Sakara watched as Sabina's white coat disappeared within the trees and he took a step towards where she had disappeared when Renmar said "Leave them be."
Sakara looked to the gray wolf to see he was also watching the forest where she disappeared but had not moved to follow as Sakara had.
"Beta Nix will convince him." Renmar stated it to the gathered group as though it needed to be said. However as Renmar's gaze never diverted from the forest, Sakara wondered if Renmar's words were to convince himself more than the others.
"Sabina's always had a way with words." Said Alpha Fumus softly from behind Sakara.
Sakara growled "This never would have happened if you had just accepted me as equal to any other wolf in the pack."
Renmar's ear twitched "Enough young Sakara."
"What? Is it a lie?" Asked Sakara sarcastically.
Renmar remained silent save a small glance at Sakara before turning his attention to the forest, yet much to the surprise of the wolves gathered Alpha Fumus remained silent as well.
Sakara sighed "Typical, not word of it sixteen years ago and not even today when I am a leader of a hunt. At least my nephew had an emotion unlike my own father."
"I am not your father." growled Alpha Fumus.
The younger wolves that had slowly meandered away stopped playing too loudly to listen in on the serious conversation taking place, while Renmar remained posted watching the forest for any sign of Sabina's return.
"I see. Reputation is worth more than blood." Growled Sakara.
Renmar sighed but never glanced at Sakara as Alpha Fumus said "I have already said my piece sixteen years ago. So leave it where it belongs. Forgotten"
Sakara scoffed "Right. It was never in the past, Alpha Fumus."
Alpha Fumus glared "It was in the past till Renmar and Sabina decided to go against me."
Renmar shifted uncomfortably as he intently stared at the forest as though if he willed Sabina to come she would. Sakara laughed only to suddenly stop as he growled "It was never in the past. Otherwise my siblings and I would not have been treated any different than the other wolves in the clan. But we were. So how can you so blatantly say it was forgotten?"
Renmar sighed again even louder as he slowly shifted away from the two wolves in the hopes he wouldn't be drawn into the verbal battle.
"Well?" Asked Sakara.
Alpha Fumus just stared at the back of Sakara's head as he said "Beta Nix taught you well."
"Of course she did. After all she took the time to teach me." Sakara said pointedly.
"I thought you didn't want me to teach you?" asked Alpha Fumus.
Sakara scoffed "You made that decision for me the day you cast me under the title of Rogue pup."
Alpha Fumus growled "I thought it would be for the best for everyone."
Sakara turned stiff before turning his yellow golden gaze upon Alpha Fumus "No. You chose what you thought was the best for you."
Alpha Fumus growled but Sakara did not quiver under his Alpha's gaze as he turned his eyes to the forest, it was then Alpha Fumus bared his teeth "Do you have no loyalty to your Alpha?"
Sakara smiled as he turned and looked into Alpha Fumus's golden yellow eyes "I wonder as to if you'll ever find it within yourself to look me in the eye instead of growling at back of my head when you speak to me."
Alpha Fumus growled but Sakara shrugged as he stood and walked away ignoring the Alpha's attempts to take control over him. Sabina had told him as the Alpha's descendant the control of an Alpha over him will be weak, and as such if he ever were to get into a fight with an Alpha it would be a fairer fight compared to an average wolf against an Alpha.
Sakara walked a few paces away from the Alpha ignoring the fearful glances cast his way by the other young wolves when Alpha Fumus growled "Speak to me after the ceremony tonight, young Sakara."
Sakara laid down almost challenging the old wolf to come at him as he faced the Alpha calmly stating "With pleasure. Alpha."
Alpha Fumus seemed to be writhing where he stood when Renmar suddenly sprung to his feet "Sabina!"
Sakara quickly looked up to see Sabina exit the forest with Beta Cinis next to her, Beta Cinis looked at Sakara for a moment before turning to Renmar "Have the leaders chosen their packs yet?"
Renmar smiled as he said "Line up young wolves and leaders stand on either side of me."
Sakara looked at Sabina who smiled his way before sitting not too far away from him with Beta Cinis next to her. Sakara noticed Beta Cinis seemed to have been knocked down a peg since he had last seen him and almost wondered what the two wolves could have spoken of when he saw Beta Cinis lean closer to Sabina.
He felt a growl come to his throat however Sakara was pushed back from his thoughts as Renmar stated "First leader chooses first."
Xavier smuggly looked from Omaris to Sariah and said "Sariah."
Sariah oblivious to the tension between the two wolves walked over to Xavier's side and sat next to him.
Sakara sighed as he looked between the members before he said "Omaris."
Omaris walked to Sakara's side sourly and Sakara could hear Sabina sigh. Sakara bumped Omaris who glared at him.
"Quit. This is our chance to prove ourselves to be part of this pack, don't screw this up because you're using the wrong head." Sakara growled and Omaris lowered his head and nodded.
Sakara smiled "Besides… this is your chance to prove to Sariah your worth having as a mate."
Omaris's eyes went narrow as he began to focus his gaze upon Sariah before he quickly looked at Sakara "I never said I wanted Sariah!"
Sakara sighed as he shook his head "Its obvious to the world Omaris."
"Winvor" stated Xavier.
A hefty grey and white wolf with a hint of red in his coat stepped away from the line to sit beside Sariah, Sakara nodded as he looked at Xavier's selection. He had chosen Sariah out of spite but anyone who hunted with her knew she was the fastest wolf and took the head of the kill more than half the time.
Winvor was a larger and heavier wolf and was a better choice when it came to the middle to hind end of the kill. Sakara's selection was just as selective as Xavier's as Omaris was better for the lead to middle position depending upon the situation, however in this hunt Sakara planned to have Abby take the head.
"Abby" stated Sakara.
Xavier scoffed but Abby ignored him and walked up beside Omaris and sat down, she leaned forward a little as she kept glancing at Renmar who completely ignored her.
"Denmar" said Xavier.
A grey wolf with white paws walked forward and sat beside Winvor and gave Xavier a knowing glance. Sakara sighed, Winvor and Denmar were not only just the heaviest wolves but also the goons of Xavier and while this was known amongst the younger wolves it seemed to elude the older wolves of the pack.
The last wolf was the color of sand and though her sapphire blue eyes were striking, it was her small stature and seemingly lack of endurance that made her last choice of the ceremonial pups. The little wolf hung her head in shame as Sakara smiled at her as he said "Ella"
Ella nodded as she slowly walked with her tail between her legs and sat beside Abby who nudged her encouragingly.
Renmar stepped away from the assembled two packs and looked to Beta Cinis "They are ready."
Sabina nudged Beta Cinis with her nose and he walked before the assembled wolves and stood before them "This is a competitive hunt. The best catch between the two packs will lead the ceremony. Remember this will be your last hunt as pups, as such let this be the best last hunt."
All the gathered wolves howled and Sakara watched as a ghost of a smile touched Sabina's placid face, she noticed his gaze and closed her eyes for a moment as she smiled.
Instantly his thoughts returned to that night at the lake and wondered if he could have her as his true mate or even his chosen mate but as he looked passed her he saw red eyes between two pine trees and he felt a chill go down his back.
He blinked several times but upon seeing the eyes were gone, he shrugged and walked after Renmar who began describing where they were going to hunt. Yet even as he stood next to the wolves around him he felt as though if he was being judged by his own selfish wishes by a being more powerful than he.