Crescendo moved silently through the trees, a feat for such a giant wolf. His handsome black fur seemed to ripple as he sprang over the stream, his muscles coiling and uncoiling. A fact he was quite pleased with. Not that he was self-proclaimed, no far from it. His pelt was more then just pretty, it scared away smaller wolves, and let him slip through the shadows unnoticed, unseen.
So absorbed in his thoughts he was, he did not notice the borders...almost. He knew the pack customs well, and was not in the mood to be attacked by a group of this pack's. He sat on his hanches, and peered into the distance. He knew from the smell the this pack was large, and powerful, unlike the small packs he had come across recently. This was a pack he would be proud of, if he were not a lone wolf, but one of the pack. He smoothly shifted his weight and stood, letting out a low howl. Without a second thought he ventured onto the packs territory, his stride driven and confident.
OOC: I'm gonna go for warden as one of Godfrey's tasks so I hope no one minds me jumping in.
New as he was he was quite proud of his new home. He was still learning the names of the members and the lands but he was determined to prove useful. So when the call rang out the man stopped his steady exploration and looked about. He was too far out to see the stranger. The motion of his head though helped him pinpoint the source. Reorienting, the man set off, a ghost in the underbrush. Black might be best for night travel but his motley browns made for fantastic coverage in the day. Particularly during winter.
The man ghosted over the land, occasionally having to backtrack from time to time. The caldera was narrow and unless you knew the paths you could end up stuck in a dead end. Eventually though he made it to the location to find his quarry had moved. His brows shot up.
Hello there stranger. Aren't you confident?
Godfrey followed the scent trail, which plunged into Red Hawk territory. Eventually he spied the dark form ahead and he called out. There was very little hesistance in the males voice. He knew this boldness would be unappreciated. He also was protecting his home. The man had never been shy about that. "Stop!" he called, his head and tail held as high as was appropriate for greeting a stranger on the borders.
Peregrine's ear flicked when a low howl rose up into the air, from somewhere up ahead of him. Glad for a distraction from his otherwise boring patrol, he hastened his step. He did not expect to find his newest subordinate taking it upon himself to answer the summons. Before the Alpha male could decide whether or not he approved of this, he saw that Godfrey was trotting toward a large black wolf who was traipsing on their territory as if it belonged to him.
He reacted immediately. Galloping straight toward the interloper, he did not bother repeating Godfrey's warning. Peregrine barreled directly at the stranger, lips wrinkling back and teeth baring as he pounced. The stranger was large but so was he. Not to mention that there were two of them and only one of this fucking fool. Confident that he would successfully execute this trespasser, Peregrine lunged right for his throat.
Crescendo leaped backward, his posture stiff. A low growl slipped from his throat as he said"I do not wish for battle, only for a word" He was not foolish enough to take on two wolves, and likely their whole pack.
He sat down slowly and cautiously. This was a matter to be handled with care and precision. Looking at both wolves, he took them all in. The black wolf had the posture and attitude of an alpha, while the other smelled as if he had not been with the pack for as long. he knew he would not leave this confrontation without his self or pride being hurt.
The swarthy figure of his alpha appeared suddenly as a black blur. He blinked, mildy surprised before quickening his pace to a lope. Perhaps he wasn't the best border guard. To be fair, he was new enough that he wasn't entirely sure how the Alpha's handled intrusions. Some went straight for the kill. Others simply chased them off. Others still confronted them (whether verbally or physically) and sent them on their way. It seemed, he observed as the leader lunged for the interloper's throat, Peregrine was the former most kind.
Godfrey wasn't entirely sure how he felt about that one.
Paws quickly caught up to his alpha and the interloper. Crescendo had perched on his haunches, still bold as brass. Where was his lowered head? Where were his folded ears, his tucked tail, his averted gaze? Godfrey nodded to his leader, making sure his posture was appropriate for the situation. He held himself higher than where the interloper would be but lower than Peregrine. His lip, which had been twitching and wishing to curl, curled, displaying his displeasure.
However, unlike his alpha, he didn't lunge. No, he waited to take the lead from the black man, particularly because this one was trying to make some amends.
He wasn't sure the attempt to bandage the situation would be appreciated.
Sorry, but Perry would not have given Crescendo time to sit and whatnot, so I'm running with that. :P
The interloper managed to leap backward to avoid Peregrine's initial attack. He then had the gall to growl at the Alpha male and stiffen his posture, rather than supplicate himself. The swarthy leader did not listen to a single word that fell from the asshole's mouth.
Fuck you! was the only coherent thought that ran through Peregrine's head as he rushed the trespasser again. There was no chance he could miss at this nearly point blank range; the best the ballsy stranger could hope for was some sort of deflection. Or, of course, he could attempt to flee... but in Peregrine's experience, most of his kind were too haughty, too stupid or both.
Crescendo was startled at the fierce attack, and his shock cost him precious seconds. He had only time to twist his massive frame around, and heard the ugly crunch of breaking bones in the top of his shoulder, close to his thick neck. Much to close for him. From his throat issued a feral snarl, and he whirled on his attacker, lunging for his throat.
He stopped however mid strike, remembering his reason for coming here in the first place. His shoulder struck the ground, and he cried out against his own will. He remained on the dirt, averting his gaze and lowering his tail. He was presenting himself to these wolves on a silver platter, vulnerable and defenseless. He hated every moment of it, but he valued his life over his pride.
Again violence was the answer as the Alpha lunged at the black interloper. The new Kappa winced as he heard bones break. Still, he had to admit, it was fair. He pivoted as the stranger was forced to the ground and came alongside Peregrine. He had not missed the attempt at retaliation. It was stopped but the Kappa's nose wrinkled further, a subsonic growl rumbling through his chest. True, now there was submission as the creature lay prone.
However he wasn't sure he trusted it.
The crunch of bones gave Peregrine a deep, delicious sense of satisfaction. Before he could render further damage, the interloper dropped to the ground. Somehow, the Alpha had missed the lunge for his own throat, else he would have fallen furiously upon the downed male and torn him to shreds. Instead, he paused, every nerve singing with tension as he stared down at the suddenly prostrate stranger.
"You have exactly five seconds to get the fuck out of my lands," Peregrine said in a low voice. Instinct held him back from attacking the injured, submitting male. "If you attempt to speak, I will tear out your throat," he added to make it clear he wasn't interested in verbal resolutions at this point. He punctuated his words with a savage growl and a lash of his tail.
Crescendo stayed where he was, his posture one of utter obedience and submission. He did not speak, for he valued his throat greatly. But he did not flee, either. He had come too far to give up now. Every movement sent a shock wave of pain through his body, and his pride was bent and dented. He had nothing to lose. Well, almost nothing. A memory surfaced, but he pushed it away, it brought only regret.
Silently, so silently he was sure no one would hear, he whispered "5...4...3...2...1" His breath caught, every nerve screaming at him to flee. He bent his head even lower, mentally preparing himself for the pain he was sure would come.
Godfrey hung back, watching. He was now regretting his decision to help out. Perhaps it hadn't been quite appropriate of him. Either way he couldn't do much as the cocky bastard was pinned to the ground. This was entirely in Peregrine's hands and he wasn't an established enough member to voice his discomfort. The grimace of distaste remained plastered on his jowls. Meanwhile his head ran around in circles within, running at a pace several times of his near motionless body.
While he waited for the intruder to get up and flee, Peregrine spared Godfrey a sideways glance. He bobbed his head, simply to acknowledge the other male's continued presence, then returned his gaze to the top of the stranger's black head. Although instinct told him not to attack someone in such a position, he would be doing just that if the male didn't scram in the given five second window. He had given fair warning.
It quickly became clear that he had no intention of seizing his window of opportunity. It was perhaps the most moronic thing Peregrine had ever witnessed. A few extra beats passed in stunned silence. Seeing red, the Alpha male swooped down on the back of the big black wolf's neck, hoping to break it to remove this cretin from the gene pool once and for all.
Crescendo felt steel-like jaws close around his neck, hot blood cascade through his pelt. He was finished. He valued his life more than this pack. He wrenched his throat from the wolfs grasp, a rumbling growl started in his throat, and he aimed a heavy blow at the dominant wolf's head before turning and loping away. He twisted and turned through the massive pines, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.
He did not stop until he had crossed the borders once more. He howled into the bloodless sky, a howl screaming of rage and anger. He slowed to a walk, still angered. It looked like he would remain a lone wolf.
The leader acknowledged him, which was good? Maybe? Not sure really as he was new enough that he didn't or couldn't read his alpha's motions all that well. Godfrey remained, toes buried in the fertile, but dead for the season, earth. He would not leave until the intruder did.
Whether on his two paws, or by the wings of death.
The stranger stayed prone on the ground. The man's scarl faded a bit for an expression of utter confusion. Um? What the hell? Could he not tell that Peregrine was serious? The alpha lunged and the stranger managed to writh from the grip that could have very well meant his death. He then hobbled off, as quickly as his broken shoulder and neck would allow him. Godfrey took a step to follow and stopped. HIs gaze turned to his alpha.
"Should I follow to make sure he leaves?"
To answer Godfrey's question, Peregrine brushed past him in hot pursuit of the injured trespasser, his tail waving to invite his subordinate to follow. The Alpha male remained hot on the stranger's heels, leering and laughing at him between snaps at his backside. Eventually, Peregrine fell back and let him go. He could have easily caught up to him and killed him outright for his blatant disrespect and stupidity, yet instead he hoped the wrongdoer would suffer a slow, miserable death in the elements.
He turned back, motioning for Godfrey to accompany him back to the caldera. "Thanks for sticking around," he said, glad that his pack mate had stood by, even if he hadn't necessarily been needed. "You're welcome to help if that ever happens again. Let's hope it doesn't, though," were his words of parting when they reached the borders. Peregrine gave Godfrey a nod, then seized the opportunity to perform a border patrol.
Crescendo snarled back at the wolves, angry and seeing red. However, he had learned his lesson, and would not come back...probably.