Crossing the Line [Ryker]

[Deleted]

It was still early in the day when Summit entered the forest – or what he assumed was once a forest, before fire devoured the trees. Now all that remained were the charred stumps left to rot in the eerie, desolate woods. The massive wolf stepped carefully, cautious to avoid the gnarled, dead stumps that poked up from the earth. Glancing around him, he noticed that the sunlight was beginning to fade. With every step, the area seemed to fade into a deep, mysterious fog. Following his nose in search of water, Summit eventually happened upon the northern shore of a lake.

At least, it resembled a lake. Sort of. Summit paused, nostrils wrinkled in distaste as he inspected the water from the shoreline. It scarcely looked like water at all. The liquid was tinged a putrid shade of gray, reminiscent of the sky just before rainfall. Summit licked his chops. His mouth was dry, but he didn’t like the look of this at all. Instead, he traversed the eastern side of the strange body of water. An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of the male’s stomach as he continued along, and his pace hurried. The air was still, and the area chillingly quiet to the lone wolf.  There was something very unsettling about this place.  It was interesting, yes, but thoroughly disconcerting to Summit.

Once already, days before, he had passed through Acerbus, unknowingly stepping across the invisible border that signified the claim the Descai pack exercised over the region. He had not realized the first time he crossed through the lands, and thought nothing of his journey or the crimes he was inadvertently committing. His large snowy head was carried high – not so much from dominance, but because it was becoming a challenge to see through the fog that held tight to the strange lake and the scorched woods. His bushy tail waved behind him, fully unaware of what his posture might suggest to anyone who he might encounter. So far, he had met only one pack wolf, and the experience had been serene.

If he had stopped to consider his actions, Summit would have realized his meeting with Kesle was lucky – and unusual. It was unlikely that all pack wolves would greet him with such a kind demeanor. Summit’s luck was about to change, and not for the better.

words: 392
tag: Ryker
ooc: wasn't sure how long to make it,
hopefully this is good!

[Ryker]

Ryker's feet were swift and silent as he weaved in and out of the trees. His eyes were burning with fury. Not only had a stranger gotten this far into his home but his pack members had not noticed. Did they think that just because Vorilye was now the beta that they could just slack off and risk the safety of everyone else? For all he knew, the mass murderer was still on the loose.

The scent of the intruder was getting stronger as Ryker was catching up to him. His nose wrinkled in disgust at the other male's stench. As the trees slowly thinned and became more like stumps, Ryker knew he was getting closer to the eerie lake in the middle of his territory. The water looked and smelled funny but Ryker didn't fear water. He drank from it anyway. But he was not here to get a drink, he was here to get whatever scum bag had decided to crawl his sorry hide across Descai's boarders out of his territory whatever that cost may be.

This lake was where his twin brother had been buried almost 2 years ago. There was part of Ryker that liked to believe that Taqqiq's spirit was still there, watching over him. He knew Taqqiq would never understand what was about to happen. His brother would probably try and solve this in the least confrontational way possible. But that wouldn't get the point across as well. Ryker didn't want one more claw stepped across his boarders without expressed permission from himself.

The large white male came into view. Ryker's eyes squinted and he growled deep in his chest. He walked into plain view. This white male couldn't defeat him even if he tried. Ryker was a trained warrior. Give me one good reason not to waste you where you stand, you worthless waste of fur! Ryker barked at him, making his presence extremely known. Ryker's hackles were raised and his golden muzzle revealed his teeth. His tail arched around his jet black back. Ryker wanted to see this mutt's response so he could remove this waste of air from his land.

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Summit was not a nervous creature by nature, but the bizarre lake made his skin crawl. He could feel the moisture from the mist soaking through his ivory coat. There was no hint of mountains or meadows nearby, as if shadows had claimed the lands. The first warning that he was no longer there came in the form of a growl, which caught Summit’s attention, but it was too late. He scarcely had time to blink before a dark figure emerged from the mist, snarling as Summit turned sharply to face the brute. With some effort, Summit wiped the surprised look that appeared across his pale features.

The shrouding mist hid the dark male’s scent discreetly until he was there, standing right in front of the pale stranger.  Summit was not a seasoned fighter, though a lifetime spent roaming through a jungle had created a formidable physique. The brute’s posture eased, the small amount of pleasure his walk provided promptly ripped away, but it did little to make him appear smaller. His tail fell instinctively, but he did not lower his belly to the dirt beneath him. He had done nothing wrong here – well, except trespassing, but Summit knew he was benign, and the black wolf did not.

The other was impressive, with a soot black coat and piercing emerald orbs. The darker male’s muzzle and both ears were tinted a golden color that seemed bright, even in the scant light created by the gloom. His unusual gold lips curled back to reveal sharp, unforgiving fangs. Every ounce of his personage suggested his dominance, but Summit did not care question if he was the alpha. Judging from his enraged reaction to the stranger’s presence, he was someone important in whatever pack chose this place to call their own. It wasn’t exactly the most scenic piece of real estate around Anikira, but the ebony wolf snarled protectively, demanding answers.

A faint scowl appeared as the other’s words ruminated in his mind: you worthless waste of fur.... worthless waste... Summit returned his stare, but not the vicious growls. ”I am only a wanderer,” he began, his voice tense. ”I had not realized these lands were claimed.” The dark one looked at him like he was garbage. Summit was far from royalty, but he did have some sense of dignity.  The packs and their claims made life more challenging for those who belonged nowhere.

words: 407
tag: Ryker

[Ryker]

The white male looked surprised, as he should be. The rank smell of the water and the heavy mist that surrounded it was a perfect scent disguiser. It was true that Acerbus wasn't the prime spot for pack life but he hadn't picked it out. Acerbus and Kamari were the only homes he had ever known and he would protect them until his last breath. Now that Ryker had a better look at his pale opponent, he could see that he was a formidable opponent. His muscle mass and tone showed that he had strength behind his pelt.

The white male eased his posture in the presence of the Alpha but was not submissive enough for Ryker's liking. Trespassing was a serious offense in the eyes of most packs. Did this imbecile not realize what deep shit he was in? His family lived here. His father, his sisters, his brothers all lived here and he was responsible for keeping them safe. They were now looking to him for protection against flea bags like the one looking back at him.

The white male claimed that he did not know the lands were claimed. As if he hadn't smelled the Alpha's scent markers. "Are you anosmic, Mongrel?" His voice was slow and even like an evil purr coming from his lips. It was like black satin. Ryker took a casual step forward, testing the male. Would he run? Would he fight? Beg for forgiveness? Ryker wanted him to squirm. He wanted him to be uncomfortable and know that he could never return here.

Ryker didn't want to kill him... yet. Death was a high punishment for a first time offense. However, it was not something that Ryker took lightly. Ryker wanted to send his message loud and clear and hopefully this pale wolf would spread the word among his scrappy loner friends that Descai was not a pack any of them wanted to mess with. Ryker thought of killing him to send a message but then he'd have to drag the body all the way to the boarder. What a drag. The pale wolf looked heavy and he'd be even heavier as dead weight. He could chase him to the boarder and then kill him? That wouldn't be so hard. Ryker pondered his options as he decided what to do with the trespasser.

[Deleted]

Summit did not attempt to run. He would not yet resort to violence, nor would he beg for forgiveness and mercy. An apology faltered on his tongue when the darker male made another disparaging comment – Mongrel? No one had ever spoken to him this way before. Summit’s even temper was being tested, and he bit his tongue, though he could not veil his glowering expression that invaded his normally unflappable façade.  He quelled a growl of his own.

He took a step back instinctively when Ryker moved closer, slowly, snowy hackles finally rising along his spine. Repressing the low growl that threatened to escape, his eyes darted from side to side for a quick way out. To one side, there was nothing but murky, uninviting water. Ryker stood on his other side, blocking the easiest means to exit. If he turned tail and ran, there would be nothing to stop the black wolf from following him – and the dark one had the advantage of familiarity with the strange landscape, which was still completely foreign to Summit.

An exasperated sigh parted his thin lips, ears falling flat. ”Where else am I supposed to go? How are travelers going to move around the island if all the lands have been claimed?” He hated the way those stern green eyes glared, filled with outrage and judgment. The alpha looked at Summit as if the wanderer was a psychotic murderer, something that was far from being true, with the threat of violence conspicuously written. For the first time in his three years of existence, Summit felt a surge of bitterness towards the pack as he continued to lock eyes with the defensive and dominant onyx hued brute. What gave this one the right to take the land for himself and his kin? How could anyone truly own the earth beneath their paws, or the creeks and lakes and the trees?

Summit tried his hardest to calm his fraying nerves, taking another deep breath to steady himself from making another misstep. It was deadly clear that the dark wolf meant business, and while Summit had no business in his territory, why shouldn’t he have the right to cross through if he meant no harm? He had some difficulty accepting the limitations placed on him by a stranger. The white wolf took another step backwards, his voice lowered. ”Not all of us are killers and criminals. I had a pack once, too.” Most likely, Summit knew, he was wasting his breath. Even so. He felt it was worth attempting to defend himself.

Still, the insults echoed in his mind:  Worthless.  Mongrel.  Worthless...

words: 436
tag: Ryker
ooc: anosmic = excellent word.

[Ryker]

The white male was testing Ryker's patience though his bravery did constitute a little appreciation. Most would quiver and run from a dominant male of his size. The white male growled but quickly put an end to it. Ryker's word choice was meant to make his opponent feel degraded, lowly and miserable. Ryker only hoped that his miserable soul was feeling the pain. They say that physical wounds heal but emotional ones stay forever and that's exactly the kind of wound Ryker wanted this male to have. One that would never heal. That would remind him of the day that he had disrespected Descai's alpha.

Ryker stepped forward and the white male took a step back, keeping the space between them even. The white male was afraid. The pale wolf's hackles raised for the first time during this conversation. This irritated Ryker greatly. He growled low in his chest, "Don't even think about it, Bitch." Ryker wanted to suppress any notion this male had that he could actually fight his way out of this. Ha. As if that were possible. As if he could out run him. As if he could fight him off. Ryker kept the chuckle to himself as he thought of this pathetic wolf trying to beat him in his homeland.

The white male sighed and his ears fell back on his head. He was grasping for straws. The white male asked him where he was supposed to go and tried to convince him that all lands were taken. Ryker knew of only three packs. All three combined only took about half of Anikira's land. Ryker scoffed at the pale wolf. Only Kamari, Acerbus, Shiya and Aleru are taken. I suggest you find one of the many lands which are still available to live in." Ryker's voice was quiet and calm but the deadly air to his tone hadn't receded. Some would say that Ryker was at his most dangerous when he was quiet and calm. Did he honestly think that Ryker would look past his offense and accept him into Descai after disrespecting him so? If he was going to have to have another mouth to feed he sure as hell better like them and this male hadn't even accomplished that.

Ryker quieted his stance ever so slightly to hear whatever lie this male was going to make up next to try and get out of this situation scott-free. The white male spoke of a pack that he once belonged to. Like that mattered to Ryker. What did the fact that he may or may not have at one point belonged to a pack matter? It didn't. It didn't change the situation and it certainly didn't change Ryker's mood. "You dare insult me by thinking some made-up sob story is going to save you? Ha! As if you could possibly make me feel sorry for you." Ryker had a sob story of his own. One that would beat the pants off of any sob story that this male could come up with. All his siblings were murdered in cold-blood, his mother committed suicide and his adoptive mother was killed by a psychopathic trespasser. There wasn't a story out there that would earn Ryker's pity.

The white male used the words "psychopath" and "killer." It was funny how he had picked those exact words. There had been white hairs found around his adoptive mother's body. It would explain how he knew how to get this far into the territory without getting caught and it would explain how calm he was in this deadly situation. This piece of shit killed his mother.

"I suggest you run, now." Ryker's voice was low and fuming with fury as he waited for the male to try and run from him.

[Deleted]

”Bitch?” He repeated the word incredulously – he knew it was meant to be an insult. It was an interesting choice of slander. He was bothered, but not because the word injured his masculinity. It seemed vulgar to throw around a feminine term like bitch in an attempt to abuse another male, and he thought of the beloved sisters he had lost. Now was hardly the time for reminiscing. He pushed the thought from his consciousness before the sadness caught up with him once more.

While the other was inches taller than him, Summit was a hefty fellow, and it wasn’t flab – sinew covered his physique from nape to thigh, and his build was undeniably athletic, even after a month of hunting alone. Overcoming mud in the jungle since birth built muscle and endurance. Ryker was confident, but Summit still did not budge. If a fight was imminent, the white wolf would not be the first to strike, no matter what taunts the other rendered. He wanted nothing more than to be far away from this place and this dark stranger, but he knew the other would pursue. It was a lose-lose situation.

Kamari, Acerbus, Aleru... Each name was equally meaningless to Summit, born on the smaller chunk of island known as Tas’alea. The lands were still foreign, and he didn’t know the packs who claim them. By now, the white male was fairly certain that he had encountered a maniac in these dreary, unwelcoming lands. His opinion of pack wolves continued to drop, and he wondered how a brute like this could command respect from others when he gave none. Leadership meant much more than flexing one’s muscles. A pack without new members was a pack doomed to fail – genetic diversity would be extremely limited to the families that dwelled there.

Ryker was sadistic – he would never know the traumas Summit had suffered in the jungle, a place he would have happily stayed, if not for the horrific demise of the pack he had relied on. He had no one – no living siblings, no surviving pack mates, no home, nothing. No wolf made it through their lives unscathed. Each one had their own personal tragedies to bear. Summit could only stare at the dominant stranger, unable to understand his intensity and his rage. If this is what it meant to be in a pack around Anikira, then Summit was happy to be a loner. Were all of the packs here this hostile?

”If you attack me, you are attacking an innocent wolf. I will leave peacefully right now, never to return, if you will allow it.” This land was hardly worth fighting for in Summit’s eyes, something he nearly voiced, but he stopped himself. He had said more than enough, and the black wolf looked more interested in a battle than a debate. The white male would have left by now, anyway, since he disliked the gloomy feeling the area provoked within him. He was more interested in mountains and meadows, high peaks – and now more than ever, the solitude those summits might provide. This latest interaction with a pack wolf was already leaving a foul taste in his mouth – or maybe it was noxious fumes from the filthy lake.

The other’s mind was busy concocting delusional fantasies that convicted Summit, a wolf who had never laid a paw upon the main island of Anikira weeks ago, of murdering a she-wolf he had never met, in a place he had no desire to be. His head lowered, muscles tensing in each limb as he prepared to move aside if the black wolf lunged for him.  There had to be a way out of this...

words: 613
tag: Ryker