Renegade's Dominion

Kaiden's evolution hadn't just changed him, it had reshaped the entire dynamic of the group, with Ty unmistakably at the center of it all.

First order of business? Naming the pack.

While the race they belonged to had always borne the title "Blumund," it was no less no more a means of identification as a wolf species and not an actual pack name.

Its like calling out a continent as a single body, and then from that body we have diversification. Like take the Asian continent as an example and the separate body that occupied it, that is the same reference to the Blumund as a single species of wolf. Now from that single species, Ty intended to draw out a pack using the four? Bertha, Rhoda, Braham, and finally Kaiden.

After much internal debate, well, more like a gut feeling followed by a whimsical idea, he settled on something he thought sounded strong, fantastical, and just the right amount of dramatic: Tyburk.

"Ty" came directly from his own name, Tyberius, and the "burk", well, it added that needed fantasy flair. Or was it wolf-like charm? Honestly, he wasn't sure.

"A damn good name, if I do say so myself," he muttered proudly.

And really, who could argue? The origin story alone deserved a round of applause. Anyone who disagreed? Ty had no time for their lack of creative vision.

Forward to more important matters.

It had been a week plus since he arrived, and not once had he shifted his base of operations. This part of the woods had become home, complete with a roof overhead and an abundant supply of roasted meat, courtesy of his loyal companions who had tirelessly hunted during Kaiden's recovery.

To put it plainly, life had been kind. Peaceful, even. A smooth week streak of comfort and satisfaction.

But now?

Now it was time to get moving.

He couldn't possibly waste away in one spot, not when he had a whole new world to explore. Adventure waited just beyond the trees.

"All right, boys and girls! Who's ready to stretch their legs?"

Four wolves answered with brief howls, a harmonious reply that echoed through the glade. They stood before him in a newly refined state, each carrying subtle changes since they'd become a pack. Kaiden in particular stood out, taller than the rest, muscles more defined, and adorned with a bronze mane circling his neck like a regal collar. He had grown into a commanding figure, a true Alpha.

The sun shone in its full glory, casting light through the canopy above. A perfect day for exploration.

Ty wasn't about to do this as a mere spectator, though. No sir. If he was going to roam with the pack, he'd do it as one of them.

"Skill—Form of Elder Blumund."

He wasn't sure if calling out the skill aloud made any difference, but he didn't particularly care. Calling out a skill in a fantasy world had low key been one of his wet dreams...

Whether it needed verbal invocation or not, it activated with a simple thought.

The change was instantaneous and visceral. Bones shifted with a series of loud, popping cracks. His limbs contorted, reshaping with wild energy until finally, the transformation was complete.

The Tyberius that stood now was no man.

He was wolf.

And not just any wolf.

Where once he had a bronze mane, now it shimmered silver like moonlight condensed into strands. His frame had grown heavier, his muscles broader, and every movement he made exuded a noble elegance. Not quite Alpha, but... something more.

"Braham! Bertha! Rhoda! Kaiden! Let's move out!"

With a powerful bound, Ty surged ahead, the others quickly following behind in synchronized motion.

The first time he had taken on this form, it had been out of necessity, chaotic, rushed, terrifying. But now, with the leisure to truly feel it, Ty became acutely aware of just how vastly different this body was from his human one.

He wove through the dense foliage, every step instinctive and sure. His senses had reached unimaginable heights. He could hear insects fluttering across leaves, see the faint shimmer of dew clinging to distant grass, and smell faint trails left behind by small creatures miles away.

But the real marvel was his strength.

Each stride carried him farther than any sprint as a human ever had. His paws barely touched the ground, and his claws, it wasn't just imagination, felt capable of cleaving through solid wood.

He knew without question: if he chose to, he could bring down a tree with one swipe.

The forest sped past as he led his companions deeper into uncharted territory. Eventually, they came upon a stream that split the woods in two, a ribbon of glistening blue carving a path through the green.

Ty's eyes lit up.

For five entire days, he'd gone without a single drop of water. Just meat. Roasted meat, charred meat, overcooked meat, it had been a protein overload. The wolves, while excellent hunters, weren't exactly equipped to fetch fresh water.

Oddly enough, he hadn't noticed any dehydration. Not a hint of weakness or sluggishness. By now, a normal person should have been reduced to crawling, but not him. It was baffling.

Could he survive another five days without water? Probably.

Would he test it? Absolutely not.

With no hesitation, Ty padded toward the stream, dipped his head, and drank deeply. Cool, clean water rushed over his tongue.

The first gulp was refreshing.

The second? Divine.

His pack waited for him to finish before they followed suit. Even in animal form, there was hierarchy, and Ty stood at the summit.

Once their thirst had been quenched, they turned to head back. The journey had offered no prey to pursue, which left Ty a bit disappointed. A successful hunt as a wolf would have made the day complete.

Still, there was no urgency. He had time. All the time he could ever want.

There was no need to rush. This was his world now.

And like the saying goes... Slow and steady wins the race.