Hovering at the edge of the ruckus wasn't unusual for Stellan. The big male had never felt the need to outwardly display his dominance; he knew what he was and what he was capable of. He watched, sharp golden eyes surveying the pack and waiting, daring anyone to get too close to Sig with his puffed up chest and flexing paws.<br/><br/>A ruddy middling wolf came up to Stellan, bowing at first, then nipping at his neck. He knew this boy; a young and moderately sized beast named Pharren, clever and strong but inexperienced in the ways of true lupine aggression. The wolf seemed uninterested in Sig, purely intent on getting Stellan to wrestle. The playful advances were rewarded with a pounce, knocking the smaller wolf onto his back, though Stellan backed up to allow Pharren to scramble back up to his feet. Figuring Sig would be safe for a few minutes, Stellan pulled Pharren out into the middle of the grounds, wrapping his jaws gingerly around the younger wolf's throat. It felt good to wrestle, felt right to roll around in the dirt with someone. It had been too long since he and Sig had received the opportunity to play with one another; being cooped up in the city didn't allow for long bouts of frolicking on four legs.<br/><br/>Stellan allowed himself to become lost in the excitement, using Pharren as a way to let out all the tension Lofgren had forced upon him. His body swayed back and forth happily, muscles loose as Pharren attempted to pin him. It was a valiant effort, rewarded with affectionate licks to the young wolf's muzzle before Stellan brought him down again, paws larger than a human's fist at either side of Pharren's copper colored head.<br/><br/>Garlan's yelp yanked at Stellan's ears. The big black wolf snapped his head in the direction of the sound, a vexed snarl curling across his muzzle as he watched Garlan and Sig snap at one another. His playmate was forgotten entirely as he padded over, circling around the two, head hung low. Hackles raised, Stellan gave Garlan only a brief moment to step away, but after a couple rounds of the two wolves trading bites it was clear neither intended to stop. Stellan understood why: Sig was furious, seeking revenge for Blue, and Garlan was just too proud to give into a wolf smaller than him, even one that was kicking his ass.<br/><br/>Despite the small pleasure Stellan received at seeing his lover tear into Garlan's sorry hide, it would be too easy for things to get out of control. Lofgren would find all this amusing right up until the moment Garlan ended up dead.<br/><br/>Stellan snarled, leaping into the fray and snapping when fangs meant for Sig landed in his shoulder. The black wolf took Garlan's throat into his teeth, swinging Garlan onto the ground as if the scrappy wolf were nothing more than a ragdoll. Stellan treated Garlan with none of the respect and restraint he had given Pharren; his jaws sunk deep into the excess skin around Garlan's throat, drawing blood and staining Stellan's muzzle. He growled into Garlan's skin, jerking his head when Garlan attempted to crawl back onto his feet. Each time Garlan tried to defy him he was met with another painful squeeze and tear, until finally the pathetic wolf was crying at Stellan's feet, pleading to be let go.<br/><br/>A single, final throw of his head. Stellan tossed Garlan to the side, nothing more to him than a pile of garbage shaped like a wolf. Blood dripped from his mouth but he cared nothing about this, instead rushing to Sig's side, sniffing out wounds and licking at them to help stop the blood. A few scratches weren't going to kill Sig, but this knowledge didn't soothe the fire raging through Stellan's veins. All sense of mercy had bled from him the moment he tossed Garlan aside. If anyone else dared challenge Sig, chances were high Lofgren would have one less wolf on his side.