"I don't know what to call it, but it's either you are unfortunate or just ran out of luck because, unlike the last time, our teacher is here!! And he is going to deal with this himself. Right, Big G?" Harland said.
"Well, why don't we try this in another way?"Gregor said with eyes still fixed on the older female with the other pack.
"What are you saying? Shouldn't you be taking that one over there while we deal with these distractions for you? I mean you trust us to handle these cowards right?"Solka said.
"It's not that way kids. Just that there are more peaceful ways to handle this, "Gregor said.
"Handle what? We already tried that method like you advised a million times and what has it ended up doing?"Emmie said.
Even with all their small frame, they were feisty in their own right. One could say at that moment, they were the ones teaching Gregor.
"Aside from losing every prey, getting beat up and our egos trampled on? Yeah, we haven't lost anything of significant value, now have we?"Harland replied to Emmie in a sarcastic tone to drive a message.
"Even as separate packs, it's better to resolve this in a more organized way. Peace should be your priority. Remember, werewolves stick as one!!"Gregor advised.
"Teva thinks it's fun to keep coming to our hunting grounds to steal stuff from us. Well, that ends today! You talk about peace? Peace is overrated. In this case, violence is the only way. We want to fight!!!"Harland emptied the contents of his heart which was apparently filled with anger.
"Look, this ground doesn't belong to a particular pack moron. Whoever gets here first gets to use it. As for your kill, you weren't going to get it anyway, "Teva said.
"Without us, there wouldn't be any much for your boys to eat not to talk of a crystal. One for all, all for one. All odds seem to be stacked against you here. You aren't leaving till we get that crystal, "Emmie said and folded her fist to this effect.
Then both miniature-pack kids began to approach one another. It didn't take too much to figure out what their true intent at that point was.
"You have both made valuable points. But at this juncture, I feel Gregor's little pups have a point, "the lady with Teva's pack stepped forward to say.
As these words were spoken, not only did her pack turn with a frown to look at her, but Harland and the rest of Gregor's students turned to look at him too.
"Do something!!"They all thought while staring at Gregor who was particularly too calm in the situation.
"What is she doing?"Teva and his pack thought as their own teacher appeared to be implicating them of some sort.
Teva and the other wolf kids weren't from the same pack as Gregor's pack. In fact, they were from the Brown Alpha's pack. A neighbouring pack to the red pack where Gregor and his students were from.
And much like Harland and his friends, Teva came out for a hunting lesson with his teacher, Lydia, as well.
"What are you hinting at?"Gregor finally said. The red pack werewolf kids on hearing this felt disappointed. This wasn't what they wanted in any way.
"Why is he so calm?" they all thought. This side of Gregor was unknown to them since most of his teachings revolved around protecting themselves and the integrity of the pack. His calmness in the situation and zeal to quell any trouble only made them more eager for a fight.
"As I said, you have a bunch of violent werewolves if I must say behind you. I don't know what you have been teaching them but I know this. My students are better than they are. But since they want a fight, it can be fixed. I suggest a little contest wouldn't hurt. Your students against my students for the core crystal and right to the hunting ground!!"Lydia said.
"I don't think it's a good idea to pit them against one another. Even from different packs, at the end of the day, they are all..."Gregor was going to say but at that moment was caught off.
"You have a deal. Our teacher is the best teacher and has taught us well. And we are the best!!"Solka said and in unison, his friends yelled "Yeah!!!" in affirmation.
"Tsk..tsk...tsk. You just fell into a well-crafted trap little pups. We can't wait to show you how a real pack does it. You may be strong individually but as a pack, you are pathetic!!!"Teva stepped forward to say. Now the two kids were growling at one another while their foreheads pushed against each other.
"Three days. In three days meet here for the contest, "Lydia stated.
"And how do we know you aren't trying to trick us? I mean, the crystal is still in your possession. If anything, you might as well decide not to show up, "Harland pointed out.
"If that's the case, why don't you return to your pack while I and your teacher here go over to the green pack?"Lydia proposed.
"What would you be doing at another pack with our teacher?!"Emmie said.
"A neutral body is required. So the green pack will be invited to watch the showcase, "Lydia said.
"You hear that little Harl? Your humiliation will be in front of an audience. This is turning out way better than I imagined. I can't wait to finally get my hands on you!!"Teva stated.
----------
Harland and his friends returned home without the escort of Gregor as he needed to be sure the core crystal was delivered to the green pack as promised.
Though there was a disconnect between packs, this was mostly between the alphas. All the same, disputes were common between normal pack members.
Most times, this issue arose from the exact reason the whole contest was made. A hunt stolen from one pack by another.
The core crystal derived from a beast was of as much value as the meat itself. It possessed energy vital to the werewolf community. Also, bringing back a core only served to cement a pack's credibility as a hunt group even more.
So going by this, it was safe to say a pack would lose immensely if they failed to get at least one of these. And with this knowledge, a fight usually broke out.
"What's the matter, Harl?"Solka asked as they all were in class waiting for Gregor's return.
"I think it has something to do with what Teva said earlier, "Emmie pointed out.
"He isn't exactly wrong you know? We fail to function as a unit. It has always been our downfall, "Harland said in a much less vibrant tone than he would about other things suggesting he wasn't proud to say it.
"What do you suggest we do?"Solka said.
"There isn't much to be done. But if there is one option still left, then I'm willing to take it. It's time we become a real pack. It's time we achieve unimind!"