I am young. I am inexperienced. This makes me weak, but there is a remedy. I can get older. I can learn new things. Mother has taught me as much as I am capable of learning, which sadly is not enough. There are times when she disappears, telling me that I am not to leave the den for too long. There are predators here, in the marshes. My size does not allow me to attack nor runaway. I must be quick, agile, and ever so clever. Sometimes Father comes to collect me and take me out, but not for long. When Mother returns, she smells different, she does not have a pack scent, like my Father. According to my Father, we are members of a Demon pack and Mother was not a member. Father says I have special blood in me, Demon blood, but what that means I do not know. Mother and Father have been speaking to me in two tongues, and I am learning both languages rapidly. I must if I am going to become a member of my Father’s pack. Mother does not like it, but she does not object, why I do not know. Father was off doing things for the pack while Mother was catching supper. During supper Mother shows me the kill and teaches me the best ways to attack. Each prey must be approached differently, just like dealing with other predators. As Mother said before, not everyone is friendly, not everyone is an ally…judge everyone as if they are the enemy.

I am happily curled up in a tight ball, enjoying the warmth. There are bones and skins surrounding me. My personal paradise. The stench of death is evident. Yet there is a new scent that I am catching, a male. I am unaware of who it belongs to, yet it is close to my den, my home. This is not allowed. Only I, Mother, and Father are allowed in here, no one else. Mother and Father cannot defend me, so I must defend myself. I have a few tricks up my sleeve and I must first figure out which method is the best. My ebony crown is raised as I uncurl from my warm tight ball. My bright amethyst eyes, flecked with the icy blue of my Father’s narrow as I noticed another creature of ebony and crimson poking his head. A low growl rumbles in the back of my throat, and although I am a puppy, I am also the child of a Monster and a Demon and my growl Is quite intimidating. I lift my small obsidian frame and quickly heads towards the entrance of the den, using the den’s walls as an advantage. I am growling louder, but it is hard to pinpoint my exact location, for I am using the den to echo my growl. I stick to the shadows of the den, using my ebony pelt as an advantage. As I sneak closer, I stand on a rather tall rock from inside the den looking down at the intruder. He is smaller than Mother and Father, but larger than me. My black lips pull back to reveal sharp milk teeth, yet they are sharp and painful, this I can assure you. I am standing here, figuring out my form of attack. I have the surprise element and I must keep it.

I leap from my high rock, landing squarely along the back of his neck. My sharp ivories clamping down hard on his ears, I continue to chomp on them, snarling. I am aware that I can lose this battler. However, I am the daughter of a Monster and a Demon. My markings are clear: there is no white that has stained my fur. My chest is painted with crimson in a V-shape similar to my Mother’s, my legs are painted the same color, as well behind my back and shoulder blades, trimmed nicely around my ears. My tail is lifted high, the bottom fur painted red, a perfect symbol of warning. As Mother informed me, the crimson diamond shape pattern between my forehead, was a sign that I, like her, was fated to be a fearsome creature. I am unable to stay on him for long, and so when I fall to the ground, I ignore the pain and stand on my four paws. Growling, my ebony hackles rose. Mother said that anyone can win a fight, if I use my brain. As I stand before this intruder another snarl is unleashed as my low cold voice, slips out.

"Et hic non accipiuntur. Relinque.”

“You are not welcomed here. Leave.”