This Afternoon

[beastofnoor]

If you aint livin on the edge
You're takin' too much space
So I doubt I'll figure out
Just what to do

I practically flew up Autumn Mountain until I reached it's flat peak, where a small grove of trees grew closely together. I was soaked to the bone, or so it felt like. As I stepped into the protection of the trees, I gave a big shake, sending droplets all over the place. My attempt to dry myself was partially successful, and I felt a little lighter with some of the water out of my coat. Turning to look behind me, I see that Rino is making his own progress toward the pack shelter, and I turn back to the trees around me. With a few more steps, I quickly find small mats of sticks woven naturally together. There are at least a dozen, I note as I walk through the small grove exploring. Rino didn't need to know this, but I had not been up to this part of the hill. Now, I could see I had been right to say the shelter for the pack was up here.

I kept walking, noting each little pad of sticks looked able to hold two or three wolves each. So there was potential for many wolves, and that idea I liked. I finally got tired of seeing the same thing over and over though, and trotted back toward the center of the grove. There, a sort of clearing existed. The trees branches above were woven together to form a sort of dome, protecting the largest bedding I had seen yet. The scents that had wafted in the grove were as old as the ones along Autumn Mountain, so I could easily tell where each rank was supposed to sleep. In this center clearing, the Alphas and Betas and their litters had slept alongside each other. Obviously, I had given Rino a position where trust was key. Oh well, in time, me and the other male would surely earn that trust.

I laid down with a sigh, my dark soot colored pelt dripping on the woven sticks and moist earth beneath me. It wasn't an uncomfortable sleeping place. Actually, I found it quite nice. But all the space around me was intimidating. I had never dreamed of just freedom, and now that I had it. . . it was lonely. I looked around me as I waited for Rino, noting the scars in the tree trunks where others of my kind before my time had scratched and bit. I gave a soft sigh and turned my head to begin my side, just for something to do. I couldn't believe it, but I was actually lonely.

[Nia]

I see Takoya dash infront of me and I sigh deeply. I make my way after him fallowing his sent. I find him in an area of intracate dens make out of sticks placed naturally into dens. I find the one that i fit into just perfectly and lay down. I close my eyes and snore just a bit. The journey here was tiring and so was the fight i needed a break.

[beastofnoor]

If you aint livin on the edge
You're takin' too much space
So I doubt I'll figure out
Just what to do

I watched as Rino slipped through the trees before me, and quickly settled into his own bedding. I had never been over friendly, except if there was a pretty female about, but I knew I had to get to know this other male. He was my pack mate now, my family. We had fought, but things were settled and we were going to have to work together to help each other survive. Strength in numbers, the most simple and basic law of life. I didn't like to admit it, but I was stronger and more capable of fending off danger with the hazel colored Beta at my side. He was strong, and he was a very good asset. I could not forget that, I forced myself to think. So, that means I had to reach beyond my comfort zone a bit and learn more about him. I had to be. . . social. Ugh.

All I could see of Rino was his broad shoulder, and the back of his head. He had not completely faced away from me, but it was clear he was trying to settle into a tranquil state. Well, too bad. I didn't like it anymore than he was probably going to, but some things needed to be said and figured out. So, I parted my jowls and called the attention of my new Beta male to me.
" Rino, I know you must be tired from the journey here and the fight, but it'll be better for us tomorrow if we already have a few things said and done. First of all, I'd like to officially welcome you to the Fell pack. Secondly, I'd like to say that your rank holds a lot of authority over our future pack. You are second in command, no one's word comes above yours but my own. You are allowed to take a mate, but I hope you do so with a lot of consideration, because whomever she is will be Beta female and have as much power as you do. She will be your equal. If I ever take a mate, she will be my equal, your superior. These are basic laws and boring, I know. But I've never been Alpha and a figure this is normal routine or whatever. I know you're not dumb, and that you probably already knew all this. I just want to be official, and ask if all this is clear to you? "

My short speech was almost embarrassing, but I felt like it had to be done. I watched my Beta's back with silver eyes, wondering if he'd laugh it off because he thought this whole thing was as silly as I did. Or if he'd take offense. Whatever his reaction, he had to know that now he was under my rule, no matter how calm or relaxed I acted or talked around him. I wasn't going to take any rude comments or disobedience.

It being just the two of us right now, we'd have to work together and do all the duties lesser ranked wolves would usually be doing for us. I listened to the rain intently, noting how hard it fell upon the trees above our heads. It didn't sound like it would let up any time soon, which meant me and Rino could probably get a few hours rest before we needed to do anything. My first task once the weather cleared was to go out and hunt. Already, there were faint grumbles from my stomach, reminding me it had been a day and a half since I ate anything. Now that I had a partner, hunting would be easier.

[Nia]

I picked my head up and listened to what Takoya had to say. It made scence and I completely understood.
"Yes, Takoya I understand the ranks of this pack now thank you. I will hold my own as a Beta. I will follow what you say and rule over if you are gone. If I am to pick a female I will choose wisely and make sure she will be a good Beta female."
I bow my head at Takoya and shake my head.

[beastofnoor]

If you aint livin on the edge
You're takin' too much space
So I doubt I'll figure out
Just what to do

During my small speech, Rino had raised his head and turned to look at me. This displayed that my Beta had at least some respect for me, he watched and listened when I spoke. After I was done, he spoke with calm, even tones that further showed his obedience. I give a slightly sadistic grin, nodding to acknowledge the other male's words but staying silent for the moment. My gaze drifted away from him, to the trees branches so intricately woven above our heads. A drop of water had trickled through, and hung unto the thick red and orange leaves above me. When it finally fell, it hit the middle of my maw, and I growled irritably. Stupid rain.

I finally looked back at Rino, and tempered my facade into one of expressionless. My silver gaze probably seemed a bit dead, having no emotion. " Good. I'm glad. Now I'm going to rest for a bit. When I wake up, we're going hunting. " With that, I settled my head unto my paws and closed my eyes. As I lay there silently, I even my breaths, bringing on a physical calm. I wasn't sure when I actually slipped into sleep, but the patter of the rain lulled me away into a deep, restful, dreamless sleep.

- - -

When I awoke, it was silent, and there was little light to see. Then I noticed Rino was not where he had been laying, and I snarled in frustration. But I didn't have long to stay angry, for the call of my Beta drew my attention far away. He needed my help, or my presence, for something. I leapt to my paws, giving a big shake, which didn't do anything but help me awake up. My metallic pelt settled over my body shabbily, and I quickly stretched to relieve my muscles of the cramped feeling sleep always gave me. Then, with one more snarl, I leapt into a run.
I wove the trees expertly quickly, and soon broke out to the side of Autumn Mountain. I slow my pace as I started down it, not wanting to injure myself when Rino needed me. Yet I was soon at the bottom, on level ground, and my long legs were stretching out into a full run. The howl had come from the north, where the Riverbend was. My Beta male had found something.

((We will continue this thread later. I plan to bring Jynx back here.))