They both nodded, and I just sent a silent thank you to God that they bought it. "Hey, do you know what exactly happened to the princess there?" Prota asked. "Rumors say she had to leave the planet or something."
They both seemed to think it was a joke, and I carefully thought out my answer before responding. "That's actually true." I replied finally. "She did have to leave, but I don't know with who. That was sort of kept secret, at least from me."
Delek snorted. "Maybe it was to visit her human cousins." They both laughed at the remark, and I forced myself to at least give a small chuckle. "I also heard someone say she was back. Is that at least true?"
I nodded. "Yeah just got back today. She's here now, but I don't know where."
"Oh I know." Prota sneers as he gestures behind me. "With her little eastern gang bangers over there."
Looking over my shoulder, I seen she was still in the same spot as before, Skop and Raye now joining in on the fun. There were also some new people, mostly guys who I had never seen before, and they were all crowded around Averi. They didn't seem like they were flirting, but it still made my fists clench at my sides. Why did all these guys have to be better looking than me?
"Damn." I hear Prota sigh. "I swear if she was giving it out, I would beg for her to throw a bit my way."
I would have stomped his ass if Delek hadn't jumped in. "You wish." He growled. "Nobody can win over that she-wolf. Besides, all she has is her looks! So what if she can fight like a Northerner, that's all she's got."
Prota just shakes his head mindlessly. "Whatever. She's a beast in competition. I remember that one time she almost decapitated a guy in the ring... on accident." I could help but cringe, but thankfully they didn't see it. "I swear, she could take out her whole pack with just a flick of her tail, even without using that weird magic of hers. She's just that damn good."
"She wouldn't do that though." I argue, trying my best to copy how Averi talks and growls at the same time. "I've never seen somebody that loyal."
They both actually agreed. "I learned a long time ago to never jump a wolf close to her while she's around. I still have her teeth marks in my back from a brawl when this Easterner got a little too cocky." He glances in my direction. "No offense man."
I shrug. "Gotta do what you gotta do." Was what I replied with. I wanted to change the topic, just because I don't think Averi would be to happy to know I was snooping around about her behind her back. "When are these fights starting again? I'm getting impatient."
"Probably soon." Prota answered, looking over to acknowledge Delek. "I might sit this one out tonight, the hunt today nearly killed me."
"That Deerbi didn't even kick you that hard." Delek hissed, slapping him on a shoulder that I now noticed had a huge bruise on it. Ouch. I didnt even wanna see what kind of horror that 'Deerbie' was. "I mean, at least you caught it. The head dog would have ripped your eyes out if you came back empty jawed."
"Tell me about it." Prota hissed. "I've had enough chainings this week, I don't need any more." I didn't even bother asking what 'chaining' meant. It sounded painful.
Another chorus of barks sounded from a group behind us, and almost instantly, Delek and Prota both race away to catch the brawl. I didn't even bother trying, not wanting to risk being pulled in or running into any of these Northern wolves.
I walked around for a little while longer, meeting dozens more wolves that seemed actually eager to meet me. The girls here were extremely flirtatious, and I did my best to avoid them as much as possible. I did notice that a favorite topic of conversation in this kind was weapons, which was something I specialized in.
"I see Easterners still choose to carve their blades." This male, Tooba, jeered, handing back the knife I let him examine before. "It's better to just break it from the rock fresh, it doesn't run down the surface too much."
This guy was a southerner, and he surprised me at his friendly he was to other packs, especially the East. Honestly though, I'm pretty sure he was drunk.
"Well you have to admit, carved knives look better." Tooba's sister, Jella, commented, propping her foot on his shoulder as she sits on a rock above. "But it really just matters how well they can slice. I hate people who wear knives just for detail. If your gonna have it, then you might as well use it for what it was made for."
"Exactly." Tooba agreed. "Thank Fenris they now let us use our weapons in the fights. I hated that rule a few years back where it was hands only."
I just stood to the side while they chatted between each other. "I kind of liked the hand combat." Jella argued. "It shows off better skill. Wolves still say that knives are just cheating."
"Their not cheating." I scoffed. "Knives require the same amount of skill as any hand to hand combat you could learn."
"Exactly." God, Tooba loved using that word a lot. "Now tonight, these fights are mine! I'm gonna be the one walking out alive."
"Oh finally stepping up from those wimpy surrender competitions." How could a sister be this cool with her brother participating in a death match? "Just don't die, mom would kill us both if you did."
Spoke too soon again. "You know I couldn't leave you guys." Tooba laughed. "Who else would be worthy enough to hold the spot as the best sibling in the litter?"
Jella wanted to respond, but she was cut off by a sudden outburst of howls coming from the ring, and that was a clear sign that something was about to go down.
"Finally!" Tooba exclaimed, leaping to his feet and almost making Jella fall off her rock. "Time to shed some blood!"
