Soul Shackle [Zahaira]

[Leviathan]

There were so many places to explore out here. Finally away from the burdens of the dens and his brother and sisters, Leviathan was taking every moment he could of peace to explore the world outside. Surely his mother would come searching for him soon enough, but he was going to savor the freedom while he still could. There was much for him to learn about out here, and where he lacked the ability to feel emotions, he certainly was not devoid of the desire to learn. This was a whole new experience away from his siblings. There was no one to "protect" or babysit out here. Instead, he could do as he pleased. With a sinister smirk gracing his lips, the young male darted off deeper into the jungle, his mottled eyes drinking in the scenery around him. Surely Mother was not thinking straight to keep all of this away from him. There was so much to explore out here, and quite frankly the reasons for Levi to return to the dens were steadily diminishing.

Things were far more interesting and quiet out here. There were not adults bustling around all over the place trying to tell him what to do. There was no one staring at him with those weird, twisted looks on their faces. He had yet to figure out what they really meant. Hal once told him that it was "disgust" or something like that, but he was really not sure what the point of making faces like that was. It was not like Mother was going to let them go any time soon. The young male sighed.

There was nothing he would have liked better than to stay out here for the rest of his life. This was what he was meant to do. One day, when Mother had no more say over his behavior, he would venture out and explore the world. These wolves were holding him back right now. With a small snarl, the young brute lunged at a nearby tree trunk, slashing out at it in an attempt to displace his ferocity. He was strong, just like all of the adults. He would be their size in no time, and then they would not look at him with funny, meaningless faces anymore. He was going to be something great; he knew it.

Tags: @zahaira
Notes: Could've been better. Meh.

[Deleted]

She had lost track of the days now, it seemed as if she had been on her own for all eternity. Sometimes she nearly believed that her parents had simply been a delightful dream, but in the end one always woke up. The small pup had wandered somewhere that she did not belong, that much she knew; yet, the overwhelming scent of other canines was irresistible. It had drawn her in despite the potential dangers of trespassing. Zahaira knew she was young enough not to be a threat to them and the worst they would likely do is send her out. Unless they were like the one that had taken away her parents; yet, that did not even seem that horrifying to her. Perhaps she was deranged for the way she thought and the strange way her emotions seemed so distant. They existed, but were hiding at the end of a tunnel still within her view and not quite within her grasp. The night air hardly shrouded her ivory fur as she trekked throughout the other wolves' land and, despite her attempts to be silent, she was still young and slightly clumsy. Green eyes scanned the terrain for threats, while her mind wandered aimlessly for hours. It was only when the light began to peak over the horizon that she realized sleep was beginning to tug her eyelids. A nearby tree trunk seemed the perfect place to rest for a few hours, it offered her some shelter, security and the most comfort she was likely to find. Quickly the delicate kenai female curled herself up behind it and let herself fall victim to sleep.

A few hours later the young one had awoken and shaken the debris from her fur. It was a struggle to sleep for long when she was surrounded by infinite possibilities. Every day she survived was a victory, every meal a prize that offered her the strength to move forward. As time had drawn on, Zahaira felt the weight of days wearing on her. It was not often that she found something to satisfy the abyss inside her belly. Her mind reeled with ideas on how she was going to survive, if she was to dare search out another canine here and break herself into asking for help. Beneath parental supervision she had always felt so independent and ready to explore and conquer the world; currently she was not convinced that would be a possibility. The orphan laid herself beneath the slight shelter of the tree stump and drifted away into thought, idly licking the blood that seemed to perpetually stain her legs.

The sound of another canine approaching had snapped her mind back to reality. She had yet to encounter another wolf since the world had decided that she was to be alone. Listening intently, the female curled herself into a tighter ball and resisted the urge to try and cleanse herself of her mother's blood. Zahaira truly was irked by the crimson hues colliding against her pale fur, but that hardly seemed a priority. The stranger did not sound large enough to be full grown - which was quite a relief - even though they were likely bigger than herself. Her breath held tightly within her chest, the other was very near now. A tremor of worry flooded her senses, but she accepted that there was no way to slink away without the other noticing. A youthful snarl caught her off guard; but it was only when the other made contact with her hideaway that she found herself jumping to her feet.

Cautiously she stepped herself a way from the tree trunk rather than using it as a barrier between her and the young brute. Vibrant green eyes scanned him lightly, the momentary startle of his lashing out fading away. 'Perhaps he knew I was here the whole time.' Zahaira wondered if the joke was really on her, or if perhaps he was as taken off guard as she about the entire situation. With her focus settled upon Leviathan, she forgot the blood splatters staining her face, chest and legs or how such a sight could be horrifying to another. "Hello," she spoke quietly, as if their conversation was a secret from the rest of the world.

[Leviathan]

Things simply did not seem to be in his favor. What Levi had thought would be some time for peace and quiet was quickly quashed by the appearance of another wolf, her soft voice invading his ears. But what perplexed him was two things: first, he had never seen this young wolf before. Second: she was covered in blood. The sight perplexed him more than appalled him. He was curious into the nature of the situation that wound up with this little wolf covered in blood. Combined with the fact that it was not her blood, Leviathan was thoroughly intrigued by the young she-wolf.

"What are you doing here? Does Mother know that you are in our territory?" he asked bluntly, his eyes searching over the other pup for any signs or clues as to her reason of being here. She was big, much like him, which was strange too. All the other pups in the back seemed little in comparison to Leviathan and his brother and sister - Arya excluded of course, that little brat - so seeing another wolf that even came close to being his size was another conundrum. "I'm Levi. I don't know who you are, but why are you here?" he asked again, his strange eyes staring down the newcomer.

She was pretty underneath all that blood. Heck, Levi even thought she was pretty covered in all the blood. Unlike Arya, this little girl seemed different. She was something for him to explore and learn about. Most of the other wolves in the pack would not allow him near their pups. Something about him being "deranged" or "weird" and that he would corrupt their children. But this little girl was different. Levi did not smell any other wolves around. Did she not have a mother?

"I have never seen you before. How did you get covered in blood? I have only seen it from the food the hunters bring back for us," he spoke blandly, as if it did not even matter that the quivering mess of a femme was soaked in the blood of another wolf. She was something for him to explore and learn about. She was new, and new meant interesting. Much like the outdoors, this little girl presented an entirely new thing to discover. "What is your name?"

Clearly he had forgotten what little manners his mother managed to instill in him. Maybe it was not best to ask about the blood before he asked her name. But he was just so curious. She fascinated him in a way the young male had never encountered before. This was something new and exciting. He would bring her back to Mother and make her make this girl stay. He would learn everything about her. She would be with him, because he was the one who found her. This would be a great thing... He would have her.

Tags: @zahaira
Notes: He's gonna get a lil creepier.

[Deleted]

Zahaira's mind raced to recall anything her mother had told her about the lives of other wolves. The elder had mentioned that many lived in packs, but never specified why they did not. The mannerism in which Levi mentioned his mother seemed to imply that she held some form of authority. Zahaira knew nothing of the working of packs other than many wolves lived there, but she was smart enough to assume that someone had to be in charge. "To my knowledge, you are the only one who knows of my existence," her tone implied that this was an absolute truth. The Kenai pup only existed in Leviathan's world, if she disappeared at this moment he would be the only one to remember her. As for his next question, Zahaira was slightly unsure how to answer. What was she doing here? "I was aimlessly exploring," there were millions of ways she could have answered him, but at the heart of it she was exploring. It went deeper than just exploring the terrain itself, but exploring life and its' endless possibilities.

As he spoke of blood, her green eyes darted downwards to her legs momentarily. The blood itself didn't bother her, it was that she disliked the clumping in her pelt. Anything else would have freed her soft pelt; yet, it would not wash itself away from her. She disliked the idea of being externally tainted, first impressions were important - especially since they may be the only ones she could give. Her life thus far was short and she wished it not to end prematurely. Yet, Levi did not seem to mind that she looked a mess at the moment. "I am from the land beyond the borders and the blood belonged to my mother. My father and mother are dead," she spoke with no sorrow or anguish in her words. There was no reason for her to mourn, survival was important and nothing could change their death. No one could bring them back or change the past and Zahaira found herself thankful for that at the moment. Levi's lack of fear or disgust with her was nice, he didn't seem cruel nor judgmental towards her blatant trespassing.

"My name is Zahaira," as she spoke her own name her mind mentally repeated his. She liked the way it sounded. She liked everything about this canine so far. He was not irrational like her parents were, that is what got them killed after all. They saw something they disliked and had an outburst. Her silent observation technique had worked out much better. Levi did not seem stupid like them, quite the opposite really. She wanted him to stick around, no matter what she needed to do. No longer did she feel alone, even when her parents were alive she had felt as if she was by herself - but no longer! Regardless of what she needed to do, she wanted to learn more about him.

[Leviathan]

Leviathan watched the small female with much interest. Everything from the way the blood crinkled in her fur as she breathed in and out to the way she did not seem phased like her siblings was new to him. She looked so much like a larger version of his sister, yet she differed in far more ways than he could count. Zahaira was a much stronger being than Arya. She could clearly hold her own and did not have as many pointless emotions dragging her down. Her eyes did not leak water like her sister's seemed to every time he asked her a question or talked to her. This was someone he could stand to be around for more than fifteen minutes at a time. She was special in more ways than one, Levi just knew it.

"Well Mother will not say anything bad if you stick with me," he shrugged leisurely, as if the fact that he planned to take her back with him was more implied rather than her having the option. She was going to go back to Valyn with him, and they were going to grow up together. She was too little for him to want her to wander off. She was going to stay with him. "It will be okay, I am sure my sisters can help you get the blood out if you do not want it there. It does not look too bad, though," he offered, as if his words would be helpful in any way. The blood was intriguing. Levi wondered how it would feel to be splattered in the way Zahaira was now. Would it be warm or cool to the touch? How long did it take for it to dry in her coat like it was now? He had so many questions for her, but he was far more interested in getting to know her first.

"Mother isn't dead yet. I don't know about Father. Mother never talks about him, so I don't know who he is," the kenai male offered expressionless. There was always the morbid curiosity about his father, but it had never been a pressing matter. None of the pups in his pack had fathers. "None of us have fathers, so it is okay. You will fit right in with us." He glanced around curiously. "Did you not have any litter mates?" he inquired, a slight tilt of his head emphasizing his curiosity. It would have been interesting to be all alone. Maybe then Mother would not be so focused on Valkyrie and Arya would not bother him all the time. Hal was not bad, but he was also friends with Kyrie and running off after some of the older wolves so it was not like he was able to spend much time with his brother.

But that was then, and this was now. Zahaira was his, and she would stick beside him. She would be grateful to him for saving her from the jungle and she would never want to wander away from him. Even better, she was not running away from him yet. Most of the other pups did not like him much. He could make Zahaira like him. There was nothing stopping him from making her like him.

"You are going to have to meet Mother. She will tell you that you are staying," he stated bluntly, his ears flicking slightly as he gazed around, looking to see if any of the adults had followed him out here yet. It would not be long before someone would come searching for him. Mother would not be pleased at him for wandering off alone, but he was not alone anymore. Zahaira was here, and she was not going anywhere anytime soon.

Tags: @zahaira
Notes: I think he's just going to get really obsessive fast.