Reggie found himself in the middle of the forest. A darker portion of the woods with many fallen tree trunks covered in moss and mushrooms. Something felt off.
He searched all around trusting his instincts telling him, screaming, something was wrong. Piece by piece, the puzzle was becoming clear. There was a shift in the air.
There were no animal sounds. A strange smell filled the area. While there was some fog near the ground, he could see a shadow in the distance.
It couldn’t be Rex, he wouldn’t approach Reggie in such a way. Could it be Kai? Reggie could not catch her scent, afterall she was returning to her human pets. Reggie made out one particular scent flowing with the dancing wind and swaying fog. A bad case of gas!
It was Butch. Him being on the territory was a direct violation of wolf law. Although he boasted to everyone about how he didn’t care for it, he would never go against it so blatantly.
“What do you want, Butch?” Reggie shouted.
“Impressive… I must say even for a not so alpha type, I’m impressed. Seems that rolling around in the mud doesn’t really cover our scent.” Butch replied with a smirk as he emerged from the fog.
“Butch, I say this with kindness. You and your minions have a scent not even a mother could love.” “Amusing, he makes jokes while being a joke.”
“I’m the joke? You are the one who willingly rolled around in mud, and still got caught. Do you even know what kind of nasty things do their business in the mud, ugh I’d hate to think about the disgusting things crawling all over you, then again that may be normal, for you..”
“Big words for a wolf without his big brother to protect him.”
“First of all, Rex protects our land. Second, why do you assume I’m weak because I’m not the lead, power has many sources. I’m sure even your pea sized brain knows that.”
“Protect the land, huh. Let me ask you something, non-alpha. Where is big brother? When did you see him last? Why isn’t he here?”
“Why do you want to know?” Reggie asked suspicion rising within him.
“I already know where he is.” Butch said with an alarming level of confidence.
At that moment, wolves from Butch’s pack emerged from the surrounding fog. Reggie grew anxious and worried. Where is Rex? Why is Butch on their territory and circling him?
“It doesn’t take a genius to see that you have something to say,” Reggie said standing firmly, “So, let’s have it.”
“A reputation can be a good thing.” Butch announced, “For example, knowing that the alpha of the pack of two has a training buddy who is a grizzly bear makes him an opponent that no one would dare to take on.” Butch then grinned, “But it can also be a bad thing.” He took a step closer, “You see, when you know where someone trains, you can then arrange for large boulders to fall to the exact spot that this opponent trains in.”
“Butch, what did you do! You know attacking a neighboring pack’s alpha is strictly against the law!”
“I didn’t attack anyone.”
“Butch, what did you do to my brother!” Reggie yelled.
“Your brother is dead!” Butch triumphantly declared, “If he wasn’t crushed by the boulder, he is trapped under it and will die eventually. I do hope the second option is a slow and painful death.”
Assuming the attack position, Reggie’s back arched with his teeth showing as he growled. He knew he was surrounded by Butch’s pack and that he could not win, but if he got to Butch that would be worth it.
Butch laughed and snarled at his victory and at how Reggie could do nothing but surrender or die. Reggie then recalled a lesson he learned from his father, and then Rex.
A true leader never reacts in haste. They never respond in an instant, and they more than anything never underestimate anyone.
Butch was a horrible alpha. He took the role without challenge as a young wolf which was ages ago. He was not a kind nor fair leader. He was ruthless, leading with control and fear. He ignored wolf law and the ancient law which had extremely detrimental consequences on his territory.
His disregard to the other species led his pack to eat any prey for sport and not out of necessity. Without animals to graze on the wild grass and plants, the greenery started to wither with overgrown weeds.
Murdering Rex was something Butch planned when he saw what his own land was becoming, and thus, he wanted to take over Rex and Reggie’s. Yet, Butch could never face Rex.
Reggie was now the alpha, and while the thought of a pack of one would make anyone laugh, he had a duty to every animal in his territory. He had a duty to protect them. He had a duty to uphold the ancient law. He had a duty to live by wolf law. Reggie relaxed his shoulders and covered his fangs. Butch assumed victory.
“Butch, you will pay for Rex’s murder.” Reggie said as he hung his head to hide his grief. But then, he looked up, making direct and firm eye contact.
“I will do as I please, and now you are left with three options, leave, fight and die, or submit.”
“Your ignorance and your arrogance are astonishing.” Reggie shouted so that every wolf could hear. “When wolves fight to take over a territory, it’s both alphas that engage into combat, not the packs. Wolf law is there to bring intelligence to the Butches of this world. And so, if you wish to claim this land, my land, my land that adheres to wolf law, you will have to fight me alone without the help of your minions.”
Butch was shocked, his plan had backfired in a way he did not prepare for.
“You really are a work of art, Butch, and by art I mean something a pup does and gets thrown out with skins, bones, and moldy herbs.” Reggie said with a hint of whimsy, “Do you know why I’m named Reggie. I’m sure you don’t, your lack of knowledge has been proven but please entertain me.”
“Word on the path has it that your mother wanted a girl.” Butch said with a laugh in an attempt to unsettle Reggie.
“Reggie is short for Reginald, Latin for King. And while most animals are familiar with the feminine root of the word, Regina which means queen, Reginald is king. I can guess you haven’t figured out the point so I’ll spell it out for you.” Reggie smirked, “Rex is a version of Reginald. Rex, Ronald, Reinhold, Regnall are all historic names for the king. So you see, you fool of a flea, my parents chose names for all of their pups that mean king or queen and then raised us all to be fit to carry that role. I’m as capable to defend my land as Rex was, and I can assure you I will.”
Reggie then spoke louder and looked up to the wolves on higher ground around him, “Rex and I were taught to live by the ancient law, a law that protects every living creature no matter of status, size or age. It is this law that has allowed our territory to grow and prosper in a way Butch could never provide. All animals are respected here. Prey are only hunted when it is the time for hunting so that both predator and prey have a fair chance. There is no hunting for sport. We have friends from other species and have weekly assemblies for new traveling animals, and YES we serve berry salad which is delicious.”
Reggie could hear the feet of the other wolves shift and could see them exchange glances, “We have rules for drinking water during a drought. We take care of each other. The alpha wolf of this land protects it from all around. I will protect it from all around, and I follow wolf law.”
“In accordance with wolf law, when a challenge is made for territory, the subordinating wolves can choose which pack to follow without prejudice. So, I officially challenge you Butch to a battle for my land and I extend an invitation to any wolf who wishes to join my pack.” Reggie then focused on Butch once again as he stepped forward to a flat part on the ground, “So Butch, let’s see who is really worthy of leading this pack and this land?”
Butch did not step forward. He knew he could not win a fight with a younger wolf and Reggie was confident in his skills and his knowledge of wolf law. Butch then looked around and heard the whispers of the members of his pack. The pressure to win this battle had escalated. He stepped forward.
The wolves were ready to attack. They showcased all of the classic battle signs. Reggie could tell that Butch hadn’t fought anyone in some time because his tactics were at best, old. He recalled the combat moves Elfie showed him and then, when the moment came to pounce, he remembered his brother and with all of his might he jumped.
Reggie was forceful and rolled with Butch in his clutch. His bite was fierce, his sharp claws did not waiver. For every scratch Butch caused, Reggie had a kick, bite and aggressive toss in return.
Being thrown into the tree trunks on the ground had taken a serious toll on Butch and within minutes he was left trembling on the ground.
Reggie stopped fighting, “Butch, leave and take with you whoever will follow, and NEVER return, or I will end this fight.” Butch wearily lifted his head to see that half of his pack had left. They knew he would not survive and moved on to find a new leader for their land.
He grunted as he pushed himself up, “I have no land to return to, it’s either this or nothing.”
“Then the mercy I chose to show in my brother’s honor is rescinded and vengeance for his murder will suffice.” Reggie declared.
Butch held up his paw. He didn’t have any stamina left. Reggie jumped with mighty force grabbing Butch’s coat by his neck and threw him into a standing tree. A loud thud followed by a singular silenced squeak was all that was needed to know that the end of Butch had come.
Reggie stood over his body, angered at the behavior he never wanted to exhibit. Angered that he lost his brother. Saddened that he lost his brother. Happy that he defended his land. Glad that he avenged his brother. Bereaved that he could not share his victory.
With a storm of emotions surfacing, all he could do was lead the fifteen new wolves back to the den.