Islamic Stories - , I feel clean for the first time

Once a pious Muslim brother got a job in a restaurant. He took with
himself a container for water so that he can use it for toilet
purposes. So, everytime he goes to thetoilet, he fills the container
with water and takes it with him. One day, a Christian man,who also
works there, saw him taking water and asked him about thereason for
it. The Muslim brother told him that after releasing the dirty
materials, we should clean that place and thatcleanliness is a major
part of Islam. The man said that why not use the toilet papers? The
brother asked him that ifsuch dirty thing touched his hands, would he
use a toilet paper to wipe it off or use water? The man understood and
said that he would use water. The next day, the Christian man brought
a container for himself and used it during relieving himself. When he
came out of the toilet, he was crying andtears were rolling down his
cheeks. The Muslim brother asked him aboutwhy he is crying. The
Christian man said that"For the first time in my life, I feel
completely clean." Thereafter, he accepted Islam and became a devouted
Muslim.

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Presented by :->
" M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA "

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Dua - , For morning & Evening

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers
For Morning & Evening
Dua to be recited in the morning
أَصْبَـحْـنا وَأَصْبَـحْ المُـلكُ للهِ رَبِّ العـالَمـين ،
اللّهُـمَّإِنِّـي أسْـأَلُـكَ خَـيْرَ هـذا الـيَوْم ، فَـتْحَهُ ،
وَنَصْـرَهُ، وَنـورَهُ وَبَـرَكَتَـهُ ، وَهُـداهُ ، وَأَعـوذُ بِـكَ
مِـنْ شَـرِّ ما فـيهِ وَشَـرِّ ما بَعْـدَه
The morning has come tome and the whole universe belongs to Allah,the
Lord of the worlds, O Allah, I ask of you the good of the day, it's
success and aid and it's nur (celestial light) and barakaat
(blessings) and seek hidayah (guidance) and seek refuge from theevil
in it (this day) and from the evil of that which is to come later.
(Hisn from Abu Dawood)

Alternatively, recite this dua
اللّهُـمَّ بِكَ أَصْـبَحْنا وَبِكَ أَمْسَـينا ، وَبِكَ نَحْـيا وَبِكَ
نَمُـوتُ وَإِلَـيْكَ المَصِيْر
O Allah we enter the day time and the evening and die with your
Qudrat(power) and to You do we return.
(Tirmidhi)
When the sun rises recite
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَقَالَنَا يَوْمَنَا هَذَا وَلَمْ
يُهْلِكْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا (مُسْلِمْ)
All praise be to Allah who has forgiven us today and not destroyed us
dueto our sin.
(Muslim)
In the evening recite
أَمْسَيْنَا وَأَمْسَى الْمُلْكُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ
إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةَ فَتْحَهَا وَنَصْرَهَا
وَنُورَهَا وَبَرَكَتَهَا وَهُدَاهَا وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا
فِيهَا وَشَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهَا
The evening has come to me and the whole universe belongs to Allah who
is The Lord of the worlds. O Allah, I ask of you the good of the
night, it's success and aid and its nur (celestial light) and barakaat
(blessings) and seek hidayat (guidance) and refuge from the evil of
this night and the evil that is to come later.
(Abu Dawood)
Alternatively recite this
اللَّهُمَّ بَكَ أَمْسَيْنَا وَبِكَ أَصْبَحْنَا وَبِكَ نَحْيَا وَبِكَ
نَمُوتُ وَإِلَيْكَ النُّشُورُ
O Allah we enter the night and the day and live and die with Your
Qudrat (strength) and to You do we return.
(Tirmidhi)
After the expiry of Maghrib time, recite this dua
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا إِقْبَالُ لَيْلِكَ وَإِدْبَارُ نَهَارِكَ
وَأَصْوَاتُ دُعَاتِكَ فَاغْفِرْ لِي
O Allah, this is the time of the coming of the night and the passing
of the day and the voices of those calling You to forgive us.
(Miskhaat)
Other supplications to be recited in the morning & evenings
Uthman (R.A.) reported that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) has said that
(nothing will harm) the servant who recites thesewords three times
every morning and evening.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ
وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
We have made (started) the morning (and night) in whose Name nothing
in the skies and the earthcan harm and He is the All-hearing, the
All-knowing.
(Tirmidhi)
It is narrated by Abu Dawood that if one recites this dua in the
morning, no unforeseen calamity will come to him.
(Miskhat)
Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said that if a person recites three ayatsof
Surah Rum (Para 21) and if he misses his normal recitation of the day,
he will still be rewarded for it. This applies to the night as well.
فَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ حِينَ تُمْسُونَ وَحِينَ تُصْبِحُونَ * وَلَهُ
الْحَمْدُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَعَشِيًّا وَحِينَ تُظْهِرُونَ
* يُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ
الْحَيِّ وَيُحْيِي الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَكَذَلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ
"So remember Allah in the evening and the morning. To him is the
praise in the Heavens andthe Earth and in the last hours and when it
is noon. He brings forth theliving from the dead and the dead from the
living and He revives the earth after it is dead. And even so you
shall be brought forth".
Abu Huraira (R.A) narrated that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said that
whosoever reads thebeginning of Surah Mo'min (para 24) and
Ayatul-Qursi in the morning, then he will be protected from calamaties
and ploys till the evening and whosoever recites these in the
evenings, will be protected from calamitiesand ploys till the morning.
حم * تَنزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ * غَافِرِ
الذَّنبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ شَدِيدِ الْعِقَابِ ذِيالطَّوْلِ لَا
إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ
"Ha. Meem, The sending down of this book is from Allah who is the
All-Mighty, the All-Knowing, The Forgiverof sins and the Acceptor of
repentance, Severe in retribution, Bountiful there is no ilah but He,
Unto Him is our return".
اللّهُ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ
سِنَةٌ وَلاَنَوْمٌ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِوَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مَن
ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ
أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ
إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلاَ
يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Allah! There is no ilah (deity worthy of worship) but He The Living,
The Eternal One. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him
belonges whatever isin the Heavens and on the earth. Who is he that
can intercede with Him but by His permission? Heknows what is before
and what is behind them.They encompass nothing of His knowledge which
He will. His Throne extends over the Heavensand the Earth, and the
preservation of both does not weary Him. He isthe Exalted The Immense
One.
(Qur'an 2:255)
Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) stated that a person who has recited (the
underlying) in the morning, he has pleased (praised, glorified) Allah
for His favours of the morning, and if he has done so in the night, he
has thanked Allah for His favours of the night.
(Abu Dawood, Nisai)
اللَّهُمَّ مَا أَصْبَحَ بِي مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ أَوْ بِأَحَدٍ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ
فَمِنْكَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَلَكَ الشُّكْرُ
Translation: "O Allah, whatever favours You have bestowed upon me and
all other creations is only from you. You are One, You have no
partners. Praise and Shukr (thanks) be to You".
If recited in the night, then recite مَا أمَْسيَ in place of مَا أَصْبَحَ بِي
Thuban (R.A.) narrated that Prophet Mohammad (SAW) stated that if a
Muslim servant recites (the underlying) three times every morning,
then it becomes the responsibility of Allah to satisfy him on the Day
of Qiyamah.
رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبَّاً وَبِالْإِسْلَامِدِينَاً وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيَّاً
Translation: I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my Deen and
Muhammad (SAW) as my Nabi.
(Tirmidhi)
Muagal bin Yasaar (R.A.) narrates that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) has
stated that a person who recites three times
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ السَّمِيعِ الْعَلِيمِمِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
in the morning the last three ayats of Suratul Hashr then Allah
delegates 70,000 angles to send mercy onto him till the evening and if
he dies that day, he will die as a martyr and if he recites these in
the evening then Allah delegates 70,000 angels to send mercy onto him
till the morning and if he dies that night, he dies asmartyr.
(Tirmidhi)
هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ
وَالشَّهَادَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيمُ * هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لاَ
إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ
الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ
عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ * هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ
لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ *
"He is Allah, there is no ilah but He, He is the knower of the unseen
and the witness He is the All-Merciful, the All compassionate. He is
Allah, there is no ilah but He. He is the king, the Holy, the Giver of
Safety. The Taker-in shelter the All-Mighty, the omnipotent, the
All-Sublime. Allah is Pure and Pure of what they associate (with Him).
He is Allah, the Creator, the One who is Perfect. To Him belong names
Most Excellent. All that is in the heavens and the earth, glorify Him
and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise".
Ataa bin Abi Rahaa (R.A.) narrates that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) has
stated that if a person recites Surah Yaseen early in the morning
thenhis need for the day will be fullfilled.
(Mishkat)
Benefit: The recitation of Surah Ikhlaas, Surah Falaq and Surah Naas
three times each in the mornings and evenings, has been encouraged in
the Ahadith.
(Hisn-ulHasin)
Supplications to be recited at night
Abdullah bin Masood (R.A.) states that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) has
said that the person who recites Suratul Waqia (para 27) every night,
will never be poverty stricken (hungry) (Baihagi in Shabatul Iman)
Uthman (R.A.) states that a person who recites from
إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ
in Surah Al-Imran till the end of the Surah on any night or part of
the night, will receive the reward of performing hisSalaat for the
whole night.
(Mishkat)
Jabir (R.A.) states that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) never slept before
reciting Surah Alif Laam Meem Sajda (21 para) and Surah Tabarakal
Lazi.
(Mishkat)
Abdullah bin Masood (R.A.) narrates that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) has
stated that the person who recites the last two ayats of Suratul
Baqarah till the end, then these two ayatswill be sufficient for him,
i.e. Allah will protect him from all evil and ploys.
(Bukhari, Muslim)
When retiring to sleep, make wudhu, dust off the bed three times, lie
on the right side, place the right hand under the head or cheeks and
recite the following dua three times.
(Mishkat and Hsinul Hasin, Bukhari Muslim)
اللَّهُمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَجْمَعُ عِبَادَكَ
"O Allah, save me from the punishment on the Day when You will
gatherYour servants".
Alternatively recite this dua
بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ إِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ
نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْهَا وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا بِمَا تَحْفَظُ
بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ
"Oh my Lord, I have takenYour name and placed myself on my side and by
Your power will rise up again. If you take my soulwhilst I am sleeping
(grant me death) then have mercy on my soul and if you leave me (let
me live) by your power protect me by that with which you have
protected your righteous servants".
(Bukhari, Muslim)
Or recite this dua
اللَّهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
"O Allah, by Your name I live and die".
(Bukhari, Muslim)
Or recite this dua
اللَّهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي إِلَيْكَ وَوَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي إِلَيْكَ
وَفَوَّضْتُأَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ رَغْبَةً
وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ لَا مَلْجَأَوَلَا مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ
آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ وَنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ
"I submit my life to you, I turn towards You and leave my work unto
you, I lean on you, desire yourboons and fear you as there is no other
salvation besides you. I believe in the kitab (Book) you have
revealedand in the Rasul(Prophet)you have sent.
Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) showed (taught aSahabi) this dua and
said:"If after reading it you die in the night, then it isas if you
have died on 'Natural Deen' and if you awake in the morning alive then
you will have good fortune".
(Mishkat)
Anas (R.A.) narrates that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said that if a
person retires to bed on the side and recites Surah Fathiha and Surah
Ikhlaas (Qul huwa- AllahoAhad) he is immune from everything besides
death.
(Hisnul Hasan from Albazr)
Sahabi (R.A.) requested Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) that Prophet
Mohammad (S.A.W.) teach him something to recite at the time of
retiring to bed. Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said:"Recite Qul Ya Ayuhal
Kafiroon, for in it (there is an announcement) to refrain from shirk.
(Mishkat from Tirmidhi)
In some ahadith it is stated that one should sleep after reciting
(i.e. not to talk after reciting it).
(Hisnul Hasin from Albazr)
Ayesha (R.A.) narrates that when Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) used to go
to the room for sleep, he used to recite Suras Ikhlaas, Falaq, Nass
and blow onto his hand (palms) in such a manner that the saliva would
drop on them and then he would rub them over his body three times
starting from the front ofthe face.
(Bukhari, Muslim)
Beside this he would recite
33 times سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ
33 times الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
34 times اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
(Mishkat)
He also used to recite Ayatul Qursi as Allah has stipulated that the
reciterwill be protected throughout the night by the angels and the
Satan will not come near.
(Bukhari)
Also recite this dua three times
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيَّ
الْقَيُّومَ وَأَتُوبِ إِلَيْهِ
Its virtues are that all the reciter's sins will be forgiven even if
it be equal to the extent of thefoam in the ocean.
(Tirmidhi)
Recite Bismillah while closing doors, covering utensils, and putting
off the light (candles etc.)
(Mishkat)
Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said that when a person enters his bed (to
sleep), an angel and a Shaitaan surround him. The Shaitaan whispers
'your awakening will endin evil' and the angel says' end in good". One
sleeps after engaging in dhikr, the angels will protect him throughout
the night. In order to gain the protection of the angels, it is wise
to engage in Dhikr and thensleep.
(Hisnul Hasin)/

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Presented by :->
" M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA "

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

Ask Allah, He WILL HelpYou

If you ask Allah for guidance sincerely, believing in Him and trusting in Him, he WILL guide you. If you approach Him with humility and faith and ask Him for help, He WILL help you. "And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer you." (Quran 40:60). I personally have experienced this in my life again and again. Allah is real and miracles do happen.
I remember one time when I was deeply confused about something that mattered very much to me. I prayed to Allah late at night, and began crying. After my prayer, I laid down right there on the musalla (prayer rug), andfell asleep, and BAM, herecomes one of the most powerful dreams I have ever had, with a very clear answer to my problem. Then the next night I'm outside and feeling some doubts again, and all of a sudden I see a tremendous meteor go flaming across the sky right in front of me. I wasamazed and I laughed out loud because Allah could not have made it any clearer.
I'm not promising you a dream and a meteor (smile). But Allah's promise is true. He WILL answer you, maybe in ways that you see clearly,or in ways that you don't.The answer might be to protect you from harm, or to give you something better than what you requested. Or the answer might only be a feeling of faith and tranquility inyour heart that allows you to move forward confidently. He WILL help you.

Story - , Moons Peak [FINISHED]- Alpha Mine (chapter 26)

A/N: Sorry, it's a little choppy. But forgive me? Iwrote this in the
wee hours of 4am. :):) So if it doesn't make sense, please tell me.
----
MY HEART THRUMMED violently through my body, as I raced toward the
sound with Derryn right behind me.
I ignored every screaming part of my brain that thought of the
possibility of Satchel's death, and I held on to the glimmering hope
that maybe he was still alive. But every thought that summoned in my
mind, I couldn't help but feel a little numb inside every time I heard
his guttural howl.
Of course, his howls made certain that he wasstill breathing, but it
was the way he sounded—as if the unearthing shudder that escaped from
his mouth was painful—and may well have been the last breathhe was
going to take.
I sucked in my breath, as a gray wolf jumped out, obscuring my path
and I cowered back in surprise.
No! I silently screamed, backing away from the gray speckles that
glowed in front of me. I shook my head, when I couldn't hear Satchel's
howls no longer, and my heart constricted violently.
Snow White, you're just in time, Trench puffed out of his muzzle, as
he smirked in triumph. Half of the scruff was covered in candy red
liquid, and he was limping…but that wasn't what surprised me. It was
the fact that he was still alive.
I slowed to an abrupt halt when I reached the clearing, my eyes
casting over the shrubbery as I sought out any other threats besides
the one in front of me. When the dreaded words came flitting through
his mind to me.
He's dead, Snow White. Gray wolf stalked toward me, and I mirrored his
moves stepping farther away, shaking my head in denial.
No! My mind exclaimed.
He nodded, eyes wide with victory. It's true, ask your Grandmother,
she's the one who killed him.
I didn't want to listen to his impotent threats. But the only threat
was whenI saw the black lump lying forlornly by a nearby tree, when my
eyes found Black Wolf. The threat of finding himdead.
He wasn't moving, and I couldn't stomach the thought that he was gone.
Grams dragged his limp body toward the other kills she'd conveniently
piled together. Apparently they'd found another pack, and killed them.
The scent was foreign, so I didn't recognize any of them, but Satchel.
Satchel …my eyes stung from the sight of him.
I swallowed down a whine of my own, my whole body stricken fromthe realization.
He looked smaller in his disheveled and limp statelike that. My pain
and sorrow roiled inside me, and brought the most animalistic sound
out of my throat, echoing through the forest.
The asphalt shuddered beneath me, and my claws grew along with my
canines as I pegged my eyes on Gray wolf with blood lust. Snarling,
until I saw red seeping from my glowering eyes.
Stand down, Snow White. He ordered.
I stalked forward, inviting the challenge. I should've killed you when
I had the chance. I bit out.
Trench stood his ground, and I should have been scared out of my wits,
but the induced rage I'd succumbed to, had me pouncing toward him.
He dodged the attack, and nipped my tail. Neverbreaking the skin.
I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to, he sent back.
I growled, snapping my hungry jaws, clinging onto his leg. He howled,
ripping his leg out of my greedy bites.
Now you're pissing me off! He growled.
I panted, spitting his blood out of my mouth, and smiled. I didn't
give him the satisfaction of stalling, as I charged at him. He dodged
to the left, but I saw it coming as I snapped my jaw overhis ear and
ripped it out of its socket.
The howl coming from him was just like I remembered it, when I'd
bitten his neck all those weeks ago.
Hearing it again, was likemusic to my ears. I reveled in his pain, and
suffering for Satchel's sake. Avenging him was anatural instinct of
mine. But I was going to play dirty this time, no playingaround.
Although, I couldn't just submit to him so easily. My instincts didn't
recognize Trench as my Alpha, and bowing downto him willingly would
beimpossible.
We couldn't control them, but I sure knew how to trick them. I cast my
eyes up into gray ones, and mentally my mind conjured up green ones.
His gray fur in my head changed to black as I tried picturing him as
Satchel. My lover, my alpha, my mate: Black Wolf. The perfect image of
Satchel clouded my mind, as I rolled on to myback in submission.
An act that I'd given my trust and securities, baring my neck in the
process, as a welcome treat.
Trench stunned in his place, as I did so—that was the kind of reaction
Iwas looking for. He neared my body and I kept Satchel's image, as
ifit stained my mind.
That's more like it, Alpha Female. Trench muttered in his head, and
the sound of his voice snapped the band of my perfect image, as he
lowered his muzzle to myface.
Big gray eyes stared down at me. Before he could wrap his mouth around
my neck to complete the mating he'ddone, I latched on to his neck in
stead and locked my jaw around the thick skin, and growled.
His guttural howls lost onhis lips, as I bit into him as hard as I
could, letting the taste of victory seep in the cavern of my mouth.
The light finally dying out of his eyes, as his heart stopped beating.
Letting him go, I stared down at the lifeless body.I don't know how
long I was standing there, but Derryn's whimpers snapped me out of my
stupor.
Black Wolf, wake up! she pleaded.
My eyes fell sad, as I watched Derryn nudge her brother in the side,
but there was no response. Licking my lips,I cleared the rest of
Trench's blood off me, and stalked over to where Derryn's whines only
got louder. The pain hit down harder, and I squeezed my eyes shut
toblock it out. My heart breaking along with hers, clenching and
twisting to the point of oblivion.
Satchel…?
Surveying his wounds, not one of them looked like a bullet wound. All
bites from a wolf, and I couldn't stand the look ofhis front foreleg.
It was almost hanging from its limb.
Trench's wounds looked worst for wear. He'd been ripped beyond
recognition now that I got a better look at him. Iwas surprised Trench
hadmanaged to stand on his own. It's probably why it was easier for
him to be killed.
I blinked away from him, and focused on Satchel, ignoring the clear
stick needle I stood on, and saton my haunches. Licking his face, to
spark a nerve.Anything to get a response.
I padded a paw on his face, but it only bounced back…lifeless.
I whined, and I whined again, but still he couldn't hear me.
You broke your promise, Satchel. You said you'll come back.
I nudged my muzzle under his face. You promised.
I joined in with Derryn's howls as we both mourned beside him. In
between howls, I licked at his wounds, but the top ligament looked
like too much. It needed emergency care.
"Willow, that's you isn't it?" I turned to the voice of my Grams.
I snarled back at her. "My God! You look just like him. Like your
granddad." Her wrinkled hands cupped over her mouth, as her gray-blue
eyes stared in distress.
"The eyes, the coat. You even have the same brown tip on the end of
your tail. Exactly like his."Her eyes started to water,as she dropped
the shotgun.
"Oh William. What have I done?" She slowly approached me. And I bared
my teeth at her, warning her away. Protecting my mate, and his sister.
Her hands shot out in a calm down gesture, and approached me in slow
subtle strides.
"I'm so sorry, William. I never meant to hurt you. I just…didn't
understand at the time. I do now. Please, forgive me."
My ears perked up, and so did Derryn's. A whirr of sirens sounded in
the distance, and a team full of uniformed people trotted through the
woods.
Automatically I thought that Grams' poaching team had caught up
withher, but I was wrong.
Satchel, we have to go. Come on, get up.
I whined, licking his muzzle.
Get up, I told him as a tear escaped from my eyes and found its way
tohis muzzle.
I prodded him again withmy paw, nipping him over the nose, the ears
anywhere that would geta response from him. Satchel? Get up, for me.
My teeth caught the frontscruff of his neck and I letmy scent mark
him. Of course, it only worked when a male did it, but I was
determined to mark him as mine. Like I was his.
The sounds of footsteps grew closer and my panictold me to run, but
not without taking Satchel.
I pulled on his neck to drag him further into thebrush, but he was too
heavy. He was four times the weight of me in wolf form. My eyes
swiveled, and pushed Derryn to go hide but she just stared in shock.
Come help me. It was a feat, because we failed tomove him. He was a
lot heavier than I thought. By then, the sounds of footsteps were
almost near, and if we didn't run, we'd be caught too. I licked
Satchel on the mouth, and dropped my eyes to his lifeless body.
I love you, I licked his face savoring his musky scent, and leaped off
toward the trees. Derryn and I hid behind some overgrown wild rose
bush, just as the first sight of a human foot appeared.
"Ma'am, is this your shotgun?" The man in a black jumpsuit addressedmy
Grams, skimming his flashlight up and down her body.
"Yes," said Grams. Her shocked face never allowing a single glance at
the ranger, but she was staring through the trees. Looking for me, I
presumed.
The guy surveyed his surroundings, as the lightof his torch flickered
overGray Wolf and then over Black Wolf. He noticed the bullet wound
instantly, and then narrowed his eyes on Grams.
"And I suppose that killing is yours?"
She nodded at once. "It is, but—"
The ranger unclipped a set of silver cuffs from hisbelt. His thick
white mustache bounced as he addressed my Grams formally.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but we have no choice but to arrest you for illegal
poaching in this private area. Wolves are protected under law herein
the state of Colorado, there's signs posted everywhere."
"But you don't understand, they're not wolves. They're
people—monsters—that turn into these predators. They kill innocent
children; they take away your love ones."
"Please ma'am, it would help if you calmed down,you'll make your case
worse from resisting."
The officer read her rights, as he clamped the handcuffs over her wrists.
Apparently, Grams had made her wealth from killing wolves, poaching,
and selling their coats to potential marketers in New York.
They'd been trying to track her for years, and I couldn't help but
feel bilein my throat, knowing that most of my clothes—my material
possessions came from blood money.
One of the other rangers grabbed for the shotgun,stuffing it in an
oversizedclear plastic wrap, while another knelt down beside Trench
and Satchel.
After he finished with Trench, they wrapped him with a similar plastic
and hauled him in the back of a carriage.
Kneeling beside Satchel, he put a finger in front ofhis muzzle to test
his breathing. Picking up a clear stick on the side of him. He slipped
the unidentified object into aplastic bag, and called one of the
rangers over to him.
"We've got a live one over here."
My body froze, as the orange light of his torch illuminated Black Wolf.
A live one? But…that's impossible. Another set offootsteps sounded, as
one of them knelt beside him.
"You're right. Make sure Dr. Levvy gets a look at this ones leg, too.
It's almost off the bone...and be sure to inform him to not use any
anesthetic. That dart did enough to put him out for days."
All I could do was watch them leave down the dirtroad, with unblinking
eyes as the words We've got a live one ring in my head.