Something was up Leotie could feel it and she didn't like it not one bit. The calm serenity of the Willow's was missing and it put the Agouti woman on edge. It was when she heard Lorcan calling for Nicolo, ‘hmm that was odd,’ she thought. The former leader hadn't been around much and Sven was now leader so what reason did Lorcan have for seeking the sick male out?

She found Lorcan at the den where Nicolo was staying and Sven was there. She looked between the men and it didn't take much for her to realize what was happening. She'd seen it before in the bend. Now it was happen here? The fact that Lorcan was new to the pack and trying to challenge Nicolo who was already going through enough bothered her. She looked to Sven before going to sit next to him, she wanted to see how this played out.

Cloudy yellow eyes focused on him and narrowed. Lorcan remained still, his limbs grounded to the spot as @Nicolò questioned him. It was clear that the older male had not taken kindly to his challenge and perhaps found it rude given his unfit condition. Russet ears flattened, a small show of guilt from the usually polite male before he spoke up in response.

“I apologise for having to do this right now.” Golden eyes briefly flickered across to glance over at Sven and Leotie before returning to the old male. “But a lot has happened lately—” More than Lorcan would like to admit in front of the growing number of on-looking wolves. “—and I feel it would be best if the pack had someone who was, well, more capable holding your position right now…” 

In his eyes, Lorcan was being a lot kinder than Mittani had been to him when he had challenged. Lorcan had explained himself. This was not a personal attack. He hoped that the old male could see the sense in his decision and agree to back down without the need for physical violence. It would benefit them both if this change in rank remained peaceful.

Tail still curled dominantly over his back the agouti male pushed his ears forwards assertively and waited to see if the elderly wolf would submit.

Lorcan had been noticeably antsy over the past week. His recent conversations with both Morganna and Piety about all the drama that had erupted between Willow Ridge and Aurora Heights had made him realise how uncomfortable and anxious it made him feel. He felt torn; his loyalty divided between three wolves whom be both trusted and highly respected. If things continued as they were now he would have to chose a side and turn against his friends. That was one decision which Lorcan would not, could not, make.

Piety's plan to start a pack, in the woods beside the mountain about a days journey north from the willows, offered him a way out of making that decision — and maybe the fresh start and security that he sought out in the willows all along. That was if Piety would even accept him. Whilst he had little reason to think that she was reject him from her ranks, there would always be that doubt gnawing away at the back of his mind. He had not been officially invited to join them after all. His next course of action was certainly a serious gamble, but it was one that he was prepared to place his life on.

Slinking quietly through the territory during the early hours of the morning, Lorcan trailed after @Ravenna, hoping to catch her whilst she was alone. As he spotted her familiar silver figure through the trees, the male lowered his stance and pressed his ears back. His tail swung nervously behind him as he tentatively approached her. "Ravenna, could we please talk?"

Ravenna's comforting touch just made Lorcan feel even more awkward and he couldn't stop the beginnings of whine from vibrating in his throat. Pulling away slowly, his golden eyes searched for her dominant silver stare nervously. Frowning, he gave a quick submissive lick to his lips, before he confessed his plans.

"I won't drag this out, Ravenna. I-I wanted to let you know that I plan to leave Willow Ridge." Lorcan paused, swallowing anxiously as his golden gaze darted about her face. "I can't deal with the tensions between the packs. I wanted to be loyal to you, but, it's hard when I consider your enemies to be my friends.." He took a deep breath before sighing. "I figured you'd have no need for a subordinate like me who has no interest in taking sides." Falling silent, he looked up to @Ravenna expectantly, awaiting the outburst that was sure to come next.

Her silence was deafening. Lorcan struggled to hold her gaze and eventually retired his stare down to his paws as he waited anxiously to hear what she had to say. Ravenna didn't yell but her anger and disappointment at him was obvious in her voice.

Lorcan pressed back his ears at her words, his body sinking lower and lower to the ground as his tail began to wrap up tightly between his legs. He couldn't blame her. Lorcan was choosing to leave at a bad time, when she and the pack needed him most. It seemed like @Ravenna was now one less friend he had to worry about. He was betraying her, and breaking yet another one of his promises, and he doubted if the silver female would ever want to lay her eyes on him again.

The mention of the pups was like a fang to the heart, and his lower lip began to quiver as he thought to how badly both Adeltra and Romanov might take his departure from the willows. He couldn't please everybody though. Once again Lorcan had taken the decision to do what he believed to be the best for himself and his sanity.

Nodding slowly in understanding, the male couldn't bring himself to say anything more. Instead he turned away awkwardly, his eyes still focused on the snow beneath his paws as he slunk away towards the northern borders.

He would howl his goodbyes to the pack, but only once he believed himself to be far enough away not to get chased down and attacked.

- Lorcan exits -