group.

“Don’t be such puppies…” turning back to Achak, he grinned, showing his teeth. “And what if I don’t, eh? What are you going to do about it?”

Achak bared his fangs as a warning. In a brave move, Takoda moved forward towards the other wolves.

“Why don’t you all just go and leave us alone?” Nayati seemed to ponder this, even tilting his head a bit.

“Hmm, how about not…and I do this!” He lunged at Takoda, taking him by the scruff and flinging him down. But just as the black and white wolf was about to attack again, he found himself knocked harshly to the ground. Opening his eyes, he tried to get back to his feet, but quickly found himself shoved back down. Looking up, his dark eyes locked onto two very piercing blue eyes. The eyes of the very big, very pissed off black and silver wolf standing over him, white fangs bared, and ears pinned back angrily. Baring his own fangs, Nayati once more tried to struggle and get up, but was suddenly met with the other wolf’s jaws around his throat. Quite surprised at that, Nayati kicked out with is back legs, but was only met with more pressure from Achak’s jaws. The black wolf was not going to move from over him. Nayati found himself growing fearful, and he froze up at the powerful authority that the blue eyed wolf gave off. Another snarl from Achak moved Nayati to move his body from aggressive to passive, ears going back as he broke eye contact. Even going as far as trying to nudge Achak’s muzzle, he was once more disciplined with a sharp snap to the face. Finally, after a few minutes, Achak lifted his head to glare down at his captive. It was truly an intimidating sight.

“If I ever see you near my brother or sister again…You. Will. Regret it.!” To emphasize his point, he snapped at the other wolf’s face, which earned Achak a fearful grimace. Nayati swallowed. “Do you understand me…?” The defeated wolf below him nodded. “Now, get out of here…” Takoda, who had gotten up after his brother had body tackled Nayati, stayed away from the two, along with Ayashi, who was looking on in awe. Achak moved off of Nayati, who got up slowly, remaining lower than the one who had defeated him, tail tucked between his legs. Watching Achak cautiously, the black and white wolf headed back towards his group, who had lowered their heads almost to the ground in equal submission at just seeing the force the black wolf had shown. Achak then snarled and made a small charge at them, causing Nayati to scrabble away with a yelp with his pack.

Once the four wolves disappeared, Takoda and Ayashi ventured carefully towards their brother. Wagging their tails in a friendly way, Aya was first to make a move, nudging Achak under the muzzle in an affectionate but passive manner. Almost instantly the raised fur on the black and silver wolf settled, and his body relaxed. “Are you two alright…?” The tail wagging increased as Takoda smiled.

“We are unhurt…” Aya joined her brother in smiling.

“Thanks to you.”

They didn’t get to say much more before they heard the sound of something approaching again. Sniffing the air, the three young wolves turned at the familiar scent as their father came up. Takoda and Ayashi beamed excitedly.

“Father, you’re back!” Cheveyo smiled back going to his charges. As he did he stopped, then lowered his head to sniff at the ground.

“This is the same scent from the other pack…what happened here while I was away?”

“Oh, you should have seen it father! There was these wolves that came and tried to pick a fight with us, and one of them attacked Takoda-” The large alpha seemed shocked by this. Who dared attack his pups?!

“Attacked Takoda?” instantly he was sniffing at his son, checking for injuries. “What is the name of this wolf who attacked you…?” Takoda seemed a little embarrassed.

“His name was Nayati.” Aya piped up again.

“Yes, but Achak jumped in and protected us, fought him, and chased him off!” Cheveyo now looked over at Achak.

“You fought the wolf?” Achak stepped up, nodding.

“They were harassing Aya, provoked us, and attacked Takoda, and I wasn’t going to stand for it.”

Cheveyo looked at his second son a few moments, then smiled proudly.

“You will make a fine alpha someday, Achak…” To this Achak smiled back, tail swinging a bit. “Now, lets head back to the cave. I think that was enough excitement for one day. I can show you more tomorrow…” As they began their way back through the forest, Achak came up beside his large father, curious about one thing.

“Where the wolves we saw today from the same clan…?” Cheveyo glanced down through the corner of his eye at Achak, then forward again.

“Yes, they were from the wolf pack called the Chogun clan…that wolf you fought earlier is probably the alpha’s son.” Achak pondered over this a few moments, then glanced over his shoulder at the direction the Chogun clan’s scent had come from.

Nayati of the Chogun clan…May we never meet again.