The tension in the air was so thick, Geric doubted even a silver sword could have pierced it. The wolves stayed well away from the soldiers and the soldiers stayed in their own groups, eyeing the wolves suspiciously.

"Well, at least they're all here," he muttered teasingly under his breath to Amy who smiled wanly.

"True, but I was hoping for a little more unity than this," she whispered back. Geric nodded, watching the camp closely. This was never going to work if they couldn't put aside their differences.

A beating of hooves made them both turn to see Darrow riding toward them through the trees. He stopped short of Geric and Amy and bowed as he slid off his horse.

"Sorry I'm late, Your Majesties," he said, picking up a large package that had been attached to the horse's back and handing it to Amy. "This wasn't ready by the time we needed to leave, so I stayed behind for it."

Amy smiled and thanked him just as Tonraq bellowed excitedly. "Darrow!"

Darrow looked up and started running at his brother, meeting him halfway and giving him such a tight hug that they toppled to the ground in a laughing, wrestling heap.

"It's been far too long, brother," Darrow exclaimed, a broad grin spreading across his face. I've missed you so much!"

Pulling Geric to the side, Amy asked quietly, "Why has it been so long since they've seen each other? They live close by."

"You know why," Geric muttered softly, glancing at the two brothers who were trying to start up a game of sticks. A few wolves and soldiers reluctantly joined, still casting each other wary glances. "Once a man begins training to be a palace guard, he's not allowed to have dealings with the wolves as an extra security measure."

"Even his own brother?" Amy asked indignantly, putting a fist on her hip. "It's no wonder many of them hate humans."

"Both Tonraq and Darrow wanted to be in the royal guard," Geric said quietly, watching the scene unfold behind them. There was still caution in every move that both sides made, but there were also a few smiles now, which Geric took as a good sign. "When Tonraq was turned as a child, he told Darrow not to let go of his dream just because of him."

Amy looked down at her well worn riding boots, her eyes glistening. "We have so far to go, Geric. There's so much we need to change."

Geric shrugged, taking her fist in his hand and rubbing it in slow circles with his thumb to ease the tension there. A roar of laughter from the group surrounding Tonraq and Darrow made him look up briefly again, but the group was merely passing around tankards of ale and congratulating Darrow on a fine victory.

"True," Geric acknowledged, turning her around so she could see what he saw. "But look what we've accomplished already."

Amy smiled as she watched the soldiers drinking and laughing together, finally striking up a tavern song.

But now let's roll the dice again, and win some drinking money! Who thinks about November's rain, while it's still warm and sunny?

Geric grinned, remembering the first time he had heard that song. He and his brothers had snuck out in the middle of the night and joined the commoners for a drink. It had been Tonno, his youngest brother's first time drinking and he had insisted on getting mead. He had been so drunk by the end of the night that he and Armand had to carry him home and get him inside without their mother knowing.

"I almost forgot," Amy said, patting the package that rested by her feet. "Come with me, I want to show you something."

He followed her to her tent, it was as plain as the rest, unadorned and bare. Just the way he knew Amy preferred it.

"I started having this made before Charles was even gone," she giggled, handing him the package. It was heavier than Geric had expected and he raised his eyebrows at her.

"What is it?"

Amy grinned teasingly, her eyes lighting with amusement. "You'll just have to open it to find out."

Geric began pulling the paper away, revealing a breastplate that was much too large for a man but not for him in his wolf form. He flipped it over, staring at the Dunbroch family crest standing raised in the center, inlaid with—what else— silver.

"It's beautiful," he said, swallowing against the lump that had formed in his throat. Amy's smile broadened even more as she wound her fingers around his.

"I wanted something to protect your heart when you're in wolf form," she said softly, pulling him a little closer. "And to remind all who see you who you are."

Geric kissed her gently, the simple gesture filled with a world of meaning. He loved Amy's thoughtfulness, her kindness, and he thought for the thousandth time that she was going to make an amazing queen.

"Try it on," Amy grinned. "I want to see how it looks. I even added a place for my hands so it's easier to hold on when I'm riding and I don't have to pull your fur."

"I never minded," Geric grinned flirtatiously, taking off his clothes. She knew his body as well as he did now. There was no longer any need for shyness between them. He closed his eyes and felt the familiar sensation of the muscles in his back and chest lengthening and broadening, hands and feet becoming paws...

When he opened his eyes again, he stood before Amy in his wolf form and she quickly moved forward and buried her face in the fur of his chest.

"I could just curl up here and sleep until this is over," she whispered. He nudged her playfully with his nose, a low rumble that in human form would have been a laugh escaping him. "I know, I know. We have work to do. Come over here so I can try this on you."

Geric followed her over to the bed, which he proceeded to jump on, sitting on the breastplate teasingly and wouldn't get off no matter how hard she pulled.

"You're impossible," she laughed. "Come on. Please?"

Grinning, he got up, winding himself around her once and giving the side of her face a slobbery wolf kiss. Amy didn't say anything, but he could tell she was happy. He could sense it in the way she moved, in the quickening of her heartbeat when he was near.

Finally she got the breastplate in place, leading him over to a full length mirror in the corner of the tent so he could see the full effect. Geric had to admit, it was a masterpiece. Even the wolf just above the crown had a small, yellow jewel in its eye, making it seem alive.

"It's perfect, thank you," he said, returning to his human form. Quickly dressing himself in his plain brown soldier's garb again, he took her hand and led her out of the tent and back toward the fires of the camp.

"Speech!" a voice he was pretty sure was Darrow's called. Geric turned and raised his eyebrows at Amy who nodded encouragingly. He took a deep breath and began to speak.

"Thank you all for answering the call of the king so speedily. I honor you for that. I am aware that many of you question your place in the kingdom of Colmar. I understand this, I myself was unsure of my place for over one hundred years. But the time has come to put the past behind us. Colmar needs all of us, including the wolves, and we have a desire to count you among our own."

The air crackled with excitement as he continued, the energy emboldening him. "I'll not command you, wolves. I understand if you do not wish to fight with us in the name of Colmar. But I will ask you because I am one of you, to offer yourselves to stop the assault of the Minnian armies. Will you join us? Will you rise and fight with us to protect our home?"

Slowly at first, but then with more energy, the soldiers began banging their swords on their shields, raising their fists into the air, shouting their affirmation and swearing to fight to the death.

"Well done," Amy smiled. "Spoken like a true king."

She took his hand as the soldiers and the wolves struck up another song, this one a song of war.

Tear down the borders, tear down the shores, tear down the walls, tear down the doors, the king to victory, we cry, the king to victory!

Squeezing Geric's hand, she said, "They're not singing that for my father you know, at least most of them. Even the soldiers aren't. They're singing it for you."

Geric smiled, taking her hand as a few musicians struck up a lively jig. They danced together, wolves and humans under the stars, united for the first time since long before any of them could remember. Spinning Amy laughingly through the crowd as her skirt kicked up fallen leaves, Geric couldn't remember feeling this happy in a long time. The happiness was short lived however as he heard a deep and menacing voice calling him from the edge of the clearing.

"Geric Dunbroch!" Favian bellowed, his amber eyes so dark they almost looked bloody. "By the laws of the wolves, I challenge you for the position of Alpha in a battle to the death."

The music died away, and Amy's happy expression faltered into one of fear. Geric straightened, drawing himself up to his full height.

"I accept your challenge, Favian," he snarled. "But be warned, I will kill you if I win, have you considered that possibility carefully?"

"I have," Favian snarled. "And I am ready."

Amy clung to Geric's arm, her eyes wide with fear. "Are you really going to fight to the death?"

Geric nodded. "Favian has given me no other choice. The wolves need a leader right now more than ever. Favian will continue to divide us if I allow him to live."

Amy shuddered, taking a step toward her tent. "Let me get your armor."

"No," Geric said softly, taking her face between his hands. "I need to finish this without it. It will just be me and Favian."

"But you could..." Amy trailed off, unable to finish her sentence, her eyes filling with tears. Geric leaned down and kissed her slowly, trying to calm her nerves as much as his own.

"Don't worry. I'll do whatever it takes to be with you, remember?" he said with a small smile. Then turning to Favian and taking a step away from Amy, he snarled, "Alright. I'm ready. Let's end this once and for all."