Back in Raynemor, after being forced to apologize to the scouts she injured, Naja is brought to an interrogation room for further questioning. Sakyo and Kaya stand back while Garm begins the interrogation.
[Garm] You may only answer our questions honestly. Should I find you lying, I will kill you.
[Naja] I understand.
[Garm] First, why is that man looking for me all of a sudden? It has been years since my departure.
[Naja] Our intel had informed him of a male white werewolf located in this kingdom. You are the only one left in this world who matches that description, so he knew that you were still alive.
[Garm] So he thought I was dead. Figures. Those two have not changed at all. Master, you are next to question her.
[Sakyo] Alright, how many people know you're here?
[Naja] Only my father and two of my brothers know I am in this kingdom, though they are not aware of my specific location.
Garm relaxes a bit hearing that his location has not been completely revealed yet.
[Kaya] My turn. Why are you trying to take Garm back all of a sudden? Do you really think I'd let you take him from me... I mean, us?
[Naja] That should be obvious. Father wants his Python back.
[Sakyo] Python?
[Garm] It is a title given to the second in command of the Snake Pit. As his heir, I was given that title for my strength that was only second to his.
[Kaya] I thought you were part of a wolf pack?
[Garm] ...After my father abandoned our old pack, he formed a new one and called it the Snake Pit. Our ranks were determined by our strength. Those who wanted to improve their own standing had to fight to climb higher, and those who couldn't climb were devoured by those who could.
[Naja] I believe it is my turn to ask a question. Why did you not return to us? Everyone thought you had perished in your fight with the wyvern.
Garm's fists clench as he remembers that day. The day everything changed. He didn't die, but he might as well have. That moment marked the death of his old life.
[Garm] That is none of your concern.
[Naja] Of course it is. Your rank still remains unclaimed. There is no heir more worthy than you to take over our pack.
[Garm] I have no intention of returning to that place.
[Naja] But we need you. If you do not return, then our future will remain uncertain. The hierarchy remains strong, but Vex and Ralor cannot hold everyone tog-
THUD
It happened in less than a second. No one was able to see the motions. All they could see was the aftermath. Naja pinned against the wall by her throat as Garm holds her off the ground. The anger in his eyes far surpasses anything he showed before.
[Garm] Do not mention the names of those two in front of me. Ever.
Kaya begins to walk towards him, but is stopped when Sakyo holds her shoulder back. Naja falls to the floor as soon as Garm releases his grip. The fear in her eyes can't be hidden as she feels the markings Garm's hands left on her neck. They seemed to be almost even in power before, but now, she finally realized exactly how much he had been holding back.
[Naja] Please, Brother, please come home.
[Garm] You would do well to forget me. As far as I am concerned, you and the rest of them are no longer my family.
Naja lowers her head and slams her fist against the floor. Her frustration grows with every second. She'd never failed a mission before, and she won't let it begin now. She won't let him just walk away when she's so close to reaching her goal.
[Naja] Then you leave me no choice. My fangs grow restless.
Garm stops, remembering exactly what those words mean.
[Garm] You really wish to challenge me after seeing how much you need to grow?
[Naja] No, not you. Him.
She points not at her brother, but at the one he calls Master.
[Naja] I may not be able to defeat you, but you will have to come home when I defeat your master.
[Garm] (growl) Of all the insolent-
[Sakyo] Deal.
Everyone looks surprised at Sakyo's easy acceptance of such a challenge, especially Garm.
[Garm] But Master, you do not need to bother yourself with this. We are not in the Snake Pit so there is no need to accept her challenge.
[Sakyo] She won't give up until she brings you home. At least this way, we can make her give up without resistance.
[Garm] ...Very well.
They all walk out of the interrogation room, Kaya leading them to an open arena near the center of the city where a new statue is being erected. Naja drops all of her weapons before taking her place at one end while Sakyo walks towards the other.
[Garm] This will be an official challenge. Should the challenger win... I will return to the Snake Pit. When Master wins, the challenger will give up on bringing me back. Are there any questions?
[Naja/Sakyo] No.
[Garm] Begin!
Naja wastes no time rushing towards Sakyo. Her claws are bared and she's ready for anything, or so she thought. As she gets closer, something inside her keeps holding her back. She can't tell what's happening until she finally takes one look at her opponent.
[Naja] (I do not understand. He is just standing there. No defense. No signs of movement. There is no reason to hesitate, so why am I?)
With one look into his eyes, Naja is stopped completely in her tracks. That look, one of absolute confidence. As if there's no way he could possibly lose this battle. Then it happens, he begins taking a step closer.
With each step he takes, her instincts grow louder and louder. Naja begins walking backwards before falling to the ground. All of her instincts are screaming at her to run away, yet her legs won't move. A cold sweat runs down her face as she feels completely powerless. Her entire body shakes with nerves.
[Naja] (Why? Why did I think I could beat him for even a moment?)
Naja finally realizes that she was wrong. She is not fighting a mere human. She is facing the apex predator that her brother calls his master. Without thinking, her body makes the only move she can think of to survive. Sakyo stops in his tracks, completely caught of guard by her movement.
[Sakyo] Um, what are you doing?
She rolled onto her back, exposing her belly. Garm watches from the sidelines with a moment of surprise before calling the match.
[Garm] That is enough. Master has claimed victory in this battle.
After calling the match, Garm and Kaya walk up to a still dumbfounded Sakyo.
[Kaya] What's she doing?
[Garm] It is the pose of submission only offered to those you will show ultimate obedience to. It means she saw your strength and has decided to save her own life by offering it to you.
[Sakyo] I see. Then I guess this is settled. Let's go check on the guards she injured. We've still got a few hours before we can head back home.
They walk off, leaving Naja still laying on the ground unconscious.
...
After a few hours of checking on everything, Sakyo's relic is finally recharged and ready to take him and Garm home.
[Kaya] Do you really have to leave so soon? You rarely ever come here anymore.
[Sakyo] Sorry, but there's lots of stuff to do in the capital too. We'll make sure to visit more often, and we'll bring Ren next time.
[Kaya] You'd better. I miss seeing her.
[Garm] Master, it is time to go.
[Sakyo] Alright, let's go home.
After opening the portal and stepping through, they're finally back at the castle.
[Naja] So this is where I will be living from now on. I will admit, it does seem quite cozy.
Sakyo and Garm turn to face the one they didn't expect. They both blink a few times to make sure they're not seeing things. Garm is the first to speak up in uncharacteristic surprise.
[Garm] What are you doing here?! I thought you left already!
[Naja] I have already done the pose of ultimate obedience. I cannot return to the Snake Pit after swearing my loyalty to a new alpha.
[Garm] That does not mean you can just follow us into Master's home!
[Naja] It would be rude otherwise to leave his side on my first day.
[Sakyo] So you'll just be staying here?
[Naja] Yes. If you would be so kind, I would like to see where we will be sleeping.
With no other choice, they lead her to Sakyo's bedroom. When they reach the room, Ren is still there, now wearing one of Sakyo's shirts and rolling in his bed. She only stops once she sees the three people standing in the doorway.
[Ren] Um, hi.
[Sakyo] Ren, we talked about this.
[Ren] I know, but I can't help it. I'm sorry.
[Naja] Sir, I do not believe she needs to be reprimanded. A female marking her mates belongings before mating is perfectly natural. I am glad to have your first mate to help guide me in our first night together.
Hearing her words, both Sakyo and Ren blush furiously.
[Ren] W-w-w-wait! W-w-we-we're not d-d-doing that yet! I'm still not mentally prepared for that yet!
[Sakyo] Yeah, Ren's my girlfriend! We haven't gone that far yet!
[Naja] Yet?
Their blushes only intensify as the implication is brought to attention.
[Ren] Sakyo, who is this woman?
[Sakyo] Um, it's kind of a long story. It might be easier for her to introduce herself.
[Naja] My name is Naja. I have submitted to your mate and joined his harem.
[Sakyo] Well, that was a mistake.
[Ren] W-when you say submitted, what do you...?
[Naja] Your mate overwhelmed me, and I offered myself to him, body and soul.
You could easily hear a pin drop in the silence that followed. Naja still doesn't understand Sakyo or Ren's embarrassment while Garm just remains leaning against the door watching this entire meeting unfold. Ren falls to her knees on the bed, looking completely defeated.
[Sakyo] Why did you word that in the worst way possible?!
[Ren] No, Sakyo's already too irresistible to women, but it's even more so with therianthropes. First Yukina, and now this one. Maybe Nymera can find a way to stop it.
[Sakyo] Ren, it's not what you think. This is Garm's sister. She was responsible to the commotion Kaya called about. We defeated her in a fight, and she decided to join our group.
[Ren] Oh, I see. So she's not joining the harem.
[Naja] Um, I know you may have some reservations, but I am aware of my place. I have no intention of trying to steal your position as the primary mate. I may not have experience with mating, but I am confident that I will be able to birth strong children.
[Ren] I-I see. Well, as long as you don't try to steal my place as the first wife. But don't forget, I'll be the first one to give Sakyo children.
[Sakyo] (I feel like this conversation has gone off track.)