Dixie

It seemed like it had been forever since Dixie had stepped foot back in the place that she had come to call home. She had led a hunting party with some of she and Argolis' older pups, Holly, and Storm as well as a few of the younger pups who could use lessons. It had gone wrong, though, and they had all been captured by humans. It had taken some time before they had been able to break free. Their biggest mistake was to put them all in the same enclosure. But it had been what had finally gotten them all free.

Dixie led the group of them back to their home, making sure to stay away from humans and mainly traveling at night where they wouldn't be noticed. They were a large group, thirteen of them in all. Some of which were puppies at the time of being taken, they were no longer. It had seemed like it had taken forever to make it to the place she had once called home. Once there, the others remained behind her as she sent out a bark for those who would hear her, hoping they would be welcomed back.

Honz/Psychotica

Honz was constantly bring Gwen meals as she nursed their four pups whose eyes had just opened. They were getting quiet fiesty. Then his ears twitched at the call.Sound familiar to you?He asks Gwen before giving a warning bark to hopefully keep them at bay till he knows.

Psychotica ears perked up at the call and moveed over to Gwen and honz so they could go see who they were and she would pup sit.

Ebony & Stormchaser

The two daughters of Patch and Equiss were snoozing contently in their own corner when the small, ragged group led by Dixie made their entrance into the Aegis Den. Ebony's head shoots up, a little grow emitting from her mouth at the sudden announcement of the strangers. Shaking the drowsiness from her senses in a split second, the dark-colored hybrid is on her paws when she recognizes the friendliness in these dogs' tones. Immediately, the born-and-raised Lurker, bounds forward towards Dixie and the group. "Family," is the first thing Ebony cries, joy shaking through her tone. "You're home!"

Stormchaser is slower to react, the blind she-wolf rising to her paws with a wagging tail. More good news seemed to reach the home of the Shadow Lurkers between Gwen's pups and now the return of some of their members. Storm stays a stride behind Ebony, the familiar scents of Dixie and the crew touching her nose. They're coated with an unfamiliar, chilling scent that reminds Storm of the humans, but she can't doubt the underlying musk of Shadow Lurker blood. Whatever they had been though, they had managed to defy odds and make it home.

Gwen & Others

Honz' devotion had allowed Gwen the time needed to devote warmth and milk to their four growing children, without having to stray often from the Den. On this night, she was catching a light nap beside her mate when the bark rang out, and immediately her muscles tensed for action as her motherly instincts kicked in. And yet just as quickly, recognition struck the alpha and calmed her heightened nerves. Eyes wide with happy surprise, she flashed a look to Honz, a smile daring to tug at her maw, "My mother is home."

A thoughtful Psychotic was already moving in their direction, and Gwen gave her a nod of appreciation before joining Ebony and Stormchaser. Tail a-wag, she showed no hesitation upon jaunting out the rusted metal doors and closing the distance between herself and her mother. "Mother, it's been so long. I can't even.." There were so many questions and concerns running through her mind, Gwen cut them off and leaned forward to nuzzle Dixie instead, tail still swaying merrily behind her.

A little slower to heed the call, but by no means any less excited, Argolis followed suit next. The tall-eared ex-alpha didn't immediately believe his ears when he heard his love's voice. Upon stepping out into the cool night and laying eyes on her though, his heart about jumped from his chest. "Dixie!" Long legs carried him swiftly to the boxer's side, showering her with licks.

Dixie

As soon as she had sent out the call to the others in her pack, she waited, an unfamiliar bark sounding to tell them to stay put. Things had changed. There were different scents surrounding the area but also some that were familiar. Her family was still there, she knew it. And that made it all the harder for her to remain where she was. But she had been gone for a long time, they all had been. So, she waited. Luckily, it wasn’t for long.

Two others approached next, one declaring them family and greeting them with robustness while the other stayed back a bit. Dixie’s stubby tail wagged at the greeting but before she could react much more than that, Gwen was there. One of her beloved daughters, she would know her anywhere even after the years had passed. Dixie’s tail wagged madly as she returned the nuzzles from her daughter. ”It’s been far too long.” She confirmed.

Then Argolis was there and wasn’t he just a sight for sore eyes? She was a flurry of excited motion as she greeted him, nuzzling him and licking his face in her excitement. Oh, how she had missed him. ”The humans, they caught us while we were out hunting. We were only just able to get free.” She explained, they had to know that none of them had left of their own free will. She would never abandon her family, both blood family and the pack that had come to be her family.

Eclipse wagged her tail in greeting to the male who had been like her father since she had come here, being Dixie’s pup when she had found the pack, Argolis was the only male she knew as a father figure. She hung back, though, letting her mother and siblings rush forward exuberantly. Cameo, Nico, and Desiree did just that, rushing forward to greet Gwen, their litter mate, as their parents had their reunion. Baccardi and Bourbon, Eclipse’s son and daughter hung back a bit with their mother, they had only been young pups when they had been taken.

Holly and Guess wagged their tails but stayed back a bit, Storm sniffed the air. She needed to know if Falcon was still around. Caine, Cascade, and Chianti joined their mother in searching for their ‘father’s’ scent.

Honz/Psychotic

Honz stayed by his mate as she went to greet her mother. He wished he had known his mother long enough to try to find her but he didn't . He followed letting the others greet each other and sitting down beside his mate.

Psychotic curled up with the pups and kept her eyes on the door.

Ebony & Stormchaser

The two sisters greet their family in a flurry of wagging tails and sniffing noses before backing off a bit. Both study Argolis and Gwen, a bit of warmth swelling in each sister's chest as the reuniting of the alpha's family. Ebony finds herself next to Eclipse, reaching over to nudge the fae gently. Eyes fall onto Baccardi and Bourbon, her mind recognizing the adults as the former bundles of fur that raced around the Aegis Den seasons ago. "Welcome home. My, haven't you two grown big and strong!," Ebony greets them softly, tail wagging once again. "I can't believe it..." she sighs this time, "We're so complete again."

Gwen & Others

Argolis could hardly contain the happiness that swelled in his heart, especially as he realized that so many of his children, including his adoptive daughter and grandchildren, were back among the living when he had thought them lost forever. "I'm so sorry I wasn't able to help you all. I thought... thought you had all perished." He nuzzled her deeply, burring his face for a moment into her fur, and taking in that familiar scent. The old alpha had a strong composure though, and as he drew his face back, it was all smiles as he refused to dwell on those sad times, "I won't let that happen again. No humans will ever catch you or our children again."

Leaving her parents to reunite, Gwen found herself facing her littermates, and feeling almost overwhelmed at the realization that they were all still alive. Forgetting for the moment that her status had changed since they were last together, Gwen didn't bother to flag her tail high in the air as an alpha should; instead it was wagging a mile a minute at their level, hard enough that her backend was swinging a bit with the motion. She gave a short yip to invite Eclipse forward, including her amongst her brothers and sisters, "Nico, Cameo, Desiree.. Eclipse!" She had a nuzzle or lick for each of them in greeting, "The Lurkers are whole again. Ha, - oh, I should introduce my mate." She nodded to the lone canine that stood beside her, "This is Honz. Honz, these are by siblings."

Desmon eventually made to the doorway, with a sleepy looking Pirqua perched between his shoulders. He gave a short bark of greeting, but hung back for the moment to allow the others to meet and greet first. His own love had returned recently, so he understood the feelings that were taking place right now, and he didn't want to interrupt that.

Dixie

Dixie had thought that she would never see her family again, though she had had to hold it together for those who were with her. She had still been their leader and the one they had looked to for guidance. She had Argolis to thank for teaching her how to lead as he had. But she wasn’t thinking of that now. She was too overcome with joy at the reunion. Her daughter was still here as was the love of her life. She nuzzled him in return, leaning into him. ”You couldn’t have known.” She told him softly, wanting to put him at ease, not wanting to allow him to blame himself. Then when he pulled back, she wagged her stub of a tail and spoke more loudly once more. ”We’re all together again, that’s what matters. We will just have to be more vigilant.” She meant it. Sure, they would be more careful now but she was thankful to have her family back. She hadn’t been as alert as she should have been. The blame was solely on her shoulders but she had come to terms with it. She looked over to her Gwen when she introduced her mate. ”It is nice to meet you, Honz. I do hope you have been taking care of my daughter.” She said, wanting to see all of her children taken care of even when she was unable to do so.

Eclipse felt the warmth of the welcome when Ebony approaches and nudges her. She offered a nudge in return as her tail wagged fiercely. She was home again. It was when the other female turned her attention to her pups that Eclipse nodded at them, giving them the okay before moving forward to Gwen, nuzzling her younger sister in greeting, tail still wagging madly. Bourbon and Baccardi wagged their tails at the older females who had approached them after being given the okay by their mother. They were still young, grown but young so that they bounced around the older female. They didn’t remember home so much, they were so young when they had been taken, but they fed off the excitement of those around them.

Nico nudged his sister once and then backed off just a little bit, he had never been overly affectionate but it was clear he was happy to see his family. Desiree and Cameo had no such qualms as they lavished their littermate with licks and nudges, like they were big puppies themselves. At least until Gwen stopped to speak, introducing another canine who they all regarded for a moment, then their tails wagged once more, they stayed quiet as their mother spoke, though.

Holly returned a bark of her own, a greeting to the male who stood a little ways away.

Honz

Part of him felt like he was intruding, however he was the alpha male and he needed to meet and know everyone in it so he stood faithfully by Gwen's side.It is a pleasure to meet you and he chuckled.And I don't know it might be her taking care of me as I use to only scavenge and beg for food from the humans and occasionally steal from themHe said calmly.

Psychotica laid down with the pups. She still has not found any of her family so remained here with thse mixed of canines.

Gwen & Others

Argolis would certainly be more alert to the humans and their activities now, though it was ultimately up to Gwen and Honz on how to handle this ever-present threat. He counted his stars lucky that none of them appeared to have any obvious injuries or ailments from their long confinement, and as his mate spoke softly to alleviate his building worry over the 'what-if's, the ex-leader filled his mind instead with the family he had at the present. And that brought a new smile to his face, "Speaking of being all together again, you're a grandmother once more. And me, a new grandpa." He nodded his lean muzzle towards the Den, and almost stepped forward to lead the whole brigade back into the factory before remembering that he was no longer alpha. And those new pups weren't his.

Gwen was chuckling with warmth at the conversation between her mother and her mate, and basking in the joy of this reunion. "I couldn't have found a more perfect partner." She assured her mother, and leaned her brindle muzzle to give Honz a lick on the chin. "He may have a bit of learning to do when it comes to hunting, but even that hasn't stopped him from ensuring I've had more than enough food these past few weeks." Her chuckling eventually sobered as Argolis mentioned the pups, and she nodded to him, "Why don't we all come inside? There are new little faces to meet, and a few old ones." She turned about and started in through the old rusty doors, brushing the side of her body against her mate as she did so. "Auri and Kobalt have returned as well."

Desmon wagged his tail at Holly's greeting, excitement clear in his posture. When he saw the pack turning back to the entrance, Desmon slipped inside himself, and moved off a ways to give the group space.

Dixie

Dixie spoke to her daughter's mate first, telling him of her wishes that he would look after her daughter, that he would make sure that she was safe. The response that he gave should have worried her, but she had been there at one time. If Argolis hadn't taken her in under his wing and taught her how to survive in the wild here, she probably would have perished long ago. And she thought that she had turned into quite the successful street dog. "I started out that way as well, you will learn quickly. It seems that my daughter has every bit of faith in that." She offered with a little wag of her tail at her daughter's assurance that Honz was the perfect partner for her. Dixie would accept nothing less for her pups, she only hoped that her other pups might eventually find such partnerships in their lives as well. She knew that she had found such a thing in Argolis.

Speaking of Argolis, the smile that lit his face made her heart soar like it hadn't the whole time she had been away from him. He mentioned them once more being grandparents and a smile spread over her own muzzle as well. "That is great news." She said cheerfully, then she nodded her head at the suggestion that they go back inside. "Yes, let's go inside. I am looking forward to meeting these new faces as well as finally truly being back home with the ones I love." She couldn't help but to nuzzle Argolis once again, completely enamored with him still and almost unbelieving in her good fortune that she had been able to return to him once more.

Holly greeted Desmon with nothing but friendliness, she had no reason to do anything less. Then she noticed that the others had begun to move inside and she followed, also hanging back just a little bit. She had always been best friends with Dixie, but she knew that she wasn't necessarily family. So, she didn't want to intrude too much. But it was good to be back with those that had become something of a family to her.