Slowly, the heaving of my sides began to return to a more normal pace. We stood facing one another, blood caking our respective wounds, and I could practically feel the vehemence that struck out in his gaze. But the injuries we had delivered to one another were enough, the fight was ended, and he would not return to the mountain as King. My tail flagged high as I watched him, uncertain if he would stand down, turn tail and run, or lash out at me again. Nothing about him was familiar anymore, and I could hardly think what this stranger who stood before me might do next. Assured that my victory was known, I lifted my head and finally sheathed my fangs and quieted the snarl that had rumbled in my chest. "Who are you?" I questioned him, wondering if even he realized how lost he had become. Not all wolves wore power well, and I was convinced that his easy assumption of the throne had sickened his mind. His betrayal stung worse than any wound he had inflicted upon me during the brawl, but the ache of those injuries was still true and real. I would need to seek out Niviaq immediately to ensure nothing became infected. Despite how foreign the Tithe that stood before me now was to the Tithe who had once counseled me, there was still the ingrained thought in the back of my mind - he had once been pack to me, and in my heart a wolf who was once pack is always pack. "You should let Niviaq tend to your wounds." Pausing, I looked into the face of the wolf who I felt had betrayed me the moment Roman had taken control of the mountain a year prior. So readily had he done the bidding of the wolf who had defeated me, that I wondered if he had ever been loyal to me at all. "I understand if you choose to go, but know this before you do. I do not trust you, but you are no enemy of Spirane."

With that, I turned away from him. I began my trek up into the mountains, taking an angled trail that allowed me to keep an eye on Tithe as I left. I would not begrudge him if he choose to follow, nor if he left. His next move was his along to make. Thoughts coursed through the mind as I walked trails familiar to me since birth. Perhaps, under different circumstances, Tithe could have succeeded as an alpha. He was not destined to rule the mountains, this much was known, but if he had been given the time to learn more about how to rule, maybe the power would not have sickened his mind as it had after his quick ascension. There were many what ifs and maybes. But the truth of the matter was this - I had returned home, and I had taken back what was mine. I had not been broken by defeat. And now I would rise up to make Spirane better than it had ever been before. For many years we had been the largest pack in Moladion. Under my rule it had been the first pack to hold an alliance or treaty with every pack in Moladion. It would take time, and hard work, but I had every intention of seeing the mountains a success once more.

The pace I made up the mountain was not quick, but it was not all that slow either. The damage to my chest made me limp, but it did not so greatly hinder my stride as injuries sustained in the past had. My heart hammered in my chest, no longer from exhaustion, but from excitement. The mountain air filled my nostrils, and the familiar soil turned underfoot with such comfort that the pain of my injuries seemed like nothing. The usuper's victory, and Tithe's betrayal, seemed to sift away from my mind and heart with each step I took. Before long, I found myself along a trail that would lead to the clearing of my lifelong den site. But I did not move to approach the comfort of my den. Instead I continued up the path, to a nearby clearing. At its center was a large, flat rock. The symbolism of this clearing ran deep in my soul. As a child, Alcide and I had sunbathed atop it. In the years of my initial reign, this had been the place I had always called the pack together. Often times I would be found lounging upon it, an easy place for my pack mates to call upon me if they had business they needed to tend to.

Now, I looked up at the rock. I could easily jump upon it if I desired. But if I wanted to build Spirane up, I had to start on level ground with those who would stay, those who would return, those who would help me to make the mountain mighty once more. So I remained at its foot, lifting my diadem to the heavens and allowing a strong, powerful howl to ring forth. It would be a familiar call for many, and yet there was a difference in its tone from any song I had sung before. It called to those who called the mountain home now, and those across Moladion who had called it home in the past. It summoned each of them to me, asking them to join me so that we might look to what the future might hold for us together. There was joy in my voice, and yet a note of sorrow for the blood that had been spilt this day. But strength rang prevalent above all else, for that was what I wished my pack to know. That I had returned, that I was stronger than I had ever been before, and that I would never fail them again.