Strema had now changed back into hybrid form. This gave her the advantages of both the wolf and the human. Makara's pack was enjoying a handsome elk within the shelter of a steep ravine. From three different angles now, she'd recounted their numbers and re-accessed the situation. There were still eight of them, and only one of her. And there was absolutely no way to execute a proper ambush. One thing was in her advantage, however. Their scouts were terrible. She'd already put one down, without a yelp from the young pup. Almost a shame, he had been a good looking wolf. The other three had yet to even notice one of their numbers was missing. She crouched down, under an outcropping of boulders, to wait out until they all fell asleep. This was a typical behavior after a gorge feeding. But she still hadn't seen Makara himself, perhaps he was already asleep.

Suddenly, she felt a set of teeth clamp down on the ruff of her neck. To ease the pain, she shifted into full wolf mode. But the teeth still dug into her flesh.

"Hello, niece. Come to join the party?"

"Makara!"

She growled. He released her neck from his mouth, but put a front paw on her neck. This held her to the ground with the weight of his body.

"Trust me, sweetie, with the boys I've got down there, I'm the least of your problems right now. Been awhile since any of them have seen a she-wolf that I'd let 'em have a go at. But seeing as we're family, just wouldn't be proper for me to take you into the protection of my harem"

He chuckled, a coughing bark. Then, he howled the scouts over. Out of the shadows, a dusty red wolf appeared, then a black one, finally, a scrawny flea-bitten mutt. Strema decided the last one wasn't even full wolf, like her uncle.

"Didn't think I'd let these idiots patrol without a proper leader, like myself, would ya? A lot of good it did, though."

He turned to the red one,

"Saraz! Where is Chowl?"

The red wolf, seemingly Saraz, swallowed nervously.

"He-he's dead, sir. We don't know how"

"Well, I do. Ya'll remember little bitty Strema, don't ya?"

The three scouts looked down at the grey she-wolf at their leader's paw. Strema saw the big black wolf lick his jaws, and shivered in disgust.

"That's right, Brile, my brother's sweet little girl has decided to pay her uncle his respects after all this years. Why don't you boys escort her to the den?"

They nearly purred with pleasure at the thought.

"Oh, and Mackey?"

The scrawny dog perked its ears,

"Why don't you have the first go? Ease her into how things work around here"

Mackey yipped, wagging his tail ferociously. Strema visually shrunk. She wanted to whimper for mercy, howl for aide. But her pride prevented it.