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Chapter 6 Werewolf Training... Again

Morning crept over the clan hold, and Walker found himself surrounded by the familiar embrace of his mate. Steel was already awake and speaking softly to the other elders. "We would be honored Steel-Fur..." Dire-Fang was saying. "...If there are any survivors then they will most likely be holed up in Gray-Wolf Hold. We should start looking there."

"And you don't think the Shadow-Clan will attack us?" Steel spoke softly, but he already knew Walker was awake.

"Not if we run with my mate and Black-Paw," Dire-Fang said and Walker could tell from his tone that the high-alpha was a little annoyed by the question.

"Then it is settled," Steel said and looked back down at Walker. "Good morning Walker," he said as Walker poked his head up and out of the thick gray fur of his mate's huge chest.

"Where are we going?" Walker asked.

"You are too young to run with a war band little one," Steel said and started licking Walker's unruly fur.

"But I want to go Steel!" Walker protested and earned a warning from his mate. "Sorry," Walker said as he remembered what Moon had said about respecting pack alphas. He laid his head back down on his mate's chest and dropped his ears as a sign of submission.

Steel looked surprised when Walker apologized and dropped his ears. If it hadn't been Coyotes Steel might have reconsidered, but he knew the damn dogs would try to kill Walker first. Cubs and females were the first to be killed in a raid. It was too dangerous for Walker to come. Dire-Fang broke the silence when he spoke next. "My scouts tell stories about a lone gray-wolf who still stalks the forest. He is a master hunter, and he never fails to kill a dog when they stray from their pack. If these stories prove to be true there might still be wolves alive within the old gray-wolf territory!"

Walker listened to Dire-Wolf speak and he had to admit that the High-Alpha did look quite intimidating. Steel looked at the cub in his arms and smiled at his curiosity. "We hope to find any survivors and bring them back here," he explained.

After waking up, the older wolves started off towards the boarders of the timber-wolf territory. Walker was taken by Moon and Snow to where the other cubs stayed. At first Walker had been upset because Steel had decided at the last second to take Fang with him in the war band, but after playing with Snow and Moon for a while walker had forgiven his small pack for abandoning him. Walker was currently in wolf form which meant he was about the size of a cub just out of the den. Moon carried him over to where the other cubs stayed through the day and left him with a familiar face.

At first Walker hadn't recognized Brown-Snout, but the wolf had sure recognized him. "Brown-Snout," Moon said after she gently dropped Walker onto the ground, "I thought Green-Eye was watching the cubs today?"

"He was asked to join the war party," Brown-Snout said and looked down from the elder's eyes; he was obviously trying to hide his anger.

"Ah, then you were not?"

"No, lady Moon-Song," Brown-Snout said sadly.

"I see," Moon replied as she examined the wolf standing before her. "I want you to be extra careful today. I will send one of the Long-Fangs from our guard to watch Walker with you."

"Steel has left little Walker in our care?" Brown-Snout asked. "It is a great honor to watch a noble cub, even for a scout like me!"

"You would do well to remember your own words. Dire-Fang has decided that Steel is to become the next high-alpha of the gray-wolf clan; that makes Paw-Walker here a noble equal in rake with Red-Tooth," Moon explained. "His fur has been decorated in the fashion of the nobles even though he has not received his first mark. I want the other cubs to know he is higher in station than them. You may think of Walker as if he were my own cub," Moon said with a heavy gravity in her voice and tenderly licked Walker's head.

If Walker didn't think Moon was the nicest and prettiest wolf he had ever met he might have been a little scared. She spoke with both conviction and power when she addressed her clan mates, yet there was a deep-seated air of respect to her visage at all times. Even in her words with Brown-Snout she sounded regal and commanding. "I understand my lady," Brown-Snout said quickly. " I will do everything in my power to remind the young ones of their station."

"Good, I will send a guard along shortly," Moon said as she turned and walked back towards the hill. Snow gave walker a tender lick of her own before fixing Brown-Snout with an icy glare. Moon-Song did most of the talking between the two elder females, but Snow-Song was known for being far harsher on wolves that stepped out of line. It was a stark contrast to how tenderly she treated Walker. Even Fang received a few unorthodox privileges from the females.

Brown-Snout nuzzled Walker tenderly and licked him a few times. "I was hoping I might see you or Steel again little Walker," he said and gently nudged Walker towards a large sheltered cave. The sound of voices echoed from within the cave as Walker was lifted by his scruff and carried towards the entrance. In the dim light coming from outside Walker could see more than two dozen shapes bouncing around the bottom of the small cavern.

As he walked into the cave's entrance Brown-Snout made a low woofing sound that caught the attention of the other cubs. The adult wolf placed Walker at his paws as he sat over the cub just like how Steel usually did. "Listen up you little ankle biters," he growled roughly. "This is Paw-Walker, and he's noble! He's also a gray-wolf long-fang, so don't try and fight with him. You must treat him with the respect a noble is do... and DO NOT tug on his braids!"

Walker looked up at Brown-Snout and then back at the other cubs. He took a step forward and made his way down the line of cubs. He didn't offer to let them sniff him just like Moon had told him not to. After sniffing the other cubs Walker returned to Brown-Snout and sat down. He must have been acting appropriately because the other cubs were instantly docile and they gathered around him as soon as Brown-Snout walked back to the entrance to the cave. Once the cubs were alone one bold male a little larger than Walker approached him and lowered his head and tail in respect, "My name is Swift-Paw," he said in a surprisingly deep voice and waited for Walker to reply.

"I am called Paw-Walker by my mate," Walker said and tried to sound like Moon did.

"Whoa! You're already mated?" Swift-Paw asked.

"I was mated the same night I was made a Long-Fang," Walker replied.

The other cubs all whispered amongst themselves before Swift-Paw turned back to Walker, "Can you change your shape?" The cub asked excitedly.

Walker looked around the cave, there wasn't much room, but he might be able to change if he was careful. Instead of speaking Walker just concentrated on shifting back to his werewolf shape. In a few moments he was about as big as Brown-Snout, but he was forced to stay on all fours. "This is my true form," Walker said smugly as he loomed over the other cubs.

The cubs around him all made a communal gasp and the appropriate sounds of awe. "You're huge!" Swift-Paw said and looked up at Walker.

"Naw, you're just small," Walker said and tried not to laugh at his own joke. After that the cubs all wanted to take turns playing with Walker. Brown-Snout returned after a few hours and frowned at the activity. Walker turned back into his wolf form and tried to blend in with the other Cubs.

A second larger wolf stepped into the cave and Walker instantly recognized his long protruding fangs and powerful musky odor. This wolf was a long-fang warrior, but not one Walker knew personally. "Paw-Walker," the wolf said in a deep growling voice. The other cubs scampered away from Walker as the large black and brown wolf walked towards him. "Moon-Song and Snow-Song have sent me to bring you back."

Walker stood still as he allowed the long-fang to sniff him. He even got a few tender licks to his shout which he politely returned when it was his time to sniff the new wolf. Once the introduction was over Walker was picked up by his scruff in much the same way Moon and Steel carried him. Walker thought he was going to the top of the clan hold, but instead the wolf was carrying him towards the woods. Another large long-fang guardian appeared when they left the den where Brown-Snout sat watching alertly.

The long-fang males hurried through the woods and away from the clan hold. Eventually they made it to a small clearing where two white female wolves were eating a freshly killed deer-like beast. "We've made a kill, and we thought you might be hungry since Steel mentioned you had not eaten yet," Moon said as she licked blood out of her white fur.

Walker's stomach growled hungrily at the sight of the dead deer-like creature. Normally he wouldn't have even thought about eating a dead deer, but he couldn't help but bound over to the kill. "Moon and our guards have eaten our fill little walker, and the rest of the kill is yours to eat if you so wish," Snow said as she too cleaned her fur.

Walker yipped happily and made his way over to the carcass. He wasted no time in attacking what was left behind. Sure the heart and most of the richer fatty meat was gone, but there were still the legs and the back end to eat. The two males who had come with him joined the young wolf and ate alongside the noble cub. They helped him choose the best meats that were left without fighting with the cub at all. Walker gorged himself and when he was done the wolf that had brought him collected the sleepy cub with his paws. The dutiful male began cleaning blood from Walker's fur faster than the cub could ever manage. The other wolves, once sufficiently clean, howled out to summon any other hungry wolves in the area, and then they made their way to the other side of the clearing.

The heat of mid-day beat down on the group of wolves as they each curled up in the cool grass. It was only natural to sleep through the hottest part of the day. Walker felt two strong arms reach out to grab him as the long-fang who carried him to Moon and Snow shifted to his long-fang form to make Walker more comfortable. This male wasn't as warm as Steel, but it was more comfortable than sleeping alone. The cub didn't know it at the time, but there were plenty of long-fangs who would have loved to care for him. Just associating with the cub was rumored to make a wolf bigger and stronger. Walker hadn't heard these rumors, but in a way they were true. Just the scent of the cub filled his long-fang guardian with powerful new instincts and urges. As they slept together the male realized why the legendary Steel-Fur had chosen this cub as his mate.

...

As his cub slept Steel and Fang ran swiftly through the forest. Most, if not all, of the strongest hunters and warriors had been gathered that morning at the bottom of Timber Wolf hold. As war band's went this was actually one of the largest Steel had ever seen assembled. By noon that day the war band was already deep into gray-wolf territory, and so far they had encountered almost three dozen shadow-clan coyotes. They had killed them swiftly, but had left their bodies to rot in the forest. Steel was proud of Fang for the kills he had already made, but he was also impressed with how quickly Fang learned to use his claws and fangs in battle. Black-Fang used powerful spells to confuse and disorient his foes when his deadly weapons failed him. More than one coyote fell prey to his magic and natural weapons that day.

The heat of mid-day found the war band only a few miles from the old gray-wolf clan hold. Steel led the band with Dire-Fang at his side, so they had made good time by traveling the old paths and trails through the territory. Familiar stone shapes loomed out of the unnaturally dark forest as Steel recognized the old gray-wolf clan hold. The guardian stones were cold now, and their ancient runes were defaced by strange claw marks. It was clear from the scattered wolf bones that a terrible battle had been fought here. "I did not want anyone else to see this... this graveyard," Steel growled angrily as he led the group through the ruins. He didn't want to admit it, but the distance between himself and Walker was bringing out Steel's feral nature.

Even Dire-Fang was unnerved by the sights and sounds of the clearing. "This place is unnatural brother," he whispered to the wolf ahead of him.

"Our fallen warriors have passed on brother. One small cub silenced their death cries for vengeance," Steel said as the war-band gathered around him.

"Steel, has the final rite been performed? Have you sung the death song for your clan?" Dire-Fang asked nervously. It was unnatural for wolves to neglect the duty to sing for the dead.

Steel looked saddened as he spoke, "in my haste to defeat the Humbaba I did not sing for the dead. Their souls might still linger on in some places, but I am sure that they will pass on once the coyotes are driven from these lands once and for all."

The wolves around him looked more than just a little upset. "We should sing brother," they said and even Dire-Fang seemed to agree.

"Danger aside, a death song will not only drive the dead away, but it could signal our position to any survivors that might still linger." Dire-Fang tried to sway his brother's mind with his words.

Steel didn't want to sing the death song. Not only did it mean he was letting go of the horrors that still haunted this place, but also his thirsting need to see his homelands restored. Letting the dead pass on was as much an insult to his clan as it was a blessing. Regardless, it didn't look like the other wolves would go any further until the song was sung. "We must go to the rune stones atop the clan hold and sing for the dead. This will be a long song brothers; as there are many souls that must be sung into the next world."

The other wolves seemed to be aware of the danger involved, and the time it would take to complete the song. Steel led the group through the grave yard of bones and broken pillars of stone. Each step made his heart heavier and angrier, but it wasn't until he reached the top of the hill that his heart broke again. There, on the elder stone, was the corpse of Steel's father and mother. Even worse, their flesh was still whole, and they seemed to have only just recently died! Steel snarled as he stepped onto the unholy ground atop the clan hold. "If we are to sing then we better do it now," Steel growled.

"Steel, they only just died a few days ago!" Dire-Fang said as he sniffed the air, "worse yet, their flesh has been... gnawed upon... as if something were eating them!"

Steel didn't care anymore about his anger. There was only sadness in his heart right now. The Shadow-Clan had obviously murdered any gray-wolves that had once remained. Even Steel's mighty parents had not survived. Steel didn't speak, but instead he lifted his head back and began the death song. The long ghostly howl was joined by the voices of the timber-wolves around him; eventually the whole clan hold echoed with the sound of the death song. It took hours for Steel to recite the song for ever pack in his clan, save one pack... his own. By the time he finished even the mighty Dire-Fang had trails of wet fur on his face. Before the last note had been sung every wolf, including young Black-Fang, had joined in the song.

The song of death seemed to echo around the hold as an icy cold wind began to blow around the wolves gathered atop the stone studded hilltop. The bones at their feet began to turn to dust and blow in the cold wind as it whipped around them like a tornado. In only a few short spine chilling minutes the wind blew away the last of the remaining bones. Even the recently killed bodies of the two Gray-Wolf elders turned to dust and joined the swirling mass of death. Through the wind Steel thought he could see his father and mother looking down at him. Their eyes were both happy and sad as they seemed to blow away into nothingness.

"By the three moons," Dire-Fang said in awe. "That was surely a sign of their passing into the next world brother!"

Steel nodded and was about to turn to leave when a black furred figure about as big as a wolf stepped onto the elder stone from the other side of the hill. "It's a pity you sang that damned death song. I thought we'd have bones to chew for a few years," the dog said and bared its teeth at Steel.

"Damned Coyote! Tell me before I kill you if any of my kin remain?" Steel growled.

"Only if you consider the steaming piles of our shit as your clan mates," the Coyote barked back.

Steel watched as more and more dogs joined the first, circling the war-band and then the clan hold itself. There had to be five score of the damned mongrels, which meant they had the war-band outnumbered by about four to one. Despite the odds Steel didn't think they would lose. These were warriors and long-fangs, not scared cubs and half-grown wolves! "You disrespect me," Steel said as he gave into the rage inside him. Dire-Fang and the other wolves sensed the fire burning inside Steel and took a few steps back as his wolf body began to change. "You consume the flesh of my blood parents!" Steel said as he outgrew the stones bordering the top of the clan hold. "And you dare try and attack me in my own former home? A place where my brothers and sisters died fighting a monster more powerful than the whole of your pathetic clan?"

The dog scoffed at the fourteen foot tall Long-Fang standing over him, "And who do you think sent the Humbaba to destroy your pathetic clan? If it hadn't run off to chase your sorry hide then it might have finished its job and killed the stupid timber-wolves as well! No matter how big you get, long-fang, you can't fight us all! You can't win against an army of my fellow coyotes. You will drown in a sea of our fangs and claws before you can even strike against us!" The Coyote growled as his eyes turned red and his body seemed to dissolve away into a black liquid mist.

There was an unnatural laughter from the hundreds of Coyote as they all turned from flesh to shadow. The unnatural wave of shadow crashed down on the wolves just as Dire-Fang shouted out a war cry. Dire-Fang and Red-Tooth swiftly changed shape to match Steel's massive form. Together they were almost as strong as the titanic gray wolf. The three biggest wolves barked commands to the other wolves as the warriors formed into a circle around their leaders. Every wolf in the war-band would gladly give his life to protect the two high-alphas with them.

The shadows surged forward with little warning or regard to the tight circle of fang and fur. So far the only wounds were bite and claw marks on the wolves, but if left this way for too long the whirling mass of shadows would eventually overwhelm them.

Steel fought hard, lashing out at the shadows with his claws and fangs, but his strength meant nothing here. Things looked pretty hopeless after only a few short minutes of fighting. All that kept the shadows away was a strange energy each wolf gave off. It was as if shadow alone was not enough to overcome the wolves when they were banded together like this. However, their defense was quickly waning, and if a weakness was not found soon... Steel feared there would be another large pile of bones for the Coyote to chew on.

Something in the distance distracted Steel from the writhing mass of shadows. Beyond the wall of darkness a faint light was glowing and the sound of a lone howl echoed through the swirling tornado of shadow energy. Before any of the wolves could act a huge warrior wolf burst through the wall of swirling darkness with a brilliant and savage howl. He landed just beyond the other wolves in the circle. "Brothers!" he yelled in a low angry voice. "You must howl! They fear our voices! Howl the song of Luna's light!" The wolf shouted and tilted his head back as he howled the first cord of the song of worship.

It was a howl that even a cub would know, a simple loving call for the moon's light to sooth a lonely wolf's heart. Regardless of whether it was the song or the strong voice that howled it, the shadows around the wolf instantly writhed in agony. They skittered away from the silver furred wolf as he sang. "Join him brothers!" Steel yelled and added his own voice to that of the new wolf.

Each voice that joined the chorus seemed to push the shadows back further and further. The sound of their howl eventually began to solidify as the wolves poured their souls into the song. The shadows seemed to act as a dampener; their mass caused the sound to fragment and echo through the capsule around the wolves.

The echoing sound reached an almost painful pitch as it echoed around the source of the song. Many of those assembled had never howled so long or hard before. In those last few moments, when the sound nearly became too much for the singers, the shadow seemed to exploded outwards into a hundred different pieces that all evaporated into violent puffs of smoke and shadow.

The resulting explosion of sound could be heard all the way back where Walker and the other wolves were sleeping. After defeating the mass of shadows the wolves made quick work of their remaining foes. In the aftermath of the battle Steel returned to normal size and wolf shape, the war band collected itself and checked for any lasting injuries. Aside from some nasty bite wounds and scratches there weren't any major injuries. Any wounds Steel had sustained were already healed regardless.

After he was sure everyone was still alive Steel turned to the mysterious gray-wolf. He was young, hardly much older than Black-Fang. He had nearly silver white fur that faded to a dull gray around his stomach and under his chin. It looked like he had seen many battles from his generally muscular build and numerous battle scars. His build and attitude defied lack of years; this was a wolf that had seen some tough times. "Speak your name gray-wolf," Steel instructed as he approached the newcomer.

"I am called Silver-Fang," he replied as he tucked his tail in respect to the massive gray-wolf elder standing before him.

"I thought all the gray-wolves were destroyed along with my mother and father," Steel said and looked to the elder stone where his parent's corpses had once lain.

"You...! You're Steel-Fur!" Silver-Fang exclaimed. "Your father spoke highly of you, and he held out till the very end hoping you would return."

Steel growled slightly and gave Silver-Fang a stern glare. "We do them no great service by speaking of them now. We have sung the death song, and their spirits have passed on," Steel said sternly. "Now answer my question. Are there any other survivors?"

"Yes my alpha, but only myself and three cubs remain. We were hidden by your mother's magic before the Shadow Clan struck," Silver explained. "More importantly your sister survived."

Steel went rigid, "I have a sister?"

Silver-Fang looked perplexed, "Didn't you know?"

"I was never told, I had only just returned from the great hunt when the Humbaba struck. I had not spoken to a gray wolf or any other wolf for nearly ten years," Steel replied.

"Than you will be pleased to know that she is well, her name is Blue-Brook and she's waiting in a secret chamber below the clan hold," Silver-Fang said and smiled when the frown on Steel's face melted.

"You will take me to her and the other survivors," Steel commanded and turned to face Dire-Fang. "I trust you and the war band can secure the area while we go to collect what's left of my clan?"

"It's the least I can do considering the bravery you gray-wolves have shown here today. We will do what we can to see the remainder of your clan brought to safety," Dire-Fang said and nodded respectfully to Steel.

"Thank you brother," Steel said and nuzzled Dire-Fang to show his appreciation. "Now we should hurry, the Shadow-Clan won't take this loss lightly," Steel said as Silver-Fang darted off down the hill. "Black-Fang, you're with me!" Steel said and the young black wolf nodded as he followed the alpha down the hill.

Silver-Fang hurried down a winding path towards the bottom of the clan hold and stopped at a large plain looking rock. "The elders enchanted this rock to only move at the touch of a true gray-wolf," Silver said as he placed a paw on the rock. Just as he had said the rock began to shift to the side.

Once the passageway was clear Silver hurried down the twisting tunnel with Steel and Fang close behind him. After descending a good thirty feet the tunnel opened into a large empty room that was lit by softly glowing bunches of moss that hung from the ceiling of the cave-like chamber. Steel recognized this place from his youth and from stories his mother had told him as a cub. On the sides of the walls were pictures of ancient gray-wolves fighting in famous battles. This was a very secret place, and it didn't surprise him that it was used as a safe haven like this.

One time, in his own youth, Steel had been brought here. It was back when his grandmother had still been alive. She had always liked Steel over the other cubs in his litter. She was always claiming he was special. She had brought him to the chamber for some sort of ritual, and she had supposedly seen a vision of greatness during the ancient rite. Steel had never seen what his grandmother had claimed to see, but he could remember the chamber well enough to know that it was sacred to his clan.

Silver-Fang made his way through the chamber to the back where three young wolf cubs were huddled together in a ball. The three cubs seemed a little surprised to see Steel and Black-Fang. They slowly uncurled and made their way over to the two new adult wolves. Tails tucked, the cubs made their way to Steel and then Black-Fang. After sniffing the cubs and licking them Steel had a good idea of their ages and health. All three were younger than Walker, but the female was the youngest. She was also the first to speak, "My name is Blue-Brook, but you can call me Brook," she said proudly with only a slight whine to her voice. "Who are you?" She asked Steel.

"I am called Steel-Fur. I am your brother," Steel said and licked her snout.

"Oh, well, I've never met you before, so I didn't know," she said and turned to Black-Fang. "Are you my brother too?"

"I am Black-Fang, and while I am considered noble through my pack I am not directly related to you lady Blue-Brook," Fang replied and licked the white furred cub tenderly.

"Well that's alright. I like you anyways. You remind me of Silver-Fang," she said and looked over at the silver furred wolf who nodded to the female in respect.

"I'm Tuff-Tusk!"

"I'm Ruff-Tusk!"

"Are you two twins?" Steel asked.

"Sure are," they said together.

"Yikes," Fang whispered to Steel. "Not too smart are they?"

Steel frowned at Fang, but his face confirmed his thoughts. "Is this it?" he asked sadly.

"Sorry my lord, I'm afraid these are the only cubs we saved. Your parents grabbed the twins and I grabbed Brook. We were the only six who survived the attack by the Humbaba and then..." Silver trailed off as he looked at the cubs. "I was watching the cubs that day when the alarm howl went up. The elders fought with their magic and fangs, but the Humbaba was too strong. They knew it was a hopeless fight so while your brothers fought the monster the elder mother and high-alpha ran into the warren where the cubs were hiding and told me to grab Brook and follow them!"

Steel growled as he reached down and picked up Brook. Without a word he carried the cub out. Fang and Silver grabbed Ruff and Tuff and followed Steel out. Outside the timber-wolf war band was waiting around the clan hold. Dire-Fang seemed surprised to see Steel emerge with a female. "By the mother wolf," he said as he bounded over to Steel. "A female Gray-Wolf still lives!"

Steel dropped the she-wolf and let Dire-Fang inspect her. "Dire-Fang," Steel said in his formal voice. "I formally request that you be the first mate of this female," Steel said and looked gravely at Dire-Fang.

"But Steel-Fur. That would make every gray-wolf a half breed. There wouldn't even be any real Gray-Wolves left!" Dire-Fang protested.

"Neither myself nor my pack mates can mate with her. She can never bear cubs from our line of long-fangs," Steel instructed.

"Than how will the gray-wolf clan be restored? How will you take back your lands?" Dire-Fang asked.

"We won't. You're people will eventually grow strong enough to split into two Clans. Only then will the gray-wolf line truly be re-forged," Steel said and continued to face Dire-Fang. "Also, I will take the rest of my pack and clan to another land far from here. Once the cubs have learned our ways from your clan we will leave your lands."

Dire-Fang was in shock, "but brother... will we ever see you again?"

"I do not know, but I should think I might have reason to return from time to time," Steel said sadly.

The two wolves stood with the female between them for a moment. Dire-Fang inspected her and then smiled to himself. "I thought I was lucky to have two females, but to have three is almost unheard of," he said to himself, "What is your name little one?"

"I am Blue-Brook!" She said proudly and allowed Dire-Fang to sniff her.

"Well little Blue-Brook, my females are going to be busy with a feisty gray-wolf like you in their hands," Dire-Fang said and smiled at the little she-wolf.

"They sure are! I can't wait to meet another female! I bet they're beautiful!" Dire-Fang smiled as he picked the little cub up in his mouth and nodded to Steel.

The war band traveled slower than they had earlier that day. Night was falling quickly and the shadows seemed to gather faster than Steel and Dire-Fang liked. The cubs remained quiet as they were carried through the woods. For any cub as young as Blue-Brook and the twins this must seem like a grand adventure. Most cubs live their first twenty years in the protective maze of the warren. The day had been long, and nobody had escaped without a few more scars and fresh wounds to show their pack mates. Eventually the timber-wolf clan loomed out of the oppressive shadows. It was a welcoming sight on such a grave occasion.

The elders had already put Walker to sleep when Steel arrived with Dire-Fang and the rest of his new pack. Moon, who already had a sleeping cub in her lap, traded Walker for either Tuff or Ruff. Snow took the other twin and Steel settled down with Walker in his arms. Dire-Fang curled up with Red-Tooth and Black-Paw took Blue-Brook. Steel was surprised when Silver-Fang paired up with a confused Black-Fang. They looked cute curled together in a sort of contrasting ball of fur colors.

Everything felt right for the moment and a feeling of peace settled over Steel and his young pack. He felt like things were finally looking up for him and the other wolves. Hopefully, with time, Walker and Fang would learn to be real wolves. Steel didn't know how long it would take for his pack to grow up, but he knew with time he would have a pack he could be proud of. For now though there was only sleep for the weary alpha.

Steel buried his face in Paw-Walker's fur and took a deep breath of his mate's scent. The coolness of winter quickly closed in on the two noble packs sharing the top rock of Timber-Wolf Hold. Walker burrowed deeper into Steel's arm and chest fur as the elder wolf slowly fell into a light slumber. Tomorrow the sun of Wolf World would rise on two packs, and Walker would begin his first real day as a wolf. Only time would tell what kind of wolf he would become, but thankfully Steel and Walker had plenty of time to learn and grow. Hopefully one day soon Walker would realize what Steel had already begun to understand. Steel needed Walker as much as Walker needed Steel. And, when Walker had mastered the wolf inside him, they could bring their new race of long-fangs back to earth where hopefully they could all master being human. It wouldn't be easy, but Steel knew it had to be done if this new pack could ever hope to survive. Maybe one day they could return to wolf-world, but somehow Steel knew this was only a small chapter in the story of the last gray-wolf pack.