I stand my ground By: Juniper A story about the wolves of Golden Tree Valley

Nava held her newborn babies close to her, overwhelmed with joy, she was silent, but her eyes showed how much she loved these young pups even though she had just met them a few minutes ago. Her green eyes stared lovingly at the tan and black puppies. One’s nose wriggled in it’s sleep, she couldn’t help laughing. But she quickly caught herself when realizing that he would probably grow up to be a warrior. The alpha-male stood by her side he said to Nava, “Which is the pick of the litter?” She said calmly, “Garnel”, and then wrapped her paw around the mostly tan pup. Nava licked the four other pups on the head and said goodbye. The alpha-male nodded solemnly, then gathered the rest of the pups and brought them to his mate. It was heart-breaking to watch your children being taken away. But she remained quiet and calm; she decided to think of something else. Garnel was an ancient name of her packs’ land meaning: truth. She closed her eyes and wished Garnel would grow to be truthful to her. She snuggled him close into her warm fur, and whispered to her baby, “Don’t be like your father”… n a great valley between two massive mountains a wolf pup was born… I

Pick of the Litter

Nava

Nava and Garnel

Garnel and Nava

Growing Older… Before Nava’s eyes, Garnel was growing up to be a strong, independent wolf. He had lost all of his brown color and was now pitch-black with a patch of white on his chest. Since his father was not around, Garnel depended on his mother, which was very tough for Nava. When Garnel was old enough to begin hunting, the alpha-male forbid her from teaching him. Females were not allowed to hunt. He suggested she find a teacher for the pup. No male had time to teach a naive wolf like Garnel, so Nava instead taught him how to speak; not only the modern wolf language but also: traditional, Greek, ancient, panther, and Egyptian-dog. He was doing well for his age. But it still made Nava’s heart brake seeing Garnel with his father’s eye color, a deep scarlet. Garnel loved to frolic with the other wolf pups in his pack. He didn’t realize that four of them were his brothers and sisters. The older pups taught him how to pounce on small game like rabbits and mice. Garnel was the only pup in his pack that could speak other languages…

<Kainite <Sarbo Garnel> Windsong> Garnel> <Garnel <Narcissi

“Da Bore. 'n glws ddiwrnod achos helfa dont dybi?”, repeated Garnel. “Very Good!”, Nava stated excitedly. “Ma. When are you going to teach me to hunt? All of my friends are going on their first elk hunt next week! And I haven’t even started!!”, Garnel said impatiently. Nava sighed. “I’m sorry Garnel, but master won’t let me teach you…” “You never told me that! I thought you were just stalling…I’ll go talk to him.”, Garnel began to walk away. Nava shouted after him, “Don’t anger him!!” Garnel had never talked to Beng in person or face-to-face. He always admired him from afar, a noble, strong, and fearless leader. Maybe Garnel would be like Beng one day… Lesson Learned…

Garnel strode up to the 175 pound alpha-male, while he was only 104. He calmly questioned, “Why can’t my mother teach me to hunt?”. Beng glared at him. Beng barked at him, “Females have NO strength, they are WEAK! Weak I tell you!! If you want a proper teaching find a male with TALENT!!”. Garnel had stepped back, of fear of being struck. He averted his eyes from the widened eyes of the alpha, and said, “But my ma has loads of talent, I’ve seen her take down an elk when you were sleeping…” Beng’s eyes flashed and his teeth bared. He jolted towards Nava and grabbed her neck and threw her to the ground. Garnel jumped on Beng, but got jerked off. He quickly returned to his feet and positioned himself in front of his mother. Beng lunged forward and Garnel went for his neck. Again Garnel was thrown to the ground. Other wolves from the pack gathered to watch the fight. Beng clawed at Nava’s face, neck, and shoulders. Nava cried out, “I’m sorry!-I’m sorry master-Please-!!” Garnel rammed Beng, he stumbled, then pushed Garnel again. Garnel stood strong and rammed him again. Beng lashed at cut Garnel’s face. Nava harshly shouted at Beng in Egyptian-dog. Garnel didn’t recognize the angry words, but he knew she was mad and hurt. Garnel dug his fangs into Beng’s shoulder and Beng yelped and backed away. He limped over to Nava and lunged at her rib cage, listened to the rewarding SNAP! He smiled then rolled off laughing. Nava screaming with agony. Garnel hurriedly gathered up his mother and brought her away from the menace. The Fight

Garnel carried his bludgeoned mother on his sturdy shoulders to a field far away from Beng. “Ma? Are-are you ok? Are your ribs broken? Ma?” She stuttered, “Beng……….Beng is-----go get away from Beng…..go-far away…g-”, and she died just like that, her eyes glassed opened and her head drooped, she died in front of her pup, and he didn’t know what to do. “Ma? Mom!? MA!!?!?!” He laid by her side all night. He didn’t know if she would come back, but he promised that he would fulfill her wish and leave the pack. When the long night finally ended, he awoke and sat in front of his deceased mom. Garnel howled for her, and heard no reply. He was alone. He licked Nava’s head and walked away. Into nothingness. Garnel didn’t know how long he had been walking since he left Nava, but he was tired, and parched. Garnel couldn’t go on any longer and collapsed in the never ending field. Dreams of Nava filled his head. The Death of Nava

“Hey. Are you ok?” Garnel opened his teary eyes to see a white wolf looking down at him, head-cocked. Garnel replied, “I-I think so…” She replied, “You’re covered in blood. You’re not okay.” He attempted to rise but fell to the ground. The white wolf got down in front of him and started licking the gash on his face. He jerked his head back and yelped. “It’s gonna sting, just relax” Garnel tried to, but it hurt so bad. She stopped tending to his wounds, “My name’s Kai, by the way, I’m from, or WAS from, the Articas.” Garnel asked, “You’re a snow wolf?” “Yes” “Wow. I’ve never met a snow wolf before. I’m Garnel, of the Golden Tree Valley.” “You’ve come a long way, haven’t you Garnet” “Garnel” “Oh sorry” “Um...where am I?” “North Canada” “Canada!?”, Garnel stood in shock. “Yeah. Good thing I found you or you woulda froze to death.” “…death…”, he repeated. She waited. “My mother died yesterday, Beng killed her. She told me to get away from him before she died.” “I’m very sorry…” She continued to lick his wounds. “Me too…” A Savior

* Kai and Garnel * * Kai and Garnel – Best Friends *

Three Words It had been three weeks together. Kai taught Garnel to hunt, and Garnel taught Kai to speak other languages. In Golden Tree Valley marriages were arranged, but Garnel had left before he was assigned. He had the power to choose his own destiny. He loved Kai, he knew it, but he wasn’t sure how she felt about him. He also didn’t know how marriages were approved in the Articas tribe. ~ The pain is killing me thought Kai to herself. I need to know if Garnel likes me. I like him, but I can’t ask him; it just doesn’t work that way. Maybe I’ll drop some hints. Kai sighed aloud, Garnel heard her. “What's wrong?”. She had to think quick. “oh nothing I’m just…tired.” “No your not I can tell when your lying” Kai sighed again, then snuggled up next to Garnel. Garnel whispered in her ear, “I love you.”

Garnel loves Kai Kai loves Garnel

Two years later…

Garnel + Kai = Dingo, Gunther, Shri, and Mango

~*Kai and Pups*~

Back at Golden Tree Valley… “You worthless coward!!”, Beng shrieked as he threw his student to the ground. “If you can’t attack a rabbit then you won’t be able to hunt the elk!!!”. “I’m sorry Beng! I just can’t focus!!” “WHAT!??” “I just can’t hunt small game!! I want to fight…Other wolves!! I know it sounds strange but-” “You want to fight…other wolves? Rixer!! RIXER! You genius!!” “Genius?” “Yes!”, puts paw around Rixer’s neck and whispers, “how about you be my hit man?” “Your hit man, sir?” “Yes, an old foe of mine ran off a few years back. I want you to find him…and kill him.” Rixer smiles. “You’ve got a deal, Beng. Who do you want me to find?” “His name is Garnel. He’s a large black male with a white splash on his chest, scar across this face.” “Deal, I’ll be back, with a dead body.” He said under his breath, “But first I’ll go say good-bye to Nakita.” ~ “Nakita? You awake?” “Yea what’s up?” “Babe, Beng sent me on a quest, I’m going to be gone for a while. I came to say good-bye.” “What!? Master sent you on a QUEST!? Where? Why?” “Sorry Hun but I cant release that. Good-bye.” She came crying into his arms, “How long will you be gone?” “I don’t know” He kissed her head and walked away nose in the air, searching for a scent.

Garnel’s Left Home Alone “Is something wrong Garnel?” “No honey, I just feel a little weird today.” “Maybe you should get some rest. I’ll take the kids to the lake, to go fishing. You just relax here.” “Thanks Kai.” Garnel was feeling on the edge that day like he was being watched. It wasn’t long before he fell fast asleep. Garnel awoke when he heard breathing above his head. “Kai is that you?” The breathing continued. “Kai?” Garnel looked up. There was a strange, and very angry looking wolf staring at him. “Who are you?” Garnel stood up quickly. “Remember Beng?” Garnel growled. “I’m his Hit-man!” Rixer jumped at Garnel. Garnel side-stepped and Rixer fell to the ground. “I see your one of Beng’s students.” Rixer bared his fangs. He lunged at Garnel again and ripped his neck flesh. Garnel yelped and bucked Rixer off, clawing his shoulders and back. Rixer kicked and scratched and howled with anger, he was a very loud fighter. Garnel, on the other hand, played it step-by-step. Garnel rammed his head into Rixer’s. That knocked him against the cave wall, Garnel was knocked back too. Garnel could feel a large gash on his neck bleeding profusely. Rixer had blood pouring out of his mouth. Garnel roared and dug his fangs into Rixer’s shoulders then slammed him into the wall. Garnel heard the terrifying SNAP of Rixer’s ribs. He fainted and Garnel stared at the butchered wolf in his cave, then fell to his knees in exhaustion, barely breathing.

Rixer VS Garnel Garnel VS Rixer

I hope Garnel’s alright… Mommy! Mommy! Momma! Mama!

Repent Garnel stood up in pain, his face was swelled up, paws covered in blood, ears bleeding, everything sounded muffled, and his neck was surging in pain. He lifted his pounding head and gazed at this so called “Hit-man” of Beng. All of his blood was dried to his face, neck, shoulders and feet. His face was covered with bloody-vomit. His stomach was collapsed, he was just barely breathing. Garnel looked around his once tidy, orderly and beautiful cave to see blood smeared and splattered all over the walls and ground. He hoped Kai and the kids would stay at the river all day so he could clean up and get this wolf out of his house. His head drooped and he coughed. More blood fell to the floor. Garnel’s head remained down, eyes closed he spoke slowly, “Who are you?” His eyes half-opened and he stuttered, “Rixer”, he wheezed loudly and finished, “Of Golden Tree… Valley” Garnel didn’t move, “Beng, sent you.” “Yes” “And now look at you half-dead on the ground, saying your last words to the enemy of Beng. I suppose you have a family, a woman, perhaps a pup, there is no way you could possibly go there to met them again. Your dead and I didn’t kill you, Beng did.” Rixer gave out a small sob and said, “Tell Nakita… I love her” Garnel peered into the dying eyes of Rixer just as he had done when his mother was dying. Garnel sat up, and watched Rixer die, he didn’t call for help, he didn’t give him air, he just sat there and watched. Rixer’s eyes closed, his lungs stopped moving, his brain stopped working. Garnel limped over to the mouth of the cave and sat there watching the sights of autumn. Garnel looked back over his shoulder at Rixer and shook his head. Garnel looked to the sky “Can you hear me Nava? Look what I’ve become! Guide me, mother!!”

Look what I’ve Become…

Garnel slowly stood regaining balance as he did so, he wobbled over to Rixer’s maimed and bloody carcass he picked it up stumbled at the taste of blood in his mouth and threw the body on his back. He had to get rid of the evidence before his family came home. Garnel limped out of his cave, through the trees, the forest, and picked a nice spot, far away from home, in the tall grass. He slid Rixer’s body off of his back and covered him up with a few leaves and branches. Garnel had no time to sit and fell sorry. He ran as fast as he could back to the cave. Kai and the pups still weren’t home. Garnel remembered the hunter that came by a year back that was only a few yards away, pretty close to the lake. There he could soak up some water in the man’s clothing and wash down himself and the cave. Garnel was throbbing in pain but the look on his kid’s faces if they saw the sight of the murder would hurt much more than his throbbing head or achy limbs. Garnel pushed himself to get to the lake he removed the coat off of the decaying human and dunked it in the lake then jogged back to his house. Finally he made it back to the cave, Garnel speedily wiped the blood off of the walls and ground. He tossed the jacket on the floor and rolled on it to get the dried blood off of his fur. Garnel ran out off the mouth of the cave and tossed the jacket in a crevice. He then grabbed some dirt, grass, and leaves to cover the stains on the floor. But right as he was about to run outside to get more leaves to put in the house Kai walked up the hill and said, “What’s the hurry, Garnel? Is something wrong?” Hiding the Evidence

“Oh nothing, honey, just getting some exercise”, Garnel lied, as he slowly walked, disguising his limp, to go greet the children. In unison they all cheered, “Hey Daddy! We all caught the fish! To eat for supper!! Its a big fish! You wanna see it Daddy?” “Why sure! Where is the sucker?” Kai dropped the salmon on the ground it flopped, gasping for air. The kids gathered around it tackling it, pawing it, and laughing. Kai walked over and stood beside Garnel, she licked his cheek and they both watched their pups play. ~ Kai was skilled in making fires, having lived in the freezing regions of the Arctic's. Dingo, Gunther, Shri, and Mango sat around the fire watching the fish simmer in the flames. “Garnel, why aren’t you eating?” Garnel had to think quick, “Don’t worry Kai, I’m not sick, I’m just not hungry I caught a rabbit when you were fishing.” “Oh, ok”, Kai said with a sigh. “Gunther watch the fire while me and your dad take a walk, okay?” “Ok mum”, Gunther said, puffing out his chest. “Come on Garnel…” Hidden from the Truth

“What is it, Kai?”, Garnel stuttered in pain. “I know what happened, I saw you drag that wolf into the woods. I kept the kids down by the river so they wouldn’t see.” Garnel sighed. “Who was that?” “I don’t really know, he came and told me that Beng sent him. I believe his name was Rixer.”, Garnel admitted. “What did he want? And are you okay?” “Beng wants a rematch, and I’m fine, Kai” “No your not”. “This reminds me of when we first met” “Oh Garnel.”, Kai sang as she began to lick his forehead. “I’m going to have to go back to Golden Tree Valley” “Why?” “I need to, to avenge my mother” “If you think that’s best, honey, but please, please be careful.” “I will, I promise” Kai began to lick Garnel’s shoulder wound, She moved down his back, climbing over to the other side. Garnel turned over on his back and hold Kai on top if him. “Don’t make this, Good-Bye, Garnel”, Kai said beginning to cry. “Don’t cry Kai, I’ll be back.” Walk with Me

The Journey Kai wrapped cloth around Garnel’s sore paws and around his achy shoulder. Garnel kissed Kai good-bye, licked his four pups on the head and left on his long trek back to North Montana. Garnel walked a few steps, stopped, and glanced back at his family. Shri and Mango were in tears, Gunther and Dingo just sat there, motionless. Kai sat close to her pups comforting them, giving a small, sad smile up to him. Garnel returned a fake smile and walked on. He walked through the forest then picked up a trot in the big-field. Garnel made it obvious that he was determined to get to Golden Tree Valley as fast as possible. ~ Garnel only stopped once to drink some water from a puddle and fix his bandages. He was so tired by the time it got dark, that he collapsed with his head between his paws, while wiping the dirt off of his face. Garnel was awoken by a loud “crashing” sound. “What the-!?”, Garnel shrieked soaking wet. “Oh good Felix, I better find shelter..” Garnel had no protection from the storm.

The Storm Without any cave to take shelter in, Garnel could easily be struck. “I’ve got to think quick, and be resourceful…forget that…RUN!” Garnel ran for the woods. Quick, quick, quick, thought Garnel. CRASH! Lightning struck a nearby tree which almost immediately caught on fire, he dodged the flames and ashes and ran further into the woods. CRASH! Struck the ground behind him. Garnel felt like the storm was following him. “Why me, Felix!?”, Garnel howled into the dewy air. CRASH! Garnel’s bandaged paws hit the earth in unison with his heartbeat. A huge bolt of light flashed in front of him. Panting wildly, nostrils flaring, eyes shining, he dived onto the ground and dodged the lightning-bolt. Chest expanding out as far as it could go, Garnel gasped in huge gulps of air, legs stretched high in the air. Garnel’s eyes closed and he fell to one side, collapsing in fatigue. ~ Garnel shook awake, he was so hot, he couldn’t move. He opened his weary eyes and saw a strange tan-ish wolf with a feather behind her ear looking down at him. “Well, hello Sleeping Beauty!”, she exclaimed cheerily. “Where…am I? Who are…you?” “Oh you poor little thing, you. I’m Hutakei-Maw of the Scorch-flame tribe.” “An Indian tribe?” “Yes, young traveler, now rest your head and let me tend your wounds Good-warrior.” `

The Scorch-flame Tribe Hutakei-Maw took very good care of Garnel, she re-wrapped his paws, stitched up his open wounds from his battle with Rixer, and healed his burns and bruises. “How could I ever thank you enough, Hutakei?”, Garnel said as he bowed before his healer. “Oh Good-warrior, It was my duty to heal you, Felix and wolf spirit scent you to me. Come, come, Good-warrior, come to Sabbog.” “It would be my pleasure.” Sabbog was a native-tribe’s way of worshipping the spirits and the almighty Felix. They bowed and prayed before the tribe’s totem pole, then ceremoniously danced around it.” Garnel followed along with their rituals although he had not the same customs. “Sobeit”, all of the tribe members finished simultaneously. The alpha-male stood in front of the totem pole and announced, “Our great healer and speaker to spirits would like to proclaim the appearance of a friendly-stranger in our lands.” Hutakei-Maw stood in the place where the alpha had just been and stated, “We have one of far-away places worshipping the good Felix,” “Sobeit”, said all of the tribe members at the same time. “He is strong of feature, mind, and strength, agile and cunning is he also. I would like to make known a nomad of the states: Good-warrior Garnel.” All of the wolves howled with praise. Garnel stood and bowed feeling better than ever.

Scorch-flame Ceremony

Back at Waybrooke Kai sat stooped over Garnel’s post (a stump Garnel sat on when looking for elk or watching over the kids) sobbing in the snow. It had been over four weeks and Garnel sent no sign of existence. Kai had given up hope. “I just can’t live with this pain of not knowing if he’s still alive, It’s killing me!” Mango tip-toed up to her mother and nuzzled into her leg. “Don’t worry, Mommy, Daddy’s still alive, I can feel it.”

Faith “What is wrong, Good-warrior? Why you not eating your welcome fruit and salmon?”, questioned Hutakei-Maw. “I-i just miss my family…” “Oh, Good-warrior, you must be strong, you have miles to go still and you can show no weakness when facing your enemy. You will go back to your family, good-” “How do you know that!?,” Garnel snapped, “What if I don’t come back!? Huh!?” “Oh, Good-warrior, you can’t be so angry. I have faith in you. Come, eat up you must eat and rest well before you go again. Safi! Kirra! bring our guest a platter of fine fruit and fish.” Two lovely young wolves sauntered over to Garnel balancing the platter of food on their backs. They placed the array of treats in front of him. “Does he need aiding of the feeding?”, one asked Hutakei-Maw, “No, he is a warrior he is strong does not need help, now be off with you!” Both trotted away, and Hutakei pushed the plate closer to Garnel’s mouth. “I must be off as well, Good-Warrior now eat your foods, rest your head, and be on your way. Sobeit, Good-Warrior. I have faith in you.” “Sobeit, Hutakei-Maw, and so long.” ~ Garnel ate some of the fresh food, and then slept for a good fifteen minutes. His dreams consisted of Kai, his pups, and Nava. He awoke, wrapped his paws up once more, and then walked solemnly on south. I won’t stop until I see the Golden Trees after I get over the great hills, he said to himself. “Good-bye scorch-flame, and HERE I COME BENG!”, Garnel roared into the air. Garnel burst into a full on sprint and was on his way, back to his homelands.”

On the Horizon It was early morning on a powdery day in February, Beng remained sleeping under an oak tree, a hunter a came up to his resting body and whispered, “Sir, sir, wake up”, Beng woke up, but while doing so snapped his teeth right in the hunter’s face and growled, “WHAT!? Could be SO important to wake ME up BEFORE SUNRISE!?!??!” “I’m so sorry, sir, but there’s an intruder alert guards posted on the outskirts have detects an unknown scent, a wolf, coming over the hills” Beng unclenched his teeth and said, “An unknown scent, you say. Take me to head-quarters I wanna get a piece of this.” Beng and Sgt. Roarue walked up to the big hill, known as head quarters, and just as they did so a wolf’s silhouette appeared on a hill coming out of the woods. Beng, drew in a whiff of the unidentifiable wolf’s scent. “My…good sprits, It’s my old buddy, Garnel! Here to visit me, aww how sweet. Bring it on old boy…” “So your saying, let him pass?” “Yes, Roarue, send out the signal tell me when he’s in the nuke. I’m going to take a nap.” “Yes, sir.” Aroooooooooo, Sgt. Roarue let out the signal to inform the stranger was a brother of the pack, he got four replies. “All’s in order, captain, he said to the wolf walking up behind him. “Good, sergeant. Your in charge for the week, my wife is having our puppies and I need to be there. And this Garnel figure, is no friend of Beng’s more like an enemy, from what my father told me; post some guards in the nuke.” “Yes, captain.”

We Meet Again A large grey wolf greeted Garnel on the closest hill to the valley, “Hello, stranger, I am Sergeant Roarue, we welcome you to our lands.” “Humph”, he replied, “If you’re welcoming me then why do you have guards posted at every corner.” “A precautionary, strange-wolf, we are a very protective pack…come let me escort you down to the valley.” “No thanks Sarg. I can find it on my own. But you can tell me this: Is Beng still alpha here?” “Yes, his family’s been in charge for centuries, why ask?” Garnel paused and then said,“I’m his son.” Garnel left the so-called Sergeant at his post and walked down the hill, himself. He was greeted by another guard, For Felix’s sake!, “You the wolf on the hill?” “That’s me, who’s askin’?” “I’m just a sentinel, sir, Beng’s the one looking for you.” “Where is he?”, Garnel said, holding back a growl “Right over there”, the wolf said pointing to the same oak tree Beng slept under when Garnel was part of the pack with his mother. Garnel said nothing and walked over to Beng, he could see his figure sitting on a rock under the tree. Garnel walked right up to his face, teeth bared, eyes glowing. “So, we meet again”, said Beng, calm. “Looks like someone got control of that anger-management problem.” Beng stood up, clearly angered, but caught himself and said, “Hmm…clever, I see my hit-man paid a good toll on you”, indicating Garnel’s bandaged feet, where is the fellow anyway?” “I killed him.” “No, not sweet little puppy Garnel.”, said Beng, mockingly. “I’m not who I used to be, I’m stronger, and smarter; I obviously took nothing from my father’s side.”, Garnel said. “What are you saying, dog.”, Beng whispered, tensing up. “Hey dad”, Garnel simply said before lunging at Beng and grabbing hold of his neck.

Father against Son Many wolves rushed over, most sentinels and guards to stop the fight, but every time they came close Beng lashed at them to stay back. “THIS IS MY FIGHT!”, Beng yelled. “So the fight continues,” said the captain to another elder. “Oh my! You don’t mean to say this is the pup that tried to save his mother years ago?”, said the elder in reply. “You bet, and I heard that the young one is Beng’s son.” “You don’t say, well we better stick around for this one, who knows we might get a new alpha here, and get rid of that nasty tyrant.” “Now wouldn’t that be the day, we best just sit down and wait to see who wins.” Beng had gotten Garnel on the ground, but Garnel kicked him off. Beng tumbled to the ground. Garnel darted to Beng, who was slowly getting up and grabbed a big chuck of his throat in his mouth and yanked him to his feet; Beng gagged and jerked his head back, releasing himself. Beng lunged for Garnel, but he jumped into the air and landed on Beng’s back, clawing into his sides and pulling him to the ground again. Beng threw his head back biting Garnel’s throat but in turn smashed his head into Garnel’s jaw, knocking him out momentarily. Garnel seized the moment, backed up and sprinted at full speed, to ram into Beng’s rib cage. For the third time in his life, Garnel heard the treacherous SNAP of ribs breaking. Beng howled in agony, neck stretching out, legs kicking out at his sides, lungs going mad. Garnel felt so good, but then he remembered his mother and how much pain she had to go to but once more he thought of who made her get into so much pain…Beng…his father, his father? How could such a wonderful mother and pack-member-in-general deal with such a horrible man? Garnel let Beng’s pain soak in. “Goodbye you horribly awful wolf, good riddance.

A Tough Decision The crowd of wolves around the fight scene was struck dumb-founded that someone finally killed the beast that ran their lands for the longest time. Garnel stood looking down at his kill. The guards and sentinels passed a glance from one to the other then two rushed in and hauled Garnel in between them, both grabbed his scruff in their fangs. Garnel didn’t lash at them; the two sentinels dragged the alleged “murderer” to head-quarters and said to the sergeant, “What should we do with him? Let him go? Dub him alpha? Lock him up? …Execute him?” “You say you are son of Beng.”, questioned Sgt. Roarue. Garnel looked up, “Yes, I was.” Roarue stood there for a moment, not saying anything, he looked at the guards and said, “Ask him. One should get to choose their own destiny”, the sergeant turned back around and gave a long howl informing the lands of the death of their king. Garnel kept his head down, he didn’t know how to feel, what to do. He knew he had to contact his family, he wanted to stay with his family, yet thoughts ran through his mind: Should I just end it now, put an end to the pain and misery? Finally after a long, uncomfortable pause, “I have a family they need to know I’m okay, I want to get their opinion.” “We have no time, Garnel, we can’t continue a pack without leadership.” “THEN YOU TAKE IT THEN!?! I need to get back to my mate and kids.” “NO! I am not worthy of such a high position, you must be alpha.” “Don’t make me kill you too! I don’t want to live in this awful land, I need to get back to Waybrooke.” “Waybrooke? In Canada!?...You came all the way to Montana to kill your father then leave?” “No! I came to avenge my mother! Beng killed my mother! I couldn’t live with knowing that he could do the same thing to someone else…I can’t take the position. Now, Goodbye.” “But who will take the alpha-role?” “Whoever wants it.”, he yelled over his shoulder while walking back North. “What a strange wolf…”

Loneliness Kai sat on Garnel’s post like she did everyday looking over the tree-tops into the big field, Kai looked for a small black silhouette come over the hill tops, but it never came. It had been around 5 months, almost half a year, since Garnel left her. “Oh please, Garnel, come back, you’re not dead, you’re too strong, you have to be alive; for your kids, for me…please”, Kai cried. Her kids could hear her pleas. “Man, I just can’t listen to her in so much pain, I want to go up there and comfort her, but I just don’t know what to say.”, said Shri to Gunther. “Tell me about it, she’s been like this forever; I wonder if she’ll ever get better.”, added Dingo. “I wonder if dad will ever dome back.”, said Mango with a sigh. “I don’t know, sis, but I hope, we all hope he will.” The kids were all getting older, they were strong, smart, and good hunters. Next year, they were old enough to leave home, and start a new pack, but they couldn’t leave their mother like this. They all vowed to stay with mom as long as they could until dad got back. Kai was hysterically crying again, “Oh, I just can’t listen to that, It’s so sad and frightening. I’m going to the lake; I can’t stand it.”, said Mango, “I’ll come with you”, said Dingo. Shri sighed and said, “Do you want me to go up there and talk to her?” “No, she needs time by herself, mum feels guilty when we see her cry.” “Okay, lets catch up with Mango and Dingo.” “Fine.”

The twins – Mango and Dingo Gunther – Gray wolf Shri – Black wolf

A Shadow in the Distance Kai sat on Garnel’s post all day, she fell asleep and slept through the night. When morning came, the kids went up to Garnel’s post and helped their mother into the cave. “You have to stop falling asleep up there, here lay on this soft grass and dirt.”, said Dingo. “Thanks kids.” She laid there motionless, eyes open, Kai sighed, “No. I just need to be outside, it’s my-my comfort zone. Thank you for caring for me but I just like it out there.” Kai picked up a mouthful of grass-straw and brought it up to Garnel’s post. The children looked at her with sadness, she was loosing weight, Kai needed to eat and sleep; but she couldn’t, she needs to hear word of her mate. The children left Kai alone, after being rejected while trying to help her. Again she did not come down for hours, the kids were hunting mice near the lake when they heard their mother scream. All came running. Kai was sprawled over the edge of the cave eyes locked on the hills. Shri looked to the hills, “Guys, she’s just hallucinating…Oh my lord! DAD! Dad! HE’S BACK!!” Kai jumped down from Garnel’s post and ran at full speed into the woods. Shri, Mango, Dingo, and Gunther following after. The mysterious wolf coming over the hill was walking slow, with a limp, thy could not yet tell if it was truly him. Kai and her children came bolting out of the mouth of the woods into the field, the unidentified wolf saw them approaching he began to trot to them. “Garnel!!”, shouted Kai…

Reunion “KAI!!”, Garnel screamed back. “It really is you!!!”, Kai cried. Garnel and Kai embraced, neither let go, both had tears streaming down their face. “I missed you so much.”, whispered Garnel. “I did too.” There was a long pause, they both just sat there, hugging, crying. Finally Kai said, “Please never leave us again.” “Oh, trust me, I never want to again.” They kissed once more and Garnel turned to his pups. “These aren’t my pups! They’re so OLD!” They all gathered around him and gave him a group hug “You’ve all been taking care of your mother?” “Yes daddy”, they all said. Garnel smiled and sighed a happy sigh, “Come on lets go home.” ~ “Wow, I could barely even remember what home looked like. It’s good to be here”, Garnel said with a smile, Kai close to his side. “I just can’t believe you’re here, it’s been so long.” I know.” “But Mommy, never gave up hop, dad, she sat on your log, everyday.”, Mango said. “You…waited…for me?”, Garnel said in shock. Kai just looked at him, into his scarlet eyes. They were full of happiness, disbelief, and love. “Yes, everyday.” Garnel picked Kai up in his arms and swung her around. “My darling! I thought you would have given up on me! I doubted you, your faith, and I’m sorry. I love you so much! I will never leave you, and the kids, ever again. Hold me to my word mi amore!” , sang Garnel, with passion in his eyes. Kai smiled, Garnel melted her heart. Finally together again.

The End