Ethan & *Pack*

The long, bumpy trip back to the secluded cabin would not be a fun one for Aizen, who would have to deal with sharp words and even sharper blows if he tried to scramble into the front seat again, or do anything that the man found remotely bothersome. Ethan hadn't stopped once to deal with his bleeding arm, worried less about those superficial wounds and more about how bold that attack by the Haunters had been. The two big cats were new to him, but most of those canines were immediately recognizable - the giant grizzled brute with the two-toned eyes, the smaller female with the same mutation, and the black-backed female. All three had been present during the assault here last spring that saw his wild mare freed.

Of them all, Tersek kept coming to mind. As the car wobbled down the last stretch of gravel road, splashing through rivulets of melt water and the tiny crevices they carved into the path, he looked through his rearview mirror at the hybrid in his backseat. That same grizzled coat, just like Momo, only a little darker. Strong muscles and an even stronger attitude. His eyes narrowed as thoughts swirled in his head.

Tommy stood up and padded down off the porch when he heard his master's car approach. The black coated lab-mix immediately picked up the odor of other animals clinging to the battered car, and with hesitation he approached as Ethan brought the vehicle to a step in front of a large garage. "Hey guys, come check this out!" Tommy bayed, alerting the rest of Ethan's hounds.

Inside the car, Ethan was reaching for Aizen's scruff, forcefully trying to haul the hybrid closer to him so he could tie the remnants of Momo's rope around his collar so that he wouldn't have the chance to jump out of the car and dash away the second the door was opened...

Aizen

Aizen could barely remain standing let alone move to the front of the car while it was running and when it came to a stop he was a little dazed from it. He snarls when his scruff is grabbed and what was left of his sisters rope tied around the collar that had been placed on his neck. The 140 lb wolf dog snarls as he is dragged out. He ignores the others that had gathered as he tries to free his mouth so he can bite this damn two legger.

Ethan & *Pack*

As powerfully as Aizen tried to resist, Ethan's grip was like iron, and he was not afraid to give the hybrid a painful squeeze if he fought too hard. "Heel." The command was issued as a deep bark, with an expression as fierce as a growing storm. Even Tommy, who knew the order wasn't for him, pinned his black ears back momentarily and tucked his tail. Ethan jerked the rope to force Aizen to his side, and he'd hold him there until the hybrid stopped struggling, just to prove who was in charge and what he expected.

Tommy slowly folded his ears back up and minced in a wide semi-circle around his master and the newcomer, nose wiggling intensely as he tried to pick up the brute's scent without getting too close and irritating Ethan. "You smell like those mongrels that came here a few months back. Huh, surprised Ethan didn't kill you right off."

Tommy was soon joined by his granddaughter, a leggy hybrid with a soft fact and a blend of silver to her mostly ebony coat. Ruddy-red eyes looked over the mutt that had been brought before them, and a smile crossed her muzzle. "A new packmate, or is this one practice?

"Packmate, I think." Tommy answered, "Ethan told him to heel." The elder dog chuckled as he watched Aizen try and fail to remove his muzzle, "The more you fight it, the longer it's gonna take. Just listen to what Ethan tells you, and your life will be a lot easier."

Aizen

Aizen snarled as he was pulled to the mans side. His ears back and his tail up and stiff as he fought but stopped when the others spoke.Maybe I am one of them we aren't the mongrels you two legged obediant muttshe snarled.ethan is not my alpha!He snarled.

Ethan & *Pack*

"Heel." There was almost a warning quality to the tone of his voice, and again Tommy laced his ears back briefly and darted a look up at that stony face. Fortunately, Aizen had stopped struggling at this point, and had stood growling with his tail flagged. It was apparently enough to appease Ethan, who clicked his tongue and then began to walk forward, giving the rope a tug to lead the captured Haunter forward.

Tommy and Silver Fyre skittered out of his way, each taking up a spot on either side of their master as the female now spoke, "Hey, look at the bright side. He's apparently not using you as bait for us to practice on, so you might be joining us." Her eyes had fallen to his missing leg, which Aizen seemed to compensate for well enough, "Odd he'd take in a crippled one, but you've got some spunk."

Ethan led Aizen into a small enclosure, a ten by ten foot pen made of metal bars with equally high walls. After closing the door behind him, and with the shock-stick in hand from before, he reached down to unlatch Aizen's muzzle and remove it... "Oooh boy, looks like training indeed." Tommy remarked as he sat down outside of the fence to watch. "You'll learn quick why it pays to be obedient. That or you'll be dead - I've seen that happen too."

Aizen

He growled as Ethan more then the dogs around him. Then he was being pulled toward a cage.He had my sister so don't think he minds those of us with issuesHe growled. Then he was in ca cage and the muzzle removed. However, he knows what the prod does and keeps his distance pacing with his teeth bared and tail up.He'll learn that you don't mess with the haunters seeing as he didn't learn beforeHe growled.

Ethan & *Pack*

Every movement Aizen made was watched with hawk-like intensity from the tall man, who himself looked perfectly calm despite the fact that he was in a cage with a wild Haunter. Ethan lingered for a moment, studying the hybrid, before stepping out of the kennel and striding towards the nearby barn.

Tommy and Silver moved closer to the kennel, sniffing at the air as they picked through the various scents that Aizen and Ethan carried with them. The little ebony dog spoke first, "Ethan is a hunter, and no wild animal scares him. Dogs, big cats, moose - he can handle them all."

Silver Fyre nods to her grandfather's assessment, "Plus, he has us to help him fight. Us and the hounds, of course. And who knows, maybe you'll be added to the pack if you survive training? It's a great life, as long as you listen to Ethan's orders." Her tail, silvery ears ticked to the side, hearing Ethan rummaging through things in the nearby barn. Soon enough, the fellow was stepping back outside, a collar in one hand and a bag of something in the other.

Aizen

His teeth remain bared and he paces keeping his distance from the man. Thats a laugh, Lets see him face the whole of my pack and this whole valley, we will get everyone to come attack. And then you and your lazy asses can either let him to his fater or die fighting for him. I very much like my wild life its far funner and betterHe growled. Again ethan is not my alpha I listen to Senka and My father no one elseHE growled. Then the man was back with a collar thing in one hand and a bag in the other which he was a tad bit curious but he kept his distance and bared his teeth at him.

Ethan & *Pack*

Silver Fyre tilted her head as she examined the tri-legged canine pacing the kennel, vehemently proclaiming his independence. "I think you might be underestimating Ethan's prowess as a hunter. He did kill one of yours, after all; a little wolf, a while back?" Where the pack had left Nahimana's body, Silver had eventually found it after tracking the fae's blood trail. "And our life isn't far removed from our wild kin; we have miles to roam, and no leash to hold us back like a typical pet. We simple benefit from an alpha that's a human."

Tommy turned his eyes up to Ethan as the man strode past, his ears briefly flicking down as his tail gave a small wag. He received a glance for his efforts before Ethan grabbed the meta rod and slipped into the kennel. The collar was hung up on the side of the fencing along with the bag, but not before Ethan reached in to take out a small piece of dried meat.

Wordlessly, the tall man stooped and held out the meat, a few feet from where Aizen was, and clicked his tongue. The rod was still held in his other hand, but it was gripped idly, and low to the ground.

Tommy turned a look to his granddaughter, "Think he'll survive training?"

Silver Fyre shrugged, "I think so. He's bullheaded, but he seems smart."

Aizen

His tail remained up and stiff as he snorted.He can't take on the whole of the haunters sweety we're not just wolveshe said. You are far from us wild born. You wouldn't be able to survive if he diedHe said with a snort.and we haunters won't help you eitherHe said. He watched the man as they weren't much of a threat on the other side. Plus the dried meat smelled a little bit tasty but not as much as fresh meat would. PLus I like fresh raw meat its much better then what ever the hell he trying to offer meHe said. His ears were back. HIs nose was going but he for the moment refused to go any where near the man. For multiple reasons.

Ethan & *Pack*

"I've seen the cats, and Carbon's told me about the others." Silver Fyre answered back unphased, "Don't be so quick to underestimate your enemies there, wild one. We have captured you and your horse, after all, and slain one of your packmates." Instead of snide or bragging, the silver-brushed fae was casual in her tones. She was more curious about Aizen than she was intimidated or angered by him, and it showed in her posture and tone alike. "We get plenty of fresh meat, don't worry about that. But I think you'd be surprised at how good that dry stuff is too. He'll give you some if you do what he asks of you."

Ethan clicked his tongue and extended his arm further, but it was clear to him that Aizen was not interested in the morsel. He tossed it to the ground a foot from the tri-legged dog and murmured a curiously soft word. Tommy perked his dark ears at it, then looked expectantly to Aizen, “You'd save yourself some grief if you'd just take the meat and stop growling at him. Seems he's not gonna use you as bait. At least, as long as you cooperate."

Aizen

Aizen was still debating on much he should go along with this.Even if I go along with this stupid charade I won't be captive for long, my family and pack will come, and just like with the horse we broke free they will break me free and I will not aide you I will aide them. He will never be my alphahe said. His tail remained up just to proof it. But when the man threw the meat thing on the ground he did sniff at it.Yah you only get fresh meat he kills with those loud cruel things he carries, even if he don't make the final blow you take away what a hunt truly is you could never make it in the wild Of course there is one thing in the wild that was frowned on if you were someone like him or his sisters and that was breeding. No one knew why him and the rest of his bilings were born this way so they didn't want to risk it spreading. He finally took the thing and ate it.tastes disgustinghe said making a distinctive disguested face at the taste. He kept his distance however he did for the moment stop growling since the man didn't try anything. HE could turn it on the man, he could possibly work this the opposite way.

Ethan & *Pack*

Silver Fyre chuckled softly, "You say that, but I think you'll find life with Ethan isn't so bad. We have the best of both worlds, really. We have the freedom to roam and hunt, and the protection and comfort of what the humans can offer." She watched him tilt his muzzle down to sniff at the meat, while Ethan eyed the canine was even greater scrutiny. "Break a leg out here, and he'll take care of it and make sure you're fed and warm. Break it out there... well, even your great alphas can't fix it like the human's can."

After Aizen ate the morsel of meat, Ethan once more clicked his tongue and grabbed a second piece. This one he tossed on the ground too, before slowly advancing with the collar. If Aizen reached down for the meat, Ethan would try to slip the collar around the hybrid's neck.

"You'll get a taste for it." Tommy commented, noticing Aizen's disgruntled expression. "And if you're particularly good, he'll share some of his own food with you. I don't know how they do it, but humans can make good food taste even better with their fire and spices."

Aizen

He snorted.I rather be dead then even have a broken leg. We are strong in the wild it would take lot to break our legshe growled. I don't want to get a taste for it i want to eat deer and elk and wild animals that my pack catches with their own teeth. He said with a snort.Their stuff is worse and not as good as the wild foodhe said ignoring the piece on the ground. One was good enough. He kept his distance.

Ethan & *Pack*

Tommy chuckled and shared a look with his granddaughter, before returning his tamed gaze back to Aizen, "Your strength is exactly why Ethan's interested in you. You only have three legs, but you seem pretty fit and hale, so you must have some good survival instincts in you." His eyes wandered to the missing limb and he cocked his head, "How'd you lose it, anyway?"

Ethan was a patient man, but he worked on his own time and was not willing to wait for too long with Aizen. There was still something dangerous in that calm face of his, and though no anger showed, Silver Fyre flicked her ears back when her gaze traveled across Ethan's face. The man advanced on Aizen, moving forward on his long legs as he attempted to slide the collar quickly over the brute's muzzle and down along his neck...

Aizen

Aizen snorted at it. I was born this wayhe said and then the collar was going over his neck and he snarled and snapped at Ethan's hand.

Ethan & *Pack*

The second Aizen snarled and moved to snap, Ethan was swinging the rod down against his muzzle with stunning force, while drawing the other hand away to avoid the slash of teeth. A harsh word was shouted, and the calm face contorted into something dangerous looking. Whether or not Aizen was able to dodge the swing, Ethan gave him a moment to collect himself before trying again to place the collar on...

Silver and her grandfather both pinned their ears at the harsh shout of 'No' that Ethan had directed at Aizen. It was Silver Fyre who spoke next, "Just some friendly advice there wild boy, this is either going to end with you accepting that collar, or having a bashed in head. Ethan really doesn't do things half-assed."

"Look at the bright side-" Tommy piped up, his voice cheerful despite what was happening just a few feet in front of him, "Get that collar on and train a bit with him, and you can run around out here with us."

Aizen

Aizen growled and snarled at the hit and backed away.With you? ha! The moment I get the chance im out of here entirely and I will return to my family where I belonghe growled.And I ain't wearing that.... what you call it? Collar? How degrading. he growled however the lapse in his attention on the human and the human had the collar on and he snarled out and this time lunged for the hand with the club like thing before backing away and trying to scratch the thing off. His ears back.

Ethan & *Pack*

Time with the Haunters had made Aizen a bit more aggressive and attuned to fighting that the average dog that Ethan worked with, and quick as he was, he couldn't fully dodge the second strike the canine made. Teeth grazed his knuckles before he yanked his digits out of reach, and in that very same movement, Ethan was swinging his other fist towards the side of Aizen's head with smashing force as punishment for daring to draw blood...

"You turn your nose up at the collar now, but when some enemy tries to go for your throat and it stops their fangs, you'll be thanking it." Silver Trace points out in a knowing manner, "Especially when it has these spikes on it." She tilted her head to the side, exposing the small line of spikes that lined her collar. "You've just been out in the wild for so long, you don't know how to open your mind to new things..." She trailed off as Aizen snapped at Ethan, and was surprised to see a well of blood seeping up from the grazes on his knuckles. The fae winced a little; not for Ethan, but for the retribution that was coming against Aizen.

Aizen

HE snorts.I will always be wild its where I belong, it be where you belong if you knew what was good for youHE growled. He was quicker to dodge this time. He knew what biting got and he ducked just as the males hand soars over his head and he moves away to try and get rid of the thing on his neck. No matter how obediant he thinks I might be in the end when my family shows up I will join them in the fightHe growled.