Firefly Glen suspended in this disaster

Spica's accidental intrusion had encouraged Osiris to conduct patrols of Firefly Glen on foot. There was very little that he could do from his lofty vantage point, and he sought to keep Moonspear's claim safe, as he had promised Hydra. 

Osiris patrol began early in the morning after he had filled his belly with meat. Mist raised from the snow-covered ground, and the sun was just beginning to rise. Heading westward, Osiris traveled through the heart of the territory. Stopping occasionally, as a random smell would catch his attention, he would pause his progression to investigate. Until now, Osiris had been able to determine that whatever he scented was harmless, but this time was different. Osiris smelled another wolf—one that certainly did not belong in Firefly Glen. Cautiously, he headed in the direction of the intruder.

driven out by the maddening chokehold of her season, astara skulked from bearclaw. she felt its walls oppressive, merrick's presence -- while beloved -- only served to make her feel more claustrophobic.

she wished to be alone.

hours had passed since she slipped from the darkstone valley. she had slept off most of the day under the frond of a fir, and now watched curiously as a creature -- wolf, by her guess -- meandered close.

he was tracking something; astara kept to the shade, watchful. if she hadn't known better she would have said he was following a path strikingly similar to her own.. but that couldn't be, right?

her gaze hardened, the cut of her indigo eyes reproachfully watching the boy. he was young, lean -- by astara's measure he might make a fine chew-toy for merrick..

if he ventured any closer he would find this little shade had fangs.

Venturing closer was Osiris' duty. He could not leave a stranger alone in their claim. Astara's scent revealed more as he drew nearer, namely the unfamiliar aroma of her season. Osiris took even more caution in his approach after deciphering the smell, knowing all that Hydra had taught him about a women's cycle—particularly, the hormonal changes that one endured. 

Osiris stilled his progression once Astara's scent became overbearing. Although he could not see her, as the surrounding shadows concealed her, he could smell her. Scrutinizing the darknesses, Osiris commanded: "You are trespassing on Moonspear's claim. You need to leave—now." He stood rigidly, his hackles raised, and his fangs bared; although he could not pinpoint exactly where she hid, he regarded the stretch of shadows.

Despite his racing heartbeat, Osiris kept his composure; this was a dangerous situation, and he would act with caution.

the boy came closer. astara made note of the fern-green of his gaze, which reminded her of distant summer. a pleasant image, were it not for the fact threat rippled beneath his vainglorious posture.

lazily, astara studied his form. his territorial posturing was met with a slow slink, the little blackbird at last pulling from her roost under the fen-cover.

she made to prowl sulkily past, as if his grand show of aggression had subdued her interest in lingering. as she passed his shoulder in that hyaenid slouch she spun, fangs bared for the boy's skull.

He watched this exchange from a distance, rugged ears pricked forward and pale eyes sharp on the form of a raven-furred stranger. Dacio knew of Hydra's offspring, had seen them only in passing while managing to avoid interaction, so he watched with curiosity to see how one might handle a rogue who lurked so close to their territory.

It all happened so swiftly. The dark she-wolf, likely grasping at a chance to dominate one so young, so lacking in experience, appeared to heed Osiris' warning only briefly as she made to slink quietly by. Dacio was already prowling forward to provide assistance that the tawny juvenile would likely require when she chose to turn on him, fangs ready to mar flesh.

The warrior lengthened his stride, jaws parted to spit forth a guttural snarl as he moved to rapidly close the distance between them. While Dacio had not cared enough to know his Alphas' brood, he could never stand idly by while harm came to them. So he rushed in with every intent of thrusting himself into the fray, enough that he might scruff the attacker within eager teeth to drag her to the ground and allow Hydra's bold son a moment of opportunity to escape.

Note: Sorry for the wait! Please skip me moving forward!

Astara's assault happened within the blink of an eye, and Osiris was ill-prepared to combat her attack. Crumbling beneath the pressure that she had so-expertly applied, he succame suddenly to a bleakness in his consciousness. Whatever injury Astara caused would only be recognized once Osiris regained awareness. 

He would not wake until hours later, once he was being monitored carefully by @Lyra. Panicked and confused, Osiris asked for a recollection of what had happened to him; Dacio's heroic deed would be remembered, even if Osiris had initially forgotten all that had happened that day.

she grabbed the boy by his thin skull and flung him aside. her teeth sunk into meat cleanly. expertly. the click of tooth against bone, of ripping flesh..

sick sick delight coursing through her veins that he had been so unassuming a mark, so easily disposed.

astara felt a black stroke of malevolence for this boy, for his pompous crowing and his kinds' possession of a territory that was not their own. her fangs bared readily as a cobra's as she reared to strike, only to hear the thundering gait of a wolf bearing down upon her.

she whirled in time to meet dacio, but not avoid his attack. he grabbed the thick of her ruff as she dived downward, feeling pain as it tore through the back of her nape. incensed, fueled now by needling desperation, astara lunged for the man's unprotected limb to seize it and overthrow him.