Sequoia let out a silent sigh of relief when the two alphas put some distance between themselves and her to discuss her plea. Knowing she had proven her respect, she rose reverently and backed up to her place at Pan's side, this time closing the distance between their sides and fully leaning on the wolf. Truthfully, that was one of the most difficult things she had ever done. To expose her vital arteries and offer such submission to other alphas? It was a torturous experience, but something in her instinct told her she wouldn't be harmed, and a part of her deeply respected the two already. She sat down, panting quietly to calm her nerves while the alphas spoke.
----

A black wolf lay in wait about a hundred yards away from the three strangers. His thick coat stood out against the snow, but the pine bed he was laying on beneath a tree offered him sufficient cover. It wasn't like the foreigners didn't know they were surrounded. Any fool should know that an alpha with a pack this large wouldn't face a stranger on his own. He glanced around at different locations staggered about the woods. He saw many of his packmates nestled into the landscape, laying in wait for any sign of quarrel from the low hill on which the exchange took place. He made eye contact with his fellow beta , Tyra, her white coat blending into the landscape with much more ease, her expression calm and cool. The hunters were scattered about at even intervals, some in view, others on the other side of the hill. Koa, one of the sentinels lay a few hundred yards away, just behind a thick bush. Even from this distance Shade could tell he was worrying about his mate and pups. The wolf was always worried about their safety, usually for no reason, but today, today Shade understood the concern. 

Movement drew his attention to the hill once more. Farkas and Evie were moving away, he stretched his neck up a ways to get a clearer view of them. If anything happened to Farkas or Evie in his presence he would not be able to live with himself. Looking at the trio on the hill, he did not see much threat, IF the pack closed ground quickly enough. Farkas was a strong fighter and could hold his own, but should all three wolves choose to attack him at once, they could inflict irreparable damage to their leader before the hunters and even reached them. His tail flicked in aggravation. He was ordered to wait, and his alpha's word was law, both by word and by power. The weight of his leader's order fought a vicious war against his instincts and conscience within his mind. He readjusted his position, shaking his rump in anticipation as he padded the earth with his back paws, feeling for a perfect grip in case he had to bolt in a moment's notice. It was true, the pale female visitor had offered the ultimate submission to his leader, but his instincts still had its focus on the male. He had the figure of an alpha but his level of submission offered pointed more towards beta. Still, a formidably sized wolf was nothing to take lightly. 

[i]"This has been going on for far too long. Are we going to kill them or trust them?"[/i] he thought to himself, not enjoying the absence of information he currently possesed.