Take the Reins [Ryker]

[Vorilye]

This had simply been the last straw.

The alpha male had sulked around the forest for days, rarely running into members of the pack and continually failing to provide the support his pack truly needed. He was not certain why, but the desire to maintain the stature of his pack had faded away over time. It was only with the death of his beloved beta that Vorilye realized the truth.

He could no longer be the alpha that Descai needed.

Vorilye recognized that he would eventually need to step down from his position of power, but never before had he imagined it would be this soon. But the male could not bear to see Descai shrivel away because of his inability to lead. There was only one other wolf of his blood that he could trust to keep Descai alive: his oldest son, Ryker. The male had been there consistently through all the trials, and while he knew that his son was also mourning the death of their beloved Shayde, Ryker was far more capable of recovering from this loss. He had his entire life ahead of him, while Vorilye was fading away. He was growing weaker with each passing day, and it was all he could do to rouse himself from a long night's rest anymore. Surely there was something better for him to do than regret each passing hour.

While the male did not intend to abandon the pack, he finally realized that his dream from all those years ago had come true. Vorilye had built up a family, a pack of power. Descai was great, and he hoped to live a few more years to be able to see it grow even stronger. But alas, he would not be a legitimate ruler if he did not see that his shortcomings were the cause of the pack's strife. And so without a moment's delay, the alpha male threw back his head in summoning, calling for the Eldest Heir of Descai.

His cry echoed from the border between Acerbus and Kamari, extending to the far corners in hopes that all may hear him summoning the once and future alpha of Descai. The pack would be great, if only led by the strong paws of a younger, more capable male. Hopefully, his son would rise to the call; become the alpha that Vorilye had always known his son could be. While he may have hated Kallik until she took her last breath, Vorilye never regretted that he had Ryker as a son. The boy was his pride and joy; he was the epitome of what Vorilye wanted as a successor. Ryker could bring him great honor with his decisions, if only he would find the strength inside of him self.

But would he rise to the occasion? Would Ryker answer the call and become the greatest alpha Descai had yet seen?

---

Count | 481 words
Muse | Alright given that I haven't posted him in a while.
Tags | Ryker
Notes | I know we had discussed this happening a little later, but I'm starting to lose my alpha mojo and I don't want Descai to die D:

[Ryker]

Ryker had been spending more time in Acerbus than usual because of his father's distant behavior. Normally Ryker would stay pretty solitary, doing his job in silence and in solitude. He was comfortable living like this as social activity wasn't his strong suit. Sure he could get his point across but he wasn't the most skilled speaker. He was smarter than he sounded though. The young male had a brain inside his skull, that was for sure. He spent most of his time (when he wasn't alone) just watching the behaviors of others, studying them, and analyzing them. Ryker had eyes like a hawk. He wouldn't admit this out loud to anyone but he secretly thanked Sarin for honing these skills and making them sharper. She was one of the reasons, that Ryker was such a skilled fighter. Was he perfect? He'd like to think so and sometimes his attitude reflected this belief but in reality Ryker made mistakes like everyone else did. Now he would never admit these things but deep inside he knows that they're true.

Upon hearing his father's howl for him, he raised himself from his laying position by the dens and began briskly trotting to the direction of the call. Ryker was above sprinting for his father's every whim but he knew enough to not waste too much time. He wondered what this meeting was about. Vorilye rarely called individuals to come speak with him. Normally they were group meetings or he would just find who he wanted to talk to and randomly show up with no warning. This was puzzling to the young prince of Descai. Ryker preferred to think of himself as a warrior instead of a prince. The word "prince" sounded too stuffy and proper for him. It made him feel like he had to wipe the blood off his mouth when he was done eating and treat everyone with respect. Respect had to be earned. Ryker didn't give once ounce of it away for free. His ability to trust had been taken away through the many tragic deaths in his family. He tried not to think about them much anymore. He found that thinking of them only brought up feelings and emotions he didn't want to deal with like sadness, hurt and frustration. He had finally been able to compress those emotions back down so he could put them in the little locked box inside his heart. He had done this once before after the death of his brother but hadn't been able to since, until now.

When his father came into view, Ryker was a little taken back by how aged his father looked. He knew that he was getting older but hadn't really looked at him in a while. Vorilye was no longer the young and vibrant alpha who had saved him from the cougar on that fateful day. Sometimes Ryker wondered if Vorilye even remembered that day. Ryker remembered it clearly. He had almost died that day in the jaws of the cougar, literally. He remembered the feeling of it's sharp, smooth teeth on his skin and it's warm breath on his back. He had vibrant nightmares of that day for months after the attack but thankfully he was beyond that. But now wasn't the time to reminisce. "Hello," he greeted with a slightly confused but otherwise confident tone. Most confused Ryker's silence with a lack of confidence. He could see in their eyes that they thought he was unsure of himself just because he chose to only speak when he needed to. This couldn't be father from the truth. Ryker had confidence, and lots of it. He had learned through his two years on this planet that one needed to be confident in themselves for anyone else to be confident in them. He had partially learned this from his beloved beta and mother figure, Shayde. Ryker was not the type that needed acceptance or approval from others because he accepted and approved of himself. Now this confidence hadn't been tested so it couldn't be certain that Ryker's confidence would stay this high should he have only himself to fall back on but he couldn't worry about that now. He had to live in the moment because if he didn't enjoy the peace in his life it would be ripped away from him. Fate had proved this to him time and time again and he dared not test her.

---

Vorilye
Words: 743
Muse: Not too shabby
Notes: EEEP! I'm excited!

[Vorilye]

As the black and gold heir to the pack approached silently albeit a quiet greeting, the alpha male dipped his head in welcome as well. He could see the confusion in his son's eyes at why he had been called to meet with the alpha privately. It was rare that he called apart members of the pack. In fact, the last time he singled out a pack member for a meeting such as this was when he offered Shayde the beta position. It was difficult thinking of the little femme at all these days, and he could not help but shrink back into himself at the thought that he could not protect her. He had promised her. He had failed to keep his dearest friend safe within the very borders of their home, and he was a failure. His words could mean little to nothing without his strength to back him up, and with Shayde gone, his strength was withering away with both time and conviction. It was for this very reason that the black wolf's golden eyes fell heavily upon his son.

"Ryker, from the very day I met you I have been impressed with you. You have always strove to be better and grew wise at a young age. I wish that you had not had to grow up so far, but life does not always agree with our plans," he spoke evenly, attempting to keep the bubbling emotions out of his voice as he contemplated the very words he was prepared to reveal to his son. He had never told this story; in fact, it had remained buried for so long that it was difficult to even imagine. "I have not always been strong. I have suffered much like you have, with the loss of my family and everyone dearest to me."

The gold in Vorilye's eyes suddenly grew near ebony as his awful past seeped up once more. "I have not always been the way I am. There was a female... Her name was Ithilwen, and she was my mate." He paused, his eyes flashing back up to Ryker's face as he anticipated the reaction from his son. He did not know how the brute would take this; hopefully, it would be more positive in that it would explain his reasoning in a clearer way. "My boy, you are not my oldest son. You were not born Ryker, but your name was not chosen by accident. You are the second Ryker born to me, but the first... He is no longer of this world." He dipped his head in shame; it had taken him months to realize his slip when a vulnerable Tike had come to him all those years ago requesting to change his own name. How could he possibly have been so stupid as to rename is eldest son after one of those monsters? "I actually had three sons, all of the same litter. Destyn, Ryker, and Aragon, as well as my daughters Rakayl and Ezalia, were all a family. It was my first true place of belonging; with my family."

But that had all shriveled into nothingness in a matter of moments. "I thought we were all happy together... I truly thought that nothing was wrong. But Ithilwen turned my sons against me. She manipulated them into believing I wanted them gone, that I was going to force them out of the pack to retain my power. And so my boys attacked me." The male gritted his teeth in anger, the memory of that day rushing back as clear as if it were happening at that very moment. "I was lucky to escape with my life. Ryker was not so lucky... Had I not incapacitated him, he would have killed me. But his wounds were severe... Destyn and Aragon continued to pursue me, leaving their wounded brother in the dust. I never thought that I could have raised such monsters..."

It had always been Vorilye's greatest fear that all his children would grow to be monsters. But it was no such situation with his three litters in Anikira. They had all grown into well-adjusted, wonderful wolves. Sometimes, it made him wonder why his firstborns turned out so wrong. "Ryker, I know you always wondered why I turned your mother away. While I know you did not have a great relationship with her, it was a question I would have asked." He paused, dipping his head in shame. "I feared that Kallik was the same as Ithilwen, that all she wanted was power. I truly believed she was attempting to pass off someone else's litter as her own in order to weasel her way into power, only to turn around and destroy my family once more."

How does a father tell his son that he was afraid he might try to assassinate him one day? Vorilye lived in constant fear, which he had masked with indifference and anger, that history would repeat itself. "I cannot even begin to express my relief that I was wrong. You are one of the greatest blessings in my life, son. And while my previous boys tried to take the power away, you are quite the opposite. You have not made any moves against me, Ryker. Which is why..." 

He stared directly into the face of a younger version of himself.

"I want to give it to you. I want you to assume the position as Alpha of Descai. I am proud of you, son, and you are the best one for the position."

---

Count | 923 words
Muse | Really good
Tags | Ryker
Notes | This turned out great!

[Ryker]

Ryker noticed the small head nod from his father. It must have been odd to watch the two males, father and son, communicating together. Neither one speaking much or making sudden movements. Ryker and his father were different in many ways but also were the same. They had striking similarities in physical appearance. Ryker was probably only 5 pounds heavier than his father but they were exactly the same height and length. Their golden maws was a tell tail sign of their relation. Ryker's green eyes and his golden rimmed ears were the only physical differences between the two. He could see now how the late alphess of Haishin had mistaken his brother for Vorilye.

His father's eyes lay heavily upon the younger black and gold brute. Ryker was becoming concerned about what this meeting was for. He guessed that it wasn't going to end well. Was his father deciding to disband Descai? It certainly wasn't characteristic for the older male but not out of the question. Ryker listened to his father speak in saddened tones. He complimented him on how mature he had grown and how impressed he was with his son. Some of Ryker's pride started to swell but a few compliments didn't mean that this meeting was going to end well. He refrained himself from getting his hopes up.

He listened to his father's life story and it made him feel a bit better knowing that his father knew how he felt and had been through horrible things just like his son had. He wanted to know why he didn't tell him this story sooner but he knew that if Vorilye wanted him to know he'd tell him. Vorilye told him that he had not always been the way he is now. At first Ryker didn't understand what he meant but then he continued and started talking about a female named Ithelwin and he knew that Vorilye meant that he had once been loyal to one female. His father's non-monotonous sex life didn't bother him as much as it did some of his siblings. It was non of Ryker's business what or who Vorilye did in his free time. Ryker himself could think of a female or two that he'd like to bang but he knew he'd suffer dire consequences.

His father then went on to tell him that he was not his eldest son. Ryker was utterly confused and a bit upset that his father hadn't told him this sooner. But as the story continued, he learned why he had kept this a secret from him. His first litter had been savages that had tried to kill him. Ryker was now less upset that he hadn't told him about the litter and more upset that he had named him after someone who tried to kill him. He had to ask. He knew his father was in a vulnerable and shameful place right now but Ryker needed to know why and if they were going to be having this deep conversation then now would be the time to ask. He waited for his father to take another pause though before speaking. "Why? Why did you name me after one of them?" Ryker thought that maybe his father had thought the same of him when he re-named him from Tike to Ryker. Had he thought that he would turn on him, the only wolf in his life who had been consistent? Ryker was a lot of things but he was not a monster.

He then went on though and told him how much of a blessing he had been in his life and Ryker was honored. Never had he had such kind words spoken to him. He never knew his father felt this way. Yes, he knew his father cared for him but he didn't know that he felt so blessed to have him as a son. Ryker smiled and saw that this conversation may turn out well after all. His father took a long pause and his next words changed Ryker forever. He said he wanted him to be the alpha of Descai."I.... don't know what to say. Thank you. I won't disappoint you." Ryker was tickled pink by this news and also shocked. He had secretly seen himself in a higher position for Descai but he had always imagined he'd have to fight tooth and claw for it. He was surprised that Vorilye had just handed it over. Ryker's face had a huge smile on it, something not normally seen on the young male's face. He was happy, unsure about what to do next, but happy.

[Vorilye]

The question he knew his son would pick up on right away was the first thing out of Ryker's mouth, and quite frankly, Vorilye could not blame him. For the longest time, Vorilye had no idea why that was the name that came to mind when he thought a different given name for his son. But when it really boiled down to basics, he knew why he had done it, and he would do it again if given the chance. "Because, son. The elder Ryker... he was strong, brave, and confident. Never mind the bad things... Ryker is a strong name, and I have always seen those qualities in you, even if you haven't necessarily seen them yourself."

It was then that his boy accepted the responsibility that the elder alpha had placed upon him. Vorilye was not sure that he would have taken after him, but he was pleased that Ryker was willing to step up and become a leader. Truly, it would have been better to start him as beta and transition slowly, but Vorilye was not what he used to be. He could not make this pack as great as he knew Ryker could, and him recognizing that would help Descai stay above water. He would drag them all down with him, and Ryker had overcome enough adversity for Vorilye to know that he was the best one to take the reins.

"Do not think that I compare your actions with him, Ryker. I have not seen my boys or girls in over three years, and I could not possibly relate you to someone who is now a stranger to me. You are my eldest by all means, and I am proud to have a son that has turned out to be as great as you." While it was not in his nature to sing praises. Vorilye knew that it was necessary to encourage his son at this point. He was stepping into some large shoes, and it would take time before the pack would accept a new alpha. Vorilye was certain that Sarin would pitch a fit, and he had no idea how Atriell would take to the decision. "I will stay on however you see fit, or I will leave. That decision is now yours to make, Alpha."

It had been a good few years for the alpha male, but alas, he realized that one of his age could not logically remain in power. This way, he could at least remain an adviser to his son (in the event that Ryker did not run him out of the pack) if it was agreeable with the new alpha. And so once the younger brute accepted, Vorilye dipped his head in respect to his son. "Thank you for making this decision, my son."

---

Count | 466 words
Muse | So-so.
Tags | Ryker
Notes | Now the fun stuff. I'll go ahead and adjust the ranks lol.

[Ryker]

Ryker listened to his father as he explained why he had given him the name of one who had once tried to kill him. He had admitted seeing qualities in him that had reminded him of the elder Ryker. He had said that Ryker was a strong name and that he had seen strength in him even when Ryker himself didn't see it. It was true that Ryker hadn't always been the confident young male that he is now. In his early months he had been very unsure of himself and insecure due to being the least favorite of the family.

After accepting the position as Alpha of descai, Ryker could see that his father was pleased with him. Ryker had been so different from his mother and other siblings and for the longest time he didn't know why. Until he met Vorilye. The young wolf had idolized his father and secretly worshiped him. He looked up to the older wolf in so many ways. He was strong, intelligent and confident. All things that Ryker himself wanted to be. From the moment he had met his Sire he wanted to be just like him. Ryker had grown from that way of thinking and had developed into his own individual, as all sons do.

Ryker was still in a state of shock disbelief of what had just happened. Not thirty minutes ago he was just a warrior and now he was the alpha. He knew it would all sink in tomorrow and he would be able to get down to business. He had great things in mind for Descai. He wanted them to grow further and increase their power and influence. He wanted to take what his father had created and bring it to a level that no other pack had reached. Ryker had no experience leading though. He hadn't even been the lead warrior. He had grown used to taking commands instead of giving them as he had once done in his younger days to his siblings. He would need his father's guidance to help him transition from being the prince to being the king. Even at Ryker's young age he knew that the pack would still see Vorilye as the alpha until he could prove himself a worthy leader. How to do this though was the challenge. He wanted respect from the pack. He also wanted them to be slightly (or maybe more than slightly) afraid of him. He had seen this tactic work through his father's reign but gaining that healthy fear would be hard. Which was why he needed his father's support.

When the former Alpha had asked him how he would like him to stay on, Ryker knew just what to do. "I'd like for you to be my beta, along with Atriell." Ryker knew that it would be a shock for the rest of the pack to suddenly have a new leader and he thought that by keeping Vorilye in a high position it would help them to transition as well. He needed Vorilye's help and although he could admit that to himself, he wasn't ready to say it out loud.

Ryker dipped his head in respect to the new beta of Descai with a smile in his heart and eyes before leaving to remark the boarders heavily with his own scent.