The entire way down the forest path, Night had that look of concern, though she did her best to hide it from Omega. Omega of course knew without looking at her, knowing what weighty decisions laid before her. Either to give up the way of life she’d always been accustomed to, or start down a new path, begin life on another world. And to even chance herself with the consequences on either decision was easier said than done and Omega knew it. So as a matter of importance, a deadline would only drive her back, and as with all situations that were this delicate in nature, patience and appreciating her prerogative would hopefully glean in on her approval.
After trekking for a few minutes down the dirt path, they come across a facility in the middle of the forest, a rather well made place that mixed natural materials of clay brick with modern technology of solar panels. Above was a sign showing a deer skull marking and emblazoned in words The Hunter’s Association Facility, where inside could be heard the sound of guns firing in the background, the sound of howling and various predatory sounds that could be heard in the mix. This appeared to be a place Night seemed to frequent on a regular basis. This also seemed to be a meeting place for this small rural community. Heading inside was a dimly lit facility with several rooms and stands, showing this was used not only as a hunting center, but perhaps dealt in farmer’s markets and local events, like a community center. To the left-hand side of the facility was a gun range where hunters consisting of a few humans and about two anthros, one a wolf, the other a bear, whom were all practicing with their hunting rifles, archery, and even throwing knives. On the other end were a crowd of anthro animals ranging from what appeared to be children (which he presumed the correct term was “cubs”) to adults whom were of all sorts of predatory species as they talked amongst one another when Night appeared to which they all sat on the floor in a meditative fashion. Omega toward at Night who in turn gave a calm smile.
“Good afternoon everyone, glad to see you all again. Has the hunt been fruitful?”
They responded by making their triumphant animal sounds in roars, howls and whatever sounds were respectively made by said animal, as though there were any indication that clearly there was no surprise their endeavors had been fruitful.
Night joined in their wild chorus to which ended in laughter and smiled with amusement.
“Very good. Now today we are going to go over last week’s stalk-and-thrust technique and then...” Night smiled over toward Omega. “We have a volunteer who will play prey for us. Please give him a warm welcome to my friend, Omega.”
Omega looked up at her embarrassed as everyone howled, growled or whatever sound that animal made while clapping, but he was more off-put by sudden requisition of him and would make a spectacle of him. “Night, can we talk about this, I only came to observe, not participate.”
“Now Omega, you’ve said it yourself, Everyone is offered a chance, and every chance comes with a risk, and this is your chance to learn. Besides, I should know just how challenging you can be.” She winked and patted a finger on Omega’s nose in teasing him.
“Challenging...?” said a large wolf with a deep voice as it stood at the doorway, his massive shadow engulfing the crowd smirking down on the diminutive creature before him as he tossed a bottle of half drunken whiskey onto a wall, causing the contents to shatter and spill on the floor along with its odor wafting through the air. “...this little runt wouldn’t even make a decent snack.”
Night turned annoyed at this sudden intruder. The wolf before her was huge. He was a massive black wolf with red eyes, dreadlocks and had a necklace of a large fang as a pendant. His physicality was of that of a bodybuilder. He had an air of cockiness and an intimidating ego, easily a giant standing at almost 11’6”, even compared to the tall Night which held her ground, growling at the lumbering beast before her.
“You shouldn’t be here, so leave Fang, you do remember being banned from here when you seriously injured that pup last time.” She sniffed to confirm the stink of inebriation. “Not to meantion you’re drunk!”
“He challenged me...” The intruder interrupted as he slurred a little. “Damn mutt should’ve known his place...”
“He was just a pup, only a coward and a bully like you would stoop so low!” growled Night
“Oh and then there’s you, the babysitter to a bunch of bitching runts when all you need is an Alpha-male like me to set a firm hand to them, and besides, you’d be more better off staying with me, after all, I could show you a good time.” Said Fang as he manhandled Night, trying to kiss Night to who scratched him on the face. Fang recoiled a moment, only to turn hostile.
“I’LL TEACH YOU, STUPID BITCH!!”He roared pulled his arm back to slap her when out of nowhere; Omega appeared to push her out of the way. Omega of course was so short that the massive hand whooshed over him. Fang looked for an instant in confusion to the lack of the opposing force of her face as it was now scarce as the momentum made him nearly loose his balance. Looking around to see what had happened and then downward, he saw the tiny one whom was behind her moments before, was now standing in his shadow, the glowing markings defining his face.
“I’ll have you know, don’t respond well to violence. So I’m telling you, leave now unless you’d rather arrange for your departure in an ambulance. Your choice, but I prefer we end this peacefully.” Said Omega. The irked wolf’s response bringing down his massive fist to which Omega, in all his foresight, moved swiftly and gracefully out of the way, resulting with the force cracking the concrete.

The captive audience gasped as the strange small creature looked up as this massive goliath, displaying no emotion whatsoever. Night looked to Omega affrightedly of what was going to happen. Fang now realizing that he had missed his mark by the absence of crushed bones and bodily fluids searched for the tiny creature whom shot his fists toward the small creature which in response in an impressive, albeit foolhardy, act had jumped and landed on the fist. Omega being the size of a small doll in comparison looked up at the creature whom loomed over the Lhi’aan began to move the other hand to squash this tiny creature like the insect he was, an effort that proved to be fruitless as Omega shifted, causing the open hand to smash the fist in deeper into the concrete. The resulting pain afterward caused him to wince in disgust as the wolf rubbed his hand, sending dust and crumbing concrete back to the ground.
Night looked to Omega, observing his deft and nimble movements that played Fang for a fool. But how long would it last?
“Alright that’s enough Omega, you’ve made your point. Now come back before he decides to stop playing.” Said the worried Night as she reached her hand toward him.
Omega however stood, looking up at the beast proverbially licking his wounds, readying himself for the next bout which could be at any moment.
“On the contrary, he’s still playing. But under the circumstances, he’s playing a losing game. He’s already inebriated, judging from his breath, the alcohol in his blood has slowed him down considerably, I can calculate every move he makes. I’ll take all the time I need.”

Night looked to Omega, irritated that he was acting so foolishly by fighting someone who could tear a deer apart with his bare hands. “Just what the hell are you trying to prove?!” yelled Night irately by his apparent stupidity. This is precisely the thing that annoyed her about men, always flashing their egos, trying to prove whose was bigger.” Night said, though forgetting of course that in the case of Omega, there was an exception...he wasn’t a man.
“I’m not trying to prove anything, I just thought to myself which I could break first, his body or his pride.” He said as if trying to decide. “Though frankly, I believe breaking his pride would prove to be more effective....and more entertaining.” He concluded as suddenly a fist roared toward him. Omega moved aside, feigning a lack of attention by appearing he was scarcely aware of it passing him. Perhaps by comparison a distracted person nearly missing an oncoming bus. Needless to say, this was one of his many ploys he used, all subtly and strategically placed movements made in the moment as to fool one that it appeared to be dumb luck.
At this, the irritated black wolf made a last ditch effort, summoning all his strength to crushing this little ant once and for all and this time it made its mark as it smashed into Omega... didn’t even flinch. The hit didn’t faze him and in fact it was Fang’s fist that shattered as the sound of popping bone could be heard. The massive beast could only grab its throbbing hand as he screamed in pain. The event baffled the crowds as Omega could only smirk at the giant, now brought to its knees then fell to the concrete floor, resulting shaking the building from the impact. Fang found himself bemused, struggling to understand what went wrong.
“Oh I’m sorry, I’ve been told I’m a little “hard-headed” about these sorts of things. But if it’s any consolation, I think you did manage to stop that annoying little clicking in my jaw that’s driven me to distraction. I’m much obliged.” Said Omega jeeringly to which the wolf took a second glance. What was fighting off the tears moments before, now his eyes went mad, dilated and bloodshot as he roared to open his jaws wide to devour Omega, when somehow he had pried Fang’s massive jaws open with little effort to his foot and his hand as he peered into the gaping chasm of rancid breath and yellowing teeth.
“My my...you have really let your dental hygiene go, a good flossing wouldn’t go amiss and phew, did I meantion that your breath absolutely reeks! No wonder why Night can’t stand to be anywhere near you. ” Omega said as he began to pry his mouth a little wider, painfully so as tears came to the wolf’s eyes, whining from the stretching pressure pulling at the tendons holding his jaws together. Fang went to rip the creature from his jaws...only to find that he couldn’t move anything save for his eyes. He was at the mercy of this creature...an irony as to the many before him was at his.
“Now that I think about it, it could be your diet...I detect multiple forms of subsequent prey animals...” Omega said as he moved his hand, like one wafting a scent in order to detect the aroma. “...let’s see...venison, raccoon... perhaps several canine and vulpine species...and if there is any indication from the scratch marks on your teeth, most were still alive while you ate them.” Omega said as though disgusted, adding just that one bit more of pressure which added to one bit more of pain.
“A most detestable form of sickness...but you’re in luck...I just so happen know the perfect cure. If you’d please, say Aaah.” Omega said as he pried that much more force, making the wolf cry out, imitated the sound in pain as tears were flowing down. “Good boy...” Omega whispered in sadistic soothe. “Let’s have a closer look at that rotten heart of yours.” He said as he quickly melted into a liquid metal, letting gravity snap the jaws shut.
The gathering along with Night looked at what had happened, all were numb with shock, silent in the unexplainable pandemonium displayed. Then, suddenly, Fang rose up, not in recovery, but rather in absolute agony. The crowd could see a lump in his throat and at first they thought Fang was trying to swallow the little creature, but it was quite the contrary as Fang began to choke and gag, desiring to remove this lifeform whom was in fact forcing itself down his gullet. They would watch in spine-tingling anticipation as the mass slowly forced its way down until it disappeared into his abdomen where Fang gasped, panting painfully. His face contorted in terror and pain as he moaned, trying to wretch and gag, hopingly, desperately wanting to vomit so badly, only to find that his efforts were futile.
Then a voice could be heard inside, it was very loud with malicious glee so much so that it could be heard from the muffling of layers of bone, muscle and fat.
“This is a very interesting experience wouldn’t you agree, especially when one finds themselves surrounded by so many organs.”
Fang began sobbing, knowing what he was implying...because only a killer like himself would know just how vulnerable organs could be if messed with.
“I’m probably right to assume that the internal structure is very delicate. Because if that is the case, and I’m just going out on a limb here, but what could...I dunno...let’s say cut myself open and begin to look around. Now this is hypothetically speaking, but I’m pretty sure in this scenario, the acidity of your gastric juices would wreak havoc on your lower intestines, leaving third degree chemical burns and perhaps systematically eating through your organs, not to meantion rending your muscles, fat, perhaps even melting through the skin, spilling out your melted, half-digested viscera in a bloody stew. Wouldn’t that be a rather unfortunate mess to clean up; along with a chalk out-line around what’s left?”
Fang at this point was now at the point of pleading and begging, only to fall on deaf ears.
“So given the case, said effects would prove to be detrimental if something like that happened. But I could be making this all up; we’re just merely proposing a hypothetical scenario...but that can be easily remedied.” He ended coldly, to which Fang felt something sharp press against the walls of his stomach, just enough to be extremely uncomfortable, but not yet to cause any real injury. But Fang knew what he could do, and by the way he was talking, he could do it without a second thought.
Fang held to his stomach with one hand as he was brought down into choking sobs. “Please...please...please!!” The only phrase he could bring out as he trembled. The response was something utterly terrifying as Omega began playing back every single scream and cry and plea from every victim Fang had ever heard, played back vociferously for everyone to hear along with the sounds of their shrieking as they were torn apart and devoured alive, all being downloaded courtesy of Fang’s brain through Omega’s biohacking and relaying the horrible tortures, making this chilling and horrendous experience all the more worse for everyone, from the dismay and terror of the surrounding people, to Fang as the psychological torture brought him into the depths of despair as his sobs of terror and anguish and guilt began tearing him apart, and then Night, too stunned for words, realizing just how powerful this darker side to Omega was. Before she had no idea and therefore no respect for that power, now...now she had seen this darker, twisted version of Omega had revealed itself as he was slicing deeper and deeper into Fang’s psyche, feeling sympathy and pity for his hellish suffering. It was almost like the Beast that plagued her as a child. Yet what made it truly scary was the comparison. The Beast was a wild and thoughtless creature that destroyed. Omega on the other hand, knew exactly what he was doing. He had logic, he had his abilities, and he had a deep working knowledge about his victim and would take his time torturing him. She wanted it to stop, she wanted Omega to stop.
“Omega, that’s enough! Do you hear me? I demand you to stop it now!! RIGHT NOW!” She yelled crossly.
“Of course I will, but before I do, I believe he owes you an apology...now apologize to the young lady...if you know what’s good for you.” Said the alien, sliding the sharpened blade gently across the sensitive walls as further incentive to which the colossal wolf now shaking, breathing shallowly in fear that the cruel master within him would punish him.
“I...I...I’m...s-s-ssss...sorry...” he said, stammering each word to which afterward began to moan, tears gushing from his eyes, only wanting for this torment to end. A loud gurgling sound from deep within him that echoed across the building indicated digestive distress as he began to gag and wretch. Brought to his knees, his massive hands were rigorously clutching the ground as the loud roaring sounds of his stomach resounded, forcing its contents up to which soon to his relief came as Omega was squirted out along with the contents of previous meals and gastric juices spilled onto the concrete floor. Fang panted, wheezing from exhaustion, collapsing into a pool of his own vomit, when came the slime covered Omega grabbed his jaws again, holding firmly to his left incisor.
“Just so you and I are clear, the next time she tells you to leave...you leave and you stay gone. Do you understand?” Omega asked firmly, but was given no reply. Immediately Omega reached into the exhausted wolf’s open jaws and ripped out the large, knife sized incisor, roots, blood and all to which the wolf wailed.
“When I ask you a question, I expect an answer...do you or do you not understand?”
Fang stammered an indistinct ‘yes’ repeatedly, whining in pain and sobbed as blood, drool and what was left from the vomit in his mouth dribbled out, soaked in just about every bodily fluid he had.
“Good I’m glad we had this heart to heart chat and I hope for your sake that you and I won’t have to have this conversation again...because believe me, this was just a taste, I can do far worse things beyond anything your pitiable organic mind can comprehend. The things I know, you couldn’t even begin to fathom. The things I’ve seen, you’d never even dream of. The things I can imagine...your fondest nightmares couldn’t manufacture. So that goes without saying that I hope we’ve come to an understanding.”
Fang looked at the creature, sincerely believing that it could do what it said it could do, if this wasn’t Omega at his worse, he could only pray that he’d never learn what this creature was capable of.
Then Omega approached Fang slowly until his face hovered over his muzzle giving him full eye contact as he brought his voice to a haunting whisper. “Now get out of my sight...before I change my mind.”

At the hearing of this command, Fang struggled to get up, crawling away slowly, sobbing and terrified. The mighty beast from before was now as frightened as the pup he had tortured before.
Omega then looked at his bleeding trophy with slight disgust of its present condition and correcting it by hewing away all the plaque and scratches until it was white and smooth and sharp. Taking a broken wooden pole and some string, he tied it together, forming it into a blade to which displayed before the stunned audience as he admired his handiwork for a moment.
“Now where were we? Ah yes, which of you lucky children would like to chase me first?”
Nobody in the entire terror-stricken group dared move, save for the parents gripping their children and the children quivering and lightly crying in fear.
“Come on then... don’t let what I did to him be a deterrent. I did what I did because none of you had enough nerve to take a stand to him. Let there be no doubt my dear students, that if there is any lesson to be learned in beating back your bullies, expose and exploit your enemy’s weakness and beat them within an inch of their lives with it. It’s not enough to break their bodies, Go deeper into their psyche, crush their pride, and break their hearts! Only then will you be respected...only then will you be feared!”
Night shook her head in disbelief. The Omega she knew was one with such knowledge, patience, mercy, a voice of reason. This darker side to Omega was one who thrilled in tearing one’s spirit. Poor Fang, brute as he was, was possibly traumatized for life. Omega was better than this and yet, he not only stooped to Fang’s level, he had thrashed him, possibly beyond repair. It said something, having known that Fang had never so much as flinched at anything. Now, she and her students had been unwilling witnesses as to what Omega could do. Something so small bringing such pain on such a disturbing level. But she wasn’t going to stand by while Omega preached this doctrine of hatred, poisoning the minds of her students to whom she had worked so hard as teaching them to respect nature, more leaning towards respecting one another and only to attack in self-defense. And with an impressionable youth who would listen to his words, they too would be like Omega...like Fang...and perhaps if she allowed this to continue any further, the Beast or perhaps worse. This had to be stopped, now.
“Listen to yourself Omega! You sound just like Fang...no, actually you’re even worse! I’m ashamed to have called you my friend after what you did! Especially after making yourself out as a peacemaker, the voice of reason and knowledge...I can’t believe I’d be so wrong and gullible to believe your lies! Because not only did you nearly kill Fang, you are teaching MY students that breaking people and having people live in fear is what makes people respect you. But all you’ve managed to do is lose my respect! So I’ll ask you to leave...” she said to which she spread her arms out with heartbroken tears flowing from her eyes and down her cheeks. “...or are you going to tear me apart too, hypocrite?”
Omega looked to her and then to his own hands in which he saw for the first time in a long time...blood, and within an instant began to realize the magnitude of what he had done. He was thinking more mechanical and methodical, forgetting the compassion that made him so beloved by many. It showed how little he had changed, seeking out results in the quickest method possible, only to find that the results were cold and heartless. If he had gone the compassionate route, though as slow a process as it was, he would have maybe won the respect of Fang rather than breaking him, bringing knowledge instead of fear. It was at this that Omega began to feel fear, guilt and remorse for his actions. This world as it turned out was not ready for him. The last thing he wanted was to start another Lhi’aan war, because his actions were making him less like himself and more like his brother Alpha. Omega could only look to a disappointed Night, grief-stricken.
“Night... I’m not normally like this; I just couldn’t stand to see what he might’ve done to you. I thought that in using such savage methods I would get through to him...and maybe I was wrong. I’m sorry if I’ve frightened you, if I’ve wasted your time. I had hoped I could show you what splendors my world has to offer, but if there had been any indication by the way I’ve been acting, I wouldn’t blame you if you choose to stay here. I’ll be going now. Goodbye.”
With that, he slowly walked out the door. Night stood firm, but after he left she collapsed to the floor, sobbing. Her friend, her best friend was leaving again. She wasn’t sure what grieved her more, the good alien who was going to leave her again, or the monster he had become. Where moments earlier she felt herself at her conclusion of her choice was now more torn than she was before. Maybe she had misjudged him, he wasn’t just an alien seeking to lend a helping hand...he was a god, judging cruelly on the sins of mortals, trying to make a mechanical, emotionless world ruled by soulless logic. Because at the end of the day, he remained true to what he was in the end...a machine.
____________________________________________________________________________
Omega walked into the woods, coming along the path where he felt an impression in the dirt path, large foot prints, no doubt Fang’s. Perhaps Omega had been far too harsh on him. Not too long after, he found the large wolf, cringing by a creek, trying to use the cool water to wash out the blood in his mouth and soothe the throbbing pain erupting through his nerves; oblivious that Omega was behind him. As Omega looked at Fang now in the aftermath, he felt compelled to mend what he had torn.
“Fang...” said Omega in approach. The response as Omega predicted was a sudden jerk upward with the lupine’s ears standing erect and to slowly turn. Fang of course knew that escape was improbable, resistance futile, and with two scenarios presented, at best death, at worst, horrible torment beyond his comprehension, it could only be determined that with all the hell he had caused over the years, this perhaps was his imminent perdition. But those thoughts were banished, for the moment anyway, when Omega said. “...we need to talk.”
Omega knew that Fang was apprehensive, but of course Fang’s pride, what was left of it, gave him enough audacity to put in a, “Screw you” while putting up his front. Such bravado Omega admitted to himself was commendable, but foolish, especially if he were organic, on top of boasting a nasty temper, whilst having his abilities intact. To the contrary, much to Fang’s good fortune, Omega was neither of these and took the insult in stride, bouncing it off as like the rest of Fang’s flurry of attacks.
“Right, I deserved that one, I must admit that I was...shall we say prematurely harsh in my actions, but I have your attention. I do hope I am correct.” Omega said sharply, hinting back to the prior unpleasant conversation they had.
“Yeah Ok, I’m listening!” Fang replied, crucially aware that to ignore Omega would be detrimental to his health.
Omega now resumed in a more peaceful disposition in his posture with a small smile.
“Good, now then, while I found your actions to be unbecoming of a gentleman, my analysis of your mind revealed that part of all your decisions weren’t all of your choice; there’s been someone else, someone in charge. Is this analysis correct?”
Fang now appeared to be anxious, as though speaking of it were a touchy, perhaps forbidding.
“Hey look, It’s nothing personal, it’s just she has the Beast that my Boss had his his eyes on and he sent me to fetch her. But you gotta believe me I wasn’t gonna hurt her. But if I had shown up without her, he’ll kill me!”
Omega looked to Fang and then in a matter of seconds with blinding speed had Fang on the ground, his iron grip around his neck.
“And you think I won’t?” Omega threatened. “Let’s make something clear, if I detect, even for one second any intent to harm her; I assure you, the pain you endured before would be a love tap in comparison to what I have in store...am I understood?”
Fang looked away in fear, an unwise indecision of action was paid back with every nerve in his body burning, the most excruciating pain as though he were on fire. All he could see was white, static blindness. He couldn’t hear anything, not the forest around him, not Omega’s systematic speaking and certainly not the blood-curdling screams he was emitting. After a few minutes, his senses slowly returned. He had half expected himself to be bleeding and torn apart, the pain felt evident of it. Right now he was numb, weak, and fumbling to move. As his sense of sight returned, he immediately went to see what damage this little demon had done, he was astonished when he found not a single hair was out of place, not a scratch or mark. But if that were so, why did he feel like he had been ripped to pieces? The answers, if any would be discovered shortly as before him, sitting on a rock was Omega.
“What the hell did you do to me?” Fang asked as he slowly got up, rubbing his aching head, to which Omega responded. “A precautionary measure, a process of manipulating the brain signals to receiving pain without the need for the appropriate stimuli thus resulting in the allowance of pain without damaging the specimen. It’s something your feeble, organic minds are so prone to the slightest influence. Unintelligent lifeforms like you are so very slow on the uptake; not at all within the scope of higher intellects such as myself; not to meantion has such frail biological constructed of your frame. Such as your species, your race, your rank in this existence is insignificant in grander scheme of the universe whereas beings such as myself are of a more pristine, advanced order. You’d be wise to take my advice to heart and show a little appreciation and consideration to your situation.”
Fang gazed with awe at this creature with his speech, though self-sycophantic as it was, it wasn’t without merit that this creature was perhaps of a higher authority. This was also in contradiction to Fang’s character, The epitome in his mind’s eye as a non-conformist to the way of authority, now finding himself grasped into such that resistance, however fervently he could fight, was futile in the end. The question now was who was he and what did he want? In some way, he needn’t ask, as though Omega had read his mind responded.
“What is this strange and powerful being?’ I hear your mind wonder...perhaps it is because you are in denial, finding yourself unable to grasp the situation you find yourself in. That for once, you are in the presence of something beyond your ability to fathom or control. But I suppose the best answer is easier explained in your common vernacular.” Omega said circling round Fang as he drew close to Fang’s ear and his voice took on a strange sound, an electronic sounding voice as he uttered the words one at a time... “I...am...alien.”
A stark chill ran down Fang’s spine upon hearing the utterance of the words. A cadence so foreign and unsettling, struggling in coming to terms that right beside him was one that had this world at his fingertips. As to what he saw earlier being any indication to being just a mere sample of his power, he only feared what this extra-terrestrial was capable of. Now, as Fang became susceptible to these series of mysterious phenomena, the only thing that could keep him sane or alive for that matter was to do exactly as it said and hoped it would leave him alone when he finished.
“What do you want with me?” Fang asked tensely.
“Glad you decided to listen, now then, we’re going back and we will both apologize to Night. I for my...improper use of force over shall we say ‘peaceful negotiations’.”
Fang huffed annoyed. “Yeah, would have appreciated that earlier.”
“I will of course apologize to you for my actions, something to make sure we are on good terms. However, you did bring this about with Night, which is why you will apologize for intentions unbecoming of a gentleman...er...wolf.”
Fang sighed, knowing he was in no position to refuse.
“Ok, anything else other than humiliating myself?” Fang asked indignantly.
“Nope, other than that, you’re free to go.” Replied Omega with a dumb smile to which Fang scoffed as he turned to lead on.
“Oh and there is just one other thing I forgot to meantion...” Omega said. “You are never to reveal any meantion of what transpired here today, besides what was witnessed by the others, of what you know of me being an alien. Because If you tell, I will know, if you try to run and hide, I will hunt you down. If that happens...well...I leave that for your imagination to entertain. So, I sincerely hope for your sake you won’t go and do anything stupid.” Said Omega patting Fang’s cheek. If Omega had been flesh and blood, Fang would have bitten his hand off. But knowing what he knew, he could only tolerate the annoyance with quiet consent.