Scent of Proof, Claim of Power

I had endured endless moon cycles of grueling labor in the pack's Tracker Den, all for the promise Alpha Aurora made—ten thousand marks of tribute as my seasonal reward.

But when the distribution night finally arrived, the Alpha sent a demand through the pack's mind-link instead.

Every member was ordered to contribute varying amounts to the territory's depleted stores. My required offering was the highest of all—a full ten thousand marks.

I reached out through the bond, asking if there had been some mistake.