OOc: Takes place before the NSV pack event

She could feel it. By all that was good within nature, she could feel the cusp of spring as she did the slight bound in her step. It came excitably, if not also rhythmically to her stride as she perused the borders with both care and calm, having grown used to the scents of a border well marked. She was quite confident that the increased efforts of the warriors had borne the fruit of an even safer haven, by which she could walk its rock laden contours with the springtime mirth. The wolf did not smile, for there were none to receive it, but there was an air of content that followed her fragranced trail. Spring had done its work too to heighten the wiles that drenched her. A calling, no doubt, to the wary nares that sought the readiness of the season’s bounty. And while her mind was not on the prospects of pups, that did not keep her body from raising its signal. Perhaps this was another cause for the bounce in her usually heavy stride; knowing that the prospects of being endowed with life were not beyond even her.

And as any female might have, she had an idea in mind (well planted by a certain white wolf among their ranks) of whom she wished to share those prospects with. Provided his mind was not completely adverse to the idea. As a creature that had once been made to lie and wait to receive, she hadn’t the slightest inkling of where to start to garner another’s attention. At least with purpose. She had a mind to directly speak to him, but in her heart she felt it was a lacking gesture. A hearty meal might have sufficed. Something special; a carcass that warranted both acknowledgement and praise to the exposition of her skill.

Pondering on this, the tan wolf walked the familiar paths of the mountains, seeking the more floral routes that snaked in and out of the shelter of its base. It was only near the exterior of borders that her nose was assaulted by blood. The pungent stench of stale blood akin to fodder than wolf rising above the pines of the treeline. It had crossed her mind to leave it be and carry on, hoping that perhaps a scavenging fowl would pluck the carcass, yet unseen, clean. But in doing so was the risk that larger predators might find the meat attractive, and in the worst instance grow bold and seek to infiltrate the whole of the Vale. She could not allow that risk to go unacknowledged.

Slipping from her personal thoughts, she assumed the role of duty and made a direct line for the carcass by its scent. It did not take long to reach the edge of the territory, but what was found within sight, but a few meters from the brink, was a sight that both disgusted and disturbed her. She recognized the red ridge wolf as part of the Creek; the very female that named herself ‘wife’ of her mentor. And there was indeed a carcass, well prodded beforehand as seen by the state of its wounds, but certainly with enough meat to supply others. It was not the sight of the gaping animal that raised the she-wolf’s hackles to stand on end. Nor was it the stench that pulled her lips back with a horrid snarl. It was the sight of a wolf feeding so close to claimed borders. The determination, she could only compare to the same vigor seen by Haunter in her company. One would have thought the Creek wolves were starved things by this pattern. Yet she offered no sympathy to the thought. Rather her maw parted as the warning of proximity rattled free, growing with each breath til it mirrored the known grumble of her faction lead. She spared no words, but offered the sound of anger in their place. She gave but one bark to dismiss, surrender the carrion and leave while the opportunity was still afforded to the brilliant flame.

As she lowered her head to rest between her shoulders, and her body hunched forward in the ready for assault, she made it clear that there would not be a second warning.

Once more, she was faced with the stubbornness of the Creek. Thrice now and angered in one form or another. Each time, she felt her faith in the creek-dwellers slipping. What hope that was fostered between herself and Njal dissolved a little more by the corrosive displays. She was growing tired… so very tired of these hostilities, even if it was by her own maw this instance was borne. But such was becoming the normal state of things. And as the woman was raised to; she was gradually adapting to it.

Darkened lids narrowed over their bi-colored treasures, defending them upon the inevitable reach of aggression. Yet still they watched as an ember paw fixed itself upon the carcass- the same dreaded possession that had taken the dark male. This sight gave her no hope, and thus she relinquished all sense of caring and sympathy. If they were to fight over desiccated flesh, so be it.

Her paws were heavy and as sound as thunder preceding a storm. Yet her roll from the border ceased just shy of both the female and the coveted meat. She offered but a moment of reconsideration, then boldly advanced brandishing the impressive bulk by her guarded shoulders rolled forward. Her lips stretched further back as her gaping maw snapped the air between them, a promise of pain as the quaking frame surged purposefully towards both Creek wolf and slain meat. And again she snapped violently the hair’s breadth between them, this time with the intention of grabbing the scarred muzzle.

OOC: *Give pillow and hot tea*

There was a notable similarity between the ferocity of this female and the dark male that haunted the Creek, yet it was on a more personal level that their behaviors differed. It could be seen in movement, as well as felt by the lash of fangs against the flesh. The bite of Haunter had been a wound to further discourage her attempt at keeping him from the meat he desired. But that fueled this woman was not only hunger and possessive instinct over the carcass; but a rage she could not place though felt just the same.

Her nostrils burned as the crinkled flesh across the bridge was split by the frenzied bite. But her voice would not hitch with the sharp inhale of pain, rather surged forward in bellow as she exhaled through flaring flesh, spewing newly drawn blood defiantly. Regardless of the pain, she kept forward in her assault clawing at the earth more fervently to gain ground between the two of them. Twisting her muzzle sidelong, she aimed to grasp the upper jaw of her opponent. More a subduing hold than an attempt to cause unnecessary pain. Her will was absent to truly cause harm to another… but her frustration for the scrap was rapidly wearing down her sense of mercy.

As blind fury had not yet consumed her mind, the warden was afforded the sense that came with tact. She had not yet before faced the hatred of another, but certainly the unrelenting rage that came from another’s jaws. Though he was not as dexterous as the lithe female before her, she had none the less been geared toward abating, or at least endure the onslaught of perpetual strike. She was a creature built to endure, and she would. The consequence of pain could be felt upon the conclusion of the scrap.

But what an enduring posture awarded her was the mind, a moment to focus of what was deemed crucial for success. Pride was not a factor, as she had none to protect aside for her place within the Vale, and none of her brethren were near and in danger. Though what kept her surging forward til she felt the stripped hide of the carcass underpaw, as not hunger for the carcass, but protection of the border; the need to drive the woman off and away. And feelings its coarse hair underfoot, she was reminded of this purpose. Though it was difficult to remain wholly in focus when such a rage bore down upon her and quickly.

Never the less she endured, keeping her ears drawn as acute muzzle swung for her cheek, and in turn she swung her own maw sharply in the hopes of striking the broad side against the probing muzzle of glistening fang. But, rather than keep forward, having felt the prize in the midst of the skirmish, she dropped her hind to what she assumed was the flank of the meat. She hadn’t the mountains to improve her agility over the other, but she certainly had the bulk to bar her as was needed.