A/N: For those of you who don't know, Random and Yet Not has posted an unfinished story over a year ago by the name of "Dominance". Due to the cliffhanger and unfortunate situation for Humphrey as well as Kate (you'll see why) I've turned this into an actual story, since Random and Yet Not did say the opportunity was open. This first chapter lightly covers what happens in chapter 2 of the original story. I realize that none of this or what happened in "Dominance" could realistically happen, but I've read many reviews stating, "How will Humphrey react afterwards?" and "What happens next in their relationship?" This story provides the answer in a way I know people can actually relate to, with an interesting back story I hope you enjoy it and find it moving enough.

CHAPTER 1-Brawls & Dominance

The night was foggy and damp. The forest was barely visible; one would struggle making out a tree branch three feet ahead. One gray omega managed to stumble over to a tree. On the other side, another omega approached the same large tree and made his way around, colliding with the other wolf.

"Whoa!"

"Calm down, Dwain!" the gray wolf shouted in a whisper. "It's me!"

"Oh, Chris!" Dwain said. "Sorry about that. Didn't know it was you."

"Yeah."

"Who's after us?"

Chris' face sunk. "I think it's…him."

Dwain's face dropped to match Chris'. "No…not William. Not now. Why now?"

"I don't know," said Chris, "but the day has finally come. Shame…we're still one wolf short. Why did he have to leave us to be with his mate? Why couldn't he have just told her the truth? I know he didn't want her to feel guilty, but…why?"

"Let's not complain," Dwain said. "Where's Reagan?"

"There!" said Chris, pointing. "Reagan!" he called out in a loud whisper. "Reagan!"

A third, light brown-colored omega appeared from the mist. He was slightly shorter with a long scar that ran down the length of his left front leg.

"There you guys are," he said.

"Well?" said Chris, waiting for an answer. "Is it William?"

Reagan sighed. "Yes, it is. He's finally found us."

"Why's he looking for us, anyway?" Dwain asked.

"I think he wants to find Don first," said Reagan. "After that…" He trailed off, thinking of his best friend.

A rustling came from the bushes near the tree. The three wolves took defensive positions, preparing for the worst, only to find their leader emerging and staring down at them with a smile on his face.

"You know, I don't think William's going to find us that easily in this fog," he said, chuckling.

"Sorry, Don," said Reagan.

"Not a problem," said Don. "Now, William is on a hot pursuit for us. We've tried reasoning with him many times, but he just won't listen. Now, we must make sure he harms no one else."

Suddenly, a large figure appeared behind Don. Reagan noticed it first and gave Chris a nudge in the ribs.

"D-Don," said Dwain. "Behind you."

Don turned just as the figure took a furious swipe. Don blocked the slap.

"Evil never wins, William. Never," he told the large, dark figured, which began attacking. Don dodged everything that came his way. All that came from the figure was loud growling. Don attempted to move further away but the figure threw itself forward and made an ugly slice in Don's chest.

Don collapsed, coughing. The figure gave an evil chuckle and disappeared back into the fog, sniffing out his next victim.

"Don!" Reagan, Dwain, and Chris ran over to their injured leader, who looked up at his squad with weakened eyes.

"You'll pull through," Chris attempted to convince the others as well as himself. "You've always survived. You'll pull through this one, too."

"I'm afraid not," said Don in a weak voice. "Not this time. My blood is soaking the ground, and it's scent is, no doubt, going everywhere. He slashed me across the heart. I don't think I'll be surviving…" he coughed "…this time."

"No!" shouted Reagan. "You can't die! We don't have anyone else as leader!"

"Yes you do," Don reminded him, his eyes growing close to closing. "The time has come. There's not much time before I bleed out. It'll be a slow but painful process. I probably have only a week to live. Quick…take me to my top wolf. Take me to Jasper."

A week later, the sun was setting in Jasper Park. A young omega by the name of Humphrey was finishing his dinner. He couldn't believe his mate, Kate, had caught such a large caribou. It was enough to feed almost half the pack. He smiled and got up, beginning to walk back to his and Kate's den as the moonlight began to take over the valley. He was thinking about how things were going with Kate. It had been nearly three months since the trip to Idaho. He remembered back to how Kate had publically admitted her love for him. He smiled.

"Humphrey."

He stopped as he heard Winston's voice from behind.

"Yes, Winston, sir?"

"Is something going on with Kate?" Winston asked, a concerned look in his eyes.

"I don't know. Is there?" Humphrey asked.

"Well, it's just that, yesterday I saw her and her friends stowing a rope inside your den. It looks like it could be from the rangers' tool shed. I don't know how or why they've got it, but it's worrying me. That and they keep going off into the forest. One day I followed them and I heard something that sounded like, 'Make sure he doesn't move' and 'Never take no for an answer.' Would you happen to know anything about that?"

"No, sir," said Humphrey, sharing his curiosity. "I think I'll ask her about it in the morning. But right now, I'm really tired."

"Ah, yes. Well, goodnight then, Humphrey."

"Goodnight, sir."

The two parted, and Humphrey continued walking to his den in the distance. He saw Kate's friends walking away. As they passed by him, one of them, Tonya, smiled.

"Have a good night, Humphrey," she said.

"You too, Tammy," he responded, waving back at her.

Humphrey looked up and saw his mate staring at him. He rubbed noses with her and walked with her into the den. At once, he went straight to his favorite spot, feeling very relaxed. He noticed, however, that Kate still hadn't laid down.

"Aren't you gonna come to—?" He opened his eyes and saw Kate looking at him with a rope hanging in her jaws. "What's with the rope?" he asked her.

Kate threw a nervous look on her face and dropped the ropes. "Nothing. I just felt like chewing on some rope before bed. Helps me relax my jaws."

"Oh," said Humphrey. "Okay, then." He closed his eyes and soon drifted off to sleep. He pictured himself sitting next to Kate with their puppies running around them. And he was laughing…Kate was laughing. Everything seemed perfect, until…

Humphrey's eyes flew open. He glanced over at Kate and noticed she was still awake. It was a bit weird, but she didn't wake him up. Then he realized…he had to go.

"Got to go answer the call of the wild," he told her before getting up and walking outside. He walked over to a bush and did his business.

Suddenly, it hit him. The smell of something foul hit him. It wasn't any rotting caribou. No…it was the smell of blood. And it was close…real close. Humphrey grew curious, but decided he would worry about it in the morning. At the moment, he was just too tired. He walked back into the den, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep, but when he reentered, he saw Kate lying in his spot, looking at him directly in the eyes.

"He's getting worse!"

"He might not make the night!"

"I know! Let's just keep moving!"

The three wolves were carrying their bleeding leader on their backs, trying their best to keep moving.

"Here! Here should be good!" said Chris as they laid him down on the ground.

"Is this Jasper?" Dwain asked.

"Close," said Reagan. "This is a forest right outside Jasper. Right…you two stay here and make sure Don's alright. I'll be back."

Reagan turned and ran through the darkness, determined to reach the park before it was too late. As he finally reached the edge, he turned and saw a dark wolf moving very stealthily through the grass. Reagan recognized the wolf's profile and followed. The wolf walked straight to a den. Reagan watched as he looked into the den, laughed, looked some more, frowned, and walked in. Reagan didn't know whose it was then, but he had a horrible hunch a second later when he heard a loud thump. The wolf emerged, revealing a tan wolf lying unconscious, a large bump on her head. The dark wolf was dragging someone behind him, looking very worn and mentally shocked with ropes on his front paws and around his muzzle. Reagan grew mad and walked over.

"Nice choice of a mate, Humphrey," taunted the dark wolf. "Look at what you've got yourself into. You can't speak or move at all. She just made William's job a lot easier, now didn't she?"

Humphrey's eyes widened and he began panicking.

"Now, stop that," said the dark wolf, halting on the dragging. "You can come quietly or I can get Kate to rough you up some more. Your choice."

Humphrey immediately stopped and looked the wolf dead in the eyes.

"That's better," said the wolf, laughing. "See? Better to come quietly. I mean, it's not like there's anyone who can save you."

"Oh, really?"

Humphrey and the wolf looked over at Reagan. Humphrey smiled, but the wolf looked downright angry.

"You! How did you get here?"

"You know us," said Reagan. "Always on the move. Now let him go…now."

"Who's going to make me?" the wolf said.

Reagan stepped forward. "Who are you, anyway?"

"The name's Jack," said the wolf. "I'm William's new right-hand wolf. He's told me all about both of you."

"Yeah?" said Reagan. "Has he told you about all of us?"

"No, just about you five who came to his den that day. Although, he does know about Robert, too. Shame such a strong Alpha would be hanging around with a bunch of omegas like you," said Jack.

"No one's too good for peace and love," said Reagan.

"Oh, I think William is," said Jack firmly. "Speaking of which, I really need to get going."

Reagan brought his paw down on Jack's preventing him from dragging Humphrey some more. Jack took a swipe and slashed Reagan in the face.

"You can't win in a fight against me!" Jack shouted. "I'm an alpha, therefore I dominate!"

He jumped at Reagan, who dodged out of the way. Jack hit his head on a large rock that was behind Reagan. His unconscious body slid to the ground.

Reagan brushed the dirt off himself and looked down at Jack.

"I've got news for you, Jack. Evil never truly dominates."

Reagan walked over to his friend and cut the ropes off. Humphrey looked up at him and spoke for the first time in the last hour.

"Thanks, old friend."