Willow Ridge Time flies

Avella has returned from her trip for anyone who might want to welcome her home. She is a few days late. @Scully @Moore @Alarick @Queenie @Kaeruka

The borders of her home had come into view at which point she'd said goodbye to her companion. Cam had been kind enough to bring her the rest of the way home. Avella had waited until he was out of sight before crossing the border into Willow Ridge herself. She felt it was safer for all if that was the way it was done.

Her heat symptoms were subsiding thankfully but she didn't know what that really meant. This was the first heat she'd had that she'd actively sought out any relief for them. She hoped that they were no longer detectable by the men in her life.

Once she was a few paces from the border she called out to her packmates to let them know she was home. She didn't know what sort of welcome she'd receive but she hoped it was a warm one. The masked Archer sat back on her haunches to wait for any who might come to greet her.

As much as Scully could understand getting 'lost' this time of year, Avella was a wolf that more often kept her word than not, regardless of context. It worried him, knowing she was out there alone, making herself vulnerable to strangers who might be far darker creatures than she realized... when finally her howl tunneled through the air and into his ears, announcing her return, Scully practically raced to the borders to meet her.

She looked no worse for wear, and her scent had greatly abated. He felt a wave of relief, slowing to a trot the last few yards so as not to bowl her over. That crooked grin of his appeared.

"Hey. You're late, little miss."

(This post was last modified: Mar 20, 2022, 05:57 AM by Scully.)

In the time that she waited Avella took it to observe her home. It was quiet and nothing seemed out of sorts. Which she had full faith in her brother though. He hadn't ever given her reason to doubt him. Once she was satisfied with that she took the rest of the time to make sure she was presentable. Cam's scent was still on her coat but there wasn't anything to do about that. She honestly had no idea what she would say if asked about it either.

The first hint of motion was the silver coat of her brother. A wide smile crossed her masked features. She rose to her feet rail swaying happily behind her. She'd missed him though it had only been eight days that was still too long in her opinion. Once he was in front of her she went to press her head into his neck.

She smiled sheepishly at his words and stepping back to look at him she spoke. "I know. I'm sorry I was delayed can you forgive me?"

Scully pretended to think for a beat, before answering "No, I don't think I will."

His lips pulled back and down, frowning while his chin lifted to add to the illusion of being affronted. Of course, there was not a single part of him that was actually bothered, not now that she was right here once again and clearly safe. Plus, it was clear she had been successful - that was cause for celebration, right?

Honestly, Scully had his anxieties regarding being responsible for children, but at least uncle was relatively little onus in comparison to being a father himself. Still, he knew he was gonna love the shit out of the little monsters and that both frightened and excited him.

(This post was last modified: Apr 04, 2022, 04:34 PM by Scully.)

Hagar had also been unsettled by Avella's extended leave. She didn't seem a wolf who would treat such promises flippantly, and he hoped his choice to separate from her that night had not cost them all greatly. When he heard her song above the treetops, he let out a deep breath of relief. Good.

He finished burying the cache he'd just created and filled far more haphazardly than he normally would, so as to quickly answer the call. His stout limbs carried him at a sprint, and he was mildly winded when the Archer siblings came into view. He slowed, and approached with a wagging tail.

"Welcome back."

It had been no more than just shy over a week since the tawny female had joined up with wolves of the willows and no sooner had she become one of them had their matriarch gone forth beyond the borders for an extent of time. Finally, though, it seemed the missing Archer sibling had made her triumphant return.

Charcoal ears instantly pivoted forward in response to the echoing song, head lifted from its resting place upon her outstretched paws. Creamy limbs swiftly hoisted her once napping frame from the ground and gave her pelt a quick shake before heading off toward the location of the call. Upon arrival, bright green eyes surveyed those who had already arrived, not surprised to find the other Archer sibling already in attendance alongside the chocolate-coated male Kaeruka had yet to truly get to know.

"Welcome home." She spoke softly after a few more paces to close the gap, tail wagging contently at her rear. Hopefully, her mission had been a success.

She watched her brothers features after she'd asked him to forgive her. For a moment he had her going but she knew him well so realized he was teasing her. Avella playfully nipped at his ear, "You think you're funny don't you," she said smiling. She didn't want to bring up what had caused her to he late. It had already been a little awkward explaining to her brother why she'd had to go in the first place.

At first she thought Scully would be the only one to greet her but then Hagar appeared. "Thank you," she said as she went to greet him warmly. When she stepped back she looked between the two men, "Everything go okay while I was gone?" She asked. She really hoped no problems had arisen while she'd been away. She'd only left Scully and Hagar to look after things. It was their responsibility to deal with any problems. That was on her.

Just after that another wolf arrived to greet her. The new female that had joined just before her departure. Though she didn't know her well she moved to brush her muzzle against the woman's, "Thank you for coming." She stepped back, "Now that I've returned we'll have some time to get to know each other better."

You think you're funny, don't you? she asked, and he had to laugh, because yeah, he cracked himself up pretty often. Hagar and Ruka both appeared in short order, joining him in welcoming his sister home. He grinned at them, tail wagging happily. Avella asked after the pack and Scully gave her a nod of affirmation.

"No problems here," he answered her before pulling away to greet the others. Hagar was given a nudge to his thickly-furred cheek before the Archer came to rest at Ruka's side. He nibbled playfully at the fur on her wolfish cheeks, still quite fond of her presence.

"Hungry?" he would ask of Avella when there was a lull in the conversation. Who knew what kind of appetite she had worked up out there... Ew.

Hagar's head had bobbed up and down along with Scully's, confirming that the Ridge pack had continued to operate smoothly despite her prolonged absence. His pale gaze drifted over her frame, looking for any evidence of strife or harm. Satisfied to see none, he met her dual-colored gaze before she turned her attention to one of their more recent recruits, Kaeruka.

He watched the others interact quietly, tail maintaining a lackadaisical tempo. Scully asked after Avella's hunger, and his ears lifted. Yes, she likely needed rest and sustenance. Hagar wordlessly pulled away from the group, moving to go fetch something for her to feed on.

There was a glimpse of meekness in Ruka as Avella approached to offer the newest member her own greeting in turn, their muzzles briefly brushing before the Archer sibling mentioned the fact there would be time now to get to know each other better. "I'd like that." Ruka spoke softly, a small smile on inky lips as she too took a step back to lower her haunches to the ground while the men around them confirmed the security of the pack.

Scully's nibbles to her cheeks were rewarded with the sounds of a soft, playful growl rumbling against the back of her throat, the smile plastered on her face widening into a grin until the woman turned her head to return his playful nips to the fur that lined the base of his ears before giving the appendage a gentle tug. Her attention then shifted toward Hagar, a quiet fellow she's managed to decipher thus far in their short time together who had excused himself to gather a quick meal for their returning queen. Once more shifting her gaze to that of Avella.