Hidden Tree Burnt remains

OUR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS He was only too aware of the odds that were stacked against him, in was the usual way things worked when you were a lone wolf. Always outnumbered and tiptoeing around the packs that lived in the same area. In the end if he was going to stay they would need to learn to co-exist but would that ever be anytime soon? Weldering was not so sure as he stood his ground with a firm grip of his paws as he clenched the soft ash ridden dirt with his clawed pads. Indru was making it blindingly obvious that he had become to official guardian for Junai following the death of their parents yet had she agreed to this? Weldering did not want to get involved in the politics of another family, it was not his place to say what they did or did not yet it was still clear no matter what that Indru was shutting the door early on the possibility that Weldering and Junai would become mates. The idea nearly made Weldering chuckle yet out of respect the pent up air turned into more of a huff with an awkward grin. "There was someone I loved that I left behind, I won't be replacing her anytime soon." He wanted to make it clear now as he spoke from his heart. It made a huge difference from the mindless dribble he came up with that usually got him into trouble when he spoke without anything to guide him, not a single thought process. "We... actually brought it up in conversation, well Junai did as a joke. I told her I would never court with her." It was rather hard to explain a conversation that he could only half remember. Least he could only remember the jist of it rather then the exact words spoken. Perhaps now Indru would be satisfied, perhaps even relax.

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Whether it was a cleverly thought out lie or genuine truth it did ease Indru's mind at least, and his body relaxed slightly after Weldering had spoke, his fur lowered back to lay smoothly and his muscles less ready for.. anything. He already had a mate? Well that was an interesting turn of events as after all, a wolf was not sexually mature until close to 2 years of age, and Indru found that Weldering had lived a very different life to his indeed. The next words spoken almost made him tense again, at the mention of the subject brought up, as a joke or not the intention and thought was there, but the male's response, or he apparent response received a abrupt nod from Indru.

Well, I was no witness to either events you claim, as you know, so I have to take your word on the matters. A pause as Indru through this over, did Weldering seem like a honest wolf that he could perhaps trust? So far the evidence seemed to suggested that Indru could, as nothing had happened like the wolf had said, but he was not entirely convinced. What I want to know is how trust can I place in this word? Indru felt it was a fair question, especially as he was now the sole guardian for the younger pack mates, not truly yet adults and still in need of guidance. It was fatherly concern, a role which Indru had been thrust into without much option in the matter.

OUR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS Weldering was young sure but he had somewhat fallen for someone over a year and a half ago now, whether they had died or managed to escape remained to be seen but she was lost now whatever the outcome. In truth she had always been lost to him, he had turned down her offer to join him in her father's pack. To become an Alpha one day alongside her. It had never been the thought of becoming an Alpha that made him jilt and refuse to become mates with her it was his sense of loyalty and pride. He could not leave his Alphess, his duty as a Beta and as a lead warrior, his friends and also the only family he had which was his adopted daughter Riley. He sacrificed love for his pack but if he had moved homes and the volcano had not erupted right now he would have been an Alpha with a litter of his own. How far was he from that right now, if he ever told anyone especially Indru or Junai he doubted they would even believe him. It was funny how a series of events or a single decision could turn someone from being a King into a peasant. Weldering was not expecting Indru to trust him, even he did not trust this Swift River brute. But there was someone else involved that he should have been trusting and taking more seriously. "You can trust Junai. You'd only need to ask her." Smirking lightly as something crossed his mind. "Besides she couldn't keep a secret if she tried." He could not imagine it would be long until she was telling him about the caves they had found in the Dire Mountain, he'd save that tale for her to tell him. By now conversation was getting difficult, he wanted to ask about their pack. Inquire perhaps how many brothers and sister's he had but he did not want to seem as if he was trying to pry secret information about pack numbers. Sighing to himself he came to the conclusion that it was likely if he said anything Indru would take it the wrong way somehow.

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Weldering statement was true in ways, but not necessarily in others. He could trust Junai with certain things — like protecting her siblings, or doing something that he asked if he benefited the pack.. but he was naive to her slyness, a trait she had observed from Ioni. On a matter like this he wasn't entirely sure he could trust her, as it was a trivial matter compared to some things.

His next statement was true though, and he almost smiled in response until another thought occurred. You seem to know her fairly well. Or what Junai had showed him anyway, like Ioni she is a good actress. It perhaps wasn't accusatory as his other questions had been, but still curiosity lingered and not in a harmless way. She has met a lot of lone wolves, lately. Indru felt it important to make clear that this Weldering was not special, all his pack, but the girls especially, had been fairly enterprising with the invaders lately. Their arrival, Indru had decided, was most likely linked the the fire, her presumed that the dying cinders had drew the wolves, perhaps expecting damage they could gain from, empty lands a pack once claimed that they could now rule over. Well it must of been a surprise then when they arrived to find a family in sorrow but still strong, he thought.

OUR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS It was not as if he knew Junai extremely well and most of what he was saying was more like educated guessing and assumptions. If anyone knew her best then it would have to be her own brothers and sisters that spent everyday with her. Weldering had only met her twice which was barely enough to even be considered a friend at all. Yet if he told himself he had at least one friend then it did not make him feel as much of a lone wolf as he was to begin with. Junai was bubbly and talkative yet also stubborn and immature, it was the mix of all these elements that led Weldering into believing what he thought she was like and it seemed from the small smile that briefly crossed Indru's lips he agreed. But it seemed as though Junai had met other lone wolves too, Weldering did not doubt that at all since he knew there were a lot of newcomers around. But last time they met he realised that Junai had failed to mention anything about meeting anyone else, no names or information which he felt was rather odd.. unless she had not met them until after they went their separate ways that day - which seemed for likely. "I've met a lot too, have you?" He asked wondering what Indru made of the ones he met, if any at all. It was this feeling that pushed him into saying what he did next. "You don't have anything against lone wolves, do you?"

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They certainly were more frequent that Indru was used to, but it would of been silly of him to deny there never being any lone wolves or that he had never met any before. Indru could also remember many instances were they had came to try and join Hidden Tree, seeking the solitude and safety of the pack, yet he had watched his father drive most of them off, occasionally letting one wolf stay for a short period through the winter when any extra paw was helpful. I've met a few. Briefly he thought of them, some encounters memorable others just passings, fleeting and already being forgotten. It would be hard not too. Especially if he was patrolling his borders as he was and certainly if he was taking it upon himself to check Relic Lore frequently for any signs of packs forming.

The next question took him by surprisingly and he peered back at Weldering, frowning. Anything against them? No. If he was hitnign at the way Indru had been with him sometimes then Indru felt he hadn't been listening at all, he had no problem that Weldering was a lone wolf, but with the intentions he had with his sister. I don't care if a wolf is a lone wolf.

OUR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS It seemed logical that Indru had met many lone wolves with his job. He could remember back when he had been a Beta Male in his old pack and even though he was no scout that was the role he mostly dealt with a long with accepting new members at the borders or answering questions. His life had been so busy and purposeful mixed with spending time with packmates and loners alike. One day he would have that life again though not now and not with Swift River. Not only did he not want to be below Indru in rank already sensing that it would drive him crazy because frankly Weldering did not think high enough of him. But he also could see Indru feeling the same way and by no means would decline him downright. He was not going to waste his time or hurt his own pride by even coming near to asking. As he had said to someone recently he would rather be a lone wolf then be in Swift River. The reason why Weldering had brought up his question about whether or not Indru was predigest about lone wolves was because of the way Indru spoke and treated him. Of course it could have been all down to the whole thing with Junai but Weldering had not seen Indru around anyone else to see him act any different. Though by now the awkwardness and frowns shared was rather distracting. Just standing there idly was sending a yeuk feeling down his spine spreading the uncomfortableness further. "Well I better leave you to it..." Whatever it was that Indru was here doing in the first place. Weldering was satisfied with his exploring progress of Hidden Tree and had no reason to be here any longer. A small nod was given to the Alphen before turning and trotting away. No doubt they would see each other again soon.

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