Two werewolves made there way through the forest. The pair couldn’t have looked more different in appearance. The first, Sarbo, was as lanky as a wire with pasty white skin and thick black hair that stuck up at odd angles. The young wolf had sunken red eyes that betrayed absolutely no emotion behind them. The second, Thorven, was well built, a startling mass of muscle with long golden hair that fell in a tangled mess to his waist like a mane.

Sarbo glanced to Thorven now. “This is a waste of time. Everyone else gave up on the search weeks ago. If we keep this up we’re going to be late for the meeting of the packs.”

Thorven held up a hand to silence him. “I promise I’m not crazy. I picked up on his scent. G1BT is nearby.”

“I refuse to anger the pack leader by being late all for some pathetic goosechase,” Sarbo growled.

“Oh lighten up.” Thorven rolled his eyes, giving Sarbo a little shove. “Think about the reward we’ll get if I’m right and we bring him back to the pack leader.”

“He’s probably dead,” Sarbo muttered. “If we haven’t found him by now a Wolf Hunter has probably killed him and taken his head back as a trophy.” He shot Throven a crooked grin now. “I’m surprised you’re so dedicated to finding him. It would be a shame for you to get in serious trouble for this. You’ve just been named after all, what if you’re forced to go back to being wolf number 7H0V-”

“Stop,” Thorven snapped. “Don’t you dare refer to me as that.”

“I didn’t ‘refer’ to you as that, I was simply stating a possible consequence. Why...does that get on your nerves wolf number 7H0V-”

Sarbo was cut off as Thorven threw a punch at his jaw. The impact sent him stumbling a few feet back. The wolf’s lower lip curled into a snarl but he didn’t fight back. He knew better.

“You’re my submissive,” Thorven growled. “You do what I fucking tell you to do.”

“Fine...but if you’re wrong, next heat I promise I’ll make it my mission to reverse our positions. And trust me when you become my submissive I’m going to make your life an absolute living hell.”

Thorven let out a dry scoff. “I’d like to see you try.” He took a step forward, his gaze raking over Sarbo. “You were never meant to be anything more than a submissive and we both know it. Just be glad I’m your alpha. I go easy on you, others might not be as lenient regarding your…” his gaze trailed downwards, “insubordination.”

“Oh fuck you.”

“That’s pretty ironic since I’m the one doing the fucking-” Thorven suddenly stopped mid sentence. “Did you hear that?”

Sarbo had perked up as well. “I did...there’s someone else here.”

The two wolves grew deathly silent, Sarbo’s ears twitched as he attempted to listen for whatever was coming, his entire body tense.

He cast an uneasy glance in Thorven’s direction. His alpha’s eyes had gone wide. “Wait that scent...Sarbo I think that’s…”

And that’s when G1BT suddenly emerged. Sarbo’s jaw nearly hit the snow covered forest floor. He had been positive the young wolf had perished at the hands of some horrible Wolf Hunter but here he was, standing before him and looking better than he had ever seen him. His eyes seemed more alert, his cheeks were less sunken, even the way he carried himself seemed entirely different.

G1BT looked to them now. “Hello,” he said softly, “I’m back.”

------------------

The Pack Master stepped onto a large rock overlooking the masses of werewolves who had gathered in the clearing beneath. As he emerged the wolves sunk to their knees, bowing before him. Finally he gave a small nod and slowly, pack by pack, the wolves rose to their feet once more.

The Pack Master cleared his throat. “Welcome,” he said slowly, “to the meeting of the packs. Here before us we have gathered every wolf from the northern packs of the mountains to the southern packs of the ice sea. Our time together is brief so let me get straight to business. In four weeks time the Wolf Hunter’s hunt will begin. Our forests will be flooded by them. We lost over fourty of our strongest and finest wolves last year and I do not plan on losing that number again.” He bowed his head, allowing his words to hang in the air a beat before he continued. “This year we will fight back like we never have before. I want every pack prepared and ready to tear those bloody Wolf Hunters limb from limb.” His words caused a ripple of growls and sounds of agreement throughout the wolves bellow him. The Pack Master offered them a small nod. “Next order of business, the wolf number U8FT killed a Wolf Hunter last night. He brought me his head and it had been mounted besides the great cave along with the others. For this he will be named. Step forward wolf U8FT.” A cheer rang out from the packs as a large wolf stepped forward, bowing in front of the great rock the Pack Master stood on. “Wolf number U8FT you have proven yourself a warrior, from this day forward you will be named Larzen.” The cheers grew louder, chanting the name as the wolf returned to his place in the pack. “And finally, before we go our separate ways…has there been any word on the whereabouts of wolf G1BT?” The Pack Master’s voice was as level as always, he took care to betray nothing in his tone when he said the words. He waited for silence but suddenly a voice rang out from the back.

“Pack Master, we’ve found him!” The wolf Thorven suddenly appeared with his submissive Sarbo. Then slowly behind them wolf G1BT slowly emerged. A slight wave of surprise rippled through the wolves and it took everything in the Pack Master to show no hint of emotion when he saw him. He had to be an example for his people. Instead of smiling in relief he simply met the young wolf with a blank stare. “G1BT, please come forward,” he said slowly. The wolf nodded, making his way to the rock. Slowly he bowed his head. The Pack Master met him with an unblinking stare. “Welcome back wolf G1BT.”

G1BT slowly raised his head now, meeting his gaze. “It’s good to be back father.”