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The warm rays of the autumn sun broke through the trees, bathing the land below in the warmth of their light, ebbing their way slowly over toward the peaceful body of a young wolf. Resting near the bank of a shallow stream, she embraced the soft feel of the strands of grass, cushioning her elegant form. The tranquil sound of the water passing over the rocks brought on a soothing atmosphere as they trailed northward to the swift current of the river ahead.

The forest she called home was a comfortable and quiet place, picked out by the old alpha of her pack. The den, a few paces up stream of her was lined with a mix of soft earth and clay. Fairly sturdy, it had stood the test of time as a suitable resting place for the pack. The depth of the cave was somewhat shallow, but spacious. Spanning a good thirty feet across from the ten foot slant that fed in. It provided a good cover from the harsh weather the winters could bring and with the trees littering the area nearby the wind at its best, struggled to chill them in the night.

She was known as Shaman. A name bestowed upon her by the old alpha male, Brennin. A fitting choice, seeing as how she was often seen wearing a blue cloak and favored the wisdom Brennin would often share with her. Though the current alpha, Marodan, his son showed little interest in her, she had made two rather dear friends among the pack, Khari and Keledrin.

Khari felt a great attachment to Shaman, often treating her as a beloved sister. Keledrin was much like an elder brother, often watching out for the two. He and Shaman had both spent time studying under, Brennin. Keledrin was taught learning the male slant of things while he treated Shaman as though she was an adopted daughter. Though like any sibling in a close family, Keledrin would easily be pulled into games and more immature behavior with little coaxing from the two girls.

Creeping up like a cat on the prowl, Khari stalked her sleeping friend with a devious smile. With a giggle she snared the cloak covering her back and flung it over Shaman's face. The shock sent her shooting up to her feet, immediately concealing her body beneath it and leered at her friend who was struggling to hide her laughter.

"I told you not to do that!" Shaman scolded, shaking out her fur.

"Oh relax, Shay. Everyone has seen them by now." Khari giggled at the expense of her friend. She shared a similar coloring to Shaman, save for the cloak of course. Her eyes wreathed in white and black mitten-like paws were the only thing that could distinguish the two.

Shaman was paranoid about the scars that littered her back, except for in the privacy of her friends. She shared her story only with those she trusted to hear it, and asked any others to keep their business to themselves.

"I was having a lovely day-dream, why'd you have to wake me up?" Shaman protested, wiping the sleep from her eyes.

"Oh please." Khari scoffed, planting herself a little closer. "If I let you nap the day away, you'd know nothing of the goings on."

"Mmm, heaven forbid I miss Luna's latest, "Gossip" about us." She countered, showing ample distaste in the topic.

"Oh it's not us this time. She seems keen on pitting Xaldin against Marodan again." Khari informed her.

"Again?!" Shaman exclaimed. "Last time she did that, poor Xaldin was on his belly for a week trying to recover."

"Oh I know Shay-shay. But she's gotta get her shits and giggles somehow." Khari agreed, rolling her eyes. Shaman moved off to the stream and dipped her muzzle in for a drink. Khari followed along and lapped up a few gulps of water.

"I will never understand her." Shaman spoke softly.

"Hmm? Luna, why would you want to?" Khari questioned.

"Doesn't she realize what she's doing is just hurting us as a whole?" Khari feigned a little thought before offering an answer.

"Realize it, probably. Care, not so much."

"That, bitch." Shaman quietly insulted, swinging her head toward the den.

"Ooo! My girl, such language." Khari stood in awe at her friend's soft spoken outburst. "You be careful not to let something like that slip in front of her. She's just looking for an excuse to out you."

"I'd like to see her try. You know I've been practicing." Shaman reminded her.

"Oh no." Khari shook her head, covering her face with her paw. "I told you to STOP that, not carry on."

"If I don't at least try-"

"Nuh-nuh-nuh. No trying, not yet." Khari dismissed, placing her paw over Shaman's mouth. "Luna didn't get where she is by being a walking twat, she's got some moves. And you, well. You have this." she explained, tugging on her cloak.

"Hey!" Shaman cried out, reclaiming her cloak from her friend.

"See!" Khari reinforced. "This, is gonna be your downfall in a fight with her. You can't get over those scars, you're gonna end up a smear on the rocks." Shaman let her head fall, sighing in disappointment, she knew Khari was right. "And I love you." She added. Shaman felt the urgency behind the words, turning to her with a more loving visage.

"Oh, Khari." Shaman sighed, nuzzling her friend's cheek.

"So no smearing for you, Shay-shay."

"I love you too. Thanks for having my back." Shaman smiled, pulling away as the two headed off toward the den.

"Tch, you know I got my girl's back." She laughed, bumping Shaman's backside with hers.

The friends ventured over to the den and took a quick peek inside. Keledrin, Serajo and Dash were sitting across from one another chatting. Keledrin was almost completely grey, save for the white covering his chin up to his cheek. There was some darker shading to him as the fur approached his brown eyes.

Keledrin was quite a bit taller than the others to, giving his form a long and lean shape by comparison. Though not quite as muscular perhaps as Serajo, who was a contrast to him in colors. A light brown back, trailed along the spine with black fur as well as white paws up front to contradict his dark brown hind legs. His eyes, green, were circled in white along with his muzzle and cheeks.

Dash was fairly strong as well, but the shortest and youngest of the trio. His coat blended grey and brown all along his back giving way to a white underbelly. His face didn't differ from the remainder of his body and his soft, often calm brown eyes gave way to a warm and welcoming face. Khari gave a quick yap to snare their attention.

"Khari? What is it?" Keledrin turned back, her bark interrupting Serajo.

"Come on, let's go walk around for a bit." She insisted, Shaman remained quiet and observed.

"Yeah, alright." Keledrin submitted, rising to his feet.

"Oh come on, Kel." Dash moaned, unimpressed by his sudden need to leave. Serajo mocked him further by cracking a whip over and over.

"Hey, least I have females interested in me." Keledrin replied, shooting a quick grin.

"All the good it does when you're not alpha, bud." Serajo threw in. The three of them laughed while Keledrin passed between Shaman and Khari, leading them out toward the stream.

"Nice of you to join us in the waking world there, cloaky." He joked, ruffling Shaman's head with his paw.

"Ha-ha. What were the three of you talking about in there?" Shaman asked, shaking him off.

"Ahhh, you know, guy stuff." He casually dismissed. Khari and Shaman leaned their heads on his shoulder and started snoring in unison. Keledrin chuckled and halted abruptly, the girls nearly bumping heads as they walked on. After avoiding the collision with a giggle, they took to his side once more.

"Come on, there was more to it than that." Khari insisted.

"Oh you know, it's just more of Luna's bullshit. She's been flirting with Xaldin and of course that pisses off Marodan. He's been threatening him to stay away from her, but she keeps on coming by, flicking her tail at his face and saying he's such a nicer stud then Marodan."

"She's trying to entice him to another challenge." Shaman concluded.

"Exactly, but hey. Xaldin's gotten a lot stronger since last time. You never know, he might pull it off." Keledrin suggested.

"Marodan rolled him last time." Khari reminded him. "We need Xaldin around to, he's about the next strongest male besides him and he always brings down the biggest prey."

"Oh, and what am I?" Keledrin questioned, feeling his own use questioned.

"You're the only one I know not thinking with his cock." Khari answered with a sly little grin.

"Thanks a lot." He scoffed hanging his head. Shaman picked it up and smiled.

"She means you're the only one thinking clearly when the others are caught up in their own troubles. Marodan asks you for advice often, right?" Shaman insisted, trying to cheer him up.

"He used to. Occasionally I hear a request from him, but he's keeping to himself and Serodan lately."

"Serodan? He's just a pup." Khari asked in disbelief.

"He's also his little brother, not to mention he just turned two. Guess you gotta make him feel useful somehow." Keledrin trailed off.

"I suppose." Shaman agreed. Slowing the trio, she set herself down and gave a soft moan, tilting her head up to the sky. Keledrin and Khari glanced to each other, then to back to their friend. Shaman never turned down a chance to showcase her skill at tracking prey by sound.

"She's on to something, huh?" He asked.

"Shh." Khari hushed, watching Shaman attentively. Drawing slow, deep breaths she listened carefully all about her. The winds soft pass over the leaves, sweeping through the grass and off beyond her. The river to the north, just hinting its location along with the soft coo's of the birds flying from branch to branch. Patiently the two waited, to see if she would hint at any signs of what caught her attention.

Shaman's ear shot to the right, just as sharply she pointed her muzzle in the direction it came from. Keledrin and Khari knew what it was, prey. They fired off into the woods and began the hunt. Shaman closed her eyes once more, listening intently to her friends rushing off. The footsteps were crystal clear in her mind, hearing them cut to the south then off to the east. She paced herself in the direction they were heading, careful not to disturb the earth with her paws.

Opening her eyes, she lunged forward as the brush nearby was disturbed. A rabbit had come through, only to find Shaman's fangs awaiting its arrival. Lunging for the creature she snapped its neck in her jaws and held firm. The creature fought for a moment more, before submitting to its fate. Khari and Keledrin caught up, smiling the both of them at the sight of Shaman with the fresh meat.

"I love that. I wish my ears were that attuned." Keledrin complimented. Shaman smiled, dropping the rabbit from her maw and let Khari start picking at the small meal.

"Not gonna eat?" Khari questioned between bites. She looked back and nodded.

"Yeah, save me a little." She answered. Khari gave her approval and glared at Keledrin, who was making something of a pig of himself in the tail end of the creature.

"Hey!" She interrupted, bopping his nose playfully. "Stop stuffing your craw."

"Sorry!" He exclaimed, wiping his nose. Shaman continued to watch up ahead, gazing through the trees towards the river beyond. Smiling she let her eyes fade once more, embracing the sounds of the forest. The two behind her continued to snack away for a moment longer before giving their friend, attention. Khari rose to her feet and waited for Shaman to signal them again.

Sure enough with a smile, she pointed her muzzle back into the east. The two darted off in the direction she indicated, as Shaman strolled along, waiting for the opportune moment. With caution, she placed one foot in front of the other, treading through the leaves and twigs of the forest floor.

Her eyes flew open, rushing off she leapt over the bushes and through the trees. Sure enough, Keledrin and Khari were hot on the trail of another rabbit. As the creature found Shaman ahead of it, she moved in to close the trap on the prey. Having to stop forfeited the lead the critter had on Keledrin, as it turned to avoid Shaman and move off, Keledrin snared it in his jaws and bit hard. The struggling soon ceased as they brought their second kill over to their first.

Settling down, the trio indulged in their meal before taking to the river just a short walk north from them. Shaman flicked her tongue in the water a few times until the playfulness of Khari and Keledrin distracted her. She kept bumping his backside as he dipped his head in, trying to tip him into the water as he went off balance.

"Knock it off!" He laughed, as she bumped him again.

"Oh sorry, I didn't see you there." Khari giggled, playfully walking away only to circle around and bump him again. This time on her bout, she bumped his nose on the rocks beneath the water. Pulling his head out, he sneezed the excess water and glared at her, though not surprised, her persistence was pushing him.

"Really?" He asked, letting a smile grow across his face as she covered her mouth, laughing at his muzzle as it dripped. "I think it's high time you had a bath." He suggested. Khari's eyes lit up as her jaw slacked.

"No!" She protested, trying to avoid Keledrin's lunge for her. Pinning her down, he snared her scruff and tried to drag her off to the water. "Keledrin!" She helplessly laughed. "Stop, oh my gosh if you drop me in there." Keledrin smiled and took a sudden leap for the water, dunking the better half of her in. "Ahhh!!" She screamed, the cold water soaking her.

"What did you learn?" He laughed.

"You, butthead!" Khari carried on, pulling him down into the water. Shaman sat on the shore, watching it all unfold and helplessly laughing at the two. She slipped herself from her cloak, placing it along the shore and started towards them, sitting just a few feet away.

"Now look at you two, don't you look silly." She provoked with a smile, shaking her head.

"Oh? What's that Shay-Shay, you want a bath as well?" Khari asked, tilting her ear toward her. Shaman gave a quick laugh, her smiling blooming wide as she dove in, a wall of water crashing down on her friends. Turning around the three splashed and wrestled with each other as playfully as pups free from their mother's eye.

Watching them from the tree line though, was a not so friendly face. Revealing herself from the bushes as the trio came ashore. Shaman noticed her right away, there was no mistaking that bright white coat and condescending blue eyes. Luna, had arrived. Leaping for her cloak, she did the best she could to get it on through the soaked fur.

"Well, well. What have we here?" Luna questioned, casually strolling towards them. Shaman finally got herself covered and joined the two. Luna watched her closely, staring down at the wet wolf. "You think it'll help?" She asked.

"What?" Shaman asked, anticipating the coming insult.

"That blue piece of cloth. Think it'll cover up the stink of your wet fur?"

"Ease off, Luna." Khari interjected.

"Quiet, maybe one day when you grow up you can lead a pack like a big girl too." Luna mocked, switching her focus to Khari.

"Luna!" Keledrin barked loudly. She turned to him bewildered and sat down. "Maybe you should tell us what you're here for, or perhaps I should speak with Marodan personally about this?"

"It's my duty to make sure the females are, keeping themselves in line." Luna stated, returning her cold gaze to Shaman. She stared right back, not letting the ice from her eyes get to her.

"We went hunting, got our lunch and came for drink." Keledrin explained.

"So I see." Luna replied still staring down Shaman. "Well, either way." She began, looking back to Keledrin. "You'd be interested to know, Xaldin has proposed his challenge again. We need you back as witness."

"I'll be there right away." Keledrin answered. Luna smiled and turned back toward the trees. She barely made a few feet before shifting back with a smile, readying her last bit of advice.

"You uh, are free to leave the pups to play in the water. After all, the young should never see such brutish displays."

"Oh, I'm sure we'll manage just fine. Thank you so much, Luna. Your concern for us is commendable." Khari fired back with no shortness of sarcasm. Luna let a laugh escape as she continued back toward home. Once out of earshot, Khari threw her head up and looked away in disgust.

"Cock suckling, alpha twat."

"Khari." Keledrin moaned, covering his face with his paw.

"She is! Gosh, does Marodan really have to fuck that? I'd be a miserable prick to after a while if I had too." Khari reaffirmed.

"Khari, let it go." Shaman insisted. "Every time she does that, it's just to get under our fur." After a few grunts and growls she consented to her friend's wisdom.

"Yeah yeah, I know. Come on, we don't want to miss the big show." She replied, letting the last of her sarcasm escape.

"Xaldin better not overdo it is all." Keledrin stated, leading the three of them back towards the den.

It took little time to get back home; the pack was circled around outside the den looking within. Khari and Shaman settled in, taking a place beside some of the other girls. Sunya, sat aside Shaman. A young and strong wolf baring a grey coat with brown patches along the back. Her blue eyes were surrounded by brown fur that extended to the black and brown mesh that trailed along her forehead.

Nada and Tara being twins were coated the same, a dark brown drape along their back with a white underbelly. Their green eyes were fixated on the others below. Marodan was standing across from Xaldin. Though the two were similar in size, Xaldin shared a coat not unlike Luna's. Pure white up to his brown eyes.

Marodan wore a predominantly grey coat, except for a few hints of brown and even red at the tip of his tail. His brother, Serodan was a mesh of grey and dark brown across the most of his body. Only on his underbelly did he show even the slightest hint of lighter fur. Though the coloring differed, they shared the same brown eyes, including the hint of red at his tail. Both were fixated on Xaldin with anger.

Dash and Serajo looked between each other and Keledrin. Giving his nod, he walked down and took the corner behind Xaldin. Marodan glared at him, angrily and barked.

"So you'll stand behind this, two-timing coward?!"

"I'm here as a witness. Regardless of who wins, I serve my pack and alpha with honor." Keledrin shouted back.

"Glad you came." Xaldin whispered to him. "I'm surprised Luna actually went and got you."

"Just don't overdo it." Keledrin advised, taking his side.

"He's a weakling; I could tear him apart."

"Just don't leave your sides exposed like last time. Beat him, but don't kill him. Marodan's a good hunter; we'll need both of you for the winter." Keledrin continued.

"Are you ready yet?!" Marodan barked, snaring their attention. Xaldin growled and moved ahead, starting to circle along with Marodan.

"This pack needs a real leader." Xaldin mocked, baring his teeth.

"Then bow, like a good little bitch." Marodan fired right back, matching his expression. Little more needed to be exchanged before the two lunged for one another. Xaldin got the better of Marodan, pinning him he scrambled to get his jaws on a more fragile area. Marodan's frantic and violent movements prevented it, nearly tossing the big wolf off of him.

In a snap he rose to his feet and took the second lunge, snatching Xaldin's scruff in his jaws. With a yelp Xaldin rolled, and threw the alpha on his back once more. Marodan resumed his frantic rush and caught on Xaldin's throat.

Cringing he leaned down to ease the pressure and prevent much tearing, this was a bad spot to be in, and he knew it. Xaldin may have had the strength, but perhaps not the speed to defeat him if he kept this up. He struggled with the lock on his neck, but a good amount of pressure from his paws on Marodan's throat allowed him to break free.

Xaldin backed off; he could feel the blood dripping through his fur. He wasn't sure of the damage he had taken, but knew he could not afford to fall into that trap again. Marodan barked and growled, spitting up the blood that soaked his teeth. Shaman looked away; she was never fond of the sight of blood.

"Oh Xaldin, please be careful." She whimpered. Khari huddled a little closer in while Sunya sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Gosh, it's just a scratch Shaman, don't be such a big baby!" She scolded. Down below the fight resumed, Marodan leapt in this time and tried to snare the scruff once more. His fangs missed their mark, with a quick sweep Xaldin snatched his throat and threw Marodan to the ground. Pinning down, he kept a firm grip on his neck, trying to choke his victory from his opponent.

Marodan struggled to get his hind legs up higher on Xaldin's body, errantly kicking underneath, trying to scratch or catch on something sensitive. A good shot caught Xaldin's belly, just enough distraction for Marodan to throw a good swing to the already damaged throat. He struck the wounds on his neck, causing Xaldin to yelp and release.

Marodan had his chance at last. Back on his feet, Marodan took to charging the big wolf, he hammered him into the wall with a hard crash and another yowl of pain. Xaldin's body slumped to the ground as Marodan took hold of the throat again. He offered little struggle as Marodan straddled the big wolf and held tight. Keledrin saw his cue, rushing in to interject.

"That's enough." He declared. Marodan still held on fast, glancing to Keledrin then back to Xaldin who was struggling to breathe. "Marodan, get off him!" Keledrin demanded. "This battle is yours, let him go." Marodan released him with a sigh, staring down at Xaldin with great satisfaction. He was coughing over and over, while Keledrin immediately examined the wounds on his neck.

"Perhaps now, you know better than to challenge me." Marodan gloated, celebrating his victory. Serodan joined him and nuzzled his brother's shoulder.

"You did great big brother!" He cheered.

"Thank you." He bowed before returning the affection. "It's nice to know I have a few real wolves in this pack." Keledrin started to lift Xaldin onto his back. He was fairly heavy, but managed to keep him well balanced.

"Hold on, Kel." Marodan called.

"Yes, Marodan?"

"Perhaps at the next challenge, you'll come over to the winning side?" He suggested, shooting off a condescending smirk. Keledrin smiled, turning to meet the alpha face to face.

"I'm always on the winning side so long as I stand with my pack, including you, my alpha." He bowed.

"Good answer." Marodan complimented, letting Keledrin continue. Khari and Shaman joined beside him as they took to the stream. He settled Xaldin down and started to bathe the wounds while Xaldin lapped a few sips of water. Khari worked the other side of his neck while Shaman struggled to come over.

Eventually she grew bold, placing a paw on his back.

"Hey, you ok?" She asked softly.

"Shaman?" He moaned, trying not to move.

"Uh-huh." She nodded, moving toward his face. Xaldin finally met her eyes and exhaled.

"I'm sorry." He sighed.

"For what?" She asked, stroking his head.

"I know Luna wanted me to take her but, if I won today, I was gonna ask you to be my mate." Xaldin explained. She stopped petting him and backed herself into the water a little. Khari and Keledrin halted their bathing for a moment in surprise.

"Me?" Shaman questioned in amazement. "I'm honored, but why me?"

"You. You're always so calm, so reserved. At peace. I wanted to share in that." He explained between pants.

"Easy." Shaman insisted, regaining her poise she resumed stroking his head once more. Khari and Keledrin continued cleaning up the wounds.

"So sick, of their bullshit." He sighed, his eyes closing.

"Hey, don't you go slipping away on us!" Shaman protested, noticing his eyes growing heavy.

"No... No, I'm not... Not going anywhere.. Just, so tired." Shaman started to panic, trying to rouse him awake.

"Shaman, relax!" Keledrin interjected. "Trust me ok, he's hurting, but he'll be ok. If Marodan had bit in to something major in his neck, there would be a lot more blood." Shaman took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

"You're right, you're right. Sorry, I just. I hate seeing blood." She stammered.

"I know, baby." Khari cooed, satisfied with her cleaning she rejoined Shaman's side.

"Khari, Shaman? Why don't you two go take your minds off this? I'll stay with him till he's awake again." Keledrin suggested.

"Ok." Shaman agreed, happy to get away from the unpleasant scene.

"Kel, take good care of him. We'll need him back on his feet and fighting fit for winter."

"I got it." Keledrin replied.

"Let's go." Khari insisted, ushering Shaman off across the water and into the forest. Shaman looked back one more time, seeing Keledrin tend to the wounds once again and hung her head.

"He was really willing to take me?" She whispered.

The two picked a spot a fair distance away from the den, keeping out of reach of the prying ears and eyes that might come circling around. Settled in across from one another, laying on their bellies they took some time to just settle down. Khari kept licking the inside of her mouth, trying to get the taste of blood out.

"Do you think he was serious?" Shaman struck up the conversation, switching her gaze from the grass to Khari.

"Hmm?"

"Xaldin." She reiterated.

"Oh. Well, I can't see why not." Khari answered. "You are something of a looker without that cloak on."

"Ha-ha." Shaman laughed with just a hint of sarcasm.

"I'm not kidding." Khari insisted. "Look at you, look at us. We take good care of ourselves, we have nice figures, nice coats. We hunt well; we're young, good for baring pups." Khari carried on. Shaman had noted a hint of animosity in her comments.

"You wish he had picked you." Shaman stated.

"Damn right!" Khari laughed, rising to her feet. She took a moment before explaining. "Baby, I love you, I really do, don't get me wrong. But you're not the only one with, urges."

"I know." Shaman consented. "To be honest, I was really surprised. He's never given me so much as a second look that I've seen."

"It's not Xaldin I want, Shay-Shay." Khari interrupted, flopping to the ground across from Shaman once more.

"Who?" She asked, her attention piqued. Khari gave her a good stare, as if she should know who it was. It started to dawn on her right away to, her eyes growing wide at the idea. "No!? Really?" She exclaimed, raising her head.

"Mmhmm." Khari nodded, looking away embarrassed.

"Does Keledrin have any idea?" Shaman demanded.

"No, and you better keep this between us!" Khari insisted.

"Why? I'm sure if he trained enough-"

"No!" Khari refuted. "Look, he's the kindest male I know. I love him to tears for all I can, but I won't put his neck on the line just so I can have a family."

"Khari." Shaman sighed, tipping her head.

"I'm serious. Not a word to him!" She reiterated, slamming her paw down.

"I swear." She agreed. Khari gave her approval and flopped her head back down.

"Thank you, baby." The two took to embracing the silence for a while longer, save for a rather strange humming that seemed to move all about them. Shaman was the first to raise her head and look around. The humming continued, over and over in the same rhythm. She managed to isolate it to a tree, not far off ahead of her.

"Come out!" Shaman barked. Khari bolted up, surprised by Shaman's sudden outburst.

"Jeez, what's the-" Khari started, until she heard the hum as well. "Hey, who the fuck are you?" She barked to the tree as well. Luna slowly revealed herself, strolling toward them with a smile plastered across her face. "Luna?" Khari breathed, horrified at her presence.

"Khari and Keledrin, sitting in a tree, f-u-c-k-i-n-" She sang.

"Shut your mouth!" Khari barked at the top of her lungs, snapping to her feet. Shaman found her feet and stood at her friend's side. Khari's fur was fired up high along her back; Luna's intrusion on their conversation had really set her off.

"Now now, my little bitches. You wouldn't want something juicy like that slipping out anytime soon now would we." Luna cooed, continuing to stroll over to the growling Khari.

"How, dare you eavesdrop on us?!" Shaman scolded.

"Quiet scarred bitch, I'm not here to talk to you." Luna snapped, turning back to Khari she reclaimed her smile. "You however, have been a naughty girl haven't you?"

"I'm not allowed to have my own thoughts?!" Khari argued, watching Luna pace around her.

"Mating with that little wretch, I seriously wonder what my mate would think of that. Since after all, only the alpha can take a female." Luna carried on.

"I haven't been mating him!" Khari cried out, defending herself.

"Oh, and who is my precious hubby going to believe. The slut who hangs around with a scarred wolf, or his dear, beloved alpha female?" She proposed.

"Even Marodan wouldn't fall for that." Shaman dismissed.

"He would with a little, mmm, encouragement." Luna stated, swishing her tail under Khari's chin.

"What do you want?" Shaman demanded.

"A little silence from you for starters." Luna growled, charging for Shaman she knocked her to the ground. Khari snapped at her and took a swing with her paw across Luna's face. The blow tossed her head to the side; she turned back to Khari with a laugh. "Oh my dear little bitch. You've no idea what you're dealing with do you?"

"Oh I've got an idea." Khari replied angrily.

"Good, then listen well. I want a little amusement, seeing that battle today got my bloodlust going and nothing turns on my Marodan like a good fight." Luna explained, circling Khari with a wicked grin.

"Trust me; I'd be happy to tear you apart if I could."

"Good!" Luna interjected. "I'll give you three days to prepare. After that, I expect you to challenge me. The loser, well. Let's just say the loser will become the winner's most personal, private attendant." Luna emphasized.

"You can't expect me to just-" Khari tried to argue, but Luna's paw across her mouth cut her off.

"I'm not asking, I'm telling!" Luna reinforced with a growl. Khari turned back to her and growled, her teeth bared once more and fur standing on end. "Three, days." Luna reinforced, closing in close to her face. Khari kept her growl rumbling as Luna swung around and rushed off toward the den.

Shaman watched helplessly as the anger welled up inside Khari. She was shaking her head in disbelief while her tail stood on end with her fur.

"FFFFFUCKING, BITCH!" Khari screamed, thrashing the ground in rage. Shaman rushed in and tried to coax her down.

"Khari! Khari stop this!" She cried, struggling to gain control of her friend.

"Well this is just great isn't it? Just freaking great! I'm no fighter; I'm a hunter and a damn good one at that! But that, stupid, arrogant, conniving lunatic has to have her fun while the rest of us suffer!" Khari carried on. Shaman finally got a good grip and pulled her head onto her shoulder. Khari's rage immediately shifted to tears, pouring her eyes into Shaman's cloak. "Why can she do this? Why is she bringing him into this, it's just not fair."

"Shhh, it's gonna be ok." Shaman comforted, running her paw up and down Khari's back. "We'll figure out something. I'll help you train; we'll beat her, ok?" Khari didn't respond, aside from the few attempts to choke back her tears. Shaman kept to holding her tight, laying out in her mind the plan to set in motion to help her friend in need.

The next few days were spent rigorously training with Khari. She began by showing her some basics and working out the details of combat between each other, learning what they could by trial and error. Shaman knew Luna fought much like Marodan, at her worst when pinned on her back. She advised Khari to keep as much of the fight on her feet while saving pins or takedowns for last to end the battle.

It was strenuous; most of the time fighting or running till their legs could barely carry them back home. Keledrin kept his distance during their time alone. He was curious and adamant about helping in whatever they were doing, but Khari didn't want him along and risk the reasoning behind the challenge spilling out.

As their third and final day came to a close, Shaman was certain of one thing after all the training. Khari, was not ready to face Luna. Her slips and mishaps in simple sparring matches were apparent, often missing Shaman and holding back considerably out of fear of hurting her. Though she might not show such compunctions toward Luna, the few blows that Shaman did catch at full force, were easily deflected. The only chance she had was in cornering Luna with a solid pin, but this was exactly where she was strongest.

As they came back home from their last lessons, they settled together along the stream just down from the den, not wanting to have Luna in earshot.

"Guess tomorrow's the big day." Khari sighed, rubbing her arm.

"Yep, nervous?" Shaman inquired, finally getting her body to the ground.

"Nervous? What do I have to be nervous about? Going up against our packs alpha on a challenge I never wanted so she can make me literally lick her ass." Khari fumed, tossing her body on the ground with a huff. "This.. Sucks!"

"It'll be ok, Khari. You'll see." Shaman encouraged, shuffling herself closer to Khari. "After tomorrow, you'll have nothing to worry about and this will all be over."

"What, she gonna kill me?" Khari joked. Shaman growled and bopped Khari's head with her paw.

"Don't talk like that! Remember what you said to me? No smearing." She reminded her.

"Oh, right." Khari recalled, shaking off the light blow. Shaman snared her head once more and planted a soft kiss. She tucked her head in beside Khari's and closed her eyes.

"Sleep well. You'll need your strength tomorrow." Shaman whispered.