The rays from the morning sun came up over the frozen landscape, the fresh wet layer causing it to glimmer in brilliant colors. The sun was just rising, but only one being was awake at the early hour to experience it, perched on the edge of a cliff. The perfect spot for taking in the awakening of the new day. Unfortunately, the mood, even with the beautiful scenery and tranquility, did nothing to ease the thoughts and fears of their owner.
"He said he's planning on taking your territory and the pack…by killing you."
The words angered and troubled him. But why? A soft growl reverberated within his throat, and his brilliant blue eyes flashed. So caught up in his thoughts, the soft paw falls and clicking of claws on the rocky ground went unheard until a soft, familiar voice called out.
“Achak…” Black ears twitched and swiveled around at the voice. A voice he had known from birth. Bright blue eyes softened, and the wolf now turned his head to meet the familiar form. Olathe, his mother. Her silver colored fur almost seemed to glow in the morning light. As she came up to sit next to her son on the cliff, she gazed out at the horizon, the breeze blowing her fur gently. “What is it that brings you out here so early? Something troubling you?” After asking, she sat quietly, patiently for Achak to respond.
After a moment more of silence, the silver and black alpha sighed, his breath making a faint mist in the cool morning air.
“I never thought I’d hear about Nayati again.” It was all the younger wolf needed to say. Olathe nodded slowly, understanding immediately, then, what it was that was plaguing the other’s thoughts. She smiled reassuringly, bending down to give her son a nuzzle.
“You are strong. Whatever happens, we will be behind you. You would make your father proud Achak…” The words both comforted, and strengthened him. That no matter what, his pack, his family was behind him, supporting his decisions. He managed a smile, nuzzling his mother back. Also knowing he was doing things that would make his father proud strengthened his resolve. His mother wouldn’t just say this to him just to make him feel better. The other always seemed to know just what to say. Of course, it was his mother; he had grown up under her, so she knew him best.
Olathe, sensing that Achak was reassured, now decided to redirect his thoughts. “Have you talked to Kanook yet?” The cream and chocolate colored wolf had been quiet lately, going off by himself. After the news over Faolan the beta seemed to be mourning. Everyone in the pack knew that the young scout and Kanook were as close as father and son. What the other must be feeling now…
Achak sighed, eyes saddening. He and his adopted ‘uncle’ were also close. After Cheveyo, his father died, it was he who took up the responsibility of teaching and being more of that father figure. Of course, Kanook could never replace his parent; the older wolf knew that as well. Nonetheless, they grew close. The silver streaked wolf still admired the beta, often going to either him or his mother for advice. He was still learning from them, and becoming a better alpha.
“I haven’t yet. I thought I’d give him some time alone.” Now might be a good time to do so though. “Have you?” His bright blue eyes met his mothers whose were the same color. Olathe’s softer eyes lowered a moment.
“I have, but perhaps talking to you would help more right now. I saw him last back by the hollow stump at the back of the caves. “ Standing, the silver wolf smiled a bit, before turning to leave, the only sounds she made being the soft paw-falls and clicking of her claws against the stony ground.
The large alpha watched her a moment before glancing out once more to gaze out at the landscape. By now the sun had risen more fully, giving light to the area. Then, getting to his feet, he turned himself, and started heading back towards the caves, but instead of going in, started around them. Kanook was supposed to be back here after all. And the silver streaked wolf was worried for his family member.
Rounding the back of the stone caves, Achak scanned the small area. The dead hollow tree stump was there…but the cream and chocolate beta was not. Frowning, he sighed a moment, turning to go back.
“Were you looking for me?” At the voice the silver and black wolf looked back over his shoulder, stopping. Kanook stepped up from below the cliff line. He had been sitting down there for a bit more privacy. The beta smiled seeing the younger wolf, a knowing look in his dark blue eyes. He could guess why his nephew was there. Achak turned and approached him, the two of them taking a seat by the cliff. The younger wolf’s bright eyes soon drifted to him, then out at the distance.
“So how are you doing? We all knew you and Faolan were close.” He was careful with his words. Surprisingly though, the other smiled, a real smile, not like the ones they had all gotten recently that, at least Achak and his mother, could tell were fake.
“I’m sorry I had you all worrying by going off on my own so much recently. I needed a day or two to myself. But I’m alright now, thank you.” Just by observing the beta, one could tell he really was better now. The way he held himself from the way he had before, as well as the look in those blue eyes proved it to the alpha, who then smiled a bit. Standing, Kanook motioned with his head back to the front of the caves. “Lets get back to everyone, no need to worry them any more than they are.” With that the two of them started heading back, Achak relieved and glad to see his family member was in better spirits again.
Since it was still relatively early, it wasn’t until another hour or two, when the whole pack was up and ready did they start to organize for a hunt. Achak was amused to see that Kiona was ready and rearing to go. When the female noticed she had been caught, she stopped fidgeting, looking a bit embarrassed. Walking to her, the large wolf smiled.
“It’s alright, we’ll be heading out soon.” With that, Kanook padded up with his usual smile. With the news that everyone was ready to head out, Achak nodded, and the three of them went to join the rest of the pack.
As usual, the pack separated into different groups. The first group was the chasers, who made up most of the pack, and then there was the second that was made up Achak, Kanook, Dartanion, and sometimes Zephyr, a newer wolf. They were the ones who took down their prey, being the biggest and strongest Even with their strategy, they did not always succeed in a kill, and they would either not eat at all that day, or they would have to wait for later to try to hunt again.
Though, sometimes there would be smaller animals like hares around for them to catch. They were hardly enough to fill even one of them much, but it was better than nothing.
As the pack’s two groups separated and headed out to their destination from different angles, now, for some reason, Achak couldn’t shake this sudden feeling that something wasn’t right. It felt like uneasiness deep in his gut, and it wouldn’t go away. The alpha wasn’t sure what to think about it. He knew he couldn’t completely pass it off and ignore it. That wouldn’t be smart.
So instead he let his senses remain on high alert, for anything around them that may be threatening. Though it was still strange, that this feeling was nagging at him, since the large black and silver wolf had scouted thoroughly that morning and hadn’t seen, smelt or heard anything wrong.
Once the chasing group was far enough away, Achak turned to his two other pack mates, who were on each side of him. First he addressed his beta, and uncle.
“Do you feel uneasy at all for any reason? Ever since we started out I’ve been getting this feeling that something isn’t right, and I cannot place it.” Kanook glanced over at him, his brow furrowing a bit. Dartanion also looked over, eyes reflecting something similar.
“I have actually. And judging by Dartanion’s expression, he feels it as well…” The said wolf nodded, his maroon eyes serious. “When you scouted this morning, there was nothing out of the ordinary?” Achak shook his head. The three wolves stopped as they reached their position, staying quiet another few moments before Dartanion’s deep rumbling voice broke the silence.
“We’ll have to stay alert then. We’re all feeling the same, so it can’t be something trivial. We have to be ready for anything.” Two pairs of blue eyes turned to him and they nodded, in complete agreement. Did the rest of the pack feel this as well, they wondered. With that they went quiet again, though they stayed alert, listening, smelling, and looking out. Inwardly, they hoped it would pass over as nothing.
It wasn’t too long after that, that the ground under their paws began to rumble, grabbing their attention to look over in the direction the rest of the pack had headed. The caribou were coming, and soon their forms could be seen charging their way, the rest of their pack mates herding them forward.
Readying themselves, at the right moment, they all leaped out from where they were hiding and joined the chase, following their alpha. Achak had, while the caribou were nearing, had singled out their prey, a good-sized buck. Judging by the animal’s horns, it was still relatively young, and probably little to no experience, but already grown. No doubt it would feed them all well.
As they all ran, Achak, distracted as the uneasy feeling grew again, just narrowly missed a kick from one of the caribou. Growling and snapping at it, the alpha quickly glanced ahead. Kanook and Dartanion were herding the one caribou away from the rest of the herd. Picking up speed, he followed them, gaining on their prey.
Now fully concentrating on their goal, none of them were ready when cries that belonged to the caribou broke out behind them, followed by their companions. Kanook’s head whipped around, and he slowed down a little. What he saw made his eyes widen, and look to his nephew.
“Achak! “ The alpha, and Dartanion, both slowed down, finally stopping to look back, the caribou forgotten for the moment. There seemed to be another wolf, not of their pack, and this wolf had scattered the rest of the herd, causing chaos. The black body could be seen even from where they were, ahead. It made him stiffen. Could it be…Nayati? The thought of, if it was, what he might and could do to his pack and family sent a cold wave run down his spine.
Wasting no time, he shot of towards them, fur bristling as he charged back. As he neared, the silver streaked wolf noticed that it wasn’t Nayati after all, but didn’t seem friendly nonetheless. The stranger wolf was in a threatening stance watching the others. In front of the rest of the pack, stood Zephyr and Kiona, both standing there, snarling. The wolf turned as Achak approached, Kanook and Dartanion soon after, each looking unhappy as well.
“Who are you? State your business here, why are you trespassing in my territory and agitating my pack?” The other turned more fully to face him now. He was a burly black and white wolf with blue eyes, black patches over each eye. He only seemed to smirk at the questions, not seeming intimidated.
“Well that’s no way to treat your guest. I’m not telling, what are you going to do about it? Besides, I’m not the one you should be worried about.” That made Achak’s lip twitch, briefly showing off his fangs, as he stepped forward toward the intruder.
“You’re in my territory, I can do whatever I’d like to you. Now answer my question. Who are you and what are you doing here?!” A wider smirk, and the black and white wolf start walking around the alpha, who kept his bright blue eyes on him.
“It won’t be your territory for much longer!” That seemed to surprise the silver streaked wolf, which made the intruding smile. “That’s right, I’m just here to warn you and your pathetic pack your all going to be killed and the territory taken!” with that, he leapt at Achak, but was too slow, the alpha swiftly moving out of the way.
Now his mind was racing with thoughts, but there was no way he would allow his pack to be harmed, and the territory taken. Clearly this wolf wasn’t the alpha, just a cocky messenger who was looking for trouble. Judging by the slow attacks, Achak could tell just when the other was going to attack by his body movements.
All around him, the entire pack was now enraged that an outsider dared to try and attack their alpha and companion, gathering around the two in a circle, snarling and growling. They did not attack, knowing their leader was more than capable of handling this intruder. Though, if the black and white wolf got too close to them, they would snap out at him.
Now it seemed the wolf was realizing just how outnumbered he was. Nervousness began to surface and show in his eyes and body language. So much for the cocky attitude, but he tried to hide it as he kept attacking. His movements were getting more and more sloppy, and soon Achak just dodged, then clamped down on the other’s throat and body slammed him into the ground. The wolf struggled, but the jaws around his throat just tightened, cutting off his supply of air. The deep snarling almost seemed to vibrate through him. Eventually, the struggles died down, but mainly from the lack of air.
“You really are useless, Niju. I expected more out of you. Pathetic.”
At the voice, all eyes shot up to a cliff. Achak released the wolf, who he now knew was ‘Niju’, and also looked over to the cliff as well, where his eyes narrowed.
Nayati.
Nayati looked unamused by the scene, and insensitive that a large pack was glaring at him. He continued, his bright yellow eyes uncaring.
“I should have left you where I found you, on the shore, starving and cold. You promised me you’d be useful, but from what I see you have just been humiliated and dominated without much effort, and from the enemy.” The yellow-eyed wolf scowled.
Niju gasped for breath as he struggled to get back to his feet, staggering a bit before succeeding. He looked desperate as he started towards Nayati.
“I was outnumbered! You saw! I was just caught off guard. In a one on one fight it would be different…!” A few snickers sounded from the pack around him, not believing it. Achak had completely dominated the burly black and white wolf, and they all knew it. Even the one standing on the cliffs.
Nayati seemed to ignore Niju, as he made his way down the cliff. Then finally he seemed to acknowledge his subordinate and his lip raised in disgust.
“Shut up, I saw what happened, you rat. You panicked and got sloppy. You really don’t have the resolve or experience. You’ll be lucky if I don’t kill you myself.” Niju shrunk down at the harsh words from his alpha, and started slinking to the side as Nayati finished coming down. Ignoring Achak’s snarl at him and the fierce look, he smirked at his rival.
“One thing that worthless beast said was right. Delivering my message. My pack and I will destroy every last one of you and take your land as our own.” With that, up on the cliffs, more wolves appeared. Not as many as there were in Achak’s pack, but more, easily twice or even three times as many. They all looked bloodthirsty and ready to fight, their mouths dripping, wicked grins stretched across their faces.
Achak frowned deeply. Nayati clearly wanted to fight, had his army, and was ready to end it there and now, and wasn’t going to take no for an answer, no matter what he’d say. His thoughts were interrupted by the other again as he looked up at the cliffs and called someone.
Looking up, the alpha was only briefly surprised so see a familiar form appear and start down the cliffs to where Nayati stood.
“Oh, did you know? I think you know Kita, right? She betrayed you and came to my side. Rather wise really, considering I was going to kill you all.” He smirked more. Beside him Kita’s face was hard, with a small smirk. “She’s my alpha female, I bet you didn’t know that. She tells me you have a mutt in your midst. How pathetic. You dirty our superior kind with mixed blood. I’ll do you a favor and destroy it for you, no need to thank me.” He snickered darkly, and the silver and black wolf bristled. “So Achak, are you and your pack ready to die? Or should I give you all a moment to yourselves…?”
“Nayati, I will not let you harm my pack!” The more Nayati spoke, the more he wanted to fight. How dare this wolf, after these years, appear again and try and destroy the peace, and his family! It wasn’t going to happen! As long as he was still alive, he would fight to the death to protect the ones he cared for.
The other just seemed amused by his statement, but was ready to fight. Rolling his shoulders, he gazed at his enemy a moment smoothly.
“That so? Then this may be interesting after all.” He chuckled once, then suddenly bristled and lunged at Achak, baring his fangs. The blue-eyed wolf managed to twist and dodge, and so he fight began.
From up above on the cliffs, Nayati’s wolves howled and charged down, eager to join in the fighting. The rest of the pack could do nothing but engage them as they came down. Though, they were ready wanting to defend their pack and companions from the threat. They’d see just who was the strongest.
Every wolf fought tooth and claw against the intruders, showing their true strength. Even Olathe, Achak’s mother, who was known to be calm, caring and passive, fought impressively, her bright blue eyes flashing. Ayashi and Takoda, also passive, relied on their swiftness to help them. They stayed close to their pack mates for protection.
Of course, Kiona had little to no trouble defending herself. Her small size came in handy when she dodged, using her speed to her advantage against her slower foes, snarling as she twisted this way and that between them, lashing out to clamp down under a wolf’s throat and hanging on. Thrashing her body, her sharp fangs dug in and tore at the other’s flesh.
Eventually she was knocked loose, but tore out a good-sized chunk of fur and flesh. Blood soaked the patches of snowy ground. The wolf howled and reeled back, but was soon lunging at her again, ignoring his blood soaked neck, managing to catch her off guard and grab onto her neck.
The red female snarled, thrashing, striking out with all four paws at her opponent’s body. Fur went flying but the wolf didn’t let her go. Just as the jaws started to tighten around her, a yelp sounded and the jaws released her.
The hybrid shook it off and turned to see what happened, and attack, but stopped. Kanook had been her rescuer, and was now up top the injured wolf, his jaws clamped around the neck. Twisting, the enemy wolf nearly fell over from the extra weight, and the beta leapt off, only to turn and attack again, now to the already injured and open under neck of the other. Hitting his mark, and with the momentum, the cream and chocolate wolf knocked his foe down.
It was all over for this wolf now. Pinned, with a few powerful head thrashes, and a spurt of blood across the ground, the wolf was dead. Kiona was stunned a moment by the beta’s ferocity, as this was the wolf that usually joked and smiled with everyone.
“Kiona, don’t let your guard down!” That snapped her out of it, and she dodged as a wolf tried to sneak up on her. Yelling thanks to the dark blue-eyed wolf, the female engaged once more in battle. Suddenly, though, another jaw clamped around her opponent and was thrown aside. Kiona’s eyes widened, only to narrow again at the new form standing before her.
“You’re mine mutt, time to pay you back for humiliating me. I’m going to enjoy killing you!” Readying herself, Kita snarled and lunged angrily, and the hybrid leapt to the side, turning.
“We’ll see who the better fighter is! I defeated you then, and I’ll do it again! This time Achak can’t and won’t stop me!” They both lunged, one striking out with a paw and contacting with the other’s face knocking her back. Kita growled, shaking her head from the blow that was surprisingly strong.
She barely had time to act as said female was at her throat again. The former face dog’s heart was pounding in her chest excitedly. The more she fought, the more she felt herself slipping, just like last time they fought. After a harsh neck toss by her wolf rival, Kiona hit the ground and rolled, a small streak of blood trailing after her. Kita smirked and licked her lips.
“Do you understand now?! I’m not the same fighter as last time! I’ve grown stronger from being in a stronger pack!” Little did the she-wolf know that her boasting was falling on deaf ears. From the blow, something had snapped in the hybrid, something familiarly pleasant, yet terrible…and she hadn’t fought it.
Before Kita could finish her speech, and before she could blink or react, there was a flash of red. Then pain. Crying out, the wolf reeled back, but not far, as she quickly realized Kiona had her by the throat, and was clamped on tightly. Twisting her head, with a snarl, she bit down on her red foe’s scruff and thrashed her head, trying to pull her free, but the other held strong, if anything, gripped tighter, her fangs digging into her and puncturing the flesh.
Kita now knew she couldn’t just pull her off, or risk getting her throat torn out. Instead, she kept biting and used her claws to scratch at Kiona’s sides and chest. Nothing seemed to be working though! She started to panic. From the tight hold, her air was being cut off slowly.
Blood. Fight. Kill. Kiona’s mind was focused on one task, and that was to kill. Her killer instincts from her wild side had once more kicked in and controlled her mind and body. Her eyes were dilated, breathing quick and excited as she felt her opponent beginning to panic. The attacks bore on her weren’t felt or acknowledged.
Each time Kita exhaled, her grip tightened, further cutting off her air and driving her teeth further into the neck. Blood. Blood. Kill! She could taste it in her mouth from the wounds she was making. It seemed to only drive her further.
With a thrash, the smaller fighter tugged, pulling the other off balance. They both fell to their sides, but Kiona ceased to ease her grip. Now that she had the advantage, and Kita was weakening from lack of air, and from panicking, the now crazed female went into many violent head thrashes, breathing heavily through her nose as the blood splattered on the ground with each.
Kita’s mouth was agape, trying to draw in breathe, her movements slow. She wasn’t really even attacking anymore. Her gray-blue eyes were growing unfocused. Everything was in a fog to her now, but suddenly time seemed to slow down as the world became a blur as she was thrashed again. Her eyes widened, and with a exhale that sounded more like a gurgling croak, rolled back into her head, body going limp. The fight was over…Kita was dead.
There were bodies from Nayati’s pack sprawled out randomly in the clearing, none from Achak’s so far. Other members had run away in their own cowardice. Though a good few of them were injured from the fighting, they didn’t stop.
On the edge of the fighting, unaware of what was going on around them, the alphas were still going at it, though slower now. They each had a good number of wounds, and were bleeding, red liquid dripping off them to dot and trickle on the ground below them. Unfortunately, Achak was in worse shape. Nayati hadn’t been fighting fairly the entire time.
At times, other members from his pack would randomly leap in to attack him, along with having to deal with his other rival, distracting the black and silver wolf as well as injuring him further when they were lucky to get in a blow or two. And the white and black wolf did nothing to stop them at all.
There was a blood crusted claw mark across one of the silver patches over his eyes, which had just recently stopped bleeding. There was a thin trail of blood from it down his face, matting his fur, as well as in other places he was injured. Panting, Achak glared over at his enemy.
“Do you have no pride?! Letting the other members of your pack join our fight?!” Nayati, also panting, managed a smirk.
“Of course I have pride! But I never said I would keep anyone from joining in the fun! I told you you’d all be destroyed no matter what!” his yellow eyes were flashing as he leapt forward to attack. Even slowed by his injuries, the blue-eyed wolf managed to evade, lunging to snap and tear at the other’s neck, but only scraped, tearing out a mouthful of fur. Mocking laughter. “You’re slowing down Achak! Getting tired already? I’m disappointed. It’s been rather fun up to now, you aren’t giving out on me now are you? Where’s that ferocity from before?!” Charging into him, Nayati knocked the silver streaked alpha down, staggering soon after himself. They were both exhausted.
“You’re afraid then…? Is that why you let your pack mates ‘join in the fun’?” Nayati snarled at that, watching as his opponent rose from the ground.
“What?! I fear nothing, especially not you!” Now the cocky confident smirk was gone from his white and black face; and now it was Achak’s turn to smirk.
“ You’re afraid that you can’t defeat me on your own because of what happened when we first met, when I dominated you and sent you running in front of your pack mates. You talk big about how strong you are, when really you’re a coward who won’t even fight his own battles…! There is no honor in that! You have no pride! Just a grudge.”
Nayati’s eyes were blazing with fury now, his lips curled back to show his fangs.
“How dare you call me a coward. I’ve been waiting for this day, to come and destroy you and your pathetic pack! You got lucky that first day and I underestimated you, but now you underestimate me! I’m not the weaker of us am I?” The smirk returned, though not as strong as before. “You’ll die here…and then I’ll go kill of the rest of your ’friends’. I wonder how many of them are dead already?” Suddenly, the smug wolf was sent sprawling across the ground, shocked. A shadow was cast over him. Achak loomed over him, fangs bared.
“I told you, you will not harm my pack! I will die before I let that happen!” His bright blue eyes were ablaze now, seeming to be re-energized, if just enough.
Nayati sprung up, jumping back a bit. He growled back.
"Well then I guess you should say goodbye then! Too bad you won't be around to see them all die!" lunging at each other again, this time Achak got the upper hand this time, grabbing the other by the scruff and shaking him, then throwing him into the ground. They'd see who was killed in the end.
"Have you taken a moment to look around you Nayati? Some of your pack members are dead, and many are fleeing. You maybe have about the same number as my pack now!"
"I don't care about those cowards! Once I kill you it'll be all over." Achak shook his head, dodging another attack.
"No it wouldn't If I'm killed someone else would take over, most likely Kanook and my mother. Plus you'd still have to face the rest of them, my pack."
"I have not waited all this time to be defeated!" Suddenly, three other wolves, not of the silver streaked wolf's side ran up and attacked the alpha. Nayati sneered, stepping closer as he watched his rival fight them. "You see? They agree!"
More blood splattered the ground, filling the air with its iron-mixed scent. The large blue-eyed wolf was just barely able to fend the last of the three off, now much more tired, before the black and white attacked again, grabbing Achak by the throat and knocking the both of them down. Unfortunately Nayati landed on top, and didn't waste time in thrashing his head. The one under him snarled weakly, kicking at his stomach, twisting his head to bite at the other's face.
A sudden yelping and pounding of paw-falls sounded before and extra weight landed on them. Nayati let go of his opponent, and yelped. Achak took that opportunity to use his back legs to push the other off and roll to his feet, panting. He wasn't sure how much more he could take in his condition. Though he wasn't about to give up, that was for sure!
Looking up to where Nayati was struggling with something that was on his back, the alpha's eyes widened. It was Kiona! She looked a little worse for wear, but was clearly unafraid as she thrashed at the scruff of her large opponent, who snarled and tried to shake her off. In his weakened state, he couldn't seem to do it. The smaller fighter's sharp teeth dug into his fur and skin, angering the wolf more. With the wolf distracted, it gave Achak a moment to catch his breath and recover a bit.
Finally, Kiona lost her grip on Nayati some, and leapt off to land in a fighting stance lips curled back, and fur bristled. It was now Achak noticed the hybrid's eyes were strange, dilated, and her muzzle was covered in blood. What had happened before? It seemed the female wasn't quite crazed, or she'd have been fiercer, perhaps even coming after him in her state. The smallest of them seemed to have some control right now, but then her eyes locked on the blue-eyed wolf, if just passed him.
He was surprised when the red female suddenly shot towards him without a warning. Luckily, Achak got out of the way, but then realized what she was doing when she leapt passed him and tackled a wolf that had been running to attack him from behind. Inwardly he thanked her, but didn't get time to say it out loud before Nayati then leapt back at him and their fight continued.
This wolf was a coward, and rather puny, compared to the other wolves she fought. Once Kiona attacked it, protecting Achak, it tried to escape, yelping as she bit and scratched at it. Once the wolf pulled free, it took off, with the female chasing. It wouldn't get away from her.
Chasing it out further into the clearing, away from the fighting, eventually she caught her prey as it got tired from the running that Kiona was used to. Leaping upon it, the wolf and she went tumbling, and once coming to a stop, the hybrid was attacking again, snarling and biting. The wolf didn't have a chance against her, seeming to have no experience, and young. Ending its life came swiftly, her jaws clamped around it's neck, the body now limp in her hold. Suddenly though, a scent caught her attention, a familiar one, just as she heard another sound.
The cocking of a gun behind her.
Dodge, counter, attack, hold on. This was basically the pattern the two alpha used as they fought. Now Nayati was getting exhausted as well from the long drawn out battle. He didn't have as much endurance as Achak seemed to have. They were about even on that level now, however. With not other wolves to attack and distract him, giving the other the upper hand, the black and silver wolf could focus.
The two of them were bloody and looked ready to collapse, but refused. Now they both stood there staring at each other hatefully, blue staring into yellow. Achak had begun to notice that his rival was getting so tired he didn't always attack without warning. Now the alpha's sharp blue eyes were picking up the tightening of muscles before a lunge, or a shift in position, that gave away what he was going to do.
Dropping the still, limp form from her mouth, Kiona slowly turned to face the sound and familiar scent. Her brown eyes widened, chasing away the rest of the lingering crazed thoughts from her at what she saw. No, it couldn't be! The figure that stood before her, it couldn't be...Thomas? Her former sled master? It looked just like him! But then why was he standing there pointing a gun at her? He looked just like a hunter now, how he was dressed.
The red female stood frozen in place a moment, thoughts and questions swirling in her head. It was then he spoke, confirming his identity.
"So you are Kiona. They say you're dangerous now after attacking on our last trip. Who knows what you could do if you returned, so I've been searching for you to end it. Living out here in the wild as well, I see, has made you crazier and much to dangerous."
The gun came up, aimed at her. The female shrunk back a bit at the words and actions, tail, out of old habit, curled in under her and Kiona began to back away slowly. Why was this happening? She was dangerous? Well, she had gone crazy a couple times now, and the fact that she was covered in blood didn't help her appearance.
The gun cocked again, and Thomas looked through the scope. "I'll do you a favor and make it quick!"
This time there was a signal. Nayati darted at him when he caught it, the wolf was shifting position to change direction in mid-air, just before his paws hit the ground. Achak changed his stance, and leaned to the side and down as the black and white wolf flew over him, exposing his vulnerable under neck.
He seemed to realize his fatal mistake too late. Before he could attempt to shift and dodge, strong jaws slammed into his neck and sharp fangs clamped down into his flesh. Using the momentum Nayati had created, Achak followed through the arc, and then forcefully ripped back, thrashing his head to the side. Blood spurted out from the neck of his rival, and when he hit the ground, spilled all over the ground as he tumbled and rolled before coming to rest, still on the earth.
Panting, Achak started walking over to the fallen wolf. The other was laying there, eyes wide in shock, mouth agape, and a pool of his own blood filling around him from the gaping wound in his neck.
His blue eyes watched another moment as the other's chest ceased to move and his body went limp. Finally it was over. He had held out and protected his pack. Faolan, who had been killed by this pack, was now avenged, and now Kanook's spirit could heal completely.
Stepping away from his now dead rival's body, he looked around. There were barely any of Nayati's wolves around anymore, and his pack mates were quickly chasing them off. A few bodies lay scattered around from the large fight, and the alpha was afraid to go look and see if any were his family.
It was then, that he caught something in the air, a scent. He knew this scent very well, and despised it with all that he was. Bright blue eyes darted around to find the source, and then widened in horror as they landed on what was going on out a way in the clearing. A human, a hunter, he had a gun. And it was pointed at Kiona. Why was she just standing there!?! The wolf pushed off the ground and started running towards her, pushing himself, and hoping he reached the other in time.
Why didn't Kiona run? The fool! Gasping for air, and horror when the hunter raised the gun and aimed, the silver streaked wolf ran faster, leaping as he neared her from the side.
"Kiona!!!"
The gunshot pierced the air.