PotA: Hear Me

Last PotA for KEPZONE's Canaan!

Prompt 5: Some kind of lethal force is encroaching on the territory of the fearsome Desna pack. The pack leaders will not listen to reason and move the pack to safer grounds, away from the territory that has belonged to them since the Tartok Mountains first rose from the earth. Somehow, your Tokota must convince Fenrir, the only other dire who has enough sway and command over the pack to move it.

Bonuses: dominance companion (bear), canon location (Tartok mountains - in the foothills), bonus story

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            She made sure he saw.

            Canaan took every opportunity to hunt within view of Fenrir so he could see her strength and would hear her. Last night she had heard the intruding pack’s howls. Time was running out.

            It was the day the sphinx spotted Fenrir in the Tartok foothills that she approached him.

            The massive dire stopped, knowing exactly who approached.

            “You test the limits of how long you’re welcome here.” Fenrir greeted, a growl in his throat.

            Canaan reached his side. There was a clear sense of confidence and belonging in her stance. Though he spoke threateningly toward her, she knew he wasn’t going to pick a fight. Just the same she wouldn’t pick one either.

            “I’ll be leaving soon.”

            “Today.” Fenrir growled.

            “Fine, today.” Canaan shrugged it off. “But you have to hear me out.”

            The large halfmane dire turned his head toward her then. He was listening but still annoyed by whatever she was delaying him from.

            “I received my wounds from a marauding alpha.” Despite the edge in her tone, Fenrir seemed unaffected. She realized she shouldn’t be surprised. As one of the few pureblooded dires, it would take a truly foolish Tokota to pick a fight with him especially on his turf.

            “He has already attacked some of the members of your pack – killed one even – and claimed that part of your territory for himself.”

            At this news, Fenrir loosed a deep, wild snarl. His eyes blazed angrily at this revelation. “Abominations.” The dire’s words dripped with murderous intentions. “I will tear their hides from their bodies.”

            Canaan took a step back, casting a quick nervous glance at her bear companion before regaining her composure.

            “You need to leave – you and your pack.”

            “You dare tell me to leave my territory?” Fenrir roared, turning his rage on her.

            “Just long enough for your wounded packmates to heal.” She reasoned, trying to keep the snarl she felt forming under control. “You can’t fight them if the pack isn’t at full strength.” When Fenrir took a step toward her she couldn’t stop the growl from escaping her throat.

            “Don’t think I’m protecting them. I want them dead just as much as you.” Canaan’s sharp tone had a mixed effect on Fenrir. As the commanding voice of this territory he was enraged that some stray would speak so boldly to him but he also knew that he did need to let them heal to truly rid his lands of the infestation.

            “I will help,” Canaan continued in a more subdued tone. “If you’d allow me to stay I will lead you right to them as long as you take your pack to safety.”

            Silence filled the space between them as Fenrir decided what he would do. Canaan knew what his answer would be though.

            “Fine.” Fenrir answered finally. “We will leave and you may stay until the trespassers have been chased out but no longer.”

            Canaan led the way toward the Tokotas waiting on an adjacent hill with Fenrir and her bear companion following behind. She might have failed to stop the initial conflict but she would win in the end. For now, the sphinx settled for leading Fenrir’s pack to safety.

            In a few weeks time they would chase the intruders away. She couldn’t wait.

(549 words)

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Previously: