(written from April 24th to April 28th, 2014)

Chapter 1: Competition

September 5th, 2009

"I know what to do, Mom. Please don't remind me," Kate moaned to her mother who was watching her practice. Her father, Winston, rolled his eyes and smiled at them.

"Kate, you must listen to me," her mother, Eve, insisted. "We're preparing you for something big."

"What is it?" Kate asked. "You never bothered to tell me."

"It's hard to explain, but we know you'll do good in it."

"Can you at least tell me what I'm training for? Does it have a name...?" Eve then sighed.

"You're training for the Games," said Winston. His voice echoed throughout the valley they were in.

"Games? What Games?"

"The Great Wolf Games," he answered.

"What is that, Dad?"

"It's where you and four others are going to represent our pack by competing in three events," he explained. Kate grew excited. This was something she always wanted to do.

"I'm going to represent the Western Pack? Great! Now I really want to train... hard! I'm going to be the best and greatest Alpha who ever lived!" Winston chuckled at Kate's burst of enthusiasm.

"Good. Lilly will be joining you."

"My sister? Omegas can compete too?"

"The Games are for all critters," said Eve. "The events start in early autumn. There's more than enough time to train and find teammates."

"Will you be picking the other three?" Kate asked.

"Sure but... we'll let you pick someone yourself if you want."

"Really, Mom? Pawsome! I'm going to find someone right now!" She started to run up the valley to the den grounds.

"Be back!" she heard Winston yell before they went out of her sight. "Oh, and remember, Kate! Junior-aged critters only!"

"Got it, Dad!" She continued on.

The den grounds looked perfectly peaceful. As Kate strolled through, looking around, the wolves there were focused on their occupations like any other late summer day. "Hmm... What will I pick?" she told herself. She didn't want just any critter. She wanted the perfect critter. So she scanned the area, searching for the perfect critter her age.

Just then, a pup appeared in the distance. His luxurious orange fur flowed orderly in the winds that began to pick up. Kate was mesmerized by him. There was no doubt that he was an Alpha. He was the perfect one! She went down from the perch she stood on to meet him. "Hi there," she greeted.

"Oh, hi. Kate, right?" She was surprised. How did this pup know her name?

"You know me?" she asked. The orange pup gave a small laugh.

"Everybody knows you. You're the daughter of Winston." Kate felt embarrassed.

"Oh, right. So... are you a Junior?"

"Certainly," he answered.

"Alright. What is your name?"

"My name is Garth."

"Interesting name. Would you like to represent the Western Pack by joining my team for the Great Wolf Games?" The pup then burst out laughing. Kate looked confused.

"You're kidding, right?" said Garth.

"Uhh... no..."

"You're not? Oh. Well, look, in case you don't know, I'm not a Western; I'm an Eastern.

"You're from the Eastern Pack?"

"Duh... In fact, I'm representing the Eastern Region in the Games."

"Really? Then what are you doing at our den grounds?" she asked.

"Relax. Our practice field is overgrown with weeds. We've gotten permission from your father to use yours. Now if you'll excuse us, we need to get there."

"Us?" Garth walked past her. Following him were four other grinning wolves who all looked like dedicated Alphas. Kate studied her competition. She didn't feel they were even a bit out of her league.

"See you later I guess. And good luck," said one of them.

Kate smiled widely, raising one eyebrow, and replied:

"Thanks, but I don't need it... Now... where can I find another, more suitable Junior-aged wolf?"

Meanwhile. . .

...miles away at the Northern Pack, a Junior was doing his immense training for the Games. His father, Flynn, was training him hard. He was known as the best Alpha in the Northern Pack, and he highly expected his son named Nars to be the same.

"C'mon, son! You're the best! Remember that. Don't let anything stand in your way."

"*pant* What is my competition?" Nars asked firmly as he was running around the field he was told to go around.

"Well, the Easterns are sending an all-Alpha team with Tony's son as the captain. They're the team to beat."

"*pant* Anything else? What about the Western Region?"

"The only thing Winston has confirmed is that he's having his two daughters in their team with the eldest, Kate, as the captain."

"*pant* Kate? That weak Alpha of the Western Region?! I've heard of her. Ha! Too easy! I won't allow myself to be beaten by a girl."

"I know you can win this for our pack. Do not let our reputation down! For the Northerners!"

"*pant* For the Northerners!" they hurrahed.


Next - Chapter 2: Recruitment

(written from May 9th to May 23rd, 2014)

Chapter 2: Recruitment

"Air wolf!" yelled Humphrey as he jumped from a high ledge before splashing into the mud puddle. He and his friend laughed as the mud got all over their faces. They were Omegas, the peacekeeping and fun-loving members of a pack. Their rank was low and inferior, but they still had vital importance in a pack's networks of communication.

"Dog, that was pawsome!"

"I know, Salty," Humphrey agreed. "We should do things like this more often. Imagine the fun we could have!" He grabbed Salty's chest and brought it close to his. "Stick with me, pup. We'll go places."

"Ha, ha. Humphrey, you are some wolf."

"Well, my good friend, I wouldn't be 'some wolf' if we weren't buddies."

"Why, thank you."

Both Humphrey and Salty knew they were going to be the greatest of friends, but alas, fun was becoming more and more scarce. What were two Omegas supposed to do? It had been said that riding a log down a mountain was fun, but the dangers were extreme. Still, they were quite determined and desperate enough to try anything. Omegas without fun were like a berry bush without its berries. One couldn't survive without the other.

Correspondingly, Kate's placement in the competition couldn't survive without a team. Since she was allowed to pick only one, she tried to find the perfect critter, one who was up to the challenge.

When she had witnessed Humphrey's landing in the large puddle, she realized that maybe he was the one she was looking for. His form of jumping looked elegant and magnificent to her, very Alpha-like.

She walked over to the two pups who noticed her before she got the chance to speak. They had never seen a girl walk up to them on purpose nor one this beautiful.

"My, my," Salty flirted as he wiped the fur on his head back, knocking some mud into Humphrey's wide-open eyes, which caused Humphrey to blink. "Hey..."

"Hi," Kate replied, smiling. Humphrey didn't say anything. He was looking straight into her eyes.

"What brings you here, Kate?" Salty asked.

"You know her?" said Humphrey.

"Duh. This is the pack leader's daughter."

"An Alpha? I didn't know..." Kate was relieved that at least one wolf didn't know her already. "Hi, I'm Humphrey," he introduced.

"Nice to meet you," said Kate. They shared the same face. "I've uhh... come to offer something."

"Like what?" Salty twisted his head in curiosity.

"Would one of you two like to join my dad's team for the Great Wolf Games?"

"The Games?" the males both repeated. They looked at each other in dismay. Suddenly, they then burst into a volley of laughter. Kate stared at them.

"Whoever heard of an Omega competing in the Great Games?" said Humphrey. "Thanks for that joke. I really needed it."

"I'm not joking. I mean it," she declared.

"I think she's firm," said Salty. He scratched his head with his right hind paw. Fleas were becoming a problem for him lately. It took Humphrey a while for the truth that she wasn't kidding to set in.

"Oh, come on! Omegas in the Games? That's as realistic as Salty getting a date!" he admitted with no hesitation.

"Yeah! Wait, what did you say?" Salty asked, confused. Humphrey continued.

"Even though the Games are open to all critters, no team has ever had Omegas, let alone won at least one event with them.

"But think about it, Humphrey," said Kate. "Maybe you'll surprise yourself." She was getting desperate. "And maybe if we win, Omegas will be more respected."

"Respected? I see your point..." He nodded to his friend who had an infectious grin on his face. "Okay, I'll join... on one condition..."

"What do you want?" she asked, thinking that maybe all he wanted was some food. Omegas were, unfortunately, the last members to eat. But that wasn't it at all.

"Salty comes with me." That almost made Kate laugh. But it died down quickly.

"But I'm only allowed to choose one critter!"

"Well, I guess I'll just leave you then..."

"Wait! I'll uhh... see what I can do, alright?"

"Deal." Humphrey and Kate then shook paws.

Elsewhere. . .

"I'd like you to meet your team," Flynn announced. Nars studied them. He became impressed.

"The pack leader picked them?" he asked.

"With a little help from my input," his father said, proudly. "In order from left to right, this is Star, who specializes in running events; Paige, who has a thing for jumping; Rose, who may be a medium-sized fox, but don't let her size fool you; and Star's sister, Misty, who is good on the rocks like you."

"I see. Shouldn't we start training?"

"I thought you'd never ask, son." Nars got in line with his teammates which were all females. They all looked at him quietly as he got himself ready for their warm-up. "Alright, team! You know the ol' Northern way! I want to see those little legs choppin'! Rumble them now!" Flynn yelled. They started marching in place.

"Faster!" Nars encouraged. The group begrudgingly copied him. The sounds of their little paws synchronized together to create a special tap-tap pattern that was only unique to the Northern wolves. It was their huge desire to win that gave the pack its reputation. They were a two-time defending champ in the Games. However, could their desire to win fuel their success forever? The Games were created to dedicate the notion of having fun in a sporting contest. It wasn't created for regions to indulge in their own pride. Could a fire burn so far?


Next - Chapter 3: Training Day

(written from June 23rd to July 4th, 2014)

Chapter 3: Training Day

"So... how did it go?" asked Salty as Kate walked out of her parents' den. She had a sarcastic smile on her face.

"Swell, thanks to you two," she answered.

"Why, you're welcome," Humphrey said, playing along.

"Shut up," Kate growled.

"Why so spiteful?" asked Salty.

"Well... when I presented you two to my mom and dad, they said stuff like, 'Please, Kate! Please. No jokes right now. I can barely breathe...' Next, when they realized I wasn't kidding, they scolded me for 'not listening' to their directions. And finally, they decided that if the team was going to have not two but THREE Omegas, then they were going to draft a really good Alpha to make it even."

"Seriously?" Humphrey responded.

Suddenly, Winston and Eve exited their den and walked up to their daughter. Kate knew from their looks that any hint of enthusiasm wasn't going to return anytime soon.

"It's settled. We start training tomorrow," her father declared.

"Okay, Dad," she acknowledged. They both then walked away. That was when Humphrey realized what Winston had just said. His eyes widened.

"Wait. Did you just say 'training'?"

The next day. . .

September 6th, 2009

The whole team gathered at the Western Pack's practice field. The Easterns were given permission to practice on the east side while the Westerns were only allowed to practice on the west side.

"Looks like they've already started their training," said Winston who was watching the Easterns. Can-do, the specially drafted player was beside him.

"Don't worry boss, we'll crush those pathetic excuses. The best they can do is make some sad attempt. Luckily, you were smart enough to pick me—I mean, who wouldn't—to help with your Omega problem."

"That's nice of you, Can-do, but please say kind words to the Easterns. There's enough turmoil between me and Tony already." That was when Winston turned around as Kate approached with the rest of the team.

"The Omegas are late as usual, sir," she reported. Her father sighed.

"Omegas will be Omegas."

"Why do we have to have them on our team anyway?" asked Can-do. "Won't they just slow us down?"

"Just think of this as an experiment," Winston whispered into his ear. "I want to see what they can do."

"Is this the Alpha you guys were talking about?" asked Salty. "He looks tiny." Kate looked at Can-do. Her mouth dropped. She had a disturbing history with him. Humphrey knew him too and didn't like him either.

"Yo, Kate. How's it going?" he flirted.

"Not on your tiny life. Don't talk to me," she ordered.

"You'll learn to like me sooner or later. I don't know why you bother trying not to."

"Maybe it's because of your tiny brain," Lilly suggested, trying to make a joke.

"Why does everybody always bring up size? You stay out of this! Need I remind you that us Alphas are more dominant?!"

"Leave them alone!" Humphrey barked. Can-do was a small pup who always got what he wanted, but Humphrey wasn't about to let him get his way with Kate or Lilly. He actually began to care about them, even though they sort of just met. Nonetheless, as peacekeeper, he must do his job.

"What did you say, Omega?!" Can-do growled.

"What I'm saying is you can't go around bossing wolves because of their rank. Besides, none of us technically haven't been officially assigned a rank yet, so that actually means that you're no more dominant than me."

"He's right," said Kate. "I believe that's the smartest thing you ever said since I first met you." Can-do then walked up to Humphrey and was about to smack him in the face with his paw, but in the nick of time, Winston howled.

"Come over here, pups! Training day one starts now!"

"Next time, Omega..." Can-do whispered in Humphrey's large right ear. It sent chills down his spine.

"Line up!" Winston yelled. The five pups got into a line. First was Can-do, second was Kate, third was Lilly, fourth was Salty, and fifth was Humphrey. "Now... after examining the Easterns back there, I've realized that if we're going to beat an all-Alpha team, we must train harder than them.

"Are you kidding me?" said Humphrey.

"No, Humphrey. I'm not kidding. But don't you worry. This won't be as hard as exercising in Alpha School."

"What a relief."

"However, I want all of you to run a lap around the field in under one minute."

"Wait. What?"

"Go!" he ordered. All five of them sprinted. The Eastern team and their coach, Smokey, watched as the pups ran around them. It wasn't long before Kate was in the lead. Humphrey though was far in the back behind Salty.

"Come on, dog! You gotta keep up!"

"I can't, Salty! My body just wasn't designed for this!"

Soon, the last turn came. It was the only thing between them and the finish line. This turn was quite sharp. When Kate reached it, she tried to turn her body, but the dirt was so slippery that when she planted her right paws, they slipped under her left, making her trip.

"Ha, ha! Nice one, Kate!" Can-do teased as he passed her. And almost instantly after that, he fell too in the same way. In fact, one by one they all tripped on themselves and fell. Winston felt embarrassed as the Eastern team laughed.

"Stop that now!" he yelled. The thickness in his voice scared them. "We just got a lot of work to do."

"It's gonna take more than 'a lot' to even qualify," said Smokey. Garth nodded beside him.

"Not if they believe..." Winston whispered.


Next - Chapter 4: The First Event

(written from August 15th to September 7th, 2014)

Chapter 4: The First Event

September 22nd, 2009

As the valley filled with spectators, Winston gathered up the Western team on one of the nearby hills and told them to stay put. He also told them to examine their competitors while he would go talk with the other coaches. He went to the bottom of the valley near the playing field where he met Smokey.

"My team is ready, Smokey. Yours?"

"Mine was ready many moons ago. It's hard to believe your Omegas found the playing field."

"Yeah? Well... um..."

"Go ahead, Winston. Say it. It can't change the fate of this event. Just face it. Your daughter will fail you. Once the Games are over and we win, the Eastern team will have the right to put the Games in Alpha Wolf Club, which we all know you don't like, so that means that, every time the season comes around, you will pass and never again play in the Great Games, destroying the good name of the Western Pack."

"Have you had this plan from the beginning?"

"More or less," he answered, "and it's gonna work."

Suddenly from above, an owl swooped down and perched in between them. Some of her feathers were painted black from blackberries. That meant that she was an umpire. As soon as the wolves saw those painted feathers, they stood still and became quieter in respect.

"Hmm... Nice day for a game," she commented, walking past Winston and Smokey and looking around.

"I couldn't agree more, ma'am," Winston replied.

"Please... It's the least I could do after all you've done for me. Now are all of your teams ready?"

"Mine is," said Smokey.

"Mine is too," said Winston.

"Mine also," said Flynn as he approached them.

"Nice. The first event will start soon. Go tend to your teams while we get ready in our positions. We'll call when we're done." All three coaches went to their teams. When Flynn made it to his team, he talked straight to Nars.

"Remember. Crush the Easterns today. We'll deal with the leftover scraps later."

"Don't worry, Father. I got it handled. The last thing those Easterns will see is my tail. For the Northerners!"

"Heh, heh. You will make me proud."

Meanwhile. . .

...just as the Northerners were getting ready with their signifying chants and their warm-ups, Winston was informing his team about how the first event was going to go. He hoped that the Omegas would understand him. They haven't really been on his good side lately, but that wasn't a reason not to trust their performance. They did okay during their training. It was just a matter of time before he was able to see how much they had learned.

"Okay, team. Today is judgment day, the day when everybody sees our skillsets. If we get eliminated, then the good name of the Western Pack will be questioned. We can't let that happen. This day will be a relay race. Do any of you know what that is?" Kate raised her paw.

"Yes?"

"It's when every team forms their own line of wolves in front of the start/finish line on the field, and each member of the team takes their turn on the course that's filled with obstacles. Known as a leg, one player from each team goes around the field and comes back to signal the next player in their team line to do the same. The first team to get their last player to cross the start/finish line wins."

"Good job, Kate. I like your memory. So... yeah. We're doing what she said."

"What strategic order will you have us in?" asked Can-do.

"That's a good question. I think Salty should be last, and you should be second last. Lilly should be first with Kate and Humphrey right after."

"I believe that works," Salty agreed. "When does the event start?" Just after he said that, a loud screech rippled the air. It was the umpire. Her graceful wings were spread out, and her small beak was wide open as she perched on top of a random wolf's back.

"Now actually," said Winston. "All of you go to the field, and get in your correct order."

Every pup of all three teams walked over to the playing field and got into their assigned order. The pups who were the first in their lines examined the field. It was pretty simple. All each of them had to do was go around the outside of three large boulders, come back, and touch the next pup's paw, making them do the same thing, but what Winston noticed that worried him was the third boulder. To go around that, it required a swift change in direction at the right moment, which was something every wolf struggled with, especially the Western team. No pup, not even Kate, could get close to mastering it since day one. It was just something that had to be dealt with on the fly.

When the crowds were quiet and teams looked ready, another screech was heard, marking the official start of the Great Wolf Games. As Lilly of the Western team, Rose, a fox of the Northern team, and Rita of the Eastern team started running, the umpire and her assistants flew off into the air and looked down at the action below. The Western owls had way better vision than the wolves. They were able to see their prey miles away in the sky, making them perfect for the job of umpiring. Usually, they would be sleeping at this time of day because they were nocturnal, but the owls and the Western Pack had an agreement. Every couple of years, the owls would help with the Games. In exchange, the wolves let them control the rodent population of the pack. It was a win-win.

As the event dragged on, things weren't looking good for the Westerns. They were on Humphrey's run now in last place while the first place team, the Northern team, was already on their fifth leg, which was Nars's. Kate and her father knew Humphrey wasn't a good runner but at least someone who was was next: Can-do.

The Northern team finished with Nars howling the Northern chant; they won easily. They had actually broken a time record set a long time ago when the East and the West were together as one pack. After the Northerners won first place, the Easterns stopped trying their hardest. That let Can-do catch up, bringing the East and West close.

"Come on, guys! Beat him!" yelled Smokey. "Do whatever you have to, and I mean it!"

"This is your chance! Don't give up!" Winston shouted.

Soon, it all came down to Garth and Salty. East versus West. Smokey versus Winston. And as the leg progressed, everybody became more and more quiet.

Suddenly, when Garth and Salty went around the third boulder, something went wrong. It happened so fast and so suddenly that the owls above could barely see it. Just as they went around the boulder, they were right next to each other. Then there was a quick cracking noise. No time after that, Salty fell to the ground and slid about three feet off course. Garth continued going until he passed the start/finish line, supposedly putting the Eastern team in second place, but the event wasn't over until the main umpire said so.

"Cheaters! Cheaters!" yelled Winston, stamping his paw on the grass. The crowds behind him were buzzing with chatter.

Humphrey then ran from where he was to Salty. He had to help his best friend.

"Salty! Are you okay? What happened? Speak to me!"

"I'm not dead, idiot! That fool who was with me... he purposely stepped on my ankle. I think he broke my paw..."

"Are you sure it's broken? It could just be—"

"Oww!" Salty yelped as Humphrey touched the area.

"Oh... I guess it is broken. Well... it's gonna be alright! Umpire! Umpire!" he called. The bird spiraled down and perched next to him.

"No worries. I heard from above," she said.

"You did? How?"

"My ear slits. I'm a superb listener... Now, don't worry about your teammate. He's in good paws as you wolves say."

"He's not only my teammate; he's my friend."

"So I hear... Can your friend get up?"

"I can try..." said Salty

"Okay, but be careful."

Salty got on his three working paws and tried to stand. That was when Winston came over to the site along with two other Alphas. Together they helped Salty move to the nearest den where he could receive treatment.

"Do you know what happened, Sanja?" Winston asked the umpire.

"Somewhat. Salty claims that the Eastern team stepped on his ankle."

"Those idiots! They'll do anything to win!"

"We can't jump to conclusions yet, Winston. I'm going to talk to the Easterns."

She took off in the air and flew over to Smokey who was celebrating his victory.

"Oh, hey. What's going on?" he asked, not expecting her.

"Hi. I've come to talk to you."

"What is it? I'm busy."

"Umm... the Western team has an injured player, and according to their player, you are responsible for his broken paw."

"What? I didn't know it was that serious. I would never intend to hurt any of my opponent's players. As a coach, I have read and agreed to the Great Games' Oath of Good Sportsmanship."

"Really? But didn't you say and I quote, 'Do whatever you have to, and I mean it'?"

"Yes, I did say that. I was telling my player, Garth, to do his best no matter what. I didn't want any thoughts to clog up his mind or anything that would stop him from going the extra mile."

"Okay. I've heard enough." She went back to Winston.

"Well?" he said.

"He denied any wrongdoing. It sounds like he's lying, but I'm not too sure. There's not much I can do now."

"Man! They're so crafty. What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to have to tell the public what happened and what's going to happen. Excuse me."

The umpire went up into the cloudless blue sky and faced the crowds. "Attention, wolves, bears, and any other creature watching this! The incident that involved the injury of one of the Westerns is going to have to be investigated. What we know for sure is that the Northern team has won this event and will definitely move on to the second event. Tomorrow morning I will announce on whether the East or the West will move on." The crowds roared in excitement.

"Do you think we will be eliminated?" Humphrey asked Kate as she sat next to him. "I think we did a good job."

"Tomorrow we'll find out. I just hope that our team can at least hold on."


Next - Chapter 5: Mooch

(written from December 10th to December 11th, 2014, revised on November 21st, 2022)

Chapter 5: Mooch

"Well?" said Humphrey, waiting patiently outside the Western Pack Healers' Den for Males with the rest of the team as Winston came out with a frown.

"It's broken," he admitted. The whole team gasped except Can-do who moaned.

"What are we gonna do?" asked Hutch. "He can't play."

"Yeah? Do we have to forfeit?" said Lilly.

"Relax, pups," Winston cooed. "We're not going forfeit. It's true that Salty is unable to play, but that gives us an opportunity. We have 'til the next event tomorrow to get another player, a really good player. Of course, that is if the umpire lets us go, but I'm sure it's imminent."

"Another player? Hmm..." Kate started thinking.

"What is it, sweetie?" her father asked.

"I was just thinking about where we could find that someone."

"I think I know someone!" said Humphrey. Everybody looked at him, surprised. "What?"

Later, at Shadow Forest. . .

Kate and Hutch decided to follow Humphrey through the Shadow Forest. He said this was where this mystery wolf lived. The Shadow Forest was a dense region in the far corner of the Western Pack that was named after the fact that little sunlight could reach the forest floor. Not many wolves were enthusiastic about the place, nor did any ever plan to live there because of its isolation. Rumor had it that a mysterious ghost pup with defined glowing eyes haunted the region. The wolf Humphrey knew was apparently the only one known to live there.

"It had to be Shadow Forest..." Kate uttered as she walked alongside Hutch on one of the few trails in the forest. "It couldn't have been Light Forest or... or Happy Forest. Of all forests, it had to seriously be Shadow Forest!"

"You're not scared, are you?" said Humphrey before chuckling.

"What? No! What made you think I am scared?"

All of a sudden, an owl unexpectedly hooted. Kate jumped with the tips of her toes and made a quick shriek.

"Pretty obvious," said Hutch.

"Where is this 'Mooch' anyway, Humphrey? Are you sure he's even here?"

"Calm down, Kate. You have nothing to worry about when ol' Humphrey's in the lead."

"That doesn't make it any comforting."

"Look! His den is right there!" Ahead was a big dark den that was almost hidden in the grass. Kate wasn't in any mood to be the next victim of the ghost pup. She didn't want to go further.

"Wow. Does this pup live all by himself?" Hutch asked Humphrey.

"Yep. I met him a moon ago. He said his parents died mysteriously, and he buried the bodies." That certainly stopped Kate. Soon, the others noticed.

"Kate, what are you doing?"

"Well, excuse me for my will to live."

"I have an idea. Go around the back," Humphrey whispered to Hutch. "Kate, if you don't move from your spot, the ghost pup will get you."

"Oh, yeah? What makes you think I'm going to believe you?!"

"Because that's what the ghost does. When you're still, he slowly... creeps up on his prey like a focused Alpha, slowly... slowly... getting closer... Then... HE GETS YA'!" At the very same time, Hutch grabbed one of Kate's back legs.

"AHHHHHHH!" she screamed. Nearly surprised to death, Hutch let go. Kate then made a run for the den. She tripped on a small twig and fell head-first into the large cave where a chubby light brown wolf awoke and became startled. The others came in.

"Humphrey? I didn't ask for you to bring guests..."

"Mooch, I request your help. These pups with me are my friends: Kate and Hutch."

"Hello, nice to meet you, Mooch," greeted Kate. Mooch was older than all of them by a lot.

"What assistance do you ask of me?" he asked Humphrey.

"It's about the Great Games. Remember those?" Kate was puzzled

"Wait, this pup has been to the last Great Games?" Humphrey tried to explain.

"Yes, sort of. See, Mooch was born last year, sometime around mid-summer. His parents who first settled in the Shadow Forest were trying to create an enclave, another pack within the Western Pack. Since the forest was really secluded, outsiders wouldn't dare to come in and disturb them. When the Great Wolf Games rolled around in autumn, his parents let him represent their pack along with an Alpha lone wolf they found, two bears, and a squirrel. Things were going really well until the wolf ate the squirrel. No other critter would join their team to replace the squirrel because they were fearful of getting eaten, so the team had to forfeit. Then Mooch's parents died. Mooch and I believe the squirrel had a disease which killed the lone wolf but not before infecting Mooch's parents. I found him alone like this a couple of weeks ago when I went exploring. We've been talking about getting him to join the Western Pack, so he can finally graduate school and become the Omega he wants to be, but he says he's too attached to the forest, and he doesn't want to leave his parents' burial grounds."

"Whoa... I'm so sorry for you," Kate apologized.

"It's okay," Mooch replied.

"Will you please help us?" said Hutch. "We're in desperate need of a player for our team. We only got 'til tomorrow."

"Hmmmm..."

"Wait," said Kate. "I know he's kind of small, but how can he play if he's not Junior-aged? Oh, no, are we cheating?!"

"Hey, if the Eastern's get to cheat, so do we," Humphrey replied.

"Sounds fair to me," Hutch agreed.

"C'mon, do us this solid!" Humphrey persuaded. "It would be radical if we actually get an experienced player."

"How bad is it?" Mooch asked.

"We're in last place. Our player, Salty, mysteriously got hurt on the field during our latest event, which was our first. We're sure the Easterns did it on purpose, but the field is being investigated because they denied it. We'll get word of which Region advances tomorrow morning at the second event."

"And because we're confident that we'll advance, we want you to help us. Don't worry. It'll just be for a few days. You can come back here when we're done," Kate added.

"Hmmm... I'll do it! As long as I come back here."

"Deal. Welcome to the Western team."


Next - Chapter 6: The Second Event

(written from May 15th to May 16th, 2015)

Chapter 6: The Second Event

September 23rd, 2009

Today was the second event of the Great Games. It was located in an area of the Western Pack that Kate had never seen before. She felt worried but relieved. Only hours earlier, the lead umpire owl named Sanja announced that since the investigation would take longer than expected, both packs would be allowed to move on... for now... and the Games would resume. Kate knew they were lucky. It was not every day something like that happened.

This event was different. It was, again, a relay race, but the course was not a circuit. Instead of pups being in a team line, they were stationed on the trail itself to do their legs. The trail in this race was treacherous. It was on a hill of nothing but jagged rocks. Some were smooth enough to work as platforms or stepping stones while others might even be deadly. Many pups had been known to get hurt in the second event. None had been killed, but Kate and others didn't want to become the first ones. This race also had six legs, not five, so the pup of the first leg would have to be reused for the last leg.

"I don't know, Dad. Doesn't this seem a little too dangerous?" said Kate, finding excuses.

"Don't you want to represent our pack?"

"Well, yeah, but..."

"No buts. Sometimes you just gotta laugh in the face of danger. Is this what your mother would want?"

"With all due respect, sir," said Humphrey, "what exactly do you want us to do?"

"I want all of you guys to try your hardest, especially you, Humphrey. We can't have any slowdowns. Here, it might ruin us."

"'Bout time somebody said it," Can-do commented.

"Can-do. Please. Language," Winston scolded. Hutch came up to him.

"What's the lineup now?" he asked.

"It's gonna be the same thing except I want Lilly and Humphrey to switch places. That way, Humphrey will do the easiest parts of the rocks. Of course, Mooch will take Salty's place in that order."

"Wow, Humphrey. You get to be the first and the last," said Kate.

"I do? I mean... of course, I do!"

"Yeah. You'll do good there! If you win, you'll be the first Omega to win a race in the Games! I believe in you!"

"Thanks, Kate!"

Later. . .

The signaling screech was given. Sanja took her position in the nearby trees where she and her fellow umpires could see the whole thing. Every pup got in their positions with the Northern fox, Humphrey, and Rita at the bottom of the hill. They were starting off.

One of the umpires flew up. When she flew over the first three pups, she hooted, starting the event.

Instantaneously, they began to climb up the rocks, hopping over them one by one. The area was not big, so Humphrey tried to avoid the others as much as possible. He remembered Kate's father had told him that it was illegal to jump onto a rock that already had a player on it. This rule ensured that nobody would get seriously hurt as Salty did.

Feeling very nervous, Humphrey managed to tag Kate while in third place, but he was not far behind the Easterns. Kate gave it her all, jumping really fast until she made it to second place by passing Garth. When she tagged Lilly, her paws started to turn red.

"Not bad," said Garth after he passed the race on. "Not bad for a Western."

Lilly tried to do the same as Kate, but she had the steepest part of the trail. Plus she shared her leg with Nars who was good on the rocks. The Northerners were now far ahead again, almost done with their fourth leg.

The race continued to stay the same with the North being in first, the West in second, and the East in third. Then Humphrey was up again for the sixth leg. Off the trail, he had to hurry to his position before the race would catch up to him. He was very tired. But he didn't want to let Kate down. He would try his hardest, and that was final.

When his time came again, the teams were in a three-way tie. The race had drew in many spectators of all critters. The ones of the West were cheering Humphrey's name. To his disbelief, it motivated him to give it all he had. It caused him to be in first. Now even the rest of the Western team below was cheering him on, even Can-do.

But then, at the top of the hill, the memory of what happened to Salty flowed through Humphrey's mind. There was one more obstacle before the finish line: a sharp turn to the left on the outside of a boulder. It was almost identical to the sharp left turn from the last event, the one that Salty got hurt on. Humphrey knew this was the end. Thinking that speed would solve the problem, he sped up. Unfortunately, all it did was backfire.

Near the boulder, his momentum kept him going forward on the slippery, lifeless dirt. His increased speed caused him to go about ten feet off course, and he fell to the ground. The whole crowd below gasped as the other two teams made it up the hill, gaining on him.

"Get up, Humphrey! Get up!" yelled Coach Winston.

"You can do it!" Kate shouted. "Don't let this stupid hard turn get to you!"

But it wasn't enough. Within a flash, the Northerner, Rose, passed the turn with flying colors. Even though she too slipped off course, the claws from her little paws were able to get a better grip on the dirt. Foxes were known to have amazing claws. Winston suspected that that was the prime reason Flynn put her in the Games.

The Eastern, Rita, came soon after. She too slipped, falling also. Humphrey seized this opportunity and got up. But before he could make a run for it, she bumped into him, knocking him down, then she stepped on his paws. He got up again, but by that point, he was so tired that it was too late.

"Yes!" said Smokey. "The Westerns are eliminated!"

"What?!" said Winston. "Wait! What?! Wasn't that intentional?" he asked Sanja above.

"Impossible from here," she answered. "My colleagues say it's an accident."

"How?"'

"From up here, it looks pretty natural, unlike what happened in the last event. I'm sorry, Winston, but I must do my job as promised." She came to the audience and delivered the news. "Attention, critters. The recent collision between the Western Omega and the Eastern Alpha has been determined as not intentional. Unless the investigation can prove Salty's claims from the last event, the Western team is hereby eliminated from the Great Wolf Games. The North will definitely move on and the East will too." After that, the Northerners began their chants.

"For the Northerners! For the Northerners! For the Northerners!"

The Westerns went up to Humphrey who was still lying on the ground.

"This is all your fault!" said Can-do. "This is why Omegas can't be in the Games. They aren't athletic enough. This idiot just cost us the race!"

"Hey! Lay off!" yelled Kate, pushing him back. They growled at each other

"Please, guys. Don't do this!" said Lilly as she went in between them. "Can't we all just get along?"

"I can't take this no more! This Omega is so dumb that he can't finish his own race!"

"Shut up, Can-do! It's not his fault! Humphrey is the nicest wolf I've ever met, and you're just spitting in his face!"

"Whatever. The bird said it was unintentional, so it is his fault. I'm outta' here." Can-do then left

"Fine! We're eliminated, so we don't need you!"

"Calm down, Kate," said Hutch. "Just let him be. Are you okay, Humphrey?"

"Yeah... I think so."

"Good. Here comes coach." After talking with the other coaches, Winston walked over to them. He didn't look very happy.

"You had a good run, pups. I think everybody did a great job. But now it's time to go home. Maybe next year we'll have it, but now is a time to take a rest and breathe."

"Are you okay, Dad?"

"*sniff* Yeah, Kate, just ...um got something in my eye. I'll go get your parents, Humphrey."

"Thank you, sir."

"Right... Well, it was nice working with you guys. Come on, Kate. We must be home before Eve gets dinner."

"Okay, bye, Humphrey."

"Uh... bye."

Later, at night. . .

After dinner, Kate made her way to the place where Humphrey had fallen at the top of the hill. There, she sat down and began pondering on how to master the sharp turns. Perhaps mastering them could be useful in hunts. How come wolves had not figured out a way around this? She was determined to find a way.

She began practicing the turn over and over again, trying to find a way. It had to be something really complex since the Northerners hadn't figured it out yet. Then she thought about jumping. Would that help? What if she jumped and turned? As far as she knew, nobody had attempted that. She tried it, running very fast. At about three feet from the turn, she planted both of her front paws and leaped into the air. After landing, she slid. Trying to stop sliding, she greatly pressed her paws to the ground. Her momentum then spun her around in a circle. This gave her an idea.

Kate tried again, jumping and landing. This time, as soon as she landed, she put her paw down and spun herself, leaning her weight to one side until she faced the direction she wanted. It was a new move that needed some work, but it possibly could be revolutionary. How hadn't anybody else thought of this? If only she had figured it out sooner. Maybe Humphrey could've become the first Omega to win.


Next - Chapter 7: Kate and Humphrey

(written from January 5th to January 10th, 2017)

Chapter 7: Kate and Humphrey

September 24th, 2009

The den was quiet. Even as they ate the carcass, Winston, Eve, Lilly, and Kate made little noise from chewing and ripping off the meat from the caribou. It was so quiet that Eve could even hear the distinct sound of a fly buzzing around Winston's head. The mood was just uncomfortable.

"Dad?" said Kate as her father wiped blood off his muzzle.

"Yes, Kate?"

"So... what do you think about the Great Wolf Ga—"

"Kate, please," he interrupted.

"What? What, Dad?"

"Kate! Please! Not tonight." Winston then sighed before looking towards his mate to his left. Eve's whole face was stained red. Kate frowned and looked at the floor below.

"It was the Omegas, wasn't it?" Eve turned to her daughter. "You shouldn't have recruited them!"

"Stop, Eve! I love you but stop," her mate insisted. "It had nothing to do with the Omegas. They did fantastic, given our circumstances. I couldn't be prouder, especially of you, Lilly." Lilly began blushing. It was very rare that she was given a compliment. "It was those mischievous Easterns who caused this! If they win, the Games will turn to Alpha Wolf Club, and no other critter will be able to play for a long time, and that is something I cannot stand behind."

"I'm sorry," said Kate.

"It's okay, sweetie. But, please, I want to have these Games out of my mind right now."

"I understand, Dad."

"I know you do."

Later. . .

After dinner, Kate walked around the pack. She came across her new friend, Humphrey.

"Hi."

"Hey, Kate. How have you been?" he asked.

"Mostly terrible. My family doesn't function as well as it did. I'm pretty sure my dad is sad inside."

"I don't blame him. Hey, I'm sorry for losing the race. If I just put in extra work, your dad would not feel sad. This is all my fault." He began to cry.

"No, it isn't, Humphrey. Remember Salty? This is all the Easterns. They cheated."

"Right. You're right."

"I think we should just forget about this for now. It's caused too much pain. I hope Salty is okay?"

"Yeah, I checked in with the pack healer. He's good, but he still can't walk on his own."

"Oh."

"Um, hey, would you like to stroll with me?" Humphrey wiped away his tears and began to smile in his infectious way.

"Stroll where?"

"I don't know. What about Moonlight Howl Rock? Come with me. I know a special spot. After I learned how to walk, my mom would walk me there every afternoon."

"Sure. I need to get my mind off this."

Later. . .

They headed up Moonlight How Rock, the place where couples would come together to howl every first day of spring. The mountain on which it took place lay on the border between the East and West, and it was the only place that Easterns and Westerns shared without dispute.

The summit was often chosen as the spot where only the wolves with the best voices howled on. The way to the summit was more or less secret. It was said that wolves born with the best voices instinctively knew the way to the summit. Being the snoopy Omega that he was, Humphrey knew his own way.

When they made it to the south side of the mountain, there was a pile of logs blocking a dark path. Using his tiny paws, he pushed them aside, revealing more logs, but they were placed in such a way that a wolf could climb up them to reach a hidden ledge.

"Over here, Kate. Watch. You're gonna like this. Have you been to Moonlight Howl Rock before?"

"I've been to Moonlight Howl Rock, but I'm never allowed this far up the mountain. My mom says this is where the wolves do their 'mating business.' Whatever that means. Also, I've only been here at noontime when it's guaranteed that no one's here."

They climbed up the steps and walked on a narrow ledge. On the left side, one could expect to fall ten feet and slide down a further one hundred feet. On the right side was a jagged wall ten feet high. Ahead of them was a crack in the side of the mountain, and they had to jump over five feet to get from one part of the cliff to the other.

"Do you trust me?"

"What?"

"I said do you trust me?"

"Why do you ask?" Kate then looked in front of Humphrey who was leading her. The ledge was so narrow that she had to be directly behind him. She looked at the fissure ahead and chuckled. "Oh, I can handle this."

"No, Kate, you can't."

"What'd you mean? Yeah, I can. Humphrey, I will be an Alpha. I will one day be a strong leader in this pack. I can make it."

"You don't understand, Kate. Do you trust me?"

"Uhh..."

"Do you trust me!"

"Yes..."

"Okay." Humphrey then turned around and went directly behind Kate. "Move to the edge," he ordered. "You won't make it, so I will push you to the other side with as much power as I can garner." Kate began to feel nervous. At any time, this Omega she barely knew could literally push her off the face of the mountain, but seeing as he hadn't done much wrong, she laid all her faith on him this time. "Um, I don't know about this, Humphrey... Ahhh!"

Without warning, he shoved her back with his head. Kate panicked and jumped over the crack, barely clearing it. Humphrey then jumped, but with his right hind paw, he bounced off a tiny hidden platform within the crevice and came to the other side with Kate.

"Sorry, but nobody makes it alone on their first try. They always misjudge the distance."

"Is that what happened to you?"

"Yes, and my mom saved me in the nick of time. Anyway, enough with this sappy stuff. Let's just climb this stupid mountain."

"Yeah," Kate giggled.

They went up another set of steps that curved around the mountain before making it to the top. At this point, dusk was among them, and Kate's breath was taken away. She had never been so high above the canopy. The sky which had arranged itself in different hues of orange, blue, yellow, and purple had never been in her sight with such detail and prominence.

The world was more open and wide than previously thought. She could even see the mountain where her family lived, Mount. Victory, and way beyond that were many, many taller mountains that surrounded everything.

"You like?" said Humphrey.

"So this is what a bird's eye view is! It's amazing! Thank you!"

"Yeah, every spring, a couple goes up here to howl their hearts out. At least that's what my parents told me. Of course, we weren't even born yet when the last Moonlight Howl happened earlier this year."

"Yeah, I bet it was fun." All of a sudden, Kate began howling haphazardly, screaming disjointed syllables until the rippling air caused some trees far below to noticeably shake. Humphrey was laughing. "Howling is so hard," said Kate. "It always makes my throat hurt."

"That's because you're trying too hard." The male pup pointed at his head. "Don't howl with this." Then he brought his paw to his chest. "Howl with this."

"Wait a minute. Doesn't everybody already use their lungs to howl?"

"No, Kate, I was talking about your heart."

"Oh."

"See, you use your brain for making quick, informative thinking, but you use your heart for long-lasting, emotional thinking and emotions are just strong feelings you express to others. To howl good, you must have emotion; thus, you must use your heart."

"Well, if you're such a know-it-all, give me a demonstration, hm?"

"I'd prefer not to."

"Why? Are you embarrassed to show me your unimpressive howl? Ha, ha!"

"No. I'm not," he replied before frowning. "Don't forget you that brought this on yourself." Humphrey started howling, and just at the first syllable, there was an immediate difference in the approach. He started off slow and calm. Every time he would stress a sound, his voice would have a distinct bouncy effect. But what really made Kate's hair on her back stand up was when he used his head voice.

"What in the world was that?!"

"It's howling."

"Yeah, I know that, but that... that was incredible! Better than most adult Alphas I know!" Humphrey was blushing.

"Please..."

"Seriously, it was radical!"

"I don't know about that."

"Here, now let me show you something."

Later. . .

Kate and Humphrey walked back to the fields. Half of which had access restricted for the investigation. By this point, night was beginning to dominate the land. The Western fields were pretty. At the edges of rocks were flowers common in early autumn, including the white lilies that Kate's sister was said to be named after. "I want to show you something."

"What is it?"

"Hold on."

Kate started running towards a boulder in the middle of the field. The Omega saw her jump and land with her body leaning to one side. In a split second, as she was sliding, she stamped her paws, causing her body to smoothly shift. Now facing the direction she needed to go, she quickly ran past the boulder and came back to Humphrey who was a bit shocked.

"Wow, how did you learn how to do that?"

"I've been practicing for a while now. I think I can finally make that stupid turn that's been giving everybody a headache."

"It's too bad that we can't see any of it at the Games. If only the Easterns—"

"Please, don't talk about the Easterns. I wanna forget any of that ever happened."

"Now what? What do we do now?" Kate couldn't give him an answer. She just stared at him. His blue eyes glowed in the darkness. She could see the reflection of constellations in his pupils and nothing else. Not even the beautiful landscape of the Valley, Humphrey's voice, or her revolutionary move could take her aback further.


Next - Chapter 8: The Investigation

(written from January 22nd to June 12th, 2017)

Chapter 8: The Investigation

"Come on, Nars! Come on! Not good enough!" yelled Flynn while stomping the ground. Nars was maneuvering through a large puddle of mud almost deep enough to swallow him whole.

"I'm trying, Dad! I won't let you down."

"If you lose against the Easterns tomorrow night, consider yourself dead. You're not my son if you think you can't do this."

"No! No! I can! I won't let you down." Nars continued to plow through the mud. Flynn seemed to flinch with unease every time his son would grunt. He had very negative feelings towards any weakness. He considered himself a Northerner through and through, the peak of wolf physicality. The strength and pride of the Northern Pack of Jasper Park were unmatched. Their current pack leader known as Clyde had boosted morale, promoting more strenuous workouts, especially for pups yet to enter Alpha School. The Northern Pack had a distinct identity, and the Great Wolf Games were just another means to show off such an identity. "I will win! I will win! I will win!" shouted Nars. "Those Easterns won't even know what hit 'em, just like those puny Westerns."

Meanwhile, far, far away. . .

...in between some of the mountains that surrounded the entire Valley that contained all of the packs was a grove of trees where the Western Owls resided. Inside one of the hollows of the trees was the Boreal Owl named Sanja, her mate, and her two chicks who recently hatched.

"I can't believe you're doing this," said her mate. "Does it have to be today?"

"It can only be today. You've heard Pfinik. There's a nasty disturbance in the atmosphere due northwest. She and her colleagues keep watch over the sky, remember? She predicted that storm from the last moon, so I have great faith in her scientific judgments. She calculates that this disturbance will be on us tomorrow with the full swing in the late afternoon. So far, the weather has been sunny, clear, and windless, so the marks on the field should be preserved, assuming no critters disturbed them. It must be now before the storm hits and obliterates the evidence."

"Okay, I understand. It's just a little hard to understand your smart talk." Sanja then churred, which was the owl version of laughing.

"Okay. Well, see you this evening. I got a verdict to call." Sanja walked out of the hollow and onto the adjacent branch. She spread her wings and took flight.

Later. . .

...she flew out of the mountains en route to the playing field where the incident took place during the first event. It happened specifically around the third boulder. When she made it, she was thankful no critters had tampered with the evidence as it was still very clear.

Sanja was an excellent hunter, and she had the knowledge of how to read shapes and patterns in the dirt. Normally, she would do this when hunting for mice or other small rodents. With wolf paws, it was challenging to read in some areas but easy in others. In some respects, it was more challenging since she wasn't as familiar with wolf paws as much as the minuscule feet of rodents. In other respects, it was easy since wolf paws were bigger, and they left a more obvious print.

Clearly, there was some intense movement that happened around the boulder. There was a slight depression where all the pups had slid when going around. In the depression were patterns of pawprints crisscrossing and overlapping each other where the wolves would get up from sliding and falling down before running again. What particularly interested the owl was the center of the depression where there was a smaller depression that resembled a hole. Sanja touched the edges of it with her talons to see if the dirt was loose. It wasn't. If it was loose, it would indicate that the smaller depression was new and that it could've been created in a very short amount of time, probably by a burst of movement. Intentional foul play was usually distinguished by hard and sharp movements. For someone to sabotage another, they usually sought to make it very quick, so nobody would notice but also very bold, so they could guarantee success. Should they fail in concealing their actions, it would be obvious to the crowd and the umpires what had happened and who did it. Sharp and hard movements could make their way into the dirt. However, after feeling the dirt of the smaller depression, Sanja concluded that it wasn't formed by such movements. The dirt was fixed which indicated that it was most likely created before the Games began.

She continued to look for more clues around the boulder, but nothing seemed to stand out. Suddenly, one of Sanja's friends and fellow umpires perched on top of the boulder.

"Hey! Any luck?"

"Nala? What are you doing here, and why are you up so late?"

"Your mate was umm... concerned."

"Concerned? I haven't been gone that long. You should go tell him that I can handle myself pretty well," she laughed. "He's probably still not used to the fact that I'm around the wolves a lot."

"Well, it is true that you seem to have this soft spot for them. Remember your father? He was terrified of 'em."

"Father didn't understand them. He was kind of specist."

"I've always wondered: why do you like the wolves?"

"Umm... I don't want to talk about that right now."

"Why not?"

"It's personal."

"Okay, well, I know this is gonna sound really weird, but I heard some rumors that you fell in love with a wolf or something and—"

"What?! Who said that?"

"I think it was one of your mate's brothers."

"Ughhh. It must be Hemmick. Don't listen to him. He's nothing but a bunch of gossip!"

"But is it true?" she asked.

"What? Nooooo!"

"Oh, okay."

"All it is is that Winston and I have been good friends for a long time. Winston is the pack leader, so naturally, I know most of everyone he knows."

"I see now. You still looking for evidence?"

"Yeah, but I can't seem to find anything here. Nothing seems to indicate foul play. Somebody could've messed up the evidence when nobody was looking. Did you happen to notice anything when the incident happened?"

"I'm sorry I didn't. You know how it is. There's a big dust cloud around the pups' paws when they do the turns, and from where I was stationed, it's almost impossible to see anything. Plus your eyesight is better than mine, so it's more likely you would see something off."

"I'm surprised I didn't. I'm just glad the geese aren't reffing the Games this year. Ha, ha! Who knows what they would call!"

"I'm glad too. You cannot trust geese."

"Yep. You know, I'm not sure what to do since I have nothing. I can't prove any malicious actions by the Easterns. Perhaps I might have to tell Winston that the Western team is going to have to stay out."

"Hey, can I tell you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Umm... maybe you haven't found the evidence because you're looking at the wrong boulder and the wrong turn. The third turn is over there." Nala pointed her talons at the other boulder that was only about thirty yards away. Sanja flew over there and noticed the dirt's surface was completely different, and the patterns on it were extremely clear, that it was easy to conclude what happened with a simple touch test.

"Oh, my goodness. I must be the stupidest bird in existence."

"Right you are," said Nala.


Next - Chapter 9: Threatened

(Written on June 14, 2017)

Chapter 9: Threatened

The next morning. . .

September 25th, 2009

"Winston! Winston, I got great news!" The joyful owl spiraled down to the pack leader's den.

"Is it what I think it is?"

"You were right! The Easterns deliberately and illegally stopped Salty. The evidence is as clear as air. You guys are back in the Games!" Winston merely grinned as Eve awoke.

"Wait, what's happening?" she asked after yawning. Her mate turned to her.

"It's just as I thought, honey. Our neighbors on the other side of the river sabotaged us!" Eve then growled immensely, her face turning red in an instant.

"Ohhh, once I get my paws on Smokey, imma shove them down his throat, then pull his entrails 'til they're inside out before I dine on them!"

"Speaking of the Easterns," said Sanja. "I must notify them of their disqualification."

"May I come with you?" asked Winston. "Ha, ha! I want to watch this."

"No problem," the owl answered. She bowed her head in respect.

"Eve, can you tell our team the news?"

"Sure thing! You know where Kate is?"

"With Humphrey somewhere I suppose. They've been hanging out a lot lately." Eve then sighed.

"Alphas need Omegas." Winston grinned again and nuzzled his mate.

"Some Alphas need Alphas..."

Later and elsewhere. . .

"Hey, Humphrey?"

"Yes, Salty?"

"Remember that day when we first met back in the summer?"

"You still haven't given me that bone you promised," Salty reminded, chuckling. He lay on a bed of pelts in the Pack Healers' Den. His wounded paw had its own pelts. Humphrey, Kate, and Mooch were sitting in front of him.

"Oh, that bone. Ha, ha." Humphrey scratched his head. "Remind me later."

"You always say that!" said Salty.

"Oh, that's where you guys have been!" exclaimed Eve as she entered. "I've practically been searching through the whole pack for you."

"Sorry, I didn't tell you we were visiting Salty, Mom."

"Right. I need to tell you guys something. The umpires have concluded that the Easterns cheated. We're back in the Games!"

"We are?! Oh, my goodness, thank you!"

"Yessss!" Humphrey and Kate gave each other a warm hug. Mooch joined, almost crushing them both with his chubbiness.

"Mooch, a little too hard, thank you," said Humphrey.

"What? Don't think I don't love to spread love!"

"Hey, guys!" yelled Salty. "Let's win these stupid Games! Let's show those Northerners a thing or two about Western butt-kicking! Or if we're gonna lose, we can at least make a good memory out of it!"

"Let's win it for you!" said Kate. Kate and Humphrey gave Salty a hug. Mooch soon followed, cautious this time.

"It's been a while since I've been a part of a family. It feels nice," said Mooch.

"Come on, honey. Let's tell Hutch."

"Okay, Mom," Kate replied. "See you when we've won the Games, Salty!"

"Ha, ha! We are so going to lose!" joked Salty. The wolves left the Pack Healers' Den. Just as Humphrey left the den, he realized something.

"Hey, guys, I forget my mom wanted me back before the end of morning. I'll catch up with you once I check in with her."

"Alright, Humphrey. See you then!" said Kate.

Later. . .

...on his way to his family den, Humphrey ran into Can-do on the trail who looked worried.

"Oh, hello, Can-do. Is there something you want? Did you know we're back in the Games?"

"Yes, I heard word of it. I wanted to talk to you about the Games."

"Um, okay. Are you alright? You don't seem good."

"Oh, no, I'm fine."

"What's on your mind?" Can-do looked over Humphrey's shoulder. Confused and wondering what he was looking at, Humphrey turned his head around to see Can-do's supposed point of interest. That was when, in a split second, the small but powerful pup pounced on Humphrey and squeezed his throat with his front paws. "Can-do! What are you doing?!"

"I'm sorry, but I can't take this no longer. I'm only going to say this once, Omega. Leave the Games and stay out of my way or risk ceasing to be a wolf!"

"Why?"

"I won't tolerate a stupid Omega ruining our chance to win this time. We were lucky the Easterns were disqualified, but luck with Omegas can only go so far. Just don't show up, or else my claws will have a fun time ripping you in two. Understand?"

"No! Can-do, you're mad!"

"I said do you understand?!" Can-do forced Humphrey's head into the dirt.

"Okay, okay!" Can-do let go of Humphrey and walked away.

"I mean it!" he yelled as he went. Humphrey got up and regained his breath.

"No way," he whispered. "Kate brought me into this. I'm not gonna let her down."


Next - Chapter 10: The Third Event

(written on June 24th, 2017)

Chapter 10: The Third Event - Part 1

Jasper plunged into darkness as the storm that Pfinik predicted overtook the afternoon quietness. Despite the downpour, even more animals decided to attend this athletic event as it was the final event of the Great Wolf Games. It was decided that the final event should be the same as the first event and take place on the same field in honor of the fallen player, Salty, who broke his paw around the third turn by the cheating Easterns. Although it was hard to hear anything in the storm, the scores of wolves, bears, squirrels, porcupines, and others across the Regions cheered when the players walked onto the field, heading for their coaches. The Northern Pack especially had a loud cry from the audience.

"We are the Northerners!" they chanted in response. "Tested and pure! Light on our paws! Muscular with fur! If they wanna try us, go ahead and try! We make all of our opponents wanna slowly die!"

"*gulp* Are we gonna die?" asked Lilly, trembling behind her father.

"Don't let them get to you," said her sister. "They do those chants to intimidate you, but as long as you realize that they are no more wolfish than you are, they become easier to stomach."

"Speaking of stomach, why didn't we eat anything this morning?"

"Because, sweetie," said Winston. "It's best not to digest anything before an athletic event, especially one this important. All that running will joggle your insides and make you want to throw up and waste all that caribou we spent so much time hunting."

"But didn't you say that it's a 'good thing to throw up'?"

"Umm, actually that was your mother who said that."

Sanja, the umpire, flew down from the dark grey clouds and perched on Winston's back.

"Quite a lovely afternoon, isn't it?" she said sarcastically.

"How can you even see in this?" the pack leader asked.

"Remember what I told you? We owls have a third eyelid that protects our actual eyes from rain and debris. So we can see pretty well in almost all weather conditions. Still, I've brought twice as many owls to watch this event. There won't be any misconduct happening where none of us can't see it."

"Thank you."

"No problem, old friend. Always a pleasure to serve the Western Pack."

Sanja then flew to her main position on a tree nearby. Winston and Flynn then exchanged glances. Winston didn't appreciate his grin. So many years they've won. So many records they've broken. Even during the first event three days ago, they had broken an old speed record on this course. Winston wanted it to stop, but inside, he knew the reality. The Games were held annually, but every five Games were collectively known as a "set." If a Region won the Games at least three times in a set, the set restarts and that Region gets to make the rules for every future Great Wolf Games until another Region wins three games in a set. The Westerns so far had been the only ones to have rights to the rules, and the Games had been mostly the same for many generations. For the longest time, the Easterns and Westerns barely succeeded in being able to impede the Northerners from winning those rights, but their strength continued to grow, and from Winston's experience as a former player himself, he could tell that this year did not seem like a good year, and the fact that this was the first year to have a team with Omegas didn't help. Once the Northerners win, it was likely that they would put the Games in Alpha Wolf Club. Alpha Wolf Club was a strict set of rules where only Alpha wolves could play. Of course, being the liberal pack leader that Winston was, he didn't want the Western Pack to be a part of such limiting ideas, so he would make the Western Pack skip or pass the Games as long as the Games remained in Alpha Wolf Club. The downside of that would be that the Western Pack would lose its athletic credibility, and young pups in the pack wouldn't be able to enjoy what is supposed to be an athletic competition for fun, not glory.

"Alright, I have to do roll call. Is everyone here?" asked Winston.

"I'm here," said Kate.

"Present," said Can-do.

"Here," said Lilly.

"Over here, sir," said Mooch.

"You already know I'm here," said Hutch. He noticed Winston looked confused. "Are you okay, sir?"

"Wait, wait, wait a minute... Where's Humphrey? Kate?"

"Don't look at me. I haven't seen him since this morning," said Kate.

"Well, we need him! We need five players. Otherwise, we forfeit!"

"Aw, well." Can-do rolled his eyes. "I should've known the Omega would bail on us. Looks like we're gonna need a replacement Alpha."

"No, Humphrey wouldn't!" yelled Kate. "He may be an Omega, but he's not dumb."

"Look at the facts, Kate. Omegas... They're naturally weak. You of all Alphas should look to your heritage and recognize that Omegas are gonna do what Omegas are gonna do. Face it. He's either in the mountains playing in the snow or at the Pack Healers' Den crying over his dear friend who broke his—" In a flash, Kate pounced on the small pup and screamed in his face with such ferocity.

"DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT SALTY! HOW 'BOUT YOU TAKE THIS FRICKIN' HERITAGE BULLCRAP AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR—"

"Kate! Language! And get off Can-do this instant!" growled Winston.

"Yeah! Please, Kate. No fighting. It's good for nothing," said a familiar voice.

"*gasp!* Humphrey!" Kate and Mooch gave him a hug.

"Sorry I was late. I wanted to make sure all of the bats were out of the cave."

"What?!" said Can-do, now furious. "Nuh-uh. No way!"

"No way what?" said Hutch.

"I'm not playing the Games!"

"What?!" said Winston. "Why?"

"I'm not playing the Games! Not with this Omega!"

"Can-do, don't be ridiculous," said Kate. "We can win! We have all our players."

"No, we won't. I don't want to be a part of this loss. Even Winston knows we'll lose." The pack leader slowly turned away.

"Dad?" said Lilly.

"Umm, nothing sweetie..."

"Can-do. Come on, bro," said Hutch. "We always do everything together, you and I. Don't squander this just because of an Omega."

"That's precisely what I'm gonna do! Deal with it."

"Can't you force him, Dad?"

"No, Kate. I'm not his mother. *sigh* Looks like we have to forfeit."

"Maybe we don't have to," said Hutch. "I'll take his spot.'

"No, Hutch. Your back is still healing from your accident," Winston replied.

"I'll be fine, sir. Trust me."

"Hmm... okay..."

"This is basically the first event again, right?" asked Kate.

"Yes, sweetie, except now it's raining, and those turns are gonna be as slippery as ever. Be careful. There is going to be a lot of mud, so don't be afraid to get dirty. Remember our training."

"I will."

"Wait, what order will we be in this time, sir?" asked Mooch.

"I've already put you all in the best positions I can. I don't see a reason to change it unless you guys have another strategy."

"Actually, sir..." said Humphrey.

"What is it?"

"I highly recommend that Kate be the last wolf to cross the start/finish line." The Omega winked at Kate. She was confused at first, but when it hit her, she grew excited.

"Any objections?"

"Not at all, Dad," said Kate. "Thank you so much, Humphrey."


Next - Chapter 11: The Third Event Part 2

(written on June 26th, 2017)

Chapter 11: The Third Event - Part 2

The event was about to start. After Kate's father wished good luck to his team, they headed for the start/finish line with the other animals. Kate could feel the ground become loose and squishy as she went onto the field.

"Oh, gosh, this is so gross," said Lilly. "Mom's gonna kill me if I come home dirty like I'm going to be."

"Relax, sis'," said Kate. "It's just wet dirt. That's all."

"That's easy for you to say. You're not the one born with white fur."

"Well," Humphrey interjected, "as the great wolf, Can-do, once said, 'Deal with it'." Everyone on the team laughed except Lilly.

Just as the team was approaching the start/finish line, one of the Northern wolves came over to Kate. She became puzzled. Why would a Northerner of all wolves come up to the team captain of the underdogs? Kate figured they were too busy gloating in the spotlight.

"Hi! Kate, right?"

"Umm, yes. What do you want?"

"Woah, woah, woah! No need to be rude. I'd just thought we could talk for a bit before one of our teams takes the gold."

"I'm sorry. Continue."

"Let me introduce myself." He directed his right front paw towards his chest. "Nars here. Nice to meet you, future Alpha of the West... and she-wolf captain. Ha! Now I've seen everything. Ha, ha! I guess there are no requirements for captain." He bowed his head and lowered his tail in respect.

"Um, nice to meet you too... Nars."

"Great, now that we know each other, I wanted to say something." Nars quickly glanced at his father the coach, who was nodding at him from a distance.

"Which is...?" Nars grabbed Kate's shoulders which caught her by surprise.

"Look, just stay out of our way. We don't expect much from your team—in fact, we don't expect anything at all; we both know this—but if there's even the slightest glimmer of hope that you or whoever tries to pass us on those turns can see, just take it, chew it up, and make sure you swallow it because we Northerners will not tolerate a team full of weak Omegas and a couple of she-wolves getting even close to victory." Kate sat in her position in silence, looking back at Humphrey, Lilly, and Mooch. She even thought of Salty. "Know that we put our reputation on the line every time we play these Games. I know you and your team probably want to at least try, make a notable attempt, give a hundred ten percent, and all that nonsense, but we would appreciate it if you would not waste your energy to tarnish the focus of this event. It should be no picnic. Your Omegas should love not having to do anything. It's not like they act different outside the Games anyway." Kate started smiling before beginning to laugh.

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"

"Wha—? What's so funny?" Nars tilted his head.

"Hey, Kate! Are you coming? The event is literally about to start!" yelled Humphrey who was in position on the start/finish line. Everyone on the team was in their place except for her. Before she left Nars, she said one last thing.

"Oh, nothing. Ha, ha! I'm just thinking about how funny it is a little bit that a few Omegas have more heart and courage than a whole team of the great and powerful Northerners. I mean, it just sounds ironic, almost like it's true."

"Yeah... that would be funny," said Nars, confused.

Later. . .

The Junior-aged critters lined in their preferred order for the relay race. Rose, the fox, and Lilly looked at the mess ahead of them. Lilly took a deep breath. She imagined the course with the three turns as nothing but a slight wind to walk through.

"Do your worst, mother nature..." she whispered.

"Remember your training!" her father shouted.

The umpire then screeched, signaling the start of the event. Both Lilly and Rose ran in the mud. Lilly could feel the wet dirt crawling up in between her toes and paw pads. It was very uncomfortable, but she didn't let it distract her. She and the fox seemed to be neck and neck. Then the first turn was in view. The crowds gasped, wondering how the players were gonna cope with the turn now in a much harsher environment. At the turn, Rose stuck her special claws into the mud to get a grip. She nearly slipped, but she completed the turn better than expected. At the same time, Lilly did a similar thing, but unlike Rose who used all four paws to temporarily slow her speed to quickly change direction, Lilly's front paws slipped inward, and her face went into the sludge. The audience and the teams winced. Luckily though, she managed to get up and complete the other turns adequately, but she was slightly behind Rose. She came to her team and tapped Mooch who then began his leg against the Northern Alpha, Misty. When Lilly came back, she was bawling. Her face was utterly covered.

"*gasp!* I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she sobbed. "I'm sorry I let you guys down! *gasp!* I know! I'm terrible! I'm just a mess..." Kate hugged her sister and wiped the mud off her eyelids.

"No, no, no, Lilly. You did amazing!" said Kate.

"I what? But I slipped!"

"So? I probably will slip too and doom us all. It's okay. You managed to catch up astoundingly to the Northerners, and as the first player in this event, that's all we can ask you for. You did well, sis'!"

"Yeah, you did better than I did in the last two events!" added Humphrey while he got ready for his leg.

"Aw, thanks, guys."

Mooch came back around and tapped Humphrey. The Northern team was farther ahead.

"*pant* Sorry guys. I don't know what happened, but I was slow," said Mooch.

"It's your weight," Hutch informed. "You're heavier, so you sink in the mud deeper, and it takes a little longer for you to get your paws out."

"Oh..."

The rest of the team turned their attention to Humphrey who was trying to catch up to the she-wolf named Paige. At that moment, she slipped on the second turn as the Omega approached from behind. From the sidelines, the Northern coach, Flynn, made a slow but threatening growl at Paige. She stood back up, but while that occurred, she kicked the mud behind her into the air. The mud got right into Humphrey's eyes, and he slipped and fell instantly. He slipped so off course that it seemed that he would never catch up to her now.

"Oh, no..." said Lilly, covering her eyes with her front paws. "That's it. It's over."

"Ugh, I can't watch," moaned Winston. "Humphrey! Get up now!"

"I knew it! Just pathetic!" Can-do remarked on the sidelines beside Winston.

"*sigh* Great. How is that not a foul?" Humphrey whispered to himself. He picked his head up from the ground and looked at the course ahead. Paige was almost at the third turn. He could hear the Northern she-wolf snickering. He had slid and seriously messed things up for the Western team. That was when an idea popped into the Omega's brain.

"Umm, what is he doing?" said Lilly, peeking through her paws.

"*gasp!* He's sliding!" yelled Mouch. Hutch shook his head.

"Are you serious?" said Kate. A smile crept upon her face.

The Omega had gotten on his back and was sliding through the mud like it was nothing. He easily passed Paige, and once he made it to the third turn, he stopped himself by stamping his paws. He stood up and went around the rock with ease. Stunned, Flynn growled at the umpire.

"THAT'S... THAT'S NOT ALLOWED!" he shouted.

"Well, sir, that might not be true," said Sanja. "I've never ever seen sliding like this, and it's not mentioned in the rules, so unfortunately, it's allowed. Even if it's unfair, I can't add to the rules nor can a team do that unless they win three times in a set and—"

"Okay! Okay! I get it..." said Flynn, sitting down. "Drat..."

Having the lead, Humphrey tapped Hutch. Winston became worried. Hutch had suffered a serious injury in his early puppyhood where he could've broken his back and died or become paralyzed. The pack healers recommended a while ago that Hutch should heal under the care of Winston, perhaps become a second-in-command which Winston did not have. The pack leader saw him as the son he never had.

Thankfully though, Hutch kept his own in the race despite the fact that he lost a lot of Humphrey's lead to the Northern she-wolf, Star, who was quick and able to use Hutch's stiff back to her advantage. Nonetheless, it was Kate's turn now. Hutch tapped her paw, and she took off like a speeding train. Nars did the same and was gaining on her.

"Go, Kate!" yelled Humphrey before he jumped in the air with his arms brandishing.

"You know, if it wasn't for that illegal slide from the Omega, your team would've lost by now," said Nars, trying to taunt her. "I have to admit you have luck on your side."

"It's not illegal. Didn't you hear the bird?"

"I hear what I want to hear."

Kate shook her head.

"*sigh* If only I could do that right now..."

"Ha, ha. Very funny, but we'll see who's laughing by the end of this."

The first turn went into full view of the pups. They were running side-by-side now. That was when Nars bolted faster and did his turn. He wasn't particularly good on turns, but he was better at it than most wolves. With his strategy, he leaned his body as he changed velocity. He slid a bit, but it wasn't anything major. Kate was next.

"Thank you again, you silly Omega," she whispered in reference to Humphrey.

Before actually making it to the turn, she leaped in the air. It caught the attention of everybody except Humphrey as jumping before a turn never happened. When she landed, she stamped her right front paw into the mud and leaned her weight to her left side until she faced the angle she needed. When she did, she had the energy, and her body was in a good position to zoom out from the turn. Her move allowed her to come from turns at a much quicker pace, and she passed Nars on the second straightaway. It greatly surprised everyone, and spectators began cheering.

"Western Pack! Western Pack! Western Pack!" they cheered. The wolves howled, the bears stomped the ground, and the squirrels squeaked immensely. Flynn, Sanja, and Winston dropped their mouths. Even Smokey who was watching the event was shocked. Nars couldn't believe it either.

"Are you cutting corners?!"

"Not at all, Nars," Kate replied, smiling. "I'm just really curious about who's gonna laugh at the end of this, so I wanna hurry."

"I won't let it happen again. I got my eye on you."

On the next turn, the same exact thing happened. First, Kate waited for Nars to turn. Then she did her amazing move and zoomed past him. Another cheer came from the crowd, and the umpires, coaches, and players at the start/finish line were stunned once more.

"Too bad you weren't born with a third eye," she giggled.

"Okay, this time for real, you are not getting past me!"

Then, on the third turn, the exact same thing happened again except Kate gained even more of a lead. Nars was starting to lose his mind. "HOW ARE YOU DOING THAT?!" he barked.

"It's called brainpower. You should use it sometime," she replied, looking back at him with a smirk.

The start/finish line was directly ahead. Kate was closing in on victory for the Western Pack. Because of the dominance of the Northern and Eastern teams, the Westerns had not won in many, many years. Kate would change all of that, and she would keep the Games out of Alpha Wolf Club and open to all Junior-aged critters who were qualified. At least that would happen if Kate made it. Right before the start/finish line, one of her front paws slipped and she fell. Shock waves were felt throughout the audience. Nars immediately seized his opportunity and passed Kate and finally crossed the start/finish line. Silence instantaneously took over the audience as Nars cheered.

"I WON! YESSSSSSSSS! I WON! WHOO-HOO! WHOO-HOO!" Sanja swooped down on the field.

"She-wolves and gentlewolves! Bears and squirrels! And others! I am proud to announce that... the Western Region has won the Great Wolf Games!" Nars grew immediately confused while the crowds went nuts.

"WHAT?! ARE YOU GUYS FRICKIN' BLIND?! ARE YOU SERIOUSLY TELLING ME THAT, OUT OF THE TWO OF US, THE ONE WHO CROSSED THE LINE WAS... Kate...?" He looked to his right and saw Kate on her back in the mud. She just barely had her whole body over the line. Apparently, just like Humphrey, she had slid on her back at the last second and had her whole body crossed before Nars did. She won.

The crowd came out of the seating area and carried the Western team. Before that though, Humphrey and the team gave Kate a big hug. They were all covered in mud, and they didn't care. They embraced it. Even Winston came over and gave them a hug. They deserved it. Through thick and thin, this team, this rag-tag team, somehow won over the two-time defending champ, the Northern team. They were the first team to win with Omegas. Can-do couldn't help but mope on the sidelines while his teammates were being carried around.

"*gasp!* Mom!" said Kate. Her mother came.

"I'm so proud of you!" She gave a warm hug. "My finest Alpha. My daughter."

"How did you do that, Kate?!" asked Mooch frantically. "You like jumped, then you spun around, then you went out and went zoom! It was amazing! You killed them!"

"Well, yeah, I made a new move when I was studying the course and practicing. You just spin and go out. A spin-out! That's what I should call it. Ha, ha!" Her family and friends laughed with her. "But I couldn't do it without my teammates, especially the Omegas. I didn't do it for myself. I didn't really do it for the Western Pack, even though I'm proud to represent it. I did it for Salty who couldn't join us today."

"That's actually not true," said Eve. She moved away and revealed Salty behind her wearing a splint.

"Saw the whole thing. No need to tell me. I appreciate it a lot, Kate!"

"Salty!" said Humphrey. "How you been?"

"Heyyy! Doc said I'll be alright in a few weeks. It wasn't too bad, thank goodness." Humphrey then gave his best friend a hug. "Ughhh, Humphrey... You realize you're covered in mud, right?"

"Yep!" he said proudly. "You were with us on that field whether you like it or not. In heart! So it only figures we should share some of our souvenirs!"

The wolves then turned their attention to Mooch.

"What is it?" he asked. They stared at him.

"Looks like we have to take you back," said Humphrey.

"Take me back where?"

"To Shadow Forest, remember? You said as soon as the Games were over, you would return to your place where your parents died."

"Oh, right. Nahhh."

"What?"

"I don't think I should go back. I think my parents would've wanted me to stay here."

"What's going on?" asked Winston.

"I'll explain it to you later, Dad," Kate assured. Humphrey and Hutch exchanged glances.

"I'll show you around the pack!" said Lilly, raising her paw with excitement. "I can show you Rabbit Poo Mountain!"

"Hey!" said a high-pitched voice behind Humphrey and Mooch. They looked behind their backs and saw a pup shaking uncontrollably with anxiety. His smile was huge.

"Who are you?" Mooch asked.

"Hi, my name is Shakey! I'm an Omega like you and a huge fan of your performance in these Games! You don't understand what kind of impact you have on little Omegas like me! Trust me. I was cheering and clapping for you guys all the way! May I have an autograph?"

"Ugh, great, we have a fanboy," said Humphrey. "Here." With the mud on his paw, Humphrey put a pawprint on Shakey's forehead.

"Pawesome!" he cheered.

That night, elsewhere. . .

That night, at the Northern Pack, Nars stood before his father who was very furious. Nars had his tail lowered all the way to the ground, and his ears were down. Flynn walked around him in circles as the moonlight shined on his son.

"I'm sorry, Father. I don't know how many times I can say that."

"Don't give me your pathetic excuses! You humiliated the Northern Kingdom! And worst of all you humiliated me in front of the entire United Regions! We could've had the Alpha Wolf Club in place by now if it weren't for you fooling around! You dishonored me, you dishonored our family, our pack, our Region... and you dishonored yourself over a bunch of Omegas and especially a she-wolf as a fricking captain!" Nars closed his eyes and broke into tears.

"Father... I tried to win it for you! I really tried!" he sobbed. "I did! I did... Father... I mean... she's a girl, I know, but... it was the best that I could do!"

"If that's the best that you could do, you are not my son!" Nars continued crying uncontrollably under the beaming moonlight. All emotions were exposed, and Flynn could only look at his son with disgust. "Get out of my sight..."

"What...?"

"NOW!" he growled. Nars slowly walked away. Flynn sat down and shook his head. "Disgrace..."


Next - Chapter 12: Friendships (The Last Chapter)

(written on June 28th, 2017)

Chapter 12: Friendships

The next morning. . .

September 26th, 2009

The sun shined brightly on the morning after the event. Humphrey, after frolicking with Salty, Mooch, and Shakey in the dandelion fields, decided to visit Kate at the pack leader's den on Mt. Victory. Even though she was an Alpha, he was starting to grow a little bit of a liking for this she-wolf. Alphas were often taught not to socialize with the Omegas, and the thought that any Omega would think he had the right to tell anything to the pack leader, let alone his daughter, was absurd, but Humphrey wanted to break the ice. He wanted them to be friends. Good friends at least. None of the female Omegas ever garnered as much interest as her. Was it love? He hoped not. An Alpha with an Omega was strictly forbidden, and the last thing he wanted was to drag the pack leader's daughter into an awkward situation, but there were no laws that said they couldn't be good friends. Something special lay in that pup. Despite the fact that their personalities were very different, something connected, and Humphrey was determined to further explore it.

"Hey, Omega!" Humphrey looked behind himself and saw Can-do of all wolves trying to catch up to him.

"Can-do? Is that you? What do you want?"

"I want to apologize."

"For what?"

"My behavior. Clearly, something must've clouded my brain when you guys were beating the Northern team at their own game."

"Oh... Well... I accept your apology."

"You do?"

"Yeah." Humphrey slapped the pup's back. "No sweat. I'm over it. You know, against those Northerners and all, I wouldn't have believed I could make it either. Ha, ha!"

"Oh... well, thank you! Um, if I may ask, where are you headed?"

"Umm... the pack leaders den."

"Why? Omegas don't usually go near Mt. Victory. What are you up to?" he asked.

"Alright, let me give it to ya straight." Humphrey looked both ways before continuing. "I wanna be friends with Kate."

"You wanna be friends with an Alpha?"

"I know. I know, but... hear me out. I kinda like her, and... obviously, I'm not dumb. I know about the stupid Alphas-can't-get-with-Omegas rule, but I want to at least be good friends with her. Do you get it?" Can-do seemed to frown. He looked at the ground with a mixed expression of surprise, jealousy, confusion, and anger.

"I uhh... understand. I won't tell anybody."

"*sigh* Okay, good. Thanks. I know the Games shouldn't have been won, but I'm thankful I guess… that you in a way helped me to do better, which allowed us to win." Humphrey continued to head for his destination, leaving Can-do behind. The Alpha looked at him walking away, then looked at his own front paws below his muzzle.

"You're right," he whispered. "Those Games shouldn't have been won. It was a mere stroke of luck."

"Did you say something?" asked Humphrey, stopping in his tracks.

"I WARNED YOU! YOU CAME BACK AFTER I WARNED YOU! YOU COULD'VE JEOPARDIZED US!" Can-do pounced on the Omega, growling crazily.

"Ahhhh! Can-do, are you crazy?! Get off of me!"

"NO!" The Alpha began scratching the Omega with his claws, tearing open his flesh with each swoop of his paws. He also started biting his skin and making his head bash the stone ground they were on. He then put his paws on his neck, effectively choking the wolf. "I hate Omegas! Always think they have a shot! Remember your place! Remember who you are! Remember who you are born to be! Wolves like you are dangerous because you give these seeds of change to others, and they rise, and they become crazy and tamper with the natural order of things! You frickin' idiot! Do you realize what you are doing?! Do you honestly think about the threatening imbalance you create with your activity?! We may not be officially ranked yet BUT, BE AN OMEGA FOR ONCE, AND DON'T BE SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT! STAY DOWN!"

"Hey, Can-do!" yelled Hutch with Winston and Kate by his side. They raced towards the scene. Can-do released his grip from Humphrey's neck. Humphrey himself had already passed out.

"I am appalled by what I just saw!" said Winston before he grabbed Can-do's scruff with his muzzle and threw him away from Humphrey's body which seemed lifeless. "That wasn't wolfish. That was savagery! That was barbaric!" Kate went over to the body and noticed his eyes were closing.

"Humphrey! Oh, gosh, it's gonna be alright! I'm so sorry! Please, Dad, tell me he's not dead!"

"Feel his pulse." Kate pressed her ear against his chest. There was thumping.

"He's alive!"

"Then let's take him to the Pack Healers' Den immediately!" Hutch and Kate grabbed Humphrey's scruff.

Later. . .

...at the Pack Healers' Den for Males, Humphrey finally woke up. Kate was there to greet him.

"Oh... Kate?"

"Oh, my goodness! You're alright!" She gave him a hug. "You almost died!"

"Me? Nooooo..."

"Yes! Can-do had opened up your body in like six different ways! You could've bled to death on the spot!" Humphrey noticed the many bandages on his chest, flanks, and the bandages on the back of his head. Pieces of flexible bark were put on his wounds and were sealed with tree sap.

"I was joking."

"Oh."

"Hey, can I get up? I wanna walk outside for a bit," he asked the nearby pack healer.

"Sure, but be very careful. Those bandages easily come off."

Kate helped Humphrey slowly get on his paws. They walked out of the Pack Healers' Den and sat together outside and watched the clouds.

"Wow. Never thought I'd be here today... but I least it's a beautiful day."

"It is... What now?" said Kate.

"Hm?"

"The Games are over. What do we do between now and school in the winter?"

"Um, why do you ask? The last time I remember, you were the Alpha daughter of the pack leader. Wouldn't you have responsibilities?"

"Not now. I have to wait until after Alpha School before any of those come my way. Until then, I'm basically like still a pup except I get treated with more respect."

"You know, there's something I don't get about you, Kate."

"What's that?"

"Why don't you hang out with the other Alphas? Even she-wolves like you? Why did you even consider picking me, the silly Omega, for the team when there were probably better capable Alphas out there? Most of whom wouldn't even bat an eye at us Omegas."

"*sigh* Well... you and Salty... I'm gonna be honest. I saw something in you two when you guys were playing in the mud puddle that I guess I've been longing for..."

"Which is?"

"Fun. It was fun. Sometimes, my parents forget I'm a pup, and they spend a lot of time teaching and instructing me. I don't hang out with the other Alphas because they're always too serious about everything. I guess I wasn't thinking about winning the Games and representing my pack as much as not wanting to lose the fun that's been slipping from my grasp lately."

"I appreciate you picking me. Thank you. I would've never met such a great friend."

"You're welcome, Humphrey." Kate smiled.

"And I would've never seen that spectacular show you put on during the last event. You were legendary! The legend of Kate! Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

"Nahhh. Ha, ha!" Kate laughed.

"Hey," he replied quietly.

"Yes?"

"Wanna go play in the mud with Salty and Mooch?"

"What about your wounds?" she asked.

"Oh, I won't go in. I'll just watch you guys. Besides, I'm not the one who needs a little fun in her life, no?"

"Sure! Let's go do something crazy!"


Next - Epilogue

(written on June 28th, 2017)

Epilogue

September 24th, 2012

"Wow, Mom! You were amazing!" Claudette praised. "Just amazing! You too, Dad! Both of you guys sound perfect together!"

"Whatever happened to Can-do?" asked Stinky.

"Can-do was punished severely," said Kate to her pups.

"What happened?" asked Fleet, sitting intimately by Claudette.

"Your grandfather, Winston, declared that when he would become a Beta wolf, an Alpha-in-training, in the winter, he would stay so even after Alpha School until he either redeems himself or the pack leader deems him worthy enough to be an Alpha!" said Humphrey.

"Are you okay now, Dad?" said Runt. "It sounds like he beat you up pretty bad. Ohh, when I get my paws on Can-do, I'm gonna—"

"Relax, son," said his mother. "That was years ago. All is in the past. Can-do actually became an Alpha after Alpha School because Humphrey vouched for him, and he's a good friend now. He still goes on hunting trips with me and Hutch, and he has protected this pack from the Rogues."

"Well, nonetheless, I'm glad you all told us your wonderful story!" said Claudette.

"Um, I wouldn't quite say it was all 'wonderful'," Nars remarked, "but you're welcome."

"How come you never said your father was like that?" asked Fleet.

"Please, son, I don't wanna talk about it."

"Anyway, me and Claudette just had a great time in the Games today. We'll be back next year!"

"You really think so, Fleet?" asked Claudette.

"Yeah! I may not be Junior-status next year, so I can't play, but I wanna be the coach!"

"Maybe I'll help arrange something in the future," said Nars.

"Hey, Mom! Dad!" said Runt. "How about just you two tell us a story? What happens next? After happily ever after?"

"Next?" said Humphrey.

"Yeah, there's always a continuation," said Stinky. "What happened during Alpha or Omega School?" Kate and Humphrey looked into each other eyes and nervously chuckled. Even Nars shuddered at the thought of that period. The memories flowed back to them. Kate then came really close to the pups.

"Let's just say we were all umm... well, a little... restricted..."

The end. . .