The more they waited, the more Al would have an advantage. Edmund huffed to himself but knew it was inevitable. He'd have to move. He'd have to goad Al into moving. If he was smart, he could conserve his own energy in doing so.

Mischievously, he reached a paw and caught Al's tail. "No one. Absolutely no one." Who would dare pounce on the Just King?

(A herd of alphas, that's who.)

That lashing tail, though. It had been too tempting. He snagged it and pulled. No rest for the weary here.