Acknowledging Kiche's words, Borden did his best to show his thanks despite the tense situation. A curt nod, a single wag of his tail left to right... his sealed lips lifting only briefly in a smile before drooping downward into a slight frown. Kiche pleaded to be allowed to stay. The leader could only shake his head disapprovingly. Jayse said "no," and that was that. He had also commanded him to leave, and yet he continued to stand there.


Coming up beside him, Elettra was quick to reinforce his words, barking harshly at him. If Kiche didn't leave now, he was sure Elettra would not hesitate to chase him off. On Jayse's behalf, she would more than gladly ensure that the devout male would only come close to those puppies when he was allowed to. Something about knowing that fact made Borden's chest swell, washed over and relieved with the assurance he needed. Order would be kept, no matter what the cost.


Edging forward he gestured with his head that he ought to make himself scarce. Additional words of caution should not be needed and further action should not be required from either Borden or Elettra. "I will deal with you later," he stated evenly, staring hard at the rust- and tan-coated male. "But, leave, Kiche... Now. I will not tell you again."

short and quick so kiche can leave and ya'll can get on with this

It was useless. No matter what he said or did, apparently he was not wanted. Inside of his head he railed angrily at the injustice of the situation. Had Borden lied to him about taking care of the pups? Had Borden been told about what had happened with that lone wolf? It seemed like he might, since Kiche's words merely bounced off of him, as if they had no affect. Borden stood as a hard, impenetrable wall. Beyond that wall lay the pups, lay future generations of good, god-fearing souls. Desperation flared up in Kiche like a wildfire.


The temper of the dark wolf blazed and seethed, and she turned to face him. Shouting, ordering, she put herself upon an imaginary, lofty pedestal, which was infuriating. Who did she think she was? No one, not even these silly cult leaders who entertained the idea of command and hierarchy, was the boss of Kiche. He did what he wanted. Hadn't he proved that, thus far? But he could not react. Spitting her fire and bile right back at her would be dangerous, with Borden and Jayse here. He needed to keep a clean record from now on. Thus, he allowed his eyes to only narrow, just a momentary glance, his face unmarred by creases and the rage that boiled inside of him. His eyes rested on her for only a single second, as if she were merely a fly, pesky and insignificant. Not worth his time. Then they flicked back casually to Borden.


He still said no. The issues at hand were differed with a simple wave of his head. And that was that. There was nothing that Kiche could do now that would save him besides walking away. Anything he could say or do would only ruin everything he had worked so hard for. "I'm sorry to have bothered you Borden, Jayse" — he purposely left out the dark heathen out of dislike, though to be fair, he didn't know her name anyway — "It won't happen again." With a deliberate slowness, he calmy turned around and walked away, tossing a last, "I am very happy for the both of you. Goodbye," over his shoulder.


gone.

Her stance was strong, she did not move from the side of her alpha, signalling still her quick rise of power into the pack. She had not expected it to be so easy, but she had always been used to much larger packs. They were not family, bug bands- but soldiers, but armies, forced to live amongst themselves- constantly fighting, constant change for rank. Many injuries to keep up with, many deaths even still. This simple life had been nothing but this- simple. Already Elettra was comfortable with her place in the pack and had no where else to go, nothing else to strive for. The only thing needed to be done was hold onto her placement and fulfill her duty to her leaders and she would not allow the omega before her to get in the way with this. Borden's words were softer then she would have enjoyed, his expression nothing as harsh. His kindness was something perhaps, she would never understand- too kind, even. Yet she stood silent as Kiche once more spoke (he seemed to be doing a lot of that lately) of his apologies and turned to leave. Elettra would stand a few moments more, making sure Kiche was safely enough in the distance of the forest's cover before turning away from her leader's side and off towards the sidelines of the den's opening. It is here where she circled in her placement before laying, figuring as much that the leading pair would need time to themselves and close enough of course, to let Jays know Elettra was keeping up with her word to stick around and watch over.

Catching Kiche's apology and well wishes, Borden watched as the ginger male bid good-bye and slowly... dejectedly... walked away. The leader glanced to Elettra as she trotted back to the gnarled tree trunk, circling before laying down. He gave the forest around him a stern gaze then, he too, turned around and stepped back to where his family laid, hidden away from prying eyes. His mate's beautiful face appeared in the triangular opening and Borden smiled. His black-tipped tail swayed; the bristled fur along his neck and shoulders began to settle back naturally over his frame.


Assured by the tone of her voice and how much calmer she seemed now, he nodded quietly. Jayse then asked about the herbs, the plants Elettra had brought. His eyes went to the layer of twigs and old leaves at his feet before he eyed the sprigs of green near the den entrance. Without hesitating, he carefully clasped his teeth about the thin stalks bearing pointed leaves and bright blue flowers.


Placing the plants where Jaysyek could easily pick them back up, Borden settled onto his elbows, his body seemingly arched in a playful bow before he fully settled down. The den wasn't large enough for two full-grown wolves, really, but he did appreciate her when she shifted. He shuffled closer into the opening, merely having his head inside was enough for him. At first he blocked the ambient light filtering in, but almost instantly, he settled his jaw to the den floor, inhaling the scent of old pine needles, aged wood, and new life. His eyes took a moment to adjust before he could make out the three dark shapes against Jaysyek's ivory underside. A black tail tip here, a brown paw with perfectly-shaped black pads there... a quivering forepaw with minuscule claws batting at the air before being tucked away...


Excitedly, his tail gave a a few thumps against the forest floor outside. After sometime the sound ceased and he gave an eager, soft whine. "They're beautiful," he commented, his voice barely above a whisper. "What're their names, dear?"

Carefully her mouth entwined around the pieces of Elettra's remedy. Thoroughly she chewed each bite not to choke, and not to waste. The plants were different textures, but one by one they soon began to dissapaer. She smiled lovingly at Borden once he settled down. There was something about seeing him that calmed her, put things right, and made her feel the world wasn't so bad. Eyes traced to his pale green, watching him look for the first time upon his children. Right than she didn't think about Kiche, or worries, not even what was to come. She stared at the features of her mate, placing them to memory once more, wanting to remember this like all the other times they'd spent. A whistful sigh, yet content sigh escaped her still feeling the wear of today's events. Now she felt safe, she felt her children were safe, and tomorrow was another day.


Pale ears perked forward at his quiet mutterings. A sideways smile pushed up her lip, and she touched her black nose to his. Slowly she withdrew, staring down at their tiny forms content to sleep. Quietly she replied,"I was thinking Prosper for the eldest, Trisden for our girl, and well Hocus for are second if that doesn't seem too strange?" Brow raised slightly, meeting his eyes wanting his opinion, and input. If he didn't like the names, or they sounded odd to him she had some others in mind.

Once Jayse had revealed the names of the young nestled against her, Borden simply smiled. His tail brushed along the ground behind him, rustling the debris to each side of his haunches. Prosper... Trisden... and Hocus. "Strange?" he echoed quietly before shaking his head. "Naw. If you like the sound of it, I like it too."


He gazed lovingly at the pile of dark fur behind his beloved's hind leg, taking in their barely audible sighs and other sounds of deep sleep. It took a few moments for the rabbit he had brought to resurface to the forefront of his memory, but nevertheless, he remembered. He rose to his paws and left the den opening for a few quick seconds. His eyes scouted about for the tawny, lifeless body, and once he spotted it, he placed it to the side of the den entrance. "I brought you a lil' something for later," he murmured. "It's right here." he pointed with his nose towards his right where the rabbit laid just out of view; he didn't want the sight or direct smell of it to upset anything. "I'll cache away or discard what's left of it later," he added.

His approval put a broad smile on her face. Her own white tail wanted to wag, but she kept it tucked not to disturb the resting little ones. In silent thought she wondered what would wake the sleeping beauties, empty tummies, and lack of a warm,cozy body she assumed.


Head lifted paritally, as he withdrew momentarily. She wondered if someone else had come to visit, and her body stiffened for those seconds. Once her nostrils twtiched, her nose soon told her Borden had brought her another prize, and her posture relaxed. "Thank you," she said for more than just the meal. She certainly was not ready to eat right at the moment, but would certainly be needing it later.


"Are you alright, love?" she inquired, resting her head once more in the dry, pine needles. Though there was not much she could do now, but care for the children she could still fuss over him to a degree. His sanity, and health was just as important to her. A soft whine brushed her throat. "Any sign of Vlar?" She worried about the white lady, feeling she would be here too if she was around. The gray stroked leader hadn't seen her since the whole Kiche ordeal, and it worried her. It just wasn't like the white wolf to be gone.

Deciding he would keep guard over the misshapen tree stump, the rugged Lyall slowly reclined on one side of the den entrance, opposite of where he had placed his well-received prize. He placed his head between his paws, still smiling into the depths of the hollowed space that Jaysyek and their three newborns now occupied. The white lady asked if he was alright and one side of his muzzle lifted in half of a smile. His plume-like tail wavered and twitched somewhat happily behind him. Yeah... he gestured. Of course. With three new souls to coddle and cosher, how could he not be?


Even though his mind was content to know that his family was all right, a part of him was still caught up with miscellaneous pack affairs: how to deal with Kiche, how to eventually ease Jayse into the idea of Kiche being an appointed pup-sitter, how Raigo was doing in the light of his sister's disappearance, and, of course, where Vlarindara was...


Almost as if he had voiced the mental list of his issues, Jayse inquired if the pack's Second had ever returned. Borden swallowed and remained quiet for a while longer. Frankly, he was starting to worry. He knew Vlarindara could take care of herself - when the two had first met, she was not only looking after and hunting for herself but Raigo also - but a dreadful feeling in his gut told him something had happened while he had been busy. Scouting for suitable rendezvous sites had been a priority above all else at the time, but now he regretted neglecting their pack. At this point in time, rather than being slack and trusting of the wolves who made up their small family, he dared to wish he had been tedious... perhaps even a micromanager of sorts. The idea just seemed like it was the best of the two scenarios.


Refocusing his eyes, he glanced to his beloved. "No," he said quietly as his ears lowered. "Raigo has returned though; he's out there searching for her if anything."