Grizzly Hollow broken glass

Afternoon, Sunny -7 ° F, -22 ° C, at the border. Any GH wolf(s) welcome. Oula's still missing.

The dark beast strode confidently through the cedarwood forest, pawsteps slow and head held high as his bright yellow eyes scanned between the red trees for any sign of other wolves. It had taken some effort to pinpoint Oula's territory after following her tracks from the blackberry fields. At first he'd thought she and her family resided in the thicket to the north, but an investigation of the surrounding area yielded none of her scent there. Which he was thankful for, as the close-cropped mess of brambles wasn't something he was keen on navigating. He was quite confident that among these cedars lay the home of the Whitebark woman, finding tinges of her scent scattered about. 

Balthazar settled himself comfortably at the borders, resting his haunches against the snowy ground and leaning his shoulder casually against the trunk of a tree. He had decided against howling for someone. Wolves were such nosy creatures, and he didn't exactly want to summon an entire gaggle of them. It would best if he did not have a crowd. Instead, the male simply waited. Sooner or later, someone would come across him, and hopefully that someone would be invested in the safe return of the captured woman.

Yet another conquest dangled from the mute's jaws. Her activity had picked up around the pack whereas it seemed others' had lagged. Pip had been keeping an eye out for Joan and Oula, though Ophelia seemed quite convinced her sister was not coming back by choice. Not that the pale pup thought to say as much to her; Pip had simply overheard. Her mood was improving every day as the little wolf began regaining her comfort. One could hardly call it confidence when compared to other wolves, but for Pip, moving so freely around the territory was as akin to confidence as she ever had.

Of course, the scent of a stranger could dash that away just as quickly. Hackles rose stiffly over her shoulders, well aware that the new wolf was between her and home. Between her and help. It was an innate worry for her, especially concerning her current condition. While Pip was faster than most, her ability to run full tilt had been hindered. If she needed help, she was unlikely to run for it.

Cautiously, the mute stalked closer, peering silently from behind a dense throng of brambles. Why was he just sitting there at the borders? He wasn't calling for anyone. Was he waiting for someone in specific? Pip had not heard of any meetings meant to happen today. Though she couldn't speak herself, it certainly didn't stop her from listening and being in the know. Remembering the last time she'd beaten anyone else to see a stranger, the mute thought it best not to grovel on her belly. Nineva had chided her back then and she had every right to. This was her home and it was her sworn duty to defend it no matter how scared she was.

Still, a tiger could not change its stripes. Meekly, Pip stepped around the brambles and out into the open behind the male, purposefully stepping on a crackly dead leaf to alert him to her presence. Still with her catch in her mouth, Pip watched him warily as if raking her gaze over him may reveal the answers she wanted. With nagging concern, she noted the barest hint of Oula's scent on his fur. Did he come bearing news? Was Oula hurt? Did she need help? Was he here to help them? Russet ears pricked forward with interest rather than falling flat against her head.

Hopeful, Pip chirped around the dead quail.

Had you been there tonight, you might know how it feels to be struck to the bone!

There was a foreign scent on the wind.

Veho’s fur prickled around his neck, tail flagging high above his haunches as he drew to a halt, testing the wind and frowning.  It was not one he recognized, nor did it carry the recognition of a pack he knew.  No call followed the hint, and so the alpha was drawn to investigate.  If this wolf was friendly, fine, but the lack of call left him suspicious.  If they thought to intrude, perhaps to steal…  It was wintertime, after all, and desperate loners had been known to do more foolish things.

Ears rolled back, the bulky grey wolf broke into an expedited lope, long strides covering the ground quickly until the stranger came into view.  Not far behind him was Pip, and the leader’s heart leapt into his throat; at once, he knew he needed to get between the male and his packmate.  If he was trouble, Pip wouldn’t have been able to call for help.

Quickly moving to place his body between the pair, his ears rolled further back upon detecting the barest hint of Oula’s scent.  Had he seen her?  Did he know where she was – or who she was to them?

“Who are you?”

Balthazar's ears twitched as he heard a crackle behind him. The brute turned in his spot to look over his shoulder, finding a scrappy russet female headed towards him. His eyes immediately gravitated towards the fowl held in her jaws, staunchly resisting the temptation to lick his lips at the sight. Anywhere else, he might have tried to tear it away from her. At her size it wouldn't be difficult to overpower her. But he had to be mindful of why he was here, and getting mobbed by a pack over a measly little wolf and her even measlier meal was not on his agenda for the day. 

The little wolf said nothing, simply squeaking at him. Balthazar blinked, was that a question? A comment? A greeting? A warning? The beast stood and turned to face her, "It's rude to speak with your mouth full, you know." He chided. 

His gaze soon shifted behind her at the sight of a grey shape moving through the forest. At first he thought it might have been the very wolf he was looking for, similar in grey tone, but as the male positioned himself in front of the female the differences became apparent. This wolf was smaller but heavier in shape, pale eyed and missing the wound Balthazar had so graciously placed. 

A smile worked its way onto his lips, his head ducking low in false supplication. "An unimportant detail, but if it makes you more comfortable, you may call me Azar." The dark male rumbled, trying to appear at least somewhat cooperative. It didn't matter in the least who he was, but rather, what he had. And he particularly didn't care who this pack wolf was, as long as he was someone who cared to have that something back in exchange for just the smallest of favors. 

"Though, I think I've found something important of yours," He spoke in a low voice, beady yellowed eyes peering intently at the silver male. "Does the name Oula Whitebark mean anything to you?"

True to form, the mute's ears immediately fell flat against her head at the male's rebuke. Pip ducked her head, tail half tucking beneath her while her orange gaze flitted away in shame. He had no way of knowing she couldn't answer him - and oh, how she hated this embarrassment that came with it each and every time she met a new wolf - but he had a way about him that made her feel even worse than usual about it. There was something familiar about his demeanor, though she knew she'd never met him before in her life. But a familiar...cadence to his presence was there that the agouti female couldn't deny.

Not angry. He didn't strike her as angry. Though maybe there was a little bit of that, too. Perhaps it was mean to think it, but he struck her as...cruel. Like the wolf @Kjell had tossed into a pit. She had the inkling that he was not there to help find Oula at all.

Her ears perked once more when @Veho arrived on scene. Grateful and relieved for his presence, she wagged her tail a little towards him before allowing it to fall still and watching the male warily once more.

As expected, the Alpha took charge, leaving Pip to observe carefully. Her hackles lifted with warning at the wolf's introduction. A name was not an unimportant detail. The mute didn't think he was lying, but he also wasn't telling the whole truth either. For one who had no talent for talking, she'd developed a talent for ferreting out truths from lies. This man was a liar.

Upon hearing Oula's name, the mute heard something else as well. A threat. Her tail lifted slightly, an entirely uncharacteristic action for one so meek. She once again felt as if she were standing between a moose and Felix. This wolf was worse than a rutting bull though. She could see it in his gaze; he had a more sinister agenda. Pip dropped her catch outright and stepped close enough to Veho to tug at the fur along his shoulder in sharp warning. All the while, her gaze remained trapped on Azar's. If eyes could speak, hers would be screaming 'Danger, danger, danger, danger!'

There is a moose carcass that has been scavenged by coyotes nearby. +15 Health

Had you been there tonight, you might know how it feels to be struck to the bone!

Veho knew, without a question, that this man was not here on pleasant business, nor to express interest in Grizzly Hollow.  He did not smell like their allies, and his request for a name was met with compliance, though barely so.  The added, unnecessary comment made the alpha’s hair stand on edge – it wasn’t for his comfort, it was common civilization, and that this Azar didn’t see it as such was all the more alarming.  Was this the same wolf that had attacked Duckweed?  That had attacked Nineva?  As far as he knew, the culprit had never been found – perhaps he’d simply gone underground and appeared now.  Duck and Nin still lived to tell the tale, so—

The medicine man’s train of thought was cut short when the wolf spoke back up, and Veho subconsciously maneuvered further in front of Pip, determined to keep her safe if the need arose.  One ear ticked forward, and he narrowed pale eyes by fractions, searching the stranger’s face for any indication.  He didn’t come across that name by accident.  “Yes, it does,” Veho rumbled, aggressively trying to swallow down any more emotion.  If Azar knew just how much the Whitebark woman meant, well – clearly he didn’t come here to help, or he would have led with a different question.

“What does it mean to you?”

Balthazar didn't allow himself to be intimidated by the pair. His words seemed to have caused offense to the russet female, her coat bristling and tail waving upwards as if that could make up for her small stature. It was almost cute, if she weren't such a pathetic little thing. Her more sizable companion took the brunt of Balthazar's attention, for he was the one that seemed to be calling the shots here. Either the leader, or someone high ranking. 

"Ah, good," A self satisfied smile crawled upon his wide maw as the cedar male confirmed that he did know Oula. He had come to the right place, then. And with how defensive the man seemed with his scrawny packmate, Balthazar hoped the he would be equally motivated for return of the she-wolf. 

"She herself means little to me." Balthazar stated airily, unconcerned. "She's ah... not exactly the sharpest claw on the paw. Quite a nasty temper, too... I had to, ah--" A pause as he fished for a diplomatic way to state her current condition, "-restrain her, so to speak." The slimy smile he wore turned into a nasty, vicious grin. The thought of the ill tempered woman languishing helplessly in that pit was a rather amusing one. "She is safe... For now. I imagine you'd like her back, yes?"

Pip's breathing quickened even before the verbal threat was made. She'd seen it in every non-verbal cue the male had given that he was not there on friendly matters. His expression was too smug, his posture too confident in the face of a pack's Alpha. He didn't hold himself with respect or concern for offense and in fact, seemed to find great pleasure in giving offense. No wolf that meant to offer help would act in such a manner.

@Azar was undoubtedly a very bad, bad wolf!

Even without the obvious threat he presented to @Oula - Oula! Was she alright? What did he mean, he had her restrained? She was out there, she needed her pack, they could keep wasting time with this monster! - Pip couldn't even stand the threat he presented to the rest of her packmates currently residing blissfully unaware within the territory. It wasn't her place to demand respect of an Alpha. That was an Alpha's job, so even though it rubbed her fur in every wrong direction, it was @Veho's place to correct the man for his disrespect. But Pip knew it was her responsibility to protect her packmates. That's why she was part of a pack in the first place, was it not? To protect and be protected!

The sneering wolf in front of them felt just as much a physical threat as the bull that had nearly trampled poor @Felix. For the first time, Pip lifted her lips in a silent snarl to fully communicate her displeasure. It lacked the weight of any other wolf's snarl as it was missing the obvious noise that often accompanied it, but for Pip, the action was tantamount to a declaration of war.

Oula was the brightest, the sharpest, the keenest around! She was a warrior and brave and kind and selfless. Pip would not have her name be dragged through the mud on account of this rotten stranger! The meek omega was nowhere in sight; in her place, stood a small, vengeful female who would not back down unless her Alpha demanded it of her. Out of respect for Veho, she did not charge as she so wanted. Instead, she did step out from behind Veho so that she may have a fully unobstructed view of the bastard who dared have the gall to threaten her family.

Had you been there tonight, you might know how it feels to be struck to the bone! 

Ancestors, that smile.  It sent his skin crawling, and for a moment, Veho was struck by the urge to rip it right off his face.  You did not smile about a missing wolf unless you knew something.  His ears rolled backwards, out at a sharp angle, and he snorted softly at the derisive comment.  It was bait.  No different than when his brother would tease him back when he was very, very small.  And so, for a moment, he pictured Azar as no more than a boy, and took a deep breath.  For this, he would need to keep calm.  For Oula, and for his daughter.

Restrain her.

That explained the faint scent – but what did that mean?  “I have to make the assumption you come not here of good will, or you would have shared your information by now.  What is it you want in return for Oula Whitebark’s safe return?” he demanded, tail quivering above his back.  For the moment, he was not in the position to make threats.  Even if he were to, even if he were to carry them out and, Ancestors forbid, be forced to kill this heathen, a dead wolf could not tell him where his missing packmate had gone.  And if he had Joan, too…