A/N: Welcome back to The Trial! I am so happy about how far this little story has come. I was not expecting this much support, but thank you, all of you. I don't know what I would do without you.

Chapter 22: Perils in the Wolf Forest

Ardyn and Dorian began a truck towards Lucis. They knew that that was one of the best places to look for the Imperials. They passed through the forest again and saw Beta - Tail watching them through narrowed eyes. He still did not trust them. It was understandable. They were strangers in his territory. And his job was to defend it. Dorian seemed to have noticed that the wolves were glaring at them two, because she stopped and looked Beta - Tail right in the eyes.

The wolf growled then slowly turned around and left the area. Dorian and Ardyn sighed and began walking again. "Why do they hate us so much?" Dorian asked, clearly confused about their unexpected aggression.

"I don't know, but I advise that we hurry up," Ardyn said, feeling a nervous feeling.

"Yes, I agree with you," Dorian said.

Suddenly, Alpha - Ocean and Omega padded out of the shadows.

(Dorian POV)

"Omega! Alpha!" Dorian gasped. Omega looked to be well fed and wound free apart from the fact that he had lost his tail. "Alpha, why is Omega in such high ranking?"

"Frost is now the lead hunter," Alpha - Ocean growled.

"Who is the new Omega if I may ask?" Dorian asked, slowly backing up.

"You haven't met him yet. A young prey thief named Platypus. Well, he's Omega now. Frost is now my third in command, followed by Amber, the lead patroller. Now, what are you doing back on our territory?" Alpha growled, her ears drawn back and her lips curled.

"What do you mean? We didn't cause any trouble the last time we were here in your forest. Why are you so mad at us for being here now?" Dorian asked.

"We woke up the first day we found you to finding half of our breakfast gone. We tried to get a good sniff of the smell to see who it was. You wouldn't believe who had stolen our leftovers and left us hungry while we hunted," Frost growled.

"Who?" Dorian asked nervously.

"Your companion," Frost replied, growling at Ardyn.

Dorian turned on Ardyn in shock. Her friend nodded in confirmation of what the lead hunter was saying. "Ardyn, how could you?! You have ruined a perfect relationship with this pack. Now they see us as enemies. Because of your stupid actions, they no longer trust us on their territory! Now we will have to go the long way to Lucis! Now it'll take longer to get to the final Trial. All because you had to steal prey from the wolf pack! Ardyn, we will have to find a different path to the desert because of your actions. Alpha, Beta, Frost, I am sorry for all the hunger my foolish companion has brought to your pack. It will not happen again."

"Yes, it won't. We'll escort you out of the forest. You will no longer be welcome in this forest, do you understand what I am saying?" Alpha snarled.

"Yes, I do, Alpha," Dorian said.

"Good, Amber, escort these two humans out of the forest. I've had enough of them," Alpha snarled.

A tawny wolf nodded and beckoned for Ardyn and Dorian to follow her. She led them to a stream and stopped there. She then nodded to them, signaling that they were now of their territory. The tawny wolf looked satisfied and she ran back into the forest.

"Now, let's find a way to the desert," Dorian said.

A/N: And cut! That was a fun chapter to write! The wolves return, more aggressive than they used to be, but they're back and that's all that matters. Well, see you next time!