Crescentpaw is not a saintly wolf, far from it, but I find myself beginning to understand how far he has come and how much he has changed. And suddenly, I realize the faded scar on Roguefang could have easily been by the teeth of his counterpart when they had met. Roguefang having the patience and love for all, helped change Crescentpaw in ways I can only imagine. Their relationship, possibly only friendship, possibly lovers, was a bond that I could see was much stronger than one would believe.

Howling King and Bloodbeast do not make a single move, but we are intimidated by their very presences nevertheless. Howling King glares at his son, looking as if he disdains him more than anything in the world and then laughs this sinister laugh that boils my blood. 

“This wolf? This wolf is your love, is that what you are telling me?” Howling King practically spits the word “love” bitterly. Perhaps Crescentpaw is angrier at the fact that this was not the way he wished to profess his feelings to Roguefang. He looks uncomfortable and seething with anger. Roguefang is quiet beside him and a bit confused, but I suppose it would be a bit of a shock to hear such things about the wolf you have been spending most of your time with and only now finding out his feelings for you. “Doesn’t look like he’s so joyful about the news.” Crescentpaw is a bit taken aback as he looks at Roguefang and notices his stance is a bit awkward and uncomfortable. Roguefang does not look disappointed or disgusted, but it isn't the expression that anyone would feel confident about if they saw it on the face of the person of their affections.

In a swift movement, Howling King pins his son down when he had looked over to Roguefang and we quickly try to assist him, but Bloodbeast blocks our way. Nightfang is closest to Howling King so he acts quickly and charges at the beastly wolf, pushing him off of Crescentpaw. Like a flash of lightning, I suddenly notice that Fierceclaw has made it passed Bloodbeast and grabs a hold of Howling King’s tail in his jaws before biting with so much force that we can even hear the bone breaking. The mighty wolf howls in pain and turns as he lunges towards Fierceclaw and bites him on his neck.

Crescentpaw is quick to act as jumps on his father and bites his ear and pulls him forcibly onto the ground and presses his paw onto his throat. Fierceclaw shakes his head slightly. Thankfully, the bite doesn't look deep, but it looks painful with his fur beginning to soak with blood around his neck. In an instant, Bloodbeast runs towards Crescentpaw, preparing to scratch him with his mighty claws, the same attack he had used to slash the bark of the trees, but Roguefang quickly shields his counterpart and gets slashed on his side and falls to the floor. I try to head into the fray, but Sweetsong prevents me from doing so. I growl at her and ask her to step aside, but she stands firmly and tells me that she would never allow for the alpha to enter a losing battle.

In the distance, a howl is heard that echoes through the forest and alerts us to the oncoming pack of wolves that are complete strangers to all of us. Howling King and Bloodbeast stand their ground, but are curious about the threat approaching us. Almost immediately, all of us are surrounded by a pack of at least thirty wolves. All of them different sizes and coat colors. Some with scars, others with other quirks, like missing teeth or bitten off ears or tails. One of them, clearly the alpha has a beautiful red article of clothing tied around his neck. It looks like something a human would wear.

“Trespassers in our territory!” The alpha yells happily, almost as if it is something to be celebrated. His fur coat is an array of whites, grays, and blacks with one blue eye and one brown eye. He has a slightly curvy tail, but it is more slender than bushy. 

“Lucky us.” Another male wolf says as he stands beside the alpha. The two baffle me since usually an alpha stands beside his mate. They couldn't possibly be...

“Look here, we don’t take kindly to brutish wolves bullying other wolves.” The alpha says with a grin. “So, either the big guys leave with their lives, or we have to take ‘em! What’ll it be, fellas?” Howling King doesn’t seem to think much of the threat so he snickers and approaches the alpha.

“You are hardly a wolf capable of such a feat.” Howling King says as he bares his fangs and growls lowly. 

“Oh yeah?” The alpha asks with a wild look on his face. His eyes piercing and fearsome. “I wouldn’t think too highly of yerself, if I was you. Hon, how about we make a little mischief?” He turns to look at the male wolf beside him.

“You know I love mischief.” His counterpart says. Every wolf around us targets Howling King and Bloodbeast with fearsome looks in their eyes and snarling jaws. Both beastly wolves are backed against the trees before they seem to assess their odds of winning, which seems slim given the number of wolves that are against them. They turn around and head off with their tails between their legs. I find it most humorous that they were scared off so easily by misfits.

“Hon, did you see that?” The alpha asks his partner.

“I did, I did. Bunch of chickens.” His partner laughs.

“Gosh, that was great.” The alpha snickers before turning towards me.

“You the alpha of this pack?” The alpha asks with a smile.

“Partly. There are two different alphas in our group, each governing their own packs. The Fang pack and the Moonbright pack are travelling together. I am the alpha of Moonbright and our wounded one is the alpha of the Fang pack…” I say as I head over to Roguefang and Crescentpaw.

“Damn, that there is a nasty wound.” The alpha says as he tells his partner to unwrap his cloth around his neck. They wrap the cloth around Roguefang’s torso and give us their condolences. Roguefang will be alright with some rest and attentive care for the next few days, but that doesn’t stop anyone from being worried, especially Nightfang and me. I stay beside Nightfang and Roguefang, but turn my attention to the alpha of the mysterious pack that saved us.

“And who, might I ask, are our saviors?” I ask the alpha.

“Oh! Sorry ‘bout that, my name’s Silvertail and this here is my mate, Rebelheart.” Silvertail says happily as if it were nothing at all to proclaim his gracefulness to a bunch of strangers. It reminds me of a certain wolf who had done exactly that when we first met, minus the flirting. “And this is our pack, the Outcast pack.”

“Outcasts…?” Fierceclaw asks curiously before he winces at the pain from the bite. I begin licking his wound to try and heal it a bit before he pushes me, probably scared to be on Nightfang's bad side, but when I turn to look at my mate, he doesn't seem to mind. His trust in me is quite remarkable considering we haven't known each other that long and this our first relationship, but I welcome this. 

“Most of us were cast out for the same reason.” A female wolf says as she brushes against another female wolf. “We’re flawed.” We all look around at the pack members and notice most of them are paired with a wolf of the same sex, females with females and males with males. I am a bit baffled by the sight, but feel a bit proud.

“Yup, and I reckon you two are the same?” He looks at Nightfang and me. Nightfang looks at me with pride and nods at Silvertail’s question. “Thought so, you guys make a lovely pair, if I do say so myself. You know, we can care for your buddy there. Our den isn’t too far away. Follow us.” Silvertail trots towards the direction of their den as one of his largest members carefully carries Roguefang. The rest of us trail behind Silvertail in a large group, almost forty wolves in total. I am amazed by the sheer number of graced wolves that make up the Outcast pack.

As we follow them, I find myself assessing the wolves in the Outcast pack. Females and males alike within the pack seem like very capable betas and their bonds with one another is very strong. Pairs seem to stick close by to one another, but other times like to spend some time conversing or playing with others within the group. Nightfang seems to notice my eyes wandering and asks me if I’m okay.

“It’s just…I’ve only ever heard stories about graced ones and you’re the only other wolf I know pretty well who’s graced. I’m just a bit surprised is all.” I say with a smile. “And happy that the stories might have been wrong.”

“What stories were those?” Nightfang asks curiously.

“Awful stories…I don’t really want to repeat them, mostly because they make me very tempered now that I have proclaimed myself to be graced,” I pause and smile at him. “proudly, of course.” He smiles back and nuzzles me.

“I’m glad this whole journey has opened your eyes, Love.” He says fondly.

“I’m glad this whole journey had begun by meeting you, Nightfang.” I say happily. “I’m glad we met. Thank you for saving me that day.” I say before licking his lips. He whimpers a bit and gives me a look only I can read. I smile at him as I feel myself becoming tempted by his seductive look.

“Perhaps when we get to a secluded shelter.” I answer his unasked question. He smiles and nudges me. I feel excited about our intimate time together in the near future, but also a bit anxious as I feel a bit impatient. I have changed immensely, but it doesn’t bother me as it once did. I am comfortable and happy, just as much as all these graced ones are probably are as well. Since they have found their place in the world they probably feel just as relieved and joyful knowing now that they have a place in this world, a place that they probably never thought they would find. I now feel the same. I belong here, I belong with Nightfang. I am the way I am and I am proud.

Fierceclaw walks beside me in such a way that makes me believe that he is a bit uncomfortable among so many graced ones, but when Rebelheart nudges him, he doesn't back away quickly like I had assumed he would. 

"You going to be okay there, pal?" Rebelheart asks. He looks to have reddish-brown fur but it isn't as tame as his lover's. It is a bit ruffled and unkempt, which I feel would probably suit his partner better since Rebelheart looks to be the gentler and calmer of the two. Silvertail looks to be more lively. Fierceclaw fares better among those who are bit more calm and levelheaded like himself, so it becomes clearer to me why he isn't as uncomfortable around him.

"I'll be fine." Fierceclaw assures him. 

"You got a mate who can tend to your wound?" He asks. "Or a mating buddy?" The question makes Fierceclaw a bit uncomfortable, so I decide to interject.

"I can help him. We've been friends since we were little." I say nervously. Rebelheart nods.

"What do you mean 'mating buddy'?"

"A friend you just mate with." Rebelheart says. "Most folks don't feel comfortable asking a friend or a stranger to lick them since it's more a intimate thing mates or mating buddies do, especially the neck since it's a sensitive spot." 

"Yeah, you definitely know 'bout that." Silvertail interrupts with a laugh as he licks his partner's cheek.

"I don't have a mate or a mating buddy..." Fierceclaw says dejectedly. I fear he might be remembering his intimate moment with my brother. I nudge him and tell him it'll be okay. 

"Don't worry, none." Silvertail says with a smile. "Yer a handsome fella. I'm sure you'll find a lucky one sooner than ya expect."  

The two head back to the front of the pack and lead the way beside their beta wolves.

"You're really lucky, you know that, Snow?" Fierceclaw suddenly says.

Lucky...I feel like I've used up all my luck when Nightfang and I met, but it was worth it. It I never catch something on a hunt, if I never win a match of chase or play fight against anyone again, if I never see the ocean in my life, I will still consider myself lucky. I'll be happy as long as I have Nightfang.