cave. After I had recovered, I turned on the old Red Grant charm!" he laughed.
Grant paused and examined his paw, flexing his claws.
"You notice how much I've changed physically? Well, I decided that my best chance of surviving in this clan was to get tough. You see, most wolves are suspicious of dogs, and don't take too kindly when one of them enters their clan. So, in order to combat that, I decided to tone up. I became a member of the security team, and then second lieutenant. But for me, that wasn’t enough, so...I killed the leader"
Grant laughed, a dark cruel laugh that echoed through the alcove. Out of the corner of his eye, Dingo noticed the red wolf guarding the entrance flinch in obvious fear.
Grant controlled himself "Oh boy, I never get tired of remembering that! I pulled him when he was addressing the entire clan, challenged him for the leadership, and then broke his neck before he could say a word! Right in front of everyone! Ha! Now that asserted my authority!"
Dingo felt sweat bead down his muzzle. Grant was insane, more so than he had been before. What was more, Dingo noticed that Grant's right red eye hadn't moved an inch since he'd been awake. It unnerved him to wonder why.
Grant smirked "I've been leader now for the last three months. In that time, this clan has grown to over three hundred in number. More than enough to challenge Aleu's clan for control of this entire region. Luck is on my side Dingo! But then again, it always has!"
Dingo snarled "You won't win Grant! Aleu's a brilliant leader, and she'll beat you!"
Grant laughed "Oh do me a favor pally! Aleu's clan is scared out of their mind because of what they think I am! I'm The Bad Wolf, the wolf that devours all others! Psychologically, I've already won!"
Grant shifted in his seat, part of his neck coming into view. Dingo could make out a vast litany of scars running across Grant's throat, trailing back to the shadowed part of his face. Dingo shivered. Something was seriously wrong.
"And now, enough about me Dingo. Lets talk about you, and why your here. You see, I know for a fact that your Dad and Chester will fight once this war begins. That's the reason why I drew them out with the attacks in Nome. I plan to shift they’re attention away from the fighting, and what better way to do that than to take you out? But not just you. Kodi, Dusty and Saba! With you all out of the way, your Dad will be at my mercy!"
Dingo felt blind rage bubbling through him "It won't work! My Dad'll still stop you!"
"Pally, your Dad will run in terror when I show my pretty face down there. Which, given the circumstances, I don't blame him"
Dingo looked up sharply. He began to shiver as Grant began to lean out of the darkness. And what he saw made him sick to his stomach.
The right side of Grant's face was completely mauled. Most of the fur appeared to have been burnt off, leaving little tufts of it here and there, the skin underneath a sickly white and stretched against the skull. Ragged scar tissue criss-crossed around his neck and throat, and half his ear was missing. Grant's right eye was livid and staring, a brilliant scar running through the middle of it.
But what was worse was the damage done to his muzzle. Grant's mouth was twisted into a vicious grin, razor sharp teeth glistening against black shriveled gums. A permanent grin frozen on one side of his face.
Dingo felt light-headed and threw up on the floor. Grant sniggered.
"They all do that. I don't blame them. But now Dingo, I'm afraid that I have to end this pleasant little conversation. There's much to do, much to plan, and I've got to get ready for a guest. I'm sure you understand"
Dingo sensed movement behind him, and turned round just in time to make out the red wolf from before. Before he could react, the wolf belted Dingo in the mouth. Dingo shook his head as the wolf hit him again, this time across the nose. Dingo felt his legs give way underneath him, and he fell as the wolf hit him a third time.
Dingo looked up as the wolf belted him across the head, before his vision clouded into darkness once again.
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Outside the alcove, Zao and Whistler huddled in a corner alongside the gray wolf Maxwell.
"We're gonna have to do in that bitch," Zao said. "I'd like to see the look on that huskies face as I'm laying into her!"
Whistler grunted, and then grabbed a bone off the floor and crushed it into powder, as if to say "That's what I'm gonna do to that husky once I get him in my jaws!"
Zao sniggered "That's nothing to what I'm gonna do to him!"
"Oh really? And what will you do Zao?" Maxwell drolled. He wasn't really interested in the other two's grudge against the two city dogs, but he was bored and had nothing else to do.
"First, I'm gonna let Whistler here beat him to a pulp, and then I'm gonna take that bitch right in front of his eyes! Hehe! That'll be a real slap in the face!"
Maxwell chuckled. He knew his friend's infatuation with bitches had led him down this road before. It was obviously Zao who had first suggested they chase the female in the first place.
Whistler crunched the other half of the bone. Zao chuckled.
"Oops! There goes that huskies other leg!" he laughed. Whistler smirked evilly.
Maxwell decided he didn't want to hear the rest of the conversation "Hey guys, I need to get some air" he said, before slipping away into the darkness. Zao huffed.
Whistler looked at Zao with an expression that appeared to ask "Your gonna take her, huh?"
Zao smirked ""Well... you could have her too if you want? We'd just have to switch places when I was done!"
Whistler smirked and returned to chewing on the remains of the bone. Zao licked his lips.
"Then again, why not just break all of his legs and leave him out there? Then I could take her home with me" he chuckled.
Both wolves turned as Heller emerged from the alcove with Dingo's limp body over his back.
"Zao, Whistler. Take this guy down below. When you’re finished, your dismissed for the night. Do what you wish" Heller said.
Zao and Whistler exchanged glances, and grinned savagely.
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Balto was extremely surprised.
Chester had thrown himself completely into the training, and he was getting good. Very good.
Sirius had helped as well, but it was mostly Balto who had been training his friend for the past two days. The full tryouts were the next day, and Balto was certain that Chester would be ready.
Balto watched impressed as Chester and Sirius sparred. Chester had been hit six times, Sirius seven. As Balto watched, Chester collided with Sirius and knocked them both to the ground. They rolled to a stop, and Chester tapped Sirius twice on the muzzle.
"Eight...nine..." Balto counted.
Sirius retaliated and rolled out from under Chester, taking the husky by surprise. Before he could react, Sirius delivered two taps and a kick that sent him reeling.
"Seven...eight...nine..." Balto counted. Both were now level, with one hit needed to find the winner.
The two grappled, and Chester got his front leg snagged round Sirius's back, before he pulled sharply. Sirius slipped, and Chester smirked triumphantly as he delivered the final tap.
"Ten! Chester wins!" Balto smiled. Chester got to his feet.
"Wow, that was...unexpected!" he panted. Balto smiled.
Sirius padded over, obviously impressed "Chester, you keep fighting like that and you'll triumph easily tomorrow! Just keep practicing and remember. Confidence is good in moderation. Too much can cloud your judgment, and in combat that is a dangerous thing"
Chester nodded "I understand. Thanks Sirius"
Sirius smiled, then padded away. Chester grinned at Balto.
"Not bad for a guy who's been out of action for the past four months!"
Balto laughed "Not bad. Not bad at all"
He watched as Chester padded away towards the shelves.
"I think he'll be ready. But will I?"
Balto sighed. He had been doing a lot of thinking in the last two days. And although he didn’t like it, he knew Aleu needed his help when the worst came to the worst. Which was why he was going to the tryouts the next day, though no one else knew. They would find out tomorrow.
"I have to do this. For Aleu's sake" he said, before padding away towards the shelves.
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"Hey Mum!" Saba said as she padded into the alcove Jenna and Balto shared. "Where's Papa?"
"He went to watch Chester training. But he should be back in a little while" Jenna replied.
"The tournament’s tomorrow isn't is? I hope he does well" Saba said.
"I hope he does too" Jenna said, and then smiled at Saba. "Which reminds me. Where have you been all day?"
Saba blushed and smiled embarrassed "I've been with...a guy I met whose training for tomorrow"
"Oh...really?" Jenna smiled knowingly. Saba looked away.
"Mum, we're just friends okay? Nothing to get excited about"
Jenna nodded "Okay, okay" she paused "Do you like him?"
Saba sighed "Mum, I like him as a friend. But that's all he is, a friend. Okay?"
Jenna just smiled "I believe you Saba" she said in a knowing motherly tone.
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