The two wolves padded softly across the lands, apart yet together. One was the shade of coal, her fur shining with the light of the afternoon sun. She was cautious, her ears flicked back and forth and her nose was constantly straining for signs of a threat. She had due right to be nervous: this was not their land. They had been forced to flee their old pack when a wild fire had spread through the forrest, devouring what had once been their home. Her belly was plump with pups, she was expecting soon.

The male trotted along a few feet to the side and behind the female. He was tan with an over lying of grey: a typical timber wolf. He was lean and well muscled, larger than the female. He had an air of relaxation about him, though it was an act. They had been forced out of two of their former homes: First their home packs, each being an enemy of the other, second: the pack that they themselves had established, due to a wildfire. He was wary of the territory they were in, not wanting to be ambushed by over protective alphas. He sighed, his eyes becoming sad for a moment. The wolfess stopped in her travels and stared back at him, her amber eyes glowing against the black of her fur.

"Is something wrong?" Her voice was soft, like the light of the moon. She loved her mate dearly, and she was worried that all of the stress he had been put through lately had had a negative affect of him. He gave her a smile. "No, I'm fine."

Not completely satisfied with the answer, the female didn't push it. She turned back around and lifted her head to the sky. The male did the same. Together, they sang a song of arrival, the howl reaching out far across the lands, alerting the alpha to their presence.

Whilst investigating one wolfess that had called for him, two more howls echoed through Aspen Grove. Vestige became concerned, was this a trick, a plan by Risen. He wouldn't put it past her, she had already managed to poison them all without them knowing.

He quickly looked to the wolfess he was currently with, "Please, come with me. I need to speak with these wolves aswell. We can speak in a moment." Vestige half-smiled, and turned sharply to trot towards the two new howls.

Arriving a few minutes after their call, the arctic wolf slowed and stopped a few feet from them. He was surprised to find the female pregnant. More pups to add to the collection. With a warmer smile, as he himself was a father, Vestige yipped a greeting. His blind, left eye was red and punctured from his last encounter with Risen, but had stopped bleeding long ago; yet it still looked a bit of a mess. Hopefully he could win them over on personality rather than his battle-scarred appearance. "Hello, My name is Vestige, I'm the alpha of the Aspen Grove pack. Can I help you with anything?"

He hadn't forgotten about Momo, one ear was pointed behind him to see if she had followed. He would adress them all together, should they decide to stay.

The sound of the alphen brought a second set of pads to the gathering. With a low yip to tell himi that she was coming, she wound her way through the many trees and pulled up beside Vestige, a look on her face that was only a small step away from unfriendly. She was trying her best to smile and be welcoming but... well. That was something else. A flash of black that only she could see played at the corner of her eye, making her twitch in that direction every so often, thinking furiously. Go away! I've my own memories, I won't harbor yours!

But all this was silent as she kept her smile pasted on her face, trying desperately to more genuinely welcome these newcomers. Gracious sakes, I probably look frightful. Relax! And she finally forced her body to untense, the smile becoming more real, more solid, tail waving a bit. Hello.

Stealth raced through the forest frantically. Say nothing...say nothing... He thought. The trees seemed to fall down around him. He stopped only a moment to look back. Seeing nothing, he continued running. But he came to another halt when he reached the Aspen Grove. He was breathing quickly and his heart was racing. He glanced around for a while before stepping forward. "I need a place to stay." He gasped, tail between his legs.

The two wolves wagged their tails slowly, and the male stepped foreward. "I am Soledad, and this is my mate, Lunar." The black female smiled and stepped to her mate's side. "We would like to join you pack," she said softly, her head slightly lowered. Soledad bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, we are in need of a new home."

Lunar looked at the individual wolves that had appeared since the alpha had greeted them, her somehow harsh amber eyes studied each one of them closely. She decided that she felt safe in all of their presence, and she relaxed, nuzzling her mate affectionately. She returned her gaze to the alpha. He was well scared with battle wounds, and his left eye did look gastly. But she understood that it was an alpha's duty to protect the pack, this she knew well. She and Soledad had tried and had failed in the duty, hence the reason for them being here.

Soledad was.... more comfortable, seeing the alpha with battle wounds. He could tell that the wolf was trustworthy, and that this was indeed a fine pack to choose.

The young Saluki came back to the mainlands, barking for her two younger pups to follow. She sat at the edge of the clearing and watched the newcomers for a while. "Hello, friends." She said, bowing her head. "I am Dove. I am pleased that you might choose to join my Alpha's pack."

Silence stayed by Dove's side. She sensed her mother's stress, but did not know what to think of it.

Lunar smiled gently. The scents of many wolves covered this land, she could tell that it was a fine place to raise her soon to be pups. She wagged her tail faster. "We are more than happy to join this prosperous pack. I would feel less comfortable if the pack was.... less established.. then it already is, with my pups on the way and all." She creened her neck and licked at a spot of fur that was sticking up the wrong way, her pink tug manuvering it back into place.

Soledad nodded in aggreance. To tell the truth, he was very nervous about this first litter of pups that he was having. He shifted his weight back and forth on his front paws, and he was staring down at them distractedly. Lunar, who knew that he was worried that he wouldn't be a good father, gave him a gentle, reassuring nuzzle. "Do not fret, you will make a fine father." Soledad smiled at her and licked her muzzle.

Liseli's arrival made the smile on Vestige's face a bit brighter. His tail waved a bit and he quickly turned to give her a friendly nuzzle in greeting. No sooner had Liseli arrived, another wolf came sprinting through the trees. Four members at one time? How strange!

He smiled at Stealth, and gave him a short nod as Lunar and Soledad also requested to join. "Well you are all welcome here, but please, stay here for a little longer before you explore, for I must tell each of you about a few things."

He paused, eyes travelling round the new wolves as he spoke. The smile faded slightly, this next bit could change their minds.

"Well, as I've said, My name is Vestige. I am the alpha, and this lovely lady beside me is my Beta, Liseli..." He stopped when Dove appeared, grinning in her direction. "I'm sure you'll get a chance to meet the other pack members later. Now, we...we're in a bit of a situation at the moment. War has broken out across the valley, and there are two main sides. Us, and the Shadow Haunters. It's mostly my fault...In a battle at the Eskers many years ago I almost killed the alphess of the Shadow Haunters, and she's had a vendetta against me ever since. She's been close to killing me many times, but somehow I'm still around. Now, Camarin, one of the members, offered three pups to the Haunters in return for this packs safety. They have agreed, but I still don't trust them. The only rule here right now if to not leave Aspen Grove on your own. Go in groups of two at the very least. We are not alone in this war, we have many fighting at our side to be rid of the Haunters. Just be wary of everyone, unless you know they are a friend."

He fixed each of them with a firm stare, signalling this was not a matter to be taken lightly. "Now, on a brighter note; Lunar, Soledad, Your pups will be very well guarded. We have a fair few here ad we are always happy to help. We hunt, eat and play as a group, there is no order. All I ask is that you show me respect, as well as Liseli. If you have any questions, either about the pack, or the war situation, of us will be happy to help. You may eat, sleep of whatever you wish. Welcome to the Aspen Grove pack." He smiled warmly now, lifting his head in pride of his growing pack. He knew his time would come soon, but he was going to go out with a bang, and take Risen down with him...

Stealth listened closely, struggling to catch his breath. "It all...It all sounds good..." He said, still gasping. He walked closer to the group, then collapsed on the ground. He looked up at Vestige. "Don't mind me...I just need to rest. I'm...fine..." He told the truth - for he was exhausted after his long run.

Under the order of her Alpha, the Javelina made her way to the Aspen Grove. All the canines made her a bit uneasy, but she stayed strong. Phoenix had told her she should do this. She walked closer to the group and bowed. "I-I am Saguaro of the Sonnet Forest and I am requesting an alliance." She said shyly. "My Alpha is War Song. Perhaps we could aid you in your battles."

Turning to face the Javelina, Vestige smiled and nodded. "You may tell War Song I accept. We are allies. Know that we will be loyal, and thank you."

Saguaro smiled. "Thank you, and my packmates thank you too. She said happily, then bowed and walked away.

Soledad nodded his head silently as the alpha told him of the war situation. He was worried for his puppies for just a breif moment, but Vestige's words assured him that they would be safe. He himself would be willing to help fight this war, to protect the future home of his own offspring.

Lunar felt very much the same as her mate; she too would fight for her pups safety and happiness. Both of their conviction was a strong as ever, both showing it in their posture. Soledad spoke. "We shall join you in your fight against these... Shadow Haunters." Lunar chuckled softly. "Me when I'm ready, that is." She smiled at her new pack members, a new loyalty brewing within her. She just wished that this would be the last home that they would need to seek out.

The alpha smiled, nodding his head briefly. "Then welcome, my friends. You may rest, and if any of you are hungry I could organise a hunting party to bring back some food for you if you wish."

The black wolf looked gratefully at the alpha. "That would be very kind of you." She was suddenly unsettled. "I think that I am in need of a den."

Soledad looked at her excitedly. "Now!?" His heart was beating rapidly in his chest as his mind raced and a knot of anxiety began in his stomach. Lunar chuckled. "Soon, but not this exact moment."

Vestige smiled, but a tug of worry did pull at his heart. Still, he nodded once more and directed his muzzle towards a group of Cedar Trees. "There is a den there, or a larger one further north. The choice is yours."

Lunar smiled gratefully at Vestige, her face clear of worry. "Thank you." She wagged her tail once and then trotted off, her still worried mate following behind her.

It was only after the newcomers arrived that the white fae completely relaxed, voice soft. I'm... gonna have to wrk on that. I... I think I frightened them. And she gave him a sheepish smile, though her eyes still flicked once and again to the side, still trying to banish that speck of black fur. I don't know, Vestige... with so much death recently... I guess even I, the great philosopher, get worried sometimes. She smiled, made it a joke, for she was always sending one or another of her children to whisper in her alpha's ear, or even doing so herself. "The great philosopher"... but she did not know the answers, not nearly enough of them. That black blur... why?

The alpha watched Lunar and Soledad leave, smiling quietly to himself. Such youth, bonds of love that seemed unbreakable in this case. He wasn't so lucky.

Turning his head, Vestige grinned at Liseli, laughing loudly at her comment, though a hint of fear and pain at the words "with so much death recently" could be seen in his eyes. "Well you must not worry, Liseli. Not whilst we have such a strong pack, and hope and love that joins us better than anything else in this world." He grinned broadly, his eyes now sparkling with childish humour, "Plus, You've got me, and no-one messes with me! I'm the top dog in this valley and no one is gonna take it from me."

Just as he finished, a howl could be heard through the wind coming from the Den. Perking his ears, Vestige looked at Liseli; once again the flicker of pain shot through his eyes, but was quickly coveredas he thought of his own children. "It seems we have three new additions to the pack. Care to join me in meeting them?"

She grinned at his humor, batting at his ear as if she was scolding him for the hubris. Yes, the King of the wolves, my alpha.

But the howl also caught her attention, and she turned her head towards the sound, a soft murmur saying, Go! sent to send the black spot away. She did not miss the pain in his eyes, but she chose not to acknowledge it, because he, of all wolves, knew that she understood, and shared the pain. So she only nodded, turning with him to head toward the sound.

Dove closed her eyes when she heard the howl. This pack has been through a lot recently. All she could think of was the darkness. She took a deep breath. "To know the morning, I must know the midnight." She said softly, then stood up and walked towards the den.