Hushed Willows I'm just not the hero type.

Feel free to respond with your characters reactions or if they want to make an actual appearance! @Tavi @Banner @Mordecai @Rhodes @Kirin @Larkspur @Tambourine @Silas @Pippin 

He'd waited long enough. He'd talked to the wolves he trusted the most and the ones that he expected the most kick back from - the one he had expected the most kickback from - had left like the coward he was. Trick had been a wolf he had once respected, but now, there was no chance. Grace he was disappointed in and assumed that the woman had gotten caught up in Trick's silver tongue. The male had waited for Octavia to come home, to try and reason with her, and his trips out of the pack had only further confuddled things. It was worse and worse realizing that between the pack there were just a few scarce adults and the abundance of puppies and somehow he was the one responsible for them. 

This wasn't Stark's usual method. He didn't find himself drawn to being responsible or the adult in most situations. Now he had no choice. Of course he had Banner and Rhodes to back him up and he didn't see Mordecai resisting him - but still. 

Stark drew himself towards the middle of the packlands and howled. It was a long, loud, clear message - no more was there a Beta in the pack, he was the Alpha Male, and anyone who wished the challenge that claim was more than welcome to come see him. He doubted he would be met with resistance, honestly. Anyone who did could escort themselves out of the Keep. 

It was his and he was going to set things right. 

Tambourine's head cocked endearingly, favoring his single upright ear. He listened to Stark's message and grinned to himself. Sure, he missed his mother but the puppy trusted that she would turn up sooner or later. In the meantime, the remaining adults looked after him, mostly just letting him play to his heart's delight. Life was quite good for him, actually, whatever else it might be for the older, more experienced and suddenly less numerous members of Marauder's Keep.

He really liked Stark. But at the same time, Tambourine was young and a little foolish. So when the Beta wolf announced his sovereignty over these lands, the (maybe former?) queen's son responded by tipping his little gray muzzle into the air and declared himself the Alpha male too.

Rhodes turned a curious head to the wind, his friend's message clear as day. A smirk came to him, and he shook his head, to Rhodes there was no one else fit to be the Alpha, considering he had no contact with the previous rulers. He let out a small chuckle to himself, there was no doubt a good reason for the sudden promotion however Rhodes couldn't help but think about what he had gotten himself into. He new Stark would make a great leader, and so he raised his own muzzel to the air, a message of support and acceptance. Rhodes would stand beside Stark no matter what just like he always had, and would continue to do so. He was prepared to help Stark defend both the pack and his position as Alpha. Rhodes' howl reflected as such.

This was a side of Stark the world rarely saw.  No words were exchanged between them as she followed behind him to the center of their home among the willow trees.  His seriousness matched that of their situation and Banner followed suit.  The pair weren't usually so subdued, but desperate times called for.. well, not desperate mesaures.  She didn't see this move as desperate.  It was right.  It was what the Marauders needed.  It was time.

She stopped when he did, watching him a few feet away through proud green eyes.  His howl was strong, bold, and absolutely everything the howl of an Alpha should be.  Banner's tail wagged a few beats as her ears pinned back against her dark brown skull out of habit.  Obviously she would accept him and of course she'd show proper deference.  He was the Alpha male now, after all!

After his howl faded and he'd had another moment to himself, the short female drew up close to her brother with an affectionate growl.  She'd heard Tambourine's smaller note and rolled her eyes at his antics.  The boy was far too young to know what he'd been voicing, but it was somehow comforting to hear his response all the same.  Banner rubbed the crown of her head against Stark's throat and finally said, "I'm proud of you."