Fall of the Packs: Void

Chapter Sixteen

Desert was beginning to really hate the sight of the meadow. She wondered if Colt was punishing her in some way by always sending her on patrols over here, although for what she couldn't guess. His leadership hadn't really improved anything, in her opinion. Winter had dragged on and it had been just as tight as it had ever been. No one was starving, thankfully, but they were still fighting. It was a normal winter with a war thrown in. Which only made everything worse.

Gannon and Jas were both with her, because they had volunteered. Desert couldn't tell if it was just because they were hard-working defenders or if it was because they wanted to pick a fight with Wind Pack. She wouldn't allow that if she could help it.

"Wind Pack hasn't been pushing as hard in this area," Gannon said, appearing to be thinking out loud. "They've started focusing their efforts on the south side instead. We should really start increasing our patrols over there."

"Are you going to tell our alpha that?" Jas asked. "I don't think he appreciates unsolicited suggestions."

"He should if they're good suggestions," Gannon said. "We have to think ahead of the Wind-dogs if we want to keep a solid hold on this territory."

"You're turning into a regular alpha yourself," Desert cut in to the conversation, looking up from the patch of gorse she was sniffing. "Your father would be proud."

Gannon's eyes flickered. "I know."

Jas's ears suddenly pricked up and she turned sharply. She probably had the best hearing in the whole pack. "There's a Wind-dog coming," she said in a low voice.

Both Desert and Gannon also turned to face the east, watching the dark form of a dog come closer through the grass. "Just one," Gannon said. "Not an attack patrol, probably."

"Then don't attack it," Desert said with a trace of a growl. "Remember I'm in charge here."

Her niece and nephew said nothing and the dog continued to draw closer. With some surprise, Desert realized that it was Gabriel. His eyes were somewhat wary but he kept his tail low. "I saw you were here," he called. "Can we speak, peacefully?"

Desert heard a growl rumbling in Gannon's throat and Jas curled her lip, but she gave them both a warning glance. "That depends," she called back to the Kelpie. "What are we speaking about?"

"What else?" Gabriel asked, coming to a halt a few feet from where the Dobermans were standing. "Not about the weather, certainly."

"Don't you think we're long past talking, Wind-dog?" Gannon snapped.

"Gannon," Desert growled. "Let me handle this." She looked back at Gabriel. "He does have a point. We've already lost two packmates to you. Most dogs don't feel like talking."

"But you aren't most dogs, aren't you?" Gabriel asked, looking at her intently. "I've seen and heard about your behavior during this conflict. I believed you would be willing to listen. Was I wrong?"

Desert hesitated. She glanced back at Gannon and Jas, who were both still glaring daggers at the alpha. She sighed and slowly nodded. "I'll listen. Neither of you move until I say so," she added in a low voice to the two of them.

"Thank you." Gabriel dipped his head to her as she stepped closer. "Now, am I correct in assuming you don't want this war?"

"All I want is for my packmates to be safe," Desert answered after a brief pause. "And I've never believed that fighting you was the best way to do that."

Gabriel nodded slowly. "I'm... glad to hear that. I suppose, then, my question is... do you think peace is an option?"

Before Desert could answer, Gannon interrupted. "It's not," he said, his voice hard as flint. "Peace died when my father did."

Gabriel inhaled a deep breath. "I'm sorry about what happened with Draco. I never wanted him to be killed."

"Then why didn't you stop your packmate?" Jas demanded.

"Draco was trying to kill me," Gabriel said, anger entering his tone for the first time. "Ranger came to my defense."

"He didn't have to kill him," Gannon growled. "I saw it all. He could have stopped."

Gabriel closed his eyes. "Ranger is... troubled. And I would change things if I could."

"But you can't," Gannon said. "And your apologies mean nothing to me."

"Fair enough," Gabriel replied. "But I want to prevent any further bloodshed."

"You're wasting your time, really," Desert said before Gannon could say anything else. "I don't make the decisions. It's up to Colt whether we fight or we don't. And he hasn't exactly been of a peaceful mind."

"But you could talk to him, surely?" Gabriel pressed. "Wouldn't he listen to his packmates?"

"We listen to the alpha," Jas said. "Not the other way around."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow slightly. "You would never challenge your alpha on anything?"

"He's earned our respect," said Gannon. "We repay him with obedience."

"Colt won't listen to me," Desert said with a note of finality. "Do you think I hadn't already tried?"

"And maybe most of us don't want peace," Gannon cut in. Desert shot him a glare and he returned it.

Gabriel simply lowered his head. "I see. Well, thank you, for listening, at least. All I can say is... my pack will continue to defend our territory."

Jas narrowed her eyes. "It's not yours anymore."

Gabriel didn't acknowledge what she had said. He gave Desert a small nod and turned away. All three Night-dogs watched him go, silently, but as soon as he had disappeared into the distance Gannon turned to Desert angrily.

"Do you really not care?" he demanded. "He was your brother. And you want to make peace with those mutts?"

"I don't want any more dogs to die!" Desert snarled. "Of course I care. I loved him, even if I could have killed him myself. But he brought it on himself. He could have ended this, and instead he got himself killed. And now more dogs are going to die, because all of you are too stupid to realize it!"

Neither of them said anything at first. "It's not stupid," Jas said finally. "We need this territory."

Desert snorted with a trace of contempt. "Keep telling yourself that."

A long silence followed this and Desert finally flicked her ears, turning away. "Let's finish our job. We don't have all day."