Failure [Volk]

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Raven's breaths came is great staggering coughs as he regained consciousness, and a great roaring filled his ears, and pounded in his head like thunder. He opened his eyes gently, and realized for the first time that he was shivering, his fur clinging to his body in wet clumps, doing nothing to stop the chill of the wind blowing gently across his soaking form. The clouds hung morosely overhead, blocking out the sun in waves, as if to remind him of the warmth that he wasn't allowed to feel. The tide lapped gently at his legs and tail, and when at last he tried to lift his head, he found it impossible. He'd no idea how long he'd spent in the sea, but one thing was clear: he was still alive, and as his lungs heaved in fits that left them aching, he wished, not for the first time, that he wasn't.

When his eyes finally cleared, he saw a large waterfall nearby, falling into a pool that Raven imagined would have sparkled beautifully were it not for the cloud cover above. He wished that he could pick himself up and move away from the coast, but his muscles refused to budge, and as his coughing finally subsided, he was left freezing and alone. He lay, curled up in a ball wishing desperately that he'd drowned. He shut his eyes again, and whimpered. Tama's voice whispered gently to him in the back of his mind. This is what you get for trying to kill yourself, dummy.

No, he responded, This is what I get for failing to kill myself.

As time passed, he felt his muscles regaining strength, and he slowly dragged himself away from the coast, and near the side of the pool. As soon as he set himself down, he wondered why he'd thought it was a good idea to move himself toward the source of the constant pounding in his brain, rather than away from it. He also began to wonder if something was going to come and eat him, as he had no idea whether there were predators of some sort in the area. In fact, he had no idea where he was at all. With all the water around him, he figured there was no way he has in Africa anymore. He still wondered how he'd made it all the way to the coast of Africa without getting mauled. There had been plenty of predators around, yet somehow he'd gotten out unscathed.

And then you threw yourself into the ocean. Great idea, Tama chided sarcastically.

"At least I chose to drown," Raven growled in response, "You went and fell in a river. Now who's the idiot?"

That was a low blow... Tama whispered.

Raven decided not to dispute the issue. His head was still pounding, and he just wanted to sleep. He closed his eyes gently, and sighed. He'd figure out where he was when he wasn't about to die. He coughed one last time, and tried to sleep. Sadly, it was too cold for that, his shivering body reminded him, but he pretended that he was resting at least.

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Volk had been making his way toward the falls for a rest and a drink when he noticed a dark shape approaching. It was another wolf. Instantly, his ears went back, and he stayed to the shadows. No reason to react until he had a better idea of what was going on.

Hidden in the shadows, Volk watched the black furred brute approach the pool and drink. The stranger looked half drowned and bone tired. Volk was sure he must have looked much the same when he had first arrived on Ina’mos. Where had he come from? Why was he here?

His ears perked when he heard the male talking to someone. He scanned the area and did not see anyone else there. Perhaps you are haunted by your past, he thought. He heard him mention choosing to drown, and shuddered. Volk had nearly drowned himself, and did not know who would choose such a fate. Still pondering what to do, he watched as the male curled up and attempted to sleep, but unsuccessfully. The Chernobyl Grey Wolf thought to fetch Belial, but lingered a moment longer, deciding to see what he could learn first on his own.

“You know, you are on pack land,” Volk declared, stepping forward, out of the shadows. Trying to keep the meeting civil, he continued. “I arrived by the water myself a short time ago. How was your trip? I and my brother were lucky to survive.”

He sat down a few feet away, waiting to see how the stranger would respond. Though this male was slightly larger than himself, they weighed about the same. Volk did not mind fighting if he had to, but he was more curious about the arrival of this wolf, than in chasing him away, at least at the moment. “Did any others come with you?”

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Just as Raven thought he was about to shrivel up and die, he heard the voice of another wolf not far away. He had not heard anything approach, but then again, the waterfall was kind of distracting. As the voice rang out in Raven's ears, they bounced around in his head and beat at his brain for a while, and he groaned. He didn't answer the voice at first, for fear that any sort of thought on his part might cause his brain to fall apart, but when he did, his voice was weak, although strong enough to be heard over the waterfall.

"If you've made the same trip then you should know how absurd it seems that you're questioning a wolf who's half dead. I didn't choose to wash up here, believe me, so whoever's land this is can blame to ocean for my arrival. In fact, I didn't choose to wash up at all, so if I'm to be killed for trespassing, I ask that you do so quickly rather than letting me freeze to death. I assure you, no one will come looking for me," Raven sighed, the last second ringing in his heart a moment, before escaping with his breath.

He did not open his eyes, or turn to look at the stranger. He did not want to see his expression, for he was afraid of what devilish impression might mar his muzzle. In truth, he was equally afraid of pitying eyes and vicious snarls, so he kept his eyes shut, and let the throbbing of his brain distract him from the wolf who lay a short distance away. It was too much to hope his expression would be neutral. He simply curled himself up more, resigning himself to whatever fate this stranger would give him. Secretly, he prayed for a quick death.

But even the pounding in his brain could not keep logic from interjecting in his prayers. If the stranger had made the journey, and now lived, then death was almost certainly not coming. He imagined he would join the pack whose land on which he now lay. And things would go back to the way they were, back when he had another name, and a person who he could call friend. Back when he still dreamed he could be happy, and the future was still bright. Except that he had changed too much to believe that things would be that way. He knew he'd always be alone, not for his sake, but for theirs. And so despite logic's interjection, he prayed for a quick death, and his heart, like his head, throbbed deeply.

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“You’re talking, so you’re not dead yet,” Volk commented, staring at the creature before him. His heart went out to him, sensing a great deal of loss coming from him. He could relate. But then again, he had been happy to be rid of his old pack and to have found a new life for himself and his brother. He was lucky to have Cailo, he knew. This brute appeared to be utterly alone.

Volk lay where he was and watched the black wolf with piercing grey eyes. The stranger spoke with his eyes closed, too drained to even open them and confront who was speaking to him. Part of him wanted to comfort this newcomer, to let him know that there could be a place here for him if he chose, and if Belial allowed, but this male did not seem to want to be comforted, even admitting that no one would come for him. Volk’s ears twitched. Was his death to have been a penance for something? This brute was intriguing to him, if nothing else, and Volk wanted to learn more.

“I’m not going to kill you,” Volk declared. He moved forward until he was laying beside him. He could feel the coolness radiating from him and hoped that his closeness would help warm the other. “Lay still and rest. Get warm. Regain your strength.” He lay his head on his outstretched paws. “You are going to need it regardless to what you decide to do with yourself.”

The sound of the falls was overwhelming, and he almost wished he had stumbled across the stranger elsewhere. But here is where he was, and he was in no shape to move anywhere else, so Volk was determined to aid him as best he could, and then decide what to do with him. He lay quietly, side by side with the black wolf.

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For a long while after his first comment, the other wolf did not move. Raven imagined that he was thinking very hard on something, but he couldn't quite be sure what is was. Perhaps he was deciding whether or not to kill him, or perhaps he was simply deciding whether or not Raven was dangerous. Either way, a lump was growing in the pit of his stomach, and he wished that whatever the wolf was going to do, he would do it quickly. He imagined he could feel his fur freezing.

As the wolf spoke again, Raven theorized that he could have been right in both cases, because he walked over and lay beside Raven. He could feel the warmth coming off his body, and immediately his stomach twisted. On the one hand, he knew it was necessary. He would die if he didn't find a way to warm up soon, but on the other hand, the idea that this wolf might be his friend at some point terrified him. He'd seen what happened to wolves who got too close to him, and this wolf didn't seem like he deserved it. Besides that, he mentioned that he had a brother. Raven imagined telling his brother that he was dead, imagined the look on his face, and felt the shame he'd feel when he'd have to tell him whose fault it was. He wanted very badly to drive the wolf off.

But the wind swept gently across his damp fur, and he knew that it wasn't an option at the time. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed this wolf right now. The wolf told him to rest, and gather his strength, and he had to admit to himself that he already felt better with the wolf's warm body up against him. He allowed the knot in his stomach to untie itself, and sighed. If he'd known this was the position he'd end up in, he probably would have thrown himself to the lions. It would have been painful, sure, but at least he'd know his death was assured. He never imagined he'd actually survive the churning currents of the ocean.

When at last, Raven felt he had enough strength, he turned to face the stranger who was taking care of him, but instead of finding a stranger, he found himself face to face with Tama. He blinked a couple of times, and shook his head, but the image persisted. Tama was not smiling, the way he'd seen him before, i was more than that. There was a playful look on his muzzle, and Raven's brow furrowed in confusion. After a few moments, he looked away, and put his head back down. He didn't know what Tama was playing at, but he didn't think he liked it. If you want something, why don't you just say it, you lazy jerk?

"I'm surprised you haven't asked why I did it yet," Raven sighed, only commenting to break the awkward silence, "Most people can guess, but everyone asks anyways. Are you just that confident, or just that clueless?" Raven did not look at the wolf for fear of seeing Tama again, but he still raised his brow inquiringly just in case the wolf was watching him. He couldn't imagine what else he'd be looking at. The falls and pool were pretty dull, considering the lack of sun, and since this was probably an island the sea could probably be seen from just about anywhere. He secretly hoped his question would anger the wolf enough to drive him off, or better yet, tear out his throat, but somehow he doubted it. Part of him wondered if he'd ever try offing himself again.

You better not, you big dope," Tama sneered, and Raven mentally rolled his eyes.

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For a long while, Volk lay quietly beside the stranger. In fact, the steady sound of the falls and their breathing was very relaxing, and he felt himself growing tired. He startled himself awake, when he felt the stranger move. Muscles tensed as he prepared for an attack, but it never came. Perhaps he was only appraising him as he had done to the stranger earlier.

The other wolf spoke first, breaking the silence. Why hadn’t he asked why he had tried to kill himself? He pondered it a moment, then turned to the black wolf, whose eyes were still closed, as though refusing to look at him.

“We all have our own stories,” Volk said. “You’ll tell yours if and when you are ready to.” He peered at him closer. His black fur seemed to be drier than when he had first encountered him. It would probably take him a while to feel ‘alive’ again, but this was at least an improvement. Still beside him, he sat up. “My name is Volk,” he offered. “My former pack tried to kill my brother for being, well, different. Before they had that chance, humans came and gathered us together and tried to kill us all. My brother and I survived. They did not.”

He looked around at the trees, wondering if any of the members of Ferus were around to witness their interaction. No one had appeared. “I do not know who you are or why you tried to kill yourself,” Volk said. “But as you are still alive, perhaps washing up here is an opportunity for you to do better for yourself. Consider it a second chance if you will.” His stomach gave a growl, and he considered the condition of the stranger. “Hungry? If I catch something, will you eat it?”

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Raven hadn't expected the wolf - Volk he said his name was - to be so understanding, but then again, he said his brother was... different. Raven could only speculate what that meant, and decided not to ask. If things kept going the way they were, he would most likely meet this brother of his soon enough. He was beginning to feel a lot better, but he quickly realized that he was incredibly hungry. As if on cue, Volk offered to catch him some food.

"I wanted to drown, not die of starvation. Yes, I'll eat whatever you catch for me," he smirked, finding the strength to sit up a little. "And as for second chances... let's just say there was someone who deserved it a lot more than I do now. I don't see why I'm being saved. I've brought nothing but pain and death to everyone I love..." he sighs, his smirk fading, and his voice trailing off as his eyes go blank for a moment as he remembers the accusing stares of his former pack, and the way he acted after Tama died. He remembered every insult that was whispered when they thought he wasn't around, and he believed them all. Curse... Freak... Dangerous...

"But under the circumstances, I'll take what I can get, I suppose. Thank you. For everything. My name is Raven. It's good to meet you, Volk," he said sincerely, but his muzzle remained in a frown and his eyes still stared off to a place far, far away from where he was. He visits the den where he was born, and the river where Tama drowned. He wasn't there when one of his caretakers fell through thin ice, but he visits the spot in the forest where he'd been playing when they told him, glaring down at him like he'd cracked the ice on purpose. A scream built in the back of his mind the whole time, and soon it consumed all his thoughts. But it never graced his throat. He wouldn't let it. That would make Volk worry, and then they would be close, and then something bad would happen to him too. He didn't want that, so he remained silent, and stared down at his paws.

When at last, he came to his senses, he noticed that the throbbing his head had all but gone, and despite the dismal weather, the sun seemed to be shining brightly. If anyone deserves a second chance, it's you, Tama whispered in the back of his head. He prayed that Tama was right.

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Raven said that there was someone else who had deserved the second chance more than him. Volk shrugged as he stood. “Not sure why you survived, Raven, but you did,” he said. “Make the most of it.” That was what he tried to do himself.

He regarded the newcomer. Black fur. Grey eyes. At least he looked a little better than when he first drug himself to the waterfall. “You won’t starve,” he said. “At least, not if I have anything to do with it.” Volk stretched and tried to get life back into his limbs. Trying to warm Raven had sapped his own energy it seemed.

The area around the falls seemed very quiet, so it would appear he would have to go at least a little piece to find some prey. He turned briefly to Raven before bolting off into the forest. His ears twitched as he continued on, hoping to pick up some other movement around him. He was a little concerned as to where Cailo had gotten himself off to, but he tried to put it out of his mind for now. He would make a kill, eat and feed Raven, and then set off to find his brother.

Focusing on the current need, he was pleased to catch a scent on the breeze. The wind was picking up. He could smell moisture on the wind, but also something else. He honed in on that. What was it? Then he heard something, a squealing. A smile crossed his muzzle. He crouched down and slowly approached the sound, to discover a mother boar making her way with a few young at her tail.

Alone, he was not even going to attempt the mother, but one of the young would certainly be possible. He would have preferred the pack to better handle a hunt like this, but he was hungry, and he knew Raven needed food if he were to regain his strength. With a determined glare to his eyes, he began stalking them. He kept waiting for the right opportunity to pounce. And at last it came. The mother was leading them across the river, and one piglet was reluctant to cross. Will she was busy with the others, he acted.

He charged the piglet, bit it in the neck, and even as it struggled, he pulled it away from the river and back into the trees, out of sight of it’s family. He held tight as the young thing struggled and flailed, crying out. But soon it was silent and motionless. While his chest hurt from where it had flung it’s legs into him in its attempt to flee, he was otherwise none the worse for wear. He listened and heard the boars in the distance. Chances were the mother had not yet noticed that one of her young was missing.

Taking a few moments, Volk ate. He ripped into its flesh and ate until the twisting in his stomach had subsided. And there was still plenty of the piglet left for Raven, and perhaps Cailo later on. Liking the blood from his muzzle, Volk grabbed ahold of the piglet by a leg and began dragging the carcus back to the waterfall and Raven. On returning, he brought it to the black wolf. “Go ahead,” he said. “Eat your fill.”

NOTE: The bold and italic isn't working...Sorry.

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Raven could not help but notice that Volk had already eaten his own fill before he sat down again with him. He didn't say as much, but the wolf's reluctance to eat with him secretly confirmed his own suspicions that nothing would change, no matter what pack he joined. He would be an outcast here, just as he had been at his old pack in Siberia. They'd still treat him like a stranger, and he'd remain on the outside of the pack, only there because he'd been put there by forces greater than himself. He stared at the meat for a full thirty seconds before digging in, and eating his fill.

When he'd finished, he licked his muzzle in an attempt to clean off as much blood as he could, but even as he finished, much of the glossy black fur was still stained crimson. For a minute, he said nothing. There wasn't much that he had to say that wouldn't make him sound pathetic and weak. He didn't want Volk hanging around him out of pity, or anyone else for that matter. He remembered the first time he met Tama.... there was no pity in his eyes. Just a love that made every insult seem insignificant and obsolete. He wondered if anyone would look at him that way again, and how he would react if they did. Things were so different now... he was so much more naive back then. Did he know too much now to ever look at someone they way he did Tama?

Raven stared down at his paws. "I've been searching my life for a reason to live for a year of my life and come up with nothing. Maybe things will change here, but maybe not. Maybe I'll find that nothing will ever change, and it's out of my control," Raven sighed, and he looked Volk dead in the eye. "Everyone says that the bottom is made of solid stone, but I can tell you from experience that that's a lie. The stone is just a safety to keep you from falling any further. But for people like me that safety doesn't exist, and the bottom is a sinkhole that keeps dragging you further and further down, and with each passing day, it devours more and more of the person you used to be, until your head finally goes under and you become nothing. Only when you finally disappear do you realize that nothing is coming to save you. That day when I stood on the African coast, I was so empty that I could feel the wind blow through me, and my head disappeared beneath the bottom. I decided that death would be better than the emptiness. If I had known I was going to wake up, I would have thrown myself to the lions, and even now, I can feel the cold hind howling through my veins. Maybe things will get better Volk, but how long will I have to wait for death until I can be sure? Can you tell me? Can anyone? Faith is something that deserted me long ago, and hope is just a fleeting memory. I didn't ask for a second chance."

Raven finally felt strong enough to stand, so he did so, if for no other reason than to move again. "That aside, I'm grateful to you for feeding me, and keeping me warm. I don't mean to depress you, I just want you to know how I feel. This way if i disappear one day because I'm sure that nothing has changed, you won't come looking for me. You'll just know that I'm gone, and move on," he explained sadly, and began moving away from the coast. "Now, I think it's time I met the alpha of your pack, if I'm going to be staying for any length of time. Maybe I can meet you brother as well."

Raven did not smile as he walked. He was not an optimistic person, and did not believe that anything would be different. Raven could not help but notice that Volk had already eaten his own fill before he sat down again with him.

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Volk watched Raven eye him suspiciously when he brought the food. Was he upset I didn’t wait to eat with him? Volk often ate alone, or solely with his brother, as others were often either offended by the younger wolf’s behavior, or there would not be anything left for them to eat as he would have to coax him to eat. He did not need to explain himself to this newcomer. He could eat or not, as he chose. After regarding the food, Raven finally ate. Volk sat to the side and tried to focus on the vegetation around them, or the falls, or anything else so as to not sit and stare at Raven, as that would have been rude. When the black wolf was finished eating, he licked his muzzle.

He watched the other wolf contemplate something and then speak. He spoke for a while and Volk listened. He felt for this wolf. He had apparently lost something very precious to him and a void was left in its place. A void that he doubted he would ever be able to fill. “Only you can determine what you do with what time you are given,” Volk said. “Seldom is anyone born in ideal circumstances with ideal surroundings and situations. We are the products of all we have encountered and done. I do not know why your life was spared or why you were given a second chance. But you should try to make the most of it.”

Raven mentioned meeting the alpha, and Volk nodded. “Yes,” he agreed. “You need to meet with Belial, especially as you are on Ferus territory. Besides, he may be able to help you, offer you something to help you decide what to do with yourself. He may even be able to help you fill that void you talk of.” He nodded again, then lifted his head and howled. He called to Belial.

Finished, he turned to Raven. “Regardless to what the alpha says, I do hope you find a path that brings you happiness.” He sat and listened, waiting for a response.

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The last line that Volk said to him made him deeply grateful that this wolf had found him, but an image flashed in his mind of Tama falling into the river, and he closed his eyes to clear his vision, and sat. "If I'm not accepted by your alpha, then you can be sure that I will not live much longer. And even if he does, there's no guarantee that I will stay for very long," Raven told him sadly, "And I very much doubt that your alpha could fill this particular void. Or anyone else in this pack, for that matter. Tama was... one of a kind." Raven sighed and walked back over to Volk, ignoring the fact that it was Tama he saw instead, and staring at his feet.

Don't look for me in death, stupid. You won't find me there, Tama scolded him.

Then where are you?

Tama did not reply. It seemed like he was hesitating, like he himself was unsure. Well, wherever you are, I wish I could bring you back. But I can't... Raven whispered to him sadly.

Then move on...

Raven stared at his paws. He couldn't move on. He couldn't let the only kindness he'd ever been shown disappear from his life. He was afraid of the dark, and without his ray of light, it would close in quickly. There are other lights out there, Tama reminded him, You only have to look in the right direction.

Raven looked toward the trees, waiting for the alpha to come. He hoped that Tama was right, and that those lights would shine soon. He knew that his light was going out, and he needed a replacement.

"Volk... I don't mean to be nosey, but... how is your brother 'different'? I'm only curious," Raven asked, not looking at the other wolf. His fur had finally dried, and he at least file warm, but his muscles, though strong enough to move, still felt sluggish and heavy. He needed to talk to keep his mind off them, and the wolf's brother was the first topic to come to mind. He had guessed the answer himself at first mention of it, but he wanted to know the truth before he decided anything,if only for the sake of knowing. He had to look ahead. There was nothing behind him but pain.

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A sound sharply caught the Alpha's audits, awakening from his light relaxation. The Alpha was far too paranoid to dare fall into a complete sleep, rather it seemed that one frozen eye always remained open. Just in case something should dare happen to his family, Fenrir had blessed him with permission to guide these creatures. The deity had told him what to do! The Kenai brute was not going to let this angel above fall, rather he wanted to raise The Lord higher every damned day. Few seemed to realize the switch the brute made between hearing some divine being and believing himself to be that very creature, it seemed to still remain a dark mystery held within the prophet. 'Maybe Ahri knows,' certainly his mate may have some sort of clue about his insanity, he had yet to acknowledge it in the slightest. Those that are crazy may never truly view their actions in the ways that others do; thus, remaining blissfully unaware of their true inward troubles.

Offering a halfhearted yawn and grumble, the massive wolf pushed himself into a standing position. "Play time," he mused to himself in an attempt to lighten his typically dismal view on the world around him. At least Ferus was living within a safe, pure land; they would not be tainted by the sins of other creatures. It especially excited the brute with the Alphess' pregnancy, soon he would be a father. There would be little ones to raise and teach; a part of that nearly made the gray beast grin. Now was not the time for such games, there were large tasks at hand. Someone had dared to howl for him, now it was time for his move. Paws set to drumming against the ground, rapidly decreasing his distance from the sound he had heard. 'Perhaps others long to be saved - we all know they do,' the deeper tone rang out within his skull, the one that pleasantly belonged to Fenrir. On occasion the god would become snippy with the wolf, but Belial always obeyed. Life was too precious to waste - he was a martyr persistently living to better others. That was the way of his world and he very much liked things this way.

Minutes passed before his vibrant sapphire optics landed upon the two creatures conversing ahead. It caught the Alpha off guard slightly to catch his pack mate Volk had beat him to greeting this strange new face. It made Belial proud, he felt confident that Volk would not risk his nor his brother's life in order to chat with some stranger. The Chernobyl canine knew what could potentially happen if the Kenai believed that there were traitors among them. Perhaps the brute had not directly spoken the consequences; however, by now he assumed that everyone had formed some sort of terrible idea inside their minds. He demanded complete devotion to himself and Ferus if one wishes to call Ina'mos their home, but in return they gained heaven. There was divine protection cast down upon them - in the form of the Alpha himself of course. With his brutal fighting style, he thought that all would fall who attempted to fight against him. None could take down the power from the skies, the only canine that could contain such glory was himself - the others would simply fail and make fools of themselves. 'As if they do not already appear to be born of ignorance,' he resisted the urge to chuckle at his thoughts.

Carefully the brute examined the foreigner before directing his speech towards Volk. "Salutations, I surely hope you and your brother are doing well here." the Alpha slipped an emotionless grin towards the familiar face. Belial was not exactly known to be the most emotional canine, rather he stayed rather frigid as if he was nearly frozen away from himself. Dissociation was frequent within the canine's mind, somehow he maintained all required functioning. After all, Fenrir could not have a gimpy leader. That would only bring the pack down to its knees. They were a family and soon to be one with children, nothing would be damaging them now. Attention played across the other male for an additional few seconds before the Alpha opted to speak. "I am Belial the leader of Ferus." Another pause sliced throughout the air as he let his name sink into Raven's mind. "What do you call yourself, and if I may ask your intentions for summoning me." it was time to cut to the chase and establish why the other creature was here.

One could never be too careful, especially not with Ahri's due date drawing near. Belial felt a few pangs of concern on occasion when it came to his mate. She was quite large for the length of time within her pregnancy, but that was to be expected. After all, the Alpha was nearly double her size. The brute flexed his claws into the ground beneath his paws, waiting as patiently as he possibly could. Despite his extended work towards forming Ferus, he had the tendency to become quite impatient. Always did he desire to know everything about anything, that included other wolves. Audits flicked once or twice indicating his interest in who was going to speak next and what they may say.

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Volk was considering how to describe Cailo when Belial, the Alpha of Ferus, made his appearance. The grey brute with blue eyes arrived, and instantly, Volk bowed his head. Even though the alpha spoke to him, asking how he and his brother were, he kept himself lowered. “We are well, alpha,” Volk replied. “We have found Ferus a most hospitable residence.” That was sufficient of a conversation, especially since the alpha’s attention had already refocused onto the new arrival.

In the back of his mind, Volk wondered if he would be reprimanded for having interacted with Raven before having gone to told Belial of his presence. But he thought that in the condition he had found him in, immediate attention to his welfare had been warranted. If nothing else, he had simply helped to prepare him for his audience with the alpha. Belial introduced himself to Raven. Volk took this as a good opportunity to inform him of the situation and his actions.

With a lowered head, Volk inclined his gaze toward the newcomer. “His name is Raven, alpha,” Volk said. “I found him a short time ago, laying here by the falls. He arrived on Ina’mos from the ocean, having survived an ordeal at sea.” The Chernobyl Grey Wolf knew Belial was aware of how he and Cailo had come here to be part of Ferus. “I took the opportunity to greet him and see to his immediate needs. I was compelled to do so.” He lowered his gaze. “I warmed him and fed him, and then called for you.”

Volk rose and took a few steps away, so as to stand behind Raven and to the side. It was now his turn to explain to Belial what he would of his past and current situation. Volk wandered if he would ask to stay to be part of Ferus, or if he would leave, to remain a loner.