"Hmm," I nod sagely, "Is it Haylum?"
"I'M STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!" Came the angry voice of a buffed wolfman.
I look in front of me to see that it was indeed him. Haylum was really standing in front of me.
I seriously didn't think the guy would actually be here, I thought he would be the first one to run. Well it seems he's a ma- wolf of his word.
Haylum too felt angry being judged like that, he became even angrier as he saw me giving an annoyed look at him and snicker. Then I turned to Raven, "Here, take your money."
I gave a fresh note of 20 pound to the joyful wolf, "It was a pleasure. I already told you he would come."
"Yeah yeah," I nod begrudgingly, "I should have known a wolf of pride would keep his word, alas I am now 20 pounds shorter."
As the wolfs saw the exchange between us, Haylum clenched his teeth while saying, "Did you two… bet on me!"
I nod, "Yes… unfortunately I lost." Then ignoring the wolf who was about to scream, I ask the group, "So who is it that bailed on me?"
"It's Obama." Said a tall looking wolf, who looked somewhat familiar to me among the group of hairy individuals. Looking closer, I remembered he was the guy who seemed to be the closest to Raven.
The wolf had a weary look, "Right when we were crossing the border with our families, the soldiers was waiting there for us."
Raven felt shocked, "A trap?"
"Yes and a few of our brothers fell defending our family." The wolf had his head down, "and Obama died with them."
Raven looked sad as usual then said to me, "Obama was the one who asked you first."
So it was the young wolf, I nod sympathetically, "It's a tragedy. Did he have any family?"
Raven at that got attention, "Yes, he has an older sister. Where's Oleya?"
"That…" The wolf didn't know how to say it.
"I'm here!" A female voice said from far away.
Looking at the far end of the line, a wolfwoman stood. Her chest proudly tall and her gaze fearless. Standing in front of her, Raven asked, "Oleya, what are you doing here?"
Oleya looked a bit older than her brother but not by much. Her structure was not as masculine as the other males and more similar to female wolfs. Still she had some packs and looked a bit buffed at some places.
"I'm here to fulfill my brothers pact in his stead."
"But do you know what you would have to do if that happens?"
She wasn't deterred as she said, "What else? Kill people and whoever I am ordered to, isn't that right?"
"But that would…" Seeing that his words wouldn't go through her head, Raven turned to me and pleaded, "Sir, please don't make her do this. I would do the extra work that Obama should hav-"
"Hey! I didn't ask you to step in for me, did I?"
Hmm… Looking at the both of them, it seemed they have a bit of chemistry… or had. But above all that I liked the she-wolf's attitude.
I stop them from bickering as I said, "Raven, I know what you're thinking but it's her right. If she wants to step in for her brother, she can." I interrupted before Raven could talk, "I believe in equal rights."
Then a snicker was heard from the first row as a wolf said, "A wolfwoman fighting in the front lines… like that would ever happen."
Raven sighed too as he heard the familiar tone.
I went towards the voice and as I expected, it was Haylum.
"And why do you say that?"
"It's been decided from the start of the wolf clan, that the male wolfs are the only one who will fight. No matter the circumstances, a female wolf's place will always be at their home looking after the cubs. This is our ancestral ways; it can't be broken." Haylum looked fearless as he brazenly said, "No matter who our leader would be."
Okay, now that was a direct jab at me.
"So you mean to say," I walk closer to him, "That if I wanted her to work for me upon her own will, I can't actually let her fight."
"Hmm… but if I was going to… who's gonna stop me?" At my words, the whole area felt a drop in the temperature as all the wolfs gazed at Haylum for an answer.
Even Raven looked at Haylum and pleaded in his mind that he wouldn't be stupid enough to say-
"Me… I will stop you."
I went even closer, our faces inches away from touching each other.
"That is something I would like to see you try."
My words only made him hungry for a fight as my face too smiled insidiously as it wanted to bring great pain to this prideful guy.
"Maybe we should take a step back an-" Raven wanted to say something to stop this but the palm of my hand was its answer.
"How do we do this then." I asked and the wolf cackled.
"By the Amkal Ritual."
Hearing the word, the wolfs whispered among each other like it was something so rare but I didn't care. "Alright let's do this."
"Haha, knew you were a crazy bastard!" Haylum said loudly before suddenly going towards the opposite direction.
I was about to follow him too, but Raven stepped in my direction.
"Sir… no way should you fight Haylum."
"Why, is he really strong?"
"Yes, he's one of our best." Standing beside Raven was his second in command.
"Even stronger than you?"
"Not on a good day… but when he gets crazy like that…"
I nod then another voice joined in, "I would like to be your champion."
Turning back, we all saw it was Oleya.
"Champion… as in my stand in?" She nodded, "This happened because of me so I should fix this."
"No" I shook my head, "Not is your fault anyway. That guy just likes to push my button so I reaaaally want to do this my way." I said with a grin that seemed a bit worrying for the wolves.
Then my face turned strange as I looked back at them, "By the way, what's this Amkal Ritual?"