"Back again?" the AbyssalWood Alpha chuckles.

I, of course, am in no laughing mood. I say nothing, simply glaring, my blade gripped tightly between my teeth. I'm about to charge in to strike, when he raises a paw. I stop to hear him out. As angry as I am, it's still the proper thing to to. Who knows, perhaps he's come around and agreed to let me pass? It seems unlikely, however, and a part of me would be downright disappointed were that the case. Still, it isn't impossible. As it turns out, I'm not disappointed.

"This is getting a little bit boring, so how about we finish it this time?" he says.

I smile around the handle of my blade. "Sounds good. A proper fight to the end. I'll kill you for sure this time, or die trying."

"No, I have a better idea." the large canine smirks. "You can still try to kill me, of course. You are weak enough when you're not holding back. I have another idea in mind for when I defeat you, however."

I can't help but chuckle. I'm fully prepared to fight to the bitter end, and I can't see how any alternate arrangement would work out any less in my favor. "Okay, let's hear it."

"It's been fun, but I'm a busy wolf, and I can't be taking time out of my day whenever you show up looking for a beating, so here's how things will go: If you defeat me, you can kill me, and pass through our territory without issue. I promise that none of the other pack members will attack you."

I nod in agreement. In truth, that is a bit of a relief. I wasn't looking forward to the very real possibility of the remainder of the pack jumping in all at once to avenge the defeat of their leader. I'm confident that I can defeat the alpha, but that doesn't mean that even the one on one duel won't be a hard fought battle.

"If I defeat you, however, you'll join our pack and become my bitch."

I freeze in place. "W-what?"

It appears that I'm not the only one shocked by this idea. All of the other wolves murmur to one another anxiously.

"Are you insane?" a large female wolf snarls to the alpha, "Why would we want some weak little mixed-blood pet in our pack?"

"I admire her fighting spirit, and she's pretty strong for her size. Plus, those healing powers of hers are really impressive. Just imagine how far our pack could spread if we could harness such abilities?" the larger wolf replies, before turning back in my direction, looking me up and down. "Plus, she's got a nice ass."

The female wolf scoffs. "That's ridiculous! She doesn't... she doesn't..." she pauses, narrowing her eyes at me and sighs, studying me in a way that makes me incredibly uncomfortable. "Okay, fine, I'll admit it: She does have a pretty nice ass."

I'm still largely frozen in place. I suppose I should take the words as a compliment. I'm not sure exactly what having a nice ass entails, but it has to be a good thing, right? Instead, this whole situation leaves me bordering on panicked.

"What's wrong?" the alpha teases, "You were talking so big earlier, willing to lay down your life. What's the big deal? It's not as though you expect to lose, is it?"

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"O-of course not!' I shout, doing my best to look proud and defiant. "This changes nothing! I'll defeat you, and find my master!"

"Glad to hear it. Let's get started."

Battle Start! Squire Versus AbyssalWood Alpha!

AbyssalWood Alpha grins lecherously!

Squire's Morale has fallen!

This isn't a big deal. What he said earlier was right: I'm going to win this fight, and even if I lose, it's still better than dying, right? Not that I'm going to lose this time...

Squire falls back...

AbyssalWood Alpha waggles his eyebrows!

Squire's Morale has fallen further!

Squire falls back...

I knew that this mission would be dangerous, and I have faced death at every turn. This isn't some dragon or archlich or demon, it's just a big, dumb wolf. If I can't overcome a challenge like this, I have no right to call myself a hero. I have no right to even think that I could save my master. I can do this! I have to do this!

AbyssalWood Alpha winks and blows a kiss!

Squire's Morale has fallen further!

...

...

...

Squire has fled from the battle!

---

AbyssalWood Alpha: "Ah, finally the mature content is out of the way! That wasn't so bad, but I suppose it's still nice to give a little advanced warning, purely as a sign of courtesy!"

Wolfess: "That wasn't what the warning was about."

AbyssalWoof Alpha: "It wasn't?"

Wolfess: "When it happens, you'll know."

Squire: "This is so not what I signed up for..."