No One's POV
The wind whispered through the trees like it was telling Rylan a secret. He moved silently across the leaf littered ground, the only feature giving away his presence being his silver-white fur.
River waited as time stretched out. From their vantage point in the tree above, Rylan wasn't showing any sign of discomfort. With a tired sigh, they dropped onto the ground below, scattering twigs.
Rylan barely reacted. "You called," he said simply.
River bit back a snarl and instead settled their face into a sly smirk. "Times are changing. You're getting soft, brother."
Rylan regarded them in their human form. River was dressed in dark clothing that matched their short, wispy black hair. A flowing shirt with stars on it was layered beneath overalls.
Life as an outcast from the pack hadn't been treating them too badly. Somehow, despite everything, that was still a relief to Rylan.
"I'm the alpha, River. I'm the leader. They trust me. You have done nothing to earn their respect but slink about in the shadows," Rylan growled menacingly.
River only laughed sadistically. "You're going to lose everything, their trust and both your mates Rylan, and then I will be alpha. You will lose them like I lost Stick. They will bow to me and the moon goddess will bring Stick back!"
Genuine guilt flashed across Rylan's face for a split second and River nearly lost the careful composure they had been maintaining.
They couldn't hold it in, the anger that had been reserved for their brother bubbled over as they quickly transformed into their jet black form.
Rylan knew that River would eventually do this, so quickly he pounced at his sibling. Pinning them to the ground by the neck. River kicked out with their hind legs but the heavier weight of Rylan's well-muscled form was too much.
They let their body go limp instead, tricking Rylan into a sense of security. Rylan relaxed his grip, only slightly, but it was still enough to allow River to twist their lean body and slip out of Rylan's grasp.
"I can't beat you one on one," they spat furiously, "but I am smarter. My acolytes and I will overpower you, just you wait!"
Rylan growled low in the back of his throat and River's black fur melted into the shadows of the forest. Somewhere, far away, the two contrasting wolves could sense something brewing.