The conversation that the young wolfess had had with Taggarik was reassuring in a sense, but still bothersome.  She was aware of the fact that now she could possibly plan around the upper tiers litters in hopes to have one of her own, but she was not satisfied with the idea that she couldn't. Like the Donnelaith wolf Aria, Jhala had dreamed of a family shortly after she learned what one was, and was disturbed by the idea that she wouldn't be able to have one. Tagg had pointed out that she was quite young to want to start a family, but that wasn't exactly what she meant, she later decided. She enjoyed the idea of planning one, and as long as she knew that she had a spot secured, her future would be far easier to see laid out in front of her. This was better in her eyes; she enjoyed having the knowledge of a peaceful future, even if that wasn't necessarily true.

While she still didn't believe she was capable of leading or advising via the Beta rank, she thought that Gamma would be perfect. This was until she discovered how fond she was of the silent male who held the rank, and actually rather enjoyed having him above her. She would go for the wolf right below him, one she'd discovered to be named Anwyl, and sought him out right away. 

She found his trail soon, and let out a howl that was loud and clear. If he didn't hear it, someone else in the pack was sure to, and she felt her posture raise as she did so. Her message told him plain and simple- defend your rank or submit. She didn't know if she'd get the rank, or if anyone would support her as a Delta (not that the rank was a super high one anyway), but she hoped it would be within her limits. 

So she set off, following his trail and standing as tall and fluffed out as she could manage. 

Jhala straightened her shoulders even further, the fur along her back and shoulders rising and her chest puffing out. The male arrived soon after Tagg did, and after him the red-brown mute. Although this put a bit of her nerves against her, she was not backing down. Anwyl was younger than she had expected. She'd never actually met the brute and his appearance was laughable. She was not much older but he was still puppy-faced. He was fluffy-furred and soft and, unlike Jhala, untouched. She had a multitude of scars among her shoulders and a few on her neck. She had trained as a fighter her whole life, she wondered if he'd ever battled before. 

"Step down as Delta or defend your rank," she said smoothly, her eyes narrowing and a low growl escaping her throat. She knew very well that she could lose, and that her pride would be destroyed. But for now she remained confident, knowing that one dent in such could result in a loss. She was not here to lose, and she was not afraid to fight.

Great, he wasn't backing down. She watched him, thinking of future consequences to the males actions, and gave a dip of her head. It was not a respectful one, mind you, but one that said 'very well'. She let out a vague growl and stepped back, her feet bracing themselves as she overlooked him. She was not the defense type, like him it seemed. She was head-on fighter, and she would fight till defeat or victory, but she would not give up so easily. This was not how she worked, it was not how she was born. 

Although she could not read minds, if he really wanted to figure out her power and strengths, he'd have some problems. Her biggest strength was fighting. Just, bring it on. She'd been in real battles before and knew how to handle quite a few of them- this one would be no different. Her weight perhaps he could use, but she was just as large as he was, and for now the pair appeared evenly matches; size wised anyway. Truthfully, Jhala had no clue what this guy was capable, she only hoped it wasn't anything she couldn't handle. And now, as she viewed the male, she hoped he wouldn't be so offended by her attempt at dominance- he seemed like a nice guy.

Her brace turned to tensing, and soon she had lunged forward. She stayed low to the ground, refusing to expose her belly, and charged for the side of his neck. Her plan? To grab and throw down. She didn't want to hurt him, she just wanted to pin him and finish this. The less injuries to the both of them; the better.

Teeth met fur and (without biting anything other than skin and fur) Jhala bit with the intention to bring down. Her amber eyes shown with determination and she yanked to pull him to the ground. To her utter disbelief, Anwyl escaped from her grasp and she pulled a bit of fur with her. "My bad!" she yipped quickly, honestly not meaning to hurt him. She spat out his fur and looked to him for a response.

But he seemed unfazed, and turned to quickly bat at her nose. She suffered the first, but only staggered and ducked from the next few. She let out a growl, lunging again for him. This time she ducked her head and using her shoulders to (hopefully) shove him to the ground and pin him.

Contact was made, legs were unstable, and bodies hit the snowy ground. Jhala had him pinned almost immediately and almost leaped with joy; but she remained civil and respectful of his pride and her image. She held him as he struggled but, finally, he gave in. FUCK YES her mind screamed, but she gave him a gentle nose to the shoulder before getting off of him. She didn't want to hurt him by continuing to stand on him. She'd won, that was clear. No point in rubbing it in anyone's faces. When he rose she stood taller than he did, but after a quick glance she now looked to her pack members. Anwyl had submitted to her, but would they be okay with this? 

Jhala dipped her head low to Taggarik, her tail wagging behind her. "Thank you, sir," she woofed. Her gaze turned to Anwyl, who's pride appeared to be damaged, understandably. They were dismissed, and Jhala nodded to the ones who passed her, remaining until her alpha was the last left. She looked to him, although not to his gaze, and aimed a few grateful licks towards his muzzle with hopes she'd land at least one. 

With this, she left, off to find something to pee on and claim along the borders,