The second time Gail had lost consciousness, the second time she felt herself floating in space. She thought that she had felt herself being carried, as though she was about to be buried as her body was being lay down. An eternity seemed to have passed since then. As a tingling sensation pricked at her back, she expected the cold void to take her over completely and to see the disappointed look of Ventay. Instead, her body was bathed in warmth. A gentle touch brushed against her cheeks, then held her arm for the longest moment.

Slits of light eventually reached her vision as her eyelids opened slowly. A blurry figure loomed beside her. She blinked multiple times, trying to regain her vision. The scratchiness against her back turned out to be from the holly leaves that were piled on a stone bed. Warm poultice had been applied to her arms, legs, and chest.

She was in a cave, their home, and it had been Gruff who was watching her sleep. Her lips moved to utter a silent “What the hell?”, confused that it had been him to watch over her, before the figure of Sierra came bounding into view.

“Oh my gods, Gail! You’re awake!” Sierra was about to pounce at her with a hug, but Gruff barred her off with an arm.

“Easy now, Sierra. Don’t go squeezing her when her body’s still recovering.”

“Oh, right, sorry . . .” Sierra looked down at her feet, blushing in embarrassment.

Looking down at Gail, Gruff said, “It’s good to see you finally awake, kid. You’ve been knocked out cold for two days. How are you holding up?”

“T-two days?” Gail echoed in shock. “I’m definitely feeling better than before, but—” A groan rumbled in her throat as she couldn’t find the strength to sit up.

“Do not get up so soon,” Potts and Juniper said from across the cave with their backs turned. “You suffered terribly, more than we had been able to visually perceive. You should've spoken of your condition sooner, or at least stood closer to the fire, else the ritual could have gone smoother than it had.”

The ritual all felt like a blur for Gail. She still wore her skull mask, confirming that it wasn't a dream (or a nightmare, with how torturous it felt). She had sworn to follow Ventay’s light, but after that she struggled to remember much. She was still alive, so that meant she survived challenging for a rank, whatever that may be.

Or did I get sent to my own rank?

Her mind itched as she tried to recollect more of what occurred a couple days prior.

At the corner of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of the dagger she had carried all the way from the forest. While she thought that they would’ve discarded this, she was shocked to see that it had been given a scabbard—the layered white and gray fur of its hide were finely groomed; similarly colored feathers outlined it, and its belt was made of a fur-plant fiber. Moreover, the belt had pouches for storing herbs, rations, and whatnot.

The Zeta pair padded toward her with a steaming bowl. A glimpse of their role in the ritual flashed in Gail's mind.

“Drink this,” the pair said. “It will aid with your recovery.”

Gail had no choice in the matter as the wooden bowl was drawn closer to her maw. The aroma wafted into her nostrils. It reminded her of the tea that Terra and Frost would drink every now and then when the weather grew merciless during the harsh winter. She never had it herself, as she could only catch a whiff of its therapeutic scent while snooping in their den.

The concoction ran down Gail's throat as it was gingerly poured into her maw. As the steam had suggested, it was still hot, and she could feel it flowing through her chest until it hit her stomach. She let out a satisfied sigh as the Zeta pair retreated the emptied bowl. “Thank you, that did help.” She paused, then added, “Can I happen to get more of that? Even when I’m no longer bedridden?”

“We do not waste our resources and time to create medicine to be abused recreationally,” the pair replied. “Although, if the Beta would request of it, we could make a less intense version of it.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to bury myself in snow if I want to get a taste of this again.” Gail huffed with mock disappointment. She glanced at Gruff and Sierra, who looked at her as though she had just spoken gibberish; Potts and Juniper looked mildly curious as well.

“What? It tastes good! Or is this not tea that they gave me?”

“Um, Gail?” Sierra said. “You do know that you’re a Beta now, right?”

Gail’s pupils shrunk as her heart sank. “What?!”

Gruff couldn’t suppress his snort of laughter. “So even you’re shocked about it? Well, while you were unconscious and couldn’t challenge Zane in a physical bout of dominance, Frost and Terra made the decision to have two Betas instead. Zane was not at all happy about that sudden change, and neither were some of the Gammas, but Terra pointed out that there would now be a Beta male and a Beta female.”

Gail looked up at the ceiling. So none of that was my imagination. She had gone through her Cubbing, and she was accepted as a true member of the pack—as a Beta. She couldn’t fathom a world where none of her packmates felt indignant about her role, being the daughter of the Alphas who overlooked the challenge portion of the ritual. She was bound to be questioned by everyone regarding the origin of her skull mask and why the Alphas accepted it with little fuss, aside from the moment that Frost grilled Gail upon her return.

She shuddered. Even I don’t know how to properly explain it to myself without sounding crazy.

As the Zeta pair had gone back to their corner of their den, Gail met the gaze of Gruff and Sierra. She asked, “Where’s Terra?”

“Gone hunting with the Gammas, same with Frost,” Gruff responded. “Speaking off . . . I need to organize a patrol soon. We’ve been cautious of our territory lately, but we haven’t spotted any threat. With luck, we’ll encounter a caravan of traders.” His eyes lit up suddenly. “Do I have your permission to conduct a patrol within our territorial boundaries and make contact with traders we stumble upon?”

Gail blinked. Was he . . . asking for her permission? That did not sound right at all, and it made her stomach stir a little. Shifting uncomfortably, she replied, “Sure? I don’t know when’s the last time you did a patrol or why you’re being cautious, but I guess it wouldn’t hurt to conduct one. Just, uh, be sure to not get into a fight with other groups or something.”

“Thank you.” Gruff nodded. “I’m aware you’re new to this, but you should ask who I’m taking with me.”

“Ah, r-right.” Gail cleared her throat. “Who will you be patrolling with?”

“Sydney, Leia, and Barnaby.”

“Syd, Leia, and Barnaby . . . All right, noted. You four stay safe during your patrol.”

“We’ll be sure to avoid trouble as best we can.” As he stood up, he gave a cheeky smile. “If you’re blessed enough, some traders might have a pack of tea we could bargain for.” He then padded toward the main tunnel, tossing a “Rest easy” over his shoulder.

Gail sighed. That felt weird. Actually, no, not just weird, it felt wrong. But . . . it also felt gratifying. Now that I’m a Beta, I guess I have that responsibility now.

Sierra stayed by Gail’s side, inching closer when Gruff was gone. Her smile was more than enough to warm Gail to the core. “I’m glad you’re okay. I thought you were gonna be out for an entire moon.”

Gail playfully jabbed at her arm, evoking a giggle from her. “You think a little wind and snow is going to take me out?”

“Well, you did collapse and planted face-first in the snow in front of everyone, so it's fair to say that weather won that time.”

“Hmm.” Gail squinted her eyes, as though she was seriously considering who won that battle. “I’ll declare it as a draw. But I will win next time, and all the times after that!” She winced her eyes as her head grew heavy with a throbbing pain.

Sierra patted Gail's forehead, and her touch could be scarcely felt by Gail through her headwear. “Maybe rest a while before you go screaming in battle against nature. You wouldn't want to be handing another point over, would you?”

“Good thinking.” She wasn't in a condition to go battling the forces of the outside world, but she could just about scheme of her plans without her brain caving in.

She cast a glance over Potts and Juniper. They didn’t seem to be acting differently toward her since her rank acquisition. They seemed to be the only ones who treated everyone equally regardless of rank and reputation in the pack. That may have been the ways of alchemists and healers, or that it was their path as followers of Ventay. Either way, Gail couldn’t be more grateful for their hospitality.

All the bonework in their den had meant something all along, even if Gail couldn’t fully understand it yet. They weren’t just something to add to their morbidity and creepiness factor. The skulls of different prey, the preserved effigy in the corner, the markings on the walls and their bodies—they were to show their devotion to Ventay, and probably some other Spirivants; at least, from Gail’s hazy understanding they’re materialistic ways to honor Spirivants. She wondered if she should ask them regarding Spirivants.

Her eyes went back to Sierra. Questions flared in her mind, but before she could blurt out any of them, Sierra spoke up, her eyes glittering eagerly.

“You gotta tell me all about your ritual! Like, why did yours sound so different from the rest, and did you get lost in the Forest of Shadows, and how did you get your mask without hunting a single creature? It just sounds so impossible, but you managed to accomplish it!”

Gail winced at the barrage of questions. She gave a sidelong glance at the Zetas; they had their backs turned still, but she could their ears twitching attentively. “Can we talk about all that another time? Maybe when we're in our spot?”

Sierra's face fell as her ears drooped. “Can’t you at least tell me if you saw anything interesting while you were out there alone?”

Gail stared at her in silence, falling into a trance from Sierra's developing puppy eyes. She sighed defeat. “Okay, I did see some interesting things in the woods.”

“Like?”

“You know . . . stuff that are interesting.” When Sierra squinted, Gail let out another resigned sigh. “I met someone in the forest. I didn’t recognize him, but that’s not really saying much coming from someone who’s barely been outside our cave.” Despite that, the gleam of curiosity returned in Sierra’s eyes.

“Did you talk with him? Was he friendly? Did he help you with the ritual and that’s why you were able to get your skull mask without hunting anything?”

“Yes, I talked with him; maybe, but he was so prickly for the most part; and definitely not, his method of helping was to throw that dagger into my throat!” She aggressively pointed a claw at the said weapon glinting on a small granite block that acted as a table beside her bed. “If his intention was to kill me after having me chase him around, then he failed miserably. Just he waits, and I’ll have my vengeance for that!”

“Maybe he just wanted to give you a weapon? It is pretty scary to go out there unarmed like we did.”

Gail narrowed her eyes disapprovingly. “Don’t you poke holes in my brilliant plan. I was already planning on making you my accomplice in my quest for revenge, but it looks like I have to look elsewhere.” She dramatically tossed her head back with a Hmph.

Sierra let out a gasp feigning distraught. “How dare you?! I'm your most trusted friend and you leave me out of your plans like that!”

“You are the one to turn your back on me!” retorted Gail.

In retaliation, Sierra poked at Gail's sides, uttering exaggerated grunts and muttering “Die” in the most innocent voice. Gail, in her slightly weakened state, could only respond by jerking her body away from Sierra’s prodding.

Their gleeful giggling filled the once quiet den. Gail had been taken back a few weeks—back to when she had been unranked with Sierra, and even a little after the newly initiated wolf had become an Iota. Gail's stomach suddenly lurched at the thought of being a Beta.

They stopped acting like day old cubs when Potts coughed, garnering their attention. “If we must tell you,” he said, “you may leave our den if you wish to. It is rather difficult to focus on our work when it sounds as though we are in a nursery.”

Gail and Sierra exchanged flushed looks of embarrassment. Gail asked, “Can I actually just leave now? You're not just kicking me out of your den?”

“Confidence will lend your body strength, so long as it is not mixed with arrogance,” they said. “Do as you please, Gail, as long as you do not plan to doze in a blizzard again. Do not be ashamed to have your limp body carried into our cave again, though we will be examining your brain for missing chunks if that does happen. It has been many moons since we have dissected an interesting specimen.”

It was hard telling if they were joking or not; the lack of a chuckle or a reassuring glance from either of them would suggest the latter. Gail didn’t doubt that they were capable of doing so and wouldn’t hesitate if they do find her passed out again.

Sierra supported Gail as she clambered out of bed. Her body felt heavy, but in a way she felt stronger. Sierra gave her an astonished look.

“What? Is snow still frozen in my ears or something?” asked Gail, flicking her ears just in case.

“No, it's just . . . you look a bit bigger!” Sierra brushed the fur on Gail's neck, and she couldn't resist feeling them more. “Had your fur grown an inch or two in your sleep? You definitely weren't this fluffy before! And are you . . .” She placed her hand on her own head, flattening her ears, and compared their heights by hovering it toward Gail. Keeping her hand leveled, it bumped into Gail’s lower jaw. “Okay, no, you’re just as tall as before. You just look taller with your mask and extra fluff.”

Now that she had mentioned it, Gail did feel a little furrier, mostly around her neck and parts of her head. Was it a random growth spurt after her cubbing? Maybe more fur means I'm stronger! Frost and Terra were pretty puffed up with marked fur, not to mention their toned physique.

“That’s a shame,” Gail said in response to her unchanged height. “I would’ve loved to be able to lift you farther from the ground.” They both chuckled.

Thanking the Zetas for their aid, which they casually shrugged at, Gail exited the Zetas’ den with Sierra by her side. The poultices were still stuck on her skin, warming her up weakly, but she hadn't bother peeling them off. The Zetas didn't tell her otherwise, and the warmth of it soothed her as she readjusted to being back in the cave.

The scent of her packmates mingled with the sweetness oozing from her poultices. It was considerably faint with most of the pack out hunting and scouting. Only a couple of Gammas and Deltas were present. They all looked as soon as she came into view. Three of the Deltas—Arden, Sophia, and Durin—looked mostly curious while the two Gammas, Vin and Grifford, looked at her heatedly with scrutinizing gazes. None of them spoke up, but their eyes followed Gail even as she headed for the opposite direction. Sierra remedied her unease by holding her hand in between two of hers.

Gail intended to ask one of the Deltas for some information about their home’s state, but instead she redirected it to Sierra. “Is there a reason that Gruff needs his patrol to be cautious in our territory?”

“Ah, I’m . . . not entirely sure about that. There hasn’t been a pack meeting about it, but I’ve heard some people talk about strange scents in the area. Some say they’ve sighted some weird folks and that maybe the Prowling Salvagers have arrived, but I can’t confirm any of their gossip.” When Gail looked gloomy without replying, Sierra prompted, “What is it, Gail?”

Gail was silent as she stopped her already slow walking. Her head was hung, her eyes clouding. She muttered, “I don’t think they’re in favor of me being Beta. I can see why they would find it difficult to accept me as one when I didn’t physically challenge.”

“Maybe so, but your Cubbing was special! Not only was it under the Eyes of the Gods, but you came back already wearing your mask. Those have to play a huge role in the Alphas’ decision.”

“I suppose but . . .” Gail shook her head. “It doesn’t feel right. If I weren’t Frost’s and Terra’s daughter, they wouldn’t have considered having two Betas. I feel like they only did this for their own dignity, that they wouldn’t have a daughter that was a failure in a low rank.” She looked at Sierra when her hand was squeezed by her. Sierra’s warm smile contrasted the chill in her heart.

“Who your parents are shouldn’t be indicative of your individual worth. I see you for who you are, Gail, and I still believe that you’re worthy of being a Beta; probably even better than my father will be at that rank,” she added under her breath, but her voice returned to normal volume. “Besides, didn’t you doubt their love for you? Surely they wouldn’t have made this consideration if they didn’t care for you, would they?” Sierra’s tone was as sincere as her smile. Gail was still dubious about the Alphas’ decision, but coming out of Sierra’s sweet mouth, she was more inclined to believe it.

Her mind may still be scrambling to recollect her hazy memory, but there was something that’ll always stick out in her mind (something other than Sierra and Quibs). The corner of her lips rose slightly. “Hey,” she said, “why don’t we head to our Sanctuary? It feels like an eternity since we’ve been there, and now we don’t need Quibs’s permission to head out since I’m a Beta.”

Sierra beamed in return. “Yeah! We can treat it as a form of celebration for your new rank.”

The two began racing toward the rear entrance, but they could only take a few brisk steps when they halted. A snarl of disgust came from the wolf ahead of them. It was Zane.