Novik was stretched lazily across a pair of boulders, the mid-day sun soaking into his black and blue pelt as if it were a stretched hide. His tail wiggled slightly at the tip as he moved his neck to the side to let his paws get warm. The dragons on his pelt were peaceful in his head, at least for now.

He wasn't sure where Switch was. His nearly-blind brother got around perfectly well; it just proved how much you needed your other senses. Novi himself, he was fairly normal. Switch was almost blind, Momma was mute and Aunt Gerda would never have a puppy of her own. Seiphyr wasn't blood, so he didn't count, although the gamma male was a little bit on the cowardly side.

And Novik?

Novik had voices in his head. Not voices, really. One voice. A voice that both frightened and surprised the youth. For now, Vik, as he called him, was quiet. But it didn't mean anything. The voice was cool and domineering and everything Novi himself wasn't. And it scared him.

---

Swell was enjoying her day, she had made a tasty meal of a rabbit. Spent some time observing her mother and some of the pack members. She had gone for her usual run up and down the rocky coastline at noon and now she was dripping wet from a full dunk in the icy cold ocean. She shook off and tried not to think about how much Squall or Rumor would have enjoyed the day as well. Her heart ached at the memory of her siblings. She had been so much smaller when mama sent Rumor away with that horrible pack, and the memory still made her shudder in anger. She shut her eyes tight and snarled softly, better out here alone where none could hear it. Then...only a few weeks ago...Squall...she bowed her head feeling sick to her stomach. She was useless as a protector, the ones nearest and dearest to her taken away, and she...too weak still to do anything about it.

That was why she ran daily, why she tried to push down trees even knowing it was impossible. Her muscles ached but grew every passing day. She slowly reigned in her pain, her temper and sighed still dripping and shuddering as a breeze passed. She headed up and in search of a place to sun bathe, at least until she was dry. With a smile she noticed a fluffy figure in the distance, a packmate. She headed over towards the shape and moved to lay down beside him. "Hello, mind if I join you?" Her voice was soft and curious, unknowingly she possessed the same soft seductive tone as her mother.

---

Novik was well aware that he was the half-brother of Gomorrah's alpha. He didn't like this fact, much. He was young, but weak-minded and a little cowardly himself. He'd rather take an out than pain anyday. He had met his sister only once, and once was enough for him. She'd been a tad overbearing and treated Mum as if she didn't exist. That was when Vik first stirred, with a loud rumbling growl. Novi had barely kept it in, and had slunk away, dismissing himself from the family.

Novi picked up his head at the soft voice. He himself was a big wolf, bigger than Gerda already and only half grown, and had more fur than his mother and aunt too. Must've been from Dad's side. Seiphyr had joked around and suggested Siren was a werewolf. This made Vik spike with anger and Novi merely frowned.

Now, as he stared into the young face of one of Piper's daughters, he smiled shyly. His heart beat quickened and he scooted over, giving her room. "He-Hello there. I'm Novik, Gerda's son."

---

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Swell." She smiled proudly, she never felt the need to include who's daughter she was, she wanted to make her own name for herself. She was still a little proud though, her mama was so very beautiful and Swell seemed oblivious to her own blossoming beauty. Her eyes trailed over the male she had sprawled beside and she grinned.

"Wow your coat is sooo thick..." She softly reached to touch her nose against the dark fluffy pelt. "You must be practically waterproof!" She giggled softly and relaxed, it felt good to laugh again, to relax.

---

Swell... The last remaining daughter of the alpha pair. Seiphyr had told him that Piper had given up her strongest daughter to be tribute to a pack that sounded absolutely terrifying. The Reign of Terror, lead by the Goblin King. Inwardly, Novi shuddered. Vik grinned, but this wasn't visible on the outside, thank god. Not yet anyway...

As her nose pressed against his fluffy chest, he grinned a lopsided grin and blushed. "Thanks. I think it was my dad's. I didn't know him, I mean, so I don't know, and..." He shut his mouth, keeping the ramble from going on. Two-toned eyes glanced down. "Sorry... What're you doing? You're all wet already. Take a swim?"

---

"Yeah I had to...cool off." She murmured softly and rested her head back against his fluffy pelt. "It's great though, your dads gift to you, you would have no problem in the snow I'll bet!" She rolled her eyes up to smile at him, how strange to feel so tiny next to him. He wasn't even full grown, he would probably always tower over her.

"You a good hunter?" She asked curiously resting her head back on her paws. She wondered idly if he might accompany her for a mountain trek. She dreaded the idea of facing the snow alone.

---

"Know how that is," he chuckled lightly, ignoring the stirring of Vik. He grinned, looking down at his fur and giving it a lick for good measure. "Snow?" His head tilted to one side. "I've never been in the snow. I'm more of a dunes-sorta-guy, yanno? But snow... The white stuff, right?" He mused to himself, surprised by her next question. "I'm an okay hunter?" he offered. "I don't know if you'd call me -good-, but...okay?" He seemed happy with this however. "Whyyyy?"

---

"Well...I've been wanting to head into the mountains, but their so cold...its dangerous alone. I'm still hopeful though, I want to hunt something in a harder terrain. I dunno if we'll hit snow, but if we did you would be so very helpful!" She smiled and nuzzled him.

"Not just your fur though, as a good hunter you could really be helpful. It'd be nice...I mean if you wanted to come." She added not wanting to sound too pushy. She felt her fur slowly drying in the warmth of the sun and stretched happily.

---

Novi smiled. The mountains... Snow. Snow sounded fun; Sei had told him all about the white fluffy stuff, chilling you to the bone and soaking your coat cold. But he wanted to see it for himself. His tail began to wag. "Dangerous? Howso?" His head tilted to one side. "I'd like to! Go, I mean. When can we leave?" His voice was quick, excited. Somewhere deep inside him, the voice chuckled.

---

"Dangerous, you can freeze if it gets too cold, get sick...hurt...no one around to help." She explained and looked him over again with a smile. "If it was the two of us though, we could keep each other warm, and help one another."

The idea was even more appealing, and when his tail wagged she brightened. He wanted to come? Her own tail started to waver with enthusiasm and she licked his cheek. "We can leave in less then a few nights! You'll really come?"

---

Novik frowned. Danger. It thrummed in his heart like a string on a bow. But it would be fine with both of them there, right? If Swell got cold, he could keep her warm. He had enough fur for the both of them. The voice chuckled and he flushed just thinking about it, finding himself nodding. "Yes. I will." His tail wagged. "I'd love to see the snow!" Especially with her...

You do realize that she's like...your neice. Right? Vik's voice was amused at his blundering.

"Shut up," he muttered, then, realizing he said it aloud, looked quite stricken. "Sorry. My head won't turn off..."

---

Swell was so very pleased at his enthusiasm, this would be such fun! She looked at him stricken suddenly as he muttered shut up. Her expression fell and she looked at him sadly her ears falling back slightly. "What, what do you mean?"

She glanced around wondering if perhaps the snap hadn't been directed at her. Maybe he didn't appreciate her enthusiasm as much? "Your head?" She looked at him confused and sat a little closer beside him. "Please explain?"

---

Panic filled his heart and for a moment, he looked very deer-in-the-headlights. He took a breath, then jumped to his paws. He wavered there for a moment, uncertain on what to do. Would she laugh at him? That's just what he needed, a pretty girl who seemed to actually -like- him, turning and laughing at him. His face fell and he shook his head. "I-...I'm sorry. I can't. I'm sorry," he gasped out, then turned on his heel and fled into the forest. Vik laughed the entire time and he gave a soft snarl of displeasure. He was afraid, but he almost wanted Swell to follow him and demand an answer. He frowned and slowed down.

---

"Wait Novik!" She leapt to her paws and raced after him her muscles seemed to enjoy the use and she bolted with ease. Her fur was dry now, her body cool, but her head felt hot. Why was he acting like this? Didn't he want to be her friend?

She slowed slightly and frowned, maybe he didn't want to be friends? Her eyes narrowed slightly, she didn't handle rejection so well it seemed. She tried to tamp down on her anger but a soft snarl made its way through despite her efforts.

---

Novik frowned, spinning to face her. His tail was tucked and his ears were flat against his head, but he faced her nevertheless. "Swell... It's not you, it's me, I swear..." His voice was soft but flat. He turned once more, slinking into the shadows and fully expecting her to follow him. After a moment of silence, he picked up again. "My family's always had something wrong with them... My mom can't talk, my aunt can't have puppies and my brother is blind. I was the normal one...but I'm not anymore... Swell..." He whined and continued to walk.

---

Swell followed him then seeking an explanation, she knew her grandmother couldn't speak. Yet none of her siblings nor her mother had anything wrong with them, strong blood thats what it was. Yet there was something special in Novik, she liked him for it. Why was he running from her then at the first sign of it?

"I don't need normal Novi." She murmured and moved closer to him trying to keep him from running.

---

"Okay, so..." He paused, looking her in the eye with his green-and-silver gaze. If it was possible, his green eye was almost pleading, where the silver one was cooler, more domineering. He figured he looked a fool, so he dropped his gaze and turned away. He plopped into a sit, his blue-tipped tail flagging out behind him. "There's this voice in my head... It's not mine. I don't know whose it is, but it's not mine."

At this, Vik chuckled again and Novi snarled. Damnit. "His name is Vik... Am I crazy, Swell?"

---

Swell moved closer then, dangerously close some might say, but she was too brave for that. She leaned in until their noses almost touched and her eyes met his forcing herself to look deep. She shook her head softly and sighed. "Not crazy Novi...your not crazy."

She gently leaned in to nuzzle his neck softly wonderingly. Was that the strange inner strength she saw in him? Or was it something darker that tormented him? It was obvious that Novi didn't quite agree with the things his inner wolf said. This Vik was not a welcome guest within his mind. Yet she didn't mind, probably because she didn't have to be pestered by it. She just hoped that Vik wouldn't bother Novi too much... "Does it hurt?" She finally murmured.

---

Novi took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing nerves. A girl shouldn't make him feel like Swell did. She was a blood relative! He frowned, but stared into her eyes nonetheless, finding himself lost in them. He flounded and took another breath. "Thank you..." he murmured, stiffening only slightly when she nuzzled him. His heart took off like a racehorse once again and Vik's laughter was bitter. "No.. I don't feel any different. He just..." Is a pain in the a**...

I resent that remark...

"Screw you." He froze. "Not you, Swell." He shook his head. "I worry that one day I'll wake up, and he'll be in charge of my body. Our body..."

---

"I'll watch out for you Novi...besides maybe we could ALL be friends." He nipped his ear playfully. "Hey in there wanna come with us on our hunt?" She smiled and nuzzled Novik reassuringly. "It'll be okay, I'll keep your secret."

She was starting to notice the inflections in his voice, when he was addressing her and when he was addressing his inner demon.

---

His heart warmed, although he doubted Vik would want to be friends with anyone, especially not Swell for some reason. She seemed so...whole. And good. It made Novi smile. "Thank you..." She would keep it a secret... Thank god. For some reason, he didn't want Piper to know. The thought of being outcast from the pack -- even a pack that didn't quite love his family -- was too much for him to bear.

Vik even frowned at this, Novi could feel it. Piper was cruel enough to Gerda... It made the cooler personality freeze up with anger. Novi smiled. "Vik loves our mother," he said, realizing it suddenly with a grin. Vik gave a growl, but didn't retort anything back. "Swell. Let's go into the mountains. I think we're ready."

---

"I love her too, I think mama is mad about it...but...we should love each other. Our pack is all we have..." Her voice turned bitter then the anger at the loss of her siblings made her sweetness fade. There an underlying current there, a danger inside of her. Just like the swells she was named for, so peaceful until they tugged down and drowned you.

"Lets go then!" She cheered and the smile slipped back in place like a mask that fluttered in the breeze. "North..." She murmured and turned to lead Novik happily.

---

Novik and Vik both froze, looking at Swell as if she'd grown a second head. "You...you like Mom?" Of course, it was her grandmother... He shook his head in slight awe. That was a surprise. "I'm glad to hear it. She's a good wolf... A little quiet, but I couldn't have asked for a better mother."

Inside, Vik smirked but nodded.

"North," he repeated, turning to follow her eagerly. Snow...

{Fin}