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Shaman and Khari ended up huddled close together through the night. As the sun began to rise, Nada and Tara found the two friends resting near the stream. They didn't stay long, as Luna approached from behind, the shy girls ran off ahead not wanting to obstruct the alpha. Luna glanced over at what had caught their attention and drew a devious little smile. Strutting her way over, she raised her paw high and slammed down hard upon Khari's tail. The pain shot her to her feet with a yelp, swinging around with fur flung high to see the face she despised most.

"Morning sleepy head." She leered, greeting Khari's scowl. Leaning close to her ear she carried on with her taunting. "I hope you haven't forgotten our little arrangement, sweetie." Khari took a snap at her ear, forcing Luna to back off. "Oh! Why look at you! Positively ferocious, I like that." Luna carried on, laying it on thick with false compliments. Shaman had begun to stir awake, wiping the sleep from her eyes, she watched the two take opposing sides in their standoff.

"You just better hold up your end." Khari growled.

"Oh I will, so long as you hold up yours. I want a good fight to impress my lover boy; I'd hate for his life here to be so droll." Luna wailed, draping a paw across her chest as she pouted.

"Not worried I might wipe the ground with you?" Khari threatened, feeling a bit more courageous.

"You?" Luna exclaimed in disbelief. Tossing her head up high, she laughed aloud. "Ah, that was a good one." She finished up, wiping a fake tear from her eye. In snap, her face turned hostile and aimed right for Khari's. "Be ready at noon, little slut. I expect you to be fetching my dinner tonight, and licking my backside clean for my lover. After all, only one of us is ever going to know the true form of a male within her." Luna continued to insult.

"Be ready." Shaman added, taking her attention.

"Shut up, blue bitch I wasn't talking to you." Luna scolded with a slap across Shaman's face. Khari barked and took another snap at Luna, this one just grazing her cheek. Leaping back away she was able to avoid any others to follow.

"Don't touch her!" Khari demanded, poising her body in front of Shaman's. Luna let her condescending little laugh escape once more.

"I'll be waiting."

The pack had gathered together after a good breakfast and began to socialize among one another. Keledrin was parked beside Shaman and Khari while Dash and Xaldin sat to the other side. He had been recovering well, even enjoying a fair amount of socializing with Keledrin over the last few days as he treated his injuries. But as their conversation took a lull, he looked over to Khari and smiled.

"Hey Khari? You doing ok? You've been quiet all morning." He asked in his usual jovial manner.

"I'm fine." She dismissed, her nerves getting the better of her. Her paws we're trembling and she could barely look Luna in the eye as she sat across the way. Keledrin reached over and grasped her paw in his; trying to gain her attention he shook it lightly.

"You don't look fine, anything you wanna talk about?" He insisted. Shaman shook her head and interjected on her behalf.

"Don't, it's a girl thing." Shaman explained.

"Oh, sorry." He quickly apologized, releasing her paw. He shifted back to Xaldin and Dash and struck up a new topic and within seconds he was indulging in the new conversation. Khari continued to breathe heavily, staring down at the ground. Shaman planted a kiss on her cheek and took her paw in hers.

"It'll be ok, don't worry."

"Ok? How is it going to be ok?" Khari argued quietly.

"Well then!" Luna announced to the pack, rising to her feet from Marodan's side. She started to pace around the inner part of the circle with her usual grin. "Any news today? Hmm? Keledrin?" She asked.

"Nothing new here." He answered quickly before returning to Dash.

"Serodan?" She called once again, swinging around to him.

"All is well, my lady." He bowed. Luna returned the favor before redirecting to Khari.

"Khari?" Luna grinned wickedly, waiting to hear her challenge. Khari drew a deep breath, before slowly raising her head. "Anything, you want to say?" She continued to push. Before her mouth could form the words, Shaman had risen up. Reaching out she tapped Luna's shoulder and stole away her attention.

"I got news for you, bitch!" She shouted, swinging for Luna's face she caught her with a good hard smack. She was stunned by the sudden attack, as a growl welled up in her throat she snapped back.

"You!"

"I won't tolerate you bullying my friends. There are real wolves in this pack who deserve to be treated with respect, but that does not include you!" Shaman let loose, ducking her head she shook off the cloak, tossing it aside as it draped over Khari's body. The scars that decorated her upper back were exposed and for once she seemed unashamed. "I may be scarred, but as horrible as they might be; their nothing compared that hole in your face!"

"Enough!" Marodan jumped up to intervene. "Shaman, you go too far with this outburst!"

"Interesting, because your bitch here was adamant about making Khari challenge her to sate her bloodlust." Shaman announced to the pack, for a moment Luna looked away before taking back to Marodan's side.

"What lies! I live only to please my lover." She protested.

"It's done. I challenge you, Luna. A fight to submission! The winner is the new alpha female." Shaman challenged, bringing her teeth to bare. Luna turned to Khari, only to find to her just as astonished at the outburst.

"Luna my dear?" Marodan called out softly.

"Oh, yes my love?" She immediately answered, leaning into his side.

"Where is your answer?"

"Hmm, I don't know if she's even worth my time." Luna scoffed, trying to dismiss her challenger.

"Shaman has been running about, training with her friends. I would enjoy seeing what she could do. Unless of course you wish to forfeit and allow her to stand at my side?"

"I accept!" Luna snapped right away. Marodan let a quiet laugh escape as his muzzle found her cheek.

"Good, I want my girl to put on a good show." Marodan whispered, planting a soft kiss.

The pack widened their circle and allowed the two a proper breadth for battle. Khari was dumbfounded, barely noticing how close Keledrin had come to her side. She still had the cloak covering most of her body. Shaman kept her gaze locked on Luna as the two paced around the inside of the ring. She had been waiting for this opportunity for some time; at last she could knock Luna down a notch and take a more appropriate position within the pack.

"Luna, Shaman, you may take someone in your corners." Marodan announced, stepping in-between the two.

"Hmph, I'll take your brother." Luna declared, gesturing for Serodan. Eagerly the young wolf bounded to her side with a smile. Leaning into her shoulder, Serodan nuzzled her affectionately.

"Thank you big sis!" He praised.

"Oh, you're welcome cutey butt." Luna giggled, pouting playfully to him.

"Khari!" Shaman called out. Khari glanced to Luna who had turned and locked her scowl upon her. Cautiously she rose to her feet, taking a deep breath she cautiously made her way over to Shaman's side.

"When you are ready, girls." Marodan called out. He gave them a moment before signaling for their fight to begin. Luna offered no hesitation and lunged for Shaman right away. Eager to meet her, Shaman joined in the attack as the two slammed in. They both fired off sharp cries as their bodies hit the ground and began to wrestle. A constant spit of growls and snarls were shared as they tossed and snapped at each other. Shaman was quick to find the top of Luna's body, but a swift kick to her chest knocked her back.

In a flash, the two we're locked in pace, circling each other as the growls and spits flew. Khari watched in awe, she knew Shaman was tough, but to hold her own against Luna was impressive.

Shaman took the initiative and rushed in this time. Their fangs met with an audible crack that made even the males cringe. Luna grappled her up onto her hind legs, hoping to get some weight over her opponent. Sadly, Shaman wasn't as well on two feet as opposed to four. Like a toy, Luna threw her to the ground and moved in for the throat. Shaman struggled to hold off the fangs aimed at her neck, her paws dug in to Luna's upper chest were the only things sparing her that exact fate.

Tossing her head aside, Luna's fangs found dirt instead of flesh. Losing her balance, Shaman dropped her to the ground and clamored her way atop of her opponent. This was her chance to finish it, she was sure of it.

The alpha's paws we're flailing violently, not letting much room for Shaman to find the neck. Her fangs bared, she waited, watching the motions she took, the circular swings took on a pattern, one she was picking up on. Through the snaps and yelps, she took her shot and clenched down on Luna's throat.

Khari cheered on, seeing the grip held tight on Luna's neck. Laying at Shaman's mercy was spell-binding to her. The air in her throat choked off, she was at the mercy of the wolf she had grown so used to ridiculing.

"Come on girl, you got this!!" Khari carried on, hollering for her friend's victory. Shaman kept her hold tight, struggling to hold the alpha as she grew ever more violent and dedicated In her efforts to escape. Luna got her chance, with a hard kick to Shaman's stomach, it left her challenger winded, gasping as she tried to hold Luna in.

It was no use, coughing, she had to let go and gasp for the air that had been so harshly ejected. The moment she took was long enough for Luna to find her footing and ready her next strike. Her paw flew high and came down hard on Shaman's muzzle. Her claws tore through, ripping the flesh wide. Within seconds blood began dripping to the ground.

Shaman tried to back away, to regain her composer from the blow. Luna wouldn't have it; in a swift charge, she took Shaman to the ground and fastened her fangs on the scars on her back. With no fur to soften it, her fangs easily broke the skin and seeped in. Shaman cried out in pain, the area was tender enough; to have Luna's fangs rip through was unbearable.

Pinned to the ground, she kept crying in agony. Luna was unrelenting, tearing the flesh around the damaged area even more. Shaman switched from crying to screaming, feeling the blood drip to her shoulder. Khari couldn't stand it anymore, she knew Shaman couldn't give in; this was Luna's way of torturing her for proposing the challenge and sparing Khari's fate.

"Stop it! Stop it right now, get off her!" Khari demanded, lunging in she took hold of Luna's neck and tried to pull her off. Luna released, but meeting Khari's face with a scowl she swung at her. The back of her paw flashing across her muzzle was enough to set Keledrin off.

"Hey! Don't you touch her! She's not the challenger!" He snarled, intervening on her behalf. Marodan moved up, taking to Luna's side.

"Back off Keledrin!" He demanded.

"You want to play the Alpha, Marodan? Fine, then don't let this creature abuse the pack." He scolded.

"Why I should-" Marodan readied to fire back, but seeing the unimpressed looks of the others, he lowered his tone and calmed his mood. "Very well. Luna, well done. But mind your actions; this is our family, not your toy."

"Hmph, yes my love." She answered, calming herself. Khari started to work on settling Shaman down. The tears were pouring from her eyes, slammed tight in pain from the injuries to her back and face. She took to bathing the wounds on her back while Keledrin leaned down and started to look over the three across her muzzle.

"These look bad, we're gonna have to watch them, closely." He evaluated.

"No!" Luna interjected. "Let her clean her own wounds, she had the gall to challenge me." Khari growled, flaring up her fur as she shoved herself into Luna's face.

"You'll have to pry my corpse from her to get me to abandon my girl when she's hurt!" Khari barked in protest.

"Why you little-"

"Luna!" Marodan shouted. "Shut up! Get inside the den; let them pick up the pieces." Luna scowled at the trio and turned around to comply with her mate. Heading into the den the two disappeared while most of the circle began to disperse, striking up little conversations about the match they had just witnessed.

"Shaman? Shaman, baby. Can you hear me?" Khari pleaded. Shaman continued to sniffle and cry, the ache from the wounds on her back were horrible.

"I failed. I can't believe it." Shaman cried, Keledrin settled her muzzle on his paw and started bathing the wounds.

"Shh. You didn't fail, you saved me." Khari reminded her, resuming her bathing on her back.

"Saved you?" Keledrin questioned, halting his cleaning for a moment. Khari glanced at him and began bathing more frantically. "You and I, we're gonna have a little talk when we're done with her." Keledrin informed her, taking to cleaning the wounds once again.

With a few hours passing and the wounds mostly clean, Shaman was left to rest by the stream. Keledrin took the care to drape her in her cloak, as she began coping with the agony of her injuries. Her head was left throbbing, the long time she spent in tears from the combination of pain and failure. She was so sure she had the fight.

"What did I do wrong?" She scolded herself again and again. Dwelling on each second of the fight, wondering what could she have done to turn the circumstances around on Luna. Each bite, each lunge, how far she stepped back, where she could have strafed to avoid her. Over and over the thoughts tore through her mind, eating away at her to the core. "Damn." She cried softly, feeling the tears well up again. "Oh not this again!" She scolded herself, wiping at her eyes. She did her best to clear the water before anymore could escape.

After what had seemed like days, Keledrin and Khari returned. She trailed behind him, hanging her head, seemingly ashamed of herself. Keledrin took a more solemn stance, his face lacking the smile that usually decorated it. He crossed the stream and approached Shaman's side, placing a paw on her shoulder.

"How you holding up?" He asked, his tone calm and soothing.

"It's rough, but I'll be ok." Shaman rasped her voice still sore from crying.

"You just let me know if you need anything, ok?" He insisted. Shaman was grateful, but wanted to know what the two had talked about for so long.

"Thanks, but. Where did you guys go?" She wondered. Keledrin glanced back to Khari and sighed before giving her back his attention.

"Oh don't worry. I'll be having a little talk with you too. I just won't kick ya while you're down, you know?" He smiled with a wink. Leaning down he nuzzled the uninjured portion of her face and headed off. Khari set herself down before Shaman, her hind legs just grazing the stream. Sighing, she rolled on her side and whimpered.

"He knows." She whispered.

"I figured." Shaman replied. "Why is he going to talk to me though?"

"He isn't happy we kept it from him." Khari explained.

"Hmm, I see." Shaman moaned. "Oh Khari, I'm so sorry I failed." Khari immediately rolled to her belly, snatching her friends paw.

"Stop saying that! You saved me today." She scolded lightly.

"But, if I beat her, she wouldn't be-"

"Stop, stop stop." Khari waved off. "You got me out of that mess and taught Luna a good lesson."

"Right. Taught her how to whoop me." Shaman dismissed, rolling her eyes.

"No, you taught her she can't treat us the way she does. You saw, even Marodan scolded her." Khari continued to flatter, eager to encourage her friend. "You may have single-handedly stopped her manipulative little ways."

"Maybe." Shaman consented. "But for how long?"

"Hah, maybe for good." Khari winked, licking Shaman's nose. She giggled along with her for a moment before the ache in her back made itself known again. "Oh, want me to clean it again?"

"No, it's ok. Just.. Just stay with me?" Shaman pleaded. Khari smiled and licked her friend's nose once again, giving her muzzle a good home beside hers.

"You got me." She cooed, taking both of Shaman's paws in her own.

The two stayed cuddled close for the entire night. Shaman frequently woke from the pain of her cloak, swishing across the scabbing wounds on her back. Khari had done a fine job cleaning, but the ache grew worse all through the night. With the morning sun, she was still tired, restless. Her body worn and eyes heavy from being kept awake in pain. She hardly noticed the approach of her previous day's challenger, strolling up behind Khari with a calm and quite happy demeanor.

"Hey, you." Luna prodded at Khari's side, coaxing her awake.

"Let her sleep." Shaman protested, but fell on deaf ears. Luna succeeded in waking her.

"Wha, what's going-" Khari muddled, still clouded by sleep until realizing it was Luna provoking her awake. "You!" Khari exclaimed, rapidly finding her feet.

"Mmhmm, scurry along and find some food for your friend here. You gonna let her suffer and starve?" Luna questioned. Her tone seemed different than usual, almost jovial even genuinely happy.

"I don't want to leave you alone with her." Khari lightly argued.

"Oh psh." Luna laughed softly, pressing her paw on Khari's chest. "You happen to catch me in an extremely good mood this morning, so I'll ignore your paranoia if you go and make yourself useful." She insisted. Khari gave a fair amount of hesitation, but Shaman offered her approval and let her go. Luna started humming happily and lowered herself to the ground, bringing herself face to face with Shaman.

"What do you want?" Shaman questioned, struggling to get the words out.

"Oh you really are a poor thing, aren't you?" Luna commented, patting her head. Shaman cringed, and shied away from the affection. "Oh, don't approve?" She asked.

"What do you want, I said." Shaman restated.

"Oh honey. You gave me what I want. Yesterday's fight was, mmm exhilarating." She complimented, rising to her feet she took off into her euphoria, clasping her own body in her paws. "The things he did to me, oh. I can't say in polite company. But I, am a very, very happy girl today." Luna carried on, leaning down to Shaman once more.

"Is that all?" Shaman dismissed, looking away.

"Oh no no no." She countered, sneaking her paw under Shaman's chin. "You see my dear, I have a little hunch. You pulled that little stunt yesterday to do more than save Khari's sorry little hide, didn't you?"

"What does it matter to you?" Shaman brushed off, returning her attention for the moment.

"You wanted power?" Luna wondered.

"I don't care for power like you."

"Oh, so you wanted to be the alpha female for another reason." Luna concluded. Circling around Shaman's body she giggled, letting her eyes run up and down. "Oh, I think I get it!" She squealed, bouncing back to her face. "You wanted some little pups of your own, don't ya?"

Shaman refused to answer, opting instead to keep silent, looking off to the stream.

"Oh, I was right!" Luna flattered herself. "Oh honey, I should level with you. You never had a chance."

"I had you by your throat." Shaman countered swiftly, letting her fangs flash for a moment.

"Oh the fight was close; I'm not arguing that much. But you do know that Marodan has the final say in who is to be his mate?"

"What?" Shaman exclaimed, her breath fleeting with the word.

"Aww, you didn't, did you? It's his right as the leader of our pack. Sure we can, mmm, struggle it out and see who's strongest but really, in the end." Luna explained, strolling back and forth. She looked back, down at her and smiled. "It's his call."

"No." Shaman moaned.

"Oh sweetie. Don't take it personal. After all, you've earned a lot more respect from me after that little display." Luna insisted. "And did I mention the wonderful sex?" She carried on falling to her back she rolled around before her. "Ahh, it was so amazing. Having a male take you so fully, well. I guess you won't know what it's like, but oh it's so fulfilling. When that knot hits you, mmm!" She moaned, regaling herself from last night, reliving the events in her mind.

"I don't care to hear the details." Shaman dismissed once more. Tucking her head in, she tried to hide her face from Luna's. Having finished her fantasy, Luna rolled over and smiled down at Shaman.

"Shaman. Can I give you some, friendly advice?" Luna offered.

"Why should I believe anything you say? Just a day ago, you hated me!" Shaman argued.

"On the contrary. I think you merit some genuine advice; after all, you gave so much for me to have such a good time. So listen up." Luna leaned down to her ear and drew a short breath. "Leave."

"What?" Shaman exclaimed. Luna giggled once more, and began to elaborate.

"Hear me out. Marodan is in love with me. I'm actually quite sure, you'd eventually beat me, but he'll always choose me. He loves me so much, his brother loves me even his father loved me when he was alive. If you stay, you have no chance to bear your own little litter. But, if you leave well. Who knows what you'll find, hmm?"

Shaman cringed, slamming her eyes tight. Sadly, her words did have a ring of truth to them. Unless Xaldin defeated him, Marodan will always lead. Dash, Serajo and Keledrin had no ambitions to challenge him. All the burden of challenge was on his shoulders, and he has never even come close to defeating Marodan.

Shaman remained quiet while Luna withdrew from her ear and gazed down upon the near crying wolf before her. "Honey, I just wanted you to know it. I don't blame you for your little urges. But this is our family. Marodan, Serodan and mine. I'm not willing to share, and neither are they."

"Are you done?" Shaman demanded, stammering a little as the words escaped. Luna took a deep breath and nodded.

"Feel free to challenge me again, anytime. I can't imagine how bad I'd send him off if you got me fighting in heat." Luna laughed, strutting as she wondered away. Shaman waited for her footsteps to fade before letting the tears slip. Covering her face she cried into her paws. The combination of Luna's visit and the ache was overwhelming.

Khari finally arrived hefting a fairly large rabbit. Seeing her friend crying, she bolted across the stream and deposited it nearby, she immediately began tending to her.

"Shay-shay, what's wrong?" Khari pleaded, trying to console her.

"It's true, isn't it?" Shaman cried.

"What's true?" Khari consoled, stroking her head gently.

"Marodan, has the final say in who's his mate?"

"Oh." Khari looked away momentarily. "Huh, I'm not sure. I know he's supposed to claim the winner."

"Luna said, it's his choice. His right as the leader, he can pick whoever he wants."

"I'll ask around, ok? I'm sure Keledrin knows." Khari insisted. Snatching up the rabbit she placed it into Shaman's paws. "Come on, baby. Eat up." She insisted. Shaman looked away from the creature and continued sobbing looking at the stream. "Hey now, if I gotta cram him piece by piece into you to fill that belly, you know I will." Khari threatened lightly. Shaman let a sharp little laugh escape, glancing up to her.

"Thank you, for everything."

"Shay-shay, I love you, you don't need to thank me." Khari assured her. She continued her massages while Shaman dug in to her meal, hoping that perhaps on a fuller stomach, she could make up the sleep the night had deprived her.

Shaman had finished her breakfast, which would turn out to be her only meal of the day. Thankfully, spending most of it on her belly meant spending very little energy. The lack of food had almost no effect, but the boredom certainly did. She was helpless to watch as others went off to play and hunt together, including Khari and Keledrin. It seemed they had made up quickly after yesterday's discussion.

Shaman's gaze turned to the den, Marodan was talking casually with his brother. They spoke softly, knowing Shaman was in earshot but a few words had reached her. At first it was business as usual, the hunting, settling petty squabbles, but she managed to catch the mention of her name. Sadly, little more than the words, "Yesterdays fight" and "Keep her quiet" were overheard.

The talk she had with Luna earlier in the day was still on her mind. Though her eyes were very heavy at this point, she still felt compelled to address it before it managed to slip.

"Marodan?!" Shaman called out, the best she could. It was enough to reach him as he swung around to her. "Can I talk to you?" She asked. Marodan nodded to Serodan and started over toward her. His mug carried the usual, unimpressed look.

"Yes?" He asked calmly, setting down a little bit away from her. Shaman shuffled herself to face him, putting herself more parallel with the stream.

"I wanted to ask you something, regarding the alpha female."

"Shaman." He sighed. "If you're going to complain about the fight."

"No no, I was beaten. I understand that. It's just, if I won. Would I have become your mate?" She questioned shyly. Marodan hummed and gave her a quick look over.

"Well, the choice is always mine. Alpha female isn't like the male; it's my priveledge to make the final call as to who can stand at my side." He stated. "I thought you knew this, after all aren't you supposed to be the wise one?"

"I didn't know, no." Shaman answered sorrowfully, hanging her head.

"Shaman, let me make something clear." He started, clearing his throat. "I choose Luna not only because she is a fine fighter, but because of her clever nature. She has methods of solving problems that I appreciate. She is also quite attractive to me, not scarred and hiding like some others I could mention." He hinted. Shaman remained quiet, trying to hide her face.

"I see." She whispered.

"Understand this, Shaman. I've no affection for you, but nor do I have any reason to despise you. You brought my mate closer to defeat than any other challenger, and I think she is coming to respect that. But if you so much as threaten her, or dare come between us, I'll have your neck torn out. No amount of human cloth, will spare you that fate." He gave her a few moments to let his message sink in; Shaman sniffled, trying to hide the remaining tears behind her eyes.

"That's all." Shaman stammered.

"Good." He replied, satisfied the message was made clear. Turning around he aimed for the den, but gave a pause and looked back. "I will follow through on my threat, Shaman. I just hope you do not force me to."

Khari and Keledrin had returned at sunset. They were giggling to one other as they approached Shaman and took to her side. Khari smiled taking her left while Keledrin budded in on her right.

"Hey cloaky." He joked, nuzzling her cheek. Shaman smiled and returned the affection.

"Hey." Shaman replied softly. The strain in her voice was more the evident, she was tired, to the point it was heavily visible. Her eyes, once wide awake seemed to bag around the bottom, remaining half closed.

"Oh Shay-shay, did we wake you up?" Khari questioned.

"I don't know if I can sleep." She replied, letting a yawn loose.

"Well let's take a look here." Keledrin answered, removing the cloak from her back. Shaman shuddered, but found no energy to protest. What he revealed made him cringe at first, but upon further examination it did seem at least a little better. The scarred area was still red and irritated, but had scabbed and covered up the wounds entirely. With no hint of odd colors he was certain it would heal ok from then on.

Re-draping her back he took to tending her muzzle. The three large gashes Luna had made we're not healing as well. The edges were scabbed, but the center still exposed. Though it was a miracle she was not cut through to her teeth.

"Now those." He began. "Don't look like they're gonna heal anytime soon. But you're back looks good."

"Yeah?" Shaman questioned, happy to hear the first bit of good news in the day.

"Comon, let's see if you can get up." Keledrin encouraged, nudging her side. "Khari, help me out here."

"Kk!" She beamed, pushing on Shaman's side to brace her. Shaman started the slow process of picking herself up. Each inch to her feet felt as though she was hoisting a massive bush of thorns atop her back. But with the loving brace of her friends, she found her footing. Shaky though it was.

"There ya go!" Keledrin complimented, keeping the hold on her.

"Yeah! That's my girl!" Khari celebrated.

"Thanks you guys."

"Don't mention it." Keledrin answered happily. "Now, let's get you home. The den is a little cozier then out here.

"K." Shaman agreed, carefully placing one paw in front of the other. She stumbled a few times, but Khari and Keledrin were ready. Upon entering the den, the trio caught the attention of the rest of the pack; they remained huddled in their usual places.

"Yeah Shaman!" Xaldin cheered. "Both challengers back on their feet." The pack joined him in a jovial laugh; save for three voices that remained quiet. Serodan, Marodan and Luna just watched as the trio found a spot of their own. Khari carefully lowered Shaman down, keeping in close once she made the ground and sighed in relief.

"Shaman?" Luna called out, catching everyone's attention in the process.

"Yes?" She replied.

"Good fight, hope to dance again soon." Luna smiled. A few in the pack gave their ooo's but quickly resumed their conversations amongst themselves.

"Thanks for the, advice as well." Shaman sarcastically replied. Luna blew a few fake kisses and swung to Marodan's shoulder with a soft giggle. Khari nudged her friends muzzle and questioned.

"Advice?"

"Don't ask." Shaman dismissed shaking her head. Keledrin and Khari took themselves as close as they could to her and settled in. The warmth of their bodies and the gentle sounds of their breath helped lull her to the long desired sleep. She was thankful enough the day was done, hoping that perhaps tomorrow would be more kind and easier for her to stomach.

Shaman took the next two days within the den to rest up, periodically getting up just to release the cracks in her legs and back. Luna strangely enough often came over to chat, usually to push the statement she had made before about leaving. Shaman did her best to ignore it, but again there was truth in her words. When she was left alone, she weighed the option of leaving versus staying with her friends.

The worst of it was thinking what it might do to Khari and Keledrin, she had known the two for so long that it would break her heart to leave. The thought also crossed her mind to take them with her, but again she knew Marodan would never allow it. Unless it was by some kind of force, Marodan would hold one of them hostage and prevent the others from leaving. He had issues with that level of stubbornness before.

The other, was to put the thought of a family out of her mind and embrace what she had, plain and simple. Though the instinct to breed was growing deep within her just as any female, she also didn't want to abandon those closest to her heart. She could hope for Xaldin to one day be competent enough to defeat him. Still, this was a gamble in itself, running a serious risk of never becoming a reality.

As the sun reached its peak outside, Shaman grew restless in dwelling on her thoughts and headed outside. She was careful getting to her feet, but once there, the pain was minimal. The wounds on her back were healing well, thanks to the frequent bathing from Khari. Though her muzzle was still tender, the wounds were slowly closing.

She caught the attention of Luna as she crested the cave and started in across the stream. Bounding over with a jovial smile she called out.

"Yoohoo!" Shaman feigned a smile and waited for her to join. "Hey you, care to go walk and talk?"

"I guess." Shaman hesitantly answered, while Luna eagerly led on.

"So, I've been doing a little scouting for you." Luna began, smiling as she walked alongside.

"Oh? What kind?"

"Well, you have familiarity with humans, don't you?" She inquired.

"Yeees, but really only when I was younger."

"Good enough, I'm sure. So look." Luna sat, pointing off toward the west. "A little ways from here, is a human place. These huge metal things with wheels?"

"A train." Shaman corrected her. "When I was at the rescue center, my girl had a toy one."

"Oh look at you!" Luna praised, patting her arm. "So sharp! Ok, so, with this train. It goes fast and can travel far. I'll bet you anything, you get a ride on of those. You can fly somewhere and find a real good home for yourself."

"I have a real good home, here!" Shaman argued, letting her anger start to show.

"But sweetie, don't you want your own little family?" Luna questioned, tilting her head with a pout.

"I want to be with the people that love me." She stated firm. "And I'm quite certain you just want to get rid of me."

"No!" Luna refuted, shaking her head. "Jeez, I finally see some fangs out of you and do all this work to make you happy and you go accusing me like this."

"Well, why would you want me around?" Shaman questioned.

"Uh, hello?" Luna asked, knocking on her head. "You get my lover boy riled up, for heaven's sake I could swear he was in heat after that fight. So by all means, please stay. Keep challenging me, I love it! You're only getting him harder for me and believe me, I love a good fight."

"So then why push for me to leave." She insisted, trying to dig a real reason out of her.

"Cause while you may be something of a goody-goody, you remind me a lot of myself." Luna answered. "I had the same urges and while maybe I had his eye now and then, I had to fight my ass off to get Marodan to choose me. I worked hard, to hold the rank I have and I get the feeling you want it to."

"I want my own family, with Keledrin and Khari."

"That's not going to happen, sweetheart. Keledrin is loyal to Marodan and while you might talk that little coward." Luna halted a moment, raising her paw in apology. "Sorry, Khari. You might convince her to go to; you can't exactly breed with another girl. At some point, you're going to have to decide what's best for yourself, not just for those two." Shaman snapped away, darting her nose toward the grass. Once again, her words rang with truth, though the taste was bitter.

"Will you at least let me choose for myself then?" Shaman questioned, slowly returning to Luna.

"Of course. But I will tell you this." Luna advised, glancing around to see if anyone was watching. "Those human trains? They leave, every two days or so when the sun hits its peak. There wasn't one there today, that's where I just came from, but the one the day before, left at noon." Shaman sighed and found her head sinking toward the ground again. Surprisingly Luna picked her chin up and brought her face to face. "Make your choice, but stand by it. If you stay, well, I want at least a good spit here and there, but if you go. You'll have my respect."

"Why's that." Shaman wondered.

"Cause then I'll always think of that fight we had, and how proud I was to battle, a fellow alpha." Luna answered proudly. Shaman hummed and started to walk on, her mind once again riddled with questions of what to do. Leaving Luna behind her, she passed through the trees, aimlessly delving deeper into the forest.

Though Luna was known for trickery, this could be one of the rare cases where it was of mutual benefit. Shaman knew she was a threat to Luna, but not enough to sway Marodan's feelings. Still, with time, Xaldin may have a chance of defeating him. But it seemed more likely Marodan would simply go for the kill due to the frequency of his attempts.

What was worse was the feeling of leaving Khari and Keledrin behind. The weight of such a move was heavy on her heart. She loved them very much, but she knew in her heart these instincts would not simply grow silent. Shaman was fairly young, she had years ahead of her. An entire life of what was, what could be? The emptiness of that nightmare was almost as painful as leaving.

For now, she decided to quell her mind, opting instead to give hunting a shot. She had eaten the bits and pieces that Keledrin had brought from his hunts, and was eager to get back on her own four feet.

With the next day's arrival, Shaman grew anxious. Eagerly leaping from the den, she looked out to the west. Reminding herself of what Luna had suggested yesterday. She decided to determine if it was at least true. Shaman did a quick sweep, to see if Keledrin or Khari were around, but it looked as though the two were out. Most likely hunting, she concluded and decided she should do the same before heading out.

She easily enough caught her breakfast and drank from the stream near home. Dash and Serajo were around, but no sign once again of Khari and Keledrin. Luna exited the den and acknowledged the two. Taking a sip of water, she was quick to notice Shaman along the bank. Rushing across the water to join her she leaned in.

"Are you going?" She asked eagerly.

"Just to check it out. I haven't decided yet." Shaman answered, dipping her muzzle in, she gulped back a little more water.

"You remember the way?" Luna questioned once more. Shaman relieved the water and nodded.

"Bout an hour west." She reaffirmed.

"Good luck." Luna whispered, heading back toward home she took little time to start chatting up the boys. Shaman looked out west through the forest and took a deep breath. With a leap she was off, bounding through the woods at her top speed, she flowed through the brush and trees with ease. It was kind of exciting to see if it was true, it had been so long since she was last in contact with humans. Her sides gave a sharp ache, forcing her to slow her pace. Clearly the combination of food and abundant water was causing some cramping. Still, she kept a steady pace through the thick of the trees off toward the train tracks beyond.

Luna carried on her conversations with the boys for a good while, long enough to see Marodan return home with his little brother in tow.

"Hey baby!" She cooed, rushing over she brushed under his chin, affectionately licking his cheek.

"Good to see you to, Luna. What has you in such a good mood?" He wondered, enjoying the embrace of his mate.

"Oh you know, this and that." She giggled. Khari and Keledrin finally arrived back home. Keledrin acknowledged Marodan with a nod before peeking inside the den.

"Shay! We got you..." He trailed off, seeing no one inside. "Shaman?" He called, looking about the den.

"She's not there?" Khari asked.

"No, no sign."

"Yo, Keledrin. Luna was talking to her a bit ago." Serajo perked up. Luna felt a rather cold rush strike down her back. She had neglected the fact they were close enough to at least notice the two talking.

"Oh, yes she and I uh. Well we spoke about the fight and she decided to go off and do some more training. She's gonna try again when I'm in heat next." Luna quickly stumbled through the explanation.

"What?" Marodan pondered. "Doesn't make sense, I made it clear I wasn't interested in her."

"Yeah! Shaman wouldn't be so arrogant!" Khari protested. Keledrin and Khari started to close in on Marodan's mate. Luna couldn't help but lean a little harder into his side.

"Well.." Luna trailed off, looking to Marodan.

"My dear, is there something you wish to tell them?" He demanded lightly.

"What are you hiding?" Khari barked, bearing her fangs to Luna.

"Oh, so now you get some fangs, huh?" Luna quipped back.

"Luna!" Marodan scolded. She backed off a little, but was quick to regain her composure.

"Well, if you must know. The little bugger wanted to know a good way out of our pack. I told her of the human trains that run off to the west. She took the chance today and abandoned us." Luna declared, raising her chin high.

"She would never do that!!" Khari dismissed. "What did you do huh? What did you say to her!? Did you threaten her?!" Khari continuously demanded.

"Back off, you little bitch!" Luna barked.

"Shut up." Marodan spoke quietly.

"Ha, exactly. Shut up." Luna echoed.

"Not her, you!" Marodan snapped to Luna. "Get inside the den, I'll deal with this little ploy of yours later." He ordered. It was a shock to hear him speak to her like this. Deciding it best not to provoke him further, she bowed her head and went inside. "Keledrin, Khari. While I'm not particularly fond of Shaman, I can't allow the pack to believe that I'll allow Luna to bully them into leaving. Get her back, now!"

"Got it." Keledrin agreed. "Come on, Khari. She said she headed west." Khari nodded and started off alongside him toward the tracks.

"Shaman, please don't do this."

Passing through the forest clearing, Shaman found the tracks dead ahead. The green belt before her was wide, three tracks seem to run along the ground and a train was ready on the line spanning quite a long ways down. To the right she could see a few small wood structures, inside were humans chatting with each other. Shaman passed by and started along the tracks beside the massive train.

There seemed to be a fairly long line of cylindrical cars as well as a few open box cars. It was a bit of a stretch, but reaching up she peered inside the steel car and glanced around. The ground was laid with wood panel while the walls and ceiling were solid metal.

Letting go, she let her feet find the grass again and began to think on what she was doing.

"Is this really worth while? Or was Luna just pulling my strings." She asked herself. Looking down along the massive line, she started to berate herself with the same questions as before. She gave some time to dwell on the topic before the whistle of the horn bellowed from the train. "Does that mean, it's going?" She wondered.

She hastened the process in her mind and decided it might be best to just go. Luna would make life a nightmare for her back home, dreading growing old as a scarred and beat up wolf. The horror of never knowing the love of a male, or feeling the tender warmth of pups at her belly. Her instincts were in the driver seat, with one goal in mind.

"It's time to find a new home." She assured herself. Leaping up, she found herself settled inside the car. The ground felt a little cold, but solid and stable. Smiling shyly at the situation she lowered herself to the floor and looked out toward the forest. Up ahead, two figures came bursting from the tree line and off toward her.

"What?" She asked herself, seeing the shapes become more and more obvious.

"Shaman!!!" Khari cried out. Her voice was quickly followed by a sudden clunk as the car started to slowly move.

"Whoa!" Shaman exclaimed, leaping to her feet. She tried to steady herself as the train began its departure. Little by little it gained momentum as Khari and Keledrin caught up, running alongside the train.

"Please! Baby don't do this! Get down now!" Khari pleaded.

"I'm sorry, Khari. I have to find my own place in this world." Shaman called back.

"Shaman! You have to get down. Please, Marodan wants you back home." Keledrin begged, taking the chance to plead his case. She looked away, trying to hide her face from him.

"Shay! Come on, don't do this! I love you!" Khari cried, starting to struggle to keep up with the train.

"Khari, Keledrin! I love you guys so much! Please understand." Shaman called back.

"No! I don't understand! Just come down and talk to me! If you really want to go, I'll go with you! Just get off that thing now!" Khari begged as the train started to gain ahead.

Hearing her friend's cries began to eat away at her heart. Watching the two struggle to keep up with the train as it constantly gained speed took the pain even further. Poking her head out, she watched the ground start to race by as her friends continued trailing further and further behind the car. She had to jump off, she knew it. It wasn't fair to them; they were her best friends, the two people closest to her heart. Clinching her eyes, she felt ready to leap.

"Shaman!!" Khari called out once again. Shaman threw her eyes open at the call, followed up by the clanging sound of rail bells ringing in from the left. Her vision flashed with an explosion of white, just as quickly covered by a black veil shimmering with sparkles. She had left her head out just too far, catching the rail light. She staggered helplessly, the sound of the train becoming muffled with her vision fading. Hitting the floor, she fell unconscious and unmoving, save for the wobble of the train. "No!! Shaman!!" Khari cried, rushing toward the track.

"Don't!!" Keledrin bellowed, taking Khari to the ground.

"Get off me, I have to get up there!" Khari pleaded, trying to pry him off of her.

"If you try to jump on, you'll get pulled under those wheels and die!" Keledrin warned.

"I don't care! I have to save her!" Khari cried.

"She'll come back ok?" Keledrin assured her, holding her tight while the tears started to pour. "She'll come back." He said again, as if needing to convince himself as well. Looking on at the train as it rushed on, the tail end making its pass, he felt the tears come to his eyes. "Please... Come back."