Spirit of the Rogues

Temptation

~ Ten years ago ~

Lykos ran through the forest, hell-bent on catching the prey he caught wind of earlier before his pack mates did. His paws hit the ground lightly as he streamlined his body to get an edge over them. It worked, their yips becoming more distant. The prey was fast, but he was faster and as he pounced, his jaws closed over the fawn's neck and a loud crunch echoed through the forest.

His pack mates finally caught up to him, panting and eyed his prey enviously. He barked smugly at them and one lunged forward, tackling him to the ground playfully. Soon they all joined in, biting and scratching but not hard enough to cause serious harm.

"Lykos, please, please give me a bite", whined Kalos - Lykos's close friend - through their mind link. "I nearly killed it first".

Lykos grinned wolfishly at him and maintained eye contact as he finished off the small fawn smugly.

"But you didn't Kalos, you were too slow. Catch your own prey".

"I went easy on you, that's why you won this time", Kalos retorted childishly.

"You went easy on me?" Lykos growled. "Hah, more like you're just weak".

Kalos bared his teeth and lunged, trying to get the upper hand. They both fought, a flash of claws and teeth. Lykos danced back and forth, teasing his friend and then leapt forward aiming for his exposed throat. Kalos fell back with a grunt and squirmed around, trying to break free.

"Plead for mercy now, and I'll let you go", he warned, closing his jaws around Kalos's throat.

"No, I can't ask for mercy from a little runt like you", Kalos snapped.

Lykos increased the pressure and Kalos whimpered from the pain. Finally, he relented and showed his neck as a sign of submission.

Lykos let go and grinned at his friend. They were of similar strength but he had the blood of an Alpha flowing through his veins, giving him a physical advantage.

"One day", Kalos groaned. "One day I'll beat you".

"You wish", he scoffed. "But don't feel too saddened, you're the second strongest here from amongst us".

Kalos puffed his chest up at the compliment, giving him a friendly head-butt. The other pack mates started to disperse as it was nearing dusk, so he and Kalos did too, trotting side by side to go home.

"Race you", Kalos suddenly said and took off. He took, on Kalos's heels, weaving between the low-hanging branches and trees. He was close to catching up when suddenly, he heard someone calling his name. He turned slightly to have a look, but to his confusion, no one was there so he ignored it and carried on, hellbent on winning.

"Lykos..." The soft voice whispered again. "Come".

Suddenly the urge to go erupted in his chest and he spilt away from the trail, running towards the noise. The voice seemed to be getting further away, the closer he got, so he started to sprint, chasing after the enticing voice.

"Lykos, where did you go?" Kalos's panicked voice came out foggy and barely penetrated the haze in his mind. He ignored him. Somehow this was more important. This voice, it needed him.

The scent drew him wild. He couldn't place it but he couldn't tear his mind away from it. He was getting closer, so much closer.

"Lykos, I am waiting", the soft feminine voice called out, urging him to go faster, his muscles burning from the exertion. The trees were nothing more than a blur of brown and green. He was getting further away from his territory but that didn't bother him. Not when the voice needed him.