Spectral Woods Cutting like Knives in a Fistfight

His eyes opened slowly as he rose with the early morning sun just then peaking over the distance. He yawned slightly as he got up; stretching his legs he calmly went out for a run. There was no official pack yet; he was waiting for the right time to claim it and now was not the time, he knew, however he was confident these wolves would be ready when he decided it was time. Though there was no pack yet, he still ran the borders, hunted and challenged wolves for the territory that might soon be theirs. His chocolate brown eyes scanned over the distance. The Slayer man would do whatever it took to make sure Karpos, Adsila, Ace, Capella and Rosealia stayed safe. They would not waver, and they would be cautious to those with the wrong intentions.

We are, we are not shining stars, this I know, I never said we aren’t. He could almost hear his sister telling him that, but it wasn’t true. She was a star now; she was in the stars, never to return to earth. He almost hoped that one star would fall, that his sister would be reincarnated. He had never believed anything like that in his entire life, but for once he hoped it was true. To bring his sister back, or for that matter, all who had been lost that meant so much to him back. That was what he wished for, but according to astronomy ½ the stars died a million years ago, that star is dead and so was his dream. It was sad for him. He raised his muzzle and howled for @Capella. It was time for a hunt to bring in some prey. He had caught faint scents of deer and elk for the taking.

He was still near the den, sunrise hunts were some of his favorites, and since the sunrise was so early in the wake of the circadian process, they rarely happened. He knew Rose was stuck in the den with the pups so he dared not call for her.

Shade's howl awoke her from a dreamless sleep. Thankful that the night hadn't plagued her with horrors, she yawned and stretched her limbs quickly. Since Rosealia had bore her pups, Capella slept some ways away from the den. It wouldn't do to put any more strain on Rose than she was already under, and so she made use of a hollowed out tree root not too far away. Ensuring that she didn't keep Shade waiting, she set her pace to a jog. Small paws carried her forward as her ears pointed her in the right direction. Another yawn had her wondering what he needed her for so early in the morning. Usually she didn't begin her day until the sun had asserted itself in the sky, after the painted sky had faded into blue. His scent flooded her nose, and her tail immediately began to wag.

The dark male finally came into sight through the trees, and she picked up her pace. She took no care to remain silent now, as she felt comfortable in his presence. She had no reason to be sly around him. There was a routine within the little pack. Everyone did their own thing, and at the end of the night they all came home to the same place. They were already picking up the motions of a pack. Her mind fell on the pups all curled up in their den. Soon they would be out and about. How would life change with the little balls of chaos running around? A smile fell to her lips as she called them 'chaos'. Of course she meant it with all the fondness in the world.

Making sure she kept a friendly posture she padded straight up to Shade, and licked his chin, showing her respect. Just one more motion of pack routines she had already fallen into. One last yawn rolled off of her tongue before she spoke. "Your up early." Whether he was up early, or she was up late, was unbeknownst to her. Either way, it was early for her, and she was curious as to what he wanted.

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Shade grinned as the female arrived, he was sure the two of them could take down a deer. A small nod of respect towards the female, he was grateful for her and Ace being there. Otherwise, there was no pack for him to settle down. Granted there was no pack yet, he hoped there soon would be one. “Nightmares I guess, they’ve always seemed to plague my dreams. I found a deer trail, you up for a little hunt?” He said, his voice strong, but not assertive, there was no reason for it to be, and she was right, he was up early.

He had to stay on his toes, after all no one knew the true motives behind a wolf until they truly knew what was inside of them. They were already like their own little unofficial pack, and Shade was putting off claiming until the pups could leave the den or participate in pack life. It was just because this was who they were. He didn’t want them to live the life of a loner, but a little bit wouldn’t hurt. He wanted to make sure that his entire family could be there when the territory was claimed, that was his goal at least. He knew that Capella and Ace would help.

He was hopeful about this trail; everyone needed some real meat to crunch down into. He himself didn’t mind the deer. All he knew was that it was time to hunt, and he had to lead it. He looked at Capella, waiting for her answer.

Sympathy played across her feature, because she knew exactly how he felt. The nightmares plaguing herself were also haunting him. In a way she was comforted to know it wasn't just her, but that was a jealous thing to be comforted by. A playful smile then replaced the forlorn look she wore. A good hunt was something they needed right now. A big kill would feed them for much longer than any hare would. It would also improve the moral among them.

She wasn't sure why Shade had been putting off claiming the pack, and she didn't seek answers. He would do everything in his own time, and it would be no use to rush him. Unofficially, she thought of him as her alpha. She thought of her pseudo pack mates as family. One day they would make it official, establishing the lands as there own, but today wasn't the day. Anyway, there were more important things to attend to. Capella could smell the faint trails of prey in the area, which only succeeded in exciting her more. It was about time they tested their compatibility in bringing down large prey.

The playful glint in her eyes remained as she spoke. "I'm always ready for a hunt." Her pelt bristled with the anticipation of tracking the animals. She hoped Rosealia would be pleased with the kill they returned home with, and she was more determined than ever. She had grown too used to the taste of rabbits for anyone.

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The black and brown brute grinned a bit and he started after the trail. His ears carefully perked to listen for outsiders who might be following the same wolf. His eyes narrowed from the strong scent. In his line of vision, he saw hooves, those of a deer and it made him think. They would take the biggest one, or at least attempt to take the biggest one. His chocolate brown eyes lit up with an idea. He turned to make sure Capella was there to hear his plan. His plan was a good one; the man had the idea to have one wolf chase it, the other one leap out on an attack when it was calmed down a bit more from the startling move of the first wolf and when it was starting to get tired out.

Then his plan would end with them taking the deer down and dragging it back to give some to Rose and Ace. He knew that everyone was doing their part and he couldn’t be more grateful to have such wolves at his side to help out the new family. Part of him wanted to raise the pack now, but his heart told him otherwise. His eyes gazed around, hoping that she was following him. He knew Capella was loyal, he knew Ace was loyal. He knew Karpos and Adsila would be raised in a loyal pack and that they would be loyal too. Lastly, he knew that Rosealia was loyal for she was always there for him when he was always there for her.

Capella's ears moved in satellite fashion, awaiting his command. This would bring their first big kill, and with it, the first big meal for their small band. She hoped wholeheartedly that it would be a hunt that challenged her, as she desperately needed that. She thought Shade might even need it too. Bringing down larger game really tested one physically, much more than any rabbit hunt ever could. Excitement bubbled in her stomach as she thought of bringing the cubs along. Of course she meant when they were much larger, and it was safe for them to join a hunt. One day they would be assimilated in pack life, and soon she hoped, she would be allowed to see them. Eventually the little things would make their way out of the den, and Rosealia would need to escape that holed up feeling, though that might not be for a while. Tossing those thoughts from her mind, she allowed herself to focus on the hunt.

Though she might not have looked it, or acted it all of the time, Capella really was the perfect predator. Jet black claws dug into the ground, strong and sharp enough to hook onto prey with a hold. Canines that had yellowed slightly over time held the capabilities of tearing apart flesh. A keen nose could lead her right to her prey's doorstep. Muscles and stamina ensured her success while tracking. Along with ears that would never fail to alert her to the whereabouts of said creatures. Yes, she was the perfect predator, dangerous even. Maybe she wasn't a danger to other wolves, but these creatures would not be wolves. They didn't have equally matched teeth, or claws. These animals were prey, and she would take advantage of their lack of defenses.

She flashed Shade a hopeful glance, that was filled with a mix of emotions. If she weren't in his presence it is possible she would have been bouncing about. For now though, only her tail betrayed her mood, swaying back and fourth so violently that it shook her rear.

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Shade watched as Capella arrived, she seemed excited about the hunt and he was glad, this would definitely be a challenge. His eyes glancing at her briefly before turning back to examine the deer they were hunting. It was male, so the dangers of horn injuries were critical. "Alright Capella, we're going to have to watch out for the horns of the deer and the hooves. I have a plan." Shade was calm as his plan unreeled in his head. His tail waved slowly from side to side, nervousness in his eyes. He wondered, would they be able to take down the deer with just the two of them? He remembered only one time before when he had taken down a deer with only one other wolf. A wolf on a mountain, he couldn't recall her name, but she was hungry and she ended up keeping all the kill. Then there was the failed hunt... Koda's injury, when he lost his memory.

Shade knew that he had to stay calm for the remainder of the hunt, and he accepted that. However he couldn't help but feel nervous because this was his first hunt since Koda's injury, something he never forgave himself for. A small sigh as he thought how to let his plan into action, or rather how to explain his plan. It was a simple one, one chases one attacks, but it would have been easier if they had Ace or Rose with them. But if he called for Ace now, then the deer would be startled and would run. Rosealia was too round up with the pups to leave them for a hunt. It was just Capella and himself to take down the animal. This time, it was a consortium for the hunt, soon it would be such between all the wolves who had come together to help or starting the union. It was simply a partnership between Shade, Rosealia, Capella and Ace.

She watched with hopeful eyes as Shade spoke. Capella was still young yet, and there was much she still had to learn. Her thirst for knowledge took over and she began taking in his words, committing them to memory. Though this wouldn't be her first big kill, it would be her first with only one partner. When she was still traveling with her birth family they would hunt for big game, but the odds were in their favor as there were four of them. Now with only one companion, the odds would be flipped, favoring the prey more. The mention of a plan had her all kinds of excited. Making sure to keep her voice down she whispered, "A plan?" Excitement brimmed within her dandelion eyes.

She tilted her head when she heard him sigh, wondering if it was something she did. She knew that she may not have been his first choice in a hunting partner, but she didn't think she would do too poorly. Pride gripped at her stomach, and she resolved to do her best. No, better than her best. Whatever his plan, she would follow it to a tee. They would not lose this kill because of her, especially not when it was so needed. "Is there something wrong?" Her voice barely a whisper. Of course she knew she was probably overreacting, as she occasionally did, but her need to please Shade was driving her. All she wanted was for him to look upon her with pride. She would show him that she was worthy of being in his pack.

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Shade gave a nod to his friend and loyal hopefully soon-to-be packmate as she asked about the plan that he had mentioned, it was the tactics for the hunt. He expected she knew that already though, after all she was going to be hunting with him and surely she had hunted before. Every single hunt he went on had tactics. His eyes were calm as he gazed at her, his tail still, as if waving it would attract the deer's attention. He risked the deer running from him any time that either of them spoke, whispering or not. A deer's hearing was amazing as far as he was concerned. He spoke in a whisper as Capella asked if something was wrong, and truthfully it was. Rosealia seemed distant ever since the ups were born.<b style="color:#8e989d">"I'm fine, lets focus on the hunt. As for my plan, one of us attacks and intercepts as the other one chases the deer. The deer will only suspect one wolf since whoever intercepts will sneak through some peat and bracken areas which will disguise our scent. You pick your role first." He said, lying about the fact that he was fine. Any wolf that truly knew him, and everything about him, knew there was always something wrong in the back of his head. He forced himself to remain calm, his ears perked up as he listened. While his pups had some of his coloration, they got most of it from their aunt, his sister. though recently his fur had gotten darker, it was because of the dirt which covered him since he had no time nor will to wash it off in some way, shape or form. There was also the matter of the darker lighting of the creepy forest. He waited for Capella to respond, eager to bring food back to his mate and pups.

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(This post was last modified: May 26, 2013, 06:16 AM by Shade.)

She didn't accept that he was fine, but she had no choice other than to drop it for now. Hopefully she would get the chance to ask again after the hunt was over, but for now there were more important matters that needed tending. "I would prefer to begin the chase. If that is alright with you of course." The chase had always proved to be her favorite part of hunting. There was just something enlightening about trailing behind your prey, muscles moving perfectly in sync and allowing instincts to take over completely. Yes, she would prefer to chase the animal, wearing it down, but if Shade would rather take that position, then she wouldn't be disappointed. There would be other hunts in the future. At least she could hope.

Their plan was a brilliant one, and so long as Shade had his head in the game, they wouldn't likely fail. Adrenaline was already pumping through her veins as she listened for the deer. Capella could hear the shuffling movements as it scavenged it's way through the forest. For a second she though of how strange how the food chain worked. This creature had no idea what was coming. One moment he would be eating a meal, and the next he would become theirs. It was almost sad if you thought about it, but she couldn't do that. The off white girl was a predator. If she didn't kill her prey, then she wouldn't survive. Maybe some day another animal might pick her off of the food chain, but today herself and her alpha were on the top. She would make sure they didn't fail.

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