As the Clan leads sat there before him, Eight couldn't do anything but try and push all the thoughts of doubt from his mind. Deogee said that the decision had been made - whatever it regarded was moot now, his fate was sealed.

"The Lead Alphas will speak first." Deogee spoke and nodded to Otto.


The large, pitch black wolf began, his voice deep and steady,
"When you arrived here over a month ago, I admit I didn't think much of you, Eight."
Otto was clearly not attempting to hide his feeling on anything, at the very least, Eight was happy to know how he felt in earnest.
"I quickly wrote you off as a runt, some Southern piece of squabble, not worth the time of day. I won't speak for anyone else, but I wasn't alone in my opinion." He took a breath, allowing for silence to set in, before his voice echoed throughout the cave again.
"In the time that you have been here, I have been relayed much information as to your abilities and knowledge of your role. As a Hunter, You have shown your cunning, speed and skill as well as an undaunted ability to follow orders. For that, I must first apologize to you and assure you that you're no longer taken lightly in these old eyes."

Silence again filled the room as the large, muscular wolf finished and looked to his second in command.
Eight remained just as he was, head and heart still racing, and awaiting the end of this. It seemed to be taking so very long. But he would have to wait for his judgement, Benjamin now spoke to him.

"Eight, in your time here with us we have learned as much from watching you as you have from observing the pack." The stout wolf spoke just as Eight had come to expect, his sentences short and to the point, his voice like gravel and grate.
"Our eyes and ears have been keeping track of you for any signs that you're not pulling your weight, or even betrayal. In light of any number of your dealings while here, I have only one thing to say - You have not disappointed."


At this point, Eight's heart rate returned to normal, his head ceased pounding, Benjamin of all wolves just praised him. While not a stretch, it was still rare. Now his curiosity was running rampant with confusion... what WAS this all about?

Benjamin turned his rough-furred form to Connor, the morning Hunt Alpha that Eight was stationed with when he first arrived. The silvery, young Alpha spoke,
"I wasn't opposed to having an extra set of paws and jaws on my morning crew, But I didn't know how well this newcomer, this instantly-appointed Beta would fair. A small, Southern Dandy - that was the joke around the hunt ground as news spread." Connor always sounded very confident when he spoke, this was the first time Eight could recall his words biting so.
"But when you got out there on that first day, we pulled one of the biggest kills of the season. You did well. You did what you were told without question. You used your head, you knew what to do, and if you didn't, well you sure fooled me."

It became more clear now what was going on to Eight, and though they were not done, and he was still not ready to wager on it at all, this was looking to be far less severe of a situation than he had worried himself over all this time.


Jayne now stood on all fours when he spoke, as cultured a wolf as he was, it was not unexpected. The slender, small-framed wolf took one paw step forward to address Eight.

"You have proven yourself a great hunter, it would seem." He spoke properly and used concise wording, he left out any of his feelings of doubt, if he had any,
"Though, being a great hunter is only part of what being a member of this Clan is about. You have also demonstrated caring, kindness and a certain charm. I can only imagine that you were brought up right since you were a pup. For these things, I thank you. Whats more, you bought our pack a month and a half more of hunting than we typically have through these very same merits, though they were risky. Our borders with the Cougar have never been crossed - and would not have been were it not for your past dealings with her. Risky? Yes. But that you have gained an alliance with such a predator, regardless of how uneasy, speaks volumes."

With that, the light brown wolf sat again and motioned to Dusk.
She stood as well and took a step forward, her small form breaking the line just a little.

"I do not have much to say, Eight, but I do not think I need to." She nodded to him and smiled "The others have had far more dealings with you and their opinions weigh much more than mine. However, from tales of your exploits and hearing of your trials here, I truly believe that your presence in this pack has not and will not bring any ill-fate, and that is what I had concerned myself with for a very long time. The safety of my brothers and sisters here as well as our young. I dare say that we are all that much safer with you as a Beta here and not the other way around."

Dusk sat once again, Eight thanked her quietly and briefly, trying not to speak out of turn.
Deogee now nodded to Stern. Eight could only help but think, "This should be good..."


The small, stout wolf spoke in his usual manner, sounding much less refined than the others, far less care in his voice, and strictly to the point. But it was his way, Eight knew that from any of his number of dealings with the Beta.
"Its no secret that you weren't liked by many members when you arrived, and its no secret that I was one of those members. I'd say that I still don't know about you... We've gone round and round more than once. You're talkative, and annoying, always you've got something to say. My group don't talk on the job. But, all this aside, You've shown me that I can trust you, and if I can, anyone can. You've proven to be stalwart and fierce, if not, a little scrawny."
Eight stifled a chuckle, this pint-size wolf calling anyone scrawny was laughable.
"Even more, You've shown yourself to fearlessly protect these borders, and your pack-mates... from certain death if necessary." Stern's voice softened, the caustic edge it usually carried was gone now, it was unusual.
"I owe you my life. And I am truly grateful."

With that, Eight was touched and caught off guard at the same time. There was little time to stare at Stern in a confused manner, now Zen spoke up.

"I've been keeping a very close eye on you since you were indoctrinated into our borders, Eight. Don't misunderstand, this was of my own accord, but it was not due to any measure of mistrust between us. Please be assured of that."
His white fur shimmered in what little light there was in the outcropping, Eight's full attention was on him at this point, he was interested most in what his friend had to say.
"Of course, news of your hard work here is something to be applauded, but as well, you are aware of everything going on around you. You've been very careful not to overstep your bounds. You are polite, kind and even a little rambunctious, as we Omegas have seen. I have taken great care in relaying this to Deogee, in hopes of gaining you good favor with the pack - though you've done that for yourself ten fold. From watching you, I feel I should tell you to unburden yourself sometimes, you carry much weight on your shoulders, You are far more than you think you are here to many of us, and you are taken more serious than you may think. You and I are friends, Eight, Compatriots, Brothers. You have the support of any one of us Omegas at any time, I don't think I have to tell you that."

With that, Zen nodded deeply, almost in a bow to the Beta sitting before the group.

A moment passed and Eight took in what he could. He wondered only what would happen next, though he wouldn't have to be kept waiting long.

The old Alpha stood, his dark fur rustled a little, and a joint or two popped. Deogee stepped forward now, only feet from Eight and locked into his gaze.

Taking a deep breath before he began and gathering his thoughts, the den was left in silence for one long and agonizing series of moments.



This was the moment of truth. This is what it all came down to.