Great Bear Wilderness I will retire with the crown

She had spent the previous day with Sitri marking out a perimeter for their new territory. Ouroboros Spine was in a favourable location in the Kesuk's mind, and impulse had driven her to select it immediately and make preparations. Though she had once observed Silvertip Mountain with a critical eye and deemed it worthy, it was eclipsed by Ouroboros Spine so much that she no longer knew why she'd even chosen it.

The Alpha female was marking the inner basin now. She picked her way down into the valley with care, being mostly unfamiliar with the terrain. Overhead, the sun burned hot and white in the sky, but the vast overstory of netted conifer needles kept most of the heat from reaching the ground. Her coat brushed against shrubs and fragrant trunks alike as she spread her scent, and though she was at work, Jinx was content.

She didn't feel the intense need to patrol this land as feverishly as she had Neverwinter Forest. Silvertip Mountain had been unable to support its wolves without prey support from the surrounding neutral grounds, but Ouroboros Spine was a self-contained paradise. It was also devoid of the scent of wolves, and therefore, newly discovered as far as she was concerned. The heavy, timeworn forest reminded her of her homeland, though the scent was wholly new and the broad leaves of her home were replaced by sharp needles here.

Her wolves knew her designs by now, as she had invited many of them to accompany her on trips to the new territory. She wouldn't be surprised to find one of them wandering here.

The last weeks or so had been full of change. First, Majesty was evicted from the pack and he created his own. Then, Erika left as well. And now, with pressure from the packs on the coast nearby, they were forced to move. Jinx had found a territory south of the Silvertip Mountain, something she called Ouroboros Spine.

He heard good things about the place. It was an circle of mountains around a lake, and that lake held an island in it's center. Unlike Silvertip, prey was abundant here, meaning they did not have to leave the pack's borders in order to find food, which was good for him as a Gamekeeper.

Jinx invited the pack to search the land, which Kaname did gladly. The air smelled fresh, tinted with pine. He took a deep breath and sighed contently. He really liked this area. It was untouched by wolves and had a timeless feel to it.

But it didn't surprise him when he heard footsteps nearby. One of my packmates. he thought as he walked over to see who it was. He dipped his head when he saw the proud white alpha looking around. "Hello, Jinx." he gave a small smile to his alpha.

To an innocent bystander, the most that would've been seen that day would be a startling, heart-pounding rustle in the leaves as a black shadow sped bullet fast through the territory.

Tyrande ran with purpose and grace taking in the familiar scent of Teekon wilds. How long had it been? A month? Maybe two months? It seemed like forever. The raven she-wolf had been tempted by the kind words of Majesty, following him partway to the new pack's territory, only to realize later her fault. She had begun to head back towards Silvertip, but her blood ran cold when she remembered that Jinx was not one to easily forgive. In a pitiful act of despair, the yearling had fled the region of Teekon Wilds.

Yet the witch would return. She would return...

And so she did. The Nightshade wolf sped towards Silvertip, with renewed confidence and hope, one side of her brain bouncing with naivete and the other hungry to become part of her home pack once more. Her run was halted by two all-too-familiar scents. Her heart pounding, she lurked around Jinx and Kaname, keeping snout literally to the ground, ready to flash her black belly as she allowed her strange eyes be seen in the shadows, flaming with anxiety, and a touch of fear.

The changes that had come forth in light of recent events and days had not left Mordecai surprised. It was quite the opposite for the Silvertip Ostrega, who had gladly accepted the change with the full understanding that sometimes, things happened. In this case, they were going to fresher, prime lands that for the most part had not seen the same amount of traffic as the rest of the Wilds. He had heard talk of the other packs that had settled, heard their baying in the nights when the wind eased and carried them to the recesses of the mountain. He had stayed with the interest as to whether or not the Wilds would flourish when the season turned and he had not been disappointed the least in that regard.

But the resources would dwindle in time, and time itself moved quicker and quicker it seemed. The hourglass for the mountain to be retained by the Silvertip wolves was beginning to run out of sand. He had come out to the territory Jinx had stumbled upon once again, this time in tow of the others who had trailed after her. He had recognized Kaname slipping through the shaded grounds and followed behind him, marking as needed where previous tallies had gone stale. In time, this order brought him to the two ranked above him, not very long after the silvery-back of another swarthy creature came weaving her way through the same area as he was traversing.

A low growl came rumbling deep in his throat at the unfamiliar creature, who's attentions seemed to be more focused on the white-and-black pair. She was submissive though, and the very actions left Mordecai guessing she was someone that one, if not both of them, knew. He bristled with discomfort at the intrusion, casting his golden gaze around to any others that would emerge through the thickets. Then he ultimately turned his attentions to Jinx briefly, waiting to see what would come of someone crashing their party, unaware of the previous connections that lied in the past. Perhaps this was someone new that he hadn't had he pleasure of encountering.

Kaname was the first to find her, and Jinx shot the blue-eyed Gamma a rare smile. The heavy shade of the forest fell on him and painted him black, giving the impression that his eyes glowed ominously from their sockets. “I'm glad to see you here, Kaname,” she said sincerely. That any of her pack mates was even interested in the land she was eyeing for them was uplifting. “Perhaps you'd like to—”

Before she could finish the thought, Mordecai growled lowly from behind them. The female's eyes flashed with alarum briefly as she rose her head to stare back at the Eta. For a heart-wrenching moment, the Silvertip Alpha expected to see him challenging her for the newly discovered Ouroboros Spine territory, but his gaze was turned elsewhere. Only when he glanced over at her did she fully understand: they were not alone.

The Alpha female shoved through the understory roughly, seeking the invader, and found none other than Tyrande skulking in the shadows. The fear in the toxicologist's eyes was fully warranted, for Jinx peeled back her lips and stood tall with fur bristling and ears rigid, the picture of scorned ferocity. “What the fuck do you want?” she asked the former Silvertip wolf, having believed in her paranoia that Tyrande had abandoned them for Majesty as well, and seeing her now as a spy and a coward.

Kaname's tail wagged gently as Jinx greeted him with a rare smile. He was happy that he got the chance to bond with his alpha, a woman he already admired. She was about to speak further when they both heard a growl. Moredcai. The Gamma thought as he turned to where Mordecai stood staring into the undergrowth, hackles raised. Another wolf, here? he thought, bristling. Would they have to fight for this territory?

Jinx jumped in the direction of the growl, and Kaname followed. His eyes narrowed when he saw the black toxicologist hiding in the shadows. His fangs were bared in a cruel smile as he regarded his former packmate. "Are you here spying on us for Majesty, Miss Nightshade?" His eyes were cruel and cold now. Though he didn't really like the witch, she was still a high-ranking member of the pack when he arrived. She was loyal to the pack, or so he thought. "You're doing a horrible job of it."

Tyrande looked up at Jinx's oppressing figure, and lowered herself further to the ground. "Jinx." she croaked before catching herself. She cleared her throat and began again.

"Jinx, I have returned to Teekon Wilds to return to your pack. What I want is your forgiveness, and nothing more. I have been a fool of fools." the witch glanced at Kaname to the side. "That one you refer to as Majesty is an even bigger fool. I did not join his pack."

Almost did, though. she though to herself.

At this point in time, Tyrande would accept almost any punishment to remain in the pack. Though there were many wolves of Silvertip she disliked, there was something that beckoned her back.

She slowly turned over and showed her belly to Jinx. "I will do anything to gain your trust."

first post from my new phone ughhh. this keyboard and I are gonna have some words.

The dark wolf at first paid neither he nor Kaname any mind. And then it was just him. Mordecai remained silent as his superiors addressed her swiftly, and he took note of the ire in Jinx's voice. If given the go ahead he was more than willing to put her down, for the thought of their claim had become sacred. To have interlopers weaving through them now would be more than just uncomfortable. Names were tossed about that held little meaning to him personally, though he understood the harm that had come in the wake of Majesty's abrupt departure. What he did gather was that this female had abandoned them for better or worse.

And then came the display that drew Mordecai in closer. Tyrande's submission did not quell his growing discomfort, but it satisfied the hostility he harbored toward her minutely. Again he cast his gaze to his superiors, now more curious of what they would day, or what they would do in response. Knowing that their leader was capable of holding the reins more than tight, Mordecai was curious as to their history. Would Jinx offer her the chance? In the end, his eyes rested on Tyrande before them, wanting answers for her straying in a way that surprised him.

Let me know if you aren't cool with Jinx's dominance display and I'll change it.

A thick growl purred in the Alpha's throat as Tyrande lowered herself and began to blather about being a fool. She listened, but barely. All that Jinx cared about was the submission, which was shown finally at the end when Tyrande flashed her belly. Being the imperialist sort, Jinx immediately placed her forepaws on either side of the passive female and stood over her. She lowered her head to roughly inspect the fur of Tyrande's breast, and even wandered oppressively toward the other wolf's nether regions, all the while growling and pinning her eyes on the other's face. One wrong move and the female would exercise her right as leader.

But there were no wrong moves made, and Jinx stepped back, appeased but still furious. “You abandoned Silvertip Mountain,” she accused hotly, “and you expect me to give you another chance?” Perhaps the one thing going for Tyrande was that she hadn't joined Majesty's pack. Had that been the case, there would have been no chance whatsoever. She glanced back at Kaname, who had been present when Tyrande was part of the pack. Her gaze went to Mordecai, and perhaps if he looked closely, he would see a hint of apology in her eyes for how she did not include him in what she said next.

“Kaname has run with you as a pack mate and knows your worth as well as I. Kaname,” she said, flicking her eyes back to her Gamma, “would you give this wolf a second chance to prove her loyalty, conditionally or unconditionally?” Jinx knew the decision was ultimately hers, but she was interested in what her subordinate would say... And what he said would affect Tyrande greatly, for it would reveal to Jinx what the Gamma's impression of the former toxicologist had been.

Your fate is in my hands now, Tyrande. >:D MWAHAHA.

Jinx circled the toxicologist as she lay on her back, belly up. The white alpha stared menacingly at Tyrande as she growled and sniffed her. Satisfied, Jinx stepped back, but still emitting a menacing aura. Kaname watched the black witch, amused at her displays. He felt some sort of contempt towards the Nightshade, something that culminated since his first meeting with her. It was not hate, but he sometimes depised her for some odd reason. And now he was above her, and he intended to stay that way.

His alpha's eyes then turned to him and she asked him for his thoughts. He did not speak quickly, glaring at the submissive wolf coldly before he answered. When he spoke his thoughts he kept his gaze on Tyrande the whole time. "I would. She did not realize her mistake at the time, but now she has realized the errors of her ways. I think that warrants her acceptance back into Silvertip. But she would have to be punished for leaving in the first place. A punishment that would last as long as she was away from the pack."

oh noes >.>

Lol Kaname your character's feelings is sending mixed messages here... But anyway, in cool with the dominance postures, lol.

Tyrande said nothing. She felt that, at the moment, words would do little to help her case. That however did not ease her mind. Jinx indeed displayed some dominance postures that would normally send the witch flying at the perpetrator. That didn't upset her as much, though, when the alpha turned to Kaname.

Of all the wolves to come across with the alpha! Tyrande was seriously considering she might've had better luck with Lecter of all wolves. Kaname used his authority with a glee that made a spark if anger in her belly that she had to beat down before she got herself into trouble that was unnecessary. Hopefully, whatever punishment Kaname had in mind kept her busy and away from him. She still didn't trust the flea-bag. He still gave her a wary chill that her instincts made her want to slit his throat.

Her face hid her negative thoughts, and she kept her eyes low, not attempting to make a challenge of any sort. Nightshade simply waited for her judgement.

He flashed his teeth briefly as Jinx made her circle of Tyrande, wary of what the submissive deserter would do beneath the scrunity. He had no solid grounds to really be up in arms over the whole situation; his actions were for show. As the Kesuk leader spoke, he listened just as he had when his father had performed similar decisions, and found himself musing as Kaname was queried for opinion. Catching the cursory glance by Jinx, Mordecai understood that for the time being, he was nothing more than an observer. Which was fine with him, and observe he did.

And again, he listened as the dark-coated Gamma placed his thoughts into the open air. Mordecai mused over the idea he proposed, wonder what Jinx would think of such a suggestion. His own opinions were unformed at that time, not knowing whether it would have been better to chase Tyrande away from their attempt to claim the sequoia-laden area or allow her entrance to the pack that she had already once vanished from. Either decision would be fine, he supposed. Either way, she would have to do quite a bit to earn her standing again when it came to their fold, apart of them or not. And if not, then he already knew that there would be little for her to do to change the decision.

Tyrande didn't speak, which was probably one of the wiser things that Jinx had ever witnessed her do. Kaname took a long look at the previous toxicologist before answering. Perhaps a fairer Alpha might have condemned that sort of behaviour, but Kaname's very obvious muscle flexing earned a smirk from his Alpha. Any of her wolves that wanted to brag about their authority one way or another were welcome to do it... So long as they did not think to try unseating her.

His answer was simple enough, and reasonable. The Kesuk chewed her lip thoughtfully, staring down at the submissive black female while considering her punishment. “I would like to hear both of your thoughts on what sort of punishment she should have,” said Jinx, only half hoping they would suggest removing something of value, like an eye or her tongue, physically. “But I concede. Tyrande, you may rise as a Silvertip Mountain wolf... But, since you were always so ambitious—” this she said while remembering how the swarthy female had eyed Lecter at the pack meeting, “—you will occupy the lowest rank in the pack until you prove to me that you know your place among us.”

Satisfied, the Alpha female stepped back, then turned away from Tyrande and strode past the wary Mordecai and the sneaky Kaname. She brushed against the rough. slim trunk of a lodgepole pine, cocked a leg (for even females of the species did that when flexing their muscles), and unabashedly marked it with her scent.

Tyrande, lol that's what I intended with Kaname. ;)

Upon finishing his thoughts on Tyrande's punishment he turned to Jinx to hear her reaction. For the most part Jinx agreed with his sentence. Tyrande would be at the bottom of the ranks, practically an Omega he hoped. Later they would discuss her punishment - boy, did he have a lot of ideas for that - but for now she would go unscathed.

Satisfied with her dealing of punishment to the deserter, Jinx strode to a pine, cocked a leg and marked it with her scent, showing her dominance. Kaname rose and walked over to the cowering black wolf and snorted at her. "Welcome back, Miss Nightshade." he smiled at her. "Glad to have you back within our ranks where you belong."

Hackles smoothing, Mordecai watched as judgement was lied down before him. She would be punished in due time, left for now to settle at the bottom of their ranks were his superiors felt she belonged. While Kaname moved in for a little one-on-one with Tyrande, Jinx swept past him to continue her marking. Mordecai, if only for a second, stood idle watching, before proceeding a touch further beyond them. He let his eyes linger on the reaccepted wolf as he passed by, taking up another invisible grid of the forestry near Jinx. With their time split between the mountain and the formation of their territory in the Spine, he steadily went to work in marking as well, following up some places with a series of pawing and scratching to cast it about.

There was much to do, though he was confident that the new claim would not be disturbed. It seemed like they really were away from the general traffic of the Wilds, bordering on the unknown even further from the coast that Mordecai had ever been willing to travel. While he didn't stray too far from the group, his eyes scanned through what he could make of the horizon (or what would have been it). In light of the ambient noise, Mordecai still thought it was quiet in the depths of the wood, and turned an ear back to listen in on what he could hear from the others. Just in case anything else interesting turned up.

As soon as Jinx allowed her to rise, Tyrande stood up as swiftly as she could without looking defiant. Though she kept her tail low to show off her rather embarrassing rank, she refuse to stay belly up for Kaname. She wanted to vomit at the thought. She began to thank Jinx, but saw the alpha walk off to mark a tree. Blinking curiously at the motion, Tyrande was still clueless about the new pack territory, but decided she would figure it out sooner or later. Turning towards Kaname, she kept her eyes low and tried not to meet his gaze. The feelings of shame and embarrassment nearly wafted off her, she tilted her head, unsure whether he had meant the term where you belong insultingly or not. She couldn't do anything about it. Not in front of Jinx, or that other wolf for that matter...

Maybe I can sneak Wisteria in his food somehow... that would be a good laugh. She could see it now: Kaname ordering her to fetch him food, and while she was out 'hunting', she'd collect some Wisteria and coat it over a piece of meat. She'd slip on some garlic scent for good measure, and when she returned, she'd tell him she had needed the pelt for something. Oh! The cramps would last for hours! And the vomiting and nausea would be such a plus! Everyone would think he just ate a sickly hare! Sure, I may be punished... But it would be so worth it... At least until they ask me to make an antidote... If any of them would actually see my strengths in that department...

Coming back to reality, she shook her head and muttered, "Thank you, Mister Kaname..." Lupus, she wanted to puke...

I'm probably gonna fade out here. Thanks guys! :D

The exchange between Kaname and Tyrande went largely ignored by the Alpha female, who no longer had to worry that Lecter's former pupil would threaten their new claim. The female would remain with them, or she would leave again. The outcome didn't matter either way to Jinx, who knew better by now than to trust a once-deserter any farther than she could throw her... Which, being a wolf, wasn't far at all.

The pale Kesuk slipped into the trees, her ear twisting to catch Mordecai's movements as he did the same elsewhere, and soon enough the sounds of her subordinates drifted away into the ambience of the forest, and her smile returned.

Last post from me; Kaname leaves with Tyrande no matter her decision

He snorted softly at Tyande's little jape, noticing the embarresment in her eyes, though she tried to hide it. He was suspicious of the little toxicologist now; she could poison him if she wanted and he would be none the wiser. It wouldn't be anything fatal, but it would most likely hurt. The Gamma turned, giving the new territory a wistful look before turning to Tyrande.

"Either you stay here and explore, or you return to the mountain. I will escort you either way." He cocked his head at her, waiting for her decision.

... I feel like the lowest rank is more like a prisoner status for Tyrande right now. This is gonna be fun...

Tyrande made an inward groan, but she didn't show it. After only a moments hesitation, she turned towards Silvertip Mountain and began to lengthen her stride. "I left some items in my old den. I'll be heading there to collect whatever I can salvage and prepare it for a moving. Then, if you still wish to join me, I'll be scaling this new territory for an acceptable den."

She had indeed kept her tail low, not even challenging him, but she refused to grovel, or at least not even treat him like a higher rank (he wasn't one in her eyes, anyway). She'd treat him like an equal, at least until he forced submission upon her, which even then it probably wouldn't be genuine. She sniffed the air and turned her direction towards the one wolf that hadn't spoken.

"Hmm..." Normally, she'd go over and introduce herself, but right now, it didn't seem the time. Turning away from Mordecai, she picked up the pace to a swift jog, not even checking to see if Kaname was to follow, even though she knew the wolf better than to lag behind.

exit Tyrande, stage left

Anddd, fin~! <3

When a flurry of feet kicked up the earth behind him, Mordecai turned his head and watched as the pair of dark wolves headed back towards the bulk of the Wilds. Satisfied that the turn of uncomfortable events had come to a full end, he too focused in on the task at hand with the others that would join them later. They had found a pearl of a territory in the form of the Spine, and making sure it stayed in their hands was of utmost importance.