After his meetings with Elettra, Morganna, and Iopah Cai was now thoroughly convinced that it was time for him to begin making a name for himself, to begin making Willow Ridge a place he could call home. He had waited a respectful amount of time before he decided to challenge anyone for their rank. He had wanted to make sure that he planned on staying in the pack before he disrupted the hierarchy. After meeting Morganna, Cai realized that there might be other reasons for staying here, besides his sister. After his conversation with Iopah, he realized that his moping around waiting to have the world handed to him on a silver platter was intolerable. If he wanted to feel like he had a place and a purpose, he had to make those things happen. Finally, he had talked with Elettra and requested that he be allowed to begin pursuing a role within the pack. Everything was falling into place and now it was time for the next step. There were two males above Mordacai, with the exception of his Alpha of course, and Mordacai planned on challenging each of them in turn. First, he would need to challenge Renier. He had nothing personal against the tawny male who was not much larger than himself. Honestly, he didn't know him very well. Morganna seemed to have eyes for him and that bothered Cai, but this rank challenged stemmed from a desire to establish himself within Willow Ridge and nothing more. If Mordacai won this challenge and Morganna shifted her attentions to him afterwards, that would only be a bonus.

Though some nerves rattled around in Cai's mind, he steadied his resolve and howled for @Renier. Holding his tail and head high, the swarthy male made it clear that he was there to assert his dominance, to claim a position that he believed was rightfully his.

Mordacai watched warily as Renier approached and also took a similar position of dominance. Cai had never expected that Ren would show up and bow down. There would be a challenge, Cai had known that and was prepared. With a voice smooth and calm, the swarthy male spoke, "Renier, I intend to stay in Willow Ridge and to serve Queen Elettra to the best of my abilities. That being said, I believe that it is time I challenge you for the third position. It is nothing personal, but I intend to give it my all and I hope you will do the same." Every word the Ashrelle prince spoke was true. He did not want false security. It would be best for Renier to give his all, whether Cai won or lost. Judging by the look in the pale golden eyes of the tawny wolf, that is exactly what he intended to do.

Cai let the words rest on the air, giving them time to sink into his opponents mind. Cai was a soldier; he was honorable and even if he and Renier weren't particularly close, Cai would not want this challenge to be the reason tension arose between them. He wanted respect, not animosity. After a moment had passed by, Cai bared his teeth and let loose a vicious snarl to indicate that it was time to begin. With that, the dark man pushed off his back legs and lunged towards Renier, jaws open, ready wide to close around Renier's muzzle.

Mordacai's jaws had successfully found his opponent's muzzle and were now clamped shut over them. He made sure not too bite too hard, seeing as this was a rank challenge and there was no need for either wolf to leave with any sever injuries. This was not personal, and Cai hoped to have Ren's respect by the end of it, one way or another. Trying to hurt him would be counterproductive. Still, Cai wondered if maybe he had not held down tight enough as his opponent shoved his chest. Cai took a small step back as he absorbed the impact, and almost lost hold of Ren's muzzle. Thankfully, Cai had been close enough to Ren that there had not been much momentum behind the shove and the single step back was enough. Clamping down just a bit tighter Cai's secured his hold. With the first counterattack delivered, adrenaline began to pump through the Ashrelle's veins and the thrill of the fight sank in. With a new burst of energy, Cai twisted his head one way, then the other, and finally once more to his left (Ren's right). With Ren's muzzle tightly secured between Cai's jaws the tawny wolf could not resist and so his body weight would follow the direction his head was turned. When Cai gave that finally twist to his left, Ren's head turned to Ren's right and his body weight followed. With Ren's weight all on his right legs, Cai raadjusted his grip on Ren's muzzle and raised his right leg to drape over Ren's left shoulder, hoping that the addition of his own weight, adding pressure onto Ren's right legs, would make Ren's legs give out from under him.

Cai was surprised by Ren's next move. The cream colored male violently tossed his head further into Cai's jaws. Of course, this hurt Cai but the swarthy male imagined it ad also hurt Ren as well. Even so, Cai realized what his opponent was trying to do: as Ren thrust his muzzle deeper into Cai's jaws it had made Cai's jaws open wider so when Ren pulled his muzzle the other way it managed to slide out of the Cai's jaws. Cai prepared to reestablish his hold but before he could, Ren called, "You win" and Cai immediately pulled himself off of the now, lower ranked wolf.

Cai was bursting with pride, though he tried not to let it show. He wants the type to brag and didn't want to make another wolf feel bad. Born a prince in the Calarosa mountain pack, Cai had been born into his position as second male. Sure other wolves had challenged him now and then and he had always successfully defended his title, but this was different. For the first time, he felt like he had truly earned his rank. He was third male in Willow Ridge now and he had worked for it. With a gracious smile, Cai took on a more dominant position as he stepped back to give Renier room to get to his paws.

"That was a good match. I'm proud to call you my pack mate." Cai nodded his head respectfully and hoped that his opponent would return the sentiment. He had not won this match only to earn his opponents animosity. He wanted respect.