I rarely do commission, but here's a 10k one for  Vhenan characters are © to us both





The frozen wastes sprawled out in front of them. The white fox danced impatiently, his paws padding at the ice crust with excitement. There was a shudder running across his body, thick fur twitching.
“Please, Singer! We can go now. We’ve watched the big den for almost a quarter of a moon! I want to go and explore.” His yip was shrill, but the black and white wolf was still. Her mismatched eyes ran across the ice-slickened walls. She knew that this was human-made. There was a scent. A structure to the sides she just couldn’t trust.

Her shoulders steadied as she turned to look at Vhenan, brushing her nose over his skull briefly.
“We can, shortly. Just let darkness fall. I’ll go hunt soon. We’ll eat, then we’ll try to get nearer. I want to keep you safe. You are my friend. My only, true friend.” She growled the words softly, her lips curling into a soft, affectionate smile. She needed him just as much as he needed her. She watched fondly as he rolled his eyes at her, pouncing on a snow drift. His paws and nose burrowed inside before she turned, leaving swiftly. Her paws were soft as she left her friend to his play.

There was an urge in her. She frowned slightly as her head dropped and she allowed a darker feeling to take her over. She growled, the sound rumbling out from between her jaws as she tossed her head back. A swift indrawn breath and song soared forth from her lips. She loved this part of the snow-wilds. The way her body moved with more confidence. Even the fact that her body felt clearer made her happier. This place was perfect for her. Just as Vhenan was. She shook herself off briefly, her pelt shaking as she set off on a determined hunt. Her eyes narrowed as she drew in deep breaths.

There was food out here. Bigger, better food than just rabbits in their winter coats. She drew in noisy gusts of air, her body automatically assessing each and every one. The second she caught wind of something different, body musky, she turned. Her eyes closed as she lifted her nose, drawing in another breath before she stretched. Her joints creaked before she yawned her jaw shut, teeth clinking together. Her tail waved merrily as she moved, prepared to hunt. Excited to be able to throw herself into a frankly dangerous situation. The deer were huge, especially compared to her slight frame.

It was the challenge she enjoyed. She refused to think about anything else. Her paws were still for a moment, but eventually, she shook herself. Her brow creased and fell forward, obscuring part of her vision. Darkness was a short while away, which meant she needed to find the deer that smelled injured quickly. She began to run, her paws quiet on the ground. There was an urge drawing her forward. She tossed flurries of snow behind her as her hind-legs, subtly muscled, powered her forwards. Her paws spread, weight balanced easily on the faintly webbed toes which kept her from sinking into the snow.

She threw her heart into the run. Unable to be silent, she panted as her breath rose in twisting plumes that trailed behind her. She didn’t care. She needed this. The freedom made her heart dance. Dance, as Vhenan danced. The thought of her friend alone sent a frisson of fear through her. It was only the thought that they needed to sleep that drove her on. That gave her paws a speed and strength she’d not thought possible. She slowed her steps as she heard the champing of flattened teeth. Her head lifted as she blew a soft breath out. She was on a rise, the deer below in a wind-break that stopped the breeze and deadened their chances of scenting her.

She shivered. Quivered, all over as she shifted her weight. Not yet…too soon. Gotta time it just right… She thought the words carefully. Every time she hunted, she had to fight that primal self, resting at the heart of her. She shivered all over before running those clever eyes over the forms below her. A small herd, only four in number. She watched them, dropping her chest down into the snow. She was fortunate. The black that trailed across her upper body looked like a shadow on the snow in the late afternoon. She watched them. They wandered, but only one was hesitant.

She wanted to bolt after it, but she feared the antlers which hovered above his shoulders. Fear trailed through her. She shuddered before standing and moving. She’d give herself, and therefore Vhenan, every opportunity they needed. She was determined that they’d survive. Her body wouldn’t let her give up, as she had come so close to once before. She regained her confidence as she moved, her frame low to the ground as she slunk round, so she was finally downwind of the deer. She needed this. Needed the tiredness that a hunt could bring and the ache of a feast in her stomach.

As she moved, as she placed her paws on the snow in a meticulous pattern, she threw anxious glances at the deer. She didn’t need them to flee now. She was at a dangerous part of her hunt – where her body was in a state of flux. She drew in a slow breath, letting her chest expand before she paused. Her ears perked as she turned an anxious glance towards those she planned on running. She wanted to sigh. Running the deer was a necessary, tiring part of the hunt. She looked upwards before realising just how much the snow bank she’d just sprawled on overhung this small place. Her brow creased for half a moment, but she didn’t hesitate. She drew herself up to her tallest height, not that that was much, and howled into the cavern-like space.

Her paws bunched as muscles worked to make her land. Her howl had echoed, baffling and confusing the deer. Their heads tossed and turned before she let loose another howl, this one shriller than the one before. While the echoes rang out, she allowed the deer to bunch together. A volley of shrill yips and whines rang through the small wind-break before she leapt forwards. There was strength in her movement. There was the sureness of life. The urge that fired her heart and lungs, moving them in perfect symphony.

She’d exploded forward, but only for the first few steps. She knew better than to waste her strength in a straight out flight, especially across snow. Her only thought was for Vhenan. She needed him strong, which meant she had to lead the deer – or heard them, towards that manmade structure which roused the fur along her spine. She let out another ringing howl, her voice not quelled by the easy, energy saving lope that she affected. She kept the deer moving in front of her, moving from side to side. She was smart enough to keep them together, but as that castle loomed in the distance, she increased the pace.

First one, then a pair split off from the injured one. She increased the pace to a bone-shaking, exhausting gallop. A run that pushed the deer. She watched for signs of floundering. For the struggle that would come from those sharp, deadly hooves sinking into the snow. She snarled when it came to a stop, wheeling towards her. She wouldn’t even meet its eyes. This was prey. Nothing personal was meant by its death – only the success of both her and Vhenan’s lives. She had to do whatever she needed to do to keep them alive. Shaking her head, she flaunted her teeth in a savage snarl.

Her lips wrinkled back from her teeth as the sound ebbed from between bared teeth, her head dropping forwards. A quiver ran over her body. She soon stepped forward, backing the nervous, snorting deer up. She could see the snow drop, suddenly, behind it. Her eyes narrowed as her intelligence surged forwards, replacing the instinct that had run rampant. A low whine of eagerness fell from her lips before she sprung. This was it. This was the final moment in which she’d either make the kill – or have to waste more energy. She hit the snow once more before flesh slapped into flesh.

Blood splattered the snow, a painted pattern of pain and death. The wild was harsh, but the pair of combatants weren’t too bothered. Locked in a life or death battle, one which would see one of them dead. It was luck more than skill that prevented death from coming to the wolf. She snarled as her teeth sank almost painfully to the roots in flesh. Blood flowed sluggishly, melting the snow about them to slush. She lifted her head in a sharp howl, calling Vhenan to her side as the deer shuddered in its death throes. There was a tremble left to its limbs when the bundle of fur arrived at her side. Her muzzle and throat bloodied, she stepped away from the white pelted fox, wagging her tail as she dropped into the snow.

She panted. She was hot, exhausted from the hunt. It has taken her too long. Darkness was imminent, pressing in around them. She whined softly, dropping her head forward. This was hard on her. Her limbs ached. Her body throbbed from the strain she’d put it under. She should have had others to help – but she wouldn’t have swapped Vhenan for anyone. He was her friend, and she was as possessive over them as she was with the places they slept.
“Eat. Don’t wait for me. When we’ve eaten, we’ll hide what’s left. Then…we’ll go to that den. I guess we have to. Winter could be harsh up here…” She murmured the words softly, her ears flattening until she rolled herself in the snow.

As it dampened her coat and cooled her down, she calmed down. She relaxed. Tiredness stole her for a while. Darkness smothered her. Exhaustion was enough to make her doze. Her muscles settled slightly, and when a gentle nose pressed into her, she woke. She stood slowly, blinking blurry eyes around. Her legs trembled and a shiver ran down her back as she moved towards the deer, partially eaten by the reddened arctic fox. A soft sound of hunger slipped from her lips and she fed voraciously. Her stomach cramped at the taste, but she pushed past the muscle seizure before settling. She shivered briefly before stepping away, her stomach swollen faintly with the food she’d eaten.

A sigh of happiness slipped from her maw as she flopped back into the snow, creating a new impression. She was happier now. She felt better, more like herself. Vhenan was wagging his tail, his gentle tongue curling across her muzzle as he cleaned her of the blood from both the kill and her feeding. It was only now that pain made itself known on her shoulder, black fur hiding any blood from any injuries. She briefly remembered the sharp flash of a hoof, the burn of a kick rolling through her shoulder. She shook her head, growling under her breath before wincing.

“Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?” He murmured the words softly. His brow creased as he pushed at her, pulling a yelp from the depths of her body. Pain was sudden and fierce. Tears burned her eyes. She sniffled, dropping her face into the snow to hide the savage pain that made her regret the meat she’d eaten. She whined as he spoke again, unable to look at him. “Did that deer hurt you? If it did then…well. I can’t kill it, but I’ll not be happy. I’ll not let anything hurt you again, I promise!” His plea made her smile, even with the pain. She couldn’t help it. He was the sweetest creature and she loved him, from the depths of her heart. He was her friend – a staunch ally that she knew wouldn’t betray her.

It wasn’t in him. It didn’t rest in those lovely big brown eyes. She drew in a breath before heaving herself to her paws. That was painful, causing her to drag her breath in in a sharp whine. The pain was sudden and fierce – worse than the times she’d had teeth lodged into her hide. She whimpered softly as she took a slow, limping step. The pain eventually dulled down to a sharp ache, one that made her flinch just a little as she bent her head to lick over the anxiously creased brow of the fox.
“I’ll be fine, Vhenan. We’ll head to that place tonight and maybe being protected from the dark and cold will help me to heal quicker.”

She spoke without thought. She didn’t know if it was true. She only hoped. All the time she was injured, she’d not be able to hunt. The thought worried her as she began her slow, halting walk towards the den. Vhenan hesitated a moment before shaking his head, his tail fluttering about briefly. He hurried to her side and she offered him a gentle smile before they began to walk again. His paws were quieter than hers, but he stayed at her side. It was clear that he was anxious, and she just didn’t know how to cope with that. He should have been darting ahead, having fun in the snow.

She had a debt to repay him. A life that he’d offered her, all those months ago. She whined softly before stopping.
“I don’t know if I ever told you this...but thank you, Vhenan. You helped me, my little fox friend, when I didn’t deserve it. You’ve stuck by my side and you don’t know what that actually means to me.” Her voice was soft but clear. It punctured the air and lit the little brown eyes of the arctic fox up. That was pure joy, and she wagged her own tail in time to the slow sways of his own. She took the chance while they stopped to lean off her leg and to get her weight off her shoulder.
“Singer, you don’t have to thank me. I’m your friend because you are so sweet. You’ve looked after me. No one else would. You are a wolf you could have done anything else.”

She grinned at him, her tail swaying lightly before she nibbled affectionately against his ear. His squeak made her laugh, her voice a soft call in the stillness before she resumed their slow but steady pace. She didn’t want them caught out in the darkness again. The wind was bitter and with her shoulder sore, it would only cut through her more. She’d forgotten about the carcass by now, but the harsh caw of a crow made her huff softly.
“And now the birds feast. Maybe in a few days or weeks they can lead us to a kill. Or some animal that’s died.” I don’t think I’ll be hunting any time soon, with how my shoulder feels.

She was glad Vhenan couldn’t read her mind. A sharp pain made her blink before she shivered. The cold was beginning to set in and now she could feel the sticky warmth of blood, sliding down her shoulder. She flinched before shaking her head, growling under her breath. She didn’t want the fox to know how badly her shoulder had been injured, not now he was bounding through the snow a little further in front of her. He knew she was strong enough to go on now, she only wished she had that trust in herself. A worry began to build as she began to lag behind him, her ears shifting with the crease in her brow, touching at the tips.
“Come on, Singer! Darkness is here, and you wanted to be somewhere warmer, didn’t you?”

His voice was unneeded. She didn’t want to know what he was thinking. The wind was already powering into her weakening body. She trembled, her eyes closing until she could draw a strengthening breathe in.
“I’m coming, Vhenan. My leg is starting to hurt, so just go on without me.” She only hoped he’d listen. She dropped her head into the wind, letting it cut the air as it brushed over her. Snow blew into her face, dusting her fur and blinding her slightly. She couldn’t see straight ahead. It worried her, another one to add to the burden she felt already.

She growled under her breath. She was determined to not let the wild itself win. She deserved better than that. Vhenan needed her. She snarled once more before forcing herself forward. The pain was sharpening with every movement, but she didn’t stop moving. Instead, she shook herself off and leaped. Her injured limb buckled as she hit the snow. She collapsed and Vhenan hadn’t heard her. She struggled to get up, her paws aching as wind continued to buffet her.

She tried to call to him, but the wind stole her voice. She was lost. She was lost and Vhenan was alone. Somewhere in the darkness, a low, searching howl rang out. Her heart skipped a beat as adrenaline powered her up. She snarled, strength now flowing through her body. Warmed by the need to find him, her sense grew acute. She was ready for anything that waited for her. She quivered faintly before the wind ebbed. Her head rose then, in a long, low howl. She heard the familiar high-pitched barks from Vhenan and ran towards them.

The pain faded in her anxiety to run faster. In her need to save him. Wolves hunted the night, and not a wolf like she was. She howled again. She threw her heart into the low warning. She’d hurt anyone of them that dared to touch Vhenan. She was a huntress in the night, intent on protecting her own. And at the moment, Vhenan was her pack. A pack she wouldn’t and couldn’t turn her back on.
“He’s all I’ve got…” Her words slipped on the wind, disappearing into the darkness as swiftly as she moved. She’d hunt him down, hunt down the wolves she was sure had him.

***

He’d found a wolf. It just wasn’t the wolf he wanted. A large paw held him pinned to the snow and he whimpered. He had thought the dark shape cutting through the storm had been Singer. He’d been so sure. His ears splayed now into his fur as he listened to the howl rolling through the wind and snow.
“Please. Let me go! She’ll find you. She’s my friend, my family.” He whined the words out, trying to get free from the claws scoring his side. The barking snort above him made him flinch.
“A wolf wouldn’t claim a fox as pack!” He wanted to argue with the wolf, but something warned him not to. He stayed quiet instead. Two more hulking forms slipped carefully into the copse before his eyes.

“This fox says there’s a female out there. We need to broaden the pack somehow. Let’s see if we can find her. We could do with some fresh flesh.” The growl of amusement made Vhenan struggle. He didn’t want to see Singer hurt any more than she was. She didn’t deserve that. His brow creased a little before a paw crossed in front of his face. There was no chance for him to howl, not that he could, but he’d warn her when he caught her familiar scent. He found it hard to breath at the dusty grey form above him leaned more weight upon his side. He snapped at the air in a desperate bid to get air.

“Oops, sorry little guy. Can’t have you passing out or dying before your friend gets here, can we?” The sardonic growl above him came as the weight lifted from his side. He rolled onto his stomach, only to find the plume of his tail pinned. The claws sunk in so close to his body that he struggled not to yelp. He knew Singer. He knew how she’d react on instinct, and he didn’t want her instinct fired up by the sound of his pain. He’d rather she leave him – but he knew that was no option. A sigh slipped from his muzzle before he whined at the male wolf.
“Please just let me go. I don’t want you to get hurt…”

He tried to estimate the way he saw Singer with the way these wolves would. The two that had come in, then left, were white. He growled softly as he realised how the snow would camouflage them. Just the way it did him. He couldn’t even risk turning and biting the wolf. If he died, whatever these had planned would still happen. He just had to work out a way to help Singer. His brow creased as the snow drifted against him, covering his side. The wolf above grew distracted by something in the night air, so Vhenan began to talk.

“Why are you out here? I thought wolves preferred it in the trees, anyway?” He kept his voice low and his tone respectful. He wouldn’t antagonise the very wolf that could kill him with a single shake of that muscled jaw.
“I brought my brothers out here. We wanted space to be wolves, not trapped under the rules of some old-fashioned fool. We are bringing forth a new generation. A generation where wolves will be the ones to rule over forest and wastelands. We were the ones to chase the humans away.” The wolf spoke absently, his ears pricked in a way that Vhenan knew meant he was distracted.

His tail attempted to wag despite the heavy paw holding him in place. His nose wrinkled as he sneezed, the wolf snarling down into his ear.
“Shut up! You warn her we’re here, and I kill you in front of her. Let us see her broken…if you truly are even her friend. I still don’t believe it. I need to see it – so don’t do anything stupid, fox.” He could taste rotten meat on the wafting breath. It churned in his stomach, the meat he’d feasted on threatening to spill in front of him. He gagged before the wolf stepped back, growling a quiet laugh. “You aren’t that strong, are you? I thought you were better. Different to the normal foxes we see around here. Or, should I say, saw. There aren’t many white foxes. Only the common, cowardly reds.”

“It wasn’t fear that made me want to throw up. It was your breath. You smell like you are a week old carcass!” Vhenan cringed after speaking. His ears fell back as he cringed, expecting his neck bitten or body savaged. When no bite came, only the low rumble of laughter, he found himself relaxing. His tail wagged slowly as he turned his head to look at the gold-eyed wolf.
“You do have guts. It’d be a shame to spill them. You should learn when to keep quiet and when to make me laugh, fox. Maybe I’ll keep you around. My brother’s aren’t much for amusement.”

He froze in place. His stomach tightened at the thought. He wouldn’t be like the human pets. He wanted to be himself. He would be himself. With Singer at his side, they’d take these wolves out. He had a plan, one he hoped his friend would agree with, when she managed to catch up through the storm.
“Well as long as you don’t breath on me, I won’t need to make you laugh. I’d rather stick my nose under the tail of a skunk!” He growled the words out lightly, watching as the wolf above him tensed as he muffled his own laughter. He wanted to let out a ringing call, but he’d never know where Singer was.
“Stop! Stop before I force you to stop!” The growled words finally made him pause. His brow creased before he sighed softly.

“So…what do I call you? I don’t think you want to be called Alpha if you have left your birth-pack to avoid one.” He was surprised his voice was so steady. His ears perked before he swallowed a bark. Before he took a deep breath.
“You can call me Lin. The white wolf with black tips to his ears is Con, the pure white is Shar. They’re both quiet wolves. They can cross the snow in front of you and you won’t see them.” He wasn’t boasting as he spoke. Vhenan’s tail was released and he drew in a deep, slow breath. “Don’t run off. I really don’t want to chase you down. It gets dull, after a while. Foxes don’t make good chases. Or hunts.”

The musing in the voice encouraged Vhenan to sit still. He wouldn’t let himself get hurt. It would hinder Singer too much. He instead drew in a deep breath and nodded. The snow still brushed his side, but now he looked around.
“How do you find spots like this? Spots where the snow doesn’t come?” He wanted to know the answer for Singer. If they didn’t make it to the den tonight, then she’d need somewhere to sleep. Not once did it cross his mind that she wasn’t coming. She would always come for him. He trusted her and he trusted that fact.
“We look for where the wind blows. If there’s a sudden rise, like there is behind us, then it breaks the wind and the snow can’t cover you. It’s also warmer when you curl together in a place like this.”

Lin sure is dumb. He’s telling me everything. Either that or…he knows that Singer is no threat. Were they watching us? Did they see what happened to Singer? He frowned a second, running fresh brown eyes over the wolf. He was scarred, more so than Singer. He was also larger. There was a bulk to him that Vhenan truly didn’t like. If it came to a battle of size, it was clear that Singer would come out the worse. Add to that fact the injury that had to be hampering her, and he worried. A low howl rose through the snow, and Vhenan’s head shot round. He saw Lin’s muzzle move in the darkness, but he had only ears for that beautiful promise.

“She sounds wonderful. So angry. She’d be a brilliant she-wolf to have in my pack. As little as it is.” Lin’s voice was a whisper. Vhenan rolled his eyes and curled his lip, unseen. He wouldn’t let Lin take Singer. He had a feeling Singer would see Lin dead before she let him too close to her.
“She’s not the sort of wolf you mess with, Lin. She’s nasty, at times. She has no idea how to channel her anger. I only escape as she looks upon me as a pup. Didn’t you hear what she said? What she’d do to you if you actually hurt me?”

He was making up everything about her as he went along. His ears flattened a little before a growl interrupted him. The pale grey form in front of his face ducked down, golden eyes almost penetrating in the gloom.
“Don’t think you can scare me, fox. You are small enough to make me laugh, but that’s it. If I’m to start my own pack, then I need an obedient queen at my side.” He murmured in Vhenan’s ear, laughing as the fox took the chance to snap at him. His ears folded and eyes narrowed as he uttered a low rumble, a soft growl. He flinched back, ignoring the chance to run when the wolf threw his head up in a merry laugh.

This wolf was amazingly happy. Something which Vhenan didn’t understand. A sudden yelp in the background made his head lift up, his rounded ears perking as he growled under his breath. He could only hope that it was Singer causing the yelp. His feet padded the snow anxiously before he risked a look up at Lin. He was a strong-faced wolf, and Vhenan could only hope Singer didn’t fall for the words that fell from his lips. There was something calling to him from within the depths of the wolf, something that made him listen. Charisma. That must be what it was.

A white frame, specked red, stumbled in front of Vhenan. He paused, shocked by the gaping wounds across his body. The wolf whimpered as he spotted the fox, flinching back from him.
“Let him go…Lin. She’s coming.” Shar’s voice was broken, spotted with pain. Vhenan’s ears fell back before he spun to peer up at Lin.
“I told you! Let me go! She needs me to keep her even. To keep her moods in place. To keep her calm! You took her from me, now she’s coming. You heard your brother, you smelly-breathed, wet-nosed fool!” The words slipped from him, snapped into the air. He couldn’t have taken them back, even if he had wanted to. He had too much anger inside his small body. Too much anxiety that threatened to burst loose.

“I can’t let you go. What if she blames Con? He’s out there. He’s all alone. He doesn’t deserve to face this wrath. Not if she’s as bad as Shar looks…I can’t go and find her though.” Lin spoke thoughtfully, and Vhenan found himself cursing himself for listening. His ears flattened as the snow muffled everything. A low snarl rang out, penetrating even the walls around them until the world seemed to echo with her anger. There was so much that Vhenan wished he could do, but it’d take time for his friend to calm down. Time he wasn’t sure he had. He stood suddenly, rising to his paws in a single movements that held confidence.

It was a shame he didn’t feel that confidence. Instead, he uttered a soft growl, turning his brown eyes towards Shar.
“Let me go find her. She’ll let you go then. I can almost promise it. You need to wait here, tend to your brother. When the other joins you, I recommend you leave. She has her sights set on this place.” He growled words out savagely. He was at odds with himself, anger clothed in a thick-pelt that blended with the snow when he left the small clearing to face the snow and the anger of his friend.


Singer found the anger in her chest building. She’d already confronted one wolf and chased him off. A pure white one that barely smelled of Vhenan – yet it was enough. She’d had enough. No one stole her friends. She wouldn’t accept it before, she certainly wouldn’t accept it now. She offered a soft snarl to the snowy air, ignoring the droplets of blood that left a path of scarlet blossoms behind her. She was determined to find Vhenan, which meant she had to rouse the other wolves from here. She wouldn’t leave him at risk again. If a simple storm could break their contact, then the wolves could tear Vhenan from her side permanently.

Her paws were slipping in the snow before gold eyes and a white face loomed through the snow. She reacted instinctively, snapping at the long muzzle. Teeth split her lips as she was bit at, but she didn’t pull back from the pain. Instead she twisted, snapping her teeth shut under his jaw and snarling. She didn’t sink her teeth in. She instead twisted the hold she had on the loose skin. He choked above her, the sourness of his breath confirming that this must be another of the wolves she’d already faced. She would force this one to do as she wished, however. She wasn’t going to let Vhenan get away – or stolen.

Her ears flattened slightly before she shook him, grating her teeth threateningly against the flesh. The second she heard the sharp, shrill whine of submission, she let go. As he dropped onto his belly, she crowded him, snarling into his face.
“Lead me to Vhenan! I don’t want to spill your blood as well. I may as well sour myself with a long-dead deer. If you don’t, well. You won’t like what I’ll do to you.” The wolf flinched, and Singer found some kind of perverse pleasure rolling through her. She flashed her teeth at him and watched as he pulled away from her. This close, and with her mind cleared partly, she could see the difference between the two wolves she’d attacked. This one had black tips to his ears.

“I know where my brother has the fox. He’ll be looked after, I promise!” His voice was soft and wheedling in a way that made the fur along her back bristle. She turned a curled lip on him, snarling under her breath.
“Take me there. Now. Don’t try and play to my good side. I don’t have one as far as your pack go.” She snapped her teeth shut on his ear, tugging until blood spilled down the outer edge of his lobe. She wasn’t that cruel normally, but in this, she was almost frantic. She drew in a slow breath before shaking herself off, snapping at the male’s shoulder roughly. “Get moving. Don’t make me bite you again.”

She was sure he was leading her into some trap. Her hackles remained lifted in a peaked rise along her neck. Her lips were curved up, teeth flashing brightly. A quiet growl ebbed from her as naturally as breathing. She saw him flinch every time her teeth blacked together in a sharp threat.
“Don’t expect Lar to greet you happily, she-wolf. He’ll likely prove to you why he’s smaller than us but so much more important. He’s a true leader. One you won’t be able to beat.” The male snarled at her fearfully, his ears flattened back. His threats weren’t important to her. She growled softly under her breath before shaking herself again.

Snow had soaked through both layers of her pelt. She snapped her teeth together before laughing at him. Her eyes rolled slightly as she murmured, her voice soft.
“So are you bigger or smaller than the wolf I attacked earlier? He got one bite in. I made sure he’s weakened fully. There’ll be no way for him to help you.” She caught the sharp intake of breath before barking in laughter. “You honestly don’t think I’d let anyone else beat me, do you? It’s just a little tough to see how big he was when I had him cowering beneath me, like some kind of weak fool, submitting to a pup.” She’d long accepted she was smaller than most wolves. Built along lines much leaner than the wolf at her side.

She knew that it had been something for her to deal with. It had taken her time. She just growled now, ignoring the endless rumbles coming from the male.
“Lin is going to make sure you know your place, female. Think you can beat his brothers and get away with it.” The litany of threats annoyed her. More than annoyed, it frustrated her. She was smarter than he was though. She wouldn’t react to a silly threat made by a cowed wolf.
“You just best hope this Lin hasn’t hurt my Vhenan. You keep saying his brothers, well Vhenan is my pack. Don’t think you can get away with this. I won’t let you.” She snarled the words quietly, her breath rattling in her chest.

“You can’t expect Lin to care about a fox. They aren’t exactly up to our standards. Foxes are like rats on the earth.” His voice was quiet as he murmured the words. Singer spun on him in an instant, but he took the chance to flee, his paws powering him forward. Pain was beginning to make its presence known once again, but she still ignored it. Ignored the throbbing. She only had saving Vhenan on her mind. On her agenda. She flattened her ears back as she began her awkward, stumbling run. She saw only the edge of the male’s tail, the tip fluttering in front of her. Her teeth snapped in the air, barely missing tufts of fur at the tip.

He vanished out of sight, and Singer slid to an uncomfortable halt. Her paws sent a sheet of snow into the air before she managed to fully stop. There was the urge to yelp in the air, but she soon stopped herself. She didn’t know what to do. Did she plunge onwards, as her instincts urged her? Or did she recover her mind, and plan carefully, but swiftly? She had only a heartbeat to make a decision. That was when she shifted up the snow bank, already having made her decision.

“…what do you mean he’s gone? That fox is all that’s stopping that rabid bitch from killing us! Look what she did to Shar! He didn’t deserve that! He was only following your orders!” The snarls that followed made her flinch. Her lips curled into a slow smile before she realised the portent of his words. She straightened up, standing unseen for a moment on the crumbling snow crust before launching off. It was a too late for her to realise what had happened. Her shoulder screamed with pain as she landed, the limb crumbling beneath her.

She screamed herself. An odd sound for a wolf, her voice was shrill as she leaped back up, one leg tucked into her chest as she straightened slowly, painfully. Her brow creased as tears filled her eyes and her head fell forward. She’d misjudged herself. She knew it now. She’d forgotten just how injured she truly was. Adrenaline no longer flowed through her body as she snapped at the trio, her ears flattened. A low growl rumbled through her throat, a soft sound of anger.
“Where is Vhenan? I want my fox and I want him now!”

The soft sound of growled laughter infuriated her anew. She shook herself off, still holding her leg in place against her chest.
“You both let an injured wolf hurt you? To scare you like that? Neither of you should even consider yourself wolves! She’s nothing, look how she trembles!” She was, indeed shuddering now. The pain was a constant, though the longer she held still, the less pain troubled her. She didn’t think she’d broken it, but it wouldn’t be easy to tell in any case. Not when Vhenan was missing.

“I may be injured, but I made both of your brothers submit to me. That one on the ground gave me more trouble. I’m surprised the stench of your breath doesn’t make your prey flee. Is that why you stole my fox, huh? Hoping that I’ll do whatever I can to get my pack back?” She snorted softly, her lip curling as she limped forward. Her injured leg touched the ground hesitantly. She whined inwardly before braving it, her head lifting along with her tail. “Get gone! I may be injured, but I’m a force you don’t want to fight with. I will not let you get away with this. It’s your fault that he bleeds now. If he dies, be it on your paws, not mine.”

She snorted before drawing in deep gusts of air. Vhenan’s scent was strong here. It delighted her. Her tail wagged lightly back and forth before she stretched out. She was a little unbalanced, her limbs trembling slightly, but she managed to straighten herself back up, though it was painful. She still bled, small smears dropping to the ground before she narrowed her eyes and dropped her head toward the trio of males.
“I let him go. He made you sound like this massive wolf, one which could easily defeat me.” The grey wolf spoke, ignoring the anxious sound made by his brother.

“Don’t upset her, Lin. Please? She might snap…and she could hurt you.” The weak voice of the wolf on the ground made Singer laugh.
“Listen to your brothers…Lin, was it? I may be injured but you won’t get the better of me. I can make sure of it. I’m faster on three legs than you are on four!” She taunted him, and something dark inside her encouraged that. She didn’t need to hurt this wolf. She just needed to scare them off. She was confident in her abilities, and it showed. She stood upright and as easy as she could with most her weight off one front-limb. Her ears were perked and her mismatched eyes were alert, even bright.

“You’d do good to remember my name, she-wolf. You deserve to hurt for what you did to my brothers. They didn’t deserve it!” His bark made her laugh. She couldn’t help it. Stalking closer, her paws soft on the ground as her toes spread slightly with every step.
“You won’t be remembered by me. You mean less than a flea to me. You are a blip in the long life I’ll experience. Even after I’m dead, Vhenan’s pups will know the truth of wolves. Of me.” She spoke with pride. There was no need for her to argue with them. No way for them to listen to her.

She needed to flee now, to take off into the storm. Her eyes narrowed a little. She tensed, her voice a low snarl as she twisted and spun towards Lin. She leaped at him, barely able to keep her balance, before clamping her teeth shut on his muzzle. A swift turn and she had his neck bent awkwardly. She wasn’t strong. She just had a strength inside that aided her. That, and surprise. She tumbled him onto his back and then stood on his chest, flashing her teeth in a brief grin before nipping his nose.

“Don’t be waiting for me now. Go, never return. I’ve beat the three of you now. That’ll make me the boss. I say…go. I have Vhenan to find.” Her voice was soft, severe. She took the role of leader and first wore it, then tossed it away. She wandered off of him, her tail wagging behind her, curled up over her back as it was. She had to hunt down her fox. Lifting her voice in a low, seeking howl. She let the sound rise up, let it swell into the air and puncture the snow storm stirring around her. She was beaten and torn by the wind, but she heard the calling yip of the fox and forgot the fury that had led to her attack.

Her tail waved merrily as she bounded through the snow, almost losing her balance as she hesitated to put weight on her leg, for fear it’d jostle her injured shoulder. A whine, and she soon spotted the white shape, waiting in the snow patiently. She fell beside him, her eyes filling with fresh tears as the fox pressed close. His side leaned against hers and his tail beat a merry little pattern against her side. His tongue dabbed her nose before he began to clean her, every wound treated.

She sighed softly, the sound falling from her lips as she dropped her head down a little. A quiet growl of relaxation rolled through her as she dropped her head onto her paws, letting the fox’s ministrations soothe her. Her anger flowed from her on a haze of happiness, Vhenan’s scent swamping her and taming the beast within once again.
“Did they hurt you, Vhenan? If they did, I can go back…” She made an effort to rise, but the soft nip of the fox caused her to settle back down on her side.
“Rest, Singer. They just held me captive for a while. When Lin saw what you did to Shar, he had no choice but to let me go. He didn’t want his brothers killed because they’d thought it fun to take me.”

He spoke softly, his voice matter of fact. His tail waved behind him as he curled himself against Singer. She felt happier now. The brush of his thick fur was comforting. He certainly grounded her. Kept her paws connected to the ground. A soft sigh rumbled through her chest.
“I did find them.” She murmured the words. She felt calmer now. She was calmer. She felt more like herself. Less like the beast that had attacked, almost killed another creature.
“And they let you go?” He whispered the words, though his brow creased. He’d almost expected them to. But that didn’t mean they had to. That they definitely would.
“I didn’t give them a chance. They had to obey me. I wasn’t letting them get away with what they did. I’m no brood-bitch, just to be used for fun and entertainment. I dominated Lin, as well as the other two. As far as wolves go, I’m likely the one they’d look to as alpha. I just told them to go. I wanted them to leave us alone.”

She was softly spoken now. Tired. The fight had drained out of her along with her wounds. She was too weary to even lift her head up. Sleep took her, leaving Vhenan to keep watch over her wounded body. She didn’t even hear the growled argument that went on over her head when the three males came to confront her.
“She’s the only one who can tell us what to do, fox!” A growl finally woke her up, though she was groggy and grumpy as she heaved herself up onto all fours, a whine slipping from her maw.
“When I sleep, Vhenan has right of telling you to go away and leave us in peace!” She was short-sighted for a moment. Her eyes were blurry until she yawned and blinked them clear. “Or else I’ll leave you in pieces.” She smiled cheerfully, as though the threat didn’t bother her at all.

“But…you are responsible for us now! We shouldn’t have to leave you alone. You are the only one who can keep us safe!” The whine of the injured wolf as he cowered made her laugh.
“I didn’t beat you all for dominance over you. I beat you all so you’d know not to bother Vhenan and myself. We want to live our own life. A quiet one. We don’t need you scaring the prey and other predators away. You need to go find yourself mates and leave this place to us. We’ll be here for a long time. And I don’t want to be seeing you every time I turn my head!”

Vhenan stood at her side, nipping her elbow in recrimination.
“Let them lead us to the den we have chosen, Singer. They can pay back for what they did by feeding us and protecting us. I’m sure I scented bear somewhere…and if they wake it up, they can be dinner for it!” The fox wagged his tail as he spoke, though he had narrowed his normally kind brown eyes at the wolves.
“We can do that! Shar will have to keep with you though. He can’t hunt. He can’t run properly.” Con was the one who spoke, his voice soft and entreating as he kept from looking up at Singer. He spoke to Vhenan, since it seemed the fox had a grasp on how to keep them all safe.

“If that’s what they want to do, then they can. Then I want them to go! If I wanted a pack, I’d find one. As it is, Vhenan and I are here to look after each other.” Singer spoke briefly this time. She stood, though it was painful. The sun glare off the snow burned her eyes until she narrowed them. It wasn’t easy to find where the den was. It rose up, cutting the sun and casting a shadow far and deep. She nodded her head towards it, surprised at how near it actually was. “That’s the place we’ve chosen to live in. Lead us or not. I don’t really care.” She growled the words before stepping, fighting back the grimace that threatened to curve her mouth.

Vhenan’s white body lingered on her left and Shar walked to her right as Lin headed in front and Con behind them. Singer relaxed a little as the males were split. There was no chance for them to conspire against her, or to even hurt Vhenan. She didn’t know what she’d do without him, honestly she didn’t. The snow was harder to walk on now the winter warmth of the sun had softened it. Her every step was harder, her ears flattening as she cringed against the snow almost. Her belly was drenched by the time she was panting her exhaustion.
“Stop! I need to rest!” She called out the command breathlessly, dropping down so fast that Con almost fell over her.

She bit at the snow a little, almost listless as Vhenan began to clean her wounds once again. She didn’t even have the energy in her to wince as he poked and prodded with his tongue and once, his nose.
“Lin, go catch some rabbits, if you can. Con can stay and watch us. I won’t let either of them get hurt.” She was almost sarcastic in an utterly uncharacteristic way for her. Exhaustion and pain were tearing her apart. She bit back a yawn before shaking her head, sighing softly. The male leaped off into the snow, not even seeming tired.

Shar was at her side, his eyes watching her intently.
“You’d make a good alpha. Better than Lin. He just sees us as stupid. You are clever enough to send us out, one at a time. You know he would overthrow you in a second, don’t you? Smart, for a female. And real pretty, too.” She snarled at him, flashing her teeth in a soft snarl she truly felt rumble through the snow.
“Any female is smarter than a male wolf! You all think of two things, and two things only! Dominance and mating. I’m smart enough to think of Vhenan over myself. If that makes me an alpha, then I’m simply doing my best to look out for my friend. I guess you three don’t have any of those, right?”

Shar looked away, and Singer actually felt mean. She growled a reluctant apology, tossing her head in the air.
“I didn’t meant that, sorry.” She sighed as she spoke. She now felt evil. Cruel, in a way she wasn’t normally. She turned an apologetic glance onto Vhenan, nudging him in apology. “Surely you can understand why I don’t want to be responsible for three more wolves? I’m protective enough over Vhenan. Not to mention the fact that there would come a time when you’d fight, just because you think you’ll be the father of any pups.” She shook her head, eyes haunted. “That’s not happening. I’m not going to let you kill your brothers for that.”

She didn’t notice the keen glance Vhenan gave Con, but the male backed off unseen. The fox was guarding Singer, knowing he was safe from the anger she exuded as a wounded animal. She’d been like that with him in the beginning. When he’d found her, so weak she couldn’t even hunt. Now he was her best friend. His tail wagged as he shifted to sprawl over her back, yawning in a way that was almost threatening.
“Singer needs to rest before we walk on. Enough talking. Be grateful she’d letting you this close. If I were her, I’d get rid of you now!” He grinned widely before dropping his head down, feigning sleep as his fluffy fur bristled, helping to warm the wolf below him.

The others settled down, unknowingly watched by the fox and his keen eyes. He didn’t miss the way Con tried to talk to Shar, but the injured male turned his head away. He wasn’t listening, and it made his tail waft lightly across the snow. How long this had been. A night and they’d had so much happen already. He sighed softly, the sound mostly under his breath before Singer stirred. He moved, licking the back of her head reassuringly.
“Just relax. I’ll keep you safe. I promise I will.” His voice was a whisper, but she seemed to notice it. Her body settled underneath his before he growled lightly at Con.

There was something about him Vhenan just didn’t trust. He’d given in too easily to Singer’s attack, by the look of it. Lin was too quiet, too quick to answer. Either Con had taken charge, or the pair were planning something. The only one he trusted was Shar. The wolf clearly adored Singer, and everything she stood for. He wanted him around longer, as long as he stayed this way. A way that Vhenan could trust. Even now, Con tried to whisper at him, but Shar filled the air between them with a low growl that made the other back off. Vhenan let sleep take him, though he remained mostly aware of the sounds around them. He’d promised to protect Singer, and he wouldn’t let her down.

A rabbit landing in front of her nose made her jump. She knocked Vhenan off her back before whining a soft apology. She hadn’t meant to, but this was food. Her stomach churned with hunger as she ripped it apart, her eyes closed as she felt the heat of the flesh warm and strengthen her. When only cracked bones lay in front of her, she stood, wincing a little. Her leg held a little better this time round. The snow had numbed it after Vhenan’s cleaning. Shar and Vhenan had a rabbit in front of them, but Lin and Con had nothing. Her eyes narrowed before she threw her muzzle outwards.

“Go. Take your brothers with you. They need you more than I need you.” She spoke softly now. She didn’t want to hold him to her side. She didn’t want him there at all. The growl of relief coming from Con made her spin, her sore leg threatening to give underneath the movement. She whined softly before shaking herself off. She drew in a deep breath before she saw Shar sat still. Blood smeared his face, but he didn’t move. She prodded him with her nose. “You don’t have to stay here. Go. Your brothers want you.”

He shook his head, turning a look she couldn’t decipher onto Vhenan.
“I’m staying here. I would rather be here with you. You actually care about me. You let me rest, didn’t make me hunt. You proved yourself as a better alpha than my brothers. I’d rather hunt with you and the fox.” His voice was soft before Lin leaped at him, snarling and flashing his teeth.
“Traitor! You promised to stick by me!” Singer reacted instinctively. She slashed at Lin’s shoulder, her teeth sharp. His shrill yelp was checked by her teeth as she grabbed hold of him in the same place as previously. She turned him in an instant, this time switching her grasp to his throat.

When Con tried to interfere, he found two white forms blocking him, both with teeth flashing and low growls echoing in their chests. The trio paused as Singer’s voice rose into the air, furious.
“If Shar doesn’t want to go with you, then you leave him be! He is no more a traitor than I am! He’s seen what it’s like to be looked after by a real dominant. Not a pup, playing at pretend as you are! He’ll be the best one of your litter, I can promise you that much. You won’t need to worry for him. He can scout for us, then if he wishes to leave, he can.”

Singer found the pair at her sides, holding her in place. Her body was trembling as she backed off of Lin.
“I don’t want to be with you, Lin. You use Con and I to do your dirty work. You say its so we are strong, but I don’t think so. Singer came after Vhenan when she was injured. You wouldn’t do that for us. I know you wouldn’t. You think you are so important. So special. You aren’t.” He growled, watching the shock pass across both his brother’s faces. He leaned his side against the smaller feminine form, his tail wagging lightly. “Singer has so much experience. I want to learn that. She can turn you on your back like you are a pup, Lin. You don’t know how hard that must be for her, she’s smaller and not meant to do things like that. She actually apologised to me for snapping earlier.”

Lin snarled, stopping his brother’s speech swiftly.
“I don’t want to know why you are lying to yourself, but judge me your brother no more. I won’t be associated with a fool like you. When she cuts you loose like the problem you are, don’t come howling for me. I won’t answer, and neither will Con. Come on, Con. Let’s get gone before she turns you traitor, too.” As they walked off, the trio watched them. It was Lin who darted a sly look behind him, and Shar that spoke.
“He’ll be back, when he gets Con killed. Where do you truly want your den to be?” His voice was gentle, calmer than expected.

“I told you where. The human den. They left, so we may as well make use of the shelter they left behind so kindly.” Vhenan yipped his agreement from his rightful spot at Singer’s side. Shar may have been rather calm, but he still didn’t entirely trust them.
“You…want to go there? But…why? It’s not normal!” He was so baffled that Singer began to growl her laughter. She shook her head before motioning up the cliff.
“It’s a good place to be. There’s no chance anything will come close. Even your brothers may hesitate. And if we make it our own, then we have somewhere to keep the others from. This can be our base. Our den.”

Her voice was soft before she grinned, her teeth flashing. She still struggled to wander up the snow, but now she had two to support her, she found it a little easier. As Shar disappeared over the top of the snow bank, Singer and Vhenan paused at the top. They’d let the injured male scout out the insides before wandering down. Turning with a soft grin, aimed at Vhenan, she wagged her tail.
“Not the easiest way to find a den, is it? We’re lucky to have found somewhere though. And hopefully…a new friend. We just need to make sure he realises what you mean to me.” She spoke softly, shifting to lean herself lightly against the fox. Her tail waved in the air behind her as she left all the anger of the evening behind her. This was it. This was a new beginning, one it seemed they all deserved.

Vhenan grinned as her weight made him sway. She was so sweet, in her own, wolfy way. He wagged his own tail in time with hers, before disentangling himself slowly. The sky was light with the dawn, which meant the lights that had danced across were gone now, but still – he could dance in the snow. Repeatedly, he buried himself in the snow, hiding his head underneath it before lunging out. He pounced on nothing but snow piles, watched over by Singer until he flopped at her paws, tired and panting, but happy.
“Ah Singer. I’d never have found this winter wonderland without you. Just promise me you won’t go taking on deer alone anymore. We have Shar for that! And…no more doing stupid things. You don’t fly. You are a wolf, act like one!”

He giggled before leaning up, flicking his tongue against her nose in a gentle caress. A soft, foxy kiss from a fox to a wolf. She growled a soft laugh before licking at his throat briefly then settling down. There was so much she could say, but for now, she was waiting for the chance to walk the echoing halls of their new home, with Vhenan at her side.