So now he was the alpha of these lands, it seemed so foreign. Somehow he had went from a loner wandering around the unclaimed lands, to a brute of authority and power; although, it was not over much. The red brute acknowledged that his reign was small, and was wavering dangerously close to the edge. He had disappeared, wandered off to find the lost ones - his sisters. Upon return the newest feature of his life was being torn apart. Many of his pack mates seemed to be gone, and Aries was no where to be found. It was his duty to step up and attempt to strengthen Ryala, he needed to rebuild this fragile pack. The Alpha's brow furrowed with concern, worry. He was not even totally certain who all was left upon the Occasus, did any of them truly want to be here anymore? Were they still loyal to the newly formed pack? A gentle sigh escaped his slightly parted lips, the brute was stumped. Everything had been drawn together and then fallen apart so quickly. It seemed like his life had arrived and disappeared in the brief passing of a few weeks.
Where had Aries wandered off to? The brute struggled to numb the ocean of emotions waving inside of his stomach. It seemed that this pack would be his last glimmer of hope, the last moment he had to potentially change his life. These wolves were his family, Rasalas had considered them as such since the moment they had walked into his lives. Even if he did not know them, or particularly trust them, he believed they all were family. That was what a pack was, it meant everyone looked out for the other. Truthfully, he was afraid this time. The demons were growing stronger within his brain; for once he was concerned that they truly were going to erupt from his skull. Maybe they would take over his body, drive him to be better than he was now. Alas! Rasalas did not want to use and bruise others, his nature was kindhearted. This time was different from all the others in his view. He had tried and failed many times before; yet, this was the last straw. If everyone here fell apart, then the brute would have nothing. There would be no reason to live, no reason to care about anyone but himself.
The brute emitted a brief howl, attempting to call for the one wolf that he hoped had stuck around. Scout seemed to be the only wolf that Rasalas could trust in any way at this time. The brute's paws continued carrying him in a steady pace back and forth at the entrance of Isdyn's Deep. Tail waggled nervously and the brute's ears continuously appeared to be quivering; he was praying that someone would come. Even if it was not Scout, a familiar face would certainly be welcome. The brute wondered what happened to the pup that Aries had found, did they run off together? The brute's faith in love had nearly dissipated, 'some are just meant to be alone.' For now, all he needed was the support of the pack. The Alpha needed to know that there with others standing behind him, even if there was only a few. Over time more members could be gathered, brought to live amongst them. However, he would not be able to protect these lands alone. Even a few bodies were better than none, and Scout seemed like a genuine creature.
The brute's heart raced, his mind attempting to figure out who all was remaining. Certainly if Scout was here then Vixen would be too, right? That made three of them. It was not exactly a horde, but it was better than being alone. Rasalas called out for Scout once more, 'Please respond, I need you.' The Alpha was unsure that he would ever be able to admit this weakness; yet, he knew that he needed another canine, desperately. Hopefully they could gather a few extra members, the brute was becoming excessively worn down from attempting to run around by himself. It was quite stressful attempting to do everything, at least Scout would hopefully be there to remedy his exhausted body after the stressful days of hunting. The other brute was a shaman for a reason, certainly he could dull the agonizing pain. The brute's pacing stopped and his eyes glanced out into the desert, they were searching for the figurine of another creature. Nares flared, attempting to smell out another canine approaching.
Scout had been out looking for different spots in this territory to start teaching Vixen where she had left off. Scout had made it a priority to do this every other day or so. He thought it was extremely important that she get out and learn something every day and in order for her to do that, she needed places to learn in. He also thought it was important to start learning the plants and herbs in one's own pack lands first. It made things much easier when someone was injured because then one would know which plants could be found quickly and which ones would take a week to find or longer. Scout considered himself a good teacher. He wanted to be a good teacher. He was already four years old and he felt like he hadn't done anything spectacular or important yet. He was just that weird wolf that no one took seriously and he had never once had a female interested in him.
In reaching his later years, he had become more and more concerned with finding a mate. Before, it was something that he wasn't sure that he wanted. He didn't know if he wanted to be tied down to one female for the rest of his life but now he was certain that he wanted to. He wanted a family. A real family. The pack was a good family and he considered Rasalas like a brother. But he wanted to be a father. He wanted his own children to pass down his legacy with. It was only a natural feeling. Of course he had Vixen but Vixen wasn't really his. He was her teacher and her pack mate and her friend but they weren't blood family.
He then heard the distinct howl of his alpha, Rasalas. Aries had long gone missing and though Scout didn't really want to admit it for fear of looking foolish, he had also come out here in hopes of maybe finding some trace of her. There had been none. It appeared as though all traces of the new alphess had been taken away in the wind. There was nothing of her. Like she never even existed except for in the hearts of the pack members here. Scout began the long journey back to the dens where he suspected that the call had come from. He didn't want to expert a lot of energy because it was quite hot out here and he didn't want to die and never make it to his destination. No. He wanted to Rasalas.
Though it wasn't long after that, that a second call was made. This one was more urgent sounding though. Rasalas sounded like he was in desperate need of something and that he needed to get there quickly. Scout sent a howl back to his comrade saying, " I'm in my way. I will be with you shortly." Scout picked up his pace though his mind told him not to. He needed to get to his new alpha.
The journey had been long and the beating sun had taken a toll on the aging Iranian's back but he had finally made it to the den site. In his mouth was his small basket of herbs that he had learned to carry with him during his year or so practicing as a shaman for loners. It wasn't as easy of a job as one might think it to be. Especially when you are getting nothing in return most of the time.
Rasalas! Scout approached his friend in greeting, You look exhausted my friend, is there anything I can do for you? Scout quickly went into a visual examination of the alpha. He looked over everything that he could see. It was obvious that he was in some pain and was in need of some well deserved rest. But perhaps there was another ailment bothering him.
Paws continued carrying the brute's muscular frame in a rapid pace. His mind was breaking, caving in. The red brute had not experienced such anxiety in a long time, the feeling felt foreign to him now. His breathing grew shorter, sharper, faster. Vision felt as if it was starting to blur. He sat himself down roughly for a moment, trying to keep himself from going into a full blown panic attack. 'This is humiliating,' he was embarrassed of himself as an Alpha. How was this supposed to look to the others? What if another wolf wandered over? He shook his head, ears flopping against his skull a few times. Nares flared to detect a familiar scent, "Scout!" the exclamation was spoken in a near whisper. The other brute had decided to stay after all, regardless of the fragile state that the pack was currently in. His strength seemed to come back some, enough for him to drag himself to a standing position once more. A glisten passed through his yellow orbs as the shadow of the Shaman came into view.
He could see that the other brute was in obvious distress over his call and the Alpha felt sorrowful for startling Scout. "My apologies for scaring you," his head bowed low in greeting. His mind shivered, attempting to figure out how to speak to the brute about the entirety of this situation. Things had changed quite rapidly for the new pack. Many of their members had vanished and one of those included their Alphess. Now they were extremely fragile, on the verge of falling apart at any moment. The thought scared Rasalas greatly. Without this pack he would once more have nothing. Be nothing. The thought brought a twinge of rage. He was not going to go back to where he was before, no longer would that be an option. This pack would survive even if he died in the process. The brute knew that Scout needed to know what was going on, or at least have a better explanation. 'Maybe he knows something I don't.'
"I have missed you my friend, I am sorry for my temporary absence," sadness dripped from the red one's words. Once again the search for his siblings had failed and he had to return home alone. This time when he returned though everyone seemed to have abandoned him. It was reassuring to know that a few loyal pack members remained. Well, so far only himself and Scout were known to still be members of Ryala. "As you are certainly aware pack life within the Occasus seems to be dwindling once more. I have stepped up as Alpha of these lands, since Aries is gone. Unless - do you know where she is?" Hopefulness swelled in his tone, however Rasalas assumed that Scout was as clueless as himself in this situation. His tail twitched a few times, tension was building.
The fate of Ryala was essentially up to the two brutes now, and how well they could hold together until other members joined. There was a chance that they could pretend that there was a more formal pack structure at the moment. At least then other wolves may be willing to live within the desert. For now their numbers were rapidly dwindling and would further diminish if they remained alone. Certainly the two brutes could not patrol the border as well as keep themselves healthy. Something was going to have to happen, and fast. Rasalas' mind brought itself back to reality. Scout was here now, this could all be discussed. Some input would certainly be welcome.
"I hope you plan to stay with me," auds quivered lightly, "I am certain we can gain more pack mates once more. Then we will not be so close to death." By death Rasalas meant the pack diminishing; yet, he was aware that if more were not within their ranks soon that everything here would dwindle away. Once more he plopped himself upon his rump, deciding it was safer with the nervousness. Hopefully the other brute would bring encouraging words to his ears, not those of betrayal and failure.
Scout noticed that his friend seemed quite nervous or worried or...something. He had come here in a rush to see what was the matter. Had Aries shown up? Had she returned to them? Scout hoped that was the reason why he was called over here but he knew that something so joyful wouldn’t have been sent out in such a panic. Scout was a little excited to hear the news that Rasalas had. Only this was a different kind of excitement. It wasn’t the kind of excitement that one would get on a holiday. This was an excitement where the wolf was in waiting for something. To have something revealed to him.
It’s quite alright. My apologies for not getting here sooner. Scout said, also dipping his head. Pack life wasn’t so bad after all. There was no one breathing down his neck, there was no one forcing him to do anything that he didn’t want to do. He had all the freedom he could ever want with the security of being in a pack. Being a Shaman, Scout could come and go as he pleased to look for different herbs. He could even explore other pack lands if he asked for permission first. A part of him wondered why he hadn’t joined a pack earlier.
Scout was aware that things had changed quite quickly around here. Kyra had gone missing as well as other members. Scout was pretty certain that Rasalas and himself were the only ones left living here. He knew that absence of the aphess was a big cause for everyone missing. Perhaps they had all gone looking for her? Scout didn’t want to believe that some of them may have fallen victim to the sands and the heat. Scout and Rasalas were both very equipped to live here. Scout had a lean body with a thin coat. His paws were made to walk on the hot sands of the desert. He had been made to live here. A wolf like Kyra was not. He wouldn’t have been surprised if she had run to a cooler climate.
I have missed you as well. Scout picked up on his friend’s sadness. Something was bothering him. Scout wanted to do something to be of some kind of help but he wasn’t sure how. He didn’t know what was ailing his friend but he had a feeling that it was not something that could be fixed by herbs.
Scout nodded as Rasalas spoke to him. He understood that Aries was gone and that it was only right for Rasalas to take over. The two of them would have to hold the pack together until some wolves returned or until more members joined. Scout wasn’t usually a wolf to do more work than he would have to. It would be easier for him to leave but it wasn’t right for him to leave a friend. He would help a friend until the day that he died. He wanted to take long naps in the sun and take strolls around in the desert and play with the lizards and such that also resided here but there was work to be done. Vixen needed to be taught and Rasalas needed someone at his side. Scout was in no way expecting to have his rank bumped up but he knew that shaman and alphas were often very close.
No, unfortunately I don’t know where she is. I went looking for her to try to find something. A scent, a paw print, anything that could possibly be helpful in trying to find her but there was nothing. Scout knew that Rasalas wanted him to say that he had found something or even that he had found her body but Scout couldn’t lie to his friend. He too wished that there was some trace of Aries left around here but the desert was a harsh place. Many wolves died here and it had a way of covering up the fact that they had ever existed. This was no different for Aries.
Yes, I do plan on staying here in the desert. It has become my home and it’s residents, my family. Scout wanted to reassure his friend that he was never leaving him. Scout wanted to help his friend as much as he could. Scout nodded as Rasalas said that more members were needed to keep the pack alive. It wouldn’t have taken a rocket scientist to realize that a pack needed more than two members to survive. They would need more members to help hunt and to help with border patrol.
Despite the fact that his mind was swarmed with worry, Rasalas could not help feeling poorly for sharing such a burden with his pack mate. In reality this issue was his to deal with, he was the one who would need to cope with the pack falling apart. After all, the others had survived as loners for quite some time in these lands prior to the forming of Ryala. Life could be resumed as it had been, right? As the Alpha's golden eyes peered into those of the Shaman he saw the answer to his own mental question. 'They value the pack as well, well at least Scout does,' and that was enough to make him happy for now. The new beginning had to start somewhere, and this would be it. Even if it was simply a lonely alpha and a shaman that would be enough for now. Their lives would be exhausting, to say the least, but eventually everything would settle down once again.
"All that matters is that you are here now," a sheepish smile was offered towards the Iranian. There were two of them now. Rasalas no longer would be lonesome and despondent within the Occasus, once more there would be a bit of confidence about him. "I see hope, at first I believed myself to be alone." the chuckles that followed his words were nervous, tension obvious within the brute's figure. The brute would need to forget about his siblings, he had to care for something that was alive and growing now. This pack needed all the love and nurturing that he had within him, all else would suffer from neglect. Life in the desert was difficult alone, now they had safety and shelter. Auds pulled back to the brute's skull and eyes snapped shut, brutal flashbacks from his return shrouded him. None had came, all the living seemed to have disappeared. These memories were nearly as bitter as the ones of his missing sisters. The growl was stifled in his chest, the Alpha refused to let it out. Scout was here, there was no need to worry about the past. The future needed him.
Orbs remained shielded as the other spoke, however his ears did erect themselves upon his skull. All rhythm in the red creature's tail halted as the negative words caught him. "She is just... gone?" a slight grumble could be heard this time. Aries had abandoned them, conned them with her cleverly designed words just to slaughter them all. 'Cruel bitch,' she had masked her escape quite well; however, Rasalas knew that was for the best. Had he been able to track her down she would no longer be breathing. Their pack was a simple game to the female, she was trying to show them all that life was terrible. The fondness still tainted his chest, but Rasalas would not be admitting that. He would not speak the words of adoration about this female that was attempting to condemn them. 'These will certainly be temporary,' his thoughts rang true to him. How could he possibly care for a creature with such an evil soul? Soon enough his mind would steady itself and she would be forgotten. New members would be arriving and they would acknowledge him as their Alpha, not Aries.
Shaking his crania the brute made himself stand taller, attempting to prove to himself that he was capable of dominance. This land was his now, and he would need to show it to all that opposed him. "Thank you, Scout," his tone held the utmost sincerity. The Shaman would never quite realize the weight his words had upon the Alpha. They meant the world to him. For the first time, Rasalas felt he actually had the support of another creature. Someone actually was willing to back him up and support him. "I am honored to have a wolf like you within the pack," he averted his golden gaze towards the ground in front of the other's paws. He felt unworthy of having the support of Scout, undeserving of all that had just fallen into his responsibility.
The extent of his mood swings was making him sick. The brute knew what must be done; yet, somehow felt he was struggling to do it. Deep in his heart he knew that once everything was more stable then he could return to normal. The stress was tearing him apart. Emotional agony had been ripping his mind to shreds for a long time and this was nearing his breaking point. If Scout had not shown up things would have gone very poorly for any creature that crossed his path.
Scout didn't mind it when other wolves vented in him. Most wolves did at some point if he knew them long enough. Even Sariya had long, long ago when she had only been a baby. She must be nearly grown by now. How he missed his friend. He wondered how she had been, how Akihra was, how the pack was fairing. Living in the desert made it so difficult to get any news. Most wolves wouldn't dare to try and cross this baron land with scorching heat to tell them of an oncoming war let alone trivial facts like how someone was feeling. He hoped that he would get in contact with someone who knew what was going on in the world outside of here. He probably could venture out of the lands for a few days to look for herbs and ask around but he didn't dare leave Rasalas by himself for too long. He could tell that something was wrong but he couldn't quite put a paw on it. It was something beyond concern for the pack although he did think that it played a major part in whatever was wrong.
My dear friend, you are never alone. I am always but a howl away. Scout said in return to Rasalas' concern for being all alone like he would ever leave him. If there was one thing that Scout was really good at, it was never giving up on another wolf. He was loyal to the death for someone he cared about and he would stay here in these lands with Rasalas until his spirit was taken from him. Although he played along with the playful nature of the comment and also chuckled in an attempt to lighten the mood that both wolves knew was heavy but he hoped that Rasalas also took his words seriously. He wanted Rasalas to know that he was never alone and that it helped whatever was bothering him.
I'm afraid so. Scout said with sadness in his voice. He had a deal of respect for Aries and had grown to think of her as a good friend of his and she had just gone without so much as a word good-bye to anyone. He would have hoped that she would have at least said something to Rasalas with as much cuddling they had done while she had been here.
Scout dipped his head at Rasalas' thanks. He was happy that Rasalas was here with him. Although Scout did enjoy having free time with himself and being able to take long naps in the sun and do all the things that he had always loved to do but he also loved being around others. He loved the companionship that being in a pack provided for him. And It is my honor to serve under you. I have no doubt that you will make a great Alpha. Scout was ready to go on this journey to bring the pack back to life with Rasalas.
Loyalty felt as if it was a dying trait recently. For awhile Rasalas had been quite despondent from losing his family and nearly believed that they had abandoned him. However, he had grown enough to accept that things happen - and they aren't always for the best. It was difficult to accept such a thing, especially when he had needed an outlet for all of his excess rage that was on the verge of erupting. Somehow, despite all odds, the brute had managed to maintain his cool composure and move forward. This time, loyalty had not even existed from the start. Aries had abandoned them and that was the sick truth of it all. Perhaps the red brute was being narrow minded, but there would be no convincing him otherwise. Despite the adoration that had initially ate away at his soul, now there was only hatred. She had attempted to slaughter them all, to hold their blood upon her undeserving paws. 'Some are completely sick and twisted,' his mind convulsed at the thought of ever seeing Aries again. He would simply kill her, there was no justification for what had been done to them.
Scout's words did soothe the aching spirit though. The Iranian was defying the odds of wolves that Rasalas had encountered. Most seemed to merely abandon him, they would use his help before disappearing. This canine was different though, he wished to stick it out with Ryala. He wanted to help the pack grow and thrive once more. Certainly it would be a significantly easier life for all of them once the pack fell into place again. The red brute's mind was already planning on establishing a pack meeting and a group hunt once they had a few more members. "Hopefully we can find some others that are skilled hunters, that will lighten the load upon our shoulders," a fond glance was directed towards the Shaman. Rasalas could not tell if Scout wanted to be promoted, if that was even an option for the brute. Would the two of them have enough control to ensure that none would attempt to take over their lands? Did they possess enough knowledge? The new alpha would like to believe that they did, but there was a part of his mind that disagreed.
"Thank you again my friend, for a moment I feared that I had been left completely alone," the brute shifted slightly, his tail wiggling nervously a few times. It felt pathetic to be the alpha of a pack and admit that he was afraid to be alone. Truthfully, he was not necessarily fearful of being alone - it was the thought of being abandoned. The concept that everyone would have left him, that was what brought rage and sorrow together in his heart. For once, things seemed to be looking better though. It may be a rough few weeks, but they would get by. His mind was pounding in his skull, and Rasalas nearly found himself repeating what he had previously said to the Iranian. A light chuckle escaped his parched lips, "My head feels so cluttered right now."
He was still sore upon the subject of Aries, but there was a newly founded confidence about the red alpha. Scout had done an excellent job in reassuring him that he would not be alone. Sure, he knew they could not be a pack of two, but the idea of having such an avid supporter brought some faith back into himself. Rasalas had never been excessively cocky or proud, but perhaps that would be good for him now. Maybe it was what the brute would need in order to be able to make the pack thrive. 'I will have to see, perhaps I can consult Scout about this later. Maybe he will have some ideas.'
By now his posture was much more relaxed and a playful sway had become permanent with his tail. He did not want to go back to border patrol, his body was still weary. How long would it take before others were willing to stand alongside them, to claim the desert as their home. A part of Rasalas knew that there were many loners living within the Occasus, eventually they would all need to join or be run out. Now was not the time to take up that task though, he did not have the numbers to support fighting off other wolves. If anyone got injured it would be extremely devastating to the pack - seeing as only two of them seemed to be around. "Eventually, everyone here will be our family. I am sure there are many wandering the desert that have not respected Ryala's claiming to these lands. When Aries was here, I never had the extra time to clean out the Occasus of loners." His tone grew distant, "Once we gain a few new members, I will be able to search for them. To truly ensure Ryala's safety." He did not wish to frighten the smaller brute, but it was the truth.
For now they were still in danger. There could be a small group of three or four loners living together in their desert somewhere. Those canines could easily take over Ryala if they gained word about the pack being so fragile at the moment. Rasalas would not let them take over everything, this land was theirs. For the first time in the eternity that he had been in the land of sand, the red brute felt optimistic about the future. Certainly, it would be difficult; yet, everything would be ever so rewarding in the end.
Rasalas's mood looked like it was slowly getting better which was a good sign. The alpha must have a lot of stress on him. Scout knew that the pack was in trouble. There were only the two of them and Vixen that he knew about. He hadn't seen Kyra in a long while or, smelled her. There was another red wolf here as well some time ago but it appeared as though she had left them as well. Aries was no where to be found. Perhaps the volcano got her. He thought to himself. The desert was no easy place to live. It was scorching hot during the day, the sand got so hot it could burn a wolf's paws if they weren't careful. There were venomous snakes all around coupled with a lack of good food. But Scout suspected that the flow of food would be increasing. Judging by the warmer, almost pleasant temperatures during the winter, the game would be migrating near this area. Scout was certain that Ryala was going to be back on it's way to success. With the food becoming more abundant, he was certain that more wolves will be migrating here as well. Scout himself was a loner for a year and knew that loners went wherever the food was. If the food was here, they were more likely to join. But they were also more likely to leave once the food left. Which was why when that happened, the pack would need to gain their loyalty and trust in that time when the food was here so they would stay. Scout was smarter than most wolves thought. They thought that because he was kind that he was also naive which was not the case.
Yes, we will need them as I suspect that the amount of food will be increasing as the season changes to winter. Scout returned a fond glance to his friend. Scout wouldn't have turned down a promotion if Rasalas wanted to give him one but he was content with his rank inside of the pack. He got to do what he loved doing which was helping others. He probably could serve as a beta if Rasalas wanted him to. He had been born to take the throne of another pack, had he not? He was born to two alphas. Had he not been so preoccupied with his own needs and his own desires to do whatever he wanted, he probably would be the alpha of that pack now. But he had to accept the consequences of his actions. Besides, it wasn't like being a Shaman was horrible.
Scout nodded as Rasalas thanked him again. Of course Scout would never leave Rasalas! He was his friend. Of course, he had left his own family but, this was different. Scout also wagged his tail slowly. If you'd like to tell me about what's cluttering your head, I'd like to hear it. Scout wanted to help his friend however he could. If Rasalas didn't want to talk about it, Scout would understand. It wouldn't hurt his feelings if Rasalas wanted to keep it to himself.
I don't doubt that my friend. I think as the food here increases, the number of wolves looking to join will also increase. I see good things for us. As Scout spent time being a loner, he wasn't too keen on kicking wolves out but he guessed that it would be alright if it was for the benefit for the pack. Besides, they were in danger. With all of the loners walking around and taking food and other things, one plot or plan to take the pack down would be fatal for them both. Rasalas seemed to be feeling much better. He had a more confident vibe coming from him now. Scout felt good that he was able to lighten his alpha's mood.
The point that the shaman made was extremely valid, the alpha did agree. Certainly though he hoped that others would not come temporarily. It would enrage the red brute to no ends for wolves to attempt to make themselves useful to Ryala merely to abandon them as soon as spring rolled around once more. 'Stop getting yourself so angry,' once more he was chastising himself, attempting to prevent the overwhelming amount of anger from spilling. He felt certain that if his inner demons were exposed that they would only drag Ryala farther away from his dreams. Perhaps then the pack would actually fall apart. The alpha shook his head slowly, attempting to shoo the thoughts of negativity from his already cluttered crania. There was no more room for worries right now.
The pace of the brute's tail picked up slightly, he forced himself to focus on something other than the persistent noise in his skull. It had brought him nowhere good before, although it did save him from making several mistakes within his past. His breaking point was drawing dreadfully close and for once Rasalas could not run off to clear his mind alone. If he left the Occasus there was a likely chance that another canine would step up and claim the lands, dominate the wolves that had belonged to his pack. The thought brought pain to his soul, should that happen it would be the end of his existence. He could not afford to lose any more than he already had, for once something had to work out. Right? Well, the alpha certainly attempted to remain optimistic.
Scout's words were comforting to the lonely canine; although he had worried and held his doubts, he was not alone. That was enough to bring a soft smile to the anxiety-filled wolf's face. "You're a life saver, Scout," the brute chuckled slightly, further removing himself from the issues in his mind. "Hopefully they will stay and do not attempt to overrun the pack for their own gain." Concern was apparent in the brute's vocals, he was a strong fighter - but not powerful enough to chase off a herd of loners. Perhaps they would be crazy cannibalistic creatures that merely wanted bloodshed, regardless of the reason. The brute nearly growled at himself as the thoughts pulsed rabidly throughout him. "I do not want to accept a wolf that will be our downfall," for once he admitted verbally that he doubted his own skills. Maybe one could never be prepared to be an alpha, but Rasalas felt as if he had been thrown into a gargantuan mess and then expected to clean it up.
It was not that the brute doubted that he could run the pack, he just was not certain where to start when it came to cleaning everything up. Yet, an idea had been itching around his mind for some time now. The shaman's inquiring words brought about another response from the red one, this one was spoken a bit more quietly. It was as if Rasalas was sharing a dark secret, "I should search for the loners within the Occasus. Perhaps I can convince them to join us? They will no longer be avoiding our every step, and will prove useful with their knowledge of the land. Maybe they will be passionate enough about our desert to defend it?" Was his idea foolish? The alpha knew only that it seemed to be the easiest way to gain members and clear out invaders one at a time. His muscular figure could hold itself well in a fight against one other canine, at least he was confident that he could.
'Good things for us,' the other's words were beautifully resonating in his mind now. If Scout held such confidence regarding the pack, then he should too! His grin widened, Aries had made at least one good decision by bringing Scout into Ryala. The Iranian had proved to be a close friend in merely a matter of months. He took a few paces closer to the exit of the den, when should he start the search of the land. 'Soon.' If Scout agreed that for now they needed to start by protecting their own borders, then he would do just that. Rasalas typically did not need another's approval, but the extra encouragement was doing him a favor in his current state.
