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Byron. An injustice has been made. It is past time for it to be rectified."
    "You will have your chance to speak and if a challenge is made will you accept?"
    "I will."
    Byron nodded. "So be it."
    Byron, his father, and all the members of his clan surrounded him, leaving him in the center of a large circle. Victor spotted the other council members easily. The male/female ratio of the pack seemed almost even, with almost all being young and strong, but there were a few who were advanced in age. All of them stood close to Mark's father and Byron. Mark looked around the circle. His face looked calm until he turned and stopped in one direction. Victor followed his gaze to a tall, slender man with long blond hair. The man glared back at Mark and Victor knew in his gut he was looking at Raymond. Mark's voice gave him a start when he spoke.
    "Brothers, I come to you today to clarify what I did not have the strength to explain all those years ago. You were told I was the cretin who did the heinous crime of taking the life of one of our own. I fear my wounds at the time were such that I was unable to deny those accusations. I am here today to let you know that you were deceived. The crime was an atrocity alone, but to compound it with lies only makes it worse. I am grateful for this opportunity to exonerate myself of these transgressions and challenge the one who made them against me."
    There was a sudden intake of breath from the crowd which quickly burst into incoherent murmurs.
    "Silence! Say your accusation and make your challenge, Mark!"
    The crowd went quiet as Victor and everyone else heard Byron bark his order. The masses turned immediately to Mark to wait for his reply.
    "Raymond is the deceiver in this pack, not I," Mark said, pointing to the blonde man. "I challenge you, Raymond, for my rightful place among our people."
    A sneer spread across Raymond's face as he stepped forward. "Accepted."
    The circle opened to let Mark out. He walked to Victor, disrobing.
    Victor stood to meet him. "What's going on? What are you doing?" he asked, taking the shirt from him.
    "Removing my clothes. We fight as wolves."
    Mark sat on the rock and pulled off one of his shoes. Victor kneeled before him and removed the other.
    "What? Why? He beat you as a wolf last time you guys fought. Wouldn't you have a better chance as a man?"
    "This is how it is done," Mark said, unbuttoning his pants.
    "Okay, but does it have to be that way?"
    "It is tradition."
    "Fuck tradition, Mark, we're talking survival."
    "Our laws and traditions cannot be ignored, Victor," he said in a disapproving tone, sitting back on the stone.
    Victor sighed. "Okay, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to disrespect your traditions. Don't you think this fight is too important to leave in the hands of some ancient ritual?" Victor yanked Mark's pant leg and fell backwards with a grunt.
    Mark chuckled. "What do you suggest?"
    Victor adjusted and sat on his haunches. "You said when we bonded we receive the best of each other, right? Our strengths will merge and our weaknesses will be enhanced, yeah?" He nodded and Victor continued. "Well, all I'm saying is, just don't rely totally on your wolf skills. I've lived my whole life as a man and been in plenty of fights. Call on my knowledge and use it to your advantage. It's something he won't see coming. The element of surprise usually gives the upper hand," he said with a shrug.
    Mark stood and pulled Victor to his feet. "Thank you, my love. Again your wisdom illuminates me and I am all the wiser for it. I will consider your words during the battle," he said, then gave him a sound kiss.
    Without another word, Mark returned to the circle where Raymond waited for him and Victor sat on the boulder to wait. His hand moved to his belly to calm the butterflies suddenly flapping there.
    "At last your demise comes," Raymond said with an arrogant smirk.
    "You can end this now, Raymond, by telling the truth and thus restoring me and finally paying for your