<blockquote>OOC: I hope it's okay Ava didn't get here first. Maybe Ver could write her waiting outside the den already, or have her come with food? I'm sorry. I just wanted to get this up before I leave for the weekend. </blockquote>
A scruffy paw clenched around uneven ground, black nails digging into the soil. It held tightly onto the floor, unnecessarily hard. It seemed uncomfortable, but an action she herself was not aware of. Like a man clenching his fists in anger, or throwing both hands in pockets, it was something many would not notice, but quite obviously showed nerves and excitement. She was freshly groomed, prepared for the occasion. Her body did not shake, nor did her tail wag, but a smile broke through her lips each step she got closer. She trotted through the pathway at a nice pace, not prolonging the moment, but preparing herself. She didn’t want to be the first to get there. She feared standing alone outside the den, no idea if Athena’s call had been a mistake, or worse, just for one pack-member. The more she thought, the more she grew uncertain. She replayed the notes in her mind, calculating the chance of failure. Treena may have not been omega, but her stomach lowered instantly at the thought. Tlarx was amazing, a charming male. She was familiar with him, comfortable, bonded. It was strange, how natural Salamander-Man seemed as new leader. She did not hesitate to give him the title, or the respect. She would avoid his fangs just like everyone else.
She was arriving on an empty belly, each growl causing her to cringe. She would have enjoyed a nice meal, had the damn thing not escaped. Her one paw was slightly sore, bleeding paw-pads, claws sensitive. She had pushed herself to the limit this morning, and that hadn’t been enough. Hunger was tolerable. She was too focused on everything else to worry about health. Pups were beautiful, especially the two now roaming inside the birth den. Treena could only imagine Belladonna and Datura. Only hope for the boy’s spunk and personality, or the gifts Belladonna carried. Of course, she could not fully respect any healing talents, she lacked the education, but Ava knew a little, and Chantille was a professional. Belladonna would have plenty of guidance. Datura may be more difficult. Though the female had little to teach, she knew much about combat. If the cub was willing to listen, her knowledge could serve useful to both him and his sister. Though special attention wouldn’t outright be given, she had little to offer the female. Skills in the mountains came in time, as did experience.
The woman could smell the excitement. It was growing on her, tail starting to shake, picking up the speed until she was in the clearing. Treena loved Chantille. She loved each member of her family. Plus, it was impossible not to love a female so sweet and innocent. Still, it was habit to test the boundaries of her pack-mate. It had been a mix of the talk with Tlarx, and Ava’s clear dominance that had provoked her. She wanted to know how it felt, to put someone below her, to not have her muzzle grasped so often. She wouldn’t need to worry about carrying herself lower than everyone else, to wait patiently as they ate first. The puppies were finally here! Her rank threat was barley on her mind. She wanted to see the babies! It was that heart-beating, race pulsing truth that was finally sparked the next level as she stood right beside her pack-mate.
A gathering like this could not be without some action. Two new wolves were being accepted into the world! Here they would stand. Here they would grow and learn. While Treena knew Ava, as second, would arrive any minute and help usher out Athena, she didn’t dare get any closer to the den. She did not have that amount of respect, nor would she be that testy. Raising her tail was enough.
Chantille was like a sister, but the mix of emotional climate and impatience had sparked the female’s rebellion. While she would tend to lick the throat of those higher ranked, she instead strained her neck out. This would be the moment of truth. Here was not the place to battle, even the female knew that. If Chantille refused to back-down than Treena would submit.
(This post was last modified: Jul 17, 2012, 12:03 AM by Treena.)