Dire Reach: Outer Exile

Chapter 18

It is mid-day yet again in the camp, the black Alpha sat with his mate. However he barely could keep his head up, his eyes showed signs of tiredness as he tried to have a conversation with his love.

"Roark, you had another night terror last night. I'm starting to get worried. They are happening more frequently." Hailia told Roark as he almost drifted off again before being nudged by the cream she-wolf.

"W-W-what, I'm perfectly fine, I slept like a newborn pup," Roark said trying to convince Hailia but she wasn't buying it. The conversation would have continued if not for Ullok showing up and standing in front of the two.

"Alpha, all the patrols have returned and some are still anxious to look for our missing packmate," Ullok spoke as Roark looked at him.

"Well, maybe you can gather a small search party and go look for Kan-"

Just like magic, the young tawny wolf began walking through the camp entrance. A fire in his eyes as he stopped in the center of their encampment.

"Kantu! You are back, I'm so happy you are safe." Oros cried as she sprinted at him only for him to nudge her off slightly.

"Roark, it's time that you be put in your place...I challenge you for the leadership of the Twilight Dawn!" he barked as the camp gasped in surprise, Oros looked at him before rushing over to him quickly.

"What are you doing brother? This is crazy, stop this mutiny right now." Oros demanded a hint of anger and shock in her voice.

"Move out of the way sister, I am going to put an end to this killer once and for all." Kantu boasted confidently as he stood in front of Roark as he rose to meet him.

"I know exactly what you did, you plotted with Hailia and your kin to kill my father, take his place, and lead us all into destruction." Kantu declared while the pack remained silent.

"You wanted my father's power after he saved the pack from doom, and now that he's done that you've killed him off and pretended like nothing ever happened." Kantu spat in rage.

"Kantu this is nonsense, I am not going to fight you. You aren't even old enough to challenge my rank as Alpha. Stop this and head into my Den so we can talk about this." Roark said trying to calm down the situation but Kantu wasn't budging. A few moments later Roark nose wrinkled and a growl rose in his throat as he picked up multiple scents heading for the camp.

"What have you done Kantu! You ignorant pup!" Roark howled as stranger wolves began appearing in the camp to stand behind Kantu. Teeth bared and tensions high the Twilight Dawn sprang into action stopping only in a thin line in front of the intruders. By the time they formed up the rogue wolves and pack wolves were already snapping at each other from their lines.

"You will accept this challenge or there will be a battle this day! I won't let you try to coward your way out of this. My father's honor is at stake and I won't let it be tarnished." Kantu said as he stood in front of his line of wolves.

In the distance, Waru and Narrock's pups could be heard yelling and crying only for Hailia to walk over and comfort them while they're parents stood in the line. With that sight, Roark's growl boomed across the quiet clearing.

With breakneck speed the black Alpha launches himself at Kantu, only stopping an inch from his face. The young wolf flinches in surprise but holds his ground and looks Roark in the eyes. The Twilight Dawn and The Stranger Wolves began forming a large circle as the challenge has been accepted. Roark backs up a little and so did Kantu.

"I'm giving you one last chance Kantu, drop this petty little theory of yours and come back to the pack." Roark threatened as he stared into the wolf's eyes. Kantu only lets out a huff of frustration and soon the two fighters began circling each other.