Double-Edged Legends XIV

Chapter XIV: Moving Forward

Over the course of the next week or so, David was working towards receiving full acceptance into Sabrina's pack. The members seemed on the way to liking him if they hadn't at this point already. Hirage, however, was somewhat a different story. He seemed to like Sabrina's man to a point, but David never second-guess that the alpha didn't trust him beyond to not do anything stupid. Working his tail off, David did as he was told. He helped hunt down game to eat, aided Anz in starting evening fires and assisting people individually. After one of the females found out from Sabrina that David was decently skilled in massaging, they asked him to rub their shoulders after a day's hard work. As usual, he found himself being more comfortable in his wolf appearance around females more than males. Even though he would've preferred his human shape, his hands and arms wouldn't have been strong or large enough to knead their thick and hard muscles. Most of all Decenna, who had to lay down on her front so that he would be able to get a good and easy reach to her neck, shoulders, back, sides and sometimes her legs and feet. Luckily, she only put him in the awkward position once to half jokingly request that he would do her chest and abs. To which David kindly apologized that only Sabrina is allotted such treatment from him, which she surely understood. In addition, David and Anz would occasionally speak with one another about certain things that had to do with the pack, their pasts and other interesting subjects.

"Haha," Anz laughed a bit, "you seriously ran away from such a beautiful arctic vixen? Why were you so scared?"

"I didn't know what she was like," David shrugged his shoulders, "whether or not she would harm me. And I know that I saw Launa way before hand, but that was different. I met her in my hometown of Churchill, and she proved herself to me by saving me from those jerks I told you about."

"Why should that make such a difference?"

"Cuz… when I first saw Wyanet it was in the middle of nowhere and all alone while there were plenty of people in Churchill who would have heard me yell for help."

"Hmm, that is a valid point actually… now that I think about it." Anz scratched his head in thought.

"Hey Anz, I just realized. I don't know much about your history… or anything for that matter. I would much like to know if that's okay with you."

"Oh, uuh, sure I guess. It's only fair." Anz stroked his chin thinking of where to start. "I was born in Rainbow Lake, Alberta. It's quite a small town; just over a thousand people live there. As far as my family goes… they didn't much care for me to be honest, other than my older brother Ethan. He was such a cool guy. Everyone would smile when he walked into a room. You'd think I'd feel a shadow of him, but it honestly didn't bother me knowing how much he cared for me. All of the praise he got while I was simply known as 'Ethan's brother.' Ugh, everywhere I went people would ask about my brother not giving two squirts o' piss about what was going on in my life."

"Sounds like a great guy. I bet he did what he could to make others notice you." David smiled a bit.

"Oh that he did. And not to say I didn't have any friends, cuz I did. But they were always moving away and stuff like that."

"Seems to me you were fairly happy with you life at your brother's side."

"I was." Anz nodded.

"So why leave?"

"Oh… that," Anz was about to say it wasn't important, but bit his lip, "Just when people were starting to truly notice me my senior year in high school my brother and I were coming back from a hockey game out of town. Even though I didn't have a license, Ethan decided this would be a good time to teach me how to drive." David had an idea where this was going, hoping he was wrong. "It's strange, you hear about people who are victims cuz someone else drank while driving, but you never expect it to happen to you." He didn't go into the nitty-gritty details, not that it was necessary.

"My parents blamed me for what happened, wished that it was me sitting in the passenger seat instead. They didn't actually say it but they didn't really need to."

"What did you do?" David sat forward as if really into Anz's tale but made sure to convey the utmost sympathy for the omega.

"I'm getting to that, just wait alright," Anz grunted in response to David's interruption, "I needed to get away from it all: my parents' loathing, my lack of friends, my brother's death. So I took the car Ethan and I finished before… it was a very nice car: a black 1966 Corvette Stingray Coupe with all the options we could find, and the coolest rims you ever saw on a car like that. My parents knew that he would've wanted me to have that, and even they weren't so cold as to keep it from me. I took it and went on a little trip; just me all alone driving all damn day until it was getting dark.

"I went back home and went inside to a completely empty house. Everything was gone… all of my things. Everything. My parents wanted the TV more than they wanted me." Surprising to David he didn't seem to express much sadness when telling this story. However, he knew he would tell his life story about that orphanage the same way. "I'll admit I cried, went into what used to be my room and just cried until I fell asleep.

"In a town that small it didn't take more than half a day for everyone to know what happened. Some offered to help me out so that I still had a "home" in Rainbow Lake, but I knew it was no longer my home… barely that until after Ethan died. Refusing right off the bat I sold the house, took my money, got in my car and drove. Drove like the road would never end. Though it eventually did when it started raining and I got a flat tire. Getting out I changed it in a jiffy, but lucky me I locked myself out of the car. To make matters worse I was somewhere along the border between the Northwest and Yukon Territories, and I wasn't about to break a window of the last piece of my brother I had.

"It was cold in the rain and I knew I had to find somewhere dry. So I went heading into what seemed like trees that went on forever. Just before I was sure I would die of hypothermia I saw a cave in sight. Running to it I found what wood I could use to make a fire to get warm and dry my clothes. Exhausted I sat my back against the cave wall, waiting for the rain to stop. And that's when my life changed forever… truly.

"I heard something from the darkness of the woods getting closer and closer. I could tell it was something huge like a bear or something, not that I really cared believing that whatever chance I had of living a good life was long gone. But of course it wasn't a bear… Hehe, you think I would've been at least shocked and speechless looking at a giant werewolf, but I didn't even flinch when I saw Hirage walk up to me. I simply did not care. Apparently he saw my car out in the middle of the road and followed my scent out of curiosity, surprised that I didn't even bat an eye when I saw him. He asked me why I wasn't afraid or intimidated in the slightest. I simply asked what reason I could possibly have to react in such a way and told him if he meant to hurt me then to just get it over with.

"Taking an obvious hint he could tell that I was a very unhappy person, angry too. Taking as steady of an approach as he could, Hirage talked saying a few things like 'What's troubling you, young one' and 'What are you doing all the way out here'. After I refused to answer anything, he finally reached out a hand and told me he could give me a new life, a second chance. I pushed his hand away telling him to stop treating me like a child, that I can find a new way and don't need anybody's help."

"I take it he didn't like that."

"Maybe, but if so then he didn't show it. Instead he stood up and walked deeper into the cave. Soon I saw others follow in with him, only giving me a passing glance. I just watched, barely able to see them in the firelight as they fell asleep. Listening to one of them snoring like a motorboat it took me a while before I could fall asleep.

"Morning came and they were still there, but I didn't care. Looking to see that the weather was generally clear with a light drizzle, I walked back to my car hoping that nobody stole it or anything, wait there until someone would eventually drive by and help. Strangely the driver side door was open and everything was just fine. However, what really caught my attention was that it was dry inside. Meaning it was unlocked very recently, probably right before I could see it. Catching sight of nobody and nothing I got in and stared the engine… not knowing where to go. Sitting there for a good solid hour I tried to figure out what to do with my life. I hadn't graduated from college, had utterly no form of ID, and would probably run out of gas before the next town. It was at that moment when I realized I had made a major mistake in how I behaved last night. I can't tell you how stupid I felt having turned down Hirage's offer to give me what I had wanted ever since I lost Ethan."

"And what was that?" David leaned forward even more.

"I wanted… a different life… away from everything."

"So, what did you do?"

"The only thing I could think of: run back to the cave, praying that they were still there. Unfortunately they weren't, that is until I let out the loudest cry of anger and agony I could imagine. I yelled so loud that I passed out. I don't quite remember what happened next or how long it was until I came to, but when I regained consciousness I was out in the open late at night next to a fire. Hirage and the others surrounded me, though they were simply just sitting and chatting not paying me any attention."

"That's strange." David raised a brow. "You think they would've diverted all attention to you the moment you woke up."

"You'd think, but only Hirage came up to me then. Unlike last time I was a bit afraid of him after how I treated him last night, how I brutally rejected his help. But he told me how he understood why I acted in such a way. Telling alone from all the folded cash in my jacket pocket and the one photo of me and Ethan, he knew that I was running away from something with no plan of where to go even if I didn't. He told me he felt for me, that he was sorry for whatever happened to me that brought me such pain.

"That's when Hirage offered me a new life away from all that so I wouldn't have to run anymore. I could see both in his and everyone's eyes that he meant it and would do what they could to make me feel like family.

"After that… well simply and shortly put I thought about leaving my life completely behind. It was, needless to say, a big change.

"Well… that's quite the life story, Anz," said David. "I'm assuming that there was something, some kind of trial that you had to go through in order to become a full pack member."

"Yes and no. There was something I had to do, but it was only to demonstrate how well I could do the jobs of an omega. Hirage wholly accepted me and wanted me to feel welcome, but at the same time I didn't like having a role that had minor and yet "important" responsibilities… making life easier for everyone."

"I hear you on that. It's not easy but you learn to deal with it for the most part, but I doubt you'll always have said responsibilities."

"True but I think that won't be until my human form is no longer that of an eighteen year old, and with how slowly we age that'll be a while."

"A what…?" David didn't think that Anz was so young when he had his first full moon. "What is your actual age?"

"I'm thirty-two years old."

"Then why does it matter what age you look like when you're practically an adult."

"Because our personality corresponds with what age we appear to be. True we may mature over time, though telling from how you've described your friend, Launa, that takes a very long time."

"Hehe, yes indeed." David let out a chuckle. "Launa can let out her inner child sometimes." After Anz's little story they came to a silence for a while not knowing what to talk about anymore. They had, of course, talked about pretty much anything they had in common and a few other things as well. However, it didn't take long for an important question come to David's mind.

"Hey Anz," said David, "what did you do as your initiation into the pack?"

"I just showed them how handy I am when performing the menial tasks asked of me," answered Anz, "but I seriously doubt that would do it for you being a nor… I mean not being one of our kind." Anz caught himself just in time before he called David "normal", knowing how much he hated it when he was labeled as such.

"Then what can I do? I can't stay here much longer." Before Anz could answer that Hirage walked by them with a moderately friendly passing glance. When he turned away, the light hit his chest just right so that David could see light shine on what seemed to be some kind of rough crystal around his neck. He had seen it before, but never with the sun's rays giving it such a beautiful shine. It didn't matter that the surface was still rough; David still thought it to be priceless. That's when something suddenly clicked in his mind, answering his own question.

"Where did he get that?" David kept looking in the direction Hirage went.

"Get what?" Anz was too busy fiddling with a fallen leaf.

"That stone… that big rock hanging around his neck. Do you know where it came from?"

"Oh," Anz looked toward the alpha's way for a second too, taking a pause in his answer, "he had that when I became a member of this tribe. I'm surprised you haven't heard the story after being here this long."

"There's a story behind it? And how exactly does it go?"

"It goes like this." Sabrina walked up behind them making David jump a bit as if she came out of nowhere. "Well simply put when Hirage first became one of us he wanted to put his attributes to the test. So he climbed the tallest peak in the land he could find. Being the dead of winter it was a great challenge even for him when still a young and much stronger werewolf. Regardless he persevered and made it to the top, in the middle of a storm no less."

"That's when he came across that crystal around his neck," Anz interjected, "inside a crevice at the top of the mountain."

"That's… well…" David paused for a while, "a really short story. I think it's cool and everything but… is there a longer version?"

"David," Anz raised a brow, "do you really wanna spend the time to hear a second life story in one day."

"Uuh," David cleared his throat, "no, I'm good thanks. Though I would like to know where this mountain is."

"Wait, you don't plan on climbing it do you?" Anz gave out a nervous chuckle. "Not to doubt you, but…"

"It's that one over there." Sabrina pointed off towards a mountain range very far off in the horizon. It was obvious which peak the mighty alpha climbed, standing over the land and looking down as if it owned all that came second to its size. David looked over it for a bit then to Sabrina, giving her a smile just before running straight for what would surly be the climb of his life, not listening to Anz's protests. While Sabrina and the omega watched David run off into the wilderness, Decenna was about to head after him but Hirage held her back.

"I think I'll give you a break from your babysitting job, Decenna." He let her go. "This is something David must do completely alone."

"Are you serious," Decenna asked rhetorically, "I don't take him for a weak individual, but to climb that mountain in the spring alone is foolish."

"Does David look like the type of man who ever feels alone, Decenna? He knows what he's doing. Now go enjoy your next couple days off." Hirage patted her on the back and went about his business, finding the idea of a "normal" werewolf duplicating what he, a superwere, did countless years ago to be interesting… though unlikely.


Hours later, David still had yet to shift his form as he ran nonstop toward the monstrous peak in the distance. Not halting to take the shortest break, even when winds began to pick up blowing tons of snow against him. It was not till he reached the base of the mountain that he stripped down and shifted, using his claws to grab onto the solid ice as he started to climb.  A few times he wished that a different idea had popped into his head, but he was far past the point where turning back was at all an option.

The higher David reached, the more arduous it became with each step. Ice had begun to form on his coat and all feeling left his face, legs and hands. Unable to open his eyes to the thrashing snow and ice against his face, he moved on blindly with only his instincts to point him in the right dirrection. To make matters worse, oxygen was getting thin making his body feel as if he had bones of lead and muscles of chewing gum. It was as if the mountain and the storm were in cahoots to bring the werewolf down and deny his success. However, there was something in the air that kept him going. He couldn't explain it but something more than his own drive pushed him forward, almost believing each raging gust of wind was whispering him not to stop. After what seemed like an eternity of climbing through a frozen hell David finally reached the large fissure in the mountainside Sabrina and Anz told him about.

Not wanting to lose his momentum, David pulled himself onto the ledge and stood before the cave before him. It was the darkest absence of light he had ever seen, even with his keen senses there was no way he would be able to navigate through. But luckily there was what remained of what seemed to be a mountain exploration team, at least luckily for David. Dead and frozen bodies in heavy winter and mountain climbing gear lay there before him, not to mention an few oxygen canisters. Never before did David see himself as one to steal from the dead, but he was cold as hell and desperately on the verge of passing out due to lack of air. Rummaging through their bags he pulled out a fresh set of the warmest set of winter gear he thought possible. After starting a fire on a bunch of stoves he changed into a human and put on the gear he found while holding on oxygen mask to his face. Slowly David felt the higher functions of his brain getting back in gear as he swallowed that precious air.

When back up to full strength David grabbed a lantern and air tank, heading into the cave with the wind blowing on his back. Unable to remember feeling so alone in the dark, at least in a literal sense, David's steps were small and cautious in every sense. He could hardly see more than ten feet in front of him as he wondered the cavern searching for the stone that was around Hirage's neck. And soon he saw sparkling on the walls, finally finding what he had been looking for. Taking out an ice pick David held it back ready to strike, but before he could he could've sworn he heard someone. Calling out into the darkness he heard nothing in response. So dismissing it he held up his hand once more. Again he faintly heard a voice, a woman's voice, in the air.

"Who's there," this was starting to freak him out a bit, "stop hiding in the shadows like a coward and…"

"BOO!!!" suddenly from behind him, making him jump and scream like a girl. Turning around he saw what looked like...

"M-mom?" David had never been so confused in his entire life. Maiara was standing right before him clear as can be. Her fur shown brightly in the dim light of the lantern as she slowly stopped laughing, standing before him. "What… how did you…?"

"Come on David," she said with a teasing smile, "do you really believe Maiara would be here?"

"Who are you?" David was in no mood for games, as she could tell with his tone.

"How can you not recognize me? I… oh my mistake." Right out of thin air a long white gown made from the softest material manifested around her, as did a pair of clear blue shades. It took him a while but David soon recognized her.

"B-b-b-but…" He was at a complete loss for words, having this being before him again so soon was so very unexpected. "Why do you look like my mom now?"

"Because I thought this would be more comforting for you. And besides, she's very beautiful don't you think?" David couldn't deny that she was right. Despite being somewhat creepy, more or less seeing Maiara before him did lift some weight off his shoulders. "And sorry about scaring you. I wouldn't have if I knew you'd scream like a…"

"Don't you dare say it." David leered, only making her giggle a bit. "Believe me when I say that it's nice to see you again… but I can't help but ask myself what you're doing here?"

"Wow, you asked that quicker than I thought you would." Maiara in white smiled at him warmly. "I just wanted to help a bit. Seems to me that you've been a little unsure of what to do with your time, so I thought I'd pitch in."

"T-time management…" David was confused, taking somewhat of a defensive tone, "I'm doing just fine with that."

"Really?" Maiara in white raised a brow. "You've been out in the Alaskan wilderness for weeks, and what you're trying to do is fit into a pack. I understand your desires, I truly do. But you well know enough of your time has been spent here." David didn't see this truth coming, not from a mile away. She was right in that this has been taking him much longer than it should have, knowing he can do better. Maiara in white, seeing the shock on his face of having this hit him like a ton of bricks, chose to change tones a small bit. "However, I actually want you to stay one more day."

"Wait," David was now even more confused, "you think I need to wrap it up and yet recommend I stay a bit longer?"

"You need to spend some more time doing what you did a while back when you were alone. Only this time, I want you to push yourself a bit farther."

"Hold on… I want to earn Hirage's trust not give him even more reason why not to trust me. Why would I do that?"

"Have I ever given reason for you not to trust me? Just do it and I promise you'll get the most out of it. At least… I'm sure you will." She had somewhat of an awkward smile.

"I… no, you haven't, but that doesn't mean this makes any sense."

"Oh it will. But until then I think you have a stone to take." She pointed to the wall behind him as it sparkled. Picking up his pickax for the second time David held it back and struck the diamonds, of course not managing to break any off on his first try. Going at it over and over for a long time he finally broke off a satisfyingly large enough piece. As soon as he turned around Maiara in white wrapped him in her gown hugging him without a word. The next thing he knew he was at the base of the mountain in his cloths feeling nice and warm, as well as the crystal wrapped around his neck. Taking a while to process this he finally calmed down and looked back up the mountain with a sense of accomplishment.

"Thank you, my guardian angel." Taking his prize in hand he headed straight for the pack, ready to show them.


"Hmmm, he's taking a bit longer than I would expect even a normal werewolf." Hirage actually thought that he could pull it off but was no longer so sure.

"You just wait, Hirage." Sabrina crossed her arms. "There's nothing that David can't do when he sets his mind to it. He'll be here soon, you'll see."

"Hmmm, you may be right, but I still have yet to find out why he's truly here. It'll be very hard for me to fully accept him until I know, until he comes clean."

"You make it sound like you have nothing to hide, Hirage. As if there aren't any secrets you keep to yourself. If all of us can accept that, then why can't you accept the same thing about David?"

"Being the alpha you know that I have good reasons and I would appreciate it if you would stop questioning me, Sabrina."

"Fine, be that way. I just look forward to…"

"Hey everyone," David, in his true form, came up behind Sabrina giving her a hug from behind, "look who has returned." Needless to say Hirage was surprised at how he wasn't nearly as worn out as he predicted. Though his fur did look quite messy. "And look what I've got." Holding out the stone on a string for Hirage to see with a proud, but not too proud, expression. Raising a brow the alpha took it and examined David's prize. There was no doubting that this was it, the same as what was around his own neck. Looking at David from the corner of his eye he threw it back to him.

"Get some rest, David," said the alpha, "you've had a rough journey and you deserve it." Turning around he left David and Sabrina alone… that is until the others came to congratulate him on his success, saying that he would certainly become one with the pack for sure. Sabrina was most certainly proud of her man, glad that they would finally be on their way soon. Soaking in this feeling, David told them how arduous it was, about his climb up the mountain through such a snowstorm. Though he left out details about Maiara in white, not even telling Sabrina about that. Not that they really needed to know about that. Watching from a distance, Decenna was truly awed by David. She had been before, but now she couldn't help but find him even more impressive.

After the excitement died down Sabrina wanted to take David to Hirage and clear things up, but not before he at least bathed somewhere. He smelled all sweaty and musty from his trip and his coat was fairly shaggy looking. As such she asked Anz to lead him to a small river near by while she went to find an area with reception so she could call Launa and Azrealle to tell them the good news.

Arriving at a calm and cool river with a waterfall near by, Anz left David to himself. Removing his loincloth he slowly stepped into the water and rinsed. The water was so refreshing as it flowed around him, washing away all the dirt from his fur. As he did a pair of eyes were peaking from atop the waterfall. Decenna enjoyed watching the buff and sexy male, looking his naked body up and down while his wet coat clung to his body. It was a sight to see, ogling him from a distance as she "studied" his features. When he got out he was facing away from her and his tail kept her from getting a decent view of his rump. Of course that wasn't quite what she wanted to catch a glimpse of the most. Unfortunately for her she never got to see it since he put his covering on as he got out of the river. Decenna looked around and saw that Sabrina wasn't anywhere to be seen. Slowly she got on all fours and flexed her legs ready to lunge at her prey. However, what she saw next stayed her attack.

David, thinking he was alone took this opportunity to try out what Launa and Maiara in white asked of him. This time it was a bit easier to bring out that warm feeling, only this time he focused it around his entire body instead of just around his hand. Slowly the light around him seemed to grow darker as his eyes started to glow a solid blood red. The air around him seemed to waver slightly. It felt good, if pleasured him as this feeling flowed through his body. Again the feeling was hard for him to put into words. Looking around David checked to see if anything different happened this time, but it was the same. Birds in the trees flew away, a lightless flame emitted from his body, and it still felt so damn good.

Clenching his fist, David focused and intensified the sensation towards his hands making his aura grow around them and stem out farther and farther. Opening his paws he saw that a stream of this essence reached out in front of him. This was a fascinating discovery: he could project his aura from his body, though not very far. Not removing her eyes from him, Decenna but she felt as if she should be frightened from this even though she wasn't.

Out of the corner of his eye David saw a large bear come out of the trees looking at him. Looking right back at it David felt the urge to try something new, unintentionally throwing caution into the wind. As the beast roared at him, David faced his right palm to it. Slowly the bear started to back away but it wasn't fast enough as the aura caught it. What happened next scared the crap out of David. He watched helplessly as the powerful animal before him started to convulse and fall to the ground twitching about and making a strange sound.

"H-holy shit," exclaimed David, "what the hell is this?" As soon as this happened he lost focus, causing his aura to fade away and his eyes to stop glowing. The moment his aura wasn't touching the bear anymore it stood up and ran off. Not knowing what to do David did the same thing, dashing off terrified from what he had done. Now that the spectacle was over, Decenna got up and headed straight for her alpha to tell him what just happened. Desperately looking for Sabrina, David rushed through the woods sniffing the air to find her and found Anz on the way.

"Anz, oh thank god," he gasped, "where's Sabrina, I need to find her right now."

"Dude, what's the matter," Anz looked worried for him, "what's going on?"

"Buddy, I don't have time to explain just tell me where she is." Quickly he answered pointing behind him. "Thanks, Anz." Dashing off that way he tripped and fell on his girl knocking her to the ground with him.

"What the…" Sabrina exclaimed, "I just got a signal to call Launa." She then saw the worried look on his face. "David… what's wrong?"

"I screwed up, Sabrina. If anybody saw, dear god I hope none of them know about it yet. I wanted to tell them, but how could've I know that would happen." His breath was erratic as he felt the adrenaline running throughout his body.

"Slow down, David. You're not making any sense here." Calming him down she placed her hands on his broad shoulders and placed a finger over his mouth to shush him. "Now take a deep breath and tell me just what happened." Doing as she said, David breathed in through his nose and slowly exhaled out his mouth.

"Well, Launa told me to fiddle a bit with my powers to better understand them and… I went too far. Scared the living day lights out of me when I made that bear practically go into a seizure. I just hope nobody saw or else all I've worked for since I got here will go to shit."

"It already has." Hirage emerged from the trees. "I knew you were hiding something from us but I had no idea that it was something like this, and I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't all you're keeping from me."

"Y-you saw?" David gulped.

"No, but Decenna did. I'm so glad that I told her to watch over you or else I would've actually considered letting a normal werewolf into my pack. Not that I see you as normal anymore." Hearing Hirage's angered voice all the other members of the pack came to see what was going on.

"You're right, Hirage." David was starting to get frustrated with this alpha's narrow mindedness. "I have been keeping things from you and I'm sorry, I guess there's no point in keeping them from you any longer. You see, I'm not only here to want to join your pack but also with the hope of obtaining more allies to join me. People who will fight beside me in what's to come."

"You mean get us involved in your little feud with who ever you've made enemies with? Who do you think you are to do such a thing, to go behind our back and suck us into your problems?"

"You seriously think that you could've removed yourself from the rest of the world forever?" David was starting to feel a sense of frustration with Hirage. "Especially with the power your species beholds. Despite what you may think, the world doesn't revolve around what you want for your pack. Truly if you'd just listen to me you'll have an idea of what's to come, and how much you could do to insure that my enemies don't win."

"I don't really care, David. Don't forget that I'm the alpha of this pack, and I already know what the world is like and have no intention of being a part of it. Also I'll be damned if normal werewolf barely a fraction of my age thinks that they know more that me about the world."

"How could I forget your place? Apparently in many senses you are rightfully alpha in that your pack is alive and at peace with themselves. However, your old methods of thinking will lead both you and your pack astray of living up to the honor and pride of your kind you hold so dear. And you're damn right I know more about life outside you perfect little world, at least of what it's like now. And I'm not a normal werewolf, I'm a Tohopka so get it right." Hearing what David said regarding what is to come, Anz was actually starting to be worried.

"You won't speak about our ways like that. They are what we choose to live by and that's how it's gonna stay."

"Damn it, when are you going to realize that life isn't all about you and your ways? Life entails everyone… everyone. The sooner you get that through your head the better chance the world will have against the threat I speak of that you refuse to believe is true. Or maybe you do believe me and are just too much of a coward." This argument was starting to anger Anz.

"You better watch that mouth, David. You may be bigger than me but that won't help you if went up against me."

"Sorry, I don't fight delusional old men." That had finally struck the last nerve of.

"Goddamn it," Anz shouted at them, "just stop arguing you two. I don't have all day to stand here and listen to you two bicker." This caught everyone off guard. Never before had the Omega stepped in and displayed anger like this. "David you do have a right to express your opinions like this, but this is Hirage's pack to lead, not yours. And you, my alpha, can't honestly deny that there is some truth in what David says. Also… if what he says is true about what is to come, then the consequences will be much more dire than if we find out it's untrue."

"Anz," said Hirage, "what exactly are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I'm with David, that I'm siding with him."

"You don't know what you're saying, Anz. If you go against me, then you will no longer be a member of this pack."

"Don't you tell me what I want, Hirage. I'm not only choosing him because I believe him, but also because I'm tired of being treated like a child here. I deserve more credit than you ever give me. Please understand, I am infinitely grateful for what you have done, but sometimes what you haven't done for me makes me not sure if I truly belong here."

"Very well, Anz. Just know you had the chance to stay with us and not go back into the cruel world that lays ahead of you."

"I'm willing to make that sacrifice." Turning his back to his former alpha, Anz went up to David who looked down at him with an expression of thanks, leaving words unnecessary. Though David was thankful to at least gain a friend and ally like this, it was a shame he couldn't get the rest of their support. Decenna most of all, but alas she stayed with the pack. Unknown to him she considered agreeing with Anz, but this was her family and couldn't leave that behind. Gathering their things, the trio started to leave.

"Just one more thing Hirage," David stopped and turned around. "The world... it's never what it is. It is never what it is. It's only what it can be made to look like; which is nothing more than a brutal lie. Though I'm sure you already know that, I think the course of the next year or so will open your eyes to just how far that goes. And when that moment comes I pray that you'll be able to handle the weight that knowledge carries." Sabrina patted his back when he said that smiling a bit.

"I'm so proud of you, David," she said reassuringly, "even if you don't think so yet I know you're on your way to becoming a wonderful leader."

"Seconded," Anz place his hand on David's other shoulder, "we'll follow you wherever you go."

"Thanks," David smiled a bit, "well let's go, we've got work to do."


Back in Amsterdam, Launa just got off the phone with David and Sabrina. Learning of what happened she looked forward to meeting this Anz they mentioned, and gave her sympathy that things didn't go as planned. Even though the situation wasn't extreme at this point things were starting to heat up, she could tell. It made her uncomfortable knowing that they still had nothing solid on who they were fighting. Not even a name. All they could guess is that he was strong, smart and had a head start on them. As her mind pondered further, Launa looked towards her room where she kept her enchanted mirror. It had been a while since David tried to use it; maybe she would have a bit more luck. Standing before it she said the words to find who or what she was looking for. But alas, she saw nothing but darkness in the mirror as she contemplating what it meant.

"Ah," a voice emitted from behind the mirror, the tone tingled at the back of her mind, "I've been looking forward to getting a good look at the great Launa Viander." Turning around she saw a pair of the most ice cold and piercing eyes she had ever seen. "Though I'm surprised it has taken this long."

"Who… who are you?" Launa kept her distance.

"You asked to see me, so here I am."

"You, you're the one you're looking for!?" Launa exclaimed leering at him. "What do you want?" He chuckled hearing her question.

"You ponder the wrong question, goddess." His voice was surprisingly calm, "You shouldn't even be asking me anything, but rather ask yourself what you plan to do now that I'm here before you." Launa had honestly not thought this through. "Despite the fact you're a very strong and powerful feline and know much, you fail to realize so much with your naïve mind. Trying to understand me and my very being is futile for something like you."

"I've learned much about anything I wanted, and I will find out whatever it is that I need to know you. Count on that."

"And yet you fumble in the dark in your desire to comprehend me, incapable of understanding."

"I promise, we will find you and we will bring you down just as we did Megedagik." Next thing she knew, Launa was thrown back from the force of a shockwave through the mirror.

"Although he proved helpful, Megedagik was hardly a loss? In fact, he performed better than i had hoped. He has saved me the trouble of contemplating how i should approach the situation with your friend."

"Hehe," Launa smirked as she slowly got up, "so you admit that David presents a problem. At least now I know you're not a complete imbecile." Again he sent a blast through the mirror, only this time she flew right through a wall, sliding on the slick floor and into another wall.

"Your confidence is born of ignorance, leaving your words as empty as your future; as are any from the mouths of all tools and puppets who have been bought and enslaved by the Native Council. But it matters not, even they won't be able to keep me from reaching my goals no more than you were unable to defeat Coyote without their help."

"Fuck you." Those last words really pissed her off. "You'll shut your trap if you know what's good for you, not that it will keep me from ripping your throat out with my bare hands."

"Strange, how can you say that when you don't know so much as my name, while I know everything there is to know about you? It truly puzzles me how overconfident you can be, Launa. Just as you were when you thought David was overstating his power." Unable to contain her anger any longer Launa's eyes started to glow red as growled deeply, baring her teeth. "Keep an eye on what is to come, feline. Until we meet again this exchange is over. Try and take joy in what little time you have left on this earth, for you will be begging for the sweet release of death when you behold a world in my image." Lunging forward, Launa reached out to the mirror hoping to pummel this beast, only to have the way closed before she reached it. Crashing into the mirror she smashed it to pieces, loosing one of her most valuable and virtually irreplaceable assets. Indeed this was a great enemy. She couldn't deny that there was actually a change they could loose this fight, and that thought truly frightened her.