Thicket of Secrets Come my minions!

@Miccah, @Coal, @Anouke, @Kashikoi, @Mirren, @Koda, @Nina, @Iopah, @Aideen, @Frost, @Bane, @Danica

Hollow stood above the pack den and threw his head back in a powerful howl calling for the wolves of secret woodlands, his family. He was awake, and alert, prepared to, for the first time, enact his power as an alpha. Typically he merely accepted wolves on his borders or handled strangers with any kind of sense diplomacy he could muster up. But in recent weeks he had begun to change, Hollow became more stern with the time, and soon it would be his duty to protect the pack from itself. Breeding season would no doubt be hard on some pairings in the pack. But the right to breed was reserved for the leaders. Himself and Nina, what exactly that meant Hollow did not know. At first he thought that one of them would take a mate... but now, Hollow felt something stirring within him for the one eyed she wolf.

As his howl faded away into the distance he wondered how feel to be at the front of the meeting, to be it's call and it's voice. How would Nina react to all the news he had to deliver, more importantly how would the pack feel. The dark male truly wondered at that, they all obeyed him but was he well thought of? Was he too soft, or becoming too harsh? Truly he didn't know, and all the Nite could do was hope that his pack, his family that he loved so much would continue to follow him as steadfastly as they had thus far. For even if some did not always agree with him, it's true that Hollow loved his pack as if they were flesh and blood, so with a deep breath he sent up another howl to be sure everyone had heard it and waited.

(This post was last modified: Feb 24, 2014, 10:03 PM by Hollow.)

Spring would be soon to come, he could feel it in the air. He wanted it to come quickly, for when spring finally came, it would be like starting a new chapter. He wanted to leave much behind in this horrid season of winter. Miccah had known happiness, sadness, fear and anger in the past few months. What he needed was the fresh relief that came when spring finally blew through. The smell of the budding flowers, and the scent of spring was already clouding his senses - figyratively of course. A howl pierced the air, cutting him off from his internal musings. Recognizing the voice, he made his way through the thickets. Lumbering through the snow, a sudden pang of hunger hit him right in the stomach. That was another thing spring was promising - food. Miccah knew all of them were looking forward to that.

Finally he reached the pack den where his alpha's howl had come from. Glancing up at Hollow, Miccah bowed his head in submission. "My King," he greeted warmly with a slight smile. The faithful second turned on the spot, sitting on his haunches. This was undoubredly a pack meeting, for he had called everyone to come. He wondered what his alphas would speak about? He mentally shrugged, for he would find out sooner or later. Waiting for the others to appear, he lifted his head with quiet confidence. As others would trickle in, he would make sure to not look like some weakling. He was the second to a powerful, respected leader, and the warrior would not dare disrespect him by looking weak.

It had been nearly a month since his mother's crazy spat of yelling and snapping which ended in her rushing off as fast as she could out of Secret Woodlands and the pack that she had once loved. He had for quite some time been in denial, certain that she would return shortly after a moment of malingering. Though when she did not, he had strayed from Nina's quarters in order to return to the den for which he had been birthed and lived with his other in his early months of life. He had skipped the stages of 'Anger' and 'Bargaining' within grieving and went straight to depression, spending a night whining delicately to himself as he lay alone at night, taking in the deep realization that the only parent he did have had abandoned him. She, too, had lost her mind, much in a manner for which long ago his father had become the crazed, mean wolf others said him to be. Perhaps it was meant to be that Bane did not have any parents and now, found himself more on a common ground with Hollow then he had originally been. He had no family now, no true family, though would take what he had and overcome as after some time, acceptance of the cruel hand on which he had been dealt settled in.

He was silent upon his arrival, common for the young child yet the expression on his features was not one of curiosity and wonder to observe and learn as usual. It was hollow, uncaring, bleak... He walked to the gathering in much a mechanical level, passing Hollow a small glance and bothering not to offer Miccah much of anything. He settled amongst them, patiently awaiting the meeting to begin and more importantly, to be over with.

BANE Aranna

TEMPLATE © NDA OF RCR & RPG-D

Aideen Smoke

She was patrolling - like always - when the howl rang through The Woodlands, calling upon its residents to come forth. Orange ears jerking in direction of the sound, she halted, feeling the strange pull on her heart that the summon of an alpha provoked; something she had been without or so long. Now she was swelling with pride and care for her pack, her home, and she was eager to obey the call.

Swiveling in and out through the trees of the land she had come to know so well, she wondered what might have spurred her leader's summons, her heart beating with anxiety for the possibilities; Calm yourself, it's not a crisis! There had been no urgency in the call, demand yes, but no panic. As she closed in on the den-site, from where the howl had come, another was heard; Ok, so maybe a little urgency.

She entered the clearing and quickly looked around to see who else had shown, she instinctively searched for Coal, and a foolish sting went through her heart when she didn't find him; He'll be here soon enough. Her eyes then fell on Bane, and she felt her chest tighten. Her heart bled for the young boy who now found himself alone, the sorrow of his mothers disappearance clear in his eyes, and she could only imagine what he might be going through. She didn't know him well, but she had seen him around and noticed the distinct difference from before Ashanti ran off.

With quiet determination she swiftly made her way to his side, careful to sit as close as she felt she could allow herself, without intruding on the boy, she wanted to be there for him, but he had to seek out comfort himself and until he was ready for that she could only show that she was there. Her deep copper eyes raised to quickly meet Hollow's, and she nodded respectfully to her alpha before averting her gaze submissively. Now all she could do was wait.

Word Count: 338

Dawnthieves.de, Kiwiaa-Stock @ DA & ShawnaMac @ DA

She could no longer malinger, her wound was healed after all. And today, unlike last time, there was no errant pup to chase after. So, the creme and smoke female found herself at the borders edge, picking up where she had left off several days earlier. It was tedious work, but reassuring. Integrating herself into the very scent that defined the thicket wolves. A physical reminder that she belonged to, and with, them.

Somewhere deep in the forest a bird called and Iopah turned her head, wonderingly, in it's direction. How did a delicate bird find enough to feed itself? Perhaps it was ghost, sent to taunt them? Or perhaps a harbinger of spring? She snorted at the first thought, it could join the queue of spirits that haunted her. It would certainly have company. As her rude noise faded into the forest a commanding howl rose up to take it's place.

Her gold eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed in frustration.

Her border patrol. Interrupted. Again. Damn it.

She gave one last look of consternation, before turning to slip through the forest. Under her exasperation she was glad for the coming meeting. There were new thicket wolves she hadn't met and 'Meet and greet' was never on her to-do lists. She thought back to meeting Frost, an encounter she had cleanly botched, and flinched. Hollow's second call came just seconds before she came into sight of the small gathering, following just after an unfamiliar female.

She pulled her attention from Aideen to acknowledge Hollow. His spot on the den caused a ripple of recognition to surge through her. Her stance was low, and her glance up to him was respectfully brief. But it's briefness could not hide the amusement in her gold gaze. She was remembering last year. So much had changed since then.

It was a cold day, then again all days for a while now had been rather cold, it was a simple fact of winter. It was a season that he hated and yet it was the one that had granted him a family, not once but two times now. As Nina had instructed of him he was gathering his strength by resting in an open hollow he had found. However when the howl sounded through the air he was quick to rise. The howl lasted only long enough to shatter the silence of winter before fading off into silent nothingness.

As he left his hollow he allowed himself a brief stretch before making his way to the origin of the howl. His body was still fairly slim with hunger but he would get by, he had survived worse in the past. As he finally made it to the clearing he lowered his head and tail submissively at the sight of the other wolfs. He was the new one once more and he knew that most if not all of them would be ranked higher than him. Out of the wolves he immediately took not of the pup mostly by himself. Giving a slight snort in retaliation to the cold air he made his way over to the dark furred pup before settling down. Once he was sat down on his haunches he glanced over the pup next to him before looking up at Hollow as he waited to hear what they had all been gathered for.

The ever returning whisper of her sister's disappearance was once again echoing in her head. She didn't like to think of the worst things, but when she was alone, right now, she couldn't help it. There was also the heartbreaking news that Ashton had broken to her and had left the Hervok in a state of shock. She wanted her child to be happy and wouldn't mind sacrificing things for herself to make sure that he remained happy...or became happy once more. Ever since Tacoma's death Nina had noted the changes in her son's behavior, it minded her too much of the younger Ash...the one that had almost left her for dead had she not been found by...Koda. Another tired sigh left her mouth at the thought of him and mentally shook her head. She could not think of such things right now, especially with how he didn't seem to understand that she just needed her space, and that space she found in the embrace of Hollow.

Her golden ears twitched when the call of the named male echoed throughout her thickets...their thickets, and Nina couldn't help the small smile that washed over her face at the sound of his call for their pack. Thus far since they had developed past a year ago she had always been the one to call such meeting. The fact that now Hollow was going to be there and helping her lead was another aspect that she could greatly appreciate, even though she only had an inkling as to what this meeting could be about. Gracefully moving to her feet, Nina started to set an even pace towards where the man's call had come from, her single eye watching the whiteness around her and shaking her head. Hopefully soon all the ice and snow would melt and food would once again come to them and help them through their tough times. She didn't have long to contemplate these thoughts because she entered the clearing where some of her pack already gathered. On instinct, she lifted her body high, starting towards Hollow.

On the way towards him, she greeted each of her pack mates almost stopping in front of Bane at Aideen's approach to the boy of whom Nina considered her own son. Instead of doing so, Nina just gave the subordinate a warning glare at her approach to the boy and was pleased when she stopped a respectable distance away. Bending down on her way to Hollow, she placed a light, affectionate lick to Bane's head, glad that he had come, even though Nina was sure he was going through a rough time with his mother leaving. Satisfied with her greetings to everyone the alpha finally made her way towards Hollow, butting him lightly on the shoulder in an affectionate manner before settling by his side and looking out towards their pack, waiting for the remainder of their family members to arrive.

Don't be a leech. You are here to provide for your pack more than to stuff your face, moron. Can't you find even a smidgen of food to present to somebody who needs it rather than satisfying your own petty hunger?

Coal stood alone amongst the dense but barren trees, staring wistfully in no particular direction. The copper tones of his fur contrasted hugely against the grey-scale thicket, the only color to be found. The woodlands subordinate's footprints in the unforgiving snow spiraled throughout his home, betraying the perpetual failure that haunted both his mind and his empty stomach. From the beginning he had felt that he would be most efficient to the pack if he spent his days hunting down food for his family, but so far his efforts were wasted and he rarely came up with enough to feed himself. He could only hope that Aideen was faring better, but doubts haunted him always.

With a heavy, nearly but not quite resigned sigh, Coal lifted his paws and continued to trek through the thicket. The hope that the scent of some creature would end the reign of starvation kept him going, but hour after hour nothing showed up. Nothing. Were they all going to starve? As each day passed, the possibility continued to present itself to Coal's rationality, but he kept the thought as quiet as possible. Life. He had to hang on to it. And...he had to stop being so dramatic.

Coal snorted and began to trot just as a distant howl brought him back to a halt. Hollow...the dark alpha who possessed those scary blue eyes, summoned the entire pack. Lovely! Now there was no chance to find a meal whatsoever. But Coal was not one to grumble, and loyally responded to his alpha's demanding call. Curiosity as to the meaning of the gathering began to pester his brain to the point where he raced towards the origination of the howl. It was not long before the mingling scent of many pack-mates became overpowering.

The copper and cream male glided into the open, eyes flicking in between every wolf that was present. He hardly knew any of them. It was something that had to be fixed, and apparently today was the day. Not that very moment, of course. Even if the thought had crossed his mind, Coal was much too busy padding towards Aideen, the small red she-wolf who stood out so prettily against the snow. Coal flashed her a grin and wagged his tail once he neared her and took a place by her side, not so subtly brushing his shoulder against hers.

Then he focused on their leaders. Hollow and Nina sat side by side above the den, looking regal and powerful as always, demanding the attention of all who were here. Coal made sure to avoid eye contact all the while paying the proper respect. It was a delicate balance that came easily to a wolf. The harder part was simply waiting for the purpose of this meeting to be stated and discussed. Had prey been sighted? Just the thought brought a tingle of excitement to the great Bielski, but somehow that didn't seem to be the case. Speed would have been more important. So, then, what could be the cause of all this stir, he wondered.

There is an elk carcass nearby. It looks like it froze to death. +12 Health

She hummed quietly, singing a tune made up off of the top of her head. She pictured the beautiful flowers and sights to behold in spring. She imagined the smell of dewy mornings, fresh grass, and so much more. Yet when she opened her eyes and looked around the thickets she did not see what she so desired to be here already. Sighing Frost plopped on down the boarders slowly, she had been feeling much better today and decided to take a stroll. Stopping for a moment she marked a tree with her own distinct scent.

"Flowers here and there, oh they'll be everywhere." She absent mindedly sang in her bliss joy. A howl rose to block out her voice, causing her hackles to raise then smoothie back down. Tan ears stood erect on her head as she waited. Stirring throughout the land could be heard as the wolves gathered. Being who she was, her mind wondered to the negatives. *I sure hope Danica is OK.*

Taking action she started a fast lope towards the meeting. Her paws took turns in steps and her leg had a daul ache. The wound was merely there any more, just a small opening in the shape of a thin traveling line. A ugly scrap covered it and pink exposed skin surrounded. A yip left her maw as she entered the clearing. Sea green eyes searched the place and fell on Bane. Smiling she approached and sat quietly. She hadn't met him before, and figured it was now or never. Her head moved to look towards Hollow.