Audra

The silvery black figure appeared through the metal doors, yellow orbs glancing around to see who was all around. Every time Audra moved one of her legs’ forward, a flash of her white fur on her stomach was glimpsed. The hundred pound figure moved forth, a plump rabbit held firmly in her mouth. It was meant for the alpha, Lyckos, but after a quick glance and a deep intake of air, she knew he was nowhere around here. Odd, she thought ot herself. Argolis she could tell, had just left though. Apparently the brute had left with a group, and the only thing she could think of was that he had taken some members to go hunting. Looking around she realized that there were some new faces, three pups and a grown velca. She didn’t move to greet them, not right now, for she had caught site of Ninaki, the elder beta, curled up in some blankets. He would be the next best thing, since the alpha wasn’t around. Padding forth, she made sure her approach held some noise, so as to not startle the older brute if he was asleep. Once in front of him, she placed the rabbit down in his direction before speaking.

We’re sorry for our short absent. Me and the others stayed behind to bury the fallen, and we rested for a night before making the journey back. Once we’ve returned I came to report along with Vixen.

She paused in her words to flick her ears in the direction where the black vampress, she called her sister, was standing near Lerna. She continued, her voice soft as usual.
Falcon, Breeze, and Hedes wanted to patrol around a few times before they came back… She stopped speaking realizing she had nothing else to report. For a moment she hesitated, not sure how Ninaki would take her suggestion. The shy femme usually wouldn’t of done this, but she respected her pack members, especially the elders, and this one looked cold. Would you like some company? With it being so near winter, the timber wolf’s coat had thickened, and she knew her laying beside him would bring warmth, and perhaps a conversation if he wished for one. Waiting for a reply, she lowered her yellow orbs to look at her paw, too shy to look at the beta.

~~~~~~~~~Vixen~~~~~~~~~

The black figure followed after her sibling, a little cautious. Why didn’t she just stay with her brothers? If anything, just to stall time so she wouldn’t have to face her fellow pack members. Oh, she felt so horrible. Would her pack members blame her for their loss? If she was honest with herself, she knew she blamed herself for Kane’s death. The youngster had been fighting alongside his father, when she showed up to help. If only she had distracted Onslaught more than maybe he would still be alive. However, her thoughts wouldn’t let her realize this, but Kane would of died with or without her help when she arrived. His wounds had been that severe to the neck. With a glance around, she headed toward Lerna, one of the members that had been at the battle. She was just glad that she didn’t see, Kalion, for she would of felt even guiltier that what she was already feeling, if that was possible. Her grandfather, Taros had been one of the fallen members, and she wasn’t sure how her fellow pack mate would react to her. After all this was the first time she had seen her since the battle, would she be blamed? She spoke her voice timid.

Have we missed anything. Where’s Lyckos?

She too, had realized her former alpha’s scent was stale. So stale in fact, she couldn’t even smell it. This would have to mean he hadn’t been here for days, and that was unusual. What was going on? Was Lyckos dead, imprisoned, or worse yet simply gone? She couldn’t help but wonder who would, or was, leading them now. All she could do was hope nothing bad had happened to Lyckos. He had been kind enough to give them a hope, but would that be taken away with a new leadership? She doubted that any of her pack members, even if turned alpha, would cast them out, but these were dangerous times, with new threats everywhere. Putting her mind at ease, she waited for Lerna’s reply, making herself thinking that she would find out in time. For now she would just try to enjoy this conversation, without feeling horrible the whole time.

Ninaki & Others

The unkempt fur, in its mixed shades of browns and dark tans, rose and fell in slow rhythm over his chest. His ears didn't stir, not even giving a mild twitch to the sound of Audra's approach until she was but a few feet away from him; and only then because she had been thoughtful enough to make her steps extra loud for his benefit. Ninaki lifted his head, drawing his muzzle reluctantly from the warmth of his tail, and looked up at the wolfess standing before him. "Audra?" It took his sleepy old eyes time to focus on the dark, silvery coat before him. It was his nose that first told him who this individual was, and once he recognized her, a wearied but warm smile crossed his muzzle. "I'm thankful that the rest of you are okay." The smile faded some, sheerly because her words reminded him of the Lurker's fresh loss. The loss of an wizened old soul, and the loss of a young, promising brute, both of which were such heavy blows to the pack.

Ninaki's shifted his front paws as if he might try to stand up, but either didn't have the energy to do that, or decided against it. He remained curled up with only his head held up and alert, "They're a good lot, they are. I only hope they return soon." Ninaki murmured in reply. They needed brave souls out there scouting to ensure the safety of the rest of the pack, yet it made him worried for their safety as well, considering what had happened out at the Canyon. Audra's following question, offered so softly and respectfully, brought a returning smile to his graying muzzle, "I would, thank you Audra."

Learna, who had been laying at the base of the stairs, stood briskly upon seeing Audra and Vixen enter the Den. The sister's gaze was a calm and unassuming one, holding none of the anger or resentment that Vixen feared she and the others in the pack might hold against them. No, just as Ninaki had been relieved to see Audra back home, so too was Learna. There was something more stoic and... perhaps solemness in her gaze? Whatever it was, the dane hybrid did not appear to be her chipper self, but gave the black fae a welcoming smile all the same. "Some, yes." She answered honestly. The chocolate-colored hybrid gave Vixen a brief look over, just to assure herself that her fellow friend and packmate was unharmed. "Father..." Her calm eyes didn't flicker away from Vixen, though they wanted to. Instead, her voice lowered to a softer sound that pined faintly with regret, "...he left. Everything that's happened, it was simply too much for him. Argolis has taken lead of the pack in his stead." That kind of news wasn't welcome to everyone, as Argolis was known for having the sort of fiery will that his cousin Ankh had, and many in the pack feared he would lead them to more bloodshed and death. Thankfully, the son of Lyckos and Hydras hadn't done such a thing yet, and if Orelia and Lerna could help it, they would continue to coach the new alpha and hopefully keep that dangerous side of him curbed. "He's taken a sizable group with him to hunt tonight, I couldn't say when they'll be back."

Juliet

She was a stealthy cat. If it weren't for the red-orange patches spread across her black fur, it would be unlikely that anybody would see Juliet here. The one year old cat still looked much like a kitten, but a 15 pound kitten. The Abyssinian in her was obvious; the deep red ticked fur, the slender, graceful build... What didn't match was the tortoiseshell pattern, which gave it away that she was the typical mutt cat. A striking feature, though, was her "half-and-half" face, with the colors split sharply down the middle, that showed that this young cat had chimerism. She was two cats in one, and had a big personality to match that.
Juliet walked high up on the railing of a balcony. Her large ears caught most of the conversation, not that it meant anything to her, though. However, the stray wandered these alleys enough to know that the canines here had recently lost a high-ranking member of their pack. An alpha, maybe? Juliet had little knowledge about the social structure of canines.
The cat stepped on an icy patch on the railing and her paw pads lost their grip. She fell a good distance, but true to her species, she landed safely on her feet...right in the middle of the pack. Immediately, she arched her back and puffed her tail out. Not exactly out of aggression, though, but out of fear. It was an instinct. "I wasn't eavesdropping. Honest! Cross my heart and hope to die!" She had nowhere to run, so she hoped that these canines were merciful. After all, she might be able to help them. She had apparently gone unnoticed until today, even though she had frequented here for a few months, attesting to the fact that she was extremely stealthy. A spy, perhaps? Would the Lurkers' enemies expect a timid, flighty, muddy little kitten to be working as an infiltrator?

Guess

Guess had been wondering around the area that he had been told belonged to their pack. He had kept a careful watch out for humans and other dangers while he had done so, not that any of them would probably want to take him any way, seeing as he only had three legs. But, he did not go near enough to these two legged creatures to allow them to get a chance to grab him. He knew that his mother would worry about where he was, but he just longed to explore these lands that he now called his home. This was the first home he had truly had, after all.

As he was walking around he spotted a couple of females who entered the lands, from the way they acted and the scent of them he could tell they were part of the pack that he had just not met yet. So, he followed the one who had the rabbit in her mouth. He did not follow close enough to be detected, though. That and he was not trying to like stalk her or anything.

The teenage pup stopped as he saw her approach the elderly canine and he just hung back. Though, as the beta spoke to her and their conversation seemed to end for a moment he decided to make his presence known. So, he approached them seemingly without a care in the world. Every thing about him showed that he wanted to be friends and he spoke. Hi! I’m Guess... Who are you guys?

He did not even think about being too bold or interrupting as most his age would not. As he had introduced himself a cat fell right in front of him, landing on her feet and I have to say, she did startle Guess and cause him to jump. He looked at the cat shocked as he waited to see what the others would decide to do with the feline.

Audra & others

Audra watched as Ninaki raised his head up to look at her. She felt sorry for the again beta, it must be hard getting older when you were needed for so much. Looking up at him, instead of her paws, she smiled back. His words brought joy to her, for she knew now that she and her siblings were important to their pack. Their absents, had apparently been noticed, and she was glad about it some what. As he continued on, she waited for a pause, before she responded to him.

Don’t worry, they’ll be back soon.

Lowering herself beside the elder, after he gave permission, she pressed her fur against his. Before long she knew she would have the brute warmed up. Twisting her head to the side slightly she began to groom the beta if he allowed it, her orbs watchful of her pack members around her. For a moment she hoped the peace going on now, would remain for a long time to come, especially at least this night. For a moment she allowed her thoughts to worry about her brothers, but it was soon pushed away when she saw them enter through the metal doors. Her soft sigh of relief, unknown to her that it came, would probably be a clue to Ninaki that they had come back.

Looking up at the sound of another approaching, she saw a teen canine come forward. This was one of the newcomers she had smelled she thought to herself. At his friendly introduction she gave him a smile, a little shy. She spoke, her eyes looking to see if Ninaki had fallen back to sleep. If so, then she would of answered for him to the young brute, her voice a whisper to not disturb the elder.

Hello Guess, I’m Audra. This is Ninaki, the beta.

She didn’t know if the teen would know what beta was, but she didn’t have time to find out. As the cat was falling, she had scented her right before she landed. Shock crossed her features for a moment, but then was replaced at the cat began to speak. When the cat finished, she spoke, her voice soft for now. Audra couldn’t help but think the cat was kind of cute, at least she didn’t want to kill it.

Calm down kitty. Nobody’s going to hurt you, not right away at least. Ninaki, what do you think we should do, perhaps she could be a asset? She seems to be good at going undetected…

Audra wasn’t sure if her opioion was wanted, but she gave it anyways. A glance around for Skeil was made from her, but other wise she would let Ninaki decide what to do.

~~~~Vixen~~~~

Vixen seeing Learna’s quick stand, immediately feared the look of anger, that she thought the fea would bring. Instead, all she got was a calm gaze from the older femme. Vixen gave her a smile, realizing her pack mate wasn’t her usual self. It made her remember even more what had happened. When she got near enough, she would of attempted to touch her nose to Learna’s shoulder in a reassuring way. Grief clouded her mind for a moment, that is till the other vampress’s words brought her to reality. Already from her words, she knew that whatever the change was, it was a drastic one.

The only injury she had suffered were some light claw marks on her shoulder. After the battle she had already licked them clean, a look at the wound would tell you that it was healing already, and no infection could be detected. She had been lucky, unlike some of the others, any closer to what the lion had wanted, it would of went to the bone. She turned her attention back to her friend, when she detected grief in the other’s voice. Without thinking about it, she moved forth to comfort the upset brutale, and attempted to nuzzle her in comfort.

It took her a moment before she registered what was being told to her. Lyckos, alpha of the Shadow Lurkers, was no more. He had left them. Vixen couldn’t believe the strong alpha she had known would just leave for no reason. Learna’s next words told her what the reason was, and it brought no shock from her. Vixen would of crumpled under all that weight too, but it also showed just how tough Lyckos was for putting up with it all this time. Besides, she couldn’t help but think that her former alpha was getting along with age. At the mention of Argolis taking charge, she showed a little shock. She spoke softly, making it clear that she would trust her elder’s judgment to her question.

Is that wise?

Her voice was so softly spoken, that no one else would hear. She too knew of his fiery attitude, and that’s what led to her question. If Learna thought him safe, then so would Vixen. At the mention of him taking a group out, she spoke up one last time.

I kind of wish I was there, to help if trouble came.

~~~Hedes, Breeze~~~

The two appeared through the door. Hedes went to a corner by himself, and curled up to rest. The white brute had managed to dodge an attack from one of the Nuova Alba, but not fully. The attack had left some claw marks on his shoulder and back, but they hadn’t pierced through much, so they would heal in time with mimial scarring. Blood still remained upon his coat, for he was too tired to tend to them. Laying his head upon his dirt covered paws, the brute closed his honey colored orbs to get some sleep.

Breeze moved towards Learna and Vixen, and anyone else that was nearby. He wished to have a conversation, and as he greeted Vixen, she explained what had happened to Lyckos, giving the same story her pack mate gave her. He wasn’t surprised too much, and his words came after hers. His words also explained where Falcon was, for he knew she would of asked if he didn’t.

I’m glad Argolis took up the role of alpha. He’s strong, and we need that now I think. Falcon stayed to explore the alleys, and he wanted time alone.

Ninaki & Others

In a time when things were as uncertain as they were right now, it did frustrate the old beta immeasurably to be restrained by the weight of age that brought weakness and frequent illness to him, and made it harder for him to be the sort of role model that the pack's second in command should be. However, it did warm his heart to know that the pack was still functioning and working together as a family even while they were going through such rough times. Hearing that Audra and the others had taken it upon themselves not only to respectfully bury their fallen comrades, but to actively scout the area after the attack made the hybrid proud to be part of this loyal pack, and proud to call himself a Lurker.

The warmth provided by Audra as she lay down next to him was a welcome respite from the bone-chilling cold of winter. A contented sigh left him and he lowered his muzzle down, until his nose rested against the tattered blankets they were laying on. The grooming further eased his body and mind, and he again thought to himself how lucky he was to be part of this group, with members as caring and devoted as Audra was. Ninaki was on the verge of sleep when Guess returned to the Den and merrily raised his voice to speak, and by doing so, caused the beta's eyes to snap open and his head to jerk up in surprise. There might be a slight line of irritation written into his expression, if only because the youngster had startled him and interrupted what had almost been a nap for the aging dog, but Ninaki didn't chastise Guess for it; after all, it was nice to have the blissfully happy attitude of pups running around the place. Before he got the chance to say anything further, a most unexpected guest literally landed in front of them. "An asset...?" Ninaki pondered Audra's suggestion, "Perhaps." To him, cats were occasionally a source of food, but more often he avoided their needle-sharp claws, and the dangerous bites that could so easily lead to crippling infections. But to have one as an ally...? He'd never thought about it before, yet he had to admit that the falcons that lived with the pack were great scouts and sentries; surely a feline could provide some sort of benefit as well. "We'd have to talk with the others, but it could be a good idea. Do you have a name, cat?"

Learna took the touches that Vixen offered and returned them, showing mutual respect for her fellow packmate, and an appreciation for Vixen's comforting gesture. "Your wounds look to be healing. How do you feel?" Learn's chocolate-colored muzzle leaned forward with a quivering nose, lightly inspecting the claw marks that had raked over the other's shoulder, thankfully leaving only shallow marks that hadn't cut to the bone or done serious damage. Lerna herself had her fair share of cuts, but was lucky to escape infection. When Vixen expressed some shock at the name of their new leader, Lerna sighed quietly and gave a slight, weary smile, "At first I didn't think it was a wise idea, but so far so good." And that's all she could really say; time would tell whether this was a good idea or not by having him as their leader. Next the hybrid shook her head and her smile softened, "Don't worry about that, Vixen. All that matters is that you've returned safely." She assured her friend, when Vixen expressed regret at not being here when the pack's leadership had changed.

Lerna's ears perked up when she heard a soft 'thump!' and saw a tortishell cat in the middle of the floor, but her attention didn't linger too long on the feline, since it seemed that Audra, Guess, and Ninaki had the little creature occupied. Instead, she noticed another pair of arrivals to their Den, and more relief came to her when she recognized Hedes and Breeze. Her brown, lanky tail swished through the air twice, in silent greeting to Breeze when she joined her and Vixen. The only thing that worried her was that they were lacking one member that she had expected to see with this group... where was Falcon? Fortunately, that was answered before she even had to ask. "Ahh, I wondered where he was. Its good to have our numbers accounted for. And yes..." Lerna took in a deep breath, "..I'm sure he will settle into his role."

Juliet; Auri

Juliet slinked back with her characteristic squeaky mew, but when it became apparent that she wasn't in any real danger - not yet, at least - she calmed down a bit. "I, uh, I'm Juliet. You can call me Julie...or Jules...or just Juliet. The humans call me "Bucky" for some reason." She had a quiet, meek voice, but at the same time, she was very talkative. "Wait, wait - what's an 'asset?' It's not bad, is it? 'Cause I don't mean you no harm, I'll be nice." The young cat also demonstrated her poor vocabulary.

Auri loped out of one of the rooms on the second floor and practically slid down the stairs like jello. The thin, underweight steel-gray coywolf almost had to drag herself to the group. It had been days since she had last eaten, and she was much too weak to hunt. She had been weak since birth, and if it weren't for the Lurkers, either Saydin or natural selection would have taken her by now.
It was cold. Really cold, and the thin canine could barely regulate her temperature. And the white snow outside reminded her of Kahvi's white fur. "So many losses..." She mumbles, tears forming in her eyes. "It's been years since my father died, but I still miss him." Her own mother had killed her father, and Auri never found a reason why. Was there even a reason?
Her golden eyes then seemed to light up with raging fire. "As soon as spring comes..." She paused and looked at the group. "I'm going to kill Saydin. I want her to suffer like I have suffered. I'm going to watch the light leave her eyes." For such a timid creature, she spoke very sinisterly.