Every dozen feet they trekked, Vee would crane his head over his shoulder making sure his son was keeping up. It had been a long day, and Vee could only assume his young pup was tiring from the journey. But this would be the last stop, as climates quickly shifted from warm to cold.
The scent borders in this land hadn't been noticeable until halfway through the territory. Vee halted in his tracks and sniffed loudly, his eyes scanning the frosty land. This would be the last time he would see snow in a long time, for the Tundra breed ruled a land of sand. Glancing at his son once more, Vee nodded to him. "Same rules apply here son, I will howl for the alpha and you will tell me what he says. Are you ready?" Vee smiled to him then licked his lips, raising his nose to the sky and parting a short howl that was to the point.
"Greetings Alpha of these lands, I am Vee, Alpha of the land Zahir wishing to bring you news. I would happily appreciate to tell you face to face, I am at the base of your mountain."
Sighing loudly as the white brute flopped onto his haunches with a yawn. Now it was only a waiting game. He would sniff the air every once in awhile, no trace of his mate at all on these lands. Maybe the alpha of these lands might know where she is, or if he had even seen her. Looking down at his son as a growl of hunger vibrated inside him. "I am hungry, I'm sure you are too Auden. We must wait until we are out of this territory though. It is disrespectful to hunt on another's land." Shaking the fur around his neck a couple times as he kept his eyes on Auden, hoping for any sort of response from the Alpha. Auden was the key, and hopefully soon they could meet the Alpha of the mountain and be on their way.
Taking a deep breathe, Meikou made her way down the Kinath. Every once in a while she looked back behind her, for Jay or Syren. She was slightly angry at herself for having her hopes up that one of them might follow her. Being alone, she felt was too much right now. Specially after what had just happened in the dens. She closed her eyes shut tightly, Kadhi’s words echoing through her head. None of it made sense to her, it was all jumbled nonsense, she couldn’t make heads or tails of any of it. She swallowed.
It did not take long at all to get to the base of the mountain. It look longer to hike up it than down it. Given the situation, Meikou did not enjoy the slopes as she would have normally. Nonetheless, the tundra pressed on, that was all she could do was move on just has she had done so before many years ago. Her eyes swept over the mountain one last time before she continued on her trail. She sniffed the air, the scent of others lingered near by. She heard them before she could see them. Two white brutes came into view, and Meikou licked her lips, pausing for a moment, studying them. Zahir’s alpha, she had met her before, but this was the male alpha, her mate. Vee she believed she had said his name was. Meikou felt a bit ahead of the game, having met Avani before hand a few months ago.
Padding up to the two brutes, she dipped her head to Vee, and smiled softly at the young brute. His son, she guess, he looked just like him of course, with hints of tans and browns. Definitely, the production of a Ethiopian and Tundra. Meikou licked her lips, before turning her eyes back to the alpha brute, his red eyes almost intimidating, but she could feel a gentleness radiate from him. The way he smiled down so admiring at his son, and how relaxed his body seemed, but his posture was not lacking that of a true alpha. It reminded her of another certain alpha brute.
She bite her lip, and glanced away.
Breathing in, she forced back the tears and looked at Vee. She was sure it was easy to tell she had been crying earlier, and she could feel the tears in her eyes, surely he could see them as well. “Master Vee, I am Meikou, Aldgar’s alphess, what news do you bring for my pack?” She asked, as her stomach did back-flips and somersaults, she felt nervous, this was her first official duty as Aldgar’s alphess after all. She desperately did not want to screw up.
Jay ambled along, slow to lift his paws from the falling snow. It had gone from summer to winter in what seemed like such a short period of time, and the mountains were much more difficult to navigate in the coldest months of the year. He was perplexed why it was so important for Meikou and the Zahir Alpha to meet in such uncomfortable conditions. Sure, he was equipped for the cold. But he would much rather have stayed nestled in the semi-warmth of the dens. It was only logical.
As the young brute trotted off down the mountain in search of his alphess, he allowed his mind to drift. The longer he walked, the more he zoned out. It was only when his paws hit a patch of ice that sent him tripping over himself into the now drifting snow that he regained focus. This is so strange. Why would Xinelil leave us? he thought, the sudden hurt of the entire situation settling over him. He had accepted the fact that the alpha brute was not coming back, but it still did not ease the tensions in his mind. Jay had seen Xinelil as a hero, the strength of their pack. There was no way he could have been a coward like Kadhi had said. The picture he had painted of the arctic brute with the bright green eyes was not one of cowardice. He had been a brave alpha and had loved them like a family. Jay simply could not believe Kadhi, no matter how much he used to look up to the arabian brute.
Finally, Jay spotted Meikou near the base, facing a wolf white pure white fur and bright red eyes. Merely the sight of the brute sent a shiver down Jay's spine; he was quite intimidating. But his posture was not aggressive, and the young one next to him seemed perfectly content to rest by his side, so Jay relaxed. He casually strode over to Meikou, seating himself slightly behind her and to her right, so not to seem overly aggressive. It was not his conversation, he was simply there as moral support for the alphess. The least he could do was treat her with respect for her position; he was not a fool.
Meikou spoke, and he twitched a little at the words. It was strange to hear authority in her voice; it was something he had never noticed about her before. But it was evident there, and it sort of reminded him of the way Xin used to speak to them. Although he could also sense the discomfort and nervousness in her tone, he was content to call her his alpha. Now we just need to pick up the pieces of what Aldgar used to be.... he thought with a sigh.
Petite paws and shaky legs carried the young pup closely behind his father as the achromatic duo paraded across the open plain of Chamarou; a land unknown to the youngster. His father made mention earlier that the two were headed to the land of Aldgar to meet the Alpha. As they steadily trekked across the continent every step brought him closer to things he knew nothing about; cooler temperatures and a biting wind chill, dull grass between his toes, large hoofed animals meandering minding their own grazing. The entire world begged him to inspect every scent that came his way, every blade, every other creature that existed; his mind want to venture, his legs could hardly handle to keep up with Dad as it was, never mind wandering off in the middle of nowhere.
As the day waned on father and son eventually reached the border of their destination; a land of enormous rocky features capped with white and frigid temperatures invading his short pelt. As Vee sniffed around the pack’s border Auden plopped down, far too exhausted to stand anymore. He perked his head up as Dad directed the same request upon him, just as he had when they were at Salen’s border. Auden nodded in agreeance although he didn’t understand why his dad insisted on placing the responsibility on the youngster, but he had to admit, he thoroughly enjoyed one, feeling important and two being relied upon. Hazel orbs drifted around their surroundings lazily. If he was feeling more up to it, his curiosity would surely be getting the better of him and he would be inspecting this new territory and all its wonders.
A cold winter gust carried down the mountain a light snowfall. Auden stared in awe at the large fluffy flakes that floated on the breeze seemingly weightless until each one found the ground and within seconds melted away into the soil. The pups jaw dropped as he jumped to his feet, exhaustion replaced with excitement. His reaction was what could be expected. As another chilled wind swept over him, breaking up his short coat, a shiver shook his spine. Auden moved closer to his father and settled himself between his front legs, using Dad as a shield. “Dad… What’s going to happen with Adnessa?” He craned his head up and finally opened his mouth, his voice was soft spoken – not that that mattered to Vee. He was naturally curious and concerned for his sister. Adnessa had been on his mind since they left the fog inflated forest. Before the albino could answer a multi-hued female sauntered down the mountain slope. Shortly following was another large wolf. The young pup wasn’t scared, but rather in awe at the sight of other wolves. He had only seen the ones in his pack and Dad of course. His hunger pains had waned for the time being, his was more interested in knowing these characters.
The alpha of Zahir waited, waited until the snow became heavier, the land became colder. Shuffling between his feet was his son, a smaller version of himself, the future alpha. Vee smiled, looking down at his son as Auden looked back up at him. And for once, Vee witnessed his son speak out loud for the first time. Reading his black lips, Vee's smile soon disappeared. Adnessa... His daughter. Vee didn't know what was going to happen to her, he sighed and looked back out for the alpha of the mountains. And before he had time to react a femme appeared, distorting the white with browns and blacks. Vee was a little confused, wasn't the alpha of Aldgar a male?
Red eyes looked around, seeing another wolf following the femme. Ah, this must be the alpha, right? Red eyes traveled from the gray brute back to the brown hued femme, “Master Vee, I am Meikou, Aldgar’s alphess, what news do you bring for my pack?”
[/b] Vee's red orbs glanced at the male for a short moment, a bit stunned at her words that were mouthed out. Possibly there were two alphas, a male and female? The white wolf didn't know, and it wasn't his part to butt into others' business. Then Vee bowed his head slightly, and smiled. "Indeed, I have come to tell you and your pack that Zahir is reborn. And I would like to offer an alliance with you, Miss Meikou." As always, in another wolf's ears his words were slurred, misspoken. Possibly he said her name wrong, but with much practice he had gotten better.
Smiling, and nodding to the male wolf beside her. He looked down at Auden, and back at Meikou. "This is my son, Auden. We also have questions..." His smile slowly faded into a saddened expression. Avani's picture still in his mind as he spoke. "My mate... Avani came here long ago, to inform you about Zahir's rebirth. The problem is that she never came back." Vee paused for a moment, giving Meikou time to reply. He only hoped it was good news, that she was safe in Aldgar dens. At this point, Vee didn't care if Avani still loved him, moved on to live in a different pack. All he cared about was her safety, if she was alive. He took a short step forward, shielding Auden from the snow more. His face was serious, his eyes focused as he awaited an answer.[/center]
This conversation was one for the important wolves. Jay was halfway tempted to go over to the young brute and speak with him, but Auden seemed as poised and controlled as his father, and besides, Jay was a grown wolf. Though it never really dawned on him how much he had aged, he was simply that; one hundred percent wolf. He was not fierce, or crafty, or strong... In fact, he was a rather poor excuse for a wolf. How he had managed to survive this long and find a family was beyond him. He knew just how much he failed at being a pack wolf. With a frown, he backed away from the wolves slowly, sliding off into the brush for a few moments to relax.
Leaning over to Meikou briefly, he spoke lowly. "Miss Meikou, I will return shortly. I'm feeling a little off, maybe a walk will help." He was slightly ill, though not to the point that he needed supervision. It was more a self-inflicted illness that was his problem right now.
Although the weather was cold and nearly unbearable, the brute wanted a few moments to wander on his own. He would come back after a bit; perhaps by then, Meikou and Vee would have chatted long enough that he would be necessary. But right now, he did not want to be any part of the conversation about the missing alphess or pack alliances. That was alpha's work, not the job of a lowly pack brute. This is pathetic... I can't even hunt by myself, he thought, wallowing in his misery momentarily. Even with his current realizations, he was nowhere close to growing up on his own. What he needed was a kick in the rear.
Glancing back at the three wolves through the trees one more time, Jay shuffled off into the forest, curious about what laid within its confines. He had never taken a moment to explore the pack lands, and this would probably be his only chance. Maybe he could snatch up an arctic hare or a few late to sleep squirrels to feel a little better about himself. Whatever he did, he needed some time to flounder around in his miserable self-doubting.
Meikou’s ears flicked at the sound of someone approaching them. She turned her head back and looked to see Jay trotting up to her side. A small grin spread across her face as she tail wagged slightly. Glad to have someone here to support her. It made her feel slightly more confident in herself. ‘I can do this.’ She told herself, determination in her eyes. ‘Xin gave me this position for a reason.’ She thought, staring into Jay’s golden brown hues. ‘I wouldn’t have given me this position if he didn’t think I could handle it.’ She took a deep breathe and turned to face the Zahir alpha once more.
‘You always liked new challenges anyways, Meikou.’ She smiled to herself, as she stared at the pale brute before him. His red hues slightly eerie, ‘I’ve never seen an albino before,’ She thought, tilting her head slightly. Her butterscotch hues then fell upon the small tanned colored pup beside Vee. He looked much like his father, and his mother could be seen in him too. His mother. She smiled sadly at the memory, wondering just what had happened to Avani…
“Um, you said you where a herbalist right? Have you ever thought about taking on an apprentice?” The shy copper colored femme asked the earthy colored alphess, as she shuffled her paws in the dirt, not meeting the alpha’s gaze.
Avani’s eyes turned towards Meikou, at first she did not speak but when she did a nervous question left her mouth. “Meikou, have you ever been a mother or nursed one?” She giggled softly, but nervously.
Meikou blushed a bright red under her fur and shook her head violently. “Oh no, no, never.” She felt highly embarrassed with the situation, how did it end up like this? The question had seemed to random until Avani went on.
“I’m so nervous that I won’t do something right in my own litter. I’m due just moons from now. I do not have much to offer you, and don’t feel obligated to come just because I ask. You’ll not be from Aldgar long, but if you would like, I can teach you the healing and the use of herbs of the land in exchange for your company.”
Meikou listened intently to the Ethiopian femme. Slightly shocked to hear the news of her having a little. However as Meikou listened to her, she felt a bubbly happiness come over her. Her tail wagged and once the femme was done, she barked excitedly. “I would love to! However, I’m afraid I would have to ask for Xinili’s permission before hand. I am sure he would not mind, our pack does not have a shaman, and this would not only help our pack but yours as well. This would also put a great alliance between our packs.”
Meikou never made it back to Xin, and apparently Avani never made it back to Zahir.
Meikou’s eyes stared at the ground, a solemn look glazed over her eyes. ‘Avani…’ She had become friends rather quickly with the Alphess of Zahir, and now she was missing and was no where to be seen. Her pups where safe, and that was all that mattered for now. But the question of where she was still lied fresh in her mind, and likely in her mates mind. And the mind of their children.
“Dad… What’s going to happen with Adnessa?” She heard the young pup ask his father. ‘Adnessa?’ The name was foreign but for some reason, she had a feeling it was the young pup’s sibling. Her attention was soon captured by the pale brute as he began to speak to her. She had to listen careful to make sure he caught all of what he said. He came to ask for an alliance, she nodded slightly, then smiled at the young pup he introduced as his son Auden. She had already guessed it was his son, but she piped a small hi to him anyways, as if she had just been told for the first time.
Then, her smile turned into a frown again as he mentioned Avani. Her eyes became serious as she looked into his red hues. “I met with Avani. Your mate. She informed me of Zahir’s rebirth, and asked of an alliance as well…” She trailed, trying to find the right words to say. “She told me she had been with pups, and she would need help with them…" Meikou paused, glancing at the alpha brute before continuing. "She asked me to come to Zahir and be a caretaker of sort for them in exchage for her to teach me about herbs. Our pack did not have a shamen, and I felt if I new about herbs I would be of more help to our alpha… I was going to meet with Avani after I informed Xinlil of our agreement and of Zahir and the alliance… I left, and I never saw your mate after that… Nor Xin…” Pain crossed her face as she averted her eyes to the ground.
Silence fell over them before Jay whispered to her softly. She glanced over at him and nodded to him, acknowledging his statement. “Don’t wander far.” She told him, for a moment she wasn’t sure if she asked him as an alpha or asked him as a friend, who worried. She watched him go, before the silence choked her once more, waiting for the questions to be thrown at her once more.
Vee's red eyes never left the alpha of the mountain's lips. He wanted to read everything she had to say, everything she knew about Avani. And when Avani's name appeared on Meikou's lips, Vee's heart lifted, not happy, nor sad. Determined on his mate's whereabouts, Meikou had to know.
Meikou mentioned Avani, her appearance heavy with pups. Vee knew she was due any day at that time, it was wrong of him to let her leave like that. But he had no choice, she left without saying... She abandoned her pack when they needed her most. But when Meikou mentioned about joining their pack as a caretaker, Vee was confused. Why would an alpha leave their pack to become a lower ranked wolf of another? This didn't make sense, unless there was another alpha before this one. Vee always saw the alpha of a male wolf, from what he heard and assumed.
As Meikou continued speaking, she mentioned another wolf's name. Vee couldn't quite put the lips onto words, the name was quite hard to pronounce verbally. But Vee nodded, possibly the alpha of these lands once before abandoned them too, leaving Meikou in charge. She said she never saw Avani or her last alpha again. The same pained expression of Meikou bounced onto Vee, and he sighed quietly. Vee didn't want to take this role alone, he didn't even sign up to become an alpha, he wasn't built for it. For a life without meaning well suited him, growing up with a pack of rogue black wolves, being tortured for his color. This wasn't right, Avani had to be somewhere.
"There are... No signs of her here at all?" Vee questioned, assuming Meikou wouldn't have an answer. Vee would search all corners of the continent to find her, he needed to see her one more time. His eyes trailed as Jay left the scene, he missed what the young brute's lips had to say, but Vee crooked a smile before turning his attention back to Meikou. "Thank you for everything, and our alliance is settled. We will meet again, Alpha Meikou." Vee spoke softly, and bowed his head in respect. Glancing at his son, he nudged the little pup gently. "Come Auden, we are gooing to look for your mother for a bit." Raising his eyes to meet Meikou's. "If that is alright, since she was last spotted here... Perhaps we'll find her, or her scent." Vee's expression was apologetic, he hated having to scavenge for his mate on someone else's land. But he had no choice, he needed to find Avani.
Hazel eyes traveled to and fro, back and forth between Dad and the fascinating Miss Meikou. Auditives danced along with the conversation between the two adults as well, although only one could comprehend what was being said. Little Auden didn’t quite understand his handicap, but nor did he care to take the time to sit and think about why he was deaf in one ear; his hearing restriction didn’t faze him, it was all he had ever known, and after all, why should he worry when all he ever needed to hear was being said right in front of him.
Auden didn’t want to miss a beat and intently listened to the volley between the two when the conversation suddenly took a left hand turn from professional to personal and the topic of discussion included the words ‘mate’ and ‘Avani’. He didn’t have any knowledge of whom or what a ‘mate’ was, but he vaguely remembered hearing the name Avani before… It was back when he and his sister had been brought home, there was another wolf that had made mention of Avani as well. He was beginning to wonder just who this Avani character was and why her name kept popping up around him, yet, to his recollection, they had never come across one another.
"She asked me to come to Zahir and be a caretaker of sort for them…” He lost interest in the rest of the information Miss Meikou had to offer them, his own thoughts engrossing his attention. His eyes fell towards the ground in front Meikou’s paws, there was nothing extraordinary about her feet, they were much like his, just different in color and of course size, and really he had just started noticing how much the snow has started to collect on the ground. Although it wasn’t the snow he was concerned with. Who is Avani? Why have I not met her but she yet she seems very important to Dad? … Who was that again who mentioned her back home? Wait, why did Dnes and I have to be brought home? Where were we to begin with?
An uneasy silence clung to Meikou’s bitter announcement, not that Auden had taken notice; he was far too concerned with the questions buzzing inside of his brain and the quiet seemed to help him concentrate more. His curiosity was close to bubbling over from inside his head to spilling out his mouth when Miss Meikou directed a comment towards her subordinate, “Don’t wander far.” He shot a look towards the older male wolf scampering off into the forest, watching him until he vanished over a hill, and then returned his gaze to his father as he thanked Meikou.
He pushed his body into his father’s touch, eager for his warmth and connectedness, desiring more as his father withdrew all too quickly and stepped off to the side, and mentioned for Auden to follow, and that they were going to go searching for his mother. The pup had risen to his feet nonchalantly; he hadn’t been expecting a blow like that, now all of a sudden there was talk of him actually having a mom. Well of course you dummy, everyone has a mom… He was stupefied, frozen in place as if he was a preserved carcass from millions of years ago. His mind was frantically putting all of the pieces together until it eventually made some sense, “My mom! You mean to tell me Avani is my mom?!” He had nearly cut Vee off and interrupted any answer Meikou may have had for his request. “Wait – You’ve met my mom. What was she like?” he asked excitedly towards Meikou. He was no longer ready to take off again, whether it was in search of Avani or not, he had too many questions at the moment to function.
The Tundra alphess felt uncomfortable in the suffocating silence. She shifted her paws and licked her black lips her eyes trying to find something interesting around them. She could not bring herself to look at the two white males before her. It was painful, they lost someone important and she was all they had for a lead. She wanted to help; she did, for this person who had left them was also a friend of hers. It would have brought some joy to Meikou if they could find Avani. Sadly, she didn’t know where they would start.
Miki’s butterscotch orbs jumped and landed on Vee’s red ones. His eyes searching her for the answer that burned on his tongue. When his question came, Meikou turned her head away once more and shook her head. “I’m sorry…” Was the only thing she could utter. The silence followed out once more before her ears swiveled towards them as they spoke of finding Avani. There had to be a scent, a trail, or something here in her lands. There had to be somewhere, right?
When Vee addressed her again, her brown-orange hues look towards the white alpha and started for a moment, his words not quite registering in her mind. “Wha…?” She muttered before shaking her head realizing what he had just asked now, finally. “Oh, yes, I give you exclusive permission to search for Avani on my lands…” She trailed off her mind wandering for a moment. ‘On my lands…’ The possessive use of my on the word lands made her slightly confused. The lands that belonged to Xin but passed down to her sounded weird on her lips. She was still unsure of everything up until now. Everything had moved so fast.
Then a small sharp voice startled Meikou back into reality. Her eyes widen slightly as she started at the young Ethiopian Tundra male at his father’s white paws. His voice surprised, but his voice oddly fluent in the tongue he spoke. These were the first words she had heard the young brute say all day. His eyes turned to her and another question was thrown at her. Meikou smiled sadly at the young male, she couldn’t begin to image what he was feeling right now.
Miki looked down at her paws for a moment before she bent down on Auden’s level. “Yes, I met your mother.” She confirmed his assumption, before thinking over what kind of femme his mom had been. “She was kind, assertive and knew what she was doing with herself and her pack. However… when it came to you she was scared and unsure. She didn’t know if she was capable to be a good mother or not. She wasn’t sure she could handle pups and a pack, even with her mate’s help…” She trailed off her eyes turning to Vee before she continued.
“Although she did not say it aloud, everything she left, her pack and her mate meant everything to her. So much she looked for aid from neighboring packs for their success and for the health and safety of her young.” She paused her eyes distant in the thoughts of Avani. How Meikou perceived her to be when she met her. How much of her personality rubbed off her in her speech, body language and insightful little glances.
A winter wonderland. That is what this place was, a vast white blanket that stretched on for miles to come with absolutely no interruptions. Squinting through whipping snow Tanner could barely make out mountain from sky, as they shared similar gray and white hues. There were no clues in the falling snow, and the sky was an empty void offering no answers to the praying Tanner. The tawny brute huffed sending a swirl of his hot steamy breath into the air in frenzy. The sparkling fog lingered only a moment and then dispersed within the skies, allowing Tanner a moment of sweet relief as, his legs burned from the climb and the cold.
Tanner raised his russet head upward and sniffed at the air, deeply breathing in the scents that were heavily upwind from him, these were the wolves that had left the prints in the snow that Tanner had been following. Since coming across the mountains Tanner had struggled to keep direction and once he stumbled upon a set of guidelines heading deeper into the mountains, he decided his best bet was to follow. He struggled at first making out one set of paw prints from the other, but soon Tanner got the hang of the leaping and bounding required to manoeuvre through the snow. He was much too far downwind for the ones he was following to get his scent and for that he was glad, as Tanner did not need any confrontations. He was merely looking for a place to call home. Home Tanner thought to himself, tossing the word around his head attempting to get used to the sound. Tanner had had a home a long time ago, with his father and his sister. Tanner shook his head violently and instantly the memories were lost. Now...where was he? Ah yes. The lithe body of the brunette figure leaped gracefully from his place within the glossy, white snow. His paws were matching the many sets of prints that lay ahead of him, forcing him in only one direction. If perhaps the weather had not been so bad, than Tanner might have chosen a different path to follow, but in midst of the dangerous conditions the brute needed a trail.
His bronze body moved gracefully through the snow, each step a delicately planned process. His movements were lithe and silent, just as he intended. Was he being sneaky? Possibly, he was following unknown wolves that could attack him at any moment. He was sure he was past borderlands by now, and howling was useless in the thrashing winds of the mountains. Following the frail scent of the paw prints was all Tanner could do and he hoped that the Alpha of these lands would understand. Tanner shook the snow free from his pelt and leaped again, landing softly in a plume of white. I could get used to this Tanner thought, a small grin tugging at the corners of his black lips. As the wind whirled around Tanner’s body, the silence became new, something had changed, altered. His pear green eyes shifted, quickly surveying the snowy world around him. Suddenly his eyes fell on them, the white wolves in the snow, the Tundra wolf and a departing gray male in the distance. Tanner’s eyes widened in deep shock and then his body instantly pressed itself down against the snow. His russet strands were blowing about him, hidden by the mounds of snow and heavy, showery snowflakes. It took a minute for his breathing to slow, for his heart to start beating normally in his own ears. There was no way they could have seen you, you are 50 feet or more away, the winds are blowing in your direction, you’re good, you’re good. Tanner’s thoughts prattled onward, not really thinking but rationalizing. Would this be considered spying? Should he announce his presence so he is not considered a threat? Tanner was unsure. A violent shiver ripped through him, and it was hard to conceive whether it was from the cold or his nerves. Pear green orbs peeked out from the side of the snow mounds, very carefully and cautiously surveying the conversation that was taking place. Although the words were lost in the wind, the facial expressions of the wolves in the distance could be clearly seen through eyes as sharp as Tanner’s. He could read what looked like pain on all their faces, but then again maybe he was reading the situation wrong, either way he was not here to judge, he was here to approach the Alpha for a home. Tanner has a mission of his own to attend to.
Closing his eyes and deeply inhaling Tanner willed his heartbeat to slow to a normal pace, a pace that would allow him to appear calm and collected, play it cool as his father used to say. Although these emotions were very far from the ones that he was feeling now, he was agitated, nervous, and unsure. “Deep Breath ” Tanner whispered to himself. Tanner’s ebony and tawny hued breast rose and fell with four deep and encouraging breaths. The dark hued male rose, his colors stuck out among the ivory mounds of snow, but he was covered within the heavy flakes that blurred the eyes. His eyes spotted the larger of the white wolves departing and his heart skipped a beat, this was his chance to approach the Alpha. The future leader he would serve and be loyal to for the rest of his days...hopefully.
One paw in front of the other...slowly...slowly... Crap! Why did they stop? Tanner’s thoughts raced as he stopped dead in his tracks, his paws instantly frozen to the snowy terrain. His eyes widened but never once did they leave the site of the Tundra female and the two white wolves. His heart hammered against his chest and he was sure that if the wind was not pounding through their ears, they could have heard his heart from miles away. It wasn’t his intent to interrupt the Alpha’s conversation, and he did not want to appear rude. Should he howl to alert her of his presence? Tanner sighed to himself and watched at the crystals in his breath danced upward toward the hazy gray skies. He couldn’t turn back now, there was no point. His body moved through the falling snow silently, his paws falling in step with the larger white males. He let his tail fall behind him, and laid his ears back against his head, as he neared the Alphess and her company; he lowered his body to the ground and exposed his neck, allowing the Alphess a glimpse at his most vital organs in the throat. Tanner knew this passive submissive behaviour would show that he meant no harm, however the Alpha could still reject him. Tanner was only five feet away from them, and hopefully that was a wide enough berth.
Vee hadn't been paying attention to his son, when below eye level, how could the Alpha brute? Vee's red eyes lowered as Meikou lowered herself to Auden's level, he read her lips as she spoke. Everything Aldgar's Alpha said was true, Avani was all Meikou said, Vee was a little surprised that Meikou knew so much about his mate. Vee nodded, and quirked a half smile. The smile wasn't reassuring, he wouldn't promise his son anything. "Thank you again, Miss Meikou." Eyes gazed over another wolf, assuming was a stranger by his submissive posture. Aldgar had some work to do, and Auden and Vee must be on their way. "We'll meet again, you have a visitor."
Vee stepped back, so his son was exposed on the ground. "Come son, we're going for a walk..." Vee lightly nudged his son, bringing him to his feet. "Say goodbye to Miss Meikou." Vee nodded to her and smiles nicely, then began to walk from the group with his son quickly on his heels.
Vee wouldn't be here too long. He had a pack to go back to, if they didn't find Avani today, there would be another day. As they padded away, ten yards, twenty yards, soon the wolves they came encountered with disappeared. There would be no point in looking back again. Vee and his son matched with their surroundings. White as snow, blanketing the landscape. Aldgar was much different than the Occasus, climate and visually. Vee liked it here, his breed craved the weather, but his heart belonged in the desert.
-Exit Vee & Auden-
[OOC: Tre, you can make another post if you want to, but it isn't really necessary n.n It's up to you.]
Meikou had paused, and for that long pause she lost herself in her own thoughts. Her hues clouded with the thoughts of those close to her that she has now lost. It first started with Yuu, then it was Avani and shortly after Avani left, Xin left her as well. Then, finally, Kadhi left and now, she was unsure whether she would see him or not ever again.
The snow covered femme lowered her head, and a heavy sigh left her lips. Vee’s muted voice reached her auds it surprised her how well she could understand him despite his meshed speech. Her copper hues turned up to him and she nodded silently. Her face turning stern, “I hope you find her,” She muttered softly to him, wondering if he even caught her words.
Soon, her eyes fell back on the small off-white colored pup; her heart went out to him. He was so young, and so innocent, it pained her to imagine the pain he felt the confusion. He’d lost his mother, and lived in a pack that was struggling. They were struggling without one of their two alphas, and struggling to survive, to rise up from the ashes of their former demise.
“We’ll meet again, you have a visitor.”
The white alpha’s voice reached her black tipped ears and she automatically looked up to him, before her head turned to finally notice the visitor he spoke of. She licked her black lined lips. With nothing more to say to the white alpha, she nodded towards him, a small polite jester to let them know she would be thinking of them.
Once the two white colored brutes were out of sight, her head turned to the dark smoke colored brute not too far from herself and were the other two had formerly been. Meikou could only stare at his scarred muzzle for a moment, as he lied submissively at her paws.
Meikou frowned ever so slightly before sighing. “What business do you have on my lands?” She asked her ears swiveling slightly at the sound of distant howls. She could not tell if they were on her lands, or not. Maybe it was her imagination, Meikou sighed. ‘I’m not very good at this.’ She admitted. She could only hope Jay and Syren would take care of any wanders that happened upon their lands while she dealt with everything else.
Meikou closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her thoughts. Aldgar was in a slump, bad, only three pack members remained, but the new formed alliance with Zahir would provide useful. ‘You can do this Meikou, just remember to breathe…’ She reminded herself and opened her eyes once more; she looked at the brute before her, waiting for his answer.
Ooc: Sorry I took so long to post. v.v Life has rendered me museless.
Floating behind the Alpha’s head were various gray hued clouds, their ominous color only promised one thing, more snow. A chill wind swept around them, blowing the brute’s thin russet fur around himself. His ears twitched as the white males said their goodbyes, and Meikou’s voice fell gently upon his ears. It was the first time she had spoke since he had came near, and he couldn’t doubt the prowess lurking in her tone. Tanner’s eyes moved over the female, sliding across the gentle gray and rust hues of her coat. She had an interesting scent as well, quite unique and lovely. Tanner grinned sufficiently and rose to his paws as she addressed him.
“What business do you have on my lands?”
Her booming voice was not lost in the heavy winter winds; in fact they made their way to his ears in perfect time. He allowed a moment of silence, in which the winds whistled between them, the moon cast a small ray down upon the Alpha’s coat, and Tanner quickly mulled over a million possible reasons why he could be here.
“I come for a home, your Highness.” It was all he said, what more could he say? All he needed was a family, someone who wouldn’t leave him like his mother had, like his father had, like his sister had...Tanner closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, allowing a plume of silver mist to escape into the air. The diamonds sparkled in the night, dispersing in the air as Tanner pulled himself together. Behind his lids a scene was taking place, a terrible memory haunting the depths of the young brutes mind.
“Pull yourself together Tanner, open your eyes and face the Alpha.” Whose voice was that? Whose lovely, sweet tone? Mom? Ekala? Oh Ekala, his beautiful fair-haired sister. He hadn’t seen her in months, not after her stupid fling with a rogue Alpha, not after leaving her beautiful, innocent son behind. Where was she now?
In a way he did not care, yet in the back of his mind a nagging sensation pulled and tugged at him, longing to know of his sister. A terrible pulling to know of the son that she left behind, the nephew he may never know. Tanner shook his head and managed a friendly smile. When his eyes opened again a world of snow swirled his vision, various shades of gray, white and rust. Dark shadows in the distance danced on the mountains and snow. Tanner could only hope that the Alpha would accept him soon and they could start heading to his new home. He feared being alone at night in these mountains and was sure that the cold alone would kill him.
“I mean you and your pack no harm; I only wish to join as a part of your family. I am very good with herbs; perhaps you can have some use for me?” Tanner prattled as the wind whipped at his dark fur, his light green eyes resting on face as he attempted to read her expression. At one moment Tanner thought she looked relaxed, but then Tanner looked again and found that maybe she was tense. He huffed, unsure and decided to stop reading her emotions, it seemed just about useless at this point. Tanner’s black lips curled upward into a smile, deeper, more impressionable than before and he gazed at her, his light green eyes flecked with glorious golden drops of the rising sun shimmering in the pale light from the moon. He was sure that he was nothing special in the light of the Alpha, he was skinny, probably looked malnourished and had fleas feasting upon his flesh, causing itching swelling bumps. Tanner shook his body and focused his attention on the Alpha, awaiting her response.
Meikou breathed softly as the wind whipped around the two lone wolves. The snow fall became heavier, and Meikou could only help but sigh. She would have to return to the dens soon before it became too dangerous to travel. That was, if it hadn’t become too dangerous already. ‘I hope I can make it up the slopes.’ She thought to herself, her copper eyes scanning over to top of the mountains for a moment. She huffed; her hot breathe releasing moisture as soft wisp of silver in the air before her.
Her and her companion must have looked foolish standing in the snow. Time had escaped her, but from the looks of it, it had to be well dead into the night. She closed her eyes, but only for a moment and a sigh escaped her maw more soft silvery wisp of moisture swirled in the air in front of her face. For a moment she was fascinated by the sight of her own breathe in the air.
“I come for a home, your Highness.”
Meikou’s ears perked forward. Had she heard him right? He had come here searching for a home. Her copper hues scanned over him for a moment, seizing him up. Then, a smile spread across her face and her tail started to wag. Yes, she believed him very much so when he said he wanted to joint her pack. Well, he didn’t say it exactly like that but what he said it was all the same. He wanted to stay here, he was searching for a family and Meikou was searching for more members to welcome into their family. It was a dysfunctional family, but a family nonetheless.
Clearing her throat, Meikou allowed her momentary excitement to subside and she relaxed. Her body posture became more laid back, and less intimidating for the male who was no thread to her. Licking her lips she could only smile like a fool as he explained he could do no harm to her and her pack. Foolishly she believed him too. ‘He doesn’t look like he means any harm… and what have you got to lose anyways, Miki?’ She thought to herself, her smile twisting up into a frown.
Shaking her thought away, she smiled at the brute once more, she was about to address him when she realized she did not know his name. ‘He doesn’t know mine either.’ The thought occurred to her and she knew exactly were she would start with what she wished to say. “Welcome to The Oriens, home to the pack of Aldgar. I’m Meikou, Aldgar’s alphess if you haven’t already guessed. Ha-ha.” She chuckled softly, dryly at her poor attempt at humor. Though she was happy, she really actually wasn’t in the mood for humor. This new member was exactly the break she needed, the break Aldgar needed. ‘Hopefully with this brute, we can slowly rebuild ourselves and pick up all the pieces that were lost and paint new ones to create a whole new image…’ She sighed softly, the silver wisp dancing in the cold air once more.
Yes, this was the first step towards her recovery.
