Haunted Wood My teeth and ambitions are bared

He missed his children, Wildfire and what he had already come to think of as the neverborns. Of course, he and Fox could (and would) try again as soon as nature dictated. This hope did nothing to stop him from sinking into a depression in the meantime, however. It didn't help that the days were getting shorter, darker and colder. He could feel the deep cold coming, way down in his bones. The snows would arrive, food would become scarce and the easy pace of summer would give way to the difficulties of a northwestern winter.

Peregrine didn't feel like doing much of anything today, though there was much to be done. He spent a few hours patrolling, then several more hunting. It was an altogether productive morning. Then noon came around and he grabbed some lunch, then seated himself on a low outcropping to survey the caldera's foot as he ate. When he finished, he realized he had nothing to do all afternoon. He felt a gloomy black cloud forming over his head.

His single good eye shifted toward the sparse treetops of Haunted Wood. The Alpha wolf suddenly bared his teeth, his hackles prickling. He swept down the mountainside and marched into the dreary forest, emptying his bladder and bowels once he reached his destination. He wasn't sure the unwelcome wolves were still here—hopefully, the had grown some brains and left—but if they were, he was suddenly spoiling for a fight.

Unlike many wolves Hayde was usually fond of the cold and winter season. She would become a ghost once the snow lay on the ground, and her pelt of silky white fur would be much more useful than when against the bright autumn colors. Though for now she clashed against the orange and red scenery while hunting proved more difficult each and every day. Food was migrating out of the woods and the pale girl wondered if her sister's rag tag group of wolves could remain here much longer.

The wolfess wasn't at her strongest, though with her winter coat growing in nicely it appeared as if she hadn't lost much weight at all. While her fur provided false strength, Hayde felt the weakness in her muscles. She could feel herself growing sick over the past days and was now at the point where she would rather stay sleeping in her den, than preform the duties expected of her.

With a groan, the female crawled out of her den and towards the borders to go on a quick patrol she hoped would be easy and give little problems for her to deal with. Though when the familiar scent of the neighboring alpha male was found, Hayde felt as if her stomach twisted into knots while she spilled bile onto the ground. Why of all wolves did it have to be that asshole? Hayde pulled herself together and slowly began to track the alpha down while tripping over rocks and even her own feet. Today was the one day the female actually considered allowing an intruder to pass through, but on her final decision to flee or fight Hayde pushed forward praying she wouldn't be the only wolf to confront the intruder.

The dark wolfess had been marking the borders like a madman when Peregrine had entered. She could see a dark figure in the disance, though actions were unknown. A growl rumbled in her throat, knowing none of her wolves had dark pelts like hers. It must be the fool of an alpha. If he kept being cocky, he would get himself killed.

 Lusa crept towards him, turning to behind him at a distance. She could see her pale coated sister before her, following Peregrine as well. Her paws swiftly and quietly went up to be shoulder-to-shoulder with Hayde, glancing at her before examining Peregrine's moves. She dare not howl for others now, for their spot would be discovered. Hopefully the rest of her wolves were within the range of this bastard.

He heard someone stumbling behind him and turned to see not one but two wolves, both of them familiar. Peregrine growled as he slowly whirled to face them. He couldn't believe they were still here. He had never met someone as stubborn as Lusa. It seemed her pride mattered more to her than common sense... and her own pack mates' lives.

He wasn't normally one for words, yet Peregrine was so taken aback by the entire situation that he couldn't help himself. "What's so special about this forest?" the swarthy wolf demanded. "There must be a dozen others in this area that you could claim without all this grief. Yet you're still here. Why?" He doubted any reason she gave would make sense, yet his jade eyes fixed sharply on her face, challenging her to come up with a sufficient reason.

Hope y'all don't mind if I hop in late! :)

When Elwood came across Peregrine's scent along the southern border heading straight for Haunted Wood, his curiosity got the better of him. He hadn't yet laid eyes on the wolves trying to claim the dark forest, and though he wasn't usually an instigator, he wanted to provide backup for Peregrine should the Alpha run into any trouble. Along the way, he came across a foul-smelling present left behind by Peregrine and carefully skirted around it.

He didn't have to travel too much further before he found not only Peregrine, but two unfamiliar she-wolves. Elwood moved to stand alongside his friend and leader, his yellow eyes resting coldly on the females. Their coats contrasted each other, but their expressions were nearly identical as they glared at Peregrine. He had heard the last part of Peregrine's words as he approached and looked to the opposition expectantly; he wanted answers, as well.

I hope you don't mind that awful bird eating popcorn while watching this unfold

Hugin had always quite fond of drama. Not partake in it, but watch it unfold.  He had flown from Blackfeather in these parts out for food and maybe some company of other ravens he knew. Taking a rest on a tree, he was disturbed by talking .  He opened an eye and looked down. Tension could be felt. As another raven joined and got a short news that this was a recurrent thing, because a pack wanted to set foot in Haunted Woods.  The bird then flew away to have a better angle on the situation and  Hugin remained. One of the wolves was familiar, he did not really pay attention to the Blackfeather wolfs but he was sure he had seen the black female over there. For now, he just silently watched from above what was going to happen.

Going to use some PP on Hayde since her player went inactive

 Lusa's eyes flickered from Peregrine to a grey wolf who had come to the alpha's aid. As much as she would love to tear the male apart along with her sister, she just hated even odds. Odds in her favor were way more fun.

 The dark female's ear twitched at Peregrine's question. "Well that's something you need to find out yourself, now isn't it?" she said in a calm voice, starting to back away. "Best of luck..." She motioned for Hayde to follow her, not wanting a eight. Not now anyways.

 The Yin and Yang sisters slowly backed away from the two, until they turned around and ran to the heart f the wood. Lusa let out a howl as she ran, just to try to give the two males some common sense to run away. f they didn't, well, he followers would have something to say about that.

-Lusa and Hayde exit

She was stupid to the point of insanity. It was the only explanation. No rational wolf with half a brain would linger in these woods, putting herself and her family (including young pups) in such danger. Perhaps this made her more of a threat, yet that's not how Peregrine saw it. Especially when the two she-wolves ran away like little bitches, the Alpha decided he simply couldn't take any of this stuff seriously anymore. Why worry about wolves that were going to get themselves killed one way or another? Not many wolves would pledge themselves to such a crazy Alpha in the first place. There was no way this pack would succeed.

Once they were gone, Peregrine exchanged looks with his recently arrived Beta. He blinked and smacked his lips slowly before proposing, "Wanna wreck the place?" By "wreck," the Alpha meant to urinate and defecate until his insides were emptied and withered, then leave his mark in other ways, such as rubbing his scent and raking his claws against as many trees as possible. Although the squatters were no serious threat, Peregrine would still leave no doubt as to who was the dominant pack.

As soon as Elwood arrived, the two she-wolves took their leave. His tail swished behind him as he watched them go, Lusa's words and resounding howl falling on deaf ears. Nothing that she or any of her packmates said would change the Redhawks' opinions of them -- they were still proving themselves to be senseless with their actions, by continuing to try to claim Haunted Wood.

He snorted softly, then turned his gaze to Peregrine. The Alpha's invitation was met with a smirk, and rather than reply verbally, Elwood sidled up to the nearest tree and hiked his leg.