Cedarwood Forest The promise and the threat

Late afternoon, cold and icy weather.

The air was crisp and cool. The young male’s nose wrinkled as he slowly inhaled the scents that drifted past on the calm winter’s breeze, stinging from the cold. A wave of uncertainty washed over him, as he sampled the scents, tasted them – his tongue quickly stripping them down one layer at a time: this forest was alive with activity and it was quite apparent that Xander was not the only wolf wandering through the grand cedar wood maze. It seemed many had traipsed along this path before him. His neck arched down to allow his muzzle to sweep lightly across the dry dead leaves that littered the frozen ground, brushing them aside to reveal the hard soil which paved the beaten path. His bright amber eyes scanned it with interest, studying the numerous paw prints that were lightly molded into the earth. He took a moment to consider his next move: he could either turn around and find another direction to head in with the aim to avoid any social contact from unfriendly natives, or he could continue onward and stride straight up to the strangers in the hope that they would be somewhat welcoming towards a lone tired traveler. His tail swayed in deliberation: inevitably his curiosity got the better of him – or perhaps it was his male instincts that urged him to seek out the company of his own species.

Glancing up, his eyes scanned the horizon with both suspicion and intrigue. An encouraging huff left his onyx lips as he began to wander forwards, sauntering down the mysterious path with a confident sway in his step. His fur shifted with the ripple of hard lean muscles and his fur bristled with chills of childish excitement. His russet ears betrayed his nervousness, swiveling and flinching incessantly at the slightest sound of movement in the surrounding brush. Xander was not sure precisely where this path would lead him besides deeper into the unknown, but he enjoyed the journey nonetheless, stopping only briefly to forage some small berries he spotted hidden in the frost-laden foliage. His pace slowed as the harsh stench of marked pack boundaries stung his nostrils. He hadn't entered claimed territory just yet, but the young male still moved with caution, the thought of being pinned down by an over-protective pack member made him anxious. Silently he crept closer to the territorial borders, pausing frequently to indulge his nose in their foreign scent. The aroma was inviting, musky and exotic, stealing his attention as he dared to wonder what lay beyond the invisible wall.

The sun had not made it's plummet behind the mountain yet. Cedarforest was getting it's last rays of light and warmth. It was her pale coat that kept her warm, and sealed out the cold weather. When it snowed it warmed up, after there always seem to follow a cold front; freezing good parts of the stream, turning snow into powder, and making the wind have a bite to her tender nose. Any more she couldn't feel it, her breath falling in silver wisps that faded into the surrounding fog. Something else that made icicles hang from the trees, and made her want to curl up and sleep. The problem was when it got colder loners seemed to get more desperate by hunger, and she was not about to let one go waltzing past her borders. Paws striking against the hard ground her nose would test the air, raising high to try to pick up what might be wondering the forest. Thankfully bears were asleep this time of year, or the white leader would be more worried about them.

Continuing to move along, marking again what was hers to give a clear warning this pack was active and well she wouldn't encounter anyone. She began letting her nose fall closer to the ground, making sure her children had not wandered out of their home today. If they had she couldn't blame them. They were barely getting sunlight now from the sun's dropping angle, and there was something about the hanging white mist that made her feel trapped at times. Sure enough she could detect Renier and Ryvet trail where they had left the lands. These days hunting kept them occupied, sometimes Sibyl and Aniu. A faint smile, she did not follow. She would make sure they returned by dark if they were already not home. Her white tail tipped high above her, she paused surveying the grounds with her mismatched eyes. She did not catch hints of the loner yet.

(Mind if I throw my wolfy in?)

Shadow had been near the border with multiple tasks running through her head, she had so much to do. She needed to remember to talk to Jaysyek about her leaving for a short while to get training, she needed herbs, she needed to talk to Aniu about Follko's current treatment plan. She was also marking the borders as she went, no reason not to. She had been so busy with her work she hadn't noticed the loner until she was standing face to face with him. She let a small growl release from her throat, her eyes locked. "Your extremely close to Grizzly Hollow territory, what is your business here?" She said, her voice gruffy-like. Her eyes locked in a never ending furry. The scents of herbs still clung to her pelt, her tail raised to show dominance to the loner.

Her ears were perked up in case the loner had friends in the area. She wasn't as upset as she was protective over her new packs territory. Grizzly Hollow took her in, and she was grateful. Therefore she was to protect the pack with her life. She let another warning growl. She didn't take anything from the harsh cold of the day. She stood up proud and tall, not a shiver on her body. The wolf was larger then her, but she was more experienced. She always thought about tactical positions since Athena had bested her in that fight. She had one thing on her mind, dealing with this loner, preferably without blood.

She then noticed another scent, Jaysyek was near here. Near the borders, probably didn't notice the loner. She went up and howled lightly for Jaysyek as she was near. She could help Shadow with this situation. Her eyes calm now, no longer in a furry. She waited for her leader.

(This post was last modified: Dec 27, 2012, 07:28 PM by Shadowstorm.)

~ραяαησια ιѕ α tнєσяу, ι'м ησt ραяαησι∂, ι'м ιηѕαηє~

Bright amber eyes weaved curiously through the trees ahead, searching for some clues as to what this pack’s territory had to offer. For the most part it seemed quiet and shaded, secluded from the rest of the world, hidden deep within the cedar wood forest. His gaze wandered to the woodland floor: although covered in a thin layer of frost and ice, he could pick out the flash of fresh leafy shoots that would one day emerge from the cold graven soil and bring new life to the hollow woodlands. Prey animals would also be encouraged to wander through this labyrinth of trees in search of vegetation and a safe place to rest. His eyes flickered up to the thick canopy above, noting how the trees provided some form of shelter from the elements all year round. These woodlands seemed the perfect place to set-up a pack: it seemed food would plentiful, and shelter naturally provided, seclusion aided protection from frequent attacks ..but with all these positives, it would always have its downfall. Predators.

Distracted momentarily by his musings, he hadn’t the time to notice as the small black figure stormed straight towards him. His nostrils flared and his ears swivelled to greet her, only for his head to follow a few second after – meeting the stranger with sudden look of surprise. He inhaled sharply as he was met with a steely glare of blue and the dangerous flash of fangs. She looked almost of shocked as he was, after stumbling into each other. Xander took a single step back as she growled at him, taking the opportunity to slip into a more submissive posture. His tail lowered to dangle calmly hind him, and his ears folded back apologetically. Instinctively he lowered his gaze away from the pack member, his pink tongue sweeping across his lips anxiously as he waited to be addressed.

"You’re extremely close to Grizzly Hollow territory, what is your business here?"

His eyes drifted along her body, noticing her dominant posture and raised tail. Whilst the female was only small, he did not doubt for a moment that she would not attack him in an instant if he so much as stuttered the wrong words. His tongue tugged at his dark onyx lips for a second time as he composed himself. ”I have an interest in joining its ranks.” He started, catching her gaze only once. ”It was not hard for me to approach so close to this territory unnoticed.” He paused, with baited breath, wary if the female would take his remark as an insult. ”What I mean is, with such a large territory, your alpha must always be in need of a few more scouts to patrol these borders - some wolves are not as law abiding as I am.” A confident smirk tugged ever so slightly at his lips as his amber eyes blinked up to match the female’s intense gaze.

The young male watched with slight suspicion and apprehension as the dark-coated pack wolf sniffed at the air with growing interest. A single fang tugged at his lower lip with anxiety as he tested the air silently, turning his head, hoping to keep the female unaware of his actions. As she stepped forwards, Xander’s fur bristled. A howl soon filled the air and the male’s muzzle wrinkled slightly as he watched the pack wolf with guarded curiosity. It was only a matter of moments before he caught onto the scent, an aroma that he recognised instantly to be that of an alpha: sharp and overpowering. His gaze turned back to the black female, his tail swaying nervously behind him as he waited silently for the pack’s matriarch to arrive, who would ultimately decide his fate.

(This post was last modified: Dec 28, 2012, 12:44 PM by Xander.)

Jaysyek continued on her path she had walked more than a thousand times. It was Shadowstorm's howl that would alert her, further up the line there was someone, or something. Her nose could not pick up the scent, as it was more likely hers was being cast to them. A sigh rushed from her lips, and she picked up the pace feeling her call was not deeply urgent but needed answering none the less. What would today bring? If she saw another feline she would leave pieces of it's carcass scattered all along the border to keep them out too. The only other worry should be if her children had yet again encountered a lone wolf too close, and too curious.

Climbed up the slim hill, her tail was fluffy and standing straight up behind her. The silver and white threads a top her back and shoulders were raised as well, ears drawn to Shadow and the lone wolf who was of similar coloring to her mate. A twitch of her nostrils, she could tell he certainly didn't belong any where, and was about her age. She had not caught any of his remarks, and her eyes one of gold and the other silver blue narrowed, resting upon his amber pair. It was an intimidating look, if she was staring into him, reading something beyond the knowledge of sound. A single second she moved in behind her subordinate, and let her eyes briefly take in her body language. No harm, just tension that should be there. Jaysyek slowly relaxed her hackles, but not her own rigid posture of dominance. If Shadow had not attacked him he might just be saying something right, she would not make assumptions yet.

"I'm Jaysyek, leader of Grizzly Hollow. You are looking to stay?" She queried still with a look both sharp and curious. There was room, but she didn't want another lone wolf looking to stay to make it through the winter. She needed a member set on staying. With his submissive posture, he likely had a chance to be part of the Grizzly pack.

(This post was last modified: Dec 31, 2012, 07:51 PM by Jaysyek.)