Two days had passed since the very pregnant alpha female and her mate had taken out scavenging foxes. What was left rotted openly, and Tonravik thought of Pulkuria as she stared at the remnants of the dead creatures. Their small bones could hardly be called a mountain, but it was a work in progress. Among these bones were some bones of prey they had taken down near Tarritut; they created, unwittingly (or, were beginning to), another Pulkuria. She nosed the pile and then stepped away from it.

And began her nights watch.

Tonravik skulked quietly around Tarritut, guarding it near the basin. Her frequent urination was kept to this area, and animals of most every walk kept far from it. The foxes that had thought themselves clever by coming at the hour she was most active had been proven wrong... and the warden waited in her prowl to prove any other lurker that very same lesson.

The troubled ninja Epsilon returned, oral cavity full of herbaceous plants and other nonessentials. He gathered much in his time away but his work was not yet done. Even with the menace of Burke looming, Kapvik would foreknow and move accordingly. Which is why he was back home, paws roaming over rock-bound terra firma under cover of night. Kapvik covered his tracks and would do so again once he left. He would go about his business as usual with the threat of this Burke, always prepared, perpetually argus-eyed.

Guard was left at the borderline, now standing before his sequestered lair. Entering the burrow, Kapvik dotingly spread the herbs out one by one, keeping them separate. Absentmindedly he placed the crow's skull near the front of the entrance, forgotten. He has brought so much home he will have to find another den close to this one. A suspiration escaped him, heated breathe scattering excess spores. Oh no. Feeling a sneeze coming, he speedily left his den. Phlegm and spit erupted from his curved nozzle, ringing through the Spine's halls. Kapvik was positive he heard a faint “fuckin' gross” from @Nanuk. The offhand remark made him chortle, sniffling to make the snot in his nose settle. Licking his lips, Kapvik traveled further in, skulking restfully through this implacable landscape.

Remembering he lacked the Spine's prominent perfume, the wolverine let out a series of assuasive barks. False alarm. It's just me. Didn't want to send his pack mates into a frenzy now did he?

Tonravik darted toward a foreign scent after hearing a sneeze. There was something vaguely familiar about it, but the leader was unsure. She prowled after it, having no need to communicate the threat she presented to the stranger... 

As she thrust herself before him, the leader bore her fangs and was met with a series of short barks. Tonraviks fangs, therefore, did not seek real purchase as she realized her error. She lurched backward and her tail waved openly, as much as an apology as one would ever get; Tonraviks jaws clicked at open air as she invited him to play, as though her intent had never been to kill him. 

It was an honest mistake. 

Imagine his surprise when faced with the bearish Tonravik, presence combative and overbearing. Kapvik skirted back, kicking up dust and pebbles, alarmed. He thought that bastard had tracked him here and infiltrated the Spine so all he could do was respond in kind: with quirked flew and arched neck. Expecting pain to blossom across his face, he tensed...until he saw the Issumator's buttonlike optics. Oh. She apologized as best she could, plume waving loosely behind her. He let his anxieties go with a ragged exhale. Kapvik was thoroughly spooked but Tonravik's missive was more than enough to make up for her mistake. No...He was to blame; the expectant Alpha was guiltless.

Kapvik stepped close with a series of happy pants, teeth aimed to nip at the side of her neck. Tail swept sporadically behind him, aching to tangle the luscious fur on her neck. He stopped for a second to nuzzle her as his way of saying I am sorry before picking up where he left off.

He was feeling... restless. The descriptor came to him as he prowled through the evening air. It was cooler, still hot from the heat of the day, but the earth seemed to release the warmth with the breath of a heavy sigh as it settled down for the evening. If he could, things would be well. But he couldn't. That uncanny sense was nagging at the back of his head and he wasn't about to settle down to sleep until that feeling was gone.

So he roamed, moving through the packlands in silent patrol when a series of barks cut through the air. His ears turned. Kapvik. What the hell was that wolf doing back so soon? Couldn't keep away? Wanderlust quenched already?

Curious, he moved in the direction of the sound only to hear a growl tear from the jaws of his mate. Then clicking. What? He moved more quickly and happened upon the scene. Tonravik was playing? With this beast? Iqniq had been trying to goad his mate into playing since before he'd joined the spine. Like hell he was going to let her play with this wolf now.

He couldn't hold it back. A snarl ripped from his muzzle as he tore into the scene. Was he out for blood? Hell yes. He'd had enough of Tonravik's curiosity; his blatant disrespect, his crude outlandish behaviors, his ineptitude for sportsmanlike teamwork. This? This was the last straw. Misunderstanding or not, he was not about to let this wolf further engage his mate.

Teeth snatched, seeking scruff and fur in order to toss this wolf aside. Get out. If he missed, he'd go after the wolf again and again until he got his point across. Enough was enough. He'd humored this bastard for far too long. Whatever Tonravik saw in him was for her eyes only. He was an absolute shit to everyone else. 

So much for peace and quiet.

An outcry rose behind him, reverberating like a war horn. The oncoming race towards them merited a swivel of the head, eyes wide despite the snarl creeping over his face. Incredulity grounded him, unable to move. Moonlight silhouetting the enraged Kerosene, an inferno heading right for him. The wolverine should have moved but his utter surprise at the attack left him immobilized. Kerosene sunk his teeth into Tatsuya's right shoulder, forcing him out and away or risk bloodying himself. Tatsuya was not a small wolf by any means but there was force behind Kerosene's movements. Possibly fueled by momentum or adrenaline. Nevertheless, Tatsuya followed through with Kerosene's demands, descending and tumbling away from Tonravik and her mate.

Fur hung from the others jaws, ripped from the Epsilon as he rolled into a standing stance, backing away from his aggressor. A sizable patch of flesh glistened under moonshine. No blood beaded from the rough treatment, but it would assuredly bruise. How could he have attacked one of his own like that? Attacking from behind, startling not only him but Tonravik as well. Just what was this about, exactly? Has he offended Iqniq in some sibylline fashion yet again? Grow up.

Was this about the buffalo hunt? No...No, it was more than that. Tatsuya could see it now: the fed up Alpha in front of his mate, blindingly green with an emotion the wolverine did not see often. Jealousy. Oh my. Tatsuya waited, countenance easing into one nondescript. He would remain here until Tonravik cast out the wolverine herself, not her covetous boy toy, as he has proven himself a marionette to emotion more than instinct. Disappointing, but not unexpected. Kerosene could try to force him out but Tatsuya did not move to engage him, gaze anticipative. You done?

Tonravik's move to play was to cover-up the fact that she would have killed him had he not sounded that he was her subordinate. She lived and breathed by scent, and although her nose was keen (maybe keener than most), Kapvik had masked himself well enough to confuse her into attack. The sound of a wolf charging brought Tonravik to all fours quickly, and naturally her defenses were set as she swung around to snarl in the face of whoever it was, thinking they were coming for her...

But it was the flame, and his move was toward the wolverine. Tonravik herself was shocked into stillness, confused by this—she had not been at the hunt, and knew nothing of his and Iqniqs relationship—but also, not denying it. This was the way of the wild and the way of pack. She did not think that her mates intent was to drive him out, but instead to force him to recognize the hierarchy. If no one rebuked him when they had the chance, it was no wonder Kapvik thought himself so mighty. Who would teach him otherwise? She had dealt with many wolves she had to beat respect into...

And one she had to kill, because respect would never be earned, so out of her mind and misguided the other had been.

Tonravik would not intervene in this, content to watch how things would play out between them. Kapvik took the attack, but did not retreat or retaliate. Tonravik snorted. What did the subordinate want, if he did not retaliate? Surely not rank...

But Tonravik (believed she) knew what her mate was after; she saw it in the face of Kapvik now, through the impassivity toward the alpha male. Respect. While the male was deferential to her (even this was a conspicuous, tentative thing), he was not toward her mate. And it would be up to Iqniq to knock the male down a few pegs, to earn the respect she knew he deserved, but that Kapvik was sorting out for himself.

Brutish and savage herself, she could understand. It was the base law of the wolf. And respect could easily be earned in victory. Her dark eyes turned toward her mate, tail lifted over her hindquarters as she watched him with intrigue.

His teeth did not rip. His teeth did not tear. No hint of copper filled his mouth as he released his grip the second the wolf stumbled back. He knew his own rules. He knew not to harm another pack member and he wasn't about to break those rules now. No. Now was the time for him to enforce another set as this wolf remained ever defiant and unyielding to those within the pack who'd earned their position in this world.

He'd been patient. He'd been gentle, even. He'd given this wolf the space he needed to figure out where his place was within the pack and Kapvik repeatedly met every kindness with insubordination. Over and over again he'd proven that while he could thrive in living off the generosity of this pack, he did not wish to actively participate in it. He was no team player. He continually pressed his luck with the leading members of this pack (Tonravik aside) and now Kapvik was blatantly challenging his leadership by his continual perusal of his mate.

There was no question in his mind Kapvik held her in such high regards. His scent was near the denning area frequently. Their "fishing lessons" had lead to a skulk of foxes invading their territory to clean up the remains. He gifted her frequently. He made excuses of practicing medicine to spend more time within Tonravik's presence. His mate may have been an instinctual creature, but he was not so blind as to assume every other wolf was too. Even if she remained oblivious, Iqniq was not about to let this wolf think he'd gained ground where none was to be had.

It was, perhaps, in everyone's best interest Iqniq knew nothing of the circumstances that had led Kapvik to infiltrate their ranks. Had he known Tonravik rescued this wolf from waters where he should have drowned, Iqniq would have held her in contempt of Tartok's very own fundamentals. The strong survive... They did not require stronger wolves to save them from themselves. He was unfit from the start... If he had any idea the "hero worship" that might have been borne from such actions, he might have kept a closer eye.

Knowing none of it, he still had plenty of reasons to cast this wolf from their ranks. Iqniq placed himself between Tonravik and this wolf. His shoulders square. His tail high. His head low with the promise of aggression. He met the wolf's blank stare with purpose of his own. A snarl tore from his lips. "Get out." He stepped forward, snapping as if to punctuate the demand. He'd asked once in action the second time with words. A third instance and Kapvik would lose his immunity as a wolf within this pack. No further mercies would be given.

Iqniq has never been patient. He has repeatedly persecuted Tatsuya from the very start. The wolf never displayed anything other than contempt towards him and his efforts. Tatsuya has, in fact, been a team player from the get-go. He has taken part in: getting rid of a skulk of foxes prior to Tonravik's teachings, bringing down buffalo, and worked hard on the Spine's demands to become a Warrior and a Warden as soon as he stepped foot within the Spine. Tatsuya never took more than was necessary. Even if he did need some nourishment, he made sure to replace just as much as he took. Testing the leading members of the pack was to be expected. Just because a wolf had a rank does not mean they were fit for the role. This was commonplace in the wild, typical of their kind.

It had been Iqniq who had let...whatever the fuck all of this is sit and suppurate. Iqniq was the Alpha. It was his job to show curiosity and approval in those ranked below him; to strengthen those who have recently joined rather than discourage them time and time again.

There was no denying that he was, indeed, close to Tonravik. He had considered her romantically back in Crescent Basin, but she was not one for love. She was a beast, drawn to her baser instincts. Tatsuya did not know if he held anything other than the utmost respect and admiration in his heart for Tonravik. Love was a realm that he has not ruminated on since their fishing lessons. Mostly because would her affections even be enough for the likes of the Epsilon? Would Tonravik even consider him an eligible mate...? Wolves mated for life. Unless, of course, one of them dies. Tatsuya has not sunken so low as to plot a pack mate's demise. Iqniq was an asshole, but even that was crossing the line. It was against the life he now led. Even if he does come to love Tonravik, he would not pursue her. Unless, of course, she showed interest. Then it was fair game.

She deserved every goddamn act (or word) of praise he had to offer. Every time he bowed his head to her, every gift he gave her, every herb he has prescribed...she deserved all of it. Because she saw a tool; one that has been thrashed by the currents of Whitewater Gorge. A utile creature that would have been a waste to do away with. And now that tool has evolved. He was more than a pawn in Tonravik's eyes now (or so he thought). There was nothing Iqniq could hold Tonravik against, least of all contempt. To say that Tatsuya was not fit for the likes of Tartok was a fallible argument. He has lived the wilds. He has faced hunger. He has spent nights thinking it would be his last. But most of all, he has survived. He was fit for Tartok. Perhaps more than Iqniq ever was.

She led them. She nurtured them. She instructed them. She was the true power of Ouroboros Spine. The tiny ember before him did not share in this power, living in the perpetual shadow that is Tonravik. None would reach or surpass her status. No one. Not even the Epsilon. Tatsuya swore she could rule from the fucking grave if she absolutely wanted to. Laws of nature be damned. So yeah. He did have a case of “hero worship” for the she-bear, but it sure as shit was not unfounded.

She had seen many things in Tatsuya on that day he almost met an early end. Most of which Iqniq obstinately remained blind to throughout his stay in Ouroboros Spine: ambition, assertion, and power, tempered with forbearance, kindness, and humility.

He was not named after a fucking dragon for nothing.

Kapvik...He could modify Kapvik into a name that held as much meaning as the name his parents bestowed upon him, but he would always be Tatsuya. Not in defiance, not in fear of change. No. He would make Kapvik his own, just as Iqniq has made Tonravik's title his own.

Iqniq was not in any position to run him out, much as he would like to think. Iqniq's concerns about Tatsuya's resistance and involuntariness to take part in the pack was baseless; as if pulled from thin air. It was obvious that Iqniq was incapable of living with wolves with drive, with purpose, with fire in their veins, thinking these individuals as usurpers. This did not for a good leader make. To view those below you as competitors, not comrades; as enemies, not friends. The only wolf of merit here was Tonravik, to which he looked to now. Now Tonravik held power. She was not driven to petty disputes left and right as Iqniq was so inclined to do. Perhaps once upon a time, Iqniq had been a good leader, tending to his inner circle as much as the newly gathered. But even these mannerisms change.

Tonravik did nothing to put a stop to this spat between the dragon and the bantam ember. Thank the deities. Because this was a dispute that has been coming for the longest time now. A dispute that could have been avoided had the ember been frequent, benign, and heartening each time they met. Iqniq invited this and has done nothing to lessen the distance between them. This is more your fault than it is mine.

“私を許して,” he glumly whispered. No punches would be pulled. He would make Iqniq broken and bloody or Iqniq would do this to him. If they were to squabble, let it not be for rank, but to teach Iqniq that he would not tolerate his incessant jabs any longer. You have only yourself to blame.

As much as Iqniq would like to think, respect and rank did not coincide with one another. It never has, and it never will.

“Iqniq...Make me.” A childish refute, yes, but one he expected the ember to respond to. Or would he hide behind his cherished rank, declaring him an enemy of the Spine? Yes. Show me how much you desperately cling to your position. Show me how weak you truly are.

They were at an impasse. Each wolf blindly thinking themselves as in the right and not for one moment considering they might each hold some fault in this. Iqniq knew only what he saw and in that he saw a pack harmonized save for one wolf who continually forged his own path and in it forgot what it meant to consider those around him. This was what frustrated him the most. This was what led him to be leery and critical of a wolf who over and over again Iqniq was left to cover up carelessness. Had this wolf participated in a number of events where he could prove he was loyal to the pack? Yes. They all had. It was this one who daydreamed and chased after his own desires leaving the rest to be trampled by his inability to function as a whole.

He had been patient. He had been kind. He had disciplined where he felt this wolf needed reminders of what was expected of him within this pack. In all of it, Iqniq was left disappointed. There were only so many lessons that could be given before a wolf had to decide if their student was incapable of learning. This wolf may be strong and capable, but there was plenty within him to suggest he was a wolf better left for the wilds. His independence offered this pack no favors. His continual disrespect towards both Nanuk and himself only created more confusion. Until now, he'd thought verbal warnings would have been enough to warrant gentle corrections. It seemed as though he'd been very wrong in showing this wolf compassion. In his hands-off approach, he'd only given this wolf more room to despise him more. It was evident now how much that resentment had brewed.

No sooner had the wolf spoken to demand action than did Iqniq reach out with heavy paw to strike across the wolf's nose. Whether his nails bit or not, Iqniq was already shifting, spinning his body to align with the wolf's own. Flank to flank. Shoulder to shoulder. He lifted upon hind paws with intent to grapple at this wolf's shoulders and draw Kapvik to kiss the ground.

Wherever they ended up, his words were the same. "Leave us." A hiss. "I need a private word with my mate." If the wolf ended up beneath him, at this point he'd let up, allowing the wolf room to remove himself from the vicinity.

There was no breaking away from the Spine. The wolverine was more than capable of harmonizing with the pack. He has done it in all instances barring those with Iqniq present. Hell, he would gladly let this transgression slide were it not for the perpetual, overcritical “discipline” the flame insisted on bringing up. Kapvik was angry, yes, but this? All of this energy could be put to use. They could use this dissonance to further their own ends. Redirection was possible, but Iqniq was making it so goddamn challenging. This situation would be tiring if not for the threat of violence. Which he was still waiting on, but the ember did not keep him waiting too long...

Iqniq was more at fault then he ever was. He continued to demonstrate this as he tried to smack him across the snout. Iqniq hit his mark, but Kapvik did not allow any further contact than that. No wrestling took place and the wolverine did not kiss the ground, backpedaling and trying to rush past the ember. Beyond Iqniq's comedic smack, there was no physical contact. Kapvik would not allow it while it was muddled with misplaced purpose to correct or dominate.

Then he spoke, and the time for corrections had passed. Kapvik would delay this no longer, as the spark intended. He would not let this grow anymore than it already has. But, to think...Iqniq would have him leave so he could fill Tonravik's head with who knows what. Lies with a sprinkling of truth...or just slander? The ember would make him out to be the villain when he was a wolf looking for his path in life. And that, right there, was bullshit. Iqniq has failed – again – in taking the initiative, so he will gladly do the honor.

Kapvik ran towards Iqniq, slowing only as he neared to simulate a full-bodied tackle. Teeth sought to sink into the side of the ember's neck while he kept his own guarded; skin tight from angling his head to latch on to his opponent's. Not enough to avoid Iqniq's teeth but he would have trouble getting a grip there. Or so the wolverine thought. Secretly, he hoped Iqniq would latch on there to further expose this side of his neck; nice, tender and ready to be worried with gnashing teeth.

His paw struck, but the wolf moved, further avoiding contact. The grumble within his chest let loose as Iqniq squared back up to the wolf and requested one last time that he leave the immediate premises. It was a simple request - one that if the wolf had complied he might have thought they'd made some progress. Unfortunately, it seemed this one was looking for something else. A death wish perhaps?

Definitely a death wish.

The wolf charged. Iqniq went low, ducking beneath the wolf's teeth as they found purchase upon the top of his scruff. Neck tucked and ears pinned, the red wolf made an effort to give the black beast a hefty shove of his shoulder against the proximity of wolf's chest. And he spun, paw lifting to seek the wolf's shoulder and shake him off, toss him off, something. Defensive maneuvers only.

In this, he did not trust his teeth. He knew the rules of Tartok. An eye for an eye. He could think of no worser fate than wearing the same scars as this snake in the grass.

His opponent went low as he charged, teeth grabbing insufficiently. All that was in his mouth was fur, but it was enough for Tatsuya. Despite the situation he was now in, he did not let go. Iqniq was successful in shaking him off, at least. They would have matching spots on both of their necks now. Having paid his transgressor back, he briefly thought of leaving their fight as is. No blood, no tears. A dispute that could be settled benignly but would continue to persist in the future. This is ridiculous, childish...downright petty, but I want more.

He did not want to be the first to draw blood, honestly. Even now he skirted around that fact by not ripping Iqniq a new one. Even when he had expressed regret in following through bloodying his foe, Tonravik remained oddly quiet yet also invested. As if she was impartial to having one or two of her own injured. I should have known better. She enjoyed this, didn't she? To have two wolves fighting about an inane disagreement. It's...understandable, I suppose. If they were to come anywhere close to settling this, it would have to be through blood. Whether the wolverine liked it or not. Perhaps this is why she did not involve herself, but would her absence in this matter continue?

The Epsilon's shoulders were now level with his opponent's. Now Iqniq's neck was inaccessible, sadly, but so was the wolverine's. Tucking his tail protectively, Tatsuya tried to snake his right fore paw between Iqniq's hind legs whilst also leaning his upper body down to place his weight beneath Iqniq's stomach. Once in place, he tried to shove Iqniq up and away while also disabling his right hind leg. Iqniq would likely feel the sharp protrusion of his shoulder blade if Tatsuya was successful, cutting into his stomach like that. Hurts like a bitch. He would have to overcompensate just to stay on his feet and that's exactly what Tatsuya wanted.

The only way to settle these differences in the wild was by tooth and claw. By now, she knew what it took for Kapvik to respect; her mate had not yet realized this up until now (she believed), and so, what she saw before her was what she knew must occur for any differences to be settled. The alpha female did not enjoy this, but neither did she shirk or avoid it. It was necessary, and there was no evil in that.

Her ears perked as the two behemoths fought it out. Some time had passed, and still they fought...

But the alpha female had grown hungry, incredibly hungry, and as temperamental as she was she wanted to get involved, too. A sudden annoyance overtook her, and she bullied herself between them snapping at either of their faces vehemently, but sure to never let her fangs brush either of their pelts. Close enough to, but her movements were quite precise, even in the messiness that surrounded her.

The scent of blood was in the air, and it was from not any one of them. A low snarl and a gesture in the direction the scent came from. Their fight would be delayed in thanks to her insatiable craving, and if there was any question as to what it was she wanted or had intervened for, there would not be as she pushed in that direction; the sound of a herd thundering beneath them could be heard... and one of them, or more than one of them, bled. The scent was thick. She looked over her shoulder, her dark eyes demanding as one ear rotated to better hear them over the commotion of the hectic migration—a foreshadowing to the future—in case they thought it wise to ignore her hunger.

Then she might very well eat them, and that starved expression—well fed though she was—foretold this.

He was unsure what this wolf was up to. Some kind of a contortionist, it seemed he was trying to place his paw between his hind paws while simultaneously coming up beneath him... when Iqniq was already low to the ground. It didn't make sense and so, Iqniq moved his hind foot, hoping to slam it down on Tatsuya's paw that happened to dance between his legs.

A shoulder took his flank. Iqniq whipped around, flashing his teeth in warning as a snarl tore from his chest. If this kid had left when he had been dismissed earlier, none of this nonsense would have happened and they all could have gone about their merry evenings.

Iqniq moved, sidestepping to place a little distance between them as Tonravik chose this moment to intervene. He growled. This dispute was not yet over. They'd reached no resolution and now, with a pregnant wolf between them, they were scolded like toddlers over a petty quarrel. And petty it was. He growled in his frustration and stared through her, eyes bearing down on the other male.

He chuffed. His mate was hungry and a herd was near. Fine. They could expend this energy on a hunt and pick up where they left off on a later date.

Iqniq's belly was not flush against the earth. There was still some room to work with, though not much. Tatsuya's front end, however, did touch the earth, hindquarters exposed to his contender's teeth. He had hoped to unbalance Iqniq; shove him over on his back and strike. Alas, he was quick in thwarting his attempts, crushing the Epsilon's paw with his own. Not the wisest course of action, bearing his weight down in attempts to crush his paw. It could be easily displaced and consequently impair his balance, so really, he was just damning himself. What the hell are you doing?

Tatsuya mirrored Iqniq's movement, twisting around with a snarl of his own. From here, he could grab a hold the middle of his back. Maybe. It was worth a shot.

That was when Tonravik intervened, violent and demanding. Tatsuya thought she was coming after him but she treated Iqniq with the same brusqueness. Goddamn it, WHAT? What did she want? What? Food? “あなたは冗談する必要があります!” Perceptive to his disbelief, Tonravik came at him, broad and imposing, teeth seeking flesh. This alone was enough to make him jolt away from her fevered advance. This is bullshit. Now this issue would persist. Growling, he turned to do her bidding, lip curled to Iqniq. This is far from over.

They obeyed her sudden demands. She had no doubt that what would happen between them would happen... and next time, she would not stop it. The alpha female had not wanted to stop it, but one could not help when what was within commanded her instinct in a newfound way. Food at this time was the most important. At the words she did not understand, Tonravik snarled back, "Attai," go on.

And they did. The look the two men shared was lost on her. She moved with them, ready to assist if needed... but the woman knew they would be able to handle it, despite their dispute, for the better of the future she harbored within. The trio headed toward the herd, to take down the beasts that fled.