Nothing had troubled us, attacked us, tried to stop us. But we knew that there was still danger ahead. My wolf friends flanked me as we loped through the forest. Even though she had known us less than a day, it was as if Wigowzo had always been with us. She’d seen how Malsumsis always turned to me, and I was clearly now the leader of our little pack. Malsumsis looked over at me. From the other side, Wigowzo did the same. What now? they were asking. I looked more closely at the white wolf. She was thinner than Malsumsis. It would take more than one monster meal to fill out her lean sides. But she had a lanky strength and kept up with us easily. Now and then, just as Malsumsis did, she had ranged just a stone’s throw ahead or had dropped behind, scouting for danger. But each time she and Malsumsis came back to take their place by my side, they’d given me the same message. No enemies yet. We were alert and ready. In fact, we were eager for a fight. That may be why none came to us. Cowards do not like to attack those who are strong and rested and prepared.
