"I'm sorry, Dante. Hunting bears is something my family has always done on their own. No outsiders allowed, not even mates." The purr accompanying Cassum's words has always managed to charm the pants off any he-wolf, though Dante seems unimpressed.

I roll my eyes. What in the Moon Goddess does she see in this pup? And why does she even bother to pretend that she cares about his opinion? It's so not like her.

When a strong whiff of testosterone drifts my way, my body stiffens. If Dante is stupid enough to go off on her, I'm ready to intervene.

He huffs. "I don't understand how you can even consider going hunting. That's a male's job."

Everest snorts, which triggers Kenna to giggle.

Dante tosses my younger sisters a dark look and focuses back on Cassum. "You should stay here and watch Allo."

Cassum's smile is sweet. "I'm sure my mom has that covered."

That goes without saying. Ever since Mother took one look at the pup, she's been smothering him with kisses and cuddles. To tear him from her grip to even attend her own claiming ceremony will be a challenge.

"Still, I don't want you to go." Dante's lips twist to a stubborn line.

"C'mon, Dante, don't be like this. I've gone bear hunting with my dad and Kendrick since I could shift. It's something special." She gets on her tiptoes and pecks his cheek. "And I promise, I'll make it up to you tonight."

This time, Everest and Kenna join my eyeroll. It's sickening how she fawns over him.

Dante grumbles something under his breath but shuts up when he meets my glare. His parents must have warned him not to mess with me since he looks away without the hint of a challenge.

"You got this, Nicollo?"

My number two nods but not before I catch a menacing you-owe-me-big-time-for-this stare. "Dante is free to join me and the other hunters. Later, I'll give him a little tour of the territory."

A very limited tour that won't give him or his pack any strategic advantages if they ever decide to attack. Keeping an eye on Dante in one way or another is my priority until I've figured out Cassum's plan. At the moment, he's nothing more than an Alpha born pissing on my turf. My wolf growls low in my chest; he doesn't like him and wouldn't mind demonstrating his power.

Without giving Dante another chance to complain, Cassum shifts and leaps into the woods. I wait for Cedar, Everest, and Kenna before I follow them with one jump. We chase along the path with Cassum and I in the lead and Cedar flanked by Everest and Kenna right on our tales. My brother Zyron isn't expected until tonight and it's the first time that the females outnumber the males in a hunt. Add that it's Kenna's first bear chase and our mother made it very clear that I'm to return my younger siblings in one piece.

Noses pressed to the ground, Cassum is the first to pick up the she-bear's scent. As we get closer, I slow my siblings down. Stretching back into my skins, I signal the others to follow my lead. We huddle around a rock in the thick underbrush. It feels odd being the one in charge. The last time I went bear hunting was years ago—when my dad was still alive. It was the month before my brother Loyal called for Trials. Back then, I never imagined that my whole life would be flipped upside down in a matter of weeks. The Trials left me with my muzzle stained from my family's blood and the responsibility to lead hundreds of wolves that rested on shoulders barely broad enough to call me grown.

"Okay, let's make sure she's alone before we attack." The last thing I need is for her companion to ambush us or to leave an innocent cub to starve during the upcoming winter. "Then we will jump her from four sides. Everest and Cedar, you'll go in low. Cassum and I will take her from the top. Kenna, you'll stay back and observe."

Kenna's nose wrinkles. "No way. I want a piece of the action."

"We all observed the first time."

"Hell, Kendrick, I've almost finished my training. I should be able to go in like the rest."

I snap my teeth to rein her in. "No discussion."

She isn't one to give up; at times, I doubt she even has ears since she never listens. Plus she loves to argue almost as much as Cassum. "It's mother, isn't it?" Chin raised, she flashes me a perfect set of fangs. "She told you to bench me."

"As Alpha, I'm responsible for an inexperienced hunter."

"Excuse me, but I'm no rookie. I've hunted all kinds of wildlife for two years."

"But it's your first bear."

Cassum snarls. "Guys, don't argue. How about I team up with Kenna? I promise I'll watch her."

I arch my brows. "Are you serious?"

"Kenna can hold her own. You worry too much."

My smile is crooked. She isn't the one who'll have to explain to our mother why her baby got scratches all over her. "Okay, Kenna can team up with me as long she stays attached to my hip."

My sisters lock eyes before Kenna nods. She must know it's the best she'll get on this run.

We shift back into our wild and approach the bear with caution. Sniffing the air, I don't catch the slightest hint of a companion or cub. I peek through the bushes and catch a closer look of the prey. It's a younger grizzly, too small to mate or reproduce. Maybe two hundred and fifty pounds at best. Her nose is nuzzled in the soft ground by a stream licking at her feet. The long, dark brown guard hair on her distinctive shoulder hump have the white tips to allow for the grizzled appearance that gave the breed its name. A masterpiece of nature that can only be taken down by a group of hunting wolves. Otherwise, grizzly bears are too high up the food chain.

Crouching low, I flex my muscles for the imminent attack. Adrenaline flushes my bloodstream. Kenna trembles next to me, a ball of energy with just a slight dosage of fear bursting out of her. A low growl cuts the air to my right. Cassum is ready to dig her teeth into some flesh.

With a few fast strides, I reach my prey. Five wolves fly at her at the same time. As my teeth slice into her shoulder, her blood stings warm on my tongue. Growling, she rises, shaking her strong head from left to right with another rumble. I manage to hold on, but Cassum and Kenna are tossed off, just to attack again without losing a beat.

Roaring up in a fight for her life, the bear swings her paws. One of her long claws rips into my flank. My jaw locks over the pain, even if I doubt I can hold on much longer. Blood pounds in my ears; the early morning air glimmers as the surrounding world dips into a surreal light. Just as I'm about to let go of my loot, the bear goes down. Cassum rolls out of her way at the last second before her heavy body can crush her.

We take turns slicing into the bear's tendons to render her immobile. Her teeth still snap, her claws cutting through the air. Even though I hate to see another animal suffer, I'm unable to go for the kill bite. Her paws can still deliver a fatal blow. My teeth tear flesh out of her shoulders until her jerking body stills. Both Cassum and I step back to allow Kenna to make the kill. When blood drops off her snout, pride overcomes me. She will make an excellent hunter and fighter; as all the Alpha borns in my family, I'll expect great things from her.

Stretching back into our skins, we clean our wounds in the cold stream. The deep slash in my thigh hurts like hell, but I put on a brave front. My siblings favor different parts of their bodies; it will be sleeping in our wolf form tonight to fully heal without scars. Kenna's cheek is torn up, yet her sparkling eyes make up for it. She's still high on the kill. Everyone in the pack will know they are feasting off her efforts. I'll make sure that.

When I'm frozen to the bone, I emerge from the water. "Get the bear ready for transport. Cassum and I will take a quick run in the woods."

None of my siblings object and Cedar takes the lead as oldest in my stead. Shifting, I cross through the stream and jump into the underbrush. After a short chase, the pain in my leg proves too much. I stretch back into my skins and get comfortable in the deep grass of a clearing. The warm sun is like a caress on my bruised skin. Cassum plops next to me, pulling her legs underneath her. It's just us, the soft morning breeze, and a screeching eagle diving down from a polished blue sky. The perfect time for a heart to heart.

"Mother wants you to return to the pack."

Cassum huffs as if the idea is preposterous. "I know. She told me."

"And? Are you considering it?"

"No."

"Why not? You know I won't stand in your way."

She regards me with liquid amber eyes that can't hide the pain that things will never be the way they used to be. During the Trials, blood of hate, despair, and envy were spilled that caused a rift between us. "Even if I wanted to, I can't come back." She lifts her long hair, exposing a rather crude tattoo on her neck. "I joined their pack."

I sit up. "Hell, Cassum. Why would you ever join them?"

"I'm surprised you still don't get it."

Whatever her plan is, giving up her family comes at too high of a price. "Don't tell me you want to be their Luna."

Her velvety chuckle cuts the air like a dagger. "If I wanted to be Luna, I could've stayed here. Knowing you, you might never find your true mate."

"Then what do you want?"

"I searched for that pack for a good few years, watched them, biding my time for the right opportunity. Two young Alpha borns, both hot heads, easy to beat for someone who has already reached their prime. No other contender that could get in my way. All I needed was to be admitted to their pack, and giving them an Alpha heir was an easy ticket in."

A smile curls my lips. "You are going to call for Trials."

"As a member of their pack, it's my right as an Alpha descendant."

"When?"

She chuckles. Her fingers part the grass as if trying to chop it off. "Soon. I just have to make sure I can beat the Alpha because I doubt he'll just step down once I kill his precious sons."

"His eyes were full of wisdom."

"I agree, and that's why you have to train me. After Mom's claiming ceremony, we have to find a way to get rid of Dante. I'll stay until the heat at the end of January. That should give us enough time."

That's almost five months; with the thrives she made over the last years, she should be ready.

"Why did you even bring Dante?"

"They might've gotten suspicious. Besides, that pack wouldn't allow a female to travel alone. They are stuck sometime in the last century and don't believe a she-wolf can think for herself."

"Sounds dreadful."

"Oh, it is, and exhausting." She snorts. "Imagine me all timid and submissive."

A laughter bubbles up, sending raging pain through my broken ribcage. I exhale through gritted teeth until breathing becomes easier again. "Hell, I don't even want to imagine what that's like." Although come to think of it, an agreeable Cassum might make for a nice change. "And I'm glad you told me. I already thought you lost your mind, being with a wolf like Dante."

"It was either him or his brother Jos, and quite frankly, I wasn't sure they would accept Jos's heir the way they did Dante's. Jos isn't the Luna's son. I wasn't going to take any chances—even if Dante had a mate."

That reminds me that I need to check on Raelyn. Since Cassum's return, I haven't been up to the healer's cabin to see her. "We should get back."

"Kendrick, what I told you has to stay between us."

Obviously. I raise my small finger for the pinkie promise. "My lips are sealed."

"I mean it. Not a word to anyone, even Nicollo. And especially not to Mom."

"As long as I can be there to watch you tear out the throat of that arrogant jerk, your secret is safe."

Her finger intertwines with mine. "Deal."

"And I get to piss on his head." After he didn't protect Raelyn when she needed him the most, he deserves this ultimate sign of disrespect.

She smirks. "As long as I get to be the Alpha of the Scopan Lake pack, you can even eat his heart."

~~~~

© Sally Mason 2018

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