Firestarter

Perched atop the outcrop, he saw all before him. The world of lore lay before him, where sleeping river wolves and no doubt larger loners wandered. To his right, a body of water signified the creek where his sister had hidden, but he had since learned that Ruiko and his pack had left, leaving the watery hole empty of life and his sister was not a name he heard anymore. Funny really, how she had been his entire purpose to travel to these lands and were it not for her, he would not be sitting here now, blackened crown upon his head and his kingdom behind him.

To his left, the dense forest and the pack that Valiant had came here from. He had never met a wolf from the cedar trees but he would one day, it was always good to know those who could be the enemy. Perhaps they were in league with the River wolves and aware of the wanted posters with his mugshot and would happily turn him in, or perhaps they were neutral in it all. Either way, it would be something he would mull over for a time now. He wasn't aware of the Ridge wolves, believing still that there were only two packs in the land before him and two here in the mountains, until proven otherwise of course, but he was content with the number and there was no worry over sharing food with so few mouths to feed over such a grand scale.

Behind him to the left lay his old home. The place he had felt at home after never feeling like he had somewhere to safely lay his head. Where he found comfort in listening to the water of the lake lapping at the sure and the scent of nightshade hung in the air.
It had been snatched away from him now of course, much like everything else in his life, someone had taken it from him. He was not worried of course- they would have their downfall and he would make sure he was in the centre of it all. He would have his revenge all in good time. He was a patient wolf, hell he had been waiting over a year to even get a glimpse of his sister, let alone murder her, he would wait until the end of time no doubt to accomplish something he wanted and he wanted that pack gone.

That left him with the steep path to the right which would lead him home, to his true home. He had always thought the lake had been the place for him, appreciating the water against stone, the powerful presence that unwelcome visitors had been met with... but it had made him soft. Looking back, now that he had found himself whole once more and able to see the deeds, good and bad, in his life, he saw how weak he had become. Letting in anyone who knocked at the door, thinking that a simple challenge like hunting should be enough to earn them right of passage? Shit. Every wolf could hunt, moron. He wasn't going to be making that mistake again- in his desperation to get the pack he had always wanted, he had recruited anyone he came across and by conforming to whatever scraps he could find, he had a pack of liars, cowards and spineless bitches. No, he was never making that mistake again. He had learnt the lesson the hard way. He and Naira had built something better, something stronger, much like the location they now lived in, harsh, unforgiving, much like his true self.

He was done with the manipulation. Playing Mr.Nice with everyone and having it thrown back in his face all the time. He was a master at deceit, yet somehow everyone saw through him, though he had given them no reason too. He would admit not everyone was gullable and at times there may have been a crack in his carefully made mask, but he was sick of being fingered out when he tried his best to fit in. Hell, maybe if he had played nice for long enough it would have stuck, but he had been shunned, attacked, lied about wherever he went and he was through with it all. If they wanted a villian they had one and as he sat with his back to his home, tall, rigid, even powerful he felt every inch one. His gun metal eyes took in everything before him. In the distance, the sky was no longer black but an inky purple, telling him the sun would rise soon. No snow had fallen last night, it appeared even the air felt a little warmer and that spring would soon raise its ugly head; he wondered how the pass would change, would it be greener? More lush? Would they have to worry about flooding, what with being so close to so much water- he hoped not of course, but it would be a challenge none the less, one he was ready for.

In silence, he watched the horizon, waiting for the sun to rise before he would head back and patrol the pack borders once more.

With the vertex of the mountain rising high above the snow-covered land, it became a beacon. Something which had the same sort of allure that everything else in nature that was in its prime had; that sort of unchangeable health and strength, a permanent medal of victory to wear upon its breast. It rose to such a height that it didn't simply sit, it challenged- enticing those who sought to feel their own strength to climb its slopes and strive for the feeling of invincibility. Surely, the higher up you were, the stronger and more powerful you were. At least, it gave you quite a vantage point and this naturally brought advantage with it.

Sagacity, who still had little knowledge of the area, moved toward the mountain so that she could scout out a better place to live. She had left her den in the Thicket, in search of something better, something different. A place with good hunting grounds that would not be the crossroads for so many other wolves, though she began to weigh the options of actually joining a pack. So long as she could keep to her usual lifestyle, she knew she would be reasonably happy. She didn't mind hunting with others, and some social interaction was fine, but she didn't take to others quickly; very few wolves had ever captured her attention for very long and even fewer had become her friends.

She moved through the snow, mouth slightly opened as the uphill climb and the strain of having to wade through a few drifts caused her breathing to speed up. But the little wolf was nimble and light, and made for stamina. She did not have the hefty weight of a more muscular wolf to tote up the mountainside and so, she found herself relatively at ease. The slim female was perfectly built for mountain climbing, and was as nimble-footed as any who had grown up on a mountain. Her determination allowed her a bit more speed and whenever she reached a stretch where there was a decent crust, the athletic woman picked up a lope, moving in bounds up the mountainside and slowing only to conserve energy while wading through deeper snow.

She'd forgotten how much she enjoyed a physical challenge. Little other things made her feel excited and gave her energy a kick-start, but this certainly did. Vivaciously her eyes gleamed and while she did not smile, there was a look of conviction on her features as she climbed the mountain; her strength seemed fueled by the winds which grew stronger and stronger the higher she climbed. As such, it was more difficult for her to catch the scent of the other wolf who had made the climb from the other side of the mountain, and as he had had the advantage of height, she had not been able to see him past the rocks that emerged from the mountain's snowy shoulders, though he would have been able to see glimpses of her, now and then.

But her keen vision would not betray her any longer, not when confidence lifted her gaze to the higher grounds which she scanned quickly, eyes latching onto the hard figure of a black wolf who stood out against the snow, but would have easily blended in with the dark, rugged rocks that jutted out from the snow where the wind was too swift and coarse for it to settle. She stopped and while the wind lifted the fur along here spine, she felt otherwise quite calm. Her ears perked as she took a moment to take note of him- his impressive height, the slim line of his body, the way he seemed to be built for endurance running- before they turned back and her gaze moved. She was far enough away, still, that to shout out a greeting would be useless; the wind would have carried her voice away and it would have been rude to try such a thing. Instead, Sagacity tilted her head back and with uncharacteristic conviction, she howled; a greeting which easily conveyed the sentiment of feeling powerful and humbled at the same time bu the mountain's magnificence.

Avatars by Arla!

So sorry for the delay! <3

The breeze against his skin felt good. As the icy wind burrowed deep into his fur, he felt the pin pricks of the current against the warmth of his skin, despite his thick winter coat, everyone was a slave to nature. The wind tickled his ears, ruffling the black and silver fur at the base and causing them to twitch involentarily. His nose tingled to, the cold brushing against the wet of his nostils, a little painful after being sat still for so long, but he was no stranger to pain- the burn he felt was not enough to even cause him to flinch. His glossy grey eyes stung, the bitter cold taking every opportunity it could to slash across them, enough to make them water and for him to blink more often than normal. He decided to close them once he had taken his fill of the kingdom, assured that he was alone he could afford to take a moment of solace to be alone with his thoughts, to shut out the world around him and just listen to the screaming wind as it whipped around him, dancing from rock to rock in an endless onslaught. It was peaceful, calming and the black wolf felt for a moment, a sense of relief and freedom from all of his binds.

At least, he would have taken a moment, but his thoughts were interrupted as the song of another blended into the wind as it hurtled past his ears. Instantly his steel eyes were open and scanning the terrain around him. The sound was close, very close considering how empty the mountain could be. It was a call of greeting, but he wasn't going to be caught off guard. Quickly he backed up from the edge of the heights, turned to face the rocks that lay before him and used his nose to try and find the scent of the hidden stranger. They might not have been hiding, but the shadows and tall rocks made it difficult to spot whoever it was who had called to him, added that the moon wasn't high in the dark sky made things a challenge, and he took a stroll forwards to try and trace a scent.

Slightly closer now, he found what he was looking for. Female, alone and had been for a while for she was not marked by any pack. Strange, that she should be wandering in this area, perhaps this was how she found the valley, unlike most who came in through the west it seemed.
Instantly he pulled himself into leader mode, tail high, head high, hackles bristled, ears forwards and gaze focused as at last he caught a glimpse of her silvery fur beneath the moonlight. He said nothing as he approached, but allowed his poise to speak for itself as he approached her. She was not on their borders, but their home was close by and regardless of where their markers lay, he was king of this entire fucking mountain, and he was going to make sure that everyone knew it. No longer was he the sap who sun bathed by the lake, having let his guard down, he lost himself along the way. The past few months hadn't been easy, but he felt as things fell back into place that he was finally himself, an arrogant prick who got what he wanted, when he wanted it, no matter the consequence. No longer would he wear a mask for a stranger, no longer would he try to please those around him. No, so long as he, his female and his children were safe he would make it his business to be ruthless, to be the power house he thought they needed and above all else, to be their leader.

He appraoched without fear, stopping a short distance away from her. Not too close to spook her, but close enough to give it a run for his money if she wanted to dance. "What do you want?" he asked, casually in his smooth southern drawl.

Notta problem-o! :) Wasn't much of a wait, anyway!

He was startled- definitely not frightened, but surprised in the very least when she called out. He moved away and the shadows claimed him. Where once he stood out, the moonlight touching his glossy black fur which on his own set him apart from the snowy landscape, he now became invisible. As Sagacity had to look up in order to try and spot him again, it also meant having to squint a bit to block out the moon's placid glow in hopes of catching a glimpse of him. She felt vulnerable and it showed for a moment with the stiffening of her posture. She couldn't see him but knew he was higher above, and could possibly see her even though she could no longer see him.

It was his movement that gave him away, as well as his height. Though his body blended in with the dark sky and the boulders which erupted from the snowy landscape, his raised head and tail blocked a few stars from view and a flash of savage silvery blue in his eyes replaced them. He was a shadowy silhouette, poorly outline against such a dark backdrop, but the silver highlights about his noble brow and along his spine where the hairs stood stiff gave the appearance of a ghostly aura. Sagacity shuddered.

The stiffness in her legs gave away the moment she saw how he struck an image. Her angles became softer, smoother as she relaxed, now being able to see him, and molded herself into a respectfully benign pose. Her ears turned back to show deference as he came toward her and as this pose seemed as nothing but a normality for him, she assumed immediately that she was facing someone with authority. Someone who was the leader of a pack. She stuck firmly with this assumption as he came toward her, but she sensed too that he wouldn't attack her without reason. There was a calm about his assertive nature, one that she responded to immediately and as appropriately as possible.

She felt more sure of herself and of his nature when he spoke. Not that his voice was reassuring, nor did he say anything that might be read literally as a type of charm, but there was a smoothness to his voice that she liked. She found herself being surprised by how easy she felt, presently. She did not feel awkward, but natural, wild. They were speaking the same language, communicating through more than just words. When she did speak, she was quite sure, immediately, of what she wanted to say. "Your pardon," She answered, in a voice calm and reserved. "If I've bothered you." Part of her, however, wasn't incredibly sorry. Part of her was absolutely singing.

Avatars by Arla!

He allowed a grunt to slip from his lips in acknowledgement of her apology. She had wanted his attention and now she had it, he just hoped that she would use it wisely for he had been enjoying looking out at the land before him and thinking back over his life here- mostly with hate, anger and bitterness, but there had been some good memories too, not many, but some. She hadn't tugged him away from anything important, so for the moment he had no reason nor want to chow down on her, but as ever, these situations could change very quickly.

Her poise was respectful, perhaps he could have demanded more, full belly up and quivering in her bones, but she was not on his land and she was not stupid enough to ignore his place in the world- it would do for now, but he held his royal stance. "Now that you have my attention, what will you do with it?" he asked- no challenged her, with a defiant yet brief elevation of his chin, whilst his dull grey eyes balled her, taking in every hair upon her body, the colour of her eyes, the strange colouration that danced on her nose; everything would be comitted to memory and never forgotten again. He had been sure to make more of an effort with his greatest weapon, his mind, since it had been returned to him. Taking more time to remember details, pushing himself to learn everything he could about their new home, the new wolves who lived amongst them. Nothing was too big or too small for his attention anymore.
She wasn't pretty nor plain to him, much like his Naira who was perhaps not the most beautiful wolf he had ever seen in his life (and he had seen a lot of wolves in his lifetime), but she had taken his breath away regardless and as ever, he had gotten what he wanted- her as his female. She was small, which reminded him a little of Athena, but her fur was not white, but mottled silver and black markings here and there, though the eyes were similar, a firey amber which he would bet meant she had a firey temper inside, under the surface.

ooc: If this thread goes well, d'you think it could possibly be her joining thread? Also: "he asked- no challenged her, with a defiant yet brief elevation of his chin, whilst his dull grey eyes balled her." Just sayin' but Sagacity's not sure she likes being balled by eyes! XD

ic:

His gruff grunt, to Sagacity, signified that he wasn't one to waste his time with petty small talk, or to chit-chat with strangers about how nice a day it was. She sensed that he wasn't easily distracted by trivial things and lived for purpose, meaning. She also gauged that he would be the type with a quick temper and little patience for those who had none of his respect or camaraderie. She was one of these wolves so she knew that she would be treading on thin ice; she would have to choose her actions and words wisely if she wanted not only to appease him, but to save her own skin. The fact that he did not relax his dominant pose told her that he felt no shame in disciplining wolves, even if they weren't his packmates and weren't on his lands. But it didn't frighten her; though she wasn't one hundred percent sure what to do- wild beasts were hardly predictable, after all- she felt her instincts guide her.

The tone of his voice forced her into a crouch, tail pulled in between her hind legs. From benign she went to submissive, though still she was not frightened, nor did she feel anxious. She had her wits about her, no doubt, and was prepared to spring away should she need to and vault down the mountainside, but she assumed the position out of respect and awe. She felt fear in not knowing what to expect from him, knowing he was dangerous and could easily hurt her, but she did not fear, necessarily, that he would. She had some control in the situation- she could control the way she acted, and she was going to play it very safe. She was going to work with him, rather than against him.

"I would like to make myself worthy of it," She answered calmly. She felt the sensation of having a fine-toothed comb run through her fur as he looked her over. Part of her reveled in the touch from his sharp gaze and she felt a primal part of herself awaken. She felt no need to delve into her word-hoard and prattle on, knowing that she might annoy him. "And worthy of you, Alpha," She said, lowering her head and tilting it to the side slightly, to show a glimpse of her pale throat.

Avatars by Arla!

I don't even know where that came from. My fingers tend to write their own words sometimes, sorry for balling her! xD
And yes, we can indeed if you'd like to- let me know what you want to do and we'll go from there. :)

She was thoughtful it seemed. Her actions spoke louder than her words and he could certainly live amongst more like that. Talk was cheap and after years of talking, playing the part, acting Mr. Nice Guy- he was done. Done with talking about the weather, why someone was upset when he couldn't give a damn. No, he was much happier to stare and make them squirm. However, the female was not squirming. The look upon her face was thoughtful almost as she shrank lower. Of course, she did not have to take such drastic actions, after all, she was not on his turf and out here, all alone, they were both simply wolves.

Her words were not displeasing- in fact, he felt his spine tingle a little. Her movements, were almost seductive as she exposed her pale throat. A daring move, maybe a little stupid, but he would give her dues that it was bold. She didn't know him from Adam, he might very well have torn out her jugular there and then. It was a good job he was not quite so sadistic yet- selfish, yes, but not sick enough to kill without reason... just yet. He did take another step forwards though, testing her reaction- would she flinch? Run? He wasn't sure, but something inside him told him she was not a coward.

He sauntered to a stop, but a foot or so from where she lay upon the cold ground. He felt dominant, powerful and it did wonders to his ego to see a stranger so compliant to his very presence. It had been a long time since he had met a wolf who willingly saw him for what he was- a king in his own damn right.
His head lowered. His muzzle snaked towards the collum of her throat where just an inch from her fur, he took in a deep breath of her scent. It was certainly one he would never forget. He had not been this interested by a female since the day he had met his female... but even she hadn't caused him to venture so very close. "What is your name?" he breathed against her skin, not yet moving to allow her space to move without consiquence as he hovered over her.

ooc: Eh, if this could be kind of her interviewing process, that'd be great! :)

Part of her screamed, wanting to scold her for what she was doing. This was the part of her which wasn't wild, but cultivated by the protective nature of her parents. The part of her that tried to be rational rather than simply acting upon instinct. The part of her that was as tame as a pet dog, that did not like sleeping in the cold, that resented her life as a lone wolf, that felt uncomfortable in the presence of others simply because the majority of her being was made up of her own wild instinct. But thrown into a world of conversation and pleasantries, she'd become lost, and that little tame part of her had grown. But she didn't like it. She didn't want to hate the rain, or begrudge the rough terrain. She wanted to live in it and love it, to be resilient and to tolerate hardship without complaint.

The voice shriveled to a whimper when the alpha began to take slow steps toward her. That part of her had no right to be present in her mind at a time like this and thus it was shunned to the coldest and darkest part of her consciousness where she would be happy to keep it. She stayed where she was, even though natural apprehension- for every being fears, at some level or another, for their own life- did cause a few strands of fur at the back of her neck to raise. Not in anger, fury or frustration, but simply because the amount of energy pouring through her body was too much for her to handle while staying so still. It was an electric current that coursed through her, singing through her veins like battery acid. Had she been standing, she might have quivered or needing to plotz though instead she felt sturdy with the ground beneath her as her foundation. The earth itself beneath her was literally a grounding force, that which kept her rooted and sure in her decisions.

His muzzle came so close and she felt a searing wave rippled through her underside when his breath fanned across her neck. Her breath was expelled in a very quiet gasp and she felt herself longing for the sensation of touch. In her mind she imagined the feel of his muzzle against her neck and felt herself longing for it all the more. But she was held stationary by the prison of his tall, thick legs, the breathtaking size and aura of the monument-like wolf standing over her. The fear of being killed had been pushed far from the forefront of her mind, and instead a longing had taken its place. He spoke and she willed him to speak more, simply so she could feel the deep vibrations of his voice against her throat again.

"Sagacity," She answered, in a voice which was quiet but charged by the current running smoothly through her body. Though she dared not move from her position, she did tilt her head back slightly- just enough to raise her muzzle so as to rub her muzzle against his nearest foreleg, before she placed a reverent kiss on his ankle. She then fell still and quiet, frozen by the anticipation of what, if anything, would happen next.

Avatars by Arla!

The air was electric. He felt his every nerve ending on fire as the silence fell between them. She was fearful, but strong willed- he assumed only by her nerve and unmoving, she had yet to displease him.

She moved, slowly but surely until her muzzle butted his leg where she planted a kiss. He felt his leg burn from the touch, delicate and warm and unlike before, he didn't shy away. He had always had a thing about contact with strangers, but whether it was because he was so caught up in looking like royalty, or in fact her touch did not burn him as others did, he did not flinch. No, he observed her in silence, unmoving from where he towered over her.

She seemed to small beneath him, his body caged her and it did wonders to stroking his ego. It was a strange feeling running through him- perhaps it was because breeding season was around the corner, perhaps it was that he had been taken off the market when he was barely an adult or perhaps it was something more. The strange stirring within him felt right- it was instinct and nothing more... he hoped. "If I were to give you sanctuary, Sagacity... what could you give me in return?" he said, his smooth southern drawl dripping form his lips like honey unto her silver fur, his nose all but a breath away from making contact with the tube that gave breath to her lungs. His voice was soft, almost gentle which was a complete contrast to the harsh yet handsome lines of his dark face face, the dark almost eerie depth of his eyes and the strength that carried the weight of the world upon his person.

She intrigued him, but it was no surprise to him that a little wolf had a lot of fire- after Athena, he would never misjudge them as weak. Though he was no friend-in fact he hoped to drain her of life- he could never doubt her spirit and inner strength; something that both he and Naira had lacked at some point. He had put his inexperience down to age. He might have been through more than most, but he was still young, still learning the ways of the world and how to rule a kingdom. It was fortunate that he was a wolf who learned by his mistakes. A clever wolf that had finally learnt to use his mind ahead of time- rather than diving right in and hoping he came out the other end with minimal damage.
Patiently, he waited for her answer. Perhaps she was not even after a home, but he would extend the offer regardless and not consult with his female on this matter; he could not say why, but he did not want this to be their last meeting. There was much under the surface of the lady beneath him and he wanted to uncover everything.

(This post was last modified: Jan 29, 2013, 08:18 PM by Rhysis.)

While her senses were intensified, she felt nothing of the cold breeze that swept over the mountainside. She did not hear the sound of voices in the valleys below, nor did she smell the clear, cool air that circled around them. Everything was eclipsed by the presence of the male, whose proximity set her skin and soul on fire, whose breath toyed with the fur of her throat, and whose scent intoxicated her. He was so close and yet he did not touch her, leaving her longing all the more for him. She was near the point of frustration but did not cave to it. She was tempted dearly, but did not give in to the desire to surge forward and lean against his chest, to comb her teeth through the fur at his shoulders. She stayed where she was and did her best to ignore the call she so direly wanted to heed.

She had to catch herself before she replied. It would have been too easy to give herself, to offer herself to him physically. She wanted to, but it wasn't right- as frustrating as that was for the part of her that was completely ready and willing to do so. The fact that she didn't know his name meant nothing to her- he wasn't his name, anyway; he was an Alpha. A name was what was given to him, but an Alpha was what he was to her, and what he had become in the eyes of many others. So dearly she wanted to whisper the word everything, though a part of her knew that this was a voice drunk on serotonin and adrenaline. Even so, she had a feeling that even sober, and even far away from him, her thoughts would turn to him, and those thoughts would still evoke the same, powerful feeling.

"I would give you anything you asked for," She answered, and in hearing the words leave her lips, carried by her own warm voice made her long for him all the more. "I can become whatever you have need of," She said. And she believed it was true- she could hunt, if he needed a hunter. She could patrol if he needed a guardian. Any task he gave her would be one she would fulfill or be shamed by defeat. She felt no need to mention specifics- she had a feeling that many wolves advertised their specific skills, though it was such an ordinary thing...Of course a wolf could hunt. Of course they could guard. But she felt secure in telling him that she would do those if they were what he required of her. She felt that perhaps more than anything, he wanted- rather than a hunter, guardian, puppysitter or what have you- someone who would become whatever he needed. A most useful tool.

Avatars by Arla!