Rich looked at his Beta coolly, his former anger gone in the appearance of a challenge to his leadership.  Talton had always been faithful, loyal.  His sudden callousness and anger was... odd.  He really believed the salvation of the lycans lay in the wombs of human women, and he was willing to risk submission and humiliation in order to make his desperate ploy work.  He was big, standing half a foot taller than Rich and nearly twice as heavy.  He would have a serious advantage.<br/><br/>Or maybe not.<br/><br/>The Alpha slipped off his windbreaker, revealing a plain black t-shirt, and tossed it onto the railing.  "Think of the species?  Sure, let's muddy the gene pool and dilute our superiority with their mediocrity.  That way, when our race repopulates the Earth, we'll be so weak and miserable that we'd be better off dead."<br/><br/>Rich sniffed thoughtfully, scratched absently at his ear, and cocked an eyebrow at the insubordinate lycan.  "I've been around for a large number of years, during which I have been challenged no less than ten times.  I have yet to lose.  Really, Beta of mine, I thought you were smarter than that.  I'm the Alpha for a reason."<br/><br/>As he spoke, the lycan kicked off his shoes and adjusted the waistband of his pants.  Rich's face was expressionless, but he moved and spoke with practiced ease.  His voice was clipped, formal, as if reading off a sheet of paper.  "You believe that you can direct this pack better than myself, and so have decided to take action in this pack's best interests.  I disagree, and will defend my position with zeal," Rich said formally.  "I accept your challenge, Talton."<br/><br/>Unlike the Beta, he didn't transform, not even partially.  Instead, he stepped back to the edge of the far railing of the porch, relative to the door.  The area was about ten by ten feet.  The door to the gathering hall was right next to the railing; a staircase descended to the soft, loamy forest floor on the far side of the porch, which was made of weathered wood.<br/><br/>Rich leaned against the rail, in the same place as he had been before.  He waited.