Secret Woodlands I get lost tracing my steps back

@Koda first, then @Nina @Miccah @Silentium also she would still be "in heat", so she is going to be possessive and weirdly reactive... sorry everybody!

They were on borrowed time now. It was ticking by without notice or permission. A morose evening had darkened into something more. The black was inky above them as they circled each other, each arc tighter and tighter. Neither glanced up when the first star winked into existence. Iopah knew what the stars looked like. She had spent nearly six years following their paths, tonight she longed for something more. The stars would always be out of reach anyways. Her eyes followed him singularly as they lingered and chased through the concealing blackness.

A brilliance of stars appeared and the couple only noticed how easy it was to pursue one another now. Their feet kicked up snow in a field that pearled with the reflection of those uncounted lights. It reflected white on teeth bared in assurances and vows. They had no thought of anything else. The sky spun over them, following it's own time. It stretched darker and darker over the hours, until finally it began snapping back.

She ignored the gray for as possible, telling herself it was nothing but the pale bark of trembling aspen. She turned away from the sun as it reached fingers of pink and orange over the horizon, catching Koda's gaze in a desperate attempt, but time had caught up with them.

As a gray dawn crept onto their edge of eden, finally, she looked from her mate. He was right, they couldn't leave like this. If it wasn't for the fire that raced down her spine at his voice, she would have agreed to the wrongness instantly. As much as she wanted to take shelter from the coming emotional storm, she followed after him. They were going back, but certainly they would not be welcome back.

haha! I did it! okay left it as vague as muse would allow, Koda is welcome to howl for the pack/nina

(This post was last modified: Mar 22, 2015, 06:01 AM by Iopah. Edit Reason: adding tags )

No table this time XD @Iopah @Nina @Miccah @Silentium

He moved like a shadow as darkness concealed them, his head turning every so often to catch a glimpse of the woman at his side. He could sense the nervousness in the air, it was a just feeling, but there was no room for error--this was their moment and he refused for it to be ruined. He lead the way with a new air of confidence, his tail stood like an arc over his back as he made his way back to the border of his home, where he had still been allowed the privilege to lead and paused just short of where he was sure the others were waiting. A deep inhale of cold air filled his lungs as he found the gaze of his new leading lady, Iopah, and without speaking asked if she were ready for the task ahead--they had both known that this wouldn't be easy.

No longer lingering, holding back would only prolong the process, he crossed over into the Woodlands where a sense of familiarity took over and he allowed her eyes to scan over the land, taking in the scenery of receding snow and wet grass where Spring had finally taken over and stopped when he was within the center of the land. This was it, this would be the moment they had both been dreading and waiting for, he was ready for the judgment to commence. He could feel Iopah at his side and he felt stronger, larger and after another long inhale he forced a howl from his mouth to call forth those to attendance--he needed Nina the most, but the others were always welcome. They needed witnesses in case others were to accuse them of deserting as fugitives, they would not run with their tails between their legs, instead they would explain their case and hope that the golden queen would understand their position.

Arla and Emma are the ish and made my pretties!
Koda will most likely always be accompanied by Chiron unless otherwise stated, or requested.

I just wanted a not-vague post from her before all this gets started lol the others are welcome to post now
not sure about Koda, but it's fine by me if they are removed from SW roster now, might make it less confusing for others as they start recruiting

She prowled at his side, letting her paws pick up the pace he had set. Her eyes were fixed on their targets, but pale ears swung to follow the soft sounds of a morning in the thicket. So familiar. Her feet almost drifted in the direction of her den, scooped out beneath the fallen tree. They had been up all night gallivanting and it was tempting. It had always been a place of peace for her, but an image of a jealous green eye coming from the dark and snatching away the pitter-patter of little feet was quick to change that. Her head went down and her hackles prickled defensively. This was not home any longer.

Her eyes scanned briefly, taking the proffered pause. The sight of freshly revealed grass made her quicken with an instinct she didn't quite realize. The clock was ticking and she had little time to spend on the scenery. There was nothing to see that wasn't committed to memory anyways... and she refused to fall behind Koda. Right now they were the only thing the other owned in the world. They kept going and Iopah could feel her senses heighten, hackles having never quite fallen. She was prepared to be civil, but wanted no misunderstanding with her determination or the lengths she would go to defend the little she had.

They reached the center and Koda stopped. Iopah drew a small circle in the snow around him, then claimed her place at his side. Her heart pounded, but as Koda's voice broke the still morning her own head lifted to call with him. They were in this together, might as well make it clear.

(This post was last modified: Mar 28, 2015, 03:57 AM by Iopah.)

She had been in a place of peace. While she had constantly thought about incident between Koda and Iopah, as the end of breeding season grew nearer, she was becoming more sure of her life. They wouldn't dare breed while they were still members of Secret Woodlands, Nina had made that explicitly clear. Never had she been more sure of anything, not for such a long time. Koda had once known her better than she had known herself and he had repaired her once. The woman knew she was close to her breaking point, and she knew that if something were to happen, it would take so little for her to snap and turn on them. Law was to always be followed in Secret Woodlands, the very ones that Nina, Sloane, and even Koda agreed to when he had finally arrived....the first time. Koda had been the other part of Nina's soul, but it seemed that the other man didn't have one any more and Nina was missing the other part of her own. It made he feel half empty and it was a hollow feeling having known what it was like to be loved and cherished, like she was the only one that mattered in the world. 





It was why, when she received the call, she felt her heart wretch painfully in her chest, a dutiful reminder of what she had to do in this situation. Her lips thinned into a stern line as her single orb held no remorse for the individuals who she had trusted for so long. She had entrusted the pack to Koda because she thought he would be worthy enough. Again, she had been proven wrong and the turn of events showed just how bad of a scumbag that her former mate truly was. The lovely, kind man she had once known was no longer alive, he was dead, buried by a sea of hurt and sin. The host that know had entered his body was ugly and distorted, and Nina wished that it would leave and that Iopah hadn't fallen for its charms. This new man...was a bastard, he didn't deserve the place that Nina had given to him, the oath that he had silently taken when he had risen to power for the family. If it was the last thing she did, she would make sure neither of them returned. 



She moved fluidly as she entered the clearly, her posture rising above both wolves and the harsh glare penetrating their gaze. She almost stopped for a moment when she recognized the glow that radiated off of both of them...a glow that Nina had experienced twice in her life. And now, they had not only betrayed her, but they had gone against the pack law. That never was and never would be acceptable. She didn't hesitate to speak, her voice cold and toneless, "Get out. I made my laws perfectly clear to both of you, and you disobeyed me. You will be known as traitors to this home and no longer welcome. I never want to see either of you ever again." She was cold and heartless then, but inside her knew that she wouldn't be able to last for that long once they left. She had trusted them and gave them everything except for this one thing and they had thrown every piece of her kindness back into her face. There was no way she could forgive their treachery. 

(This post was last modified: Mar 31, 2015, 03:09 PM by Nina.)

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

Since the winter had began Silentium had become an early riser, at first he had had to force himself to rise with the sun but now he did so instinctively. It was routine to go about and check on what he considered family, Iopah and Koda first as they were always together. Today though was already turning out to be anything but routine, when he had poked his head into their shared den his heart had almost stopped. They were missing, scents stale enough to tell the blonde pup that they hadn't been there all night. Instantly the boy's heart began to race in panic, had they been lost just like his brother had? Would he never see them again as he was sure he wouldn't with Pacem?

After the first moment of panic Silentium was able to calm himself down enough to think clearly, their scents were still present in the territory so he would just follow it. This was how the boy found himself so close to the borders, a place he rarely was he preferred the safety of being deep within the territory. When the call reached him the first and only emotion he felt was relief, so his family wasn't lost after all, they were together.

The relief was short lived though as he arrived on the scene in time to hear his mother's cruel words. A whine was the noise that announced Si's presence as he pushed forward, coming to stand perpendicular to his mother and the other two wolves. Dipping his head in confusion he frowned as emerald eyes looked towards the alpha, "But mom....Iopah and Koda are family, you can't treat them this way." Suddenly his temper flared, something that he tried to keep under control but had been known to lose occasionally in tense situations. How could his mother think that this was okay? Koda was the only man he trusted and Iopah was his closest friend, if they left he would have nothing left but his mother. It was a fate he couldn't accept, "Mom if you make them leave...I.....I....I'll go with them! If this is how you treat family I don't want any part of it." Backing up he came to stand by Iopah's other side, emerald eyes glaring accusingly at the Hervok woman, she wouldn't do this would she?

 

Time seemed to move slowly as they waited, his gaze shifted from that of his new wife to the coldness that became Secret Woodlands. As he stood in wait he realized, with the sway of the slowly growing leaves and the tuffs of low grass, that this place could have never remained his home no matter how hard he tried. He was not usually one to break rules, in fact he often did not mind them, but the fact that he would have to endure another year without puppies swayed his decision in remaining as a loyal member to Secret Woods, he did not want to harm Nina but remaining here would cause him to be a shadow of what he was. He was destined for more, and he would not stand to lose the promise of a generation because of outdated rules.

A low sigh left his lips and before he realized it, the golden woman was in their presence, her stance was that of anger as she stood her members down with the glare of disgust and disbelief--she knew what they had done. He did not speak at first, allowing her to get her words out and when she was finished he inhaled deeply, allowing his ears to fall tightly to his skull. There was no room to reason with her, they were beyond that, and when Silentium spoke up for them he turned to give the youth the once over, his heart swelled with pride for his bravery and the intelligent words he spoke. He was not sure how the golden woman would react to Silentium traveling with them, he was her responsibility after all, but the youth was nearing his first year and was nearly ready to make his own decisions, he was would be happy for the young males company as they sought out their new home. Though he did not speak on Silentium's words, he did turn to acknowledge the one eyed queen, knowing fully well that what he had to say may have very little merit now, but he had to speak his peace.

"We sought you out because we do not wish to leave on a bad note Nina. I discussed with you previously our intention of leaving and you make it seem as if we are leaving without reason," he started, the look on his face as hard as stone as he gave the woman a once over. She looked different, perhaps beaten down by the responsibility of pack life and the fact that she would once more have to lead beside Miccah, but that was no longer his problem, as far as he was concerned, the black male had served beneath her as a faithful member and deserved the opportunity to gain her trust. "We do not want bad blood with Secret Woods, the pack treated us well while we were members but as it tends to happen sometimes, our needs have outgrown what the pack has to offer us." he spoke for Iopah but knew that the woman had her own ideals, thoughts and feelings and welcomed her to speak up if she needed to. They would always be in this predicament forever.

Arla and Emma are the ish and made my pretties!
Koda will most likely always be accompanied by Chiron unless otherwise stated, or requested.

@Iopah
@Nina

There was never a moment that Iopah thought this would go well.

There was a good reason for staying in the thicket till now, two good reasons actually. Waiting for the coming judgement she had a bitter stab of grief at the thought. The wait had been for nothing. She was leaving and would never know what became of Aideen and Pacem. Would Secret Woodlands keep searching? Would the lost wolves ever know how much she had tried? There was a good reason for their union. It was a punishment to keep new lives from the Thicket wolves after a winter with so much loss. Koda was king and wanted children; he loved Iopah and wanted her to bear them. Somehow, despite the one-sidedness of it all, that had been the rule. The broken rule.

She was expecting anger. The sound of Nina's approach made her tense-up, toes gouging into earth that could never be home. Nina was family just the same as the tiny cells finding purchase in her belly. There was no solace in this frank meeting with Nina; Iopah still couldn't hold the furious emerald gaze. Gold eyes fell away and she took a deep breath.

The whine was enough to break her heart. It hurt enough to leave in the first place, why did Silentium have to watch as she left him? She was jumping to her feet as soon as the boy cleared the brush, jaws parting to say something. In her sorrow she could have said anything: a plea to leave the meeting and forget her or tender words to ease his grief. Her jaws snapped shut as his announcement. Silentium came to stand at her side. Iopah studied him in amazement, then swept gold eyes over to find his mother. For the first time in over three years she held Nina's gaze; no longer her subordinate, rather her son's caretaker. She listened to Koda speak and waited for the chance to say words that she'd rather not.

"We will, we'll go now and stay gone." The promise burned on her tongue and caught in her chest. It was barely steady and truthful, but there was so much more that slammed around in her heart. Something broke free and the words spilled from her jaws. "Search the ravine again, when the river is flowing they will know what direction home is." There, it wasn't everything, but it was enough. It would have to be, she couldn't stand anymore. She moved fast to Koda's side, eager for him to take them away from this place. She huffed low to Silentium, the noise soft and encouraging. They had to go now.

(This post was last modified: Apr 28, 2015, 03:49 AM by Iopah.)

She felt no remorse for them. Perhaps had they left before the deed had been done, Nina would have felt more at ease, perhaps even forgiven them for what they were doing. But the fact that they had gone against her rules when she had explicitly told both of them the consequences, they had still done through with it. The Hervok did not know why she was so shocked, she should have seen it coming, but the anger still rushed through her veins, old scars ripped open by the man that had been her savior, once upon a time. Had Ash not told her that no matter how deep the connections, something would always break attachments? More than once her brother's words had been proven true. They were present here and even further proven when Silentium entered the scene, his wide, accusing eyes directed at her. While he had no business being here and his words cut through her, the woman's body had already numbed itself from the outside world, and her son's words did not affect her the way they should have. The mother was slightly shocked. Nina and Silentium had been close, probably the closest of her second litter and Nina loved him with all of her heart, and so she raised an eyebrow at him, as if asking him if his words should truly affect her decision. Her gaze snapped to Koda, her lip peeling back in displeasure. How she despised him now. He had ruined everything since the moment he had left her and then onward. "As I said, Mister Reinier, Secret Woodlands will no longer have anything to do with you unless you are seen anywhere near out borders." Her single eye held the promise of what would be likely to occur should either of them ever return. She glared at Iopah once more, her best friend...or former no a traitor to her. Everything that she had done to make the other woman feel comfortable thrown back in her face. And finally her gaze turned to her son, single eye softening as she took him in, possibly for the last time. His morals had always been high and it was the single thing that set him apart from her. He could hold onto the hope for family, but hers had been completely destroyed. There was no more illusions to blind the truth from her, as hurtful as it may be. She parted her jaws to speak, her voice moving effortlessly towards her moppet, "They are not family, Silentium...family does not betray one another." She sent a pointed look towards Iopah, for extra measure before continuing, "You, however, are old enough to make your own decisions. Just know that should you wish to return, I would be more than happy to see you again." Her gaze the snapped towards the mated pair, her single eye narrowing, making it clear that she wanted them away from here...forever.

Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

I guess fade?

As he stood with his wife at his side, the pale male realized how what little power the queen of secret woods held over him and at this realization he felt his head raise a tad bit higher, and his tail stiffened at his haunches to signify his peace. He did not wish to harm Nina, he was sure their departure was enough strong medicine for her, but he couldn't help feeling a tad bit sorry for the woman who he had once respected and given his heart to. The power he took back from her made him feel more confident in his abilities to lead his family onward, he did not need the protection of the Woodlands scent along his pelt, nor did he need the approval of the woman who had attempted to take away everything. All he needed was them, his new family, and that would be enough to fuel his determination to create a successful pack with those who followed him.

The words she spoke, despite the anger behind them, did not bother him as he had expected them to, instead he felt the realization of freedom overtake him and without realizing it the crown that had once adorned his head broke into a million pieces as he said goodbye to this home. "As it stands Nina, I do not see a reason that we would ever seek to return." and he was prepared to leave the fact as it stood-- if she no longer considered them family, then she would not be one to him either.

Just before his paws set to a path for departure, feeling Iopah bump his side, he listened as Nina addressed her son and wondered if the words she promised him held merit. If he were deserting with them, despite his relationship to her, he would be considered a deserter and should not be favored, and as it stood the blonde child's reasons went beyond the likes of pack laws. He was standing for what was right and Koda would always respect that about the middle child, and he was clearly upset with the actions of his mother and her intention to kick them out for ever. If he wished to ever return to Nina he was sure that with a heavy heart he would allow it, he could not and would not keep the blonde wolf from his mother, no matter how little she mattered to him now. Without missing a beat, the fuel of anger and determination propelling his legs forward, he sought for the mountains in the East where he knew that the distance could keep this wretched pack away from what he had vowed to create with Iopah and Silentium at his side.

Arla and Emma are the ish and made my pretties!
Koda will most likely always be accompanied by Chiron unless otherwise stated, or requested.

There would be remorse later. After every bit of familiarity had been left behind and she became weary of the unknown, Iopah would mourn the loss of her thicket home. As her newborn son grew cold under her nose, Iopah would agonize over the loss of her friend and healer.

Right now, all she wanted was to leave. The only thought she had was of the lives taking root in her belly, the lives that Nina had denied. Iopah had not wanted to take anything from Nina and had been unable to bare teeth for a fight that might have given her the crown. Iopah would have stayed and let her children grow up in a family that were now sentenced to go without. Now there would never be pups for the Woodlands as long as Nina held the crown. It was a miserable sentence that Nina had laid on her followers.

They were quick to leave, and Iopah carried her children from a home they would never know. Their journey to the borders was swift with @Miccah acting as an escort. Family does not betray one another. Nina's parting words to Silentium would not leave her thoughts. If that statement had been true, then Iopah would never have needed to taken shelter in the thickets. The three refugees crossed the borders and fell into a sprint as they entered the meadow. Nina was wrong; family certainly could betray and it was foolish to only place faith in them.

-Fade to Black-

(This post was last modified: Jun 07, 2015, 11:10 PM by Iopah.)