Three days had lasted their journey. A journey that never reached it's destiny. Meldresi had assigned a Squad of elite wolves to take their prisoner back home, but most importantly, to deliver a message. Kadence and Crescendo had proven their loyalty and abilities more than once since their arrival to the pack, and lead by the newly appointed Beta, Bane, they left with the prisoner, using her as a map to get to Swiftcurrent, ready for whatever might come.

And now they were back. Without Star, and with less blood running through their veins than before departing. Meldresi's howl rang in the air just moments after the squad crossed the borders back into the dark woods. Bane wondered if the priestess had some kind of arrangement with the crows, using them as watchers. just as if Meldresi knew all that happened under each of the many shadows that Blackfeather cast upon the land. His own voice echoed as a response.


Followed by his sister and subordinate, Bane quickened the pace, eager to get back home, eager to be healed my Meldresi's tender care. The silver warrior was unrecognizable, his damaged body was now evidence of what an exceptional contender Alpha Scimitar from Swiftcurrent Creek was, torn by his claws and jaws Bane's body ached, his right frontal paw looked awful and his throat was now a cascade of blood. None of his wounds were fatal, Bane was sure Meldresi would be capable of curing them, but all of them would become a lifelong reminder of how much of a flock of fucking bastards were the creek wolves. Especially his face, where Scimitar's sharp claws had left three bleeding lines over his right eye.

"We're here..." the bloodstained wolf barked as he sighted Meldresi curled just outside of her den. "How are the pups?" he asked eagerly, trying to get a look over the priestess. It had been his biggest concern since his departure, and although Meldresi looked at peace, Bane just needed to know by word that his litter was out of harm and he too would be at peace and move on to business. He knew there were important matters to be discussed and that Meldresi would want a full report of the mission.

A faint relief sigh escaped Bane's mouth when Meldresi told him that the pups were out of harm. He had grown very fond of them in a short time and the last thing he wanted was losing them. But then, just as he had expected, Meldresi went into Business mode again. She wanted a report, Bane was expecting it, and he was more than happy to give it out.

"You wanna know what happened? We kicked some ass out there, that's what happened," Bane joked, but a chuckle failed to come as the pain stung his bloody face. "They were looking for her," he started again after a short silence, "three of them. We crossed paths in the middle of Blackfoot. I confronted the Alpha, Scimitar," he said proudly, "and you can be sure they'll think twice before trespassing again." He finished with a sly but somewhat painful smile, then slowly, the snow warrior turned his gaze upon his warriors with pride. "They did great, Meldresi. They've proved their worth out there." he barked and waited for either of them to take their turn to speak. He knew they had a lot to brag about.

"Scimitar is a bitch." Bane started, smiling arrogantly as everyone else expected. "Swiftcurrent Creek is no match to Blackfeather Woods, that's clear. Scimitar is big, I'll recognize it, but he's a fluffy little puss... I'm not worried about him. I don't think they'll want to come back to us ever again, but we gotta keep our eyes open, I don't want to take any risks..." he said turning more serious. Blackfeather was his home and he would keep it safe from whatever threat was upon them, if he didn't he would've never gone to confront another pack willingly. Or would he?

After the speech, Bane reached out to take the moss Kove had passed over to him and started pressing it against his shoulder with difficulty. There were many wounds he would never be able to reach, but he wasn't going to ask for help, he was too proud for that.