Porcupine Ridge Second sight has paid off well

It was true: Farstep had high expectations of the pack's leadership and in his eyes, Terich-mir had fallen short, in spite of the truly short time he had held the title. It simply wasn't enough for the tawny man. It was unfair in a way to take it with such haste and lack of hesitation, and had he known words or been keenly tuned into the more advanced emotions of his fellows he may have realized that, but all Farstep knew was wild. And in the wild, packs with solid leaders reigned supreme, and naturally those who could best serve rose.

He felt more than saw that Taggarik had stepped forward, for Terich-mir pulled back from his attempted grapple and whined softly. Farstep didn't dare look around for fear of losing the advantage, but his rival's reaction told all. If the Alpha male had thrown support behind Farstep and was uncontested then he had won. Terich-mir confirmed it with his lowered head, and when the former Beta approached to lap at his chin, Farstep returned it with a sloppy lick across the wolf's nose, as if to say, good show. There would be no ill feelings from him, and perhaps one day he would once more be in the silver wolf's shoes.

Only then did the newly crowned Beta shift, and only then did he realize that both Vuk and Romulus had risen to support him as well. Capriccio sat aside, having put her support behind neither wolf. Even so, Farstep's heart swelled and his lips pulled into a grateful smile, perhaps the only thing he could do that wasn't completely primitive, while he waved his tail triumphantly above his hocks.

And just as quickly as that he dropped his front half into a play bow, inviting any and all of them, especially Terich-mir for the release of tension, to romp in the snow.