Secret Woodlands the power of change

Koda's first thread as leader. For @Iopah or @Nina . If you both want to join that would also be awesome! :D
Note: This post has been edited as requested!

The change had come quickly, so swift that the pale elder had little time to decipher what this meant in respect to the pack and his own goals. He had wanted this rank change, an opportunity to rule Secret Woodlands once more and his stance was now a proud display of his ascension into the male leadership position and yet he felt strange. This was not how things were supposed to go, he was not supposed to have won this position so quickly, he had wanted to bide his time, as he was a calculative creature, but his fight with Mirren had changed all that. Time had been running short and he needed to act quickly to secure his position in the pack.

The chain of events had worked as Koda planned; a fight with Miccah had left him the victor. He assumed as much, being as he had been waiting for the opportunity to challenge the darker youth and though the battle was a fair one, he'd come out as victor once more. He was proud of his accomplishment, it meant that despite his age he was still a worthy opponent and this made him smile inwardly-- age did not create a way for liability. Despite this good news he still had one concern and immediately his thoughts went to Nina, his new co-leader. Though the two had lead before, their relationship was different, he could only imagine how Nina felt of this change. Would she be receptive to Koda's ascend as Alpha; he knew how upset she was with Miccah as her partner. Would she feel the same about him?

As the newest alpha he found himself constantly worried about the males below him, those who wanted the position, and his thoughts immediately went to Mirren. The tawny male had a fire that burned within him, a spunk that worried Koda and it showed the night he'd challenged for the position as Second. He could not admit that he was afraid to accept the Tainn's challenge, for he knew that eventually it would come, but he knew that only time would tell how long he could keep the younger male below him. If the matter arose once more, he would be prepared to defend his rightful position once more, but at what cost?

His time as leader was still fresh, and he was reminded of the newness when his stomach bubbled in the presence of the others and on the rare occasions he passed the remaining males of the pack. Despite Miccah's step down in leadership, he knew that the male would eventually want his spot back and because of this Koda had become more wary of the males and often avoided them until he had adequately healed. An injured alpha was a prime target, and though the soreness from his fight with Mirren was healing, he knew that he was much too weak to defend his position from either opponents. He would wait it out, allow himself to heal, and then he would conduct a meeting with the pack to announce the change in leadership; finally, Koda felt at home.

(This post was last modified: Sep 14, 2014, 01:38 PM by Koda.)

Arla and Emma are the ish and made my pretties!
Koda will most likely always be accompanied by Chiron unless otherwise stated, or requested.

Though the change in leadership did not go unnoticed by her, she couldn't help but feel a slight sense of relief. She had prior knowledge of working with Koda, they had, after all, been mates. There would always be that part of her that would love him, no matter how much she didn't want to. But now, more than ever, fear was an obstacle that held her back more than anything. With Miccah being lowered, Nina felt much more secure in her ranking. True, her stress level had not decreased considerably, but it had been lowered slightly. The golden brown woman did not feel as if she were walking on thorns with every step that she took, and that in and of itself, was an improvement. The single-eyed lady did not feel the pressure in her chest she had begun to become familiar with, and for that, she was grateful. Grateful, for the first time since he had returned, that Koda was there with her, even if she didn't let him know it.

Her children were growing quickly and she watched them closely, pleased with their progress. They all seemed to get along well with the pack life, and even though Silentium had his hearing impairment, which also affected his speech, he seemed to get along well enough with who she had seen him interact with. She was wondering now, allowing her children to explore however they wished and learn from trail and error. The woman did not doubt that they would end up bumping into another pack mate though. Secret Woodlands had a healthy amount of numbers. She, however, did not expect to run into anyone, especially not Koda. When she entered the area, she eyed him carefully, assessing his injuries. She had seen the markings on Mirren quite easily and had already assumed what had happened. While she supported Mirren's want for leadership and the need to defend her, she could also see how Koda had won. Her former lover was a warrior and had many years of experience on Mirren. But as much as it was had to admit, it was true: Nina and Koda were entering out of their prime years.

She cleared her throat politely to make it clear that she was there, allowing herself to have a polite, regal air to herself. The mother had been quite rude to the man since he had returned, and most of it had to with her hormones. Now as she watched him, she did her best to avoid contact with his familiar honey colored eyes. Once again, they were equals, and while she knew it wouldn't take too long to adjust to the change, it was still different. None the less, she did her best to seem as comfortable as she could in the presence of the creamy peppered man. She did not wish to insult him, but he knew her body language well, and she knew if she made the slightest twitch, that he would know, and so the golden brown woman froze in her spot, waiting for him to notice her or say some form of greeting.

He stood staring into the distance, his green flecked eyes seemed to swirl with a mixture of happiness and anticipation before he finally rested to his haunches, the weight on his joints made them crack from the pressure. Though he was visibly aging, Koda felt little signs of his body changing except for the visual effects of the few wisps of grey hair that crept up the length of his muzzle and along his neck. It seemed that with each age Koda reached, the Reinier felt stronger, his track record was a lengthy one that he was proud of and he had a few years left to leave behind a legacy.

Feeling soreness in his shoulder muscle he stretched it lightly, a yawn escaped his lips as he sat to watch over his home with renewed energy; his duty as guardian had never disappeared, in fact he took it more seriously than ever as his responsibility to the pack increased tenfold. It wasn't until the yawn had escaped into the wind that he noticed his co-leader, a woman he'd often admired for the strength she exemplified each day. Nina would be a wonderful partner, and from the looks of her approach, he could tell that she felt the same way.

Though he did not come toward her, he acknowledged her presence with a nod of his pale crown as thoughts of sorts floated through his head. What is she thinking his conscience screamed but he called himself long enough to finally speak, his confidence had grown since the battles he fought to rightfully earn his place as leader. "I hope you are happy that I fulfilled my promise to lead Secret Woods with you Nina." his eyes found her singular green as he watched her facial expressions closely while in wait of her response. It was a great feeling to finally be her equal; to be king.

She had pieced it together. She'd seen the marks on Mirren and on Miccah and she'd heard the scuffle that night. She'd turned from watching the rolling, twisting storm clouds to listen, already halfway guessing at the reason for it that night. The next morning, even without having to ask, she knew the outcome of the battle. It was clear from the angle of his nicked ear and rounded shoulders. She was a hunter, accustomed to reading the body language of her prey and fellow hunters alike. There was no misunderstanding on her part who the male alpha was now.

And yet there was confusion, her concerns too muddied to be articulated into an actual question. Iopah pushed through a stand of ferns and her thoughts pressed in around her. She'd thought Koda had been happy to work alongside her. Certainly she had been pleased to have a co-Second that she was so comfortable around. In the past she'd approached her male counterpart as a work partner. They were someone who deserved respect, but she didn't really know... and vice versa. A loop of vine pulled at a pale foot and she eased it off with ivory canine teeth then continued. At last she'd had someone who understood her, who didn't pull away from her blunt mannerisms. Up until until two night ago, she thought she'd understood Koda. Now, she was unsure of why he'd fought his way from her side. Unsure of why it bothered her so much.

So, she was avoiding him, hoping her confusion would fade away. Her avoidance was subtle: a slight shift in the times she came and went, an alteration to the usual paths she took. He was her leader now, she couldn't speak to him like she had used to. It was better to avoid him and keep herself distracted. The distraction came in the form of investigating the disappearance of their neighbors. She was looking for Kite or Vaeta, wondering if the scouts knew what happened to the Keep wolves. Nina (and Koda, but her mind shied away from reality) should know as well. She heard voices and pressed forward hopefully, until the words and their speaker fully registered. She stopped as if struck. It wasn't so much 'leaving her side', as it was 'joining Nina's side'. Once it would have been none of her business if Nina wanted him back, but today it stung. Crouching in the ferns, everything seemed to spin and her lips pulled back at something unidentifiable. Before today everything, everyone, that she'd lost had been at the hands of something far beyond her control. She loved Nina, but as the pale wolf rose to her feet once more a grain of resentment lodged inside her toward Nina.

She didn't want to stay, and she really didn't want to hear how happy Nina was about this, but she kept going forward anyways. She didn't want them. She caught sight of Koda first, and she slowed, lowering herself in a mixture of embarrassment and respect. But she couldn't meet his eyes and she angled away from him, avoiding him still. Her tail was low and swaying by her hocks, but the tip lashed in agitation. Ears pressed to her tawny-grey skull she turned to Nina, unconsciously halting directing between the alpha male and Nina. "I have news about the pack to the far east. I found traces of a fight, they've gone."

She now felt a certain lightness about her. Koda certainly had much more leading experience than Miccah ever had and would have. It was just not a position that fit well with him. There was always a certain power struggle that was with them, and while Nina always dominated, it was clear that Miccah wanted much more power than he was receiving. Koda and Nina had always worked well together, no matter what situation, and though they had past difficulties the Hervok had faith that they would be able to work well together just like they once had. His words brought a pleased, relaxed smile to her features, and just as she was about to respond in agreement, Iopah appeared, and Nina was more turned into the professional woman she could be, especially when she heard the words that came from the Huntress's words.

Her tail flicked high above her back upon instinct, a polite, real smile planted on her lips. Iopah was one of her first followers and had remained with the pack since it had been founded. The alpha trusted her second fully and knew that if something needed to be done, then Iopah was one of the first wolves she could rely on. The news that was given pleased, but disturbed her. There was either an internal struggle or something morbid had happened...something like the awful disease that had one plagued the lore. Clearing her throat, her eyebrows creased in concern her jaws opening to speak to her friend, ”Thank you for telling us this, Iopah... Do you know if it was an internal conflict or something that attacked from the outside?” This was deeply important information. And if it was the latter, then there would need to be information sent out to both of their allies.

@Iopah, @Nina

He stared at her momentarily, feeling the wheels of his mind churning over and over in his head. This was what he'd wanted, it felt so surreal, and yet it felt rushed in the sense that Koda now had the responsibility of the pack on his shoulders. He appreciated Nina, the experience that she had combined with his own would help to propel the pack through the winter but he worried over their followers, those who probably had reserves over him leading, and a rock hit the pit of his stomach. This had no longer become a battle to be the best leader, it became a tug-o-war of juggling the feelings of the rest of the pack and his personal goals of seeing them through what laid ahead of them. He had plenty he wanted to talk to her regarding the pack but the conversation would have to wait for another time, Iopah had come with different news that he felt compelled to listen to.

He was not naive to assume that Iopah, the woman who had become an important part of his life, did not feel differently about the changes that had ensued so quickly. Just weeks before this date the two had shared happy moments, there was no awkwardness between them, they had the same pull in the pack but now he stood as her leader and he could tell that this shift bothered her. He took the opportunity to let Nina to speak first as his eyes roamed over Iopah, he did not like their new relationship and would make it a point to tell her so when this meeting was over but for the time being there were other matters to handle. He mentioned one of the packs, a fight, and his ears perked with renewed interest. She had gone venturing off again, he had to hand it to the woman, she was quick to find information and he wondered if Scouting was really her passion aside from hunting. With Nina's question lingering in the air Koda waited for the agouti second to respond, he was just as intrigued to know what was happening as well, and what impact it would have on Secret Woods down the line.

(This post was last modified: Oct 22, 2014, 05:05 AM by Koda.)

Arla and Emma are the ish and made my pretties!
Koda will most likely always be accompanied by Chiron unless otherwise stated, or requested.

@Nina @Koda
I better just post this, I keep tinkering...

Her frustration and confusion seethed just below the surface. The silence from behind ate away at the huntress and she looked up at Nina with a forced, single-minded determination. He'd said nothing to her, even to acknowledge her presence. Maybe she should have expected it after having avoided him for the past two days, but it stung. Nina's tail flicked upwards and Iopah's head dipped down, trying to make herself the unresisting and compliant follower she'd always been. But she was failing, her composure slipping with her distraction. A tawny ear flicked searchingly behind her, attracted by nothing but his presence. But still she stayed turned around, clearly ignoring him. She wanted to finish this meeting and leave them to their nauseating conversation.

Was he watching her? Was he trying to get her attention? It was hard to stay focused on the news she'd brought and, as Nina's brows drew together, the second started to crane her neck around to look at the male. She didn't get far. At the sound of her own name she looked back up with something akin to guilt. She was trying, very hard, to keep her preoccupation with Koda unnoticed, but Nina had known her for years and her gold eyes had never been good at hiding emotions. "I meet one of them, a male lingering in the area. He said they were attacked. I found a grave." Little by little something was occurring to her. The Keep wolves were secretive to a fault; Iopah had learned nothing of real value in their interactions. Despite the lack of knowledge and infrequent meetings, Iopah had come the closest to truly knowing them.

That revelation lent her determination. With a quiet sigh she rose more fully to her feet, ivory paws stirring in the dirt. Nina might not realize their significance, but Koda should. Her pale feet continued shifting, turning her around to face him. "It was them we hunted with last winter." Nina was not there that day, only Koda and Miccah had answered her call. They had killed and divided that elk in the middle of a famine. It held off starvation and helped the Woodland wolves survive till spring. It probably saved both of their packs. That day they had not been enemies, or even rivals.

The woman watched her friend carefully, her single eye narrowing slightly. Something was wrong. The woman was there with them...but she seemed as though she were not. The slight flicker of her ear showed Nina enough to know what her attention was certainly not on her, until she had addressed her subordinate. If something was bothering Iopah, when the Hervok certainly hoped that she would communicate that to her. After all, Nina had studied the way that others reacted to their pack mates. It had been her job as a Healer and it was an even more important job now. Every action that her follower had performed so far led her further and further to the conclusion that something certainly was wrong. For the first time in quite some time, the mother felt her heart ache for another. She felt the need to comfort and know what was going on in her life. Unfortunately, Nina's busy schedule had kept her away from having a conversation with her. That would continue no more.

Unfortunately, there seemed to be a problem, and one that would need to be addressed. Now, other plans were going to have to wait. With winter coming soon and the threat that was now upon them, Nina worried what could possibly happen. Secret Woodland's members were dropping and now with this sudden threat, much could be in jeopardy. Finding out how quickly Iopah traveled was a miracle at this time, because there was no woman that Nina trusted more in the pack to give out the information that needed to be given out. So with a snap decision, Nina spoke, ”Iopah,I need you to travel to Willow Ridge and Whisper Caverns and tell them exactly what you just told me. Let them know of the situation and that they should be on their guard. Koda...” she paused, her gaze snapping towards him, her head tilting slightly to the side in question, ”I trust that you can organize some patrols for the borders? I want at least pairs of two on the rounds at all times. I don't want to risk anything.” She nodded to the two of them, saying one last thing, ”I would appreciate if you left right now..and Iopah...when you return, please find me. We need to talk.” She nodded to the woman, hoping that she understood and waited for the others to head out. As soon as they did, she would take it upon herself to restock the herb den and knowing just how much they had in their stores.

@Iopah, and @Nina!

Despite the awkwardness of this meeting, the pale male couldn't help feeling that his eyes wandered between both women. His co-leader had once been his mate, she was a woman he thought he could not live without and now as it stood she had become just a friend, a very good friend, and he valued her company as he did the love that he once gave her. The feelings he had once given to the golden woman had been harbored instead for Iopah and he could not help searching for her gaze, wanting to capture it so that he could communicate with nonverbal cues. He wanted to take her to the side and talk to her but for the moment he could not find his voice, for fear of mentioning something that could harm either of their feelings. He did not know how the woman who had once held his heart would take the news that he had finally moved on...but than again, hadn't she?

Shaking his head to focus on the meeting at hand, he listened as Iopah spilled what she knew and when she was finished he contemplated what this news would mean to them. As it stood, Koda had known that the tawny woman had traveled to Blackberry Fields, where the Black Thorn Wolves resided, and gathered information from them as she could but he had not known of her travels to the East. She was beginning to become a woman in the now, and this intrigued him so much that his ears perked to attention when she made mention of a fight, and disbandment, this could mean danger for the Woods, but that kind? Nina was quick to announce that the hunter travel to their neighbors and give warning of what she knew, it was a good idea considering they probably knew very little of what happened to the Hollow wolves and this was worth knowing.

His head snapped toward Nina when she called his name, a request that he upped the patrols of the border and his head nodded in response, and he personally would make sure that their security was not compromised. He felt his heart drop in his chest when Nina asked that her and Iopah meet after her travels to Whisper Caverns and Willow Ridge, he was nervous of what the green eyed queen would ask of her, perhaps why she was so uptight, and he felt his mouth grow dry at the thought of his ex knowing of his present. He didn't want her knowing that way, but Iopah was a secretive woman with a respect for Nina, he knew that she would break the information to her in a professional manner, "I would like to speak with you alone as well Iopah, if you wouldn't mind Nina?" and his head turned toward the woman, asking if the two could have their moment. He needed to know why the two were so distant from each other and needed the air cleared instantly between them.

@Nina! *wants to shake depressed Io*

They had not been enemies, her mind seemed to replay. The words were taking on a different meaning as she studied Koda. It was his shoulder that she focused on, an area where rich dark grays blended with pale silver. And never rivals... how could they have been when Iopah had believed they were on the same side? Apparently it hadn't been what Iopah hoped it was, her gaze skimmed down the length of his front leg and then rested on the ground. It was expected of her to not make eye-contact with a dominant wolf and, if he managed somehow to catch her eyes, he'd see the hurt in them. She'd thought they had been friends, what happened?

Thankfully, Nina was quick to pull her from those depressed musings. Her head turned around eagerly at the distraction. Tawny ears were perked forward to hear every word. It was better than a distraction, it was a chance to distance herself from all this. To her it seemed like the perfect solution. It hard to not obsess over this change when every path held his scent. She nodded quickly to Nina.

Nina then addressed Koda and Iopah's ears flicked to follow it. Her mind was already on the route she would take. Suddenly she was glad of all the time she'd spent exploring. Nina and Koda were discussing border patrols, but her attention was not completely on their words. She was simply waiting for a polite opportunity to take her leave.

"And Iopah..." Nonplussed Iopah turned to Nina to hear the last minute instruction. "When you return, please find me. We need to talk." Maybe it was the tone or the nod, but the female second instantly knew Nina wasn't asking for a follow up to the trip. Talk? Her damn expressive eyes. The gold orbs shifted away from Nina, unwilling to give away more. Iopah could say nothing at all and yet everyone always knew how she felt. This wasn't a conversation she was particularly looking forward to, but she nodded anyways.

When Koda spoke up her heart dropped in her chest and her paws prickled in unease. Her gaze was still turned away, watching a praying mantis ease down the limb of a tree and keeping her emotions to herself. She could only guess at what he wanted to discuss. It was not phrased as a question so Iopah said nothing in return. A breeze ruffled her coat and she waited as Nina left. Without a word her gaze returned to Koda's shoulder, avoiding eye contact as was appropriate. He was the leader now, not her companion any longer. Her stance was expectant, if he had something to say than he'd have to volunteer it all on his own. She couldn't imagine anything that would make this situation any happier. She wasn't a very imaginative wolf.