things we lost in the fire

@Anastasialocated closer to Umbra Copse area <3 this thread will take place directly after the thread w/ Shade in the Pack Thread :) Things were different, but the lanky yearling couldn’t quite figure out what it was. There was an unsettling feeling lingering in his stomach, leaving a bitter taste on his tongue. It was leaving the spider-legged healer restless and feeling scatter-brained, so eventually XIX had to escape the claustrophobic Fen to seek comfort at the bubbling Brook nearby. What was most puzzling was that the Arctic male was unsure of what had caused him to feel this way. He had finally grown accustom to the pack lifestyle and was beginning to settle in by pursuing a role within the pack, but there was something haunting the dark corners of his mind. While things had slowly begun to fall into place for the future healer, Lachesis was frequently worried about the well-being of his china doll. Their last meeting had left the gangly yearling feeling broken and confused, as he was not used to seeing his companion so distraught. It was usually her comforting him, and Nineteen had struggled with the right words to say to soothe his blue-eyed dove. Her happiness was key to his own, and he would do whatever necessary to keep her in high spirits. The more time they spent together the more XIX realized how remarkable their bond was, and how much he truly cared for her. With his head bowed, the boy snaked his way around thick tree trunks, ears flattened against the back of his skull as he put as much distance between him and the Fen as possible. This time Lachesis was not running away; he was merely clearing his head. But in order to do this he needed to be away from the pack territory and some place where he felt calm; safe. The meandering brook had become one his favourite spots to venture to, especially with the abundance of fish lurking in its shallow depths. Upon reaching the large boulder that designated where his ideal fishing spot was, the boy settled down onto the smooth rock, pear gaze focused on the slow-moving water.

stick with those who stick with you

okay, so you want this set before shade leaves the pack and fights elettra? this will be shorter then because the beelzebub thread took place after spectre left to go find shade. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#2AA6E0;"> Suddenly her own life had become discerning and complicated. Anastasia Starklen had never seen herself down about most anything but from the second that she had stepped down and away from Spectre and Shade was the moment she regretted most. Sadness had ensued for a few days as she felt like she had likely done a poor job with the kids and with leading the pack that Shade saw to pick up a new leader. Maybe their relationship together was just a cover so Ana wouldn’t think that she was a bad leader and that this was love that they shared. Either way, it wasn’t her story to tell. It was tough and she couldn’t help but feel like her mission here had been for nothing. She didn’t have anything except a pack role. One that she didn’t feel happy doing because the pups were growing up and likely would be too busy focusing on why they had another new mother. Now they were old enough to know that this wasn’t their real mother so things would be ten times worse for Spectre, Ana assumed. Cautiously she walked along the territory line and eventually crossed, finding that if walking the borders didn’t help her feel like she was doing anything special. Being an Alpha had given her confidence that she wanted, to feel like she was capable of doing and being someone. Apparently it wasn’t going to last for very long and Shade had not told her how temporary the position was actually going to be. Upon her twisted movements she came across Lachesis’ scent, having been unknowingly following it this whole time, and began a quick pace towards him. She hoped he would want some company because she sure did.

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spec left about 3 days after he left, so that would work if this was directly after he met with shade (or the next day) ? The gangly teenager had travelled to his favourite fishing spot as a distraction, but he was too preoccupied with the thoughts that waged war on his mind to lower himself from his perch. His stomach rumbled with audible hunger but he was frozen, a permanent frown etched across his maw as he kept his pear gaze focused on the slow moving water. It troubled the youth that he could not figure out what was wrong; he just knew something was not right. What was even more troubling was that the yearling had told Shade he would depart to travel over the Heights to collect herbs for his infirmary, and instead he was putting as much distance as possible between himself and the mountain. XIX could not leave without speaking to his blue-eyed companion first and knew that he was going to have to return to the pack den soon to find her. Although his dove had seemed better after their previous meeting, Nineteen was still worried about her. It was startling to see her anything but happy, as being the Alpha seemed to have a positive effect on the china doll. She was absolutely wonderful with Shade’s children and, from what Lachesis could see, was doing an exceptional job as the leader alongside Shade. It was as though his thoughts called to Anastasia – as soon as she entered his mind he caught a whiff of her unmistakeable scent, brows narrowing as he turned to where it was coming from. The frown that had etched itself onto his maw flipped into a hesitant smile, warmth filling his body at the thought of being by her side. She was like his own personal sunshine; everything made sense when she was around. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px;">“Ana?” He called out into the trees, ears pinned forward as he listened for her pawsteps.

stick with those who stick with you

<b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#2AA6E0;"> Where the once lithe and accepting woman had been now lie a broken woman. It was a strange concept even then that she could feel so much hurt. Upon her initiation into the pack as lead female and savior of Shade’s children, she had thought that he would be in her position for a while. Taking care of things and further providing for Adsila and Karpos. However, upon Spectre’s words she felt like she had been nothing more than a place holder for some other woman to squeeze right in. It would not have been fair to covet her rank from a woman who wanted to be placed beside Shade romantically and physically so she prepared herself for no fight. Every now and then she felt that she should have fought but that wouldn’t have gotten her anywhere and it was Shade’s pack to begin with. If not for him, she would have never had a shot anyways. When a familiar voice sounded through the trees she remained still, relishing in the silence that surrounded her while her name echoed the very chamber of the forest. Anastasia wished she could hide away her feelings of hurt but they were clearly written on her face today. Turning just slightly to the west she saw his familiar face just around the width of a tree and whimpered. He was there, looking for her and waiting for her but Anastasia could not even find the strength to move towards his location. Legs refused mobilization, eyes remaining locked on the ground and her ears pointed forward to listen for the comfort of her friend to approach.

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As content as Lachesis was being a member of Pitch Pine Trail, the ghostly yearling was only truly happy if his blue-eyed companion was as well. Their last meeting had left the healer puzzled and a heavy weight had made itself home in his stomach. To distract himself the boy preoccupied his time by gathering herbs, but the feeling was hard to ignore. It had been too long since he was able to spend some time with his blue-eyed dove and XIX craved the warmth that radiated from her body. Since the day they had crossed paths Ana had provided him with comfort; although he was skeptical at first, it was impossible to ignore the bond that had begun to develop between them. She was his rock and the only wolf that the long-limbed Arctic was able to turn to and speak whatever was on his mind. Sometimes words were not even necessary – her presence was often enough to comfort the troubled boy. Her scent consumed him, pulling him away from his thoughts as his voice echoed through the forest. A frown creased his dark lips as he pulled himself off the rock to search for his friend. Something was wrong – XIX knew that his china doll was close, but she did not approach him. Instead, she remained hidden by the trees that surrounded the Brook, her scent leading him to her location. Within a few moments the boy had closed the distance between himself and Anastasia, ears pressed to the back of his skull as he studied her with a worried expression. Wrong, something was horribly wrong. Anxiety cloaked his mind, chest growing tight as he pressed his cheek against hers. A soft whine slipped past his dark lips while he struggled to find something to say – something was eating Anastasia Starklen and XIX was desperate to find out.<b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px;"> “What’s w-wrong, dove?” His words were barely above a whisper, tail curled against his hindleg as he applied a quick lick to her cheek.

stick with those who stick with you

<b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#2AA6E0;"> To no surprise he came and began to look for her. Closing in on her with each second and soon he found her; wounded and broken. There was nothing to her anymore and nothing that she felt secure about. Her position amongst the pack seemed so petty to her that she occasionally felt the need to express to Shade and Spectre that her position should have been the lowest. If she couldn’t be alpha at all, then there was no reason for her to be placed higher than the others. Anastasia could provide very little for the pack (in her opinion) as the second ranked. Although she did respect Spectre it had always be as higher or equal ranks but now that she had to submit to her Ana couldn’t bring herself to think on it. XIX’s voice broke the silence around her as her eyes dared reach to look at his pear-eyed gaze only to see the reflection of the weakest soul. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#2AA6E0;">“Didn’t you hear?” she whispered almost inaudibly as she sighed and looked out across the tree-line, <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#2AA6E0;">“Spectre is your new Alpha. I stepped down because Shade has found love within himself again.” It would not have been fair to covet the title away from the woman who rightfully loved him and he loved in return. Her logic was simple—continually telling herself that she knew her position was temporary but she hadn’t thought it’d be that easy to let Ana go. From here, Anastasia didn’t know where she would go. She loved the members of the Trail like family… each and every one of them. Lachesis was obvious, then Capella whom she had not spoken to in some time now. Then there was Karpos and Adsila who Anastasia had come to love unconditionally as if they were her own though she knew better than to address them as such. They had names, never once calling them ‘son’ or ‘daughter’. Ace she had never properly met and Silver was an elusive wolf through being the pack’s official scout. Ill had been gone for some time, and then there was Kasimir who Anastasia had come to admire just because he was different. She liked to believe that there was a friendship there but it was the last thing to think about.

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Instinctively the lanky yearling changed his position, moving his body so that his side was pressed against hers. Her warmth and the steady rhythm of her breathing soothed Nineteen; the youth struggled with trying to comfort his companion. For so long it had been the blue-eyed dove attending to him, but recently the roles had reversed. Lachesis was good with simple fixes – causing a smile to break across her maw or making her laugh – but not this type. They had nested deep in the back of her mind, unwilling to release their hold on her. As much as it frightened the yearling, it also angered him – his china doll did not deserve to be in so much pain; to feel such sorrow. Her beautiful cerulean eyes were glazed over, unreflecting as they focused on the ground beneath them. The girl looked unnatural in her position; it was as though someone else inhabited her body, as the Anastasia he knew and loved was not present. As she spoke the gangly ghost inhaled a sharp breath, brows narrowing as his nails dug into the dry soil. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px;"> “What?” He barked, voice much louder than he had anticipated, the word piercing the silence that had settled once the words left her tongue. Spectre was the new Alpha? What wolf could find love so quickly after his ex-mate abandoned him and his children? It did not make sense – his mind could not comprehend what Ana had told him. A growl formed deep within his chest, a low hum as he flicked his tongue against the back of his teeth. The anger was muted as he focused his attention back on the broken doll beside him, pear gaze softening once they landed on her. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px;"> “I am so sorry,” he breathed as he nuzzled into her neck to seek solace in her silky fur. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px;"> “It’s not right,” he growled, tone suddenly changing as an unexpected fury bubbled inside of him. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px;"> “After all you did for him… h-how… I don’t understand. It’s not fair.” The words poured from his mouth before he could stop them, long legs vibrating as he struggled to grasp what his companion had told him. While it was difficult to believe, everything made sense – the unsettling feeling that had made itself a home within his stomach now had a purpose behind it. Lachesis respected the muddy-eyed Alpha, but he did not approve of this decision. His blue-eyed companion had been with the Trail wolves since their formation and had tended to Shade’s children when they were in desperate need of a mother’s milk. The wolves of Pitch Pine respected the snow-white female and listened to what she had to say. Ana was good at being an Alpha; it was what she was meant to do. And now it had been stripped away from her, by a wolf who had made a horrible first impression on the lanky teenager.

stick with those who stick with you

<b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#2AA6E0;"> This change in her life did hurt her quite drastically, more so than she originally thought it would. She blamed it on the timing. It was simply all wrong. Anastasia was not sure whether she should agree that Shade and Spectre had fallen in love within such little time or that Spectre had somehow convinced the espresso alpha that Ana was unfit for leadership and that someone with better judgment needed to step in. Either way, she was without her position up top and it left her feeling rather pointless. Being given the role of teacher had been satisfying but it was the first thing she could think of that aided her in the past. Things were different now, though. Karpos and Adsila were nearing four months of age which left them very little to learn about and Ana wasn’t even sure they would be capable of such extensive stuff now that their mother had been replaced not once but twice now. Karpos will likely be alright, it seemed to latch onto Ana pretty quick so he might do the same to Spectre but Adsila… Ana hadn’t even won her over at all. There was always something narrow going through her mind that kept Anastasia on her toes. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#2AA6E0;">“Yeah,” she mumbled most uncharismatic at her undeniably shocked friend who seemed completed miffed at the change. He nuzzled into her neck solemnly and continued to listen and deemed that this situation was not right, not at all. There was very little that Anastasia could do beside be upset, but worried as well. It was unknown as to whether or not Shade had heard from Spectre that Bee was an untrusted member of their pack. It was with high hopes that he was going to do anything since the member in question had not done anything against law besides apparently make Spectre uncomfortable. The situation was entirely unfair but in her defense, she would have said that she should have fought for her position. However, the time for that had passed and there really was nothing she could say or do. The Trail was currently in her possession, as Spectre had gone North to hopefully find Shade and make sure he was fine. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#2AA6E0;">“Just a few days after my demotion Spectre went to go look for Shade over the mountains to make sure he was safe… leaving me with control over the pack while they’re gone. She should have sent someone else to look.” It was idle worry gnawing at her, that she had left the pack when it needed her to be that leader. It was as if she didn’t take her new job as seriously as one should and didn’t think about the pack or children she was leaving behind.

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It was remarkable how quickly things could change. When they had first been granted membership within Shade’s small group of loners Lachesis had been thrilled – he had both Anastasia and Capella within paw’s reach, and had a place to call home. As the pack grew they moved South to claim a part of the Fen as their own; this was also when the official ranks had been given out. Being placed at the bottom had been a shock to the lanky teenager – during their lessons, Anastasia had explained to him that the lowest ranked wolf was considered an ‘Omega’, and basically useless. Which was precisely how XIX had felt when Shade had given him the lowest rank, and the youth had reacted negatively by temporarily running away. A few days later Anastasia had found him and explained that the lowest wolf didn’t necessarily mean that they were the weakest (ie. the Omega) but just that they were the youngest. If he worked hard and pursued a role within the pack there would be no doubt that the awkward yearling would move up in the ranks. There was still much for the ghost to learn about pack life – the structure of his former pack was not like the ones that resided in Relic Lore. There were no rules to follow or a rank structure in place – his parents had acted as the leaders of the pack but never gave out orders. There were no orders to give; the wolves on the Reserve followed an unspoken code and there was no tension between members. They did as they pleased and seldom stepped on each other’s toes – disagreements were rare and never lasted long. Sometimes XIX wished as though the local packs – including the one he belonged to – followed the same sort of system, but he knew it was only wishful thinking. Because there were so many wolves here – and so many packs – there had to be some sort of system in place, with rules that needed to be followed. It felt strange to be comforting his blue-eyed dove once more – he adored her and looked up to her, as her lessons had helped him during his transition to the ‘real world’, and it was difficult for the young male to think of the right things to say. Ana always knew what to do when Lachesis was troubled, but the ghost was never quite sure what would comfort the china doll or make things worse. He desperately wanted to blow away the dark cloud that hung over her head, but he knew it would not disappear that easily. It was only a few days ago that Anastasia had approached him about her concerns with the wolf she had accepted into the Trail and Spectre, and now this? It was not fair – his beautiful, snow white dove did not deserve to be put through so much crap in such a short period of time. The gangly Arctic was wrapped up in his own thoughts as his companion began to speak once more, her angelic voice pulling him away from his own dark cloud. Pear eyes met her cerulean gaze for a moment, ears pressed to the back of his skull as a frown creased his dark lips. His brows furrowed as anger bubbled within his chest once more while an uncomfortable weight settled in his stomach. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px;"> “That does not make sense,” he started, confused at the new Alpha’s decision. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px;"> “I can understand her being c-concerned, but her first responsibility should be the p-pack. She should have sent someone else,” he muttered in agreement, repeating her last sentence with a slow shake of his head. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px;"> “Something doesn’t feel right, Ana. I’ve got a horrible feeling about all of this.”

stick with those who stick with you

<b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#2AA6E0;"> From the time that Shade had introduced her to the pack it had taken no time at all for Anastasia to feel completely comfortable. Every wolf felt like family, seemed like they had her back and would follow her regardless of position or relationship. Even Capella had gone out of her way to explain that Anastasia was the best choice for Alpha and that she deserved the spot she had been given. Of course, that had been much earlier before Spectre and Shade had found love and then consequentially came for her rank. It made sense, but it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. Anastasia had rarely ever felt heartbreak in her life after leaving her old pack behind so this was certainly the first in a while. After all, she had felt like her position here had been a good one and that she had done a good job but others had thought different. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#2AA6E0;">“I’ve had a horrible feeling in my gut since Spectre left…” she concurred with a heavy heart, not knowing what to do because of her rather befuddled state of mind. Anastasia did not want to have to send another to go find out their location as that was just another wolf that she cared for that she couldn’t bear to lose. However, it seemed like the best for their return. <b style="font-family:georgia; font-size:12px; color:#2AA6E0;">“I… do you think I should send someone after them?” Although she didn’t wish to speak it, she was thinking it should be him just in case either were hurt but she didn’t want to be the one to suggest it.

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