Willow Ridge war rages within

In war it does not matter who is right, only who is left.

They gathered, slowing moving into the group, showing their submission and favor to their leader. First Morganna, whom was followed by Renier. Elettra was no fool to the closeness of the pair, though did not doubt as her daughter aged she would have interests. Although, if Morganna was as much like Elettra had been when she was a youth, her time alone with Renier might be much but she was not yet prepared for breeding, nor the breaking of her mother's law. The mother burrows her muzzle into the peach hairs along her daughter's nape, smiling ever so delicately there until Morganna sat down at her side. Elettra's sister and brother then arrived, Adele and Nicolo, an inseparable pair since their birth. She speaks a small 'hello' to the scholar, knowing he would be busy soon enough with the coming of pups willing and ready to learn. Pupsitting also was on his duty list as the historian did all else that need be done. To Adele, she brushed her muzzle along the bridge of her nose, noticing then that she dipped her head lower before Morganna. There had been a shifting of power and if Sorya had left the lands come Spring as she had intended, it was Morganna who was Second below her. She had hoped Adele would take Sorya's place when she left, as an elder woman, though Elettra found herself proud of Morganna's new-found responsibility. She would need to further enforce the law of Willow Ridge and prove herself a worthy right-hand to not only her mother, but her Leader. Now, the pack slowly forming a circle - with Morganna to her left, Renier somewhere at her flank, Adele next, then Nicolo, Elettra awaited her next member...

It was her mate, Angier, who after a nuzzle which was well returned, took up her open side. There was the briefest of fleeting smiles displayed for her fellow Leader and mate, all brought down at the sight of her son, Skoll. Though his display was respectful, it was not well warranted enough to replace what he had done. A matter which all became very true at the sight of Piety. As Skoll took his place on the other side of Angier, Piety kept her distance. She had meant to stay in the background, though her being so away from the rest of the rather circular group, only made her stand out more so. She was a woman that, surely, all within the pack had seen little of. She drank their water, ate their food and slept within the protection of the pack's borders and what had she given them? Nothing, savor the disrespect and distrust of breaking pack law which was obvious by the rounding of her pregnant belly. There is a deep rage that burns within the woman, a rage like silver fire that bores down upon Piety. So it was true.

Teeth grinding, her attention is only turned by the arrival of yet another of her sons - Greer. His silent footsteps and tall, slender build ease up towards her where his placement is place somewhere along. Inside, the Leader is boiling. Having been disrespected by a pack member was painful enough but by her own blood was far worse. She wonders now what her brother was thinking, her sister, Morganna... Firstly, lets set the record straight: "Piety, oh, what a pleasure to finally meet you face to face..." Her words are a proper air, laced in venom. "After all, I have not seen you doing any work here since your arrival?" She questions, rhetorical, of course. Had she hunted for the pack? Guarded its borders?  Scouted for information? Collected herbs? No. She was far too busy screwing her son. Almost leaving little time for the female to try and lie a reply, she looks over the entirely of the pack, addressing them. "It would seem a collection of you have forgotten our pack law, so allow me to take the time to tediously repeat ... And then Elettra speaks all this stuff listed here. Her eyes flash to each member, holding on Skoll and Peity obviously so. "Now, do I make myself clear?"    

   

   

           

Oh fuuuu.... Sorry >.>,

don't need reason

Morganna Archer

don't need rhyme

She didn’t see any need to hide her fondness for @Renier in front of her mother any more. Their absence had been noted, along with their return (empty-handed). They had both resumed their duties readily and pulled their weight. The pack was not suffering for their closeness and as long as their priorities remained in check she saw no reason for concern. A smile and a chuff of greeting was offered to both Adele and Nicolo, her teenage surliness was all but gone with her promotion and additional responsibilities. She could only be grateful for their continued loyalty. An open mouthed grin was offered to Angier, pride clearly shining in her own eyes with a hint of childish Look what I did all by myself! And then came the one wolf she had been watching for, and all her joy was swept away.

Her face quickly fell and her peachy eyes narrowed at her brothers approach, so unlike himself that suspicion immediately burned at the back of her throat. What had he done this time? The answer would not be far off as Piety approached the gathering. Realisation was quick to dawn as Morganna’s rump lifted from the floor, her tail coming out like an arrow to sit level with her spine. Her fur bristled and a growl left her chest only lessened in volume to allow her mothers words to ring clear. Her eyes were riveted to the white wolf, her teeth bared. A step forward was taken, the presence of her mother to her right and Renier to her left the only grounding forces to hold her back. Her muscles were tensed, her left ear tilted towards the white wolf, her right towards her mother. One word. A voice whispered in the back of her mind. Wait for the word.

She couldn’t wait for her mothers verdict.

She charged across the short distance between them, her feet skidding in the dirt as she aimed the force of her charge at the white woman’s shoulder, teeth snapping at the empty air around her face in warning. If she was going to remain at this meeting she would place herself no higher than belly up in the dirt.

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Wolves of the Ridge slowly came trickling in. Adele sat patiently, offering a brief smile to those she knew and a nod to others that she hadn't directly met. Finally, it seemed that all came, including Elettra's distant son, Skoll. Adele never seemed to see him, though sometimes she could swear she noticed him lurking in the shadows. Her sandy orbs turned to her older sister, waiting for her to officially begin the meeting. She was eager to know what was so important that all were called and presence was mandatory. Elettra began to speak as a white wolf entered, taking her spot away from the circle that the rest of the pack had formed. What was wrong? It wasn't until she took note of the venom in Elettra's voice and the girl's downward glance and rounded belly that the tracker connected the dots. Her gaze whipped to her brothers, silently letting him see the shock and worry in her gaze for him alone. She was shocked and worried for the boy and his young companion. What would Elettra do? She had stated the rules herself, along with the consequences. Her orbs cleared as she turned away from her brother and Adele's form tensed as a sudden chill went down her spine. Her observant gaze turned to Morganna. The woman realized she was nervous to see her niece's reaction. She could no longer act like a spoiled brat nor a surly teenager. She was Second now, but the true question was, would she act like it? If Adele hadn't been watching Morganna so closely, she would've missed her fast charge towards the white girl - Piety. Adele quickly moved forward, almost to grab the girl by the scruff and stop her but as quickly as she moved, she took a step back once again into her originial stance. She refused to save Morganna's hide. Already Adele was regretting her choice to give up her position to an impatient child who knew nothing of precious control. Her incredibly tense form relaxed as she realized that Morganna wasn't trying to rip the girls head off in a state of anger, but simply displaying her rightful dominance over the girl. She breathed out a silent breath of relief. It seemed Morganna was keeping her head, and Adele felt a glimmer of pride. She had made the right choice. Her sandy orbs flicked towards both her brother and sister, seeing their reactions. Elettra and Angier would be the ones to dish out the punishment, whatever it was. Skoll and Piety had made a mistake. They didn't deserve to get their heads ripped off, but they did deserve judgement and punishment. They had broken pack law, after all. It was the way of Torbine, and it seemed, the way of the Ridge. "Speech"

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Eyo, so yall know I was on vacation recently so I couldn't reply immediately. I'm going to have her arrive just before the shit kinda hits the fan if thats cool :)

Hecate trotted briskly through the sunlit path to her first pack meeting. She was now officially apart of the Ridge and in her best efforts, had managed to scrounge a rabbit for her new king and queen. She held her prize high in the air as the sounds of low voices grew gradually louder. She peeked in through the budding trees to find a plethora of wolves in a broken circle. She smiled and dipped her head for anyone who might be watching at took a seat off to the side, dropping the plump rabbit between her paws in preparation to be gifted after the meeting. Her eyes flickered over the crowd of mostly sable wolves, her eyes catching on the large woman making her way across the little circle. Ah, this must be Elettra. Hecate mused, watching her come face to face with a woman whose stomach was swelled in pregnancy. She spat the harsh words at her while another swarthy member aimed a blow. Remind me not to get pregnant.. A trickle of fear slipped into her throat while she watched the pallid girl be confronted. With so much happening, Hecate was beginning to doubt the delivery of the cache between her paws. She might just leave it in a well lit place and go. The rabbit still reeked of her and at least Angier would know who it came from. She gave a short huff and sat down to watch the fireworks.

(This post was last modified: May 04, 2015, 06:58 PM by Hecate.)

the armed queen

Assuming Piety had cowered or laid down or gone belly up, please let me know if I need to change anything!

"Piety," Elettra's voice made the prince's eyes blink open. It had taken some time for his eyes to adjust, seeing as he had become quite the opposite of a diurnal creature, but his ghost gray irises went to his mother as she continued, her voice too sickly sweet and scheming. It was no wonder to him now where he had picked up such a skill, to manipulate his tone and make it oh-so-inviting while verbally stabbing his conversation companion in the back at the same time. "Oh, what a pleasure to finally meet you face to face..." It was here that Sköll swallowed back a whine, the tension making him tense and coil up like the viper he was within. The only thing different, however, was the fact that he did not have a target to lash out at... At least, not yet...

Angier had agreed to help them, didn't he? At the moment the tawny Leader hadn't even said one word; nothing since before or after Elettra's lengthy, reiterated spiel. As his mother demanded for a sense of understanding from the pack, Sköll noticed how his sister not far from him had turned to regard his beloved. His muscles had already become taut and when Morganna, without so much as a command from their mother, moved forward, he was after her with his tail held high. She might have already snapped about at the air around @Piety, asserted dominance over her, but the Archer prince also viewed this as some sort of threat...

He did little to stand in his sibling's way but once the princess was reduced to growls and posture, Sköll took up his place at Piety's back. His fur at his neck and shoulders had bristled to make himself appear much, much larger than Morganna. Try as she might, she could protest and bully her all she wanted, but with his son's safety in question, he wanted to make certain that Morganna would not test something so much as the solidarity of their blood, their bond as Archers. If this had been a pack of rogues, with no family to keep in mind, Sköll might have stepped over Piety to defend her, but he remained behind her. He flashed his teeth at his sister but did little else; even his tail, which had initially curled over his back, had come down to a more neutral curve behind him. He merely wanted to make sure no harm would come to the white-furred woman, the one who was the keeper of his heart.

His eyes narrowed as he stared his sister in the face, a wordless "'Ganna, STOP IT," coming from him in a low-pitched whine. Only once did his gaze flicker over to where Angier and Elettra sat and when he came to look at Renier, he could not help but wonder if maybe they had also done it... that Morganna's booming display of dominance was a way to distract them all. Sköll flashed his teeth at her one more time in warning, a bluff to show that he was not afraid to knock her down a peg, then chuffed as he dragged his tongue down the front of his nose. Surely it was obvious now that the Archer prince had gone so far as to procreate, but he was more than ready to stand his ground for it.

Seeing as no one else had spoken up, Sköll went ahead and answered on behalf of the pack. His eyes never left Morganna's as if in a dare, "Yes, Mother, you make yourself very clear. Obviously, though, I've had a little... accident." He scowled, lowering his muzzle briefly to graze the fur on Piety's side with his chin. This was a gesture to mark the Santoro woman as his, right in his sister's face. There was a trace of bitterness in his tone, one that so clearly mimicked his mother's voice at the start of the meeting, but his words were as slick, smooth, and clear as the surface of an undisturbed pond, "But, you can't banish your own son, could you? Not when your grandson or granddaughter is on the way... We are family, are we not?" ...and we help one another...

i'm a dreamer, i'm a man

i'm doing whatever i can to make the bad things go away

Soon after he and Sköll had arrived, his nephew came. A small smile was offered and returned when Morganna had caught his eye. Seeing them together, happy to be with one another in front of the pack, tugged at his heartstrings. With Renier's tawny pelt coloring and Morganna's highlighted midnight-black fur, frankly, it was as if he were looking upon a much younger portrait of himself and Elettra. His head subtly tilted towards El and, smoothly, he angled his head so that he could press his lips to her temple in a display of affection.

He withdrew from her as Piety finally came to sit on the outside of the circle that was forming around them. His breath refused to leave his chest, but as Greer crept past, he watched quietly as the prince slunk to his mate's side without a word. A small sigh slipped from him and he wondered to himself of Castiel and Deacon's whereabouts as they waited for the last and latest member - Hecate - of Willow Ridge to appear. Elettra didn't seem to have the patience, however, and immediately they were launched into the meeting, starting first with the introduction to Piety. Angier, as hard as he tried, attempted to keep his gaze on the subordinates before him, but as soon as she had started to repeat the pack laws, he studied her face with every articulated word.

Instead of some sort of unanimous agreement, it came to Morganna that this was a good time to assert her dominance over the poor girl; and, as soon as she had moved, Sköll had left his side. The Lyall stood up in alarm, firmly rooted to his mate's side only by the realization that his step-daughter, his adopted daughter, merely wanted to make her position clear for everyone to see. Not only had she outranked her aunt Adele, but she also held significant precedence over her brother's significant other. His tail slightly waved in the air behind him and he turned to look at Elettra as her children countered one another, standing like wrought iron towers over Piety, who could have been likened to a low-lying marble bridge that laid between them.

"El'," he prompted under his breath. They had already discussed that night when Angier had had the chance to confront the young royal and he had made it clear, several times over, that Sköll admitted that it had been an accident. The rest of his words stuck to the back of his throat as Hecate made her appearance, toting a rabbit as an explanation for her tardiness. Sköll took the floor then, pleading for the attention to come back towards him and his sister, repeating and clarifying what had not yet been shared with the rest of the pack and family.

Angier shifted his weight from one side to the other, unsure if he should take a seat again or remain standing. They all knew what Sköll was capable of, how unpredictable he had become, but it had come to his attention that having Piety had somehow curbed the boy's penchant for blood and conflict. Even this whole "affectionate, I have your back" sort of ordeal was very unusual for him. Had Sköll not had Piety there, a part of Angier was sure that Morganna might have been pinned to the ground by now.

At a loss for words, he brought his gaze back to Elettra, his ears angled back slightly in reverence for what she had to say. Sköll had already made his appeal, and there was not much else for the patriarch to say or do apart from casting her a look that silently petitioned for her to keep her son and his "little family" within Willow Ridge. If there was a time for Angier to openly acknowledge the prince as his son, just as he had regarded Morganna as his own daughter, this was it... but he held his tongue, knowing full well that his mate also knew where he stood on the matter, that the cub growing within Piety's womb was no less Archer than any other within the family and that if punishment should ensue, that Sköll would be the one to endure it. Not Piety. Not the innocent half-Archer who had yet to draw breath.

Are you watching closely?
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The raven prince wasn’t really sure what was going on. The wolves of the Ridge had arrived slowly, one by one, filling up the meeting place with their haunting presence. It was not until his older brother – who Greer had not really gotten a chance to bond with – and some pale girl arrived that the air shifted. Things suddenly grew tense, the air so thick it made Greer’s skin to break out in goosebumps. His paws shuffled nervously beneath him as his silver orbs settled on his pepper-coloured mother, he features dripping with obvious rage as his brother and girl-thing settled down. It did not take long for the explosion to come, Elettra’s voice ringing out above the wolves was she directed her verbal attack on her older son.

Greer was confused at first, unsure of why his mother was so angry, and then realization settled in. The pale girl that accompanied his brother was pregnant, which was obviously a surprise to Elettra – a surprise she was not happy about. Subconsciously the boy shuffled back; he was uncomfortable and wanted to escape the public confrontation, but he knew he could not. His silver pools finally shifted from his mother to Skoll as the inky youth responded to the fiery words of their mother. The way Skoll spoke to their mother left a bitter taste in the prince’s mouth; it was apparent that their relationship was strained, and Greer was curious as to what had caused this. Glancing around at the other Ridge wolves, he wondered what their opinions on the situation were. Angier remained silent, his lips drawn tight as he assessed the situation; there was something dark in his eyes that said he agreed with his mate. What was going to be done about Skoll’s actions?

There are darknesses in life and there are lights,

saint & sinner

and you are one of the lights, the light of all lights.

Her name had been so sickly spoken by the Queen of the ridge that Piety had already shriveled up. The Santoro was more than aware of what was about to happen. Actually she had a few situations in mind. She would die with her and Skoll's unborn child or she would regret ever coming here in the first place. Quickly many prayers raced through her mind "Please Lord, protect me and my child. I need you now in my moments. I trust you with my life." Before she knew it an unauthorized attack was sent from Morganna. A yelp was sent from the pale woman's mouth as she dropped. Putting herself deep into the place of lowest.

With eyes in slits she hadn't even noticed Skoll coming to her rescue untill his voice spoke so softly. Temptation told her to open her eyes but obedience made her keep them mostly closed. "We are family, are we not?" Family...never once did she hear Skoll make a statement like that. While Piety liked to consider herself the sleek Archer's lover she wouldn't say that made her apart of this family. Not that the Santoro Archer really thought Skoll was talking to her. Of course the touch of his chin to her soft side made Piety release a whine from deep within.

Whatever this fate was she hoped it was her being allowed to stay her. The pale woman didn't want the Archer child growing within her to not know their father. Or any other relatives for that matter. Elettra would be the grandmother, Angier the grandfather, and Morganna an aunt. Honestly Piety knew little of how many actual Archers where within the pack. Perhaps one day when her ordeals weren't being fought over she would be able to learn about all the wolves that resided in the Willow's grand home.

shutterstock / Grey / 2015

# C W T

In war it does not matter who is right, only who is left.

Morganna lifted from the ground, a snarl edging through the air to mingle with the coy words which her mother had spoken. In a second, she charge, slamming into the woman to get her to the ground, snapping her jaws in warning to the woman not only lower then her, but a law-breaker and life-sucker of the pack. Elettra did not correct her daughter aka newly made Second, allowing her to put Piety in the placement which she rightfully deserved. In an instant Skoll had rose and gave chase to which the pregnant Leader lifted, a loud bark echoing from her mug. Skoll's protective display was less then she had assumed, Skoll merely standing behind Piety to make sure things did not get out of hand that would physically harm his mate and his unborn child, though allowed her to give her dominant display as she so pleased and deserved to. A side glace was tossed to Skoll, daring him to make a move against Morganna lest he be next. He was no dark knight here. Angier's words were delicate, reminding her exactly Angier's placement on the situation. He would forgive Skoll and Piety for their grave mistake though this did not mean neither of them would go unpunished for their actions. The side glances of her pack mates, the late arrival of the newest pack member with her prize (likely having been late due to being on a hunt) and Piety's still lack of words to acknowledge what her leader said all went noticed as she took a breath, righting herself for reply to Skoll's words.  She could not help but feel, by his sickeningly sweet tone, that he was using his 'family' and 'son' card as a way to get away with murder (literally!) though her eyes narrowed with obvious thought. Lest she remind him that she had killed family whom had crossed her, a story which he himself had spat back in her face once before.

"An accident, you say, my son... So then I am to presume you slipped and fell into her? Or that you are so weak, you cannot only keep your rage in check, but your lust?"  Need she explain to him of her experience with a male who was too head strong for what he wanted even though she was not prepared. This time, Skoll and Peity were both to blame and both equally unprepared. Elettra Archer did not enjoy cleaning up other wolves' messes. She awaited his retort, testing to see how nasty he could become before the face of his pack mates, where all could see exactly who he was, including Piety herself. She did not fear his attack, should he seriously get out of hand, certain that he would not leave his mate with Morganna there and that should he come to her, any and all would stop his advance. "Are you out of your fucking mind? How could you do this to me, to your pack, to Peity? You risk your new brothers lives, your first litters lives, by the competition for food Winter will bring. How could you be so selfish?" She never thought she would see the day when her own child sought to ruin her, ruin the pack. Elettra Archer was not only both angry and disappointed, she had been scorned. Another deep breath, her rage obvious to all those gather and then she forms herself, her features neutral - robotic. A pang of nausea stirs, her unborn children restless. She sits and clear her throat before speaking her verdict, where it is obvious Angier has a lack for words... "If you are old enough to breed then you are old enough to deal with the consequences. You will feed them, you will watch them and you will train them. Those pups will be handed nothing before my own. You both will hunt twice over to make sure your Leader's children are fed and then your own. I don't care if you don't even sleep if it means getting the job done.  It is because of my grandchildren alone that you and that girl remain in this pack. You both have belittled and disrespected me far enough, Lowest. Now the both of you, get the fuck out of my face."     

   

   

           

(This post was last modified: May 12, 2015, 01:51 AM by Elettra.)

He remained seated, away from the rest of the pack and close to his sister, Adele. Nicolò would, of course, pay utmost attention to anything that came from Elettra’s mouth. Such events were key to the history that the storyteller kept accurately recorded within his mind. And, in any case, should there be, say, family drama during the interaction, it would always do good to joke about later on or make for a good foundation to any story the Archer might weave. In this certain instance, before anything could be said, the presence of another pregnant female was noticed in the air. Confused, Nico’s eyebrows creased, his pale yellow eyes moving to glance at Adele, a known question in his gaze. Elettra’s penetratingly sweet voice snapped his attention back to her, his jaw slack as he took in her words. While her voice was uncharacteristically sweet, his body stance and attitude told otherwise, and in true Archer fashion, Elettra was quick to the point, his words slicing through the pack and making it clear what she thought about this. The matriarch was, in no way, unknowledgeable, and El was quick to lash out her “punishment” to the two. In no way did it bother Nico. The siblings’ duty was to their sister, not her sinful son, unless she commanded it of them. As it stood, the alpha would make it clear that no one was to bother with their child and the dark man had no problem with it. However, he was shocked to see Morganna’s form flying towards the lowly female. When he saw his sister about to intervene, the male touched his nose lightly to her side in warning to stay out of it. While this certainly was their business, the current situation did not involve them. Luckily, Adele seemed to realize this and was quick to return to her side.

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(This post was last modified: May 13, 2015, 02:07 AM by Nicolò.)