Another black dog walked around William and sat down on her haunches watching the scene.

Katie closed her eyes as she started to cry. She couldn't believe it. Max was back. She was so happy she didn't care that she was crying in front of a stranger. She didn't want to open her eyes. She wasn't sure she was ever going to see max again and now here he was. It was like a present on Christmas.

"Katie, Thomas?" William asked.

The children didn't want to let go of Max but they could feel he wasn't entirely comfortable with what was going on. The children reluctantly let go of his neck and knelt down next to him. Keeping a hand on his fur, Katie asked, "How did you find him? Where was he?"

William laughed, "He kinda found us, to be honest." William grew suddenly very somber and serious, "Katie, Thomas, I don't know how to ask this of you, but I need you to close your eyes, and when I ask you to open them, don't scream. Can you trust me, and 'Max' enough to do that?"

This sounded all kinds of warnings in her head. Stranger danger alarms were ringing in Thomas' head. But they could feel Max, and he wouldn't let anything bad happen to them. Katie trusted Max and even though it was against every thing she had ever been taught, she nodded and closed her eyes tightly.

Max moved out of their reach and Katie waited. With her eyes shut her blood pounded in her ears and she was so scared. It felt like such a long time.

"Thomas, Katie?"

A gruff voice spoke to them, it sounded different, it wasn't William, and it wasn't like any voice they had ever heard but there was something deep and comforting about it.

"Remember your promise not to scream, and open your eyes," the gruff voice said calmly.

Katie slowly opened her eyes, having no idea what to expect. Thomas gasped and took a step back. Katie jumped back behind her brother, burying her head into the small of his back shutting her eyes again. It took everything she had, not scream in the face of the monster that was now in their back yard.

"Katie, Thomas, I know this is hard, it is me, I am 'Max'"

Thomas didn't move. Katie stayed where she was behind her brother, not accepting anything that was happening. She knew this was a dream and she would wake up soon.

No one said anything. Katie huddled behind her brother for a long time, wishing the monster would go away. But something about what he said, the tone of his voice made her slowly peek out from around her brother's back.

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She stared, frightened of the monster but something made her look into his eyes. His bright golden eyes weren't scary, they were warm, and … she knew those eyes.

"It… it really is you, isn't it?" Katie asked quietly, not daring to hope.

Max nodded his head, "Yes Katie. You have been in my thoughts since I left."

"Why did you leave us? Did we do something wrong?" Thomas asked suddenly.

Max shook his head, "No. You did nothing wrong." He pointedly looked at the tree in the corner of the yard. "Did you understand what I left?"

Katie and Thomas both nodded.

"Do you know what it meant?" Max asked softly.

"It meant that," Thomas said softly, "you had to leave."

"And that you wouldn't be back," added Katie.

Max smiled and nodded, "I was uncertain that you would have understood. It is good that both of you did…" Max trailed off wondering in silence.

"Does this mean you're going to stay with us now, Max? You won't leave us again, will you?" Katie pleaded.

Max smiled and shook his head. "Katie, I wish I could. I have work to do still. I cannot stay, even if I might like too."

"But why not?" asked Thomas forcefully. "You're here now, why can't you stay?"

Max took a deep breath and exhaled. "Thomas I cannot, if I do it will put you, your sister, your whole family in danger."

"In danger? What do you mean?" Katie asked.

Max shook his head, "No. Do not ask me that. If those who hunt me found out you know about them, it would make things more dangerous for you." Max smiled softly, "I do have something to tell you, but you must promise not to be angered."

Katie and Thomas nodded eagerly wanting to learn everything Max had to tell them.

"My name is not Max. Max is a good name. But I had a name before you gave it to me."

Katie shook her head, "I'm so sorry. We didn't know you had a name, if we did, we would have used that. I'm sorry."

"No, Katie, you did nothing wrong. I had no way to communicate with you to tell you."

"What is your name?" Thomas asked.

"My name is Dutch."

Katie looked confused as she nodded her head. She tried to hide her disappointment but wasn't able to from the way Dutch looked at her. Dutch said quietly, "I have to go."

"Please stay?" Katie pleaded, "just a little longer? I've missed you so much." She rushed forward and hugged Dutch's leg as he knelt on the concrete.

Dutch found himself hugging Katie and Thomas, as the young man rushed forward to join them.

After long moments Dutch ended the hug and sat up straight, "Young pups, I have to go and rejoin my pack. We have much work to do. The longer I stay, the more danger you are in. I want you safe."

Both kids nodded sullenly, Katie was close to crying again.

Dutch couldn't leave them like that. He didn't know why but he said, "Katie, Thomas, you protected me when I was injured. Only the wolf's pack would care for me the way you did. And you did it for nothing more than you cared for an injured animal. Because of that, you will always be part of my pack, and I will watch over you and protect you for as long as I am able."

Katie sniffed and nodded, "ok. But, will we ever see you again? For my birthday maybe?"

Dutch laughed out loud. It was pure joy and as he laughed Thomas joined in and Katie giggled.

"It may be, Katie. Both of you understood my message. There is a very good chance that we will meet again. You are very special. In time, you will discover your gifts. If that day ever comes, you and I will meet again." Dutch hugged the children one last time, "May the Lunar Mother bless you and guide you in your darkest times. May we meet again."

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