Sleep was hardly a companion that greeted the Rye monarch since the disappearance of her mate. Every night she sat erect outside the den, hoping that the wind in the Rye would inform her of his return. Thus far, they received no such luck. She would allow her body be consumed with sleep only when it was needed, before she would continue on her duties as alpha and resume her post until the next morning. As the sun rose, foot steps approached, but they were a bit to heavy to be those of her mate. Tired emerald eyes turned to lock gazes with her second. No smile greeted the other woman today. "Adelayde...anything?" |
Had it not been for her children and their low numbers she knew she would have been the one out there. She knew these lands better than anyone within the pack and Adelayde's words just confirmed her thoughts. Emerald eyes shut tight against the reality of their situation, her lips pressed together tight. What was he thinking? There was no rationale behind him leaving during his recovery. He still needed time to get back on his feet. Jaw clenched in anger at the situation and towards her mate for being so foolish while their pack was going through such a fragile patch. She exhaled slowly, her voice soft, "Did you talk to them? Askan and Reyes?" |
It seemed there was a break from all the heat that morning. Clouds lining the sky and making things seem less sweltering. While his paler colors did not make him suffer as much from the heat, he still appreciated a break from it all. Surely the fields could use a little break too. What good would it be if their whole territory withered away thanks to some unstoppable heat?
The thought alone was enough to stress him out. With a heavy huff, he slid down onto his stomach in front of the den. Fiery eyes closing so that he could get a moment of rest before heading back out on a patrol.
Excuse me handsome, have we met?
Mismatched eyes peered at his blonde frame, her own basking in the relief of the clouds that broke up the radiant heat that glued itself to the lowlands. Without much cover, the Rye wolves had to suffer through the heat in order to complete their patrols and fill the caches. The den gave them partial relief at least with the shade and the coolness of the dirt, however, with the increased amount of visitors at their border and vermin around, they couldn't stay in the safety of the den all day.
Today though, the unrelenting heat was gone momentarily, as her eyes lingered over her husband. Settling on her haunches a few feet away from him, even though she purely wanted to press herself against him, eliminating any space between them. Ade was feeling a little mischievous today as she hoped her mate would play along.
Her devoted time at the Rye was going on almost two years in the fall and she still hadn't gotten around to securing a proper role. Adelayde was versatile and complete every duty that she could manage. Scouting many miles with Drestig or in search of lost members, while also being one of first members on the scene whenever anyone called at the border as a guardian if needed. The Rye second took pride in always being one of the first to greet wolves at the border or the few times they had intruders, she was quick to defend their beloved territory. Now it was due time for the Artemieva to claim a role within the Rye.
Outside the communal den, the tawny woman let out a soft howl for Jessie before settling on her haunches while she waited for the peppered woman to appear.
Adelayde was the longest-standing member that had stood by the Rye Queen's side since the pack's founding. Never had Jessie needed to question her loyalty. Time and time again the monochrome woman had been able to count on the Second to keep an eye on the pack and ensure that everything ran smoothly while she was away. Not only had she proved herself as a valued member in the scouting and guarding aspect of pack life, but also as one of Jessie's confidants. That could not be said for many wolves in the pack. So when Adelayde called for her about mid-morning, her voice coming from the communal den, the Tainn did not hesitate in setting out to see what the woman needed. Trespassers and strangers that wanted something were a bother but Jessie could deal with her Second in Command. Grey paws padded lightly on the ground and slowed as she approached the communal den, emerald eyes falling upon the other woman. Jessie would not beat around the bush, "What can I do for you, Adelayde?" |