Whitecoats Pack (Arctic Wolces on the south-eastern border of Manitoba and Ontario)
Chapter three: The Conniving Queen
Dahlia woke up several hours before dawn; she never slept well lying next to Ridge. The alpha was her mate, but only until she killed him. Any other wolf might have shuttered at a thought like that, but Dahlia had a heart of stone. She didn't really consider herself evil, just ambitious. She wanted what was best for her pack and believed only she could give it to them. Ridge was failing horribly and was an embarrassment as an alpha. Dahlia stretched and yawned as she crawled out of their den and into the open camp. Their camp was small with only three dens. One was a small cave within the side of an odd rock formation that branched off from the rock bridge that provided passage over the lack. The other two dens were dug out below two tall oak trees. The camp was at a high elevation, but if one travelled a few yards south and then down the hill they could find fresh water and plenty of fish in the lake. Dahlia would know; she had been living off of fish for the best few months. Ridge was horrible at organizing hunting patrols and delegating responsibilities. He wanted everyone to do everything on his or her own. This was one of the biggest reasons the pack was starving.
Dahlia shuddered with rage as she remembered Azalea's tiny form from last night. Azalea was pregnant with, Dahlia's brother's pups to be exact. As if on cue, Crane crawled out of the den he shared with his mate and trotted up to Dahlia. His brown eyes were anxious and frustrated. Once he was close enough to whisper, he hissed, "At this rate she wont even be able to produce milk for the pups, even if she manages to get them out safely." He kneaded the ground angrily and Dahlia rubbed her head against his. "It will be okay brother." She said comfortingly. "Go and get her some fish from the lake. I will try to organize a hunting party to send out today." Crane nodded, still worried, and started for the lake. Dahlia tensed as she thought of the fight she was going to have to start with Ridge just to get a hunting party together. She didn't mind a fight, though, especially if it was in order to protect her family.
Then Dahlia noticed the white coat and striking blue eyes of Aspen. The she-wolf was staring intently at her. Dahlia nodded acknowledgement and turned to go back into her den, but Aspen trotted out and caught up to her. "Dahlia." Aspen said respectfully to her before lowering her head. Dahlia was used to this behavior because she was the alpha female but something seemed different about Aspen's air. "Aspen." Dahlia acknowledged the she-wolf and sat patiently, waiting to see what she had to say. Aspen kept her head bowed and in a clear, strong voice said, "Dahlia, you know I love my sister and my brother. Azalea needs food and Snow would follow you to the end's of all the land. I do not know why you haven't challenged Ridge yet, but I want you to know that you have my loyalty and support. The Whitecoats need a new leader and I pledge my allegiance to you." Dahlia was surprised that Aspen would make such a bold pledge out in the open, but quickly recovered her senses and reacted appropriately. "Thank you, Aspen. I am honored to have your allegiance. Soon this pack will be given new strength and will rise above all others." Dahlia's voice was confident, but not cocky. She knew better than to be presumptuous and end up in Ridge's positions with many promises made and nothing to show for it. Aspen rose and nodded at Dahlia.
"For now, take Flint and Quill and go on a hunting patrol." This was the first time Dahlia was giving an order without Ridge's permission. It felt amazing. Aspen looked up and asked: "Quill? He is the omega. Why is he being sent on a hunting patrol?" Aspen seemed astonished and perhaps she was already second-guessing her pledge but Dahlia remained calm and reassured her new warrior. "I thought you pledged to serve me, Aspen? Are you questioning your alpha's command?" Dahlia let the question sound almost teasing so as not to offend her newest ally. "No, my lady." Aspen responded respectfully and Dahlia decided to share her reasoning as a reward. "Good. I want Quill and Flint to be kept busy today. Do you understand, Aspen?" Dahlia's gaze bored into the icy blue eyes of the other she-wolf and Aspen seemed to understand. She nodded and then darted off in the direction of the other warriors and hunters, ready to collect her crew. With Aspen's pledge Dahlia had all she needed.
Her brother and his mate were surely on her side, and Snow and Aspen were now on her side, as well. Quill and Flint were Ridge's only allies and with them out of the camp Dahlia was sure she could convince Rose and Delta to join her. Today was finally the day. Today, Ridge would die.
Crane returned from the lake with a fish in his mouth. He quickly nodded at his sister and then brought the fish to his mate. Dahlia started to head towards them, but then Ridge emerged from his den and looked around the camp. Noticing that his warriors were missing, he stormed over to Dahlia. "Where are my warriors?" He snarled, bearing his teeth. "I sent them on a hunting patrol." She answered calmly. "Who gave you permission to do that?" Ridge hissed, but Dahlia remained calm. "The only litter of pups we are going to have this season might die. Azalea needs to eat more than fish." Dahlia explained, but Ridge was far from satisfied.
"Maybe these pups wouldn't be such a burden if your brother and that whore didn't have them out of season." Ridge's voice was dripping with hatred, but to Dahlia he sounded like a stupid child throwing out insults because he didn't get his way. "Maybe if you were a real leader, your pack would listen to you." She spit back and with that Ridge snapped. He barreled into her, knocking her off balance. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Snow inching towards them, ready to intervene. She caught his eye and shook her head to let him know she had it handled. Ridge was the alpha only by birthright. He was the largest wolf, but not the best fighter. That title was reserved solely for Dahlia. In one quick motion, she snapped at the paw he had placed on her throat and when he drew it back she rolled onto her paws. He tried to drop his weight on her back, but she was smaller and more agile. She quickly rolled out of the way so that his weight landed on the ground and she was back on her feet. She did not hesitate. Dahlia launched herself onto the alpha's back, snapping her jaws tight around the back of his neck. This was not a killing blow and he quickly threw her off. She landed on her side, but rolled until she was back on her feet. Ridge copied her move and launched himself towards her back. This was her chance to use her favorite fighting move. As he launched himself into the air, Dahlia got down low and launched herself at his feet. Her shoulder connected with his chest and Ridge fell onto his side. Not as smart as Dahlia, Ridge hit the floor and landed on his side instead of absorbing the impact and continuing to roll. Once again, with no hesitation Dahlia darted towards his exposed belly and sunk her teeth into his soft skin. This was not a killing blow, either. Wolves rarely killed in one blow. Instead, this was a wound that would kill him slowly. He would either bleed out or be too weak to fend for himself. With blood dripping from her teeth, Dahlia looked up and swept her eyes over her audience. Crane nodded in approval and Delta and Rose both lowered their heads, accenting to her newfound leadership. Finally, Dahlia's eyes met Snow's dark blue eyes and to her astonishment saw something more than acknowledgement. She saw relief. For a second, she was surprised, but then she realized he must be relieved that his sister would finally be getting fed properly. Dahlia nodded to him and he trotted up to her side. He would be her Beta; everyone knew this.
At that moment, Flint and Quill burst into camp with Aspen not far behind. The white she-wolf looked apologetically at Dahlia, but Dahlia flickered her tail in forgiveness. She never expected the medium-sized she-wolf to stop the enormous Flint from returning to camp once he heard his alphas cries. Dahlia just needed him gone long enough to do what she had to do. Now, it was done. Ridge was no longer fit to be alpha. He would either become omega or leave the territory. Dahlia was wondering if she should even give him the choice when Flint turned on her, anger boiling in his eyes and dripping from his voice. His black muzzle curled back in a snarl and Dahlia wondered if he would be stupid enough to attack her with Snow and Delta on her side.
"I'll kill you!" Flint hissed and Snow barked a warning at the menacing wolf. Dahlia thought it was odd that Flint was so protective over Ridge. They were not littermates and Flint hated Quill and Rose who were his actual littermates. What a strange wolf.
"No you won't. Not today. Take whoever will go with you and leave this territory. If you ever return you will be killed on site." Dahlia's verdict was clear and simple. Quill weaseled his way between Flint and the unconscious Ridge. Flint flicked his tail in irritation but was clearly willing to take whomever he could get. The two wolves shoulder each side of Ridge's battered body and slowly made their way out of camp. "Follow them." Dahlia flicked her tail, motioning to Delta, Snow and Aspen. The three bolted out of camp to make sure the rogues left the territory. Dahlia turned to the remaining wolves and assessed the situation. Crane would no leave Azalea's side with the violence that had just happened. That left Rose.
"Rose, would you please go catch whatever prey you can for Azalea. From now on she eats first. If you catch enough to fill her stomach and bring me a loon then you can eat whatever else you catch." Rose excitedly darted out of the camp and Dahlia was sure that she would return with plenty of prey. Rose just needed the right kind of motivation.
Dahlia trotted over to Azalea's den and made her way inside. Azalea was a smaller, more delicate form of Aspen but without proper food she looked as thin as a deer's legs. She was not fit to give birth and the pups were due within a week. Dahlia looked at her brother Crane but he would not take his eyes off of his mate. Dahlia could see how much he loved her.
"I sent Rose out to find you enough prey to fill your belly tonight. From now on, you will eat first." Dahlia saw the kind young wolf about to object and quickly silenced her with a stern look. "No complaints. The pups you are carrying are important to the whole pack and they need to be healthy and strong. Hunting parties will be sent out twice a day to make sure you are fed." From what Dahlia had gathered, one of the other packs was expecting a litter as well so there would most likely not be any attacks on her borders. Hunting patrols were just more necessary than border patrols at the moment.
"I understand Dahlia. Thank you." The she-wolf's voice was faint and weak, but Dahlia could hear the strength of her gratitude. This made Dahlia smile and she licked the mother-to-be's ear before heading out of the den. Now, she just had to wait for Rose to return with prey and for her warriors to affirm that the rogues had left the territory. Dahlia curled up in the middle of the clearing as the sun began to peak over the trees. She was satisfied, for now.