Lusa had come straight back to the HW, her face sticky with fresh blood. Peregrine had did some damage on the female. There was a huge bloody wound on her right going from her nose all the way to the side of her face below the eye. The left side had bite wounds from the attack. In time, these wounds would become scars, but they stung badly now.
When she arrived inside the core of the territory, she lifted her head to howl for any wolf nearby. She hoped that Grimnir would answer the call, for he needed to know about this little setback. Lusa had tolerated the first time Peregrine stepped into their territory, but now it was going to far. If anyone was to see even a glimpse of a Redhawk mutt here, they would be executed on the spot.
At Lusa's call Grim hurried to meet her. He was hoping that she wanted to discuss taking claim to this wood. Wolves, both pack and lone ones, were becoming a huge problem. Their last confrontation with a few different pack wolves had proved that this land was in dire need of a claim before someone else took it. He liked the darkness of these woods, so similar to Blackfeather. But these Wood did not feel like home. Not yet. They needed to make it one. And they needed to make it safe for their pups.
Grim wondered at how many packs they were enemies with now. At most he could say three. Teeth shone in a silent snarl. If the three decided to create an alliance to push them out of this territory, then him and Lusa would have no chance at making a pack here. Grim did not want to go looking for another territory. But he also did not like the fact that they were close to Blackfeather as well as another pack. He would have rather been in a place where they were far from any pack. But would that be possible? He wasn't sure of the amount of packs living within the Wilds. They may have to have a neighboring pack no matter where they settled.
Stepping into the clearing where Lusa stood, Grim lowered his head in greeting. "My love." He smiled at her softly. Closing the distance between them, he brushed his face against hers. "What is it that you wish?" He was eager to listen to what she had to say and do whatever she needed of him.
Grimnir had soon answered her call. She was happy of the fact. They needed to talk of this whole dilemma with others. The sooner they claimed these lands the better.
The dark female nuzzled his neck in greeting. "We need to talk about this trespasser business," she started, her voice serious. She had become sick and tired of these wolves waltzing into their woods like they were invisible. She would not tolerate it for a single moment. They would not be a sanctuary for other wolves. "If wolves in our territory do not want to join, we shouldn't show mercy. They are to be chased out or even killed."
It seemed Lusa wanted to discuss only part of what he had hoped. "And what of taking our claim here?" He questioned. Yes, it was important that they chase or kill those within the territory, but what was their territory? He wanted to claim every bit of the wood, but the north most end was too close to Redhawk Caldera. It wouldn't be safe to claim that section unless they wished themselves and their pups slaughtered in the end. They were not a full pack and had no chance against one that had been established near this area far longer than they.
"It will be an unending war between us and Redhawk Caldera if we continue to try to claim the section of the wood closest to their territory." He would leave it to her to make the decision of where they were to settle. He would act as her adviser and equal, not as someone that was above her. "Although even if we claim the southern portion, problems may still arise from Redhawk. There is no guarantee that they will leave us be in these woods." His eyes narrowed in aggravation. "We would have to kill several of them to send a message that we are not to be crossed." Giving her a pointed look he added, "I would rather not go looking for them though. It would be suicide to fight against a fully fledged pack the way we are now." Knowing her, she may have done just that. He smiled at the thought. It was what he would have done before, but he realized how weak of a group they were right then. As much as he wanted to rip apart the Alpha for attacking his mate, he would end up dead, and then she would be left to defend the pack and raise the pups by herself.
"So what are your plans my little killer?"
Lusa narrowed her eyes about claiming the woods. "As soon as possible. We need to show them that we're here to stay." Right now, the Redhawk think that this was still their territory. Well to that, Lusa could laugh in their faces. When they came these lands were free, close to Redhawk, but free non the less. Though she did not wish to stay side by side with the pack. They were not ready for an attack at this rate.
"We need to move farther south. It's the best way to please them." They wouldn't be fully happy, but Lusa would feel more safe if they were by the lake that ran through the woods. If they had a problem with that, well they could just cry themselves to sleep.
The dark female nodded. "But if there is even a glimpse of one of them in our lands, I want them dead. If that Peregrine thinks we'll just kiss his paws, he's got another thing coming." This was their playground now. Lusa wouldn't care if they were here for hundreds of years, they would just need to except the fact. "For now, we lie low. Don't draw attention to ourselves. It's probably the only way we'll be able to claim this land." Things have been dramatic lately.
Thinking about the lands, Lusa had an idea. She jumped up walking closer to Grim's side. "Maybe there's something special around here. You want to go explore?" It came out more childish then intended.
Lusa agreed with him then, that they did need to move further south. But he was still impacient to hear when she planned to finally claim a territory. Grim let it go for now because his little killer was also right that they needed to focus teaching Redhawk that they were there to stay and this was their territory. Some amount of understanding had to be achieved in order for the two packs to live somewhat peacefully this close together. He lowered his head to Lusa saying, "It will be done. I will make daily and nightly rounds with a few of ours to keep an eye on Redhawk."
Out of no where Lusa requested that they go exploring. He was all for looking around their new home and discovering what lay within. "Lead the way, my love." He nipped at her playfully, eager to see what they were about to claim.
They can discover the willow tree area along the lake :3
Her tail sagged behind her as she nipped his ear and started bouncing into the territory. It had been a very long time when she felt light and could act more of a pup than an adult. After all, she was basically a big whelp at heart, it's just that she never had time to let that show. She had more responsibilities now. Taking care of the pack along with her own young. It was great to have Grimnir around to help.
As she walked along, she made sure to mark every tree they came across. Wolves needed to know that this land was the it's now and there was nothing that could move them out. If they had to fight for there place, then that's what they'd do.
Soon, the smell of water drifted through the air, so Lusa turned towards it. As she neared the water's, light started to show itself. The dark wolfess had learned to accept the light. Her many travels had made her learn to know it.
What she saw made her smile. The trees here were very beautiful. Their leaves dropped down until they touched the earth. There were a variety of wildflowers growing by the side of the lake with orange butterflies dancing around them.
When she neared the water, the winged insects filed in different directions, only to land on the other flowers. Lusa lowered her head to examine the waters. It was clear and she was able to see the smooth stones at the bottom. This place was truly beatiful.
A smile warmed his dark features as Grim watched his beloved start bouncing into the territory. He was curious about their territory and what they would find here. He hoped they would find something like a cave where their home would be based around. But he also hoped they could find something similar to Blackfeathers dark internal territories that had filled him with joy.
As they walked Lusa began marking every tree the came across, Grim decided to join in and splatter his own liquids so their smell was stronger. He even took a dump at one point.
His little killer turned and followed a scent, tipping his nose into the air Grim also caught the smell of water. He followed her as they broke from the darkness of the wood and into the light of the day. A large lake greeted them, the rays of the sun bouncing on it's surface. While his lover enjoyed the view, he went straight to the waters edge and began to lap at it. He was thirsty and the cold trickles that fell into his throat make him feel fresh. He noticed the water was very clear, so much so that he could glimpse the rocks that layered the bottom.
Although he did not care for this place because it was too bright, it was refreshing. Grim lifted his muzzle to sit and watch Lusa as she inspected the area for herself.
The dark leader continued to search the area, interest clearly on her face. This place was like nothing she had ever seen. The trees here were a mystery to her. Never had she seen a weeping willow, so it enchanted her. They looked so elegant and enchanted. The sunlight dripped through the leaves and made the water glimmer.
The environment was very moist. Like the dark parts of the forest, there was lots of moss growing everywhere. What was unique though, was all the plant life growing from it. Lusa was no healer, but she had a feeling that this vegetation would come in handy.
She walked farther up the lake, expecting Grim to follow. The scenery didn't seem to change for awhile, the trees in an endless pattern. Still she walked, wanting to see every inch of the new territory.
Her paws carried her to Howard. The farther she walked, the more larger the lake became, and before long, the weeping willow transformed back into the birch trees. This is when she stopped, knowing that shad seen enough.
As his mate passed below a tree with long hanging leaves, the shimmer of light that passed between it's branches dotted her coat. Every so often a glimpse of light would slide over her scars and he would watch her with open admiration. Golden eyes scanned her beautiful form, drinking her in. He took notice of her gaze lingering over the plant life with interest before she moved on. Grim followed a few steps behind, remaining quite to allow her peace in her wonder.
It wasn't long before they left the long-branched trees and entered back into the darker territory that was inhabited by Birch trees. Lusa stopped, and Grim took the opportunity to walk up beside her. "What do you think?". He questioned her. Although Grim did not enjoy the brightness of the area by the lake, the long-branched trees interested him. They were something he had never seen before. But Lusa had seemed to really enjoy the area in spite of the brightness. He had been glad to see her happy, and made a note in his mind to bring her there often.
Lusa turned to her mate at the sound of the question. This place was good. Very good. Useful at that. It was a very beneficial place to start.
"It is a great place," she started with a small smile. "The clear water is very interesting. It's probably the cleanest water here." It wasn't every day you came across clear water. Most of the time, the water would be murky from the dirt. It was surprising to be able to see the pebbles at the bottom of pools. "I'm guessing it's a great place for herb growth as well. If we manage to recruit a wolf with healing knowledge, this would be the first place to go." Lusa was not great with herbs, but she knew there had to be at least one plant that was good for something.
"We should set our claim around those lands. I don't want Redhawk taking it from us," she added with a growl.