The Akita rotated so that his back legs hit the base of the tree and sprung toward the Shepherd, blocking his way. "I don't know what they did to you, but I won't let you harm a single hair on them." The dog stood stubbornly between the two alphas. "What is so crime is so terrible that it required the punishment of death?" He could feel the blood running down his cheek. Trickling down his face, his tongue swiped over the stream. He never took his eyes off the Shepherd, his stance casual but attentive.

