Asmund walked the edge of the pack's claim, his nerves aflame with fear but his determination strong. He breathed steadily, consciously, aware of every step he took, of everything around him, the sounds, shifts of light and shadow, the direction of the wind, the scents it brought. Everything was poured into presence, as though his very life depended on mastering this practice.

Something caused a branch to break and snap to his left, further into the woods that were not home, and Az froze, head snapping round and ears quivering with the strain of stain of standing so tall. The breeze would not help him in this moment, and the worms in his gut squirmed and insisted it must be the man who'd followed Llinnea into the Backwater that day. He fought back the image of him lunging from out of the dark and attacking him, tried to maintain that sole focus while his heart hammered on.

Moments passed, and nothing sounded nor moved. A rodent, perhaps? He waited longer still, counted as high as he knew to and then again, and was about to finally concede that he was being paranoid when it burst from its cover. He saw Rayjiek's face, and screamed.

@Oleander's cougar had been a parent, and their daughter had returned, young but still lethal in her own right. She lunged for the wolf, so small and so fearful she could smell it, intending to kill.

They collided and he was thrown from his paws. The impact knocked the wind from him, and its claws were already tearing into him by the time his terror-gripped body could think to react, piercing fangs sinking in somewhere above his shoulder.

"HELP!" he shrieked, tears springing to his eyes. It hurt so much worse than what the fox had managed to do to him, and all he could think of was how long it had taken his poor mother to die, how long she had fought for.

"HELP ME!"

What if no one came until it was too late, like it had been for her? He couldn't hear anyone, no snarls or barks or thundering pawprints, just the ripping of his fur and skin and his own sobs. No one was coming, not in time.

Asmund twisted, sinking his teeth into his attacker with a vice grip. His hind legs began to kick mercilessly, dull claws digging and ripping. The cougar began to growl and hiss through her own grasp, but her determination was just as strong. What the fuck had he even done to this thing to deserve such a vicious attack? What had he ever done to anyone to constantly be made a victim?

Az snarled and bit down deeper, instincts and training both kicking in. He began to shake his head with such force it incapacitated the feline's shoulder, effectively taking out one limb and its excruciating claws. It faltered from the pain and impaired mobility both, giving him the opportunity to regain his footing and wrestle it down beneath him.

It was his turn to hurt, now.

When help did come, he could not hear it. He was getting the upper paw, he could feel its strength starting to give, and his confidence was mounting. He could do this, he was going to kill this fucking thing all on his own-

Something else hit him, distinctly not the adolescent feline. A loud snarl revved in his chest, but he didn't dare let go of the cougar until it was dead. His green eyes were completely encircled with bright white, adrenaline held them so wide, and still he couldn't make out who it was or whether or not he had a second assailant. It ended up not mattering. The next moment, Eros was there, Asmund able to see the older wolf's face distinctly given its proximity as he disposed of the rival like it was a scrap of brush.

Az blinked as he tried to register just how quickly the situation had changed, and what had been stolen from him. A fresh wave of anger brought heat to his cheeks as his tail rose and he growled at Eros, "I had it!"

The deep punctures from the bite burned the worst, providing a focal point while the rest of his torn body ached and bled. Nothing was so severe that his life was presently at risk, but scarring was practically a guarantee at this point, as well as infection. He didn't know it, but feline teeth were particularly lethal. Still, he was alive, standing, speaking up for himself.

'Don't yell at my brother!'

Asmund's eyes snapped onto Euna, immediately widened with rage. He wasn't putting up with another @Isla, especially when this little shit wasn't even Viorel's, and especially not when he'd just taken on a cougar. She was nothing compared to that, and Az felt a strong urge to prove it to her. His tail arced high over his back now, and his hackles stood on end while he bared his fangs at Euna and took a step toward her. A deep, threatening rumble rolled like thunder in his chest.

Then suddenly all he saw was Eros' great wide tawny hide, and he snapped out of it. His ears planed to the side with annoyance, and he scowled deeply. All he heard was the guy praising and coddling the asshole, and again he was reminded of the bullying he'd gone through from age-mate Valles, and how they'd never once gotten corrected for it.

When Eros' attention was on him again, he was brooding darkly. The older wolf's touch elicited a growl, but the sound faded as the care became comforting. That was more like it. He'd nearly forgotten Sage, Euna's presence was so much larger.