Chapter 44: Alpha's duel
Jenna awoke to the sound of shouting permeating throughout the den. Her entire body felt stiff but she expected that after the events of the day before. As her mind cleared the cob webs of sleep she recognised one of the voices as Siku's.
"What do you mean I can't see her? I'm also putting up with the healer and as of this morning this is the healer's den," came Siku's voice.
"Not anymore, Karr's orders. The wolf in there is to be kept under constant scrutiny and isn't allowed outside the den. As for the healer's den its now on the other side of the clearing under the big Fir," replied a male voice.
"And he's put you GUYS here to monitor her," replied Siku with a noticeable growl "I hardly find it re-assuring that he's put you boys in charge of monitoring a lone single female wolf. Now get the hell out of my way or I go through you!"
This was immediately followed by a series of growls which Jenna could only pinpoint as a standoff.
Jenna growled lowly in her throat as she forced herself to her feet and slowly limped her way to the entrance. As she neared the mouth, she found Siku in a stare down with four other wolves, all a good size larger than her.
"I'm going to say this just once more, either get out of my way or this pack will have four additional females within minutes," Siku growled as she took a step forward without an ounce of hesitation.
"You forget there are four of us and just one of you," one of the four growled as he stepped right up to Siku, "What can you do against theeeeeeeeee…" his voice changed to a high pitched squeak as Siku swiftly nailed the wolf in the nether region which was followed by the wolf hitting the ground, out for the count.
"Who's nex…." Siku started with a growl only for her anger to fade away the minute she noticed Jenna stand at the mouth of the den. "Jenna! You're finally up! I was getting us food when these four bozos stopped me from entering" Siku spoke indignantly as she stepped towards the she-wolf only for the three others to get in her way.
Siku felt her anger boil as the three wolves blocked her off from her sister figure. "I'm getting sick and tired of you. GET OUT OF MY WAY OR SO HELP ME THAT EVEN ANIU WON'T FIND ANYTHING LEFT OF YOU WHEN I'M DONE" she shouted as her eyes flashed yellow, causing all three wolves to take a step back.
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!" a deep voice resounded over the small gathering garnering everyone's attention.
Karr strode into the midst of the argument, a low growl emanating from his throat as he glared at everyone present before turning his eyes to the downed wolf "someone get him to the healer….." before turning back to the perpetrators " now, what in the name of Aniu is going on here?" he growled, a scowl on his face.
"Sir, she attacked us…" one of the trio spoke pointing at Siku "you told us to keep the red she-wolf isolated but she wouldn't listen."
Karr turned to face Siku who met his burning gaze with a scathing look of her own. "What reason do you have to put my sister under lockdown?" Siku growled out as she refused to back down.
"She attacked a member of the pack and possibly maimed another" Karr spoke back, using his larger size to further drive home his point.
Siku scowled at the answer. "Balto isn't a member of your pack, you don't have the right to judge Jenna on that matter. As for the other idiot, be happy he is still alive, I would have snapped his neck if he tried that with me" Siku spoke back, fur puffing out as she tried to make herself appear larger.
"This is my pack and I rule it as I see fit. You are a member of my pack, you should know your place" Karr growled out, his anger starting to take the better of him. "Jenna's attack on Balto and my pack members makes her a hazard to my pack and thus she is on lockdown. Be happy I did not just have her chased out of the pack."
"And what of Balto, the oh so great wolf who gets into a fight with everyone just cause they look at him wrong?" Siku asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"He's his mother's problem," Karr replied.
This statement was what caused Jenna to enter the confrontation. The red she-wolf felt her anger rise at Karr's comment. His words all but meant that the wolf would walk away with a slap on the paw while she would be secluded from everyone for god knows how long.
"And what do you mean by that?" Jenna growled as she limped out of the den, her head held high despite the pain she was in.
"It means that, you are not allowed anywhere beyond the entrance of that den unless with express permission or you are out of the pack" Karr spoke in an even voice as he stared at Jenna.
"And Balto walks away with a slap on the wrist for everything he has done, including getting into fights with your pack members?" Siku asked causing Karr's eyes to dart to the white she-wolf. "Don't even try and deny it, your wolves talk…. A lot when they don't like something. And low and behold, Romeo over there has had throw-down with your wolves as well and all he's had is a slap on the wrist and he's back looking for a fight."
"I told you before he is not my problem, this she-wolf has caused my pack more problems than she is worth and Aniu herself banished her from the packs. So forgive me if I find her the more important of the two issues" Karr growled, this was getting nowhere fast.
"Ya well that is a sorry excuse if I ever heard one" Siku fired back earning a growl from Karr.
"And what are you going to do about it? I'm the alpha here and my word is the law for this pack, so you better accept it" Karr growled his scowl deepening.
Siku growled as her eyes flashed yellow "I know just what to do about it. This pack needs new management….. I challenge you to an alpha's duel… you and me….. one on one" Siku growled out loudly causing all activity in the clearing to grind to a halt.
Karr's ears perked as his eyes scanned his surroundings. Members of his pack now looked intently at the scene, whispers passing between members, but all eyes on their alpha.
Karr growled, he would not back down from a challenge, Siku being Aniu's chosen or not, he would not stand for anyone questioning his authority. "Fine! Tomorrow, in the middle of the den site, when the sun is at its highest. And when you lose, I want you gone from my pack, I want you, and that sister of your's gone and if I ever see you again I will kill you both."
"Done, and when I'm through with you, you will remain in this pack as an omega," Siku growled right back.
Karr didn't reply, he turned to the three wolves who had stood guard at the clearing "Get the pack healer and tell her to get the red wolf ready to travel. Tell her she has until tomorrow noon to get her back on her feet," before turning his attention to Siku, "and your duties are called off, get back to whatever you were doing" before he walked away.
Jenna seeing her chance limped over to Siku. "Are you sure this was wise?" she asked. "Yup!" Siku replied back without a hint of hesitation her eyes burning with determination "you are my sister and I will do anything to make sure you are treated in a manner you deserve, even if it means tearing through Aniu herself."
Jenna turned to watch the retreating figure of Karr as he strode back to his den, wolves clearly giving way to the angered alpha. There was a big change coming and it would affect everyone.
