Resolutions were a funny thing.  They had a certain ability to consume you that was unlike anything else.  Since making the resolution to continue Laney's training as he had promised Ash had been trying to cross Ts and dot Is in affecting that change.  What was disturbing was not so much the seriousness with which he approached his task, but rather his reasons for doing so.  Haunted.  That's what he was as he went about the stages of planning for Laney's training. 

As he worked through one angle of their work for a solution he thought better of asking any of the other wolves to participate.  That could lead to posturing and pack politics which would only get in the way of their purpose.  So he turned instead to an outside source.  Someone he trusted as though they were brothers, or lovers; frighteningly enough the second wasn't far from the truth at one time.  Milo Jones, local Rat King, and a man Ash had known for years.  Dialing his number Ash waited for the sound of a connection on the other end of the line.

"Milo, it's Ash.  I'm looking for a sparring partner." He paused as he heard what the rat said on the other end and felt the muscle in his jaw twitch. "No.  Not for me you bloody idiot.   I need someone smaller, not Otis or Knox.  Someone who's strong but hasn't been a lycanthrope long.  I thought I'd see if you had a candidate."