Chapter 18 The Man and trouble

I was back in the Balkas territory. I had four days left and I was only half a day away from the mountain. I would take my time. I had started to get hungry. I was hunting some mice when I smelled some meat. I sniffed again. Yes it was indeed meat. I started to follow the smell. I came around a big boulder and saw the deer carcass.

I licked my chops. I was indeed hungry. All the running I had done had made my body absorb the nutrients a lot faster. I walked toward the deer. It had the smell of other wolves on it but maybe the Balkas had caught a deer and feasted on it real quick before returning to the mountain. I walked toward it.

In a flash I felt a snapping pain that went away very fast. I turned and looked at my left hind leg. There was some sort of material around it that was a wire. I was caught fast in a wire snare. The snare kept me just out of reach of the deer. I moved a little to try and find a way to get my leg out when another pain ruptured in my right hind leg. The pain quickly vanished but I knew that I was caught in another wire snare trap. The wire part was connected to a chain that was connected to the ground with stakes. So it wasn't like I couldn't move.

The feeling of the wire around my legs drove me crazy though. It was an ancient reaction to being trapped. I tried to stay calm. I did my best to lay down in a way it would tighten the wire which I found out when I pulled a little on the right on. It had bite a bit further in my flesh but didn't break it. I lay down without putting tension on the traps. I just waited for a miracle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My miracle came in another way then expected. A man came through the trees muttering to himself. He was talking about something called money when he saw me. I let out a growl. Just what I needed when I had a deadline to make. The man walked closer to me. He slowly pulled something out of his pocket. It was a muzzle for a dog but all he need was to make sure I couldn't bite him.

I didn't know what it was for so I just stood there waiting for the man to kill me. When he sprung I wasn't expecting him to put it on my muzzle. He quickly buckled the muzzle on. I thrashed my head back and forth. This caused me to move my legs trying to get it off. Then I felt the pain of the wire in both legs. I dropped down panting. The man stood there deep in thought. He brought a chain into view. He clipped it around my neck and connected the other end to his belt. Then he slowly took off the traps.

Immediately I tried to get away just to find I wasn't going anywhere without the human. The human walked over to a tree that had a stump close by. He pulled the chain around the tree and connected it to itself making it impossible for me to get away. The man sat on the stump muttering to himself.

He was saying, "I wonder what I should do. It's illegal to hunt and kill wolves. Should I just release or fallow my fathers as wolfers" Then the man fell silent.

I looked into his mind. He was thinking the words, "Should I just kill it or torture it like the wolfers did. I remember my grandpa telling me and showing me how to hunt, torture, and kill wolves. I could muzzle it and let it go to starve to death. I could just slit its throat. I could poison it. I could use its urine to attract other wolves. I could skin it and let it go if it lives"

I exited his mind. I didn't like the way he was thinking. With every thought they got worse and I could see in his minds eyes what each one meant. I looked at the man. The man stood up. I didn't notice but he had put a backpack down and now he was rummaging through it. My heart was leaping to great heights. When the man turned around he had some wire and a needle. He walked over to me.

I let out a muffled growl. He knelt down besides me and poked me with the needle. I could feel the stuff he used mix with my blood. He sat back down on the stump. I started to feel sleepy. After a while I was still conscious but I couldn't move. He walked over and undid the buckle on the muzzle. He then took the wire and wrapped it around my muzzle. He then used a tool I didn't see to twist the two ends together. As he twisted it the wire burrouded more into my skin. He only stopped when I jumped even when I wasn't spossed to.

Then the man took the chain off me and left. As he left I could sense that he did feel a little guilty. After about two human hours I was able to move. I could tell that I wasn't going to get the wire off my muzzle. This lead to one thing. Starvation.

Chapter 17 The surprise of fear!

I was rested up within a few minutes. I had to keep moving away from Stella's mountain. The air in the area felt very thick with fear and darkness. I kept on moving in the direction away from the Balkas lair when I heard a snap. There were two Balkas wolves in front of me. They were about twenty feet from each other. I started to panic. Then I had an idea. If I could control minds then I might be able to shut down their senses momentarily.

I concentrated on the two wolves, then I slowly took away their senses. First hearing, then taste, smell, touch and lastly sight. The two wolves automatically started to freak out after they lost their sense of touch. When I took away their sense of sight . . . they both froze. I walked passed them and ran off. Then when I was out of sight I let go of their senses. I had grown tired from holding their senses and running at the same time.

I slowed to a trot. I was finally escaping! I was free to find my brothers and sister. I was starting to feel better when I got the vision.

I jumped in surprise when I saw Stella all of a sudden . . . sitting in front of me on her throne. Then I realised it was a vision. Stella spoke, "Tuff you are getting very good using your powers but I don't think you will be running away for very long"

"Why" I asked.

"Because I have something that your survival depends upon"

"What?"

"You don't know the name of the power levels that I have explored. But I do know. And so I shall tell you . . . so you are informed. First, the first power is to enhance the senses, then Number two, look into the past, then number three, the future, then number four, you can look into minds, then number five, control them, then number six, you can heal but that is dangerous for it takes a lot of your energy, then number seven, you can control the elements, that is why the seasons are always changing I am controling them, then finally the last level of power I have explored is number eight, the ability to travel through time"

"What!"

"Yes and I have gone to the past and taken something that you will desperatly need"

"W-"

"What is it? It is your father, as a wolf cub"

"D-dad ?"

"Yes your dad" The pane of view widened and grew. I saw a back. The bag moved every now and a then. Then I saw the inside. I could see a little wolf cub about three months old. The wolf cub was curled up and breathing hard. Then the view went back to Stella. "All you have to do, Tuff, is come back. When you do I will return him to before I took him and he will get absorbed by the Bran of that time and he will remember nothing"

"And if I don't"

"Oh, a fatal blow to the head, or a rock falling on him, or suffocation, or dropped off a cliff, will happen and your dad, you, Moge, Gartm and Salka will cease to exist"

I paused. Was I going to make a very bad or good mistake.

"Ok, I'll come back. But I will take my time and pull back all the Balkas. You also have to put my dad back. Deal?"

"On one condition. You have to be here in five days"

"Ok. I guess I will see you in five days"

"If you're not here, I will find you"

"Fine"

Chapter 16 Bear Run

I stood there in shock. The Balkas member stood there in shock. My heart had stopped. I was waiting to get attacked. The Balkas member just stood there. There was surprise and relief in his face. There was surprise and relief in all of there faces.

I bolted then all of a sudden. A Balkas barked, "Get him!" I dashed has fast as I could. I ran and ran and ran. The Balkas were following me. They were in every shadow. They were behind every rock, tree, and log. I ran faster. The group of Balkas was always behind me. I had to keep on going. I had to lose them some how. I had to outrun them and find Moge.

I wasn't watching were I was going and I fell in a small ditch. I lay there panting. Then with a flurry. The Balkas group jumped over the ditch and kept on going. Maybe they didn't see me fall in the ditch. I stood back up and shook myself. Then I heard a roar in the direction the Balkas had come. I turned my head very slowly. There coming down the hill was a bear. Then without hesitation. I bolted after the Balkas.

The bear chased me. The Balkas must have angered the bear and now it mistaked me for one of them. The bear chased me without tiring. I on the other hand started to slow down and wish an adult wolf were here to save me. I turned a corner and hit behind a bolder. Luckily the bear just went running past the boulder and was still after the Balkas.

I sat there panting. I decided I would rest up and get on with moving in the morning. Little did I know that the chase was not over.

Chapter 15 The highway

How nice of you to let me know were you are. So you miss your family.





Your right I do. Why can't you leave me alone?





Because the prophecy must be fulfilled.





I don't want to though. I felt like a little wolf cub again. Waiting a punishment from an older wolf.





But Tuff you can't resist it. The prophecy is a never ending cycle. I must end the cycle with the end of the beginning.





What?





You will never understand. Just stay there and wait for the Balkas to come and get you for me.





Never. With that I broke the link and ran. I had to get away from Stella and the Balkas. I ran North and then I turn to go West. I saw a mountain. I looked in horror. It was Stella's mountain. How had I gotten so close. I realised that the truck may have taken me toward Stella's mountain when it took me to the pack. I could see the canyon I had jumped in and how it snaked down the mountain and out of the flood plains.





I turned East. I ran that direction instead. I could see shadows were following me. I ran around trees and other obstacles. I jumped over a small stream. I passed several deer that started up. I went to jump over a log. During the jump my back paw hit it and I was short. I went over a small hill and rolled onto something hard.





I lay there panting. Then I realised it was dark. I must have ran a long time. Then I saw a light. I looked at it. There were two lights. It was coming at me fast. I got up and moved. The vehicle passed me and filled my lungs with exhaust. I snorted out the fums. I looked at the car as it speed away. I looked the other way. There were more cars coming. I heard a beep. I turned around. There was a car coming from the other direction. I jumped into a bush. I watched the car go by.



I turned back to the forest. I kept going East. I had to get away from Stella. I had to find Moge, Gart, and Salka. I grew tired. I came to a walk. I was tired. I found a place to lay down. I curled up in a ball and fell asleep.





I woke up to sunlight. I got up. I was still pretty full. I just had to keep looking for Moge. I wasn't going to try another mind search. Not this close to Stella. I had another idea. If Stella usual stayed in her cave in the mountain she wouldn't be able to hear a howl. I faced my muzzle to the sky and howled. I howled, "Moge where are you. I need you, without you I am in trouble. I need to find you" I stopped howling. I waited for and answer.



I heard other animals make noise but I didn't hear any wolves. I let my ears fall. How was I going to find Moge? Then I heard a howl. It was a wolf's.

It said, "I am here I am here. Follow my howl"

I let out a yelp of joy. I ran toward the howl. I ran faster as the howl got closer. I pasted trees. I pasted a little stream working its best to were away the ground beneath it. I pasted a tree that was hit by something with tremendous force. Maybe it was hit by lightning. This led me to a memory. It was at the time after Gart, Salka, and I came out of the den for the first time and when the humans attacked. It was a nice day. Gart, Salka, and I were playing. We didn't see it get darker as the clouds darkened and shadowed the sun.

Then a light drizzle started to fall. We played in it the way a wolf pup would usual do. Then without warning a bolt of lightning hit a close tree. The tree sent splinters in all directions. This caused the tree to sway for it was missing a huge gap. Then the tree started to fall toward us. We had yelped in a panic and dodged just in time. Ever since I was scared of lightning. So far it really hasn't rained yet so I was happy.

I was brought back to the present when the howl became really close. I slowed to a walk. I came to a row of bushes. The howling was on the other side. I started to walk through it. I came through the bush to come face to face with a wolf. All of a sudden the ends of my fur tingled. My tail went straight out and bristled.

I had come face to face with a member of the Balkas.

Chapter 14 To hunt

I was finally free. I was out in the woods. I could still hear the commotion back at the wolf park. I howled. I heard Histel howl. Then the rest of the pack joined in. I howled, "I'm free!"



The pack howled back, "Good luck on your journey"



I stopped. How did the rest of the pack know. Histel must have told them. All well. I howled good-bye. Then I ran off into the forest. I now wondered what to do. I thought about as I ran. Maybe I should practice hunting. I stopped.



Well what do I do first. I should maybe try and find something to hunt.



I started to walk. I heard a noise in a bush. I smelled a mouse was in there. I slowly walked over to the bush making sure not to snap a twig. I lowered my body. I was ready to pounce. I sprung at the bush ready to catch the mouse. I soon felt the body of the mouse squirming under my left paw.



I let the mouse go. I had just eaten anyway and that was just practice. I continued to walk. How was I going to find Moge I wondered. I heard some movement behind a tree. It was a squirrel. I crept up behind it. I jumped and landed on it. The squirrel gave a shriek and bit my foot as I let it go. I could tell I was going to get better at this.

I got back to wondering of how to find Moge. I had an idea. What if I could send out a message to him. Not a directed on but an outflowing one. I sent out a message. It said, "Moge were are you. I'm looking for you. I am free but I need you" The message went out in waves.

I let my mind wander so that if Moge got it and thought something I might catch it. Then I could locate Moge. Instead I got two other massages.

Tuff is that you. It was Sammy. I was so worried. I'm glad your free and I hope that you find your brother.

Thanks Sammy. I thought back.

Then the other massage came. Hello Tuff. Glad to hear from you again. The hunt is back on. This was Stella.

Chapter 13 The escape

I woke up that morning. I thought to my self. Am I ready for this? I had to be. I had thought of more of the plan last night. I had waken up before the rest. I waited for the rest of the pack to wake up. After they woke up we did are usual thing. I was waiting for them to feed us them I would make my escape.

The humans brought in a deer carcass. Kar and Kisty walked toward it and started to tear it open. They ate the intestins. Then Napo started to eat after Kar and Kisty were done. Then it was the cub's turn. Histel, Jisten, Creamsly, Yistu, and I walked toward the deer. I ate quickly. I even overstuffed myself so that I wouldn't stave after I escaped.

I finished eating and I licked my chops. Then I started to drop my tail for no reason. I had to act sick. Histel noticed.

"Tuff are you ok" asked Histel.

"Remember that plan I told you about" Histel nodded. "Well now I'm taking it into effect"

"What are you crazy"

"Why do you ask" I started to shake.

"If they think that your sick they will shoot you"

"What" I stopped acting sick. Then I noticed movement in the stands. They had seen my little act. They were talking and pointing.

"Tuff why didn't you ask me first"

"Well I thought they would look me over. Then as they carried me out I would be better and run away" My knees were starting to shake. I didn't want to die.

"Tuff you don't relise"

"What"

"I-i"

"What!"

"I like you"

I froze. "Y-you like me"

"No" Histel looked away. "Tuff, I love you"

"Histel" Then I collapsed. I was so embarassed of my ways. I should have seen it. "I promise. If I get out I will come back for you"

"Well Tuff. Maybe because your wild they'll take care of you instead of killing you"

I heard the door to the enclosement open. I felt arms on me. They lifted me and took me out. Then I jumped out of there arms and escaped. People screamed but I was free!

Chapter 12 The Plan

I woke up from a dream. It was a dream of Gart, Salka, and Moge. They were still looking for me by the river. Then Stella's face came into view. This was an actual dream not a vision. She was on her staircase of stone. She was looking down. There stood a boy. He was the same boy who had hooded me. I had growled in my sleep.



Then the boy turned into a bird. Stella had caught the bird and killed it. That's when I woke up. I lay there with the pack. I was panting. I stood up and walked over to the small stream that ran through the pack encasement. I put my head down and drank. Then as I drank I had an idea. If the water was getting in then I could get out. I walked up the stream. I got to the end and was dismayed. The stream had a fence in it to keep the wolves in.



I snorted. I looked at the stands were the humans usual sat. I walked over there. Had I made the right choice to have Sammy leave me? I heard a twig snap behind me. I whirled around. There was Histel.



"Oh, Hi Histel. You surprised me" I said.



"Sorry. I woke up when you walked away" said Histel.



"It's ok. I can understand. I just had a bad dream. For once it was a dream. I could tell"



"So do you get visions when you dream"



"Most of the time. It's sometimes reliving and sometimes unwanted information"



"I see. So what were you doing anyway"



"I . . . was trying to find a way out. I need to get back to Moge and my family"



Histel laughed. "Sorry" she said, "It's just that no one has escaped here at all"



"It's ok. But I have something that other wolves don't have. I have the power of the Nost. I am going to try and get out. I think I might have a good plan. By the way when is the next feeding supposed to be anyway"



"It's tomorrow. Why"



"Oh, I haven't eatin in a while"

"Oh, I'm sorry"

"No its ok"

"Ok well do you want to go play"

"Sure"

Then we both raced off. We played leep frog and tag. Jisten, Creamsly, and Yistu also joined in. We played hide and seek. I don't know how but Yistu would always win. I mean it's not like you can really run out of the packs current area. After playing it was time for bed. Everyone else went to sleep. I stayed up and was thinking of a plan to escape. I was starting to give up for the night when the idea hit me.

I could act like I wasn't feeling good. When they came in to check on me I could escape. Mabye they would even pick me up. Then as they carried me out I would come to life and escape. Yes that was the plan. It just had to work.

Chapter 11 The Fight

I woke up the next morning. There was a commotion on the other side of the den rock. I stood up and walked to the other side. Beyond the fence was a group of people. I shuddered. I couldn't take human contact anymore. I started to walk to the other side. I heard a voice. Except I didn't hear it.





Tuff is that you! It was Sammy's voice!





I ran over to the fence.





Yes it's me. Where are you. I can't see you at all.





I'm right here you don't see me?





No there are to many humans to see you out of all of them.





I'll try to get to the front of the crowd.





I waited for her face to appear somewhere in the crowd. Then I saw her. I started to walk toward her. Her face look relieved yet there was stress in her eyes. Then without warning I was slammed to the ground. It was Kar. He was trying to get me to be submissive again. Histel had told me that the other day.





He wasn't trying to bite my neck again but he was standing there and snarling at me. I curled my tail in and showed my neck. Kar got off me and walked away. I waited to stand up again. Kar disappeared behind a tree. I stood up. I could see Sammy. She was crying. She probably thought Kar was trying to kill me. I walked over to the fence.





Sammy I'm all right. That was just the alpha male of the pack. He was making sure I wasn't going to try and up live him.





Sammy looked up. Oh Tuff I'm glad your OK. I already have a plan to get you out-





Wait. I think I better stay here a bit longer and learn my way as a wolf. Remember I was separated from my family at a young age.





W-what do you mean?





I mean I'm going to stay for now.





Oh, Ok I guess it would be best for you. Well I got to go. Bye Tuff.





Bye Sammy.



I watched the crowd start to leave. I watch Sammy and her family walk away. I sat there. What was I supposed to do now. I didn't even know how to act like a wolf. Not the proper way anyway. I started to walk around the den rock. All of a sudden I was hit by a black blurr. It was Yistu. Yistu was born in the same litter as Histel. Yistu was a major trouble maker, to say the least.



I was knocked to the ground. Yistu kept on running. Then two more wolves jumped over me. It was Creamsly and Jisten. They were both covered in mud. I snorted. The I felt teeth sink into my back paw. I let out a yelp and turned. It was Napo. Napo's job in the pack was to make sure everyone was doing their job. I didn't know why he was biting me.



Napo bit harder. I let out several more yelps of pain. I lay all the way down. Napo let go and walked away. I checked my back paw. It was bleeding a lot. I licked it. I kept on licking untill it was clean. I got back up and walked over to the sleeping area and lay down. I guessed I should just stay out of the way.

I shut my eyes. I slept for a few minutes before I heard a whine. I opened an eye. It was Histel above me.

"I wouldn't sleep if I were you or Daddy will think you're weak and you don't want that do you?"

I just looked at her. Then I got up. I looked over at Kar. He was punishing Yistu for being foolish. I had to do something. Histel, Yistu, Creamsly and Jisten were all still pups. They were from the last litter. I had to do something. I walked over to Kar. Kar had Yistu on his back and showing his belly meaning he was sorry.

"Kar" I said, "Can't you take it easier on these guys"

"What is it to you. You're and outsider" Snarled Kar.

"Well even I am from a litter of a pack this year. I didn't even know wolf ways because I was separated from my family at an early age"

Kar stopped biting at Yistu. He looked like he was in thought. Then his expression grew mad. He snarled and jumped at me. This time I didn't back down. I met him head on. I couldn't take Kar's stupid attitude anymore. We fought and fought. I could hear humans shouting. I could hear Histel whining. I knocked Kar over. He lay there panting. I just looked at him.

"I don't want to run the pack. I just want you to be reasonable"

Kar lay there panting. Then he spoke in a newer and clearer voice "I'm sorry for my behavior. I should have not acted the way that I did. I'm sorry"

"Ok. You can be the pack leader. You just need to be nicer"

Then I just walked away. I lay down and licked my wounds untill I fell asleep.

Chapter 10 Meeting the Pack

I woke up. I had fallen asleep with the rest of the pack. I knew some of the pack but I needed to meet the rest of them. I just went back to sleep. This brought me to a dream vision. (That's what I call them now because these visions only come in my dreams) It was a dream of Moge, Gart, and Salka.

They were in the forest. Moge was trying his best to teach them how to hunt. He had told them to hunt a rabbit that they were looking at. Gart slowly crept forward. The rabbit was unaware of Gart. Gart was about three feet from it. Then he jumped forward and sank his teeth into the rabbit. The rabbit let out a screech of pain. Gart started to eat the rabbit. Gart, Salka, and Moge all looked very hungry. I wondered what was happening to them. I felt a nudge.

I woke up again. Histel was standing over me and nudging my side. I looked at her and she saw that I was awake.

"Good morning Tuff" she said. Her voice was so soft. It was kinda the way mom used to talk.

"Good morning Histel. I was just dreaming" I said.

"Oh well you started to whimper and that woke me up so I walked over to see what was wrong"

"Oh I was having a dream about Moge, Gart, and Salka"

"Oh. Do you miss them"

"I do . . . a lot"

"Well get up the rest of the pack is up and you have to meet everyone"

"Ok"

So I got up and met the rest of the pack. There was another male black wolf name Yistu. There was another female white wolf name Creamsly. The rest of the pack were gray wolves. Their names were Jistin (male), and Kisty which was the Alpha female. When I was meeting the Alpha female she didn't seem like she liked me very much. She kept on staring me down.

The other wolves besides Histel wouldn't talk to me. I felt like I was alone. But this was my new pack I had better try to make the best of it. That night after all the other wolves were asleep I devised a plan. I had to get out of the pack and away from the humans.

I didn't know how to get out though. The fence was eight feet high. To high for a wolf to jump. This is what I would do every night to find a way out. Untill I did.

Chapter 9 New Pack

I woke up. The area around me was spinning. I must have been put to sleep again. I wondered what situation I was in now. I waited for the spinning to stop. I could see objects moving around me. I could hear wolf voices but I couldn't understand them. Finally the spinning stopped.

I was inside a cave. I could only smell my fur. I could tell I was washed for I didn't stink anymore. I wasn't cleaned by any wolf though for I smelt like something I didn't recognize. I stood up. I could see a light. I walked toward it. All of a sudden I was bathed in sunlight. I could see other wolves and a fence surrounding us.

A gray wolf ran over to me and snarled, "Get down. I am the leader and you will listen to me"

I hesitated. I didn't know what to do. I wasn't properly good with a wolf structure and gestures so when this male wolf said this I didn't know how to react.

"Wise guy" he barked. Then with tremendous force the other wolf tackled and pinned me. He was snarling and biting at my neck. I was doing my best to protect it. I let out a yelp and a whimper. I tried to understand what was happening. I let out a higher yelp. Another gray wolf had jumped on me also. I didn't know if the wolves were starving or just teaching who's boss.

I curled up my tail and I showed my belly. The other wolves stopped and walked away. I then showed my neck and that seemed to satisfy them. A white wolf walked over. This one was much younger.

"Sorry about my dad but he is the alpha male" she said. I could tell she was a female just from her voice.

"I don't understand what just happened" I said.

"Well as a new wolf to the pack daddy had to teach you he is the boss of us all. Are you ok"

I rolled onto my feet. I checked myself over. "I seem to OK. By the way my name is Tuff"

"Hi Tuff. My name is Histel, and my dad's name is Kar. The other wolf the Beta is Napo"

"Nice to meet you Histel. OK I do have to admit that was a bit harsh"

"Well you're a strange wolf that dad doesn't know so you start at the very bottom of the pack. Even below me"

"I don't even know how to function in a pack"

"What, why?"

"Well when I was young I was separated from my family. Hey can you keep a secret"

"Sure I can keep a secret. I am the lowest of the pack and no one would listen to me anyway"

"OK, well, um, I have the power of the . . . . Nost" And after that my entire story poured out of me. I told her everything to the exact detail. I let all of it out.

"Well I guess I could teach you wolf ways"

"That would probably be the best Idea"

"Ok I'll teach you today. I can already see you have some of it in you. But tomorrow you get to meet the rest of the pack."

"The rest of the pack"

"There's only seven of us. It shouldn't take very long"

"Ok that sounds good"

Then for the rest of the day Histel taught me wolf ways. I learned that the den was in the middle of the fenced in area. Then you had several trees and cliffs. Then there was a small stream running through also. On the south side of the fencing was seats for visitors. I would learn fast for sure if I wanted to live to complete the vision I had in what seemed ages ago.

Chapter 8 Where am I?

I woke up. Where was I? I could still smell the acid from my stomach on my fur. I realised the net wasn't on me anymore. I stood up. I wasn't in the truck anymore. Everything was blurred out of focus. I saw I was in some sort of room. It was made of rock. I saw there was a light coming in from the top. I swayed and slumped back down.



I waited. The room cleared. I saw other stuff. There was yellow grass all over the floor. It made me feel really warm. I saw the light from above was coming through a hole in the ceiling. There was glass over it. I could see vents in the walls. I wonder where I was yet again. I walked over to a wall. I pressed myself against it and tried to find a way out. That's when I saw a wooden door. I walked over to it and lay down. I tried to see under it. All I could see was a little light but that was it. Except I could see some pieces of wood in the ground.

I walked back to the middle of the room. I had to find a way out. I lay down. I let out a sigh. I had to get out. If I got out I could get to Moge and the others. Then I had an idea. I let my mind wander. I got out of my body and through the door. I could see the pieces of wood were actully legs to a desk. I left that room through another door.

I went down a hall. I saw some sort of kennels. There were other animals in them. There was a deer, bobcat, rabbit, bird, and a mountain lion. I left this room and went through another door. I got outside. I walked up a small hill. I felt close. I looked down. There was a hole with some glass on it. I looked down. I could see my body. So this is how they light up my holding area.

I walked down the other side and was amazed. There was a fence. In the fence were cages and holding area's. This was a zoo. I looked at the monkeys in a cage and thought they looked really close to humans. I looked in another. There was a lizard big enough to eat a rabbit. Then I saw it. I saw a holding area. Full of wolves. This is where they planned to have me!

I went back to my body. I looked at the glum wall in dismay. Now I had to live the life of a zoo animal. What else was going to happen to me? Then for the first time in a long time. I howled. I let out my song of sadness and displease. I howled my hate at Stella, my love for my family. And finally my song of lonelyness.

I stopped howling and lay down. I could hear the other animals had heard me and were upset. I closed my eyes and slept. To wake in a new area.

Chapter 7 Trapped

I woke up. I was still in the net. I could see the bite marks I had inflicted on it. But It was hard to see because it was so close to my eyes. I realised that while I was asleep my muzzle had slipped in between two ropes. This kept my muzzle shut. I tried to back out of it but it was no use. The net on the other side kept me from backing out. I could feel through my fur that all the slack was under me.





I tried to shift my weight so that I could get the slack to come. I was starting to get agitated. I sniffed. All I could smell was human. I realised then that I was inside the truck that I saw earlier. It was bouncing along. I wondered what was going to happen to me. The truck turned making me slide across the back. There was a cage part over the box of the truck. I was in this cage.





Even if I escaped the net I wouldn't be able to escape the truck. I then thought about Moge. Moge must be worried sick. I felt really bad. If I hadn't jumped this wouldn't have happened. But if I would have kept on running then I would also be captured by the Balkas.



The truck turned the other way. I slid the other way. All of the slack of the net slid out from under me. I pulled my muzzle out of the netting. I had the urge to bite it again. I remembered what happened last time. I fought the urge to bite the netting and try to escape. I put my teeth around the rope. I started to chew but I kept my tongue from licking it. I could feel the sleeping potion numb my muzzle.



I kept on chewing the rope. The potion reached into my tongue. It mixed with my saliva. I fought the urge to chew. I kept on chewing. Then all of a sudden I retched. My saliva and the sleeping potion left my mouth. The mess I made was all liquid. This meant I didn't have enough to eat. The puddle smelled so bad. This meant I didn't have enough to drink either.



The truck came to a sudden stop. I could smell deer on the outside. I let out a whimper. I was so hungry. I was first starved before me, Moge, Salka, and Gart left. Then the humans only gave me a little at a time. My stomach was so empty but I couldn't do a thing about it. I looked at the sky. Even though wolves are colored blind I still saw the sky as beautiful. I rolled over. I was trying to find the opening in the net. Then I saw why it was so big. It was big enough to rap around me several times so I couldn't escape. For now I was stuck.



The truck started moving again. This made my stomach turn. I retched again. This smelled worse and was thicker. I retched again just from the smell. The smell was getting to the point were I couldn't stand it anymore. I retched again. The turning in my stomach and the smell was working together. I bit the net to try to keep from retching again. I bit it harder and harder. I gronnd my teeth. That segment of rope broke. I bite another piece and chewed. Then everything went dark.

Chapter 6 Him

It was a normal day like any other. I woke up on the floor next to Sammy's bed. She looked over the edge at me.



"There you are sleepy. Did you fall off the bed?"



Yes, I must have been dreaming a bad dream. I can't even remember it.



"Oh, I just hope your OK"



I yawned. I'm OK there is nothing to worry about. Actually I feel a lot better today.



"Well good. Hey I'll meet you down stairs OK" Sammy said as she got off the bed and opened the door. I walked down the stair. I had gotten used to this by now. I walked into what I had learned was the kitchen. I had gotten very good at walking across it now. I walked onto the carpet in the living room. There was thundering down the stairs as John and Ben came in.



They ran right passed me outside. I was very tempted to follow but the hold of the Nost kept me in place waiting for Sammy. Later Sammy came walking into the kitchen. I stood up ready to go out. Then I saw that her Dad was following her.



"Hey Dad I think the wolf is doing a lot better now don't you think so too" asked Sammy



"Yeah he probably is. I should actually call the forest ranger to let him know that he's doing OK"



"OK, Oh yeah I got to go outside with the wolf for a bit"



"I still don't know how you got the wolf to stay with you outside"



"Me either Dad"



Then Sammy walked passed me. I followed her right out the door. We spent the entire morning outside in the woods. When it was lunch time we started to head back to the cabin. I still didn't get it why humans needed food every four to six hours. As we got closer I noticed a truck in the cabin's driveway.

Sammy walked up the steps leading to the front door.

Sammy I think I'll stay out here for a bit.

"OK I'll just grab a quick snack and be right back out" As she reached for the door knob it turned. The door opened. There was a man that I did not know there in the doorway. He had a dark green shirt on. The man wore the same color pants to. He had a dark mustache. His hair was too. He was kinda on the chubby side. Then I realised. This was the man from the dream. Sammy looked shocked to see the man from her dream in real life.

The man looked at her and then at me. He yelled, "The wolf, it'll get away" with such force I jumped back. I didn't like this guy. I turned and ran. The man ran after me for a bit. Then as we passed the truck he stopped and grabbed something. I just ran. I didn't even look back. Then I heard a clinch and a click. Then there was a whistling behind me.

The whistling was just one whistle. Then there was a snap and there was more whistling. I was really big. I didn't have time to dodge so I ducked instead and a giant net flew right over me. My muzzle landed in a pile of slush. I stood up and ran again. The net had hit a tree. The tree had been covered in about three to four lays of net.

I heard another clinch, click, and then the whistling behind me. The whistling grew again but this time it was a lot closer. I didn't even have time to duck. I felt the force of the net hit me. It sent me rolling. The net rapped around my body. It covered me. There was no escape.

I was slightly dazed. I couldn't moved. The net had stunned me when it hit me. The man walked over and picked me up. He was walking over to the truck now. Then all of a sudden there was a great force that shoved us sideways. The force was Sammy tackling the man. He set me down. I was no longer stunned. I started to try to chew through the net. I started to feel tired.

"Ha Ha. Keep on chewing. New development. The net has a sleeping solution in it. The more you chew the more tired you get"

"No stop this" yelled Sammy, "Let him go. Let the wolf go. I won't let you take the wolf, I will never let you take him" Sammy started to cry. She had the dream and was now living it. Then her Dad came and picked her up. She did the same thing as in the dream. Then she yelled, "Tuff stop chewing the net. It makes you sleepy"

"He can't stop chewing. It's his nature instinct to escape"

"No Tuff. Don't-s-stop Tuff. If you don't they are going to take you to a research base. T-tuff no"

I kept on chewing. Slowly my vision started to fade then . . . There was nothing.

Chapter 5 Daily Routine

That night I told Sammy more about the Nost. I told her all that I knew about it. When sunrise was coming she said she should get some sleep. So Sammy lay back down, and went to bed. I sat there and looked. Long after sunrise Sammy's Dad came in. I read his mind before he came in and was already for him to come. He was going to say that the wolf escaped and that he was sorry that it might not make it. But when he walked it he was surprised to see me there.



Then his mind raced. I knew why. Wolves are supposed to kill humans, but when he saw that his daughter was not even hurt he was relived and in a way happy. He left the room without a sound. Not to long after Sammy woke up. She rubbed her eyes. When she saw me she looked confused then she remembered what happened last night.



Good morning Sammy.



Hi, Tuff. How did you sleep.



I didn't.



Why?



Well I'm still not to sure about being around humans.



Oh, well do you need to go out side?



I would like to.



OK just remember you can't run off and get lost because you still need to make a full recovery. Plus the forest ranger still has to check on you.



OK.



After that Sammy had me leave her room and go down stairs to the "living room". In a bit she joined me down stairs. We went outside for a little bit. We ran around. I had not realised how big I was. I could tell it was just the beginning of fall but there was snow on the ground.

I ran ahead. I loved the feel of the wind in my fur. I was at home. Then I remembered Moge, Salka, and Gart. I had to help them but the human would be sad if I left without being fully healed.

I ran back to the cabin were Sammy was waiting for me. She had me go back inside and try to lay down and sleep. I did sleep. Day after day after day we would run. I would sleep afterward. Then while I was sleeping they would get food and water ready. They would wake me up. Feed me and give me some water. I would sleep till late then me and Sammy would run again. Then we would go to bed. This was everyday routine till he came.

Chapter 4 Sammy

I woke up in the middle of the night. I was confused at first as I looked at the inside of the cabin then with a flash I remembered what happened yesterday. I stood up and shook off the blanket that the humans had put on me. I wondered how was I going to get out.

I walked into a room with rock flooring that I slid on. I didn't like this very much and got out of there quick. I walked onto a carpet floor. I found some steps going down and some going up. I decided to go up. I climbed up the stairs. This was awkward for I was not used to climbing stairs. I smelled something familiar.

I smelt Sammy in the air. She was in another room by herself. (Humans are so weird how come they don't sleep with each other like wolves do) I saw she was on another soft thing. Then I realised she wasn't really smelling it was the Nost drawing me toward her. But why was it taking me toward her was the real question. Then I realised what if wolves had on set of Nost and humans had there own set.

What if all the animals could use the Nost. This was a great discovery. I was still being pulled to her but the more I became aware of the effect the less I was pushed to go to her. I climbed up on the soft material. I looked at the human sleeping. How many times a wolf got a chance like this in the war against humans.

I lied down next to her. For some reason my mind started to drift out of itself. I tried to resist but found that I was not in control at the moment. My mind reached Sammy's. I saw an image of Sammy and a man. She was talking. "I won't let you take the wolf, I will never let you take him"

I pondered at this. Why did the human care so much about me anyway. Then I saw the picture widen. I was inside a net. I was trying to chew through the net. I could see I was getting sleepy. Sammy was crying on the ground as her Dad came and picked her up. Sammy hit him and kicked and even bite him. She was trying to get to me. I felt pity for her.

Then the dream vanashed and I saw through her eyes. Her eyes were blurry and she was breathing hard. She was kinda shocked to see my outline there. She touched my fur. I went back to my body. I felt her hand on my back. I lifted my head and looked at her. Then I relised what color her eyes were. They were amber colored. Just like a wolf. I reached for her mind on purpose this time.

Sammy. Sammy looked around her wondering were the voice came from. Sammy, It's me, the wolf. Sammy jerked back in surprise as she "heard" the words. Sammy do not be afraid to talk back to me in the silent way of the Nost.

Nost? Came her soft voice.

Yes the Nost. Once believed to be the power of only wolves. But now I realise it is also of the humans also. You must keep this a secret.

It's not like anybody would believe me. Yes I can talk to a wolf using the power of the Nost. By the way what's your name.

My name . . well my name is Tuff.

Chapter 3 The Cabin

I woke up from the dream of Moge, Salka, and Gart. I had woken up on a rock beach. My legs and head were facing the river. I hurt. After the fall I had hit the water and passed out. That's when I dreamed of my brothers and sister. I had heard a sound when I woke up. It was a noisy animal walking.

As it got closer it slowed. It was probably trying to see if I was alive or not. I was soaked, cold and barely breathing. I must have looked dead. After the creature got close enough I tried to turn my head to look at it. The walking stopped. Then with a fury the animal ran away. The noisiness reminded me of something that seemed far away.

After what seemed like forever the animal came back but with more of them. They stopped a little farther away. Then after awhile they walked away again using hushed voices. Then after awhile they were coming back. They got closer. I tried to move but I was so stiff that I couldn't. The sound of their steps stopped right behind me.

Then all of a sudden my muzzle was grabbed by a . . . . human hand! Then I felt other hands surround my body putting some sort of cloth on it. The cloth was very warm and relaxing. Then the hands picked me up and carried me. We headed toward a box that was huge and made out of trees.

The hands carried me inside the box(which I would learn was a cabin) They set me down on a some sort of soft thing. It was about one foot in the air. Then I saw four humans walking. They were talking to each other. The hands that held my muzzle shut were soft and not trying to hurt me. The humans that were talking looked flustered and upset.

"Poor thing" said a young male.

An older male said, "What should we do Dad"

An even older male said, "The rangers said after we brought it in we should try to get it warm.

A female said, "I'll go get some blankets, Sammy"

The hand around my muzzle loosened a little then went back to order. A voice above me said, "Yes Mom"

"You should just stay there and make sure he doesn't try to bite you"

"OK, what are John and Ben going to do"

Dad said, "They are going to get some meat and some water for it"

"OK Daddy"

Then all the humans except Sammy ran off to do what they were told. Then Mom returned first. She layed a soft cloth on me. It was really warm. I almost fell asleep but I checked myself and stayed awake. Then the two boys walked in.

"John give it the water, and Ben you give it the meat but in small bits or it will make it sick"

The younger boy (who's name must be John) knelt before me and held out a dish with water in it. The hand holding my mouth shut let go. I looked at all the humans even the younger female that came into my view. I cautiously took a drink of water.

Then after the bowl was taken away. Another boy (Ben) sat down and took up a human bite size of meat and held it on his palm. I looked at the meat.

When was the last time I ate. I so hungry I'm not hungry anymore.

I reached forward and took the piece of meat. It was delicious deer meat. It made my stomach growl and It awoke my hunger. The boy held out another piece of meat. I prevented myself from just lunging forward and taking the meat. I was still cautious. I took the meat. One piece at a time till there was no more.

Then I felt very sleepy. I closed my eyes and tried my best to get comfortable. Then very slowly I fell asleep.

Chapter 2 The Run

Moge stopped along with Gart and Salka. They all peered down at the swirling waters below. Meanwhile the group of Balkas caught up. They surrounded Moge and the others. But instead of attacking they all peered down also. Then one of the Balkas shouted, "Hey, he could have survived why don't we run down the river and check"

"Yeah" roared the crowd. Then they ran off. Moge realizing what they said, "Gart, Salka hurry we must get there first" Gart and Salka looked at him. Then slowly their eyes grew large. Then without warning they ran off. Moge surprised, raced after them. He raced fast to catch up to his siblings.

The Balkas group was far ahead but Moge, Salka, and Gart started to catch up. After they caught up to the Balkas they tried to get passed. This failed of course. The Balkas were blocking them out. Keeping them from getting ahead to save Tuff from being imprisoned.

Moge finally got inside the Balkas group. He tried his best to get to the front an passed. He had promised his Dad to care for Tuff. Now he had let him down. One of the Balkas next to Moge snapped at him. Moge moved his foot in time to dodge it. Then the second time the Balkas bit Moge's lower leg. With a yelp Moge fell on his snout.

With a whine, Moge stood back up and hobbled as fast as he could. Meanwhile Gart and Salka had also broken through to the center of the pack, but they were separated. Then not knowing what was happening they were surrounded and attacked from all sides.

Both Gart and Salka stopped trying to get away from the flashing teeth that were tearing at their skin. This ended up with them being trampled. After the group passed over them. Moge was so intent with the race he tripped over the two wolves. Then with dismay Moge, Salka, and Gart watched the Balkas disappear over the hill.

"W-we lost" said Gart. And deep in all of their hearts they knew that Tuff was now alone.

Part 2 Chapter 1 The leap

We ran. Moge, Salka, Gart, and I ran for are lives. We passed trees, deer and all sorts of other animals. We were running from the presence of Stella and the Balkas. All of a sudden I stopped. I could hear something. It was following us. I turned around. I lept back in shock. In front of me was a swarm of wolves. They were Balkas.

I turned and as I turned I saw more Balkas. I ran after Moge and the others. I caught up to them. I turned to Moge. I said, "Moge there's a swarm of Balkas fallowing us. What should we do?"

Moge looked back and picked up the pace. "I don't know, but there is no way I am letting them capture you again"

"We can't out run them forever" said Gart

"True" said Moge, "But we must try. We could hide"

"They would just sniff us out" said Salka.

All of a sudden we reached a cliff. It was actually a canyon with a river taking up the bottom of it. We turned left and ran on. The swarm of Balkas came out of nowhere. I shivered. I didn't want to be hooded again. I looked down the side of the canyon almost making my self sick.

"Moge" I said, "I'm sorry"

"What" asked Moge.

"It's my fault. If it weren't for my stupid powers we wouldn't be in this mess"

"What are you talking about"

"I-I can't explain it. I just feel like it's my fault. I feel like I'm the one fueling Stella's anger"

"What do you mean"

"I had a dream. There was a black wolf talking to a white one that was Stella in the past. I thought I recognized the black one. Now I know who it is" I paused wondering if I should let this secret out. "I think, It was me from a past life Moge. I'm so sorry"

"What, you can't be serious"

"I am, and I'm sorry"

"For what"

I whined and said, "This" Then without knowing what I was doing, I jumped right off the side of the cliff down to the water. The last thing I saw was the Balkas, Moge, Salka, and Gart stop and look at me with sadden faces. Then I hit the water.

Chapter 20 Moge and the Nost

I sat down. What was going to happen to me now? How was I going to escape? I lay down. I couldn't sleep. I whined to myself. The echo bounced back. It whined and I whined louder. I whined till it was so loud I had to stop.

I rolled over and bumped the wall. I let my mind wander. I felt something. What was it? I dug deeper. I recognized it some how. It was very familiar but not. There were three of them. I recognized one of them. I-it was Moge! I reached into his mind.

Moge help me. They have me in some sort of chamber. They even hooded me so I can't tell what's happening or where I am. Please help me. I'm sensing I'm one floor below you.

OK we'll be right there.

I let out a snort of relief. I waited. I heard rock moving. Then I heard a sequel of terror. Immediately I shot out of my head and searched for the owner of the squeal. It was the white wolf. I looked through there eyes. There were no stairs! The eyes looked at Moge. Moge was looking down. Moge called out to me. All of a sudden there was a crack and the piece of rock that Moge was on slid into the hole.

I rushed back to my body. I sensed heat I walked over to it. I touched something. It was Moge. I reached for his mind.

Moge are you still there?

Yes little brother. Sorry I didn't protect you. Like I promised Dad what seems so long ago.

What?

Yeah Dad asked me to protect you. It was his last wish.

Oh, Moge I'm so sorry. I wish there was something I could do. I-I ... wish... I.....

It's OK. Sorry you can't even see me.

I felt so bad. How could I help Moge? There was nothing I could do. I was hooded and not even a year old. I felt for Moge's flesh against my paw. I touched him and stayed that way. Then I felt a hot glow. I started to feel tired again. All of a sudden I felt Moge move. He stood up.

H-how. But, how can you get back up.

It must be the Nost. Tuff you must of discovered another power level to the Nost. Hold still for a second. I'm going to try to bite through the rope.

I stood still. I felt Moge's teeth around my muzzle first. I felt a sharp pain as the rope was cut. Then he moved to the one at the neck of the bag. He cut that one to. The bag fell away. To reveal Moge.

"Moge" I croaked, "Moge, I missed you so much"

"I missed you to but how do we get back up do you suppose"

"Let me try with the Nost"

"What"

"Maybe it can move stuff also"

"OK, go ahead and try"

I reached with my mind. Trying to recreate the stairs. All of a sudden there was a scrape of stone and the stairs were there. I yipped with joy. I raced up the stairs but stopped as a sudden pain went up my legs.

I struggled the rest of the way up. When I reached it I saw the two wolves with my own eyes for the first time.

"Moge who are these two?"

"These are your brother and sister, Gart and Salka"

"What but I thought they died"

"They did too but Mom pulled them back at the last second. She was busy making an attachment to the den to get away. Mom's fast thinking saved them"

I looked at Gart and Salka. I shivered.

"Hi Gart, Hi Salka. Nice to see you again"

All of a sudden Salka the white wolf broke out.

"I missed you too Tuff' said Salka in a sweet cheery voice.

Me and Salka nuzzled. I looked at Gart. He stared back.

"Tuff" said Gart in a rough voice, "I-I really missed you. We didn't know what happened to you and Moge. After we were brought to the cave we meet Moge. When we realised it was him. We bombarded him with questions. He told us the whole story. You have been through alot"

"I missed you to. Oh we better get going before we get caught"

"Yeah" they all agreed.

"I'll lead" said Moge.

So we all followed Moge out. When we got outside it was still cold.

"What is this stuff Moge" I asked.

"It's called snow"

"Oh"

We ran on. Out of the sight of the mountain. But soon we found out we were being followed.

Chapter 19 Stella's Secret

I fell into another deep sleep. An image appeared in front of me. I was suspended in mid air. I was looking down on a scene. There was a white wolf in a cave. They seemed to be in the same situation as me. They had a bag over their head taking away their senses. It was a small white wolf. They were either younger than me or a different gender.

All of a sudden the door to the cave opened. A black wolf walked it. He looked very familiar but I couldn’t put my paw on it. He started to speak to the hooded wolf.

He said, “Hello how are you doing”

The white wolf let out a whine.

He said, “Ah how nice it is to be in your own little world without any interruption” He backed out and brought in a piece of meat. “You hungry?” he asked.

The wolf let out another whine. That reminded me of my own hunger.

“Too bad you can’t have any, now what to do with you until then”

When he said that it made me shiver. So did the wolf that was imprisoned. I could hear a voice.

"I’m so hungry. Why is he torturing me like this?

“I shall answer your question Stella”

I woke up with a start. Hitting a wall with my head in surprise. Stella! But how could that be, I mean how could that have happened. I stopped. I had heard a sound. It was the padding of feet. I could barely hear it. I heard the creak of the door. I turned to it.

"Hello Tuff how are you?" It was Stella.

I refused to whine instead I reached for her mind. I entered it.

"Why are you doing this Stella. All I wanted was a normal life but you wouldn't let that happen would you. You would rather hold me in this cave"

"I know about your parents"

I jerked back.

"And your brother and sister. They're all still alive. Now the Balkas are going to lead you to your new chamber"

All of a sudden I was pushed forward. I walked in the direction they wanted me to go.

Eventually the path sloped down in a weird way. I realized they were taking me down some steps. I walked down the steps in a circle. They stopped me. Then they left. I reached for one of their minds. I used their eyes to see where I was. I was in a smaller cave just big enough for me to fit in. They ejected me out of their minds.

I heard the sound of moving stone above me. They had left me here. For what reason I didn't know.

Chapter 18 The Dream

I lay there. Just lay there. Nothing ran through my head. I stared at the inside of the bag. I didn't even think of what to do now. My eyes grew heavy. I rested and fell into a deep deep sleep.

The dream was of a small forest clearing. I was there. So was Moge. I was very happy. There was a shine in my eye. The view turned around. There were two other wolves. One was gray and one was black. All of a sudden two other wolves ran right into me and Moge. One was a gray just like the other and the other one was white.

All of the mystery wolves seemed so familiar. Then all of a sudden it hit me. The first two wolves were my mom and dad. Clara and Bran. The ones that ran into me were my brother and sister. Gart and Salka. How could this be? It couldn't be from the past. But how could it be of the future. All of them were dead.

All of a sudden I woke up. There was a noise. It was very distant. I picked it up a little. Someone was walking on a higher level. I stood up. I walked a little forward. My nose bounced off a wall. I yelped but it was muffled. I turned around testing my surroundings. I had to find a way out. That dream had to come true.

I put my head down and tried to pull it off. The knots of the human were to tight. I was thirsty. How was I supposed to drink. I walked over to a dripping sound. I put my head to the ground. I felt water on my muzzle. The bag wasn't water proof. I drank some through the bag. I walked away and lay down again. I was so tired all the time. Why was this.

Of course! I was over extending my power, to enhance my senses to survive. I lay down trying to think of a way to escape. I stayed like this for hours before falling asleep again. To wake up, I never knew.

Chapter 17 Stella

The two wolves walked forward. I had to follow. After awhile we started walking upwards. We were heading for the mouth of the cave. All of a sudden I was hit by a cold blast of air. I stepped forward. My foot landed in something really cold. I jumped. What was it? I had no idea.

The two wolves forced me to walk forward. We walked through the very cold material. I realized we got to another cave mouth when the temperature changed. We walked, walked, walked, walked, and walked. I waited for something to happen to me as we walked. I waited for unexpected blow to the head, or a surprise attack.

The two wolves stopped.

"Take off the bag" said a distant kind(female), yet evil voice.

All of a sudden the bag was ripped off. I was blinded by the light in the cave. There were stones that shone in the walls making it look like day inside. The cave was huge in this hall place. There were stone steps going up to some sort of pedestal. On the pedestal was a white wolf. I remembered what I had heard before. This was the leader of the Balkas.

"Hello . . . " said the leader.

"M-my name is Tuff"

"Hello Tuff . . . so, you have the power of the Nost. I am Stella"

"Yes, I have the power of the Nost"

"Very nice. The third of the prophecy"

"What prophecy" I asked.

"I shall recite it to you"

"The three shall come forth,
when a fourth is born,
the first shall die,
but if the fourth is killed before,
they are born,
then the cycle shall be broken,
then the fifth shall, come from two,
the most powerful in the line of the Nost,
but for that to happen the belly of the moon shall taste,
at the crest valley"

"That's the prophecy?" I asked.

"Yes, now what to do with you in the meantime . . . I know"

She motioned for a Balkas to come over. She whispered something to him. That wolf ran out.

Stella cleared her throat, "You shall be hooded again"

"What ? ? No . . . not again! I can't stand not knowing where I'm going!"

"That's the idea"

A figure entered the great cave belly. I looked over. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a human.

"I bet you're surprised" said Stella, "We have caught human children, erased their memories and taught them how to speak wolf. For the wolf is always at the mercy of men"

The human child walked over to me. I growled. A Balkas bit me . . . to shut me up. The human was male. He looked very confused and scared. He picked up the bag. I shivered. He put the bag over my head, tightened the neck and middle of it, and tied it together so it wouldn't come off.

"Now take him to one of the holding caves"

The Balkas walked me down more caves and into a smaller one. The air was stuffy. I could feel it through my fur. The Balkas left and there was a loud slam. They had closed some sort of door. I lay down, wondering what was going to happen next.

Chapter 16 What happens

Now what was I going to do. Thousands of questions raced through my head. Moge walked up to me looking downcast.

"I'm so, so sorry Tuff" according to Issy you weren't powerful enough to control minds yet" said Moge.

"I know. But now what will happen to me is all I can wonder"

I became aware that all the wolves were whispering. With my enhanced hearing I could tell they were talking about me. Then all of a sudden everything got very quiet. I looked up. Two of the Balkas were walking toward me. I could feel the presence of others moving through the crowd. I shivered. Were they going to kill me or do something worse.

All of a sudden I was surrounded by Balkas. The two that I saw where holding a bag in between them. It had a rope at the neck and one in the middle. I wondered what they were planning on doing to me. One of the Balkas growled at me and said, "Now be a good wolf and put your head in the bag.

I growled back. I was not going to let them torture me anymore.

"I said put your head in the bag" As he said that a Balkas behind me snapped at my tail. I moved forward but refused. "Fine then will have to do this the hard way" The wolf walked toward me. I tried to get away but another bit my tail and held it stunning me. The first wolf grabbed my scruff and shoved my head in the bag.

All I could see was the inside. Then I could feel the two holding it by the rope walk away. They pulled on the rope. The rope at the neck closed off all existence of the outside world. The one in the middle to my horror tied my muzzle shut. The two wolves stayed apart. They were keeping it tight so that it wouldn't come loose.

Then I realised what this did. It took away four of my five senses. Hearing, sight, taste, and smell. Now I was doomed.

Chapter 15 The Group

Issy walked up to me.

"Tuff" said Issy, "you should come over here and listen to what some of the other wolf cubs are saying"

"OK" I said.

Issy walked away and I followed him to a group of wolves. The wolves were talking wildly but they were hushed. We entered the circle.

One of the wolves was talking. A white wolf with black paws. "So does anyone else think they know why they want us here?" There were murmurs in the crowd.

"I heard they're looking for a single wolf" said another black wolf.

"I think they're looking for the one with the Nost" piped up a plain white one.

"Yeah right . . . that's just a myth" called a third wolf, gray with white spots.

"Wait, what if you're right. I mean that one white wolf did send me flying by just looking at me" said the black one.

"That was you?" asked the white one.

"Yeah, and I bet that if any of us knew who that wolf was and gave them away they would let the rest of us go" said the black one

"Yeah" said the group.

I shivered. They were talking about me. What if someone accidentally found out. It would be the end of me. It would be horrible.

"I bet that if we bite the one with the Nost . . . they'll use their power to get us to stop" growled an anonymous voice from the crowd.

"Yeah" the crowd whispered back.

"How about we make a line and two of us will bite each wolf in turn"

"How do you even know if the one with the Nost is here" said a muffled voice from the crowd. The crowd parted to show my big brother Moge.

"I mean . . . what if the One is still out there . . . hiding out"

All the other wolves shook their heads. I think they may have all been feeling doomed.

"But what if the One is here?" asked the white one that had started all this talk.

Moge put down his head. "Fine. Then . . . let me pick the first one"

I felt a wave of relief over me. But to my horror Moge chose me.

He walked over and whispered in my ear, "I'm doing this so if you do give yourself away the others won't have to suffer" I nodded.

The self appointed leader of the group, the white one, with black paws, walked over. He told me to lift my paw. I did. He put his mouth on my paw. I prepared for the horrible pain. The wolf bit down hard. I let out a high yelp. It had hurt a lot more then I had prepared for. I tensed up. I did my best not to defend myself by invading his mind.

My focus was slipping.

His binding teeth punched in further. I cringed and rolled over. I closed my eyes. Then . . .

I was in his mind . . . I was looking at my self.

I looked like I was in so much pain.

I felt my teeth sink in further . . . Into the paw of the wolf before me . . . I felt bad for him . . . then, remembered it was me. I could see the blood.

I strained to get the wolf to stop . . . He was testing me.

I knew if he stopped all of a sudden the entire group would know I was the One.

I tried to let go slowly. Then his/my jaws came apart all of a sudden.

I had tried too hard.

All of a sudden . . . I was me again. I felt very tired.

The wolf looked at me in shock.

"Y-You! Y-Y-You have the nost. The crowd gasped with one whispered voice.

The biter wolf turned around and ran.

"No!" I yelled.

Now, it was all over. The hope of everyone was now gone.

Chapter 14 Practice

I woke up one day to my brother Moge's stinky breath. I rolled over with a snort. I got up and stretched. No one could tell what time of day it was while we were in the cave, when you got tired you just lay down and went to sleep.

I got up and nudged Issy. Is stirred but went back to sleep. I bit his ear. He rolled over. I growled and poked him in the ribs. Finally he woke up.

"What do you want?" he said.

"Come on . . . teach me a little. There is only one guard awake" I said and it was true.

"Ok, I guess"

After that, Issy showed me some techniques to practice that his grand wolf had taught him. After awhile Issy got irritated with me.

"You know what? How do we know if you even have the full power?"

"What, now your quiting on me!"

"Well . . . . try looking in my mind"

"What!"

"That's the fourth power level of the Nost"

"Well, I guess I can try"

I tried harder and harder and harder.

There was a small voice. I looked around and it vanished. I tried again. There was the voice again.

"I wonder if Tuff really has the power of the Nost" It was Issy's voice!

"Issy!"

"What"

"I-I can hear your thoughts"

"Really what did I think"

"You were wondering if I really had the power of the Nost"

Issy just looked at me. A twinkle lit up his eyes.

"Oh my god. You really have the power of the Nost. I doubted you at first, but you really have the power of the Nost!"

"Wait does this mean? Does it mean I'll be able to beat the Balkas leader?"

"Not right now . . . we have a lot of training to do"

After that, we trained until everyone else woke up. But now someone besides my brother truly believed in me.

Chapter 13 Issy and Garth

We were nearing a mountain range. The sled entered a clearing. I was very, very, very tired. So was Moge.

"Take them to the holding cave" Said Hark.

The sled neared a cave mouth and went in. It went steeply down hill. Then we entered a cave. There were the group of scared wolves. Then I realized. All of the wolves were from this year. They were all my age.

The sled came to a stop.

"Get off" said on of the guards.

We got off and then fell down in a heap. My body had become so used to just laying there that now it hurt to stand up. I stood up again. My legs shook like a new born cub's. I walked into the circle followed by Moge.

A black wolf walked up. I noticed it was a small male. But he was not really small, just young.

"Hello I'm Issy" said the wolf.

"Hi Issy, I'm Tuff, and this is my big brother Moge" I said.

"Why is he here"

"Well, I convinced the Balkas to let him come"

"Wow! It must have taken a lot to convince them"

"Not really"

"Oh, well why don't you come over here where my brother is"

We walked through the group of scared young wolves. We found this other white wolf who was asleep.

"Garth get up" said Issy.

The white wolf named Garth opened one eye. "What do you want" he said.

"Meet Tuff and his brother Moge"

"What's the point"

"Will you stop acting like that!"

"Well, do you think we're gonna live? We don't even know what they're looking for"

"I do" I said.

"Well, what do they want"

"They want . . . . . they want the one with the power of the Nost"

"What"

"Yeah . . . and it's no fairy tale. Their leader has the power"

"Yeah . . . right . . . prove it"

"I got told by the Balkas"

"How do you know they weren't lying"

"Wait" said Issy.

"What"

"Remember the other day. Stella came and visited us and when she got mad a wolf flew through the air"

"Yeah"

"That's part of the whole deal. Remember what grandad told us, before they killed him. He also told us how to control it if we have it or if we find the wolf that has the power"

"What did you just say?" I said.

"We know how to control it"

"Well, you better start teaching"

"What?!" said Garth and Issy.

"I have the power. I even had a vision of being here."

After that, I told them what had happened in my life. Then, they agreed to help me.

Chapter 12 The talk

I had the dream about the scared wolves again. Although this time I could see the scenery. We were in a cave, deep in a mountain. We hadn't seen any sunlight for some time. There were other Balkas around us. They were listening, to see if one of us had the Nost. Then a white wolf came into view. I figured this was the leader of the Balkas. She walked up to us and said, "Tuff wake up"

I woke up to Moge.

I said, "What's the matter"

"Come on wake up"

"OK! I'm awake"

"I wanted to show you something"

"What"

"Look at the sky"

I looked up. The sky was the clearest I could ever remember it being in my life.

"Moge . . . I . . . It's so beautiful"

"That is one reason we howl at the moon. A long time ago a wolf name Tos was looking at the sky. This is before there was any howling, but Tos looked at the sky and thought how beautiful it was . . . and all of a sudden . . . he got a strange new feeling. It started in his chest and had to come out. Tos was the first wolf to howl. Wolves all over heard his song and took up the tradition of howling"

"Wow. What happened to Tos"

"Tos lived to be an old wolf. When he died, it has been said that he is always watching us . . . Protecting us . . . Making sure that the wolf goes on. But in which direction I don't know. Into the hands of evil or to the fate of good"

"Moge. You know two days ago . . . when we found out I have the Nost ?"

"Yeah ?"

"I've been thinking . . . what if my dreams are real?"

"What ? "

"I think I dreamt of the future . . . a couple of times . . . It felt SO real . . . Can I tell you about them?"

"I don't think now is the right time. Maybe, after we get out of this mess"

"If we get out of this mess"

"If the Balkas decide to kill us then you can tell me before we die, ok?"

"OK, Moge, but . . . I hope we don't die anytime soon"

At that I started to tremble all over.

"What's wrong little brother"

"Moge" I looked at him. "I'm scared"

"No reason to be scared of death. Everything dies"

That made me feel a lot better.

"Thank you, Moge"

That night . . . the night before we reached the Balkas base. I slept soundly with my big brother Moge next to me.

Chapter 11 The Nost

"Three more days"

I woke up and looked around but the only wolves close were out of earshot. Yet, I could hear them.

"Three more days until we reach base"

"Yes!"

"I can't wait, my feet are killing me"

I was astounded. I tried to wake up Moge but he wouldn't wake up! After a while I bit his ear. He woke up to that. Moge eased back.

"What's the matter" he asked.

I said, "Can you hear those wolves over there"

"No"

"Seriously ? !"

"Yeah, I can't hear them . . . whats the big deal?"

"Tell me the story of the Nost again"

"What?"

"Just do it"

So, Moge told me. The answer hit me right away but I waited for Moge to figure it out. Moge thought about it . . . and thought about it. Then his eyes lit up.

"You don't think . . . do you ?"

"YES . . . I think I do"

"They're searching for the wolf who has the power"

"I know . . . that scares me"

"We mustn't let them find out . . . or . . . or . . . or . . . we don't know what will happen"

"Moge, all we've got to do is act natural . . . we better try to get some more sleep"

"I feel that's the only reason that we're still alive . . . the sleep"

I had a dream then. I dreamed of a family. I saw me, a she wolf and several cubs. I wondered "Is this the power of the Nost?" I kept on dreaming. It turned dark and it was blurred.

Chapter 10 Rejoined

The sled came to a stop again three days later. There was a commotion ahead. I saw all of the Balkas running ahead except for the one guarding me. I caught a scent on the breeze. It smelled familiar. I got up and ran. The guard ran after me but when I stopped at the forming circle so did the guard.

There in the middle of the circle was . . . . Moge. I didn't know whether to be happy to see him again or be mad because he abandoned me. I growled and walked forward. I was mad. The surrounding Balkas looked at me in surprise.

"Tuff!" Said Moge

"Moge you left me with the humans" I growled.

Moge's smile faded. He started to growl in defense but he really didn't want to hurt me I could tell. A little part of me told me to forgive him but I was to consumed in rage. I leaped and he jumped back. I tackled him and we bowled over. We bit and tussled going for each others throats. I saw out of the corner of my eye that Hark was finally looking up from where he was laying down. He's eyes lit up.

Hark came running. I fought harder to win but all the odds were against me. Hark came charging in and yelled, "STOP!"

The fighting stopped just in time. Moge had his jaws around my neck poised to kill. I was trembling from the effort of the fight.

"You ! . . . tell me your name !"

"I'm Moge and I'm Tuff's older brother"

"We have no need for you . . . get out of here"

"No! Not without my brother"

"But, you were just about to kill him"

"Yeah ! . . . but only out of instinct"

"You leave me no choice, the rest of you . . . kill him !"

"Wait" I yelled.

All of the Balkas stood there bewildered.

"I won't come with you without my brother . . . . alive"

"Very well then, but we need you to move"

"No"

"Fine, you eight over there . . . separate them"

Eight wolves came over . . . four on me, and the same for Moge. The four on me dragged me away by my legs. I was too tired to fight back. The other four held Moge down so he couldn't reach me.

"Now Balkas, attack but don't kill . . . . Moge"

There was a frenzy. Moge let out a shrill cry. After a minute. They layed Moge next to me on the sled. Moge was covered in blood. He whimpered with every bump.

"Moge . . . I'm sorry"

"It's not your fault"

"But it is, I got you in this mess"

"If it weren't for you, they would have killed me . . . thanks"

"Have you been roming too"

"Yeh . . . that's just about it. How did you get away from the humans"

At that, I told him my story as we bumped down the path.

Chapter 9 The secret

I slept in a non-sleep on the sled. I dreamed of Clara, and Bran. I also dreamed of Moge. I dreamed of a happy event but couldn't really make it out. One of the Balkas would come over and make sure I was awake but it was like being awake but not. I saw images flash through my brain.



This was the scariest thing that had ever happened in my life, so I just figured my body was trying to escape reality. The sled came to a stop. I opened my eyes and the dream images faded. We were just camping again. Skart came up and said,



"Get up whelp"



I tried to get up but I was still so tired. I swayed but did as I was told. We walked over to Hark.

Hark asked, "You know that question you asked a few days ago ?" I nodded. "Now I can give you the answer. The reason we captured you is because we are looking for the one that was born this year who can control the Nost"

I said, "That's impossible. It's just an old story"

"No, it's not! Our leader Stella controls the power. She is looking for another wolf to stand at her side and help her"

"After the rude hospitality I've received, it would be amazing if anyone helped her"

"We need to keep you weak so that you can not run away or fight back"

"Nothing can make a wolf weak and you should know that"

"Oh . . . but we have ways"

I gulped.

"Take back the captive. I want him weaker than ever"

I growled as two wolves lead me back to the sled. They made me lay down and soon enough I was asleep again in the restless sleep.

Chapter 8 Walking

We walked for days on end. They wouldn't let me sleep. Every time I came close to sleeping, one of them would wake me up. After two days we had met other wolves that had some sort of thing with branches connected to them. In between the branches was a piece of hide. The hide was stretched out to form some sort of bed.

I asked Hark, "What is that thing for?

He said, "you'll know soon enough"

"What are you a part of anyway"

"We are the Balkas"

"What do you want"

"To rule all wolves"

"So, that's why you caught me ?"

"NO! ENOUGH OF YOU STUPID QUESTIONS"

I lowered my tail. I was already tired. They had kept me weak by little food, water, and sleep. I let out a yawn as we started traveling again. My eyes started to droop. I let my eyes close but I was still walking. Soon . . . I bumped into something and woke up.

"Stupid wolf" said one of the gray guards.

"If you would let me sleep I could walk with my eyes open"

The wolf sprang at me. I jumped back.

"Why don't you stop your whining . . . unless you want to die!"

I stopped, but after walking a while longer, I truely fell asleep.

"There Gart, he fell asleep. He should stay asleep until we get to the base" said the guard.

"Good work, Stark"

After that I felt a set of teeth sink in to each leg . I was dragged onto the hide thing and after that I fell into a deep sleep.