For some time Askan had assumed that the coyote issue was exclusive to Secret Falls, that for some reason or another they had decided to amass so close to his home, a pack that was anything but weak and struggling. But why though? It just didn't make a lick of sense, it wasn't as if the mutts were flinging themselves at their borders day in day out, like waves crashing against a shore line. Aside from a couple of incidents beyond the Edge's territory- of which resulted in a few stern words aimed at his subordinates- things were okay. Not great, but not terrible. Just annoying and frustrating, which actually-scratch that. Things were shit. Askan would scruff each and every coyote if he could, bite down hard till he tasted their blood on his tongue. But....there were an awful lot of coyotes around these days. He liked a challenge, saw himself as unshakeable, able to do pretty much anything (except fishing) if he put his mind to it, but even he knew it would be a waste of his time and effort.

If he wanted the pests gone then he'd have to take another approach, force them to move somewhere else. Just not north, or  even south for that matter,because even Askan wasn't that much of a douchebag.

Though @Reyes had made his distaste for this little scouting trip known-often and quite loudly, with an espangly curse or two thrown in for good measure- Askan paid little heed. Reyes could bitch and moan as much as he liked, this needed to be done. First and foremost, Askan needed to know how far the mutt's reach had spread and two, maybe he was a little, teeny wheeny bit worried about Driftwood Surge. From all the scents that had clung to Lach's pelt the last time they'd spoken it was pretty obvious his pack was doing well, plenty of able bodies and all that. But quite a few of them had smelled young, inexperienced. Not the sort of wolves you wanted, rather needed, when or if shit hit the fan.

And so, Askan continued north-west. He didn't know the exact location of Lach's pack but he knew he'd smell it when he got close enough, for now he let the shadow of the mountains be his guide. Slowing a trot, Askan let out a long, if not brusque huff. He was bored out of his mind, this- you know, rather than his blatantly obvious lack of manners- was why he could never be a scout. It was all so dull, moving from point a to b with nothing in between. He half wanted someone to try and jump his arse, only to break up the monotony of his day.

For once, it seemed as though the world was willing to cut Askan a little slack, as sure enough a stranger emerged from the forest. For a long, heavy, moment Askan stared them down, unblinking, as he took in their form and posture. Out of habit he held his shoulders rigid as stood proud and tall-only to still be several inches shorter than the stranger. Fucking giant. Askan's tail lashed out to the side in an unintentional show of annoyance, but he gritted his teeth and forced it back into line. No use in throwing a pissy-fit over something so futile, there were better things to get angry about.

They, whoever they were, clearly didn't quite know what to do with themselves. They fidgeted-and most tellingly hesitated- whilst Askan stood still and cut right to the chase with no delay. The stranger had clearly beat the Edge Lord in the size department, but as things stood Askan trumped him when it came to age and experience.

"Driftwood Surge. Where is it?

It felt pretty safe to assume he was one of Lach's, but if he wasn't then Askan would- his ears tipped to the side as a frown shoved it's way onto his face. He parted his lips, about to ask if the yearling had brought company but the telltale scent of blood lingering in the air told him otherwise, made it pretty damn obvious that their company was the unwelcome kind.

They emerged from between the shadowy trees, their snouts stained red and their hackles raised. Gutsy little bastards. The wind had been blowing in the wrong direction so Askan hadn't even realised there had been a kill in the area, and yet here they were, baring their teeth as though the wolves had attempted to drive them away from their prize.

Well, if they were asking for trouble Askan was more than willing to give it to them.

Things were going to shit far too quickly for Askan's liking.

He had only just turned to face the coyote approaching from his flank, when he noticed a flash of movement from the corner of his eye. Shit. It seemed as though two out of three of the coyotes had decided to pick on the yearling, go figure. Whilst Askan didn't even know the kids name-though he didn't really look like a kid, all tall and burly- it wasn't as though he was gonna let him get his ass whooped by a pair of mutts. Askan had chosen to ally himself with Lach, so by extension he had to play nice with his subordinates, even if it meant babysitting them a little. At the very least he knew his bro would do the same if any of his underlings got into trouble, one less thing to worry about, he supposed.

Apparently though Askan had nothing to worry about, as not one, but two Surge wolves appeared on the scene, teeth bared and hackles raised. The Edge Lord glanced between the newcomers and the coyote who still lingered warily in his peripheral vision, it took him a moment or so but a sense of familiarity set in as he realised he knew them. They'd been in White Fir Notch wolves right? The hell had happened to that pack, not that Askan even cared but...whatever. It was all irrelevant now.

Three wolves against two coyotes? That seemed about right, the way things were meant to be. Wolves were supposed to outnumber these mutts, it was the natural order of things...It was about time they rectified the situation so Askan could get back to the matter at hand. Knowing the other's could hold their own-or at the very least should be able to- Askan turned his attention to his coyote. Seeing as there was no @Reyes or @Pietro around to tell him otherwise he could do what he liked...handle this situation in any way he saw fit.

So that's what he did.

Foolishly, the coyote hadn't thought to scitter back when the other's arrived. It lurked close, easily within reach if Askan could just- he charged forward, a sudden blur of brown and white as his jaws cranked open. The mutt reeled back, eyes wide with alarm- it would have gotten away, scrambled off into the woods, if it's hind leg hadn't gotten caught on a fallen branch. With a muffled thud it fell to the floor and Askan was upon it, like an eagle swooping on it's prey. His teeth ripped into it's flesh and he shook his head frantically, intending to do as much damage he could whilst he could still hold onto its flailing form.