The Alpha Den

[Tay]

Aisha watched her Mother with wonder-filled orbs. She was beautiful. She'd not seen the dark fem in so long. A whine escaped her muzzle as her Mother attacked Luma. No! Please...Mother! Luma! Sorrow filled her orbs, a very rare thing.

The next thing she knew a familiar scent filled her nose. She froze, and then Jaden was beside her. She turned to him, feeling happy and sad all at once. She licked his muzzle once, knowing there would be time later. Mother. My mother. Epitaph. Luma and father have mated...and Mother... Aisha need not finish. She noticed now that Luma was slicing and tearing at the side of Epi's face.

Aisha whimpered and buried her face in Jaden's fur.

Basile

The great black wolf let a snarl tear loose as Epi and Luma began to fight. He didn't like it. He didn't like it for Luma, and for Epitaph. He didn't like it because he knew not what to wish for. He saw, from the corner of his angry orb Jaden coming forward. He felt his lip raise again, and he realized he needed to keep his emotions in check. He must stop them for now. They would only bring trouble. SO he resolved not to feel anything.

Keeya, he noticed a moment later, was at his side. He regarded her silently, not saying a word. He was stone now. In his anger and many mixed emotions...he must have missed her. He was glad for her company now, dispute his efforts to remain unfeeling. He leaned over, bumping his shoulder ever so lightly against hers.

The season brings out the beast in all of us. For better...or for worse. He thought, his green orbs never once leaving the battling fems.

[Zanna]

Jaden gently licked the back of his mate's neck, gently nudging her to turn herself all the way away from the scene. Her words rung in his head. Mother, my mother. This incredibly dark she-wolf had given birth to his Aisha. No matter what kind of wolf he was morally, he still felt some odd sense of pity for Aisha. Something about the word mother tugged at his gut... or perhaps it was the sight of seeing another wolf's face nearly bitten off. Either way, he felt the need to protect the white femme from the feeling, somehow.

The season's over, Jaden he chuckled inwardly, Get your head on straight.

Less and less, he found himself thinking less before he acted. It almost seemed that he was realizing exactly what he did moments after doing it. He didn't like that at all. He would get over it, though. It was just the lingering of the seasons feelings, of course. Instinct. He had overcome instinct before, however. He could obviously do so again with ease. Clearly. He shook his concerns from his head, returning to his location with a mental shake.

Hush now... Jaden cooed to Aisha softly, offering what comfort he could. That was what good mates did after all, was it not? Soothed each other's worries and helped them to ignore the real world? He watched the two femmes fight over Aisha's head, his concerned face flinching when it seemed appropriate. He allowed his limbs to stiffen and his eyes to lock onto the pair dueling over the privilege to sand next to Cassiel and watch the pack go about daily life.

[Shai'Ren]

Please don't ask me why
I fear that end is near...
Is there a reason not to cry?
Hoping to find some peace of mind...[/font][/color]


Epitaph smiled as the blows connected, eyes glinting at what Luma had hinted. Obviously her parents had not taught her that all was fair in love and war; aiming to maim her face sought to prove little of her prowess. And how would this wolfess know what cheap was? By the looks of her, she hadn't fought a day in her life. She felt the fangs as she had before, and the pain never came. Immunity--invincibility--was hers, and she utilized it as she felt Luma begin to lose her balance. With the might of her size, she began pushing to her left, where she felt the balance was weakest, in an attempt to knock Luma over. It might have pushed Luma's fangs deeper, but Epitaph could not care, she would not die from such a wound. Beauty was never something she cared for--or needed. If it was, she would have never raised her lip to anyone.

Across the dark into the light--
Take me home where I belong--
This journey on the trail of tears
Please come, come to an end...

[/font][/color][/i]

[Shai'Ren]

[glow=brown,5,300]R O C[/glow]

[/font][/size]

Watch me grow wings and fly high,
passions will die, down below...


Roc tensed and closed her eyes. She did not want the others to judge too harshly the wolves scrapping before them. She wasn't sure she wanted any of this. Ultimately, she knew the outcome. Her auds flattened against her head, trying to dull her senses to the fight.
[/font]

I burn in a bason of fire, watchers look on,
as they dance in their merciless sky...

Watching me...
Watching you...

R a e l i k

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away…
It's a slow fade, when black and white have turned to gray…



Raelik watched in awe at the two females before him. Neither was going for a killing blow. Had Luma aimed closer to Epitaph's eye, then perhaps she would have the advantage. But now that Epitaph had Luma's leg in control, she controlled part of her balance capabilities. He waited anxiously, waiting to see if Luma would be put in the precarious position on the cold ground.

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid…
People never crumble in a day…

[/size][/font]

Not I-- I won’t conform to what I see in you.
Not I-- I won’t surrender what I am.[/color][/I]



Glyph watched the reactions of the others carefully, but stared mostly at Jaden. He was the brute that had claimed Aisha, his little sister. His thoughts broke off as he saw the two faes sink their fangs into each other, and his eyes remained glued to them. You can do it, Mother...

Not I-- and even if it was a part of me…
Not I-- I’ll never be that way again.

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Thump. It was all she could hear. Thump. Deafening in her ears. Thump. Time seemed nonexistent, and her endless thumping heartbeat buzzed in her ears. Thump. She felt her balance slipping as Epitaph lunged toward her again. Luma had never been a fighter. She'd always tried to solve her problems with her tongue. When she was younger, she had made her fair share of mistakes as a loner. It had never come to fang and claw, though. Talking had always been easy enough.

Now she stood faced with a situation where she knew she must fight. Thump. She was reminded of her past, before she'd set off on her own. Perhaps it was her life playing before her orbs. She'd never talked about her past. Never to Duskai, and never to Cassiel. She wondered why. Her past was not as bad as others she'd heard.

She remembered her Mother, and where she had been born. A field full of rolling golden grasses. Two brothers and her. She remembered that her Mother was a dark brown pelted fem. She had yellow orbs, so bright and lovely. Her legs had been long and her smile had been one of the most beautiful skies in Luma's young world.

Her Father was the silver pelted one, a strong brute. He'd spent more time with Luma's brothers. He always found a way to spend some alone time with her, though. Quiet moments where he would sneak her away and they would roll and play together. They'd all been loners then. A small pack. Then Father and Mother slowly made them take their own path.

First it was brother Titus. First born, big and tough. Daddy's star. Bully to his siblings. The goodbye had been short. He was eager to go his own path. Then came Arvis the most playful. He more often was found lurking in the grasses, looking for someone to leap upon. His laughter made everyone else laugh. His goodbye was sorrowful. Many tears were shed on Mother's part.

Luma was last. Their final conversation was long, and tear-filled. Mother had brushed the tears from Luma's orbs with her nose. "Don't be saddened, dear Luma. You will find your life." Father had stood tall, watching the exchange. His voice rumbled forth, a sweet baritone. "My Luma, fight for the life you want. If it is truly what you want, then nothing else is worth more." Luma had nodded, her orbs still shining with bright yellow drops.

"I fought for your Mother...and it was the most rewarding decision I ever made." His brown orbs smiled at her, and he licked her cheek one last time. "Go now. Gia, come. We must go." Mother had rose, and she nuzzled Luma. She turned and took off running a sad smile on her muzzle. "Run Luma. It will be easier. Run the opposite way, my love. Jerrico, run with me."

They were gone, and so was Luma's flashback. The thumping was filling her ears again, as Epi threw her weight into the silver fem. Thump. She felt herself falling, and she pulled at Epi's face. Some mangled flesh tore loose in her jaws, and she she fell to the ground. Her back would hit first, and she knew Epi would be upon her. I listened, Father. I did. She slowly felt her back connect with the ground. It was a different thump that filled her ears this time. A final one. Thump.

[Shai'Ren]

Please don't ask me why
I fear that end is near...
Is there a reason not to cry?
Hoping to find some peace of mind...[/font][/color]


Epitaph released her hold on Luma's leg as she felt the wolfess begin to fall. There would be no opportunity for Luma to dodge her next blow. The black wolfess dislodged her face from Luma's fangs and opened her maw as wide as it would go. As soon as the fur of Cassiel's mate touched her tongue, that metal trap closed.

The acidic orbs of Epitaph burned at full capacity, knowing they had accomplished their task. She large wolfess then broke her silence, snarling. Had it been... any other wolfess... perhaps I would have halted. But you betrayed us early on. Where is your precious Duskai? And that precious life that you bore with him? Her message was delivered straight through the fibers of the one on the ground. Put straight forward, Epitaph could not trust her packlands to someone who had wronged her--Epitaph and Cassiel--early on.

"None of us are perfect. Never will be."

Things may have changed, and Luma was a new wolf. Epitaph's father would not have let that get in the way of this judgement. And the only wolf Epitaph would ever follow to the ends of the earth was he. His values were instilled in her for eternity; it was the only way she could remember him. My Lord, my Sire, would never have stood for such disobedience. Had he been here, you would have been banished. Such infestations would be eradicated on sight. And would it have mattered? No. She lost them both anyway.

"Who is to say we are to judge? No one declared when we can or cannot, and yet we do."

Epitaph's jaws began to clamp tighter and tighter, like an anaconda would do to its prey. I will not sacrifice my position on the altar of your happiness. If her position was not redeemed to her, she would destroy Luma. It would not be the first life she took. Each second that passed, Luma's access to air declined, and Epitaph's fang neared that delicate artery that would close the door to life.

"Be sure, my little warrior, that if that time comes... you are sure of yourself and your means. What you do in taking another's life will reverberate throughout the universe until it hits something that will send danger to you. Do you want that?"

Do you want this, Epitaph?

Epitaph snarled a monstrous snarl, her banner raising far above her head. Surely... Cassiel will stop me. And when he does... You are to be demoted... You should have never risen to such a rank... though you were there as you were supposed to be. Epitaph knew little of forgiveness. It was a topic her father only brushed on. Was it something she would give to Luma? She couldn't think about it in that moment. All she knew was Cassiel needed to stop her soon.

Epitaph did not want this.

But she would take it if they let her.

[/color]

Across the dark into the light--
Take me home where I belong--
This journey on the trail of tears
Please come, come to an end...

[/font][/color][/i]

[Kaziph]

Beryl had wanted for all of her short life to be just like her mother, so badly. To have that look that could eat the skin off another with a glance, to have the emotionless facade that didn't break. She worshiped her, and Glyph, too, who took after her more than the others. Yet Beryl in the moments during the fight felt something within herself breaking apart, and it terrified her. The young she-wolf realized right then that there was something in her mother, perhaps something in her brother, too, that she would never have in herself. She couldn't name it and didn't know what it was, but she knew that she lacked it.

She watched in horror as Luma slipped and Epitaph went in for the kill. She didn't know Luma well and certainly wanted her mother to hold the place of alpha forever, but to harm another, to kill another? For this? Beryl knew she could never replicate the fury, the emotionless anger on the large black wolf's face.

So in that moment, Beryl's confusion tapped into her instinct, and since fight apparently wasn't her inclination, she fled. The young wolf brushed by her brother Glyph, knowing his scorn would follow, and past Basile and Roc. She didn't care, though. She didn't want to watch the two wisest fems in the clan tear themselves apart. Her brackish frame disappeared over a ridge and was gone.

[Kaziph]

Cassiel regarded the fight with a still heavy heart. He ached to leap in and defend... but defend whom, his conscious asked? No one, he had answered, just defend. It is my nature. He lowered his broad head over his neck, instinctively moving into a fighting position as the females tore at one another. He winced when Epitaph received grievous facial wounds, and did again when Luma slipped. But when Epitaph's fangs bore towards Luma's exposed neck, the anger in Cassiel rose and overtook him. He read their body language. Surely... Cassiel will stop me. So Epitaph was making him choose? What a bitter choice she had given him. He had already made his mind, though, and duty gave to him his actions.

He saw, out of the corner of his eye, Beryl turn and dart away, as though to leave the scene behind. I'll have to go after her once this is through, he thought fleetingly, knowing his daughter would not want to see either of the two fems, Epi or Luma, with fresh wounds and smelling of blood. She would need him.

As these thoughts were crossing his mind and gone, he lunged forward and threw his broad shoulder into the black she-wolf's side, and his jaws closed around her own exposed neck. She would not have had time to dodge his quick blow, for she was too intent on her quarry, muzzle and face buried deep within Luma's thick mane. He pulled Epi away, less gently than he might have in previous seasons, and released a snarl of his own. Enough, Epitaph, she is in the submitting position, and I will not have you kill the innocent lives within her. His muzzle was still clamped around her, effectively protecting himself - for he had grasped her neck just behind the jaw bone. It wasn't a hold meant to inflict damage, but it was a grip which told the clan a very definite message. I am the dominant alpha here. She has lost to you, and you are alpha female. But you will all submit to me.

He knew that Luma would be harshly demoted in the clan, perhaps with few still respecting her, but that didn't matter to him. Cass would protect his mate from anyone that dared raise a fang against her until they were both bones rotting deep within the Kameskai. His jaws remained closed, waiting on Epitaph's acceptance and submittance, for he would not release her until then. Anyone else would be foolish to interfere.

[Shai'Ren]

Please don't ask me why
I fear that end is near...
Is there a reason not to cry?
Hoping to find some peace of mind...[/font][/color]


Epitaph smiled.

Her dull, venemous, glowing green orb searched for Cassiel's as the crimson attempted to show on the midnight of her face like a scattered patch of stars. Understand this, Cassiel. I can never submit to you for what you did.

You must kill me.

There is no such thing as a dominant alpha. If you intend to claim such an illusion, tear my throat out.

Her pulse did not quicken in threatening herself with death. She did not fear Cassiel--she did not fear death. Her eyes had reverted to how they were the first time they met.

Cold.

Her banner raised to where it was supposed to be, the femme awaited the alpha's response, the smile widening on her face.

[/color]

Across the dark into the light--
Take me home where I belong--
This journey on the trail of tears
Please come, come to an end...

[/font][/color][/i]

[Kaziph]

Cassiel laughed, a deep rumble in his barrel chested frame, to match her smiling facade. Are you so desperate that you seek this end, Epitaph? Do you fear being alone, mateless, or do you crave it? She knew as well as him that his jowls were not placed for a killing blow, but that could easily be fixed. He laughed again, though, and said through her fur, If this is your choice, then you have altered your own path, Epi. Do not blame me for this outcome. He knew his children would be upset. Especially Glyph. Yet this ending wouldn't be much different from how the season, how the past several seasons, had begun.

He released her, an act of faith between old mates, and stepped back. It was a risk, he knew, but he also knew he was stronger than Epi still, and he had the majority of the clan behind him. He lifted his tassel and crown, another risk, but another very strong message. You know I will not kill you, Epitaph, mother of my children. Yet I cannot allow you to remain here if you will not submit to my authority in this land. Sadness tinged the color of his eyes, making them darker.

This is your decision as much as mine, as much as any wolf present. Your time here has come to an end. You are to leave this land, dark shadow. Unless you decide otherwise, you cannot stay in this homestead. Know that I too have a hard time forgiving. Seasons of my life are gone into sorrow because you would not come to me when I called and searched for you, many days and nights without end. He blinked at her, meeting her acidic eyes and feeling the intensity that came from them.

His growl, which came from deep within him, a sound he hadn't directed before at the black she-wolf, contained finality. Leave, Epitaph. May the Maker light your twisted path. He didn't look to his children, but he knew they would be angry, broken. They might even hate him. He was the leader, though, the founder. The clan would obey him, even if for the first time in his life he had to back up his orders by fangs. He hoped it didn't come to that, but the darkness swirling in his eyes suggested that he was prepared.

[Shai'Ren]

Please don't ask me why
I fear that end is near...
Is there a reason not to cry?
Hoping to find some peace of mind...[/font][/color]


The smile remained on Epitaph's face as Cassiel let go of her. Promtply, she spat at him. Coward. Her bodice turned to the north, knowing there were more mountains there that she could traverse unbothered by the pitiful ties of blood and authority. Epitaph walked towards her new home as she knew Tombstone would will her to. She turned her back to the rest of the pack--forever.

Remember... I am always the shadow beneath your feet...

[/color]

Across the dark into the light--
Take me home where I belong--
This journey on the trail of tears
Please come, come to an end...

[/font][/color][/i]

Not I-- I won’t conform to what I see in you.
Not I-- I won’t surrender what I am.[/color][/I]



Glyph frowned. There was nothing else to be done. His mother had warned them of the impending consequences, but they did not come. Something different happened. Regardless of how it was to be, he gave a final glare to his father before following after his mother. Let's go... Roc.

Not I-- and even if it was a part of me…
Not I-- I’ll never be that way again.

[glow=brown,5,300]R O C[/glow]

[/font][/size]

Watch me grow wings and fly high,
passions will die, down below...


Roc was up before her brother spoke. She gave no one a final glance. Good-bye, everyone...
She took her place beside her mother, rubbing shoulders with her as they walked away.

I burn in a bason of fire, watchers look on,
as they dance in their merciless sky...

Watching me...
Watching you...

[Kaziph]

Cassiel waited in silence, knowing before they moved that his two children - at least - would go with their mother. She had sheltered them above the others, chosen them to wander with her alone in the mountains on her righteous crusade. Why wouldn't they go with her? He slowly turned from their disappearing forms and looked toward his children first, and then Luma. He wouldn't fall apart. Not this time. At least, not yet. He would instead wait to see if any of the others would go, too, after Epitaph.

So the white brute stood, the mantle weighing more than he could ever remember it weighing, before the remaining wolves. Even without Epitaph, Glyph, and Roc, they were still strong. They would survive regardless, and although the old alpha knew his time was coming to an end, for he felt it in his weakening heart, he stood before them as their leader, to follow or leave as they chose.

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Luma had struggled to her feet as Cassiel held Epitaph. She watched the scene, feeling no emotion. She had lost but she was not shamed. She realized that unlike that black fem, she had things to live for. She had reasons not to just run off. Her ears shot forward when she refused to submit, and her maw dropped for a moment in outrage.

When Cassiel refused as Epi knew he would do, as Luma knew he would. Luma snarled at Epi's hint at his cowardice. No more coward then you. She wished to throw an insult, but insults were over. The fight was done with. She watched Epi's retreating form and at once went to Cassiel. She sent a glance over the pack. Glyph, Roc and it seemed Rae too had vanished in Epitaph's shadow.

She stood beside her mate and her golden orbs roamed over the Clan. Most of those left had no tie to Epitaph. She let her orb linger on all the eyes. I lost that fight. I lost for fear of my pups. Because of that, I will not accept the position of Alphess. She lingered on Basile and Aisha, the final two of Cassiel's children. I will continue to stand beside Cassiel as his mate, however. She turned her yellow orbs on the great white wolf.

He looked so much older then when they'd set out from their hidden glen, and she wished to take him back. Soon, though, she would need a birthing den...and she wished to start looking. She buried her face in his thick mane. She was thanking him and apologizing for so much at once. Mostly though, the gesture conveyed one thing. I will never leave your side, I love you, my dear white angel.

She pulled herself away, her orbs as bright as the sun. Literally shining with love. She then extend her neck, and exposed her nape to Cassiel for the second time in her life.

[Kaziph]

Cassiel felt Luma come to him and press her nose into his mane. He turned his head to her and licked her nose, his own eyes shining for her, but still shadowed with Epitaph's memory. I know you will not leave me. You never have. And that was enough for him, something to build his trust upon. He nodded as she spoke, denying herself the leadership position, and the white brute took her muzzle in his own, clamping down lightly to assert his dominance. Regardless of if he ruled alone, he knew he would have her support.

Then Cass stepped back and looked across the clearing to the others, his stance aggressive. Will you submit to me, then, and stay as one of the Kameskai? he asked of no one in particular but everyone at once. Or would they follow Epitaph into oblivion?

[Kaziph]

Thaddeus was... not happy, per say... but certainly thrilled that he had been present to witness the battle, the soon to be epic fight for leadership among the dominant Kameskai wolves. He watched as the black fem, Epitaph, left with her son and daughter, Glyph and Roc, in tow. For some reason, Raelik seemed to slip away with them, although Thad couldn't begin to understand why. His khaki eyes then turned back to Cass, and he witnessed the scene occurring there. Luma had rejected the alpha position. The young brute's jaws nearly fell open. How strange!

Yet Cass was turning toward them, and Thad stood and pricked his ears. Cassiel was the alpha. Period. No question about that - although really, there hadn't ever been. The black wolf padded forward, first, keeping himself low. He touched his muzzle to Cass's lower jaw, and tucked his tassel between his long, lanky back legs. I submit to you, my leader. He backed away then, eyes adverted, and made his way back into the ranks to blend with the others. He wondered how many others would follow suit.