▴ Wreaking Ball ▾

[Elijah]

It was early, very early. The large, white male had not slept well that night, he had instead been plagued with thoughts of what he could do, what he might do, to the members of his new pack. Dreams, more like nightmares, haunted him. He was a killer, he knew it, and he had proved it before, time and time again. He had yet to slip up, yet to kill one of the wolves that were part of his new pack, of Eden, but he did not know how long he could hold himself back. He had slept under the stars that night, curled up in the tall grass of the flattened terrain that led towards the Zozyr's Glory, the cliffs that led out to the ocean water that surrounded the island. He knew some wolves that would come to them, some had been through those waters, involved in boat wrecks, plane crashes, and only the Great Spirit, Elohim, knew what else. They would be different, from different worlds than him, but who was not? He knew that his pack members each had their own stories, but he had yet to hear any of them.

The male sighed heavily, stretching almost lazily in the tall grass before pushing himself up onto his feet. A soft yawn echoed around him as he shook himself, finally give up on sleep. He had gotten maybe only a couple hours of rest, and as he lifted his head, he could easily see the darkness that still lingered in the sky. There was a hint of light, dancing along the horizon, but it was still at least an hour away from sunrise. The white male shook his head, closing his pale green eyes for a few moments and trying to settle his still rapidly beating heart. The dreams, they had shaken him, and even Elohim himself could not calm his mind now. The habits, the instincts that were brainwashed into his head by his parents, they refused to let him go, to let him be at peace. With a slow shake of his head, he moved forward, heading towards the cliffs. It was about time for him to explore more of the territory that had now been claimed for Eden.

His steps were slow, carrying him in the direction of the water, and the cliffs. But his path, instead of heading for the top of the cliffs where he could look down, took him down towards the water, onto what he could only assume was a path that had been traveled by many before. It was not exactly safe, but he knew that there were caves all over the cliffs and he intended to seek them all out. After all, it was important to know the territory he called home, no matter what. It would take him a while to reach the point of where the rocks were so narrow that only one wolf could travel along them, but his paws had not yet left the grassy areas. He could still turn his path and head up to the top of the cliffs, but that was where he intended to end this trip. The light was coming, but before he reached the path to climb down towards the base of the cliffs, he stopped. Although he liked to boast wonderful eyesight, it would simply be foolish to try and make the trip down in the dark. For now, he sat on the edge of the cliffs, looking down at the water and waiting for the light to finally arrive.

Words: 594
Tags: Naira
Muse: Medium
Notes: n/a

[Naira]

The grass tickled her nose as she rested her head delicately on her paws. She was lying among the rich green hills of her new home, still pondering that first meeting she had with the other newcomers of Eden. That first meeting, she had decided something that she knew was going to change her life, and that was to join a pack without any knowledge of who her new family was. No precursor. However, everyone had been so welcoming, so entirely drawn to each other and the forming of this new pack, and yet… Naira still hadn’t spent any time with any of the wolves that were to be part of her new family. She had spent the last few days wandering the unexplored territory, hunting in solitude and hoping to discover something interesting. Her eyes drooped lazily as her mind wandered. Dawn had not even started to touch the land with its morning glow yet, and the pre-dawn haze over the hills had sent her mind drifting into a half sleep. With her stomach full and the warm promise of summer close on the horizon, she felt as if she could sleep for days.

Suddenly, a scent drifted across her black nose, and she lifted her head off her paws to sniff at the air. Another wolf was nearby. She could smell his brutish musk, a slightly familiar scent. Her auds flicked in the direction of the other wolf as he came over the crest of a green hill. It was the dangerously brooding brute. Elijah. His white pelt stood out in the darkness of hills as he made his way by the watching femme. Upwind, she knew he hadn’t smelled her yet, and she wasn’t sure if he would want the company. He seemed to be walking with a purpose, and after a moment, he had disappeared again. In one fluid motion, she hoisted herself up and shook the sleep from her mind. I won’t bother him, she though. I’ll just see where he’s going.

So she followed, her pawsteps light and silent on the soft grass. The brute moved extremely slow as he made his way towards the cliffs that bordered the Eastern ocean of the island. She followed at a safe distance, being sure to stay out of sight. But suddenly, as he neared the cliffs, he disappeared altogether. For a moment, Naira waited for him to appear again. When he didn’t, she padded forward until she was nearly to the edge of the rock face. There, just out of sight, was a path. The ground was still grassy underfoot, and the narrow path lead past the many caves and stone dens that dotted the shore. There, the white brute stopped and sat to look out over the water. Naira padded up slowly, the stead woosh of the sea in her ears as the sea ebbed and flowed below. Each pawstep was placed with care, for even though Naira was confident the path was safe, dawn still had yet to come and cast proper light on her path.

“Hello.” She finally let herself be known. She felt bad for sneaking up on the brooding male like that, and didn’t want to startle him. "I'm Naira." She dipped her head and rgeeting and sat a short distance away, tucking her tail against her side. She felt that it wouldn't hurt to remind him of her name. They had only met once before, after all.

---

Count | 588
Tagged | Elijah
Muse |  Good
Notes | n/a

[Elijah]

The sea was so peaceful, so calming, and so relaxing as he sat there silently, eyes closed and ears focusing on the waves crashing against the rocks below. There was a rhythm to it all, a song sung by Elohim himself as the water continued on it's daily routine against the shores of the island. He wondered what it would be like to ride those waves, to be carried to the island upon them and thrown against the rocks and sand. The first thought was a natural one, one of the pain that would be caused by both nearly drowning and of being slammed against the rocks. But before that, before one would find their way to the land of Anikira, what would it be like to be carried on the waves of the open water. To float slowly and rhythmically with the ocean, up and down with the crests of waves without a single sure footing to hold on to. It would almost be freeing, relaxing, similar to the faith that he himself had placed in a Greater power that he had never seen.

The others had seen him, though. In their first meeting, he had been the only wolf not to receive a vision from Elohim. And yet, this fact did not once shake his faith in their spiritual leader. Just the belief that others held as well was more than enough to strengthen the white male's devotion to the Great Spirit. He inhaled slowly, focusing completely on the waves below as he assumed he would be spending the morning alone. But then, the tiniest hint of a noise, a rustle in the grasses behind him, a shift in the tiny pebbles that littered the cliffs, another approached. But, seemingly lost in a trance created by the waters below, he did not take full notice of her presence until her voice broke the rhythm of the waves. His instant reaction was a soft growl, a rumble in his throat as a warning of his lack of control. She had caught him off guard, and though he managed to control the urge to leap at her throat, the thought of pushing her off the cliff in a swift, sudden movement was still lingering heavily on his mind.

"Naira. I would advise you in the future to avoid sneaking up on me. Neither our Haimovi or I would appreciate you getting hurt." He said, inhaling slowly and reminding himself that this female was a part of the pack that he had vowed to protect. He would not harm her, not even if his parents appeared suddenly and demanded it. He would keep her safe, it was part of his commitment not only to Thanatos, but to Elohim himself. With another slow, deep breath he turned, carefully avoiding the edge of the cliffs that had once been in front of him. He was facing her now, standing at the entrance to a two wolf wide path that led further into the cliffs and was bordered by many small caves that nestled into the wall of rock. "What brings you out here so early in the morning?" He asked, swallowing the still persistent urge to rip out her throat and perking his ears in her direction. He was not threatening her, simply trying to have a conversation in his own unique way. It truly was for her own good, for as long as he kept his mind distracted and on her and their relation to the pack together, she would be safe.

Words: 590
Tags: Naira
Muse: Medium
Notes: n/a

[Naira]

Again, Naira found herself struck by the white brute's eyes. They had so much depth to them, layers upon layers of memory and loss and anger were folded and hidden in these pale green orbs. She could see it in the way he looked at her, as if she were interupting his very thoughts with her presence. He always seemed to be frowning in deep concentration. What could he be thinking about to make him look so serious? "Naira. I would advise you in the future to avoid sneaking up on me. Neither our Haimovi or I would appreciate you getting hurt." The brute spoke slowly, articulating his words in that concentrated way of his. Naira immediately felt a pinch of anger. Elijah's comment made her feel oddly childish, as if he expected her to not be able to defend herself if she were attacked. It didn't matter that he was probably right. She would never stand a chance against a wolf like him, even if he were only attacking her by accident, mistaking her for an enemy. But that didn't mean he had to speak to her like that. It almost sounded like a threat, she thought, irritated. Her ears flicked in annoyance, but she bit back a sharp response. This brooding male, however strange he was, was now part of her family. Elohim sent her to this pack, and these wolves to finally be able to make something of herself. To finally forget to loss of her sister and mother. To move on. She definitely wasn't going to let one comment from Elijah change her feelings about that.

"What brings you out here so early in the morning?" Elijah's question was friendly enough, though he looked fierce against the backdrop of a cave mouth, two wolves wide and winding away in a dark, unexplored path. "I..." Suddenly, Naira realized she didn't know what she was doing here. Following him? Yes. Admitting she had followed him for nearly no reason other than the fact she found him interesting and mysterious? No. "I want to know more about Elohim," she finally said. As the words left her maw, she knew they were true. The Great Spirit had come to her in her dreams and lead her to this new pack, Eden. But since then, she had not seen the stunningly white stag. Was it a fluke, or was there a purpose she was suppose to be fulfilling? Would talking to Elijah even help her? Of the wolves she had met so far in Eden, Elijah seemed the closest to their Haimovi, Thanatos. The white brute didn't speak much, but Naira would bet that he would know about Elohim. 

---

Count | 456
Tagged | Elijah
Muse |  Low
Notes | n/a

[Elijah]

Her words, and her very thoughts it seemed, were scattered and confused. Did she truly know why she was here? Had she been following him? He watched her silently, easily noting the irritated twitch of her ears as she took in his words and finally responded with words of her own. "I want to know more about Elohim." He frowned at her, tilting his head a bit more and exhaling slowly. I'm afraid you will not be getting much information from me. He thought to himself, before pushing himself up to his feet and glancing back at the waters behind him. "Elohim is in everything around us. The sky, the wind, the ocean. He created it all, and He created us. What more could you wish to know? Is faith in the Great Spirit not enough for you?" He asked, keeping his eyes on the crashing wave below as he spoke. He needed no confirmation of Elohim's existence. He needed no sign, no example of his power and love. It was all around them, hell, it was inside of them.

Even the waves below spoke of Elohim's power, of his creation. He had brought their pack together, and though Elijah had not been gifted with a vision like all of the others had required, he had come knowing that Eden was the place that he belonged. He had grown close to Thanatos, their leader, much quicker than he had come to know the ones that their Haimovi had led even to this point. Naira was one of the females that he had spoken to at their initial pack gathering, but he had not offered her much in the way of speech. In all honesty, he had not offered anyone much in the way of speech, other than Than, that is. The two had connected from the moment they had met, and it had simply felt right to the powerful white male from the very beginning. There was no turning back now, and though his mind continued to plague him with reasons why he should just turn and throw the white female from the land's cliffs, he swallowed his dangerous impulses and found that he was indeed making himself proud.

He was getting better, getting stronger, and only he truly knew that. Well, perhaps Than had an idea of the inner struggle that he constantly suffered, but no one would truly understand it. No, he was alone in his thoughts, but at least he had a pack now, a reason to swallow the urges, a purpose other than killing. He had a pack to defend, he had others to defend, he had a reason to care. He doubted that Naira would take kindly to his lecturing, though he also found that he did not particularly care if she judged him. He had been judged by every wolf that he had encountered, other than Than, that is. Than had seen him as a friend, a partner, even. He doubted that many others were capable of this, especially on this island that housed so many creatures. But, perhaps, after they had solidified their hold on these lands and grown the pack, others would soon find that their way of life under Elohim was truly a full, proper life to live.

Words: 547
Tags: Naira
Muse: Low
Notes: n/a

[Naira]

Naira watched the ivory brute carefully during their exchange. She knew how unsure and shaky she must have sounded, and her chest fluttered with nervous butterflies as those pale green orbs scrutinized her. Compared to him, she was a helpless pup. Naïve. Scatter-brained. As he tilted his head in her direction, she dug her claws against the stone beneath her, focusing on the pressure in her nails. Clearly a wolf of few words, she could tell that Elijah’s mind was a slow, calculating machine. He had an air around him that breathed maturity. Naira’s mind, on the other hand, was whirring with thoughts—worried thoughts. He is irritated that I followed him here, clearly. ‘I want to know more about Elohim.’ What a stupid thing to say. He must think I’m as naïve as a newborn pup.

"Elohim is in everything around us. The sky, the wind, the ocean. He created it all, and He created us. What more could you wish to know? Is faith in the Great Spirit not enough for you?" He did not look at her as he spoke. He had his eyes fixed in the sea below. She was just close enough to see the color of his eyes, clouded and stormy as if fighting a battle within themselves. The large brute’s matter-of-fact statements on Elohim surprised the white femme. Granted, it was the most information she had heard about the mystical white spirit, but she was still taken aback by the way Elijah had spoken. She couldn’t help but swallow a touch of disappointment. She had secretly expected the brute to enlighten her somehow, or at the very least, tell her something more personal about the Great Spirit. Sure, she had seen the stag in her dreams, but she still had no idea what it meant or where her faith was. One thing was clear, however: She would not be getting answers from this brute.

”I just wish my purpose was clear.” She nearly whispered the confession. ”I have come to Eden looking for answers and I only have more questions. I want to know why. Why have we been brought together and what are we going to do now?” Her tail lashed at her final words and her eyes blazed with emotion. She knew she may be stepping out of line, but for the moment, she did not care. The frustration that had been growing inside her since the day her mother and sister were killed was finally boiling over. ”How could He have possibly been teaching me when he let my family die? Why won’t He tell me?” The words leaving her maw were a shock, even to the white femme. She had not let herself speak about her tragedy to any wolf, let alone a brooding stranger who seemed to care extremely little for her. Great, I’m finally loosing it, she thought dramatically.

---

Count | 494
Tagged | Elijah
Muse |  Medium
Notes | Well this took a strange turn. Sorry about fixating on his eyes. xD

[Elijah]

She was still talking, still disturbing his peace. He swallowed the words of distaste and displeasure as she continued to speak about her displeasure in the situation she had found herself in. Had she not found a home here, a pack? What more could she possibly want? He frowned at her, ears turning backwards slightly in annoyance and impatience as he felt it slowly overcoming him. ”I have come to Eden looking for answers and I only have more questions. I want to know why. Why have we been brought together and what are we going to do now?” His eyes narrowed slightly at her words. How dare she. How dare she go on about not knowing what to do when she had a strong leader and Elohim to follow? "We are going to follow our Haimovi and trust in Elohim. What more is there that you could possibly do? Defend your pack, defend your home, and respect your leader and the Great Spirit." He said, lifting his head slightly higher and finally turning his back on her.

It was getting lighter, the sun was rising slowly and casting colored light upon the path that he had been waiting to appear more clearly. ”How could He have possibly been teaching me when he let my family die? Why won’t He tell me?” He did not turn around as her words hit his ears, but his left ear did flick back in her direction. "Why must you have an answer? Would it change the past? Would it bring your family back?" He asked, refusing to give her an answer, for he did not have one. It irritated him how there seemed to be so little faith in the pack, even though it was so newly created. Sure, Elohim had brought them here, but why were they all so weak minded and unfaithful? He moved forward, frowning as he carefully made his way along the narrow path that led to the several caves that were scattered along the coast.

He doubted that any of them would contain life, but he figured that it would be best to not only familiarize himself with them, but also to ensure that there were no unwelcome strangers on their new pack's territory. He was sure that the female would follow him, even though he had not welcomed her to, but there really was nothing he could do except push her off the cliff. That, of course, was not a real option, but that did not mean his mind did not temporarily entertain it. Perhaps she would grow bored or irritated with the lack of solid answer that he was giving her. He knew she had come here for answers, he knew that she was hoping he would have them. Did she not realize that he was the only one in the pack that had not seen Elohim face to face? Why would he have answers for her?

Words: 491
Tags: Naira
Muse: Low
Notes: n/a

[Naira]

Immediately, two green orbs squinted at her menacingly. She could see the ivory brute’s snout twitch in distaste and his lip curl to reveal a sliver of white teeth. They glinted as they caught the light, contrasting sharply with his dark gums. "We are going to follow our Haimovi and trust in Elohim. What more is there that you could possibly do? Defend your pack, defend your home, and respect your leader and the Great Spirit." He spoke as he had been, monotone and precise, as if everything he said was a script. He recited as if he had spoken the same phrase a million times. And maybe he has, Naira thought as he turned his back on her. His words sounded almost like a mantra. Follow our Haimovi. Trust in Elohim. Defend your pack. Defend your home.

Her voice burst from her like a hurricane as the pressure and anger grew inside her. Images of her dead family flashed across her eyes, clouding the bright, naturally luminescent orbs with the pain. She shouted questions at him, of her sister. Of Elohim. She knew he would not be able to answer them, and yet she couldn’t stop the words from spilling from her maw. She wasn’t even asking this brute, not really. These questions were for her. They were the questions the plagued her mind and swirled in circles, taunting her with their unanswered status. She was a torrent of emotion, and just as soon as the anger and grief spilled from her, she felt the tension seep from her paws. Her tail twitched nervously as she sat in the aftermath of her outburst. Before she could even gather her thoughts together, the brute had snapped back at her. "Why must you have an answer?” he barked. Would it change the past? Would it bring your family back?"

He did not answer her question, of course, but he gave her more to think about than she thought he would. His words sparked a small, sad flame within her. It was a burning sort of sadness, the kind where you weren’t sure whether it was driven by anger or self-pity. The ivory brute was walking away from her now, his paws taking him across a narrow ledge. Caves bordered him to one side, the dark, swirling sea to the other. Naira stood as if to follow him, then hesitated. She would not fit comfortably with him in such a narrow space, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to follow the brute from close behind. He clearly didn’t like her, she knew. But they were a pack. Family. She hoped that he would not turn her away even if he wanted to.

”I wish I had your faith.” She called out to him, even though she had debated saying these bold words. She did not know what he would take from them. In truth, maybe she was just looking for a friend. They looked so similar. He was larger, and rougher, with those ghastly scars across his muzzle and his cold eyes, but at a glance, even Naira found herself startled by the similarities. However, that's where their likeliness ends. He was a different type of creature, hardened amd whethered by life's cruelty. Naira felt as if she had only tasted that cruelty. She had tasted it that night her family was taken from her, and every night since. As she watched the ivory male pad away from her, she had to wonder about him. Elohim knows why she chose this particular wolf to approach, but she had and she did not regret one moment of it. She watched his retreating back with a heavy heart. His thick tail swished behind him in the salty breeze, and his scent swirled around Naira’s nose like a comforting touch. At least we are not alone.

---

Count | 652
Tagged | Elijah
Muse |  High
Notes | n/a

[Elijah]

Her words were simple, almost as if she really wanted to beg him to stay with her. Yet he moved, his paws carrying him away from her and down along the cliff. The path that he traveled on would eventually meander back and forth a bit and take him down to the beach, but he doubted he would be able to easily maneuver his way across some of the gaps ahead without plenty of light. The sunrise was lighting up his path enough as it was, but he would have to unfortunately take his time and ensure that he did not slip to his own death down on the rocks below. However, as the female hovered and called out to him, he half debated making the jump willingly. But, of course, that was just the crazy in him trying to break free. Or maybe it was his lack of patience. Either way, it was not logical and it would solve nothing. In fact, it would probably cause more problems than not.

Instead, he continued moving, taking her words as a comment that did not need a response. Perhaps she would stick around - although he wished she would leave him in peace - but hopefully she would do so quietly. He was not in the mood to answer questions, and never really was, but as long as she kept her distance and did not annoy him too much, then perhaps he would avoid knocking her accidentally off the edge of the cliff. The thought, or thoughts really, made him shake his head slightly. His morals, although typically fairly strong, were not holding up too well right now. He knew Elohim would frown on his desire to end her life, but he silently asked the great spirit how he could truly control such things. He had been doing well, he really had been. But, at the same time, he was surrounded almost constantly with wolves now. How was he supposed to adjust to all of this so quickly?

Words: 336
Tags: Naira
Muse: Low
Notes: sorry it's so short D=

[Naira]

Even as his scent faded from her senses and his ivory pelt grew smaller as he padded along the ridge of stone, Naira wished he would stay. The very thought of him leaving left a small whole in her heart, an empty space that whistled like wind through a cavern. She had been alone for weeks before Elohim sent her to Eden. Weeks of sleeping under the stars with no one to share their beauty with. Weeks of walking nowhere, with only the hope of finding companionship to spur her onwards. Weeks of howling to the silent moon every night, her voice the only thing loud enough to break the loneliness that had followed her like a shadow. Now, at Eden, she had been given an opportunity. He was like no wolf she had ever encountered. Mysterious, silent, and brooding, he was both mature and troubled. But he was still a member of her pack.

The ivory she-wolf, in a moment of haste decision-making, shook her fur roughly before padding after the quiet brute. He had done nothing at all to make Naira think he wanted her company, but her paws moved almost as if she could not help herself. She had been making all kinds of rash decisions lately. Being a member of Eden proved that easily enough. Usually the kind of wolf who would think every outcome of a situation out in detail, Naira found herself surprised and oddly at peace with simply going with her gut. The idea was foreign as it was dangerous. Her dear sister, Alena, had been the kind of wolf who would follow this dangerous brute along the cliffs without a second thought. The pads of her paws tingled nervously as she followed in the larger wolf’s wake. She had no idea who Elijah was, really. But she wanted to know more. That was certain.

She kept her eyes fixed on Elijah’s retreating back, her paw steps landing in time with his. She found herself balancing easier along the outcropping of stone that way, her hips swishing back and forth. She was so intent on that and watching the other wolf in front of her that she failed to look down at the crumbling path. The ledge they walked along was slightly crumbled away at one point, and as Naira placed a light colored foot down on the rocky edge, a corner of stone gave way. Her body lurched to one side, paws immediately scrambling for purchase. Below her, crumbling rock tumbled down the side of the cliff, the sound of them falling like an echo as they hit against each other before splashing into the sea. The bark that came bubbling from Naira’s throat was not any distinguishable words, just a cry for help as she lost purchase and slid over the edge.

---

Count | 476
Tagged | Elijah
Muse |  Decent
Notes | Tryin to spice things up here. I'm aware that he may not try and save her haha

[Elijah]

He moved forward, almost as if their meeting had never taken place, as if she had not been following and did not now continue to. His mind wandered slowly, moving away from the smaller female's image and towards the sea that raged so dangerously to his side. Although he was high above the waters that crashed against the rocks, he knew that there was still a high chance that he could slip and fall, but unlike the naive female behind him, he watched his steps carefully. He knew the dangers, although Elohim could take his life in a matter of seconds without any warning, he felt safe on the cliff that he slowly moved along. His ears twitched slightly, listening carefully to the crashing waves and whistling wind that pounded against his thick-coated side. His fur ruffled, bending and twisting in the breeze as his large paws carefully carried him ahead on the path that was only getting more and more narrow as he traveled forward.

But then, as if Elohim himself did not want him to travel alone or get lost in his thoughts again, the sound of a cry echoed towards him. He turned, almost as if on instinct, to see the light colored female slipping from the cliff. At first, he paused, watching her as if with amusement and hope that she would plummet to her death. His first instincts, his first thoughts, were to simply stand there and watch her die, as if it would sate the blood-thirst and hunger in his troubled mind. But, then his morals and spirituality hit him. He moved quickly then, throwing himself forward and easily closing his jaws down on her scruff. It was well within reach, especially as she scrambled for footing on the quickly crumbling rocks. There was a cave, only a matter of steps behind him, as he dug his teeth into her skin. Satisfied that he had a good grip on her, and unaware that it would soon likely draw blood, he pulled her backwards, his own weight taking them both up onto the cliff and into the cave shelter nearby.

Then it came, the metallic taste of wolf blood that he had come to know and enjoy during his time with his family. At first, even though she had been pulled to safety, he did not release her. Instead, his grip on her scruff tightened, drawing more blood from her body until it dripped down his tongue and into his throat. His eyes closed, mind growing dizzy and intoxicated with the taste. He pulled her back, deeper into the shallow darkness of the cave, until he finally hit the back wall. The impact of the hard rock against his rump seemed to somehow shock him out of his trance, and his eyes opened, the pale green glow a mixture of pleasure at the taste of blood and horror at the pleasure that it gave him. Suddenly, though, he shook his head, not realizing he was still holding onto her until he released her scruff and sent her to the side in a way that could only be explained as throwing her away from himself.

His rump found the ground now, ears pinning backwards and eyes narrowing as he seemed to glare at her. "What the hell were you thinking?!? Even the dumbest wolves know to watch their step when they're walking on the edge of a cliff!" His voice came out in a snarl, but it was slightly higher pitched than his usual growls. It was not her lack of thought that had upset him, but he could not admit to her that he had wanted to tear her apart, that he had wanted to feast on her flesh the moment that her blood had touched his tongue. But, at the same time, there was justification in his words, and truth. She had been foolish not only to follow him still, but also to let herself get so carried away in doing so that she slipped and fell from the cliff. What would have happened if he had not reacted so quickly? She would have fallen to her death. He knew it, and he was sure she knew the same. But, somehow, he had not let her fall, he had not let her die. And, on top of it all, he had not killed her himself. So far, although his words did not exactly display it, today was a fairly good day for him.

Words: 749
Tags: Naira
Muse: Medium
Notes: n/a

[Naira]

Terror froze her heart, and she swore that for a moment it stopped beating in her chest completely. Before her head fell below the edge of the path, she caught a glimpse of the ivory brute staring at her, his green orbs wide as they locked with hers. His maw was turned upwards slightly, almost as if he were grinning as he watched her slip over the edge. Then suddenly he was above her, lunging at her with his jaws wide. For a moment, the glint of his white canines was all Naira could see, and she squeezed her eyes shut, sure those pearly whites were about to close around her throat. Instead, a stab of pain tore through her shoulder, where Elijah’s wide jaw had locked against her pelt. Her scruff bunched in his mouth, and his muzzle held on tight as he pulled her back to safety. His brutish weight pulled her forward roughly, and together their paws scrambled backwards until they came to a sudden halt that jarred the white she-wolf’s bones. Her teeth clattered together, the clash ringing in her head for a moment before she was tossed roughly away from him. She stumbled back, her body still trembling from the adrenaline of almost going off the side of the cliff.

They were in a small cave, just big enough for the two wolves to stand without hitting the stone roof. There was enough space for them to pace around each other, but that was about it. As he sat back and she crouched before him, Naira realized that this was the closest she had come to the ivory brute. His eyes burned into hers as two narrow slits. "What the hell were you thinking?!? Even the dumbest wolves know to watch their step when they're walking on the edge of a cliff!" His voice ripped in her ears in an aggressive snarl. He was scolding her like a pup, talking down on her. It lit her aching chest like a flame. ”Don’t scold me like a pup, she growled at him, her ears flicking back and her head lifting to meet his height. She may be coming across as rude, but the image of him standing there grinning as she slid over the edge of the path was burned into her mind like a brand. ”If you thought I deserved it, you should have just let me fall.”

Suddenly, wetness trickled over Naira’s shoulder and she turned her head awkwardly, trying to see what was soaking the scruff of her neck. The sharp metallic tang of blood hit her nose as she nuzzled her own shoulder. The back of her neck was bleeding freely from a dozen or more puncture wounds in her skin. I looked worse than it felt, the russet stain of her blood clashing on her white canvas. The brute’s teeth had done a score on her, marking her as he had dragged her body to safety.

---

Count | 502
Tagged | Elijah
Muse |  Decent
Notes | Sorry that this ended sort of abruptly.

[Elijah]

Her words, although standing up for herself confidently, only proved to irritate him further. He snarled at her, lifting his lips to show off the teeth that still had some of her blood on them. He could smell her blood, even now, and it filled each and every once of his senses. He could see it on her throat, he could hear the pain in her movements to lick it from her fur, and it just floated on the air and almost made him dizzy. But she now stood between him and the entrance of the small cave, so instead of moving - for fear he might just push her right back off the edge of the cliff - he sat there snarling at her. But it was not meant to last long, for he was soon standing with his tail lashing out back and forth behind him. "Had you not been following me like a useless pup, you would not have fallen in the first place." He growled, his ears pinning backwards as his mind screamed at him to stop acting so immature and to silence himself immediately.

Sure, he would have loved to settle down and simply go about his day, but she had not only yelled at him, but she had also given him a taste for her blood. It drew him back to his instinctual ways, the ways that his parents had brainwashed into his mind that he could never truly escape. Not only that, but she was pushing him further and further from the edge, the place where he knew he would not hurt her, to the place that he had no control over what he did or said. He was losing control, and though he kept his feet firmly in place to keep distance between them, he could already feel the snarl vibrating through him and threatening to throw him forward and right at her throat. There was likely only a couple of things that could bring him down at this point, and none of them included her yelling at him any longer. In fact, one more stubborn and argumentative word from her mouth and he was afraid he would just kill her then and there. Push her body off the cliff and pretend that he could not save her.

It would all be a lie, for he would deeply enjoy her death, but at the same time, that guilt would only pile onto the rest of his emotional baggage. He was unsure of whether or not his moral mind could handle it all. This was the reason he did not move, the reason why instead of lecturing her about her stupidity or just killing her outright, he stood there and growled at her and silently fumed in his own mind. He could feel the heat of anger and annoyance filling him slowly, and even breathing did nothing to change that. She had pushed him towards his breaking point, and he could snap at any moment. If only she knew the danger that she was in, if only she could see the deadliness in his eyes as he stared back at her with a hunger that he was barely capable of concealing and controlling.

Words: 538
Tags: Naira
Muse: Medium
Notes: n/a

[Naira]

The wolf in front of her, though he had always struck the ivory femme as quietly moody, had never made her fear for her safety before now. But her words seemed to strike a cord in him, and his entire demeanor changed. His black lips pulled back in a snarl, canines glinting dimmly in the shadowed light of the small cave. Her blood dotted his maw and his snout wrinkled ghoulishly. "Had you not been following me like a useless pup, you would not have fallen in the first place." He rose with his words, his rump lifting off the cave floor and tail lashing like a whip. His snarls echoed in the small space, and the fur around Naira's neck stood on end. Frightened, her ears flicked back as if slapped by his voice. For the first time since meeting him, Naira felt as if Elijah truly could harm her. The realization struck her so obviously that she immediately took a step back, away from the threat.

Maybe this is why Mother never let us see other wolves. She was constantly telling Alena and I to avoid others, especially males. Are they all so ready to snap? The thought that all wolves could be as ready to fly off the handle as this one was a frightening one. Before losing her only family, Naira had never met another wolf. And now in just the past two cycles of the moon, she had met over a half dozen individuals. Some, like Thanatos, her Haimovi, she only knew by name. Others, like the loner Annabelle, she had gotten to know a little better. None had displayed the same unpredictability that Elijah had, though. But then again, she had never followed a male who did not want her company.

The ivory brute was staring at her with malice, both green orbs burning with what could only be described as pure hatred. Naira did the only thing she knew to do in a situation like this; she dipped her head down and blinked up at him with bright green eyes, her ears back and her front limps close to the floor of the cave in a clear sign of submission. What she had said to set him off was immediately pushed from her mind. She even gave him a small whine, her eyes flicking away from his own so she didn't stare into them. She could have easily run. She could have turned her back and been gone in moments, but this male intrigued her more than anyone had before. Curiousity had always triumphed over her fear, and he was definitely a curiousity.

---

Count | 442
Tagged | Elijah
Muse |  Meh
Notes | n/a

[Elijah]

It happened fairly quickly, much faster than he would have ever imagined that it would. He reacted, then she responded with submission. It was not necessarily a goal of his, to scare her into submitting to him, but it had happened nonetheless. His green eyes held a hatred, a hunger for blood, that he was not sure he could control. But, the soft whine that came from her muzzle was just enough to make him look down into her eyes, to see the fear and confusion in them. Suddenly he felt his muscles relaxing, his posture lowering slightly, and his eyes softened. He took a step backwards and shook his head, sitting down and looking at the floor. "I'm sorry. You, uh, you should go." He said, knowing that it was very possible for him to fly off the handle again without a moment of warning. She was not safe here, surely she knew that by now.

She would be safer back with the pack, away from the cliffs where she could be protected by the more stable wolves of Eden. Without a word, he pushed himself to his feet again and moved forward, carefully making his way around her and back out onto the ledge of the cliffs. This time, however, he did not head onward to explore. Instead he headed back towards the mainland, where he was sure there would be no danger and no temptation. Well, at least less temptation. He still wanted to throw her off of the cliff, or at least a small part of him did. But he wanted to taste her blood again more. If only he could put some distance between them, then maybe, just maybe, she would be safe again. After all, what right did he have to join Thanatos in Eden and then kill his pack mates? He frowned at the thought, shaking his head and moving quickly along the path that grew wider and wider as he neared the grasses.

Finally he reached open ground, the top of the cliffs, and he walked out into the open with a heavy sigh. He was unsure of whether or not she followed him - he would not be surprised if she did, but he hoped she was smarter than that - but he did not look back, not yet. No, he needed to clear his head. The sun was above the horizon now, lighting the world around them brightly as he looked up to the sky overhead. It was a clear day, and though he would have liked rain for a reason to tuck himself away in some secluded cave somewhere, it appeared as if he would not have a legitimate excuse for doing so today. Instead he would have to hope he could avoid his pack mates until he could control his urges, and so far - though he had not killed her and had resisted the urge to - he was not feeling particularly safe or stable.

Words: 494
Tags: Naira
Muse: Low
Notes: n/a