain't human boy," Elias told him, as he pulled out his pipe and began to smoke it nonchalantly. Brett snickered as the other three farm hands kept an eye on the hounds in front of them. Their eyes mocking Tyler, as he nearly gaped at Elias in disbelief. Elias stopped his buckskin and looked at him, cruelly narrowing his eyes at him. "What'll it be Tyler Morris?"Elias asked him in a dead pan tone of voice. "I guess," Tyler gulped, "I'll go with you." Elias nodded at him, with a slight contemptuous smile on his face. He kicked his horse and the buckskin caught up with the others, as Tyler reluctantly followed him. * * * * * * * * River Moon stood up slowly as his mate and daughter came into view. He wagged his black tail and watched as his mate's hopeful gaze fell, when she saw that he was all alone. He limped over to her and licked her wounded shoulder, murring softly. Winter Sun shoved her grief aside for her absent pup and licked her mate's neck tenderly. At least River Moon still lived and that thought alone gave her hope for the pup's safe return. She murred soothingly to her mate, as Silver Lake looked about for Moonsinger eagerly. Yet her gaze fell, as she inwardly knew that he was gone. For a moment she felt lost and lonely, then she looked up and saw her father's aching heart in his eyes. She nuzzled his cheek, licking his chin and then sat down on the grass. "He should have been back by now," River Moon spoke softly, as he laid down on the grass and rested his weary head on his paws. "He wouldn't lead danger back to us," Winter Sun answered, grooming her shoulder. "I know," River Moon answered her in a quiet tone of voice, as he regarded his worried daughter with kind eyes. "Should we go look for him?" Silver Lake asked, her brown eyes full of concern. "Not yet," her mother answered in a strained voice, as she laid down beside River Moon. As her own heart broke in two, she realized that she would have to make a choice between her family or the wolf she loved. "Always practical my love," River Moon told her lovingly. "One of us needs to be practical," she answered in a sad whisper of a voice. Silver Lake looked away, as River Moon attempted to console her broken hearted mother. Sadly, she silently chose her family over Moonsinger. * * * * * * * * The pup whimpered as he saw his first elephant eating hay with his trunk. Merle smiled at him, as the pup wagged his tail shyly and hid his muzzle in Merle's long blond hair when the elephant snorted at him. Merle smoothed the pup's black fur gently, as he walked past the elephant, followed by Nell. The animals all knew Merle in one way or the other, and continued to make noises as he continued through the circus fairgrounds, until he reached his wagon. He kicked off his boots and took his satchel off, letting it fall onto the steps that led up into it. While Nell lowered her head and grazed on the grass nearby them, her ears moving about tentatively. Merle opened the door up, gently putting the pup inside. He then picked up his satchel and boots, before he walked inside, shutting the door behind him quietly. As he tossed his satchel into a corner, he watched the pup sniff his bedroll on the floor shyly. It was then that Merle tossed his boots into the same corner, and he sat down heavily on the floor. The pup watched as Merle put his hands over his face and he smelled salty water, as the human made soft sad sounds into his hands. The pup craned his head to the side inquisitively, as he wagged his tail slowly and whimpered at him. He didn't know what the sad sounds were for, yet he could feel the frustration and anguish emanating from him. "You may be the last pup left alive by midnight tonight in this territory," Merle finally whispered hoarsely, as he broke down crying. The pup whined blatantly, going over to him as he wagged his tail. He licked his hands and wiggled into his arms, trying to console Merle as he cried softly. Yet Merle kept crying, and finally the pup grew still and murred at him soothingly. Merle cuddled the pup close, as his tears fell into the pup's soft black fur. The pup sniffed the air tentatively, as he watched the door intently. Merle eventually drifted off to sleep as the pup stayed in his arms and closed his eyes. * * * * * * * * Chapter Three : The Chase Daitia had honestly begun to hate Savage, as his mustang raced along the woodland path. Behind him, Lee kept up on his own, yet the ride was beginning to take it's toll on him and Daitia knew it. He whipped his mustang around the bend in the road, as Lee kept on his heels, his head sagging as he rode. Lee's muscle's ached and his strength was beginning to ebb away from him, as he came around the bend in the road behind Daitia. Daitia, leaned backwards, pulling a sack from his saddle bag. It was small and pungeant in odor, as he heard the baying of Savage and the other dogs behind them. He pulled his mustang up short, letting Lee gallop past him on the road. Daitia grinned mildly, inwardly wondering just how good Savage was at the hunting game. He pulled out a handful of pepper and dropped it onto the road, urging the mustang into the trees as he did so. Daitia climbed up the tree, as the little mustang continued to walk for a few more feet and then went back to grazing again. Daitia pulled his swords out of his belt, crossing them in front of him as he retreated into the shadows of the branches. Dogs or not, he was going to have to get rid of some of them. It would be the only thing to even the odds and if at all possible, he planned to kill some of the men too. Yet they had guns and that presented a big problem for him, for he had no idea how he would make it back to Lee so that he could help him. He could only hope that Lee could make it to safety and soon. Before they caught up with him and caused him harm. In the mean time, Daitia would do whatever he could, to even the odds and allow Lee to rest at least for a little while. He watched as the dogs got closer, their baying was unbearable now, and every instinct screamed at him to run. He focused, causing his fear to melt away like snow in a spring thaw. It was then that he saw Savage come running around the bend in the road, and he tensed for the spring. Savage and the other dogs ran past him, kicking up the pepper in the road. They began to sneeze and Savage barked shrilly, alerting the hunters to his frustration. Daitia knew they would be coming soon, for their horses were well rested and their pace had been extremely slow. Daitia sprung, landing in the middle of them. He began swinging his blades around him, shearing flesh from bone and ignoring the yelps of pain from the dogs he killed. His vision had already exploded into hunter vision, as instinct and battle honed skill took over his senses. When it was over, Daitia breathed heavily. All the dogs had died against his assault with his blades. All but one, for in the midst of the battle, Savage had run off into the woods for safety. Daitia breathed heavily, as he suddenly heard the thunder of running horses coming faintly from the way behind him. He sprinted into the bushes and leapt up on the back of his mustang, which bolted at the scent of blood and gore on him. Daitia could only hope that he had enough time to catch up with Lee, and that Savage would not follow him to Lee. Leading the hunters to himself, his son, and whatever wolves remained alive in the area. It was a race against time, one he had no choice, but to win. * * * * * * * * Lee stopped his mustang as he got up to the path that led off to the wolf den. He shuddered, trembling as instinct tried to over ride his human intellect. He shook his head as Savage came up out of the trees snarling at him. Lee felt his gut grow taut with fear as he reared the mustang beneath him, her forelegs striking the air in front of her. Savage grinned mercilessly, as the mare came down. He leapt at the werewolf on her back, and Lee let out a scream as Savage tore into his shoulder, bringing him off the mustang's back. He fought with him madly, but Savage was too strong for him to fight him off. He pulled up all the anger he had left in him, as he tore Savage from his shoulder and threw him away from him. Savage landed on his feet and stalked slowly toward him, as Lee backed away from him weakly. His breath coming sharply, as his strength ebbed away even more. Suddenly, he heard a wolf howl from a distance. For a moment, Savage froze, then listened to it. He grinned viciously at him and began to stalk forward again, as he sensed the weakness of his prey in front of him. * * * * * * * * Silver Lake looked up from the deer trail that she had been following. Her father and mother were both weak and someone had needed to hunt. She snuffled the air tentatively, as a familiar scent wafted into her nose from the wind. It was Lee, her beloved mate. She howled to get an answer, and when she heard nothing, she nearly abandoned the scent. Yet her instincts were sure that her mate was nearby and she followed them. As she ran along and drew closer, she could smell the scent of the insidious butcher of a cousin, called Savage. Silver Lake bolted towards the scent, enough was enough and it was time for the beast to die. He had decimated her entire pack and the revenge in her heart swelled to life, as she ran faster towards them. It was only then that she smelled the scent of blood coming from her mate, and she let out a snarl that could chill the bones of the hardiest soul. * * * * * * * * Savage spun to face the she-wolf, as she came out of the trees and bushes snarling eerily. Lee watched as she attacked Savage with deadly accuracy, biting and snarling as she smacked him in the head and danced to the right. Savage shook his head and snapped wildly, as she went for his muzzle, which resulted in a glancing blow from her razor sharp fangs. Savage yelped in spite of himself, as he pulled his head away from the she-wolf. His muzzle spurting blood as he retreated from her deadly assault. Yet she kept coming at him, snapping and snarling at his neck and head, which he barely kept protected. He heard the sound of the cat man, and bolted into the woods, towards the hunters. He would deal with these pups later, once he had the guns of the hunters to back him up. Until then, he would wait for the right time to assault the wolves again. * * * * * * * * Silver Lake snorted as Savage ran off, slowly returning her attention to Lee. He bled badly as he lay on the ground in agony, unable to move or even scream in pain. Instead, he cried very softly, holding his shoulder with his hand. Silver Lake lay beside him and murred softly and soothingly, to let him know she was still there. She would not leave him unprotected, and she would not lose her mate because she had run off to be safe with her family. She looked up as the cat man came around the bend in the road at a gallop, pulling the grass eater up short by the leather straps in her mouth. Silver Lake frowned a moment, she never had understood why grass eaters let the two legs do that to them. She growled lowly at Daitia as he came off the mustang's back, grabbing another roll of white cloth from his saddle bags. He didn't have time for this she-wolf to get petty on him about the differences between their races. He snorted, as Lee put his head on her back and sobbed softly into her fur. Daitia moved forward to help his son, and Silver Lake cocked her head to one side to listen to her mate. Lee had stopped crying as Daitia crouched beside him, and pulled the shirt back to look at the wound. Daitia went into his satchel and pulled out some dried herbs, applying it to the wound before he bound it silently. He stroked his son's hair gingerly, wondering whether or not he should move him, as instinct told him to escape and flee. "I am so sorry papa," Lee whispered as he passed out against his mate. Silver Lake looked at Daitia silently, her tail wagging slowly. It was then that Daitia picked his son up slowly and made the mustang kneel. He got onto her back and nudged her to get up, as he whistled to the other mare to follow them. He looked at Silver Lake as she began to walk slowly back towards the wolf den in silence. "It's not your fault she-wolf," Daitia told her softly, attempting to soothe her. "Many have died, I just don't," her voice caught in her throat as she tried not to cry. "I understand she-wolf, nor do I," Daitia soothed warmly, as they continued onward. * * * * * * * * "Stupid mutts," Brett swore savagely under his breath as Savage came out of the brush. "We call it a day for now," the older man told him, as he noticed the bleeding muzzle of his dog, "Wolf got you good, didn't it Savage?" Elias Mc Connol told his dog. Savage growled lowly in anger and Elias rasped out a laugh, as Brett and the other farm hands began to pull the carcass's of the dogs off the road. Savage flopped down on the grass and watched them, as Tyler rode up beside them. "You scout ahead and find me every wolf in this dad burned wood that you can, this ain't over by a long shot!" Brett bellowed at him and the other farm hands. "Why don't you go ahead and beller louder Brett?" Elias Mc Connol told him, "That way all of them damn wolves can 'ear you?" Savage snickered and Tyler looked at him apprehensively. As he suddenly realized that he was not in the presence of a mere animal. Instead, he was in the presence of an animal that thought and had the emotions of a man. It chilled him to the bone, and he gulped in spite of himself. He looked up and noticed that Savage was looking deep into his eyes. He pulled his horse back and turned his head away from him uncomfortably. As Savage snickered again at him and Elias Mc Connol scratched his head. "I think we need to pay ourselves a visit to that there circus in town. Seems to me like that circus animal trainer may be a tracker that we may be able to use to hunt ourselves down a wolf, " Elias spoke, as he put his hat back on his head nonchalantly. * * * * * * * * "Merle!" Merle heard his name being yelled as he awoke with the pup beside him. The pup mewled in protest as he sat up and went over to the door and opened it. Blinking sleep away from his eyes, he saw the circus owner standing at the foot of the steps of the wagon. The fat man reeked of booze and cheap perfume, as he looked at Merle through narrow slitted black eyes. Merle yawned a him as he stretched, cracking his back. "Where's that tiger?" he bellowed at him, as the wolf pup growled at him angrily. " In his cage I would assume," Merle answered nonchalantly. "Well he's not!" the circus owner bellowed again at him. "Jonathan, you're not helping anything here, just calm down please. I'll find the tiger and put him back again. Jesus man, that's what you hired me to do. Keep the animals in line, teach them tricks, you know, stuff like that?" Merle told him calmly. The circus owner took a step up the steps of the wagon, as Merle wrinkled his nose in disgust. The fat man was sweating profusely and pushed a lock of oily black hair from his eyes. Angrily, he shook a pudgy finger at him, turning beet red as he did so. "If I don't the get that tiger back, I'm fired, yeah, yeah," Merle told him. "You show more respect for me boy!" the circus owner bellowed as he turned and walked wobbily down the step again. Merle shook his head, as he put his boots back on again. Tracking down Daitia was normally a pretty easy affair. The tiger never wandered very far, and normally came along without so much as a rope when he did have to look for him. The pup looked at him, eagerly wagging his tail as he did so. Merle smiled at him and patted his leg, as he walked over to the steps and started down them. The pup followed him eagerly, as he locked the wagon up again behind him. He watched as the pup playfully batted at Nell's legs and nipped at her legs. The mare whickered playfully, causing Merle to smile at him. He hadn't seen her that happy in a long time, not since he had taken her from her herd. "Come on Nell, let's go find Daitia again," Merle coaxed, walking over to her and sliding on to her back and gripping her mane. Nell whickered acknowledgement as she began to trot off in the direction that Merle directed her too. With any luck, he had headed to a lake nearby, where there was fresh trout and other fish that he loved to eat. At any rate, there were plenty of trees to climb on, and that alone would be enough to entice Daitia. Mainly due to the fact that Daitia liked to climb around on things so much. At least he would be away from Jonathan, and that alone was a bonus in it's own right. He really hated the man, for he had always pushed man and beast to their limits. A fact that often ticked Merle off a great deal. The pup suddenly took off and Merle chased him as he did. It suddenly occurred to him that they were heading back to the pup's cave. He let Nell have her head as he always did. Until they broke into the clearing, and he pulled her gently to a stop. Two men, one badly wounded, and another man, had just entered the clearing that held three wolves in it. They were all wounded, except the silver one, who waited patiently as the man on horseback gently lowered the wounded one onto his feet. Whilst the other mustang grazed near the one that was bearing the two riders. The wounded one moaned as his feet touched the ground. It was obvious that he was in a great deal of pain, as the other man slowly slid off the mustang and helped him over to the other wolves, who greeted him eagerly and happily. The pup ran over to them, fretting over the wounded and eagerly nuzzling the cream colored female, who fawned over him, as the black wolf nuzzled and licked him paternally. Suddenly, the oriental man looked up and saw him, looking shocked for a moment. "Merle? Oh shit, I forgot all about the circus, damn it," he swore aloud at himself. "What?" Merle asked him in surprise, looking shocked. * * * * * * Chapter Four For Honor's Sake "Would you care to explain that to me?" Merle asked him, as he rested his fist on his hip. "Not really, no, but you'll bother me until you get an answer any way. That's just the sort of person you are any way," Daitia answered him tempramentally. "I'm looking for a tiger, I don't suppose you've seen him," Merle answered him in an annoyed tone of voice. "I am the tiger you idiot!" Daitia roared at him, as River Moon suddenly shook violently. "What's up with the wolf?" Merle asked him calmly, ignoring his last statement. "He's changing, it's sooner than I thought it would be. I'm sorry River Moon, I should have told you," Lee whispered, stroking his soft black fur tenderly. "Help me," River Moon answered softly, looking into Lee's eyes for guidance. "I will help all I can," Lee answered, murring softly. "Merle, you may want to leave now. I'll bring your tiger to you in the morning. This is a thing that hasn't been seen for hundreds of years," Daitia told him swiftly. "I'm not leaving, this business is bothering my wolf pup friend and I'm not going," Merle snapped at him in annoyance. "All right, just don't get upset," Daitia answered, as River Moon's fur began to disappear and his body began to change shape slowly. "I'm not.....upset.....just confused," Merle answered, his eyes rivetting to River Moon's body as he spoke. Lee murred at him softly, as River Moon continued to change. A few moments later, he lay there naked, in the form of a black haired man, who was shaking badly and sweating. "It'll pass, just try to breath normally," Lee soothed, as River Moon whimpered in confusion and began to cry into his arms softly. "What you've just seen, is a werewolf change. Now do you believe me about the tiger?" Daitia asked him, pulling his bedroll off of his horse and taking a blanket off of it. He handed it to Lee, who wrapped it around River Moon and hugged him closely. River Moon snuggled in close, as he continued to deal with the shock of being in the new form. "Yeah, I'd say I'd take your word on the tiger all right," Merle answered him, as he looked like he would faint for a moment, "So when are you coming back?" "Tommorrow morning, but I need you to make a place for this wolf pack. They need some where to stay for awhile," Daitia answered him in a matter of fact tone of voice. "I think I can arrange that," Merle answered him, irritably, rubbing his forehead. "Father, what about Mr. McConnol? Savage is sure to track us, no matter where we go. I'm sorry father, although it shames me, I'm afraid of them. I don't know what to do and I wish I did," Lee shook his head slowly, as his mate, Silver Lake, nuzzled him tenderly and soothingly. "I'm not afraid of the angry one, I'll protect you from him," Silver Lake whined softly. "I know you will try, but McConnol has more dogs, and he will come back with more hunters. I am afraid that you will not be able to take all of them on my love. I am sorry," Lee whispered, hugging her gently. "I understand my love," Silver Lake answered softly, "I just don't want to lose you again, I was afraid when I found you helpless like that. I thought that you would die." "For that I am sorry love," Lee soothed, rubbing her ears gently. "You understand what she is saying to you?" Merle asked in astonishment. "Of course he does, he's a werewolf you idiot," Daitia snapped at him. "Now just one damn minute, I didn't know that cat! So give me a break, I'm new at this shit!" Merle snapped back at Daitia, flushing a deep red in embarassmnt. "What will screaming voices make?" River Moon asked slowly, as he raised his head slowly. "More trouble," Daitia grumbled, crossing his arms and glaring at Merle. "You know why wolves, have angry cousins now. Too many screaming voices are there," River Moon spoke slowly, "Many are dead from the voices, many will die because of what they say" Merle winced at the words, whilst Daitia scowled at a tree in anger. Merle could visibly see the frustration on Daitia's face, as River Moon looked at Lee tearflly. His Native American features and dark green eyes, full of torment and pain, from an unspoken pain in his heart. "Why must they fight Lee?" River Moon clawed at Moonsinger's shirt desperately, as he felt the tears begin to fall down his face. He didn't understand the significance of the tears as he felt as if his heart would break in two again. "Because they have different ways River Moon," Lee answered him in a soft voice. River Moon gave into the tears and sobbed into Lee's shirt inconsoleably, as Merle and Daitia both winced at the words. Lee tried to console his alpha, and his friend by hugging him closer, yet he could sense that the only two people who could mend his heart still stood in silence. "I hope you are both proud of yourselves. You debate this like it's just a topic of conversation in a smoking room. His family is dead damn it! I've lost close friends over the last day and night! Stop arguing and get along, or more will die," Lee snarled at Daitia and Merle angrily, his heart nearly bursting with grief and frustration. Both of the females were growling at Daitia and Merle now, as the pup tried to console all of them. Suddenly, Merle started to chuckle, as the pup began to act silly, in an attempt to make them all laugh. The pup reared on his hind legs and walked like a man, then fell over on to his back and began to play growl at everyone present. "I'll meet you half way if you'll meet me half way. I don't want any more to die Daitia. Help me to understand what is going on okay?" Merle asked in a gentle voice. "Nor do I. I will help you Merle," Daitia answered him gruffly, as he watched Lee's expressions. Lee was nearly spent, and the fatigue was beginning to show on his face. As his worried mate attempte to soothe him and the black wolf's mate and pup tried to soothe him as well. Yet he knew that only time an showing them that they could work together would rid them both of their fear and dread. Actions often spoke louder than words when it came to dealing with werewolves.