a y l e n

Aylen walked in, carrying a heavy burden of the ox. Her fangs sunk absentmindedly into the carcass, getting a better grip, but her pools remained on Absolute, the brute that she loved.

I love you Absolute

I had said to him when the panic died down. He hadn't spoken since...did he hate me now? If he did, I would leave. I would not be able to stand the...pain...the sorrow. My heart would be scarred forever.

I slowly let the ox down as I reached the entrance, careful not to dump the weight on Absolute.

Absolute

He dragged in the carcass behind Aylen. Had confessing his own love before he left. His body was anew, now stronger and more confident than ever. His strides rippled with each step, his grace so wonderful and rich. Setting the food down he looked back for the rest of those who were with him. Fearing that his alpha needed help but he wouldn't abandon his post. He wondered. Just slightly, if he should follow the scent. But he stayed, limbs firmly planted in the ground as he waited for one of his superiors to give instructions.

Aminita, Scaria, & Bullet

Blindly following the orders of the other pack members, Aminita and Scaria made it to the Cedar Rock Den Site. "Go in, Scaria." The mother coaxed, nuzzling the little pup before she crawled into the den. Aminita hunched down to the side of the enterance, ready to bolt in and provide a baracade incase an enemy showed up and tried to take her last daughter from her.

Acting upon the orders of his sister Hydras, Bullet entered the forbidden lands of the Aspen Grove pack. He was sure his arrival would be far from welcomed, and only hoped that V.estige had mentioned an attempt for an alliance with the Shadow Lurkers. In any case, he was here, escorting a pack mate Fanta and her pups into enemy territory. While the rest of the Lurkers were heading for the Ruins to aid V.estige, Bullet and Sasha had been sent to safe-guard the youngest Lurker members - Fanta's pups.

"I come in peace." Sort of... He said, and thought to himself as he moved in towards the den site, yellow eyes flickering from one individual to another. "By order of Hydras and V.estige, if you haven't heard already... we are in alliance. And by order of Hydras, I am sent her to ensure the safety of some fellow pack mates." Bullet was tense, but he was not at all an arrogant creature. His head and tail were low, and his voice even and without aggression. But there was a tauntness to it to reflected the pain he felt for the loss of Jet-Wing, Yersinia, and Kenyon at the battle at the Eskers. "If you have any pups or weak members, I would suggest they stay in the den." He added afterwards, deciding it was best to show some good intentions and protect not only Fanta's pups, but anyone in the Aspen Grove pack that might need it.

Aminta's eyes lit up as she spotted her uncle. Her ears perked up for a moment, then flattened back down as she whimpered anxiously. Of all the Lurkers, only he and Aidan still reguarded her with respect and friendliness. And yet, she still felt horrible guilt whenever she saw them.

Bullet offered his little neice of sad, sympathetic smile, "Don't worry, Ami. We'll get your pups back."

Liseli

She was a little slower reaching the den, if only because she was one wolf doing a job meant for two. But she was a resilient, stubborn one, and she reached it fine. Her first order of business was to shoo the remaining pups to the back of the den, and to send a pleading glance to Aminita to go with them. She hadn't yet spotted her own young huddling in the back, but turned her attention to the adults and the arriving strangers. Her head had gone down in defense at first, but V.estige had mentioned to her possible alliance with the Lurkers, and so she let up fairly easily. When she had finally managed to set her own body at ease, she turned a soft, gentle face to Bullet.

Welcome, allies of my dear friend, in hoping that I may soon call of you 'friend' as well. Indeed, we have a plan already underway, and fortunately a luckily-timed kill has provided us with enough food for several days. We will be well enough, and can afford to share. Will you stay with us? We can really use all the help we can get, what with so many pups and Aminita only recently birthed. She will not be in good fighting shape. She didn't really know how well Aminita usually fought, but.. well.

But she added her firm voice to Bullet's soft one, her tone the reassuring one of the only current pack member besides the alphen who remembered the last war. We WILL get all the pups back. And we will have our day for vengeance. For Sauda, for the pups... for all of it. And her voice grew a little hard, for she had still not dealt with Sauda's death. She had pinned it away inside, there to eat at her soul, but she had not dealt with it. She wanted vengeance...

Jagged

The wolf padded up to the den after Liseli, worried about his father and brother, but he tried to keep a brave face for the pack. Jagged came to a halt by the den and sat in front of the entrance to the den with Aminita, just to make up for losing her other pups. He was a bit sceptical of Bullet, but if Liseli and his father seemed fine with them, he wouldn't protest. Jagged glanced to the ground. He didn't know about the war, he was alive, but very young when it happened. Infact he was almost killed by Skeil when she attacked the den. If it hadn't been for Eytan, Hidden and Hidden's brother, Jagged might not have been here now.

Little did he know his father was fighting to stay alive, and Damaged lay dead in the Ruins...

Aminita, Scaria, & Bullet

Aminita dipped her head down, whispering a quite 'thank-you' to Liseli before retreating into the den. She was prepared to be the last line of defence for the pups if worse should come to worse.

Bullet came within a few dozen yards of the den before stopping and sitting down. His ears were perked up in an alert fasion, but his head still remained lowered, "Your generosity is appriciated. It would be nice to make friends of this pack..." He trailed off a bit, closing his eyes tightly for a brief second as he remembered the fallen. However, unlike Hydras and most of the others, Bullet had always been one to forgive and move on. Sympathizing with enemies never sat well with his sister, but he couldn't help who he was. "...you mustn't be all that bad if you took in one of our own." Bullet added with a nod to the den.

Liseli*Taini*Kimama*Altan

She smiled softly at Aminita as she retreated, and again at Bullet. It was the shadow of her sister's smile, and showed how alike they were, despite their differences. Her soft desert wind voice came. This is a pack that takes in all who need a place of peace and rest, those who cannot defend themselves, those in need of home and family. I think that must be what attracted my sister to it. She was a loving wolf.

It was at this moment that she looked up and spotted a blur behind Aminita: Taini! And two more! Altan! Kimama! She turned a beaming face to Bullet, made an apologetic nod, and dashed back toward her children, laughing, crying, and whining all at once. She nuzzled each one thrououghly, washing them down with her salmon tongue as they protested vociferously. At least there were three... she did not know where Nukpana and Maska could be, and still worried for them, but at least... oh heaven, at least she was not alone.

a y l e n

I smiled at Absolute, understanding everything. I sighed lightly, my heart lifting instead of sinking. My light grey pelt gleamed with - yes, almost - hapiness. Absolute returned my love. That's all I wanted in my sad life...happiness.

My face lit up as I saw Taini. Another "old" friend. My life was lightening to something different than dark and sorrow.

"Taini!"

I cried out like a pup.

Jagged & Kalion

Following the scent of Bullet, Kalion padded towards the Cedar Rock Den. The towering Labradane came to a halt near the group, a serious look on his, usually kind, face. He didn't say anything to the Aspen Grove pack, just looked straight at Bullet. Hydras would like you to come back to the alleys, The fight has ended. Then yipped towards the den to get Aminita's attention. Once she was outside the den, he spoke again. Hydras said she would like me to bring your last pup to the alleys. It will offer her greater protection in these dark times. Don't worry, we will look after her.

Then, the hybrid turned to Liseli, who seemed to be leading the group in place of the alpha. His expression changed, and his head dipped a little. He didn't want to give this news, but knew it was up to him to tell them. I'm sorry to tell you this, but the Haunters killed Damaged. Not only that but Vestige was attacked by Risen. He's in a very bad shape, she tore out half his neck. He's at the Woodland farm if you wish to go and find him. Our pack are with him now, but we will be leaving to return to the alleys shortly. Then he stepped back towards Bullet, ready to depart with him and Aminita's last daughter.

Jagged couldn't believe his ears. A murderous growl erupted from his throat. That bitch... Damaged's death fell heavily on him, as did his fathers injury. He glanced to Liseli, before running to the farm to find his father.

Aminita, Scaria, & Bullet

Aminita came forth when she was called, looking fearfully up at Kalion, whom she had never seen before. Bullet's relaxed attitude told her that this fellow was no doubt a Lurker, but that still didn't help Ami's confidence a whole lot. "But, my baby... she's all I have..." The hybrid began to whimper in protest, scooting back slightly into the den.

Bullet felt his heart sink, but knew there would be hell to pay if he and Kalion returned to the den without the pup. "It'll only be for a short while, I'm sure. And like Kalion said, she will be safer." He said, moving closer to the den as his niece backed further into it. "We both know what will happen if your daughter doesn't come with us... Hydras will be here to get her." Bullet went on softly but sternly when Aminita refused to comply. The last thing he wanted was to take her last pup, but there was little choice he had on the matter.

Very reluctantly, Aminita nudged a frightened Scaria towards the den entrance, "It'll only be for a day or so, sweety." She whispered, licking her daughter and nuzzling her.

"Momma, I want to stay! I- I don't know them! Where am I going?" Scaria whimpered in return, pressing herself tightly against her mother when she caught sight of the towering Kalion and Bullet at the den entrance.

Bullet offered a faint smile before reaching down to take Scaria by the scruff. He couldn't bare to tell Aminita that her daughter would most likely be gone for more than a day... maybe a few weeks, if not more. With a nod to Kalion, he headed out of the Aspen Grove before Scaria and Aminita could carry their pained conversation any further.

"Oh, my baby!" Aminita continued to lament, creeping on her belly out of the den as she watched her uncle and Kalion move away with Scaria, "Scaria!"

Kalion

The canine felt the mother's pain. He moved forward, smiling softly. Don't worry, She'll be back before you know it. We'll take good care of her. Turning away, Kalion followed Bullet back to the pack.

Aaka

She had to make it right...All of it. Everything had to be right again....

The alphess of the Silver Glades was staggering, stiches in her body, blood still oozing in places and the drug still partially in effect. She came to the Aspen Grove, tears in her eyes. She had to make it right...Everything had to be right again. She had scented Lurkers here, and came but already they were leaving. She staggered towards the den and nearly crumpled at the Entrace. I'm sorry....I'm so sorry....I screwed up...Ami. I screwed up...Liseli.....I'm so sorry. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and she to knew what Aminita was going through. She had been raped just as she, and just like she had given up her pups to be raised by the Lurkers now. The Lurkers....Everything was so wrong. She couldn't focus, her eyes drifting and she was in and out of consciousness. She wasn't here to kill, she wasn't here to attack. An apology. Many lives had been taken that fateful day....And...She had to make it right. Tear filled eyes locked on Liseli, and she said in a broken voice I'm sorry for Sauda. It never should have happened.... But before she could finish, darkness claimed her.

Ino

The little plover sat high in the brush. Poor eye sight made it hard to see who was what, but voices were all she needed. She heard Damaged take off as well as the lurkers, leaving the pack unprotected, Then Aaka's arrival... "Aaka?" The psycho birdy whispered to herself. Wondering why she had suddenly stopped talking.

Liseli

The confusion around Liseli did nothing to settle her temper, but she nodded to Kalion, Bullet, and everyone, an expression of her understanding, but not much more. She had run out of emotions to give.

At least, that was what she thought, until Aaka arrived, trying to apologize for Sauda's death. Unexpected, unwanted hatred and anger welled up within her, and she longed to scream at Aaka: What do you know of pain, of suffering?! Did your soul die with your sister?! Did your heart shrivel when your mate abandoned you?! When he used you?! None of this showed on her face, and she had closed her eyes to keep it from showing there. It was not Aaka's fault. Not really. She had started the war, yes, but she had not killed Sauda, not caused Aloysious to betray her. She could not blame her for those things. This hatred was not for Aaka. The hatred was for herself.

When she opened them again she had quelled those emotions, and found Aaka in a head on the floor. Turning, she spoke to Ino. Fear not... the weakness is entirely due to loss of blood. When she wakes, she will need nourishment, which we have. All will be well.

Aminita

The sight of Aaka sent a wave of panic and dispair - not to mention guilt - parading through the meek little hybrid. She pressed herself tight to the ground, muzzle planted between stretched out forepaws as she watched her former alphess collapse in front of her. Please don't let him be here too! The mother thought in desperation, clearly recalling Legosa's threat to her before she fled from him. She had to lie.. she couldn't let Aaka know what had happened, or her pups might be killed. That is, if they hadn't been murdered by the Shadow Haunters already.

Scooting a bit closer, Aminita stretched her muzzle to touch Aaka's, the flicked out a tounge to give the fallen alpha a comforting lick, hoping that the touch might wake her up.

Aaka

It was several moments before she gained consiciousness and she raised her dial which felt like lead. The pain in her eyes was that only a mother could feel, one only another mother could understand. They...They weren't his. He was going to kill them all so I...I gave them to Hydras. I gave them all away like they were mere toys. A sob escaped her. Aminita had always been her friend, the one she could trust. She had always stood beside Aaka, even when she was deathly terrified. I thought that with time...He'd understand that just because they were anothers....That he would come to accept them. Like I had. He condemned them before birth. They...They were not his and he was going to kill them. Tears swam in her eyes and she shook her head at Liseli. Its all my fault. That...That Saudas dead. That...That Ami ran away. That I picked the wrong mate. She raised her eyes suddenly, a feaful look in them. No...no no no no. I love Legosa. He....Hes always been there for me just as you had. She said more to herself then to the others. Even when he tried to kill? It wasn't that long ago, Aaka..... The voice tickled at the back of her mind and she shut her eyes as if that would block it out.She wouldn't remember that. None of it.

Aminita

Aminita didn't know what to say at first, though she wanted to do something to make her friend happier. "He's evil..." She whispered after a moment, thinking not only about Aaka's latest litter, but of her own three pups, who's lives had been threatened by their own father. At once, Aminita regretted what she had said, and shook her head, "He does love you very much." She had seen this to be true, though it was beyond her how a father could be so uncaring of his own offspring when he loved Aaka more than anything else. "I'm sorry I left, Aaka." She added last, dropped her head to the ground again, not sure if Aaka knew why she had left in the first place.

Aaka

Her eyes were on Aminita and a soft smile crept across her lips. I love him....But sometimes love isn't enough. Her eyes were drifting all around her, then she said softly Its my fault you left Aminita. If I had never become his mate, if I had never brought him as a constant in your life, none of this would have ever happened. She had a hunch about Aminitas pups, knowing that the other was painfully shy and quiet. That Legosa had always bullied her, threatened her. You've always been my friend, Ami. What makes you think that would change now? She asked in a soft voice. Her eyes were clouded, whether it be drugs or sadness it was hard to know. If the drugs weren't in her system, she probably wouldn't be here right now.

Absolute

The illuminating brute watched all that had happened, his eyes wide in horror at the sight of the fallen alpha female. He stepped back and looked to Aylen. Then to Taini who he offered a comforting smile, trying not to drag the pup into the depression the adults were going through. He then listened to Liseli and nodded that things were going to be ok.

He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He was puzzled on what to do next.

Liseli

Liseli had finally mastered herself through the multiple greetings she had performed for newcoming wolves, and so when Aaka regained conciousness, she shook her head to the apology. Her voice was not very warm, and she could not smile, but the words were heart-felt. Aaka... you may have started the war, but you did not kill Sauda. Her blood is on Risen's jaws, not yours. I cannot let you apologize for that which is not your doing. Let that burden pass from your soul, white one, for it is not yours to carry.