Tumult

The snow fleeced 90 pound wolf paced upon the shores of the great moat that had been dug up under the commands of his mother. His pale yellow disks flicked up in worry... Risen had been missing for months now, and the unification and activity level of the Haunters had decreased in a steep downward angle. He could only imaging the rest of the valley laughing at them for their sudden withdrawal. "Where did you go.... Risen..." He snorted a moment as he looked in the direction of a tiny, almost caved in house. Hidden inside was the new Hydras; Lajzig. Would he finally be able to reveal her to the rest of the Haunters? Would he finally be able to rule the Haunters?

As high as his worry was for his mother, his anxiousness took a hold of him. This could finally be his moment to take the Haunters under his command. To finally lead the most feared army in the Valley! He gave a somewhat achieved smile at the thought of the Haunters rising under his command.

But his moment of glory was short lived as an even lighter beast came up to him. Haunting yellow eyes pierced into those of Risen's son. The brute's pure white coat could do nothing to hide his tainted soul. Rayne sneered at the brute for a second, watching as Tumult's grin nervously melted off of his face and into a look of hate. Both pairs of yellow eyes locked for a moment as the snow colored brutes had a little stare down.

"What are you thinking, Tumult?" The whiter beast growled with a somewhat amused tone. "Risen has been gone rather long, hasn't she? cowardice..."

"If you know anything good for you, you'd end your sentence there." Tumult's lips drew back and his eyes quivered a moment. Hackles standing on end as this juvenile disrespected his mother, and the leader of the Haunters.

Rayne smiled with a deep passion and passed the older brute's words on with a soft chuckle. "The Haunters are falling apart, and they are growing weak. When I claim the throne, There will be a new energy to this pack... One that will make this valley quake with fear."

"Enough!" Tumult snapped at Rayne, who almost hissed as he drew back. His pupils shriveling up with hate. "M-Risen said that the next leader would be voted in! She doesn't want a second war within the Haunters! And if anyone in this pack has a brain, you will not succeed to the throne!" He shook a little as Rayne gave a smirk.

"May the best wolf win" Rayne mocked as he turned and plodded off into the darkness of the brush. Tumult stood there seething with anger toward the smaller brute. How dare he....

Nicholas

Nicholas had been wondering where Risen had gone. He hoped nothing had happened to her. At this very moment, Defcon and Luna Moth were searching for her. Nicholas, however, stayed behind and watched the argument between Tumult and Rayne.

He never really liked Rayne. He seemed unstable. Naturally, most wolves would overthrow or even kill an unstable leader. But things were a bit different in Sparkling Creek Valley. Packs elected maniacs to lead them into sure suicide. Even if Rayne and Nicholas both led the Night Division, Rayne wasn't a friend. Just a packmate.

Only when Rayne left did the hybrid approach Tumult. "Don't listen to him, Tumult. He doesn't have a chance. The Shadow Haunters are too smart to elect Rayne as their leader." He assured calmly. "So you're running for leader, yeah? I am too. And hey, if I win, you're my right-hand man. Good luck, Tumult." He sat a few yards from Risen's son, his dark eyes fixed on the Temple entrance.

Tumult

Golden orbs shook nervously as Rayne disappeared. He knew the wolf would do one of two things: Destroy the Haunters and all the work his mother had put into them; or bring them to a whole new level of fear, almost a pack of demons, and he would not allow such a thing so long as he could.

Tumult cursed the one who ran away before turning to a familiar voice. At first the words were soothing and reassuring. Until he heard the words of the other rival. "You're going to run too hmm." He said, his voice low and almost annoyed. He heard the offer of being the right hand wolf and almost smiled before realizing what it would mean for him. "It is a kind offer Nicholas... But to become second in command after running to be first would be a nip in the face. Besides.... I cannot say the same for you. I already have a second in command chosen, but Ka Gypzys will not be revealed until I do gain power. Until then they will remain a secret." He smirked at the thought of presenting Hydras to the pack, but the smirk quickly faded. His eyes returned to Nicholas. "keep in mind I have nothing against you. It's just... I will try my best to earn this pack's trust and become the new Haunter Alpha." He nodded his head before looking at the entrance as well.... What would his mother think?

Sol

The golden cat strode up beside Nicholas, snorting. He, too, was a strategists, therefore Sol felt it was his duty to also run for throne. But a doubt welded within him. Sol was ridged about Rayne, but he could see a good future with Tumult, Risen's son, or Nicholas, the son of Luke and Fanta. "I am running too, but my doubts rise that I'll measure up to you. Still...it's worth the try," Sol announced bravely, his voice wavering. "Whomever is voted in, I'll support with my utmost loyalty."

Deadra

Deadra too had heard of the dissaperance of their leader and being who she was and being the bitch she was and held herself dominant anyways she would indeed run for the position. She walked up next to her brother. Well normally i would vote for you brother, But I shall be running myself. Can't let you all have the fun of trying to become the leader of this great pack we call familyShe spoke sitting down and licking her paw and slightly biting at her claws while looking each face over to make sure she knew who was her competition

Tumult

The wolf looked at the cheetah siblings and kind of swayed a moment. Sol didn't seem like he was too interested in taking the lead. The was a start at least, he knew his main rivals were counting three so far. "I wish you all the best of luck" He smiled and then bowed his head, "We must get the pack back on their feet. Tomorrow shall we have a meeting to discuss why we should be the next leader of the Shadow Haunters... Prepare yourself, and have a good nights rest." He said and then moved away. Into the brush where Rayne had disappeared in to sneak back to his 'hut' to prepare the new Hydras for her debut the following day. She would be his weapon... Even tho she had grown to me more of a friend than a tool.

Incalia, Onslaught, Bandit & Others

It had been a hard blow for the elderly canine. The disappearance of her close friend and alpha had made Incalia retreat further inside herself, for (aside from Cavan) she was one of the oldest in the Haunter ranks. It was humiliating for one with a legacy such as hers. She had been one of the warriors on the front line, deemed to be one of the strongest and most prized by Risen herself, but age had brought her prestige crashing down. For Incalia, there was little but her power, she had never expected to live to this age, for she had always thought she would die in battle. Fate had been cruel, leaving her to grow old and unable to keep up with the others. She knew her title would become shakey, for the younger generations would rise, and as they did, she would be forgotten and pushed to the edges of the picture.

As if to reinforce this thought, there was movement beside her. Ardeth bounded past her, sensing a gathering before them, and hearing competative talk up ahead. Incalia glowered at her son, and tried to quicken her pace to match his, but her bones were sore and refused to be pushed any faster. Growling under her breath, she slowed down once more, her piercing gaze burning into the floor. With Risen there had been a promise that she would not be forgotten, but now that she was gone, Incalia felt alone in the world. Bandit and Onslaught had noticed this, and had taken to correcting their siblings antics around their mother to try and keep them respectful, but with all of them now at adulthood, it was difficult to keep them down when they all craved power.

Ardeth heard a deep growl from behind him, but it was full of authority, not from Incalia, but from Bandit. The two toned hybrid stalked up beside Incalia, flashing his fangs at his brother to show Incalia some respect. Incalia knew he was only trying to please her, but she couldn't help but feel angry towards Bandit, for her was drawing attention to her lack of discipline and to the fact she was no longer able to keep up. Ardeth slid back to join Vaermina and her children, and the rest of Incalia's bloodline. Onslaught flanked his mother other side as they approached Tumult and the others gathered together. It would be expected that at least one of Incalia's children would step up to join in this claim for the throne, but there was no such move to take over the Haunters. Instead, this family within the Haunters would watch the proceedings, and either pledge their alliegence to the new alpha, or bring about their downfall.

"Risen's disappearance cannot stall our plans," Incalia began, her voice full of the authority the Gamma should have, and she was technically the highest ranking here, considering there was no current alpha, and Cavan was no around at that moment, "we shall remember her in our own time. For now, we must pick our new leader. Tomorrow we shall vote, and it will dawn a new era for the Haunters."