Shrike was not a virtuous man, nor was he patient. He had waited long enough, scouted out the woods till he learned all he needed to know. There was a pack nearby, so close he could almost taste it-the riches, the satisfaction of taking what he deserved, it was more than enough put a rare smile on his lips. As if the world agreed with his plans the afternoon sky had darkened as storm clouds rolled in from the west, and sure enough there was a flash of light followed by a near deafening boom. He couldn't think of a better time, it was now or never.

A traipse beside their border told Shrike all he needed to know. It was a relatively small pack, their were scents layered on atop one another to make it seem as though they were stronger, more formidable. But being the man he was, a predator, the sort who preyed upon the weak, he knew a bluff when he saw one. At the very least their numbers would match his, this was a risk he was willing to take. Besides, his lot had been hunting in these woods for the past few weeks and no one had challenged them, disputed their right. The way he saw it the leaders of this pack-if they even deserved to be called as such- deserved this for not anticipating the coming storm.The way he saw it....like the trees surrounding their weak border they all deserved to burn.

He turned to look over his shoulder, he didn't need to check to know he wasn't alone. These days his crew followed him like his shadow, they would do whatever he asked with very little resistance...

Shrike had a hard time subduing his laughter. His eyes crinkled around the corners as he dipped his head in response to the lovely ladies' words. Who said he wanted to take by force? Shrike was never the sort to say no to a gift, it had happened a time or two before. Mostly as a way of getting Shrike and his crew off their back, but he wasn't against the idea of taking advantage of a good soul's kindness. Oh how sweet, if his heart wasn't black and rotten in his chest it might have ached a little.

But then of course a hero had to appear on the scene, had to lean in close and whisper as though they couldn't hear every word he uttered. Something was wrong, hm? Shrike raised a brow. And how did he know that? Was he a mind reader? Shrike called bullshit. And he had to agree with Borya, he was ptiful. His nose was so far up that pregnant's ladies arse Shrike doubted he could smell anything but shit. If they were going to kill today Shrike decided that the hero would be his.

Before he even had time to dispute the man's words Procyon cut in. Ah yes, Shrike wouldn't have worded it as such but she was a sharp one, clever. He honestly couldn't have put it better himself.

He glanced to his sides, to the wolves who stood by his shoulders, monsters of his own making. If it came to it he knew they could hold their own, that together they would take what they wanted. But perhaps all wasn't lost, perhaps Shrike could still get what he wanted the easy way.

"You're awfully suspicious." He tutted, the very picture of a disapproving elder. "She's right though, we've been nearby a little while.  We've been travelling for months now and just needed a little respite. They've been hounding us ever since we arrived, been attacked more times than I can count. But...I didn't think to ask for permission and for that I apologise." He dipped his head as a smile graced his lips, it didn't meet his eyes.

Above the sky flashed white, soon followed by a near deafening boom that made the ground beneath Shrike's paws tremble, as though out of fear. How fitting, he thought.