The Spring Hunt

[Goanna]

Keeya noted with great relief that Kaji and Beryl had successfully separated an aging deer from the herd. They were now, along with Thad, snapping away at it eagerly, and, while the rapidly weakening beast was still occasionally lashing out at them, the wolves had obviously already won. The wolfess now turned to rejoin them, darting in and out of the fleeing herd of deer with less of the previous urgency that the initial chase had held.

As she reached her three packmates, Keeya could see that each was helping to weaken the creature. It was already on unsteady legs, surrounded by attackers on each side. She leapt at the side of the deer, delivering bites and blows along with the other three. It was now a matter of being able to reach the throat of the deer, to pull it down with a final bite. Though they had all played their part in the hunt, though each wolf had contributed, Keeya knew that the one who delivered the final blow would be the one praised at the meal. A fire burning through her veins at the thought of the glory made her realise that she wanted this to be her. She slunk around towards the front of the beast, offering a few slashes of tooth to bone, and stopped once she was in view of the animal's head and neck. The deer turned its great head towards her, and she barked at it, triumphantly. We've overcome this adversary, it is ours. She lunged at the great, thick neck of the deer, who was now too weak to defend itself, and pulled, creating tears in the skin. After repeated attempts to pull it down, the wolfess realised that she would be unable to do it alone. With a mouth full of hide, she called out to Kaji, who was nearest to her Help it fall.

[Tahoma]

The thrill of the hunt felt light under his feet and sang in his blood as he continued to help corral out the older deer with Beryl. She was a reckless soul and it surprised him as she jumped among the thundering hooves of the fear crazed herd.

His ears flattened as he focused back on the task at hand. The mystery that was Beryl may be unwraveled later, but now, this deer was far more important. There were hungry mouths to feed--and not just his own.

A snarl threaded its way out of his maw as he leapt after the deer. As Keeya attempted to bring the deer down he dove toward the deer's back hooves, snapping and attempting to rip at the delicate tendons there. From the weight of Keeya at its neck and him throwing it off balance at the legs, the deer began to stumble and in the moment it did he leapt at the flank, tearing and trying to disable the prey as it fell to the earth. It wouldn't be long now and the bloodlust went on a rampage through his determined eyes. This one was chosen.

Kaji's teeth fell as an iron vice into the flank of the deer and muffled a victorious howl that tried in vain to escape in full. He then began to growl and hold on viciously until the deer breathed its last breath.

[Kaziph]

Beryl continued leaping and snarling and drawing blood where she could until Keeya and Kaji brought it down. As soon as its body hit the earth the dark fem was upon it, fangs ripping into the side of the beast and bring its end sooner. She drew back then, once the breathing had stopped, and glanced around at the others. She knew that Aisha and Luma would soon be giving birth by the turn of the days and the set of the sun.

So, she didn't speak to anyone as she pushed further into the carcass, dragging out the stomach and other juicy organs. She gathered as much as she could in her muzzle and turned, setting off to find her sister and Cass's new mate. Then, finally, she would be free to go after Epitaph's fading scent to bid her mother goodbye.

[Kaziph]

Cassiel and Basil had long since been around the edges of their territory, marking and remarking scents with the king and a prince's claws. He was tired, certainly, but they had hunted while they were alone, but the kills had been small and had drained his energy more than replenished it.

So the old brute padded along, intent upon finding the rest of his clan. Surely by now they had been able to bring something down. He knew, too, that the spring was fully upon them, and his children would be born within several days if they hadn't already. He missed Luma's presence, and he rather found himself liking the idea of letting Basil or Jaden take to marking the borders in the future.

He came upon the end of the hunt and witnessed the events. Beryl was bold but foolish, and it made his heart ache to see her dart beneath the hooves of the thundering deer. Keeya then took the initiative and lunged for the neck, and with Thad and Kaji, they were able to bring it down. He stood back while the beast was fighting, knowing he'd be more in the way now if he tried to aid them.

Once the beast had stopped its fight, he began to approach. During this time Beryl was already tearing in to the beast, but he realized after she emerged holding the choice parts that she was probably headed back toward the den site. He'd follow her, then.

His voice rang out as he came closer, eyes kind and warm as they took in the scene. A successful hunt, congratulations all of you. A special nod was given to the hunt's leader, Keeya, for a job well done leading the group. You may eat, but I'm going to take pieces back to Luma and Aisha before I gorge myself. H

The white wolf padded among them and, like his daughter, gathered up the tender parts that would hold the most value to a mother's diet. Then he turned too and padded off, following in his dark hued daughter's footsteps.

[Tay]

Basile arrived at his Father's heels, watching the take down with great interest. He felt his tongue loll from his mouth in anticipation. He was terribly hungry and he could feel the creature of the hunt inside himself. It compelled it him to race forward and take a mouth of the creature, to tear and slash and bring it down in a bloody mess. He held it back, though he did begin to pant from his inner desire.

It was then he caught sight of Keeya, holding the animal, obeying her blood lust. His banner picked up, and it waved in absentminded approval. She struggled with the willful beast though, and the approval picked up when the newest brute jumped to help her. He felt a burning threat in his belly, that Kaji had leapt to her rescue, but he shook it away. The brute was helping and he was thankful, albeit a little jealous, that he hadn't been that rescuer.

He watched Beryl tear into the feast, and his ears perked, confused. Then he realized she was only going to take pieces to Luma and Aisha. Jaden crossed his mind but he pushed the brute out just as easily. His Father copied Beryl and was gone in such a fluid motion it was almost as if he hadn't appeared at all.

Basile loped to the others with his banner waving. Very good job, my friends. We will all feast well. His pale green orbs swept over each gathered wolf and gave them all a nod or smile of approval. An extra smile was given to Keeya. Nicely done, sister. You lead a hunt almost as well as you run. He walked toward the kill, knowing they all would eat together, for Father had told them to. He did not tear into the animal yet, merely gazed at the fallen creature.

His orbs raised and fell on Thad. It feels like such a long time ago that we gathered around that last kill together, does it not Thad? He had a great fondness for Thad, in some ways he hoped he could make up for his missing brothers with the dark brute.

He'd never had many friends, aside from his siblings. Keeya and Thad gave him hope. He gestured the brute forward, and turned to Kaji. We haven't had a chance to truly meet yet, with all that has happened. I am Basile, it's nice to meet you Kaji. He waved his banner, waiting for one of the hunters to make the first move on the kill. Father had given them equal rights, but Basile was a polite brute. It wouldn't feel right for him to bite into it first.

[Tahoma]

Slow subtle growls rumbled through his throat as he kept his grip on the beast as it's life shuddered from its now dead body. With one final snarl, low and deep in his throat, he slowly released the aching grip on the prey. The food. Food.... Saliva filled his mouth as the thought of filling his stomach made it through the blood lust. As Beryl grabbed the tender pieces for the expecting mother his pack instincts kicked in. It would only make sense to feed the mother--alphess? He had still not quite caught the connections in the pack and he was hoping that on a full stomach he would understand the full scope--or at least partial scope of his new family. So it settled on his mind and he went to follow Beryl's lead but stopped as his new alpha approached. His eyes fell to the earth and his tail twitched low behind him in excitement.

It was indeed a good hunt. He was thankful to be a part of it and he got a taste of the strengths of his pack mates as individuals and as a team. The hunt put him in high spirits because it had shown him how wonderful of a pack he had been accepted into--and that thought shone brightly in his eyes.

To the wolf who accompanied Cassiel, his alpha, Kaji watched from the corner of his downturned eyes. He was curious about his pack mates and he wondered about the relationships that were already cemented between them all. With kind eyes the male addressed Basile and his tail wavered happily behind him. A pleasure to meet you as well Basile. You missed one swift hunt.

A wolfen smile graced his maw and his stomach protested loudly with the metallic taint of blood at his lips and faintly around them all. He addressed the remaining hunters. It was a pleasure to have hunted with you. Keeya, you are a good leader and Thad an accomplished hunter. I hope you don't mind but I would like to also take food to the den. He hurriedly grabbed a large chunk of muscle and liver, trying desperately to catch up with Beryl's scent, hoping his presence would not be a bother. He had never felt comfortable eating before the alpha and he would still not do so--no matter how loudly his stomach yelled at him. At the thought of his empty stomach he flattened his ears and practically growled at himself. You've been hungrier. Stop this.




...There's a kind of hunger that can eat you up...

[Goanna]

Keeya felt the great energy and tension of the hunt inside her lessen and deflate as, with a final tug; Kaji pulled the deer to the ground and ended its life. The joy of success hit hard then, and the wolfess joined her packmates, elatedly giving out and returning compliments. She realised then, when the excitement had died down, that the two expectant mothers would likely have had the ‘expectant’ removed from their titles by now, and her theory was confirmed when Cassiel, Beryl and Kaji all made off with prime cuts of meat to take to the den-site. With tongue hanging out of her mouth, Keeya glanced around to suss out the remaining company. Both Thad and Basile were near the kill, the latter looking at it with hunger showing in his eyes. The alpha had suggested that they make a start on the carcass while the rest helped feed the mothers, but it appeared that the two males were having trouble breaking the tradition of alpha-eats-first. Several quick steps lead her straight to the lump of meat, and she too looked at it for some time while thinking. If she had been asked to lead the hunt, then surely there was no harm in leading the feast. Well, my brothers, if Cassiel has allowed us to fill our bellies, I see no point in letting this go to the maggots. With a sideways glance at the two, she grinned wickedly and thrust her muzzle into the side of the carcass, pulling away a chunk of meat that she promptly devoured.

[Tay]

Basile returned Kaji's smile. I can see that I did, brother. He said, referring to Kaji's silent comment. I am sure in the future we shall hunt together. May we only be as lucky and swift then. He nodded as Kaji too set off for the Alphess's den. Basile wondered if Kaji had scrambled so quickly to the den because of the excitement a new litter brought...or if perhaps it was for his dear sister Beryl.

He smiled at the thought. He couldn't really imagine Beryl with a mate, or a suitor. Not that his sister was a pretty fem, for she was. She bore the beauty of their Mother almost exactly. The smile was more brought on by the thought of the aloof fem infatuated. He noticed Keeya's form moving closer, and watched as she was the first to tear into the kill.

This released the tension off him, and he looked to Thad. Well then, who are we to go against a ladies wish, Thad? Let us feast. With that Basile copied Keeya, chowing down on the still-warm meat.

[Kaziph]

Thaddeus stood back while Cassiel and Beryl both took pieces of meat away from the kill. He knew the spring was well in bloom and the cubs would have already been born. He grinned as Basile came up, for the dark wolf also viewed his shadowy counterpart as a brother-like figure. Even their coats matched; only their eyes and frame differed. Where Basile's was strong, study, and powerful, Thaddeus's was lithe, lean, and muscularly thin.

Khaki eyes started out of a dark mask as he stepped forward and bumped into the alpha's son playfully. He nodded toward Kaji, for then Basile was already greeting the new brute, and said quietly. "A long time and a swift hunt indeed." Oxymoronic statement, but he was answering two queries. Then Kaji was scampering away, chasing after Beryl and Cass's scents toward the den. A good addition to the pack, that one.

His dark head turned then when Keeya spoke, and he smiled at her, too. "Truth from the lips of such a pretty creature, but I agree, let's eat!" His statement was gently playful, very teasing, and definitely not threatening to Basile. Thad glanced up at his friend for a moment before his fangs met in the carcass and began to tug at the meat. I know were your interests lie, my friend. His orbs sparkled.

[Goanna]

Keeya kept her head buried in the meat, but as she took mouthfuls of food, she glanced out of the corners of her eyes at the two dark males standing beside her, both playfully making comments about her. The female grinned and grasped another mouthful of meat. Her mind, lulled by the rythmic chewing of her jaws, turned to the new pups that would by now be suckling at their mothers' bellies. She risked another glance at Basile, and realised that both litters would be related to him; some would be his half-siblings, the others his nephews or nieces. Half-sibling. It carried an unpleasant taste to it, and Keeya wondered what Basile and his half-siblings' relationship would be like. More importantly, she wondered what the pups would be like. Will we be able to visit the youngwolves yet, or are we on guard duty?

[Tay]

Basile raised his head out of the gore. He licked his chops and ears pricked at Keeya's words. Hmm... Father and I just finished border marking before we came to you. If anyone dares trespass they'll deserve our fury. Not only are the scents strong and full of threat but it's spring and if their are any pups to be had on this island, they will be protected, clan or not. He could feel Keeya's eagerness to see his half-siblings. He wondered about the pups. He considered his own feelings.

With his other sibling's birth, he had been extremely anxious to meet the new editions. He found that he was still excited to meet these new half-siblings. He detested the word half-sibling already however. He wasn't sure yet how to feel about Luma, but he knew he could not hate his brother's and sister's. He suddenly wondered how many of each he would have, and his banner waved at the though of pup whines.

Basile adored pups and he knew the day he got his own he would be a proud beast. He looked to Keeya and Thad. Let us go and pay our respects. Once Thad has finished stuffing his maw, of course. He bumped the male with his shoulder. I know you mean no threat brother. You'd stand no chance against my charming looks anyhow. His gave a very wolfish grin, signaling his joke.

I will tear some meat to take to Father. I know he won't want to leave Moth-Luma's side. He'll need some meat too. He gulped back the half-uttered word and hoped neither of his companions would comment on it. The thought of Epitaph was still a very sore spot. He reached in and snatched as large a piece of meat as he could bear, and set it at his paws. He would snatch it up once Thad was done and they would be off.

Perhaps you might want to clean yourself off, Keeya. How would you have liked some strange fem shoving her gore-covered face at you as a pup? He chuckled lightly, and reached forward to nose a speck of meat off her cheek. He felt a kind of shock where he touched her, and blushed under his fur. He pulled back and coughed awkwardly. Well...I'll...I'll let you attend to that. He glanced away with embarrassment burning in his pale green orbs.

[Kaziph]

Thaddeus gulped down the meat in his muzzle, eyes dancing merrily at Basile's joke and the general atmosphere of amity that the three of them shared. He found himself nodding in agreement with his friend, and said, Certainly, if you've just marked borders I doubt we'll be on guard duty right now. He, too, wanted to go and see the cubs.

His dark head cocked sideways when Basile's mouth let slip the word he doubted his friend wanted any one in the pack to hear. Epitaph. It was a sad situation, but there was nothing to be done about it now. Thaddeus chose to ignore the mistake, and instead finished eating. He was rather hungry, after all, so why let it go to waste?

In doing so he opportuned himself to see Keeya and Basile's interaction, and it made a smile tweak at the corner of his muzzle. They both knew it; anyone who saw them would know it. But Thad wasn't going to call them out on it.

He finally lifted his head and stepped back, licking bloody bits from around his own muzzle to clean himself up some. Crimson didn't stain ebony quite like it would a lighter colored wolf, so he didn't have to do much work to make himself look presentable. Alright, let's go.

[Goanna]

Keeya nodded at Basile and Thad as they relieved themselves of guard duty, but across her mug was spread a devilish grin, Powerful though your odours are, I doubt they will repel the ravens. I suppose though that the best parts of the meal are already being digested. She watched as the dark male gathered up a large piece of meat to take to his father. Whilst contemplating whether or not to do the same, Basile joked about cleaning herself up, and then attempted rather briefly to do this himself. She could feel the coolness of his nose on her fur, and when he stopped she felt almost as disappointed as she did relieved. Are pups that much on your mind Basile, that you take to mothering me now? she laughed, attempting to remove some of the awkwardness of the situation. She ran a tongue around the outside of her chin lightly until there was no longer the coppery taste of blood on her fur.
She waited until both males were finished eating, then her legs began itching to be on the move once more. It had been some years since she had herself been a puppy, some years since she had seen one, and she was as enthusiastic as the others about seeing the latest Kameskaiins.