The Alpha Den

[Tay]

Aisha's brown orbs were a swirl of emotion for a moment. Sadness, loss, heartbreak, so many things in one. With the small group that was now leaving the Kameskai lands, left her only hope of a Mother. When Epitaph had turned to go, Aisha felt a part of her pulled. She'd already turned, having heard her Father's snarl. As if attached on a string that came from her Mother's dark form, she felt herself pulled and she took a step forward.

Part of her howled out to follow Epitaph and as she looked to her Father, her feet became as stationary as the roots of a tree. The part of her that pulled and longed howled and raged a little longer, then it was pulled free.

A piece of the children she'd left would always trail after Epitaph. Aisha felt the fullness of children in her belly, and shook her head. She would not follow anything that had given up knowing her children. Mother. It was all the goodbye Aisha would say. She turned, and once more nuzzled her face into Jaden's fur. She felt Luma's stare, and turned to acknowledge the fem's gaze.

Aisha had not cared that Luma was Cassiel's mate in the first place, perhaps because she was so young. Perhaps because she did not think deeply into it. She saw her Father happy, and Luma happy and that was all that mattered. She watched as Thad submit to her Father and she gave Jaden another nuzzle before prancing up to him. She gave his chin a lick, and then nuzzled him lightly, and gave him a smile. I will stand beside you Father. Always.

[Goanna]

Keeya watched breathlessly, noiselessly as the two females fought and were eventually stopped by the alpha. In the following turn of events, some of the pack left to follow their mother while the majority stayed as Cassiel asked for their acceptance of his leadership. First Thad, then Aisha went up to the alpha and touched noses with him, and the grey female thought best to follow suit. Rising to her feet, she made her way over to the white male, casually brushing the tip of her tail against Basile's cheek as she went. While inexperienced, Keeya was certainly not ignorant, and had noticed the raven male's pressing against her during the conflict.

Keeya approaced the alpha and lowered her head towards him submissively. I have not been with the pack for all the seasons yet sir, and yet I have lived in greater comfort and happiness than any part of my life. I would like it to continue this way, under your leadership. She dipped her head to him once more and moved back to sit besied Basile.

[Saosin]

G L Y C E R I N E

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Glycerine was full of confusion, caught in the swirling chaos of the onslaught of events. She was saddened, clearly, as she watched Glyph following the large black female that was his mother into the distance without so much as a word. Though she supposed she had not known him long enough for him to consider her while leaving, but something, somewhere in her heart, ached at the act. For she had hoped that perhaps she had found a friend in him. Now, she stood surrounded by strangers, but found no will within her to turn and leave, nor to follow the wolves who now were only small dots upon the horizon. She could not pretend to understand what had transpired, save for a battle involving dominance, but she knew by the look in all of their eyes that there was much much more. Curling her fluffy plume down between her hind limbs and lowering her eyes to the ground, she inched forward after most of the wolves had already become situated and lapped softly with her tongue at Cassiel’s chin before gazing to Luma, remaining in the same posture. It was obvious that she was a well respected wolf in this clan, and did not understand why she was stepping down now. “I hope that your cubs are well and strong, I can plainly see that they will be very much loved and cared for.”



Drink life as it comes
s t r a i g h t .. n o .. c h a s e r

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[Kaziph]

Thaddeus watched as Aisha, Keeya, and the new femme followed suit in submitting. The only one yet to act, apparently, was Jaden. While the others were milling about, shock still in some eyes, the black wolf happened to look again to the fem that hadf followed Glyph into the meeting, curiously. The first she had met had left, and we wondered what she was thinking. Her stance was kept low, not omegaish but attempting to keep unobtrusive.

The black wolf moved closer to her, his eyes friendly, intending to befriend her if she'd take the offer. He had been a loner for many seasons and knew what it was like to be a stranger among a new clan. Luckily for him, though, both Basile and Keeya had made a point to be friendly toward him, too. He issued a soft grumble, saying, Like I said, the cold brings out the worst in us. His face was handsome, marked by the scar, but kind like his father's. He lowered his haunches once he had come just close enough not to intrude upon her person bubble, but still obviously within her vicinity intentionally.

[Kaziph]

Beryl slowly came back to the ridge, her entire body stiff and scenting off worry. Her muzzle was carried low, over her neck, but it was instinct that kept it so. She didn't know what had happened upon the ridge, and so she came as prepared as she could, a loner in tow.

The she-wolf approached the meeting with her tassel held against her back legs, and her eyes wandered over those present, searching. Where is Epitaph? She didn't see her look-a-like anywhere, and the scent wasn't as strong. And Glyph? She noticed, too, sharped eyed thing that she was, that Raelik was missing as well. She could care less about his departure, but the absence of her mother and brother troubled her.

She didn't even introduce the new male, just letting him hang back for a moment while she tried to come to the bottom of the situation. His scent wreathed around her, though, so the others would know not to outright attack him at least. She had, after all, brought him.

Beryl made straight for the other sibling she loved most, Aisha, ears pricked intensely forward. What's happened? she growled. She saw Luma, not badly wounded, and Cass standing tall as leader still. Yet Luma wasn't flagging her tail at rank, so she wasn't the alpha female. Where was her mother?

[Tay]

Aisha stood beside her Father and realized that neither he, nor Basile had approached their Father. She gave a low whine to Jaden, wishing him to stop his gawking and hurry. She let her brown orbs go to Basile, and she implored him with the warmed chocolate look she'd perfected.

Basile

He watched the others submit to his father after his Mother had left. He felt rage still coursing through his system, and the shock of her just leaving rooted him to the ground. He did note Keeya's tail brushing his face, and he watched her approached his Father with fondness.

He then saw Aisha's begging look, and he shook his pelt. It suddenly felt pound heavier, but he walked toward Cassiel anway. His orbs met his Father's and he sighed, dipping his head and showing his nape. When he raised back up, prepared for him to take his muzzle. His pale green orbs met brown again.

I would like to talk to you sometime soon Father...privately, or with Luma. No one else. He dipped his head again, and retreat a bit.

Luma

Luma watched as all the wolves submit to Cassiel, and she felt pride swelling inside her. Such loyalty. The clan was beautiful and she loved it just the same as if it she were the Alphess. Her yellow orbs watched the newest fem approach. The scent that reached her made her remember the new scent of Cassiel's fur when he'd returned to her.

She smiled, and stepped forward to nuzzle the fem lightly. Thank you, though I'm afraid I haven't learned your name, I hope that you will come to love these lands. One day, perhaps, I will let you watch over my pups. She gave the fem a wink before stepping back again.

Aisha

Aisha saw Beryl running up, and her banner waved. Her sister caught her off gaurd with her growl and she remembered Beryl had run off. She glanced toward where she'd last seen the black shape that was her Mother and sighed. Mother had Luma pinned, and Father stopped her from killing her and the pups and then he asked Mother to submit and she wouldn't.

Said he'd have to kill her. Aisha barely paused and took now to take a deep inhale. Father refused and Mother left with Glyph, Roc...and Rae left too... Her orbs were puzzled and she swore she heard Basile growl something at the mention of Glyph's name. She glanced over at him and shook her head. Who is your friend? Aisha asked, spotting the new male.

[Zanna]

Jaden gently shook his brown cranium, shaking himself free of his daze. He gently padded toward Aisha and Cassiel, his tail between his legs. His stature was low, and he bore the tan of his throat to the white Alpha.

I, too, submit to you.

His blood boiled behind his quiet, averted, gaze as he waited for the Alpha to take his muzzle. It was all wrong. Terribly, painfully, pitifully wrong! He was the young male fresh into the best years of his life. Cassiel was the old, time-worn elder. It should have been Jaden taking the muzzles of the pack members into his maw. It should have been him watching in horror as two femmes fought over him. He should have been the one with the right to hold his head up an pin those who got out of line down and to have femmes clamoring for the available Alphess position at his side. It was lunacy!

Yet, he couldn't bring himself to displace the old male. Despite the way Aisha's gentle words to her father peeved him, despite the way he wanted to stand tall, he couldn't bring himself to lay either fang or claw upon Cassiel's pelt. You've got soft, the Jaden he knew snarled inside,

You've lost your edge, Jaden lowered his eyes, hiding what anger (more toward himself than any other) was there. Where had the Jaden he had known gone? Where had the male who could pounce upon any male who displeased him, leave any femme he realized didn't fit his fancy?

You left yourself for a femme, of all the worthless things. He couldn't hurt Cassiel, partially out of some odd loyal instincts, mostly out of need to comfort Aisha. He wouldn't allow her to loose her mother and father on the same day. What would the pack say? What would his pups say? His pups would say nothing. He'd tell them their father left, of course, but that was beside the point. Would the pack drive Jaden out? Or leave after their leader? He didn't care to find out.

Patience is key he soothed himself. No good alpha would intentionally serve forever. He would age, as all wolves do. Jaden's time would come.

I too, will follow you, Alpha

[Tahoma]

His steps were just shy of timid as he followed the fem, who's name he still hadn't caught. Kaji knew she was the alpha's daughter but what his paws led his body to stumble upon was something far deeper than her just being the alpha's daughter. It was not his place to know what was going on here, after all he was a loner. In pack lands. Without the alpha's consent. With the word of a nameless fem that he should follow her. Oh dear. What did he just get himself into?

Kaji shook his head almost unperceptively to shake the slight panic from his mind and his eyes. Instead he walked behind the fem with his ears alert, but head low and submissive. He knew how to be respectful--but showing that to this unknown alpha was going to be the real key.

The embers that smoldered within the dark fur on his face glanced briefly at the fem, and then moved around the circle, watching and taking in everything he could. He noticed the alpha and briefly thought of the look of pride in the fem's eyes when she spoke of him. How justified she seemed to be. He did look very great from where Kaji stood, and this sent a spasm of worry and adrenaline racing through his veins.

Kaji listened silently to the others as they paid respect to their alpha, and the explanation from her...sister? He assumed. How many of these wolves were her siblings? He knew packs were primarily family units, but his curiousity about this fem and her pack grew. The faint scent of blood mingled with the mountain scents as he awaited a move from the alpha, or any of the other wolves.

...Sometime's the Unexplained Can Define You...

[Kaziph]

Her mother was gone? Beryl could have cried, but she finally found that piece of herself which prohibited such emotions and felt herself ice over, externally. Her voice, when she managed to make it work, was quiet and tense. He is Kaji. He wants to join us. He's kind, I believe. The dark wolf turned away from her lighter colored sibling and made her way to her father, brushing past Jaden carelessly.

When she stood before Cassiel, she looked up briefly into his eyes, and he might have read the message lingering there. I blame no one for this, but she was my mother. I am a part of Kameskai; however, I must see if I cannot at least follow her scent into the mountains. She knew the mountains nearly as well as Glyph, certainly as well as Roc. She could probably trace them, see if she couldn't catch up to them. She knew they would not return, but perhaps she could manage to say goodbye. She backed away then, head down. She wouldn't leave until her father allowed it, but she had every intention of finding her mother.

[Kaziph]

Cassiel's heart swelled with pride as, one by one, the mountain wolves stepped forward and declared their allegiance to him and his reign. He didn't care that he felt his body whispering to him of the coming end. At that moment, he was as strong as he had been in his prime - or at least he felt like it. The white wolf arched his tassel into rank and took the muzzles, claiming them as his own. He sensed an uncertainty in Jaden, but Cass respected the male for it. Jaden was a powerful wolf, and it took commitment to his family, to Aisha, to not challenge Cass, to not further tear apart the pack.

Aisha's loving touch calmed his nerves, and he pressed his muzzle against his daughter's side, near her blossoming abdomen. I thank you for it, my dear. He knew his daughter's bubbly nature would be needed to help to keep the pack together in the seasons to come.

To Basile's message Cassiel closed his eyes, briefly, and then opened them again. As you wish, Basile. I have many things which I need to speak to you of, regardless. There were many, many things that needed to be done, that needed to be prepared. He wasn't going to think too much on the future - he still had a family to take care of in the coming spring - but there were certain necessities that needed careful consideration.

Then, Beryl's request caught him off guard. The white brute searched his daughter's eyes for many long moments, seeing a reflection of Epitaph there... but also a more dominant reflection of himself buried within her, seeking dominance. You may go, my child. Remember, though, what calls you home. He touched her nose before she stepped away, affectionately.

To Glycerine, Keeya, and Thad the wolf didn't comment, but there was kindness in his eyes as he took them, too, as Kameskai wolves. They were as much a part of the family as his blood relations, and he was glad that they had chosen to run with him. He specifically nudged Glycerine's shoulder before she turned to walk away, You are welcomed among us, do not think otherwise.

With the ritual completed - well, wait. There was another wolf now, one that hadn't been present before. He carried Beryl's scent, but the newcomer was not a clan wolf. A loner. The large brute moved toward Kaji, aggression in his stance. He heard Beryl answer Aisha's query, but he wanted to find answers directly from the source. Speak now, stranger. What is your calling, and what would you have on this land?

[Tahoma]

Kaji listened carefully, taking what he could from the conversationis--both spoken and unspoken.

When Cassiel finished the ritual with the wolves present and turned to him, aggression in his step, Kaji froze for an instant. Echoes of ancient memories soared through his veins with the increased racing of his pulse. This instinct took over then and he crouched low to the ground, exposing his neck, lowering his ears, and whined low in his throat. Submission. Recognition of the alpha of this clan. Realization that he was a trespassing loner, regardless of his escort. I am Kaji. I wish to serve this pack as a member and revoke my life as a loner. The embers burning in his eyes stared into the earth with the intensity of his request and show of respect, refusing to rise from a single speck of dirt until the alpha decided, one way or the other, what to do with him.


...There's a type of freedom that can tie you down...

[Kaziph]

Cassiel stopped in his advance barely a foot away from the new male; his eyes were bright with the dominant fire. His jaws closed on Kaji's muzzle after he spoke, accepting him, and then he stepped away. Rise, then, as one of us, and welcome. The warm he had shared with the others wasn't present yet, but there was a hint of such emotion lying beneath the surface of his careful facade.

Now, finally, with procedure finished, the important things could be begun. The clan needed, first, to find dens for the females expecting cubs. He glanced between his mate and his daughter. He hoped, privately, that they would find a location where their dens could be close together so that the clan could gather around them to protect them both. The pack also needed to hunt... now was when their growing numbers would be helpful.

He turned to address them all, his voice carrying. A hunt is in order, but there are others matters to attend to, as well. His eyes traveled over Aisha and Luma. Who did he trust for this important task? Jaden and Glycerine, if you will, attend to Aisha and Luma. I suspect a densite is needed... Jaden would be the only male, and he knew it would probably grade on his nerves to be with the expecting fems and Glycerine when the others were hunting... but Cass also hoped the brute looked upon the experience as one where he could prove himself in ways that mattered, too.

The others will follow Keeya on a hunt. Cass looked to the young fem. He hoped she could proved herself. This was her first task before the clan. Then he looked to Basile. And you, my son, will come with me to remark borders. The white wolf nodded once, signaling them to go, and then stepped over to his mate's side.

Find a perfect place, Luma. It would probably be, after all, the last time his cubs were born. There would be others, yes, but never again would the old wolf mate and raise his own children. He rubbed his muzzle along the side of her face affectionately, grumbling soft noises of love, and then padded away from the clan to attend to business.

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Luma watched a new male get accepted into the clan. Cassiel spoke of a hunt and though Luma normally loved a pack hunt, she now found herself frowning slightly. Her instincts were begging her to find a den. She looked to Aisha, wondering if the younger few too felt the pull.

Cassiel then addressed Luma's dilemma, and she felt relief spread through her body. She smiled at her mate, and looked to Glycerine. Should the fem preform as Luma expected, this would send her into the thick of pack life, cementing her place as a Kameskai.

Jaden too would benefit, though his spot was already cemented by the life nestled in Aisha's belly. This situation would help to prove his loyalty. His mating with Aisha had been a quick thing, and Luma found herself worried Aisha had followed in her pawsteps from so many years ago.

She didn't condemn the brute for what Duskai had done to her. She just wished and hoped with every hair on her body, that Jaden would give Aisha a happy turn on the story that had played itself on the Kameskai Mountains once before.

She smiled at Cassiel, and return his nuzzle. She echoed his grumbles of affection with light growls. Of course, my love. Our pups deserve nothing less. She watched him pad away, before turning to her group. She knew of the perfect place, and she knew there would be space enough for her and Aisha to settle there. Her orbs found the white fem and she posed a question to her.

Would you allow me to take you to a spot? I believe it is perfect for me...and there will be a fair amount of space. Close enough for your Father to easily trek back and forth to check on his newborn blood. A smile moved across her muzzle. Of all the children, Aisha seemed to have made peace with her Mother's departure easiest. Perhaps though, it was all held back. She had pups on her mind too, and it was hard to think of anything but the growing weight of life inside you.

Aisha

Aisha watched the new brute give his name to Cass, and waved her banner. She offered him a soft woof for greeting. Then her Father spoke of a hunt, and she glanced toward the open land. What about a den? I've got to find a den, soon. Can I really hunt this way?

I don't think I'd be very good. It'd jostle my pups. Oh! What if I hurt them? Should I walk softer? Have I been banging their heads to the side of my belly? Oh dear what if... Her thoughts were thrown off track by her Father's continued speech and she felt herself smile.

The worries and "What Ifs" that just second ago prowled through her head no settled. She was focused on finding the perfect spot to bring her young, Jaden's young, into the world. Luma sent a question to her, and Aisha was eager to see this spot. This would be her first litter, obviously, and she had no idea where to start in the Kameskai. She nodded once, smiling.

She nuzzled Jaden, nipped playfully at his shoulder and trot to Luma. She was practically bouncing as she waited for the others to join them.

Basile

Basile kept his green orbs trained on his Father as he spoke. He assumed he would join them on the hunt, but that was not the case. He had started to walk to Keeya's side, proud of her, for getting to lead her own hunt. He turned though, when his Father spoke. He glanced at Keeya once, sad he wouldn't be able to watch her lead her first hunt. Make us proud, pack sister. He smiled at her, trying-for her-to lift off this black cloud that buzzed around his skull like a swarm of obnoxious flies.

He watched his Father say goodbye to Luma, and he trot to catch up with the aging guardian of the Mountains. He was sure, that during their border marking, much talking would be done.

[Saosin]

G L Y C E R I N E

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Quietly the grizzled female had stepped back away from the front line, gracious of the kind words of the alpha’s mate, tender eyes averted but her posture held all the strength of a pack wolf, and not a mere loner. She felt at last that she had purpose, no matter how small, for now she was a piece of the whole and in time she hoped her efforts would allow her to be seen as a significant piece of their intricate puzzle. It was by chance that she felt as though eyes were lingering upon her, as if breathless words had been uttered near the base of her ear. She turned just in time to see the black phase wolf who had addressed her earlier and ashamedly she had been caught up in the ruckus before returning his attentions. Inwardly she winced at such an action, and hoped that he did not hold ill thoughts of her for such rudeness. She found warmness about him as he drew near to her, and felt an ease overcome her nerves as he settled at her side, noticing his respectful distance. It was her eyes that smiled at his words, finding both the truth and humor in what such a season could bring upon usually level headed creatures. She too had felt the pull of the tides and yet she had cast them away for another day, another time, when perhaps they would be welcomed. She had never had the gift of cubs, let alone a mate in which to share them with. But she possessed a natural mothering instinct that had likely been passed down from her own mother, and her mother before that. She had learned in just slightly towards him, lips curling as if to speak, when the rumble of their leader issued forth. Her less than delicate lobes perked forward, straining upon each syllable he uttered, and found herself breathless at the task that had been issued to her. She felt honored indeed to take part in such a delicate matter. She rose from where she rested and sent a thankful glance towards the still nameless shadow who sat beside her. Her eyes conveyed a gentle goodbye and her entirety spoke of a small hope that perhaps their conversation might be continued again in the near future. Glycerine counted a friend as a precious blessing and would not turn away such an opportunity. Lightly she padded forward, moving nearer to Luma, her plume wavering from side to side, even at its lowered elevation. She was indeed ready to help in any and every way she could.




Drink life as it comes
s t r a i g h t .. n o .. c h a s e r

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