The Pack Alpha's voice held something that might have been respect: "You killed seventeen Alphas in darkness. Without sight. In less than one second."
"Point-four seconds, actually," Kai corrected. "And I wasn't using my full speed. This is training, remember?"
The Pack Alpha was silent for a long moment.
Then it began laughing—a harsh, barking sound that held both amusement and resignation.
"Pack judgment revision: We cannot kill you. You are beyond our power."
"Does that mean you're surrendering?" Kai asked hopefully.
"No." The Tier 5 Pack Alpha's voice was firm. "We cannot kill you. But we can test you. We can fight with honor until death. This is the way of the pack."
The Alpha's eyes blazed with determination. "Shadow Wolves do not flee. Shadow Wolves do not surrender. Shadow Wolves fight until the end."
All 56 remaining Tier 4 Alphas howled in agreement—a sound of acceptance, defiance, and pride.
The 153 surviving Tier 3 wolves joined the chorus.
