Thicket of Secrets Heartcry

Hollow was a smart leader, it was an obvious fact. Having been a leader once Coal was a better judge of such a thing than many, though that is not to say he was the best alpha his old pack could have asked for. Perhaps now that he was older and wiser and stronger he could hold the position, though that was not what he was searching for. If he could find a place in Secret Woodlands he would be content beneath an alpha. Aideen needed a pack as much as he now did, for she was small and this winter was harsh. The red female was strong in every way, but Coal was sure that both of them would perish before this winter retracted its claws if they could not gain acceptance into this pack.

Coal stood solidly through the black leader's speech, his eyes flickering between the three wolves who now stood before him and Aideen. His brown eyes flickered over to the small girl before they rested again on Hollow as the black wolf finished talking. It was Coal's turn to speak. "I tell you now that I always keep to my word, and I will be loyal to the death if need be. I am strong both in body and in mind; I can take down a panicked deer as well as a strategic enemy of our own kind. I will protect your borders to the best of my ability, and each member of your pack."

Coal's eyes rose to Hollow's as he completed his own string of promises, to seal his speech with a look that guaranteed his strength and his heart, but that also betrayed his need for a pack to help him regain just that. After a moment the copper male dropped his gaze again, a sudden wave of exhaustion passing through his body. The need to lay down was strong but he stood, however pathetically, awaiting a response from the black alpha.

(This post was last modified: Jan 02, 2014, 05:25 PM by Coal.)

The woman was silent, preferring to observe rather than speak. This encounter was proving to be interesting and as she looked upon the female with pitiful eyes she had to sigh slightly at the submissive, almost fearful approach she was giving her. Nina was many things, but scary was not one of them, in her opinion. The woman listened as the three wolves spoke, completely forgetting about her two other subordinates that were with them, and glancing around at the two lone wolves as each of one spoke. The only indication that she needed to give Hollow that she knew what he was saying was the slight inclination of her ear. From what she was hearing, both wolves had plenty of things to offer them and Nina would hold them to their word of their loyalty until one of them would breath their last breathe, which hopefully wouldn’t be anytime soon. Sighing gently, she let her eye contact connect with that of Hollow’s for a few moments, a brief nod of her head the only indication to his questioning gaze. The alpha wouldn’t mind having these two in her pack, as long as they respected her rules, which she was sure they would have no problem following. Lifting herself taller, as she stepped towards the two, she mentioned for Hollow to accept the male with a swift flick of her tail as she approached the woman. Leaning down to grasp the female’s muzzle in his jaws, she let a soft growl rumble in her chest, letting the woman know that she didn’t want her sympathy and that she was sure as hell a lot stronger than the female would have thought she was. After a few more moments, she backed away and looked towards Hollow to make sure he had finished his task. Clearing her throat, she spoke clearly, <b style="color:#008080">”Our two Seconds, Miccah and Ashanti, will escort you throughout the territory. Get some rest and food…and get ready to work hard tomorrow.” Nudging Hollow with her head back into the shadows of the rest, she sighed in contentment when the darkness once again consumed her.

{Exit}

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

Suddenly things started happening quickly as exchanges passed between Hollow and Coal and before Aideen knew of it, Nina was moving towards her. Staying her ground, the young fae lowered her ears, unsure of what the alphess was gonna do. Sending her a stern look with her one eye, Nina grabbed for Aideen's muzzle, and the orange girl flinched slightly, letting the woman take her snout in her maw; the rumbling of her low growl resonating through her own body. Aideen forced her clenched eyes open, looking at the muddled dame, openly accepting her display of dominance; What did I..? Clearly she had done something to offend Nina, but what she didn't know. One half of her brain was telling her to throw herself on her back and beg the lady's forgiveness, but in the other was a deep, bellowing voice, demanding her to retain her pride; a voice speaking with cold, irrefutable logic, telling her to show submissiveness, but throw away her fear. She knew that voice; Yami! Her older brother had always preached self-assertiveness, pride the only thing that could penetrate his logical mind. Pride of the pack he had build and ruled with strength and determination, and she felt that pride now, blossoming in her chest. When Nina released her, Aideen responded with the same low posture she had held throughout the meeting, openly admitting her submission to the dame, but her eyes had steel in them when she looked back at her, her fearfulness finally cast fully of her shoulders. Was there anything to be afraid of? This was to be her new home, Nina confirmed it with a last comment before disappearing into the heart of the pack, she couldn't live here in fear. Straightening out she made a silent vow to right her position with the alphess as soon as possible, and then turned her attention to Hollow, who was still radiating his own dominance with stile. A sudden smile found its way onto the slender girls face as she fully realized the fact, they had been accepted; We have a home! She cast a quick glance at Coal, joy and relieve glowing in her cobber-brown eyes, stomach twisting slightly as she looked at him; they were safe now, he was safe! He would survive, get help... And finally she remembered what the imposing dominance of both alphas had made her forget, part of the reason she had been so happy to see Ashanti join them at the border; her last request to the leaders of Secret Woodlands. Swallowing hardly, she glanced over at Ashanti, her friendly presence adding strength to the young woman's resolve. Then she looked up to meet Hollow's eyes, ears still lowered in respect - but reminding herself of her brother's lessons, she spoke with certainty, and no fear; <b style="color:#c7470f">"Sir, if you would allow it... I want to be a healer!" Her shoulders were straight, her eyes steel, yet her ears and twitching tail revealed her insecurity. Still, this was her dream! Ever since Ashanti had opened her eyes to the world of herbs and healing, she had been fascinated by their power, and then, after finding Coal half-dead at the creek, feeling so powerless... She never wanted to feel like that again! She wanted to help others, to heal wounds and cure ills; relieve pain! Smiling faintly she continued: <b style="color:#c7470f">"It is my greatest wish to learn of the uses of herbs, and help heal others." She send another quick glance at her companion, the sight of him, unconscious and bleeding on the banks of Heartleaf Creek flashing before her eyes, sending a step of pain through her heart; NEVER again! Then she looked back at Hollow, hope glowing in her eyes, anxiously awaiting his responce. Word count: 626 I'm not stupid <b style="color:#c7470f">”I've got bark!”

PLOT WITH ME!

Ashanti offered a wide smile when Nina accepted them into the pack. Ashanti was excited to escort her friend and her friend's friend through the territory. "We can always use healers Aideen. I can teach you a few things here and there too. I could use a lot of help; Nina's much to busy leading to help me get some of the farther out herbs anymore." She offered with a small chuckle as she turned away from them. "Follow me! I'll show you around the borders, then to the den. Then I will show you where I sleep in case you need anything. I prefer to stick near the herb stores. Miccah will meet us on the exploration surely and then I can introduce you to Nina's pups and my son." She explained to them.

Ashanti hadn't thought about explaining to them about what had happened. For some reason she said her son; she wasn't too sure why she brought it up. Perhaps some understanding? Who knew anymore. Asha looked at the thicket that she lived in. She had moved over away from sleeping in the pack den as of late. She slept in the den she had Bane in. She hoped, part of her.... no all of her hoped that it could go back to when Bane knew nothing of his father and loved his mother. He missed the days when she was actually his mother; when she might have been a good mother. She had to fix what she had done.

-Exit-

Nina spoke and motioned for Hollow to accept Coal, good, she agreed, they would accept these two into their ranks. Their home even, Hollow had a good feeling about the two, they would hopefully make good additions to his home. So with this thought in mind Hollow strode forwards his eyes stern but not unkind. The leader leaned forwards and grasped Coal's muzzle firmly in his jaws and accepted him into the pack. "Welcome to your new home." Hollow said just before he heard Aideen speak up from where she remained prone. As the dark male turned to address her Ashanti seemed to forget her place in the excitement of the moment and spoke up for her leaders, while Hollow would have said the same more or less, it wasn't Ashanti's place.

"Ashanti! I think you have forgotten your place, if you remember, Nina and I are leaders and we make the decisions." Hollow's tail swayed over his back for a moment and he gave her a hard look, it was the first time he had to assert himself. Hollow hoped she would understand he wasn't truly angry, merely reminding her of her place. With that said Hollow turned back towards Aideen, "Nina, would be thrilled to have another healer to teach, she is one herself and if I remember correctly she's the one that taught, Ashanti. Though i'm sure Nina did not teach her to speak out of turn like that." This time he spoke loudly and gave Ashanti a look that said he wasn't mad, still she had to remember, that until Koda took the throne back if he ever returned, Hollow was leader first, and friend second.

Well here is my crappy exit.

An understanding took place between the two alphas, brief eye contact and then swift action. Coal stiffened slightly as Hollow's teeth pressed against his muzzle, at first wondering what he had done wrong and what the black wolf was doing, exactly. But their contact ended after just a moment and the alpha pulled away, welcoming Coal into Secret Woodlands. It came as some surprise, though in truth had been fully expected by the ex-loner, and then relief flooded his mind. He had a home, was welcome there, and could finally get that sleep that had been needed for days. "Thank you, sir." With a grin he turned to Aideen just as she began to speak.

Her words came as a pleasant surprise to the copper-tinged wolf, for he had not heard her speak of healing before. She had such a tender heart and a soft touch; he knew that she would do well at it. In fact, he knew that she would do well at anything to put her mind to. Coal's grin widened with pride for her sake, but then turned into an uneasy grimace as Hollow spoke sharply to the white wolf Ashanti. Her excitement had run away with her and he obviously wasn't pleased with it. However he did not correct her words but confirmed the possibilities of Aideen's education in herbs and...healing stuff. This was a new chapter in both of their lives, and Coal was more than ready to begin. Once they had all finished conversing he moved forward, gliding into Secret Woodlands to take hold of a new life.