Blackberry Fields Matters of the Heart

Sloane led the way out of the Thickets, breathing a sigh of relief when the last branch released it's clawing grip of his russet coat. He loved Nina and her subjects, but his heart craved to be by the side of his love, @Narimé, gazing at the sun setting on Iridescent Lagoon... where it all started. The Woodlands wolves would ever be a part of him, but when it came to matters of the heart, his was firmly held in the gentle paw of his sweet Blue-Eyes. Feeling a slight warmth begin to creep up his neck at the mere though of his beautiful mate, Sloane shook himself mentally to bring himself back to the task at hand.

He paused a moment and looked over his shoulder, waiting for @Ashanti to catch up as they emerged from the Thicket and join him before he moved on. He stayed slightly ahead, but he had wanted her to feel good about herself rather than slinking behind him, so he kept a pace that put her besides him, just slightly behind his right shoulder. Together they moved out of their territory to the neighboring blackberry brambles. These too could pull at one's coat, but they were more widely spaced for the most part and far easier to navigate in his opinion.

When they had traveled at least a mile, maybe two and there was still no sign of decent prey he came to a stop once more. He sat down and looked at the young woman with a lopsided smile. "It appears that anything worth having near here has heard of our plan and has taken shelter. Whe"re would you propose we go from here, Ashanti?" He knew that oftentimes younger wolves were not asked for, nor permitted to give their opinions to higher ranked members on important matters, such as hunts. He did not plan to be such a leader. Narime' and Hollow had shown him more than once that a yearling, especially one on the cusp of adulthood, could have excellent ideas and he welcomed any input from her.

(This post was last modified: Feb 20, 2013, 06:34 PM by Sloane.)

Knight of Honor

Ashanti slid her way out of the end of the thicket, she had been following Sloane for the hunt, she scented around as they walked, trying to find something. She caught a faint whiff of elk at least that is what she thought. Perhaps the train could lead to an elk or a small herd of elk. It seemed all other prey options were eliminated because of the cold and the timing of the moment. She thought back to the pack, to her sister. No… she had to stop thinking about Isen, it only caused her more confusion and pain. Those were two things she could live without. The emotional trauma of her past left deep enough wounds.

Ashanti was left to wonder, wonder what she was going to do with the rest of her life. She was finally free from the torments of her past and now she was free. Would she stay and serve Nina until she died? Would she go out and seek adventure. She commented to herself on the elk. ”I think there is a faint scent of elk that leads to the south.” She said, her eyes locking onto where she scented the creature. The elk was female. Ashanti remembered that when she was learning herbs from her mother, how her mother always commented on her strong nose and how it would help her someday. It appeared that today was the day she would be using it to her advantage. These elk did not want to be found on this harsh winter day in northern Canada. The harsh winter day in the Relic Lore.

(This post was last modified: Feb 25, 2013, 06:00 AM by Ashanti.)

As they both scented for any potential prey the chilly winter wind blew in gentle swirls about the area making it more difficult for the pair to do their job. With another shift in the wind, Sloane's attention was caught and almost simultaneously Ashanti claimed to have caught the scent of elk. Apparently just moments before he did. As tempting as another elk sounded, it was just the two of them and there was no way that he'd take on the large herbivore without much better odds. With a disappointed smile he agreed with her, "Yes, there is definitely elk but with only two of us we need smaller game today."

They continued on with her following closely. The over-sized russet wolf was on the edge of aggravation for there was little about. The faint deer and elk trails would do them little good today and most of the plumper small animals still hibernated for the winter. Just one more reason to look forward to spring! Calming himself, he continued on diligently searching with his body in it's typical slight crouch as he moved. Given his size, it was a habit that he had learned early on to help minimize his great mass.

Finally scenting something worthwhile, Sloane came to a sudden stop, body tense and all senses alert. He hadn't had a chance to warn Ashanti and he hoped that she was paying attention. They had come to a rabbit warren and he could smell the creatures nearby, although he couldn't tell if they were topside or within their network of burrows beneath the ground yet.

Knight of Honor

Ashanti nodded to Sloane in understanding as he spoke of the prey being too big for just the two of them to take. She scented around, searching for something smaller, but sufficient to get more prey. This was what it was all about was it not? It was about life being on the edge and needing things like these to survive. She had her tail wagging as she took in another breathe. A faint scent, so faint she did not even recognize what it was, but was it even prey that could be eaten? She was worried that she would mess up in front of Sloane. Sloane was her leader and her friend, so she could not spare the disgrace and humiliation.

She kept her eyes steady as she gazed around the gentle snow. The snow crunched under her feet as it fell. Was there even anything out there? She then hit a jackpot. There was a rabbit warren up ahead and there were rabbits out to hunt. Or was it that they were in the burrows? She couldn’t tell from so far away. “There’s a rabbit warren nearby! I can smell it!” She said in an excited tone. This would be perfect for the prey. Bringing a ton of the fuzzy hare’s back would no doubt feed the pack for a good day or two depending on how many were brought back.

She did note that if they were in the burrows, it would be extremely hard to find. She couldn’t help but think back to Isen. Isen had been great at hunting rabbits, she wished her sister were here now, that would make her day. If her sister came back a hero right now she would be overjoyed!

The man came to a sudden stop, she tried to stop the pace as well, but she ran into him on accident. ""Sorry, I'm so sorry." She murmured.

(This post was last modified: Mar 12, 2013, 11:38 AM by Ashanti.)

Her paw steps had taken her far from Willow Ridge back into Northern Eden. Fields of dead blackberries poked and prodded her pelt as she loped forward onto the scent of rabbit. Of course on her way up here Nari had scented a lot of rabbit smell. Each time she tried to hunt the damn critters they managed to skirt into their burrows before she even got close. Perhaps it was just bad luck on her part. It wasn't like any wolf would be able to see the hidden burrows the rabbits made.

Though these fields are not a good place to chase rabbits.She noted as thorns pricked the inside of her legs as she jumped over a particularly large bush. The silver wolf was nearing the edge of the field where forest started and wondered suddenly how close she was to the Thicket of Secrets. She ignored the urge to visit her mate instead to continue her job of hunting.

It was around then that his scent, powerful and masculine hit her nose as the wind shifted towards her. His scent was not alone however. Another female scent came along with it. Nari stopped in her tracks unsure of where the scents were coming from. As she stood there her mind went through the many possibilities of why Sloane would be out alone with another female. She could be his pack.. Nari did smell Secret Woodlands pack scent, but then again that scent could just be coming off of him and not her. The woman could be a loner.

The silver hunter crouched low hiding herself in the bushes then stalked forward hunting her prey. The "prey" being Sloane and Ashanti. Her paw steps were silent, with silver ears brought forward to listen intently, and her eyes darted around searching for the familiar russet form of her mate.

He could just be helping the woman... Her thoughts tried to find a good reason for the two to be together. However her heart churned with a feeling she rarely acquired. Jealousy bubbled up into Narimé's mind creating doubts and pushing over her usually open mind. Her thoughts turned to I don't care who she is, but she better stay away from him... even though she normally tried not to assume such things.

The possessive feeling took her as soon as she spotted her prey before her. Sloane was leading around a beautiful white lady who seemed excited about being with the male. Though Nari misunderstood that the woman's excitement was actually for the hunt, and not the russet male. A low growl rumbled from her gray lips as she watched quietly from her hiding place.

I can't hear anything from this far away.. She growled quietly; the jealous feeling and the possessive urge to run between the female and her mate increased equally.

She watched, the bristles rising on her back as Sloane paused stopping in his tracks and the female bumped into him. Though Nari did not see the woman bump into him on accident. What she saw was the female slipping up next to him.

That was the final straw.

Launching herself out of her hiding spot Nari pelted toward the female aiming to bowl her over if she could. Her jaws revealed sharp daggers in an angry snarl as she sped forward closing in on the white female.

He hadn't realized how quickly he must have stopped until Ashanti's snowy form bumped into his own. He turned his head to her as she fumbled out an apology for her misstep. It seemed to take her a while to get her footing back and her side pressed into his for a few long moments. Had it been Nari, he would have thoroughly enjoyed the moment, but since it wasn't he shifted away once she seemed to have her feet under her. Although he truly liked Ashanti and felt for her with the disappearance of her sister, he felt uncomfortable with the closeness of the fae. Perhaps just because he missed Narime' so very much.

Almost as if his thoughts of her had summoned her out of thin air, his mate appeared. She was not her sweet, loving self at the moment though. This fae was an an avenging angel, apparently bent on the demise of the fumbling female by his side. His eyes went wide with surprise at the change in her as she lunged at Ashanti. It took him a few seconds to realized what had brought the incredible change in his mate. She would not tolerate another female encroaching on her man. The thought pleased him at the same time as he worried for both of them. Ashanti was his pack mate and it was his responsibility to keep her safe. Narime' was his mate, however.

Taking a step back, he didn't think that either of them would truly harm the other. If it got out of hand, he could easily step in between the women and break up the sudden scuffle. Misunderstanding or not, he couldn't help the rush of pride and a bit of masculine smugness at his mate fighting for him. Seeing her stepping up her assertiveness sent a thrill through the male, further proof that she would be his perfect mate.

Knight of Honor

Ashanti was taken by surprise to see a silver fae charging at her. Her eyes widened as she froze, she was freaking out inside as she wondered what the hell was going on here. The fae seemed to have a glint in her eyes. She regained focus of her mind and attempted to dodge the opponents strike. She had no idea who this wolf even was. She had just barely regained her balance before the wolf had charged at her. She glanced at Sloane, confusion in her eyes. Was this some kind of sick test that Sloane had set up? She was upset enough and she took this as a challenge. The instincts of her blood took over, the blood of the fighter that was part of her genetic material. She got it from her father.

She mouthed the words that she was thinking; those words were ‘what the hell was going on here. Who is this wolf and why is she fucking attacking me?’ She hoped Sloane had some pretty good answers for why this silver fae was interrupting their hunt. Not to mention why she was only attacking Ashanti. That was rather convenient. So if she tried to take her mind off of Isen, she gets attack, which is the thing that Isen would have protected her from. Obviously this had to be some twisted joke and her respect for Sloane was dropping as this wolf continued on.

She needed something to happen before she started to shit bricks and flip her attitude to a fiercer and more aggressive one. She narrowly missed the attack from the silver female. ”What the hell?” That was perhaps the first time she had cussed with a packmate around. But then again, she was shocked. Out of instinct she leapt at the female, aiming for the chick’s shoulder. She blocked out all noises as she charged at her opponent. She only attacked because that silver fae attacked her. She blocked out what Sloane had to say was well, even though he said nothing of the matter. She didn’t care and all she knew was that this bitch attacked her.

How in the hell had she missed?!?

Even with her hunting prowess the female's movements must have been faster than she'd anticipated. Though now that Nari was closer she could see that the white female was shorter then her. A mid sized wolf most likely with more speed than she could ever have. Narimé snarled pissed at her own tall frame for making her slow. Then watched where she landed so as not to hit Sloane. As soon as she turned springing to watch the other females movements Nari lifted her head and tail and puffed out her fur trying to scare the little wretch away.

It obviously didn't work as the white bitch sprung forward all lithe-like and struck Narimé's sturdy shoulder. Her body slipped sideways for a moment moved by the acceleration of the white she wolf not by the strength of the hit itself. Pain splintered across her shoulder blade and down her leg as the gray wolf pivoted on her back legs and lowered herself ready to counter attack. Narimé was not used to fighting and this little brawl was bringing her experience in this area painfully to the silver wolfs attention. She would have to practice later with pack mates to get better.

The female was close now and Narimé hoped that she wouldn't be able to dodge her attack at this range. With a fierce snarl Nari jumped upwards towards the white she wolf aiming to get her front legs over the girls back and push her over. Who knows? Perhaps her claws might pull out a bunch of the white bitches pretty fur while she was at it.

"LIE DOWN BITCH!" Narimé growled as she moved forward closing in on her prey.

Ashanti was trapped as Narime hit her. She had no idea who the hell this wolf was and she didn't care. The wolf took advantage of her short range and flipped Ashanti, pulling out some of her fur. All that could be heard was a fierce snarl. The bitch who had attacked her commanded her, and she was obviously crazy. Ashanti knew she couldn't beat the bitch and she herself would be taken. She submitted without pleasure in the fact. She hated this. "Can you now tell me who you are and why in the name of fucking god you attacked me while I was trying to hunt with my packmate?" She questioned the female. It was obvious that she didn't swear often and when she did, she wasn't good at it.

Ashanti was obviously pissed, this strange wolf had beaten her. She could patch up her wounds later. She gently licked where the fur was pulled out. "Now I have to make an effort to find the herbs to patch myself up." She muttered to herself. She had tarnished her reputation in front of a packmate. Her thoughts had run back to Isen and what emotional pain was felt. It was obvious to all who knew in her stature that there was something deeper into this loss. Isen wouldn't have lost, it was as simple as that. Those who knew about her struggles with Isen, which were only Nina and Sloane, would be able to pinpoint the cause of her deeper feelings.

Narimé still stood tall eyeing the female as she spat out angry words towards her. However the silver girls ears moved forward when the white she wolf spoke of being a pack mate to Sloane. For a few awkward seconds Nari put together a scene in her head. Of herself by one of the males in her pack. Just hunting along near someone like Reed. Then tripping as she had often done in her younger months. Would it look like what I saw? Did she not purposely be near him? She wondered to herself the snarl fading from her jaws.

"If you are speaking the truth then I must apologize." The silver wolf still didn't want to step back though. The white wolf had hit a sore spot Narimé didn't even know she'd had. Jealousy, for a female near her Sloane. So instead she sidestepped to Sloane's side giving him a quick glance wondering why he was so silent. Their fur mixed as she stood next to him and tried to replace Ashanti's tiny bit of scent with her own.

"I'm sorry." She spoke once more training her blue gaze towards Ashanti. "My name is Narimé Lagina Thorben currently of Willow Ridge pack." She answered Ashanti still watching her cautiously with her head and tail still tipped a bit higher. Though she tried to be nice and lower her tail a little for neutrality. "I'm sorry, but you were a little too close to him. Though now I realize you are his pack mate so it is somewhat natural for you to be. I just, am not used to feeling possessiveness or jealousy. " She gave an honest apology although her look was still mixed with a serious glare.