Sophia felt drained as Lake Pack slowly made their way back to the island, paddling tiredly through the water. She felt tired and confused and afraid all at once. The dogs were silent, for once, rather than whispering among themselves, and the silence was only broken by the quiet lap of the water.

"Well," Dallas said suddenly, making the dogs jump as they came ashore. "What are we supposed to do now?"

Cassidy took a few moments to respond, her eyes dark and troubled. "Wait," she woofed finally. "All we can do is wait."

~

Waiting proved to be a most trying exercise. Every dog was tense and on edge, glancing around nervously and flinching or snapping at every sudden noise or movement.

Sophia felt as though she was constantly being watched, and it did nothing to improve her hunting. She couldn't help but feel that the one good thing that came out of this affair was that no one was thinking about her hunting assessment anymore.

"This isn't right," Bronze growled one evening while Sophia shared a meal with him and Jarvis. "We're dogs--we shouldn't be cowering in our own territory like this."

"I know," Jarvis sighed. "Everyone's going crazy waiting for something to happen."

Sophia was about to add something to the conversation when a chorus of howls suddenly split the air, sending most dogs leaping to their feet.

"What was that?" Sophia whispered, eyes wide.

"I think something just happened," Bronze muttered.

"It came from Wind Pack's direction," barked Jett, his ears pricked.

"That means either Wind Pack or Earth Pack is in trouble," Ayla murmured. "Do you think we should go see what it is?"

"Whatever it is, I'm sure Wind Pack can handle it," Cassidy barked in an uncharacteristically brusque way. "And I don't think it's Earth Pack. I doubt they're out of their tunnels."

A few dogs looked like they wanted to protest, but they remained silent and returned to their meals. Sophia jolted slightly as she saw Cassidy glance at Dallas. Was that fear in her alpha's eyes?

Sophia looked at her brothers, too uncertain to ask them if they thought Cassidy was afraid. It wasn't a very good thing to say about one's alpha, for one thing, and she also knew that Cassidy was not a coward. It almost felt good, she thought guiltily, to know that someone was as scared as she was.

~

The two weeks until the Hunter's Moon passed agonizingly slowly. Sophia thought she might burst with anxiety. She was grateful for the fact that she hadn't had any more dreams, but she couldn't forget about the ones she had had.

Frost Pack was hosting tonight, and Sophia almost felt like it was colder than usual. She glanced at Tarragon, walking firmly beside her. Her friend's face was unreadable, but she wondered if he was as nervous as she.

The crowd of dogs, which was normally chattering and socializing together, was inordinately subdued. Those who did speak spoke in hushed tones and mutters, glancing around themselves warily.

Sophia shivered and huddled closer to her own packmates. "Wind Pack isn't here yet," she murmured to Tarragon.

He glanced up at the sky, where the moon was rising higher. "I don't know why they're taking so long. Earth Pack is already here."

Sophia thought of the howl they had heard the other night and licked her lips nervously. "I hope nothing has happened."

A loud bark caused several of the dogs to jump. A Samoyed from Frost Pack was standing up, his ears pricked forward alertly. "Wind Pack!"

The collies and sheepdogs came bounding up the mountain, but Sophia realized that Gabriel was not leading them. She craned her head, trying to see him, but he didn't seem to be anywhere.

Speedwell, the beta, walked up to the alphas and dipped his head. His eyes were dark and tired and he looked much older than Sophia remembered him being.

"Speedwell," Martin greeted the Smooth Collie, returning his nod. "Where is Gabriel?"

Before Speedwell could respond a Rough Collie stepped forward behind him, his eyes flashing. "Gabriel is dead," he snarled.

A ripple of shock spread across the gathered dogs, but Sophia saw that most of the alphas didn't look surprised. Aaron's dark green eyes were hard. "The wolves?" he asked.

The collie, who Sophia vaguely remembered as being named Ranger, nodded. "They attacked us a few weeks ago. Gabriel was wounded very badly. Our healers... tried, but they were unable to save him." His eyes flashed for a moment, then he continued. "He died yesterday."

Cassidy looked at Gannon and Aaron, her eyes narrowed. "You don't seem surprised. Have you been attacked as well?"

"Yes," Gannon growled, curling his lip. Sophia realized for the first time the scratches and patches of torn fur peppered across the members of Night Pack and Storm Pack. "We have not lost anyone, fortunately, but they're scaring off all the prey."

Martin's eyes darkened. "And now they've killed one of our leaders."

"You know what we have to do now," Cassidy woofed. "We have to vote on Wind Pack's new leader. Have you chosen candidates?"

Sophia's eyes widened. She had never seen the election of a leader before, but Jarvis had told her what it was like. The pack who needed a leader would choose the dogs they thought most capable, and the other packs would cast their votes as a whole for the dog they wanted. The pack would then make a final decision.

"Yes, the eligible dogs have been chosen," Speedwell replied. "I am not one of them. Wind Pack needs a younger leader."

Cassidy dipped her head in respect. "Very well. Who are the candidates?"

Speedwell stepped back and nodded to some of the dogs beside him. "Splash." A black-and-white speckled she-dog with floppy ears stepped forward. She appeared to be some sort of Border Collie cross, possibly with some cattle dog.

"Desmond." The next dog was a male Bearded Collie with a serious face.

"And Ranger." The Rough Collie from before stood rigidly, his eyes still stormy with anger.

"These are dogs you know," Speedwell barked, reciting the ancient words spoken before the vote. "Dogs you have fought beside and against. Make your choice carefully, and may the wisdom of the Hunter Dog be with you."

The other five packs immediately clustered together, speaking in hushed tones as they debated on which dog should be chosen.

"Splash undoubtedly has the most experience," Dallas put forth. "She was nearly chosen for beta instead of Speedwell."

"But she's as old as he is," argued Jayla. "Ranger is younger--wouldn't he be a better choice?"

"Ranger is too aggressive," Seneca barked. "Do you want to be in battle all the time?"

"You can't know that it will be all the time," Jayla replied. "We've had good relations with Wind Pack for a long time."

"What about Desmond?" Cassidy interrupted. "He is neither old nor aggressive. Have you considered him?"

Cassidy's question was met with silence. The dogs looked at each other and a few shrugged. "He seems to be the best choice, then," woofed Donovan.

Cassidy nodded to her brother and looked around at the others. "Are there any objections?"

Once again, no dog said anything, so Cassidy turned back to the assembly of dogs. "Lake Pack has made its decision."

Earth Pack and Frost Pack were also facing forward. Storm Pack finished soon after Lake Pack, and after what appeared to be a bit of squabbling, Night Pack also announced their decision.

"Which dogs do you vote for?" Speedwell asked.

"Earth Pack votes for Desmond," Cordan barked.

"Lake Pack does as well," Cassidy added.

"Frost Pack places its vote for Splash," Martin said, his own voice raspy with age.

"Storm Pack's vote is for Ranger," barked Aaron.

"And Night Pack votes for Splash," said Gannon, his voice flat.

Speedwell nodded, his eyes thoughtful. "Wind Pack will now make its decision, taking your votes into consideration."

As Wind Pack began to discuss the votes, Sophia turned to Bronze and Jarvis. "Splash and Desmond have even votes," she said softly. "What will that mean?"

"Votes don't always make a difference," Bronze answered. "The pack can make a completely different decision if they want to."

Sophia blinked and fell silent, thinking about what Bronze had said. That could mean that Ranger, who had received only one vote, could be chosen. He seemed very angry, though--would he make a good leader? Desmond did seem the most logical--he wasn't very old and she had never seen him act extremely aggressive. Still, though, she had no way of knowing these dogs like their packmates did, so she gave up on trying to guess who would be chosen.

Speedwell finally turned around and faced the dogs again. "Wind Pack has made its choice," he barked. "Ranger will be our leader."

A few cheers rose from Wind Pack and Storm Pack. Aaron smiled, a satisfied look on his face. Gannon flattened his ears and looked away, seemingly angry about this choice. Cassidy and Cordan merely dipped their heads in welcoming to the new leader, but Martin sighed and looked almost disappointed.

Ranger now stood in front of Remiel, Wind Pack's preceptor, while he spoke the words of the rite of leadership to him. "The position of alpha to Wind Pack has been bestowed upon you. Do you accept it?"

Ranger's eyes were firm and determined but held a faint glimmer of excitement. "I do."

"Then lead, well, strong, and fairly," Remiel barked solemnly. "The grace and blessings of Siglitun be upon you until the end of your time. Who do you choose as beta, to assist you in your leadership?"

Ranger thought for a moment and then turned to the Bearded Collie behind him. "Desmond, you would have also been a good choice as leader," he said respectfully. "Will you accept the position of beta?"

Desmond hesitated for a moment, then dipped his head in acceptance. "I would be honored."

Remiel's eyes shone happily for a moment. "Behold, the new alpha and beta of Wind Pack!"

Cheers rose from some of the dogs, but they seemed dull and muted. With Gabriel's death and the threat of the wolves overhead, it was hard to feel good about anything.

Martin cleared his throat, ending the rather unenthusiastic cheering. "As with all Hunter's Moons when a new leader is chosen, there will be no hunt tonight. I believe, then, that it is time to bid you farewell."

He turned to leave, but Gannon suddenly let out a loud snarl. "That's it?!" he spat. "We have been raided by wolves for the past month, like criminals in our own territory, and you have nothing to say?! A dog is dead! It may be easy for you to sit up on this mountain and not care about our problems, Martin, but this isn't something you can just ignore!"

Martin glared at the Night Pack alpha, a growl rumbling in his throat. "And what do you suggest we do about this problem?"

Gannon bared his teeth. "We fight."

Aaron snorted in contempt. "What do you think we've been doing?!"

"I don't just mean fighting back," Gannon sniffed. "I mean a full-on battle. We challenge the wolf pack, all six of us against them. A battle to the death--and the winners get to keep the territory."

Out of nowhere, Sophia was suddenly sucked back into her dreams of the past months: a ferocious battle on Wind Pack's meadow, dogs dying, the lake turning to blood...

"Sophia!" Tarragon's harsh whisper jerked her back to reality. He was holding her limp body up, his eyes wide. "You nearly collapsed!"

Sophia staggered to her feet, shaking her head. "I... I-- did anyone see me?" she whispered back.

"I guess not," Tarragon muttered, glancing around. "What happened?"

"Uh... I'll tell you later," Sophia mumbled. She refocused her attention on the alphas, trying to hear what they were saying over her packmates' whispers.

"...expect to challenge them?" Martin was still growling at Gannon. "We don't even know where they live. And how do you know they won't kill a messenger on sight?"

"They seem to consider themselves honorable," Gannon replied. "A peaceful messenger shouldn't arouse them." He leaned forward, his eyes narrowed. "That isn't important. I want to know if you will fight. This isn't a problem that's just going to go away. Those wolves mean business, and this is the only way we can fight this."

Aaron stood up, his head high. "Storm Pack will fight."

Ranger narrowed his eyes, then barked, "So will Wind Pack."

Some Wind Pack dogs looked like they were about to object, but they remained silent. Martin exchanged glances with his beta, Streak, and then sighed heavily. "Very well. If there is no other option, Frost Pack will fight."

Cassidy bowed her head. "I always knew a battle was coming. Lake Pack stands with the other packs."

Gannon looked at Cordan expectantly. "Well, Cordan? What do you say?"

Cordan's expression was deeply troubled. "I... I cannot decide now," he murmured. He glanced back at his packmates, looking worried, then shook his head and stood up. "Come, Earth Pack. We're going back home."

The group of terriers loped back down the mountain. "Cowards!" growled some dog in the crowd, but they were quickly hushed.

Gannon said nothing in reply to what Cordan had said but turned to look at the remaining alphas. "Now all we have to do is pick someone to send the message to Songan."

Martin curled his lip. "Don't look at us. This was your elk-brained idea. You send a messenger from your pack."

Gannon looked like he was about to retort, but a female black brindle Bullmastiff stepped forward. "I will go," she barked solemnly.

"Minerva," Gannon said, looking slightly surprised. "Well... All right, if that is what you want."

Martin raised his eyebrows but simply said, "As host of this Hunter's Moon, I declare it officially over. Return to your territories and prepare."

Whoa, a chapter! Yeah, sorry this took so long. It's longer than usual, though, so I hope that compensates for the month without posting. Hopefully, though, I'll be seeing you soon in the next chapter! What do you think will happen next? O.O