[Spirit]: 726.Animungus Lupus: Chapter Six

When we were about a mile away I sensed trouble within the pack. I didn’t like it, I stopped abruptly. Craig looked at me confused and I explained to him. “I sense a disturbance within the pack. Something’s going on. We have to hurry.” I said gruffly. I picked up my pace and was at full speed and when I thought we weren’t getting any closer I stopped abruptly. Craig was not far behind and was at my side within a minute. There, in front of us, was a cave. Not any cave, my den. Where the pack and me sleep. I sniffed the air and that’s when I heard it, a low grumbling deep within the cave. The other pack members were arguing with someone. No not someone, Razz. I ran inside and what lay before me shocked me. The other pack members surrounded razz and they were all arguing about something. I had to stop it.  “Enough!!!!” I shouted. “What is all this? Why are you arguing? We all are family.” Craig hid behind me not sure if he wanted to know what was going on. “Well Razz suggested that we vote for him to be pack leader. He….” Kitty didn’t get to finish her sentence, I interrupted her. “Enough Kitty. Thank you for filling me in but I am sure Razz can speak for himself. Razz? What is it that troubles you? What do you want?” Razz looked at me and cleared his throat before speaking. “Spirit. I think that it is unwise to allow a female to run a pack. Especially without a mate. And since no one here seems to suit you I think I should be pack leader. I am one of the strongest of the pack and would be second in line anyway.” He finished with a laugh. “I WILL NOT BE RULED BY A FALSE LEADER LIKE YOU. YOU UNGRATEFUL…” “Paul that is quite enough. Razz is allowed to speak his mind after all we all are family. Razz as for your assumption about being second in command that is not true. Paul here would be second in command and you well know that or should at least by now.” “But I am the strongest. Paul can barely lift anything let alone rule. I am the righ…” “Razz this pack does not need to run on strength. And as for your assumption about Paul, I seem to remember that he saved you numerous times and one of those times did include a 400-pound statue. So as we have previously discussed Paul is second in line for the leader when I pass on. But if you wish to challenge me then you may. I have however grown stronger on my journey and Craig here can tell you all about it. If he wishes.” “I do wish to challenge you. And as for Craig, he is of no use here. I will not call him brother. He is just as weak as Paul. I challenge you for title. I wish to fight NOW!!!!!” Razz shouts and the rest of the pack moves in on him. I can smell a fight coming on and I instantly step in front of Razz and the others and I growl deep in my throat. They all back off slowly but Paul interjects. “Spirit. I know you won’t back down from a challenge but Razz will cheat some how I know he will. I can sense it.” “Paul dear. I know this my brother but Razz should know better than to try and cheat. He will be punished if he cheats. So let me continue with this, trust me ok. Have faith.” “I do.” Paul says.  “Razz. I have a place where we can fight for title. The victor not only gets to be or in my case stay as Alpha, but will rule over the pack in this new area. It is better than this den of ours. It has more room, and if we have the pack work together can make more rooms for everyone. But the biggest room is held for the Alphas. So lets get going. When we get there I will explain the rules.” I finish with a smile. “Fine with me Spirit. I just hope you know you will lose.” Razz says with a grin. “If you say so.” I finish.  I turn into my wolf form and look over at Craig. Everyone else is outside of the cave, it was just the two of us. He looked at me with a worried look. I reassured him by trotting over and rubbing against his furry neck. I then licked him on the muzzle and walked outside. Craig was right behind me. I looked at all the pack members and they all looked at me. Some were worried others were furious, and some I couldn’t quite tell what they were. They all changed and waited for me to lead. I started to head west and within a few moments Craig was at my side, keeping pace. I looked over at him and he looked at me and smiled. He ran ahead of me already knowing where I was going. I picked up my pace to match his and I could tell that the pack behind me was struggling to keep up.  I looked ahead and prayed that I would win and that the pack would still follow me. I prayed to the goddess that Razz would be all right and might change his mind. For a fight like this either one of us could die. I could only hope.