Nothing But Tough (Open)

[Zirena]

Zirena had walked just past the Acerbus line into the Sands of Rodorr. She hadn't even been far enough for a major temperature change though she was starting to feel the warmth of the desert. Her black paws walked across the white sand while her golden eyes kept a look out for any who might be looking for her. With most of the pack already gone, Zirena doubted that there would be any kind of a search party.

The young wolf was left with a conflict of emotion in her heart. Her sisters Valeria and Zofia had left Descai without so much as a word. They hadn't come to invite her along or to at least say good-bye. Zirena felt that she was at least somewhat close with her sisters (although they were always much closer with each other than they ever were with her) and it pained her to think that they'd just leave her. On the other side of things, it felt as though Descai were loosing it's strong base. Under Vorilye's reign, Zirena never felt fear or uncertainty but with Ryker it was a different story. She hadn't heard anything from her half-brother since he had been chosen as the next leader, aside from one short pack meeting which was months ago. Zirena felt anxious about Descai's future under Ryker. Confronting him directly about it wouldn't end well for her, however.

Perhaps Val and Zo had been right in leaving. Maybe she should as well... She was already out of the territory. All she had to do was walk away and she'd be rid of the seemingly inevitable downfall of her birth pack. She wouldn't have to sit by and watch a pack that her father had built from the ground up be destroyed by her brother who couldn't even be bothered to keep the pack updated with what was going on.

She wanted to clear her head. Being in solitude had a way of making problems seem so easily solvable and decisions so easily made. Would she stay and hang on for the sake of her dearest father with whom she couldn't have loved more or, did she leave before the storm came? It was the single most difficult decision the young fae had come across. It should be easy but she loved her pack. She loved the land. She loved what it stood for: strength, perseverance, victory and growth. However, Zirena feared that the pack would be none of those things under their current leader. Ryker simply couldn't look past his own nose long enough to see anyone else. He had always been that way ever since Zirena had met him. He was always sulking or angry at someone, not seeing the others he was affecting. She herself had tried to comfort him during his time of depression but he had shut her out, refusing help. He was too proud for help. His heart seemed as though it was made of stone, like nothing could penetrate it. He didn't seem to feel any compassion or a sense of kindness.

Zirena couldn't get the feeling out of her heart that Descai would be better off without Ryker.

---

@open
Notes: Welp, she's just wandering around near the Rodorr/Acerbus borderline so feel free to drop in your character!
Muse: Not bad. Especially since she's been sitting on the back burner for a while  

[Deleted]

Fucking sand.

A throaty growl left Goliath’s lips in a harsh release of air as his enormous paws once again sunk into the boundless grip of the desert, the misleading depth of the beige sea forcing the giant wolf’s march to become heaving and lumbering. This sand was all wrong – it was nothing like that of the pristine beaches of his island home, where the moisture from the sea allowed the sand to hold some substance and keep it’s shape even when stepped upon by a monolithic creature such as himself.

This sand was… dirty, and too loose, lifting erratically with the hot wind until it became a filthy, blinding gust straight into his eyes. His growl became a constant sound underneath his breathing, unrelenting and dissatisfied with the location he found himself in. His senses were already sharpened, heightened so to observe everything before him – his gaze remained trained on the vacant, sandy abyss, expecting and hoping that the dark-pelted wench that had mauled his sister would appear on the horizon any day now. His lips peeled open to exhale another rattling breath, his heavy limps forcing his weight upwards to find the summit of another dune, which became increasingly more arduous the deeper his paws waded into the powdery sand, his bulky limbs already straining from his journey.

As he reached the peak of the dusty mound, his eyes narrowed at the wide landscape that now confronted him, but his sharp gaze was immediately drawn to a moving speck not too far from his current position. His growl ceased in exchange for pensive silence – what was that? Goliath had never one had the misfortune of venturing into the desert before, and he was yet to find himself acquainted with the fauna that called this humid wilderness their home. Was it a coyote, or perhaps a jackal?

Goliath’s broad head lowered to sniff tentatively at the breeze, his dry jowls falling open to assess the scent. It definitely smelled like a wolf – a female wolf – and though his ears perked in sudden interest, his features remained lax in doubt. Surely not… he had seen rabbits with more fat than her. Curiosity overcame his cynical nature and he paced forward, pleased to discover that descending from the dune proved a far easier task that climbing up it. Gravity did most of the work in pulling his heavyweight frame down the slope, but the amount of sand and dust that was blown askew in the process was incredible, lifting into an enormous filthy cloud behind him.

His approach was casual, aside from the obvious squaring of his stature and upwards arch of his neck to assess her from his full height. As this was not his land, nor was it claimed by any other pack, the necessity for defensiveness or hostility was nil. His tongue slipped out from his maw to lewdly wet his lips, his eyes shining with observation and a hint of atrocity.

“You,” he grunted sternly, although at this point he expected he already had this diminutive creature’s full attention. His eyes roamed her petite body, inwardly relishing in her thread-like form – the gangly limbs and obscenely trim frame all yearned for his attention, but for now, his intentions were too focused to recede into such carnal thoughts.

“I’m searching for a black wolf – a sinner by the name of Xion. Has such a femme crossed your path?” he eyed her intently, his tone brusque. “…Or am I wasting my breath in speaking with you.”

TAGGED: Zirena

[Zirena]

The sand wasn't something that she was used to. Her paws were much more used to the grass and the forest that made up her home land. However, it was like her body was built for living in the desert. Her tall, thin frame glided gracefully across the sandy surface. She didn't find herself sinking and walking was only slightly more difficult as her muscles weren't used to it.

Off in the distance, Zirena noticed a large figure. A wildebeest? A lost rhinoceros? Zirena couldn't tell but whatever it was, she had little interest in it. She wasn't here hunting. Even if she was, whatever that beast was was much too large for her. After not paying attention to the figure for several minutes, she found that it was coming in her direction. It wasn't hard to believe that it hadn't seen her. Even if it had, she was no threat to it. If it came closer this way, she'd simply move out of the way for it.

However, when it came closer, she started picking up it's scent. It was most certainly a wolf.. and a male one. As he came closer, he had gained Zirena's full attention. He was the largest male she had ever seen. He was at least four times her size, if not five. He was even larger than her brother and her father. Her heart started pounding in her chest though she couldn't run from him. That would only trigger the instinct to chase. Zirena felt that instinct every time she went hunting and it was a very powerful one.

He was casual in his walk and why wouldn't he be? What did he have to fear out here? Though Zirena was beginning to believe that maybe the outside world wasn't as safe as she thought. She could tell that he was sizing her up, but for what? He couldn't possibly be wanting to fight her. Zirena noticed the scent of a possible pack lurking around on the large male's pelt. A pack always smelled like a mixture of different wolves. Zirena, had the smell of Descai lingering around her body but this male, smelled of at least 1 other male and a couple of females. He was either part of a traveling group or a pack. Or perhaps they were his family. It was impossible to tell but she knew for sure that he wasn't alone.

"You, I’m searching for a black wolf – a sinner by the name of Xion. Has such a femme crossed your path?…Or am I wasting my breath in speaking with you. ”

Though Zirena wasn't used to being spoken to with such a tone and her knee jerk reaction was to give him a piece of her mind, she kept herself calm. She knew she had to be on her best behavior to make it out of this.

"No, unfortunately I haven't seen her. However, I'd hate for this to be a waste of your time. If there's anything I can do to assist you in your search, I'd be happy to help," Zirena's voice was friendly but not too bubbly. Friends had told her that she had a friendly, but smart way of speaking and presenting herself. She used to be a bouncing ball of energy but with age, she's calmed down considerably. Besides the fact, that Zirena suspected that the male would turn down her offer. It wasn't often that another accepted the help from a complete stranger. Zirena assumed that the male was after a lover who had wronged him. She couldn't help but feel sorry for whatever femme had gotten on this male's bad side. She sure as hell wouldn't want him coming after her.

---

@golaith
Notes: Hopefully this goes well ^^
Muse: Pretty good  

[Deleted]

The ashy brute noticed how the tiny female remained calm, even when goaded by his abrupt, and mostly vulgar, greeting; a commendable act, considering their difference in stature should have rendered her quivering and speechless. She stood before him as a knee-high waif, whilst he stood with the air of a king, grand and undaunted. She, a pebble of a wolf - and he, the mountain. He could have searched his mind for more grandiose metaphors, but his self-indulgent train of thought was derailed as she began to speak.

No, unfortunately I haven't seen her. However, I'd hate for this to be a waste of your time. If there's anything I can do to assist you in your search, I'd be happy to help

Goliath’s expression remained unchanging – he merely stared at her emotionlessly, not even a smirk touching his lips. Had he truly expected this undersized female to offer him any useful information? Probably not, but his blind hope now left him with an unshakeable agitation. The lack of confrontation in her voice had clearly been intended to stave off his hostility, and for the most part, it had. Her response was polite and undeterred, even when confronted by a creature more monstrous than any common canine, and though anger was not apparent in his eyes, when her pack’s scent finally found its way to his nose, his nostrils flared devilishly. The arid desert had done well in smothering the intricacies of her scent, but now that they stood face to face, it was loudly apparent. This bitch belonged to Descai.

His russet ears flattened, hackles lifting in tentative remembrance of his unsavoury encounter with Ryker. He had entered their territory – albeit trespassing – offering a warning to him and his ungodly dwellers, and the favour had quickly turned into an argument of pettiness on behalf of the black and gold egomaniac. Goliath had vacated their territory after practically scolding the proud bastard down from his throne, seething from his jowls and spitting his superiority back at him, and the brief confrontation still riled a hot rush of anger in his blood.

“That comes as no surprise. You Descai are famed for your worthlessness,” his tone lowered unpleasantly. “Or perhaps that is merely the influence of your poor excuse of an alpha? Never before have I seen such foolishness from a wolf of his rank.”

He scowled distastefully, but his glare was aimed elsewhere – he knew his resentment was not for her, and taking his frustration out on this frail creature would achieve nothing, other than wasting his own time. The Descai alpha had already made it clear what he thought of his followers – common pack mongrels – so harming this one would be inconsequential to that big-headed brute.

“That imbecile has no idea of the wrath he has invited upon his family, tempting the fury of Fenrir with his boldness! I’ll raze everything in his damned home until there’s nothing left but ash and bones,” he proclaimed with grisly seriousness, his lips peeled back as he spoke each savage word. The other alpha had been fortunate that Goliath’s focus was committed on vengeance for his sister – but as he would soon learn, fortune was a fleeting dalliance. Finally, when Xion’s retribution had been found, he had every intention of returning to Acerbus to finish what he had begun.

TAGGED: Zirena

[Zirena]

This male's stature was definitely intimidating. With one swipe of his paw, Zirena could easily be dead. However tucking her tail and quivering like a lost little puppy wasn't Zirena's game. She wouldn't lose her integrity. Shayde had always been able to keep her head held high even when she submitted to Vorilye. Zirena was practicing some of the things that she'd seen Shayde do. Speak with integrity and honesty. Be straight forward, don't beat around the bush. Don't be stupid, submit to those who have greater power than you. Zirena never realized her mother's intelligence until after she was gone. It was tragic how her mother was taken at such a young age. When Zirena was younger, she always thought that her mother was "old" but now that she herself was a little older, she realized how young her mother really was and how young she was when she was pregnant. Zirena couldn't have asked for a better mother or a better role model than Shayde. She still missed her mother and thought of her almost every day. She had to believe that there was some kind of afterlife that her mother was enjoying right now. She couldn't even entertain the idea that the end was the end. For her own sake, she had to believe in something more than this world.

When Zirena offered to help the large brute on his quest, his expression hadn't changed. She was assuming that that meant "no." Though his complete lack of expression was more than a tad disturbing. Suddenly, his nostrils flared and his hackles raised. Something had changed in the brute's mind. Zirena preferred it when he was emotionless.

Zirena lowered herself closer to the ground, making herself seem as small and insignificant as possible. She lowered her tail so that instead of hanging in a neutral position, it was on the ground. Her back partially arched in full submission to the large brute. Her nose pointed upwards towards the massive brute whose mood changes were enough to give anyone whiplash. She had never submitted to anyone so fully in her life, however she'd seen others do it and it usually calmed the more dominant wolf down slightly. Zirena had no interest in trying to dominate this large brute. Though, if he weren't pissed as hell at her for no understandable reason, it might be nice having him on her side.

“That comes as no surprise. You Descai are famed for your worthlessness.”

The picture started getting a little clearer. This wolf had some poor experience with Descai and was angry at her...? The logic didn't make any sense. She didn't make the rules. Ryker did. Unless this male was referring to Vorilye. It was hard to tell how old the brute was as size distorted true age but he very well may have encountered Vorilye while he was still alpha. The insult of a stranger didn't mean much to her personally though she didn't appreciate this male calling the entirety of her family "worthless." However, she wasn't in a position to argue. She'd stay quiet and listen to the rest of the brute's rant.

“Or perhaps that is merely the influence of your poor excuse of an alpha? Never before have I seen such foolishness from a wolf of his rank.”

He was surely speaking of Ryker. No one in their right mind would say that the great Vorilye was a foolish leader."That idiot," Zirena thought to herself. He had gone and made enemies with the biggest fucking wolf on the whole island and didn't even bother to tell anyone? This nonsense had to stop, that is if she made it out of this alive. Ryker needed a reality check and she'd be the one to give it to him.

The large brute scowled, but not at her, before continuing. “That imbecile has no idea of the wrath he has invited upon his family, tempting the fury of Fenrir with his boldness! I’ll raze everything in his damned home until there’s nothing left but ash and bones."

Zirena's stomach felt like it was going to drop straight out of her ass. She had to fix this. She couldn't let her family die over Ryker's pride. "I can't apologize enough for Ryker's rudeness. Whatever he has done, he deserves full punishment. But please, don't harm my family. I swear to you, they're innocent of anything that Ryker has done. We have a new litter, they're just a few months old. My father, he is weary with age. Please spare them. I'd be willing to trade you anything for their safety."

Zirena hoped that her plead would not fall of deaf ears. Normally, Zirena would never beg another wolf for anything but if it meant keeping the innocent away from harm, she'd beg and grovel all day. Ryker was too proud to put anyone else's needs above his own. He risked the lives of his family to save himself a little face. Zirena could care less if this brute saw her as weak or too emotional as long as her loved ones weren't in danger.

---

Goliath
Notes: *crosses fingers*
Muse: Excellent ^^  

[Deleted]

As the mouse of a she-wolf lowered herself to the ground in response to his aggression, Goliath’s stern expression tempered slightly, though not enough to reassure the submitting femme that he had been pacified. This girl was clever, he was learning quickly – where size and strength were not on her side, her sheer harmlessness was sure to keep her out of his warpath. Her dainty snout lifted in compliance whilst her frail figure was pressed against the sand as a proclamation of utmost surrender, further emphasising their immense size difference. Slowly, a smile touched his lips in substitution for the snarl, and his tail swayed in idle enjoyment of her humility. Prostration was not only a gesture of submission – to him, it was a sign of worship, which was nothing less than what he deserved.

I can't apologize enough for Ryker's rudeness. Whatever he has done, he deserves full punishment.

Her words surprised him, and his features darkened in accordance. What business did a subordinate have in speaking of her alpha in such a way? He had expected her to defend Ryker vehemently, or at the very least, to disregard the offensive rant as nothing more than undeserved scorn. The fact that she spoke of punishing him brought a twisted curiosity to his eyes. It seemed that the black and gold brute held little esteem to this femme, which meant that others in his pack likely felt the same way, unless she was the one brilliant exception. The alpha’s outburst, still vivid in his mind, seemed fitting now, given that his insecurity in his rank was warranted. Goliath grinned in triumph – he loved being proven right.

But please, don't harm my family. I swear to you, they're innocent of anything that Ryker has done. We have a new litter, they're just a few months old. My father, he is weary with age. Please spare them. I'd be willing to trade you anything for their safety.

Her pleading was music to his ears – the desperation in her voice a delightful melody that he would never tire of. It seemed that as a last resort, she was laying bare all of her pack’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities in an attempt to pluck at his heartstrings, which would have been a futile wish had her final sentence not piqued his attention. He stepped closer to leer at her small form from his extraordinary height, a throaty rumble of laughter descending over her.

“Anything? That is a dangerous proposition, little one,” he drawled with a perverted burr in his voice. “But if you think your timid pleading might soften my retaliation then you live in a naïve world.”

Honestly, what did he care if her elderly father was beaten from old age, or whether their pups were innocent and weak? He cared for his own family immensely – more than anything – but he had no room in his decrepit heart to care for others outside of his own pack. This was the law of nature – those with softer, kinder souls so often spread themselves too thin in caring for anyone and anything, that their own life became second to the survival of others. True strength was in the solidarity of one’s own kin, and outside of that sacred unit, nothing mattered. Not the death of others, nor the suffering of the innocent. His survival was of paramount importance, followed closely by the continuation of his family.

“My interests are far more carnal than you can imagine, and you mean to tempt me with a trade? There is only one thing you could offer me – the question is, are you prepared to sink any lower than you already have?” he spoke lowly, the wanton inflection in his voice expressing his meaning with shameless clarity. The red femme was already pushed flush against the dirt physically, but mentally, could she do the same?

TAGGED: Zirena

[Zirena]

As expected, the super sized male's expression calmed ever so slightly. It wasn't like males to show compassion or kindness or humility.No, they were all about fear and intimidation to try and prove it to themselves that they were strong so that others might believe it. Though, Zirena wouldn't dare call this reaction a "show." This large male had some anger issues, that was for certain. His slightly calmed expression was only proof that Zirena's violent show of submission fed his ego. The menacing brute's expression darkened as she spoke of her half-brother. She didn't expect him to understand the relationships between her siblings. They weren't your typical lovey dovey, big family kind of relationships. Honestly, Zirena hardly knew some of her siblings. She had tried to get close with Ryker when they were both younger. She tried to help him out of his depressions and all he did was shut her out or tell her to go away. Now, the tables had started to turn. Zirena cared for Ryker as he was family but she wouldn't allow his stupidity to affect the rest of her family. She had accepted the fact that Ryker's choices may be his own demise. Perhaps that was cold-hearted of her to feel that way but the truth was that she could not save everyone. She wasn't about to say that one life was worth more than another's but she could certainly say, with a clear conscious, that some lives were more innocent than others. Ryker was certainly not innocent in this situation. From everything that she was hearing, Ryker was bringing whatever was coming onto himself. She wasn't a savior and there was no telling that her pleading would even work. However, if it did, she'd be going home to rip her brother a new one.

“Anything? That is a dangerous proposition, little one. But if you think your timid pleading might soften my retaliation then you live in a naïve world.”

She knew full well that her offer was dangerous. She was leaving the door wide open for the brute to ask for anything he wanted. Herbs? Land? Hunting grounds? Ryker's head? There was a deep trench full of options. By the male's words, Zirena guessed that he was pondering her proposition. Or perhaps he had already decided and wanted her to believe that he was pondering it. The suspense was killing her. She needed to know whether Descai would be safe or if she needed to evacuate everyone. She hoped to whatever God or gods were up in the sky that this deal would work so they could stay in their home but Zirena was not about to let this male decide what was happening to her family. If he refused, she'd simply scatter them. They'd move around, hide in the dark - anything they had to do. This male thought he had power, that he was in control - but really, he didn't have anymore than she did. Zirena was smart, perhaps smarter than she was letting on. If there was one thing about her that never changed, it was that she always had a plan B.

“My interests are far more carnal than you can imagine, and you mean to tempt me with a trade? There is only one thing you could offer me – the question is, are you prepared to sink any lower than you already have?”

By the tone of his voice, Zirena could only assume that he wanted her sexually. If she had been thinking, she would have seen this coming. Males were only capable of thinking with their genitalia. It was sad, really that he couldn't come up with something that was worth a bit more than a few moments of pleasure but if that's what he wanted in exchange for her family's safety, he could have it. It was a small price to pay, really. Although.. there was a problem. Zirena wasn't old enough yet to mate although in a month's time she would be.

"If I'm understanding you correctly, I will be of age in a month's time. I will be able to pay your price then."

She chose her words carefully, something she'd learned from watching her mother. She wanted to use words that kept the male in control. They felt more comfortable that way. He was the one setting the price and she was the one paying it (although she believed she was getting the better end of the deal). She could only assume that they'd reached an agreement but she wouldn't know for sure until the male spoke again.

---

@zenith
Notes:
Muse: Not bad at all  

[Deleted]

If I'm understanding you correctly, I will be of age in a month's time. I will be able to pay your price then.

Shrewd girl, Goliath’s visage became appeased, but the blatant gratification in his eyes spoke of perversion rather than contentment. Despite her innocent appeal, she’d understood his insinuation without needing his intentions spelled out for her in bold, ugly words.

Her response seemed markedly unaffected, considering what she was giving up to conciliate him. Her tone was offhanded and direct, a tone often reserved for making casual observations about the weather – not signing away ones virginity in a sick pact, agreeing to all manners of violation. And without a doubt, Goliath was going to violate her – after all, if he was to claim her first lay, then we would make a lasting mark in her deflowering. It would be no fleeting liaison, and it definitely would not be over quickly, to her dismay; in fact, seeing as though she was so committed to leading a life of selflessness, he would be sure to teach her a lesson she would not soon forget. Altruism, even for the good of her close family, would always end up ultimately punishing her in some way or another. Self-sacrifice was just that – sacrifice.

Fortunately, this was equally a blessing for her as it was for him. The opportunity to carry his pups and deliver such consecrated greatness into the world was a gift. A miracle. No other being could honour her in such a way as he, to bestow true power from his loins into her womb. When the day arrived, she would tremble with unabated anticipation, or quiver with fear of his grandeur. One thing was certain – he would shake her to the bones one way or another when the moment came for her to be mounted, and he would have his romp with her in the most sacred and vicious of ways.

“A month is too early – pups should be birthed in the spring, unless you want them to perish from the cold. I will take your virginity at the end of winter,” he explained with a dark, immodest smile. There was no shame in being forthright. “If you change your mind or dare deny me, your pack will suffer for your unfaithfulness - but you are far too clever to throw away our arrangement, aren’t you?”

Regardless of what she believed of him, he would keep his word, given that she kept hers. The trade was fair – he would leave their weak little pack alone, and she would bear him pups to continue his divine legacy. There was the probability lingering in his mind that she might not become pregnant at all, in which case it was a sign that Fenrir deemed her unfit to bear his offspring, and their agreement would undeniably be nullified.

“For your own sake, I suggest you pray to every deity you know to exalt your womb with fruitfulness this coming season, or I might consider revoking our truce. And if you are worthy enough of bearing my blood… you should consider yourself fortunate to be chosen as a vessel. Fenrir has a way of blessing his followers with tremendous power.”

He eyed her enigmatically, seeming to search her form for something – a sign that she was worthy. It was true that his own mind found beauty in her diminutive form, as it always had been drawn to such delicacies, and it seemed that Fenrir, too, found magnificence in the small and rare. After all, the God had chosen his frail, petite mother as mate for his massive, great father. Surely it was fate that he would happen upon this miniscule femme to honour Fenrir’s worship of the strong and fragile alike.

“Tell me, what is your calling? If you are to bear my offspring then I must know your name.”

TAGGED: Zirena

[Zirena]

Zirena knew what she was doing would be a sacrifice. She had dreamed of saving herself for a male she truly loved and the two of them would be happy forever. In this deal, she'd be giving up that dream for a male whose name she didn't even know. In her mind, she was telling herself that it would all be worth it. Sometimes, a leader had to give up something that they wanted to protect those that followed them. She knew she wasn't Descai's leader... but she could be. She couldn't leave Descai in the paws of her brother. He would drive the pack into the ground. He was too selfish and arrogant to lead. It was in that moment that Zirena began thinking that perhaps it should have been her to be the alphess of Descai. Perhaps Vorilye had made a mistake. He didn't see her for her size or her gender but Zirena had the intelligence and the wits of her mother. She had the blood of an alpha and a beta running through her veins. It was like she was bred for this leadership role. She had to go back. She didn't know how she would do it or when but, it would happen. Zirena would be the alphess of Descai.

“A month is too early – pups should be birthed in the spring, unless you want them to perish from the cold. I will take your virginity at the end of winter.”

Zirena herself had been born in January and hadn't perished from the cold but, she wasn't in a position to be correcting this large stranger. Zirena gave a short, slow nod signalling that she agreed. They would mate at the beginning of spring and should she conceive, she would give birth in the summer. It was hard to think that motherhood might come from this. Her pups knowing that they were the product of a deal and that their parents hardly knew each other.

“If you change your mind or dare deny me, your pack will suffer for your unfaithfulness - but you are far too clever to throw away our arrangement, aren’t you?”

Zirena quietly nodded even though she greatly detested being spoken to like a child. This male was speaking to her like he was her father or something - like he was smarter than her. Zirena would suffer a few moments of unpleasantness in exchange for a truce between packs. This stranger would get a few moments of pleasure in exchange for subsiding his wrath. Zirena wondered if he knew that he was getting the raw end of this deal.

“For your own sake, I suggest you pray to every deity you know to exalt your womb with fruitfulness this coming season, or I might consider revoking our truce. And if you are worthy enough of bearing my blood… you should consider yourself fortunate to be chosen as a vessel. Fenrir has a way of blessing his followers with tremendous power.”

It made sense that this male was one of those religious wack-jobs. Ryker too, believed in a god named Fenrir. The cockiness and self-righteousness of this wolf was almost astounding. He himself must have thought he was a god. The way he spoke, it was like he believed that he was a god in flesh. So much so that she should feel lucky to carry his seed. However, as she thought about it and as she looked at this male whom would (hopefully) father her pups, she could see that his pups would most likely be large like himself. They would be Descai born. Descai would be where they lived and where they swore loyalty to. This deal may benefit Descai in more ways than one. They needed more muscle and if these pups were going to be as strong as their father, they would certainly get it.

“Tell me, what is your calling? If you are to bear my offspring then I must know your name.”

"My name is Zirena," her name meaning "tranquil." Zirena often thought about the irony of her name's meaning and how tranquility was not one of her strongest attributes. However, in this moment, she had remained calm and clear-headed. Tranquil wouldn't have been the word she used but it was something. She thought about the meaning of names and their affect on those who bore them. "Do I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"

She knew how to work these God-complex types. They had to stay in control and make all of the decisions. Really, Zirena didn't care if she knew this males name or not but her future children might want it. She wanted it for them.

---

@zenith
Notes:
Muse: ehh.. I've had better  

[Deleted]

The female simply nodded at his words, though from her silence he gathered that there was an unspoken annoyance wavering just out of her tongue’s reach. A thin smirk appeared on his muzzle, visibly blackening his expression with cruel interest. She did not like being spoken to with such candour and openness? Tough. She would be informed of the consequences of betraying him whether she wanted to or not.

My name is Zirena.

A unique name – one he would not soon forget. The bitch should have considered herself fortunate to earn a place in his memory, as most that crossed his path were not given such a privilege. A brief silence passed between them, the femme caught amidst her thinking, and though Goliath assumed that she expected him to offer his own name in the void made by her own introduction, he did not speak.

Do I have the pleasure of knowing your name?

Ah, sarcasm. His pale eyes narrowed very slightly, discovering that this girl’s weak, sweetened affront was probably not genuine. Her words were far from sincere, and though he felt the urge to growl and curb her attempt at being cute with him, he resisted, and kept his smirk intact.

“I assure you that knowing my name will bring you no pleasure. Knowing me at all will be the least pleasurable thing you’ve ever suffered, and when we next meet, I will show you how true that is.”

His words were casual at first, spoken in frankness, but his timbre lowered decadently with enjoyment at the prospect of soon taking her innocence from her. She was such a fragile thing, the smallest thing he’d ever seen – and he would break her so easily. The fact that she assumed he would introduce himself to her out of cordiality almost made him laugh, as though she expected that he their arrangement meant there would be civility between them. How wrong she was.

“You think you are entitled to familiarity with me - that knowing my name will bring us closer? I require yours to pray for your wellness and fertility – if I offer mine you will likely curse it and plead to your gods to have me struck down.” In truth, he knew that she hated him; he was no fool. And yet, she was not foolish enough to reveal that to him, beyond the condemnation that she hid so poorly in her eyes. If given his name, she would most certainly profane it, and he would not allow a thing so hallow to be bastardised by nothing more than a runt.

Now, his smile was gone, replaced with complete seriousness. His icy expression was void of all amusement, and as he continued to speak, his tone tangibly grew with condescension. “No, do not consider yourself a friend or a lover of mine. You have given me nothing yet, only your feeble word - words that I will regard as empty until our deed is done. Until you bring my children into the world, you haven’t the right to call me by my name, granted to me by the prophet and the angel of Fenrir. To you, I am the Alpha of Kairos, and nothing more.”

His words were harsh but honest, his intention not to scorn her – though if that was the outcome she chose, he cared very little. He could not allow himself to become involved with her in any way, as that jeopardised the fine balance of their truce.

TAGGED: Zirena

[Zirena]

“I assure you that knowing my name will bring you no pleasure. Knowing me at all will be the least pleasurable thing you’ve ever suffered, and when we next meet, I will show you how true that is.”

What the hell was that supposed to mean? At first, Zirena thought that this male must have some hidden confidence issues but after his words set in, she began to understand their true meaning. She felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. What had she just agreed to? What was going to happen to her? She began dreading the day when they would meet next. However, she doubted that it would be the least pleasurable thing she's ever had happen to her. Though she didn't doubt that it would indeed be miserable, the least pleasurable thing that happened in her life was finding her mother's lifeless body after weeks of decomposition. That was the most horrific thing that had ever happened.

It also appeared that she wouldn't be getting his name any time soon.

“You think you are entitled to familiarity with me - that knowing my name will bring us closer? I require yours to pray for your wellness and fertility – if I offer mine you will likely curse it and plead to your gods to have me struck down.”

Though his scare tactics were working, he was also revealing things about himself and he may have not even been aware that he was doing it. He was paranoid about being "Struck down" by the gods. She figured that if she just let him keep talking that he'd reveal even more about himself.

The truth was that Zirena didn't really want to be his friend. Friendship was reserved for those she cared for and loved. She wanted an alliance with this brute, not friendship. An alliance was a thing of intelligence - something that was planned out and agreed to. Friendship was something that grew naturally. She didn't need this brute's friendship but she could possibly need his help in the future. It was never a bad idea to have a mammoth waiting in your corner. She couldn't say that she hated him because he hadn't done anything but use harsh language and his immense size to his advantage. Though it was impolite, there was nothing wrong with it in Zirena's eyes. However, she didn't particularly like him either. She hadn't made up her mind on how she felt about him yet but she guessed it would become abundantly clear when their next meeting came about.

“No, do not consider yourself a friend or a lover of mine. You have given me nothing yet, only your feeble word - words that I will regard as empty until our deed is done. Until you bring my children into the world, you haven’t the right to call me by my name, granted to me by the prophet and the angel of Fenrir. To you, I am the Alpha of Kairos, and nothing more.”

It was like he was reading her mind. That thought was disturbing. "Fair enough, Alpha of Kairos." This Alpha of Kairos had no reason to trust her. They had only just met. It was wise not to take strangers by their words alone and she could respect that about this foreign alpha. However, his belief that he was the spawn of a prophet and an angel was almost laughable. She would keep that to herself though. She suspected if she asked him about it that he would end her right where she crouched.

---

@zentih
Notes: this isn't one of my best posts but I think I did alright.
Muse: Okay  

[Deleted]

Fair enough, Alpha of Kairos.

The female remained composed throughout his abrasive reproach, and the tranquillity in her voice did her a thousand favours in cooling his temperament. He found it easy to remain calm with this femme – her eyes held no challenge towards him, and her voice was absent antagonism, even if her submission was insincere.
Though his nature was inherently fierce, there was no need to enforce his authority when their differences so garishly announced it for him. Her mood was appeasing, her manner mild, and her size was so blatantly inoffensive that one need only cough in her direction and run the risk of splintering her spine. He, in contrast, exuded an uncontainable and primal strength; in part, due to his ungodly size, but furthermore an extension of the unhinged, piercing glint in his eyes. He was mad with power, rendered barbarous from it - that much was apparent at a glance, and any creature would be a fool to stand in his way for fear of detonating whatever lunacy resided just beyond his brutish mortar.

His eyes were drawn elsewhere, not affording her the etiquette of a second glance as he continued on his way into the blistering depths of the desert. He had no parting words for her, pleasant or otherwise – he felt no need to gloat when he was firmly believed he had already won. She may have believed that her benefit was the greatest in their truce, given how easily she caved in to him, and he was content allowing her to believe that she was right. Aside from the pleasure he would find in taking her, he was receiving far more than a moment of hedonistic desire – the possibility of bringing to life an heir blessed with even the smallest piece of greatness from him… that was his true reward. Any measly femme could offer him the same; except in this instance, all he had to do was cast an idle thread towards her and she was already willing to accept his violation as though he was doing her a humble service.
Zirena must have held much fear in her heart to bow down so easily to his whims, but alas, her disgraces held no weight to him. Her fears would truly be put to the test when he returned to Descai’s shore to reap his payment from her, but until that day, she was safe from him.

TAGGED: Zirena

--thread closed--