The Three Kingdoms [under edit]

Caper

     Caper paused momentarily to sniff the cold night air, and a single scent filled his mind.  Food.  He gave a silent growl of approval as he padded forth into the darkness in search of his next meal.  Food was unusually scarce, and he felt a pang of guilt hunting for himself rather than for the pack, but he couldn't deny the stabs of hunger.  He had thought briefly of asking Galvin for aid, but somehow, it just didn't feel right. 

     A movement up ahead jarred his thoughts.  He shot forward with silence and stealth that would have made the shadows jealous.  Caper stalked his prey through the dark until it came to a stop at the edge of a pond.  He paused ready to strike.

"Nice hunting."  The deer at the edge of the pond fled. 

"If I wasn't related to you, I'd eat you instead." Caper growled as he turned around.

"You were planning on bringing that deer back, right?"  The other wolf stepped into the moonlight clearing and steadily gazed into the eyes of his superior.

"Does it matter?" Caper snapped back.

"Yes, it does! We're all hungry, and we are all family.  We voted you leader with the understanding that you would protect and care for us."

"You are more than old enough to care for yourself Caden."

"So you're kicking me out of the family now?"

"Leave."

Caden neared his superior poising to strike.  Caper did the same...both had the intent to kill.  Then they leapt at each other.

"ENOUGH!"

Both males stopped and eyed the newcomer.  She stepped into the clearing and glowered at them both.

" 'Ello Sage." Caper muttered cooly.

"Hello yourself.  The kingdoms are in enough conflict.  Which means we certainly don't need you two making it any worse."She turned her attention to Caden and began to slowly walk circles around him.

"I would expect more from my mate." she snarled.  Then she looked at Caper.  "I would also expect more from the leader of our pack, and my own brother."

The two of them softly muttered their apologies before turning back into the woods on the trail of food.

"There is a small flock of wild goats beyond the village." She told them.  "I have already sent a few others."

The two wolves eagerly encircled the flock.  Caper crouched low and began to initiate the attack.  Years of battle experience and decades of hunting experience made him a formidable foe.  He ruled the forests, nature bent to his will.  He moved in on the prey and the others followed suit.  Then he lunged.  Nothing could have prepared him for what happened next.  Caper made his way through the air only to be hit from the side and sent flying into the tree.

"The hunt is mine" the other growled.

Caper got up and leapt at his attacker, forcing the other wolf into submission.  The rest of the pack closed in to observe.

"It seems you all need a refresher." Caper stated.  "Two times I have witnessed an attempted mutiny."  Caper looked at the rest of his pack.  "Don't you forget who I am, I am your superior."

It was at that instant that the two wolves flew at each other and began to fight viscously.  It was a rule in a duel that no one else is to interfere, but Caper was faring badly.  His front paw was broken within moments of the battle and he was losing.  Caden, seeking to redeem himself stepped in and managed to subdue the other in a few short moments.  Everyone looked on as Caper limped over to the wolf.

"I would kill you now, but I am giving you one more chance at life because I think it is the right thing to do.  Don't disappoint me."

The other wolf slinked back into the line of spectators.

"I am giving the hunt over to Caden, once again, don't disappoint me."