Ferdie Von Pelt had been leaving his Territory once a week for a while now to race full out on a path he was beginning to wear into the grass around upper arrow lake. He thoroughly enjoyed the flat out run without the crags and rocks of the mountain tripping him up. Not that he didn't love his new mountain home.

He was running full out when he almost tripped up head over tail, skidding to a halt he stood mouth agape as he stared at the scene before him. ahh... He was going to interrupt and say something but he couldn't there was nothing he could do or say to make sence of this... what ever this was.

Did she know they were not wolf cubs? Did she care? suddenly he wondered if he cared, if he found a litter of baby raccoons would he have done the same? probably... he was ever the father figure and pup caregiver and so he scooted closer, sat and watched from a yard or less away. Not wanted to interrupt, would the one with the white tip on it's tail win the favor or the one with the darkest mask,

Ferdie's ears swung forward and he watched with keen interest though he regarded the racoon's very carefully. Racoon's were vicious creatures an adult was willing to take on a wolf with no qualms. Tentatively he stepped forward, his 'cub raising instinct' taking over.

This brute could not fish to save his life so he had nothing to offer these little ones, His full attention was on the gaze of raccoon cubs instead of the female wolf as he drew up and stood still.
Where did you find them? He asked the female whom was seemingly in charge of these cubs without taking his eyes off the cubs. His tail swayed gently he wanted to nudge a cub without getting his face bitten off, more then cub raising he was a very vain wolf, as was shown by his exceedingly well groomed coat

Ferdie Von Pelt may not have had a fish to offer but he did have something else a belly full from hunting, instinct drawn from the begging raccoon cause him to worry that it was hungry, he drew his lips back from his teeth and opened his mouth, retching up a meal of chewed but not largely digested meat.

Ferdie stepped back offering the easy meal to the cub then he sat, keeping a eye on the cubs but finally affording the female his regard since he was sure the cubs would at least be distracted by the meat rather then attacking him.

He rolled his shoulders It matters not what they think, since I am the Alpha of my pack. And it is my job to protect them but most of all the next generation. though these cubs could hardly be the next generation of my pack they are still babes and I just can't help myself. If he were female he would probably start lactating every time their was an abandoned cub. Thankful he was not, he was just a hearty strong male with an extremely soft spot for young.

You seem to have a soft spot for cubs, or did you steal them from their mother He suddenly looked appalled at the thought of stealing cubs from another beast, but then if she was that good a thief..... he cleared his throat and his mind, those plans were best left for later and most definitely not with a wolf he did not know if he could trust. Sorry I did not mean to accuse, the words fell from my mouth before my brain could stop them.

Ferdie watched the raccoons, normally the little beasties were not so picky. In-fact in order to save himself from a savage female raccoon once; since he must have stumbled to close to her den was to offer her the only food he had which was in his stomach. The vicious she-coon had seemed so content about it at the time and saved him a face full of scratches, a lost meal was nothing to him when it came to literately saving his vain hide. So vain was he that had painstakingly groomed his pelt thinner then the rest of his pelt over some freshly healed scars under his well groomed pelt that served as a constant reminder of the tragedy of swiftcurrent creek; So that it lay correctly and did not look like there was anything there.

Ferdie shrugged and ate a small sample of what he thought was a divine offering then backed up and sat down waiting to see if the cubs hunger would win out. if not he'd probably re-eat the meal later, waste not want not in the wilds.

When Red shared this story with him he lifted his head slowly and stared into her face, looking for ill-intent, more lies being spread did not bode well... Ferdie's brow twitched then he licked his lips and shook his head sadly.

I heard a much different version of that story. It's a sad tale nonetheless. He cleared his throat as if preparing to pass on an old wolves tale, kind of like a story bed time tale, and in part it could very well be a lesson teaching story if told truthfully, His voice rumbled taking on the guise of an older story time teller, he was good at telling stories to cubs, his tone calming and his stories usually full of emotion. But then he was a caretaker at heart and if one knew him they would know he could not have attacked or even struck out at a pup. That never happened though the lies would continue to leak are grow as they were wont to do.

Protecting others is difficult especially when the black wolf was protecting the first wolf from other pack mates. When that failed he had to protect the first wolf from his ownself.
The Black wolf did succeed in saving the first wolf the the first wolf's own demons but it came at a toll to them both. The pack mates that had helped to start this fight began to spread lies about the encounter.
Ultimately they were cast out before they could explain to the alpha, not only how it happened but why it had happened.
Ferdie frowned at his new realization and the end of the story that would likely make this a tale to pass on.
If just 'one' of those pack wolves had listened, just one, the outcome for the two males would have been much different.

Ferdie now looked away, to him pack was family and families didn't do 'this' to each other he couldn't finish his tale[size=x-small] Instead they were cast out in a moment of great need. And when the males had found a away to survive; the pack that cast them out, hunted them down and tried to continue to bully them.[/size] This part he left unsaid for that would have revealed, if she did not know already, that he was the one in part of the lies she may have heard.

Ferdie Von Pelt suddenly realized through out this whole encounter he had been nothing but rude. at least his his mind he had been. Though probably less so in the minds of other wolves since here in the Teekon wilds, wolves tended to horde their names like they were precious gems never to be shared, Ferdie felt it was just the opposite, one should know whom they are talking to.

Ferdie paused unable to answer her questions without his being answered first I'm sorry milady, I just realized I have been rather rude, I did not introduce myself, nor did I catch your name; I am Ferdie Von Pelt. He stood just a bit taller and drew in a breath awaiting her name, unaware he was holding his breath, He'd tell her about the personal side of the story if he knew her slightly more personally.

He did not divulge any other information for he did not expect that back from her, just her name would make him complacent enough to share the rest with her. He smiled fondly at the raccoon cubs then up at her. Hoping to help her feel at ease enough to share her name.

Ferdie frowned, she knew, she knew more then she let on, but whom told her that story.... he hummed to himself; word traveled fast and far, he did not like it. But now she gave a name and told him to share it, that didn't feel right but perhaps he would share it if the opportunity arose, little did he know the relationship between the two was so sticky.

Ferdie offered something to Leaf that he treasured most Leaf, I would love to call you friend perhaps we shall meet again soon mi'lady,

Ferdie didn't know why but he ached to asked her one more favor please though... don't hurt that Big Black wolf he didn't know why he asked but if she asked his to pass on her name there was something there between those two and Ferdie knew how awkward Jace was with females.... [size=x-small]he's been hurt enough.... [/size]Ferdie Whispered dubting she heard that.
A good female would make the world of difference for Jace but a heart break may do alot more damage to the already damaged wolf