Treena's words hit her ears like sharp stones, stabbing her every time she vouched for the lunatic. For the most part Ava remained still, staring at the sick boy though every whine from Treena gave a little further rise to her bristling coat. We're just going to end up killing him. We're torturing him to suicide. We? There was no we of which to speak. Fire in her gaze she turned to stare at the mottled female and snarled, "You give me the blame of his mental sickness? You forgot your place, Treena." She didn't have an interest in showing it to her, either. Why was everything such a fucking effort now? Why didn't stupid wolves stay on the other side of pack borders? Why didn't subordinates obey their superiors? Why didn't imbalanced wolves stay far the fuck away from Ava? She needed to calm down, yet she couldn't go anywhere. This was her place. She held the highest rank. It was her jurisdiction, her duty, her right. Ava would not go anywhere.

But Treena did not make it easier for her. It was not her next plea that bothered her so much as the emotions that entered her tone. Each snapped word felt as though it were raking down her spine and the black female turned upon the lower-ranking female and with a low growl would snatch the other's muzzle in her jaws. She would not be gentle with her bite, not today. Ava did not intend to draw blood but the pressure was hard, and her eye contact was severe. Could she communicate telepathically she would, thinking to herself while glaring at the female up close, You do not speak to me that way.

Of course there would come another voice, demanding authority as he boomed the question: Skittles. What are you doing within our pack territories? Ava released another growl along with Treena's jaws and immediately turned her back on the female. It was wise for neither Treena nor Ava to be so tempermental, but there was no helping the coal-coated female. Not now.

Tlarx's presence ended up showing to be of some good at all, for it forced more quaking words from the pale intruder's throat... though as his words stumbled over one another Ava was quick to realize the male's arrival hadn't really helped at all. He was still out of his mind, for there had been no howl, and he hadn't been careful about anything, and especially the whole 'going to eat me' bit. Any problem with his back legs had been none of her doing, and she held the male within her glare heartlessly. Then he confirmed his insanity by falling heavy, as though he desired a nap - a motion which set the black wolf off again, lips curling to reveal her teeth once more. Finally he did something of sense and began to drag himself out, which gained nothing more but an impatient snort from the Second in command. About fucking time- was that blood? More panic, and all motion fell from his body.

No pity sounded in her sigh as she exhaled hard, only relief. Her amber eyes were uncertain as Tlarx leapt upon the male. Was he going to kill him? Ava truly couldn't find it in herself to care, if he did... but he didn't. His jaws grasped the scruff of the male's fur and took him away from their lands. Finally. Quickly she removed herself from her seat and went to assist Tlarx, wedging her muzzle in an open space and dragging him along as well. Outside the borders she allowed him to position the male, and Tlarx would prove himself to her again. He made sure the yellowish wolf was well away from their packland rather than right outside the markings. Even more so did she feel comforted by the black-backed male's comment, whereupon he agreed with Ava. "My sentiments exactly," she muttered, and paced away from Skittles to seat herself. Her eyes found the tufts of fur that grew over the scar tissue on her forepaw and she asserted, "The ill of the mind are dangerous. If anyone's interested in playing caretaker, do it off these lands." Ava did not look for Treena, though her scornful words were clearly meant for the girl. "And thank you, Tlarx, for having sense. Poison Path wolves protect Poison Path wolves, not intruders."

A moment of silence and a few breaths would ease the tension in her muscles. The threat had finally been taken care of, and though she was not immediately calmed - for the boy's very presence still had her heart beating quicker - she was at least no longer justified in her rageful behavior. "I understand you meant well, Treena. But this is how a pack works. You must abide by these rules." Ava truly did not figure her apology would mean anything to the girl - after all, her actions had been downright awful, however justified they were.

I didn't want this thread to die, so I was hoping we could finish it off with Skittles still knocked out~

Treena's body seethed with anger. If the girl thought she was doing right by any means, her barely hidden demeanor was not of any help to her at all. Even though the female had accepted her punishment, Ava had doubts that she had learned anything at all. Was she so stupid that she could not figure out that her steadfast dominance was to be used against intruders, not her superiors? Even when the female's aggression finally fell and was replaced by a damp air of misery Ava did not forgive the female. Learn your lesson, her cold amber eyes told the female, never leaving her dejected form as she scuffed the ground and growled and put up a general fit like a child. When the female stomped off with one last simper of a comment, Ava was only slightly relieved. Tlarx, too, seemed not to care anymore for the male and announced they were done and meandered back to the den.

Only Ava was left, staring at the pale yellow wolf while his blood stained the ground outside their lands. Leave a crazy wolf this close to the borders? Refuse to follow the laws of a pack? And yet she was the one in the wrong? A hideous snarl ripped from her jaws, fur bristling. And though her fiery stare was set on Skittles as she black woman growled, "Fool," she knew her comment was intended to each of those packmates who had been there to attend the event. Still, not wanting to be close to the crazy male when he woke up, Ava retreated with fierce steps into the poison path to watch his recovery and, hopefully, retreat.