She had kept close to the sand-pelted male for the entire trip, supporting him whenever he needed it. As they progressed, it had pleased her to see him walking more and more on his own, but she had continued to watch him like a hawk watches mice, never straying far from him and staying vigilant, prepared to protect him should he need her. Looking at the large wolf now, it was very hard to imagine the state he had been in, only a week ago; but the sight still hunted Aideen, sending a painful sting through her heart, and she promised herself that she would never let him get hurt again.






The orange wolfess had lead them, following what vague directions she remembered from the meeting with Ashanti, until the scent of other wolves had met them, proving that they were on the right path. Coal had taken the lead then, the tri-colored girl right at his hocks, and soon enough they reached what was unmistakably a border marked by a wolf-pack. Aideen smiled at her companion when he spoke, meeting his eyes with a warm, hopeful look; Our new home... Hopefully! She hung back, sitting down a few steps from the border, monitoring Coal in the way she had gotten so accustomed to over the last days.






A small shiver ran down her spine when the lad howled for someone to meet them, and she scrambled back to her feet, not sure if it was the nature of the call, or simply the sound of his low, rumbling voice that affected her. After shaking her pelt lightly, the young lass padded up besides her companion, rubbing her body lightly against his a she stopped at his side; the faint touch so natural to her, yet sending another, delightful tremor over her skin.






It did not take long for their call to be answered, a powerful looking female wolf appearing before them, her stance and formal tone making her position within the pack clear. Aideen bowed her head to the woman, tail and shoulders lowering in a submissive stance. She remembered what Ashanti had told of Secret Woodlands' alphess, and her ears slacked in sympathy; she then looked back up, to meet the lady's eyes, and was shocked to notice that she only had one! For a moment she stared in silence, but then realized her rudeness and cast her eyes back down, heat flushing her cheeks; Don't act like a pup now! You're here to ask admittance, you need to keep calm, COLLECTED! She glanced at Coal, standing tall by her side, and instantly felt more confident, she wasn't alone!






The fox-like fae straightened back up, meeting the Alphess' one, deep green eye, and cleared her throat. She didn't want to speak for Coal, but on the other paw she found it important to underline their commitment to each other, so after a moment of thought, she respectfully answered: <b style="color:#c7470f"> "I am Aideen Smoke, and this is Coal Bielski," She cast a quick look at the man then, looking for recognition of her taking the word, before continuing; <b style="color:#c7470f"> "We have come to humbly ask for admittance in your pack, Madame." Hoping her words had been the right ones, Aideen fell silent, awaiting the response.






Word count: 544




I'm not stupid <b style="color:#c7470f">”I've got bark!”

The alphess was alone in front of these two wolves and the lone woman seemed to be looking on at her in…sympathy. Shifting slightly, she turned her gaze directly onto that of the female’s, making sure that she knew that Nina was the alpha here and that it was definitely rude to be staring at the alpha of a pack’s borders you were standing near. Clenching her teeth shut, she waited for any reply, but before either one said anything, the strong presence at her side reassured her that Hollow was here. She had grown use to his presence near her and appreciated his company on her borders. He was much more of an active participant in her pack than Koda had been in his time here. Her heart still hurt, and Nina was sure that with the recent disappearance of their pack Healer that Hollow was experiencing the raw hurt of love. She leaned into his side in a comforting a companionable gesture, letting him know that she would always be there for them and that she would stick with him through anything.

It was then that the female spoke, Nina’s single eye trained on her. Two members in one…could prove to be interesting…especially if they had any kind of romantic ties into their relationship. Before she could say anything Hollow spoke up, stealing the words from right off of her lips, not that she reminded. Hollow had the same rights that she had when it came to interrogating loners at their borders. It wasn’t long before another one of their own showed up, Ashanti. Turning her head towards the female, she nodded briskly before turning her attention back on the loners. She was surprised with Ashanti’s words…she didn’t know that the Teacher had been out recently…but when again, Nina had been completely out of it ever since Tacoma’s death. Swallowing the pit that had formed in her throat, she pieced the pieces together quite easily. The sympathetic looks…Ashanti had told a complete stranger something about her…something that could have gotten Nina killed just like it had before. She would have to remind herself to talk to Ashanti about it later.

Whether it be a sign of a busy, healthy pack, or by simple chance, more wolves seemed to keep coming, quickly making the clearing fee crammed. First, a lean, dark male, who's confident gait exposed his rank, even before he announced it; Along with a question, which Aideen looked to Coal to answer first, unsure of her own answer. What I can offer? I don't... What would they want..? A small shuffle unsteadied her stance as the insecurities overcame her; What am I worth? What can I do?! Looking at her partner helped calm her a bit, but she still felt uneasy in the alphas' company, and it showed through a flip back of her ears when the first sounds of yet another approaching wolf rang through the clearing; Not one more! I can't...






So it was with a shaky sigh of relief that the orange girl's eyes lit up with recognition, when a familiar, white female came into view. Ashanti greeted her, along with the alphas, and Aideen offered back a small smile, the tip of her tail waving faintly; the presence of another known face putting her at ease. The white wolfess offered explanations to her leaders, and Aideen nodded in confirmation, copper eyes seeking blues in silent thanks; This is good, we know each other, she can vouch for me... Their meeting might not have been a long interaction, but it had been a friendly one - in which the younger fae had helped gather herbs for the very empress that now stood before her; Yes, this is good.






Then Coal spoke, his voice steady and booming despite his still tender body. The mere sound of his deep accent made Aideen's heartbeat speed up, warmth rising to her, frost-tender, cheeks when he praised her to the alphas. She glanced over at him with a shy smile, but made sure to quickly return her attention to the wolves in front of her, knowing that if she first met the sand-pelted mans eyes, she wouldn't be able to look away. Besides, this was no time for... For whatever this was.






Clearing her throat, the slender girl looked to the alphas, careful not to meet their eyes directly and keep her tail and shoulders low in submission. A short silence passed after Coal had finished, and then Aideen took word, voice steady despite her anxiety; <b style="color:#c7470f">"I don't know about brilliant... But it is true that I helped Ashanti find some herbs when we met. If you accept my application I will wholeheartedly support, protect and honor both you and your pack! I... I do not have size on my side, like Coal," At this point she paused for breath, nodding in direction of her companion, yet making sure not to meet his gaze; not yet. <b style="color:#c7470f">"But I'm enduring, and I have much experience in hunting. And, despite my small body, I'm hardy, I grew up in the far north, so I'm used to snow and cold. It won't slow me down!"






She was feeling her nervousness melt away as she spoke, pride swelling in her chest when she made her case; Would you have accepted that Yami? Did I do you proud? And you too mom? She could only guess about these questions, but she felt confident, she had made her case well and done Cimerra honor. Even if this becomes my new home, I will never forget you! And I will always honor you!






Word count: 575




I'm not stupid <b style="color:#c7470f">”I've got bark!”