Bearclaw Valley I'd never want once from the cherry tree

maybe @Ancelin? when you're feeling better <33 ; tag for mention

The morning air was brisk, biting against his fur as Cole moved steadily along the ridgeline, his sharp golden eyes scanning the horizon. Bearclaw Valley stretched out beneath him, quiet in the dawn's early light, though his thoughts were far from peaceful.
Dark feelings churned in his chest, heavier than the frost that clung to the rocks beneath his paws. He'd been on edge for days now, and the quiet of his scouting wasn't doing a thing to settle him. Instead, it gave his mind room to wander, and wander it did—to two faces he couldn't seem to shake.
@Nephele and @Winslet.
Two young women, so different and yet, somehow, both lodged deep in his thoughts. He huffed, the sound low and bitter, his breath misting in the cold air. What kind of fool was he? A man his age, caught up in thoughts of girls with bright eyes and kind hearts. He knew better. Or at least, he should've.
Stupid man, he muttered under his breath, ears flicking back in frustration. He should've been focusing on the patrol, on ensuring the safety of the pack. But instead, here he was, letting feelings he'd no business having weigh him down.

one heatwave passed, and ancelin waited almost anxiously to know if he and ameline would grace the valley with life once more. assured of his role in that, assured he had done literally all that he could and then some, the rex greeted this day with a good scratch.
bearishly ancelin rubbed his shoulders against one tree and then another, leaving behind tufts of variegated fur. splashing a generous amount of yellow against another trunk, he found cole's trail and stalked the other playfully, completely unaware of the guard's mopery as he prepared to spring.
the frozen air embraced ancelin as he leapt into it, a great roar erupting as teeth flashed and his strong arms streaked out to grab cole's broad shoulders.
never a moment not to be on guard, he decided.

Cole’s ear flicked instinctively, catching the faint crunch of snow behind him just a split second before the weight came crashing down. His muscles tensed, and he braced himself, snarling as a heavy body collided with his own. He twisted sharply, teeth bared, his instincts taking over as he rolled and pinned the assailant beneath him with a powerful shove of his shoulders.
Dammit, boy! Cole barked, his snarl morphing into a growl of irritation as recognition dawned. He loomed over Ancelin, his golden eyes narrowing. I thought you were some fuckin' rogue!
He huffed, his breath visible in the cold morning air, and released the Rex with a grunt, stepping back to allow him room to rise. Scarin’ me like that, he muttered, his voice softer now but still carrying an edge. Didn't mean to pin 'ya, Rex.
Cole shook his broad head, a faint flicker of amusement creeping into his otherwise gruff demeanor. Next time, give a man some warnin', huh?

boy? boy! but ancelin was not upset; he shook the snow from his coat and leered at cole with shining approval for the man's quick thinking. "better you pin me than someone else, hmm?" he chortled, colliding their shoulders in a show of friendship. "i'd have to kill em then."
stretching luxuriantly, he licked at the drifts for water and then sent his gaze scudding around he and cole. "you're up early and up high," he observed, glancing down into the valley. "anything to report?"
god their numbers were about to explode; ancelin could hardly wait. every pup born here would have a warrior's backing.

Cole grunted, shaking his head as his gaze swept over the valley below. A fuck ton of coyotes, he muttered, his voice gruff. Been seein’ more of ‘em skirting the edges. Bold little bastards. He paused, the edge of his lips twitching downward in irritation at the thought. Had a couple pokin’ around the borders. Took care of it, but it’s getting worse.
He rolled his shoulders, the weight of responsibility etched into his rugged frame. And yeah, he added, with a sharp exhale, Dolce and Rala tied the knot. Didn’t think I’d see the day, but there it is.
His gaze narrowed, scanning the horizon as he continued. Tvar and Towhee Jr., too. Sooner rather than later, I reckon. There was a faint smirk on his face, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Valley’s about to be crawling with pups. Better hope you’re ready for the noise.
With a nod toward Ancelin, Cole huffed, his expression a mix of amusement and resignation. You stickin’ close, or you got plans to run circles ‘round the new lovebirds?

pupils slowly dilated, a shark with blood-scent trailing through forbidden saltwater. "i heard them shouting and yipping. very rude of them to punctuate a wedding like that. freeloaders."
his words were light; his voice was not, the melonii eyes turned away from cole in slow deliberate scan of their horizon. "let's go get one of them," he grunted, trying to stay on theme; "a present for dolce and rala. as for the kids, i'm certain bearclaw valley will be home to a new scad of princesses and knights before long."
the idea was more than a little endearing, despite its baseline horror; dozens of children running out into the meadow to stampede elk, for instance.

The Rex had fire in him despite his age. It was almost like Cole was a proud father to see the personality dribble from his flesh. The same repulsion of coyotes had him gripping the earth beneath them, as if hoping one would spring from the midst.
But it didn't. And he was still there, face to face with the Rex.
On your lead, Rex. Cole dipped his head, waiting for him to take charge. Instead of audibly responding to his comment of a gift he restrained the urge to roll his eyes.
Dolce and Rala cubs. Whatever.
These emotions would soon wash away so long as he could sink his teeth into somethin'.

and off they went, missiles which sought the heat of coyoteblood.
a male standing in the open, two females who divided in running flight. it was the first to which ancelin targeted, running down the thin creature with all the aplomb of a charging bull.
he left cole to choose one of the others or to seek out any nest they might have built, his teeth ready to be blooded once more.

The scent of coyote clung to the air, sharp and pungent, a stench he had grown accustomed to over the years.
Ancelin charged forward, targeting the male with the force of an avalanche, leaving Cole to make his choice. His sharp eyes flicked between the two fleeing females before he veered after the one sprinting toward the brush.
His muscles coiled, and then he lunged. The coyote yelped, trying to twist away, but Cole was faster. His teeth found purchase at the scruff of its neck, yanking it back with a brutal force. It twisted in his grasp, snapping wildly, but he held firm, slamming it down into the dirt with a growl.
No mercy.
The coyote stilled beneath him, its struggles weak before ceasing entirely. Cole huffed, shaking the dust from his coat before lifting his head to scan for Ancelin, his ears pricked for any sign of another lurking threat.

spine snapped, he left her to die and rejoined cole with heaving chest and sharkblack eyes. the other female had fled, far and fast, but her scent said she carried more of the vermin.
he set off to track her, but not before diving toward cole's kill, scattering tufts of fur and later flesh there upon the snow with mauling force. he glanced toward his guardian for any sign of annoyance, but it might not have mattered; he was out for blood and ran off after the second female with beeline focus.

Cole watched Ancelin with a measured gaze, his own breathing steady despite the exertion of the hunt. The mangled remains of his own kill lay in the snow, dark smears of blood marking the struggle. He didn’t flinch when Ancelin tore into it—didn’t reprimand him for the reckless display—just tracked the younger man’s movements with sharp eyes, weighing his ferocity against his usefulness.
The second coyote was still out there, and Ancelin had already set off after it, driven by instinct and bloodlust. Cole exhaled through his nose, watching him go.
Shaking out his coat, he turned back to his own work, ensuring the scavenger he’d taken down was well and truly finished. No loose ends. No risks. When he was satisfied, he lifted his head, gaze following the path Ancelin had taken, before setting off after him, slow and methodical. If the boy wanted blood, he’d make sure it was spilled with purpose.

can fade or keep going! <3

she was fast, but ancelin's lupine stamina was little match for her terror. jogging with bouncy step, the rex kept the fleeing spot of fur in his malevolent sights.
cole pursued with more reservation. ancelin added speed to his lunge and began to chase her in earnest, piqued to greater violence by her cries of fear.
an arc drove her up and toward cole, indigo eyes shining with verve.
all for ameline. all for bearclaw.