,,WOLF ,,BRO!R
 ,BOOK ,"O1 ,*RONICLES ( ,ANCI5T ,D>K;S

            ,,MI*ELLE ,,PAV]

   ,PUBLI%$ 0,H>P],TROPHY1 ,NEW ,YORK
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       ,,ISBN-#AJ3 #J-JF-JGBHBG-B
     ,,ISBN-#AC3 #IGH-J-JF-JGBHBG-D

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             ,,WOLF ,,BRO!R           #A

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  ,TORAK WOKE )A JOLT F A SLEEP HE'D N"E
M1NT 6H4
  ,! FIRE _H BURN$ L[4 ,HE CR\*$ 9 !
FRAGILE %ELL ( LI<T & PE]$ 96! LOOM+
BLACK;S (! ,=E/4 ,HE CDN'T SEE ANY?+4
,CDN'T HE> ANY?+4 ,_H X -E BACK8 ,0 X \
"! N[1 WAT*+ HM ) XS HOT1 MURD]\S EYES8
  ,HE FELT HOLL[ & COLD4 ,HE KNEW T HE
BADLY NE$$ FOOD1 & T 8 >M HURT1 & 8 EYES
7 SCRAT*Y ) TIR$;S1 B HE CDN'T RE,Y
.FEEL X4 ,ALL NI<T HE'D GU>D$ ! WRECK (!
SPRUCE B\< %ELT] & WAT*$ 8 "F BLE$4 ,H[
CD ? 2 HAPP5+8
  ,ONLY YE/]"D--.YE/]"D--!Y'D PIT*$ CAMP
9 ! BLUE AUTUMN DUSK4 ,TORAK _H MADE A
JOKE1 & 8 "F 0 LAU<+4 ,!N ! ,=E/ EXPLOD-
$4 ,RAV5S SCR1M$4 ,P9ES CRACK$4 ,& \ (!
D>K 2N ! TREES SURG$ A DEEP] D>K;S3 A
HUGE RAMPAG+ M5ACE 9 BE> =M4
  ,SU45LY D1? 0 ^U !M4 ,A FR5ZY ( CLAWS4
,A WELT] ( S.D 6MAKE ! E>S BLE$4 ,9 A
HE>TB1T1 ! CR1TURE _H SMA%$ _! %EL-   #B
T] 6SPL9T]S4 ,9 A HE>TB1T1 X _H RIPP$ A
RA7$ W.D 9 8 "F'S SIDE4 ,!N X 0 G"O1
MELT+ 96! ,=E/ Z SIL5TLY Z MI/4
  ,B :AT K9D ( BE> ./ALKS M5--!N VANI%ES
)\T MAK+ ! KILL8 ,:AT K9D ( BE> PLAYS )
XS PREY8
  ,& ": 0 X N[8
  ,TORAK CDN'T SEE 2Y ! FIRELI<T1 B HE
KNEW T ! CLE>+1 TOO1 0 A WRECK ( SNAPP$
SAPL+S & TRAMPL$ BRACK54 ,HE SMELL$ P9E-
BLOOD & CLAW$ E>?4 ,HE HE>D ! S(T1 SAD
BU2L+ (! /R1M ?IRTY PACES AWAY4 ,! BE>
CD 2 ANY":4
  ,2S HM1 8 "F MOAN$4 ,SL[LY HE OP5$ 8
EYES & LOOK$ AT 8 SON )\T RECOGNI;N4
  ,TORAK'S HE>T CL5*$4 8,FA1 X--X'S ME10
HE /AMM]$4 8,H[ D Y FEEL80
  ,PA9 3VULS$ 8 "F'S L1N BR[N FACE4 ,8
*EEKS 7 T+$ ) GRAY1 MAK+ ! CLAN-TATTOOS
/& \ LIVIDLY4 ,SW1T MATT$ 8 L;G D>K
HAIR4
  ,8 W.D 0 S DEEP T Z ,TORAK CLUMSILY
/AN*$ X ) BE>D-MOSS1 HE SAW 8 "F'S GUTS
GLI/5+ 9 ! FIRELI<T4 ,HE _H 6GRIT 8 TEE?
6KEEP F RET*+4 ,HE HOP$ ,FA DIDN'T    #C
NOTICE--B ( C\RSE HE DID4 ,FA 0 A HUNT]4
,HE NOTIC$ "EY?+4
  8,TORAK '''0 HE BR1!D4 ,8 H& R1*$ \1 8
HOT F+]S CL++ 6,TORAK'S Z EAG]LY Z A *4
,TORAK SWALL[$4 ,SONS CLUT* _! "FS' H&S1
N ! O!R WAY >.D4
  ,HE TRI$ 6BE PRACTICAL3 6BE A MAN 9/1D
(A BOY4 8,I'VE / GOT "S Y>R[ L1VES10 HE
SD1 FUMBL+ = 8 M$IC9E P\* ) 8 FREE H&4
8,MAYBE T'LL /OP !--0
  8,KEEP X4 ,Y'RE BLE$+ TOO40
  8,DOESN'T HURT10 LI$ ,TORAK4 ,! BE> _H
?R[N HM AG/ A BIR* TREE1 BRUIS+ 8 RIBS &
GA%+ 8 LEFT =E>M4
  8,TORAK--L1VE4 ,N[4 ,2F X -ES BACK40
  ,TORAK />$ AT HM4 ,HE OP5$ 8 M\? B NO
S.D CAME4
  8,Y M/10 SD 8 "F4
  8,NO4 .,NO4 ,I C'T--0
  8,TORAK--,I'M DY+4 ,I'LL 2 D1D 0SUN-
RISE40
  ,TORAK GRIPP$ ! M$IC9E P\*4 ,"! 0 A
RO>+ 9 8 E>S4 8,FA--0
  8,GIVE ME--:AT ,I NE$ =! ,D1? ,J\RNEY4
,!N GET YR ?+S40                      #D
  ,! ,D1? ,J\RNEY4 ,NO4 ,NO4
  ,B 8 "F'S FACE 0 /]N4 8,MY B[10 HE SD4
8,?REE >R[S4 ,Y--KEEP ! RE/4 ,": ,I'M
GO+--HUNT+'S EASY40
  ,"! 0 A TE> 9 ! KNEE ( ,TORAK'S BUCK-
SK9 LE7+S4 ,HE DUG 8 ?UMBNAIL 96! FLE%4
,X HURT4 ,HE =C$ HMF 63C5TRATE ON T4
  8,FOOD10 GASP$ 8 "F4 8,! DRI$ M1T4 ,Y
--TAKE X ALL40
  ,TORAK'S KNEE _H />T$ 6BLE$4 ,HE KEPT
DI7+4 ,HE TRI$ N 6PICTURE 8 "F ON ! ,D1?
,J\RNEY4 ,HE TRI$ N 6PICTURE HMF AL"O 9
! ,=E/4 ,HE 0 ONLY TWELVE SUMM]S OLD4
,HE CDN'T SURVIVE ON 8 [N4 ,HE DIDN'T "K
H[4
  8,TORAK6 ,MOVE60
  ,BL9K+ FURI\SLY1 ,TORAK R1*$ = 8 "F'S
W1PONS & LAID !M 0HIS SIDE4 ,HE DIVID$
UP ! >R[S1 PRICK+ 8 F+]S ON ! %>P FL9T
PO9TS4 ,!N HE %\LD]$ 8 QUIV] & B[ &
SCRAB#D 9 ! WRECKAGE = 8 SMALL BLACK BA-
SALT AXE4 ,8 HAZELWOOD PACK _H BE5 SMA%$
9 ! ATTACK2 HE'D H 6CRAM "EY?+ ELSE 9TO
8 J]K91 OR TIE X 6HIS BELT4
  ,HE R1*$ = 8 RE9DE]-HIDE SLEEP+-    #E
SACK4
  8,TAKE M9E10 MURMUR$ 8 "F4 8,Y N"E DID
--REPAIR YRS4 ,&--SWAP KNIVES40
  ,TORAK 0 A<A/4 8,N YR KNIFE6 ,Y'LL NE$
X60
  8,Y'LL NE$ X M4 ,&--X'LL 2 GD 6H "S?+
( YRS ON ! ,D1? ,J\RNEY40
  8,FA1 PL1SE4 ,DON'T--0
  ,9 ! ,=E/1 A TWIG SNAPP$4
  ,TORAK SPUN R.D4
  ,! D>K;S 0 ABSOLUTE4 ,"EY": HE LOOK$ !
%AD[S 7 BE>-%AP$4
  ,NO W9D4
  ,NO BIRDS;G4
  ,J ! CRACKLE (! FIRE &! ?UD ( 8 HE>T4
,! ,=E/ XF 0 HOLD+ XS BR1?4
  ,8 "F LICK$ ! SW1T F 8 LIPS4 8,X'S N
"H YET10 HE SD4 8,SOON4 ,X W -E = ME
SOON4 ''' ,QK4 ,! KNIVES40
  ,TORAK DIDN'T WANT 6SWAP KNIVES4 ,T WD
MAKE X F9AL4 ,B 8 "F 0 WAT*+ HM ) AN IN-
T5S;Y T ALL[$ NO REFUSAL4
  ,CL5*+ 8 JAW S H>D T X HURT1 ,TORAK
TOOK 8 [N KNIFE & PUT X 96,FA'S H&4 ,!N
HE UNTI$ ! BUCKSK9 %1? F 8 "F'S       #F
BELT4 ,FA'S KNIFE 0 B1UTI;L & D1DLY1 )A
BLADE ( B&$ BLUE SLATE %AP$ L A WILL[
L1F1 &A HAFT ( R$ DE] ANTL] T 0 B.D )
ELK S9EW =A BETT] GRIP4 ,Z ,TORAK LOOK$
D[N AT X1 ! TRU? HIT HM4 ,HE 0 GETT+
R1DY =A LIFE )\T ,FA4 8,I'M N L1V+ Y60
HE CRI$4 8,I'LL FI<T X1 ,I--0
  8,NO6 ,NO "O C FI<T ? BE>60
  ,RAV5S FLEW UP F ! TREES4
  ,TORAK =GOT 6BR1!4
  8,LI/5 6ME10 HISS$ 8 "F4 8,A BE>--ANY
BE>--IS ! /R;GE/ HUNT] 9 ! ,=E/4 ,Y "K
T4 ,B ? BE>--.M* /R;G]40
  ,TORAK FELT ! HAIRS ON 8 >MS RISE4
,LOOK+ D[N 96HIS "F'S EYES1 HE SAW ! T9Y
SC>LET VE9S &1 AT ! C5T]S1 ! FA?OM.S
D>K4 8,:AT D Y M1N80 HE :ISP]$4 8,:AT--0
  8,X IS--POSSESS$40 ,8 "F'S FACE 0
GRIM2 HE DIDN'T SEEM L ,FA ANYMORE4 8,"S
--DEMON--F ! ,O!R_W--HAS 5T]$ X & MADE X
EVIL40
  ,AN EMB] SPAT4 ,! D>K TREES L1N$ CLOS]
6LI/54
  8,A .DEMON80 SD ,TORAK4
  ,8 "F %UT 8 EYES1 MU/]+ 8 /R5G?4    #G
8,X LIVES ONLY 6KILL10 HE SD AT LA/4 8,)
EA* KILL--XS P[] W GR[4 ,X W SLAU<T]--
"EY?+4 ,! PREY4 ,! CLANS4 ,ALL W DIE4 ,!
,=E/ W DIE--0 ,HE BROKE (F4 8,IN "O MOON
--X W 2 TOO LATE4 ,! DEMON--TOO /R;G40
  8,"O MOON8 ,B :AT--0
  8,?9K1 ,TORAK6 ,:5 ! R$ EYE IS HI<E/ 9
! NI<T SKY1 T'S :5 DEMONS >E /R;GE/4 ,Y
"K ?4 ,T'S :5 ! BE> W BE--9V9CI#40 ,HE
F"\ = BR1?4 ,9 ! FIRELI<T1 ,TORAK SAW !
PULSE B1T+ 9 8 ?ROAT4 ,S FA9T3 Z IF X
MI<T /OP AT ANY MO;T4 8,I NE$ Y--6SWE>
"S?+10 SD ,FA4
  8,ANY?+40
  ,FA SWALL[$4 8,H1D NOR?4 ,_M "DWALKS4
,F9D--! ,M.TA9--(! ,_W ,_S40
  ,TORAK />$ AT HM4 .,:AT8
  ,8 "F'S EYES OP5$1 & HE GAZ$ 96!
BRAN*ES OV]H1D1 Z IF HE SAW ?+S "! T NO
"O ELSE CD4 8,F9D X10 HE SD AG4 8,X'S !
ONLY HOPE40
  8,B--NO "O'S "E F.D X4 ,NO "O C40
  8,Y C40
  8,H[8 ,I DON'T--0
  8,YR GUIDE--W F9D Y40               #H
  ,TORAK 0 2WILD]$4 ,N"E 2F _H 8 "F
TALK$ L ?4 ,HE 0 A PRACTICAL MAN2 A
HUNT]4 8,I DON'T "U/& ANY ( ?60 HE CRI$4
8,:AT GUIDE8 ,:Y M/ ,I F9D ! ,M.TA98 ,W
,I 2 SAFE "!8 ,IS T X8 ,SAFE F ! BE>80
  ,SL[LY1 ,FA'S GAZE LEFT ! SKY & CAME
6RE/ ON 8 SON'S FACE4 ,HE LOOK$ Z IF HE
0 WOND]+ H[ M* M ,TORAK CD TAKE4 8,AH1
Y'RE TOO "Y10 HE SD4 8,I ?"\ ,I _H M "T4
,S M* ,I HAV5'T TOLD Y4 ,DON'T--DON'T
HATE ME = T LAT]40
  ,TORAK LOOK$ AT HM 9 HORROR4 ,!N HE
L1P$ 6HIS FEET4 8,I C'T D ? ON MY [N4
,%DN'T ,I TRY 6F9D--0
  8,NO60 SD 8 "F ) />TL+ =CE4 8,ALL YR
LIFE ,I'VE KEPT Y A"P4 ,EV5--F \R [N
,WOLF ,CLAN4 ,/AY AWAY F M56 ,IF !Y F9D
\--:AT Y C D '''0
  8,:AT D Y M1N8 ,I DON'T--0
  8,NO "T10 8 "F CUT IN4 8,N[ SWE>4 ,ON
MY KNIFE4 ,SWE> T Y W F9D ! ,M.TA91 OR
DIE TRY+40
  ,TORAK BIT 8 LIP H>D4 ,EA/ "? ! TREES1
A GRAY LI<T 0 GR[+4 ,N YET1 HE ?"\ 9
PANIC4 .,PL1SE N YET4                 #I
  8,SWE>10 HISS$ 8 "F4
  ,TORAK KNELT & PICK$ UP ! KNIFE4 ,X 0
H1VY3 A MAN'S KNIFE1 TOO BIG = HM4 ,AWK-
W>DLY HE T\*$ X 6! W.D ON 8 =E>M4 ,!N HE
PUT X 6HIS %\LD]1 ": ! /RIP ( WOLF FUR1
8 CLAN-CR1TURE1 0 SEWN 6HIS J]K94 ,9 AN
UN/1DY VOICE HE TOOK 8 OA?4 8,I SWE>1 BY
MY BLOOD ON ? BLADE1 & 0EA* ( MY ?REE
S\LS--T ,I W F9D ! ,M.TA9 (! ,_W ,_S4
,OR DIE TRY+40
  ,8 "F BR1!D \4 8,GD4 ,GD4 ,N[4 ,PUT !
,D1? ,M>KS ON ME4 ,HURRY4 ,! BE>--N F>
(F40
  ,TORAK FELT ! SALTY /+ ( TE>S4 ,ANGRI-
LY HE BRU%$ !M AWAY4 8,I HAV5'T GOT ANY
O*RE10 HE MUM#D4
  8,TAKE--M9E40
  ,9 A BLUR1 ,TORAK F.D ! LL ANTL]-T9E
M$IC9E HORN T _H BE5 8 "M'S4 ,9 A BLUR1
HE YANK$ \ ! BLACK OAK /OPP]1 & %OOK "S
(! R$ O*RE 96HIS PALM4
  ,SU45LY HE /OPP$4 8,I C'T40
  8,Y C4 ,= ME40
  ,TORAK SPAT 96HIS PALM & MADE A /ICKY
PA/E (! O*RE1 ! D>K-R$ BLOOD (!      #AJ
E>?2 !N HE DREW ! SMALL CIRCLES ON 8
"F'S SK9 T WD HELP ! S\LS RECOGNIZE EA*
O!R & /AY TGR AF D1?4
  ,F/1 Z G5TLY Z HE CD1 HE REMOV$ 8 "F'S
B1V]-HIDE BOOTS & DREW A CIRCLE ON EA*
HEEL1 6M>K ! "N-S\L4 ,!N HE DREW ANO!R
CIRCLE OV] ! HE>T1 6M>K ! CLAN-S\L4 ,?
WASN'T EASY1 Z 8 "F'S *E/ 0 SC>R$ F AN
OLD W.D1 S ,TORAK MANAG$ ONLY A LOPSID$
OVAL4 ,HE HOP$ T WD 2 GD 5\<4
  ,LA/1 HE MADE ! MO/ IMPORTANT M>K (
ALL3 A CIRCLE ON ! =EH1D 6M>K ! ,NANUAK1
! _W-S\L4 ,0! "T HE'D F9I%$1 HE 0 SWAL-
L[+ TE>S4
  8,BETT]10 MURMUR$ 8 "F4 ,B ,TORAK SAW
)A CLUT* ( T]ROR T ! PULSE 9 8 ?ROAT 0
FA9T]4
  8,Y C'T DIE60 ,TORAK BUR/ \4
  ,8 "F GAZ$ AT HM ) PA9 & L;G+4
  8,FA1 ,I'M N L1V+ Y1 ,I--0
  8,TORAK4 ,Y SWORE AN OA?40 ,AG HE
CLOS$ 8 EYES4 8,N[4 ,Y--KEEP ! M$IC9E
HORN4 ,I DON'T NE$ X ANYMORE4 ,TAKE YR
?+S4 ,FET* ME WAT] F ! RIV]4 ,!N--G40
  ,I W .N CRY1 ,TORAK TOLD HMF Z     #AA
HE ROLL$ UP 8 "F'S SLEEP+-SACK & TI$ X
ACR 8 BACK2 JAMM$ 8 AXE 96HIS BELT2 /U6$
8 M$IC9E P\* 96HIS J]K94
  ,HE GOT 6HIS FEET & LOOK$ AB =! WAT]-
SK94 ,X 0 RIPP$ 6%R$S4 ,HE'D H 6BR+ WAT]
9 A DOCK L1F4 ,HE 0 AB 6G :5 8 "F MUR-
MUR$ 8 "N4
  ,TORAK TURN$4 8,YES1 ,FA80
  8,REMEMB]4 ,:5 Y'RE HUNT+1 LOOK 2H Y4
,I--ALW TELL Y40 ,HE =C$ A SMILE4 8,Y
ALW--=GET4 ,LOOK 2H Y4 ,YES80
  ,TORAK NO4$4 ,HE TRI$ 6SMILE BACK4 ,!N
HE BL"U$ "? ! WET BRACK5 T[>D ! /R1M4
  ,! LI<T 0 GR[+1 &! AIR SMELL$ FRE% &
SWEET4 ,>.D HM ! TREES 7 BLE$+3 OOZ+
GOLD5 P9E-BLOOD F ! SLA%ES ! BE> _H IN-
FLICT$4 ,"S (! TREE-_SS 7 MOAN+ QUIETLY
9 ! DAWN BREEZE4
  ,TORAK R1*$ ! /R1M1 ": MI/ FLOAT$ ABV
! BRACK51 & WILL[S TRAIL$ _! F+]S 9 !
COLD WAT]4 ,GLANC+ QKLY >.D1 HE SNAT*$ A
DOCK L1F & MOV$ =W>D1 8 BOOTS S9K+ 96!
S(T R$ MUD4
  ,HE FROZE4
  ,2S 8 "R BOOT 0 ! TRACK (A BE>4    #AB
,A FRONT PAW3 TWICE ! SIZE ( 8 [N H1D1 &
S FRE% T HE CD SEE ! PO9TS ": ! L;G1 VI-
CI\S CLAWS _H BITT5 DEEP 96! MUD4
  ..,LOOK 2H Y1 .,TORAK4
  ,HE SPUN R.D4
  ,WILL[S4 ,ALD]4 ,FIR4
  ,NO BE>4
  ,A RAV5 FLEW D[N ONTO A NE>BY B\<1
MAK+ HM JUMP4 ,! BIRD FOLD$ XS /IFF
BLACK W+S & FIX$ HM )A B1DY EYE4 ,!N X
J]K$ XS H1D1 CROAK$ ONCE1 & FLEW AWAY4
  ,TORAK />$ 9 ! DIREC;N X _H SEEM$ 6IN-
DICATE4
  ,D>K YEW4 ,DRIPP+ SPRUCE4 ,D5SE4 ,IM-
P5ETRA#4
  ,B DEEP )9--NO M ?AN T5 PACES AWAY--A
/IR ( BRAN*ES4 ,"S?+ 0 9 "!4 ,"S?+ HUGE4
  ,HE TRI$ 6KEEP 8 PANICKY ?"\S F SKIT-
T]+ AWAY1 8 M9D _H G"O :ITE4
  ..,! ?+ AB A .BE>1 8 "F ALW SD1 ..IS T
X C MOVE Z SIL5TLY Z BR1?4 ,X CD 2 WAT*+
Y F T5 PACES AWAY1 & Y'D N"E "K4 ,AG/ A
BE> Y H NO DEF5SES4 ,Y C'T RUN FA/]4 ,Y
C'T CLIMB HI<]4 ,Y C'T FI<T X ON YR [N4
,ALL Y C D IS LE>N XS WAYS1 & TRY    #AC
6P]SUADE X T Y'RE NEI ?R1T NOR .PREY4
  ,TORAK =C$ HMF 6/AY /4 ,DON'T RUN4
,DON'T RUN4 ,MAYBE X DOESN'T "K Y'RE "H4
  ,A L[ HISS4 ,AG ! BRAN*ES /IRR$4
  ,HE HE>D ! /1L?Y RU/LE Z ! CR1TURE
MOV$ T[>D ! %ELT]3 T[>D 8 "F4 ,HE WAIT$
9 RIGID SIL;E Z X PASS$4 ,C[>D6 HE %\T$
9SIDE 8 H1D4 ,Y LET X G )\T EV5 TRY+ TO
SAVE ,FA6
  ,B :AT CD Y D8 SD ! SMALL "P ( 8 M9D T
CD / ?9K /RAI<T4 ,FA KNEW ? WD HAPP54
,T'S :Y HE S5T Y = WAT]4 ,HE KNEW X 0 -+
= HM4 '''
  8,TORAK60 CAME 8 "F'S WILD CRY4
8.,RUN60
  ,CR[S BUR/ F ! TREES4 ,A RO> %OOK !
,=E/--ON & ON TILL ,TORAK'S H1D 0 SPLIT-
T+4
  8.,FA60 HE SCR1M$4
  8.,RUN60
  ,AG ! ,=E/ %OOK4 ,AG CAME 8 "F'S CRY4
,!N SU45LY X BROKE (F4
  ,TORAK JAMM$ 8 FI/ 9 8 M\?4
  ,"? ! TREES1 HE GLIMPS$ A GRT D>K %AD[
9 ! WRECK (! %ELT]4                  #AD
  ,HE TURN$ & RAN4























                 ,,TWO               #AE

  ,TORAK CRA%$ "? ALD] ?ICKETS & SANK TO
8 KNEES 9 BOGS4 ,BIR* TREES :ISP]$ ( 8
PASS+4 ,SIL5TLY HE BE7$ !M N 6TELL !
BE>4
  ,! W.D 9 8 >M BURN$1 &) EA* BR1? 8
BRUIS$ RIBS A*$ SAVAGELY1 B HE DIDN'T
D>E /OP4 ,! ,=E/ 0 FULL ( EYES4 ,HE PIC-
TUR$ ! BE> -+ AF HM4 ,HE RAN ON4
  ,HE />TL$ A "Y BO> GRU2+ UP PIGNUTS1 &
GRUNT$ A QK APOLOGY 6W>D (F AN ATTACK4
,! BO> GAVE AN ILL-TEMP]$ SNORT & LET HM
PASS4
  ,A WOLV]9E SN>L$ AT HM 6/AY .AWAY1 &
HE SN>L$ BACK Z FI]CELY Z HE CD1 2C WOL-
V]9ES ONLY LI/5 6?R1TS4 ,! WOLV]9E DE-
CID$ HE M1NT X & %OT UP A TREE4
  ,6! EA/1 ! SKY 0 WOLF GRAY4 ,?"U
GR[L$4 ,9 ! /ORMY LI<T1 ! TREES 7 A
BRILLIANT GRE54 ,RA9 9 ! M.TA9S1 ?"\
,TORAK NUMBLY4 ,WAT* \ = FLA% FLOODS4
  ,HE =C$ HMF 6?9K ( T--6PU% AWAY ! HOR-
ROR4 ,X DIDN'T "W4 ,HE RAN ON4
  ,AT LA/1 HE _H 6/OP = BR1?4 ,HE
COLLAPS$ AG/ AN OAK TREE4 ,Z HE      #AF
RAIS$ 8 H1D 6/>E AT ! %IFT+ GRE5 L1VES1
! TREE MURMUR$ SECRETS 6XF1 %UTT+ HM \4
  ,=! F/ "T 9 8 LIFE1 HE 0 TRULY AL"O4
,HE DIDN'T FEEL "P (! ,=E/ ANYMORE4 ,HE
FELT Z IF 8 _W-S\L _H SNAPP$ XS L9K 6ALL
O!R LIV+ ?+S3 TREE & BIRD1 HUNT] & PREY1
RIV] & ROCK4 ,NO?+ 9 ! :OLE _W KNEW H[
HE FELT4 ,NO?+ WANT$ 6"K4
  ,! PA9 9 8 >M WR5*$ HM BACK F 8 ?"\S4
,F 8 M$IC9E P\* HE TOOK 8 LA/ SCRAP (
BIR* BA/ & R\<LY B&AG$ ! W.D4 ,!N HE
PU%$ HMF (F ! TREE TRUNK & LOOK$ >.D4
  ,HE'D GR[N UP 9 ? "P (! ,=E/4 ,E
SLOPE1 E GLADE 0 FAMILI>4 ,9 ! VALLEY 6!
WE/ 0 ! ,R$WAT]3 TOO %ALL[ = CANOES1 B
GD = FI%+ 9 SPR+1 :5 ! SALMON -E UP F !
,SEA4 ,6! EA/1 ALL ! WAY 6! $GE (! ,DEEP
,=E/1 LAY ! VA/ SUNLIT WOODS ": ! PREY
GR[ FAT 9 AUTUMN1 & B]RIES & NUTS >E
PL5TI;L4 ,6! S\? 7 ! MOORS ": ! RE9DE]
EAT MOSS 9 W9T]4
  ,FA SD T ! BE/ ?+ AB ? "P (! ,=E/ 0 T
S FEW P CAME "H4 ,MAYBE ! ODD "PY (
,WILL[ ,CLAN F ! WE/ 0! ,SEA1 OR ,VIP]
,CLAN UP F ! S\?1 B !Y N"E /AY$      #AG
L;G4 ,!Y SIMPLY PASS$ "?1 HUNT+ FREELY Z
"EY"O DID 9 ! ,=E/1 & UNAW>E T ,TORAK &
,FA HUNT$ "H TOO4
  ,TORAK _H N"E "Q$ T 2F4 ,X 0 H[ HE'D
ALW LIV$3 AL"O ) ,FA1 AWAY F ! CLANS4
,N[1 ?\<1 HE L;G$ = P4 ,HE WANT$ 6%\T2
6YELL = HELP4
  ,B ,FA _H W>N$ HM 6/AY AWAY F !M4
  ,2SS1 %\T+ MI<T DRAW ! BE>4
  ,! BE>4
  ,PANIC ROSE 9 8 ?ROAT4 ,HE PU%$ X D[N4
,HE TOOK A DEEP BR1? & />T$ 6RUN AG1 M
/1DILY ? "T1 H1D+ NOR?4
  ,Z HE RAN1 HE PICK$ UP SIGNS ( PREY4
,ELK TRACKS4 ,AURO* DROPP+S4 ,! S.D (A
=E/ HORSE MOV+ "? ! BRACK54 ,! BE> _HN'T
F"R5$ !M AWAY4 ,AT L1/1 N YET4
  ,S _H 8 "F BE5 WR;G8 ,_H 8 WITS BE5
W&]+ AT ! 5D8
  8,YR FA'S MAD60 ! *N _H TAUNT$ ,TORAK
FIVE SUMM]S 2F1 :5 HE & ,FA _H J\RNEY$
6! S1%ORE =! YE>LY CLAN MEET4 ,X 0 ,TO-
RAK'S F/-"E CLAN MEET1 & X _H BE5 A 4AS-
T]4 ,FA _H N"E TAK5 HM AG4
  8,!Y SAY HE SWALL[$ ! BR1? (A      #AH
<O/10 ! *N _H SNE]$4 8,T'S :Y HE LEFT 8
CLAN & LIVES ON 8 [N40
  ,TORAK _H BE5 FURI\S4 ,HE WD'VE F"\ !M
ALL IF 8 "F _HN'T -E AL;G & HAUL$ HM (F4
8,TORAK1 IGNORE !M40 ,FA _H LAU<$4 8,!Y
DON'T "K :AT !Y'RE SAY+40
  ,HE'D BE5 "R1 ( C\RSE4
  ,B 0 HE "R AB ! BE>8
  ,UP AH1D1 ! TREES OP5$ 96A CLE>+4 ,TO-
RAK /UM#D 96! SUN--& 96A /5* ( ROTT5;S4
  ,HE LUR*$ 6A HALT4
  ,! =E/ HORSES LAY ": ! BE> _H TOSS$ !M
L BROK5 PLAY?+S4 ,NO SCAV5G] _H D>$ FE$
ON !M4 ,N EV5 ! FLIES WD T\* !M4
  ,!Y LOOK$ L NO BE> KILL ,TORAK _H "E
SE54 ,:5 A NORMAL BE> FE$S1 X PEELS BACK
! HIDE ( XS PREY & TAKES ! 9N>DS & H9D
"PS1 !N CA*ES ! RE/ = LAT]4 ,L ANY O!R
HUNT]1 X WA/ES NO?+4 ,B ? BE> _H RIPP$
NO M ?AN A S+LE BITE F EA* C>CASS4 ,X
_HN'T KILL$ F HUNG]4 ,X _H KILL$ = FUN4
  ,AT ,TORAK'S FEET LAY A D1D FOAL1 XS
SMALL HOOVES / CRU/$ ) RIV] CLAY F XS
F9AL DR9K4 ,8 GORGE ROSE4 ,:AT K9D (
CR1TURE KILLS = PL1SURE8             #AI
  ,HE REMEMB]$ ! BE>'S EYES1 GLIMPS$ =
"O APPALL+ HE>TB1T4 ,HE'D N"E SE5 S*
EYES4 ,2H !M LAY NO?+ B 5D.S RAGE &A HA-
TR$ ( ALL LIV+ ?+S4 ,! HOT1 *URN+ *AOS (
! ,O!R_W4
  ,( C\RSE 8 "F 0 "R4 ,? WASN'T A BE>4
,X 0 A DEMON4 ,X WD KILL & KILL UNTIL !
,=E/ 0 D1D4
  ..,NO "O C FI<T ? .BE>2 8 "F _H SD4
,DID T M1N ! ,=E/ 0 DOOM$8 ,& :Y DID HE1
,TORAK1 H 6F9D ! ,M.TA9 (! ,_W ,_S8 ,!
,M.TA9 T NO "O _H "E SE58
  ,8 "F'S VOICE E*O$ 9 8 M9D4 ..,YR
GUIDE W F9D .Y4
  ,H[8 ,:58
  ,TORAK LEFT ! GLADE & PLUNG$ BACK 96!
%AD[S 2N ! TREES4 ,ONCE AG HE 2GAN 6RUN4
  ,HE RAN ="E4 ,HE RAN TILL HE CD NO
L;G] FEEL 8 LEGS4 ,B AT LA/ HE R1*$ A
L;G1 WOOD$ SLOPE & _H 6/OP3 D\#D UP1 *E/
H1V+4
  ,SU45LY HE 0 RAV5\S4 ,HE FUM#D = 8
FOOD P\*--& GROAN$ 9 4GU/4 ,X 0 EMPTY4
,TOO LATE1 HE REMEMB]$ ! N1T BUNDLES (
DRI$ DE] M1T1 =GOTT5 AT ! %ELT]4     #BJ
  ,TORAK1 Y FOOL6 ,MESS+ ?+S UP ON YR F/
"D AL"O6 ,AL"O4
  ,X WASN'T POSSI#4 ,H[ CD ,FA 2 G"O8
,G"O ="E8
  ,GRADU,Y HE 2CAME AW>E (A FA9T MEW+
S.D -+ F ! O!R SIDE (! HILL4
  ,"! X 0 AG4 ,"S "Y ANIMAL CRY+ = XS
"M4
  ,8 HE>T L1P$4 ,OH1 ?ANK ! ,_S6 ,AN
EASY KILL4 ,8 BELLY TI<T5$ AT ! ?"\ (
FRE% M1T4 ,HE DIDN'T C>E :AT X WAS4 ,HE
0 S HUNGRY HE CD EAT A BAT4
  ,TORAK DROPP$ 6! GR.D & CREPT "? !
BIR* TREES 6! TOP (! HILL4
  ,HE LOOK$ D[N 96A N>R[ GULLY "? : RAN
A SMALL1 SWIFT RIV]4 ,HE RECOGNIZ$ X3 !
,FA/WAT]4 ,F>!R WE/1 HE & ,FA (T5 CAMP$
9 SUMM] 6GA!R LIME B>K = ROPE MAK+2 B ?
"P LOOK$ UNFAMILI>4 ,!N HE R1LIZ$ :Y4
  ,"S "T 2F1 A FLA% FLOOD _H -E RO>+ D[N
F ! M.TA9S4 ,! WAT]S _H S9CE SUBSID$1
L1V+ A MESS ( WET "UGR[? & GRASS-/REWN
SAPL+S4 ,!Y'D AL DE/ROY$ A WOLF D5 ON !
O!R SIDE (! GULLY4 ,"!1 2L A BIG R$
B\LD] %AP$ L A SLEEP+ AURO*1 LAY     #BA
TWO DR[N$ WOLVES L SO45 FUR CLOAKS4
,?REE D1D CUBS FLOAT$ 9 A PU4LE4
  ,! F\R? SAT 2S !M1 %IV]+4
  ,! WOLF CUB LOOK$ AB ?REE MOONS OLD4
,X 0 ?9 & WET1 & 0 -PLA9+ S(TLY 6XF 9 A
L[1 3T9U\S :IMP]4
  ,TORAK FL9*$4 ,)\T W>N+1 ! S.D _H BR"\
A />TL+ VI.N 6HIS M9D4 ,BLACK FUR4 ,W>M
D>K;S4 ,RI*1 FATTY MILK4 ,! ,"M LICK+ HM
CL1N4 ,! SCRAT* ( T9Y CLAWS & NUDGE (
SMALL1 COLD NOSES4 ,FLU6Y CUBS CLAMB]+
OV] HM3 ! NEWE/ CUB 9 ! LITT]4
  ,! VI.N 0 Z VIVID Z A LI<TN+ FLA%4
,:AT DID X M1N8
  ,8 H& TI<T5$ ON 8 "F'S KNIFE4 ,X
DOESN'T MATT] :AT X M1NS1 HE TOLD HMF4
,VI.NS WON'T KEEP Y ALIVE4 ,IF Y DON'T
EAT T CUB1 Y'LL 2 TOO W1K 6HUNT4 ,& Y'RE
ALL[$ 6KILL YR CLAN-CR1TURE 6KEEP F />V-
+4 ,Y "K T4
  ,! CUB RAIS$ XS H1D & GAVE A 2WILD]$
Y[L4
  ,TORAK LI/5$ 6X--.& ."U/OOD4
  ,9 "S /RANGE WAY T HE CDN'T 2G9 TO
FA?OM1 HE RECOGNIZ$ ! HI<1 WAV]+     #BB
S.DS4 ,8 M9D KNEW _! %APES4 ,HE REMEMB]$
!M4
  ,? ISN'T POSSI#1 HE ?"\4
  ,HE LI/5$ 6! CUB'S Y[LS4 ,HE FELT !M
DROP 96HIS M9D4
  ..,:Y WON'T Y PLAY ) .ME8 ! CUB 0 ASK+
XS D1D PACK4 ..,:AT H ,I D"O .N[8
  ,ON & ON X W5T4 ,Z ,TORAK LI/5$1 "S?+
AWAK5$ 9 HM4 ,8 NECK MUSCLES T5S$4 ,DEEP
9 8 ?ROAT HE FELT A RESPONSE 2G9N+4 ,HE
F"\ ! URGE 6PUT BACK 8 H1D & H[L4
  ,:AT 0 HAPP5+8 ,HE DIDN'T FEEL L ,TO-
RAK ANYMORE4 ,N BOY1 N SON1 N MEMB] (!
,WOLF ,CLAN--OR N .ONLY ^? ?+S4 ,"S "P (
HM 0 WOLF4
  ,A BREEZE SPRANG UP1 *ILL+ 8 SK94
  ,AT ! SAME MO;T1 ! WOLF CUB /OPP$ Y[L+
& J]K$ R.D 6FACE HM4 ,XS EYES 7 UNFO-
CUS$1 B XS L>GE E>S 7 PRICK$1 & X 0
SNU6+ ! AIR4 ,X _H SMELL$ HM4
  ,TORAK LOOK$ D[N AT ! SMALL ANXI\S CUB
& H>D5$ 8 HE>T4
  ,HE DREW ! KNIFE F 8 BELT & />T$ D[N !
SLOPE4
                 ,,?REE              #BC

  ,! WOLF CUB DID N .AT .ALL "U/& :AT 0
GO+ ON4
  ,HE'D BE5 EXPLOR+ ! RISE ABV ! ,D5 :5
! ,FA/ ,WET _H -E RO>+ "?1 & N[ 8 "M &
"F & PACK-BRO!RS 7 LY+ 9 ! MUD--..& !Y 7
IGNOR+ .HM4
  ,S9CE L;G 2F ! ,LI<T HE'D BE5 NOS+ !M
& BIT+ _! TAILS--B !Y / DIDN'T MOVE4 ,!Y
DIDN'T MAKE A S.D1 & !Y SMELL$ /RANGE3 L
PREY4 ,N ! PREY T RUNS AWAY1 B ! ,N-
,BR1? K9D3 ! K9D T GETS EAT54
  ,! CUB 0 COLD1 WET1 & V HUNGRY4 ,_M
"TS HE'D LICK$ 8 "M'S MUZZLE 6ASK H]
PL1SE 6SICK UP "S FOOD = HM 6EAT1 B %E
DIDN'T /IR4 ,:AT _H HE D"O WR;G ? "T8
  ,HE KNEW T HE 0 ! NAU<TIE/ CUB 9 !
LITT]4 ,HE 0 ALW 2+ SCOLD$1 B HE CDN'T
HELP X4 ,HE J LOV$ TRY+ NEW ?+S4 ,S X
SEEM$ A BIT UNFAIR T N[1 :5 HE 0 /AY+ 0!
,D5 L A GD CUB1 NOBODY EV5 NOTIC$4
  ,HE PA4$ 6! $GE (! PU4LE ": 8 PACK-
BRO!RS LAY & LAPP$ UP "S (! ,/ ,WET4 ,X
TA/$ BAD4
  ,HE ATE "S GRASS &A C\PLE ( SPI-   #BD
D]S4
  ,HE WOND]$ :AT 6D NEXT4
  ,HE 2GAN 6FEEL SC>$4 ,HE PUT BACK 8
H1D & H[L$4 ,H[L+ *E]$ HM UP A BIT1 2C X
REM9D$ HM ( ALL ! GD H[LS HE'D _H )!
PACK4
  ,MID-H[L HE /OPP$4 ,HE SMELL$ WOLF4
  ,HE SPUN >.D1 WO2L+ A LL F HUNG]4 ,HE
SWIVEL$ 8 E>S & SNI6$4 ,YES4 .,WOLF4 ,HE
CD HE> X -+ NOISILY D[N ! SLOPE ON ! O!R
SIDE (! ,FA/ ,WET4 ,HE SMELL$ T X 0
MALE1 HALF GR[N1 & N "O (! PACK4
  ,B "! 0 "S?+ ODD AB X4 ,X SMELL$ (
WOLF1 B AL ( N-WOLF4 ,X SMELL$ ( RE9DE]
& R$ DE] & B1V]1 & FRE% BLOOD--& "S?+
ELSE3 A NEW SMELL T HE _HN'T YET LE>N$4
  ,? 0 V ODD4 ,UN.S--.UN.S--X M1NT T !
N-WOLF WOLF 0 ACTU,Y A WOLF :O'D EAT5
LOTS ( DI6]5T PREY1 & 0 N[ BR++ ! CUB "S
FOOD6
  ,%IV]+ ) EAG];S1 ! CUB WA7$ 8 TAIL &
YIPP$ A NOISY WELCOME4
  ,=A MO;T ! /RANGE WOLF /OPP$4 ,!N X
MOV$ =W>D AG4 ,! CUB CDN'T SEE X V
CLE>LY 2C 8 EYES W]5'T NE>LY Z %>P   #BE
Z 8 NOSE & E>S1 B Z X SPLA%$ ACR ! ,FA/
,WET1 HE MADE \ T ? 0 A .V /RANGE WOLF
9DE$4
  ,X WALK$ ON XS H9D LEGS4 ,! FUR ON XS
H1D 0 BLACK1 & S L;G T X R1*$ "R D[N 6XS
%\LD]S4 ,& /RANGE/ ( ALL--..X _H NO
.TAIL6
  ,YET X .S.D$ WOLF4 ,X 0 MAK+ A L[1 FR-
LY YIP-&-Y[L : S.D$ A BIT L ..,X'S ALL
"R1 ,I'M A .FR4 ,? 0 REASSUR+1 EV5 IF X
DID KEEP MISS+ \ ! HI<E/ YIPS4
  ,B "S?+ 0 WR;G4 ,2N ! FRLI;S "! 0 A
T5SE NOTE4 ,& AL? ! /RANGE WOLF 0 SMIL+1
! CUB CD TELL X DIDN'T RE,Y M1N X4
  ,! CUB'S WELCOME *ANG$ 6A :IMP]4 ..,>E
Y HUNT+ ME8 .,:Y8
  .,NO1 .NO CAME ! FRLY B N-FRLY YIP-&-
Y[L4
  ,!N ! /RANGE WOLF /OPP$ YIP-&-Y[L+ &
ADV.ED 9 F"R5+ SIL;E4
  ,TOO W1K 6RUN1 ! CUB BACK$ AWAY4
  ,! /RANGE WOLF LUNG$1 GRA2$ ! CUB 0!
SCRUFF1 & LIFT$ HM HI<4
  ,W1KLY1 ! CUB WA7$ 8 TAIL 6F5D (F AN
ATTACK4                              #BF
  ,! /RANGE WOLF LIFT$ XS O!R =EPAW &
PRESS$ A HUGE CLAW AG/ ! CUB'S BELLY4
  ,! CUB YELP$4 ,GR9N+ 9 T]ROR1 HE :IPP$
8 TAIL 2T 8 LEGS4
  ,B ! /RANGE WOLF 0 F"R5$ TOO4 ,XS =E-
PAWS 7 %AK+1 & X 0 GULP+ & B>+ XS TEE?4
,! CUB S5S$ L"OLI;S & UNC]TA9TY & PA94
  ,SU45LY1 ! /RANGE WOLF TOOK ANO!R
GULP1 & J]K$ XS GRT CLAW AWAY F ! CUB'S
BELLY4 ,!N X SAT D[N H1VILY 9 ! MUD &
CLUT*$ ! CUB 6XS *E/4
  ,! CUB'S T]ROR VANI%$4 ,"? ! /RANGE
FUR.S HIDE T SMELL$ M ( N-WOLF ?AN WOLF1
HE CD HE> A -=T+ ?UMP-?UMP1 L ! S.D HE
HE>D :5 HE CLAMB]$ ON TOP ( 8 "F =A NAP4
  ,! CUB WRI7L$ \ (! /RANGE WOLF'S GRIP1
PUT 8 =EPAWS ON XS *E/1 & /OOD ON 8 H9D
LEGS4 ,HE 2GAN 6LICK ! /RANGE WOLF'S
MUZZLE4
  ,ANGRILY1 ! /RANGE WOLF PU%$ HM AWAY1
& HE FELL BACKW>D4 ,UNDET]R$1 HE "R$ HMF
& SAT GAZ+ UP AT ! /RANGE WOLF4
  ,S* AN ODD1 FLAT1 FUR.S FACE6 ,! LIPS
W]5'T BLACK1 L A PROP] WOLF'S1 B PALE2 &
! E>S 7 PALE TOO--..& !Y DIDN'T      #BG
MOVE AT .ALL4 ,B ! EYES 7 SILV]-GRAY &
FULL ( LI<T3 ! EYES (A WOLF4
  ,! CUB FELT BETT] ?AN HE _H S9CE !
,FA/ ,WET _H -E4 ,HE'D F.D A NEW PACK-
BRO!R4

  ,TORAK 0 FURI\S ) HMF4 ,:Y _HN'T HE
KILL$ ! CUB8 ,N[ :AT 0 HE GO+ 6EAT8
  ,! CUB JA2$ XS NOSE 96HIS BRUIS$ RIBS1
MAK+ HM YELP4 8,GET (F60 HE %\T$1 KICK+
X AWAY4 8,I DON'T WANT Y6 ,Y'RE NO USE6
,G AWAY60
  ,HE DIDN'T EV5 ATTEMPT T 9 WOLF TALK1
2C HE'D R1LIZ$ T HE DIDN'T ACTU,Y SP1K X
V WELL4 ,HE ONLY KNEW ! SIMPL] GE/URES &
"S (! S.D-%APES4 ,B ! CUB PICK$ UP 8
M1N+ WELL 5\<4 ,X TROTT$ (F A FEW PACES1
!N SAT D[N & LOOK$ AT HM HOPE;LLY1
SWEEP+ ! GR.D ) XS TAIL4
  ,TORAK GOT 6HIS FEET--&! _W TILT$
SICK5+LY4 ,HE _H 6EAT SOON4
  ,HE CA/ >.D ! RIV]BANK = FOOD B SAW
ONLY ! D1D WOLVES1 & !Y SMELL$ TOO BAD
EV5 6?9K AB4 ,HOPE.S;S WA%$ OV] HM4 ,!
SUN 0 GETT+ L[4 ,:AT %D HE D8        #BH
,CAMP "H8 ,B :AT AB ! BE>8 ,_H X F9I%$ )
,FA & -E AF HM8
  ,"S?+ TWI/$ PA9;LLY 9 8 *E/4 ,DON'T
?9K AB ,FA4 ,?9K :AT 6D4 ,IF ! BE> _H
FOLL[$ Y1 X WD'VE GOT Y 0N[4 ,S MAYBE
Y'LL 2 SAFE "H--AT L1/ = TN4
  ,! WOLF C>CASSES 7 TOO H1VY 6DRAG
AWAY1 S HE DECID$ 6CAMP F>!R UP/R1M4
,F/1 ?\<1 HE WD USE "O (! C>CASSES 6BAIT
A D1DFALL1 9 ! HOPE ( TRAPP+ "S FOOD
OV]NI<T4
  ,X 0 A /RU7LE 6SET ! TRAP3 6PROP UP A
FLAT ROCK ON A /ICK1 !N SLOT 9 ANO!R
/ICK CROSSWAYS 6ACT Z A TRI7]4 ,IF HE 0
LUCKY1 A FOX MI<T -E AL;G 9 ! NI<T & BR+
D[N ! ROCK4 ,X WDN'T MAKE GD EAT+1 B X'D
2 BETT] ?AN NO?+4
  ,HE'D J F9I%$ :5 ! CUB TROTT$ OV] &
GAVE ! D1DFALL AN 9QUISITIVE SNIFF4 ,TO-
RAK GRA2$ XS MUZZLE & SLAMM$ X 6! GR.D4
8,NO60 HE SD FIRMLY4 8,Y /AY AWAY60
  ,! CUB %OOK XF & RETIR$ ) AN (F5D$
AIR4
  ,BETT] (F5D$ ?AN D1D1 ?"\ ,TORAK4
  ,HE KNEW HE'D BE5 UNFAIR3 ,HE      #BI
%D'VE GR[L$ F/ 6W>N ! CUB 6/AY AWAY1 &
ONLY MUZZLE-GRA2$ IF X _HN'T LI/5$4 ,B
HE 0 TOO TIR$ 6WORRY AB T4
  ,2SS1 :Y _H HE BO!R$ 6W>N X AT ALL8
,:AT DID HE C>E IF X WOB#D AL;G 9 ! NI<T
& GOT SQUA%$8 ,:AT DID HE C>E IF HE CD
"U/& X1 OR :Y8 ,:AT USE 0 T8
  ,HE /OOD UP1 & 8 KNEES NE>LY GAVE WAY4
,=GET AB ! CUB4 ,F9D "S?+ 6EAT4
  ,HE =C$ HMF 6CLIMB ! SLOPE 2H ! BIG R$
ROCK 6LOOK = CL\DB]RIES4 ,ONLY :5 HE GOT
"! DID HE REMEMB] T CL\DB]RIES GR[ ON
MOORS & M>%ES1 N 9 BIR* WOODS1 & T X 0
TOO LATE 9 ! YE> = !M ANYWAY4
  ,HE NOTIC$ T 9 C]TA9 SPOTS ! GR.D 0
LITT]$ ) WOOD GR\SE DROPP+S1 S HE SET "S
SN>ES ( TWI/$ GRASS3 TWO NE> ! GR.D1 &
TWO ON ! SORT ( L[ BRAN* T WOOD GR\SE
"S"TS RUN AL;G--TAK+ C>E 6HIDE ! SN>ES )
L1VES S T ! WOOD GR\SE WDN'T SPOT !M4
,!N HE W5T BACK 6! RIV]4
  ,HE KNEW HE 0 TOO UN/1DY 6TRY SPE>+ A
FI%1 S 9/1D HE SET UP A L9E ( BRAM#-?ORN
FI%+ HOOKS BAIT$ ) WAT] SNAILS4 ,!N HE
/>T$ UPRIV] 6LOOK = B]RIES &         #CJ
ROOTS4
  ,=A :ILE ! CUB FOLL[$ HM2 !N X SAT D[N
& MEW$ AT HM 6-E BACK4 ,X DIDN'T WANT TO
L1VE XS PACK4
  ,GD1 ?"\ ,TORAK4 ,Y /AY "!4 ,I DON'T
WANT Y PE/]+ ME4
  ,Z HE SE>*$1 ! SUN SANK L[]4 ,! AIR
GREW %>P4 ,8 J]K9 GLI/5$ )! MI/Y BR1? (!
,=E/4 ,HE _H A HAZY ?"\ T HE %D 2 BUILD+
A %ELT] 9/1D ( LOOK+ = FOOD1 B HE PU%$ X
AWAY4
  ,AT LA/ HE F.D A H&;L ( CR[B]RIES &
GULP$ !M D[N4 ,!N "S LATE L+ONB]RIES2 A
C\PLE ( SNAILS2 A CLUT* ( YELL[ BOG MU%-
ROOMS--A BIT MA7OTY1 B N TOO BAD4
  ,X 0 NE>LY DUSK :5 HE GOT LUCKY & F.D
A CLUMP ( PIGNUTS4 ,)A %>P /ICK HE DUG
D[N C>E;LLY1 FOLL[+ ! W9D+ /EMS 6!
SMALL1 KNO2LY ROOT4 ,HE *EW$ ! F/ "O3 ,X
TA/$ SWEET & NUTTY B 0 B>ELY A M\?;L4
,AF M* EXHAU/+ DI7+1 HE GRU2$ UP F\R M1
ATE TWO1 & /U6$ TWO 9 8 J]K9 = LAT]4
  ,) FOOD 9SIDE HM1 A LL /R5G? RETURN$
6HIS LIMBS1 B 8 M9D 0 / /RANGELY UNCLE>4
,:AT D ,I D NEXT8 HE WOND]$4 ,:Y     #CA
IS X S H>D 6?9K8
  ,%ELT]4 ,T'S X4 ,!N FIRE4 ,!N SLEEP4
  ,! CUB 0 WAIT+ = HM 9 ! CLE>+4 ,%IV]+
& YIPP+ ) DELI<T1 X ?REW XF AT HM )A BIG
WOLF-SMILE4 ,X DIDN'T J WR9KLE XS MUZZLE
& DRAW BACK XS LIPS2 X SMIL$ ) XS :OLE
BODY4 ,X SLICK$ BACK XS E>S & TILT$ XS
H1D 6"O SIDE2 X WAV$ XS TAIL & WA7L$ XS
=EPAWS1 & MADE GRT TWI/+ L1PS 9 ! AIR4
  ,WAT*+ X MADE ,TORAK GI4Y1 S HE IGNOR$
X4 ,2SS1 HE NE$$ 6BUILD A %ELT]4
  ,HE LOOK$ >.D = D1DWOOD1 B ! FLOOD _H
WA%$ MO/ ( X AWAY4 ,HE'D H 6CUT D[N "S
SAPL+S1 IF HE / _H ! /R5G?4
  ,PULL+ 8 AXE F 8 BELT1 HE W5T OV] 6A
CLUMP ( BIR* & PUT 8 H& ON ! SMALLE/4
,HE MUTT]$ A QK W>N+ 6! TREE'S _S 6F9D
ANO!R HOME FA/1 !N />T$ 6*OP4
  ,! EF=T MADE 8 H1D SWIM4 ,! CUT ON 8
=E>M ?RO2$ SAVAGELY4 ,HE =C$ HMF 6KEEP
*OPP+4
  ,HE 0 9 AN 5D.S D>K TUNNEL ( *OPP+ &
/RIPP+ BRAN*ES & M *OPP+4 ,B :5 8 >MS _H
TURN$ 6WAT] & HE CD *OP NO M1 HE SAW )
AL>M T HE'D ONLY MANAG$ 6CUT D[N     #CB
TWO SP9DLY BIR* SAPL+S &A PUNY LL
SPRUCE4
  ,!Y'D H 6D4
  ,HE LA%$ ! SAPL+S TGR )A SPLIT SPRUCE
ROOT 6MAKE A L[1 RICKETY L1N-TO2 !N HE
COV]$ X ON ?REE SIDES ) SPRUCE B\<S &
DRA7$ 9 A FEW M 6LIE ON4
  ,X 0 PRETTY HOPE.S1 B X'D H 6D4 ,HE
DIDN'T H ! /R5G? 6RA9PRO( X ) L1F MOLD4
,IF X RA9$1 HE'D H 6TRU/ 8 SLEEP+-SACK
6KEEP HM DRY1 & PRAY T ! RIV]-_S DIDN'T
S5D ANO!R FLOOD1 2C HE'D BUILT ! %ELT]
TOO CLOSE 6! WAT]4
  ,MUN*+ ANO!R PIGNUT1 HE SCANN$ ! CLE>+
= FIREWOOD4 ,B HE'D ONLY J SWALL[$ !
PIGNUT :5 8 BELLY H1V$1 & HE SPEW$ X UP
AG4
  ,! CUB YIPP$ ) DELI<T & GULP$ D[N !
SICK4
  ,:Y DID ,I D T8 ?"\ ,TORAK4 ,DID ,I
EAT A BAD MU%ROOM8
  ,B X DIDN'T FEEL L A BAD MU%ROOM4 ,X
FELT L "S?+ ELSE4 ,HE 0 SW1T+ & %IV]+1 &
AL? "! 0 NO?+ LEFT 9 8 BELLY 6?R[ UP1 HE
/ FELT SICK4                         #CC
  ,A HORRI# SUSPICION GRIPP$ HM4 ,HE UN-
W.D ! B&AGE ON 8 =E>M--& FE> SETTL$ ON
HM L AN ICY FOG4 ,! W.D 0 A SWOLL51 AN-
GRY R$4 ,X SMELL$ BAD4 ,HE CD FEEL ! H1T
-+ (F X4 ,:5 HE T\*$ X1 PA9 FL>$4
  ,A SOB ROSE 9 8 *E/4 ,HE 0 EXHAU/$1
HUNGRY1 & F"R5$1 & HE DESP]ATELY WANT$
,FA4 ,& N[ HE _H A NEW 5EMY4
  ,FEV]4















                                     #CD
























                 ,,F\R               #CE

  ,TORAK _H 6MAKE A FIRE4 ,X 0 A RACE 2T
HM &! FEV]4 ,! PRIZE 0 8 LIFE4
  ,HE FUM#D AT 8 BELT = 8 T9D] P\*4 ,8
H&S %OOK Z HE TOOK \ "S WISPS ( %R$D$
BIR* B>K1 & HE KEPT DROPP+ 8 FL9T &
MISS+ 8 /RIKE-FIRE4 ,HE 8 SN>L+ ) FRUS-
TR,N :5 HE F9,Y GOT A SP>K 6TAKE4
  ,0! "T HE _H A FIRE GO+1 HE 0 %IV]+
UNCONTROLLABLY & H>DLY FELT ! H1T (!
FLAMES4 ,NOISES BOOM$ UNNATUR,Y L\D3 !
GURGLE (! RIV]1 ! .HOO-HOO ( AN [L2 !
FAMI%$ YIPP+ ( T 9FURIAT+ CUB4 ,:Y CDN'T
X L1VE HM AL"O8
  ,HE /A7]$ 6! RIV] = WAT]4 ,J 9 "T1 HE
REMEMB]$ :AT ,FA SD AB N L1N+ OV] TOO
F>4 ..,:5 Y'RE ILL1 N"E CAT* SI<T ( YR
"N-S\L 9 ! WAT]4 ,SEE+ X MAKES Y DIZZY4
,Y MI<T FALL 9 & .DR[N4
  ,) 8 EYES %UT1 HE DRANK 8 FILL1 !N
/UM#D BACK 6! %ELT]4 ,HE L;G$ = RE/1 B
HE KNEW T HE _H 6SEE 6HIS >M OR HE WDN'T
/& A *.E4
  ,HE TOOK "S DRI$ WILL[ B>K F 8 M$IC9E
P\* & *EW$ X1 GA7+ ON XS GRITTY      #CF
BITT];S4 ,HE SME>$ ! PA/E ON 8 =E>M1 !N
B.D UP ! W.D AG )! BIR*-BA/ B&AGE4 ,!
PA9 0 S BAD T HE NE>LY PASS$ \4 ,X 0 ALL
HE CD D 6KICK (F 8 BOOTS & CRAWL 96HIS
SLEEP+-SACK4 ,! CUB TRI$ 6CLAMB] 9 TOO4
,HE PU%$ X AWAY4
  ,DULLY1 TEE? *ATT]+1 HE WAT*$ ! CUB
PAD OV] 6! FIRE & /UDY X CURI\SLY4 ,X
EXT5D$ "O L>GE GRAY PAW & PATT$ ! FLAMES
--!N L1P$ BACK ) AN \TRAG$ YELP4
  8,T'LL T1* Y10 MUTT]$ ,TORAK4
  ,! CUB %OOK XF & B.D$ (F 96! GLOOM4
  ,TORAK CURL$ 96A BALL1 CRADL+ 8 ?RO2+
>M & ?9K+ BITT]LY :AT A MESS HE'D MADE (
?+S4
  ,ALL 8 LIFE HE'D LIV$ 9 ! ,=E/ ) ,FA1
PIT*+ CAMP =A NI<T OR TWO1 !N MOV+ ON4
,HE KNEW ! RULES4 ..,N"E SKIMP ON YR
%ELT]4 ,N"E USE M EF=T ?AN Y NE$ :5 GA?-
]+ FOOD4 ,N"E L1VE X TOO LATE 6PIT*
.CAMP4
  ,8 F/ "D ON 8 [N1 & HE'D BROK5 E "O4
,X 0 F"R5+4 ,L =GETT+ H[ 6WALK4
  ,) 8 GD H&1 HE T\*$ 8 CLAN-TATTOOS1
TRAC+ ! PAIR ( F9E DOTT$ L9ES T      #CG
FOLL[$ EA* *EEKB"O4 ,FA _H GIV5 !M 6HM
:5 HE 0 SEV51 RU2+ BE>B]RY JUICE 96!
PI]C$ SK94 ,Y DON'T DES]VE !M1 ,TORAK
TOLD HMF4 ,IF Y DIE1 X'LL 2 YR [N FAULT4
  ,AG ! GRIEF TWI/$ 9 8 *E/4 ,N"E 9 8
LIFE _H HE SLEPT AL"O4 ,N"E )\T ,FA4 ,=!
F/ "T1 "! 0 NO GD-NI<T T\* (! R\<1 G5TLE
H&4 ,NO FAMILI> SMELL ( BUCKSK9 & SW1T4
  ,TORAK'S EYES 2GAN 6/+4 ,HE SCREW$ !M
%UT & SLID D[N 96EVIL DR1MS4
  ..,HE IS WAD+ KNEE-DEEP 9 MOSS1 /RU7L+
6ESCAPE ! BE>4 ,8 "F'S SCR1MS R+ 9 8
E>S4 ,! BE> IS -+ = HM4
  ..,HE TRIES 6RUN1 B HE ONLY S9KS DEEP]
96! MOSS4 ,X SUCKS HM D[N4 ,8 "F IS
SCR1M+4
  ..,! BE>'S EYES BURN )! LE?AL FIRE (!
,O!R_W--! DEMON FIRE4 ,X RE>S ON XS H9D
LEGS3 A T[]+ M5ACE1 UNIMAG9ABLY HUGE4
,XS GRT JAWS GAPE Z X RO>S XS HATR$ 6!
.MOON4 '''
  ,TORAK WOKE )A CRY4
  ,! LA/ (! BE>'S RO>S 7 E*O+ "? ! ,=E/4
,!Y W]5'T A DR1M4 ,!Y 7 R1L4
  ,TORAK HELD 8 BR1?4 ,HE SAW !      #CH
BLUE MOONLI<T "? ! GAPS 9 8 %ELT]4 ,HE
SAW T ! FIRE 0 NE>LY \4 ,HE FELT 8 HE>T
P.D+4
  ,AG ! ,=E/ %OOK4 ,! TREES T5S$ 6LI/54
,B ? "T ,TORAK R1LIZ$ T ! RO>S 7 F>
AWAY3 _M "DWALKS 6! WE/4 ,SL[LY HE BR1!D
\4
  ,AT ! M\? (! %ELT]1 ! CUB SAT WAT*+
HM4 ,XS SLANT$ EYES 7 A /RANGE1 D>K
GOLD4 ,AMB]1 ?"\ ,TORAK1 REMEMB]+ ! LL
S1L AMULET T ,FA _H WORN ON A ?;G >.D 8
NECK4
  ,HE F.D T O4LY REASSUR+4 ,AT L1/ HE
WASN'T AL"O4
  ,Z 8 HE>TB1TS RETURN$ 6NORMAL1 ! PA9 (
8 FEV] CAME SURG+ BACK4 ,X CRISP$ 8 SK94
,8 SKULL FELT R1DY 6BUR/4 ,HE /RU7L$ TO
GET M WILL[ B>K F 8 M$IC9E P\*1 B DROPP$
X & CDN'T F9D X AG 9 ! HALF D>K;S4 ,HE
DRA7$ ANO!R BRAN* ONTO ! FIRE1 !N LAY
BACK1 GASP+4
  ,HE CDN'T GET ^? RO>S \ ( 8 H1D4 ,": 0
! BE> N[8 ,! GLADE ( D1D HORSES _H BE5
NOR? (! /R1M ": X _H ATTACK$ ,FA1 B N[ !
BE> SEEM$ 6BE 9 ! WE/4 ,WD X KEEP    #CI
H1D+ WE/8 ,OR _H X CAU<T ,TORAK'S SC5T &
TURN$ BACK8 ,H[ L;G 2F X GOT "H--& F.D
HM LY+ HELP.S & SICK8
  ,A CALM1 /1DY VOICE SEEM$ 6:ISP] 9 8
M9D1 ALM Z IF ,FA 7 ) HM4 ..,IF ! BE>
DOES -E1 ! CUB W W>N Y4 ,REMEMB]1 ,TO-
RAK3 ,A WOLF'S NOSE IS S KE5 T HE C
SMELL ! BR1? (A FI%4 ,8 E>S >E S %>P T
HE C HE> ! CL\DS .PASS4
  ,YES1 ?"\ ,TORAK1 ! CUB W W>N ME4 ,T'S
"S?+4 ,I WANT 6DIE ) MY EYES OP51 FAC+ !
BE> L A MAN4 ,L ,FA4
  ,"S": V F> (F1 A DOG B>K$4 ,N A WOLF1
B A DOG4
  ,TORAK FR[N$4 ,DOGS M1NT P1 & "! 7 NO
P 9 ? "P (! ,=E/4
  ,7 "!8
  ,HE SANK 96D>K;S4 ,BACK 96! CLUT*ES (!
BE>4





                                     #DJ
























                 ,,FIVE              #DA

  ,X 0 NE>LY D>K :5 ,TORAK WOKE UP4
,HE'D SLEPT ALL "D4
  ,HE FELT W1K & RAG+LY ?IR/Y1 B 8 W.D 0
COOL] & M* LESS SORE4 ,! FEV] 0 G"O4
  ,S 0 ! CUB4
  ,TORAK 0 SURPRIS$ 6F9D HMF WOND]+ IF X
0 ALL "R4 ,:Y %D HE C>E8 ,! CUB 0 NO?+
6HM4
  ,HE /UM#D 6! RIV] & DRANK1 !N WOKE !
SLUMB]+ FIRE ) M WOOD4 ,! EF=T LEFT HM
TREMBL+4 ,HE RE/$1 & ATE ! LA/ PIGNUT &
"S SORREL L1VES HE'D F.D 0! RIV]BANK4
,!Y 7 T\< & V S\R1 B /R5G!N+4
  ,/ ! CUB DIDN'T -E4
  ,HE ?"\ AB TRY+ 6SUMMON X )A H[L4 ,B
IF X CAME1 X WD ONLY ASK = FOOD4 ,2SS1
H[L+ MI<T ATTRACT ! BE>4 ,S 9/1D1 HE
PULL$ ON 8 BOOTS & W5T 6*ECK ! TRAPS4
  ,! FI%HOOKS 7 EMPTY EXCEPT = "O1 :
HELD ! B"OS (A SMALL FI%1 N1TLY NIB#D
CL1N4 ,HE 0 LUCKI] )! SN>ES4 ,"O HELD A
WOOD GR\SE1 /RU7L+ FEEBLY4 .,M1T4
  ,MUTT]+ A QK ?ANK Y 6! BIRD'S _S1
,TORAK SNAPP$ XS NECK1 SLIT XS       #DB
BELLY1 & GULP$ ! W>M LIV] D[N RAW4 ,X
TA/$ BITT] & SLIMY1 B HE 0 TOO FAMI%$ TO
C>E4
  ,FEEL+ SLI<TLY /1DI]1 HE TI$ ! BIRD TO
8 BELT & W5T 6*ECK ! D1DFALL4
  ,6HIS RELIEF1 X 3TA9$ NO D1D CUB4 ,!
CUB 0 SITT+ 0XS "M1 PRO4+ H] /9K+ C>CASS
) "O PAW4 ,AT ,TORAK'S APPROA*1 X />T$
T[>D HM1 !N LOOK$ BACK AT ! %E-WOLF1
YIPP+ 9DIGNANTLY4 ,X WANT$ ,TORAK 6SORT
?+S \4
  ,TORAK SI<$4 ,H[ CD HE EXPLA9 AB D1?
:5 HE DIDN'T "U/& X HMF8
  8,-E ON10 HE SD1 N BO!R+ 6SP1K WOLF4
  ,! CUB'S L>GE E>S SWIVEL$ 6CAT* ! S.D4
  8,"!'S NO?+ "H10 ,TORAK SD IMPATI5TLY4
8,LET'S G40
  ,BACK AT ! %ELT]1 HE PLUCK$ & SPITT$ !
WOOD GR\SE1 & SET X 6ROA/ OV] ! FIRE4 ,!
CUB LUNG$ = X4
  ,TORAK GRA2$ ! CUB'S MUZZLE & SLAMM$ X
6! GR.D4 .,NO6 HE GR[L$4 .,X'S .M9E6
  ,! CUB LAY OB$I5TLY /1 ?UMP+ XS TAIL4
,:5 ,TORAK REL1S$ XS MUZZLE1 X ROLL$
ONTO XS BACK1 B>+ XS PALE FLU6Y      #DC
BELLY1 & GAVE HM A SIL5T GR9 ( APOLOGY4
,!N X SCAMP]$ (F 6A SAFE 4T.E1 H1D PO-
LITELY L[]$4
  ,TORAK NO4$1 SATISFI$4 ,! CUB _H 6LE>N
T .HE 0 ! L1D WOLF1 OR "!'D 2 5D.S TR\#
9 ! FUTURE4
  ,:AT FUTURE8 HE ?"\ )A SC[L4 ,8 FUTURE
DIDN'T 9CLUDE ! CUB4
  ,! SMELL ( ROA/ M1T DROVE ALL O!R ?"\S
AWAY4 ,FAT SIZZL$ ON ! FIRE4 ,8 M\? WA-
T]$4 ,QKLY1 HE TWI/$ "O LEG (F ! WOOD
GR\SE & TUCK$ X 96! =K (A BIR* TREE Z AN
(F]+ = 8 CLAN GU>DIAN2 !N HE SETTL$ D[N
6EAT4
  ,X 0 ! BE/ ?+ HE'D "E TA/$4 ,HE SUCK$
E %R$ ( M1T & FAT (F ! B"OS1 & CRUN*$ UP
E MORSEL ( CRISP1 SALTY SK94 ,HE =C$ HMF
6IGNORE ! GRT AMB] EYES T WAT*$ E BITE4
  ,:5 HE'D F9I%$1 HE WIP$ 8 M\? ON !
BACK ( 8 H&4 ,! CUB FOLL[$ E MOVE4
  ,TORAK BLEW \ A L;G BR1?4 8,OH1 ALL
."R10 HE MUTT]$4 ,HE TORE ! REMA9+ FOOT
(F ! C>CASS & TOSS$ X OV]4
  ,! CUB CRUN*$ X UP 9 MO;TS4 ,!N X
LOOK$ AT ,TORAK HOPE;LLY4            #DD
  8,I HAV5'T GOT ANY M10 HE TOLD X4
  ,! CUB YIPP$ IMPATI5TLY & GL.ED AT !
C>CASS 9 8 H&S4
  ,HE'D PICK$ ! B"OS CL1N1 B !Y'D / MAKE
NE$LES1 FI%HOOKS & BRO?2 AL? )\T A COOK+
SK91 HE CDN'T MAKE ANY BRO?4
  ,S5S+ T HE MI<T 2 /OR+ UP TR\# = HMF1
HE TOSS$ HALF ! C>CASS 6! CUB4
  ,! CUB DEMOLI%$ X 9 XS P[];L JAWS1 !N
CURL$ UP & W5T 9/ANTLY 6SLEEP3 A G5TLY
H1V+ BALL ( HOT GRAY FUR4
  ,TORAK WANT$ 6SLEEP TOO1 B HE KNEW T
HE CDN'T4 ,Z NI<T FELL &! COLD CAME ON1
HE SAT />+ 96! FIRE4 ,N[ T HE'D %AK5 (F
! FEV] & EAT5 "S M1T1 HE CD ?9K CLE>LY
AT LA/4
  ,HE ?"\ (! GLADE ( D1D HORSES1 &!
BE>'S DEMON-HAUNT$ EYES4 .,X .IS .POS-
SESS$1 ,FA _H SD4 ..,"S DEMON F ! ,O!R_W
HAS 5T]$ X & MADE X .EVIL4
  ,B :AT ACTU,Y .IS A DEMON8 ,TORAK WON-
D]$4 ,HE DIDN'T "K4 ,HE ONLY KNEW T DE-
MONS HATE ALL LIV+ ?+S & "S"TS ESCAPE F
! ,O!R_W1 RIS+ \ (! GR.D 6CAUSE SICK;S &
HAVOC4                               #DE
  ,Z HE ?"\ AB ?1 HE R1LIZ$ T AL? HE
KNEW Q A LOT AB HUNT]S & PREY--AB LYNXES
& WOLV]9ES1 AURO*S & HORSES & DE]--HE
KNEW V LL AB ! O!R CR1TURES (! ,=E/4
  ,HE DID "K T CLAN GU>DIANS WAT* OV]
CAMPSITES1 & T <O/S MOAN 9 L1F.S TREES
ON /ORMY NI<TS1 ="E SEEK+ ! CLANS !Y H
LO/4 ,HE KNEW T ! ,HI45 ,P LIVE 9SIDE
ROCKS & RIV]S1 J Z ! CLANS LIVE 9 %EL-
T]S1 & T !Y SEEM B1UTI;L UNTIL !Y TURN
_! BACKS1 : >E HOLL[ Z ROTT5 TREES4
  ,Z =! ,_W ,_S :O S5DS ! RA9 & SN[ &
PREY--AB T ,TORAK KNEW L1/ ( ALL4 ,UNTIL
N[ HE'D N"E EV5 ?"\ AB X4 ,X 0 TOO RE-
MOTE3 AN UNIMAG9ABLY P[];L _S :O LIV$ F>
AWAY ON XS ,M.TA92 A _S :OM NO "O _H "E
SE51 B :O 0 SD 6WALK 0SUMM] Z A MAN )!
ANTL]S (A DE]1 & 0W9T] Z A WOMAN ) B>E
R$ WILL[ BRAN*ES = HAIR4
  ,TORAK B[$ 8 H1D 6HIS KNEES4 ,! WEI<T
( 8 OA? 6,FA PRESS$ D[N ON HM L A ROCK4
  ,SU45LY1 ! CUB SPRANG UP )A T5SE
GRUNT4
  ,TORAK L1P$ 6HIS FEET4
  ,! CUB'S EYES 7 FIX$ ON ! D>K;S3   #DF
E>S RIGID1 HACKLES RAIS$4 ,!N X HURTL$ \
(! FIRELI<T & 4APPE>$4
  ,TORAK /OOD V / ) 8 H& ON ,FA'S KNIFE4
,HE FELT ! TREES WAT*+ HM4 ,HE HE>D !M
:ISP]+ 6EA* O!R4
  ,"S": N F> (F1 A ROB9 2GAN 6S+ XS
PLA9TIVE NI<T S;G4 ,! CUB REAPPE>$3
HACKLES D[N1 MUZZLE S(T1 & SMIL+ SLI<T-
LY4
  ,TORAK RELAX$ 8 GRIP ON ! KNIFE4 ,:AT-
"E 0 \ "! _H EI G"O OR WASN'T A ?R1T4
,IF ! BE> _H BE5 CLOSE1 T ROB9 WDN'T 2
S++4 ,HE KNEW T M*4
  ,HE SAT D[N AG4
  ,Y'VE GOT 6F9D ! ,M.TA9 (! ,_W ,_S )9
! NEXT MOON1 HE TOLD HMF4 ,T'S :AT ,FA
SD4 ..,:5 ! R$ EYE IS HI<E/ ''' T'S :5
DEMONS >E /R;GE/4 ,Y "K .?4
  ,YES1 ,I D "K X1 ?"\ ,TORAK4 ,I "K AB
! R$ EYE4 ,I'VE SE5 X4
  ,E AUTUMN1 ! ,GRT ,BULL ,AURO*--! MO/
P[];L DEMON 9 ! ,O!R_W--ESCAPES 96! NI<T
SKY4 ,AT F/ HE HAS 8 H1D D[N1 PAW+ !
E>?1 S T ONLY ! />RY GL1M ( 8 %\LD] C 2
SE54 ,B Z W9T] -ES ON1 HE RISES &    #DG
GR[S /R;G]4 ,T'S :5 Y SEE 8 GLITT]+
HORNS & 8 BLOOD%OT R$ EYE4 ,! R$ /> (
W9T]4
  ,& 9 ! ,MOON ( ,R$ ,WILL[ HE RIDES
HI<E/1 & EVIL IS /R;GE/4 ,T'S :5 !
DEMONS WALK4 ..,T'S :5 ! BE> W 2 .9V9CI-
#4
  ,GLANC+ UP "? ! BRAN*ES1 ,TORAK SAW !
COLD GL9T ( />S4 ,ON ! EA/]N HORIZON1 J
ABV ! 4TANT BLACK;S (! ,HI< ,M.TA9S1 HE
F.D X3 ! />RY %\LD] (! ,GRT ,AURO*4
  ,X 0 N[ ! 5D (! ,MOON ( ,RO>+ ,/AGS4
,9 ! NEXT MOON1 ! ,BLACK?ORN ,MOON1 ! R$
EYE WD APPE>1 &! P[] (! BE> WD GR[ /R;G-
]4 ,0! ,MOON ( ,R$ ,WILL[1 X WD 2 9V9CI-
#4
  .,H1D .NOR?1 ,FA _H SD4 .,_M ."DWALKS4
  ,TORAK DIDN'T WANT 6G F>!R NOR?4 ,T WD
TAKE HM \ (! SMALL PAT* (! ,=E/ T HE
KNEW1 & 96! UN"KN4 ,& YET--,FA M/ H BE-
LIEV$ T HE /OOD A *.E1 OR HE WDN'T H
MADE HM SWE>4
  ,HE R1*$ =A /ICK & POK$ ! EMB]S4
  ,HE KNEW T ! ,HI< ,M.TA9S 7 F> 9 !
EA/1 2Y ! ,DEEP ,=E/1 & T !Y CURV$   #DH
F NOR? 6S\?1 >*+ \ (! ,=E/ L ! SP9E ( AN
ENORM\S :ALE4 ,& HE KNEW T ! ,_W ,_S 0
SD 6LIVE 9 ! NOR!RNMO/ M.TA94 ,B NO "O
_H "E GOTT5 CLOSE 6X1 =! ,_S ALW B1T !M
BACK ) H[L+ BLIZZ>DS & TR1*]\S ROCK-
FALLS4
  ,ALL "D1 ,TORAK _H BE5 FLEE+ NOR?1 B
HE 0 / ONLY LEVEL )! S\!RNMO/ ROOTS (!
,HI< ,M.TA9S4 ,HE _H NO IDEA H[ HE 0 GO+
6GET S F> ON 8 [N4 ,HE 0 / W1K F ! FEV]1
& 9 NO /ATE 6/>T A J\RNEY4
  ,S DON'T1 HE ?"\4 ,DON'T MAKE ! SAME
MISTAKE TWICE3 ,DON'T PANIC & NE>LY KILL
YRF \ ( %E] /UPID;Y4 ,/AY "H = ANO!R "D
OR S4 ,GET /R;G]4 ,!N />T4
  ,MAK+ A DECI.N MADE HM FEEL A LL BET-
T]4
  ,HE PUT M /ICKS ON ! FIRE1 & SAW 6HIS
SURPRISE T ! CUB 0 WAT*+ HM4 ,XS EYES 7
/1DY & Q UN-CUBLIKE3 ! EYES (A WOLF4
  ,ONCE AG1 ,FA'S VOICE E*O$ 9 8 MEMORY4
..,! EYES (A WOLF >5'T L ^? ( ANY O!R
CR1TURE--EXCEPT ^? (A MAN4 ,WOLVES >E \R
CLOSE/ BRO!RS1 ,TORAK1 & X %[S 9 _!
EYES4 ,! ONLY DI6];E IS ! COLOR4     #DI
,_!S >E GOLD51 :ILE \RS >E GRAY4 ,B !
WOLF DOESN'T SEE T1 2C 8 _W DOESN'T H
COLORS4 ,ONLY SILV]S & .GRAYS4
  ,TORAK _H ASK$ H[ HE KNEW T1 B ,FA _H
SMIL$ & %AK5 8 H1D1 SAY+ HE'D EXPLA9 :5
,TORAK 0 OLD]4 ,"! 7 LOTS ( ?+S HE'D BE5
GO+ 6EXPLA9 :5 ,TORAK 0 OLD]4
  ,TORAK SC[L$ & RU2$ 8 FACE4
  ,! CUB 0 / WAT*+ HM4
  ,ALR X _H "S?+ (! B1UTY (A FULL-GR[N
WOLF3 ! SL5D] PALE-GRAY MUZZLE2 L>GE
SILV] E>S ) _! $G+ ( BLACK2 ELEGANT1
D>K-RIMM$ EYES4
  ,^? EYES4 ,Z CLE> Z SUNLI<T 9 SPR+WAT]
'''
  ,SU45LY1 ,TORAK _H ! /RANGE/ S5SE T !
CUB KNEW :AT HE 0 ?9K+4
  ..,M ?AN ANY O!R HUNT]S 9 ! .,=E/1 ,FA
:ISP]$ 9 8 M9D1 ..WOLVES >E L U4 ,!Y
HUNT 9 PACKS4 ,!Y 5JOY TALK+ & PLAY+4
,!Y H A FI]CE LOVE = _! MATES & CUBS4 ,&
EA* WOLF "WS H>D =! GD (! .PACK4
  ,TORAK SAT UP"R4 ,0 T :AT ,FA 0 TRY+
6TELL HM8
  ..,YR GUIDE W F9D .Y4              #EJ
  ,CD X 2 T ! CUB 0 8 GUIDE8
  ,HE DECID$ 6PUT X 6! TE/4 ,CLE>+ 8
?ROAT1 HE GOT D[N ON 8 H&S & KNEES4 ,HE
DIDN'T "K H[ 6SAY 8M.TA90 9 WOLF TALK1 S
HE GUESS$3 GE/UR+ ) 8 H1D & ASK+--IN !
L[1 9T5SE YIP-&-Y[L T =MS "P ( WOLF TALK
--IF ! CUB KNEW ! WAY4
  ,! CUB SWIVEL$ XS E>S & LOOK$ AT HM1
!N GL.ED POLITELY AWAY1 2C 9 WOLF TALK1
6/>E TOO H>D IS A ?R1T4 ,!N X /OOD UP1
/RET*$1 & LAZILY SWUNG XS TAIL4
  ,NO?+ 9 XS MOVE;TS TOLD ,TORAK T X _H
"U/OOD 8 "Q4 ,X 0 SIMPLY A CUB AG4
  ,OR 0 X8
  ,CD HE RE,Y H IMAG9$ T LOOK8









                 ,,SIX               #EA

  ,X 0 _M ,LI<TS & ,D>KS S9CE ,TALL
,TAIL.S _H -E4
  ,AT F/ HE'D SLEPT ALL ! "T1 B N[ HE 0
2+ M (A NORMAL WOLF4 ,:5 HE FELT SAD1 HE
W5T QUIET4 ,:5 HE 0 ANGRY1 HE SN>L$4 ,HE
LIK$ PLAY+ TAG )A BIT ( H>E SK91 & :5 !
CUB P\NC$ ON HM HE ROLL$ ON ! GR.D1 MAK+
ODD YIP-&-Y[LS : ! CUB GUESS$ 0 8 WAY (
LAU<+4
  ,"S"TS ,TALL ,TAIL.S WD JO9 ! CUB 9 A
H[L1 & !Y'D S+ _! FEEL+S 6! ,=E/4 ,TALL
,TAIL.S'S H[L 0 R\< & N V TUNE;L1 B FULL
( FEEL+4
  ,! RE/ ( 8 TALK 0 ! SAME3 R\< B EX-
PRESSIVE4 ,( C\RSE1 HE DIDN'T H A TAIL1
& HE CDN'T MOVE 8 E>S OR FLUFF UP 8 FUR
OR HIT ! HI< YIPS4 ,B HE USU,Y MADE HMF
"U/OOD4
  ,S 9 _M WAYS1 HE 0 J L ANY O!R WOLF4
  ,AL? N 9 "EY?+4 ,POOR ,TALL ,TAIL.S CD
H>DLY SMELL OR HE> AT ALL1 & DUR+ ! ,D>K
HE LIK$ 6/>E AT ! ,B"R ,B1/-,T-,BITES-
,HOT4 ,"S"TS HE TOOK 8 H9D PAWS ."R .(F1
& "O T]RI# "T EV5 8 PELT4 ,/RANGE/   #EB
( ALL1 HE SLEPT = .AGES4 ,HE DIDN'T SEEM
6"K T A WOLF %D ONLY "E SLEEP 9 SNAT*ES1
& M/ GET UP (T51 /RET*+ & TURN+1 S T
HE'S R1DY = ANY?+4
  ,! CUB TRI$ 6T1* ,TALL ,TAIL.S 6WAKE
UP M (T51 0NUDG+ HM & BIT+ 8 E>S4 ,9/1D
( 2+ GRATE;L1 ,TALL ,TAIL.S J GOT V1 V
CROSS4 ,9 ! 5D ! CUB LET HM SLEEP2 &
NEXT ,LI<T1 ,TALL ,TAIL.S GOT UP AF A
/UPIDLY L;G SLEEP 9 AN EXTREMELY BAD
MOOD4 ,WELL :AT DID HE EXPECT1 IF HE
WDN'T LET 8 PACK-BRO!R WAKE HM UP8
  ,TD1 ?\<1 ,TALL ,TAIL.S _H WOK5 UP 2F
! ,LI<T1 & 9 A V DI6]5T MOOD4 ,! CUB
S5S$ 8 N]V\S;S4
  ,CURI\SLY1 ! CUB WAT*$ ,TALL ,TAIL.S
SET (F AL;G ! PACK TRAIL T W5T UP-,WET4
,A HUNT8
  ,! CUB B.D$ AF HM1 !N YIPP$ AT HM TO
/OP4 ,? WASN'T A HUNT4 ,& ,TALL ,TAIL.S
0 GO+ ! WR;G WAY4
  ,X WASN'T J T HE 0 FOLL[+ ! ,FA/ ,WET1
: ! CUB N[ HAT$ & FE>$ M ?AN ANY?+4 ,? 0
! WR;G WAY 2C--2C X WASN'T ! "R WAY4 ,!
"R WAY 0 OV] ! HILL1 !N ON = _M      #EC
,LI<TS & ,D>KS4
  ,! CUB DIDN'T "K H[ HE KNEW ?1 B HE
FELT X 9SIDE3 A FA9T1 DEEP ,PULL--L !
PULL (! ,D5 :5 HE'D /RAY$ TOO F>1 ONLY
FA9T]1 2C X 0 -+ F S F> AWAY4
  ,UP AH1D1 ,TALL ,TAIL.S /RODE AL;G UN-
AW>E4
  ,! CUB GAVE A L[1 W>N+ 8,UFF60--L 8 "M
US$ 6:5 %E WANT$ !M BACK 9 ! ,D5 .N[4
  ,TALL ,TAIL.S TURN$ R.D4 ,HE ASK$ "S?+
9 8 [N TALK4 ,X S.D$ L 8,:ATISIT80
  8,UFF60 SNAPP$ ! CUB4 ,HE TROTT$ 6!
FOOT (! HILL & />$ AT ! "R TRAIL4 ,!N HE
GL.ED AT ,TALL ,TAIL.S1 !N BACK 6!
TRAIL4 ..,N T WAY4 ,? .WAY4
  ,IMPATI5TLY1 ,TALL ,TAIL.S REP1T$ 8
"Q4 ,! CUB WAIT$ = HM 6CAT* ON4
  ,TALL ,TAIL.S SCRAT*$ 8 H1D4 ,HE SD
"S?+ ELSE 9 TAIL.S TALK4 ,!N HE />T$
BACK T[>D ! CUB4

  ,TORAK WAT*$ ,WOLF'S BODY T5SE4
  ,WOLF'S E>S FLICK$ =W>D4 ,8 BLACK NOSE
TWIT*$4 ,TORAK FOLL[$ 8 GAZE4 ,HE CDN'T
SEE ANY?+ "? ! TANGLE ( HAZEL &      #ED
WILL[H]B1 B HE KNEW T ! BUCK 0 9 "!1 2C
,WOLF KNEW X1 & ,TORAK _H LE>N$ 6TRU/
,WOLF4
  ,WOLF GL.ED UP AT ,TORAK1 8 AMB] EYES
GRAZ+ ! BOY'S4 ,!N 8 GAZE RETURN$ 6! ,=-
E/4 ,SIL5TLY1 ,TORAK BROKE (F A H1D (
GRASS & SPLIT X ) 8 ?UMBNAIL1 LETT+ !
F9E SE$S FLOAT AWAY ON ! BREEZE4 ,GD4
,!Y 7 / D[NW9D (! BUCK4 ,X WDN'T CAT* _!
SC5T4 ,& 2F SETT+ \1 ,TORAK _H1 Z ALW1
MASK$ 8 SMELL 0SME>+ 8 SK9 ) WOOD A%4
  ,)\T A S.D1 HE DREW AN >R[ F 8 QUIV] &
FITT$ X 6HIS B[/R+4 ,X 0 ONLY A SMALL
ROE BUCK1 B IF HE CD BR+ X D[N1 X WD 2 !
F/ BIG KILL HE'D "E MADE ON 8 [N4 ,HE
NE$$ X4 ,PREY 0 M* SC>C] ?AN X %D 2 AT ?
"T ( YE>4
  ,! CUB'S H1D SANK L[4
  ,TORAK CR\*$4
  ,TGR !Y CREPT =W>D4
  ,!Y'D BE5 TRACK+ ! BUCK ALL "D4 ,ALL
"D1 ,TORAK _H FOLL[$ XS TRAIL ( BITT5-(F
TWIGS & CLOV5 PR9TS1 TRY+ 6FEEL :AT X 0
FEEL+1 GUESS+ ": X WD G NEXT4
  ..,6TRACK PREY1 Y M/ F/ LE>N 6"K   #EE
X Z Y WD A BRO!R4 ,:AT X EATS1 & :5 &
H[2 ": X RE/S2 H[ X .MOVES4 ,FA _H TAU<T
,TORAK WELL4 ,HE KNEW H[ 6TRACK4 ,HE
KNEW T Y M/ /OP (T5 6LI/53 6OP5 YR S5SES
6:AT ! ,=E/ IS TELL+ Y4 '''
  ,"R N[1 HE KNEW T ! ROE BUCK 0 TIR+4
,E>LI] 9 ! "D1 ! CLEFTS ( EA* SMALL HO(-
PR9T _H BE5 DEEP & SPLAY$1 : M1NT X _H
BE5 GALLOP+4 ,N[ ! CLEFTS 7 LI<T] &
CLOS] TGR3 X _H SL[$ 6A WALK4
  ,X M/ 2 HUNGRY1 2C X _HN'T _H "T TO
GRAZE2 & ?IR/Y1 2C X _H KEPT 6! SAFETY (
! DEEP ?ICKETS1 ": "! 0 NO WAT]4
  ,TORAK GL.ED AB = SIGNS (A /R1M4 ,WE/
"? ! HAZEL1 AB ?IRTY PACES (F ! TRAIL1
HE GLIMPS$ A CLUMP ( ALD]S4 ,ALD]S ONLY
GR[ NE> WAT]4 ,T 0 ": ! BUCK M/ 2 H1D+4
  ,S(TLY1 HE &! CUB MOV$ "? ! "UGR[?4
,CUPP+ 8 H& 6HIS E>1 HE CAU<T A FA9T
RIPPLE ( WAT]4
  ,SU45LY1 ,WOLF FROZE3 E>S RAMM$ =W>D1
"O =EPAW RAIS$4
  .,YES4 ,"!4 ,"? ! ALD]S4 ,! BUCK /OOP+
6DR9K4
  ,C>E;LLY ,TORAK TOOK AIM4          #EF
  ,! BUCK RAIS$ XS H1D1 WAT] DRIPP+ F XS
MUZZLE4
  ,TORAK WAT*$ X SNUFF ! AIR & FLUFF \
XS PALE RUMP FUR 9 AL>M4 ,ANO!R HE>TB1T
& X WD 2 G"O4 ,HE LOOS$ 8 >R[4
  ,X ?U4$ 96! BUCK'S RIBS J 2H ! %\LD]4
,)A GRACE;L %U4]1 ! BUCK FOLD$ XS KNEES
& SANK 6! GR.D4
  ,TORAK GAVE A %\T & PU%$ "? ! "UGR[?
T[>D X4 ,WOLF RAC$ HM & EASILY WON1 B !N
PULL$ BACK 6LET ,TORAK CAT* UP4 ,! CUB 0
LE>N+ 6RESPECT ! L1D WOLF4
  ,PANT+1 ,TORAK /OOD OV] ! BUCK4 ,XS
RIBS 7 / H1V+1 B D1? 0 NE>4 ,XS ?REE
S\LS 7 GETT+ R1DY 6L1VE4
  ,TORAK SWALL[$4 ,N[ HE _H 6D :AT HE'D
SE5 ,FA D C.T.S "TS4 ,B = HM X WD 2 ! F/
"T1 & HE _H 6GET X "R4
  ,KNEEL+ 2S ! BUCK1 HE PUT \ 8 H& & G5-
TLY /ROK$ XS R\<1 SW1TY *EEK4 ,! BUCK
LAY QUIET "U 8 PALM4
  8,Y DID WELL10 ,TORAK TOLD X4 ,8 VOICE
S.D$ AWKW>D4 8,Y 7 BRAVE & CL"E1 & Y
KEPT GO+ ALL "D4 ,I PROMISE 6KEEP ! PACT
)! ,_W ,_S1 & TR1T Y ) RESPECT4      #EG
,N[ G 9 P1CE40
  ,HE WAT*$ D1? GLAZE ! GRT D>K EYE4
  ,HE FELT GRATE;L 6! BUCK1 B AL PR\D4
,? 0 8 F/ BIG KILL4 ,:]"E ,FA 0 ON !
,D1? ,J\RNEY1 HE WD 2 PL1S$4
  ,TORAK TURN$ 6,WOLF & PUT 8 H1D ON "O
SIDE1 WR9KL+ 8 NOSE & B>+ 8 TEE? 9 A
WOLF SMILE4 ..,WELL D"O2 ?ANK .Y4
  ,WOLF P\NC$ ON ,TORAK1 NE>LY KNOCK+ HM
OV]4 ,TORAK LAU<$ & GAVE HM A H&;L (
BLACKB]RIES F 8 FOOD P\*4 ,WOLF SNU6L$
!M UP4
  ,X _H BE5 SEV5 "DS S9CE !Y'D SET \ F !
,FA/WAT]1 & / "! 0 NO SIGN (! BE>4 ,NO
TRACKS4 ,NO FUR SNA7$ ON BRAM#S4 ,NO M
,=E/-%AK+ RO>S4
  ,"S?+ 0 WR;G1 ?\<4 ,AT ? "T ( YE>1 !
,=E/ %D 2 E*O+ )! BELL[S ( RUTT+ R$ DE]1
&! CLA% ( _! ANTL]S Z !Y F"\ = FEMALES4
,B ALL 0 SIL;E4 ,X 0 Z IF ! ,=E/ 0 SL[LY
EMPTY+1 ! PREY FLEE+ F ! UNSE5 M5ACE4
  ,9 SEV5 "DS ! ONLY CR1TURES ,TORAK _H
5C.T]$ 7 BIRDS & VOLES--& ONCE1 ) HE>T-
/OPP+ SU45;S1 A HUNT+ "PY3 ?REE M51 TWO
WOM51 &A DOG4 ,LUCKILY1 HE'D MAN-    #EH
AG$ 6SLIP AWAY 2F !Y SAW HM4 ..,/AY AWAY
F .M51 ,FA _H W>N$4 ..,IF !Y F9D \ :AT Y
C .D '''
  ,TORAK DIDN'T "K :AT T M1NT1 B HE KNEW
,FA 0 "R4 ,HE'D GR[N UP AWAY F P2 HE
WANT$ NO?+ 6D ) !M4 ,2SS1 HE _H ,WOLF
N[4 ,) E "D T PASS$1 !Y "U/OOD EA* O!R
BETT]4
  ,TORAK 0 -+ 6"K T WOLF TALK IS A -PLEX
BL5D ( GE/URES1 LOOKS1 SMELLS1 & S.DS4
,! GE/URES C 2 )! MUZZLE1 E>S1 PAWS1
TAIL1 %\LD]S1 FUR1 OR ! :OLE BODY4 ,_M
>E V SUBTLE3 ! M]E/ TILT OR TWIT*4 ,MO/
D N 9VOLVE S.D4 ,0N[1 ,TORAK KNEW Q A
LOT ( !M1 AL? X WASN'T Z IF HE'D _H TO
LE>N !M4 ,X FELT M Z ?\< HE 0 REMEMB]+
!M4
  ,/1 "! 0 "O ?+ HE KNEW HE'D N"E 2 A#
6MA/]1 2C HE WASN'T A WOLF4 ,? 0 :AT
HE'D TAK5 6CALL+ 8WOLF S5SE03 ! CUB'S
UNCANNY KNACK ( S5S+ 8 ?"\S & MOODS4
  ,WOLF _H 8 [N MOODS1 TOO4 ,"S"TS HE 0
! CUB1 )A PUPPYI% LOVE ( B]RIES & AN IN-
ABIL;Y 6KEEP /--L ! "T HE'D WRI7L$
9CESSANTLY :5 ,TORAK _H HELD A       #EI
NAM+ RITE = HM1 !N LICK$ (F ALL ! R$ AL-
D] JUICE DAUB$ ON 8 PAWS4 ,UNLIKE ,TO-
RAK1 :O'D BE5 N]V\S AB P]=M+ S IMPORTANT
A RITE1 ,WOLF _H SEEM$ UNIMPRESS$3 M]ELY
IMPATI5T = X 6BE OV]4
  ,AT O!R "TS1 ?\<1 HE 0 ! GUIDE3 MY/]I-
\SLY SURE (! WAY !Y M/ TAKE4 ,B IF ,TO-
RAK TRI$ 6ASK HM AB T1 HE N"E GAVE M* (
AN ANSW]4 .,I .J ."K4 ,T 0 ALL4
  ,"R N[1 ,WOLF WASN'T 2+ ! GUIDE4 ,HE 0
2+ ! CUB4 ,8 MUZZLE 0 PURPLE ) BLACKB]RY
JUICE1 & HE 0 YIPP+ 9SI/5TLY = M4
  ,TORAK LAU<$ & BATT$ HM AWAY4 8,NO M6
,I'VE GOT "W 6D40
  ,WOLF %OOK HMF1 !N W5T (F 6H A SLEEP4
  ,X TOOK ,TORAK TWO FULL "DS 6BUT*] !
C>CASS4 ,HE'D MADE ! BUCK A PROMISE1 &
HE _H 6KEEP X 0N WA/+ A ?+4 ,T 0 ! AGE-
OLD PACT 2T ! HUNT]S &! ,_W ,_S4 ,HUNT]S
M/ TR1T PREY ) RESPECT1 & 9 RETURN ! ,_S
WD S5D M PREY4
  ,X 0 A DAUNT+ TASK4 ,X TAKES _M SUMM]S
( PRACTICE 6USE PREY WELL4 ,TORAK DIDN'T
MAKE A V GD JOB ( X1 B HE DID 8 BE/4
  ,F/1 HE SLIT ! DE]'S BELLY & CUT   #FJ
A SLIP (! LIV] =! CLAN GU>DIAN4 ,! RE/ (
! LIV] HE CUT 96/RIPS & SET 6DRY4 ,!N HE
REL5T$ & CUT (F A BIT = ,WOLF1 :O SLURP$
X UP4
  ,NEXT1 ,TORAK SK9N$ ! C>CASS1 SCRAP+ !
HIDE CL1N ( FLE% ) 8 ANTL] SCRAP]4 ,HE
WA%$ ! HIDE 9 WAT] MIX$ ) CRUM#D OAK B>K
6LOOS5 ! HAIRS1 !N /RET*$ X 2T TWO SAP-
L+S--WELL \ ( ,WOLF'S L1P+ RANGE4 ,!N HE
SCRAP$ (F ! HAIRS--9EXP]TLY1 MAK+ S"EAL
HOLES--& S(T5$ ! HIDE 0RU2+ X ) MA%$ DE]
BRA94 ,AF A F9AL R.D ( SOAK+ & DRY+1 HE
_H A R1SONA# SK9 ( RAWHIDE = ROPE & FI%+
L9ES4
  ,:ILE ! HIDE 0 DRY+1 HE CUT ! M1T 96?9
/RIPS & HUNG !M OV] A SMOKY BIR*WOOD
FIRE4 ,:5 !Y 7 DRY1 HE P.D$ !M 2T TWO
/"OS 6MAKE !M ?9N]1 !N ROLL$ !M 96SMALL1
TI<T BUNDLES4 ,! M1T 0 DELICI\S4 ,"O LL
PIECE WD LA/ HM HALF A "D4
  ,! 9N>DS HE WA%$1 SOAK$ 9 OAK-B>K WA-
T]1 & DRAP$ OV] A JUNIP] BU% 6DRY4 ,!
/OMA* WD MAKE A WAT]SK91 ! BLA4] A SP>E
T9D] P\*2 ! GUTS WD /ORE NUTS4 ,! LUNGS
7 ,WOLF'S %>E--AL? N YET4 ,TORAK     #FA
WD *EW !M AT "DM1LS & NI<TM1LS1 !N SPIT
!M \ =! CUB4 ,B Z HE _H NO COOK+ SK9 =
MAK+ GLUE1 HE LET ,WOLF H ! HOOVES
/RAI<TAWAY4 ,! CUB PLAY$ ) !M TIRE.SLY
2F CRUN*+ !M 6BITS4
  ,NEXT1 ,TORAK WA%$ ! L;G BACK S9EWS
HE'D SAV$ F ! BUT*]+1 P.D$ !M FLAT1 !N
T1S$ \ ! N>R[ FIB]S = ?R1D1 DRY+ !M &
RU2+ !M 9 FAT 6MAKE !M SUPPLE4 ,!Y W]5'T
NE>LY Z SMOO? OR EV5 Z ! ?R1D 8 "F US$
6MAKE1 B !Y'D D4 ,& !Y 7 S T\< T !Y'D
\TLA/ ANY CLO!S HE SEW$ ) !M4
  ,F9,Y1 HE SCRAP$ ! ANTL]S &! L;G B"OS
CL1N1 & TI$ !M 96A BUNDLE = SPL9T]+ LAT]
96FI%HOOKS1 NE$LES1 & >R[H1DS4
  ,X 0 LATE ON ! SECOND "D 0! "T HE'D
F9I%$4 ,HE SAT 0! FIRE1 PL1SANTLY FULL (
M1T1 :ITTL+ A :I/LE F A PIECE ( GR\SE
B"O4 ,HE NE$$ "S WAY ( SUMMON+ ! CUB :5
HE 0 (F ON "O ( 8 SOLIT>Y J\RNEYS1 "S
WAY QUIET] ?AN A H[L4 ,T HUNT+ "PY MI<T
/ 2 AB4 ,HE CDN'T RISK ANY M H[L+4
  ,HE F9I%$ :ITTL+ & GAVE ! :I/LE A TRY4
,6HIS 4MAY1 X MADE NO S.D4 ,FA _H C>V$
C.T.S :I/LES J L ? "O1 & !Y'D ALW    #FB
MADE A CLE>1 BIRDLIKE *IRP4 ,:Y DIDN'T
HIS8
  ,FRU/RAT$1 ,TORAK TRI$ AG1 BL[+ Z H>D
Z HE CD4 ,/ NO S.D4 ,B 6HIS SURPRISE1
,WOLF L1P$ UP Z IF HE'D BE5 /UNG 0A HOR-
NET4
  ,TORAK GL.ED F ! />TL$ CUB 6! :I/LE4
,ONCE M HE BLEW ON X4
  ,AG NO S.D4 ,? "T ,WOLF GAVE A BRIEF
SN>L1 !N A :9E1 6%[ T HE 0 A BIT ANNOY$
B DIDN'T WANT 6G TOO F> & (F5D ,TORAK4
  ,TORAK SD HE 0 SORRY 0G5TLY SCRAT*+ "U
,WOLF'S MUZZLE1 &! CUB SLUMP$ D[N4 ,8
EXPRES.N MADE X CLE>3 ,TORAK %DN'T CALL
UN.S HE M1NT "S?+ 0X4

  ,NEXT "D DAWN$ F9E & B"R1 & Z !Y SET
(F AG1 ,TORAK'S _SS ROSE4
  ,X 0 TWELVE "DS S9CE ! BE> _H KILL$
,FA4 ,9 T "T ,TORAK _H F"\ HUNG] & 3QU]$
FEV]1 F.D ,WOLF1 & MADE 8 F/ BIG KILL4
,HE'D AL MADE PL5TY ( MISTAKES4 ,B HE 0
/ ALIVE4
  ,HE PICTUR$ 8 "F ON ! J\RNEY 6! ,L& (!
,D1D--! L& ": >R[S >E PL5TI;L1 &!    #FC
HUNT N"E FAILS4 ,AT L1/1 ?"\ ,TORAK1 HE
HAS 8 W1PONS ) HM1 & MY KNIFE = -PANY4
,& ALL T DRI$ M1T4 ,T BLUNT$ ! $GE ( 8
GRIEF A LL4
  ,TORAK KNEW T ! LOSS ( 8 "F WD N"E
L1VE HM--T HE'D C>RY X 9 8 *E/ ALL 8
LIFE1 L A /"O4 ,? MORN+ ! /"O DIDN'T
FEEL Q S H1VY4 ,HE'D SURVIV$ S F>1 & 8
"F WD 2 PR\D4
  ,HE FELT ALM HAPPY Z HE PU%$ "? ! "U-
GR[? ON ! SUN-DAPPL$ =E/ PA?4 ,A C\PLE (
?RU%ES SQUAB#D OV]H1D4 ,! FAT1 HAPPY CUB
KEPT CLOSE 6HIS SIDE1 8 BU%Y SILV] TAIL
HELD HI<4
  ,FAT1 HAPPY1 & C>E.S4
  ,TORAK HE>D A TWIG SNAP 2H HM J Z A
L>GE H& GRA2$ HM 0! J]K9 & YANK$ HM (F 8
FEET4






                                     #FD
























                 ,,SEV5              #FE

  ,?REE HUNT]S4 ,?REE LE?AL FL9T W1PONS4
,ALL AIM$ AT HM4
  ,TORAK'S M9D :IRL$4 ,HE CDN'T MOVE4
,CDN'T SEE ,WOLF4
  ,! MAN GRIPP+ 8 J]K9 0 ENORM\S4 ,8
RUSSET BE>D 0 A BIRD'S-NE/ TANGLE2 "O
*EEK 0 PULL$ D[NW>D 0AN UGLY SC>1 & :AT-
"E _H BITT5 HM _H TAK5 (F "O E>4 ,9 8
FREE H& HE HELD A FL9T-$G$ KNIFE1 XS
PO9T JA2$ "U ,TORAK'S JAW4
  ,2S HM /OOD A TALL "Y MAN1 &A GIRL AB
,TORAK'S [N AGE4 ,BO? _H D>K-R$ HAIR1
SMOO?1 PITI.S FACES1 & FL9T >R[S TRA9$
ON 8 HE>T4
  ,HE TRI$ 6SWALL[4 ,HE HOP$ HE DIDN'T
LOOK Z SC>$ Z HE FELT4 8,LET ME G10 HE
GASP$4 ,HE TOOK A SW+ AT ! BIG MAN &
MISS$4
  ,! BIG MAN GRUNT$4 8,S "H'S \R ?IEF60
,HE HOI/$ ,TORAK HI<]--*OK+LY HI<4
  8,I'M N--A ?IEF60 C\<$ ,TORAK1 SNAT*+
AT 8 ?ROAT4
  8,HE'S LY+10 ! "Y MAN SD COLDLY4
  8,Y TOOK \R ROE BUCK10 SD !        #FF
GIRL4 ,6! BIG MAN %E SD1 8,OSLAK1 ,I ?9K
Y'RE *OK+ HM40
  ,OSLAK SET ,TORAK ON 8 FEET4 ,B HE
DIDN'T LOOS5 8 HOLD1 & 8 KNIFE /AY$ AT
,TORAK'S ?ROAT4
  ,C>E;LLY1 ! GIRL REPLAC$ H] >R[ 9 H]
QUIV] & %\LD]$ H] B[4 ,! "Y MAN DID N4
,F ! GL1M 9 8 EYES1 X 0 CLE> T HE 0 EN-
JOY+ HMF4 ,HE WDN'T HESITATE 6%OOT4
  ,TORAK C\<$ & RU2$ 8 ?ROAT1 8 O!R H&
SURREPTITI\SLY R1*+ = 8 KNIFE4
  8,I'LL TAKE T10 SD ,OSLAK4 ,/ GRIPP+
,TORAK1 HE RELIEV$ HM ( 8 W1PONS & TOSS$
!M 6! GIRL4
  ,%E /UDI$ ,FA'S KNIFE CURI\SLY4 8,DID
Y /1L ?1 TOO80
  8,NO60 SD ,TORAK4 8,X--X 0 MY "F'S40
  ,CLE>LY !Y DIDN'T 2LIEVE HM4
  ,TORAK LOOK$ AT ! GIRL4 8,Y SD ,I TOOK
YR BUCK4 ,H[ CD X 2 YRS80
  8,? IS \R "P (! ,=E/10 SD ! "Y MAN4
  ,TORAK 0 PUZZL$4 8,:AT D Y M1N8 ,! ,=-
E/ DOESN'T 2L;G 6ANY"O--0
  8,X DOES N[10 SNAPP$ ! "Y MAN4 8,X 0
AGRE$ AT ! CLAN MEET4 ,2C (--0 ,HE   #FG
BROKE (F )A SC[L4 8,:AT MATT]S IS T Y
TOOK \R PREY4 ,T M1NS D1?40
  ,TORAK BROKE \ 9 A SW1T4 .,D1?8 ,H[ CD
TAK+ A ROE BUCK M1N D1?8
  ,8 M\? 0 S DRY T HE CD H>DLY SP1K4
8,IF--IF X'S ! BUCK Y'RE AF10 HE SD1
8TAKE X & LET ME G4 ,X'S 9 MY PACK4 ,I
HAV5'T EAT5 M*40
  ,OSLAK &! GIRL EX*ANG$ GL.ES1 B ! "Y
MAN TOSS$ 8 H1D 9 SCORN4 8,X ISN'T T
SIMPLE4 ,Y'RE MY CAPTIVE4 ,OSLAK1 TIE 8
H&S4 ,WE'RE TAK+ HM 6,F9-,K$9N40
  8,":'S T80 ASK$ ,TORAK Z ,OSLAK B.D 8
H&S 2H 8 BACK ) /RIPS ( RAWHIDE4
  8,X'S N A PLACE10 SD ,OSLAK4 8,X'S A
MAN40
  8,DON'T Y "K ANY?+80 SNE]$ ! GIRL4
  8,F9-,K$9N IS MY UNCLE10 SD ! "Y MAN1
DRAW+ HMF UP4 8,HE'S ! ,L1D] ( \R CLAN4
,I AM ,HORD1 8 BRO!R'S SON40
  8,:AT CLAN8 ,": >E Y TAK+ ME80
  ,!Y DID N REPLY4
  ,OSLAK GAVE ,TORAK A %OVE T KNOCK$ HM
6HIS KNEES4 ,Z HE /RU7L$ 6HIS FEET1 HE
GL.ED OV] 8 %\LD]--& SAW 6HIS HOR-   #FH
ROR T ,WOLF _H TROTT$ BACK 6LOOK = HM4
,HE /OOD UNC]TA9LY "S TW5TY PACES AWAY1
SNU6+ ! /RANG]S' SC5T4
  ,!Y _HN'T SPOTT$ HM4 ,:AT WD !Y D IF
!Y DID8 ,PRESUMABLY EV5 !Y RESPECT$ !
ANCI5T LAW T =BADE ! KILL+ ( ANO!R HUNT-
]4 ,B :AT IF !Y *AS$ ,WOLF AWAY8 ,TORAK
PICTUR$ HM LO/ 9 ! ,=E/4 ,HUNGRY4 ,H[L+4
  ,6W>N ,WOLF 6/AY \ ( SI<T1 HE GAVE A
L[1 URG5T 8,UFF40 .,DANG]6
  ,OSLAK NE>LY FELL OV] HM 9 SURPRISE4
8,:AT DID Y SAY80
  8,UFF60 SD ,TORAK AG4 ,6HIS 4MAY1
,WOLF DIDN'T RETR1T4 ,9/1D1 HE PUT BACK
8 E>S & RAC$ /RAI<T = ,TORAK4
  8,:AT'S ?80 MUTT]$ ,OSLAK4 ,HE R1*$
D[N & GRA2$ ,WOLF 0! HACKLES4
  ,WOLF WRI7L$ & SN>L$ Z HE DANGL$ F !
HUGE R$ H&4
  8,LET HM G60 %\T$ ,TORAK1 /RU7L+4
8,LET HM G OR ,I'LL KILL Y60
  ,OSLAK &! GIRL BUR/ \ LAU<+4
  8,LET HM .G6 ,HE'S N DO+ Y ANY H>M60
  8,J *ASE X AWAY & LET'S G10 SD ,HORD
IRRITABLY4                           #FI
  8,NO60 YELL$ ,TORAK4 8,HE'S MY GUI--
NO60
  ,! GIRL ?REW HM A SUSPICI\S LOOK4
8,HE'S YR :AT80
  8,HE'S ) ME10 MUTT]$ ,TORAK4 ,HE KNEW
HE M/N'T REV1L 8 SE>* =! ,M.TA91 OR T HE
CD TALK 6,WOLF4
  8,-E ON1 ,R5N10 SN>L$ ,HORD4 8,WE'RE
WA/+ "T40
  ,B ,R5N 0 / />+ AT ,TORAK4 ,%E TURN$
6,OSLAK4 8,GIVE X 6ME40 ,F H] PACK %E
PULL$ A BUCKSK9 BAG 96: %E %OV$ ! CUB1
DRAW+ ! NECK TI<TLY %UT4 ,Z %E %\LD]$ !
WRI7L+1 Y[L+ BAG1 %E TOLD ,TORAK1 8,Y'D
BETT] -E QUIETLY1 OR ,I'LL BA% HM AG/ A
TREE40
  ,TORAK GL>$ AT H]4 ,%E PROBABLY WDN'T
D X1 B %E'D J 5SUR$ 8 OB$I;E F> M E6EC-
TIVELY ?AN EI ,OSLAK OR ,HORD4
  ,OSLAK GAVE ,TORAK ANO!R PU%1 & !Y
/>T$ AL;G A DE] TRACK1 H1D+ NOR?WE/4
  ,! RAWHIDE B9D+S 7 TI<T1 & ,TORAK'S
WRI/S 2GAN 6HURT4 ,WELL1 LET !M1 HE ?"\4
,HE 0 FURI\S ) HMF4 .,LOOK .2H .Y1 8 "F
_H SD4 ,HE _HN'T1 & N[ HE 0 PAY+ =   #GJ
X--& S 0 ,WOLF4 ,NO M MU6L$ Y[LS 7 -+ F
! BAG4 ,0 HE SU6OCAT+8 ,ALR D1D8
  ,TORAK BE7$ ,R5N 6OP5 ! BAG & LET 9 "S
AIR4
  8,NO NE$10 %E SD4 8,I J FELT X WRIG-
GLE40
  ,TORAK SET 8 TEE? & /UM#D ON4 ,HE _H
6F9D "S WAY 6ESCAPE4
  ,OSLAK 0 2H HM1 B ,HORD 0 "R 9 FRONT4
,HE LOOK$ AB N9ETE51 WELL BUILT & H&"S4
,HE AL SEEM$ BO? >ROGANT & UNEASY3 DES-
P]ATE 6BE F/1 B SC>$ T HE'D ONLY "E -E
SECOND4 ,8 CLO!S 7 F9ELY MADE & COLOR;L1
8 J]K9 & LE7+S /IT*$ 9 BRAID$ S9EW DY$
R$1 & $G$ 9 "S K9D ( BIRD SK9 /A9$ GRE54
,ON 8 *E/ HE WORE A MAGNIFIC5T NECKLACE
( R$ DE] TEE?4
  ,TORAK 0 MY/IFI$4 ,:Y WD A HUNT] WANT
S M* COLOR8 ,& T NECKLACE CL9K$1 : 0 !
LA/ ?+ Y NE$$4
  ,R5N RESEM#D ,HORD 9 F1TURE1 & ,TORAK
WOND]$ IF !Y 7 BRO!R & SI/]1 AL? ,R5N 0
"Y] 0F\R OR FIVE SUMM]S4 ,H] CLAN-
TATTOOS--?REE F9E BLUE-BLACK B>S ON H]
*EEKB"OS--%[$ CLE>LY ON H] PALE      #GA
SK91 GIV+ H] A %>P1 MISTRU/;L LOOK4 ,TO-
RAK DIDN'T ?9K HE'D 2 ASK+ H] = HELP4
  ,H] BUCKSK9 J]K9 & LE7+S 7 SCRU6Y1 B
H] B[ & QUIV] 7 B1UTI;L1 ! >R[S DEFTLY
FLET*$ ) [L F1!RS = SIL5T FLI<T4 ,ON !
F/ TWO F+]S ( H] LEFT H&1 %E WORE L1!R
F+] GU>DS1 & /RAPP$ 6H] "R =E>M 0 A WRI/
GU>D ( POLI%$ GRE5 SLATE4 ,TORAK GUESS$
T S* WRI/ GU>DS 7 WORN 0P :O LIV$ = _!
B[S4 ,T'S :AT MATT]S 6H]1 HE ?"\4 ,N F9E
CLO!S1 L ,HORD4
  ,B :AT CLAN 0 %E8 ,SEWN 6! LEFT SIDE (
H] J]K9--& ^? ( ,HORD & ,OSLAK--WAS _!
CLAN-CR1TURE SK93 A /RIP ( BLACK F1!RS4
,SWAN8 ,EAGLE8 ,! F1!RS 7 TOO TATT]$4
,TORAK CDN'T TELL4
  ,!Y WALK$ ALL MORN+ )\T /OPP+ = FOOD
OR WAT]3 CROSS+ BO7Y VALLEYS *OK$ ) *AT-
T]+ ASP52 CLIMB+ HILLS D>K5$ 0"E-WAKE;L
P9ES4 ,Z ,TORAK PASS$ 2N1 ! TREES SI<$
M\RN;LLY1 Z IF ALR LA;T+ 8 D1?4
  ,CL\DS OBSCUR$ ! SUN1 & HE LO/ 8 BE>-
+S4 ,!Y CAME 6A SLOPE ": ! ,=E/ FLOOR 0
BUMPY )! WAI/-HI< NE/S ( WOOD ANTS4 ,Z
WOOD ANTS ONLY BUILD 0! S\? SIDE (   #GB
TREES1 ,TORAK "W$ \ T !Y 7 H1D+ WE/4
  ,AT LA/1 !Y PAUS$ AT A BROOK 6DR9K4
  8,WE'RE M* TOO SL[10 GR[L$ ,HORD4
8,WE'VE GOT A :OLE VALLEY 6CROSS 2F WE
R1* ! ,W9DRIV]40
  ,TORAK PRICK$ UP 8 E>S4 ,MAYBE HE'D
OV]HE> "S?+ USE;L4 '''
  ,R5N S5S$ HE 0 LI/5+4 8,! ,W9DRIV]10
%E TOLD HM SL[LY1 Z IF TALK+ 6A BABY1
8IS 6! WE/1 9 ! NEXT VALLEY4 ,X'S ": WE
CAMP 9 AUTUMN4 ,&A C\PLE ( "DWALKS 6!
NOR? IS ! ,WIDEWAT]1 ": WE CAMP 9 SUMM]4
,=! SALMON4 ,!Y'RE FI%4 ,MAYBE Y'VE HE>D
( !M40
  ,TORAK FELT HMF R$D5+4 ,B HE KNEW N[
": !Y 7 H1D+3 8 CAPTORS' AUTUMN CAMP4 ,X
S.D$ BAD4 ,A CAMP WD M1N M P1 & LESS *.E
( ESCAPE4
  ,Z !Y WALK$1 ! SUN SANK L[]1 & ,TO-
RAK'S CAPTORS 2CAME $GY1 PAUS+ (T5 6LI/5
& LOOK AB !M4 ,HE GUESS$ T !Y KNEW AB !
BE>4 ,MAYBE T 0 :Y !Y'D ADOPT$ ! UNHE>D-
( M1SURE ( 8[N+0 PREY4 ,2C X 0 GETT+
SC>CE2 ! BE> 0 F"R5+ X AWAY4
  ,!Y DESC5D$ 96A BIG VALLEY (       #GC
OAK1 A%1 & P9E1 & SOON R1*$ A WIDE SILV]
RIV]4 ,? M/ 2 ! ,W9DRIV]4
  ,SU45LY ,TORAK SMELL$ WOODSMOKE4 ,!Y 7
NE>+ ! CAMP4




















                                     #GD
























                 ,,EI<T              #GE

  ,Z ! F\R ( !M CROSS$ ! RIV] 0A WOOD5
WALKWAY1 ,TORAK />$ D[N AT ! SLID+ WAT]
& ?"\ AB JUMP+ IN4 ,B 8 H&S 7 TI$4 ,HE'D
DR[N4 ,2SS1 HE CDN'T L1VE ,WOLF4
  ,AB T5 PACES D[N/R1M1 ! TREES OP5$ 96A
CLE>+4 ,TORAK SMELL$ P9E SMOKE & FRE%
BLOOD4 ,HE SAW F\R BIG RE9DE]-HIDE %EL-
T]S UNLIKE ANY HE'D "E SE51 &A 2WILD]+
NUMB] ( P3 ALL H>D AT "W1 & Z YET UNAW>E
( HM4 ,)A CL>;Y BORN ( FE>1 HE TOOK 9 E
DETAIL4
  ,ON ! RIV]BANK TWO M5 7 SK9N+ A BO>
/RUNG F A TREE4 ,HAV+ ALR SLIT ! BELLY1
!Y'D %1!D _! KNIVES & 7 PEEL+ (F ! HIDE
0H&1 6AVOID TE>+ X4 ,BO? 7 B>E *E/$ &
WORE FI%-SK9 APRONS OV] _! LE7+S4 ,!Y
LOOK$ T]RIFY+LY /R;G1 ) RAIS$ ZIGZAG
SC>S ON _! MUSCL$ >MS4 ,F ! C>CASS1
BLOOD DRIPP$ SL[LY 96A BIR*-B>K PAIL4
  ,9 ! %ALL[S1 TWO GIRLS 9 BUCKSK9 TU-
NICS GI7L$ Z !Y R9S$ ! BO>'S GUTS1 :ILE
?REE SMALL *N SOLEMNLY MADE MUD CAKES &
/U4$ !M ) SYCAMORE W+S4 ,TWO SLEEK HIDE
CANOES 7 DRAWN UP \ (! WAT]4 ,!      #GF
GR.D >.D !M GLITT]$ ) FI% SCALES4 ,A C\-
PLE ( L>GE DOGS PR[L$ = SCRAPS4
  ,9 ! MI4LE (! CLE>+1 NE> A P9EWOOD
L;G-FIRE1 A GR\P ( WOM5 SAT ON WILL[-
BRAN* MATS1 TALK+ QUIETLY Z !Y %ELL$ HA-
ZELNUTS & PICK$ OV] A BASKET ( JUNIP]
B]RIES4 ,N"O ( !M LOOK$ ANY?+ L ,HORD OR
,R5N2 ,TORAK WOND]$ BRIEFLY IF1 L HM1
!Y'D LO/ _! P>5TS4
  ,A LL A"P F !M1 AN OLD WOMAN 0 H1D+ >-
R[S3 SLOTT+ NE$LE-F9E FLAKES ( FL9T 96!
%AFTS1 !N GLU+ !M 9 PLACE )A PA/E ( P9E-
BLOOD & BEESWAX4 ,A R.D B"O AMULET ET*$
)A SPIRAL 0 SEWN 6! BR1/ ( H] J]K94 ,F !
AMULET1 ,TORAK KNEW %E M/ 2 ! CLAN
,MAGE4 ,FA _H TOLD HM AB ,MAGES3 P :O C
H1L SICK;S1 & DR1M ": ! PREY IS & :AT !
W1!R W D4 ,? OLD WOMAN LOOK$ Z IF %E CD
D F> M DANG]\S ?+S ?AN T4
  ,0! FIRE1 A PRETTY GIRL L1N$ OV] A
COOK+ SK94 ,/1M CR9KL$ H] HAIR Z %E US$
A =K$ /ICK 6DROP 9 R$-HOT /"OS4 ,! M1TY
SMELL ( :AT"E 0 COOK+ MADE ,TORAK'S M\?
WAT]4
  ,NE> H]1 AN OLD] MAN KNELT 6SPIT   #GG
A C\PLE ( H>ES4 ,L ,HORD1 HE _H R$DI%-
BR[N HAIR &A %ORT R$ BE>D1 B "! ! RESEM-
BL.E 5D$4 ,8 FACE _H AN >RE/+ /ILL;S1 &A
/R5G? T MADE ,TORAK ?9K ( C>V$ S&/"O4
,TORAK =GOT AB ! COOK+ SMELL4 ,HE KNEW1
)\T 2+ TOLD1 T ? MAN WIELD$ P[]4
  ,OSLAK UNTI$ ! B9D+S & PU%$ ,TORAK 96!
CLE>+4 ,! DOGS L1P$ UP1 B>K+ F]OCI\SLY4
,! OLD WOMAN MADE A SLIC+ MO;N ) H]
PALM1 & !Y SUBSID$ 96GR[LS4 ,"EY"O />$
AT ,TORAK4 ,"EY"O EXCEPT ! MAN 0! FIRE1
:O W5T ON CALMLY SPITT+ ! H>ES4 ,ONLY :5
HE'D F9I%$ DID HE RUB (F 8 H&S 9 ! DU/ &
RISE 6HIS FEET1 WAIT+ 9 SIL;E = !M 6AP-
PROA*4
  ,! PRETTY GIRL GL.ED AT ,HORD & SMIL$
%YLY4 8,WE SAV$ Y "S BRO?10 %E SD4
  ,TORAK GUESS$ T EI %E 0 8 MATE OR %E
WANT$ 6BE4
  ,R5N TURN$ & ROLL$ H] EYES AT ,HORD4
8,DYRATI SAV$ Y "S BRO?10 %E MOCK$4
  ,DEF9ITELY 8 SI/]1 ?"\ ,TORAK4
  ,HORD IGNOR$ !M BO? & W5T 6TALK 6! MAN
0! FIRE4 ,QKLY1 HE RELAT$ :AT _H HAPP5$4
,TORAK NOTIC$ T HE MADE X S.D Z IF   #GH
HE1 N ,OSLAK1 _H CAU<T 8! ?IEF40 ,OSLAK
DIDN'T SEEM 6M9D1 B ,R5N FLA%$ H] BRO!R
A S\R GL.E4
  ,M1N:ILE1 ! DOGS _H SC5T$ ,WOLF4
,HACKLES BRI/L+1 !Y ADV.ED ON ,R5N4
  8,BACK60 %E ORD]$4 ,!Y OBEY$4 ,R5N
DUCK$ 96! NE>E/ %ELT] & EM]G$ )A COIL (
WOV5B>K ROPE4 ,%E TI$ "O 5D >.D ! NECK (
! BAG 3TA9+ ,WOLF1 TOSS$ ! O!R OV] !
BRAN* ( AN OAK TREE1 & HOI/$ ! BAG HI<1
WELL \ (! DOGS' R1*4
  ,& \ ( M9E1 R1LIZ$ ,TORAK4 ,N[ EV5 IF
HE GOT ! *.E 6ESCAPE1 HE CDN'T4 ,N )\T
,WOLF4
  ,R5N CAU<T 8 EYE & GAVE HM A WRY GR94
  ,HE SC[L$ BACK4 ,9SIDE1 HE 0 SICK )
FE>4
  ,HORD _H F9I%$ TALK+4 ,! MAN 0! FIRE
NO4$ ONCE & WAIT$ = ,OSLAK 6PU% ,TORAK
T[>D HM4 ,8 EYES 7 AN 9T5SE1 UNBL9K+
BLUE3 VIVIDLY ALIVE 9 T IMP5ETRA# FACE4
,TORAK F.D X H>D 6LOOK 96!M = L;G--& EV5
H>D] 6LOOK AWAY4
  8,:AT IS YR "N80 SD ! MAN 9 A VOICE T
0 "SH[ M F"R5+ = 2+ S QUIET4         #GI
  ,TORAK LICK$ 8 LIPS4 8,TORAK4 ,:AT'S
YRS80 ,B HE ?"\ HE ALR KNEW4
  ,X 0 ,HORD :O ANSW]$4 8,HE IS ,F9-
,K$9N4 ,L1D] (! ,RAV5 ,CLAN4 ,& Y1 Y
MIS]A# LL RUNT1 %D LE>N M RESPECT--0
  ,F9-,K$9N SIL;ED ,HORD )A LOOK1 !N
TURN$ 6,TORAK4 8,:AT CLAN >E Y80
  ,TORAK RAIS$ 8 *94 8,WOLF40
  8,WELL1 "!'S A SURPRISE10 REM>K$ ,R5N1
& S"EAL P LAU<$4
  ,F9-,K$9N WASN'T "O ( !M4 ,8 BURN+
BLUE EYES N"E LEFT ,TORAK'S FACE4 8,:AT
>E Y DO+ 9 ? "P (! ,=E/80
  8,H1D+ NOR?10 SD ,TORAK4
  8,I TOLD HM X 2L;GS 6U N[10 ,HORD PUT
9 QKLY4
  8,H[ CD ,I "K T80 SD ,TORAK4 8,I
WASN'T AT ! CLAN MEET40
  8,:Y N80 SD ,F9-,K$9N4
  ,TORAK DID N REPLY4
  ,! ,RAV5 ,L1D]'S EYES DRILL$ 96HIS4
8,": IS ! RE/ ( YR CLAN80
  8,I DON'T "K10 SD ,TORAK TRU?;LLY4
8,I'VE N"E LIV$ ) !M4 ,I LIVE--LIV$--)
MY "F40                              #HJ
  8,": IS HE80
  8,D1D4 ,HE WAS--KILL$ 0A BE>40
  ,A HISS RAN "? ! WAT*]S4 ,"S GL.ED
FE>;LLY OV] _! %\LD]S2 O!RS T\*$ _!
CLAN-CR1TURE SK9S1 OR MADE ! SIGN (! H&
6W>D (F EVIL4 ,! OLD WOMAN LEFT H] >R[S
& CAME T[>D !M4
  ,NO EMO;N %[$ 9 ,F9-,K$9N'S FACE4 8,:O
0 YR "F80
  ,TORAK SWALL[$4 ,HE KNEW--& S M/ ,F9-
,K$9N--T X IS =BI45 6SP1K A D1D P]SON'S
"N = FIVE SUMM]S AF !Y DIE4 ,9/1D1 !Y C
ONLY 2 REF]R$ 60NAM+ _! P>5TS4 ,FA _H
H>DLY "E TALK$ AB 8 FAMILY1 B ,TORAK
KNEW _! "NS1 & ": !Y'D -E F4 ,FA'S "M _H
BE5 ,S1L ,CLAN2 8 "F _H BE5 ,WOLF ,CLAN4
,TORAK "ND !M BO?4
  ,RECOGNI;N IS "O (! H>DE/ EXPRES.NS TO
3C1L4 ,N EV5 ,F9-,K$9N CD HIDE X -PLETE-
LY4
  ,HE KNEW ,FA1 ?"\ ,TORAK1 A<A/4 ,B H[8
,FA N"E M5;N$ HM1 OR ! ,RAV5 ,CLAN4 ,:AT
DOES ? M1N8
  ,HE WAT*$ ,F9-,K$9N RUN 8 ?UMB SL[LY
ACR 8 BOTTOM LIP4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI# TO   #HA
TELL :E!R ,TORAK'S "F _H BE5 8 BE/ FR OR
8 D1DLIE/ 5EMY4
  ,AT LA/ ,F9-,K$9N SPOKE4 8,%>E \ !
BOY'S ?+S AM;G "EY"O10 HE TOLD ,OSLAK4
8,!N TAKE HM D[N/R1M & KILL HM40



















                                     #HB