Wolf Ring Alpha (Wolves of Canada)(Hiatus)

Pack

I listened intently to his plan. All we needed was more wolves. I thought.

The Opar litter. They hated this place more than most, and they were some of the strongest. None of that litter had perished yet, and they were getting into their fourth year. Then there was all of Blade's pups. Their father had been a Changer, like me, and they wanted out. Several of them were like me. Changers.

And I could call to mind at least fifty others who would want out of this cursed place, even if they didn't know what the outside world was like.

"Tyrone," I said. "Go ask any wolves you can if they would come speak to me should they be interested in breaking out." He bowed his head.

"Aye, Alpha." I twitched, but did not reprimand him. I had to be an Alpha to pull this off. I had to be an Alpha even though I could not Command any wolf. He scrambled off like an eager puppy, and began chatting to some females. They cast skeptical glances at me, but eventually padded over to me, bowed their heads and settled down in front of me. I nodded in acknowledgement. They dipped their heads respectfully.

Wolves began to flock over in droves and settle in front of me. Lupus, there were more than I expected. I examined each and every one, recalling every rumor about their fights and strengths. Surprisingly, there was a huge amount of males. Most females hung back, but the males came forwards unhesitatingly, teeth bared and eyes determined. Ones from other Pens came through the connecting tunnels.

Good. I would need all of them. Some would die, but the ones that would survive and make it out were the best. Any less than the best was useless. It would give the rest of us a bad name. Make us weak.

Soon, however, all the females followed their Chosen mates, pups trailing behind them, too nervous to approach me. To go near the Black Death. I almost barked with laughter at the sight. I never killed pups. I never even touched them. Their mothers kept them away from me, with tales of gruesome murders and a cold heart. Who knew. Perhaps that was really how I seemed. Said mothers sat at the back, eyeing me and scolding their pups at the same time, warily.

I began grooming myself, enjoying the rasp of my tongue on my fur. Tyrone flopped down on a spot slightly lower than mine, keeping his head down below mine. I nudged him behind the ear and he shuffled over a little. Good. Now I had enough room should I decide to emphasize things.

I stood up. "You all know who I am." I began, lifting my head high. "My name is Gabela. Or, if you prefer, the Black Death, a Finisher. But I don't want to stay in this place any longer. An opening has been spotted, and I'm going to take it." I made eye contact with a male in front, and proceeded to do so with every wolf-even the pups. So they could see that I was serious.

"So I'm leaving," I continued. "I'm breaking out. And I need wolves to come with me. There will be some who die, and some who never make it out, but I am willing to personally take that risk. I just want to get out." I paused, and chatter broke out among the females. I knew why they were concerned.

"Each wolf who comes will carry a pup, whether you are its father or mother or not." I swelled to a larger size-well, as large as I could go- and puffed up my fur. Several wolves recoiled in fear. "And if you carry a pup, they are your priority. You have lived here most of your lives. Some of you have even been born here, like me. You could stay here, and die, because this is all you've known. But they deserve a chance to live." I lowered my fur, and returned to my normal size.

"So, who's coming?" I ask quietly. "If you are, speak now." The wolves instantly began talking. A male stood up. He was brownish and quite big-bigger than me, that was for sure. Likely a Changer. Of course, I happened to be a small wolf Changer, and he was giant.

"I am," he rumbled. He was missing an eye, and the empty socket disturbed me. His other eye was amber, and filled with determination. "I'm coming too, Alpha." Then he lowered his head. To cover up my astonishment (I hadn't actually expected anywolf to want to follow me, een if I was getting out of here) I licked him between the ears, accepting his deference, and he went to stand behind me.

"Me too."

"Me as well!"

"Of course, Alpha." The wolves stepped forwards one-by-one, and each one submitted, then moving to take a place behind me. The females hung back. A pup tottered forwards-one that couldn't have been older than a couple moons. I regarded him with a cocked head. He stopped in front of me, tumbling over his own paws to land between mine.

"I'm coming too!" he yelped. "Please, Alpha!" I licked him between the ears. "Of course," I said. "We need all the brave wolves we can get." He waddled proudly to stand beside his sire, a grumpy-looking Arctic/Timber wolf crossbreed. Non-Changer. His siblings followed, mewling pleadingly, followed by the rest of the pups.

The mothers followed reluctantly. In ten minutes, I was an Alpha of a pack of a few dozen. I smiled and turned around to face them. "When they take you back to your cages, tell everyone. We need as big a pack as possible to get out and establish a territory. Tell them that if they are interested to go to Pen 12 on the full moon." They bowed, and dispersed, going to their separate spots to chat and talk about me behind my back. I laid back down.

Tyrone edged closer. "That was amazing, Alpha." I blinked.

"You think so?" He nodded eagerly.

"Of course! You are suited to become an Alpha, even though you don't have a Command." I stood up, wincing as my muscles protested. It seems I needed to exercise more. I couldn't afford a muscle seizure during the escape.

"I'm going for a run," I said. "Are you coming?" His face lit up and he gave me a doggy grin.

"Of course, Alpha!" I might make a Beta out of him after all.

It's Tyrone's wolf form this time!