The Wolf, The Fae and her pup|| CLOSED

Loki's ears turned towards Blaze before his golden eyes gazed back towards the scenery. "I'm sure...that...with more time and training...I'll get over it," he added with a hopeful smile. "I really do understand what you mean Blaze." He knew that Blaze was trying to help, and he looked up to the older wolf like an brother or the uncle he always wanted and even if the conversation was tense, he knew that the older wolf was only trying to help. "We should go back, I'm sure that dinner might be ready!" He added hopefully, springing back to his feet.

"I will, I'll be back in time for dinner," she added softly before licking his muzzle. "I'll take White Eyes on patrol too; strength is always better in numbers."

Blaze shuffled over to the younger white wolf, his milky brown eyes ghosting over the area around them. "Durnal will put more time into training, I promise. He's just awfully busy right now, especially with the pressure from Anakin's threats," he said, turning his head to smile down at Loki. He was glad the pup understood he was trying to encourage him, it made him feel better. Blaze never really had a little brother, he was used to being the baby between himself and Durnal. Chuckling, he stood up and prepared to run. "Race you home!" He yowled, taking off in the direction of camp.

Durnal nodded with a small grin. "Layla should be home with dinner by sunset. I'll howl for you when that time comes," he responded, before turning away to tend to Alpha duties.

"NO FAIR!! YOU GOT A HEAD START!!" Loki huffed as he turned to race after him. He barked playfully, his tail wagging as he chased after the large wolf back towards camp. He laughed, happy and excited for such a thing so small but nothing was trivial; everything was important and had it's own purpose in life.

Neka nodded as she broke out into a brisk trot towards where she had last caught White Eyes scent. She sniffed around before her ears perked up when she heard the sound of crushing bones not too far off. She barked once, making herself known before a friendly bark answered her. She peered along the wooden bluff to see White Eyes eating a a old rabbit carcass.

White Eyes licked his muzzle before popping the last of the bones back on the ground. "What's wrong? Is it Lilly?" He asked, his silvery eyes worried.
The she wolf shook her head and wagged her tail. "No, she's fine. I just came to check on you to see how you are. Is everything okay?"
He lowered his head some and pinned his ears. "I'm still worried that she hates me you know. I didn't....I didn't mean for what had happened to...happen you know?"

"Don't worry about it. Come with me, we're going to do some patrolling for Durnal since we're out this far. Just to make sure that the territory is safe," she added softly as she brushed past him.

Blaze laughed out loud, his large feet carrying him carelessly in the direction of camp. He felt like a pup again, running freely without a care in the world. If only it were that simple again... Maybe things would be different.

Durnal stood in the outline of the trees, emerald eyes staring out into the cold, distant territory. He waited for Anakin to meet with him, rather unimpressed with the rival Alpha's decisions. He could see faint movement now, the small flashes of silver fur appearing behind bushes. And at last, the grey wolf revealed himself, icy blue eyes staring coldly at Durnal. "Evening, Anakin. I trust you know why I've called for you," Durnal greeted politely, padding up to meet with the other wolf. Anakin sneered, lashing his bushy silver tail. "I demand we get a fair share of your prey! We're starving, and you know it!" He snapped, stomping a forepaw. Durnal blinked calmly. "Then address the issue formally. Sending one of your wolves into our territory was not only rude, but dangerous," he reasoned, meeting the smaller Alpha's eyes with a steady gaze. "If you are in genuine need of food, I will happily send my best hunters to help. And until Spring has fully made it's appearance, we will not attack any of your wolves hunting." Anakin cackled. "You say that, Durnal, but you're full of empty promises!"

Lilly sighed, aimlessly sorting through herbs.

As both wolves patrolled the area, White Eyes kept his attention adverted, his silver eyes looking around before he looked back at Neka. "So, how is it going with Durnal and the pups? Have you both talked about it?" He asked, his tail wagging low. Neka nodded before lowering her head to the ground to sniff over tracks. "We have but not everyone is accepting of the idea just yet?
"What? Who?"
"My son," Neka answered as turned to look at White Eyes. "He feels that I have forgotten his father and will replace him with the new pups."
White Eyes thought the information over before looking back at her. "But you haven't forgotten his father have you? After you both were mates for a long time and our alpha of the old pack. Even when I was your beta, I saw that you both cared for each other deeply. That is something that you feel for Durnal correct?"
A warning back escaped Neka as she glanced back at him. "That is absurd! I would never forget Loki's father as long as I live. I love Durnal and it is time to move on. I can't stay sad forever."
"Of course, forgive me for speaking so boldly," White Eyes replied as he bowed his head. "We should return. We checked over what was asked. I don't smell any new scents at all."

"You've done nothing but lie, and make me look like a fool!" Anakin accused, his hackles raising as he snarled. Durnal narrowed his eyes, readying himself in case of an attack from the rival Alpha. "You make a fool out of yourself, Anakin. Starting these pointless fights because you can't let go of the past is not at all my responsibility," he reasoned. Durnal remembered all those moons ago, where his first love, Ash, had chosen him over Anakin. The silver wolf was heartbroken, and hadn't forgiven him since then, despite his countless efforts to apologize and make up. "You're full of shit, Durnal! I bet you still love her, right? I would bet my tail you never stopped!" The silver male shot angrily, lacing his ears back. Durnal stopped for a moment, pondering over what Anakin had said. Sighing deeply, he met the Alpha's eyes. "I won't ever forget Ash, that is for sure. I will never regret her, and I'll never stop caring about her. But I love Neka now, and that's what's important. Who I loved years ago does not have an impact on who I love today," he responded.

Neka nodded, feeling bad for snapping at such a good friend. "No, it was I who was being rude. Forgive me. Let's return and report to Durnal," she added with a quick nod as she trotted back towards the direction of the pack. The fae had only made it a few steps before realizing that the other wolf wasn't behind her. "What's wrong?" She asked, as she turned to look back at him.

White Eyes blinked, blushing some as he lowered his head as his tail stopped wagging. "Do you think that I could see Lily? Would she be upset? Would she be happy to see me?" He asked, his tail perpendicular to the forest floor. "I want to apologize to her fully and reassure her. I'll be a great father, I'll help her with the pups. I never meant to hurt her Neka. Please understand that."

The fae nodded before smiling. "Of course. Come with me and tell her that for yourself.

(So sorry for such a long wait for a reply!!)

(Yeesh, I need to get on here more. I always miss when you're active. Senior year man, it's driving me crazy. xD)

Lilly sat in her den, assorting herbs and roots, berries, even fresh kill into piles around her den, keeping it as neat as ever. She sighed gently, twisting her head to look at the claw marks White Eyes had left, primarily on her hips and hind legs. She was still in pain, though the worst of it had passed. 'It'll be fine... It's just a litter of puppies,' she thought to herself. Regardless, she was scared. Her last litter didn't make it in the bitter cold. Suddenly, she smelt wolves approaching. Neka and White Eyes. Flattening her ears, she hoped one of them was sick or injured. Stepping out of her den, she padded with a slight limp to the edge of the camp to meet with both of the wolves. "Are either of you sick or injured?" She asked, studying them both.

"Your blinding affection for Ash could cause issues in the future, Durnal. You have taken everything from me, and I will never forgive you," Anakin growled under his eyes, ice cold blue eyes meeting Durnal's emerald green with hate, anger, and pain. The larger wolf sighed, closing his eyes to get ahold on the unfolding situation. "Anakin," he started, opening his eyes again. "I'm sorry I jeopardized your relationship with her. That was never my intention. But you can't continue to terrorize me or my pack for something that happened when we were teenagers. We are adults now, and leaders of our own packs. It is time you started acting like one," the Alpha added. Anakin stayed quiet, forcing his gaze away. Durnal turned to walk away. "I'll have some of my hunters escort food to your camp. But Anakin," he paused, and looked over his shoulder. "If I find anymore of your wolves trespassing without my knowledge, I give my pack full permission to send them back bloody, and empty handed." Without saying anymore, Durnal headed back in the direction of his home.