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A Biography of a Human

Chapter Thirty-Nine:

“Lunar Rite"

“August Imperial Alpha, my nephew."

“I present this memorandum of suggestion to your most sublime attention. The mourning of the late Alpha is thus concluded and your I __mperial B_ eing, having been blessed with your most favored endurance on the attempt upon your august life."_

“You have been blessed by the eye of Lord Canis himself and you ancestral Alphas, and I respectfully propose that during the drawing summer that the annual sacrifice to Canis be resumed in the light of the events I've outlined."

“Furthermore, that you appear and perform the act yourself as was routine before the long illness of your father, when proxies preformed the act on his behalf."

“I, as your elder and guardian, as ordained by your late f __ather; will assist you in performing the correct steps. I shall lead you up the steps of the platform, I shall whisper the correct utterances in your ear and I shall support you arm as you pour the libations upon the sacred a_ ltar to Canis, the Lord on High."_

“Uncle shall take care of everything dear Imperial Nephew, as he has always done."

“A million years unto the Imperial Alpha!"

-Prime Beta, Titus Wuji

With Jao gone, Titus was at his apex of total power. His pack dominated the entire court and his own manor hall acted as a second seat of power. Just after Jao's coup, a fox envoy went first to his dwellings and if that was not enough, Titus did not even bother to suggest that perhaps the palace should be visited first.

Others began calling him, “Pillar of the Alphate," and he took such an unofficial title as his own. I had heard rumblings of other scions of the Kutlar clan not being pleased with this at all, but they were all long shipped off to rather powerless princely seats. I wondered if any one of them might try something or if they would just sit and watch. Maybe a young brash wolf of their number might try something, but I knew certainly it would not succeed and might even play to Titus's own aim.

Titus was overheard to have spoken on the topic of some members of the Kutlar clan inquiring after them with a mock concern of their well being. Nonetheless, the heart was the capital and that's where the armies were stationed in forts in the vicinity of Lupercal.

One thing I can say for Titus was he still shunned opulence. The rage I held then has mellowed with age and, looking back at the wolf, who I still scorn, I cannot help but to give begrudging admiration for his insistence for frugality in living. Old sheets upon his bed and cheaply made garments for normal use. He even refused a gift of a mantle woven of gold cloth.

As much as I hate to say it, he stuck to his principles. Still, that does not excuse murdering Gernan to keep his position and his vitriolic hate for humans, not to mention his obscene monopoly on imperial power for his own uses.

My sympathy for Little Wolf grew since he was becoming more and more deeply frustrated at his impotence of political power. He even blurted out against his own mother in his frustrations, “In the outer court I'm oppressed by Uncle, in the inner court my mother does the same!"

I replied silently to this by massaging his shoulders and stroking his muzzle. My wolf's wings were clipped and by the same wolf who sold out my master for his own gain. It made me all the more upset at him and what he was doing. I wanted to strike him down at that very moment but I knew full well he was out of my reach and I felt incredibly frustrated my only way was through indirect means.

Small acts of resistance like suggesting Ulric rescind or refuse certain small-scale orders pre-approved by uncle-dearest. It was all that could be done in this moment. I tried my best to keep his ears up in this, as I would sit by his side daintily on a floor cushion by his desk as I ground solid ink with water. His fluffy canine ears were often droopy when reading over paperwork and would often bemoan how he should just give up and let Titus rule.

In those moments an old habit returned: story-telling. It had been years since I would keep him busy with tales and after being away for so many years I had a wealth of new ones: Muni, his life and teachings; the world of the matriarchal hyenas having first-hand witness to their ways, which were hearsay in Lupercal. It kept him from dwelling on the reality of the situation he was in and he paid very close attention to me, his blue eyes dilated with affection as he gazed at me, recounting what I had to say.

It was bliss for us and I was tempted to be misled into thinking it was just me and him, a human and his wolf. The sound of a door interrupted this and Dillian came in with his ornamental fly whip. “Consort Kun and her-" his voice was broken in by the sounds of cries of a small pup and the form of the wolfess consort resplendent in past the bear.

“Consort Kun greets his Imperial Majesty," she said, curtsying whist holding a wriggling bundle of linen which howled and whimpered. Ulric stood up, elated. His ears perked up, tail swaying gently and stepping from his regal couch. It was a rather shattering reminder of truth of my newfound life.

My Little Wolf having others…I was momentary distressed, feeling like I was dropped by him but as I watched first, clouded by stinging aches until I noticed his elation was not on Kun but her bundle. The feelings of hurt lessened, “He's Alpha, he needs heirs," then memories of Jao came to my head. “Don't be like him! Don't be arrogant! Jao failed because he was that way, I must be different…"

Closing my eyes for a moment and taking a deep breath, I paused for a moment and then got up and walked to the trio of father, mother and pup. Smiling sincerely and kneeling to give my greetings to consort Kun, I gazed upon the infant puppy wrapped up, cooing and whining.

I would not be Jao. I would not be Jao unless I am forced to for my own survival. I was not going to let petty jealousies and vindictive whims dictate my actions like Jao did time and time again. I was Alexander, Iskander, Xan. The sound of Jao laughing at me came to mind, calling me a foolish boy like his spirit was over my shoulder.

“_ YOU FAILED, JAO! I will not! _" I mentally snapped at the figment, shutting him up. Dillian came forward and, clearing his throat in a bestial manner, spoke, “Imperial Majesty, I wish to interrupt to remind you that your Imperial Sister, Princess Selene is making a visit to the palace this coming morning. It's late and you should rest for her arrival."

I don't have much to recount about Selene's arrival, she and her mate arrived, spent the morning with Ulric and Nu and not much else. The imperious wolf did encounter me, she gave off airs of being pleased. Of course, since I was her idea and seeing it in the flesh no doubt made her happy. My only feelings were missing Elyk, it had been months since I was face to muzzle with him when departing for this new life, the brief moment when he rode to warm us of the impending danger upon Ulric's life was not much.

Later, I requested permission of Ulric if I could pay a visit to the Gernan Monastery, as the temple was now named. Asking was just a formality in reality, but the process of even a day visit was something to be planned in advanced due to my status as being neither at the top nor at the bottom. If she wanted to, Gao'ao or Nu, could slip out incognito thanks to being at the top, but for mid-rank doing something like that and being caught, my rivals would jump to use that against me.

The harem was a tightly sealed place for those in the low or middle rankings. If I did not have Boris and Maria I would have been hard pressed to even find an avenue to pass my secret correspondence to that wolf, Saab. Sure, it was possible to bribe someone but how can I be sure they wouldn't hand it to my rivals in an attempt to ingratiate themselves and climb the ladder themselves through it. It was fine with letters to my step-sisters Rena and Neith and letters requesting goods and services but me, the Concubine of Brilliant Appearance, sending off messages to a petty Omega clerk under the secretariat Prime Gamma? That would raise many ears and especially of my foes.

This all made me fee like a growing flower in a partially walled-off garden trying to shoot off roots. Siao was long wilted and barren Gao'ao was perched on her proud rock not even trying to expand, as well as outright treating others, namely the palace staff, with distant and cold aloofness. No one liked the haughty wolf and her treatment of me was not an exception.

That's why I made sure to not be that way and treated the palace staff all with warmth, just as that ancient golden rule states of doing unto others how one would want for yourself. One incident I recall vividly was how Gao'ao deducted one month's pay from one wolf maid for tripping in her presence when approaching her.

I arranged for the poor girl to get her pay out of my own pocket. She was eternally grateful, for she had family which relied on her payment in the palace, “Think nothing of it, her highness stands on ceremony too much and to be so harsh on staff is quite absurd!" I said to her as I motioned to Boris to hand over her month's wages.

This was both cynical and genuine. I admit it benefited me in the long term, for talk of my generosity spread quickly and many wolves and humans soon looked up to me. After all, I had learned that from planning the escape from hyenas. But part of this was genuine, I had known what it was like to be looked down upon and I felt doing the same was wrong.

Look at me! Here I am writing apologies for me wasting paper and ink! I am just so used to be said to be a second Jao that always get overtaken with needs to defend myself. I've heard them say it, I've read it along with other accusations against me. All I can say is I am neither saint nor demon. I am a human trying to survive.

Gao'ao's barren issue was growing more frenzied as well. Kun's pups were being considered for position of heir apparent with a wolf in court openly requesting it. No doubt this was connected to Kun, for I know full well she took pleasure in politely provoking Gao'ao.

A good and rather humorous example of this was when Kun was in full pregnancy. I was not there at the time, mind you, but I heard about it afterwards. Kun apparently flaunted off her fertility such as having an 'accidental' mammary leakage during the weekly morning meetings at the compound of the Imperial Mate and would send a representative to these saying and accentuating the fact she is too heavy with litter to pay homage to Her Highness.

This incensed her, a wolf maid who was present during the leakage incident said the room filled with the scent of bubbling rage coming solely from Her Highness' body. Gao'ao's hate for Kun can not be overstated, she even made a scene of nursing the pups in her presence.

This was good, for it left me alone since Gao'ao was focused on being mad at Kun and also the fact I was provoking things between Gao'ao and Dowager Nu, the latter kept Nu busy by keeping her eyes on her haughty daughter-in-law. I was afforded much room to maneuver independently. The only wolf who saw me as even close to being a threat was Titus and even then I was more back of his muzzle than anything.

The incident with Chu was proof of that and furthermore, Titus was sending his dear nephew textual works from his own paw on the sins of humanity to read and familiarize himself with. Dogmatic trifle that only Titus would feel was sane. Rules upon rules for proper human conduct, even down to dietary guides said to make humans more docile.

Rubbish, that's why I burned them when I found them in Ulric's study on a visit. When the wolf returned from the privy he saw his desk cleared and a warming brazier smelling of burning paper and ink, with me standing there with a straight face, unflinching. He smiled coyly with his muzzle's lips in agreement with what I did.

“The Prime Beta is narrow-minded, he cites only that he agrees with. Does he forget the High Alphate period of the Jhou Pack?" I mused to Ulric as he sat back down at his seat. “The High Alphas of Jhou gave us humans leniency along with codifying ritual canon of the pack and are thus considered a model on just rule by all wolves."

“I see you've been reading, Xan. Uncle would disapprove of humans reading," my wolf joked as he wagged a clawed digit like a parent would to a bad child.

I laughed and continued, “Man has been punished enough, must we keep them on their knees for eternity?" I quoted the words from first High Alpha of the Jhou.

“You seemed to enjoy being on your knees during your last visit," Ulric smiled playfully, though licked his lips, a little anxious at being so direct.

I blushed and found myself licking at my dry lips, though not out of canine anxiety but more out of savoring the memory, “I think you'll find most humans don't get to kneel under such comfortable circumstances."

“The Prime Beta and Pillar of the Pack would disagree on that statement."

“Well, the Pillar of the Pack is trying to create a fantasy time period of the past in which humans were all docile, which does not exist. Immediately after the Revolution, the Chimera tried to keep us under their claws through all sorts of silly means and it was only until the period of the Jhou High Alphate did they put such stuff out of practice."

“Well, he wants to bring it back you know, Xan?"

“Oh, I am aware of that! I just would love to see him even try. I am willing to wager that every human in that so-called breeding scheme of his would disembowel the bastard the first chance they get," passion was taking hold of me in that statement and Ulric howled at my verbal dressing down of his personal shackle..

“The wolf thinks that feeding us spearmint and soybeans will make us docile, Ulric. Can you believe that!?" this caused Little Wolf to laugh even harder and barely managing to get out a “Where did he get that from?"

“Canis only knows! All I know is his writings on humans is a total waste of good paper!" I spat out.

“Oh Xan, how I would love to see you do this right to Uncle's muzzle! I think he would buckle under a dressing down from one he deems inferior!" I smirked at my wolf's remark. I wished to one day do that.

Weaving my body around the imperial desk, I jumped into Ulric's lap and held him close, burying my face into his neck fluff. I noticed he was shedding when I pulled back and loose fur was all over my face, “Ulric, you need to be brushed," Ulric's ear lowered in embarrassment.

“Little Wolf, don't you have personal groomers that can do it for you?" his blue eyes shifted and he raised one paw and started to rub the back of his neck.

“Ummmm, yes…" he meekly stared as I sat waiting for my answer, “I kinda wanted you to do it…"

I was touched, a blush erupted across my face.

“Would you like me to right now?" I coyly responded, which caused those wolf ears of his to perk up and blue eyes alight.

“Would you!?"

I laughed and nodded my head as we both stood up and walked to his enclosed bathroom of fine marble walling and flooring.

He undressed himself, undoing his robe and undershirt, but leaving on his underwear as I went through a small ebony chest until I found a boar bristle brush and a fine ivory comb done up with gold filaments.

Ulric was seated on a small stool, back facing me as he decided where I was to begin, his back and hackles. Using the boar brush, I went over the whole of his ash-hued pelt, going gently over it, pulling out tufts of his undercoat and depositing them in a neat pile beside me.

“I'm not going too hard, hmm?"

Ulric shook his muzzle, “No dear, you're perfect. This is much better than with the groomers, they say much. Plus I love you, Xander," one hand of mine was resting on his shoulder and after saying he loved me, he reached up with one paw and clasped it. I said nothing other than to lean in and kiss him on the side of his furred check. “Xan I never though I would be happy till you came back…"

“I needed you so much and you came," Ulric said as he looked up at me as I managed a heartfelt reply, “Little Wolf, you are all I have left in life which I love and need to live."

“Xan, hear me say this now, I promise you that I make you the foremost of humans in the whole world…" he whispered this and pulled me by my arm closer to him. I could smell his musk coming off his body, intoxicating and leaving me to wonder if he would take me here in this very bathroom. He licked the side of my neck and repeated his words, furthering with, “You're my only soulmate Xan."

I knew from that moment nothing could stand in the way for long. I had felt it before but hearing Ulric say that confirmed what I knew to be true. Nothing would stop this love. Nothing.

Gao'ao, Dowager Nu, Siao, Titus, Chu, all the haughty Chens and everyone else that saw me as a threat! They were all paper cut-outs before the force of mine and Ulric's deep mutual bond and affection. Despite all the ups and downs romances go through, I knew that deep within me that their aims to try remove me would be no easier than making fire burn without fuel.

Ulric was my fire.

The date of my trip to the Gernan Monastery arrived. Waking up before the dawning of the day before the city-wide curfew was lifted by the rigging of the cities bells. A small, enclosed carriage took me and Yosef out of the palace city, it being only a mundane affair with no need to make it into some parade. If anything, those who had awoken early to even see us being pulled about would likely think we were some stuck-up rich humans.

I shall not bother with the full account of my short trip to my old hold home, just that it went soundly and without any events. A moderate spring rain was falling though and the streets were devoid of most passerbys.

My only concern was bracing myself for a return to the memories of it all. The old study, Gernan's bedroom, the garden, and the kitchen where Panta gave me an awkward wash one time. I recalled the latter most vividly and it affected me, for my heart clenched up a bit reminded of Elyk's father. It made my desire to meet the tod grow even more than it was before then and I felt myself getting excited to see him.

Aside from all that, I also desired to pray to the spirits of Munist saints and give my offerings to Gernan's sprit. I also wished to take back with me Gernan's personal letters and journals which I felt the need to secure and preserve for his legacy. Lastly, and most sacred to me, was taking back with me my little box of my life on Safehaven. My father's sketch of me, which was the only physical tie to my old life. How many lives could I claim to have lived at this point? Nine, like a feline?

Rolling through the threshold gate of my old home, I did not even wait for a full stop to jump out and rush inside the place, trailed behind by Yosef trying to catch up with me.

“Elyk! Elyk!" I called out, looking every which way before moving into the next room, dodging familiar and unfamiliar faces and muzzles of monks and others. I did this in every new room I entered until I heard the voice I knew well was the tod's and followed it until his form was right before me.

“ ELYK!" I did not even get a chance to look much over him as pulled him into my arms with such a tight squeeze that he lost his breath, “Xander it's only been a few months, you act as it's been years!"

“Shut up! To me it has felt like years!" I pulled off him and we took a seat together. “So how is the harem? Heard you got a promotion!" his tone was jovial, conflicting with my inner feelings, which was the whole reason I wished to meet him; that of all my uncertainties and the lurking danger I felt in my position in the beating heart of the Alphate.

Seeing we were alone, I began, “You spoke nothing of this outside of your mother right?"

This took Elyk off-guard, “Wha- yes, but why?"

“Elyk, you were the one to warn me of the danger of where I was going, now you are acting all oblivious about it. I'm happy we have this place to meet up, for it's secure and I trust my Muni brothers, but if this was elsewhere, me, the concubine of the Alpha; being in a room alone with you, a male fox. Oh, Titus, would love to hear that!"

The life in Elyk fell from his muzzled face as he realized this was not some friendly meetup. He muttered out how he thought I was stable in the harem and while he was right partially, with me being rather secure in Ulric's love for me, I knew that I was in no way immune from Titus and his party.

“Elyk, I might have bitten off more meat than I can chew but I will not regret it. Ulric is a caged wolf, I want to set him free but Canis! I feel like I'm walking a tight rope," being here, home, and speaking in private with Elyk felt like I had removed a tight garment and could breathe.

“Oh no, you're danger aren't you!? Fuck!" Elyk's voice began to rise in panic and he started on a trail of plans on how he will ferry me out of here via ship in a barrel to Republic territories and verbally accounting for all the what ifs that might arise. “Don't worry Xander, I'll get you out of here, promise!"

I quickly spoke to stop him once paused for a breath of air, “No! No! No! In am not in immediate danger for my life. Don't worry."

“Then whats-" I cut him off

“Elyk, can you promise you will help me?"

“Xander, what kind of question is that? You saw me riding off to forewarn you about what Jao was planning, even though I was late…"

That was all I needed to hear.

“Would you like a job?" I said point-blank, without even so much as a blink of an eye, leaving the tod speechless and confused as to what to even say.

“Uhhh-"

“The Imperial Armory, Dillian can arrange it for you. You will have a lowly job as a blade sharpener but you will have a good place to hear and see anything that might be strange."

“Uhhhh, okay…I was not expecting this though, Xander."

“Good! I felt I could rely on you, but are you sure though?" the fox pulled back and went into deep thought for a moment and nodded his head. “Xander, I am here for you and if this helps you I will do it."

“Plus you can use a job," I teased, knowing full well he just lingering around Lupercal's non-wolf districts with nothing to do.

“Okay Elyk, now that that's settled, lets catch up, shall we?"

“ I will not go!" Ulric yelled loudly as I was ushered into the imperial study and saw Dillian making sure he waved off everyone else who might be present. I had been just fetched with urgent claims by one of Dillian's understudies with words of needing to, 'come with haste,' and, 'His Imperial Majesty is most distressed,' and giving me no further hints of what about it could be the matter.

“Oh Xan-Xan! You're here!" Ulric's voice spoke out as I caught sight of him seated in a chair looking mad with his hackles raised and arms crossed across his chest tightly as Dillian stood nearby uttering out mantras of, 'please sooth your anger.'

“Ulric? Dillian? Whats going on?" Ulric growled and gave a look at Dillian, who began by telling me the whole matter. Ulric was going to have to perform a ritual at the Altar to Canis in the north, outside the city walls. He received a petition sometime ago, endorsed in writing by the Prime Beta and approved it. Now that the date was near and everything was ready, Ulric remembered he was to journey along with the whole government and considering the last time he left the palace he almost was killed, Ulric refused to go alone and demanded I come with him.

Which was impossible.

The ritual was automatically off-limits for humans even though there were no written rules against it. So this was why my little wolf was distressed. As silly as some aspects of this all appeared, I sympathized with him. He barely survived and that trauma was still there for I was there when he suffered nightmares of the events and was the one to soothe him at night.

“I won't go! You hear me!? I won't GO!" Dillian tried to reason with his master to no avail. He tried to bring up how it would reflect badly on him if he abandoned the rite days before it was to happen. My Little Wolf did not listen and only seemed to get more angry with every attempt to reason with him by the ursine.

I was about to open my mouth and start myself, but Ulric stood up and cut me off before I could even begin, “I won't hear it! I won't go unless you come!" Ulric then sat back down, pouting.

“Little Wolf-" I tried but was cut off by Ulric raising his voice, demanding even more firmly, “If you don't come, I won't go!" it was a regression of puppyhood, that was clear in his young voice and I felt the frustration of a parent in how to placate this. “Ulric, if you didn't want to do this, why didn't you just refuse to sign the petition to perform this ritual?"

Ulric was in a bind now as was clear by his change of demeanor. The wolf knew I just placed him into a corner with that line of questioning.

Dillian stood nearby, his brown ursine eyes darted between the two of us as he waited for the next play. Ulric just fumbled around with canine-like hums and playing with his paws in his lap.

Finally, he broke the silence with meek words “I'm so used to approving everything Uncle sends me that I just signed it."

I just rubbed my temples, I knew this would be the answer well before he gave it. “Little Wolf, you are the Imperial Alpha, not a paper clerk, you have the final say, not your Uncle, no matter how powerful he thinks himself!" I treated him softly, caressing the thin fluff of his cheek lovingly.

“But you must know this bind you are now in resulted from a lack of personal agency. If you knew you weren't going to be able to perform such a rite at this moment, you should have refused but because your Uncle's name is on, you signed it without thinking for yourself."

“Little Wolf, are you some automaton of long dead times?" I furthered as I lifted Ulric's muzzle up.

“You're right Xander, why did I let this happen?"

It was Dillian who came forward and proposed a scheme that could right this mess. “Maybe I can arrange for Xan to hide in your ceremonial carriage while you go out and perform the ritual? That way you will know he is close by?" I stood up and concurred with the notion and Ulric lit up at the thought that he would not be long away from my calming presence.

“We just have to be careful though. If Titus gets even one word of this he will explode at such a breach of decorum and who knows what else. But I can arrange it without anyone but us knowing," Dillian furthered, explaining what he had planned, detailing how I could be put in a hidden section in the large carriage behind the throne since there was ample empty space for me not only to stand but also sit. All was good with it and we went ahead with it.

The day came and I was awoken in the middle of the night so that Dillian could have me put in that blind spot in the Alpha's imperial ceremonial carriage specific for this ritual, designed in hallowed accordance with this summer solstice rite. Painted with shades of green and light-blue paint and trimmed with the same colored banners and fliers. Not that I was given much chance to look at it, being it was pitch dark and I was hurried into my place to wait for hours, which I ended up dozing off for most off. When I did finally awake, it was to a tapping on my head and a low whisper of Ulric.

“Xan…Xan are you even there?" his whisper was growing alarmed, wondering if this was just a trick.

“I'm here," I responded groggily and heard a relieved sigh from Ulric on the other side. I hoped he was not too conspicuous communicating with me like this. I had no desire to hear talk about how the Alpha was tapping and talking to the panel of wood behind his throne.

I would have loved to have been able witness the whole sacrifice and its consecutive steps and motions but I could not in the position I was in. Of course, now as I write this, I am fully aware of what it was but then I was not and was stuck on my knees which were beginning to ache sharply and with only my ears able to get witness.

Of course, bells, horns, drums, and most importantly, howls were all heard by me as I found the boredom of being able to hear and not see sinking in with me. Of course, what I wasn't seeing was Titus taking full command and pride of place in the ritual that was far beyond what was normal for a Prime Beta!

For once I'm quite glad I did not lay witness to such a sight because I would've lost my calm and made a scene, rushing out of the Alpha's carriage and lambasting the wolf for using my Little Wolf as a puppet! Puppet is no figure of speech in this, for Titus was actively guiding him in his actions physically! I only found this out afterwards when I was called to comfort Ulric, hurting from the humiliation of it all.

“ DAMN HIM! He makes a fool of me like that! Why did he need me there when all I did was move around like his doll!? When he said he was going to guide my arms I thought he meant it metaphorically! Why did he need me, this could have all been done by proxy like was done under my father's late reign!" Ulric buried his muzzle in his paws as I began rubbing his shoulders, quite enraged myself.

“Little Wolf, he wants to show off how much command he has over you, this all was a clear show of power, he could not get such a showing via proxy." I said to him.

“What can I do? What can we do!? Mother is his sister, my Imperial Mate is the pup of friend. I can go on and on!"

I spoke reassuringly, “Ulric, it will take time, but we must all work to chip away at his base."

“Then what?" Ulric dejectedly mused.

“We will pull him down!"