"Yeah, it does actually," Milta said, she could tell that she was going to enjoy living with Runner and Dinkrut.

As Milta kept swimming around she looked at the scenery around her. The forest was so beautiful, all the trees were so tall, all was quiet except for the noise the running water in the creeks, streams and rivers made. The birds were chirping happily as well. It was all very relaxing.

After swimming about for five minuets she got tired and found a rock she could use as a place to rest her paws but yet at the same time still stay in the water. She noticed that Runner was still swimming.

"Hey, Runner..." she began, not sure of how to say what she felt was n her heart to say, "I never did thank you for earlier. You are a really brave wolf, and a good leader, and you are also kind.... I guess what I'm trying to say is.... thank you.....thank you for letting me join your pack."

((New twist.))

Runner nodded his head in thanks to Dinkrut's food and then turned to Milta. "Well... You don't need to thank me. I would have my pack no other way," he replied, happily. When he finished his meal, he rolled onto his back, intent on getting some sleep. After a while, he realized that something was troubeling him.

What if they really do not like the way I am to them? What if they want a different alpha? His eyes opened wide with fear and stress. He shot his head up and gasped. Have I... have I... I... failed? he thought, worriedly. He lifted himself to his paws and trotted away.

He came to a deep ravine. It had only one way in; a narrow passage hidden with moss and ivy. He slipped down the slope and traveled down the ravine until he found a small cave running off of it. It was underground so he knew it would be sturdy. Plus, it had once taken the pressure of water, and had once been formed by waves.

He crawled into the cave and curled himself up. Something was wrong. He could feel it . . . not emotionally . . . He felt bad. His stomach began to throb and he pushed his claws into it, hoping to cease the pain. But it did not stop. He was sick, really sick. He paniced at first.

Then he silently tolerated the throbbing and drifted into a painful sleep.

Runner ran swiftly among the trees, dodging here and there. Infront of them ran a wild pack of wolf-dogs. At first, the alpha thought he was all alone but then he heard the paw-steps behind him. He glanced over his shoulder. There was milta! And Dinkrut! He almost stopped to embrace them but he knew he couldn't. They were in war. Soon other wolves began to join Runner's group and they almost as large as the opposed pack. When the lines met, Runner slashed wildly at the leader, splitting his neck open until blood spattered the floor. The Black wolf lunged at him, claw raking Runner's ear into threads. Blood stained his eyes... He couldn't see. He felt the sharp pain of claws stabbing through him. He felt as if he was a live when he shouldn't have been...

Runner opened his eyes. He frantically whipped to his paws, looking around. A deep rumble escaped his chest and he snarled furiously. No one was around. The dark-coated wolf was not there.... and Runner's blood was still inside of him. At first, Runner sighed in relief. And then he realized he had no idea where he was.

It was dark, midnight it seemed, and there was wall blocking him everywhere. Then the pain throbbed again in his stomach and he vomited. When Runner found the entrence in the dark, he was anything but happy. His stomach throbbed, he was alone and helpless it seemed, he couldn't see, bad thoughts and feelings raced through his mind, and worst of all, the dream came back to him.

He shuddered and made his way out to the ravine. He looked around, once again frantic. How would he get out?! He saw no opening, no hole to creep out of. Had he fallen into a trap? Were the humans ready to kill him? Or the dark-coated wolf and his followers? Runner's mind bcame dizy with thoughts and he fell to the ground, unconcious.

Something had sprang upon him; a wolf. Runner opened his eyes to see the dark-coated wolf, and he growled, pushing to his paws. But two other wolves were being held to the ground, one taunting him. The dark-caoted wolf was before him, snarling, and raging.

"What are you doing on MY territory?!" he snarled and Runner struggled to free from the claws that pinned him to the ground. He did not answer, but coninued growling.  "And puking all over it too?" shouted one of the wolves behind the dark-coated wolf. Who could help him now?

"My name is Poison... Your's, trespasser?" the lead wolf spat. Poison? No wonder.. Runner thought. "I wasn't trespassing! I didn't know any wolves lived here!" Poisen snarled, furiously. "I said: What's your name?!"

"Runner," he replied, annoyed. His stomach was not even a prick of pain compared to the slashing Poisen did him that moment. Runner cringed under the blow, and even the two wolves with hold of him jumped to the side, letting him fly backwards into the cave.

"Keep 'im there, boys," Poisen demanded. "Skya and Shift can watch him tonight."

Runner was having an uncomfortable time in the cave. He could do without the taunting of the two male wolves who watched over him. Later, they claimed themselves as 'Devil' and 'Blood'. Blood was lsightly more plump, while Devil took the tall and strong figure.

That night, they were replaced with two new guards. Shift was a dark brown male, his eyes blue. Scars ran down his back and gashes lined his stomach. Skya, his mate, was a white wolf, he coat padded with mud and blood stained together.

Their eyes did not hold the coldness that the other's had. They had not once turned back to look at him and had not once spoke or taunted to him. Once Skya left and reappeared with a rabbit hanging in her jaws.

Great... Their gonna eat infront of me... Runner thought, annoyed. But the blank she-wolf threw it in to Runner, who ate it, greedily. The next morning, he was fed nothing, and Devil and Blood once again took guard over him. One time, a small little bundle was thrown in to the corner.

"This is where all tres-passers stay!" spat Devil. Runner nosed the bundle, and out of it popped a little head. It's fur was a mily-brown and his eyes were a dusky yellow. It was a pup. It had been beaten up, with a broken paw and a bloody ear. It shoved itself against the wall, look frightened at the prescence of the large wolf. But Runner crooned softly to the pup, "Don't worry. I'm not one of them... We'll get out of here together..." he said, hoping it was true. The pup uncurled itself. "What's your name, little guy?" Runner questioned.

"Boo. My name's Boo," the pup replied. Runner nodded, sniffing the pup. It smelled of blood mostly, but there was another scent that Runner could not decipher. At the end of the day, Bo had began to trust Runner and curled up haooily at his paws. They were tortured together. Togther they ate the rabbit that Skya threw in, and together they took in the pain when Poisen, Blood, or Devil beat them.

One day, when he was sleeping, Runner felt something nudge him. It had plenty of force, and he knew it was not Boo. He opened his eyes to see Shift and Skya staring at him. Runner pushed to his paws, taking Boo firmly in his jaws. "Follow us," Shift said, and by his voice, Runner felt that they were not in for another beating.

Instead, they were led out of the ravine and far away, yards away. Only when they could no longer smell the blood and evil, did the couple turn around to face the, "You two are free now... And so are we. We're letting you escape. Go now before we change our minds," Skyla said, plainly. Shift nodded his head. "We're not returning either. If we were to return, we would be killed for freeing you. Get rid of your scent so they don't come after you. Good luck."

Runner, Boo in his mouth, ran. He jumped into the stream and got rid of his scent and his blood. Then he curled up in a cave and began to sleep, Boo curled up beside him. "Thanks..." the scrap whispered before also going to sleep. Runner had been gone for three painful days... WOuld Dinkrut and Milta be looking for him? If he was a good alpha, they would. But Runner felt as if he wasn't and his hope faded.

Even though Milta had only known Runner for a short time she found that she was very fond of him, he and Dinkrut were the only family she had, that she knew of at least. She had been very sad to see him go missing, she and Dinkrut had been searching for hours on end and even into the night with no sleep. Dinkrut stopped finally for a rest and some food and water, but not Milta. Milta kept on looking for her leader. Finally, after days of searching nonstop with no sleep she went back to the cave thinking.

As Milta entered the cave though, she was astonished to see Runner already there with a wolf pup, both sleeping soundly. Milta was so happy to see the alpha that she ran over to him yelling all the way.

"Runner! Runner, your home!" she yelled as she reached him, and like a playful pup, pounced on him careful not to injure him. "Runner, I'm so glad your back. Dinkrut and I have been so worried.....we searched day and night, nonstop, well I did at least.......we thought we would never see you again. Where were you? Are you alright? Who is this Pup?" she blurted out all the questions at once.

Just when Boo was beginning to tell Milta of his favorite game he played when he was held captive, two larger wolves bounded into the cave. At first, little Boo cowered back and he could see that Milta was sartled too. But they soon recognized Dinkrut, and new member who had a friendly face on.

"Hi Yuki! I'm Boo!" he said, wagging his tail so hard that he almost bowled himself over. "And my name is Milta. Pleased to meet you, Yuki," Milta replied. Boo jumped over to the female and touched noses with her in greeting. "I'm the pack pup!" he exclaimed. Runner had earlier told him that he would be made a Pup of his pack once they got back home.

"And Runner is alpha, Dinkrut is . . . Warrior, and Milta is . . . Beta, I think, and . . . umm . . . I guess Runner will tell you your rank later when he knows your skills!" He then began rambling about how fun the pack had been for him and he had already been there 1 day! Then he told her how Runner and him were held captive against this 'evilest wolf in the forest' and how they couldn't get home for days. "We just got home today!" he added. After this, he settled down and watched the adults talk.

~~~

Runner kept his head held high as he studied the female before him. She had beautiful fur, and the most lovely voice, he added in his head. Then he snapped out of it. "Well, I'm glad you made an addition to our pack. Later we may give you your rank," he told her. She looked somewhat non-conecting as she never made eye-contact but Runner only took notice for a few seconds before he was washed up in the beauty of her eyes.

He was loosing it. To save himself from major embaressment, he began to talk about alpha-like things and how the pack worked. "We're called the Ice Mist Pack," he imformed, when he had nothing else to say. Say something! he urged himself in his head. "You . . . Where do you come from?" he asked, fumbling with his words.

Runner listened intently to what she had to say, keeping his eyes on his paws at all times. Finally, he looked into her's as she asked of his past, a place of which he wished to return and make it never happen . . . "Well," he replied, looking away. Could he trust her like he trusted Milta and Dinkrut? He felt as if he could, yet he never let those two know of his past until after a while . . .

"We can speak of it another time," he said quickly, shuddering as visions came to mind. "You can meet the rest of us." With a few bounds he was on his way at a slow pace, Wicked Light following closely behind. When the two reached the den, Runner smiled. "Wicked, this is Boo, Milta, Dinkrut, and Yuki," he said, representing them with a flick of his tail.

"It's not up to me to decide... He's a smart pup. I'm sure he can choose for himself," he answered Milta. "He's only known me for a few moons now, and you guys for not even one sun," he reasoned to her. He smiled to his beta before sitting at the mouth of the cave, the sun barely reaching his fur.

Once everyone was settled, he spoke up, "There are some predators in the forest," he informed the listening pack members. "I was captured among these beasts. The sad and terrifying thing is, these beasts are of our kind. Only larger, and so evil that it captured Boo, a helpless pup at the same time. That's when we both met and we eventually found good wolves among the pack that freed us. If you scent anything unusual among the lands, or see anything report to me without hesitation."

This said, he turned his concerned face into a more serious one, with sparks of pleasure as he looked upon his pack. "To decide what ranks these two will be in," he said, gestering towards Wicked Light and Yuki, "we will be holding a pack hunt. Until then, you two hold rank as omegas." Runner looked around at the pack, smiling all the while. His face softened as his eyes drifted over Boo.

"Also, Boo will be the pack's pup until old enough to earn ranking," he informed, nuding the small pup affectionatly. "Now who's up for a hunt?"

"Well, Runner already said that a hunt was in order and that he would decide ranks from the hunt." Milta replied where everyone could hear, "Myself personally though, I think that Wicked and Runner have a fancy for each other, she seems like she would make a good alphess, only time will tell if my observations have been interpreted correctly," Milta whispered as she leaned toward Dinkrut, she had whispered only loud enough for Dinkrut to hear her personal thoughts.

"Anyways, lets get this hunt started....wait, Runner, I have one more question, is Boo coming with us on the hunt or is one of us going to stay behind? I'll stay behind and look after him if you want someone to stay." Milta said, she was really fond of the pup even though she had only met him a little while ago, she hoped that her and the rest of the pack would be a good influence on him.

Padding towards the sick beast, with Milta and Boo following, Dinkrut dropped to his belly. Slinking further forwards on all fours, he suddenly stopped. Glancing behind him, he saw that the small noise he had heard was Boo dropping to his stomach as well. Oh well he thought. In time, he'll make less noise.

Moving forwards once again, Dinkrut circled the caribou. Motioning for Milta to do the same, he watched as she moved into position, Boo by her side.

Catching Milta's eye, he nodded.

Now they moved silently towards the creature. Then lunging forwards, they began to drive it away from the herd, towards the waiting wolves on the side.

Working seamlessly, they succeeded in driving the animal towards their leader...

Moving forwards to do as Runner had asked - while Runner sprung onto the buck's back - she watched, Deciding quickly, she realised that she no longer cared if she got hurt.

Lunging forwards, she grabbed the animal by the side, trying to get a grip on the fur, and the flesh beneath. Feeling the creature stumble, Yuki took the advantage, grabbing the throat, but not closing her jaws. The killing of the beast was a right that was reserved for the Alpha.

Feeling Runner come closer, she slunk away, letting Runner know that the killing was his.

Watching in anticipation, she waited...

Looking surprised at the ranking she had just been given, Yuki shook her head. Falling silent, she did as Wicked had when she had met Runner, and bowed her head. Looking up, she heard Runner say "... but I feel your knack holds elsewhere. I'm not sure for now, but we'll find something for you Wicked."

Smiling, Yuki thought she knew what rank Wicked would get. It was obvious that the Alpha and the Femme fancied each other. You could tell by the way that they looked at each other.

Laying down, Yuki planned to rest for a little while. Closing her eyes, she drifted on the edge of sleep, but did not fall into it.

After a while, Yuki opened her eyes. Somebody was talking.

It was a different wolf. Silently, Yuki got up, and padded towards the newcomer. "Hello. Who be you, and what is your purpose?" she said.

She immediately realised that she'd sounded very stern. Softening, she smiled. Waiting for an answer, she sat down on the grass, motioning for the other to do so also.

At sight of the new wolf, Runner removed himself from the peadeful wolf to follow Yuki. The confident way he held his head and the blazing, dominant expression in his eyes made everyone aware that he was alpha. Yet he wore a deep smile on his face.

"Well, perhaps you belong with us, Brooke. These wolves stay under my care. I protect them, like an alpha should. We are the Ice Mist pack. All new members are welcome," he explained, letting his cold tone drop to a warm note in the end.

----

Boo jumped from his spot under the tree. He had been between Milta and Wicked Light, the two females he had took trust to. Yuki was one of them as well, but he could not figure out what she was doing that moment. Boo looked up towards Milta and Wicked, a questioning expression written in his deep, big eyes.

Runner nodded, but before he could do anything, Boo bounded up to Brooke, hopping from one paw to the other. "Hewo! I'm BOO!" he chanted, bouncing around the femme, smiling. Runner swiped the pup's nose with his large paw. The pup rolled over on to his back, giggling. "My name is Runner, alpha of this pack. You are just a few steps into our packlands," he told her, confirming that it was okay with a warm smile. Then he looked to the others, waiting for them to introduce themselves.

When the young pup called Boo had come over, he had startled her a little. But she decided not to worry about it, this pup seemed nicer than all the other pups that she had met, but she was still going to keep a close eye on him.

"My name is Brooke." She said as she saw the other pack members come over. They all looked friendly. Maybe this really was the home for her, after all.

Ooc || We've waited long enough. Sowry, Pulsey. =3 ||

Runner nodded as everyone got up to intorduce themselves. They all seemed content with this new lifestyle under his rules, even the newer ones. The corners of his mouth turned up in a smile. "You look hungry," he said, glancing down to where her skinned tightened to show her ribs. "With us you will never starve. Go ahead and fill yourself," he offered, kindly, gestering towards where the half-eaten carcass lay in the shade. He glanced around. It was nearing night, and from the looks of it Boo was getting drowsy. The black pup yawned, streatching his legs behind him. Then, suddenly he jumped to his paws and followed the rest back to the carcass. Runner chuckled, and began to follow behind. Then he laid his eyes on Wiked Light. For a moment his eyes were locked on her perfect form until he caught Boo looking at him. The pup had his head tilted completely to the side, and his ears were perk as if he were suddenly ready to play. Then his eyes sagged again and he rolled off his paws. Runner reached the carcass, grasped a mouthful of meat, and slided over to Boo, eyes sparkling. Boo's eyes widened at the meat, and again his energy was met. "Can I have some?" Runner laughed, sitting down beside him. "Do you really think I could eat this by myself?" He tried to sound offended, as if Boo had suggested he eat a whole carcass. Boo giggled, and flung himself at the meat, gobbling his share down in a heartbeat. Runner took the remains, the smile remaining clear on his face.