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Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: Clash of Heirs

Chapter 3: Clash of Heirs

As the sun broke through the misty canopy above the shattered territory of the Crimson Howl, Kael stood on a jagged stone outcrop overlooking what remained of the central den. The fight against Tamir had earned him temporary recognition, but he knew better than to rest.

The system had warned him: unity was fragile.

Below, members of the pack moved with unease. Some patched broken walls. Others trained with sticks, pretending they were blades. None of it masked the tension that clung to the air like a storm waiting to break.

A growl echoed from the southern trail.

Kael turned as a tall figure strode toward the den, flanked by five young warriors. His frame was powerful, his cloak stitched with the mark of the Ember Fang sub-clan.

"Seth," Kael muttered. His cousin.

Once hailed as the future Alpha by many elders, Seth had vanished after the Black Moon, rumored to have died—or worse, defected.

Now he was here.

"Did you think you could claim the seat without challenge?" Seth's voice was smooth, dangerous.

"I earned the seat," Kael replied, descending from the rock. "Where were you when the pack bled?"

Seth's eyes glinted. "Surviving. Planning. While you were playing pretend, I was gathering strength."

A heavy silence fell.

The pack formed a loose ring around them. Eyes flicked from one to the other. This was no longer about bruised pride. This was an Alpha challenge.

"Challenge accepted," Kael said.

Seth's lips curled into a smile.

Kael felt the system stir.

System Alert:

Alpha Challenge Triggered: Rival Heir Detected.

Opponent: Seth of the Ember Fang.

Rank: 4 (Shifter)

Current User Rank: 3 (Shifter - Unstable)

Optional Mission: Win the Alpha Duel without outside interference.

Reward: Full Pack Submission + Reputation Boost

Warning: Loss will result in loss of leadership rights.

He felt the tremble of fear in his limbs. Seth had already stabilized his shifting. Kael had not.

Seth shifted in one breath, fur erupting across his arms and legs as he stood in his full wolf form—taller than most, crimson streaks glowing down his back. He wielded no weapon. He didn't need to.

Kael tried to focus, to push back the tremors in his core. His last shift had nearly broken him.

"System," he whispered inside, "give me anything."

System Notification:

Temporary Buff Unlocked: Alpha's Roar (Instinct Level - 3 Minutes)

Effect: Boosts reflexes and suppresses fear. Activates upon first blood drawn.

Kael surged forward before fear could settle.

Claws clashed. Dust flew. The ring erupted with startled gasps.

Kael ducked low, striking with instinct more than strategy. Seth countered easily, slashing his side. First blood.

Then the roar came.

From deep in Kael's throat erupted a primal bellow. A sound not entirely his own.

Time slowed. Movements sharpened.

Kael dodged a claw aimed at his throat, then landed a savage bite to Seth's shoulder. The older boy snarled and flung him away with brute strength—but Kael landed on all fours, steadier now.

The pack was silent.

Seth circled, blood now soaking his fur. "You've improved," he said. "But you're still a runt."

Kael answered with a leap, this time not wild but precise. Their forms tangled in a flurry of teeth and fury.

Three minutes later, Seth lay beneath Kael's claws, pinned and panting.

"I yield," Seth growled.

Kael stepped back, breath ragged, eyes wide.

The system answered:

System Update:

Alpha Challenge Complete.

Victory Confirmed.

Reputation: +120

Pack Unity: +15%

Pack Creation Progress: 80%

Kael stood, victorious—but aware. This was only the beginning.

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