He trotted back home, is yellow gaze searching for his younger brother. After Legosa had torn into him, he knew Phelan would come home. A howl was sent up, calling to his smaller, weaker brother. He'd help him in any way he could to stand up to his father but there was some things that Faute just couldn't do and that was fill Phelan with the courage he needed to stand up to Legosa.

Ears down and tail tucked, the dark-colored runt came scampering across the snowy ground. He paused for a moment, looking uncertainly to Faute, not knowing what to expect. To be punished? To be roughed up, just for the fun of it? What he did know was that if he didn't respond, he'd be in even more trouble.

"Here I am Faute. Is-is there something you need?" Phelan asked in a timid voice, keeping himself low to the ground as he looked up to his larger brother.

He turned his brown eyes to Phelan and a soft sigh escaped him. He had a lot of work to do. Why do you do that, Phelan? When you cower, your just asking for father or Atticus to lay into you. Even if you don't have courage, you could at least pretend. His words weren't said as a reprimend, but as advice. He was tired of seeing his smaller brother getting picked on and yelled at. He wanted to help, and by god he was going to. He couldn't save Sang, but he sure as hell could try and save Phelan.

His head lowered even more, though he figured that was the exact opposite of what his brother wanted. "I... can't help it." Phelan admitted with downcast eyes. Worried that such a response would anger his brother, the hybrid quickly added, "B-but I can try, maybe... it's just... I don't know.." Apart from being submissive, his self-confidence was extremely low as well.

A soft sigh was given to his younger, smaller brother. Eyes narrowing, he looked around him to make sure they were alone before he said in a soft tone Phelan, I want you to attack me. Growl, as loud as you can and attack me. I won't retaliate. His etes abd voice were both firm, gazing hard at his brother. He was serious about this. He was going to give Phelan a good self confidence boost.

The little hybrid's eyes grew wide and he took a fumbling step back, "Attack you..?" He repeated, as if unsure he heard his brother right. "I-I can't do that... I can't attack you..." He mumbled hastily, looking down now, head low.

In the distance, another hybrid could be seen, larger than the two with a grey head and rump. Atticus. He didn't see his brothers right away, nor hear what they were talking about. He was too busy- the hybrid was dragging in the body of a yearling fallow buck. It's coat was a rich red-brown, with striking white spots along the back. The hindlegs were mangled, with fragments of bones sticking out here and there. But it was a bite to the throat that had killed the yearling.

After dragging the kill further into the terra, Atticus dropped his hold and finally caught sight of Faute and Phelan. "What did Phelan do this time?" The brother scoffed, but shook his head and spoke again before anyone could answer. "Anyway, come check this out. Our sister tried to save this deer! A deer!" He laughed, licking the blood from his muzzle, where he had bitten the throat of Temp to kill him. It had been easy to trail the three deer as they left Orca Bay, and even easier to spook them so that they dropped their friend. "Oh well, it's an easy lunch for us."

He was about to yell at Phelan to do as he said, when suddenly Atticus arrived.He froze, gave a warning look to Phelan to say nevermind, then said to Atticus Who? Lost? Or....Sang? Sangs been gone for awhile now. I thought she was dead. HE mused aloud. Scowling he said And Phelan didn't do anything. Dad's just being an ass. He lay down, then reached out and took a bite of the deer. Why was Sang protecting a deer? Food was food to him, and he would think any wolf or dog would be the same.

Phelan didn't dare go near the kill, knowing he'd be chased off by Atticus if he did. Instead, he laid down a few feet from Faute and waited.

His hackles rose slightly, tail flagged high in the air, but he didn't try to stop Faute from feasting on the deer with him. "S'ng." The big hybrid replied through a stuffed mouth before lifting his head and swallowing the peice of meat. "Dad's being an ass again? Tell me something I don't know." Atticus laughed, before answering Faute's last question, "Don't ask me. Maybe all that 'alone time' has gotten to her head." Atticus paused to take another bite of meat before bringing his head back up, eyes narrowing at the sight of someone else approaching.

Legosa had all but recovered from the gash on his head. It still throbbed, but his senses were back to normal and he was no longer dizzy. It was just as well, for he'd rather die than get help from a human again. "Look at what the big boys caught for dinner!" He exclaimed with a smirk, raising himself higher as he approached the kill. The smirk quickly began to fade into an agressive show of fangs, warning his sons to back off so he could feed.

Atticus lowered his head, but instead of backing down to his father, he snarled and lifted his tail higher, "Hey, I made the kill! It's my right to eat first..." He hedged, stepping over the deer and baring his fangs in return. Being just as bull-headed as his sire.

Legosa didn't stop his advance, and only laughed at his son's claim, "You may have killed it, but I'm still stronger than you." With a look of cruel amusment, the white hybrid launched towards his son. Atticus did likewise, and the two clashed in midair, snarling and snapping furiously at each other. At first, Atticus gained the upper hand and nearly threw his father to the ground. But Legosa had been right about his strength; and he had far more experience than his son. In little time, he had a bloodied and beaten Atticus pinned to the ground by his throat. "Next time, you'll know better." Leogsa rumbled coldly, "Got it?" When Atticus stubornly refused to reply, Legosa bit deeper and snarled even louder, "Got it?"

"Yes..." Atticus choked out in a meek voice, before Legosa released him and went straight for the kill to eat. Atticus rolled over and slunk a few feet away before laying on the ground. Ears splayed out to the side, he was the perfect picture of embarrassment and humiliation.

His gaze fell on his father but he made no word. After a couple of moments a dark smile spread across his sons lips and Faute said in a cold dark voice that could match Legosa's own So Dad, wheres mom? Don't want another accident, now do you? More bastard pups running around? He knew he wasn't strong enough to take his father, but he had one thing on his side. He was younger then Legosa, could move faster then his sire. If Legosa chose to attack as he had Atticus, Faute would not fight but dance around his father ever taunting his prey as Legosa and his mate had done on numerous occasions. Already his muscles were clenching beneath his white pelt ready to leap. is this what its come to Dad? Beating up your own children to make up for yourself? Trying to mold us into what you could never be? He did stand now and began to back towards Phelan and Atticus, placing his one brother behind him, and the other beside. Whats really upsetting dad, is that you haven't noticed that not one but two of your daughters are missing now. How long have they been missing, daddy dearest? Do you even know which ones I'm talking about? Did you know that mom loves you so much that she gave away those bastard pups? Just for you. So that you wouldn't feel inferior, so that you wouldn't klil them while she was away. What have you done for her recently? His voice had gotten lower, softer. Dark and deadly, he used it as a weapon against his father as he never had before.

At first, Legosa only gave a sarcastic chuckle and put off his son's leering accusations. He was more interested in feeding than teaching Faute a lesson. But as Faute continued on, Legosa anger grew until it boiled over. "You little shit, shut your mouth!" He snarled savegly, raising his gore-covered muzzle to glare at Faute.

Phelan felt his heart leap with a pang of fear, though he was greatful for his bigger brother standing in front of him. Yet he just couldn't stand all the yelling and tension between his family. He absolutely hated it, but felt there was nothing he could do to stop it.

"I brought you into this world, I'll take you out just as quick! Just like I should have done to those bastard whelps when I had a chance!" Faute had succeeding in whipping his father into an unstoppable fury, and now Legosa only needed to throw his hating words around and work himself up to the attack, "I swear, you'll be sorry for ever opening your trap when I'm through with you!"

Atticus stood up now, growling ominously beside his brother. His muzzle, neck, and shoulders were littered here and there with minor punctures and cuts that still oozed blood, but none of them were serious wounds. "You're nothing but a coward, Dad."

Legosa laughed in one of those haunting, manic laughs, "Oh, I'm a coward now as well? I think you must be talking about the runt behind you." He said, not thinking through his words and simply letting them fly from his mouth along with his rage. It was then that he leaped at the two, going for Faute first, trying to take his son by the muzzle...

Phelan's eyes grew wide and he shivered. An aching pain welled up in his chest, and his heart fluttered rapidly until each pulse brought on an acute pain. Unable to take the tension any longer, he fled from the scene.

In a soft voice he murmered to his brother He is older then us, making him slower. Do not attack, just keep moving. Suddenly Legosa leapt forward, causing the leap back. He was thankful that Phelan left, this wasn't going to be a pretty sight. Mb He was shouting now, his anger boiling up and over and his eyes glaring heatedly at his father. Thats why moms not here. She couldn't take anymore of the pain that you've caused her, caused this family! Hell! We weren't even a god damn family. Only little Sweetclover and Phelan have the ability to love. Only gentle Lost had the innocence to love, and cherish everything that life has given her. WHO PUT THAT INTO THEIR HEADS DAD?! It sure as hell wasn't you. Mom tried her best to keep this family safe, to keep us all strong. She tried to help you with the transition of having pups, of having others to love. You just couldn't handle that. The fact that she wanted to love others because you knew that you would grow jealous! It is only Atticus and I that know the truth, father. Actually, you were never really a father. You were just another being in our lives. Before Legosa could strike again, Faute moved with a burst of speed and struck out suddenly at his father, going for the other brutes stomach. Unknowing as to if he got his mark or not, he clenched his teeth and leapt back and away from his father, anger burning in his orbs. Because of you, this family lies in ruins.

"That worthless whelp has no courage! And you two are just as worthless! You are the reason this family is so weak, you and your brothers." He shot back venemously, wheeling around in a frenzy to catch Faute, but the smaller canine was quicker than him. "How could anyone love such a disgrace as yourself? You have no respect for your superiors!" He continued, his rage blinding him to just how hurtful and damaging his words might be. Later, he might recall what he had said and be regretful, but now... now he only wished to punish these insubordinants and beat them down as feircely as he could without actually killing them. As he whirled to catch Faute, Atticus had sunk his fangs into the brute's shoulder before dancing nimbly away. While Legosa tried to round on him, Faute struck at his stomach. "Fight like real wolves!" He raged, turning about on Faute again, taking a powerful spring as he tried to bowl his son over, "If it weren't for you damned disgraces being born... your mother wouldn't have become as weak as she is now! You made her that way!"

A dangerous hate grew in Atticus's eyes, "Try blaming something on yourself for once, Dad! We weren't the ones that raped Aminita! What were you thinking? Trying to best Torture and prove your the lowest creature on Earth? Will you kill one of us next to prove it, just as he murdered our sister?!?" He took aim at his dad's throat now...

He leapt backwards, but his brothers words had made him stop short and he was bowled over by his larger father. He bit at his fathers muzzle when suddenly Atticus leapt forth. Faute struggled to move, to get away. If we are the reason mom is so weak...Then why is there such pain in her eyes when she looks upon you? That was it. The one question that could undo any mate.

With Faute down, Legosa took the opportunity to lay into him the best he could, snapping and tearing at his son's muzzle in an attempt to leave last scars there as a reminder. His own muzzle quickly became tattered under Faute's fangs, but the pain didn't register as strong as his anger at the moment, "You... you don't know what your talking about!" The big beast spat back savagely, very much in denial of his sons' words, even though it struck a painfully sad nerve when Faute said them. "You don't know what you're talking about!" He raged again, just as fangs latched into his neck. With a roar, he let off of Faute and whirled on his larger son, but not before Atticus scored a deep, bloody wound to his neck. Flinching at the pain, Legosa drove his teeth for the other's muzzle. Crunch.

Atticus gave a horrible, agonized yelp as his father's teeth fell through thin bones and dove into the cartillage of his nasal cavity. As he coughed and choked on the blood, Legosa continued to thrash him about.

Sweetclover was in no shape to fight, and walking wasn't that much easier either. But she hade made it back to the territory and was dismayed to see the sight before her. "Stop, it all of you!" She howled out in a demanded tone, eyes blazing from brother to father, "What the hell has gotten into you three hot-heads?"

Legosa finally flung his son to the ground, blood dripping from his jaws - both his, and his sons'. "I needed to teach them a lesson is all." He panted in a cruel tone, muscles taunt as he prepared to go another round with Faute.

Atticus was stunned on the ground, mouth gaped open as he found he couldn't breath through his nose anymore, "Th' bast'rd... he's crazy!" Atticus breathed out, half inclined to get up and tear into his father again. "He's no fath'r..."

Clover stood firmly where she was, "No, he is our father, which is why we shouldn't be fighting with him. If you two are so concerned with what kind of monster our dad has become-" With this statement, she looked strongly to her father, "-don't you become him by locking horns with him, because it'll get you no where. Maybe one day he will come to his senses." And again she looked to Legosa, a quiet accusation in her determined eyes.

Stay out of this Clover. He snarled in rage. His maw was bloody, as was his entire white face as he glared at his father. He stood and was about to attack when he heard his sisters words. A dark smile crossed his lips. You see that, dad? All of your children have turned against you. Laportas dead, but I'm sure she would agree with all of us. You are no father. Your cruel, hateful. Sang ran away from here because she couldn't handle it anymore. Lost was afraid that you'd do to her what you do so well to Phelan. Its only us three dad who dare stand up to you. Not even our own mom stands up to you. He was about to go on when a cold voice rang out.

That. Is. Enough. Aaka had her head held low, her body posture defensive and ready to attack. There was no sign of the tears she had shed earlier, no sign of the pain that was tearing at her heart at the sight of her family making attempts on the death of one another. When she spoke now, there was a tenor of sadness. Is this what we have all become? Out to kill our own flesh and blood, just because of a few mere words? What is wrong with all of you?! She knew Sweetclover had just arrived, and Aaka had been watching the ongoings for a few moments to know it was so. I love you. I love all of you. Why can't you all feel the same? Her eyes were on Legosa, her sadness evident in her eyes. If she had been able, she would have turned and ran but pain ruled the female, so she stayed her eyes on them all, the white alphess near tears.

Lilac came trotting back in, but... hearing the shouting of the family over the silence of the evening, she kept Liam away, and stayed a respectful distance away, so that she could still hear them screaming, but could not understand the words. The sweet-hearted fae trembled a little, seeing that Aaka's little family was obviously not a happy one, and knowing it brought Lilac pain. Aaka just needed... help. Guidance. Someone to understand her. She really wasn't bad...

Liam listened silently, for though his mother's hearing was not acute enough to understand from this distance, his continued and insistent silence gave him excellent hearing. He heard every word perfectly without reflecting it. He filed it away in his memory for future reference. Just in case...

Sweetclover held herself up high, though not so high as either of her parents. When her mother arrived, Clover became silent and let the others figure things out between themselves.

Legosa glared from one offspring to the next, before his enflamed orbs fell on Aaka. As countless times in the past, a flicker of shame and guilt glinted in those icy yellow eyes and he dropped his gaze briefly. "Aaka..." He breathed out, panting from all the fighting. He wanted to appologize, to tell her how sorry he was, and how much he loved her. He wanted to confess all his sins to her and beg for her forgiveness... but not in front of all the others. The brute's pride and ego was far too inflated for such degrading acts. Instead, he just stood there like a statue, a frustrated sadness radiating from his bloodied features.

Atticus found the pain in his nose unbearable, but like his sire, was too proud to let anyone else see. He was also too arogant to help ease the situation by offering some nice words or gestures. Doing the only thing that would accomodate his precious ego in this situation, the big brother turned abruptly from the group and stalked away.

As things began to calm down a bit, Sweetclover found her turn to speak again, "We all need a bit of time to cool down. And concentrate our efforts on surviving against hunters, rather than plotting against each other." She said, sitting back on her haunches as weariness came over her. The wounds still hurt like fire, and she wasn't like her hot-headed father and brothers, and would easily concead to the pain and fatigue if it called for it.

She shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes. I can't do this anymore. She said in a choked voice. I'm...I'm going to go away for a little while. Sang is going to take my place while I'm away. She backed up slowly, pain grabbing hold of her heart. She turned and moved away, heading towards the Alleys.

Sang came from the forest, where her eyes landed upon the carcass of the deer she had just saved. A deep scowl settled over her features and she said That wasn't very nice. Then she turned her gaze toward her retreating mother. I dunno what you did, but its all over now. Atticus, go get yourself cleaned up. She turned and lay down under her mothers tree, her gaze on them all. She was handling this quite well. Now would her father?

Faute blinked as his mother spoke, then left. Ah...SANG! He cried after her. The least you could have done is left someone sane to run the place while you both throw your tantrums! He roared after her. Then he turned his gaze to his sister, who was glaring heatedly back at him. I AM SANE! She cried. Faute shook his head at her. Sane...Right.

Legosa continued to stand there, fighting with the need to continue his assault on Faute and Atticus, and with the need to console his mate. When Atticus stormed away and Aaka disappeared amonst the wintery trees, the alpha finally got mobilized. He stalked towards Faute, "This isn't over." Instead of lashing out with fang and claw at his son however, Legosa also left the area, but it wouldn't be for too long.

Clover headed over to Sang, determined to ignore both her brothers at the moment as she talked with her sister, "We need to bring Lost and Phelan back here. And..." She glanced back, before looking to Sang with a soft smile, "Taiser and I will be betas, and if you should need any help, you can count on us."

Sang shook her head, her eyes dark and brooding. She gave a faint smile to her sister, but it faded as soon as it landed on Faute. Once mom comes back, Clover, I'm leaving. I don't like it here. I'm actually happy at the Bay. I never knew what happiness was before. Her gaze wandered some more before she turned to look back at Clover. You and Taiser....Congratulations! But her warm voice and excitedness didn't reach her eyes. Cold, dark, unfeeling. She turned away then, as memories swamped her. She couldn't go to the alleys or the human town for that matter since Laportas death. She didn't want to be here, because looking at her family members reminded her that she had failed to save Laporta. So she went to the Bay. It was safe there. Quiet. No one knew her.

Clover lowered her head slightly, the smile still shining lightly on her lean muzzle, "Thanks, Sang. And I'm glad you found somewhere peaceful." Sitting gingerly down next to her sister, wincing a bit at the pain of her wounds, the hybrid gazed towards a distant pine tree. She watched as a giant clump of snow cascaded from the upper branch, hurtling down against branch after branch until it had knocked all the snow off one side of the tree. Spring must be on its way.

"What of Lost? If things don't cool down here, I know I can look after Phelan, but I haven't seen our sister for a while." Sweetclover added with a touch of concern. She had heard her sister was somewhere in the Valley, but she didn't know where, or if she even wanted to come home.

She smiled faintly at the mention of her other sister. She plays like there is no tomorrow. Everyone who comes her way, she thinks they wish to play like she. I tell her constantly that not all wolves are nice but she pays me no heed. Last I saw, she went to the Croal Mountains. Her face grew solemn and she said softly There is a bad wolf that lives there, Clover. I have not heard of him for many moons now, so maybe he moved on but there is no way to know. He calls himself Disturbed. He frightens even I. Her words were soft, gentle. Soothing.

Lilac Dreamer kept back still, seeing the tension in everyone, but to her distinct horror, Liam began to trot toward Sang and Sweetclover, turning his eyes silently up to Clover. He spoke not a word, simply stopped at her feet and looked up at her, head cocked to one side as if to ask a question without words.