"What is the meaning of this?" Kimmik demanded, walking among rows of cowering warriors. Blood still splattered the fur of some of them, crimson drops that they had not taken the time to groom out. The scent filled Kimmik's nostrils with its enticing allure as she searched for the perpetrator. Seemingly cast to the side was a tiny, shredded body. Its puppy-soft fur was matted with black gore, the features almost unrecognizable as the wolves drew back to give Kimmik a better view. She barely had time to look it over, noticing the clear teeth marks buried up to the spine in its throat, when a sharp growl assaulted her ears. Ryu launched into the air from her back, wheeling above her head before baking back towards her with a croak of astonishment. Kimmik stalked forwards, shoving a wolf out of her way that was too paralyzed to move of its own volition.

Kimmik cleared herself from the throng and stopped short. Death was snarling savagely, her black wings beating the air as she clung to another wolf's neck. The wolf was trying in vain to get free, anger burning in its eyes.

Kimmik relaxed slightly, sitting. This she could handle.

"Are you quite finished?" Kimmik asked icily. The spirits buzzed in her mind, excited by the prospect of blood. For a moment she dove into battle, her teeth tearing at the flailing wolf's soft stomach. Kimmik rapidly blinked away the illusion, startled at its savagery. It took her a moment to remember where she was.

Death's eyes burned with a defiance that Kimmik had not seen from her before. She kicked derisively at the wolf, staring at it in contempt. Her face was smudged with blood, her teeth dyed as red as her eyes. One paw was planted on the wolf's throat. A tiny leap jolted Kimmik's chest, a moment of strange excitement against her anger. Kimmik shook the emotion off.

Death let out another snarl. "Why don't you ask Beta Iode why she killed a fellow packmate?"

Kimmik searched the wolf's features, disfigured with malice. Her heat leaped with joy, the force of her ambition almost carrying her off of her feet. She was Gamma. Iode was Beta, and she had murdered. Lykos would surely not allow her to continue in the pack.

Smile hidden by her helmet, Kimmik stalked over to Iode. "Yes, I would like to ask you that. Death, provide some distance, please."

Death removed her foot and backed away from Iode rapidly, as though she were nothing by carrion. Her nose wrinkled in the beginnings of another snarl as Iode hauled herself to her feet.

"Akieta, go fetch Aradia, Accalia and Lykos," Kimmik ordered. Akieta nodded and hastened to obey.

Kill her, the shadows whispered.

Not yet. Kimmik replied. I will be Beta.

No, one answered, its voice hard. You will be Alpha.

The stench of Lykos's blood filled Kimmik's nose, relaxing her thoughts. Soon she would sink her teeth into the pelt of that useless Alpha, and take her spot. With Death at her side, she would...

A screen seemed to slam down in front of Kimmik's eyes. There would be no Death at her side, for Kimmik would kill her and bathe in her sweet blood. She would return to Íglisk, and she would be given the favour of the Queen. Nothing else mattered.

It if didn't, then why did Kimmik feel so conflicted?

***

"Her teeth marks did match those found in the Omega's throat, correct?"

"That is correct, Alpha Lykos." Accalia lowered her gaze respectfully, her snowy pelt unstained by the carnage. Aradia's on the other hand was covered in bits of leaf and twig, her job not allowing her to rest as benefitted Accalia.

"And the Omega was killed, deliberately," Lykos continued, "there is no doubt about that?"

"None at at all," Accalia replied. "Both Breeze and Death were there, the Omega had done nothing. Death attacked Iode with Breeze's help, but a heavy blow knocked Breeze unconscious. She will recover."

Kimmik had noted the distaste at which Death held Breeze, surprised they would be working together. She would remind herself to ensure their dynamic was stable.

Kimmik glanced at Lykos, surprised to find anger shining in her eyes. She tapped her claws rapidly against the wooden platform she sat on.

"What does the law state?" Lykos asked.

Kimmik glanced down at where it had been carved, centuries ago, in stone. "Iode must be killed, as pack law and as retribution," she said. Although the action irritated her, Kimmik bowed. "Please allow me to carry out this deed, so that you do not have to wet your paws with the blood of the impure."

Kimmik's words were diplomatic, but in her mind the shades turned with joy. Beneath the heavy paws and sharp teeth of her guards, Iode writhed in an attempt to get free.

Lykos's eyes narrowed, a bloodthirstiness entering them that Kimmik had never seen before. Perhaps she wasn't as clean hearted as Kimmik had thought. Lykos bared her teeth in a feral grin. "Request granted."

Kimmik matched Lykos's look, her canines already gleaming with saliva, prepped for shearing the meat off of bones. She bowed deeply. "Thank you, my Alpha."

Lykos stepped off of her perch and walked further into the tunnels, vanishing into their depths. Kimmik turned towards the guards. "Let her go."

The second Iode was freed, she took off, out of the tunnel. Salome glanced back at Kimmik, whining slightly. Kimmik grinned. "Not yet." Their gazes were all on her, their ears pinned back. A moment passed, a heavy second in which they could hear Iode's frantic pawsteps growing fainter. Two. Three.

"Now." Kimmik said calmly. The order was so sudden the the wolves skittered before springing forwards, racing after Kimmik as she followed Iode's clear scent-path. She would not fly, not now. This chase was about her paws and the ground, the prey-creature that ran before her. Kimmik's vision narrowed, the musk of her packmates and the feel of their presences heavy in her senses. Accalia, Death and Mena were fleet, pulling even with Kimmik's shoulders. Her anticipation would not allow them to pass.

Ahead of her, Iode glanced back, doubling her speed. Kimmik remained consistent. The she-wolf was tiring. With a snarl, Death launched her self at Iode, bowling her over before spinning off into the grass. It was all Kimmik needed. She leaped onto Iode, dragging her a few paces by her muzzle. Her fear-filled eyes locked on Kimmik's.

Kill her. The shadows ordered. 

Kimmik tossed Iode's muzzle upwards, the vicious movement snapping her neck. Howls of victory sounded around the circle as the pack crowded in. Kimmik stepped back, victorious. She glanced around, looking for Death, but the she wolf had turned away. She was sniffing at a clump of fur, glued with blood to the grass. Her eyes gleamed.

For the first time, Kimmik felt conflicted. She had killed many wolves, but never in cold blood, in a chase that the wolf had no hope of winning.

What have I done? She asked herself.

Alpha. The shadows chanted. That is what you want.

Kimmik's mind was set. Yes, she said, that is what I want.

AlphaKasumiRose @Alpha_Mena WolfLover1670 Igiveuponthis horsegirllv sorry for the goriness of this chapter. I hope I did not misconstrue any of you, please let me know if I have. Thank you so much for reading!