Stormrunner

Hours after the pack had filled themselves on the latest kill, and after Iopa had retreated to the den to rest, Stormrunner returned to the pack's main rendezvous point. He still hadn't seen Megatron, nor either of his parents, but for the moment didn't think too much of it. He expected he'd see them by tomorrow at the latest, after Megs had time to cool down, and after Tay and Star returned from whatever outing they'd decided to go on.

Things were going well for the pack, with pups on the way and the status dispute between his brothers finally ended. There was just one more thing he needed to take care of though, and he wanted it settled before Iopa had her pups. With this mission on his mind, Stormrunner sat back on his haunches and howled, calling for Blackout and Waterlily.

Blackout

Did Blackout like knocking Megatron down no he had been content on sharing the beta title with him but megatron was meant to be an alpha so even being beta had been difficult for his older brother. He had been enjoying his down time with his now Mate Lilly. When he heard the howl. He nudged Waterlilly and got up with his tail in beta position he moved toward his brother.

Stormrunner & Waterlily

Waterlily scrambled to her paws and followed dutifully after her mate. Like him, she also carried her tail high to reflect her new rank, feeling fairly confident that no one would challenge her for this. Iopa was already her superior, and the remaining females in the pack were too elderly to be a threat.

Stormrunner waited patiently in the clearing until the pair arrived. Seated as he was on the ground, he didn't bother to raise his own tail. He greeted each with a nod and a friendly facade, "Blackout, Waterlily, I first want to congratulate you on your new bond...?"

To this, Waterlily smiled, turning her head sideways and nudging it affectionately against Black's cheek, "Yes, we're mates."

A smile broadened over Storm's ashen muzzle before being tempered. "I thought as much. Well, I'm happy to hear it. You both deserve each other." His banner beat the ground a time or two before going still once more. The lingering smile then faded completely, and a more serious look overtook his features, "There is an issue I need to bring up with you both, privately." He took a small breath, and his eyes settled primarily on his brother's. "I accept you both as my betas. I know things have been rough the last few weeks with Megatron's aggression, but I need your word that you will do your best as my second in command. I need a beta who can listen to my orders, and not act like you did earlier." His words were stern, but held a softness to them that would never have come from the mouth of Starscream. "We're a team, and I need your support. Both of you." His gaze turned to Waterlily, making sure she felt included.

The she-wolf nodded, her eyes first dancing sharply away from Storms in instinctive submission before turning back, "Of course."

Stormrunner sighed, looking to Black again, "As much as I love our brother, I'm glad you are at my side again, Blackout. You've got a good head on your shoulders."

Blackout

he sat by his mate and he let his brother speak. Oh he wanted to say something on it but he held it back. Blackout knew he had been in his right to be fighting Megatron and Storm had been in the wrong to try to stop it. But he wouldn't sit here arguing with his brother about right and wrong cause Storm always thought he was right. **Of course brother**

Stormrunner & Waterlily

"Thanks, Black." The alpha answered back with sincerity, not realizing that some discontent still rippled through his sibling's mind. Another sigh left Stormrunner, this one of content as he let go of the tension that had been building in him. With Blackout on his side, he no longer felt as if he were stepping on eggshells, and knew that the rest of the pack could return to peace as well now that the constant quarrels had ended.

"I figured the pack can rest for the day, and in the morning we can travel together to reaffirm our borders. I also want to check in on our neighbors and see how we are sitting with them." Storm explained, "In the next few days, I'd like you both to travel to the Sonnet Forest and see if they will make an alliance with us; I'm going to check in with the Parnassian pack and make sure are pact with Crucifix still stands."

Waterlily merely nodded to Stormrunner, accepting the quest without complaint. She wasn't at all familiar with the Sonnet Forest wolves, but had heard them howling on occasion. She was also unfamiliar with the Parnassian pack, and like Stormrunner, didn't know that there had been a change in leadership recently.

Blackout

Blackout was silent now as he listened **Of course **

Stormrunner & Waterlily

"I'd better get back to Iopa now. You two get some rest." Stormrunner suggested as he took a moment to stretch his forelegs and loosen muscles made sore by the moose hunt. After a quick shake of his head, the storm-gray alpha turned and loped away, his spirits high.

Waterlily had given Storm an acknowledging nod, also staying silent until the leader had left the clearing. "Rest does sound nice." She said, turning to her mate and readily leaning against him, for the simple pleasure of being in physical contact with the other.

Blackout

Blackout nodded to him and then led lilly to the pack to rest.

Waterlily

Waterlily followed beside her mate, matching his steps and getting use to the feeling of carrying her tail high.