My amber eyes pierce through the underbrush, watching as the humans harness up their dogs. They expect nothing of the upcoming escape. To them, everything is normal.
       My eyes connect with Dodge's as he allows the harness to fasten tightly around him. He still at the front of the team, pawing at the snow with anticipation.
       The husky winks at me quickly as the human shouts a command, and the team shoots forward, into the forest. I stand, running near them, but far enough away to remain unseen. Branches whip at my face as I shoot through the underbrush.
      I cannot help but wonder where the human wants to go. The only thing I know is that he will not make it there. Sure, he'll survive, but he'll be without a team. He can follow the sled trail back, but I almost hope that he's killed by a predator or the freezing temperatures.
        The dogs slow down on his command when the human catches sight of a a lone deer. The doe is moving through the snow on her slender legs, unaware of the impending danger. The human loads his gun, climbing off of the sled.
      I prepare myself to howl, as it'll be much easier to bolt if the human isn't on the sled. In fact, we might even be able to change our plans and not crash it. But this isn't what happens. Before I get the chance to send the signal, Dodge leaps at the back of the unsuspecting human, catching him in the back of the neck with sharp teeth.
     I freeze, shocked. That wasn't part of the plan. He digs his teeth deep into the back of the human's neck, biting down as hard as he can. The human is shouting, and in shock, has dropped his gun. He slaps meekly at his own dog, but Dodge isn't backing down now. He shakes his head, snapping the man's neck. The doe has shot off into the forest, disappearing into the trees. But I don't even think about a possible meal as I stare at the scene before me.
     There's blood everywhere. Staining the snow, showing up bright in the white patches of Dodge's pelt. He still hasn't let go of the human's neck, holding the man's limp body up. The face of the human is frozen with shock.
      I leap out of the bushes indignantly, tail held high and hackles bristling.

"What the hell was that for?!" I shout, baring my teeth.

        Dodge snarls, half at me and half at the man, allowing the human to fall limply to the ground.

"He deserved it." He growls.

     I pin back my ears, my eyes wide and my mouth hanging open. I am unable to even speak.

"You brought one down yesterday." He argues.

"I-I had a gun to my face! My friend had just been killed! I was in danger!" I protest indignantly.

"I've been in danger since I was a pup." He grumbles, turning around and attempting to chew at his harness. It is obvious that he cannot, but it's more of a signal to tell me that I should get started on removing it.

       It takes me a while to find a sharp enough rock, but when I do, I grasp it tightly in my jaws and saw at the leather. About half an hour later, all of the harnesses have fallen to the ground. I can't help but feel a slight hint of pride as their faces fill with the realization that they're free.
Dodge, wide eyed, is exercising his freedom. He leaps forward, trotting around and smiling. I realize that he's rarely ever been untied, and this free running is something entirely new. Hawk, the lanky chinook is cowering near the sled, afraid of what will happen if he leaves.
        The wounded malamute, Tinge approaches him. He speaks a few words, which seems to calm Hawk down. The thin dog stands, taking a few cautious steps into the snow.
       Albeit the altercation, Dodge seems unusually happy. I consider what I will tell Alpha Granite when I show up at the camp with a large team of eight dogs towing behind me. I just pray that he doesn't make them leave.
        I lead them through the trees, twisting through the forest in the direction of the camp. The dogs are very excited, leaping in fear from every sound and chasing every small animal they see. Their pelts twitch, not used to having nothing wrapped around them to hold them in one place. I know that they're making a racket, but I allow them to have their fun. I know Granite will have a rough time conforming hem to our customs later.
       We reach the edge of the camp, and I instruct them to make a good impression. They quickly lick their pelts and puff up their chests, ready to put on a show. Dodge cleans the blood from his fur. I enter first, the team following behind me. Any wolf in the near vicinity falls completely silent. There had never been any dog in the camp before, none the less eight.
      Obsidian steps forward first, snarling.

"What are you doing with these dogs?" She growls in my face.

      The packmate I was so recently wrestling with in good fun is now growling at me. But I suppose she has her reasons not to trust me at the moment. I still feel uncomfortable with this much stronger wolf inches away from my face. I take a step back, accidentally walking into Dodge.

"Don't be afraid. I found them next to a crashed sled, and brought them back here. They mean no harm to the Pack." I say in a forcefully calm voice.

"Then what exactly do they want?" She asks in the same snarling tone.

"I think you would do best to change your tone." Dodge protectively growls at Obsidian, stepping around and then in front of me, nose to nose with the snarling she-wolf.

"I think you would do best if you stood down, unless you want your throat torn out, dog." She spits back, black hackles bristling.

      I step in between the growling wolf and dog.

"Where is Alpha?" I ask, attempting to stop a possible fight.

     The pitch black wolf shrugs, her yellow eyes still blazing at Dodge with anger. As my eyes scan the wolves around us, I look down to Oak, who is near the front of the group, staring intently at the dogs.

"Oak, go find Alpha." I instruct.

     The young wolf leaps through the snow northward, running to some remote part of the camp to find Granite. I know he'll get there fast in his attempts to impress me. He returns in a few minutes, with Granite in tow.
    Granite silently strides around the group, examining the scents of the dogs. The team backs away from his harsh gaze, his trademark weapon. He pads up in front of Dodge, turning nose to nose with him. The husky doesn't stand down, but straightens his back in a gesture that doesn't suggest dominance, but one that shows that he will not submit.

"This dog is not completely dog. He definitely has wolf in his blood." Granite points out, expressing no emotion in his words.

       Dodge nods. He must know of his wolfish ancestors. His icy eyes are blazing proudly, and he stares right into Granite's challenging yellow ones.
      Alpha Granite turns around, facing me.

"Cadmium, why did you bring these dogs here?" He asks.

"I found them in the forest, next to a wrecked sled. They all looked afraid and out of their element, so I did what I could and brought them here for safety. I've seen what those humans can do, they're brutal. I think it's better off that they stay with us." I lie, and casually hint about them joining us.

          Dodge steps forward.

"The humans are terrible and cruel to us, but we do not know how to survive in the forest. What we're trying to ask is that you let us join your Pack."

        Granite nods, beckoning for Dodge to tell him why they deserve to join the Whitetail Valley Pack.

"You can trust us to learn how to hunt the way you wolves do. We're strong from living through the humans' torment, we just need to learn your ways. And I'm sure we will quickly. Anyway, you'll need the information we have with a threat like the humans in the forest. Please, Alpha of this Pack. We are in need of your help." He finishes with what I interpret as a bow.

    Granite looks the ragged dogs up and down. He looks satisfied with the answer.

"We're going to need more members in the passing months. Especially if the humans start killing more wolves. Now, we can't trust you all to merge into the pack immediately. I'll put your team into your own den, and move the wolves that were previously in that den into some other dens. Cadmium, I expect you to teach them, as you were the one who brought them to us. They're your responsibility." Granite explains, turning and addressing me at the mention of my name.

     I smile, wagging my tail. This is perfect. Deep inside my mind, I feel guilt for lying to him, but I know I'd be punished if he knew I went against his rules.

"Thank you, Alpha." I say with a nod.

       The surrounding wolves have a great array of reactions. Some of them are still in shock from the sight of the dogs, and some are nodding quietly in agreement with Granite. However, several look completely outraged. Especially Obsidian.

"You can not be serious, Alpha! How do we know these dogs are to be trusted?" She barks indignantly.

     Granite turns to face her quickly, brows raised. I can tell that she immediately regrets her disrespectful outburst.

"We may not be able to trust them. But I'm sure we can trust Cadmium's judgement, too. I understand your worry, Obsidian. But you should know that they'll be held to high standards, and will be banished from the Pack if anything goes wrong. Think clearly." He states passive-aggressively after her outburst.

       I can tell that Dodge wants to yell at Obsidan, but I'm glad he holds his tongue. I've got a lot of teaching to do, and respect is high on my list of things to show them.