Kaadah

Alpha Taak passed the bear's den on his way home, just as Alpha Yerv had instructed him to do from time to time. Something about the place always smelled off. The pups were happy and well fed, and there were plenty of toys. The sow was especially well fed. How did she eat so well with so many orphans to take care of?

He noticed an older pup sitting alone, trying to tie leaves together. "Where did you get the idea for that?"

The pup put his project aside and sniffed at the device supporting Alpha Taak's paralyzed back legs. "Trying to make the thing in my dream, but in the dream I'm a human and they have better paws for grabbing. Is that magic?"

Alpha Taak smiled. "It is. Human magic, and wolf. Dreams are another kind of magic. Tell me more about yours."

In the dreams his past human self ruled a large pack. They called him King. There were vague memories of battles, of humans biting each other with things in their paws. It was unsettling, and Kaadah hoped he wouldn't be reborn as a human again.

To soothe his nerves, Wizard Rayld asked him to pick out one good thing from the memories. The head-thing past self wore was kind of pretty. For a second time he tried to recreate it, gluing the final product to his head with pitch. Heads cocked, but everyone agreed it was rather pretty.

All but pack-born pup Iftekharul, who watched with jealous eyes. They shared similar dreams, but Iftekharul lacked Kaadah's creativity. His rough bark crown no longer received compliments. He watches for any chance to harass the older male.

Kaadah tries to stay out of the way, but when his patience runs thin he bites back. From then on when someone hears an argument break into childish snapping, they say, "There go the two Kings!"

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Advesperascit, The MOOF l 381 l 10 M, Penobscot, Michael Scott ♛, Faelor