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A Biography of a Human

Chapter 8:

"Comfort for a New Day."

"My consort,"

"Your handsomeness, I regret to inform you that my latest attempt to persuade Beta Gamma Gernan from his folly of gaining the Prime Beta position has hit a stonewall. He refuses to withdraw from the court and will not retire to the country as we would have liked, not even your guarantee of being spared worked, he just laughed at my face when he heard it! That senile old wolf! He needs to be removed from politics soon, considering the Alpha's condition that you know well of. There can only be one power behind the Alphate. I highly suggest we a find another way to remove the General".

"Your most loyal and devoted Chief Ursine Eunuch."

"Beshir."

-Letterfrom the Imperial Archives.

The Wolven voice I heard as I clung to the base of this weeping tree, deep and husky but with a tint of sadness buried underneath it was a familiar one. I knew who it was without a doubt, it was the old wolf general. I cursed myself for dropping that dagger, it probably woke him, as Wolves and Anthros in general are light sleepers, the slightest noise wakes them from their slumber.

Looking back at the voice in the dark of this warm summer night in a place far, far from both my home island and wildest imaginations, I saw two yellow, glistening spheres framed by a dark silhouette in white moonlight, a silent witness to this little drama that was happening here; how many scenes like this has the moon been witness to? My mother always told me that the moon was like the mother who had to watch her children from afar but could not intervene in their pain or suffering.

I was in trouble, I knew it. There was no escape from this situation. A part of me was morbidly happy as maybe he would give me a painless end, but then I would be breaking Grandpa's promise to live. The Wolves are cruel and he will probably make me suffer for what I did.

My mind was like a whirlpool spinning round and around. I did not know what was going to happen to me now, will I be punished or will I be given back like a defective object? I had no idea of anything at all.

The wolf in his sleepwear of fine silks made his was towards me, his bare paws crunching upon the ground and claws scraping against the stone foot path. Each step he made rang forth in my ears like sun-bombs of the long gone past. I just wished I could disappear or that I could go back and stop this from happening.

My senses were heightened by my fear and I could smell everything in the air, the floral scent of the flowers, the grassy foliage and the lingering smell of burning wood from all the homes, palaces bars and markets in this strange new place, this city, this capital of the wolves.

I don't know what I was expecting my newly awoken master to do but I sure I did not expect him to sit down next to me, laying back against the contours of the tree, before he let out a great sigh. I instantly thought he was going to blow me away like the bad wolf in that one story I heard once before, but it did not happen and he just sat there with me looking up at the moon, it's dazzling light reflecting in his large yellow orbs.

We sat there for...I have no idea, but it felt like forever. Him and I under the watchful gaze of the full moon on high. Unable to bear it any longer, I finally spoke.

"I-I-I-I'm s-s-sorry m-master! I w-w-was s-sc-a-ared!" stuttering greatly from fear as well as shaking like a leaf, I felt like anything I would say could let loose that beast I saw in the evening after he came home ranting and raving against that Jao person. I was afraid I was going to get the same thing from him. My body was quaking with fear and terror. Was this what it feels like before you die?

"I did not mean to-" I was abruptly cut off.

"Yes, pup, I know what you were going to do," the sadness was clear in his voice as well as disappointment.

"How did yo-"

"I sensed it. I am an old wolf pup and I have seen many things in my life," there was a long pause before another sigh and he spoke again lowly in the night air.

"Do you really hate me that much pup?" this question stabbed me with guilt and I felt horrible down to the core of my very being.

"No, but you're a wolf you killed my daddy and took me from my home," after saying this he hung his head low like he felt guilty.

"I did not do that pup, others did."

"But you are like them! You are as bad as them!" I lost my calm, but he remained quiet and collected as I lashed out at him, blaming Gernan for the raid on my home and for the death of my father.

"I may be a wolf, but you can not condemn a whole race on the actions of the few," he was right and even at my young age I knew it, but this whole time I did not want to accept and face it and then I remembered that the captain of the raid that took me was human like me, it was a human! I was so confused with myself, I did not know what to think or even feel. I felt like I was crumbling under the weight of truth.

"HELP ME!" I shouted and dove into Gernan's chest, I no longer cared that he was a wolf, I just wanted help from anyone and so far he was so kind to me, even now when he had every right to hurt me or kill me for what I almost did to him. I deserved to be punished, but he did not.

I just sobbed and sobbed in his chest repeating the same mantra over and over, "I'm sorry" he did not answer in words but gently stroked the back of my head and for the first time I welcomed it, I needed this, I wanted this.

"You must want to get rid of me now, right!?" I cried out in between my anguished sobs.

"What? No, pup!" I was surprised by this, so much so that I stopped all my tears and looked up at his face, his eyes were full of compassion while his ears pressed flat on his head. I never imagined such kindness from an Anthro.

"But why? I just tried to kill you! I am bad! I deserve to be punished!"

"Yes, I know Iskander, but I also knew you did not have the heart to do it as I would have grabbed you and stopped you if you did"

"How di-?" I looked up and he pointed to his nose.

"I sensed it, your will was wavering like a stalk in the wind," I felt weak in the face of their superior senses, he knew things even I did not know I was going through. I felt small and worthless.

"I am weak! I am a coward!" I looked down, dejected while a large paw rest on my shoulder and squeezing.

"Pup, strength is knowing your limits. Iskander, you were strong enough to overcome your hate and vengeance, that's real strength."

"Really?" I said, looking up at Gernan again, feeling slightly better at hearing that. He nodded his head.

"Yes pup, you are a strong one. Take it from me, I have faced many fierce bears in battle," I felt good to hear this I felt proud in fact.

"Now, pup, tell me everything that happened that got you so upset with me."

I did as he said and I told him everything that happened to me: my kidnapping, my father dying, the rough journey on the sea, my being sold on the slave market. I told him all my feelings, my fears, and all my thoughts I was going through. I did not restrain myself in the slightest, it was the bursting of the dam and it would not stop unless it was completely empty. And with each word I said, I felt better and better, like a great weight being lifted off me. For a month I had been bottling in my feelings and I had reached the breaking point. Gernan sat there listening, understanding, and stroking my back gently It felt so good to believe myself of all my burdens. There was one thing that bothered me the most.

"I don't want to call you daddy," I said this incredibly low, afraid that this would offend him as he seemed to be very pleased when I called him daddy. Looking up, expecting him to be angry with me, I saw that he just cocked his head to the side before answering me back in a soft tone.

"So that's what was upsetting you, huh?"

"Yes, my daddy is gone, he was killed during the raid."

"Why did you not say anything?"

"I was afraid that you would get angry with me."

"Angry? Angry! Why would I be angry with you about that!?"

"I just did! You're my master."

"I would never be angry with you for such a small reason, you act as though I am some kind of monster!"

"What about Jao?" he fell silent and looking up at him I saw his eyes lower in shame as he hung his head down in thought.

"You heard me?"

"Yes, I heard what you said!"

"That explains it," he was silent for sometime, gathering his thoughts before he went on again.

"Iskander, I know you saw a side of me that scared you and I do hate showing it, but it's complicated. Jao deserved it though he's just.... just....not nice!"

"Why does he?"

"I don't want to drag you into my problems pup, I just want you to know that I don't feel that about you and I promise I will never act like that to you. Okay?"

"Okay master," I was a bit upset to be left out on something like this but this subject seem very raw to him so I decided not to push it any further. Gernan then returned to his kind demeanor as he wrapped his arm around me

"Pup, if it makes you feel better you can call me Gernan," my head perked up at hearing this and Gernan apparently saw this as well as I heard him chuckle.

"I see you like that, a little defiant pup you are!" I was happy to be given a freedom like this and also as a choice too.

"But in private only though, you must still call me master in public." I have to admit I was disappointed hearing that and I gave an audible groan of annoyance which was not lost on Gernan.

"I know, I know, but others will think badly upon us both, but I am sure no on will notice even if you did call me Gernan, but at least try to make it a habit to call me master in public. Please?"

"Am I hearing right!? Is he asking me to do something and with a please?"

"Okay, Gernan, I will try!"

"That's the spirit, pup!" he said, joyfully in his voice, as I was surprised by a wet, sloppy sensation on my check and neck which caused me to laugh loudly as it was really tickling me and those whiskers were not helping either.

"Iskander, I love you! I know this might not be your home but I promise I will make you happy and safe, I promise," I felt teary eye at hearing this and a few tears fell, but they were for happiness not fear or sadness.

"Pinkie promise?" I said and he immediately looked confused, cocked his head and lowered his brows. I decided to fill him in on it.

"A pinkie promise is when you cross you pinkie finger together, it means it's a super special promise that can never be broken," Gernan's ears perked up as I told him this, he was genuinely fascinated by this custom.

"How lovely! What a cute human custom!"

"So, do you pinkie promise Gernan?"

"Of course pup!" and with that, he locked his furred pinkie with my finger and he uttered his promise again to make me happy and safe. I could not help but be reminded of my grandpa by this wolf's nature. He was so like him in all ways, he was like my grandfather in wolf form.

"Pup, I also will not tell anyone else about what happen tonight either, it will just be between us. I know if Panta heard about what happened he would think you were an agent of the consort sent to kill me! He worries too much!"

"Really? You would do that, keep it a secret!?"

"Of course I will!"

"You're the nicest wolf ever!" shouting out, I lunged myself at him and hugged him as tight as I could, even though my small arms did not reach all the way around his large frame. He was taken by surprise and made an "ooff," sound before snickering at my display of affection.

"Careful, pup! I may be a wolf, but I am not as young as I used to be!" I did not care, I was just happy to have such a kind and understanding master who is willing to listen to me and give me some freedom in life. All those fears and worries of mine have come to nothing. Maybe this is God's doing or even Canis, maybe he listened and took pity on me at last, I don't know, but I was happy now at my new prospects in life

"Come on, Iskander, let's go to bed, I will let you sleep with me tonight." I liked the sound of that, his fur was so warm and though course, it was soft too and even though I was upset when I first arrived, it felt nice to be in his arms protected. Nothing could harm me in them.

We both got up and Gernan offered me his paw and I gladly accepted it, my small hand completely disappeared in a mass of fur and his pads felt hard against my skin, but it also felt good as well, it's hard to explain why, it just did.

He then lead me inside the manor house and we both walked towards the stairs. I was quite tired and was struggling on the first step. Gernan saw this and swooped me up in his arms and carried me up; while he did this he spoke.

"Also, pup, I am going to be meeting with a friend, would you like to accompany me?" I nodded my head and muttered a 'yes'. To be honest, it sounded nice to go out.

"Good! It will be good for you to get some fresh air and sun, as well as seeing more of the capital. You should get to know its layout and I will even show you some of the sights!"

Finally, we arrived back in the bedroom and like a repeat of my first night here, he lowered me into his bed before he himself got in.

My mind was still quite active even though my body was tired, usually when this happened before, my mother would tell me a story and that put me to sleep.

"Master Gernan, could you tell me a bedtime story?" I asked meekly hoping not to be too selfish with my wants.

"A bedtime story, huh? Okay, but I may be a bit rusty as the last time I told a story it was for my own pups, but I think I still have it in me. Would you like to hear about when I was made head of the army by the Alpha?" he said the last sentence with great gusto and pride swelling in his voice.

"Sure!"

"Okay, here it goes." he paused and cleared his throat for a moment kind of like my grandpa used to do when he told stories. It brought me back to the safety of my home.

"Many years ago, Alpha Lycan died and his eldest pup Prince Wulffrim became Alpha Wulffrim the second. He was a good friend as we both served in the army together, in fact I saved him once during battle. He got a little too cocky and decided he could go on and fight on his own and went without the bulk of his own forces and ended up being captured. It was I that lead a team to rescue him from the enemy camp he was being held, but that's another story for another time."

"Well, when Wulffrim was being enthroned in the great hall, a very auspicious event, everyone from the betas to the omegas, all of society was there."

"Wulffrim entered the grand hall wearing the great celestial robe and the crown of stars atop his noble head, followed by his retinue who circled around him like satellites around a stellar body, carrying banners and swinging censers that filled the hall with clouds of sweet incense. Horns, bells and drums rang out as he made his way to the throne. And just after his took his place upon it he raised his paw and the whole hall fell quiet and he stood up and started walking towards me!"

"This was unheard of, as no one should stop the enthronement ceremony in the middle of it! It was an unprecedented break with tradition for the Alpha, after being seated on the throne to get up and walk among his court."

"Wulffrim had apparently been planing this some time as he had the baton of the army placed in the voluminous sleeves of his ceremonial robe just to give it to me at this time and when he did I said as I fell on my knees in awe of this event:"

"I, Gernan, of family Koff, hereby graciously accept this baton and vow to the Alpha and to the Alphate that I will expand and defend the borders of our great Alphate for as long as I stand and like Canis with his eye, I will sacrifice everything upon it."

Afterwards, he went back to the throne and took his place on it again and the enthronement continued as normal as cries rang out 'Long may the Alpha rule! May he live and rule for a million years!'"

"I will never forget this moment even if I tried to. It was the most glorious thing that has ever happened to me. None of my greatest victories can even compare to this in the slightest."

"So, Iskander, pup, how was that for a bedtime story?"

"I loved it master! It was amazing! I could almost see it in my head! Thank you for doing this," I always liked stories, any kinds, they really help me relax and this one did the trick as I felt my eyes getting heavy the whole time he was telling me the story.

After giving my forehead a big lick and bidding me goodnight, Gernan laid back in bed and pulled me into a hug, wrapping his strong furry arm around my belly. I felt safe, protected and secure. And as I readied myself for sleep, I felt a sense of long awaited normalcy that I had been praying for.

Tomorrow was a new day and I was excited for it. I looked forward to it eagerly as I fell into a calm and deep slumber, my only thought was the new day and going out with my master and seeing the capital.

The morning came rather quickly for me, maybe it was because Gernan and I were up at such a late time talking and working things. But morning came and went like it did last time, but this time it was I that woke up first and of course, found my master sleeping soundly. He looked really cute when asleep, so harmless, I knew otherwise, but I also knew he would not hurt me now after what happened last night. He had every right to do so after what I did, but gave me mercy, it showed me that I was wrong about everything I thought about him, he was truly the most noble wolf.

Finding myself wide awake and him in the depths of sleep, I debated whether I should wait or wake him up. I decided on the latter as boredom was setting in very quickly and I don't think I had the patience to wait for him to rouse normally. But the big question here was how does one wake up a anthro wolf?

After while, thinking on how to do this, I decided to poke him first in his scarred jowls, which exposed the teeth underneath the soft, flexible skin around his muzzle. I noticed some of this teeth were chipped rather violently and I figured these were the result of the same wound that made the large scar on his muzzle.

The poking was not working, it only resulted in slight groans and mumbles and plus his whiskers were tickling my fingers. I decided to on a more direct way to wake him up. Prying open his eyelids that has to work and so I did just that, reaching my fingers over his long snout and arriving at his eyes I pealed them open.

"Wake up master! Wake up!" was the only thing I said as I saw those yellow irises dilate and expand, trying to adjust to the unexpected intrusion as those large furry ears of his swiveled around to lock in on the sound of my voice.

"Ugh, ah. Oh, good morning pup," he released me from his arm and pushed himself up while rubbing his eyes. Afterwards, he got up and went to the other side of the bed room, floor boards creaking slightly under his paws.

At the end of the room, there was some kind of drawer which he opened and started pulling out the clothes he would wear today. They were simple nothing too fancy or formal just pants, tunic and an overrobe, very casual.

But I found myself shocked as he began to take off his sleepwear! And in front of me! I wanted to look away immediately, but I could not, my head was locked on his frame as his nightwear was pulled over his head. I was immediately filled with relief as he was wearing some kind of undergarment.

He was covered from toe upwards with scars, some big, some small, all kinds of them. They were very easy to spot as they were fur-less patches of skin. He was also very muscular and with well built, large, broad shoulders, he looked every bit a soldier and of course, he had six nipples protruding out from his grey fur, like that white wolf on the ship.

After he did this, he turned around to me and gestured to get up and come with him, which I did. He offered me his paw and we both walked out of the bedroom and down stairs to get breakfast, which Pantaleon had already placed out on the table and like last time I was seated on his lap and we both ate.

Sometime later, Pantaleon came in and asked Gernan how he slept. I was nervous he was going to say something about last night but he kept his promise and did not say a word about.

"Yes Pantaleon, I slept very well!"

"That's great master, but I heard some noises last night, are you sure you were okay?" I started getting really nervous but I was soon put at ease.

"No, Iskander was just having a nightmare and I was up comforting him, that's all," this was a lie of course, but the way Gernan said it, it was like it was truth, not even the slightest hint of deception was given and Pantaleon was satisfied and was turning to leave.

"Oh, wait Panta, I almost forgot, I am going out to meet with Lazo today and am going to bring Iskander with me. I think the fresh air will do the pup good!"

"Okay, master do you want me to get the leash?" This made me mad and I was hoping Gernan would say no as I didn't want a leash, I was not a dog.

"No, Panta that won't be necessary," I was so happy to hear this, so happy!

"Are you sure, master?" Pantaleon responded rather perplexed, like Gernan was mistaken or something.

"I am sure!" and with that, Pantaleon left saying he was going to ready a horse for him.

After we both ate, Gernan took me outside saying it was time for him to meet his friend who I now knew was called Lazo. We went through the same court yard I was in when I was first brought here by Gernan's daughters, out the main gate of the manor where a saddled horse was waiting and Pantaleon was there as well.

Gernan walked ahead and proceeded to mount the horse with great agility and vigor like he was much younger. I was not surprised by this though as he always impressed me as the type that was vigorous.

He beckoned me to the side of the horse and lowered himself down enough to pick me up, lifted me up and set me in front him on the saddle. He did this with great care but this was still unexpected.

"Master, I thought we were going to take a carriage!" my voice was shaky as I was quite high up and the ground below me looked a long way down if I fell.

"A carriage!? How would you be able to see the city from inside a carriage? Your head can't even reach the window of one! This is much better!" As he spoke above me from behind, I felt his warm breath on the back of my neck on this mid-morning day.

"What if I fall!?"

"Fall!? You won't fall! I got you!" he was right, I was very secure as his arms were on both sides of me, with one hand on the lead and other on the horn. He would very easily catch me if I did fall. So I gave the okay and we went off at a moderate trot.

I had never been on a horse before let alone seen one, it was strange having something move underneath you and that was alive. But it was kind of fun, the adrenaline rushing through my body and a sight breeze in my face combined to make a wonderful feeling.

As we trotted along, I saw that there were other manors here to next to my master's. Gernan told me that we lived in the noble district that was in front of the Alpha's palace and in the distance I saw the roofs of the large hall of it as well as the great temple of the moon located next to it. This was were the High Shaman lived and worked along with the other lower ranking shamans. It was monumental, even though it was quite far off in the distance. The sides of the cubical structure of the temple were uniform and sparkled in the morning light, I could also see some of the insides of the temple through the very large circular holes that were on the four sides of it.

We both trotted along on main roads until we reached a gate, tall and imposing. On the top were wolven guards in brocade uniforms who patrolled and moved like mechanical clockworks. This was the exit to the noble district, which at night was closed off for curfew. Gernan told me that there were ways to circumnavigate this though as may noble children often bribe the guards so they can go to the less "noble" areas to do "things" as he put it.

After getting past the gate there was not much else to see, just more of the same things I saw before when I first arrived. We rode our way on the large, main processional road that lead from the palace all the way to the Forum of the Moon where Gernan told me that was where he mostly goes to work at running the business of the empire with the Beta's council. He was the Beta Gamma in charge of military affairs, but since there was no war at the moment it was a very quiet job which he admitted was nice.

Along the route were many shops, ornate apartments, gardens, shrines and prestigious buildings and monuments celebrating the glory of the Alphate.

Since it was still morning time not may people, or should I say wolves were out, but there were quite a few, mostly shopkeepers setting up shop for the day. I also saw there was some humans too, but they appeared to be mostly with the shopkeepers and were helping them set up.

We did not go all the way to the Forum of the Moon and its satellite buildings but instead turned onto an intersection that went west towards the coast and as we went down this way I noticed that the buildings gradually changed becoming less and less ornate. They weren't dilapidated or anything, just more humble and normal looking. This was the middle class area as I was told by Gernan.

Now my mind got to wondering and broached the question that was on my mind for some time.

"Where are we going? Where is this friend guy?" looking up as I said this, I got only the view of the underside of this long muzzle with its short whiskers sprouting out from the side.

"Oh! He's in the foreign district up ahead," he said pointing ahead to a small gate a little down the way which had a large placard of something written in Wolven in red ink which I did not know how to read. The characters looked to me like a jumble of scratch and claw marks arrayed in various forms and sizes.

"Foreign district?"

"Yes, the foreign district. I have an old friend visiting form the Foxen Republic!"

"Great, another fox!" I thought to myself as we passed through the gate pulling into a wooden side building that looked some kind of house within the gated district.

After stopping his horse, Gernan took me in his arm, holding me around the waist and lowering me onto the ground before he himself got off. Afterwards he took out a rope and tied the horse to a pole which was placed outside the building.

After this, my master led me by the hand and went inside the building through the unlocked door where we arrived in a large, spacious room with a table and chairs. This place looked nothing like Gernan's manor it was like it in some ways but more humble. My observations of the room were then interrupted by a yappy voice and I knew then it was a fox.

"Gernan, my old friend! It's good to see you!" there, at the other side of the room was a fox. He shared may things in common with the other three foxes I saw before but looked much older, his orange and black fur had a grey hue to it. I think Gernan and him were very similar in age.

"This must be Lazo," I mused as Gernan walked up to the fox and embraced him.

"Lazo! It's been too long!"

"It has, Gernan, it has!" then the two let go and the fox noticed me standing there. His ears perked up.

"Who's this?" Gernan turned around to me.

"Oh! Lazo, this is my new human Iskander. My lovely Rena and Neith got him for me two days ago!" Gernan exuberantly said, leading the fox towards me.

"How nice! I always thought you could use something to take care of." the fox bent down lowering himself to my level before he offered me his paw

"Hello there Iskander, I'm Lazo. it's a pleasure to meet you!" giving him my hand, he took it, bringing it up to his snout and taking a sniff before giving the top of my hand a single lick which took me aback at first.

"This must be a greeting of some kind," This made sense to me as they used smell and taste as ways of commuinication, but I was not completely aware of this back then so it was still shocking for a six year old human like me.

I only muttered out a low "Hi," as I did not know what to make of this fox. I knew Elyk was nice, but I was not so sure about this fox yet.

It was Gernan that piped up again

"I decided to bring him with me as I thought the fresh air would do him good. I hope you don't mind?" Lazo stood up again and patted Gernan on the shoulder.

"Absolutely not! It's perfectly fine and I am glad you did. He's quite a cute kit!"

"I know, I am very happy with him, he makes my day worth it now!" Gernan swelled with pride as he said this and I was slightly put off by such talk about me like this as it still unsettled me, it was just so strange!

"That's great Gernan! And while we talk business, he could take a nap, I hear those human kits take them a lot!" Lazo walk around grabbing some of the pillows he had around the room and placed them on the floor next to me.

Gernan and Lazo took seats at the medium-sized table at the center of the room while another fox, a servant, came in and served drinks.

I did not know what to do, so I just sat down on the pillows offered to me, laying down as I figured maybe a nap would be good as I did not get much sleep last night. And while I laid there daydreaming, I picked up a bit about what Gernan and Lazo talking about. I did not hear everything as I thought it was nothing important.

"So, my friend! How is the Doge doing?"

"Very well. I have been recently promoted to the senate."

"Ah, yes, I got your letter about that. Congratulations!"

They then went on to chit-chat and I stopped listening for a moment, content with my daydreams.

It was a while later I started listening again, but this time they were talking about something serious. My masters words, I heard first

"My hope is that when I become Prime Beta our two nations can become more cordial. This fighting is not helping us at all and only serves to weaken us both in the face of the rising feline powers of the Leopard Shahdom, Tigris Kingdom!"

"Yes, I agree, I feel that a trade deal would be a good start to becoming more friendly. But I am still very surprised that it's you, of all wolves who wants to establish good tidings with the republic. You have lead many an army against us and may of those scars of yours have been done by one of us."

"Yes, I know I may be the most unlikely wolf to think such a thing, but our two peoples are so similar: we are both canines and we both revere Canis has the head of the triad of the gods. What's the point in fighting?"

"Trade, Gernan, trade. We control most of the inland sea and have many outposts on the northern coasts of Africka among the fennec tribes. Your Alphate has always been bothered by our Republic's monopoly on sea trade."

"That's why I think this trade deal will resolve this, you give us freedom in the inland and access to the Atlantic."

"The current Doge will not like that, he wants sea trade for foxes alone."

"Yes, but he's what? Sixty some odd years now and I know you are on the short list of being elected the next Doge and by that time I will be Prime Beta."

"What about the Alpha, will he accept such a deal?"

"Wulffrim is my friend, I will be able to show him the benefit of such a deal and I don't expect to be Prime beta for some years, I have lots of time to warm him up to the idea."

"Yes, but what about that human? The chief human consort? Our ambassadors always tell us about his great power, influence and also of his personal vendetta against you."

"Him!? He just a bimbo, a plaything. The Alpha will bore of him soon and he will be gone."

"I don't know about that, Gernan, from what I heard from our ambassadors that have, sources lets say, he has the Alpha completely under his spell and if it weren't for the need of an heir he would not even go to east harem at all!"

"Yes, I know, but I am certain it won't last forever, you won't believe how happy I was when he finally got one of his wolven consorts in the east harem pregnant. It should be any day now that she will give birth."

"The Republic was pleased to hear this as well."

"Also, Lazo, I must ask you to tell no-

A loud, single bell rang out from far away, outside. I got up and looked around as Gernan's stood up, off his chair and shouted out.

"It's happening! The birth!" Lazo just sat there looking confused.

"Really? How can you tell!?"

"I just can, it's the only thing it can be! I'm sorry Lazo, I must go to the palace, I am required there along with the rest of the court to wait for news of the genders of the litter!" Gernan's got up and ran to the door.

"Come, Iskander!" I quickly ran after him, finding him already on his horse. He quickly grabbed me and threw me on with him and galloped off as that bell kept ringing.

I was so scared at the speed we were going that I closed my eyes.

After a while, the animal came to an abrupt stop and opening my eyes, we were in front of the gate for Gernan's manor where Pantaleon was there

"Pantaleon, take Iskander! I am going to the palace!" Pantaleon rushed up, pulling me off the saddle and Gernan, in a cloud of dust shot forward.

I spent the rest of the day waiting until night and Gernan still did not come back. I tried to keep awake for if but I could not and found my self asleep without realizing.