A/N Our hero is getting older, and with that comes the more mature content.

also just to draw the line in clarity, the pups have been ageing at near the rate of actual wolves, meaning they're around 17 or 18 compared to how humans develop.

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Today is our preparation day, I really don’t own much stuff aside from my equipment which is being worked on right now. The girls have all their different outfits, Walt has an assortment of training gear he’s trying to fit in a wagon with the twins stuff.

He’s riding with our aunt and I swear she has enough random junk to fill a couple wagons. Aunty is just standing there barking orders at him while he nearly breaks some old wooden chair. I’m not helping, he dug his own grave.

Akane is riding with me since together we fill one of these smaller single horse wagons. Lupa wanted to ride with me but her mother insisted on her being sensible and helping her with their family’s wagon. Finishing a bit early I send Akane off to help mother.

Mother has three full sized wagons absolutely filled and looks ready to kill one of the guard women if they drop something. In one wagon I swear she has all the furniture from the bath, half the parlor, and five large pots of sake. I’m sure Grandmother will be sad but I bet she has her own stuff well on its way here.

I spot the two fox twins struggling with a cabinet, and move to help. They have a dresser, a chair, and few trunks still sitting around their small wagon. They’ve always done their best to attend to Akane so me helping wouldn’t kill me.

That said, I absorb all the items into my fog with me and reform on top of the wagon sitting on top of the cabinet. I didn’t say anything and they just give a polite bow, I’m sure they’re thinking of their lost brother right now.

In my age group five of the pups died. The two surviving brown tails are ones that managed to skip out on hunting as much as possible. None of the browns ever did grow taller than shoulder height to me.

Mother said while they are from our tribe, they’re mixed blood from the Stoat tribe of the Weasel clan. The Yoden Stoats, while potentially fierce hunters, all focus primarily on trade. They make up the richest of the merchant guild in the capitol.

This trip apparently isn’t very long but we’re not allowed to know any details until we are within two days from the capitol. Mother said that when we reach that point she’ll have a lesson for us. I guess its all part of maintaining the secrecy of the den’s location.

I feel like an idiot and I don’t like it. I know nothing about anything beyond this den save for the odd bit I’ve managed to get from class.

Hrm…Patra has been to Yoden, that idiot will tell me anything if I let her sit with Akane during the trip.

I don’t see her anywhere but I spot Ptah loading a large wagon in front of the smithy.

I walk over, “Hey, where’s Patra?”

He gives me a slightly accusing look. Hey bud do you know your daughter doesn’t even have an interest in men?

He points behind him into the smithy, “Inside putting the finishing touches on her outfit to meet your father. Care to explain?”

Eh? “Umm, I don’t know. Mother said she's already been working for the family, I thought she's met father. Maybe she wants to claim to be in service to Akane? Patra seems to adore her.”

He scratches his chin before shrugging, “That could be I guess. Either way, no, her work was your mother’s and my wife’s agreement. She’s never met the Fenrir.”

I head inside the smithy. Patra is stitching together a delicate new silk gown. It’s a shade of soft green and blue that I’ve never seen before. I’m sure she’ll be very charming in it.

I get her attention by poking the side of her head; she pokes herself with the needle.

“Heeeey!” she gives me an angry pout, “What was that about?!”

“Don’t whine, I'm sure you’ll get Akane to lick it better for you.” Soon as I say that I see a devious, no, perverted look in her eyes.

Anyway, “Hey so what’s up, you are planning to meet the Fenrir?”

“Yup!” ugh, so cheerful, “Oh lighten up grumpy! Whatever, yes, I’ll meet him, but later with Akane, not in court with you three pups. Also just as her friend and personal tailor, of course I’ll still help out you grumpy brothers.”

My ear twitches at this twit calling me a pup.

She licks her finger while looking around the room, “Hey, help my dad finish up packing.”

“You just get to tell me what to do now?” I mean come on, what’s this about?

She narrows her eyes at me, “I don’t know, I got the impression you just do whatever you are told. Every time I see you someone has a chain around your neck, your mom, Akane, especially that Lupa girl.”

….I don’t think I can argue that…Dammit.

She doesn’t even know about Freki. Wasn’t this girl supposed to be an idiot?

She giggles, “What no response, nothing to say in your defense? Then get your ass to helping my dad!”

“Uh maybe, I was planning on it. But I came here to ask you about Yoden, we'll get back to the chained dog thing some other time.”

Obviously I need to fix this situation before we reach Yoden or I’ll be embarrassed in front of my father. Walt should probably step it up as well. Freki and Mother I have no choice over but anyone else is unacceptable.

Patra smiles slyly like she’s reading my mind, “Thinking of growing a pair of balls suddenly? Whatever, maybe you’re not a pet dog. So, what do you want to know? Remember I’m not allowed to tell you anything about the trip.”

I guess she hasn’t been ignoring me completely. In fact, like a pet in the room is exactly how she’s been treating me.

But she’s willing to answer, “Let’s start with why you even know the way?”

“Mmm well, your mother decides the guards for the den, they rotate out every couple months, and obviously its only women. The nobles and rich men in Yoden don’t want their wives off with other men. Father is permitted because of his reputation and general fear of my mother. As for myself, I need to know how to use a weapon before I can make it right? It helps that my parents are who they are. So I get a nice easy job while I practice my craft…and I get to spend time with your adorable sister.” She ends with a slightly creepy giggle.

Adorable isn’t how I describe a woman so tall she can look over my head.

“So I’ve heard of the Merchant Guild and the Craft Guild, any others?” I lean on the anvil, I don’t think Ptah plans on taking it.

She sighs as she licks her finger again, “There are the Combat guilds. They’re smaller than the other two and easier to get in generally. You have the hunters, the mercenaries, the city guard works under this system, the gladiators.” She sounds like she's simply repeating a school lecture.

She continues, “You also have the Academy guild, they cover the mages association, the libraries, and the schools. You know, aside from the upper nobles of our pack, every other youth in Yoden attends the schools. Speaking of, you really didn’t listen in your lessons did you?”

What, the boring mornings sitting in front of that old grey tailed bitch?

“Who would?” It was just extra time to enjoy Lupa’s lap.

Patra just raises an eyebrow, ok, maybe I’m the dumb one.

Regardless, “Why are there Lycans from so many tribes mixed into ours?”

She sighs again, I think she’s pitying me “You better let me spend some alone time with your sister for this.” I just nod, “Good, I’ll make this short. Your tribe wasn’t in the best shape a few hundred years ago, still recovering from the black wargs. You know your tribe was originally called the Winter Wargs? The black tails were always a part of your tribe, but that’s not what you asked. Now the Northern White Wolf Tribe, lame name by the way, came south and joined with the remaining Stoat nomads, the Kitsune refugees, the Nico survivors, the exiled Jackals, and the traitor Lynx tribes. Together, they rescued the Turul city of Arpad which was renamed Yoden and built it into a grand fortress. From here they brought an end to the war between the human alliance and the demon alliance. This was two hundred years ago under your great grandfathers leadership.”

“Tell me more about the city!” I wonder if Lynx girls look good, and what’s a gladiator?

She gives me a fed up pout, “Spoil the grandeur of your first time seeing it? No way, you’ll see when we get there. Now help or go have your chain pulled by the blonde pup, I still need to finish your equipment today.”

I give up for now, I’ve gotten plenty of information to tide me over. I’ll be sure to tell Akane to thank Patra for me. I must say, I have a new respect for this annoyingly cheerful girl.

Patra giggles, “hey, you know you owe me for this little conversation right? And I’m not talking about getting anything from Akane, I can manage that myself.”

… My view of her as an idiot is officially shattered, “what did you have in mind?”

“Nothing for now, we’ll just start a tab. Don’t worry you’ll learn what that means in Yoden.” she has a sly grin.

I hope I don’t regret this, for now I’ll help Ptah, maybe that will count for something.

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Its my last night in the den. Here I sit in the parlor about to make a very bad decision.

The room is practically bare, mother has stripped it of everything except the counter, its matching black wood stools, and the large dark leather couch.

To my right, Walther, with by far the most serious expression I have ever seen on him.

To my left, Akane, nervous yet excited, she’s keeping a straight face but her tail is wagging as she wiggles her butt.

Behind me on the couch is Lupa, she looks bored as if this is children’s game, but this is do or die time.

In front of me and across the counter stands Patra, really doing her best not to laugh. Three small pitchers sit on the counter, she slowly fills them with what I recognize as mothers sake.

When she finishes, “ok, I know this isn’t a game to the death but maybe you three will still have fun. You cannot stop drinking until you are done and first to finish their whole pitcher wins. Ready?”

Walt nods, as does Akane, I give my usual evil looking grin, a blue spark flickers in my tail.

“GO!”

The three of us start chugging away, I glance right. Walt is already a third down but is beginning to slow.

I’m holding a steady pace, on the left Akane is just a bit behind me doing her best not to cough.

I hear a pitcher hit the counter, Walt failed to finish!

I’m coming up to the finish, I should win, why is Patra grinning like that?

BAM…. “The hell sis?!” Akane hit me! My ass is on the floor, a little bit still in my pitcher.

A couple seconds later Akane finishes and sets down the empty pitcher.

“Woooohoo I won.” with that little yell she leans over the counter and kisses Patra.

“Do I need to point out you cheated dear sister?” I slowly stand up, not sure if my shoulder or my ass hurts more.

“I don’t recall saying a rule against hitting Mister Evil Fuzzy.” Patra with the most horrible name I’ve ever heard.

“Please, never...Oomph!” Akane tackled me back to the ground before snuggling my tail.

Lupa gets up to leave, Patra calls out to her before she reaches the door, “miss bitch, do please inform the twins to come fetch their metal statue.”

Lupa rolls her eyes and leaves. The man in question is glaring at Patra, “hey you, I don’t need the girls to …..” Walther’s face hits the counter. Yup he’s out.

Lupa didn’t look happy...great, “Well I’m not getting any tonight am I?”

Patra walks around and comes over to me. She pets Akane who is still clinging to my tail.

Patra looks me in the eye and gives a soft smile as she slowly runs a hand up my thigh, she stops with her hand on my crotch.

She gives me a light tap, “Nope!”

I wince, “thanks for that…” annoying woman!

She hauls up the tipsy Akane as the twins enter.

Asta looks upset, “Hey! No fair, I would have played!”

Sassa looks ready to cry, “Walty kept his hands to himself right?!” she’s looking at Patra

I stand up, “He did, these two didn’t.”

I feel Akane grab my tail again. I shake it a little, she gives me a hurt pout and refuses to let go.

I finish my pitcher and put it on the counter, “I’m going to bed Akane.”

“Ok!” she just gives me an innocent smile while still holding on to me.

Patra then grabs Akane’s tail and gives a slight cheer, “Lead the way Fuzzy Grumpy!”

“Good night” that’s all I have to say to the twins as I lead these two idiots off to bed.

My bedroom has been cleared out, there is only a single blanket on the bed.

Akane rushes past me to dive on the bed.

She still has my tail! “Hey let me g…...oomph!”

Patra giggles cutely before diving on top of me who is spread over Akane.

Great, a pile of drunken dogs.

Whatever I’m tired, I quickly drift off.

In the black haze of my dreams I hear the voice of Freki

“Lighten the hell up my darling pup,” she lets out a soft chuckle, “Keep the little jackal girl in your life, she’s good for you.”

I feel like my head is being caressed, Freki continues, “I’ve told you before, you are mine, and as my representative you will never take orders from anyone else. You will aid my bratty niece’s champion, your father, because it will benefit yourself.”

Her voice is now a soft, sweet, whisper in my ear, “None may command The Barghest!”

I wake up to a slap to my head.

Mother is standing over me, “Hey boy, care to explain why you’re passed out in a pile and one of my jars of sake is missing?”

...No… “Ask my blanket.”

Mother gives a sour look at the petite girl I now realize is roughly grinding against my leg in her sleep.

Mother grabs Patra’s ear and bites with a chomp.

Patra yelps and hops into a sitting position…..on my waist.

Mother scolds, “If you’re done pleasuring my son would you get to work, and you owe me for the drinks.”

Patra looks at me and turns a bit red, oh so she can get embarrassed.

She looks incredibly attractive with her loose green silk wraps and messy morning hair.

“Yes Madam Inari!” She gets up and scurries from the room.

I still can’t get up with Akane clutching my tail. Gods is the sun even up?

Mother moves to leave the room but looks back down at me, “Darling we’re leaving now….fix your belt before you wake your sister, don't frighten the poor girl.”

As if on cue my pillow yawns.

Well this is awkward….

She looks at mother in the doorway, rubs her eyes, and looks at me. Then she notices my unsheathed sword.

Well this is a fun morning.

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A bit later we are assembled at the gate waiting for Ptah and Patra. The sun still hasn’t risen.

Akane is bright red in the face and refuses to look at me.

Patra finally walks up and hands me a new black jacket, it has the same short fur collar. This one has small hardened black leather shoulders and thick leather belts around the abdomen. Any more than this would cut down my mobility.

Next she hands me a spear…..a simple copper spear.

“Hey what's with this?” Hardly an imposing weapon compared to the tridents.

She gives me an angry pout, “No thank you for the fancy custom jacket?”

I give up, “Thank you miss adorable Patra for the nice armor, now would you explain the cheap stick?”

She has a slight blush, I can hear Lupa give an angry “humph” from behind me somewhere, and suddenly Patra has a wicked grin.

She scoots up to me and puts a hand on my chest, “I’m sorry fuzzy, I don’t have the materials here to make a trident fit for you, but copper should suit your abilities better.”

As she plays a finger on my stomach I see her shooting mean glances past me to Lupa. On the other hand I see Akane at a loss over exactly who to be jealous of here.

Mother walks up and chops Patra on the head, “Quit teasing the pups.”

She has iris asleep in her arms, she will be with mother for the duration of the trip.

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We set out finally. It is still dark for a while as we make our way south east.

Akane is asleep in my lap on the seat as our wagon slowly plods along. Lupa still is in a sour mood as I occasionally spot her looking at us or Patra. I’m really at a loss on what to do about this situation. Mother has ordered Akane not to leave my side until we are settled in Yoden.

Once Akane wakes up she simply leans on me and brushes my tail with her fingers. Hopefully once we reach the capitol she’ll find a better hobby. I watch the small yellow arcs and wisps of black fog dance between her fingers. I guess it is a tad soothing to watch.

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………..Well this trip sucks, its the second day, still nothing but pine trees.

Akane is playing with her nails, “Why do you hate the trees so much brother?”

“I don’t know, they make me angry and I get an uncomfortable feeling in my right arm.”

A small red arc flits through my tail on her lap. She reaches over and scratches my neck a little.

She asks, “My patron Hoji warned mother of a war, do you think you’ll have to go south?”

“Honestly I hope not, I have a lot I’d like to learn once we reach the capitol.”

We’re in middle of the pack of wagons, I don't really even need to lead the horse.

Akane stops scratching and just leans on my shoulder.

“What do you want to learn, I’m to be chained to father’s side for five years, and I’m not even sure what he’ll think of me.”

“None of us are. I want to learn about the black tails no one will speak about, and I want to meet the other races.”

“You sure you’re not just after cute girls? I guess any would be better than Miss Lupa though.” she peeks at the wagon behind ours.

“What is it that you and Patra dislike so much about her.” No wonder she’s in such a foul mood with everyone against her.

Akane looks at me, “She treats you as her pet and acts like everything belongs to her.”

I speak up so Lupa can hear me from the next wagon back, “Whatever, I’m keeping her by my side.”

A stupid line I know but hopefully it does the job. Really though Akane is right, I just don’t know how to fix it.

I whisper to Akane, “Don't worry, I know you’re right. I'm not completely dense.”

She smiles a bit before looking serious again, “but what if you do get sent south to the war, do you think you’ll go alone, with an army, with Walty?”

“I have no idea dear sister. I doubt father would have me stand, alone, against a horde of naga and demons.” or at least I hope not.

Akane lays her head back on my lap, “No matter how many times they ask you to leave, come back in one piece to your family.”

We make our way down a valley the sun begins to set just before we reach the bottom. Finally I can see the end of this damn pines….or at least that’s what I assumed, I can now see smaller green pine trees, dammit.

Ptah calls out, “make camp, well move on before sun rise.”

Mother walks over to me as I hop down from my wagon to stretch, “tomorrow we’ll be passing near a human village, I want you to sit with Ptah up front, there has been trouble in this area lately. Should something happen, just deal with it, don’t ask me or Ptah, no one can know our route from the den.”

Well I don’t even know the damn route, whatever, some human bandits should be no issue.

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Tonight my frustration is reaching a new high. It’s been a week since I’ve had any proper female attention. Akane is already asleep, tightly cuddling my tail. She’s too strong to escape her grasp.

The flap of my tent opens and Patra quietly slips in.

Please no, “I’m really not in the mood for your teasing.”

She gives a quiet giggle and a sly grin, “I’m not here to tease if you feel like being a real man.”

What does that even mean, and why does she smell strange?

Patra crouches down to all fours and crawls up to Akane.

She pulls Akane’s face to her own and wakes her with a kiss. Ah come on not right in front of me.

Adding to my misery Patra positions herself with her tight little butt facing me.

She breaks away from Akane’s lips for a second to look back at me and giggle.

“You know fuzzy, it’s not that I’m not curious about boys but I’ve no intention of giving my virginity to someone’s pet. But I don’t mind if you watch, you are just the pet after all.” she gives her butt a little shake.

I’ve had all I can stand, I pounce towards her.

She dodges me as she spins around, she grabs me by the ear and forces me into a kiss.

She moans softly, “See a real alpha wolf takes what he wants, when he wants and he doesn’t ask permission.”

She lets out a slightly louder moan, I notice she’s seated herself on Akane’s face.

Her sarong is covering my view of what Akane is doing but I see Patra’s left hand reaching between Akane’s legs underneath the blankets.

With her right hand Patra pulls my waist forward as she works her lips down my neck, down my chest, and continues all the way to my waist.

She stops, please don’t keep teasing me, “You know fuzzy” she pauses to hold in a moan, “I say that about an alpha, but if I didn’t want this I would bite off your, not so fuzzy, toy.”

She half giggles, half moans as she once again lowers her head….

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Morning is welcomed with a sharp pain, mother is standing above me having kicked me.

Rubbing my sore side, “I take it this isn’t what you had in mind when you told Akane to stay with me? If it makes you feel better they’re both still virgins as far as I’m aware.”

Mother scowls at me, “I don’t really care about the girls preferences, I myself went over 300 years without knowing a man. However, the other members of this caravan must not arrive to Yoden with stories of a promiscuous future matriarch.”

I poke Patra awake, “we’ve been caught.”

Mother gives her a hard look, “You should know better. I don't care that you're in heat. Is it really so difficult to wait till we reach the castle and I speak for you to her father? If you weren’t already like a daughter to me I’d have half a mind to permanently deny your attempts at Akane. I will be telling Hatha, she can choose a punishment for not keeping your legs closed. Get up and ready, we’re moving out.”

Mother exits the tent, I turn to Patra who looks like she’s about to cry, I poke her.

“Hey, don’t let your annoying cheeriness disappear now.” she cracks a small smile.

She leans on my side, “I knew you liked me,” she gives me a peck on the cheek. “But my mother can be terrifying. By the way my fuzzy friend, don’t think you’ll be getting that kind of special service from me anytime. I just felt bad leaving you out.”

“Where did you learn something like that anyway?” I won’t pretend not to be disappointed.

“I caught our moms doing something similar.” she sighs and leans over Akane and wakes her up.

As I step out the tent I notice its considerably warmer now that we’ve reached the foot of the mountains. A soft glow is barely visible peaking over the shorter pines to the south west.

In same direction I spot a small pillar of smoke, must be the village mother mentioned.

Ptah walks up, he nods where I’m looking, “That is Kassa village, we will be moving along the edge of the woods just north of it. ..By the way.”

“Oomph!” he punched me in the gut. I slowly fall to a knee.

Patra walks out of my tent with Akane, “Morning daddy!”

That smile like she doesn’t even care about me on the ground….wait, I know she doesn’t.

Ptah just shakes his head, “just get ready dammit.”

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On our way, the trees change again, Ptah calls these oak trees. We are following a shallow, rocky stream, the stone looks like black steps jutting at angles.

After a few hours, the forewarned of trouble makes itself known.

A man is standing on the road, he has only pants and a leather harness across his chest. He has several knives holstered in it. His arms look like brown wings, they match his short feathery hair. A wooden club is attached to his belt.

With crossed arms he announces, “Halt, and pay contribution for the restoration of the Turul glory!”

Ptah says nothing, instead he pushes me off the wagon towards the feathered man.

I step up to the man, he takes up his club and whistles. Seven other men step out from the woods behind him. All carrying a random weapon.

Just take care of it she said, can’t I ever go anywhere without being attacked.

I face the man, “I care not for your glory, and I will give you nothing but death.”

I start with a cloud burst of crackling black fog.

The men quickly form a line and flap their wings. I can’t advance!

I reform, this will be annoying, the man speaks with a grin, “you sure you won’t just pay?”

They begin to approach me. I smirk, “I think I’ll try that again.”

I burst again, they also line back up once more to repel me, however I quickly reform in the fog and sweep a beam of lightning across them with my spear.

The beam is unfocused and serves only to burn their feathers a bit, stupid cheap spear.

I sprint in with the tip of my spear charged and pierce the neck of one of the men.

Another takes a swing at me with a dagger so I fog form, he flaps to force me away, its not as effective, a fair number of his feathers were burnt away.

I reform and lunge at him, with his arms spread wide he can’t block in time to stop the spear penetrating his heart.

One of the men tries to run away but I chuck the charged spear through his back.

Two of the remaining men try to jump me but I discharge a stunning wave of light sending more cindered feathers flying.

I try to retrieve my spear but a dagger pierces my lower back causing me to stumble.

Another man falls from the air above me, dropping his heel on my head.

The third man still standing jumps on my back while I’m stunned and hit my shoulder with his hatchet.

Well shit, this hurts like hell and is embarrassing, Patra just barely called me an alpha, now I’m bleeding like an idiot into the dirt.

This guy wants to sit on my back? Fine, I hope he can hold on. I shift into a new form.

The man screams as my black metal fur stabs all along his legs.

The man who kicked me shrieks as I pounce and tear off the offending foot with my new powerful jaws.

With burst of fog and light I am now standing on four my legs looking down on the last man who had thrown the dagger, he’s fallen to the ground and wet himself in fear.

I growl and with a swipe of my clawed front paws, I cleanly carve through his throat.

I release the shape shift, my left arm is hanging loose at my side.

I retrieve my spear and stab the two stunned birdmen in the heart. Next, the man who sat on my back.

I approach the man racing towards death with a missing foot, it’s the man who stopped us.

I step on his wounded leg, “I don’t think any amount of gold would be enough for you to buy your glory.”

He manages to laugh, “you damn dogs have outstayed your welcome, the Turul will rise to independence once again.”

I don’t even care, “whatever dead man.” I slit his throat.

Eight dead men line the road creating pools with their blood…

My own blood is flowing out of my back and shoulder, it mixes with theirs as I stagger back to the wagons.

As my sight fades I barely see Lupa running up to me with Akane on her heels.

Everything slips into darkness, damn it, I don’t feel like an alpha.

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A/N still see'n reviews hittin me for grammar, please let me know if ya find something in the comments and then edit them once ive fixed it, especially this chap which was done on my shitty laptop

keep in mind i do occasionally use poor grammar intentionally in the dialog.