Chapter Five(5)-It Takes Two to Tango (Pt. 1) (Because I'm Lazy. Lol. And to Build Up Suspense...)

Author's Note: Hey, what's up people? I'm here again with another full chapter of The Tradition. For any of you interested in my Balto fanfic, "La Resistance," I've just been having writer's block for that. But chapter eleven is under construction at this moment. Anyway, in this chapter section, Humphrey will see Kate before he goes to rest for the night. Winston will have her under supervision until a 'trial' presumes the next day. If at all possible of course. Humphrey will also be put to the test in the second half of this chapter. He will engage in paw-to-teeth combat with Garth! Fight, fight, fight! That'll be the main beef of part two, so I hope that you enjoy this installment and the next. Notify me of your opinions via review or PM.

Jasper Park, Canada-Western Territory of the Unified Packs: Kate, Humphrey, and Others-18:57:01(6:57 P.M.)

The next few hours had been rather...odd for Humphrey. He had witnessed his mate get carried away by the 'authorities,' and had seen a very pissed off and confused Winston. But what bothered him most was the fact that he had no idea of exactly what happened leading up to this point. All he knew for sure was that Kate had been taken to the holding dens near the western edge of the territory. This caused even more concern, due to the close proximity of the rogues. But at the same time, there was more security in that area. So...maybe there was nothing to worry about. Right? After dismissing his friends, who were indeed concerned as well, the wolf began to head towards the holding dens to talk to Kate and get some answers.

Far Western Border of Jasper Park-Unified Pack Holding Dens-19:08:13(7:08 P.M.)

Humphrey P.o.V.

Damn, that was quite a walk for it to be...actually I made pretty decent timing. There's about a half mile distance between the center of the territory and the holding dens. Plus I was walking slow so...I should stop complaining.

Anyway though, I began to make my approach towards the dens. I started to walk by them, looking inside every single one for any sign of Kate. However, when I finally did find her, she was in the back of her den lying down, making me assume that she must be sleep. As I began to enter, a sturdy, gray-furred, male wolf blocked my path. He looked at me and scoffed before speaking. "Hmph. And just where do you think you're goin', Omega? This is a restricted-"

I didn't give him a chance to finish, already knowing how this crap would turn out. I didn't have time for this right now. "I don't care! This zone could be restricted by Aniu and Fenrir themselves; I still have the right to see my mate regardless of my rank or anything else! Now move out of my way before I make you move, you overgrown, insensitive chunk of concrete!" Without a second's hesitation, the wolf side-stepped, before giving a very brief apology and looking forward, keeping an eye out for rogues.

I chuckled a little to myself. Normally I wouldn't have said all of that extra stuff, but there's a lot going on around here and I don't need someone else's caribou crap. Plus, I need to at least have something clarified. Plus, she is my mate after all...

I continued to approach her as she remained quiet and still, making such soft, beautiful sounds as her chest softly moved up and down to the rhythm of her breathing. I just loved to watch her. She was mesmerizing in every meaning of the word. With the very last tiny rays of sunlight breaking through into the den, her perfect honey colored fur was being illuminated brilliantly. I had been so focused on looking at her, that I hadn't even noticed that I was standing right over her now.

She always looked so peaceful when she slept. Finally, I moved my paw towards her. However, not in attempt to wake her yet. A few seconds later, my right forepaw made contact with her body. The first thing I felt as always was how soft her fur was. Just the touch or brush of that would get me going all the time. This however, was accompanied by her warmth. Man...did she feel amazing. I began to move my paw slowly across her body, until reaching her tail. She had the perfect curves along her body as well, always making me just...wow.

I felt as if my body had taken over my mind, as my other forepaw joined the right in it's massage. I began to softly run them along in a pattern and motion which felt good to my paws, and probably more so to her. After a few more seconds, I heard her moan softly in her sleep. So my instinct told me too keep going. I did this for another full minute, as she continued to make the most sultry moans I had ever heard. My mind started to wander, and I began to imagine mating with her right now. But I was able to control myself.

I had decided that I should wake her up now. But when I removed my paws and began to speak to wake her, I found that she was wide awake now. And she spoke to me in a way that made me want to keep touching her. "Mmm... Why'd you stop, Humphie? Too much for you to handle?" She then giggled, already knowing the answer. I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. She always knew what to say at the right time.

Now though, I decided to get to the reason that I came here originally. Further adventures of fun could come later in time. I cleared my throat before speaking. "You already know, babe. But umm...yeah. I came here to ask you a question..." She sat up now, maintaining a smile on her face. "Go ahead honey. Ask me anything." I was a little nervous. What if I didn't want to find out what happened earlier. But what should I be worried about? I cleared my throat a second time before finally asking the question. "Uh...what happened earlier today between you and Winston? And why are you here, in the holding dens?"

With that sentence, I think she had gotten mad. But not with me. She was most likely reminded instantly of the whole situation from earlier today. I backed up a few inches as she made a short, loud growl. Kate noticed my movement however and sighed. "Sorry, I just...didn't want to think about that again right now. I lost my temper for a second." I nodded in understanding, wanting to just let her continue.

She began to tell the tale. "Well...I was slowly heading back home from my scout with some Eastern wolves. We hadn't encountered a single thing though. Even though it was uneventful, I was happy at the same time. Because that meant that I could get back to you quicker. And with that last thought in my mind, I picked up the pace. After what I would guess to be three minutes or so, the Head Alpha's den was in sight. I had wondered if you stayed there. Then I remembered that it was you I was talking about, and you can never just sit still." She said that with a playful roll of her eyes. I chuckled, but still didn't speak. I wanted her to finish.

Kate continued. "However, my paws were already carrying me to the entrance, and I hadn't even noticed that I had walked up the slope already. By the time I wanted to turn around and head back, Winston was already looking at me. Something was different though. He had a look of anger or...something on his face. I started to walk over to him but he stopped me. He looked at me and told me to not get closer to him. "Kate, don't come any closer. And he told me I had, "five seconds to sit down or leave.""

At that point I growled now. "What?! What was he gonna do if you didn't sit, hurt you?! He has no-" She stopped me though. "Humphrey, please don't take it that seriously. He was mad at the time and I didn't want to make it worse for no reason." I sighed, figuring I would give up arguing any further. "You're right Kate. Please, continue." She nodded to me and told the rest of her story.

"He could tell I was confused after he said that, and clarified it for me. He told me though without actually looking at my expression. He said, "I need to talk. Not you just me." So obviously I was confused, but I sat down anyway. Then he just started going on and on about a whole bunch of bullcrap after initially apologizing. I was getting annoyed, but then he got mad and started to yell. I, for the first time in over a year, actually started to whine. I had only seen him that angry once and...well I didn't like it. Then he came directly at me, first with his words, then he...he.."

I was so angry at this point, I just wanted to know what he did to hurt Kate. So I looked directly into her eyes now, and pressed, "Kate...what did he do to you?" She sighed, before looking back at me. "He...he hit me.." Only at that point did i finally notice the claw marks on her face. 'Oh this asshole is gonna get it big time...' Enraged, I yelled now. "What?! Has he lost his fucking mind?! How dare he hit you! If I would've known at the time, I would've went up to him and beat the living shit out-" She stopped me with tears in her eyes. "Humphrey! He's still my father..."

I sighed, knowing that she had a point. But still, that didn't anywhere near justify what he had done. She continued to speak to me. "Even though after that I cried and he realized what he had done and tried to apologize, I still retaliated in self-defense. I didn't trust him. So i the end...he ended up worse off than me. And...you know the rest..." She cried a little more now, before throwing herself at me. Her tears began to moisten my fur, as I wrapped my paws around her in comfort.

She spoke once more. "Even though what he did was wrong, I was wrong too. He's...still my father and...the Alpha male. Plus I love him, and I know he loves me. I just...shouldn't have hit back either. Then I wouldn't be here..." She also had a point there too. But I can't blame her! What was she supposed to do, just sit there and let him get away with that?! But nonetheless, she was right.

I sighed, before pulling her in tighter and talking to her in attempt to calm. "Hey, hey...it's over now. What's done is done. You made a mistake, and everyone makes those. It would be odd if you didn't. And besides, what were you supposed to do? Keep being hurt? Nah. Now...cheer up. I need you to be strong for me now, alright babe? I won't stand a chance tomorrow if I know you're hurting. The bears might decide to pay me a visit and without proper training I'm screwed." I chuckled at the end, in attempt to make her laugh.

Of course, me being Humphrey, I had known just what to say. She gave a short giggle before loosening her embrace and puling back to look me in the face. "You're right. I wasn't in that much wrong. And if the bears come back, I'll do the talking this time." She gave me a wink as she said that last part, and I couldn't help but smile. Man, I love her for so many reasons...

After a few more seconds, we both released each other. Kate sighed again though shortly after. I turned to her and asked, "What's wrong now, Kate?" My mate turned to me and replied. "I'm just worried about you fighting Garth tomorrow. Why does this have to be so...complicated? Why are the Alphas so...stupid? It just doesn't make sense why they'd put our strongest Alpha up against an Omega." I was a little hurt by that statement however. Is that all she thought of me as? An Omega?

But she took note that what she had said was rude."Sorry Humphrey. You're not just any Omega. But...still. It's just the principle of it..." I nodded, agreeing with her. "I know. But I can't go against it, especially not now. Me and Garth kind of...got into it a bit earlier. He walked up to me and started talking trash. So I grabbed him by his legs and threw him up against a-" She stopped me though, catching me in my tale. "That sounds pretty exciting honey, but could you tell me how it REALLY happened?"

I smiled, deciding to tell her the truth. It took me about a minute to explain, but once I did, she gave a huff. "Well he can...go somewhere. I barely care. And I only care about him at all for Lilly's sake. But...yeah. Just show him who's boss tomorrow. Now you'd best get going. I don't want you walking too late." I rolled my eyes playfully. I swear, she treats me like a pup sometimes. But she's only looking out for me. I do the same for her too though sometimes.

I walked closer to her and gave her a final embrace for the night. "Goodnight Kate. I love you, and I'll see you tomorrow as soon as the fight's over." She hugged me back, before speaking. "I love you too Humphie. I'll see you tomorrow. And are you sure you can't stop by in the morning for a little...pleasure before business?" My eyes widened with what she said. 'Man, is she always ready to go?' I composed myself though, before giving the correct response. "You know I'd love to hun, but I gotta get in some last minute training. Plus I don't wanna do that again yet. Believe me, I love you and everything about you but...I think we should wait on that." She frowned slightly before smiling again. I think she was proud of me because mating with her wasn't all I was thinking about. It was probably another one of her tests. Even though she knows she can trust me, she still likes to assure herself that she can by giving me small tests about anything here and there. Trust me though when I say...when it comes to tests like she just did, it gets difficult to say no sometimes. But, I'm a grown wolf. I know how to handle myself.

"Alright then. I'll see you tomorrow after you kick Barf's butt. And when I get home..." I already knew what that meant, and I chuckled, before giving a response. "I already know... But..yeah. I'll see you tomorrow." I turned out of the den and began to walk home. As I got about ten feet away from Kate's holding den, she poked her head out behind me. "Be careful walking home." I replied back, "I will. Goodnight." I could feel her smiling behind me.

Central Western Territory of the Unified Packs-Main Den Area-19:28:34 (7:28 P.M.)

I had finally reached the pack's dens. As I approached my own, I looked into some of the other dens to see some wolves having conversations, some eating leftovers of dinner, and some asleep already. I walked by the den of the second-in-command Beta, Hutch. I looked inside and saw him just lying down looking out at the stars. He noticed me and called me over. "Ah, Humphrey. I need to speak with you briefly about tomorrow." Not feeling as if I really had a choice, I walked over to the entrance of his den. "What do you need to talk about?" He stood and approached me, before speaking once more. "Tony told me to tell you that the scheduled time for the fight is at two in the afternoon. And I wanted to tell you personally that you're brave."

I expected the first part. But the last thing he said is what surprised me. "What? You think I'm...brave?" He nodded his head. "Yes. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, you have major balls for challenging Garth like you did earlier. Plus, you didn't flee or try to talk your way out of the fight tomorrow. And that says a hell of a lot about you and your character. Believe it or not, even with this violent display tomorrow, you're till gonna be teaching a lesson to the younger pups. What you'll be teaching them is that even in the face of adversity, you still were able to overcome any prior fear or apprehension and take on the challenge. And just for that...I'll give you some last minute training tomorrow."

My eyes went wide from everything he had just said. 'Wow! He...really thinks all of that?' I snapped out of my thoughts temporarily and managed to come up with some form of reply. "Really?" 'Damn it Humphrey! You couldn't do better than that?' He chuckled, noticing my surprise. "Yes, really. You'll have to get up around six though. I have it planned out, and time management is essential. But you should get some rest now. You're going to need it. Goodnight Humphrey. And since you're too shocked to say thank you, you're welcome." He gave a final smile before heading into the back of his den and laying down.

I turned in the direction of my own den and began to walk again. I was so shocked. Not even because he said he would train me. But because he said I was doing something good. Something useful. He believed in me. And that meant more than anything, aside from Kate of course. But...yeah. I was actually kind of looking forward to this exhibition match between Barf and I. Not just so I could get some hits in on him. But so I could also prove my true worth among the pack. Even after bringing Kate back before, I was only respected for a few days. I mean, not to boast but...I prevented a devastating battle between the packs.

But that was far behind me now. I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't even noticed that I had reached my den. I entered and headed to the back, before walking around in three small circles and lying down. It didn't take long for me to begin to feel tired. My eyes became heavy as the last thoughts left my mind and I drifted off to sleep.

Banff National Park, Canada-00:00:01 (12:00 A.M.)

3rd Person P.o.V.

The moon was at it's highest peak in the sky as some bushes rustled and two wolves emerged from them. They entered a large clearing where twenty other wolves were seated and listening to one wolf who was atop a rock. He began to address everyone in attendance. "As you all know, the Eastern and Western packs of Jasper have united. This is not the main problem we face however. We could care less if they were to unite with the fish. The problem was that this unification was achieved by the marriage of an Alpha and an Omega. So in order to prove to them that Omegas are nowhere near as even as us Alphas, we're going to take one of both. Tomorrow, four of you will sneak into the western territory of Jasper Park and wolfnap Winston's daughter Kate. She is in holding just at the border. Take out the guards if you have to, but get her here. Lastly, you'll need to find some random Omega that is a close friend of her mate, Humphrey. I forgot the one's name..."

One of the wolves that was a scout remembered something about one of Humphrey's friends. He shouted out now, wanting to contribute. "Oh, King! I believe his name was Salty!" The Alpha male speaking to them laughed. "Yes! Salty is his name. He sounds like a queer with a name like that. Ha! But yes, we will capture him as well. If no one comes for them in a few days, we'll kill both and just strike the territory. Those 'unified and civilized wolves,' as they call them will have no idea what hit them. The four that I designate will set out tomorrow at one forty-five in the afternoon. They'll be having an event that starts at two tomorrow. Humphrey the weak Omega vs. the so-called 'Mighty Alpha,' Garth. While most of the pack is watching, that will be our chance to strike. You are all dismissed for now. Goodnight my fellow Alphas."

With that, they all dispersed and headed to their dens to rest. Tomorrow...they would be the spark that ignites the flame. Not just in the Unified Pack, but in one wolf in particular.

Author's Note: Well that was one heck of a chapter don't you think? And sorry about cutting it in half. I just didn't feel like all of it could fit perfect in the same chapter. And sorry about the rushed/sloppy ending. I wanted to get this out to you guys ASAP after all of this time. I intend to have 'It Takes Two to Tango Pt. 2' up in two to four days. I already have 400 words typed for it. I just want the hype/suspense to build up again. Especially now with the insertion of the rogues. But anyway, I hope you enjoyed pt. 1. Please let me know what you guys think. Until next time, comrades. -Whiskey