@Beric, @Ypres, @Naya, @Eddie, and @Onyx. ( @Chantelle and @Arkham, you guys are still in your joining threads, especially Chantelle. Arkham, you can join this if you want to, but it won't affect your pack rank if you don't, especially not since you're in critical condition and probably shouldn't be moving at all. Also, @Silvermane is on excused absence at the moment, so he is exempt.) Since this mandatory, that means if you don't participate you will be demoted. The first round will end in three days, on the 21th, or until every member posts once. Whichever comes first.
Majesty knew it was time to stop thinking about things silently. He needed the support of his pack behind, especially now when so many things seemed to show troubling signs. Ever since Ypres had told him about Horizon Ridge's threat, he had been going on twice as many rounds to protect the borders. But now that wasn't the only thing that worried him. He had to tell them about Erika, especially now that he had mated with her the night before. She might very well become pregnant, and if she did, she would either be killed by the Mountain wolves or she would move here, and he needed his wolves to understand this.
He found a spot on the beach, on the southern shores not facing the mainland and called to them. All of them. There were things that needed to be discussed, and urgently...
Eddie raised her speckled gray head from the water, a bleeding trout hanging from her jaws. The she-wolf pricked her ears and sniffed the air. A distant howl could be heard on Wheeling Gull Isle. For a moment, for a fleeting heartbeat she forgot she was part of a pack and wanted to ignore the howl and avoid the epicenter.
But then it passed. It was a call. That's what wolves in packs did, right?
They called each other in times of crisis, so everyone could work together on solving the problem. It could've been just Silvermane yapping about though.
Still, the tall she-wolf ran towards the isle, trout dangling and all, and approached Majesty with curiosity in her eyes.
Naya was playing with some rabbit she had found in the forest, just running after it, not to catch it or eat it but just for fun. The rabbit hid in a hollow trunk and Naya was trying to reach for it when she heard Majesty's call, it had a tone on it that said -important- so she left the hare and rushed to the shore right away, she knew there situation with the other packs was tense so she started to get worried that maybe something bad had happened.
Naya arrived at the beach in no time, and shot a friendly glance at the female that was already there with Maj, and then turned to him with an almost worried expression. What's going on, Maj? Is everything alright?
Despite the injuries granted to her by the ocean, the hybrid was not going to settle down for long. Even when she had been granted a den for her own restoration, it had been accepted snidely; and when awake, Arkham was consistent in her attempts to roam. It hurt to do anything aside from lay down and sleep—and even that could be a prickly thing—but still, she refused to stagnate. When the call rang out for a gathering, Ark had managed to creep from the den. Her head raised as the eerie sound of wolfsong pierced the air, and for a moment (though it jarred her senses) she felt compelled to raise her chin and join in. That thought shocked her in to silence. She held back on the urge and chose to seek out the root of the noise. It took some time to navigate the forest—she was tentative in her movement, cautious and pained with every step. By the time Arkham arrived, a few others were already present. She chose not to expose herself to them initially, and roosted in the shadow of the trees.
I just wanted to vocalize that I don't think it's fair to have a mandatory pack meeting in which non-participation means a demotion and only give two days to respond to the first round.
Beric had been patrolling the southeastern borders, partly for trespassers and partly to see if he could spot Julooke or Verrine on the shoreline. He wasn't quite sure what to think about the situation, but he knew he had to bring it up with Majesty soon. As if his leader was reading his mind, a call rang out for all the pack members to meet. Beric wondered what it was about, but figured he would find out as soon as he got there.
With a brisk pace, he trotting to the other end of the beach. It seemed many members had already arrived, some he hadn't met yet. He was quiet, taking his spot next to Majesty, giving him a nod in greeting. Since he had become the second in command, he took his duties a little more seriously. He had never been the kind of wolf to want to take over leading a pack, but he was certainly the kind who wanted to be Beta, and he would work for it, as well.
Shanti growled in frustration. The Alpha`s call. A meaningless howl to a Lone Wolf, but a matter of great importance to a Pack Wolf. Pack life was hard to adjust to. Scents, smells, prey that was not just his but shared; not to mention the mutual bubble of trust and friendship. Most of it was fine, but the whole Rank idea particularly annoyed him. Why have one wolf in charge? He lolloped across the sea-stained beach, revelling in his strength (though his speed was not as impressive thanks to his burn scar). "Better go," he growled to himself as he reached the place where half the pack had gathered. Majesty`s call finished, and Ahnti sat, licking his scar and hoping it didn`t split after his sprint.. He sighed, looking at the other wolves.. How could he ever get these Pack Wolves to trust him? (Is that okay for a first post?)
Ypres would most likely be the first one on the scene, but not today. She had to ward off a cougar trying to start up trouble on the West end of the borders. She heard the calling and limped with her run. The stocky she wolf soon found herself among the gathering. Almost the entire pack was there, and it made her nervous. She looked around seeing a few faces she had not met yet, but the picture of them were permanent. She never forgot a face. Panting gently she greeted her Alpha with a bow.
"Hope I'm not late... "
She took her seat by Beric the friendly wolf who seemed to gain comfort from the depths of her... something about him... weird...She looked around once more, her body was tense. she hated crowds, meetings, and stuff like these.. she was a wolf who'd prefer the company of a few.
Round Two starts now and ends on the 24th or until all have posted.
Majesty was pleased to see that many of his wolves had shown up. Even Arkham, which he didn't really like but he couldn't stop the girl. She was stubborn, it seemed. He just hoped this wouldn't affect her healing process. He looked around at everyone, wondering how best to start. In the end, he decided to just speak his mind as things came to him. Honesty was, after all, the best policy.
"So," he began. "There are two things I want you all to know today. The first one is that three members of our neighboring pack, Horizon Ridge, went on a scouting mission the other day to tell us all not to trespass into their lands. I don't know exactly what will happen between our pack and theirs from here on out, but they did not seem very happy to have us so close to them. I want you all to be vigilant and watch out for any of their members from now on. Don't let any of them onto the island. If they wish to speak to us, they can call us from the Sea Lion Shores, and whoever answers that call, I would advise none of you to go alone. I don't trust them."
He paused, looking around at his wolves and giving them time to let the information sink in. Then he began again. "The second thing I want you all to know is..." He took a deep breath. "I am mates with a member of the Silvertip Mountain pack - the pack that I left in order to form my own. The alpha there, Jinx, probably still holds a grudge against me. That is her way. She doesn't seem to have done anything against myself or this pack yet, but that doesn't mean she won't try.
"Now, about my mate. Her name is Erika. She had black fur, and yellow eyes. The right side of her face is scarred and furless, due to some kind of involvement with creatures she calls humans. They tortured her, and left her with this mark. She hates it about herself. I only tell you this because she might be joining our pack soon, due to the fact that she and I may or may not be having a litter of pups in a few months. If Jinx found out that the pups were mine, she would kill Erika. If any of you see my mate, you are to let her onto the island as she pleases. No exceptions. If I find that anyone has denied her access to the island - or worse - attacked her, you will be punished swiftly and harshly. Do not make me do this."
He took a breath. "Does anyone have any questions now that everything is out in the open? Feel free to ask. I will make no judgments."
"Oh," the black she-wolf said and sat down with an utterly expressionless muzzle.
I'd like to leave Wheeling Gull Isle, was actually on Eddie's tongue. All went down the drain, again. Was it her presence? What did she do wrong? She wanted to say it but somehow words were stuck in her throat.
Threat from another pack? Attacking? Two packs after them? What was this nonsense! She never even knew about any border skirmishes. She never came here to fight a war. This was not her fight. She didn't care about this pack, really. She just needed a place to stay. She just wanted to stay here for a little while and try out if having a pack was bad or not.
And then the leader having a mate. That's all right though, even though something of it felt kind of wrong. Still, Eddie couldn't pinpoint what it was, so she let it go.
Well, Eddie thought, scratching the ground with one of her large paws, I can always find a way out later. No need to be all huge and mean about it. I'll slip away silently, if things'll come to the worst, she decided.
Then, she raised her pale yellow eyes and nodded. This was how things will be now.
I'm used to pack meetings not having posting orders. I'm really sorry if I've messed it up, and I'll gladly delete this and post in order. @Majesty@Ypres@Naya@Arkham
Ypres came and sat next to him, and he gave her a gentle smile. The last time he had seen her, she was walking away suddenly, without an explanation. He had thought he had offended her, but he never did figure out how. She must not have still been mad, though, since she chose a spot next to him.
The meeting commenced, and it didn't surprise the Beta that Horizon Ridge was the first subject. His thoughts immediately went to Verrine and Julooke, but he kept them to himself for now.
The next subject had Beric's eyes widening. Majesty had taken a mate from an enemy pack? He held back a growl when Majesty then confessed he may or may not have a littler of pups on the way. Beric could no longer keep his thoughts to himself. He stood, walking behind the other wolves to come and stand in front of Majesty, though he was no where near his personal space. He kept his body language neutral. Majesty, I don't mean any disrespect to you at all. But, I'm beginning to get concerned about some of your decisions. Having a friend from Silvertip Mountain is one thing- it's easily concealable. But, to take her as a mate and then possibly impregnate her is dangerous to this entire pack, and to Erika. He paused for a moment, sighing. I don't understand your thinking here. If her pack finds out, she's as good as dead. I just hope they don't choose to punish us, as well. We have enough problems with Horizon Ridge, and now we have to watch our backs against Silvertip Mountain! His voice raised for just a second, but he controlled himself. May the stars help us if those two packs realize they're on the same team, he added before going silent. He sat back on his haunches, waiting for the punishment that might befall him for calling his Alpha out in front of the entire pack. But, he felt Majesty needed to open his eyes, and the rest of the pack needed to understand the danger they were all going to be in now- not just by one pack, but two now.
Ypres offered a smile back at Beric and then it faded once Majesty started speaking. Was her Alpha nuts!?!?!!! Her skull swiftly turned to look at him as her jaws held ajar, and a perk of her ears with a gasp. Mating with a nemisis pack member? What in the world? Was no she wolf within his own pack worthy enough to be his mate?
Beric then spoke up and Ypres nodded as the Beta spoke as she concurred to the stipulation.
" But Majesty, I thought Alphas were to choose a mate within the pack, not with an enemy pack.. I mean, that is basic wolf policy isn't it? "
Ypres cut in after Beric with protest in her chords. She'd rather see Majesty with someone like Naya or another female within the pack, but not outside of the pack. And to have now 2 packs to worry about Ypres had much more work to do. She needed to make some powerful allies, and knew exactly where to start.
She bowed to Majesty and dared not apologize for her words, even if it demoted her, but all wolves were subject to their own opinion, unless you were the Omega of course. Where there any in this pack?
No one told me we weren't keeping the post order here
Majesty waited until everyone was there, and then he started. "So, there are two things I want you all to know today..."
Naya was taken aback.. Two packs threatening theirs, and the possibility of a war between them.. That's exactly what she wanted to avoid by joining a pack! It was supposed to be safe and they weren't supposed to be concerned about this kind of things! But of course, Naya had never been part of a pack before and she didn't actually know how they worked, so she supposed that the right reaction would be to support her alpha and protect her pack, she did considered them her family.
"I suppose you don't want us to treat anyone as an enemy, right?" all this things puzzled Naya "Just not be too friendly..?" she hated the idea of getting into a war. She thought that maybe Ypress and her should try to go and cool things down a bit but none of those packs seemed to be friendly at all..
About Majesty's mate, she felt happy, the idea of pups excited her, she thought that maybe she could be a good babysitter, but her being from another pack just seemed completely insane, wasn't it like forbidden? that was for sure gonna bring more trouble to the pack.
None of these creatures were her friends, her allies. They were each too wild by comparison, with their proximity making the fur along her spine begin to prickle. Arkham watched them. She did not drift any closer because of the instinctual need for space that pervaded her mind; instead, she observed and made mental notes. The wolves seemed to be set in to a concentrated silence around Majesty, and while he spoke, Ark's attention drifted. The words meant little to the new arrival.
The mention of rivals piqued her interest though. If there were more packs in the area then she would have to be on the lookout; this land was indeed wild, and not a place she felt comfortable. The comments the beast made about some lady named Erika went in one ear... And out the other without so much as a chuff of recognition. The others in the group seemed adamant about the news, though. A few spoke up boldly, challenging what the leader had said. Ark huffed softly at the entire situation: to her, none of it was that important.
The hybrid's attention waned from the gathering. While her ears were perked and positioned ahead of her, towards the wolves, the rest of her began to drift. She looked to the birds in the trees, the clouds overhead, the path behind her which had been so troublesome for her weakened body—and gradually, Arkham's boredom became too great to manage. She began to slip away from them, slowly striding through the trees once more and away from the meeting.
Ypres, why`d ya skip me? That messed up da whole order...
Shanti couldn`t see what was the matter. He growled submissively to get Majesty`s attention. "Why does it matter who your mate is or what pack she`s from?" He cocked his head, confused and angry. "Packs are just different groups of wolves!" His voice grew louder. "I didn`t even think you all existed a few weeks ago!"
The tears were running down his muzzle, but Shanti didn`t care. "I lived away from you all, where there was just forest and prey and my parents and no rules and no Alphas and no Packs and no DEATH!"
He stopped, and looked around, terror in his eyes, Then he ran.
I'm not really sure where to go from here in regards to a response, but regardless, this will be my last post on this thread. Thanks for the drama guys! If you guys all want points for doing a pack activity, be sure to post a reply to get three posts on here so I can award it to you guys!
Too many things were happening at once for the alpha. He tried to keep everyone's reactions straight in his head, but that last response from Shanti was the last straw. His brain felt ready to explode. Really, it had only been Beric, Ypres, and Shanti who had even really reacted at all, but it was enough to make the alpha very confused. "Everyone, quiet!" he said, voice raised loudly, though not quite a shout.
He took a breath. "Okay. I'll answer all of you in order of response. So Beric first." He turned to the male. "I know I made a bad decision that may have endangered us, but I cannot take it back now, and I will not abandon Erika to the wrath of Silvertip Mountain. We will just have to be vigilant from now on."
He turned to Ypres. "I'm not sure if choosing a mate within one's own pack is policy or not. I've never had to think about it until recently. However, I knew the members of Silvertip before any of you and I cannot help having fallen in love with Erika." He shrugged. "I know I have let you all down, and I feel bad about it, but I'd rather move past it now that I've let you all know. I can't change the past."
He looked in the direction of where Shanti had run off and sighed. "I'll have to stop this meeting here and go look after that boy," he said. With a bow of his head, he made his way through the crowd of wolves and disappeared to follow Shanti...
The orders gone, I think, so we should probably just post. I dunno.
Shanti was still running, further away from the meeting. He couldn`t believe what he had just done. He caught the scent of Majesty behind him and yelped. Shanti`s body was low and thin, but his burn scar hindered his speed. He tripped over a tangle of roots and sprawled in the moss. A pain burst from his left forepaw, and he willed that his scar hadn`t split. He saw blood...pain...Majesty`s scent...nothing.
Continues in Don`t judge a book by it`s cover (thread) [/i]
A few other wolves responded, as well. Ypres seemed to be in some agreement with him, and Naya seemed to be a little worried, too. One member, who looked part dog, apparently got bored and wandered off. Another injured pack mate seemed to go off at the whim, then get scared and ran off, re-injuring himself. Is this what they've turned into? Majesty didn't seemed to have any control over this situation, and didn't seemed to give a damn about anything other than the injured one and his new mate. Majesty simply defended himself, but had no good reason as to why he did what he did. If he wanted to take her as a mate, there were plenty of better ways to do it than how he went about it.
The leader left in search of the injured wolf, and Beric turned to Naya and Ypres, I hope to see you two ladies around, he commented before excusing himself and leaving the area. They seemed to be the only respectable ones in the pack, and he hoped nothing bad befell them if they decided to stay in the pack. As for himself, he would seriously considered finding other options.
Ypres looked over at Beric who was just parting his ways. Eyes looked to Naya before she barked out after Beric.
"Wait.."
She barked after him, but the male kept trotting on. Eyes looked to Naya with apologetic expression and she too decided to follow Beric out of the scene.
The whole scene went to chaos then, wolves screaming and running away, and even Majesty left, Naya felt sorry for him but she understood what he was feeling. Beric Excused himself after Majesty left and Ypres followed him, they seemed the only ones who knew what was happening there and maybe even the only ones who could have an answer to the problem, but Naya was going to stay with her alpha and support him in any way possible, she had to grow up and make her own decisions now.
Naya too left heading her den and to think of her brother, she found herself doing it a lot lately and not having him was unbearable. -He'd know what to do..- she thought to herself.