Ambers final roar of anger echoed across the meadow, and the new mother charged forward with heavy paws, running the lanky boy from Easthollow lands with little thought on how
@Steady would react from where he was standing; where she'd stood beside him just moments ago. The disrespectful bag of bones had irritated her from the start, and with her alpha's words ringing decidedly in her ears, the ebony woman hadn't bothered to hold back.
Out of shape and overweight, however, she didn't put much effort into actually catching up. She kept a few feet behind his kicking heels at all times, snapping her jaws towards his tail and flank but not even near close enough to land a hit.
When the border scent grew thick, Amber slowed, panting softly out of exhilaration, and cast a cold sapphire gaze after the boy who never did dare to look back. Her paws were planted firmly at the lines she'd once been on the other side of, remembering the bow of her body and the stillness of her tongue: she had treated both Easthollow and Steady with the respect they'd deserved, and now she had a safe place here for both her and her children. Perhaps Grayday having already been a loyal part of the family had helped, but Amber hadn't tresspassed and then asked to stay. With a final snort in the direction the boy had vanished, Amber rolled promptly onto her haunches to stand guard for a little while.
Steady's tail was still held in its dominant position as he turned to Amber, feeling high on successfully running the intruder out of their home. It wagged back and forth as he trotted around her, feeling a little aggresively playful, but he didn't know Amber well enough to initiate it. He also suspected she was still recovering from the birth of her pups.
Thank you for intercepting him, he said genuinely. Steady would probably always feel it was his responsibility to protect the pack, but it was always nice to be reminded that there were others here that had his back.
He sat back on his haunches, knowing they hadn't had a real conversation since she had come here with Grayday. How are you doing? he asked, hoping she and the pups were settling in okay.
Steady slowed to a halt beside her, holding himself with the highness of an alpha and just as pleased as she was that he was gone. The Ciel picked up on his playfulness as he circled her victoriously, her own tail sweeping the earth behind her; she even dared to send a gentle swipe of her forepaw his way, chuffing happily in her throat -- she felt closer with the dark man from their camaraderie, feeling a closeness she hadn't since getting to know Heston and Grayday -- in congratulations to them both on protecting the family.
His thanks rang in her ears and warmed her heart, and it reflected in the soft whine that broke her lips.
"Of course, Steady. You've given my family a safe home and a family to help them grow. I'd protect this place with everything in me to repay you for that."
The ocean-eyed woman meant every word that came from her maw, a bright smile lighting up her dark frame. He also asked how he was doing, and his obvious care for each member struck Amber deeply.
"We're doing great, Steady. Sunny and Dawn get stronger every day: you're more than welcome to come see them whenever you want."
Steady was one of the few she knew could be trusted around her cubs, and was sure Grayday would feel the same. There was one question that came to mind that she felt was a good time to ask. Loathe as she was to take her pups out of pack territory for a very, very long time, she wanted Spring, Natashe and Heston to see the pups: they were the only family she had outside the pack, that she knew of, and she wanted Sunny and Dawn to grow up knowing every one of them.
"I've been wondering: would it be possible to send someone to the Creek to tell my family the pups have arrived? My sisters would probably want to meet them, if you'd allow them to the borders."
She swiped a paw towards him in play, and he gave a jerk of his body, as if he was going to go after it in play, but it seemed they both understood that real play wasn't in the cards just now. Steady was worried he would wear her out, and, really, there was still too much adrenaline running through his veins and he knew he needed to relax.
Her words humbled him, but they also scared him. He turned serious as his gaze followed the trail of the intruder. Don't give your life for it, he said softly. Anything but that, he added, turning his head to look at her. There had been so much death, and Steady didn't feel like any of them should fight so hard as to lose their life defending land. They could always move again, but they could never bring back the dead.
He gave a soft smile at the update that the pups were doing good. That's great to hear, he said, his voice excited. I've wanted to stop by, but I thought I'd be intruding. Now that I'm invited, I'll definitely swing by, he said. While he was Alpha, and maybe technically had the right to go wherever he wanted, he simply wasn't that kind of wolf, Alpha or not. He respected the space and privacy of his family.
His expression turned serious once more as Amber asked if they would be able to call upon her sisters to come and meet the newest additions of Easthollow. Steady had not forgotten his promise to Grayday to be as bendable as possible, knowing the family of Amber would want to come and meet the pups. But, with recent events, and the murder of one of their own, he didn't immediately answer yes, as in the past he might have. Instead, he gave himself a few moments to try and think of an alternative, or maybe a compromise. I'm fine if someone would like to go and announce the birth of your pups, he admitted. You could ask Valette, since she's a Scout, or maybe Philos or Rickon, or maybe even Grayday himself if he wants to. Having a wolf gone for a day or so wouldn't be a big issue. However, with the murder of Althaia, and now this intruder, I am more hesitant to grant them access to our home, he admitted, his voice neutral, hoping she would understand. But, I would feel better if they came one at a time, maybe enough to say they can come in. It wasn't one hundred percent yes, but it wasn't a no, either.
They both internally agreed now was not the time to play -- Amber was taken back by his seriousness about not giving her life, and she nodded even though she knew she would give her very heart for the children and family she protected if it meant they were safe -- and instead moved to talking. She got what he meant: the family was more important than the land itself.
The mood lightened at talk of the pups, and Steady shared that he'd been unsure of whether he could show up or not. Amber was surprised, but grateful for the respect and space.
"You are always welcome at our den, Steady, but thank you for thinking of us."
Again, the conversation sobered, but it was not in a bad way: Amber understood that he was wary of strangers, and rightly so, but the Ciel knew these people. At his words about bringing them inside Easthollow, she shook her head -- she didn't want them here. She loved her sisters and Heston, whom she now saw as a brother, but this was not their place to be.
"I agree with you, Steady, I don't want them in the borders at all. Depending on when they come, I don't want to take Sunny and Dawn too far from Easthollow, but with Grayday with me and my family, they'll be protected on neutral land. I just want them to see I'm okay, since there was a lot of nervousness with my traveling, to meet their niece and nephew. If you don't want them to know where we are, I'll even go as far to meet them at the lake to the North. If Valette would go, I'd like to ask her."
He was grateful that she acknowledge his being invited to the den always. He knew there were certain liberties associated with his rank, but when it came to the privacy of his family, he didn't think it respectful to barge in, Alpha or not. He smiled to her thanks. I'll be sure to stop by and meet Sunny and Dawn, he replied.
Amber seemed to agree that it wasn't a good idea to have her sisters inside the pack borders. But, Steady didn't much like the alternative of taking the pups outside of the borders, either. At the end of the day, however, Amber and Grayday were the parents, and they would decide when and where to take their children. I'd be comfortable if you just wanted to meet in a neighboring territory, like Wapun Meadow or something. You don't have to go all the way to the lake, he replied. And I'm sure Valette would be happy to go along. At least, if not, he may beg her to. He didn't feel right about leaving the territory without a Guardian, and he knew she would sound the alarm if they needed him while they were out.
Amber was glad to see her words taken to heart, and hoped that the alpha would soon meet the children he'd saved by allowing them a home here. Who knows, maybe none of them would have survived if she'd had to have gone all the way back to Silver Creek?
The dark-coated man seemed glad she agreed but was also okay with them meeting in the meadow. Amber's tail thumped against the earth at his acceptance of Valette -- it would be a big job considering her status and the journey -- to go and she made up her mind then to ask the Beta the next time she saw her.
"I'll be glad to help hunt or babysit Keoni and Nikai, if need be, while Valette is gone. If they don't return with her, I'll go out in the Summer, when the pups are older, with Grayday to visit them.... I might anyways, really, if Spring will allow it."
Amber seemed happy with his reply, and he was glad he could do so by just allowing her family here. Well, near here, anyways. It would have been a different matter if they wanted to come and live, but even Amber seemed hesitant to allow them here. Steady fed off of that, and would definitely keep it in mind for the future. Althaia had been running from someone—could it have been her family?[/mdash]and that had ended badly. If Amber didn't want to be
too close to her family, then Steady would back her up on that.
Steady looked thoughtful for a moment at Amber's offer of help while Valette was gone.
Actually, it would be great if you could watch the pups while I do patrols, he said.
I could bring them by the den on my out, and pick them up on my way back. He hoped that would work for her, and it meant she wouldn't even have to leave her den, or her pups, to watch
@Nikai or
@Keoni.
I hope the spring is plentiful here, he said, regarding prey. The meadow and forest had looked appealing enough, and hoped it would be even more so come spring.
It would allow everyone to eat well, before you have to make a trip, if you do at all. It would be beneficial to them all to have a few good hunts in before Amber and Grayday made their trek.
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