Sex: MaleHis howl went up knowing full well the bull elk would be getting spooked by now with all the ghastly noise surrounding it he called out for @Nina, @Iopah, @Silver, @Aideen, @Miccah, @Coal, @Anouke, @ Mirren, and lastly @Kashikoi. Hollow called for his pack but did not stop, they were loyal, they would follow. The dark male moved in a straight path unwaveringly towards the scent, when he spotted it, two packs, with tension thick in the air and a few scattered wolves. There on the other side stood one lone, he could barely make out a shade of rust, but to the right of his vantage point several were moving towards it one looked unhappy following the others. An attacker. This did not look good, and unless he acted quickly the elk would surely run and they would all go home with empty bellies. Hollow was in position as Minka was, even if he didn't yet know who the rusted wolf was opposite him. All he knew was that he needed his pack. He needed them fast.
At first she almost laughed but then she caught sight of a shape she knew well. "Maksim... Bastard" she hissed between her teeth, her hackles rose but Namara stayed planted where she was and turned her head back to her leader. She would not say it but the she wolf wished very much to go and tear off his hide. But as her head turned something else was familiar, the other pack, from the mountain, must have come down due to the snow. "Minka if either of those packs get to the elk first, there will be nothing for us. I have had encounters with them both"Of course as she looked out towards the elk once more a black shape caught her eyes. Another wolf, the fourth howl. Fuck
White, triangular ears perked up as a distant howl rang out through the cedar trees. A growl rumbled through her chest, something about that voice made her body quiver with anger. Not recognizing the voice, however, she didn't understand her reaction. Her curiosity spiked, though, as the caller demanded everyone for a hunt. So, the white woman made her way towards that direction to check it out. Before, she got far, a call from Maksim rang out as well. This time, Athena wasted no time in heeding the call from her agouti leader. Long, muscular legs quickly ate up the snow covered land and towards the howl. Athena had done well in finding that deer carcass with Bastet, but still Cut Rock River couldn't give up this chance for food, even if it seems they may have to fight for it this time.
As she raced to the scene, she soon caught the scent and the sight of Kisla right ahead of her. She, too, was in a rush to answer Maksim's urgent call. When they got to the site, her blazing eyes took in everything in seconds. The increasing numbers of this pack, who's scent was oddly familiar, but made the hackles on her neck stand on end, was beginning to worry her. There were also other packs that were beginning to trickled in. Not knowing that her past was right there in front of her, with @Naira and @Namara , she did notice the streaking black figures going for the elk. Noting Kisla kept going right on after them, Athena followed in her wake and released a bark of encouragement to Kisla when she caught up besides her. She, too, snapped viciously then at the heels and tails of the closest black figure in front of her. Today, this elk was Cut Rock River's even if they had to fight for it and Athena was willing to do just that.
summary: Athena is racing after the HK wolves that are going after the elk alongside Kisla. Is currently trying to snap at heels and tails.
Reaching Minka's side, she nodded at Namara politely. She looked around at the various members of different packs, only recognizing Hollow and vaguely at that. The petite woman turned her head to Minka, not missing the comments that Namara uttered. "We can avoid a fight, Minka. We can focus the attention on all the young. They need the food more than we do." Her empty stomach rumbled in protest, but she ignored it. The pups live's were more important at the moment than her own thinning physique. She was a natural peacekeeper, but if anyone tried to harm her family there would be hell to pay.
Not wasting time of his own, he barked loudly to his fellow packmates and then took off to where Hollow was at. He was not a man of speed but he made it to Hollow in good time. The second walked up next to his alpha, taking in the large number of wolves in surprise. "Damn," he muttered, echoing the words of his alpha. All these wolves for...he took in the scents...for one measly buck. But, they were all suffering from the harshness of winter, so he could relate. Wondering what their approach to this would be, turned to Hollow, nodding his head in a sign of respectful submission. "What is our approach?" His tone was questioning but firm and determined. Whatever his orders would be, Miccah was sure to carry them out. For what else was he there but to serve? His loyalty to Secret Woodlands and friendships he held within it was the only thing he had left.
The day would not end as quietly, peacefully as it had begun. As she moved along sharp, golden eyes flicked up to monitor the sky. Worry pricked along her back, making her tense, but she did not stop. The weather would not stop the hunger her pack felt, and so neither would Iopah. Her feet carried her south again, remembering the scavenged deer carcass she had found days earlier. It would be gone, of course. Maybe the area still held some luck for the gray wolf.
She had not made it very far when she became aware of a commotion in the distance.
Howls, thrown back and forth between opposing wolves. And the impossible scent of elk intermixed with the scent of many wolves. Too many wolves. She slammed to a stop and laid her ears back defensively. It did not take a genius to realize what was happening. With all the starving wolves of Lore the hapless elk was doomed... if they could stop fighting long enough to kill it, that was. Tempers would run, blood would spill. Dangerous. She was still far enough away to slip away without giving her presence away. But maybe, by being quiet, Iopah could slip away with a scrap of something?
Another howl came and Iopah would have cringed by it's closeness. Hollow! It was an order, a command. One that Iopah was more than will to answer. With renewed purpose she loped along. One brief yip left her lips, more of an acknowledge than a comment of her own. It took mere seconds to catch his and Miccah's scent and follow it along. She reached them just in time to hear Miccah's question. Ears tucked respectfully, she edged around them to take in the scene.
She said nothing for a moment. She was right, this was a dangerous situation. "There are an awful lot of wolves out there." Angry wolves. But anywolf could see that on their own. "Do we know any of them?"
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Typical. Naia was scouting far beyond the southern border when she heard her leader’s howl for the wolves of Cut Rock River to head northward for a hunt. The agouti lady lifted her delicate muzzle to return the howl, letting her pack know she was on the way. She took off for the northern territories at a decent clip, her ears at attention to listen for the placement of her packmates. From the sound of Maksim’s message, he wanted everyone to head north and fan out to sweep the entire territory for food. Naia positioned herself according to the howls from her packmates, her honey eyes darting over the barren landscape. She would love more than anything to be the wolf to send the howl that said, I’ve found something, but that would not be her privilege today.
The first wolf to howl was the pack’s Lowest, and there was a strained note in the dark female’s call. The howls from other packs met her ears, and Naia then understood the problem. Her packmate had found food, but she was not alone. Naia increased her pace, changing direction to make a beeline for the calling wolves. As she approached the gathering, her heart sank. There was one bull, and several packs’ worth of wolves posturing over it. Maksim was clearly visible even at a distance, his powerful form dominating over those that stood around him. Wordlessly, Naia drew up to the side of her alpha, her face set with grim determination. Her packmates were snarling around her, raring to go at any stranger that refused to back down. The petite wolf’s stomach twisted. Were these wolves going to kill each other over one bull?
Naia was governed by pacifism before hunger. She hadn’t tasted a fresh kill since her hunt with Quick (who from the looks of things had joined up with the thieving Pass wolves, damn it all) and she wished for nothing more than to sink her teeth into warm flesh—but not at the expense of hurting someone else... or of her packmates getting hurt. The chances that they would win a meal looked to be about one in three, but the chances someone would be injured were considerably higher. The decision here was up to Maksim of course, and Naia could only hope that he would make the choice of a smart wolf, not a hungry one. She waited for his order, which she knew would come very soon as there were already a few wolves headed for the prey. Hold on, she urged her alpha silently. Let them waste the energy making the kill, and then the strong can sweep in and take it! Of course Maksim couldn't read her thoughts, but she knew better than to question her leader aloud in a situation like this.
The Young Hellion had been wandering the thicket, searching for any scraps of food, pack mates that he had not met yet, and just being his nomadic self. It had all seemed eerily quiet in the early morning, but as the afternoon dawned, everything became hectic. Like the calm before the storm, it was peaceful one second, then blood and teeth were flying the next. Such was life, and it was events like those that made it interesting, though others may call it otherwise. But he enjoyed it, even though he wouldn’t say it to anyone’s face for they would not understand. No one did unless they were like him, and he had met only few in his young life, three to be exact.
As his leader’s call rang in the air – after many other howls summoning their pack mates – asking for his pack to join him, Anouke pricked his dark-furred ears and lengthened his stride to a ground-eating canter, any faster pace would leave him breathless within minutes. Running was not his forte, but fighting and strategy was, and from all the howls, he guessed there would easily be scuffles and fights over who claimed the meal, and though he would love to join in, he had other, more important tasks to do than fight over barely enough food for a pack, never mind three or four.
Breathing evenly and deeply, heading towards Hollow, he picked up the trail of two wolves that smelled of Secret Woodlands, and followed the scents to the scene. When he came upon Hollow and the two others, the Young Hellion respectfully lowered himself in the presence of the two other males, both of whom were a higher rank than him. It wouldn’t do good to start a fight with his own pack while there were others around. Coming up behind the three – after announcing his attendance with a soft bark – Anouke stood next to, and slightly behind, the leader, on the opposite side of the other male.
A slight smirk hitched the corners of his lips up infinitesimally at the sight of so many wolves before them, baring teeth, raising hackles, standing in groups and going after others. They would all tear each other up for one meager buck, as wolves always did. Only the strongest and fittest survived, those that could and would protect themselves, and not band with wolves that were doomed to fall. Life was hard, but no one expected it to be easy, why would it be?
Turning his head to the side to glance at Hollow, the Young Hellion made a slight motion with his muzzle to the other wolves, a sardonic smile on his face. “I doubt there will be enough food for even one pack after this bloodbath,” he said softly, barely moving his lips. “Or any wolves left, for the matter,” he quietly added to himself as he looked back at the rest of the packs, waiting for the rest of Secret Woodlands to arrive, so the real fun could start.
I can because I want to,
I want to because you made me.
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More and more Cut Rock River wolves stood at Maksim's side, backing up the agouti beast. A few gave their own warnings, offering the Hollowheart pack a chance to flee. They did not respond. A few even ran off after the bull elk, ignorant to his words. Fools. Did their leader wish to send them to their deaths? Another growl rumbled through the River king's chest as he scented the air once more to determine which of his followers had arrived. Lalani, the Lowest of the pack. Aeolus, the ex-Pitch Pine guardian. Astra, the seasoned hunter. Quil, the princess of Darkwater. Lachesis, the practising healer. Bastet, the hardy survivor. Kisla, the lionhearted Tainn. Athena, the scarred warrior. Naia, the diligent scout. Nine of his fifteen wolves had shown up and pride swallowed him; his family's loyalty would, today, prove fruitful. They would eat. If @Hati, @Destin, @Nagga and @Anneliese showed up, it would become an easier task. It was then that Maksim allowed the smell of the allied pack's leader—Minka—to get his mind thinking up a strategy.
Opening his mouth, ready to give commands to his wolves, Maksim's reptilian eyes shot to Kisla as she streaked past, a snarl emitting from her, and then to Athena who followed close behind. His heart lurched and he stepped forward as if to try and chase after her but swiftly reeled his emotions in. He couldn't stop her, couldn't mistakenly start a blind charge, even if he wanted to. They tawny woman was reckless and proud and the River leader's mind briefly relayed the fact her leg was injured. What if she ended up even more hurt? “@Naia, go to Athena and Kisla as swiftly as your legs will carry you. Tell them this: allow the vultures the act of slaying the beast. Try and pester the bastards, but do not waste too much energy.” His order was given swiftly, looking to the Timber woman with a stern gaze. “We will wait for them to drain themselves and then the rest of us will charge. Do not let those cowards hear. I trust you can do this.”
Maksim's attention turned to Astra as he gave the butterscotch woman her command. “@Astra, my friend, seek out @Minka; she is here, I can smell her in the winds. Tell her of what we aim to do—ask her help and let her know we will find a way to share the prey should we drive them away. Give her my word.” Hopefully, the Cavern wolves would chip in an assist their allies in pushing the Hollowheart Keeps wolves back to their filthy territory. Maksim was a man of honour and he would not go back on a promise. As hungry as his pack was, should their ally agree in helping to intercept, they would be as deserving of a meal.
“The rest of you, into the trees. We will head down wind and attempt to come closer to where the scavenging curs stand. We charge when the bull falls; give the a taste of blood but allow them no more.” Without another word, Maksim turned, facing the tree line, before he began a quick lope into the safety of the cedars. Their strategy for this would hopefully be enough to startle the bastards and allow the River wolves to feast.
we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue