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When Raon opened his eyes the next morning, the dawn had just begun to emerge and a faint blue glow was seeping through the canvas of the tent.

For a moment it seemed almost strange to find himself leaning against a straw mattress and wrapped in the warm caress of a blanket which felt harsh in contrast to the soft fur of something that he was wrapping his fingers around. He did not need to open his eyes to know that it was Jarek's arm and assumed that, during the night, the cold had made him seek his warmth in the middle of the darkness. In fact, as his senses were clearing slowly, he realized that he was leaning far more against the copper-furred wolf than he had originally intended, and that the wolf's muzzle was supported and resting gently against his back. With each of the rhythmic movements of his chest, a soft breath of warm air caressed the skin of his neck, making him shiver.

At first, he wouldn't have cared if he remained in that position for a while longer, but at that moment, he was startled by a noise from the entrance of the canvas tent.

Loki awoke with a curious feeling that he was not exactly where he belonged.

For a few long minutes, the pain in his temples and the heaviness of a strange dream kept him from getting his thoughts clear. For some strange reason, it was hard to think, as if suddenly all the thoughts through out his mind were swimming like tadpoles stuck in the mud: it was hard for them to make their way through it. He tried to get rid of this nagging feeling and smarten up a bit for a few seconds, but was unsuccessful. Somewhat frustrated, the lynx opened his eyes.

He could not help but be surprised to discover that he was not in the tent he should have been sharing with Rukj. But that was not the worst of all.

With some trepidation, he realized something hot and heavy going around his waist just above the base of his tail. Something moving in time to the rhythmic breathing of someone. Something that appealed to him against a warm body, large and wrapped in a thin layer of soft brown fur. A body that, like his own, was completely naked and tangled in bed sheets they shared.

Loki, his mind still confused, took a moment to understand what that meant, but once he was done and the memories of what might have happened the night before began to flood his mind, he felt blood pooling violently around his cheeks. Terribly embarrassed, closed his eyes, wondering inwardly, with some despair, what had he done, if he had done something, and how the hell he had even come to be there. Why was he unable to remember half of the things from last night...? What exactly had happened?

For a moment, it felt like he was blindly slapping his mind, trying to find any memories to give him a satisfactory answer. Finally, he recalled the conversation in the tent, during which he had finally explained to the two links what his mission was... after that, he had spoken to Raon by the lakeside and, finally, had gathered enough courage to tell the truth to Rukj. A mistake, that at the time, he seriously regretted having committed.

But after the conversation with Rukj, his memories were confusing. He remembered that someone had come and tried to comfort him that night, someone he had found it hard for him to dare to trust a little, but ultimately, in the warmth of the night, had been his...

With a shiver, Loki realized what had happened.

He trembled slightly unable to avoid feeling nervous, then opened his eyes and swallowed, looking up to discover the identity of who he was leaning against, but in fact had already guessed who it was.

<< Ailec... >> he thought to himself tensely, while biting his lower lip.

Slowly, the memories of what had happened the night before began to return to his mind slowly and confusing, but they did.

He recalled again the taste of liquor sliding down his throat and burning of alcohol against his palate. The former music that was wild as life itself, echoing through the camp. The contact a friendly arm over his shoulders, preventing him from being off balance when he had drank so much that the contours of reality began to blur...

A friendship that had become attraction... and an attraction that, with sufficient contact, had ended with transforming into passion.

Loki could not help but cringe upon himself, changed upon noticing the skin contact of the bull against his own, the broad arm around his back and waist and pressing gently against his chest rising and falling gently to the rhythm of slow and deep breathing... The lynx suppressed a sigh, wondering to himself again, as he had so often, what had he done to deserve this bad luck that seemed to be chasing him everywhere. What were the possibilities for that night to end well? If only he had not stupidly confessed to Rukj what he felt for him... perhaps, in that case, he would not now be in such an uncomfortable situation. <<I should not have drunk so much... >> he reproached himself, closing his eyes again as he bit his lower lip threatening to make it bleed <<. I'm stupid ... >>

At that time, however, Loki realized that maybe he was perhaps rushing.

At the end of the day... Ailec was still there. Or better said, he, Loki, was right there, leaning against the bull, his head resting against the broad chest, a paw gently in one arm, and waist gently surrounded by the other. He was trying so hard to make the situation seem uncomfortable; it took Loki a few seconds to realize that actually it was not. In fact, it was not bad at all. Digging in the memories of the previous night, the lynx could not help crack a slight smile, as he turned to relax again on the bull.

What was there to be sorry for?

He liked the experience. It had been a little confusing, strange and certainly not what he had imagined, but... was another version, a version that had not left him indifferent. Maybe it was not what he had dreamed of with Rukj, and perhaps he did not know Ailec well enough to feel such a strong connection with him, but really... What did it matter? Both had enjoyed the experience. And, after all, that was what mattered, right?

He kept these thoughts circling in his head, something quieter, gently stroking the fur of Ailec's forearm as it remained resting on his waist. Why deny it... after all, it seemed that his luck was beginning to change for the better.

At that time, Ailec's muscles tensed and his breathing gently changed it's rhythm, alerting Loki that he was about to awaken. Silently, the lynx noted with fascination how the bull opened his eyes, still somewhat stunned by the effects of sleep and a hangover, and analyzed each of the changes in his sleepy expression. When Ailec's gaze, somewhat confused, ended up in his face, Loki could not help blushing slightly.

-Morning... -he managed to say, somewhat embarrassed.

The bull blinked a few times, as if he could not remember exactly how he came to share bed with the lynx, until finally his face relaxed into a soft smile.

-Good morning, kitty... -he greeted him, his voice slightly hoarse, as he lifted a hoof to stroke his cheek fondly. For Loki was as if his touch sent an electric shock through his spine -. How did you sleep?

-I don't know... -the lynx replied, unable to keep from smiling, looking away.

The bull continued stroking his face during a moment that seemed to last forever. Loki, not knowing exactly what to say, was carried away by the touch yet still supported on the body of the bull. At that time, it was hard to remember that both were still naked.

-Humm... Well I think you've slept well -Ailec murmured finally taking him by the chin and making him lift his head to look at him -. Like me.

The blush on the cheeks of rose Loki as his gaze was lost in Ailec's brown eyes. It was a dense brown, old, the same tone as cinnamon and walnut when beginning to darken. It was not overly flashy color, or peculiarly beautiful eyes, but he conveyed affection, trust and security, and at that moment, as his gaze was lost deep in those eyes, that was all Loki could ask for. They were the kind of eyes that, with enough time, one could learn to love.

As if in a dream, the lynx was barely aware that the bull was approaching his face until their muzzles both brushed and silently, they shared a soft kiss. That kiss... despite knowing that the night before he had experienced things that went far beyond any kind of kiss, that kiss made him feel a brief shiver of pleasure ran through him from head to toe. Once separated, Loki felt as if the forces had abandoned him, and fell on Ailec again, with his head nuzzled in the space between his neck and shoulder. The arms of the bull suddenly closed around his body back, squeezing in a warm embrace, and lynx let out a soft sigh, trying to enjoy each and every one of the sensations he was feeling at the time.

They were there for a while, but neither would have known exactly how long that was. Simply enjoying contact with each other until Ailec decided to break the peaceful silence:

-You know...? I'm glad I helped you feel better.

Loki took a moment to realize what he meant, still somewhat preoccupied at the moment.

-I'm glad you decided too. That was what I... needed. Thank you.

-Do not be silly -said the bull, as he began to stroke his head, sliding his fingers between the lynx's ears gently -. I told you not to thank me. I would not have been able to abandon such a cute lynx to his fate... especially knowing that you needed help.

Loki blushed again.

-What about tonight? -Ailec asked after a few seconds of silence -. Are you happy about... what happened?

The lynx blush deepened and could not help feeling a bit stupid for not knowing how to answer any of the questions that the bull asked. He tried to focus on the fingers that gently caressed his head to calm down and find the right words. Ailec's caresses helped him feel a little less nervous and, again, he relaxed against the bull's body while he stroked the lynx's head with one hand and explored the rest of his body with the fingertips of the other.

-Well... -he replied, once he'd calmed down, with his eyes closed and a purr about to escape from his throat -. The truth is that I liked it a lot... at first it was a little weird, but... ooooh... -he had to stop for a moment when the bull started stroking the base of his tail, troubled and excited in equal measures -. I... I felt very comfortable with you... tonight...

-Great -Ailec replied, fondly resting his snout on Loki's head, still caressing him without stopping. -. I would not have wanted to disappoint you, you know?

-Disappoint me? Why were you going to...?

Loki was interrupted in mid-sentence, as a soft purr of pleasure escaped of his throat as the bull began to slide a hoof by one of his legs. At that time, any rational thought threatened to disappear from his mind. Even his shyness. Even the bitter memory of Rukj.

For a few moments, only that existed for him, and the prevailing instinct of lengthening it all he needed.

-Of course you did not disappoint me -he said, once he could speak again, being turned on the bull to face him. The bull's hooves gently pulled his body, and Loki almost regretted having been moved -. It was... was marvelous.

Ailec smiled as he crossed his arms behind his head.

-I'm glad -he replied simply.

Loki sat up a little on his chest and held him with a long look, appreciating each of the features of his face. The truth was that at night, in the light of the fire, and being half asleep he was not able to see it, but now that he could see clearly...

At first, he had thought that Ailec was much older than him, but not really, he must not be more than five years older, tops. It was his broad shoulders, his imposing height and developed muscles which made him look so old and actually... Loki could not help but find him attractive. Without saying a word, he lifted a paw and began to stroke his face, gently, moving slowly his fingers along the line of his jaw, where his hair was slightly longer and coarser. For some mysterious reason, he was unable to look away from those eyes. Ailec looked back at him with a smile.

At that moment, Loki decided go with his instincts and forget about any other kind of thoughts that might stop him doing what he really want to... In silence, he brought his face to the bull and placed a soft kiss on his lips, carefully and with some thought, still a little uncertain. After all, he did not do anything wrong, and since this was the first time he walked that path, he had to think twice before making a move.

However, Ailec responded to his kiss without thinking twice, moving one of his arms under his head and placing his hoof on Loki's head, pulling him closer against him as he gently kissed deeper. Loki opened his eyes, a little surprised when he noticed the bull's tongue inside his mouth, but only took a few seconds to get used to the feeling and let go. His claws searched Ailec's body, gently caressing his broad chest and sliding his paws over each of the muscles of the bull naked body, enjoying the moment like he had never done before while both continued to share that kiss.

The kiss was slowly gaining strength as the two continued to enjoy the mutual contact. Loki, who for the time had already lost any kind of previous decency, broke for a moment and moved directly above him, sitting on his stomach, and continued with the kiss. Ailec let out a gasp, but did not back down and answered the lynx's kiss while wrapping an arm around his neck, drawing him closer while their tongues explored each other from the insides of their mouths. One of Loki's claws, who at that time was stroking Ailec's face, was slowly descending across his broad shoulders to reach his arm, and after crossing over it completely his claws leaving faint furrows behind in the bull's fur, he joined his hoof with a gentle squeeze.

The lynx could not think of anything rational; at that moment he would have continued that way for the rest of his life, completely giving himself to Ailec until someone would discover them inside the tent. It was only then the bull, having lost control for a few minutes, separated from him, breathing hard.

Loki stopped, somewhat confused, and gave him a questioning look.

-Wai... wait... -Ailec asked, panting, lifting the hoof and gently stroking her cheek -. Are you sure... you want to repeat what we did last night?

Loki blinked a few times, not understanding, until his mind let go, with some disappointment, of the last remnants of the excitement that had flooded his thoughts moments before.

-Oh -he murmured, understanding -. I... well, I don't know. I had thought... thought of continuing -he admitted, letting out a soft laugh.

Ailec smiled back, looking at him with some understanding.

-Well, we could stay here all day locked up, you know? -he replied, gently taking his chin and bringing back his face to his, until they were barely an inch away. His next words were just barely a whisper -. I love to hear a purring kitten.

The lynx blushed again, and he would have liked to say something right, but then remembered something he should not have forgotten. Ailec noticed the change in his expression and, somewhat puzzled, asked:

-Is something wrong?

-Oh, shit... -Loki muttered, as he dropped against the body of the bull, as if the forces had abandoned him -. I had forgotten that we leave the camp today to continue the journey, and I have to go ask Raon what they have decided.

-The Human? -Ailec asked, while kissing the lynx on the neck, causing him to let out a purr. He smiled, satisfied -. I don't think you should be thinking of him. We saw him yesterday, he seemed to see things very clearly.

-He may have changed his mind, you never know... -Loki sighed as he closed his eyes and was carried away by Ailec's caresses, completely surrendering into his arms -. That is what I hope, at least.

-He could -he acknowledged -. Maybe he didn't know how to cope with the situation yesterday, but he doesn't seem to be a simple coward.

Loki did not respond, what the bull had told him was too foreign to try even find an answer. At that time, the only thing he wanted to think about was the soft contact of Ailec's hooves against his skin, recording every inch of his fur, and the gentle embrace in which he was involved.

Ailec, meanwhile, looked at him with a mixture of fascination and pride.

He had been attracted to the young lynx from the moment in which he had found him sitting cross-legged and holding a piece of dried meat between his paws, in the depths of the cave in which his father's caravan had decided to stay. At that time, the lynx had lifted those beautiful blue eyes that were highlighted among his spotted coat and Ailec was lost in them for a few seconds. He had learned, somewhat to his regret, that the lynx was not happy to see all those people there, as if he had some secret to hide. Loki had seemed lost at the time and was just inside the cavern, and almost immediately, he felt the need to go hug him and comfort him, to protect him from everything that might happen.

It was not until that night, however, when he decided to help a bit. After all, the problem of having always traveled with his father's caravan was that, like it or not, he never made very many friends because eventually all of them ended up leaving. By no means would he have imagined that this was going to end that way, but certainly he had no regrets either. He would not trade that time for anything...

At that time, the lynx's body tensed in his arms, chasing those memories away and refocusing on reality.

-What is it? -Ailec asked, surprised.

Loki took a few seconds to answer.

-Did you... did you hear that? -asked the lynx, moving away from the bull to sit with an obvious gesture of nervousness.

-No, I ... -Ailec began, but had to stop when he heard, in the distance, something like a cry for help -. What... the hell...?

• It is Jarek! -cried Loki, who had a better ear to the bull, standing without missing a single second -. What happened to him?

Ailec with a hoof scratched the back of his head thoughtfully.

-I do not think there is anybody in the caravan who would have attempted to harm them, right?

-I don't know, Ailec, I don't know. Remember that Raon is a Human and not everyone is so willing to let him live as we are... -Loki said, as he began to dress quickly, ready to get out of the tent without missing a moment. At that time, he raised an arm to his snout and smelled a little, and scowled -. Maybe... maybe I should wash a little...

Ailec let out a soft, deep laugh.

-Don't you think that we washed each other enough last night?

Loki turned to him, not knowing exactly what to say, and he ended up laughing too, as he finished putting on his cloth shirt, something fun. Without saying a word, shook his head as the memories of what they had shared with came to mind, and could not help blushing again while a shiver of pleasure ran down his spine.

-It will have to do -he said finally as he approached the door of the tent -. You're not... coming? -he asked, once had reached the entrance.

-I'll go in a second -the bull promised, smiling, arms folded behind his head, and, before the lynx questioning look, he said, with a wink -. I just like looking at you while you get dressed, almost as much as I enjoyed seeing you while you were undressing last night.

Raon had heard the sound of the knife slipping out of its case almost from the first moment that the intruder had set foot inside his grave.

Bracing his heart and preparing for the worst, the Human had tried to remain calm and not to give any sign of being conscious, still with one hand on Jarek's arm, who was still asleep, or if he wasn't, hid it surprisingly well. The steps were approaching him, slowly and quietly, but Raon was able to hear from the canvas tent floor, the snow crunching under his weight. After a few seconds of absolute tension, while trying to appear still as if asleep and helpless, the young Human heard the unmistakable sound of metal slicing through the wind.

The dagger flew cutting the wind.

He did not lose a single second and, pushing Jarek's arm away to the side, rolled over to escape from the path of that knife, which stuck directly into the floor, just inches from his body. Without wasting a single second, Raon stood and glanced quickly at the intruder, trying to figure out the identity of who had tried to become his killer.

A middle-aged Beast with feline features made him realize that it was a lynx, and from the brightness of the surprise in his eyes, he realized that he had not expected to find him awake and alert. Whoever it was, was confident in his abilities and had imagined he would be easy prey.

Big mistake.

Raon glanced down from the corner of his eye at the weapon stuck in the ground, and the lynx seemed to understand that was what was going through his head. At the same time, both launched themselves to retrieve the knife, but the Human was faster and closed his fingers around the handle just before the claws of the Beast failed.

He had no time to celebrate his victory, however, as with a snarl of rage, the lynx pounced on him, making him lose his balance and fall to the ground. They rolled along the floor of the tent up against the canvas wall and Raon seized the moment to stab him with the knife, and would have run through the lynx's body from side to side, were it not for the lynx's body preventing him from moving freely.

The murderer seized Raon's wrist with one paw, showing surprising strength, and tried to turn his hand against him, so that it would be a fatal thrust. The Human tried to resist as best he could, gritting his teeth and trying to hold on, but at that precise moment the lynx's head went to the Human's hand and gave him a strong bite, making him cry out in pain. The knife slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor of the tent, while the intruder cracked a smile of triumph.

This, however, was frozen on his face when the Human gave him a hard kick in the shin, making him yelp and drop aborting his intention to pick up the dagger as soon as possible. Something cracked over their heads and, before either could react, the canvas tent collapsed and fell on them, burying them under all the layers of fabric.

Completely in the dark, Raon felt another vicious bite on his hand, and this time, the teeth that tore his flesh did not loosen as they pierced the skin, but continued digging into his flesh with determination, he yelled again and struck out blindly, trying to hit the body of the lynx to get him off. Somewhere submerged beneath the layers of cloth, he thought he heard the sleepy voice of Jarek, waking from sleep. <<No >> was all he could think, distraught << . Not him.>>

His fingers groped the floor of the canvas tent, trying to find the knife to take it away. In the darkness, his fingers brushed Jarek's thick fur, and still terrified at the thought that the wolf might finally be stabbed by the knife, he tried to shove the lynx aside in order to move something. The only thing he got was the sharp fangs sinking further into his hand, and the Human had to grit his teeth to suppress a cry of pain.

At that time, his fingers brushed something cold and metallic and something like relief flooded his soul for a few seconds. He didn't need even half a second to close his fingers around the handle of the dagger and direct it to where he thought the murderer's body was, letting out a scream of rage. To his satisfaction, he felt the knife run into something and went through cleanly. A warm and sticky liquid splashed his clothes, but he did not hesitate for a moment to further plunge the dagger into the body of his enemy, hoping that, once and for all, to remove those sharp teeth from his hand. However, lynx's jaws did nothing but close harder against his hand, causing him to scream a new cry of terror while, blood soaked, he ending once and for all the life of the intruder.

Once the lynx had fallen on his body, completely inert, he knew he had managed to kill him, but even so, he still felt the teeth stuck deep into his skin, and the pain threatened to make him loose consciousness.

-Raon! -at that time he heard Jarek's voice, who called out, with increasing concern, from somewhere under canvas -. Raon! Where are you?

-I'm here... Jarek... -the Human replied, panting with fatigue and pain, trying to escape the fierce grip the lynx exerted on his hand -. Aaagh...! -he could not help shouting after tearing his skin a little more, trying to remove the beast -. Jarek... please... remove the canvas so I can see him...

• See him? -asked the wolf, increasingly concerned. Raon noticed his movement barely a foot away -. See who??

Just seconds later, the canvas was removed from overhead and Raon, with some relief, was able to see sunlight again. He looked down and found the dead body of the Beast that had come into the tent ready to kill him, his teeth still closed on his hand. Beside him, he heard a cry of horror. He did not need to turn to know that it was Jarek.

• Shit! Raon...! Raon, what the hell...!

-Calm down... ugh... it's just a bite... -Raon tried to reassure him, while finding the strength to remove it. Finally, he managed to free his hand from between the jaws of the lynx, and the pain resurfaced as if it had been hidden -. Could have been worse: the lynx came to kill us... I think... that...

He was unable to continue longer.

He raised his left hand to see if there was anything broken or any other large unfortunate wounds, and discovered that under the mass of torn skin and blood, the flesh had been torn in several places by the lynx's sharp teeth. And worst of all... was that, in the end, his little finger hung inert only connected by a sliver of skin, completely severed... and separated from the rest of the hand.

It was too much for him.

The smell of blood invaded his senses and, and as if a nightmare, the world seemed to crumble. Unable to stay conscious longer, the Human let out a yelp of disgust, with the image of his mutilated hand in mind, before losing consciousness.

Rukj could not believe it.

As he walked with long strides toward Raizac's tent, trying to restrain his desire to hit someone, still trying to convince himself that all this had not happened for one reason. And the fault, first of all, had been his for letting guard down in a place like that, thinking they would not find any enemies in friendly territory.

He was wrong. Many times, it was easier to find murderers at home than away.

-Loki... -he growled, hissed, when he spotted the lynx in the entrance of the tent of the caravan leader, walking to and fro with a worried expression.

What was he doing there?

To tell the truth, he could not help but feel a little worried because of the situation from the previous night. In silence, and though he had tried to hide it, he feared that his words had affected the lynx somehow. He knew he had done the right thing, but still... he had a high regard for Loki and, after all that had happened so far, he did not want him to have another bad time. Seeing him around the campfire drinking with Ailec, the black wolf had been relieved. At least, he had not been left alone by lake shore.

At that time, he had finally arrived at the tent door. Loki, who apparently had not seen him until that moment, seemed slightly startled.

-Rukj... -he said softly, somewhat surprised.

-What happened? -asked the wolf, without missing a beat -. Where is Raon? Is he...?

-He's hurt -said Loki, looking down -. I... I've tried to do everything possible for him, but...

-How is he? -Rukj asked again, more and more preoccupied with the expression, increasingly bleak, of the young lynx -. Please Loki... tell me...

-All right, unconscious but stable, I mean -he assured him, letting out a sigh -. Still...

Rukj waited a moment for him to continue on but eventually his impatience forced to intervene.

-Still, what?

-The mercenary who came to his tent to kill him bit his hand during the fight... -Loki informed him, unable to keep his voice steady. Finally, with a sad expression, looked up and stared into the eyes of the wolf -. He has lost a finger and... we do not know how long it will be before he will regain the use his hand.

Rukj felt as if a huge weight was removed from him. His face relaxed a little, and his claws, which until then had remained tightly clenched, finally loosened.

-It's only a finger... -he sighed, as he took a paw to his forehead, letting out a sigh of relief -. Only... a finger...

• Only? -Loki asked, in disbelief.

-It could have been much worse. I... -Rukj searched for words to express his feelings -. Look, Loki, since he was picked up in New Argenta, I've always taken great care that nothing and no one hurt Raon. I knew we would never be accepted anywhere. Neither among the Beasts, for being a Human, or among his race for having allied with the enemy. Any of them would have tried to kill him at that time. Loki, Raon has no country -he said, with a tone of sadness -. He's... like me in that sense. I've always been vigilant so that nothing bad will ever happen.

Loki seemed to understand and sighed in dismay. Rukj dubiously, looked at him for a long time, still searching for the right words to express himself.

-Tonight, when we got to camp, I thought I might give him a little more freedom. Not to worry so much about him and allowing me a break. But... I should not have.

-Rukj... you could not have known -Loki interrupted him -. Furthermore, you can not walk behind Raon forever. You've taught him to defend himself and he can take care of him self. It's not your fault.

The black wolf did not respond.

After all, the words of the lynx made a lot of sense but he still could not avoid blaming himself, and knew it would not solve anything.

-Where are the others? -he asked hoarsely.

-Raizac has gone off to investigate. He and I were the first to find him, along with some onlookers. The mercenary was wearing... wearing a bag of gold coins, so we concluded that someone had paid him for murdering Raon. As soon as Inoa found out, she was furious. She was ranting at Raizac for a while, blaming him for not being able to provide a safe haven for the links and... I think after she left to roam around the camp, hoping to find the culprit.

-And Jarek? -Rukj asked.

The lynx had to smile slightly at hearing the tension his voice contained when he pronounced his name.

-At first he did not want to leave him -he said, as he gestured with his head inside the tent -. I had to ask him to leave with Raizac to tell him everything he can to help the search for the culprit, because otherwise he would not have left me any room to try to cure Raon's wounds... Apparently he never heard the murderer entering at any time...

-... nor intervened in the fight -Rukj completed, with a low growl.

Loki frowned, concerned about the dangerous threat tone he was able to perceive, well hidden under the seemingly calm words black wolf.

-It was not his fault, Rukj -he assured him, trying to calm him down a bit -. Don't think it was.

The wolf ignored those words.

Something had caught his attention, but he could not have said what exactly. That morning, he could sense something different about Loki, but he could not say for sure... He seemed more confident, less intimidated by his presence. Normally, the young lynx tended to look away too easily and in any of their conversations, it was very usual that he interrupted in the middle of his sentences, looking for another way to finish them that, sometimes, he never found.

That morning he was not only able to hold his gaze, but also talked to him without too many pauses. And... there was something more. He didn't smell the same. It almost seemed as if overnight, a strange scent had permeated his fur...

-Never mind -he mumbled, finally, and did not know whether that was the answer fot his doubts concerning Loki's change in attitude or Jarek's guilt. In any case, there was something that he wanted to say from the previous night -. By the way, Loki... I must tell you something. In regard to what happened yesterday.

Loki's ears stood up quickly and his toes shook with some excitement. The smell of nervousness seemed permeate every corner of his body, joining the mysterious aroma that accompanied him that morning. Rukj couldn't help but smile inwardly, that now he looks like the young lynx he knew.

-Uh... what? -he asked, looking away.

-What you told me by the lake -replied the wolf, trying not to go into details -. Maybe I was a little rough with you. I was worried because you had taken it badly.

Loki took a few seconds to answer. Finally, he looked up and, although it was not able to look at the wolf's eyes, tried to gather some courage before answering:

-No... it is not important.

-For me, it is -continued the wolf, frowning. It seemed that he had been right to fear Loki was hurt the night before -. You have already suffered far too much for me to hurt you now. And, though I can not return your feelings, I want you to know that for me it is an honor to know someone like you feels something for me.

Rukj would have sworn that the lynx was blushing under the fur that covered his face. The scent of his nervousness was becoming more and more intense and, for a few seconds, the wolf wondered if he had done wrong in saying those words. After all, all security and confidence that seemed to have started the talk with him had evaporated and had been replaced by his usual shyness and insecurity.

He didn't have much time to think about it, though. At the time, he saw a movement not far from there and turned his head, curiously, just in time to see approaching, with a step so light it almost seemed poised to run away, a young copper-furred wolf . He had to suppress the urgent need to show him his fangs.

That wolf was, of course, Jarek. Much to his regret, Rukj was certain that if the second of the links had beem a rock, it would have been twice as useful and self-sufficient. Furthermore, the fact that the rock wouldn't open its muzzle every time to make stupid and childish comments would also have made things easier.

-Loki... -the young wolf whispered, once he came up to where they were, almost breathless -. Rukj -he said, a little more dryly -. Has Raon already woken up?

-He still sleeps -Loki replied, with a slight smile -. But do not worry, the worst part is over. I have treated his wounds.

Rukj raised an eyebrow, wondering to himself if the lynx had any intention of telling the wolf that the Human had lost a finger.

-Thank goodness... -Jarek said quietly, sighing and showing what appeared to be an attempt to smile -. Thanks, Loki. You're the best. If there is something, anything I can do to help...

-Next time, for a change, you could be a little more attentive -Rukj replied, unable to contain himself-. If you care so much for Raon, put forth more effort to protect him...

That little smile on Jarek's face froze, as if the words the black wolf had covered it with frost. For a moment, he seemed as if he was searching for the words to answer, or how to react to that. Loki swallowed nervously.

-I can assure you that I worry about Raon much more than you think -he said finally, frowning -. Don't you doubt it.

-I doubt what is convenient -Rukj replied, somewhat moody -. And above all, what I see is what really makes me doubt that you worry so much about Raon as you say. To begin with, you have not really proven to be by his side at any time.

-What!? -Jarek exclaimed indignantly -. You're the one who left, leaving him alone! You're the one who abandoned him to his fate! Do not come telling me now that I'm the one who has not been at his side when he needed me!

-Uh... guys... -Loki began, trying to calm things down.

However, Rukj never even heard him. That last comment had hurt him deeply and, although he tried to remain calm at first, now the wolf released his wrath.

-You misunderstand me, boy. It would not matter to him if you were here or in Frostmoon. From the beginning, you have caused him nothing but trouble. It's not that you aren't useful, but you're a burden to him -he spat, unable to contain himself -. How can you pretend... to say you even care if you are not able to defend him when you are with him? You're nothing but talk.

• But I...!

-It's your fault, they almost killed him today -Rukj cruelly interrupted him -. You had best start worrying about those around you instead of yourself, unless you want everyone around you to end up dying.

That comment, which contained a double meaning with which Rukj had not counted, Jarek seemed to loose all control. Letting out a roar of rage, the copper-furred wolf lunged at Rukj with both claws out front, to Loki's astonished and frightened eyes, who could do nothing to intervene.

That reaction caught Rukj by surprise, who, unable to move in time, lost his balance when Jarek struck him. The two wolves fell to the ground, creating a tangle of fur and claws, and began fighting.

• Stop! -Loki cried, with despair -. Please... stop!

But unfortunately for him, the two wolves were too caught up in the struggle to hear his words. Jarek, with his heart burning with rage, tried to reach Rukj several times with his fists, ready to make him pay for all the pain, anger and frustration that he had felt from those words. Meanwhile, the black wolf let out a savage growl, responding to Jarek's anger, but he only stopped his punches and shook him off with some annoyance. The younger wolf ended up stopping just a few feet away, falling on his back and letting out a muffled yelp of pain. Loki, worried, made a motion to go to him, but Rukj rose from the ground at that moment, standing between him and the other wolf.

-Stupid... -Rukj snarled, teeth bared -. I have cared for Raon since his birth. I've kept him alive and I taught him everything he knows. And never had any problems until you came into our lives. Because of you, all this started!

Jarek gave him a pained look, even from the ground. After a few seconds, tried to get up, obviously in pain, and finally got it. Gritting his teeth, took a few steps to Rukj, giving him a defiant look.

• Did you say... that you kept him alive? -he repeated -. Did you say that you took care of him! Well... I don't think so! -he paused, as tears of anger surfaced in his eyes -. You've kept him a prisoner! You've had him locked up in that hut since he was born! And, if he depended on you, he never would have seen what existed outside! He was locked up, yes... and not only that! -his voice, pained, almost sounded like a bark -. It's your fault it is so hard for him to adapt! He had spent so much time shut in with someone without feelings that, because of you, it is so difficult for him to be like the others! You're the one who is a burden...!

He never had time to finish his sentence before a violent punch caught him squarely in the jaw, knocking him back again. Loki let out a gasp and covered his mouth with one paw, appalled. He made a new move towards Jarek, but Rukj continued to intervening between them. After remaining stunned for a few seconds by the blow and without any reaction, the copper coat writhed on the ground, taking a paw to where he had been struck the blow and let out a howl of pain. Although he was not hit too hard, it had precisely the effect the black wolf had sought: to humiliate. And in those moments, while Jarek wept with rage and was writhing in pain at his feet, Rukj continued to do it; kept on humiliating him, impassively.

-But he still is alive -he said simply, his voice cold as an iceberg -. And if you stay with him, you will get him killed.

Jarek stood up, letting out a grunt of pain, still with one paw in the area where the other wolf's fist had hit.

-I... agree -he groaned as he tried in vain to contain the tears of rage -. Now I understand. Then, I am not wanted here... am I right?

Rukj did not respond.

Loki, who was beginning to see how everything was going to lead, stepped forward, approaching coppery wolf frowning. When he tried to help him up, he rejected his paw with a sullen growl and stood on his own, barely.

-Well -continued the wolf, between teeth -, if Raon is better off without me... then it makes no sense for me to stay.

• No! No, Jarek -Loki asked, trying to keep him in vain.

-I will leave -the wolf growled, ignoring the lynx's words -. So he will be safe.

Loki felt his heart sink, especially after recalling the conversation he had had the night before with Raon.

-You do not understand, Jarek... You...

-No, Loki, now I understand -said the wolf, giving him a glare -. All this time I've been nothing but a burden. I'll do better by going and leaving you in peace.

Loki tried to say something, but was simply just not sure about what to and what not to say. He could tell Jarek at that time what Raon felt for him, but, after all, that would have to be the Human's decision and it depended only on him. He had no right to do that.

Distraught, he looked pleadingly at Rukj, but he just crossed his arms and shook his head, while the other wolf began to walk away, limping, towards Raizac tent, on the outskirts of the camp.

Loki watched him go, with a heavy heart, wondering to himself why the hell things had to be so complicated and why Rukj and Jarek were doomed to have things go so badly wrong. Willing to ask for an explanation, he turned to Rukj again, but he had already turned away and headed for his tent. Apparently, he did not regret anything that just happened or cared what fate that could await the other wolf, alone, in the Land of Beasts.

Appalled, he let out a sigh. << Please Raon, wake up soon >> he told himself, as if he were secretly hoping the human could heard him in some corner of his mind <<. I have the impression that you are the only one who can hold these two together... >>