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2 years earlier, Early spring, 1884

Jack McCall found himself sitting astride his paint horse, atop a hill overlooking the rail yard just outside of town. He sighed inwardly, as he thought of the love that could never be. Jack was a U.S. Marshal sent to investigate several gangs of outlaws that had taken up residence in the area. He had fallen in love with a Ranchers daughter, a half wolf anthro by the name of Aleu. Her father, Balto had taken Jack in after he'd been wounded, and they'd helped nurse Jack back to health. After a time, Aleu and Jack had taken a liking to each other, and began courting.

They were engaged to be married in less than a week. One evening, as Jack had ridden into town to check for any messages, Balto had gotten word to Jack that his daughter was missing. Jack promptly saddled his horse and headed in the direction where Aleu was last seen. Balto had offered to send two of his ranch hands along, but Jack declined, saying they'd only slow him down. Besides, Jack knew this area like the back of his hand, and could track as good as any Sioux, or Comanche. After an hours worth of riding, Jack caught up to the herd of cattle that Aleu and some of the ranch hands had been trying to get back to the ranch. Jack rode up and started asking about Aleu, and they pointed out the direction she'd taken, chasing a few stray calves.

Jack wheeled his horse and took off, doing his best to follow the trail, but it was getting dark, and the trail was hard to see from horseback. So Jack dismounted, and led his horse in a better attempt to stay on Aleu's trail. After another couple of hours, it was long past sunset, and it was pitch black. Jack could no longer see the tracks, but thought he saw a fire in the distance. He rode up to check it out. When he arrived close to the camp, he stopped his horse just far enough away that he couldn't be seen in the firelight, but close enough he could see the figures in the camp. Though, he wished he hadn't, when he realized what was going on.

He hung his head, and swore under his breath, when he saw Aleu, laying in the arms of some vagabond cowboy. Jack had seen this man before, but hadn't been properly introduced. He knew however, that this cowboy had been Sweet on Aleu before Jack came calling.

Jack had the sudden urge to dismount, walk into that camp and punch that lowlife cowboy senseless. But he stayed on his horse, and watched for some time. Finally, he saw Aleu tip her head back, and kiss the cowboy that held her. At this, Jack wheeled his horse, and the horse reared, at that moment giving a loud, almost mournful whinny. And as Jack spurred his horse and rode off, a loud crack of thunder was heard.

Jack rode straight back to the ranch that night, and barged right into the ranch house. Balto was sitting near the fireplace, smoking a pipe when the door flew open. Balto whirled to face the door, when a dark figure stepped through. Balto could tell this figure was soaked, but otherwise could tell nothing about the dark form. Jack didn't bother to remove his slicker, just stepped by the fire, and stood there. Balto sighed in relief when as the figure moved, he could recognize the hat. It was a brown Stetson, he knew this hat. It was one that his daughter had purchased for her fiancé, the Lawman, known as Jack McCall.

Jack said nothing, just stood, staring at the fire. Finally, Balto rose, and closed the door. Then, Jack turned to look at Balto with one eye. "I found her, Balto. But I wish I hadn't." At this, Balto turned pale, thinking that Jack had meant his daughter had been taken by outlaws, or worse. Jack shook his head, sensing what Balto was thinking before he could say it.

"She's perfectly fine, Balto. But when I found her, she was camped off by a small cave, alone with some vagabond. He's a no good cowboy, who never worked a day in his life, never threw a lasso, never drove a single calf in to the herd. And if he did, it was so he and his pards could brand what Mavericks they could catch." Balto placed his hand to his head, and sighed both in relief and consternation.

After a bit, Balto raised his head to look at Jack directly. "So, I guess the wedding is off then." Jack huffed, and nodded, he was far too angry to voice a reply. "So, What will you do now, Jack?" Jack thought for a moment, then turned to face Balto. "Well. This gang of rustlers is fairly well broken up. Reckon I'll head to California for a while, and see what I can find there. Rumor has it that there's some good fishing up in the mountains there." With that, he turned and walked up the stairs to the room he used, he quickly collected a satchel he kept some essentials in, and threw it over his shoulder before heading back down the stairs. Balto watched the young lawman descending the stairs, and stood to intercept him before he could head for the door. "You can't leave now, you'll be drenched in less than five minutes. Just stay for the night, and you can leave in the morning." Jack shook his head. "Can't stay. Aleu will be back early, I've no intention of seeing her. I'll take my horse to the train station and book one last trip with that pass you gave me, before I turn in my Marshal star."

With that, Jack walked out without saying another word. He then rode to the train station in the middle of the rain, and found himself sitting astride his horse on a hill overlooking the rail yard just outside of the nearest town. Finally, he rode to the station, and got a ticket on the first train to Texas. He knew he'd told Balto he was going to California, but he knew that Aleu would find out from Balto where he'd gone, so he'd hoped to throw her off the trail. Even if it would only be temporary. Jack stopped at Judge Parker's office on his way through to Texas, and turned in his Marshal's star. No longer was Jack McCall a lawman, and truth be told, he was okay with that.

Jack had done his job, and now was content to roam for a time. Jack had supplemented his pay as a U.S. Marshal by bounty hunting, bringing in criminals for the reward money. He had managed to do very well, and saved a healthy bankroll.

Jack saw that his horse was loaded onto the train, and once he made sure his horse had feed and water, he moved to the rearmost passenger car, and found himself a seat at the back. As Jack sat down, still soaking wet from his ride in the thunderstorm, he looked around, almost worried that Aleu would have found out from her father that he had left, and would come looking for him here. He sighed contently when he saw no one he recognized. As the conductor called out "All aboard!" A passenger came onboard wearing a slicker, and a bowler hat. He sat down in the seat across from Jack, facing him. Jack kept his head lowered, just enough that his face was not visible to the newcomer, but Jack could still observe him. Jack noticed this newcomer was an anthro German Shepherd, and that he seemed to be a bit of a dandy. Jack knew he was no range rider, given that he wore shoes, not boots. And seemed to be more suited to town life than the open ranges Jack had been used to on his time chasing gangs of cattle thieves.

After a bit, the new comer cleared his throat, causing Jack to look him in the eye. "Marshal McCall, right?" The newcomer asked. Jack shook his head. "Sorry, friend. No Marshal here. Just a rider passing through on the way to hell." The newcomer chuckled. "Aren't we all, friend? Aren't we all?" Jack chuckled as well, noticing by the strangers accent he must be from somewhere back east. "Where are you bound, friend? And might I ask who I'm addressing, if you aren't the Marshal?" Jack nodded.

"You've got the right handle, I'm Jack McCall, but no marshal. Not anymore." The newcomer leaned forward, extending his hand for a shake. "Jack leaned forward and shook the man's hand firmly. Jack leaned back into his seat, and tipped his head back. "So, What brings you out this way, friend?

The man smiled, and leaned back in his seat as well. "My partner and I had set up a gambling hall. He cheated me, however. Kept the money, and accused me of stealing. Had me locked up. I'm out to find him and return his compliment." Jack nodded at this, but said nothing in reply. Jack simply pulled his head over his eyes.

A few hours later, Jack lifted his hat to see what the situation was. It was dark, and he was still seated across from the gambler he met earlier.

Jack glanced at the gambler, and found him staring back. Jack nodded, offering a cigarette to The gambler, he struck a match and lit it. After a few puffs, he turned to Jack and said: "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're running from a woman." Jack raised an eyebrow curiously. "What gives you that idea?" The gambler just chuckled. "I've seen it before, that's all." Jack said nothing, but gave a half nod, as he turned to look out the window at utter darkness.