We all startled and grabbed whatever we could carry (which was all of what was left of the two frogs) as we ran back to the den. Before we got all the way there, however, Foire stopped us and gestured forwards.

I then noticed a small pack of wolfstag cubs, and motioned for the rest of the pack to retreat. They all were about the size of the cub that I had previously killed, and a small part of me was curious, wondering if they would fulfill the requirements for my listed quest. However, knowing what the larger clap of thunder likely came from, I was dissuaded.

Our direct route of retreat blocked, I turned to the rest and hissed, "Can any of you think of a surefire way to get back to the den? Or should we just try to loop around?" My question was answered by a bunch of blank stares and a couple head shakes.

Great...

I decided it was best for us to loop around instead of trying to blaze through, and, judging by where the crack of thunder had come from, we decided to loop to the south instead of the north. It was tense, and the group as a whole was showing signs of stress, Vefir in particular. We had decided to loop further away rather than closer, in the hopes that we could steer clear completely, and it seemed to be doing the trick.

We walked about 1km, and we were relatively sure that we would now be able to approach the den directly. However, as we walked forward, the smell of blood and viscera began to fill the air, as well as the faintest hint of ozone. I froze in place and motioned for the rest to do the same, and, after what seemed to be an eternity, we heard no movement around us, and nothing showed up on any thermal waves. Thus, we slowed our approach, and looked into the clearing in front of us.

My initial worry was that there would be some enemy in front of us, but, my hope was that, if an enemy had hunted here, they would then take their prey with them and leave ground zero. Thus, I searched everywhere around for any heat signature. There was nothing. Thus, I shifted back to my normal vision.

There were splashes of blood everywhere. Some of the lower ferns and such were so stained with crimson that it seemed to be their default coloration. There were flecks of flesh in different locations, and, with a sharper nose, one could tell that it was keelish blood and flesh that had been spilt here. Here and there I could see broken fangs and claws, sloughed scales and torn tails littered the area. A large amount of my fellow spawnlings had been brutalized here. Then, I noticed the message left for us.

Lining the edge of the clearing, facing where the den was, were 8 severed heads. The eyes were gouged out and each fang pulverized, and many more marks of battle and death decorated each decapitated dome. It turned my stomach, but I went to inspect, and recognized one head, the largest. A tiger-striped brown and tan, this head was larger than Brutus's by a fair margin. Tieran and his entire hunting pack had been massacred.

No mercy had been given, and, judging by my limited interactions with him, none was asked either. Going off of the damage done here, and the size and number of the tracks left behind, they had come in contact with at least two adult wolfstags. Looking around, I could see several scorch marks where discharges of electricity had been grounded.

We looked on for only the briefest of moments, before I tasked Foire with carrying Tieran's head and continuing onwards.

...

We made great time back to the den, and stopped for nothing. Even a mating pair of frogs was spared no second glance as we rushed to the security of our home. They croaked in a panic and began to flee, but we simply sprinted past as they hurriedly hopped back into the cover of the nearby bushes.

The entire pack let out a collective sigh of relief as we set foot back into the den, and we quickly retreated to the spawnlings' territory with our prey and cargo.

When we stepped into the common area, however, we suddenly heard several loud gasps. Looking around, it was easy to tell that the amazement stemmed from others realizing that we had brought back Tieran's head. I didn't much mind being categorized as a kin slayer, as I already was, but I didn't want to be labelled as such when I had done no such thing. The principle of the matter, I supposed.

I immediately approached the opening of Tieran's den. The haughty female from this morning stood there, frozen in disbelief as she took in the severed head of her alpha.

"We came upon the severed heads of the entire pack as we returned from our hunt. We brought only his as proof."

The females stood, in shock and disbelief. I continued as I saw the rest of the females poke their heads out.

"Now, come join my pack. You have no future alone, and, I guarantee that you will be my subordinate in the next 24 hours either way. You will acquire greater benefits from choosing to follow me now, as opposed to doing so by force tomorrow."

The leading female and her entourage scoffed in my face, but I could see contemplation on the faces of the other 4. I needed the final nail in the coffin.

"You have seen success following a male, but I offer you the leadership of a male, tempered by the wisdom of a female. Both of us have kept our own safer than any other. Join me."

The leading female snorted down her snout at me. "You are weak and undeserving of my help. Come, let us go join the more promising true alpha." Her voice was shrill and she didn't look back, and her two... handmaidens, I suppose I'll call them, immediately followed, but the others stayed. One of the four approached me, and began to speak.

"Will... will we be able to offer support in a way other than to brood?"

"Yes, my beta is female here. You don't need to brood if you don't want to. I certainly won't force you. I don't intend to sire any children." The female cocked her head at that, obviously confused, but, after a moment's brief deliberation with her companions, she stepped forwards.

"We will follow you so long as you deserve it."

I was sure that there was some more conversation that happened here, but it was all forgotten as I excitedly looked at the flashing [System] Notification in that corner of my vision:

[Growth achieved. Status updated. Evolutionary Progress: Young Bloodletter Keelish Alpha: 10/10. Evolution unlocked.]

Oh yeah.