Spectral Woods i feel it in my bones

@Shade & @Lachesis <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#EC487E;"> <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#3F7240;"> Hidden well within her was the desire for another pack to join, something that would sustain her and help her build her reputation within Relic Lore. So far she had only come across a few wolves in the area that had even made her feel the slightest bit at ease with their friendliness and this was the best start. Even Lachesis deemed it a good idea to come here as this was the best option for the two of them—join a pack that they both could thrive in and make a name for themselves. It was ingenius, really. It was without a doubt a day that made Anastasia smile as the two companions traveled through a few territories to get to their destination, hoping that Capella would be a satisfying friend to Nineteen. Though Ana knew that she likely might feel the idea of replacement if the two of them became close friends, she would also likely find a friend here that would care for her like Lachesis did. If not, then she would always have Reaper see her as a divine creature. That was the alluring part—he simply saw her as magnificent, beautiful even. This alone made Anastasia hopeful for their future… perhaps smitten with the devil. Though, she simply saw him as a handsome man while Lachesis was still somewhat cautious about him. In time she hoped XIX would see what she saw, but they had plenty of time for that. Upon reaching Spectral Woods, a place she had heard of the pack to-be from the fair-skinned Capella, she hoped that she had not directed them in the wrong way. Nineteen seemed quite positive that this was the place too, though she couldn’t smell any pack that was increasingly strong here. However, there was certain aroma that spoke of multiple wolves in the area so the two remained vigilant. The two of them were cautious about where they stepped and what part of the land they moved into, but she wasn’t in the least bit worried that they had crossed a line. Sending up a short howl for the leader of the multitude of wolves here, she looked to Lachesis and hoped that coming here was a good idea.

i'd love more threads, so message me if you'd like one!
looking for friends, potential love interests and role-inspired threads!

Lachesis was absolutely ecstatic.

Initially he believed that Anastasia would turn her nose down at the opportunity to join this developing pack, but the yearling had nearly jumped for joy when she decided that it was best if the pair was to join their ranks. They were not an established pack yet, but XIX hoped that once he and his companion announced that they would like to join them the group would find land to claim. The blue-eyed girl was growing weary with the desire to join a pack — he was also beginning to feel the effects of being a loner. Although they were a pair, as opposed to typical lone wolves, there was only so much food they could catch between the two of them. Along with the constant traveling, the two were becoming desperate for a place to call home. Thankfully, it had not been among the ranks of a pack led by the elusive Reaper (though he knew Anastasia would have preferred that).

Joining this group of rogues meant that the boy was going to be closer to Capella, and that was all that really mattered. It was after his brief stay in the Woods that XIX had decided this was where he wanted to stay — Shade, although the ghost had been a complete stranger to him, had allowed Lachesis to stay a few nights to wait for Capella's return from a scouting trip. The espresso male's kindness had stunned the youth, as he had not expected such an offer. Perhaps if the offer had not been made, the two would be at the borders of another pack seeking acceptance.

The most important thing to the pear-eyed boy was that he was going to be with his two best friends — now he would no longer feel torn between his loyalty to the two females.

Lachesis matched his stride with Anastasia's, struggling to contain his excitement as they made their way to the Woods. While the decision was already made, XIX hoped that his companion would like Shade as much as he did. Surely she would see that he was not the kind of leader she was used to — he knew the muddy-eyed loner would like Ana; any pack would be lucky to have her within their ranks. Once the pair stopped the blue-eyed loner howled for Shade, Nineteen's pelt bristling with joy as he waited impatiently for the male's arrival. He glanced over at his friend, pear eyes meeting her gaze as he affectionately pressed his nose to her her shoulder, a smile spreading over his dark lips.

stick with those who stick with you

Shade's eyes lit up with an even more fierce determination to keep his children safe. With Rosealia having disappeared again, Shade refused to trust her. She hadn't left the first time, she just looked for him, she had been seeking him out. but this time, she up and left the pups, her own flesh and blood that she had brought into the world. He patrolled the unclaimed territory, especially when Capella had brought him some disturbing news. When he was out talking with Nineteen, a wolf, a pack wolf from the very pack they had discovered went out and threatened his children. He had half a mind of going, finding that wolf, and killing him just for threatening Capella or Karp and Adsi. The cute nicknames his children had given each other seemed to stick with everyone. A familiar and friendly scent reached his nose. It was Nineteen, a good man indeed, though he was still more of a boy yet. He had only met XIX once, but Capella saw something in him, and he knew Capella meant whatever she said to anyone. If she truly saw something in this man, than he is a man that Shade would want in his hopefully soon-to-be pack. <b style="color:#8e989d">"Hello Nineteen, have you brought a friend to us?" He asked as they came into view. It was XIX and a white female, white as snow he dared say. He dipped his head to them both in greeting. There was a smile on his muzzle, he would be kind. Every lone wolf deserved kindness, unless they had evil intentions. However, he knew XIX probably wasn't even capable of evil. After all, the boy seemed to have a pure heart. He knew that Lach, and probably his friend too, were not WONK wolves.

table by bryony

Although she was usually quite unsure about things that they did, she always managed an open mind. It was the least that she could do when it came to Nineteen. He deserved something meaningful and this was something that she could do for him, as well as for herself. Reaper would certainly appreciate the hard work that they would be doing without actually being with him. All things would work out, as it seemed that Nineteen was happily skipping beside her as they traveled south which in turn made her feel elated.

“This will be a good thing,” Anastasia told Nineteen as though this idea would change everything. Lachesis had told Ana about Capella, though she had already met the young girl, and since XIX seemed interested in the pack that Capella and friends were making she figured why not give it a shot. Not to say that she wasn’t excited, but a small part of her missed Reaper—desperately wanted to stay by his side and help him with the things that he had planned to do. Perhaps it was a shard of jealousy that was biting at her, but she felt as though it was only going to be her that guarded Reaper from the wonk females that he would no doubt find.

Anastasia would just have to back down and be aware of his judgments, in the end she figured she would be notified if there was something there. However, she was always keeping her options open to new opportunities and new wolves to build her life around. Especially considering the possibilities that lay before her as a wolf approached her and Nineteen with exceptional radiance. The male was of a chocolate-brown color, very unique and certainly drew him into his own category but this wasn’t the only thing noticeable.

Throughout her childhood and much into her adulthood within her old pack (the one she loathed because of her experiences), she knew his scent well. Not the pack scent that he carried but the scent of children—of young pups that he likely fathered, if not primarily took after like a nanny. Careful and with a bashful smile she lowered her head to bow respectfully, “I’m Anastasia.” For now, she would address her full first name and if in the future the two of them came to be friends (as she suspected they would), she would allow for him to call her by Ana.

by Sarah

i'd love more threads, so message me if you'd like one!
looking for friends, potential love interests and role-inspired threads!

He could sense that his companion was feeling uneasy about this decision, but her words dripped with the truth as she spoke. This was going to be a good thing – XIX could feel it deep within the marrow of his bones, his excitement radiating through his entire body. Anything away from Reaper and his delusions were ideal, especially joining the group of loners that Capella belonged to. Perhaps Shade and his followers would distract his blue-eyed friend from the proposition that the lone Arctic had made. Lachesis knew that over time she would be happy here, and understood why she felt uneasy considering the environment she had grown up into. It was going to take her awhile to get adjusted to a new pack, but the yearling was glad that he could be at her side to help her. Since they had met Anastasia busied herself with helping him, by planning lessons and coaching him, but now it was his turn to help her.

After being forced into leaving the Pack, the boy had not been keen on joining another. Although sheltered, the pack was his home and where a piece of his heart would always remain. Not a day went by that XIX did not think about his family – especially Pyrrhus, who Lach still didn’t know if he had escaped from the creature – but this was his life now. Perhaps he would return to the pack one day in the future, to visit and tell them about his travels, but Lachesis could never go back to his former life. So much had changed since his brother pushed him into leaving; the yearling could never return to the sheltered life of the reserve – he had experienced and changed too much to fall back into his former routine.

Shade’s voice broke the ghost away from his thoughts, a smile spreading across his dark lips as he immediately lowered his gaze. The last time they had met the espresso male had told XIX not to bother with such formalities, as he was not an Alpha yet, but the boy still saw him as such. The boy nodded in response as Anastasia introduced herself, his tail giving a soft wag as he bowed his head. “It’s g-good to see you again.” His stuttering was slowly getting better, which pleased the young wolf – he hated his speech impediment, especially in front of a wolf like Shade. “This is my traveling c-companion I mentioned during my last v-visit,” he started softly, suddenly feeling nervous in front of the chocolate male. “We were wondering if you had r-room for two more wolves?”

stick with those who stick with you

Shade listened to the introduction, Ana, Anastasia. He wondered if there was more to her then she seemed, she had fitly reached her two year mark, sexual maturity. His mother had always told him that a pack leader had to be sexually mature to be leader. With the departure of Rosealia from the area, there was absolutely a need for her. When Lach stated that there was a need for them to get a home, or at least when he asked if it was alright that they stay. Shade had an answer already rolling off his raw, pink tongue. <b style="color:#8e989d">"There is always room for those who seek it. There is one thing though, my mate, she disappeared. Gone. She left my children behind and they cannot survive without a mother. I cannot raise a pack without another female, Capella is too young to step up in her stead." He said, the last part rather quietly. Needless to say he was nervous that the man would take his traveler away from here since there was a desperate need for a female lead. <b style="color:#8e989d">"I have heard much about you Anastasia." He stated a bit more clearly. His eyes couldn't help but to be clouded with grief over Rose's betrayal. He needed now to do what was best for his children, and this was what was best. Calmness remained in him, he had to keep his posture. Being completely unaware of the female's belief that white arctic wolves were all pure and such, he had no reason to turn her down.

table by bryony

If only Anastasia and others could see in the future that she did not truly believe that arctic wolves were the superior species. In fact, if she actually knew what Reaper was talking about and how he truly felt, she’d argue the topic—that or simply be afraid of an angry ‘friend’. Anastasia looked for the greatness is all but she could never apply such animosity towards those that didn’t deserve it. Everyone was beautiful no matter what they looked like and until a wolf provided her with a reason to not trust, she appreciated their company. Just as she was appreciative of the company that Shade was providing, as he remained friendly and attentive to both she and XIX. Lachesis had told her good things about him, so she couldn’t expect anything less.

Lachesis quickly expressed that they had come all this way to ask about two positions within the pack that might be open for them; Shade already seemed to have an answer. This meant that Shade was open to new opportunities and Ana was quite impressed. However, he had something of a problem on his hands it seemed and she automatically felt her heart sink. Those poor children without a mother… but then, wait? Was he asking her to step into her place? “Are you, uh, asking me to?” Anastasia couldn’t even finish her sentence, as her bashful nature suddenly took place as she felt that Shade was offering her something that was both a good thing but it could possibly be a bad place to be put in.

Anastasia wanted to help out for his and his children’s sake, but she wouldn’t want to step on anyone’s toes should his mate return. Her eyes looked to Lachesis for a sense of comfort before they trailed back to Shade with multiple layers of happiness and confusion. Meanwhile, she was hoping that Lachesis had told Shade the good things about Anastasia so that in the future if things looked up that maybe she could tell the secrets of her past when she was ready. “Hopefully they were good things,” because she wasn’t sure what sort of bad things there were to speak about besides the things she refused to bring up.

by Sarah

i'd love more threads, so message me if you'd like one!
looking for friends, potential love interests and role-inspired threads!

Lachesis did not understand what Shade had been implying at first. He was ecstatic that the espresso loner said that there was room for the two traveling wolves, but like Anastasia he had to take a moment to understand the next set of words to fall from his mouth. The first thought to appear in the darkness of his mind came in a form of a question: how could a mother abandon her own litter? His own mother had doted on him and had provided everything for him and his siblings – he adored her and not a day went by that he did not think of her.

But... Anastasia take the place of his flighty mate? XIX glanced at his companion with raised brows, unsure of what she would decide. Her heart was kind and filled with the desire to help others; he knew that it was unlikely of her to turn down the muddy loner. It would only be temporary, until the puppies were old enough to be weaned off milk. Would his companion oblige, though? Nineteen knew that Shade was desperate if he was someone he had never met before to take care of his children – he only knew what Lachesis had told him; there was still much about Ana that the chocolate loner did not know. He remained quiet, waiting for Shade’s response to the blue-eyed girl’s hesitant response. If these puppies did not receive milk soon they would surely die, and Lach could tell that the departure of his mate had deeply affected the dark male.

<b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px;">“Of course,” he said finally in response to Ana’s comment while he flashed her a lop-sided grin. There was nothing bad that XIX could say about his blue-eyed friend – to him, she was absolutely perfect. She had worked hard to overcome her difficult past, and had dedicated most of her time to help Lach with his lessons. She was completely selfless, and would be perfect for what Shade was asking of her.

stick with those who stick with you

Shade’s heart sank, knowing that because they had never met, or talked for that matter, other than now she had a strong chance of saying no. "Yes, I’ve run out of other options and this is my last hope." He pleaded with her, and then asked about the things that were said about her. "I’ve heard nothing but good things about you since XIX has been here." He said happily, the Ana he had heard about did seem to be as nice as Lach said. Then there was Lach having a great friendship with Capella already, which was the roots to a strong family, everyone knowing, and being alright with each other. He knew that next he would have to give her the lingo and tell her about the different packmates, or at least hopefully, soon-to-be packmates.

His chocolate brown eyes were filled with nothing less than worry. "But other than you two, there is Capella, she’s young, a yearling and an amazing hunter. Ace, who is the one mainly patrolling around the den and keeping Karpos and Adsila safe. Their my children, Karpos and Adsila. I send whatever time I can, apart from hunting and patrolling, with my kids." He said, but he couldn’t help but feel that he was talking about his part too much. He was just more worried than usual because this time it was his kid’s sake on the line. What would he do if he lost either of them of lack of milk? He did not know, and he did not want to know.

If it was apparent to her that Lachesis had done her well, shining her light on others when she had not even met them. This appeased her, though she knew that her companion would never put a poniard in her back. He was a very loving guy and, she’d be lying if she said she didn’t appreciate him more and more. Sure, she was worried about his relationship with Reaper, but he was also worried about her relationship with him. Probably for a good reason, but Anastasia saw something unique. She didn’t see any harm yet.

When Shade answered her, she nearly felt butterflies rise up and out of her mouth. She would get to nurture his children whom were without a mother? “You don’t have to worry,” she answered with a gracious smile, “I will gladly help you and your children.” After all, she adored children. If there was anything she wanted more than to be a part of a pack, it was to have children. This would be beneficial to her to be around more children, and she would enjoy every second of it. Anastasia was kind of excited now, boiling with happiness that she was granted the opportunity to take care of his children already. Perhaps she owed one to XIX, for without his kind bragging she might not have been given this wonderful opportunity.

When he named names, she knew she would already like Capella. She was very friendly and certainly a great asset to the pack Ana saw. Ace was going to be a new face, though, but then there were the two children—Karpos and Adsila. Oh! She even loved their names! She wanted to play with them, feed them and romp around with them. Ana was already bubbling from excitement, impatient to meet these children and to help Shade out. With her gaze casted to Lachesis, she was sure he would see that her eyes nearly glimmering with new hope and happiness. “I would be more than honored to be another wolf on that list,” she smiled then almost giddy with the prospect of this new home. The idea of Reaper was now completely thrown out her mind, for now.

by Sarah

i'd love more threads, so message me if you'd like one!
looking for friends, potential love interests and role-inspired threads!