WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition: Akela’s Pack. Book 3. Balto’s Challenge

Maverick, the old black wolf who was the alpha of the Burnt Creek Pack, nuzzled each of his four small pups lovingly. “I promise I will be back, then you will finally meet you mother.” He spoke softly before lifting his head and stepping away as the four pups watched him leave. “If anything happens to them…” Maverick began as he stopped in front of a beige wolf.

“Don’t worry Maverick, I’ll protect them as if they were my very own. I’ll keep the others safe as well.” Sage told him as she saw the worry in his yellow eyes. “Be safe out there.” She barked as he began trotting down the hill where a gray wolf stood waiting.

“I will, I’ll be back as soon as I find her.” Maverick barked as he paused in his trot to glance over his shoulder at her. He continued to the awaiting wolf, and they both disappeared into the trees.

Four Months Later…

The autumn sun was at it’s highest peak as it shone brightly into the field of which three small wolves were sneaking through the tall grass, inching away from the white wolf who seemed to be asleep a few yards away. “Where’s Cody?” The black coated wolf asked in a whisper after glancing behind him at his sister.

“You know he never wants to come with us.” Flow whispered back as they continued to crawl through the tall brown grass, away from the sleeping white wolf.
“Quiet you two, your gonna get us caught!” The deep brown coated wolf whispered harshly as he turned to glance at the sleeping wolf.

“Alright, that’s far enough, come on back over here pups.” The white wolf barked in a yawn as he lifted his head from his paws. The three small wolves froze in their tracks and stared at him. “I know you want to go explore, but Sage told you to rest for awhile.” He barked again as he looked in the direction of the three smallish wolves.

“How did you know?” Jack complained as he slowly began walking toward his uncle. Bruno, the brown wolf quickly stepped in front of his brother, making him stop. Bruno gave them both a mischievous grin.
“I may not be able to see, but that doesn’t mean I’m deaf too.” Balto barked as he perked up his ears and listened for any movements. “What are you three up to?” He mumbled to himself as he noticed the silence was strong.

“Run! Quickly go!” Bruno howled as he led the charge across the field. The other two followed close behind him as Balto tried to catch up.

Sage, the beige wolf, lifted her head from the trickling stream as Balto and Cody approached through the thick shrubbery. “Hello Balto, Cody.” Sage greeted the two as they stopped in front of her on the other side of the creek. “Where are the other three?”. She added.

“Well, after their plan to sneak away didn’t work, they ran off, and I couldn’t catch ’em.” Balto replied in a bark before lowering is head to take a few quick laps at the refreshing water.
“Do either of you know where they are heading?” Sage asked with a frustrated sigh. Balto lifted his head from the water and sat down.

“No. No idea.” He woofed. Sage turned to gaze at Cody, whose coat was almost dark golden with a strip of black down his back. Cody looked up at his Aunt, and seemed to know she was expecting an answer.

“Bruno said something about… Beagle Dew.. I think?” He barked with his head turned to one side, letting his ears flop.

“Beagle Dew?” Sage asked as she thought about where Beagle Dew is. She gasped suddenly as she realized what he ment. “You mean.. Eagle View?! Their going to get themselves killed!” Sage yelped as she jumped across the creek. Turning back to them she said. “Stay here incase they come back, I have to find them!”

Cody watched her run a ways ahead through the trees, then quickly began sprinting after her. “What are you doing? She said to stay here!” Balto called to him as he heard his quick foot steps behind him. He sighed, then he too began to cautiously and slowly run after them.

Every few sprints Balto took, sent him slamming into a tree, or stumbling over a fallen branch. Every time he crashed or stumbled, he would suggest to himself to just walk the rest of the way, but he felt an urgency to push himself. Which he did.

The faster he galloped the more aware he became of objects in front of him. He was able to pin point exactly where the trees were, and dart out of the way seconds before smashing into them. It seemed so bizarre to him, and yet, it made him forget about all his worries.

The muffled sound of barks came into earshot rather quickly, but as Balto neared, he was able to make out one voice before it erupted into chaos. “Jack, look out!” Then all that was heard was the rising sound of angry growls, painful yelps, threatening snarls, and frightened yips.

Balto’s gut told him to turn the other direction, away from the danger ahead, but his paws carried him further towards the fighting. Just as he reached the edge of the woods, the noise and clatter became unbearably loud. Balto ran straight through to the center of the fighting, until he collided into a large wolf.

A yelp of surprise rang out of both of their mouths as they tumbled to the ground, and rolled over the edge of a very steep hill. Balto and the stranger rolled and stumbled over each other for what seemed like an endless slope. Yelps escaped Balto’s throat as a shock of pain forced it’s self through his body.

Balto’s head was spinning, it felt as if he was still rolling down the hill. He panted heavily as he realized he was not moving any more. A deep moan reached his ears as something underneath Balto’s body moved up and down. “Can you please get off of me.” The grunt came more clearer. Balto lifted his head slightly, and tried his best to crawl off of the wolf.

After getting off the stranger, Balto laid flat on his side, and let the spinning and throbbing continue.