OutFoxed: LITTLE FOX SHIFTER IN A BIG BAD WOLF'S WORLD

By L. Diva and Athina Fernwood

Fox Shifters are known for their wits and their tricks,

and she is the Queen of Tricks.

Hired by creatures to do their dirty work. One job with a certain big bad Alpha might push her a little too deep.

With enemies coming out of the woods and secrets hiding behind every corner, The Queen Of Tricks can't seem to trick her way ou

• Language: English
• Publisher: IngramSpark
• Release date: May 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9788911349128

Book preview

Prologue

She had watched Vienna the fox swiftly move through the forest, avoiding all species that were roaming the land. It did not take long for her to find the small cabin where the alphas had planned their secret meeting. Even she was impressed at the young fox's skills. It did not take the fox long to learn the details of the meeting, where it would be, who it was with, and most importantly, what it was about. There was a reason she had personally asked Vienna to look into the dealings of these alphas.

Of course, Vienna did not know that it was the Goddess herself who hired her.

Vienna had only been banished from the Fox's court for two weeks before she started wreaking havoc on anyone that crossed her path. Stealing, lying, cheating was all it took for Vienna to gain a reputation for being a trickster. It took Vienna five weeks to realise that her talents of wreaking havoc was of interest to others. Soon every creature around the world knew that if they were desperate enough, they could hire her to do their dirty work.

The Goddess had watched Vienna for months as she was hired by all types of creatures to do any sort of job. One of her first jobs was to steal a Lion King's gold for a group of laughing hyenas. She turned an entire pack of wolves against one another, so another pack could take their territory. She had poisoned a flying hawk of nobility to fall to the ground to be captured by his enemies. Doing all for a hefty price.

They thought she was driven by selfish greed, but the Goddess saw her true intentions. Before Vienna ever excepted a job, she

knew everything about it. Vienna always knew what she was getting herself into. The good and the bad. Vienna knew the kind of people she was dealing with. The Goddess knew as well. As for everyone else, they only knew what Vienna wanted them to know.

She may have been the Goddess of the Unknown Creatures, but Vienna was the Queen of tricks. That was what she let them know. That is what they called her.

She let them know that no matter how powerful they thought they were, she could reach them. It did not matter where they came from, or what species they were, they could be beaten. No one was untouchable. That nothing was untouchable.

Vienna let them believe that if she knew their name, she also knew every one of their deepest, darkest secrets. That she was not afraid to reveal their deepest, darkest secrets. For the right price.

The Goddess was most impressed that Vienna had accomplished her reputation in such a short time. She was now in her fourth year. She was young when she was banished. Most children her age, male or female, would not have survived. Vienna was young, but she was good.

They did not know her age. She did not let them know her true age. The Goddess knew though, the Goddess knew everything.

She watched the young silver fox creep closer to the cabin, not making a sound. The young fox waited, listening intently from outside. Vienna's silver ears directed to the source of the low murmuring of voices the Goddess could not understand due to some sort of power that blocked her own. The dark power did not let her own power see inside the cabin, not in the way she normally could.

The cabin was located in the middle of no man's land, the middle of nowhere. A territory that was not claimed by any creature. In the middle of an unknown forest, trees older than the Goddess herself protecting it. The cabin was a small wooden rectangle with a high pointed roof. The cabin was inconspicuous and barely noticeable. No one would assume it would hold such horrors.

The alphas had chosen to have the meeting at midnight under the cover of darkness, where no one would accidentally stumble upon them.

Only a couple of trusted guards for each of the four males inside. Proving Vienna's information correct that only a few creatures knew about the dealings that were taking place. Vienna had guessed that most of the guards did not even know what was happening inside that Cabin.

The noise in the cabin grew louder as if someone was yelling. Yelling what? Only Vienna would know. The powers that blocked the Goddess's were old and dark. Something she had not come across in a very long time.

That was why Vienna was so important. Vienna could hear exactly what was happening on the inside because no one was expecting a white fox to come around. This way the Goddess could watch the meeting take place from inside her hidden castle.

As the yelling grew louder, the Goddess knew that soon it would be time for Vienna to act. With a bright light, Vienna shifted into her small female form. Quickly and quietly she slowly opened the window on the side of the cabin. A job she would not have been able to accomplish as a fox. She did it so gracefully even the wolf guards standing at attention did not notice her presence. Neither did the males inside the cabin.

Without a squeak from the window, she opened it wide enough for her small body to fit into. Only after checking to make sure the coast was clear, she shifted back into the safety of her fox form. The bright light flashing.

Vienna listened to the growling that came from inside the cabin. The sound was more muffled than it should have been from the dark power surrounding it. Waiting for the perfect time to make her move.

The Goddess did not want to make a scene. She did not want the rest of the unknown creatures to know about the war that was so close to destroying everyone. A war that would affect every unknown and know creature that lived on the planet.

Four alphas believed that Wolf Shifters were the strongest. Wolf Shifters were the smartest. They were the most powerful. That the Wolf Shifters deserved to rule. They believed that all the other creatures meant nothing. They deserved to either die or be slaves. It did not matter if they were a land, air, or a water shifter, none of them had a purpose.

Four alphas decided that they would start a war. A war between the Unknown.

They would unite the wolves and destroy any creature that got in their way. Every pack would join. The wolves who did not see the world as the alphas did, would perish along with the rest of the creatures that tried to stop them. They would mutilate the world around them. The ones who bowed would live to be their slaves or playthings. That is what had Vienna learned.

The Goddess had sat on the sidelines for long enough. The Unknowns had decided long ago that they did not need her anymore. Yet when her back was turned, they all turned their backs on each other.

Creatures hated other creatures. Mothers and fathers could not keep their families together. Shifters plotted against other shifters. Sister tried to slaughter sister. Brothers stabbed their brothers in the back, over and over again. They did not share, nor care about anyone but themselves. There was no love between them. They were not the creatures she once knew.

Now a war was brewing, and it was almost too late to stop it. The Goddess learned long ago that to win a war, you ended it before it could take effect. That was what Vienna was here to do. That was what the young alpha of the Viribus Pack inside, was going to do.

They did not know about one another. Who they were to each other. The Goddess had made sure of it. They could not know, not yet. That was why she took away his senses for Vienna. Vienna would not understand what was happening, who he was to her. But he would definitely understand. He would do anything to keep her safe. To keep her with him. But it was too early. They were too young. Neither of them were ready. The world was not ready.

Inside the cabin, the fighting started. Vienna used her powerful legs and jumped onto the windowsill. She watched the three men as they attempted to kill the fourth because he was not what they wanted.

They wanted a clone of his father. A clone of the father the young alpha had killed only a few weeks previously. They wanted a murderer, someone willing to start a war between the worlds, so the Wolves could be on top of it.

He was another soul who let the world believe he was someone else. The world thought he killed his father for the alpha position. For the fame and glory, only the alpha of one of the strongest packs in the world could get, but that was not why he did it. The young alpha had killed his father because of this meeting.

He learned his father's plan to bring destruction to the Unknown World. He knew that these alphas were truly greedy and cruel. This is why he killed his father, to save the rest of the world. He kept it from them to save them from the panic. He became what they believed he was, only to save them.

He would not stop with just his father. That is why he was at this meeting. He knew the three other alphas were hoping he was like his father. They hoped to coax him into playing his father's role. But he was there to kill them.

The young alpha planned to take them all out by himself. Kill them to end the war. Finish it before it began. He was strong, stronger than any male she had seen in a long time. But he was young. She feared that when the fight began he would not make it out alive. The young alpha was smart, but he was not a trickster.

He did not know that the Goddess was watching him. That she had sent Vienna. Vienna was his backup, the backup he did not know about.

All Vienna knew was that she was hired by an unnamed creature to stop this war. To end three old alphas. To keep the young alpha alive.

Vienna watched on her windowsill as the three alphas fought the young male. She waited at first to see if the young alpha could handle the older males by himself. The Goddess could tell that Vienna was impressed by his skill.

He was good, but the older men were cautious. They knew he was stronger than them, and they knew that there was a chance he would not see the war the same as they did. They had set up tricks just in case.

They had not planed for Vienna, the Queen of Tricks, to be watching though. Every trick they laid, she saw coming. They used old ones and new ones. Ones with dark power, ones with fists, and ones with wits. When Vienna decided that the young alpha could not handle it by himself, she moved to action.

With the window open, the dark power was weakened enough that the Goddess could foggily see inside. The cabin was one open room with two small windows and one door. With pillars and beams running from the floor to the top of the roof holding the cabin in place. It was mostly empty except for a couple of chairs and a large table that was in the middle of the cabin. The four men stood on the far side of the open room growling at each other.

She watched as Vienna jumped into the small wooden cabin to stop the old alphas tricks and start her own. She quickly scratched away any traps that were written with dark power on the ground that could stop him from moving. She disabled any secret weapons they hid under the large tables.

The young alpha was not fighting the way he normally would. He was weaker, his punches not making as much of an impact as they should have been. He was slower, not able to dodge their attacks. The young alpha was not thinking straight.

The Goddess knew that somehow the alphas had injected the young alpha with a mild form of wolfs-bane that would weaken him.

One alpha moved faster than the young sluggish alpha could manage, as his elongated claws ripped open the young alpha's chest.

The alpha roared with pain but did not stop fighting. For most wolves that scratch would have been their undoing. Even with the wolfs-bane, it did not faze the young alpha. He kept on fighting, clawing, roaring, promising death for them.

While the males were occupied with fighting one another Vienna crawled across the old beams that held the cabin together. She crawled right to the top where the unsuspecting spy sat with a bow and arrow aimed for the young alpha's heart. In a flash, she disarmed the spy letting her fall to the ground.

For a second the alphas froze from their fighting as the body hit the ground. She used that time to pour the vile of purple syrup on the skin of the young alpha to reverse the effects of the wolfs-bane. Vienna had anticipated that the old males would use such dirty tricks.

The old alphas watched as the wolfs-bane slowly evaporated from the young alpha's system. Once the syrup had touched his skin he felt his true power come back. The Goddess watched as the fighting began again. The young alpha dodged, blocked, and hit. One of the old alphas got too close, moving too slow, as the young alpha was able to get his arms around him, killing him insistently.

The two alphas knew now that the younger one had his strength back, defeating him hand to hand would be impossible. They both went to grab the weapons they hid inside their coats. The one chose a short dagger, one side sharp and lithe, the other side cut up like a saw. The other alpha went for a long machete type of blade. They both advanced on the young alpha who bore no weapons besides the ones he was born with.

Vienna noticed that the dark power that surrounded them was stopping anyone from shifting inside the cabin. The alphas could not shift into their wolf forms, and she could not shift into her human form. That was why they brought their weapons. Most wolves did not carry weapons. They would lose them when they shifted, their wolf form being the only weapon they needed.

The Goddess watched as Vienna made sure to stay far away from the fighting between the wolves. She was used to tricking people from a distance. Her hand to hand combat skills were not up to par with the experienced alphas.

Vienna jumped down to one of the lower pillars. Right above the alpha with the machete type blade. His weapon was not much help in such a cramped room, he seemed to be having a harder time fighting than his companion. Using her snout she grabbed another vial that was tied around her neck. She slowly dripped the yellow syrup on top of the alpha. It was a similar type of wolfs-bane they had used on the younger alpha, but much stronger. Vienna was not above using such dirty tricks. The yellow syrup was one of her favourites. It did not kill, it was paralysed.

Almost at once, the old alpha started to sweat and shake, slowly losing all feeling throughout his body. Falling to the ground, the shaking stopped until he was dead. The wolfs-bane would paralyse someone until they were given the cure. Only a few people knew the cure. The Goddess knew that the alpha would be paralysed for a very long time. Forever if she could help it.

Only one wicked alpha left. He had watched the silver fox from the low beam in the ceiling as she had poisoned his friend. He knew who she was the moment he saw her. In the corner of his eye, he watched as she climbed down the beam to the floor behind him.

The Goddess watched as the old alpha set his sights on the fox. In only fluid motion, he threw his wicked blade straight for the foxes abdomen. It would rip her apart.

The blade was fast, but she was ready. Narrowly missing the blade it slammed into the wall behind her. There was just enough time for her to look him in the eye. The Goddess could have sworn Vienna smirked. That was when the old alpha knew it was a trap.

She had let the old male see what she had done to his companion, let herself be known to him. It distracted him just long enough for the young alpha to take control of the fight and kill the last alpha on the spot.

With the action over the two of them froze. With two alphas dead, one paralysed, and a dead spy laying on the ground, the young alpha and the young fox stared at each other.

The Goddess made sure she blocked any feelings they had from themselves and each other. Yet, they still stared.

Then the fox turned her head, jumped through the open window, and ran into the dark forest. Leaving the young alpha with three and a half-dead bodies, and twelve unsuspecting and unaware guards outside.

The Goddess laughed to herself. Their future was not going to be boring.

The Foxes Game

The younger wolves of the pack were in the downstairs rec room playing video games. The sound of their constant banter making its way upstairs. Ribbing each other on their skill, or lack of skill, from what I heard. I could also hear the background noises of the football game they were playing.

They were getting ready for their actual football game that would start in a couple of hours. I heard their laughs of joy as one team beat the others, and the sound of fists flying as one team did not beat the others. It had been a while since I had been inside a packhouse while no one was trying to kill me or torture me, but the day was still young. Goals were still set. The pack house was enormous, three floors, lots of space.

The top floor had about ten bedrooms, six in permanent use, and four for guests. One of those I slept in last night. The second floor was an enormous kitchen, where I was currently making myself a snack for the past twenty minutes. The other half of the second floor was a sitting room littered with chairs and tables. The basement was a fully furnished rec room that the young wolves seemed to have claimed.

Few people were in the pack house, most of the members of the Algoren Pack were in their own homes that were not too far away. It was still early and only the Alpha and his family, along with a few stragglers, actually lived in the house. The younger members were only here for their video game practice. There was still a little of action happening, though. The pack house

Still acted as pack headquarters, with mothers and babies coming in and out to visit one another, warriors training outside, people making meals, important alpha meetings happening in the alpha's office only a few feet above my head. It was stupid for Alpha Soren to invite me here in the first place. He thought he was being kind and generous, trying to woo me into being his personal spy. But all his efforts were futile and stupid. There was no way I would end up working for only one guy, when I could easily make twice the money working for every guy.

But I was used to important rich creatures try to win my trust with pointless bargains, persuasions, and bribes. It seemed to me, that I was the only one who knew I could make a hell of a lot more money freelancing than working for one person. Who was I to hide my talents from the rest of the world? I wasn't that selfish.

For now, I would stay in their pack, letting them think. In the meantime, I could deal with eating their food and slowly stealing their money when they weren't looking. The Algoren Pack just didn't know about the last part.

With a final whoop from downstairs, I finally heard thudding feet come flying up the stairs. I had only been waiting for twenty minutes.

A young male, the same age as me, paused as he saw me sitting on the counter facing him. I tilted my head as I looked him over, a smile forming on my face.

Hello. I waved my hand, that wasn't holding the peanut butter jar.

The male kept glancing between my face, my jar, and the spoon that was shovelling peanut butter into my mouth. He was clearly not expecting a stranger to be in their kitchen. I raised my eyebrows at him in questioning. That seemed to snap him into focus a bit.

The male called down to his friends in the basement, SJ, do you know there's a chick eating all your peanut butter?

I laughed as I heard SJ jump off the couch from downstairs and start climbing the steps. Yeah, that's V. She's the Betas niece from Ontario.

That was my cover. Only the Alpha and the Beta knew who I really was. Now I was just a simple wolf girl from Ontario, Canada. Up visiting my uncle and aunt I hadn't seen in years.

How the pack would believe we were related? Beats me. Him standing at six feet tall, looking like a professional bodybuilder. While I stood my five foot two inches of tiny glory. Not a single feature matching in the slightest. Definitely family should have gone for twins even.

The Alpha didn't want the rest of the pack, knowing he was trying to convince a known spy and thief to join his pack. I didn't want the entire world to know who the Silver Fox really was. So I used some of my tricks, changed my scent, and told the Alpha's son SJ I was from Ontario.

The young male shrugged and continued walking closer to me. SJ shoved him aside to come stand beside me. I rolled my eyes as the territorial side came out. It wasn't SJ's fault; it was just part of being a wolf.

He saw me first, so of course, he would have dibs on me. His father asked him to make sure I was having a good time, so of course, he had to keep me safe.

I was sleeping under the same roof as him, so of course, he was now my guardian. Wolf logic.

Soren Junior was a year younger than me at 22. From what I could tell, he was the replica of his father. They looked the same, both having light blond hair and dark blue eyes. Their alpha blood makes them bigger than the average male wolf. They had the same personality too. They were both kind, honestly kind. Not the fake kind, but they actually cared about people. Kinder, than any Alpha I had ever run into before.

The entire pack was nice. Since the moment I set foot on their territory, I had not felt an ounce of hostility. Maybe some shock, but that was expected when you find a strange girl eating all the peanut butter. That was why Alpha Soren believed so strongly I would stay. That I would choose his pack over any other kind in the world. He probably thought I had never really felt genuine kindness before.

He wasn't totally wrong.

That's cool, I'm Christan. I didn't know the Beta had a niece from Ontario. The boy looked over at me, giving me a smile. I grinned back at him.

Yeah, I'm the side of the family he doesn't like to talk about. I joked. Christan and SJ laughed lightly.

When did you get to the territory? Christan asked out of curiosity. He stood on the other side of SJ.

My flight arrived late last night. Which was a total lie because one, I hadn't been on a plane to get here, and two, I had been in the territory for days. Just no one knew that.

How long are you here for?

SJ beat me to answering, as he looked over at me grinning. Hopefully forever, right V?

Soren had to throw that in there while he was at it. I smiled, playing along, Maybe, maybe not. I haven't decided yet.

What do you mean? Christan asked as more young wolves climbed up the steps into the kitchen to see who their friends were talking to.

As each one came up, I smiled at them.

My uncle wants me to stay here permanently. But I don't know if I could handle your guy's... rules. I grinned. The rules of never being allowed to steal, cheat, or lie for another person other than one alpha. Definitely too strict.My pack is a lot more lenient.

It's not as bad as you think. It's just a little training at six. Bed by Ten. Show up at every pack meeting. You get used to it. SJ gave me a wink, laughing at my face.

Six? In the morning? My eyes widened at just imagining the pain of trying to wake up that early.

The pack members who were around laughed at my expression, nodding their heads. My face went blank. I sure as hell was not sticking around for long if he thought I was going to wake up anytime close to six o'clock.

So you don't like to train? A young female wolf asked. Her eyes narrowing at me. Not in a 'you suck' way, but a 'what kind of pack do you come from' way?

Oh, I do. Just not in the morning. Never in the morning. I shuddered at the thought. I love to run. That's my dominant form of training.

Nice, I hate running. It makes me feel like I'm just trying to run from my death. I laughed at the tall wolf on the other side of the room because most of the time, I was running from my death.

Do you shift V? one member who had come up the stairs asked me. It wasn't a strange question to ask a new female in town. For some reason as powerful as wolves seemed to be, their bloodline was not that strong. It was very rare for a female to have a wolf form. The non-shifting wolves still had the body of a shifter -strong, fast, smart- but no wolf body to shift into. Only 2 out of 10 females can shift, but when they did shift their wolf forms were usually tougher than the males.

No, unfortunately, I don't. That was my cover, so in case I ' stayed', as Soren said. An excuse for me to never reveal my true identity.

Which was another reason Soren was stupid. I loved to shift. I loved my fox form more than I loved my female form. I did love to run, but only when I was in my fox form. I would never give that up. Not in a million years.

Neither do I. The female who was standing beside me said. She was a lot taller than me, with her hair styled in two thick braids going down her head. We looked at each other in the eyes. She had a slight ache in hers. My eyes had their own ache for the female. Not because I knew the pain, but I had seen the effects it had on females. I couldn't imagine what it would be like not to shift.

Your animal form was what made you a shifter. It wasn't the super strength or speed. It was when you could change your body into something else. That fact that you can just be something else for as long as you wish. Not having to deal with human drama, but be completely controlled by your animal instincts. Not having that made females feel like dirt, like they were nothing, they weren't special. It sucked.

The silence in the room got thick as a few other females nodded their heads. SJ sensed the silence growing in the room. Cutting through the awkward air, SJ smiled and looked at me, quickly changing the subject.

Are you going to come to our game? SJ asked me.

You should! Most of the pack is going to be there. Christan spoke up, getting the hint.

What kind of game is it? I furrowed my brows in question. I already knew the answer, but they probably shouldn't know that. Might think I am creepy or something.

American Football. We are playing the Viribus Pack. Their territory connects with ours to the North. Have you ever heard of them? The whole pack looked at me expectantly. They seemed like they really weren't sure if I knew who the Viribus Pack was.

A little. Shrugging my shoulders nonchalantly. Everyone has heard of the Viribus Pack. They were the largest pack on the continent. They might be the strongest pack in the world. Until the past couple of years, they no doubt were, but the late alpha really messed them up. The new one was trying to build it back up, but there were a lot of challenges. Regular folks didn't know that part. Do the Alphas come to the games?

Dad might, but Alpha Cassar won't go. Good, he would just make things more difficult. He never has before, SJ assured me as if I was scared of just the Alpha's name. Most would be.

The Alpha of the Viribus Pack was Cassar Salvateer. He had been alpha only for a couple of years, but he was already famous. Famous for a bad attitude and a quick temper. He never showed mercy. They said he was just as wicked as his father. More so considering he killed his own father. They said that if someone ever pissed him off, he would personally gut them with his own claws. He turned his enemies inside out. If someone wanted to join his pack, they had to break every bone in their dominant hand to prove their loyalty. He's the kind of guy that cuts the heads off of dolls. A real asshole, from what I've heard.

Will you come? SJ looked at me hopefully.

Maybe. First I want to call my family back home, let them know everything is going okay. Another way of saying I was going snooping when most of the pack was gone. When no one could disturb me.

No worries, if you can make it, great. If you cant, that's great too. SJ smiled at me. So nice. They were all so nice.

I can try. I would have to meet up with you guys later though. I smiled knowing that I was going to that game. I have a plan to follow after all. What positions does everybody play?

Well, I'm obviously the quarterback. He replied while puffing out his chest mockingly. Christan's our running back, and...

He kept saying who did what, but I didn't care about those guys. I just needed to know who the running back. Poor Christan. He wouldn't even know what hit him.

As SJ explained what positions everyone played, I nodded along pretending like I was actually interested. They had about thirty players in total. Eleven were female, five of whom could shift. The game was strictly male and female forms. All the players were between the ages of 16 and 35. It was a decent size team for the small pack.

The Algoren pack was only about 106 wolves, not including anyone that didn't shift. Which were women and young children. Adding them the pack was 173. A very small pack compare to the Viribus Pack with 727 members. It was my job to know these things.

We all continued talking for a couple of hours until it was time for the game. They piled into cars and vans leaving for the northern part of their territory. SJ made sure to leave me a red Volkswagen in case I had time to come to the game.

Most of the pack was going to watch the game, the ones who weren't were on high alert. There had been a group of rogues that got through their border on the southern side last night. I heard they made a big mess.

The Alpha and Beta were there now hunting for the rogues along with some of their best warriors. They would be busy for hours. It was safe to say they weren't going to find any rogues.

The only mildly interesting thing I found was that the Alpha and Luna had some weird things in their closet. Some things that would make their son shudder and instantly vomit. It made me instantly vomit, and I barely know them. It was a shock to me that they only had one child, and that he was born normal.

I decided to not take the Volkswagen to the game. Instead opting for my fox form. I wasn't sure how long I would be in the area, the opportunities to shift would be few and far between.

I would just tell everyone I ran here. It wasn't my fault if they assumed I ran in my female form.

When I got close to the clearing that all the football games between the Algoren and Viribus Packs played, I could hear the cheering and booing of the fans and teams.

With a bright flash I shifted into my female form. My limbs altering from paws to arms and legs. The white and silver fur changing into tan skin and long multi-shades of brown hair. My fox's ears and snout transforming to human ears and a small pointed nose. My eyes were the last to change. My glowing silver eyes shifting back to normal sky blue.

Every species of shifter had a different eye colour. Foxes were silver. Wolves were black. Bears were auburn, lions were gold, and so on. For all shifters, the eyes were hardest to hide. With any small emotion they could easily flash into their true colour, giving away their true form, and true emotion.

Walking into the clearing, making sure one similar to a wolf replaced my fox scent. It took most foxes years to learn the scent trick, some foxes never did. It took me two weeks of living on my own.

As I shifted into my human skin my black tights, favourite hoodie, and white jacket appeared as if nothing had changed. When most creatures shifted into their animal form, the clothes they wore would rip from their changing bodies. Only a trained and highly skilled creature could master the ability to keep their clothes on their human form. I, of course, had been able to do it since I was a child.

Not many creatures could. Some shifters never bothered to learn as a body was just a body. But I always found that when being hunted by my enemies, clothes made it a lot easier to blend in.

I walked through the bushes that surrounded the clearing. The clearing was as big as a professional football field. Along the edges, wolves of all ages watched as the teams tackled each other. There was probably a little over one hundred spectators ranging from toddlers to old grandmothers.

An even amount of people came to support their home team, which wasn't right. The Viribus Pack members should have dominated the Algoren Pack because of their size. I guess Viribus wolves weren't huge football fans. Or they just had better things to do.

The Viribus team had possession of the ball, Algoren side working hard on defence. The quarterback on the Viribus team looked a couple of years older than me.

He was tall with short rich brown hair, his mouth a firm line in concentration. He looked like a younger version of Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. Played like him too.

A team of unprofessional wolves could easily beat a professional human football team any day. Most packs didn't allow their members to join sports teams outside of high school. It could hurt the humans and draw too much attention.

That doesn't mean it doesn't happen though. The shifter just had to hold back a little when playing.

There was no holding back today. From the outskirts of the field. I watched the teams as they fought with everything they had to either get that first down or stop the first down.

My eyes roamed the field making eye contact with SJ. He gave me a huge grin and motioned me to come over.

I made my way over to the Algoren side of the field. Members from both packs staring at me as I walked past. I smiled at them all. I got a lot of weird looks from the people that didn't know me, but a few smiled back.

Almost every creature I passed towered over me. I kept my back straight, strutting the way wolves do. Adding my own touch of swagger. Proving to them I was one of them.

I had gained the attention of almost every wolf in the clearing as I walked along the Algoren bench. Which was exactly the plan. I made sure to grin at the team as I joined their small huddle.

You guys are looking good out there. I drawled. No one seemed fazed as I put my arms around SJ and Christan. Effectively joining the group of big, sweaty wolves.

A lot better than last time, that's for sure. The non-shifting female laughed from across the huddle. Her two dark braids shifting back and forth. She played wide receiver if I remembered correctly.

Only behind by a touchdown. SJ beamed. But not for long.

His optimism didn't deserve it but I rolled my head back with a laugh, That's the spirit!

SJ noticed. He gave me a small soft smile that I returned. He was starting to like me, which was exactly what I wanted.

Did I feel bad for playing with the boy's emotions? Not at all. Why? Because I was getting paid the big bucks to do it.

V, we never asked. Do you play football? Christan asked, forcing me to break eye contact with his soon to be Alpha.

I gave him my cheekiest grin as I looked him up and down, then winked at him. If you need an extra running back, let me know.

Hinting that of course, I played football. He rolled his eyes at me with a smile on his face. Knowing that the only way they would need another running back is if something bad happened to the ones they had.

I give it five minutes.

I left the circle letting them finish their playmaking. Deciding what their next move on the field would be.

To get what you want, I learned you need two things. Be in the right place at the right time and let yourself be known. Be there for when they remember you.

The team yelled together, clapping their hands as they headed back on the field. The game starting back up.

While watching the teams, I saw wolf shifters make passes, run, tackle, intercept. They're faster than I expected. Stronger too. They move differently when they played in their human form. I had never actually seen a wolf game up close before. The crowd screamed for their team to win.

The teams and spectators getting intense. There had already been four fights between the two packs. One was between two passionate fans. It took four other wolves and SJ to use his alpha command to finally get them away from each other.

One was a downright brawl between a couple of mothers who's son had mouthed off. There were already a few injuries throughout the game. That wasn't even counting the players' injuries.

I saw how there would be a lot of injuries on the field though. No one wore any safety equipment, so every time a body made contact with another body, it echoed throughout the forest. When someone fell, they didn't just fall, they rolled. And tumbled. Some even seemed to fly for a bit before their bodies slammed into the ground. Most times the wolves just jumped right back up. Other times they didn't.

That's why it wasn't hard to believe it was just an unfortunate hit. Algoren Pack was on their fourth down, too far away to kick a field goal. It was their last chance before they lost possession of the ball.

SJ passed the ball to Christan as he ran right through the open trail that the offensive line created for him. He ran fast, it didn't take him more than a second for him to get that first down.

It didn't take a second after that for the tall burly male to smash into him. Almost wiping Christan off the map.

It took a nanosecond for the crowd to hear the cracking of bone and the roar from Christan as his leg bent the other way. Everybody in a 10-mile radius cringed.

Did I feel bad for breaking Christan's leg? A little, even though technically it wasn't me. Then I thought about what those big bucks could get me. Then I had to stop myself from smiling on the outside.

I ran over to him along with a bunch of people on the sidelines. I managed to get close enough to squat beside the growling male, SJ on his other side. His teammates and spectators crowding around us in one giant circle.

My face was full of concern as I looked at Christan's bone as it broke through his skin. Having to swallow the bile that wanted to rise, I looked Christan in the eyes putting a comforting hand on the back of his neck. Removing any trace of the light purple wolfs-bane.

The wolfs-bane I rubbed on his skin in the huddle was mild, it was called Monkshood. It made him weak without him noticing. Making his bones weaker was part of it, so if he got hit really hard they would easily snap.

The amount I used would only last a couple of minutes. Leaving the perfect amount of time for him to heal at a normal speed.

Dude you know you can't play anymore, right? SJ looked from Christan's leg to his face, shaking his head. One of the pack doctors was at his leg already working.

Christan gritted his teeth, breathing heavily. He slowly looked up at me and gave me a shaky smile. You said you were a running back?

My eyes widened. Christan, I said if you need an extra running back. Not when you need an extra running back.

Either way we are going to need a new running back. He gritted out through the pain. I looked at SJ helplessly.

We can't cancel the game, SJ shrugged at me. and we do need another running back.

Is there anyone else who can do it? It was an act, that's why I asked. I already knew there was no one else. I made sure of that before I even set my plan into motion.

No there's not. If you don't want to do it though, we can work with what we have. It's not that bad. SJ gave me another small smile.

I looked down at Christan, his face full of pain. Then I looked back at SJ, my face full of determination. I'll do it. Let's beat these Viribus babies.

SJ gave me a wide smile.

Christan tried to cheer, but it sounded more like a hiss because of the pain. He did give me a thumbs up, saying, Thanks V. You got this.

I did not deserve their kindness. I had to stop myself from cringing again as SJ and another pack member picked up Christan, each taking a leg, while the doctor supported his broken leg as they carried him off the field.

The safety who levelled Christan walked over to him apologising. It surprised me that the Viribus member would apologise. It was a game, accidents happened. 'Accidents' happened.

The male actually felt bad for the pain he caused. He walked with Christan to the bench where the doctor would continue looking at his leg. The male was a big dude, tall like most wolves. He looked like he went to the gym a lot. He had kind eyes though, they looked soft. He kind of reminded me of a teddy bear I had when I was a kid.

It only took a minute for the players to get back on the field. As we got into position SJ looked over at me, I guess I should have asked earlier. Are you any good?

I shrugged my shoulders, smirking at him. We'll see.

He gave me another hundred-watt smile seeing past my 'humility'. Quickly I threw my wild-looking hair into a ponytail while SJ told me the play. Taking up Christan's old position. Looking over the rival team, I started my plotting.

It did not take long for me to formulate my game plan. I looked back at SJ as he surveyed his team. This play I would listen to his game plan, but next was all mine. With a hut, the ball was passed to SJ and the teams flew into action. Everyone moving from left to right. Jumping and diving. People were grunting and yelling. Hitting and dodging. It was hectic, it was beautifully hectic.

It brought a smile to my face. It reminded me of all those times I played football with my family. Our football games were a bit more mentally damaging than physical though.

SJ threw the ball in a beautiful spiral. Heading straight for his wide receiver. She jumped in the air arms open ready to welcome the ball. Then a player for Viribus Pack was there. He barely touched the ball, but just enough to send it sailing out of bounds. Ending the play. The crowd either groaned in disappointment or cheered in anticipation.

That's when I took my cue. I walked up to SJ with a small smile on my lips. Fluttering my lashes a bit, I said hesitantly. I have an idea.

He was a bit skeptical when I told him. It wasn't his fault. It's not like I can tell him 'yeah you see. I'm really good at figuring out what people's strengths and weaknesses are. Have been ever since I was a kid, anyways I now know how to tear this team apart from the inside. Instead I just went with a simple, Trust me."

Simply put, he did. He nodded his head giving me that SJ smile. The team clapped and got into position.

Wolves were known for their speed, strength, and blind loyalty. Foxes though? We're were known for our wits, tricks, and agility.

That's why I wasn't afraid of the giant ass wolves that were glaring at me from the other side of scrimmage line. I just smirked back.

I jumped from one foot to the other. Rolling my shoulders back. Finally, the magic words were said and I booked it to the quarterback. Grabbing the ball from his hands I ran. Ran straight into the heart of bodies.

Most of the time, this was where a running back did not want to go, but for me, this was my hectic beauty. I jumped, and dodged, leapt, and moved. All with a smile on my face and a laugh on my lips.

They weren't expecting me to go straight into the mess, they thought I would go around, or the team would make a trail for me. That's why I did it, they weren't expecting it. Normally it would be stupid, but I was a lot more agile than the wolves.

Wolf shifters were fast when it came to one straight line. Foxes were fast when it came to a million different directions and never knowing which way to go until it was almost too late. Wolves were made for long distance, foxes liked the short distance. It helped too that no one knew I was a fox.

Some of them tried to set me into a trap. Others tried to fake left but go right. Every trick they set I easily saw it coming and moved out of the way. Tricking them in the process.

I was almost out of the heat of bodies, but one last player jumped in front of me. She was female, she was almost double my size with black braids pulled into a messy bun at the top of her head. Her mocha skin was covered in sweat.

She went to tackle me from the right side, so I quickly jumped to the left. But it was a fake. Faster then I was expecting she moved left, catching me off guard. With a quick double step I moved around her, ditching her in the process. Her fake was enough to almost jar me. It was impressive.

After I got past her it wasn't hard to avoid the rest of the players lingering on the field. It didn't take me long to reach the end zone. Finishing my beautiful running touchdown. The crowd and the team cheered for me.

Walking back to the rest of the team as they set up for the punt, SJ walked over to me.

You never said you were that good. SJ cried in joy, pulling me in for a hug.

I just thought of the defence as my problems, and I'm really good at avoiding my problems. I laughed. The whole team grinning at me, patting me on the back.

While the Algoren defensive line ran onto the field, I looked around for the girl with the bun. I found her on the other side of the clearing. She was talking to some of her pack mates.

Heading over to her direction, the team stopped talking as I got closer. She glared at me, I smiled back. I just wanted to tell you that your fake out was amazing.

A look of confusion crossed her face. Thanks?

I'm serious, I assured her, noting her iciness. It just made my smile grow. I want to make sure credit is given where credit is due.

You do realise my fake out didn't stop you right? She was still giving me a weird look.

Doesn't matter. I still fell for it. I beamed at her. It's not every day I fall for a fake out. It was very well done.

That seemed to break some of her icy exterior. She gave me a quick small smile before she turned her back on me and continued talking to her teammates.

For some reason I had a weird feeling someone else was watching me though. I turned around and saw a young kid looking at me. I gave him a wink as I turned around and walked back to the Algoren side of the field.

They are supposed to be our rivals. You're not supposed to make friends with them. Christan chuckled from his bench. His leg was bandaged and elevated now.

I looked down at him and shrugged. Still smiling. Everyone deserves to know when they're good at something.

Well, in that case, you are a very good running back, Christan said, nodding his head.

It was time for me to get back on the field, I started to walk away from Christan. Turning my head back to face him. I called over my shoulder, smirking. Don't worry, I know.

I heard his laugh as he stayed on the bench as I joined the rest of the team. Football wasn't about winning points for yourself. Football was about two competing teams fighting for the control of the ball, defending and invading the field around them. One person couldn't do it all by themselves. No matter how agile they may be.

That's why when SJ passed me the ball a couple of plays later, I went for the ultimate fake. I shoved the ball into the hands of the girl with two braids. From quarterback to running back, to wide receiver. That's why I took one for the team and got tackled by the same Viribus male that destroyed Christan's leg. He wasn't expecting to touch me. He thought I would bolt out of the way, but that wasn't my plan.

He had to put much pressure on his legs so that when he did hit me, it was anything but a small push. We both went hurtling to the ground, rolling in the dirt. My face hit the grass so hard I knew I would be eating mud for a week. Before we even stopped moving he was apologising, I just laughed. That was the game.

The crowd started a deafening cheer as we fell to the ground. The girl with the braids crossed into the end zone, not a wolf around her. I didn't notice when everyone froze. The cheer dying between their lips as they heard the earsplitting growl rip through the air.

I continued to laugh at my misfortunes and mud-caked pants. The hit was so hard my hair wasn't even in a ponytail anymore. I started wiping the dirt off of my clothes, sitting on my knees.

That was when I noticed the second growl, lower this time, feeling the vibrations in my chest. I rolled my eyes looking for the source of the angry wolf who couldn't handle a loss. As I scanned the crowd I instantly found the source of the growl.

Alpha Cassar Salvaterre of the Viribus Pack had graced us with his presence after all.

He only said one word. Mate.

Fox Meet Wolf

Alpha Cassar Salvaterre of the Viribus Pack had graced us with his presence, after all.

One could say he was decently attractive. Long legs, built chest, broad shoulders. His jaw looked like it had been chiselled from stone. I couldn't help but notice he had nice lips, too. His face was the definition of 'manly'.

5 o'clock shadow graced his bronze skin. His hair was a dark grey colour, normal for shifters. He kind of looked like the bad boy version of super man.

And his eyes, they were warm, almost shining, but blacker than midnight. Staring at me and the male who was still laying on his back beside me with his head up staring at the Alpha.

Every creature in the forest seemed to have stopped breathing. Except for me, I was still laughing at the sulky Alpha who needed to learn it was just a game. I didn't care what he was; he needed to chill.

Of course, I knew who he was. The moment he set foot beside the clearing when I was making my first play, I could feel his alpha presence.

He only said one word. Mate.

My eyes shot up in surprise as my smile widened. He wasn't grumpy because we got a touchdown. He was grumpy that I was tackled. I looked behind me at the boy, who seemed to be frozen on the ground, staring back at the Alpha.

Congratulations! I cried at the new mates. Of course, the Alpha wouldn't want his mate to be touching another female. He wouldn't want his mate to get hurt. Wolves were weird like that.

I didn't know it was possible, but I'm pretty sure the crowd went even quieter. Why would everyone be so quiet? This was a happy occasion. They should be cheering louder for their Alpha than they did for a touchdown. Two mates had just found each other for crying out loud.

Clearly, the Alpha did not agree with me either, as another growl came from deep within his chest. I looked down at the Alphas mate beside me with a questioning look. Maybe he would know what was up with his mate.

The large young male just kept staring at the Alpha as he just shook his head back and forth. Not me.

I slowly got to my feet, looking behind me for the Alpha's new mate. Then who?

No one stood out to me. I looked back at the Alpha and then the young male, hoping he would ease my confusion. He did not as he said, You.

I whipped my head around again, trying to find who he was talking to. When I realised no one was close enough for him to be speaking to, I looked at the Alpha again. It did kind of seem like the Alpha was staring at me. But it wasn't possible for us to be mates.

Then I started to laugh. No, it's not.

I started laughing harder as the Alpha started stalking closer to us, but this time his eyes had shifted to the young male. My laugh died. The warm shine of his eyes was gone, replaced by steal and rage. His eyes seemed to be promising death.

The large male beside me started shaking. His own eyes full of panic. The weight of the Alpha's presence pushing him into submission. He didn't even bother to stand.

My own eyes started to widen, realising that the Alpha was going to kill his pack member in front of all the families who were here to watch a football game. They came for a football game, not the gladiator games.

Regularly, it wouldn't bother me, but I had a job to do. A bloodbath would definitely send me back to square one. Plus, he was a nice kid, it wasn't his fault. It was just a game.

Before I could think, I felt my body step in front of the quivering wolf shifter.

Easily distracting Cassar Salvaterre, he stopped walking, staring at me again. I saw his eyes glancing back and forth between me and his pack member. I watched him battle eternally with himself. Trying to decide between dealing with me, or the male who had tackled me.

He seemed to have decided that the whimpering male was more important as he ground out, trying to step around me. Move Mate.

One, I said, holding up a number one with my fingers, following his movements. No.

The crowd watching the scene gasped at my rebellious words.

He growled again, but I ignored him. Turning my fingers from a one into a two. And two, I'm not your mate.

I heard the crowd gasp again at my response. No one was supposed to speak to an Alpha like that. Especially when the alpha did not have full control of his body.

I didn't care. I stopped caring about the hierarchy of families a long time ago.

He looked at me as if I was stupid. Yes, you are my mate. And yes, you will move.

Cassar Salvaterre tried to step around me again, and again I mirrored his footsteps. There, I moved.