White Fir Notch Out of the Frying Pan

Change was well on it's way to the Notch. Raela had left, to seek out refuge elsewhere while Gent stayed behind. The large black male she had come to respect so much had stepped down from his long reigning position as Alpha, and passed the title on to her mate, Emrys. The pack would know with this drastic move, that it was only a matter of time now, before Gent departed to reunite with his mate and daughters. Grateful for his lingering presence, to ease Emrys' transition into leadership smoothly, Jynx often observed from a distance, when she wasn't pre-occupied with preparing for motherhood.

The russet agouti had been blessed with time on her side to acclimate to her new role, and the responsibilities she must shoulder that came with it. She was able to get used to the new shoes she had to fill. The white healer on the other hand, didn't quite have the same luxury. Time was ticking, and they both knew it. But if anything, Emrys was resilient and adaptable. He had proven himself as such by doing a stellar job as their male second. Jynx knew that with her support and slightly more extensive experience, that he too, would settle into the role of a fine Alpha. He seemed prepared for fatherhood and she was curious to see how he would handle the challenge of balancing life as a leader on top of that. It was a season of firsts, not just for him, but for her as well.

And in the form of a distant call from their borders, just one of many such tests that entailed upholding a pack presented itself. How ironic...how fitting that such a moment would arise so soon after her mates shift in status. Her soft cream haired belly had begun to swell, growing larger by the day as the unborn pups within developed, demanding more space and more food. The gentle stretch of her abdomen was uncomfortable at first, paired with the extra weight. It felt like she had a large stone in her gut, weighing her down. She knew from watching Raela the previous year, that her condition would only progress further. To compensate, she adjusted her gait and rested at more frequent, but short intervals. Today her mind had not been on food. Instead she was beginning to consider possible sites for the natal den. She had reason to be picky, as this was to be her first litter. Already at least a dozen potential sites she had passed up, simply feeling they just were not the right fit, in one way or another. Retreating from a dense cluster of the trees their forest was named for, Jynx turned to face the direction of the voice at their borders. There was not one, but two distinct female scents in the air. Loners, seeking entry, most likely.

Having been further from the borders than her mate was, she wasted little time in setting off at a brisk, but manageable pace in her current physical state. She had been through this several times before, but was left to wonder if her distance would leave these wolves waiting alone for a little longer than they'd be comfortable with. As she parted through the thick forest that made up her home, approaching the borders, she saw that Emrys had already arrived, standing before two black, nearly identical females. In contrast to his friendly demeanor, hers was more serious, but not hostile as her tail lifted above her back, pinning the ladies with her piercing yellow eyes. A leader had to be fair, but stern and slightly cautious with loners seeking entry. She would not have the Notch give themselves away as an overly friendly, gullible pack who would accept just anybody. "And I am Jynx Myrddin, Alpha female of White Fir Notch..." Taking up a stance beside the arctic male, she nipped at his chin softly in a show of affection. She fell silent, to allow the pair of wolves their chance to speak.