Haunted Wood If home is where the heart is, then I am lost [IC joining]

@Grimnir and @Lusa , if you have the time. But any wolf from HW is okay. 

 Lunae had practiced over the last few days on plants. She had caught small creatures, mice, frogs, and so on just to test plants on. She had found a lot of different poisons and healing plants. 
 With a deep breath of the autumn, she took a small jump and walked faster. Her stomach was twisting with anxiety. She stopped and smelled the air. 
 This is it. She paced around where the border of the pack started. She kept her head down, yet her ears trying to pick up sounds of paws on the ground. Her tail nervously swayed from side to side, near her legs.
  She kept rehearsing the words in her head. Hello, my name is Lunae, I would like to join your pack, please. I am a healer. There is no going back, they might come at any second, said a small voice. But still, she patiently waited in front of the dark forest.

Very nice timing, I had planned on trying to get in a few replies today! Been busy with making Christmas gifts for the family and it's been taking up all my time.

Large paws padded softly along the boarder of the wood as golden eyes searched for any signs of Redhawk Caldera and other pack wolves. Redhawk had crossed into their territory more often than any other pack since they were close to this wood. Regular boarder patrols were necessary to keep the unwanted wolves from trespassing on his land again. Grim had wanted to bring his sons along, but until his small pack officially claimed this area, it was too dangerous to bring his pups. If those damned Redhawks decided to show up again, they may attempt to murder his kin. Lips pulled back in a silent snarl as he snapped his teeth together out of anger. Too many times his pups had been in danger. Grim wanted this place to be safe for them, but it couldn't be until they made it clear that this was their home. Redhawk would continue to interfere until they respected his and Lusa's pack. A shiver trickled down his spine and long hairs rose at his crest in excitement at the thought of fighting Caldera to gain their acknowledgement. Kill, the voices called. Murder, they laughed. The corner of his lips twisted into a crazed grin at the voices who whispered in his ears and called to the darkness in his heart. Grim very much longed to kill Redhawk. And he would if they showed up again. 

Something brought Grim from his thoughts. He paused, glancing slowly about the wood. A shadow just beyond the edge of the trees captured his attention. Bristling, he lowered his head and body, teeth bared in fury. Using a bush as cover, he readied himself for an attack. But as he watched the wolf, his posture relaxed slightly. Ribs could be seen along this blackish brown wolf which made Grim assume that this could not be a pack wolf, and it only paced along their border. There was no indication that this wolf wanted to trespass, instead it looked to be waiting for something. 

Stepping out from the bush, Grim raised his head with perked ears and tail slightly up. He remained silent, waiting to hear what this wolf was doing at his borders, but made himself look as menacing as possible in case this stranger was out for blood. Golden eyes dared the wolf to lunge at him. Grim would enjoy killing this loner if they attacked. Why wait? The voices questioned. Kill it, they commanded. He flicked his ear to clear it. As much as he wanted a fight, he wasn't going to attack a loner without knowing their intentions.

@Grimnir Thanks for coming!

 Lunae suddenly heard the sound of light footsteps, pulling her out of her thoughts. She slowly lifted her head slightly up, getting a glimpse at the wolf. He was huge, a brown wolf. She could feel him staring at her, the tension was agonising. She lifted her head a little more, and she could see his golden eyes, piercing into her soul. 
 Noticing that she had to speak up, she took a ragged breath and began. Hello sir, I would like to join this pack. She was amazed on how confident she sounded, even though it was only louder than a whisper. 
 Her legs threatened to betray her, to make her fall. She made her legs stiff, staying in the same spot. Her tail went between her legs, frozen. Her ears were pressed against her skull, the scar even now slightly stinging. 
 The wolf seemed to wait for an attack. The way he stood up, with no fear, he must be the alpha. The voice informed her. His ears and eyes, they look like he had been listening to someone, but no one is there. He has been talking to himself. The voice concluded.
 Hoping that the wolf would not attack, she waited for a reply from this alpha wolf.

I'm happy to reply! Also, I hope you don't mind if I assume that Lunae had looked Grimnir in the eye. If I am wrong, then message me and I will correct it. (also, I'm sorry for Grimnir's harsh/offensive attitude >< ) 

The loner lifted her head up slightly as he appeared and then raised her head higher to meet his gaze. A small growl of warning from him vibrated in his throat. Grim lifted his tail higher to show that he did not appreciate the challenge even if unintentional. Her first words sidetracked his irritation though, bringing forth a curious and yet suspicious glance. She had sounded confident that she would be accepted into the pack, but the curling of her tail and the position of her ears spoke otherwise. She was weak. They needed strong wolves in this pack, not useless prey that required protection. His gaze turned to disgust. What use was one that couldn't fight off the constant threat of Redhawk Caldera? He wanted to reject her then and there. Chase her off to hinder another pack so that his own may have an advantage, but decided to question why she thought she would be wanted in his woods when she was clearly pusillanimous. "And why should we accept you?" It was a challenge he believed would immediately reveal how incapable this stranger was . He wanted to hear her admit her ineptitude out loud how  so that he could exploit it for his own pleasure. There was no chance the loner had any strength and he would enjoy toying with her. Grim did not even consider that she may surprise him otherwise.

He changed his posture from defensive to offensive, lowering his head while baring his teeth. Once she confirmed his view on her, he would attack and kill her. Slowly, the voices guided him. Enjoy it, they cooed. Images of holding her down and tearing her apart slowly piece by agonizing piece so he could soak in her screams excited him so much that a shiver of anticipation wracked his large form. Blackfeather Woods had once tamed his voices, the darkness in his heart. But he was free of that pack now. Think of Lusa, the light in him whispered. Grim pushed it aside, his excitement chipped by anger. He was losing himself again.

I wonder how this will go.. 

 Lunae felt a small surge of anger, something inside her changed. He thinks you are nothing, he says it in his face. The voice slowly began. Bloodthirsty. It continued. 'Well, if he tries to eat me, or just touch me with his mouth, he will be poisoned', she answered, proud. 
 Lunae had thought of this, and had rubbed Jimson Weed on her fur coat, careful not to consume any of it. She began to speak. I am good with healing plants, and also poisons. I can set up a trap to kill almost anything. Plants are my specialty. She was sure to let the word 'poisons' stand out. With a slight crazed grin, she straightened out her tail, left it to balance on the ground, and her ears going back to neutral. Wait. The voice interrupted. He is hiding something, no someone. His face. Children, he has children. That means he has a mate. His face, it seems better. He is thinking about his mate. He can't be completely crazy if he has a mate. 
Ignoring the voice, Lunae began to reinspect the wolf, searching for signs of weakness. Show no weakness, you are strong, my little moon, whispered a voice, her mother's. 
 No weakness, the voice seemed to agree. She held her pose, with no weakness. Her eyes seemed to be more in focus, she could now see the little details in his gold eyes. She stopped grinning, instead a more respectful smile, more relaxed. She wondered if they alpha's pack has a healer already. Try not be so obvious of your emotions, the voice whispered in her mind, as if it was referring to the other wolf. 

Kill. Grim stilled himself at the loner's words. The stranger had said they were good with healing and poisons, and killing. But he was skeptical of her claim. Although they did require a healer. He raised his head, ears facing forward, and his expression contemplative.  Lusa would want this female if they could really heal. He huffed watching as the female's demeanor changed. Her tail straightened, her ears swiveled forward. She seemed confident in her claim. Grim bared his teeth. At least this wolf's coat was dark. They had too many white wolves in the pack. Perhaps he could accept her just for that trait alone. He soaked in the grin that was similar to his, but not quite as crazed as his had been, that settled into a more relaxed and respectful smile on her muzzle. He could not deny that she at least respected him. 

Thinking of Lusa, he wondered if he should voice the requirements expected by his mate or himself. But this was his recruit. He would inform her of what he wanted. "Near the northern boarders there is Redhawk Caldera." His face contorted into outright hatred and fury at the name. "They are to be attacked and killed on sight without question." He looked the smaller female over. "Failure to keep them off our territory will be dealt with harshly." Tolerance would forever elude him. Again he had to weigh the possibility of it being good or bad for his pack. But his hatred went beyond reason for Redhawk. "If a lone wolf comes seeking recruitment, I expect them to be in favor of.... killing." He would make this pack dark. Darker than Blackfeather Woods. "If you believe them to be worthy, then you may call for myself or Lusa. We are the Alphas of these woods." He stood straighter, proud of their accomplishment.  "Pack wolves will be dealt with depending on their intentions. Deal with them as you see fit." He wasn't much for this type of thing. Grim preferred to remain in the dark, watching. But these type of things were required of him as an Alpha now. He would not disappoint his little killer.

As much as he didn't want to admit to it, Grim also knew that he had to mention Lusa's beliefs. They were the base of their pack for her. "My mate follows a religion, that if you so choose to, you may follow as well." He did not know of the specifics of the religion. But knew that Lusa would want to discuss it with this wolf as soon as she could. "Seek her out if you wish to know more." 

Feeling reluctant to give into recruiting the female Grim gave her one last chance to leave. "Spars are welcomed in this pack. I will not punish those who wish to test their strengths. Be warned that another may so choose to challenge you." His lip twitched at the corner as he restrained a grin. "If you refuse, then you will lose your rank by default and it will be given to your challenger. Refusing a challenge is admitting you are too weak to keep your position." Amber eye's glinted with evil. "If you have no objections then I shall allow you a rank within our pack." He hoped that his explanation somewhat jostled the female into questioning her decision to join. "Do you have anything you would like to say before the pact is made?"

Lunae was careful to take all the information in, she didn't want to forget anything. The more she listened, the more she wanted to prove herself. Redhawk Caldera, that is their enemy pack. 

 He began explaining what to do if a lone wolf came to the borders. Lunae unconsciously gave a slight nod at the wolf. After the wolf had finished, he grinned, for his offer was hard. But Lunae would take it. Scare me? I'm not weak. She felt different. I will kill the enemy. 
 Lunae nodded and opened her mouth, though her body protested other wise. Yes, I agree. 
 At that moment, Lunae knew what she had done. She took another glance at the large wolf, her head having to go up. Everything will change. Yet, she didn't regret anything. I am different now. I am stronger. 

This new wolf agreed to his terms and conditions. Grim was disappointed that he had not dissuaded the female from joining. But there was nothing that could be done about it. They needed members, and so long as they knew what was expected of them he had reason to refuse them. "Welcome to the Haunted Wood. I am Grimnir," he introduced himself. Stepping forward, Grim rubbed his side along the females so that she would carry the scent of the pack on her and not be mistaken as an intruder. Grim wondered if he should have just let her go into the territory without the scent though. He always enjoyed causing trouble. 

As he moved away from the new pack member, Grim noticed a foul smelling scent that clung to her fur and now his. He made a note to wash himself in the lake. Feeling that their little meeting was over, he said a farewell, "The other members will want to meet you. Also familiarize yourself with the territory." A strange sensation was slowly creeping through him. Grim tried to shake it off, but the feeling seemed to slowly be getting stronger. He couldn't describe it, only that it wasn't normal. It made him wonder if he was getting sick.

"Welcome to Haunted Wood. I am Grimnir,"
 Lunae's face was shocked for a second before regaining her calm. "Lunae" , she said quickly. Suddenly, he came towards her. Not now. I didn't expect to get accepted anyway. Just don't- She wanted to back away but it was too late. 
 Instead, she took a breath, reanalysed her problem, and said, "Thank you." 
 It won't kill him, and it will only last a day or two, probably. 
 The poison was almost dry, so it's effects won't last long, but it would be better if she could wash it off altogether. Later, I can wait. She tilted her head slightly, her blueish-grey eye twinkling. Her tail impatiently went from side to side, still on the ground. 

@Lunae Quick cameo to archive the thread!

 Lusa had just finished marking the borders with her own stench. It was not an easy task to do either. Peregrine and Elwood had left behind a lot of "gifts" for them, so her and Iris had to clean up the little mess they had made.

 Right now, all she wanted to do was curl up beside her two youngsters, but she couldn't help but do a second run of the territory. Every single second, the shadow would stop to mark any tree around.

 As she did he duties, she could hear two voices in the distance. Curiosity bought her closer and closer to the sounds and she had arrived just in time to hear 'welcome to Haunted Wood.' A new recruit was it? Excellent, she thought with a broad smile. To her happiness, their numbers were starting to rise.

 There was no real need to stay and have small talk. She had business to attend to. Lusa was gone in a flash.