Turtleback Lake i'll morph to someone else

@Lilya only.

Things had been oddly quiet since the blatant trespassing of Driftwood onto the northern pack’s borders and the hysteria that it had caused. They had not been much of a disturbance but Lachesis figured the appearance of coyotes was the cause of that. They did not seem like the respectful type and would surely do something to disrupt the balance. Lachesis still wanted nothing to do with them or their presence at the lake. They had settled less than a day’s travel away from Driftwood while knowing that they were infringing on another pack’s hunting grounds. Hell, one of their former members was a part of the thick-skulled group who knew that Driftwood used the northern woods as their hunting grounds and knew that they would not react fondly to the appearance of another pack. They deserved whatever came their way. Lachesis was not fond of morons.

He trailed along the southern edge of the lake, his ears pinned high above his crown as his tail flicked idly behind him. For now the pack remained stable and safe—that was all that mattered to the Stark. He would do whatever necessary to keep his subordinates and his family safe. The river wolves had already endured enough; they would not be moving a third time. Driftwood would be their home for as long as the Stark king remained alive—he would make sure of that.

Lilya had been torn… torn between knowing very well what could happen, and reacting to the situation in a more logical manner. Every part of her, every day, wanted to rally the forces and drive them so far from the lake that they never dared thinking or returning… and then part of her worried about what would become of her children, of the pack, if they were forced to war. What would happen to them? She knew firsthand the consequences associated battle, the scars it could leave… scars that had been popping up more frequently… forcing her back to the state of insomnia that she’d suffered from before finding her home in the River.

She should talk to her husband about it, she knew that he could help just as he had before, but with everything going on, it never quite felt like the right time. She knew he knew something was up, but there was no point in bringing it up in her opinion. If she ever found a Keep wolf anywhere near her borders or her young, she'd personally shred them.

She followed his scent trail without quite realizing she was until he came into view, a soft smile crossing her tired features as she moved forward, finding her way next to him as she nudged his shoulder. “It’ll all work out.” She promised him, guessing what was on his mind. Everything had been surprisingly calm, and that wasn’t necessarily a good thing. “Even if it means we gotta fight ‘em off tooth n’claw ta make it so, we’ll figure it out.” She wasn’t sure if she was telling that to make him feel better or herself.

He was not surprised that his mate had found him. They always seemed to find each other when they held troubled thoughts—especially lakeside. But, unfortunately for Lachesis, the lake seemed to be giving him more grief than relief. About seventy-five percent of him wasn’t worried about the group of rejects along the northern edge of the lake. The other twenty-five was concerned mostly for his children who had gotten into the wandering stage. He did not know what the Keep wolves would do if they encountered one of his children. Lachesis had vowed that no harm would come to the youth of the Keep but he did not know if they would honour the same code. They were a bunch of mongrels; unpredictable.

He turned to greet her as she approached, her shoulder sidling up next to his. I’m not opposed to that option, he hummed in amusement as he pressed his nose to her cheek. He would not mind taking a chunk or two out of the Keep wolves—but only if it came to that. Lachesis was not a violent wolf. He would not fight unless it was absolutely necessary. He just had to weigh out his options first… even though he did not have many other ones. War was looking like a better choice with each passing day.

stick with those who stick with you

Her eyes closed softly as his nose grazed against her cheek. Truthfully, she wouldn’t mind either… she just worried about what would befall them after… what the rest of the pack would think of their two leaders after such harsh actions… they couldn’t until they had no choice left, and Lilya knew that… or at least until everyone else’s frustrations ran as hot as hers currently did. “M’not opposed to it either, just worried ‘bout the consequences.” She knew the consequences better than anyone, and she knew how every life would be affected… it still held it’s hold over her, even after all this time.

This lakefront had always held their worries, a part of the reason the move here had been so easy… “M’worried they’ll get bold… they’ll come after Mak n’Lee n’Leggy. 'Cause they know it's th'only way ta beat us...” She wasn’t sure what they were capable of, but she’d seen their ranks. She also knew how angry Ayti had been when Lilya and Lach had cast him out – anger did things to wolves. She knew he’d never hurt a child, but with anger pumping through his system, even the kindest of wolves could be twisted to do the worst things.

Lachesis’ thoughts mirrored his wife’s. As much as he would like to raid the pack and eliminate the problem he knew that it was not the right thing to do if they were unprovoked. The river wolves had always lived peacefully—keeping to themselves and remaining neutral with their neighbours until a pack had decided to settle less than a day away from them. That he would not stand for.

He nodded, softly, in agreement. Only as a last resort, he added, his expression grim as he nudged her cheek once more. I keep hoping that they will realize how foolish it was for them to settle so close, he added, a heavy sigh causing his shoulders to droop, but, considering how close they settled in the first place, I am doubtful. They don’t strike me as the intelligent type. Lachesis viewed their settlement as a threat; any pack would. Settling so close to an existing pack, how could Lachesis not see it as a challenge? And for the Keep wolves to be surprised at Driftwood’s reaction… clearly they were delusional.

I worry, too, he responded, his chartreuse gaze meeting her sapphire pools. Especially with the children becoming so bold. I don’t want to smother them but I don’t want them going north. Unfortunately he and Lilya and created a few stubborn cubs that were keen on testing their parents’ patience.

stick with those who stick with you

A nearby creek is full to the brim with fish. +3 Health