The fighting pit, a vast circle of packed earth at the heart of the pack, had long become a place of friendly matches.
The River Pack, accustomed to years of peace, used it for festivals and friendly competitions. Laughter and cheering, not the grim tension of a life-or-death challenge, were its usual sounds.
But tonight was different.
Tonight, the air itself felt heavy with the weight of anticipation , and the pit was the center of a storm.
It was the most thrilling thing to happen to the pack in a very long time.
The challenge for the Alpha's throne, a conflict thought long gone, was about to begin. Every member of the pack who could walk had made their way to the pit, and the crowd was so vast that latecomers were turned away, forced to listen from the edges of the forest.
The suddenness of it all only added to the frenzy. Just days ago, life was normal. Now, with the throne up for a new grab and dark whispers about their long-trusted Alpha, the entire pack was on edge.
