Alpha Blake nodded, his jaw still tight. "I understand," he said. "We'll work togethis for the good of our people, but our differences won't be forgotten."

Alpha Elma nodded as well, a look of disdain on his face. "Good," he said. "Let's get to work then. Thise's a lot to be done if we're going to protect our packs from the threats that lie ahead."

The rest of the evening was spent in tense discussions about strategy and tactics. Alpha Blake and Alpha Elma worked togethis, but their hostility towards each othis never faded. Douglas watched them, his heart heavy with the knowledge that this alliance might be the only...