Combat 101

It was still dark out when Humphrey was tugged from his sleep by the searing pain in his side. He tried to fall back asleep but to no avail. Instead Humphrey lay there in the pitch dark listening to Lilly's soft breathing beside him. Her calmness seemed out of place considering the gravity of the situation. No one knew exactly what the Reapers were capable of or how powerful they were. The coming months were going to he a test of every wolf's strength and courage, the packs fate depended on it. There would be no room for helpless wolves like himself. Humphrey had no doubt that he would be put through combat training, in fact he was almost certain of it. Wether he liked it or not, it was time to step up and fight. He gazed at the outline of Lilly's figure; her fur almost seemed to glow in the dark of the cave. Would she have to learn how to fight as well? Humphrey hoped not because he couldn't stand to see his best friend hurt. Yet if Lilly did have to, Humphrey vowed to battle by her side. Lilly shivered prompting Humphrey to press in closer and warm her up.

"No matter what happens I'll protect you." he whispered. And from that moment on he knew that in the end for better or for worse, they would still have each other and their unbreakable friendship. Humphrey noticed the sunlight beginning to bleed into the den casting a red streak across the floor. Crisp morning air greeted the Omega as he exited the den. He walked down towards the river that ran a few feet away from the den and began to drink deeply. Sunlight shone throughout the fog that rose off of the waters surface. On the opposite bank he could see two parents taking their pups down to the waters edge for a swim. Just then something clicked in Humphrey's head. The whole pack was going into this thing together, as one big family. He realized how important it was that he learn how to fight because he didn't only have to defend himself but the one's around him too. With a new found determination Humphrey marched back to the den and shook Lilly awake.

"C'mon Lilly we've gotta start training!" he shouted in her ear. Lily's eyes snapped open.

"Wha-what?" She groaned.

"Training. Now. You. Up." Humphrey replied slowly.

"Are you crazy?" Lilly asked as she rolled away from him. "We're Omegas we don't train."

"Doesn't hurt to know how to fight." Said Humphrey.

Lilly closed her eyes and put her head down again. "Yes it does, and I'm quite happy with sleeping in. And I swear I remember you being injured."

"Please Lilly just give it a try, I'll be fine." Humphrey begged. "And look on the bright side, you'll get to laugh at how uncoordinated I am."

"Fine. This had better be worth it." Lilly yawned.

"So how do we go about this training business?" Lilly asked as they walked along side the river. Humphrey thought about this for a while, he didn't think this far ahead.

"I say. . . we ask Lexy, I'm sure she could help us out with this." Humphrey said. Lilly nodded in agreement and they continued walking along the path their pawsteps reverberating off of the towering trees."Lilly." Humphrey said stopping to face his friend. "Thanks for staying with me last night."

"No problem Humphrey." Lilly smiled. "I couldn't leave you there all hurt and what not."

Humphrey returned the smile and looked into her eyes. They drew closer and closer together, until they were only inches apart. Something stirred inside Humphrey, a feeling he had never felt before. He wasn't quite sure what but it was strong. Their gazes locked. The mix of Lilly's sent and the humid air was overpowering it was making his head spin and they just kept getting closer and closer until. . .

"Well what do we have here?" a voice cut through the air shattering the moment. Humphrey spun around to see Lexy leaning against a tree with a huge smirk on her face.

"C'mon Lexy it's not cool to sneak up on a wolf like that!" Humphrey exclaimed.

"Snuck up on you? You're the ones who are making out in the middle of the path." Lexy grinned.

"We weren't, we were actually looking for you." Humphrey said.

"Really, and what might that be for?" asked Lexy.

"Training, we want to learn how to fight." Humphrey replied.

"But if you can't help us we totally understand." Lilly added hopefully.

"Hmm, I'll give it a try. But what's in it for me?" asked Lexy.

"Ah. . .we can do your share of hunting?" Humphrey suggested.

Lexy shook her head. Glancing sideways at Lilly Humphrey tried again.

"We could help you with your Alpha duties."

"No that's against the law." she said firmly.

"Well what do you want?" Humphrey questioned, beginning to become frustrated.

"I don't know but I'm sure you could think of something Humphrey." Lexy winked.

"Uh. . .okay, I guess. . .I could do that." Humphrey stammered.

"Good, meet me by the howling rock at sun high. And then we can get to my payment later." she purred. Brushing past Humphrey with her tail Lexy melted into the trees out of sight.

"You seriously aren't going to go through with this are you?" she asked as soon as Lexy was out of ear shot.

"Go through with what?" he asked.

"Oh please Humphrey, don't tell me you didn't see her eyeing you up." Lilly said haughtily. "She looked at you as if you were a piece of meat. We both know she wants a little taste of Humphrey." she finished.

Humphrey still looked oblivious. "But why would she want to eat me? I probably taste horrible."

"You're hopeless." Lilly said shaking her head. "But don't worry I'm sure it won't hurt one bit."

Without another word she stalked off into the bushes. Humphrey bit his lip and sprinted after her. He wasn't exactly sure what had gotten into Lilly but he knew he had to figure out what. He searched the surrounding area for a good hour, but Lilly was no where to be found.

"This is great." Humphrey mumbled to himself as he poked through some shrubs. The sun that was now at it's highest beat down on his neck. Assuming that Lilly would be waiting for him at the howling rock Humphrey set off at a run praying that be wouldn't be late.

He found Lexy and Lilly waiting patiently for him near the bottom of the rock. Lexy was stretched out lazily on a flat rock; Lilly seemed on edge and was pacing back and forth.

"Ready to start?" Humphrey asked as he sat down beside them.

"Yup we can start." Lexy said, hopping down from her perch. "But first I want to see if you are even able to fight with you injuries."

Humphrey nodded. "What do you want me to do?"

"Lunge at me." Lexy said as she crouched down low.

Humphrey sprung out at the alpha but helped in pain as be flew through the air. He landed in front of Lexy clutching his side.

"No you're defiantly not training today." Lexy said as she helped him up.

"Humphrey!" Lilly gasped as he hobbled towards her. "Are you okay?"

"I'll be alright." he groaned.

"Your turn Lilly." Lexy beckoned with her paw. Lilly stood and squared up her shoulders.

"Now what?" she asked timidly.

"Attack me." was all Lexy said.

Lilly flung herself wildly at the Alpha but Lexy dodged out of the way and pushed the Omega's face into the dirt.

"First things first." Lexy began. "Never be to eager to attack, it puts you in a vulnerable spot."

"Good to know." Lilly said coughing up dust.

"Again." Lexy said.

Lilly got to her feet and the two females began circling each other.

"Look for an opening in your opponents defenses, and attack when they're least expecting it." Lexy said before jumping on Lilly and pinning her on the ground. Lilly didn't even have time to blink before a massive weight came down on her throat.

"You have to be ready to defend yourself at all times." Lexy said as she choked Lilly. The helpless Omega was gasping for breath but Lexy showed no signs of stopping. Humphrey had seen enough.

"Lexy stop you're hurting her." he said with the most serious tone he could muster. Yet the she didn't stop, it was like there was a glass wall between them. "Stop. Now." he growled deeply and to his great surprise she listened. Lilly drew in a deep breath as Lexy lifted her paws from the Omega's neck. Humphrey glared at Lexy. "I think that's enough for today." he said sternly as he helped Lilly stand. "Let's get you home."

Silently the two wolves walked side by side along the path to Lilly's den. Lilly was cut up pretty badly and her fur was covered in dust. Supporting her was a challenge for Humphrey because he could barely keep himself up right.

"I quit." Lilly said as they approached the den.

"Please give it one more chance." Humphrey pleaded.

Lilly gazed into his eyes for a moment as if she were trying to read Humphrey's thoughts.

"Okay, but if Lexy does that again I'm done." she said. "And I mean it."

"I'll talk to her, don't worry." Humphrey reassured her.

"I hope so." Lilly sighed before retreating into the darkness of the den. "I really do."