Kiona gasped sharply, obviously not expecting to be pinned to the ground so fast. She looked up at her assailant and was a bit surprised to see Achak towering above her, not looking happy at all. A small drop of blood trickled from his eyebrow. Kiona clasped her eyes shut, her body tightening expecting him to kill her right then and there, her tail curled between her legs. She felt a whimper slip from her throat and Achak heard it. He let go, but only to pin her face into the ground with his paw, to keep her from moving as he spoke.

Achak growled, stern, making sure he was heard. Everyone around them was silenced by fear or shock. "I have no idea where your constant thirst for violence comes from, but it will stop and it will stop now. You are not in your accursed 'human world' any more. Your filthy 'master' may have went easy on you when you made the same exact foolish move on me, but I will tolerate NO violence in my pack. As long as I am in charge, you have no power here. There are rules to follow and you WILL live by them. I should not have to tell you the consequences if you do not, is that understood?"

Kiona let his spartan words sink in, stunned that she had lashed out to a higher power (yet again), frightened that she may have been killed just now, and thankful that she hadn't. Her eyes were still clenched shut, trying to keep the tears from escaping. She refused to show her mental helplessness to him, but she whispered a faint affirmative. Achak then growled at the gluttonous wolf, which had a small piece of meat at his toes.

"And you know better than to steal," he said as the wolf shrunk down in cowardice. "I will tolerate none of THAT either." Achak calmed down after noticing that Kiona was afraid of him and gently let himself off her. The last thing he wanted was to be feared. The odd thing was that this was a third time he witnessed Kiona...lose herself. He was beginning to wonder if she was doing it on purpose or if it really was something beyond her control. He had never seen any animal react to anything so little so violently.

As the pack parted for a bit, Achak walked in his own way, leaving the hybrid to her thoughts while he tended to his own. He was, however, interrupted by someone. It was Dartanion. He approached with his tail lower than Achak's.

"Think she's going to be too much trouble?" Dartanion asked.

"I don't know," Achak replied, heaving a sigh. "I need to think on it. I know that this kind of...situation has happened with her before. While I was scouting, I remember seeing her attack her human. He deserved it, but just the same...she seems extremely bloodthirsty from time to time..." He remembered the look on her face that night after she bit the man. She seemed aghast at her own actions, as if she could not believe what she had done. Even so, he now was not sure if he was going to keep her in the pack long if she was going to continue to act like this.

"Don't be too hasty, Achak," he objected, knowing what Achak was probably thinking. "If what you said earlier was true, about her human leaving her for dead, then removing her from the pack will equal the exact same sentence. Although, I seriously doubt her human did intend to--"

"Doubt all you want. I know that human had cruel intentions...just like the rest of them." he snuffed. His fur stood on end at the mere thought of the creatures. "And I will not lower myself to a human's level. I will still consider what I will do with her on my own." Achak and Dartanion bowed their heads respectfully and separated.

Meanwhile, Kiona lay by a tree in solitude, licking some blood from her paw that had been from her original meal. She felt she gained some nutrience from it, but she was still hungry and lapping at the blood seemed to quell her hunger. A large shadow overcast her body and she growled feeling a tad threatened. She calmed a little bit knowing that it was Kanook.

"What?" Kiona asked, rudely. Aside from her irritation at losing her only good meal in a few days, she was mad at herself for angering Achak. She did not want him to have a poor impression on her, especially since she was only part wolf and mostly dog.

Despite being rude to, Kanook remained polite. "Nothing. I just wanted to talk." Kiona looked at him skeptically. "That was quite the impression you presented back there." He quickly changed the subject. "I pray that you're not injured." He noticed her licking her paw, thinking it was a wound from the fight.

"I'm fine. A wimp like that guy couldn't hurt me if he tried." She went back to her paw, which was now clean, hoping to look busy so that Kanook would dismiss himself, but he failed to leave.

"I can tell you're upset about angering Achak, but don't be too misunderstanding," he continued. "He--"

"I understand fully," Kiona stood up to walk away, obviously having her fill of Kanook's company. "He's the leader, that's what he does. He punishes the dense. I know well of how to lead, I did it once myself. And I say he's far to kind and that my punishment was not hard enough. I deserved worse."

"Why is that?"

"Because I'm neither wolf nor dog. I'm both. Not dog enough for dogs, not wolf enough for wolves. I'm both cursed and blessed with my heritage." Kiona realized she was rambling and silenced herself. She started walking away, not really knowing where to go, and not really caring if her departure offended the older wolf. All she knew was that she did not want to mingle with any living thing, nor did she want anyone to think her crazy.

"I'm sure that since you understand Achak's actions, he'd understand yours...if you explain it to him." he proposed. She didn't face him, but responded by heading in Achak's direction. She knew relatively where his location was, just by sniffing the air and grasping his unforgettable scent.

It didn't take too long to find him since he didn't stray too far from his pack. He was perched on a small mound which was out in the open, observing his surroundings. The moon was slowly rising for the night. He turned his head to look at Kiona. Both of them seemed surprised, for somewhat different reasons. Achak was surprised that Kiona was approaching him and Kiona was a bit shaken when he looked at her. His stare made her go still. When he turned his head back to look forward, she slowly approached him with her tail somewhat curled between her legs.

Achak sighed. "You don't have to approach me so timidly. I know you've learned your lesson."

Kiona trotted beside him and sat. She stared at the moon peeking from over a mountain. Nothing could really be heard but the occasional howl of the wind and the breaths of the two canines. They would've been able to smell the trees above them, but they were completely consumed in the other's scent to notice. They tried not to let it be known that their scents were appealing to one another.

Achak and Kiona remained in silence for a few moments, merely enjoying their company, but not letting anyone be aware of it. Little did they know that as they sat in the silence, they were slowly remembering their interest in each other. Being quiet was driving them both secretly mad.

"I wanted to apologize for earlier," Kiona spoke. "I...really don't know what came over me. Not that any excuse will make a difference in my stupidity."

"Well...at least no one was hurt."

"But...you were hurt." she whispered, looking at him with her eyes that shown with shame in herself.

Achak looked up at his brow. He had completely forgotten that she did in fact draw blood, but his blood coagulated well and the bleeding ceased for the time being. He looked back at the hybrid, who almost looked so ridiculously contrite it was adorable. Even though she was a bit odd and violent, he couldn't help but smile at her to assure her that it was okay. "It's only a scratch."

Kiona looked away, a bit skeptical. "Yeah...but I could've hurt you as bad as Thomas...er, I mean, my...master." She remembered at the last second that he didn't seem to like humans too much. He stood up to leave and scoffed.

"Since you're not living with humans anymore, I'd prefer it if you didn't mention them at all in front of me." He started to walk. Kiona ran to his side.

"Could you at least tell me why?" she asked. "What do you have against humans? I mean, yes, there are bad men, but not all are--"

"They shot and killed my father in front of my very eyes," he replied sourly. "When they intended to kill me and the others." The hybrid blinked, although not in the least bit surprised such a terrible event occured before him. She knew that humans shot and killed wolves, and even dogs, and she couldn't really blame him for hating humans for killing his father. But it really was no excuse to hate them all.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to bring up such terrible memories. I don't know what I'd do without my dad."

"It's fine. You didn't know." Achak wanted to change the subject. He wanted to try and understand why Kiona acted the way she did, so he made a detour around the area where the pack was located. She didn't seem to notice, and if she did she pretended not to. "So...your dad must be pretty great."

"He is," she said. "It's been such a long time since I've seen him, I barely remember him anymore. But I don't remember hating him ever. He was very good to me, despite how I feared him at first." Kiona wasn't sure if this was a good way to go in a conversation with him, but she knew it was better than telling him how her father saved an entire town of humans from an illness.

"You feared your father? Why's that?"

"Well...I grew up in a society that feared wolves. And I guess you could say it brainwashed me, because I was scared of my dad, knowing that he was part wolf. I loved my family dearly, but I never really spent time with my dad. It didn't take me long to realize that being part wolf was as much a gift as it was a curse to me. Once I grew older I understood how this trait would complete me, and make me different from everyone else. I was proud of my heretage and still am."

"Now, when you say being part wolf is both a gift and a curse, what do you mean?

"I don't really know." she said, cocking her head to the side in thought. "It could be a gift because it makes me stronger. And I guess it could be a curse for the same reason, because I don't really know how to control my anger...Ever since I was little, I never knew how to."

Achak nodded. "I see." It was indeed alot clearer to him now. She was part wolf and part dog. The wild wolf in her would try to escape through her anger and the taste of blood would only compell it, which was understandable for her at the moment, seeing as she probably still hasn't eaten a good meal in a long time. Her hunger was probably driving her insane. Hunger could drive anyone to the brink of insanity, especially if it was along with the lack of sleep and--

"So, tell me about your father," Kiona said, interrupting Achak's thoughts.

"Oh. Um...not too much to tell, really," he said. He explained in a modest fashion how his father was the leader of the same pack Achak was currently leading, how he was a great leader and father to everyone, and how he was respected by all. Kiona tried convincing him that he was being modest about his father, but no matter how comfortable she was to talk to, Achak didn't feel like bragging. Deep down, the cub within him wanted to exclaim about how great his father was, but he didn't because they were practcally within the pack's grounds.

Achak proposed they went to sleep, and they did. Achak took an open spot for himself where the rest of the pack was sleeping. A few wolves were gone for keeping the night watch, but the others were sound asleep. The alpha lay on the ground and curled his long tail over his cold nose. He kept one eye open to keep an eye on Kiona and he watched her lay down to sleep as well. Once she did, he closed his eye and smiled to himself.

Kiona shifted her spot a little closer to Achak and whispered a word of gratitude to him, not really knowing if he got word or not. He didn't stir, but he heard.

---

The next morning, Achak was awakened by his mother. She seemed to be urgent. The sun was rising and Achak had barely any sleep whatsoever. He was exhausted from the previous day's events and he wanted to sleep until his heart desired, but duty called.

"Achak, wake up," Olathe whispered.

"What is it?" he asked, sitting up and trying not to yawn to show his tiredness.

"The scouts smell something peculiar in the air. Do you smell it?"

Achak stood quietly and took a long whiff of the air. He couldn't quite think of what the scent belonged to either, but he knew that they probably didn't want to encounter it. It seemed far enough away to wake everyone to evacuate the area in a calm fashion. He gave the order to Olathe and Kanook to wake the pack and lead them in the direction from whence the sun came while he gave his own orders to the scouts furthest from the vicinity. Kiona witnessed him leaving and desperately wanted to follow, but Takoda advised her not to.

The alpha ran as fast as he could to the young scout known as Faolan so receive any news. Achak approached the younger wolf and looked in the direction he was looking. Camped not too far away was a group of Achak's most hated creature. They looked like they were gathering their belongings and ready to leave the area. There were about three males altogether and one male dog.

"How long have they been here?" Achak asked in the quietest whisper managable.

"Since before last evening." Faolan replied. "I don't know where they're heading, but they keep changing their direction. They're hard to predict. I can't tell if they bring weapons, juding by their supplies."

Achak stared at the men intently, looking hard at what equipment they had with them, trying to pick out anything familiar like a gun or a bow, but everything looked packed away.

"We'll just have to head back and keep moving. If we track a herd of deer, they will probably find us, because there's no way three humans would dare take on anything bigger. We'll continue to follow the carribou close in the woods, then make our move for a kill later, until we're sure where these humans are headed." He padded on the outskirts of the human's camp towards the east where the pack was headed, careful not to let the dog hear them. Faolan followed close behind. "You can follow me back as far as you like, but I want you to gather one other scout and keep an eye on them. Stay close. Stay hidden."

"Yes, sir," the young scout replied. He followed his leader a few more yards, but then headed away to find a partner to keep watch with.

Achak made it to his pack and was welcomed by relieved friends and family. They gathered around and playfully licked and nuzzled him, wagging their tails, lolling their tongues, and smiling. They reminded Kiona of her family back when she was a pup and wanted to join in the affection, but Achak, unfortunately, stopped the play to tell them the news on the strange scent, which belonged to the humans camp. He told them that they were going to follow the carribou until further notice and that excited Kiona just the same. She was just happy to get another chance at a meal.

As the alphsa passed Kiona, she watched him and followed him close behind like a gosling with its mother. The others pursued him as well and didn't think anything of it, but Kiona couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed doing it. She hadn't realized until he left that there was something very homely about him. When he separated from the pack, she wanted to tavel along with him like she was presently, but was forced to stay behind. Takoda and Ayashi assurred her that he would be back, but even that didn't ease her concern. Achak's return made Kiona happy, but for some reason she was sad that she couldn't nuzzle him like everyone else got to. She figured that it was probably because talking to him and just being around him made her feel soothing and she wanted more of that feeling.

The wolves came upon the carribou herd sooner than expected because they were all situated in a fixed spot out in the open, unmoving. They were confused as to why the herd was not traveling as planned and a few wolves began to get skittish and look about, back and fourth from their surroundings to their leader. Achak watched the herd, not really knowing what to do right away. He was trying to think, but all of the constant wimpering over hunger and being caught by the humans were delaying his conclusions as to what needed to be done.

The gluttonous wolf from before was whining in Achak's ear about killing one of the calves nearby and would not stop. Kiona was getting angry that he was not letting him think and Achak was beginning to feel the same way.

"Look, Achak! Over there! The calf is standing right there, unaware of us! We can get it no problem!"

"Shiro," Achak started. "I'm trying to think--"

"Please, Achak! I'm so hungry--"

"Just shut up!" Kiona snarled. Shiro glared at her. "Let him think!"

"You have no right to--"

"Calm yourself, Shiro." Achak growled, trying to silence him.

"Well, she--"

"Just c--"

Achak was trying to quiet Shiro without giving them all away, but just as soon as he was about to silence the glutton with a snarl, Kiona beat him to it. She snarled at him, trying to control herself not to bite him to provoke him to fight, and he only silenced himself when Achak glared at him at the same time. Kiona then turned to Achak with an annoyed look on her face.

"You are way too nice," she snorted.

Achak blinked, a bit surprised at her attitude towards him. "And where did this attitude come from?"

"That argument could've been saved if you would've just punished him in the first place," she said quietly, but angrily.

"There's no need to--"

"No. You need to start putting your paw down quicker."

"You don't--"

Kiona was not going to let him speak anymore. "If you're not going to come to a decision in two seconds, I'm taking matters myself."

Achak sighed. She was right, there was no need for the argument to last as long as it did, but he was not going to let it bother him. This was only one of if not the first time he was overwhelmed by all of the noise of others. His pack was trusting him to come to a decision and he was not going to let them down.

Kiona's hunger made her extremely impatient and while Achak was thinking, it was obviously too long for her to wait for him to speak. The bawl of the calf nearby drew her attention quick and she ran after it, intending to kill it, but others thought she was merely trying to move the herd along. They did not follow, but Achak did until he reached the very ends of the trees where he lost her. He heard Faolan call from the distance, thanking goodness that he was able to find them.

"Kiona! Come back!" It was then when he realized deep down why he couldn't make the decision to press forward. Instinct told him the humans were around and were waiting for them to come out into the open. He knew that when he watched Kiona run out and the shine of a gun in the close distance caught his eye. His eyes widened and he ordered everyone to stay put as he ran into the open after the hybrid. She was still chasing the calf, but when the gun shot her body flew from the force of her sprint and fell to the ground.

"No!" Achak thought as he neared her. Humans could not have taken someone else from him again! Before he reached Kiona's body, movement caught his eye. It was the dog that belonged to the humans. The dog was running towards Achak in a vicious frenzy. The wolf didn't have time for such useless matters, so he ran towards the dog and bit it's neck, not to kill it, but to frighten it away. The dog ran away, and Achak went to Kiona's aid as fast as he could. She was getting up slowly, and Achak pushed her to go quickly, which she did. There were a few more gunshots before the two ran into the woods and kept running; the pack trailed close behind them. They ran far away as fast as they could until Achak felt they were safe.

As soon as they slowed down, Kiona collapsed in the snow. A few wolves gasped seeing her fall and Achak went straight to her side. He couldn't tell if she was bleeding through her red fur, but he didn't smell any blood, so she could not have been shot. She must have just collapsed from exhaustion and lack of food.

He sighed, relieved that she had not been shot. He turned to Kanook and asked him to keep the pack settled until he returned. He asked Ayashi to tend to Kiona to make sure she was ok. Achak ran into the woods to find some food for Kiona, which she needed desperately. She would only be able to last so long without food and she already went a few days as is. He sniffed the area for a few moments until he tracked the scent of a hare. He followed it carefully until he found the animal and chased it. The rabbit almost made it completely into its burrow, but Achak manages to snag it by the leg and kill it. Like most wolves he felt no shame in killing, especially if it was to aid another. Achak ran back to his pack and dropped the rabbit in front of Kiona in hopes that she'd eat.

He asked his sister if she stirred at all while he was hunting, and Ayashi said she did, wanting to accompany him, but she couldn't. He couldn't help but smile inwardly at that, but the loud tearing of flesh, fortunately for him, distracted his thoughts. Kiona was awake and eating the hare, hungrier than ever. It was then when Kanook approached Achak and wished to speak with him privately.

"What is it, Uncle?" Achak asked.

"Dartanion had some news for us," he stated, feeling rather concerned about the situation.

"You mean besides the humans' location?"

Kanook rolled his eyes at his nephew's failed attempt at a joke and smirked. "Yes, besides that. He didn't want to burden you with more trouble, but we both knew it was best if we told you right away." Achak listened, knowing that this must have been important. "Kita's whereabouts are known. Seems she's joined a neighboring pack."

"Oh...really. Well, that's good for her, then," Achak replied, a bit confused at the "urgent" news presented to him. He did wonder where she had gone, but fortunately ot unfortunately she was the least of his worries.

Kanook continued. "Does the name Nayati sound familiar to you?"

The alpha blinked at the name. He remembered it all too well. When he was young he fought with a wolf named Nayati, who wanted to do harm unto him and his siblings. Back then Achak did not take it and managed to fight him off, but now his name returned to him for a reason. He nodded in response.

"Well, Kita joined his pack. It seems now he's the leader of the neighboring pack."

"Hmm...and what was the news you had for me that you had to tell me 'right away'?"

"Nayati killed Faolan, the scout Dartanion was partnered with." Achak growled in utter rage. Why would he do such a terrible thing?! Kanook continued. "The two were ambushed by him and a few other wolves including Kita, which was why Dartanion was late returning to us with the news on the humans." The older wolf took a deep breath. "He said he's planning on taking your territory and your pack by killing you."