Dark Days of Disappointment {Open}

[Deleted]

Róvanfaer carefully picked his across the plains of Kamari and into the lands of Acerbus. As soon as his paw touched Acerbus, the wolf paused with his ears flattening against his skull. The young wolf stood there momentarily gazing in this familiar yet dissimilar land with dejected, unfocused eyes. Would it be like this all the time for him? Was Róvanfaer just torturing himself by living with this pack? Gritting his teeth the brute trudged forward making his way through Acerbus by passing Drarynough. He didn’t wish to visit the lake today. It was one of the last places Róvanfaer had been with Exodus before… before everything took a turn for the worse. It amazed the wolf how everything could be so similar to how he remembered, yet completely different all at the same time. How often had he passed by this exact spot? Tussled with his siblings here? Hunted there? It was nothing but a painful reminder of what never would be. Shaking his head slowly, Róvanfaer continued through Acerbus taking his time. He was in no hurry to arrive at his destination. At last the Kiaou Mines came into view. Rovan’s paws carried him by memory rather than will. His green eyes were set upon the ground as he worked his way to the entrance of the mines. There at the threshold of the entrance, Rovan paused peering deep into the darkened cavern. He swallowed before taking a hesitant sniff at the air. Disappointment registered upon his face. He shouldn’t have expected anything less. Sighing, the scared brute crossed into the dens of Salen… no Descai. “Get it together, Rovan,” he murmured quietly to himself padding through the mines. Everything seemed relatively untouched here. Outside, the lands changed with the season as death and growth occurred. Here, in this home of rock and dirt, there was little to change the interior. Róvanfaer took in another deep breath testing the air for Descai members. He was uncertain, but there didn’t appear to be anyone around. It was possible that he had missed someone, however. A whirlwind of information temporarily locked down his brain after scenting the dens. There were so many unfamiliar smells inside. Rovan half wondered if he would ever meet all of the wolves of Descai. There seemed to be so many of them. Plopping his butt down, Róvanfaer sat just inside the mines looking about the place. Where should he visit first? Hesitantly, the brute got up to his paws and traveled forward into the darkness finding his way around easily enough. It didn’t take him long to discover the one chamber he sought. However, instead of finding the scent he wished, there was another to replace it. Róvanfaer did not enter Vorilye’s chambers but instead sat just outside of them looking in. The black Alpha was not here, thankfully. How would he explain that away? Oh sorry sir. I was just milling around and happened upon you. The wolf gave a snort disturbing some of the dust along the ground. Giving his father’s chambers one last look, Róvanfaer stumbled away and into the different areas of the Kiaou Mines. Nothing else sparked his interest, although there was the one spot with the faded scent mark. He couldn’t be sure, as it could just be his mind playing tricks, but it could have possibly been Meridian’s scent. Traveling back closer to the main entrance of the den, Róvanfaer circled three times and laid his body along the ground. His paws tucked in under his stomach as his tail cross his nose forming a large pile of fur. The young wolf gave a single whimper before drifting into a light sleep. This would be harder than he thought. There had to be something around here that could distract him.

[Vorilye]

The pups had to be returning soon. Vorilye allowed Sarin to keep her offspring in Kamari so long as she kept someone else near, but there was no guarantee that she would follow his counsel. He was already irate about her foolishness in leaving the pack's territory and winding up with the offspring of another male. He did not want to raise some loner's spawn, and he certainly did not want anything to do with the young male that she named "Atlas." Vorilye truly believed that the only reason Sarin even cared was because it was a form of manipulation against the alpha. She had birthed the pup that bore his exact likeness. It was uncanny to see such a mirror image of himself in Valeria, and he was excited to instruct her in the ways of Descai. Hopefully, the little ones would be large enough to travel soon, and he could bring them back with the remainder of the pack. There were no questions that Vorilye was uncomfortable being away from his newest pups. Shayde and her three pups had adjusted well, and the beta was now capable of functioning without watching the little ones every step of the way. Since they were weaned, it was easier for her to leave the responsibility to others in the pack and resume her previous responsibilities. Luckily, Ajax had the same skill set as Sarin, so they were not at too much of a loss. But Vorilye found her isolation somewhat discomforting, especially because she could take off with his pups at any moment. Something about her had the alpha on edge, but he simply could not place it. Even so, he was trying his hardest to be more trusting of his members. Maybe it was his old insecurities telling him that something was up. Surely Sarin had no reason to violate his trust.


An irritable sigh slipped through the alpha's golden lips as he approached the mines, intent on taking a good nap before he was roused once more by the duties of Descai. He was growing older, and with each passing month, he felt the strain of age weighing against him. He was nearly six years of age, which was getting up there for an alpha. It was somewhat surprising that he still commanded such respect of his members. In truth, Vorilye believed the only reason he still reigned was because there was no one confident enough to challenge a wolf of his size and stature. He built quite the reputation over the years, and he would not disappoint anyone who attempted to challenge it. However, he would need to name an heir soon, and with the arrival of the two litters of pups, this would be even more difficult than before.

Originally, Vor anticipated that Ryker would be named as the heir to Descai. But with the arrival of Zephyros and Sypher, he saw things in a different light. It was not fair to place them at a disadvantage to inherit the pack merely because they happened to be born later. Perhaps one of them would be a better leader. It was not that he was challenging his oldest son's ability to lead, but Ryker still had a long ways to go before Vorilye would be comfortable handing him the pack. It was obvious that he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, and sometimes that was more frightening than the alpha male would let on. He did not want another one of himself leading Descai. The pack needed to take a turn to be better, and he did not know which of his children would be the one to do it. So he opted to remain as alpha for at least another year. The pups would have plenty of time to develop and grow into great young wolves. At that point, he could re-evaluate the situation. Then maybe he could see the situation in different light.

As Vorilye strolled into the dens, he caught sight of a figure slipping out from his personal sleeping chambers. His tail bristled slightly; that was a clear violation of his space and rights as the alpha of the pack. He darted after the figure, intent on finding and reprimanding them for their misbehavior. What he did not expect to find was Rovan, looking somewhat solemn and depressed. His irritation subsided as he walked up behind the younger male.

"What's on your mind, Rovan?" he inquired, curious as to what had the male acting in such a way.

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Count | 755 words
Muse | Pretty good.
Tags | @rovan
Notes | Figured you would like someone to respond. I'm still trying to figure out how to find posts more easily XD

[Deleted]

The brown and cream wolf had just fallen into the first phase of sleep when a voice sounded behind him echoing off the walls of the mines. Leaping to his paws, the wolf swung around to face his foe, eyes wild and chest heaving. When the black male entered his vision, Róvanfaer’s eyes grew larger as he peered up at the brute. “Fath…” He cut himself short turning away from the golden eyed alpha. A look of embarrassment settled onto his features. Had Vorilye not once said Meridian had called him that as well? What a fool he must think of my family. Gritting his teeth, Rovan hung his head. “I apologize. You startled me, sir,” he rasped before swallowing. Haunted green eyes surveyed the Kiaou Mines unable to distinguish past from present. The only thing telling Rovan where he stood in time was the massive frame of the black and gold male. For a moment, their eyes met, but Rovan looked away ashamed of the feelings he felt. Could he confine in the brute? Would he laugh and call him a coward or throw him out of the pack for showing weakness? Róvanfaer sat on his haunches glaring into the ground mulling over Vorilye’s question. What was wrong? ”Do not mistake my words, sir. I am grateful for your letting me stay in the pack and everyone has treated me well thus far. I have not gotten to know anyone well yet. Perhaps in time. It is just…” Again Rovan swallowed clawing at dirt before him. “Everywhere I go, I do not see this present. I see my past. I see what was and what will never be. It pains me to experience this. I thought I could handle it, but it has proved a more formidable adversary than intended.” The wolf took in a deep breath shuffling to his paws pacing back and forth before the Descai Alpha. “I hate this. I hate him. He left me! My own father left me.” Rovan was working himself into a fury now ranting all his pent up angers and frustrations. Snarling, the brute’s fur bristled as a fierce look entered his green eyes. “He’s probably dead by now, the bastard. He died hating me, loathing my existence. I’ll never forget the look in his eyes as I saw him leave. He thought of me as a monster, an abomination!” Hot tears were welling in the wolf’s eyes. Rovan was wounded beyond words. “My mother had been raped by another male. Meridian and my brother, Kodiak Black, were his offspring. I, and I alone, belonged to my father; yet, he died thinking I was not his. He died thinking that I was just another reminder of my mother’s betrayal. Can you believe that bastard had the gall to step into my father’s lands, warm up to my father, and falling for it; he accepted that monster as his Beta. It was the ultimate betrayal!” Again, Róvanfaer snarled jumping onto his hind legs letting his claws scrap down the wall of the mine. His muzzle clenched together struggling to regain his composure. The brute’s forehead touched the cool surface of the wall. Eyes closed forcing back the tears unwilling to let them fall. “He hated me,” Róvanfaer whispered, “He hated me.” Sliding away from the wall, Rovan stood there trembling lightly. He suddenly found himself exhausted. With a low hanging head, the wolf peered at Vorilye’s golden socks. “Forgive me, sir. I have held onto my anger for far too long. I did not mean to burden you with it.” What was he to do now? Pacing to the entrance of the mines, the large male peered out into the distant lands. A breeze entered the mine washing over him, cooling him off completely. Róvanfaer took in yet another deep breath expelling it letting go of his past. It was time to move on. There was nothing to be done about what had come to pass. It was time to focus on what was to be. “If I may – why did you let me join Descai?” The wolf toss the words casually over his shoulder to the black alpha. Why would Vorilye let him in? Even if Rovan did not pose a threat, this was no longer Exodus’ land. Rovan was no more entitled to it than Rakt was. Truth be told, the Alpha’s decision confused the young male. Had their positions been switched, would he have done the same? This time, Róvanfaer turned to observe his Alpha. It was ironic how similar Vorilye was to his father – yet the two were astronomically different. Uncomfortably, Rovan turned away. It was a silly, fleeting thought. Vorilye had many things to worry about including his own children. Róvanfaer’s daddy issues should not have to trouble the Alpha. How selfish it would be.