The Crisis [Open]

[crise]

Crise was... very annoyed, to say the least. First Siscarm had up and left her standing at the edge of the ruins. He claimed he suddenly remembered he needed to trek to the north, and then he went and ditched her! The Mexican femora had at first been very confused by the old wolf's actions. Then her confusion had turned to dissapointment before Siscarm was all but forgotten, hidden within the depths of her memory. For once, her loss of memory wasn't due to a black out, at least. Instead, the most recent events had been enough to drive all thoughts of her former companion from her mind for the time being.

Since having left Siscarm's side, the female had decided to head west. That meant she would eventually hit Acerbus, but the forgetful femme didn't know. Her walk had be slow, her posture that of someone sulking. For a long while she had been wondering what Siscarm could have possibly been up that require leaving her behind so abruptly. Eventually the lay of the land changed though, and her overactive mind became distracted. The place she was slowly entering was very unlike where she had just come from.

Lush and green, the lands her tired paws traversed had a forboding air about them. Nervously her eyes darted back and forth, multi-hued fur standing on end as she tried to figure out where she had wandered. Vaguely she remembered the old wolf mentioning where pack lands lay, but Crise had become so preoccupied since then that she wasn't sure if she was tresspassing or not. It didn't help that winds were howling furiously, rough sand smacking against her pelt as she walked.

The sandstorm didn't really bother Crise all that much. She was of a desertous breed, used to the warmer temperatures and suited for a life that involved some sand. She was also only traveling through the outskirts of Ryn-Eldbel, so the worst of the storm had already passed her location. A few times she had to pause, closing her eyes tightly as a rather resentful gust of sand hit her head on. More often than not, however, she was able to lumber on at her slow, clumsy pace.

Eventually the fae found herself surrounded by thin fog. The wind had died down and sand was no longer scratching her coat, but she found visibility to be just as poorly. She paused for a moment, shaking out her pelt and listening intently as the little sand grains pattered against the mossy floor. Crise then pressed further on, squinting through the mist in an attempt to figure out where she was going. She had absolutely no clue that she was on pack lands, her senses clouded by sand and fog.

"Uh oh..." Crise halted the moment her paw hit water, it's cool contact against her sore paw freezing her in shock. Her eyes widened as she let out a startled whimper, quickly recoiling away from whatever it was she had stepped in. She strained to see throguh the fog, creeping foreward ever so slightly to figure out where exactly she was. It finally dawned on her that the area before her was filled by some sort of lake, and she let herself lay down at its edged.

The femora was very lost. Sand, fog, and the bitter feeling of being rejected stung at her mental and pysical well-beings. Quietly she laid her head on her forepaws, silently whimpering to herself about the trouble she'd now managed to get herself into. What sort of wolf managed to get itself lost? 'Not a very good one, obviously...' She sat there in self pity for what seemed like forever, though in reality it was probably only several minutes. Things were slowly shaping up to be a bad day, and the thought of drowning in the water before her briefly crossed her mind. Crise couldn't drown herself though... She'd tried twice before, and she was as healty as possible for her. No, sinking into the depths of the water was not the answer.

Slowly heaving her tired body into a sitting position, the forgetful femme tilted her head back and let out a pitiful howl. "Help me! I'm afraid I'm lost and have no idea where the sun's gone!" The normally cheerful, smiling, pup in wolf's clothing was gone for the time being. Her time with Siscarm had left her meloncholy, and the troublesome path she'd just taken had left her less than pleased. The only thing she wanted right now was a bit of company, even if it was an angry alpha ordering her off the land for tresspassing. Right now, she just didn't care...

[silver]

As he made his way to Drarynough in his normal slow yet effective pace, Exodus panted. The sun, which normally did not, was peeking through the clouds and fog of the humid area. In addition to the sun, the humity was at an all time high and only caused the air to be even hotter. Those two things combined with a pitch black coat was nearly impossible to live with. Oh well, he’d been through worse and would survive. As he approached the large, seemingly bottomless lake, Exodus’ tongue became drier and drier as the moments passed. He would need water to wet his tongue least he pass out of dehydration. Coming to the edge of the lake, Exodus sighed gratefully and lowered his massive head to lap up as much water as he belly could take. When he was done, the black brute dove into the water letting it penetrate deep into his midnight fur to assist in cooling him off. This short swim lasted only around five minutes or so before the alpha grew tired of the water and stepped out.

Once upon shore, the brute shook off all the excess water and let it soar through the sky and coat anything near enough to him. “Mmm, everyone needs a good bath here once in a while. It’s refreshing.” Exodus commented to himself. Without the company of others, he seemed to talk more to himself than others. Was he slowly turning mad? Was he deranged or just short of it? Well, he had never been entirely sane from the get go but was it becoming worse?

Sneering, Exodus pushed the thought from his mind. Taking up his usual gait once more, it was not much longer before the black one found the wolf that he was looking for. “Ah, here you are. Hello, femme. My name is Exodus. I am Alpha of these lands, Acerbus.” He said smoothly. “To where is your destination? I’ll gladly assist you in anyway possible to ensure you get to where you are going.” Now he was talking a bit too much to this random female just because she was there and no one else was around. He honestly needed to get out more. In fact, the whole of Anikira needed to get out more. Sitting, the wolf waited to hear Crise’s answer whatever it be.

(You make my post look like crap. <_< *has no idea what to post, though* XD)

[crise]

OoC: *pats Silvie* Ish otay. ;P

Crise's head jerked at the sound of a gruff voice, and instantly her ears perked. She scampered to her feet and pivoted to face the great black beast standing before her, a relieved smile working its way onto her maw. Eagerly she took in the sound of his voice, committing his words to her faulty memory. And as she did so, her ears slowly retreated, pressing further and further into the fur that covered her skull.

The brute before her was Exodus, and aparently he was the alpha these lands. That meant that Crise was tresspassing. That also meant that Crise had been caught tresspassing. What threw her though, was the fact that this alpha didn't seem bothered by her presence at all. She was a tresspasser, and the tall, intimidating alpha standing before her wasn't even attempting to lay down his laws. She didn't get scolded, at all. Quite the opposite, she was a tresspasser and instead of getting punnished she was receiving an offer of help. How odd.

Slowly letting one of her auds raise (the other remaining firmly planted to her head), the Mexican femora blinked confusedly up at the alpha. "I'm Crise, and I have no destination..." Her gaze slipped to stare at her paws as she spoke, her head hanging in shame. It was the truth. At the moment she had a very good grasp on her reality. Unfortunately, that reality was merely one in which she wandered aimlessly with no goal other than survival until she would next lose her memory. It was kind of sad really. Poor Crise never had anything to do when she was fully functioning. At least when she slipped into one of her little episodes the end result left her on a quest to find her identity, again. Who would have thought identity crisises could be fun?

Feeling as if it would be a good idea to explain herself, and because whenever the fae was in company she had a hard time letting silence lapse, Crise thought it would be a good idea to fully explain herself before the alpha could get a word in edge wise. "I was with this old wolf named Siscarm. We were wandering together for a while, but after we reached some human place he took off on his own. He said there were a few packs around the area, but he left before I could question him. So, since I didn't want to remain in the decaying human lands I started wandering again. Then it became really hard to see and before I knew it I'd stepped in water. That's when I realized I was, erm, rather lost..." The words rushed out of her mouth rather quickly, making her phrases hard to follow. She barely paused to take any breaths between the sentences as she continued her explination. "I thought it would be a good idea to just sulk for a while, but that was depressing and rather lonely. I'm also not very good at drowning, so that option was out of the question as well... I finally decided that maybe if I howled I'd get some company. It's, um, very nice to meet you Mister Alpha Sir Exodus Sir."

Crise let a sheepish smile decorate her maw as she dragged her eyes back to the alpha's oddly marked face. She stared at the mark in curiosity as she waited for any sort of responce, the wonderment nudging its way into her eyes. As she'd spoken both of her auds had risen to stand tall and alert again, and her tail wrapped around her paws as she took a seat again. She was very nervous being in the presence of the forboding looking alpha, yes, but so far he'd seemed friendly. In all truth, she was probably more eager to hear what he had to say than anything else. It wasn't often an alpha was so forgiving when it came to tresspassing, especially one as scarying looking as Exodus.

[silver]

(Whoo for bullcrap! XD)

The femme before his tall body turned to peer at him. Exodus slowly watched her ears back against her skull as she seemed to take in his rather frightening appearance. His brow rose slightly, yet he said nothing allowing her time to answer his own questions. “No destination? Seems like a bad state of mine. To have no where to go or turn to. Alone.” He mused aloud to himself. “Crise.” He spoke in a short, soft voice mentally locking the name to memory as well as the look and scent that accompanied it. So many wolves had passed by recently and it was best if he tried to remember as many as he could. Who knew when Exodus might meet one again or need to call upon another’s aid. Crise suddenly jumped upon the reason of her presence here. Exodus sat and listened dutifully as his eyes gazed down upon the femme. Odd. She seemed and looked quite young, though, there were certain clues that hinted her true age. No doubt all who came across Exodus thought him to be older than he was. If he were to grow a grey bread, ha, the fun others would have.

When Crise was done, the ghost of a small smile appeared upon his blacked lips that blended into his very fur itself. “Siscarm? I’ve met him once. An interesting fellow, if you ask me. A shame he left you alone to wander yourself. These lands are not always kind upon the unfortunate souls who wander alone.” Looking around, Exodus watched for a moment as the fog swirled around the base of trees or plants. He turned to the water to look upon the distant island in the middle. Was that movement he saw on its land? Turning away, he looked up at the sky and let a large sigh escape his muzzle. Finally, his silver optics focused once more upon the Mexican wolf before him. “I suppose the fogs could disorient even some of the most focused minds.” He said, his words still soft as if he were lost in his own thoughts.

As it were, a sentence that Crise said caught in Exodus’ mind and the wolf’s looks turned to one of surprise. “Not very good at drowning?” He repeated not really believing his black rounded ears. Blink several times, the brute suddenly gave a rather uncharacteristic laugh. It was a deep, rolling laugh that echoed through the land. Birds, startled by the sound, took flight with a ruffle of feathers and alarmed chirps. Quieting down, Exodus smiled a true smile. “My dear, it is a pleasure to meet you as well.” What was this that Crise brought about in Exodus? She seemed able to unlock a side that few rarely ever saw from the great beast. With a small sigh, the brute turned away in the direction from which he had come. His den. Was there anyone in it anymore?

This pack fell apart before it even began. He thought gloomily. How sad was that? Exodus must just not have good luck with packs. Perhaps he was just not a good Alpha. Perhaps the wolves here were just not good pack members. Either was, there was no way to penalize the blame on just one wolf. “Well, Crise, are you hungry?” Exodus suddenly asked as his orbs peered around once more. “I could use a bite to eat.” Hr murmured and stood up then shook the damp that threatened to seep into his coat off. Looking to Crise once more, Exodus still wore his small smile and listened for her reply. Either way, the brute was going to look for food. It would also offer Exodus a chance to see what Crise might offer. If she offered something to his non existent pack, he might consider asking her to say. As the meter was on the current scale, Exodus was already considering inviting her. It had been a long time since he had last laughed. Maybe she would say something else that would make him laugh. Everyone needed a little laughter in their life after all. He had heard it helped wolves to live longer.

[crise]

The fae glared as the word "alone" fell from the lips of the black brute. She didn't need the morbid reminder of her current state of life. No matter how hard she tried, in the end she always ended up alone. Unfortunately, it was a fact she was aware of even when she was without her memory and it always stung bitterly at her heart.

Swatting away an annoying insect with one of her auds, a smug little smile eventually replaced her glare. So the dark one had met the old one, and his thoughts on Siscarm were rather interresting. Crise couldn't help but shed her own light on the personality of the aging wolf she'd become rather fond of in a short period of time. In a way she sort of saw him as a father figure. "He's not much unlike myself, though at the same time he is my full opposite. He left me alone for the the same reason I had originally needed to be found. The land is more forgiving to those who are alone than you may think. If it weren't, I'd be long dead and I think Siscarm would be as well."

There was wisdom in her cryptic words that would probably be an unexpected shock to Exodus. Crise rarely ever acted her age, and more of then than not she couldn't even remember her age. Still, there was actually a decent chance that she was even older than the alpha, if only by a few months, and the years she'd spent alone with her tortouous past had given her a unique perspective on things. She was more harmful to herself and others than the land ever could be. After all, she'd spent the better part of four and a half years on her own with the uncanny ability to forget everything and wake up in the middle of nowhere ungarded and yet perfectly fine. Even when she'd insisted on trying to take her own life she always ended up fit as a fiddle and fully functioning to the best of her abilities. It was rather annoying really, how some higher power insisted that she keep living.

The sound of laughter hit her auds with shocking force, and instantly Crise was on the defensive. The alpha was laughing at her for having suicidal thoughs! She was being laughed at because she'd admitted she had tried to take her own life in the past. A low growl rumbled in her throat as she stood and scuttled back a few paces, anger flashing in her grey eyes as her tail curled between her legs. How dare he! How dare he laugh at her misfortune! Her words dripped with venom as they calmly dripped from her maw, all signs of the normally happy Crise hidden behind the face of an easily offended wolf. Had she not currently been fully aware of her memories, the light hearted wolfess probably wouldn't have reacted so violently to the chuckles. "You shouldn't laugh at the misfortunes of others. If you knew half of what I currently do..." The Mexican femme let her voice trail off, lowering herself so that she was laying down and placing her forepaws over her muzzle. A quiet whimper escaped her as she tried to block out the memories. Oh how she longed to have one of her blackouts right now. It was rare that she ever embraced her faulty heart and even faultier memory, but it was always during the times she remembered everything about herself. Right now was one of those times, and the black male's laughter had stung like a slap to the face.

Exodus still seemed to be accepting of her, reguardless of her little outburst because he had offered to let her tag along on a hunt. Slowly she rose back to her feet, looking thoughtful for a moment. A rather cunning smirk crawled around her lips as she gave a sharp nod of her head, showing she would tag along. A hunt meant running, which meant adrennaline and an increased heart rate. If she played her cards right, Crise would get that black out she wanted and hopefully just enough memory loss to dispose of her currently bitter mood. It was rare she was ever so thoughtful and negative, but that was because it was rare that she was ever fully herself. Usually there were bits and pieces of her missing. Right now she was completely in tact, and right now she wanted nothing more than to give herself over the darkness. The unfortunate femme had no controll over her episodes, so the best she could do was pray for a short blackout that took away only her most painful of memories. That was probably unlikely, but she was currently frustrated with herself to the point that she didn't care. She would go on this hunt, push herself too hard, black out, and let the alpha deal with the repercutions of her actions. Chances are that when she awoke she'd remember nothing of this meeting near the water anyways. "After you."

[silver]

Listening as Crise explained Siscarm from her point of view; Exodus turned his silver gaze upon her once more and listened quietly. As she thought, the words did come to of a bit of a shock to the black one. Raising a brow, he chewed on her words mentally trying to decipherer their true meanings. “Interesting.” He finally commented and turned his cranium away from the femme before him. She mentioned how the world was more forgiving than he thought. “I suppose. You know, I never really learned what it was like to be alone and without a pack.” His gaze flittered to his paws. “Bit spoiled, I guess. I was always in a pack, from birth till now. The only time I wasn’t, it was only a short period of time. Hardly enough to learn the true way nature works.” Frowning, Exodus looked up and then gave a small yawn. Surely, though, he would not have trouble on his own in life. He was a strong, healthy male. Noting a change in how she was acting after he laughed at her, Exodus raised his brow again and glanced at her form the side of his orb. “My apologize, Crise. You are right. I have no right to laugh at such misfortune. Though, I can’t imagine why one would want to give up on life like that. It may get hard at times, but you just have to keep pushing forward. There’s always happiness in life. You just have to find it.”

Trotting away, Exodus kept his eyes open for any signs of prey. If he wanted to hunt, here was most likely the best place with its lush forest terrain. Game was surely plentiful here. “Take hunting for instance,” he continued, “It may seem like a thing of survival or just something that is not really significant in one’s life, though of course, apart from keeping one alive. There can be happiness found in hunting. The thrill of the hunt, most call it. You don’t even have to catch your prey to fill the thrill. The rush one gets, the pride one can take, the joy one fills while rushing over a decaying log or through a wild flowered field. There is happiness in that.” Pausing, he frowned again knowing Crise would most likely want him to shut up on his lecture. He just really didn’t understand how others could so willingly want to give up their lives. So, Exodus shut up for the time being and focused on hunting. This relationship forming between the two was certainly an interesting one.

A scent wavered into his nostrils causing the black flesh to flare. “Deer.” He whispered and crouched low. They we just a little ways up ahead. White-tail deer, a delicious meal for the two wolves, for sure. It wouldn’t be hard to take one down, either, between the two of them. Stalking forward quietly, something many would not expect of his large stature, Exodus kept his ears perked to ensure the distance between himself, Crise, and the deer was enough to not startle them. Exodus wanted a quick hunt, not a long and drawn out one. He was very hungry. After coming to a stop at the very edge of a clearing, Exodus eyed the deer with his silver optics. Minutes passed and the black brute only stood there watching the deer grazing. Finally, his eyes found the one he was looking for. A limping deer, on the outskirts of the herd, came into view. The limp wasn’t horrendous, but was noticeable. Motioning to Crise with his noggin, Exodus showed her the deer he was going for and then whispered very, very low. “Go around on the left here and position yourself Northwest. When I jump out, the limping one should head somewhere within your area.”

Crise left and Exodus gave a small smile. He waited several more moments to allow Crise enough time to get into position. Then, with a growl, Exodus launched himself from the brush and ran just to the left of the limping deer which took off, like expected, and headed into the area of which Crise now dominated. Crise could either slow it down for Exodus to catch up and help her finish it off, or if she was particularly good, could finish it herself. Either way, this hunt was in the bag. The two would soon be feasting.

(<.< Unless something bad happens. *prods* XD)

[crise]

"You've been a lucky one then," Crise replied with a bitter smirk. Her eyes were dark as she watched the male, taking in the words of his apology. "There’s always happiness in life. You just have to find it," he had said. That line in particular had caught her attention. Did he think she did not know that? Foolish brute. Then again, he knew very little about the Mexican femme. He didn't know the price of her happiness. He didn't know that most of the time her reason for living was to recover her memory, and that once that task was completed all she ever wanted to do was forget. Like now, for instance. At the moment Crise very much wanted to forget everything.

"Sometimes happiness is your own undoing. If you take it away from yourself, accident or not, you can't help but wish to follow it at all costs. I have a habit of losing my happiness to death. It makes sense for me to want to follow that happiness at all costs, or so I think." Her words were heavy with emotion as she spoke. She'd taken the lives of her sister and her mate, untentionally yet intentionally at the same time. She'd had no control over her actions at the time. And, when she returned to her senses, each time she'd felt the pull to try and follow her loved ones to heaven or hell or whatever it was that was out there. She was a danger to those around her, she was constantly stripping herself of her own happiness, and in truth she was finding very little to live for. Crise did not think of death as a chance to escape this world, but rather as a chance to secure her happiness and the happiness of those she loved. When Crise wanted an escape all she had to do was push herself a little too hard and cause herself to black out.

The femora trotted after the black brute rather willingly, despite her bitter thoughts. She had great plans for this hunt. He spoke of the rush of adrennaline and the thrill of the chase. For once, she was very much looking forward to those feelings. The panting breath and the quickened heartbeat, the swirl of her surroundings as she lost controll, the soft thud as her body hit the ground either before or after the kill was made, the darkness that overcame her vision... Hunting was the perfect way for Crise to achieve her escape, and she fully intended to use it as such. She vaguely let Exodus know her thoughts on the matter before falling silent and letting him select the prey. "I find no happiness in hunting. Only escape."

Copying the alpha her muscles tighted as she lowered herself into an offensive crouch. Her head with low with her auds pinned down though still on high alert. The scent of the deer filled her nostrils and her teeth barred in a sadistic smile. She would take much more pleasure from this hunt than she usually did. If she actually succeeded in the killing the deer before she managed to black out, well, that would just be icing on the cake. Her eyes glided over the intended target as she nodded her head, running her instructions through her mind and turning to slink off. She felt a small pang of guilt in her heart for what she was about to do, knowing she was giving no explination to Exodus for what was about to happen and that when she came to she probably would not have an answer.

Silent as a mouse she drifted along the forest floor, her eyes never leaving the prey. She settled into position, muscles coiled and ready to spring as soon as the black brute made his move. Her heart rate was already increasing with anticipation and a few times she had to blink in an attempt to clear her slightyly fuzzy vision. A low ringing in her ears competed with the sounds of nature, and she fought to restrain a quiet chuckle that would give away her location. 'Darkness here I come!'

Exodus sprang from the brush, beginning the chase. As he'd predicted the deer was headed right for her. This would be a piece of cake. Dashing from her hiding place, the Mexican fae charged at full speed. She wasn't wasting any time. The faster this was done the better. Her vision swirled and she was panting heavily, her temperature soaring through the roof. As soon as she was close enough, she lunged for their unfortunate victum. Her sharp insicors sank into the tender flesh of the lame deer's neck, blood trickling down her throat as she shreaded the jugular. By now it was impossible to see straight and the ringing in her ears was pounding, threatening to make her head explode. As the deer began to fall, so did Crise. Her vision was encased in darkness as predator and prey toppled to the ground, neither one making a move to get back up.

The femme had fallen completely unconscious. She heard nothing. She saw nothing. She smelt nothing. She couldn't even feel the light trickle of blood that continued to stain her maw. Her jaw had not unclamped from the deer's neck as she lost her mind, and now she lay just above the creature's back, unintentionally twisting its neck in such a way it would have been screaming in pain had it still been alive. The only indication that Crise was still alive was the very shallow rise and fall of her side, a sign that she was still breathing. There was darkness everywhere, blacker than the pelt of her hunting companion. For once, the femme had welcomed the loss of alertness. Let Exodus deal with her crumpled state. In the long run it would be better for both of them. She wouldn't be feeling so angsty and he would have a much more pleasing (albeit possibly annoying) companion once she came to.

[silver]

Watching as Crise was getting into place, Exodus’s silver optics flickered back to the buck he had chose to take down. He was pleased that it had been stupid enough to wander just a little further apart from the rest of the herd. That combined with its limp made it the prime choice for the prey. Moments passed and Crise was now where she needed to be for the hunt to be successful. Licking his lips with eagerness, Exodus crouched low to prepare for the lunge as his muscles bunched together in tight coils. Tail swished. Heart pumped. Ready.

Leaping from his hiding spot, the black marked wolf snarled and startled the herd. Madly, they bellowed with fear and bucked as they raced away, the white of their eyes showing. Their tails swishing widely from side to side. Exodus wasted no time and headed straight for the limping, slightly older deer. As he suspected, it dashed straight for the waiting jowls of Crise. The plan was working perfectly, so far. Running just behind the deer, Exodus snapped at its heels pushing it to run harder, faster. It was something the deer had trouble with as its limp because more noticeable.

The rush of paws was heard as Crise emerged from her own hiding area. She, like Exodus, wasted no time before lunging for the fragile neck of the deer. Slowing his pace, Exodus’ muzzle showed a rather pleased smile as he watched as Crise clung to the deer that would be dead soon. Its horrible death bellow echoed throughout the lake territory.

That was when things went wrong.

Frowning, the black alpha came to a sudden stop and he could only watch as the deer stumbled, then fell. Crise still held on tight, apparently determined to follow this to the end. Somehow, Exodus knew that was not exactly the reason for her to not back off and to stop herself from being crushed by the large beast. The deer’s bodice hit the ground with a heavy thud. Crise’s lighter thud could be heard next. Neither moved and Exodus’ silver orbs widened with sudden fear. Oh, Tor, it would be horrible if Crise were killed in this simple hunting plan!

Rushing to the Mexican femme’s side, Exodus sniffed at her neck looking for the scent of life. It was there. Faint as it was, it was still there. Peering over at the deer, the alpha knew it was dead. The death scent was all over it. Frowning further, Exodus nudged the femme’s body and got no response. “Out cold.” Taking her scruff, the large brute dragged her easily back a few yards not wanting her to be crowded by the body of the deer.

The growl of a stomach sounded and Exodus blinked and looked at his side. Sighing heavily, the brute turned to Crise. Eat a bit now, or take her to the dens? With an unhappy sigh, Exodus decided he’d best not wait to get to the dens to eat. The poor alpha was half starved for not having eaten in a while. Trotting to the deer’s rump, Exodus tore out a rather large hunk and gulped it down within a couple of large bites. When it was gone, he licked his lips and dragged the carcass into a bush to hide from other predators. Yes, it wasn’t that best of a place, but it would do. Turing back to Crise and to the problem at hand, the question now was whether to lug or carry?

Deciding it would be easier on everyone for him to carry her, the large brute padded softly to her side once more. Grabbing her scruff and lowering his body a tad, he managed to swing her body onto his back. For a moment, Exodus stood there adjusting to the sudden weight of the femme. She wasn’t heavy by any means. In fact, she was quite light and this surprised the brute a bit. Starting forward, Exodus padded back towards the pack dens, the form of Crise weighing upon his broad back.

---

Returning, Exodus searched for the deer he Crise had taken down before blacking out. It took him only a short time to locate the deer. Its stench could be smelled for quite the distance. Removing the carcass from the bushes in which he placed the beast, Exodus peered down at the meat and licked his lips. First, the brute traveled to the lake to lap up a good amount of water. Padding back to the deer, he took one more bite to bolster his waning strength. After, the black alpha soon heaved the deer upon his back much as he had done with Crise. This time, he had to wait a moment longer to adjust to the new weight. Crise was far lighter than this carcass. Inwardly, the alpha groaned just thinking about how much his shoulders would hurt the next day after all this. It was all in the good name of feeding the pack and being a good alpha, though. It was the price to be paid.

Starting out at a brisk walk, Exo new he would not be able to keep this up much longer, but the further it got him now, the less he would have to travel. Onto the long journey back to the mines.