-Wolf Territory - Marshlands. 4Q Afternoon-

Late in the afternoon on the Marshlands at the center of Black Wolf territory, the inclined weakened sunrays adorned the long clouds, darkened in reddish hues, casting long shadows on the greenish plains. The cool wind from the south blew with a soft breeze and occasional chilly gusts, rustling the grass blades gently, and creating a soothing atmosphere for diurnal animals.

On the Southern parts, around 50-meters from the shallow waters with sparkling waves moving Northwest, a purple-blue Dragon was held down by two green wolves reaching around 4-meters tall. While they were deciding his fate, the Dragon, worried precisely about that, ran out of patience and started struggling, trying to free his head to speak.

""...!!"" The two wolves were startled and looked down, ending their secretive exchange.

Between the two High-Ranks, a smaller wolf with multicolored fur, waited anxiously and submissive in a lowered posture for them to release the Dragon that had become its new Alpha.

The older wolf, without softening his hold on the scaly head, growled at him quickly. "Wait, Dragon! We'll release you. But you have to behave!"

The younger Wolf moved his gaze over to the speaker and questioned in a perplexed tone. "We will?!"

The Dragon didn't think twice and ceased his struggles in acknowledgment. He narrowed his eyes, feeling some concern about his freedom. However, it was relieving that the situation was improving.

The senior wolf looked to his left and announced with a stern expression. "He's not a Feral Beast, Long Wind. We don't have to hold him like this."

"B-but we are supposed to let the Alphas judge the scene as it is. What took place here..."

"Isn't it better to just...ask him? He even tried to communicate earlier."

"He did?!"

"You are supposed to notice things! If you want to be a successful Alpha, you can't be a dumb Beast!"

"Gruh! But what if he lies?"

The old wolf shrugged. "Scents can't tell you everything either. You need other sources of information."

"..." The canine looked down. He was just interested in the Dragon being food. However, it was odd that this low-ranking young Beast could Mate with a High-Ranking She-wolf. And even harder to believe, that it might have been one of the pillars of the Tribe--the Earth Elder. A highly desirable Female that hasn't accepted a Male in many years. And then, this supposedly important beast, almost died in a remote area while carrying precious resources.

It didn't make sense. The Elders had to be tricked. Just like the multi-affinity wolf to his right. Perhaps he just ran away with Mana Crystals. But doing anything to the Dragon now would only bring him trouble. It had to be his Alpha's decision. After all, He was the one that Courted the Earth Elder...

The green canine finished his deliberations, lifted his head, and declared in a hostile manner. "Fine! But if he doesn't stay put, I'll make him."

"...I'm sure he understands..." The older wolf implied a double meaning and retracted his paw slowly.

Reluctantly, the younger Beast followed suit and released the scaly tail.

"About time!" Barked the Dragon in irritation as he sprung up. He glared back angrily and whipped his tail to his left side.

However, the irritated canine merely glared back as if waiting to take action.

Nefiru turned to the north immediately. His gaze, darting around nervously, met with the third large green Wolf's that was curiously looking at them over his back, lying on the ground as he used Magic to suppress the bleedings on the Rank 5 Blue Wolf lying behind with all four legs tied and looking rather tame. To the right, a couple of meters away from a large green tail, Nefiru's gaze finally rested over the white-haired girl lying on the flattened grass.

Shaila was also looking in his direction worriedly, breathing heavily from exhaustion, scrunching her dirtied face in pain, and expecting to be healed soon. Her body, illuminated by the afternoon sun, was covered in grass blades sticking to her skin with sweat and blood. She appeared safe, but she still had scents of fresh bleedings.

Nefiru wanted to rush and help the Girl, but reason held him back. Feeling the glares of his captors, he realized he could do nothing for her. Even his Spirit had yet to return from his ongoing ascension. A fact he didn't want to reveal just yet.

The Dragon gripped the soil while gnawing in frustration. A moment after, he released his claws sinking into the soil, and let out a sigh. "Huuu..." He then wondered what to do about the wolves.

The senior Wolf nodded approvingly and lowered his body slowly. "Huuurgh~ These old bones of mine will rest." After announcing so, he crossed his forelegs and remained watching whilst panting relaxingly.

Soon after, while looking at the girl, Nefiru growled. "Can I go to my Companion?"

Old Coat followed his line of sight. ...That's the smallest Hyuman I've seen.

"Wait for the Alphas. They're almost here."

The Dragon, feeling upset, turned to the aged wolf on his right, and staring unblinkingly into his eyes, added in a somber tone. "...Shes's hurt!"

Hm... But even Hyuman females are that feeble, Magicians don't die easily... Sensing her Magic struggling to absorb Mana, Old Coat determined. And speaking of Magic-... He turned left and inquired. "...Do you even have Magic now, Dragon?"

"...Not right now, no."

"So, you can't help..." The old Wolf asserted and glanced at the scaly's back suspiciously.

Nefiru realized the source of distrust and assured. "...I can't fly away. Wing was bloken on the missing scales."

"...I see. Just wait then."

Won't budge huh? Seeing as he failed, the Dragon attempted differently. "You surle treat your Allies poorly."

At the snide remark, Long Wind reached his limit and snapped. "Grr--We are not sure you Are an Ally!"

"...!" The surprised Dragon turns his head to the speaker. "Arle the scents on my body not proof enough...?" Do I need an ID?

"...N-no. Only Old Coat here claims it's the Elder's."

"Come onnn, Long Wind, I'm pretty sure."

"Didn't you say you met her Once, from Afar, Yeeears ago?"

The canine being questioned lowered his green ears to the sides slightly. "Yes..."

The younger canine added with momentum. "And the scents on him are faint--as if he tried to erase them on purpose. How can you be sure!?"

The Dragon looked down. "I had to wash..." Dante's right. I gotta keep some scents on my body...

Old Coat, however, reaffirmed with a smug expression. "But I'm still confident. Humph!"

Long Wind stared for a moment in silence before snorted in dismissal. "Wroof! For all I know, he could be one of those foreign Beasts that was just raised by one of us."

"!!?" The Dragon perked his scaly ears and widened his purple-blue eyes in surprise. "That happens!??" Oh, wait... The wolves did try to kidnap me before...

The old wolf answered casually. "Oh, yes. Just recently, a lone-walker told us about a She-wolf raising Wyverns."

"Seriously?!!" Wait, lone-walker? ...Ah! Must mean wanderer.

Old Coat nodded. "Apparently, they killed her Pack members, she got mad and stole their Eggs."

"Wuuuh... Impressive." I have got to check interesting things like this, eventually...

"Wruff!" Long Wind scoffed. "They'll probably eat her later."

"Or attack other Wolfen." Added Old Coat.

"...Or be misundelstood." Interjected the Dragon as if talking about himself, subsequently receiving glares from the two.

The young wolf countered. "Either way, a Foreign Beast will always cause trouble."

"But there are benefits!" Nefiru argued, thinking of himself as an example.

"Not for all!" Countered Long Wind.

Finding themselves in disagreement, the two Beasts proceeded to growl at each other. ""GRRrrRRR!!""

To stop the current hostile confrontation, the oldest wolf barked out. "Dragon!"

"...What?"

The oldest Wolf continued in a firm tone. "Considering what you are and what we are and what we saw, don't you think we have treated you fairly well?"

The Dragon stared into the aged, intelligent gaze. He imagined the worst-case scenario and couldn't help but wholly agree. "...Yesh. You have. ...I'm glad." Wolves do control themselves quite well, especially the older ones. Is it because they are intelligent Social creatures? What does that say about me who let Beastly insticts and desires control me...? Sometimes, I don't even realize--ugh! It's shameful...

Seeing the end of complaints, the old Wolf looked at the wolfen to the left, and arched the corner of his mouth with half-open eyes, forming a smiling expression as if gloating 'See? You don't need to resort to biting to win an argument.'

"..."

While the young wolf showed his silent defeat, the Dragon pointed his snout north and asked. "Since you stopping me, could you help the injured?"

The old wolf glanced to his right briefly. "Oh, Fifth Wind 7 is already taking care of Alpha Water 5."

"Yeah! And our Alpha will help him."

"And my companion?"

"..." The old wolf stared back uncaringly.

The Dragon anxiously insisted. "She earned the respect of many High Ranks. She still has your Kin's scent!" As much as I dislike that...

The green wolf lying next to the girl, glanced at her and took a whiff. Ah, so it really was a Female... He then turned south and declared. "He's right!"

Long wind shook his head and derided. "Fifth must be justifying his failure to subdue a small creature."

"No, I'm not! She's obediently lying there. And I don't sense anything bad from her."

Long Wind, tired of the topic, dismissed with a bored expression. "...Whatever." He had said his piece and turned away to look at the incoming group from the southeast.

"Interesting..." Mused Old Coat, eyeing the girl.

"I'll compensate!" Added Nefiru with desperation in his growls.

"...Alright, alright, I'll stop her tiny bleedings."

"Dank you!"

The girl, struggling to discern the growling exchange, gleefully accepted the incoming Magic that proceeded to block the bleedings with an invisible force. With painful groans, she turned her body right, where it was less painful, to make the process easier, and continued using Light regeneration on her wounds.

The Dragon noticed a possible danger and called out. "Caleful not to let air into the blood."

"I know that's bad!" The old wolf replied mildly annoyed.

With a deflating sigh, Nefiru lowered his ears and slumped his tail. Sighs... The wolves are so nice when they are sucking up to me for knowledge...

Just as the Dragon was feeling disappointed, the multicolored canine approached his right side. With its ears now appearing in black, flattened back as if feeling troubled about what to ask.

The Dragon noticed its presence, turned right, and stared into its eyes' orange sclera and black pupils. His scaly lips curled up. He nodded in approval and growled. "Good Wolk, Sexeless!"

The Wolf perked his ears and looked up proudly. But it remained on the spot as if expecting more.

The Dragon felt it wasn't enough. So, he leaned his head and gave a quick lick at the canine's snout. *Shhlasp!*

The colorful canine returned the gesture and wagged its tail slightly, now dyed in pink, feeling a little more accepted. But it remained still.

Knowing it had to be about its Father, the Dragon thought for a moment. "Don't worry! We will help him soon."

The genderless beast brightened. With big eyes and ears perked, it stared back expectantly.

Understanding its perspective, Nefiru elaborated. "My companion can speed up natural healing."

"She can!??"

"Yes. And with your Magic, you two could stop bleedings."

"But she-..."

"Needs to be healed first."

"..."

"...Just stop her bleeding. She's only hurt because She saved you and captured your Father."

The canid lowered its head in shame. "I-I understand." She's small anyway.

"Good. Now, to recover..." The Dragon declared and bent his body left. Standing firmly on the left foreleg, he reached out to the silvery collar on his neck with the right paw. *Shuap!* With three opposing claws, he forced the tight metal lid of a round compartment open, leaving it hanging by a thin chain from the inside. He lowered his neck gradually until crystals, looking like broken glass, rolled out onto his pads. Counting eleven, he stopped and straightened his body while holding the paw facing up.

The colorful wolf stared confused at what it thought were normal glass shards from the ground.

The Dragon was taken aback by the dull reaction. But he quickly realized the misunderstanding and asked in a perplexed tone. "You never seen Mana Crystals?!"

Now, it was the canine's turn to be shocked. With rounded eyes, it looked up and replied. "...I-I only heard about it."

At the mention of mana crystals, the Long Wind perked his ears and turned his attention back to the scaly beast.

"You know how to use them?"

"...Rub it with Magic?"

The Dragon nodded. "And with the tips of your Spirit, if you can. Then, envelop it with all your Magic."

"W-wait... You want me to use something so precious!?"

"Of course. You use the Lowest Grade, uhh...shard, and bring the rest to my Partner lying there..."

"..."

Determined to not allow the misuse of precious resources, Long Wind walked over to the scalie's left side and barked out at the two Beasts. "Stop! Those can't be yours to give away!"

The Dragon glared at the large wolf to left and growled in an annoyed tone. "These are mine. They were given to me by your Elders."

But the canine, only knowing scarcity, could not accept it. "All those Crystals? Who would believe that!!"

"...Not all. The highest grade, I dun dare touch--" Nefiru attempted to explain when a gust of wind pulled the crystals away.

""Ah!"" The two Beast uttered, dumbfounded.

"Admit it! You ran away with the crystals." Long Wind accused, as the Crystals landed on his head.

"...!!" This idiot! The Dragon, fed up with the distrust, slammed his foot down, turned left, and snapped. "...You want to bet your Life on that?"

The canine's expression froze in shock for a moment. "...What?!"

"You heard me." Nefiru affirmed before approaching the furry muzzle, close enough to feel each other's breath. "Let us go ask the Elders. The one wrong, D i e s. Simple, right?"

"..." Long wind stayed quiet, not knowing how to respond.

The old wolf noticed his hesitation and sent his Magic before transmitting. "He's too confident."

"...He's cornered."

"He is cornering you!"

"Hrmph! Returning won't disprove that you ran away."

The old wolf turned to look at the Dragon waiting for him to respond.

"...It will if they sent me."

"..."

"Told you."

"Why you are out here, Dragon?" Asked Old Coat curiously. But his tone was stern.

For a moment, Nefiru thought carefully about what to reply. "Youl Matriarch told me to deliver the Highest Grade Mana Krystals to Aquatic Allies waiting at the Coast. Probably because flying is faster. But we wele ambushed by those insects."

"I see..."

"You are clearly not qualified for such a Task!"

"Of cuuse not! I wasn't even told about insects!"

"Wait, you are not supposed to agree... Maybe you are not meant to return at all!"

At the malicious insinuation, the Dragon glared at the young Wolf. "...You dumbass! Your Elders are expecting a lot from me."

"What!? What a dumb insult from dumb Lizard!"

"Guk--!" The translation doesn't carry meaning...

"I don't think the Elders knew about the insects." Declared Old Coat. Succeeding in attracting attention, he continued. "Those insects aren't a normal occurence around here."

"They not?!"

"Last I saw them was about a hundred years ago. They come from the Ocean."

"Oh..."

"Did you kill them, Old Coat?"

"No. Wyverns did. Since they were losing Prey--Us."

"Damn Lizards!" Long wind cursed with a scrunched expression.

"You call everything with scales Lizards..."

"...Shooo, Old Coat... There's more to the Coast...?"

"Probably."

Oh, hell no! "I want to return now..." It may be bad to fail a task from a Divine, but we almost died... I must not put Shaila in unnecessary danger.

"Oh, now you don't care to fail our Elders."

"Shut up! This was more dangelous than we thought." Ah...! "You do the Delivery then!"

"Me? No way! Who knows what's waiting at the Coast. Could be Foxes, for all I know."

"It's possible. I've never heard of Mana Deliveries. Our Oceanic Allies have their own Mana Vein, last I heard. A Deliver to one of our Packs is more likely."

"I see... Then We should return the Crystals back to the Elders. Right, Old Coat?"

"Mm... That's probably the Surest course of action. Our Alpha could even score some points with the Elders. But there's a risk of having the opposite effect."

"Ohh! That's true. Unless-..."

"..." Nefiru fell pensive. Feeling cornered and distrustful, he decided to warn the wolves sternly. "...I'll say this, since you two wele having a dangelous conversation earlier too." He spoke in a heavy tone while looking at each Wolf in the eye with a firm expression. "There will be consequences for harming us."

The Old Wolf, wisely reading the body language, believed it. "Noted."

The young Wolf, however, was too irritated at this point and threatened back. "That's only if you make it back a l i v e." He threatened back, showing his side fangs menacingly.

The Dragon's snout scrunched. "GRRRUO--! (You--!) You--! You Traitorous piece of shit!" He snarled furiously.

"What did you call me!? GRRRR!"

"WAUPH!" The Wolf barked loudly, startling all present. "Calm down you two. We all lose if this escalates further."

"HRUMPH!" Long Wind snorted and turned away.

"...What's his problem...?" Questioned Nefiru, angrily and exasperated.

The older Wolf moved his muzzle closer to the scaly head and quietly said. "He's envious of whom you Mated with."

Ah, right... Even if I don't care, doesn't mean others won't...

"You see, he's never mated before." Old coat revealed pointed his snout at the young Wolf's rear before announcing in louder growls. "He couldn't even control his urges after sniffing the Elder!"

"!!?" Long Wing immediately perked his ears and turned to look right, only to meet a pair of half-open purple-blue lizardly eyes. "I-I-It's the Mating Season!" Blurted nervously the embarrassed canid before whipping his tail to cover his underside.

Achieving an amusing reaction, Old Coat put on a beastly smirk.

Watching the hostile wolf admit guilt so brazenly, Nefiru retorted with an unamused glare. "Seriously... Go find a Mate, you Horny Virgin Runt!"

"GRRR--! As if it's that easy, you ignorant Deviant Lizard!"

"Then relieve yourself! Use Mahic or Paw-off and stop causing trouble for others!"

"Huafufu!" The old Wolf uttered amusedly.

The other wolves also stared judgingly in silence.

"Whuk!!? W-WRONG!! I-I want a Female to start a Pack! I want--I desire somebeast like the Earth Elder!" The green beast blurted with his ears flattened backwards.

"Oh... You are aiming too high!"

"I know that!" Long Wind barked, then looked down disappointedly. "But...without followers or siblings, I need a capable Wolfess..."

Wolf...esh? Ah! She-wolf... The Dragon conjectured, looking at the troubled wolfen.

"A High-Ranking Female would be ideal." He declared and paused before exhaling in frustration. "Hauu... But the ones willing are always taken! With ... a line of Wolfen behind. Even promising Rank 6s are difficult..."

Tired of the repeated complaints, the old Wolf interjected to reprove. "...Long Wind, how many times have I told you? You need to leave our Territory and find a discontent Wolfess. Kill for her if you have to!"

"I would! But I couldn't venture far when our Alpha was out Courting Females. And now--" The Wolfen complained and looked at the Dragon. "--Thanks to Somebeast causing an invasion, our Tribe is a mess!"

"Huh?! Not my fault! There was a Traitor!" Nefiru barked back.

"A Traitor!!?"

""Traitor??""

Ha! Blaming others works on wolves too... "Yes. The Foxes couldn't know! The Elders are looking for them..."

"Ah! We thought the timing was odd..." Said Fifth Wind on the north, referring to his pack.

"...Unthinkable..." Muttered the Old Wolf, keeping his outrage to himself.

"Hiuurgh... Things only get worse in our Tribe..." Whined Long Wind.

As a gloomy atmosphere pervaded the area, Nefiru was feeling sympathetic for the bachelor, and slightly guilty as well. But this was also the way to reason with the hostile canine. And perhaps, the old wolf had presented this opportunity purposely.

"Long Wind, I would like to help you."

"...What?!"

"I heard from other Wolfen that it's hard finding Mate... I want to know mole so I can help."

Long Wind narrowed his eyes skeptically. "...Why? How would I trust you?"

"Because I believe in the Loyalty of wolves. That's why I risked my Life to Ally your Tribe. And helping my allies benefits me. Are there no signs of that around?" The Dragon mustered a sincere speech with an unblinking clear gaze.

"Hummm..." The High-Rank stared back discerningly.

As if on queue, the colorful canine spoke up. "I trust Alpha! Despite acting against him and his companion, he still helped me. Knowing you would bring him trouble, he still helped me. Stop treating him like an Enemy already! Hunff!"

"...Woah... Sexeless..." So cool~

"..." Long Wind looked at the Old Wolf seeking advice. The experienced one nodded in approval. "Fine! I'll consider it. What do you want in return?"

"Help us sulvive and escort us back to the Elders."

"...! You... You really want to return to them?!"

"Yes. I don't think I can complete this mission."

"..." The Old Wolf kept his opposition in silence.

"I see..." The young wolf finally gave in and decided to trust the scaly beast a bit more. "...Huuu... Fine. I'll do what I can. That's all I'll promise."

"Good enough." Phew! I made progress... But got another Quest...Ugh!

The old Wolf raised an eyebrow and mocked. "How embarrassing...having another Beast find a Mate for you..."

"...S-shut up!"

The High-Rank returned the dozen crystals back to the small wolf and turned his attention to the Dragon.

Already frustrated with the unhelpful banter, the colorful Wolf bit down on the glassy shards and immediately trotted past the old Wolf, towards the white-haired girl that was also growing increasingly frustrated.

After seeing the Beastie reach the girl and both concentrating on their recovery, the Dragon focused on his deal. "Shoo... Long Wind... Low-Rank 6s are acceptable too?"

"Yes, if she's not too small or inexperienced. But She absolutely must be High-Affinity. And...Wind User if possible. I have a fairly good Wind Affinity Lineage."

"Oh? Nice... What about Rank 5?"

"Hurgh! I don't find Females below Rank 6 very appealing. At half my size, they already start to feel like Pups. Common Wolfen are all Pups."

"Seriously!?"

The canine nodded. "But I can make an exception for a talented Rank 5 if we connect. There's an instinctual part that cannot be denied. I can just select the Marked Seeds and Eggs..."

"I see. Got it."

Pups huh? His criteria for Adulthood is odd... Well, that may be more considerate. Even if the Soul has more influence on our brains in this World, the young tend to lack more knowledge and wisdom. Maturity varies more on Beasts...

I wonder... Shaila chose me, but she didn't have many choices. And she wasn't in her best mental state... She even accepted me fucking other females too easily. Though she's not really interested in adult stuff since-... Hold up! Ignorance applies to me too! What if Faust didn't tell me everything about this 'Partner' thing?! Hmm... I'll just ask Shaila. And if she needs time...we need to solve some problems first. I want to spend time with my siblings anyway...

"Say... Rather than wait for the perfect female to, uh, just appear in front of you...why not find Low-Rank candidates and help them rank up in your current pack?" Like me. I'm practically raising a little girl to be my Wife! Well...my Eternal Companion. Which is infinitely harder. I can't even imagine--

The green wolf thought for a moment and shook his head. "You really think a simple Male like me can keep Multiple Mates? In our Pack, where I'm just a follower?"

"Ah...! My bad..."

"Weun, I suppose one more member is fine. But nurturing her to High-Rank will take forever--if I'm lucky. With Low Ranks, too many things can go wrong. Only a few out of hundreds reach Soul manifestation. It would be harder than just waiting for a High-Rank."

"...But...you can get resources from the Elders! And Magic lessons. Depending on your contributions..."

"Yes, we heard the Elders rebelled to lift restrictions on the Mana vein... But even so, size will still be a problem."

"For Sex?"

"NO!" The canine barked in frustration. "I mean...yes, it would feel bad just using Magic... But what I mean is--it takes a long time to approach my size. Our growth slows down more, the more we grow, and Magic slows it down even more. We aren't Dragons that just keep eating and growing forever. And suuuuper fast! You cheaters!"

I'm dying to grow more though... "Yesh...you need a Divine to improve your bodies too."

At the remark, the large wolves lowered their ears with somber expressions.

"Soon! Your Matriarch will be a Divine soon!" Nefiru hurriedly added. Jesh, was their Divine their God or something? Hm. Come to think of it, I haven't heard of any Wolf Divine in the World. Only 3 Foxes...

"Let's hope so. It's a miracle we still have a Territory this big without a powerful Divine of our own." Commented Old Coat, at to which the others nodded in agreement.

Long Wind resumed explaining. "And since you don't seem to know, Dragon. Size matters because the smaller our Females are, the smaller the Pups, and the longer it takes for them to Grow, Mature, aaaand Awaken."

"Ooooh... That makes sense..." Then Erina's Pups must be really Big! Probably bigger than adult Dogs--

"Well, a small size is bad for Magic progress in general... And it can be pretty bad sometimes."

"Hm? How bad?"

Long Wind looked at the older Wolf. "Tell him."

"Uhn? Yes... So, Dragon, I was born from a Low-Ranking Pair, about... half your size. They didn't know much of anything and struggled to feed us. Guess, how long it took me to become a Magical Beast?"

"Uhh... Ten years?"

"Close to 30 years."

"Seriously??!" That's some crazy disparity... At that age, Midas's Rank 5! "Did they prioritize other Pups over you or something??"

"Not really. Pups are to be spoiled equally. You can't always tell Magic Talent by the Density of Spirit at Birth. Being a common Wolfen is just incredibly harsh..." Old Coat affirmed, reminiscing of his youth.

"Oh... I can imagine..." Said the Dragon, as his youth flashed in his mind as well.

"Luckily, and surprisingly...I awakened High-Wind Affinity!"

"Ooh!"

"...And he still took like 400 years to reach Rank 7!" Retorted Long Wind.

"WURGH! Yes... I was stuck on Rank 6 for many years... Spiritual progress isn't the same for all. And with just ambient Mana-... Well, I also got bored of Magic for many years and just relaxed raising family..."

"Oh..." Magicians get bored of Magic!!? Yikes...

"Weun, I don't want to wait half that long to have a high-ranking Pack. I want a lasting Pack. Not a Pack that lasts until a strong Predator comes along."

Ouch... "I understand. I'll do my best to find the right one, and...send her...?"

"No, it's fine to just tell me her location."

"Got it. Oh, I'll also tell your Elders how to improve Mate-finding." Maybe information Boards...with a translator on-site. Or...teach more Darkness wolves Morse code...

"...That would be great!"

"Don't underestimate the difficulty, Dragon." Old Coat warned. "Not many Females are interested in leaving the comfort of their Packs, even with urges... And Junior, here, doesn't have much to offer."

"HURK!"

"I can imagine, yes. But don't undelestimate my connections." I'll just ask Dante though...

"If you say so."

"Say... Can I go to my Female now? Before she leaves me for another Beast..."

""..."" The large wolves looked at each other, unsure how to react.

"...Alright. We'll be watching..." Said Long Wind and stepped out of the way.

The scaly Beast walked past between the two wolves, hasting his steps as he approached the girl. "Shualaaaa!" He called out in broken Stilus before slowing down.

The white-haired girl flinched and opened her eyes. With jolts of pain running through her body, she looked up at the scaly Beast. Her face contorted with several emotions and finally cried out. "Neefiiiii...!"

The Dragon stopped his forepaws a meter and half away, and lowered his head near hers. His gaze quickly ran over the rest of her body lying diagonally to his right where the colorful wolf sat concentrating. Her small chest covered in brown rags wasn't showing signs of heavy breathing anymore. But as she wriggled her crossed legs, which partially hid her uncovered privates, in discomfort, she also quivered painfully.

The Dragon's ears dropped, his head then hanged in shame, almost touching hers. "...Sowy... No Maheec gwet."

"Uuhhhrrrrgh..." She groaned loudly as her face scrunched in discontent. "But it hurtsssss!" She whined in a high pitch voice, gripping the Mana crystals on her left hand as a headache throbbed. "Ugh! Even my head... And just growl Wolf language! I almost couldn't understand you..."

Weighted by guilt, Nefiru could only concede. "Yes..."

"...Urgh! You were just talking and talking while I suffered here, and you can't even heal me now!" She angrily reprimanded with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Come on, it wasn't that long. And--"

"It felt like days!!"

"I'm sorry! Alright?"

"..."

"I did what I kould... Too many things beyond our control. We have to be grateful nothing worse happened. We might not even be safe yet..."

"...Ughhh... I knowww..."

"I know being, uhh, Rational, looks...uncaring, but this is how you find solutions. This is how we survive!"

"Yes... But you still have to comfort me!"

"Oh... My bad..." He acknowledged and lowered his head to gently nuzzle hers. After separating, he declared. "There's so much I want to tell you! So much... You were so--awrrrgh! I can't find the growls! And time is short..."

"...O-oki, Nefi. Let's talk later, when your Magic returns."

"Mhn. How is recovery?"

"...Slow! I hardly replenished with High-Ranks absorbing all ambient Mana..."

"And healing?"

"...I won't bleed to death." She said bluntly.

"Oh--alright... Keep at it... I'll...think of something..."

"Uhn..."

Nefiru thought for a moment and looked up to the right. "Sexless, can you use Lightning to block pain?"

The colorful wolf opened its eyes, perked its ears, and looked left. "You can do that?!"

Nevermind... "Yes, but it's difficult to learn."

"Wuuhh..."

The old wolf noticed the trouble Dragon and called out from behind. "Dragon!"

"Hm?"

"I can alleviate pain."

"Really?! How?"

"With a substance I learned from those insects... It works well on many creatures, but I'm not sure about Hyumans."

"Interesting." An anesthetic...huh? Like mosquitoes... Nefiru conjectured. "It should work... But it's still dangerous." He declared and turned to the girl.

"Let's try, Nefi. It really hurts."

The Dragon nodded and turned back. "Do it. But stop if, uhh, her body reacts badly."

"Very well." Old Coat acknowledged and approached the girl for better Magic precision.

"Ah! He started with my butt! Why is it always the butt!? Oh, my butt is getting numb... Nefi! This feels weird..."

"..." Nefiru smirked, watching the amusing reactions for a few minutes. Alright, onto the next problem. Confirming there was no apparent danger, he turned to the large green Wolf on the left. "How is he?" He asked and pointed with his snout at the tied up canine.

"Hum?! He's fairly stable. But...I don't think he will last 3 Quarteras. Need I tell you why?"

"Three wha?!"

"You know...like Quarters of Noon."

Ah! Growl hours... Just like Stilus' Hours come from Latin's Forth... "Ah, got it. And yes, I know..."

"Was that Growl Quartouras, Nefi?"

"Hm? Yes." The hours of this world are still confusing. Less per day but longer than Earth's...

"Ohh..."

"Alphaaa..." The multicolored Wolf whined worriedly.

"I know, Sexless. Listen up!"

"...!? Y-yes!"

"I should recover my Magic soon. Probably half a Quartera. And I will need lots of Water Elementals to heal big wounds..."

"How much?"

"Far more than you can hold normally. You will have to use as much Spirit as you kan."

"Ehhh!! B-but I will lose control if I use Spirt trained for other Elementals. I could die!"

"Not if you keep your Magic outside your body and concentrate well. We are not in combat."

"B-but...it's easier to control them in the Core..."

"Can't be helped. When you run out, go to the Water, and make trips. Time will be short."

"I...I think I understand."

Nefiru turned to the left wolf again. "Fifth, can you help with the bugs...?"

"Hrm? Oh... Not while sealing the wounds."

"I see..."

The Dragon then turned further left and looking over his wing, called out. "Long Wind!"

"Aun?!"

"I need your help with something."

"Oh, he's not gonna like that..." Commented Fifth Wind.

"...Is...there going to be some compensation? Say, 10 big Crystals?"

"That's too many!"

"Five?"

"Haa... How about; we use my Crystals to replenish, then I'll split most of what's left according to contributions?"

"Sounds good." Long Wind accepted and trotted over.

"Seems fair." Said Fifth Wind.

"Save some for the Alphas too." Advised Old Coat.

Haaa... I feel robbed... Nefiru sighed internally and turned left, where he saw the colorful canine wagging its tail slowly. Well, at least Sexeless looks happy now... Good Wolfie... He nodded approvingly and looked back. But now I have to deal with more stubborn wolves... Haa... This is mentally exhausting...