It was nearing the end of another day in the great kingdom of Angloria. The amber sky provided a serene background for the massive castle that formed the core of the kingdom’s power. Composed of stone, the main building sat squat, firm, impenetrable in between the soaring guard towers. Tall, dense parapet walls topped with a jagged pattern of stone blocks seemed to go on infinitely. The setting sun cast dramatic solemn shadows against the rugged façade of the castle’s walls, thousands of years of bloody triumph, golden prosperity, and iron-clad loyalty stared right back into the soul of a viewer. Such a significant and prestigious organ of the kingdom needed equally striking and divine figures to provide both literal and reputational protection.

At the castle’s main gate, five dire wolves sat on elevated pedestals as guardians of the kingdom and all it represented. They were massive, muscular beasts, with heads that nearly reached the human shoulder when on equal ground. Icy, piercing eyes stared unwaveringly at all evil that dare approach. As representatives of the strength and culture of the kingdom no expense was spared in their decoration, they were all exquisitely groomed and dressed in colorful royal tunics made of the finest silk. Snout up, back straight, tails wrapped around their haunches, they perched themselves so composed that one may easily mistake them for graceful statues of the kingdom’s canine emblem. 

Their penetrating looks and imposing figures were enough to paralyze any would-be invaders, never mind an innocent first time visitor. However, to the residents of the surrounding capital city, the wolves and the magnificent castle they protected were an omnipresent part of their daily lives.

A native civilian walking along the path before the castle’s gates paid them no mind, the guardians were performing their noble duties as usual. But upon approaching the end of their line, he paused. He heard a low rumbling that sounded like a threatening growl, a death sentence. Body tensed, he nervously turned towards the wolf it emanated from, a male who’s mostly grey face contrasted with the cascading creamy white trailing down under his snout, and the smattering of brown around his eyes and nose. He was slightly smaller than the rest, his large bright yellow eyes and soft looking fur suggested youth, but nevertheless his visible strength and royal authority sent a shiver up the human’s spine. He prepared himself for an ominous command securing his doom, or maybe a harsh reprimand for violating some unknown penal code. Yet, he received none. The wolves didn’t even move from their perches. Their eyes shifted to him in a brief, observatory glance, but no hostility or royal rage to be found. The civilian, confused, shaken, but eternally grateful, continued along his way at a faster pace. Perhaps he’ll start taking a different route tomorrow.

The wolves maintained their perfect composure until he was far out of view and earshot. It was only then did a snicker break the regal silence. “You faring alright there, pup?” A brash female voice asked in a mocking tone. One pedestal over, Raegan gave him a side-eyed smirk. She was larger than him, with thick brown fur and black side markings that resembled her ancestral woodland home.

A self-conscious blush bloomed below Artair’s fur as he tried to retort. “Would be better if my neighbor would mind her own business.”

“Aww, c’mon! What, the big, stoic knight can’t handle a bit of teasing? Or are you afraid to lose your cool in front of your little lady friend?”

Breagh, the young blonde wolf perched second from the last on the opposite end, sat facing forward, mimicking the posture of the more senior guards. Artair hoped she was out of earshot, but for the briefest moment he could swear he saw her eyes flick over to them at Raegan’s words. Knowing there was even the possibility that she had overheard made his heart race. Meanwhile Gael, a silver-coated, blue-eyed lightning bolt of a canine had a very different reaction.

“Raegan, mind your tone.” He hissed, his brow furrowing with disapproval. “While Artair and Breagh are new to the role, they have undergone the same training as any one of us. They must treat us with respect and seek our guidance...”

Regan turned to Artair with a sneer. “Hear that pup? You gotta respect me, or else-”

Gael continued “...and we must offer it and treat them with that same respect in turn.”

Now it was Artair’s turn to smirk. “Thank you Gael, for reminding us [i]all [/i]of our duties.”

“[i]Thank you daddy Gael for holding my little paw! Waaaah, girl scaaary!”[/i] Raegan mocked. Her tone was jovial, but something about her expression suggested a hint of annoyance. Before Artair could reply, she turned to Gael.

“Respect is one thing, but they need to know how to hold their own – physically and socially. The pup needs to fight his own battles, rather than letting you or Regis do the talking for him. They’ve gotta earn our respect, just like we did when we started out.”

“Because acting like some street hound bully is completely respectable.” Artair muttered, perhaps a little too loudly.

“Enough, [i]both [/i]of you.” Gael snapped.

Raegan’s hackles began to rise as she turned back towards the young wolf. “Watch your tone little boy, I don’t think your stomach’s in any condition for an arse kicking.”

Artair narrowed his eyes, a good poker face to mask the mild panic, and not so mild pressure in his belly as he searched for a riposte. But the sight of Raegan with teeth bared stole away much of his bravado, the realization dawned on him of just how huge she was. Sure she was a female, but below the dense coat of bristling fur was a body rippling with muscle, savage ferocity of the northern wilds coursing through her veins. She was a wolf forged by winter, where only the strongest had a chance at survival – a far cry from Artair’s privileged upbringing as the princess’ pet behind the castle’s walls. Something told him coming up with a scathing retort to her threat wasn’t a good idea. As chance would have it however, he didn’t need to. Another low stomach gurgle filled the air, and it seemed to come from the suddenly wide-eyed wolf before him.

“Doesn’t sound like you’re faring much better.” he replied, taking care to avoid sounding [i]too [/i]smug.

“I know my limits – and they’re a hell of a lot farther than yours, squirt.”

“That’s [i]enough!” [/i]Gale bellowed, black lips parted by a flash of white teeth.

The reprimand made Artair jump, and Raegan let out a bark of laughter. “Aww Gael, don’t be so mean! Look, you’ve scared him!”

“Mind yourselves. You represent the kingdom and all it stands for – both of you. Your behavior is unbefitting of your rank.”

“Oh please,” Raegan rolled her eyes. “It’s nearly nighttime, and it's too cold for the humans to be out. Nobody in their right mind would be walking around at-”

“Citizen.” Spoke Regis, the great white direwolf in their center, perched before the doors of the gate. The largest and most senior of the group, his stern, commanding voice rang in their ears without having to yell.

Immediately all of the guardians regained their composure. Their powerful ears tracked the human civilian from nearly a mile away. The wolves perched silently for the long minutes it took for the human to pass. The silence this time was ruined by yet another deep ominous stomach churn. Once more, Raegan chuckled.

“Your belly’s doing as much whining as you are!” she quipped.

Artair rolled his eyes. “For your information, my stalwart stomach isn’t the offender this time.”

“Sorry...” Breagh shyly spoke up. A sheen of red dusted her face, her pained grimace masked by a nervous smile. “It’s been a long day...”

“Aww, nothing to be sorry for lass.” Reagan assured. “We all start bustin’ for a crap around this time of day. The lil’ pup’s already got a groundhog peakin’ out, and I ain’t far behind him either!”

“I-I...[i]assure[/i] you I do not.” Artair flushed, feeling both Breagh’s soft eyes on him and the weight of the day’s meals churning in his stomach.

“Although she should have phrased it in [i]proper [/i]language, Raegan’s correct.” Gael agreed. “It’s an unfortunate consequence of our responsibilities, and a burden we must bear with dignity. Just ensure that you handle such needs with subtlety while you remain on duty.”

“Hear that, Artie boy?” Raegan gave her neighbor a firm knock on the shoulder. “Better keep that tail tucked in – ain’t nothin’ graceful about what we’ve gotta do.”

Artair flinched, but quickly recomposed himself with a growl. He could agree with Breagh’s sentiment, it had indeed been a long day. Awakened for breakfast at dawn, clothed and trimmed before taking their pedestals at sunrise, and standing guard for the long hours till dusk, with the only breaks being for meals brought out to them by castle servants. Dinner was a little under an hour ago, and as dusk neared, the totality of their meals pushed their bowels, and their patience, to the absolute limits.

“[i]Mmmfh[/i]…” Artair silently groaned to himself, he felt a bout of gas prodding the ring between his haunches. One of the very many that teased his hefty rump all day. His jaw tightened, he couldn’t take the risk of another vocal aggrievement from his stomach, not after [i]that[/i] performance, and it seemed like neither could his body, as his anus started to bulge out under that air bubble. Just as Gael advised, he intended to handle it with [i]subtlety[/i]. He lifted his haunches oh-so slightly off the pedestal and gave his sphincter the gentlest push. He grit his teeth as his hole puckered, that fart teetered on the balance of silent and explosive. Handle with subtlety…subtlety…[i]pffffffffffffffftttttttttsssssssssssss[/i]…

The warm, greasy silent air oozed out of him with merciful silence. His rump hovered close enough to the pedestal that he could feel the gas stream warm his fur as it rushed along the surface. [i]Ohhhh[/i]…his eyes flickered up as he shuddered and gave an exhale of relief. The bloat in his stomach had been completely annihilated and brought his midsection some momentary calm. However, it had only made the heavy weight clogging his bowels all the more obvious. He winced, settling back down on the pedestal, his guts feeling so tight and sore in that position. Unfortunately, that pressure couldn’t be released so discreetly.

In a similar vein, the effects of his silent release weren’t so discreet either. His nose wrinkled and a pink tinge rose on his face, the air surrounding him suddenly carried a stinging heavy scent of rotting meat. Without turning his now trembling head, he shifted his eyes to his neighbors, he knew they had to smell it, it would be impossible not to with a wolf’s nose. Yet, neither had a reaction. Raegan was an astounding silent and poised, not even an eye twitch, while Regis beyond her maintained his usual unwavering composure. It must be their years of experience to keep that still under such [i]foul[/i] conditions. Perhaps Raegan did have something worth respecting. 

About another hour had passed and the sun had finally dipped below the horizon of the city down the hill. Another slow, painful hour of groaning stomachs and rising pressures, the guardians were dangerously near their breaking points. It was music to all of their ears when they heard that familiar, distinctive metallic set of footsteps from behind. “Castle guards.” Regis called out. 

There was a collective sense of relief in the air, as faint and unsatisfying it may have been, to understand that their day was moments from being over. But of course, then began the real challenge of keeping their impatient bodies together long enough to reach the relief they [i]truly[/i] needed.

Their ears followed the steps down to the gate, where the approaching figures paused to unlock it. Breagh trembled, her stomach let out a low whiny gurgle, just barely drowned out by the creaky castle gates. Three steel clad knights stepped out before them, each brandishing gold hilted swords, while only the center knight wore robes over his metal armor that matched the wolves’ tunics. Breagh bit her lip and bared through the churns in her belly, she only had to hold it a little bit longer… 

“Good evening guardians,” The center knight began in his human language. “The kingdom thanks you kindly beasts, for another day of honorable service. Today’s duties are officially completed, and you may return to your quarters. I wish you all a restful evening.”

“Thank you sir,” Gael responded in his own language. “I wish you a peaceful evening as well.” 

“[i]Mm.[/i]” Regis chuffed through his nose and nodded in approval.

“Oh, thank god.” Raegan sighed as she promptly hopped off her pedestal.

“Where are your manners?”

“Oh please, they can’t understand us. And if you spent the last hour with [i]Fartair[/i] you’d be saying [i]much[/i] more.” Raegan looked back to see the wolf [i]almost[/i] in question flinch, and snickered at her work.

Gael shook his head. “Absolutely shameful, no wonder he lacks respect for you.” He commented before taking a graceful swoop to the ground.

As the others hopped off their pedestals, Artair sat frozen and red-faced, only able to look at Breagh from the corner of his eye. She too stayed steadfast on her pedestal, and her expression seemed…worried. Oh lord, she must think he’s [i]filthy[/i], dammit Raegan, dammit, [i]dammit[/i]. Artair took a breath to calm his racing heart. No, don’t panic…he can set this right.

He put on his calmest, most royal, most [i]brave[/i] protector face, and tried to mimic Gael’s soft controlled landing. [i]Ooh[/i]. He clenched his rump, his back legs hit the ground harder than he expected. His back started to arch from a cramp growing in his lower intestines, but he had to power through, he had an audience. Keeping his belly and haunches tight, he took an awkward, swaying walk over to Breagh, trying his hardest to ignore the grimy solid mass shimmying in his guts on every step. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice him, still staring off into the distance with that bothered look on her face. Even while distressed her fur looked so soft and delicate…oh…er, well, Artair should get her attention.

“Uh…B-Breagh?”

The golden wolf flinched. Upon hearing her name her insides seized, painfully trapping that gas bubble so close to escaping. “O-oh, h-hello there Artair.” She sputtered with a shy smile, trembling at the angry forces pushing on her backside.

[i]Oh great, you frightened her. Be gentle, be gentle[/i]. Artair lifted his head more confidently and walked over to place a polite paw on her pedestal. “Is something amiss, my lady?” He asked in the smoothest tone he could muster.

“I’m well, thank you,” She answered with a slight blush. “I-I’m just, taking a moment to watch the scenery, awfully pretty when the sun sets.” Her smile wavered at the onset of another twinge.

“Ah, pretty indeed. You’ve always had an eye for beauty.”

“Oh shush,” She forced a flattered chuckle. “But no need to worry about me, I don’t want to hold you back.” She said, her ring starting to twitch.

“And leave you to enjoy such serenity all by yourself? Why…I-I’d n-never.” Artair settled on his haunches, he too felt something shift inside him.

Breagh’s internal panic grew. The hard surface of the pedestal may have been the only thing keeping her explosive pressures at bay. “N-no, no, please. I know it’s been such a long day, and a big strong man like yourself must be roaring to eat.”

[i]‘Big?’ ‘Strong?’[/i] Artair fought to keep his grin from looking too gawky. “A man always has time for a dear companion.”

Breagh smiled as if it could relieve her agony. And at that moment, her stomach let out another low rumble as if to vocalize it. Artair’s ears twitched at the ghastly sound. “Sorry…” She said, ducking her head in embarrassment.

“No need, no need.” Artair chuckled, finding it endearing and terribly relatable. “As you said, it has indeed been a long day.”

“Breagh, Artair,” Their heads snapped to Gael, suddenly back at the gate. “You two haven’t moved, is everything alright?

“[i]Yes[/i], everything’s alright, thank you.” Artair replied, failing to mask his annoyance.

“Oh, I see I’ve interrupted something.” He said, a bit of tact in his tone. “My apologies, carry on.”

“[i]Ooooooohhhh[/i] those love birds doing something naughty back there?” Raegan’s voice came from somewhere past the gates.

“No, no, no, w-we were just talking!” Breagh flustered. “And we were about to leave anyway.”

An angry stomach groan rumbled through the air, loud enough to make the knights turn their heads. Gael’s firm expression briefly turned wide eyed and stilted, his tail pressing flat against his rump. “V-very well then, do take all the time you need.” He said before quickly turning back into the gate.

Artair chuffed, putting on a brave smug face as he stood up. The heavy weight in his midsection sank with gravity. “A long day for everyone indeed. After you, Breagh.”

“…Thank you.” She looked down at the ground with a nervous gulp. She hovered her rump off the pedestal, the sharp urgent waves had died down, but the light bloating pressure near her backside remained. But perhaps she could manage it… She lowered her stance and ever so lightly hopped to the ground.

[i]FRRRAAAAAPPPP! [/i]“[i]Augh![/i]” The force of the landing exploded through her rump. “S-sorry!” She sputtered, feeling warmth on both sets of cheeks. She gave a few courtesy fans with her tail, before darting away through the gate.

Artair blinked, frazzled, and feeling a good amount of side embarrassment…and a good amount of stomach pain. He shook his head, and like a good gentleman only silently cringed at the horrid scents assaulting his nose. He won’t hold it against her, after all it’s a natural consequence of their responsibilities. And on that note, with her safely out of range, Artair lifted his tail and gave his guts the squeeze they had been begging for. 

[i]FFFRRRRUPPPPT![/i] Artair sighed, [i]thank goodness[/i]. His insides and tailhole were left with a warm tingling and temporary peace. No wonder Breagh couldn’t help but cry out from such a wonderful feeling. Still, it was hard to believe that a girl that beautiful could produce such an explosive release…it was almost impressive from a rump that pretty…[i]ugh[/i], what an awkward association…Artair’s thoughts were interrupted by the sudden coughing of a knight. He let out a low annoyed growl, now he was blushing for two reasons.

“Fartie boy, are you over there flirting with knights too?! We’re all about burst!” Raegan’s voice yelled out.

The red tinge on Artair’s face somehow grew deeper, but as his stomach moaned with a pressure that couldn’t be relieved so easily, he agreed with the sentiment. “Be right there…” He grumbled.

The grand castle itself sat several chains past the parapet walls. Endless lush fields surrounded the smoother-than-silk brick path to the entrance. In the daylight a vivid rainbow of flowers sourced from across the empire would welcome the esteemed visitor to the powers waiting before them. However, hidden in the shadows of dusk’s darkness, the delicate flowers halfway up the path wilted under the rotting stench of royal canine exhaust.

“Good lord…” Raegan rasped, turning away from the suffocating cloud.

“Handle with [i]subtlety[/i].” Gael reminded her, the light pink on his cheeks contrasted his steely gaze and voice. The quiet fart that puttered from his rear moments earlier didn’t provide much relief. The brief emptiness in his belly was already being refilled with fresh hot bloat, his anus pulsed with the desire for a much bigger blast.

“Doesn’t smell very subtle…[i]ooh[/i].” Raegan groaned, another cramp tearing through her insides. It made her pause half turned around, trapped between rancid air inside and out.

“Raegan, are you alright?” Breagh asked the trembling wolf.

“You might want to stand back dear…” She strained.

“Huh?”

[i]PPPPPFFFFFTTTTT![/i] “[i]Oh![/i] Goodness me…sorry about that dearie.”

“…I-it’s Ok.” Breagh replied, acting upon that generous offer to step back.

“And that didn’t [i]sound[/i] very subtle.” Gael admonished. His eyes flickered to Regis, who sat silent through both of their ‘outbursts.’

“L-looks like we both need to recall our teachings.” Raegan retorted through strain. Her stomach bubbled with impatient moans.

“Apologies for the delay.” Artair said as he came trotting to the group. He meant that courtesy especially for Breagh, but the blonde wolf avoided his gaze.

“Finally,” Raegan groaned. “I nearly exploded while you were busy sulking!”

“Hence, my [i]apology[/i].” Artair let his annoyance, and inner strain, grate on that last word. It was difficult to keep still, the tiny stabs in his stomach made his legs jitter.

“Pay her no mind.” Gael spoke. “But please, remember not to leave your partner out in the open by themselves.” He said, his glance brushing over the younger wolves.

“Oh god…” Raegan rasped, her back arching under the layers of fabric. A very moist bubbling fart forced itself from her clenched ring, sounding so horridly viscous vibrating her rump. “[i]Ugh[/i]…I’m leaving you [i]all[/i] out here by yourselves!” Raegan skittered off along the path as fast as her stomach would let her.

“Raegan! [i]Unf[/i],” Gael let out a brief grunt, and bared his teeth for the small effort it took to stand from off his haunches. “Stick with your unit!” He demanded, giving chase after her. Regis looked to the two other remaining wolves and silently motioned his snout to the castle, not an inch of discomfort detected on his face. 

“After you, my lady.” Artair offered Breagh, keeping the urgency out of his voice. Yet another squeeze of his guts made his ring bulge. 

“Why, thank you.” Breagh accepted his chivalry rather quickly this time. Artair grit his teeth for the second it took her to turn down the path. At that very instant he let his sphincter relax, and that gas bloat slipped out.[i] Pffffffffttttt[/i]… [i]Ooh[/i], the puff made him shiver. Silent, but so textured it felt awkward filling the space of his tunic.

“[i]Hnng.[/i]” Artair groaned under his breath, having to strain against a flash cramp. Damn guts are never satisfied.

“Artair,” Regis reminded him. “Keep up.”

“I know, I know.” Artair mumbled with a blush, before taking stilted steps after the blonde wolf.

Breagh took a careful lead on the way to the castle, making very sure to keep her backside closed tight with another wolf in tow. It wasn’t easy, each step triggered a sharp pang in her colon, each one knocking harder at her backdoor for relief. [i]Ugh[/i], she fought the urge to lift her tail. [i]Almost there, almost there[/i]…

At the very front of the group, Raegan finally reached the castle itself. As such a powerful, storied institution, having their god-like representatives relieve themselves in the grass like a common mutt would be equivalent to hearsay. And allowing the wolves to drop squat within the regal walls of the building would be outright [i]treason[/i]. Hence, the canines had their own dedicated latrine located in a deep disused cellar on the side of the castle. It kept their waste out of sight, and their pristine royal image unblemished. If they manage to make it, that is.