Hunted

Yellow-eyed Alpha

Dakota froze and looked outside Hawk's Territory.

"What is it?" Night asked worried and stared in the same direction.

"The dismissed members... they're returning." Dakota said.

Kahuna must be challenging Hawk's dominance. If he wins he must plan to join the packs back together. "Should we warn Hawk?" Night held her breath.

"Although I'd rather him be overthrown, as patrol we almost have to warn him." Dakota said.

Dakota turned and sprinted towards the Alpha's Den with Night following.

"Alpha Hawk!" Dakota called urgently as they dashed up the hill.

They abruptly stopped and waited outside the den. Beta Aspen urgently ran to them. They all paused and watched as Hawk sluggishly came out of the den, stretched, and yawned. Does he not understand what an emergency is? He can be extremely frustrating!

"The dismissed wolves are returning." Dakota spit out the words quickly.

"They aren't just returning." Night interrupted Hawk before he could reply, "They have with them an Alpha, Alpha Kahuna to be exact. I think he's going to challenge your dominance."

Bright yellow flashed through Hawk's eyes, he laughed, "Kahuna? They chose Kahuna? That wimp can't hold his spot against Ari!"

They all froze as Kahuna's howl rung through the air. Hawk returned a howl, loudly and almost excitedly.

Here it goes. One of them is going to die, there is no way this is going to end without major bloodshed.

                                                        ***

The packs made a large circle for the battleground of the alphas. There seemed to be a few howls of encouragement from Kahuna's Pack, but as for Hawk's, you could hear the birds fly.

The wolves circled, begining the battle. They walked quietly on their feet. Hawk's burning yellow eyes stared into Kahuna's calmer ones, neither dared to glance away from the other. Hawk snarled, saliva exuding from his lower jaw. Kahuna barked and growled back at him. Kahuna had a half worried look, but their also was a confidence in his posture. They circled once more, then Hawk leaped at Kahuna and knocked him straight into Ari, who nipped at his haunches.

They both laughed loudly, exposing their fangs, "Alright, for real this time."

Hawk thinks it's a big game. Why isn't he afraid? Kahuna seems to be a fair opponent. Something isn't right..

They circled again, this time more quickly and not as quietly. Kahuna seemed to be enraged by Hawk when he had toyed with him. His hackles were raised, almost doubling his size, and muscles tense. His worried look completely vanished. Kahuna growled and Hawk returned it with another growl. Kahuna charged. They met claws to claws. Kahuna seemed to be doing most of the offense. Hawk dodged most of his attacks. Suddenly, Hawk countered and knocked Kahuna off his feet.

Kahuna was panting heavily as he rose back up. Hawk is wearing him out. Nothing seems to be really tiring Kahuna though, he's staying with it. No matter how tired Kahuna looked, the battle seemed to lean in his favor.

They circled once more. Kahuna continued to pant, but Hawk seemed to be suffering from a few wounds Kahuna did manage to blow. Kahuna leaped at Hawk, but Hawk turned and swept Kahuna back to the ground. Hawk pounced on top of him. This is the Hawk I know, he usually isn't so patient in a battle. Hawk bit Kahuna's neck, his jaws wrapped tightly around Kahuna's neck. Kahuna whimpered and raked Hawk's belly with his back feet. Hawk howled and immediately sprung off Kahuna.

Night winced. Youch, the belly is probably the weakest spot for a wolf. Although, neck has to be a close second.

Both Kahuna's neck wound and Hawk's belly wound dripped blood. Hawk slightly winced with every movement of his back legs. Kahuna slowly approached Hawk. Hawk grinned eerily. His grin sends shivers down my spine.

"Will you give me your rank as Alpha?" Kahuna asked aggressively.

"The only way you'll ever get this spot is if you kill the one who has it." Hawk laughed loudly and menacingly.

Kahuna sprinted towards Hawk and knocked him to the ground. Hawk winced and curled around his exposed belly. Kahuna casually approached him and wrapped his jaws around Hawk's neck.

"Do it. Kill me." Hawk muttered.

Kahuna sighed through his nose then released his grip. He turned to walk away from the battleground, "I'm not the wolf you are Hawk."

Hawk sprung to all fours but whined most likely from the pain of his wounds and sat down, "You're a wimp! You'll never rank like that! If you don't kill someone, someone will kill you!"

Even though Kahuna could have easily won, Night had a deep respect for the wolf.
Hawk laughed obnoxiously, "COME BACK HERE AND KILL ME YOU-"

Beta Aspen pounced on Hawk and locked his jaws around his neck. Hawk's eyes shined a bright yellow, but of fear. Aspen bit down harder, until Hawk's chest no longer rose and fell and the bright eyes were covered by brown eyelids.

Kahuna froze in his tracks and turned around to see why it had become so quiet. I don't know what to say, sure we all disliked Hawk, but was this a right way for him to die?

Hera approached Beta Aspen. Although her mate being dead, there was no trace of sadness in her.

"I will admit something to the pack. I have been trying to take Hawk's spot without killing him." Hera sighed.

That explains the wound on his neck when I firstcame and the gash on his hip this winter.

Hera continued, "His power drove him insane. He was not the same wolf I agreed to become Alpha with. I think this was best for him. He was just hurting wolves staying Alpha. The only problem we have now is: is Aspen alpha, or Kahuna?"

Kahuna stood to the left of Hera and Aspen to the right. The crowd eyed each one, some wolves just stared at the ground. Does Kahuna even want to be Alpha? Aspen seemed to be trying to take Hawk's place since I got here.

Everyone stood awkwardly, no one knowing what to do.

Night wagged her tail and approached the three, "Kahuna, although I think, no I know, you would make a great Alpha. I believe in this situation,Aspen should take the spot as Alpha."

Both Kahuna and Aspen wagged their tails at Night.

"Does anyone disagree?" Hera asked the wolves.

Nadia took a step forward but then stepped back. Whisper shoved her way out of the group of, practically fully grown, pups.

"How do we know we can trust you? Although I trust my mother's judgement, you did just kill Hawk in your own bloodthirsty way; doesn't that make you as bad as him?" Whisper spoke quietly but strongly.

Kahuna walked to Whisper and licked her snout, "If we weren't pack animals, we wouldn't trust anyone."

Whisper looked to Kahuna like a father and nuzzled him. Eclipse used to say that...

"Does anyone disagree with letting Night take my place as Beta?" Alpha Aspen winked at Night.

Night wagged her tail greatfully, Claw barked his happiness to her.

Finally, after going through so much it seems everything is turning back around.