The rope springs back, lending her assistance as she launches herself backwards, springboarding into the air, twisting her body into a tornado motion. She savors the feel of flying, the anticipation of her body crashing into the living breathing barrier that awaited, sending them both careening onto the barely forgiving canvas. Her motion is abruptly halted as large hands pluck her from the sky, she comes to rest with a jerk and expulsion of breath. From his arms she looks up, his triumphant eyes meeting hers, as she feels herself lifted, only to be sent hurtling downwards, barely enough time to brace for the impact of her spine meeting his knee.

He releases her as she clatters to the floor, the wind knocked from her. She giggles softly amid regaining control of her breath, lying motionless where she landed. His face appears above her, an endearing smirk on it as she looks back up at him. Her eyes crinkle at the corners as she reacts quick as a flash, her legs coming up to twine around his neck and head, rolling her body to send him toppling to the ground. She sits up, leaning back on her hands to flash him a wink as he also sits up to face her now. “Not bad...not bad at all. You’ve become so good at making size difference a non-factor.” Marf says with a nod. Lycana slowly gets to her feet, stretching out her deliciously complaining muscles.

“Let’s hope I get my chance to show Mr. Bourbon that since he’s so doubtful of my little cliché as he was wont to call it.” Lycana scrunches up her face. “Oh I’m sure you will. We’ll get our chance real soon to show them who we are in that ring. Regardless of their cliches and cute names. Then they can laugh all they want with a mouthful of broken teeth.” Marf replies as he too gets to his feet and grabs a pair of towels, moving forward to offer one to Lycana. She takes it and mops the sweat from her brow. “If they’re even able to open their mouths that much... I look forward to introducing their faces to steel as often as possible.”

She lowers the towel on a sigh. “And wood. And my fists.” She flashes him a smile. “They have no idea what we plan to rain down in there, do they?” Marf bursts out laughing as they both exit the training ring. “They’ve all collectively demonstrated in their own unique ways that they have no clue about the punishments we’ll inflict on all of them.” Lycana responds in kind, with a chuckle as she drops to the floor. “It was my mistake in thinking they wouldn’t all be so foolish.” She slips into another stretch, cooling down after their exertions in the ring. “We take what we want come Snow Job. We steal all their hopes and leave them all a bloodied mess, with the knowledge of what The Dissentients truly are.”

“I’m really having trouble being patient for this...” Marf comments. “Soon my dear, it is only a couple days away, and then we get to show all the doubtful that we deserved this, and so much more.” Lycana frowns slightly. “I hate that we cannot leave for Green Bay immediately. I have a few things to look into with this Harbinger and the wolves before we go. I can’t put it off any longer.” Marf’s demeanor slowly changes to one of concern now. “What exactly does this Harbinger want?” “’He steals the soul.’” she intones, using the old woman's words. “I can’t say for certain, but it has to do with the missing members of my Order I think. I believe he is killing them, us, off one by one. I just can’t place why.”

She runs a frustrated hand through her hair. “Are you worried? If he comes near you...” He’s already fuming while Lycana places her hand on his meaty shoulder. “I’d be stupid not to be worried, but I have no choice. I’m almost certain this has to do with the unrest among the wolves, but I have no proof.” She rubs his shoulder. “A war would be devastating to all, but especially Cate. If Tius defeats her, he will consume all those who follow. Including me.” Marf looks over at Lycana. “Well then if that time comes, I will do my best to stand with you.” Lycana knew he meant every word, he would be firm beside her through anything, and she the same when it came to him.

“I know you will, that is why our team is so strong. Hopefully though, it does not come to that.” They start walking towards the locker rooms, intent on cleaning up before they left. “Maybe you should go out to Wisconsin ahead?” Marf stops and looks over at her once again with concern. “Are you sure?” Lycana stops as well, turning to face him. “Yes, I can’t imagine this taking too long, and I will join you there as soon as I can.” she offers him a smile, as she places her hand on his chest. “Okay I trust you. Just don’t take too long, wouldn’t want you to miss out on the four colorful asses we’re about to whip.” Marf replies.

“I wouldn’t miss that for anything.” Lycana laughs and gives him a quick hug, before she starts to walk away, glancing back over her shoulder as she goes. “See you there!” Marf nods his farewell and moves off in the opposite direction. As she slips through the door, she gives once last glance towards the man who would join her as tag team partner. She wouldn’t have picked anyone else to be by her side. Their natures complimented one another, each understanding the other implicitly before their bond was even revealed. Snow Job, would only be the start of their reign of violence. She closes the door and is gone.

“We are creeping closer and closer to Snow Job, and more voices are ringing out. Insults are being hurled, praises are being sung, promises are being made. All parties are ready for this, ready to bring everything they have and show the XWF a battle like they’ve never seen before. It's something we all have in common within this match, although the reasonings for each team, are completely different. Corey and Doc, seem pretty straight forward. They want to retain, Corey to help keep the title around his precious friend’s waist. Bourbon and TK? Well, they are also focused on the shiny gold straps. Already picturing them around their own waists. It's all about the gold here folks.

And The Dissentients? We are hungry to show our worth. We are in it for the blood. For the violence. To hurt whoever we can get our hands on. To layer on the hurt and revel in the cries of pain that we can bring forth. We are in it to show that we have no fear at going toe to toe with whoever the XWF wants to throw us at. To step right up into the face of the devil himself and smile. We are the ones who are forging a path of our own, and are starving for it. We are coming into this being the ones who look at the belts as a bonus, the cherry on top of the sundae if you will, not the main part of the dish. No, breaking bodies and splitting flesh is our goal. Regardless of what happens, our mark will be left in that ring.

Until then, here we all sit in front of the camera, letting loose all we have to say to each other once more. My sweet Corey is very concerned over my ears and all the droll vulgarities I am going to be exposed to. He’s so considerate of me! Well, my most darling man, this is all for you!”

Lycana blows a kiss to the camera.

“TK you are quite possibly the dumbest sack of shit I have ever had the misfortune of encountering beyond Tommy Wish. Last I checked my mission was not to take on the best in XWF, if it was, I wouldn’t be stepping into the ring with you. And for fucks sake, BooBerry? You were really so hard up for an insult you had to go and swipe one? Not even just that, you had to poach something from Ash Quinn of all people? Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel of desperation and laziness TK. I would say I expected better from you, but I truly didn’t. I expected nothing but you presenting forth a steaming pile of crap and calling it talent and boy, did you ever deliver! For once.

I see you also swiped Barf from your stablemate Jenny Myst... and almost everybody else. Tsk. Might be becoming a bit of a habit I see. Can't come up with anything on your own huh? Let's see here... if creativity isn't your strong point, and neither is talent or originality, what the everlasting fuck is there left that you can possibly bring to the table? Nothing. You’re just another fucking body who happened to be convenient to be put into this match. One who thinks he’s high and mighty when in reality, he’s got as much value as the utter trash he spews from his lips. Don’t delude yourself that you were anything special. Hey TK signed up as a tag team and got booked into the tag title match! Boom mutherfuckers, must be that damn good!

What do you mean it's literally the only tag match on the card?! That can’t mean anything! Each moment I think it might be over and we’ve hit the basement, you open your mouth and prove me wrong, that there is actually another level of utter stupidity to wade through. Get your facts straight, at least try and show you have the brainpower to handle making a promo against more than one person. Afterall, I never called Corey a twink... so I’m glad you wasted all that time giving me a talking to. Do you feel better? Were your feelings hurt? Want a cookie? Wait, here comes the bluster about us not being worth paying attention to! Fell asleep listening to Lycana and fucked it up! Or did I just take that from you, because you'd look like a bigger loser if you tried to go that route because I called you on it before you could? You’re the biggest disappointment walking into this ring.

Bobby Bourbon! Come and get this halfwit you call a partner! I was giving you a bunch of credit big guy, the benefit of the doubt if you will. But then you had to go and pull a Corey, and left me just all kinds of disappointed in you. Trying to harp on what you think are cliches. Clichés! No dear, not when they are cold hard facts. You will be going down harder and faster than TK for, well... anyone with a couple X-Bux. I’m waiting for the originality you're trying to get on me for. From my perch, all I see is a lot of the same nonsense that everyone else tries to use on us. How we all cannot do a damn thing without the Baphomet since he’s our leader. Well... here we are! Making a name for ourselves. Almost like.... well, YOU can having a leader yourself!

Listen, while you’re out there casting your stones about innovation and novel ideas I’d like you to take a quick moment and consider adding something to your own list of things to look at. How about making some damn sense? That entire section about the raspberry pie, let me tell you... each one of my brain cells started screaming in utter agony trying to understand just what the hell it all had to do with one another. Kinda sounded like you just mashed a whole bunch of random shit together and called it done. Doesn’t matter if that was the last time you lost, because right now you are looking right down the barrel of another one... and The Dissentients, we are the ones holding the gun.

You might see meaner and nastier when you look in the mirror, I see just another chunk of flesh to carve up when I look at you. I see just another target to aim for when taking a leap from the ladder. Another skull to cave in with a chair. Another carcass to send crashing through a table. Just another damn body standing in that ring, that if it gets in my way is going to feel every last bit of the pain that I plan to bring to this party we are all having. And most of all... I see someone who is going to have a hell of a lot more respect for The Dissentients and the Left Hand after getting his ass handed to him from all sides. We are coming in to take our spot where we belong, and we don’t care who the hell is standing in our way.

That includes you Doc. The Left Hand as I stated before is far from nonexistent. Those who think that way may have their eyes open, but are blind to what we wave right before them. You do, as others do, and are blind to many things. That comes to my great sorrow for I thought you better than that. I thought that you of all people would see the bigger picture, would be able to pluck those with greater agendas from a group, rather than lumping them all in together. Together with the useless, the Ash Quinn’s who had the chance, who had the ability to become so much more, but instead of embracing the push, broke into pieces and shattered, reverting to what brought them comfort- their mediocrity- instead of stepping through the fire to make it out the other side. I thought you able see those that stand firm in both their groups beliefs and forge their own path, one who welcome taking the hard journey upwards, who relish the experience of wins and losses alike.

But you are just as sightless and imperceptive as the rest. A true pity. My eyes are open, my vision clear. I see what we are walking into, and I embrace it. You see good doctor, I welcome walking through the very gates of hell and taking on whatever hellhounds, fiends and beasts that await me. And I will rip through them all to get a taste of the one who is supposedly the devil incarnate. You may think me crazy, and I am inclined to agree with you. It takes a special sort to look forward to the sort of treats you present. A good mind fucking will only serve to teach, to force you to grow and understand, to look deeper. So please Doc... come into my mind and do as you will. I crave it. I welcome it.

A legend who rains down flames and brimstone in the ring. I’ve always liked to play with fire Doc. I would dance into and through the inferno if it meant getting a chance at you. Why would I not? Because you, not Bourbon, are the true ‘big and bad’ in the ways it matters? Rest assured, I know the legends. You will meet no fear in me, just anticipation. Each moment I would treat as a learning experience. Each and every blow I got in, an award for being focused on my task. Make no mistake about it Doc... you may view me as fodder, but now I view you as the same. While you sit high up there, lording your position as one of the known, I am working to claw my way up to unseat you. The top of the ladder is a tenuis place Doc, and I would see you topple by the hands of one who you easily brush aside.

Being held aloft, as a legend, oft times creates one of two responses within potential opponents. Those that are shaking in their boots, who accept their fates and meekly go along like a lamb to slaughter, vowing that one day, they would get back in and show the fight... but never do. Or, you get the ones who study. The ones willing to put in the work, who see the opportunity to take a chance and reach for it, heedless of outcome. Who learn, then come back for more. That is who I am Doc. I see that big beautiful target on you, only highlighted by those shiny gold belts. I am aiming for it, I have my eyes on the prize, focused... unruffled... aware of the history that backs you up, but hungry to partake in the feast.”

Lycana tilts her head, a sweet smile on her face as she wiggles her fingers towards the camera.

“Last, but never least... my own little Corey. You’re always my favorite. I’m sure I’ve mentioned that many times before, please indulge me yet again! I am wounded... Wounded! That you would call into question my desire to play with you in the ring once more. You act like I should be terrified, yet here you are about shitting yourself at stepping in the ring with your own partner. I certainly don’t fear you. It nearly makes me giddy to get my hands on you again silly boy! Granted already having had you, your partner holds more allure, but don’t fret, you will always hold a special place in my heart! Or the cold black space where my heart is supposed to be or whatever crap you think I should be saying.

If I am the master of cliches, I suppose that makes you the master of the inane stereotypical bullshit. What a dubious honor to have, but you certainly wear the crown! For someone who whines endlessly about me being cliché, you seem to have quite a few yourself... drinking blood! Crushing kittens! How cute! I suppose it’s a small step up from the whole Kool-Aid commentary. Half a point in your favor! Just like you were only half right about taking myself and Ash to the wood shed. You might have taken her there, but you never got me. You hold no claim to that. I mean if you’d like to throw around some confetti about pinning Ash, be my guest.

Let’s talk partners. We both got an upgrade this time around... but what Marf and I have, that you and Doc do not? Trust. A bond. The will to succeed together and keep growing as a team. What we have Corey, you and Doc will never be able to replicate. Doc aside, I’ve already met you in the ring. You claimed you were calling for war on the Left Hand and all its members, that you weren't going to allow them to bring their darkness to the XWF. You don’t seem to be accomplishing much, for here I am! Still here, still very much in attendance. Your second chance to try and take not one, but two members of the Left Hand down. But you won’t... because you aren't what you were.

You are no longer the dark, unholy being that was The Engineer. The one who everybody feared, that was legend. He was a part of you, but no longer. You have no claim to the evil that was once there.

You are no longer the love, light being that was Lux. The strong willed, most passionate force for good the world has ever seen so you say. She is not there, she is not the one who comes to the ring. That angelic piece of you is not there.

You are just plain old Corey Smith to me. The Corey Smith who is riding the end of the golden veil of one Thaddeus Duke. Neither dark nor light, just there. And that’s the gist of it Corey... you will never be more to me than a mewling little bitch, no matter what you say. No matter what you do. No matter how hard you cry out differently to the heavens above. I will always be there, ready for whatever you want to bring, to prove you wrong with a smile on my face.

So, your war Corey, that’s what's FUCKED.

You see Corey, while profanity and crass words are not my cup of tea... I am not opposed to doing whatever it takes to get my point across. Whether it be verbally, or physically when we get into that ring. I am very much willing and able to serve up whatever is needed from me. Do you have the message now? I don’t care what I have to do, it will be done. You my darling, none of your barbs will find a home here, I will always have a counter... save your breath for the ring. You're going to need every lungful you can get.

The Dissentients are coming to Snow Job, and we back down from no one.”

LATER

Lycana sits back in the desk chair, frustrated. She contemplates flinging her laptop through the window like a frisbee, but decides better of it. On a sigh, she leans forward once more, deciding to give things one more shot. All her inquiries about this Harbinger had been met with either roadblocks, or nobody had heard of him. There seemed to be no set pattern in the missing disciples, only that they all came from Cate’s order, furthering Lycana’s suspicion that Tius had something to do with it somewhere along the line. If it had to do with the Harbinger as well, that she couldn’t quite piece together yet. Seemed mighty coincidental though.

She pulls a small print out of a map closer, where she had marked the locations of the disappearances, along with the dates they had been noticed. All total, there were five missing that were known, none of them an elderly woman so all were not even noticed yet. This didn’t even include any that might have occurred overseas. That was a whole nother can of worms that she wasn’t sure she was ready to open. She had found the young blond though, she pulls up her picture, and stares at the woman whose life she had watched disappear from her eyes.

Imogen Clayton. A mere 19 years old, and only a year into her studies. Somehow, putting a name to the face made it ten times worse for Lycana. She looks at the others, slowly committing them to memory. She would figure out just what was going on, and bring them justice somehow. The image of the glowing blue eyes in the pitch-black cloak flashes behind her eyes and she shivers. It took a lot to spook her, but some unknown entity that could kill you with just a touch, that most definitely did. She picks up a pen and taps it against her lips, trying to decide just what her next step should be. She wasn’t ready to go to Cate with the Harbinger business yet, she wanted to at least have some information to give her before she did that. Before she can do anything, her phone rings from a blocked number.

“Hello?”

Crackling static was her only answer.

“Hello....?”

Again. Just static. Great, so were prank calls going to be a thing now? She is about to hang up when a quiet male voice, obviously disguised pipes up in her ear.

“The traitor is spreading the word. Look to your own pack to find them.”

*CLICK*

Lycana pulls the phone away from her ear and stares at it frowning. She slides from the chair and lightly treads down the stairs and heads out the door. This wasn’t something she could ignore anymore, even if it did give prank call vibes. The person had known she was part of a pack, so they had to be savvy in the ways of the supernatural. In any case, she could go and hunt down Rolfe and see what he had been getting done in the days since she had last seen him at her table. See if he was doing as she had told him to and looked into what was going on with the dissent among the wolves. While she was there, maybe she would talk to a few herself and test the waters. Might as well get it done before she headed to Green Bay. Marf was already on his way there.

She heads through the woods to the packlands, moving with purpose. Of all places, she wouldn’t have thought hers was the pack the start of the issues would arise from. She had thought most would be smart enough not to stir things up under the nose of the woman Cate had appointed in charge of all the wolves on the east coast. Then again, it would be just the thing to put said position in jeopardy, to call into question just where Lycana’s mind and attention had been instead of the group she was charged with. Her jaw grows tense. It would be yet another black mark against her and her career with the XWF in Cate’s eyes. What was another one though at this point?

It was the fact that someone would have the utter gall to take advantage of Lycana’s travels, knowing the results should she find out who it was. Retribution would come on swift wings if she found it was one of her own. Rolfe, of all people should have noticed considering he lived with them. Nothing made sense, and yet... she still had to look into it. They couldn’t afford any missteps to draw one, Oliver Danielsons eyes towards any of her activities outside the ring. Lycana highly doubted he would notice, he was far too focused on trying to figure out who the real head of the Left Hand was. He would never figure it out, nobody would. It was hidden, yet right in front of everyone's face.

She approaches the cluster of small homes all set together, where the majority of the pack resided on land that was owned and shared by them all. She nods greetings as she goes, stopping only to inquiry if anybody had seen Rolfe lately and if they did, to send him in her direction. As she walks between two tiny homes, what seems to be a bit of an argument captures her attention. Since she was there anyway, she turns in that direction to see if she could settle whatever dispute was in the works, if it even was worth her attention or just some personal issues.

“She’s not fit for control over us anymore!”

“Keep your voice down, someone might hear you!”

Lycana stops dead in her tracks. There was no way it could be this easy. She eases up to the corner of the home, moving on silent feet, and holds her place, shamelessly listening to the conversation. “Who? I don’t care if the pack does, they all need to hear this. Lycana is never here she's too busy with this XWF and new leader, and forget Cate.” the female voice is cocky, impassioned. “That’s mutiny you're talking about so loud. Are you nuts?” the male voice is harder to hear, sounding a tad on the fearful side. “Only if its nuts to think people going missing and Cate doing nothing is the last straw!” the voice gets louder. “SHHH... Come on Reika, I’m sure Dion...” desperation creeps in to that voice.

Reika! From what she understood, after spurning his advances more than once or a dozen times, Rolfe had been involved with her. How could he miss this? Maybe the saying was true, love was blind. Lycana leans a little bit closer, waiting to hear more before she made her move. The more proof the better in this instance.

“Dion!? He’s been reduced to nothing more than Cate’s lapdog since she took the packs over in truth. He won't do anything, but we can do it for him! Think about it Marcus...” Reika implores. “SHH. I don’t think this is a good idea at all.” Marcus sounds downright paranoid at this point. Lycana is about to whip around the corner and confirm that was a very wise decision on his part, when a new voice enters the fray, once she recognizes immediately. “Reika! I’ve told you before to stop with this!” Rolfe says, exasperated. “But...” she starts. “No, look I understand your passion sweetheart, but it's not safe to openly defy the Gods.” he croons, trying to calm her down.

“No, it is not.” Lycana steps around the corner, in front of the couple as Rolfe is leading Reika away from Marcus. All threes eyes go wide upon seeing her. Nobody makes a move. Rolfe removes his arm from around Reika as she looks at him, then to Lycana, and then back again, shaking her head in denial. “No, you can't let her take me!” a bit of fear creeps into Reika's voice. Rolfe and Lycana maintain eye contact, never breaking it even as he responds. “I’m sorry.” “No!” Reika wails as Lycana grabs her arm. She makes a halfhearted effort to tug away, but knows the futile nature of her fight. “I warned you Reika, you brought this on yourself.” Rolfe says quietly. “You take Marcus, and see where he stands. You and I will speak later.” Lycana directs Rolfe who merely gives a nod and moves to do her bidding, turning his back on his girlfriend.

Reika whimpers as Lycana tugs on her arm, leading her away into the woods, ignoring all her excuses until the young lycan falls silent and becomes subdued, eventually following her captor docilely, almost blindly. Lycana’s mind whirls at all the implications, and yet it seemed just too simple. What were the odds that she had come around at just the right time to overhear that conversation? She was suspicious over it. Was Reika a sacrificial lamb, or was this virus of rebellion so deep seated that they were talking about it openly when she was not around? No, Rolfe would surely have had a better handle on it then. Something made her feel this comfortable to talk to others.

Rolfe had been too easy on her, his feelings blinding him to the spark she was trying to ignite. His warnings had fallen on deaf ears obviously, and now it was time for Lycana to right that wrong. She would have to extract all the information she could out of Reika, and see as much as she knew, if Tius was involved, and just how far it had been taken. And fast if she was going to make it to Snow Job in time. Lycana hauls Reika to a small cabin in the woods, placed here for reasons such as this, when one needed to be held, foes. She shoves Reika, begging all the way into the cabin and chains her to the wall with strong metal shackles. She ignores her, not saying a word as she turns and leaves for a few hours, not trusting herself when her anger was raging.

LATER

Lycana paces furiously in front of the small cabin that she kept far out in the woods for little issues that might rise up, just like this one. Only, this wasn’t a little issue. She whirls on her heel to stalk in the other direction. This was one of her own wolves, seemingly trying to get the pack, HER pack, Lycana’s pack to turn on Cate! Red haze lurks at the edge of her vision again as she spins around once more. She needed to calm down. Perhaps there was some sort of explanation for this... She laughs mirthlessly. Damned if she could think of one but maybe, just maybe the girl had some kind of excuse. In any case, it wouldn’t do to just charge in there the way she was feeling.

She sucks in a deep lungful of the chill air, and tries to focus her mind on not just jabbing a hot poker into Reika’s flesh. At the end of the day, this was a packmate... she needed to be treated well and given all the chances to tell her side of the story instead of going straight to torture and finding out why she was doing it. Lycana stops her pacing and faces the door. She gives herself a shake, mentally and physically. She could do this. She could handle this and keep her cool. She reaches out and opens the door, stepping inside and shutting it most of the way behind her. She looks to the shackled blond, who stares back at her, her nervousness apparent in her eyes. She steps closer, dragging a stool along with her to settle down before Reika. “Do you realize the trouble you are in?”

Reika listens as the seat scrapes against the wooden floorboards, the sound reverberating all around her, echoing off the walls, bouncing off every corner of her brain. She grimaced against the noise as she took turns clenching and relaxing her fingers, the restraints around her wrists keeping her from making a quick exit out of this cabin. She much preferred the freedom and serenity of the outdoors to any indoor confinement, but she expected Lycana knew this already. Had the torture already begun, or was this just all part of the mind games? “I’m assuming you’re going to tell me?” Reika responded, tugging against her restraints, as if to emphasize her point.

Lycana lifts her eyes to the shackles that bind Reika as she tugs on them, then drops her gaze back to her face. Her eyes narrow slightly as she assesses her tone. “You assume correctly.” she keeps the words as steady as she can muster, lacing some disgust in there to drive her feelings home. Where to even start with this? She rests her elbows on her knees, steepling her fingers together as she ponders how to maneuver this delicate situation, when all she really wanted to do was beat answers out of the girl. “Reika... You were talking treason today. Cate would not take that lightly. Nor do I.” Lycana starts but is quickly cut off.

“Treason!?” Reika scoffed, practically spitting the words out. “You know, as well as I, what’s happening out there, Lycana. I’ve heard the whispers, we all have! Someone is targeting Cate and those associated with her.” Reika paused a moment, knowing that – by law – she would be punished for her actions, but she had made peace with that. This was more important than her, this was about the pack… and what was best for them. “I don’t deny speaking out against Cate,” Reika attempted to reason. “And I know how that must look, but I meant no disrespect to her… or you. I was simply looking out for my family, SOMEONE has to.”

Lycana’s head jerks back as if she were slapped, not liking the dig about her new career. “It is being looked into Reika! It's being handled! You should know that the pack is always looked out for. That SOMEONE, if not me, is Rolfe under my orders keeping an eye on things!” her voice starts to rise a few octaves at the end. Maybe she didn’t mean that as a jab at her. It sure as hell felt like one. Lycana smashes down on the annoyance bubbling inside of her. Benefit of the doubt, she had to keep that in mind. “I need not remind you the wolves have been safe and cared for, for decades under Cate. You overstep.” her voice holds steady now, but the threat lies subtle under the surface.

“Do you really believe that!?” Reika snarled, her own anger unintentionally rising to the surface. “When was the last time that Cate – Goddess of the Moon – actually left her ivory tower; actually ran with the pack!? You know as well as I that the Gods don’t care for us, not really. We are nothing but instruments to them… a source of amusement for their centuries of monotony. At least Dion has embraced us as his children, even howled with us. And he sees in you what we all do Lycana, he sees what your destiny is… and Cate is holding you back!”

Lycana is up on her feet like a rocket, the stool sent off its legs, clattering behind her. Her jaw clenches as she stares daggers at Reika. A long silence stretches between them, punctuated only by Lycana dragging in deep raspy breaths as she fights her tenuous hold on control. “DION?! What has DION done other than run about with you every so often? Tell me? What can he offer to the packs now? NOTHING. The packs may answer to him, but Cate is the one in charge. Even HE bows to her.” Lycana growls the words, lifting her hand to point a finger in Reika’s face. “Cate does not hold me back in any way! I do as please. You best watch your tongue!”

Though seething with her own primal fury, Reika lowered her head in submission to Lycana, acknowledging her as her superior. She pulled at her restraints in frustration as the walls seemed to close in around her. Her breath hastened as she felt it harder to take in the oxygen into her lungs, this air inside the cabin all musty, stale, and coated with dust. She needed to get out of here; needed to feel the cold breeze in her hair and the frosty winds on her cheeks. Whether it was by the sudden realization that she, now, realized her fate was truly sealed or by her fight or flight responses kicking in, Reika lifted her head, meeting Lycana’s gaze. “If that were true,” Reika swallowed, her breath shallow. “Then why aren’t you our Alpha? Why hasn’t Cate turned you yet?”

Lycana felt the words as if they were physical blows. She recoils a single step, then reverses and comes forward, hauling off and smacking Reika across the mouth. The crack reverberates throughout the small cabin. “You dare question what our Goddess does?” Lycana hisses the words out. She spins around and stalks over to the wall, reaching up to select a whip with multiple tassels dangling from it. The voice inside her head pipes up, whispering that the girl was right. Why hadn't she been turned? Why didn’t she have her lycanthrope powers yet? Lycana squashes the thoughts down. She asked herself the same questions enough, but she would be damned if this one would throw it in her face! She spins the whip as she turns to face Reika once more. “Why are you trying to turn the packs? Does Tius have anything to do with this? TELL ME!” she bellows the words as she stomps forward, her eyes spitting fire.

Reika felt the crack in her lip from the moment Lycana’s fist met her face. She turned to the side, spitting out a stream of blood that flooded into her mouth. “Is it so wrong to want your own freedom?” Reika asked, more-so speaking to herself then Lycana. “Can’t you see it, Lycana? No Gods. No Goddess. Just the pack, finally free. The oracle has shown me this future. But like all things, nothing is set in stone. I know that my actions have left my life as forfeit and, as such, that I will not live to see what becomes of my family. But you…” Reika forced herself to look into Lycana’s eyes, silently pleading with her to hear her words. “You can save them Lycana,” Reika stated. “When the bodies start dropping and the blood is shed, they will abandon us; they will save themselves!”

“You're the one trying to start this war!” Lycana roars the words. “What do you think setting some packs towards Tius would do?! Towards Dion? AWAY from Cate? Civil war you damned little FOOL!” Lycana snaps the whip forward, letting it cut through the thin material of Reika’s pants. She follows it up with three more strikes in quick succession, alternating between her two limbs. “You will be the cause of bloodshed! Lives may be lost BECAUSE of you! HOW MANY HAVE ALREADY TURNED?!” She flings the whip away, it suddenly not being enough. She starts digging through a chest, muttering under her breath the entire time. Her mind taunts her. What would it be like to do as she wished? Not to have to toe the line, worry about what Cate thought. To be free to do as she wished with both powers and The Left Hand with nobody to question her. To run through XWF with no questions about her intentions. She felt like ripping her hair out by the roots. She slams the door on her wayward thoughts and settles for her old fallback, the dagger. Her pride and joy when it came to getting information she sought. “WHERE have you been Reika? Who else is in on this?” Lycana shows her the dagger, making sure she can see it gleam every step of the way back to her.

For long moments, all was deathly quiet. Reika felt the whip rip through fabric and flesh, yet the pain was nothing compared to the one that weighed on her heart. She watched as the crimson leaked from her wounds, focused on how it pooled at her feet. Was this how it started? Was this the beginning of it all? Reika threw her head back, cackling in hysteria. Lycana stares as if she is crazy. “You fool!” Reika shouted at the air, her words carrying weight for both women stranded inside this death box. “The war has already begun! You would know this to be true if you were here, watching over us!” Reika lowered her head, her demeanor drastically changed from loyal subject to defiant usurper. “Those missing acolytes are dead,” Reika declared. “And their only crime was being loyal to a Goddess, who did nothing to save them. What is your loyalty worth, Lycana? How many of your own kin will you slaughter for her entertainment!?” A low growl was her answer.

Reika’s eyes went to the blade in Lycana’s hand. She had already been whipped, like a disobedient dog. That had been humiliating enough, but at least now we were finally getting somewhere. “I’ve told you everything I know,” Reika confessed, resigning herself to her fate. “I only did what I did because it was the right thing to do for our pack. I’d like to think you would’ve done the same, had you seen what I’ve seen. You can torture me if you must, but do you really think that’ll get you anywhere?” “All traitors fall under the knife in one way or another.” Lycana’s words hold a promise.

Reika’s eyes drift to the wall of the cabin, as if she were able to look past its wooden interior and see the outside world, her gaze going to where she felt the moon would be on a night like this. “When the full moon rises,” Reika began, a tear streaking down her cheek. “And you finally shed this skin, the thing that no one ever talks about is just how excruciatingly painful the process is. Every bone in your body breaks and your organs shift inside you and, yet, I wouldn’t trade that feeling for anything else in this world. It’s like having to hide behind a mask until that one joyous moment, where your face peels away and all that is left is the wolf within.”

Lycana had run an entire gauntlet of emotions as she had stormed towards Reika and she had started speaking once more. Anger first, that Reika would try to lay all the blame for this at Cate’s door. At HER door! Cate had cared for the wolves, even allowing Dion to still run with them, to still be involved, to be in charge in presence if not in reality. They had been kept safe until now, when traitorous bitches like this one decided to turn their face towards Tius and try to cause strife. Didn’t she know of all, Tius was the snake, a jackal, untrustworthy! He would use the wolves to get what he wanted then kill any who opposed his rule himself! Hell, he might even wipe them out completely just to be sure, loyal or not.

How could Reika be so blind? Her heart was in the right place, truly. She feels her anger fade to be replaced with something akin to sadness. Loyalty was huge for Lycana, but in her own perceived loyalty Reika had broken her vows to the Goddess who protected her, and might have caused a war that Lycana wasn’t so sure was preventable anymore. Her heart dips a little bit. Reika had signed her own death warrant and Lycana was to be the executioner. She knew her job, she knew what Cate had decreed. Leaving someone who supported an uprising alive was weakness. The one who was involved in spreading it? There really was no option here, she had no choice or she would be failing in her duties, to Cate... to the pack... to all. So why was she hesitating? She needed to get this done, and be on her way, the focus on the tag team title match and her partner. Why was this one's story about changing making her pause in her task? Making her long for the same feeling of freedom?

Reika was a turncoat, a snake in the grass, and yet Lycana couldn’t help but see part of her side of things. Lycana’s emotions and loyalties were splitting off in multiple directions, like an entity on each shoulder pleading their case. And the problem was, she could see all sides. Her duties press in on her, but the dagger wavers in her hand. Multiple things happen all at the same time.

Reika’s eyes go wide and her mouth opens long enough to say “Loo....” as Lycana whirls.

She feels hands grasp the sides of her head.

A sharp stab of icy fear jabs her heart, as the eyes start to glow blue within the cloak.

And in a split second, it all goes black.