Silvertip Mountain I knew him

All welcome, but maybe @Zaria or one of the babies? @Odette, @Stoic, @Adeline?

Ezekiel wandered through the mountain range, enjoying a sunny day. While he preferred night time, a good sunny day always managed to warm him up. He stopped by a few trees to mark his scent, making sure that no wolf would manage to 'accidentally' trespass. Very thoroughly he scouted the borders for about an hour before turning back to head towards his den. He thought about hunting, but that would only tire him further. His stomach began to protest but he ignored it, his tired legs told his stomach otherwise. 

Soon he came to the hollow area where most of the dens were. His den was just beyond the small ridge, at the roots of what was a large oak tree. It was small but he'd made it work. He got to his den and sat down, relaxing in the sun. This was what Zeke really needed, no amount of prey could defeat the pure pleasure of closing your eyes and sleeping.

Steady wound through the trees that covered the mountain, looking up into the canopy. Usually, there would be more shade provided by the branches and leaves, but the branches were bare. It meant less shade, and more heat, now that summer was here. But, if a wolf got hot, they only need to seek shelter in a den. 

It seemed one wolf had that idea, he thought as he came close to the communal den area, his gaze upon Ezekiel. The new Alpha approached the Epsilon, his tail wagging high with his rank, though Steady wasn't the overbearing type of leader. His demeanor when he was Beta would not change now that he had been promoted. It just meant he had some more difficult decisions to make regarding the pack. 

The dark wolf chuffed to announce he was present, not wanting to sneak up on Ezekiel. It's hot today, he commented. Steady rather liked the spring time, though this year he hadn't really gotten to enjoy it due to the locusts. How are you doing? he asked, wanting to know how he was faring.

Ezekiel was just getting to sleep when a familiar voice sounded from a bit away. When he opened his eyes he found himself looking at Steady, the dark figure was coming towards him with a friendly wag of his tail. It's hot today. He stated, causing Zeke to look around. A bit groggy from his almost nap, he yawned as he took his the air around him. It was hot, something that Zeke usually tried to ignore. He nodded with a sigh, partly because it was hot and partly because he didn't really want to chat. Oh well, this was his alpha and also friend.

I'm tired, hungry, but happy. It's very nice here. I'll be happy when it's normal again though. He grumbled with another yawn. He glanced up at the sky then back to Steady with another thought. So your the alpha now? How did you get Zaria to step down? It was a genuine question. The former alpha female intimidated Zeke a bit.

Had Ezekiel voiced that he didn't want to chat, Steady would have left him to his devices. But, since his pack mate seemed accepting of the conversation, Steady sat back on his haunches a few yards away from the other male. He nodded when Ezekiel commented it would be better when everything returned to normal. I agree. I miss all the green... especially the food that comes with it, he said, grinning. He had never appreciated the grass, the bushes, and the leaves so much until this famine had come about, and he likely would never take it for granted again.

He nodded again, though he didn't really smile at his new title. He hadn't gotten it the way he had wanted to, but still, it was his. In his heart, he felt it still belonged to Fitz. She's not one hundred percent these days. She hasn't been eating nearly anything since it's all going to the pups. She wasn't large to begin with, either, he commented. She realized she needed to take some time to focus on herself. It was the truth, though he didn't really like saying that Zaria was anything less than fully capable of leading the pack. But, unfortunately, it was the way things were. It was only because of her selflessness, though.

Oh yes, the food. That was what Zeke missed most of all. Thinking about sinking his flesh into the fresh meat of a kill, not an old, stinky, scavenged one filled his senses and made him feel starved. His stomach growled a bit at the thought. Yes the green couldn't return soon enough even if it came the next day. He was surprised that Steady didn't appear too excited over his new rank. If Ezekiel was alpha he'd be ecstatic! Of course he never knew of FitzDutiful, the former alpha, so he never shared in the grief. If he had he too might've been a bit wary of taking the former alpha's title.

So Zaria had too much on her plate. Completely understandable. Zeke himself had never had the responsibility of alpha or the responsibility of being a father. He nodded, respect shone in his pale eyes when he looked back to Steady. Well I hope her well, and you too. Congratulations. He gave Steady a small smile, glad that he had a trustworthy and kind alpha.

Steady was a little bittersweet over his new title, and pretty calm about the whole thing. To him, being an Alpha wasn't an easy thing. It was something to take seriously. Steady had a lot of wolves counting on him to lead them in the right direction, and he didn't take that lightly. 

He smiled to Ezekiel. Thank you, he responded. Eager to move on from the topic, he asked, Have you been socializing at all? Steady worried a little about the other male since he seemed to be a little hesitant on hanging out with the others of the pack. From previous conversations, he remember Ezekiel thought himself less than pleasant. While he was a serious sort of fellow, Steady didn't like him any less because of it. He was never rude or disrespectful.

Steady changed the topic, asking whether or not Zeke had been socializing. In fact he had! Well he thought he had. He'd met quite a few wolves. That counted as socializing. Had it gone well with all of them? Maybe... I have I guess. I think I've met all of our wolves, except some of the other pups. I like most of them, Niita is very likable and I guess Phocion and Makui are alright. And Anita... What could he say about her that wasn't rude. She'd stepped on his paw on purpose and acted all sassy. She was childish and petty. Yeah I met her too.

That was good enough. He chuckled a bit, a small smile shaping his face. Then he remembered the pup he'd met, that very awkward confrontation. I've met Odette as well. I think I may have scared her on accident. I tried to tell her who I was but she seemed a bit paranoid and wouldn't believe me. If you see her could you tell her I'm sorry? He had always had a soft spot for pups, and he had felt bad about spooking the young girl. Hopefully he could straighten it out.

He listened as Ezekiel listed off the wolves that he met, and what he thought about him. The Alpha did notice the other male seemed to leave Anita open-ended. Had they not gotten along? The female seemed nice when he accepted her. Or maybe Ezekiel thought she was "special." Steady knew Phocion had called dibs on the female, and maybe Ezekiel knew that. Either way, Steady let it go, not wanting to pry. He figured Ezekiel would talk to him if he wanted to. I'm glad you like them. Once our prey returns, we'll all be working together quite a bit more often to bring it down, he said. He needed a team that could get past their differences, if there were any, and work together. Right now, they were hunting as individuals, for the most part, since it was all smaller prey they were looking to catch.


His head cocked a little when he mentioned his meeting with Odette. He was a little glad the pup had been hesitant to trust him. Though Steady knew Ezekiel would never harm anyone here, it made him feel better that Odette wouldn't trust just anyone. If anyone got by the adults, as little chance as there was, Odette's distrust would make it more difficult for them to take her. He nodded to his friend. Of course, I'll tell her, Steady assured him. 

Speaking of working as team, his mind thought. How are you and Krypton getting along? Learning some from her? He wasn't sure how hands-on his Gamma was being. Some learned better through experience, others learned better from being taught out right. Steady could tell Ezekiel was an independent fellow, but wasn't sure how much direction he was taking from Krypton.

Oh joy, working together more with Anita. Well it was all part of being a pack wolf. And the others were just fine. Ezekiel nodded respectfully, he too was ready for the large game to return. He was tired of eating scraps and mice. All he really wanted was a nice tender deer to eat. Steady seemed ok with the whole puppy thing, which was good for Zeke. If the black male had been upset with him, he wouldn't have known what to say. Steady agreed to talk to Odette for him and Zeke smiled with relief. Thanks man. Steady was pretty great, very reliable. 

Krypton. He hadn't seen her in a while. Last he'd seen the light brown wolf was before he was even allowed to go near the pups. Shame washed over him when he realized that he'd almost forgotten about her. I haven't seen her lately, but she's very nice. She helped me out when I first got here but I'm not sure where she's been. He said, brows furrowed as he wondered.

He smiled. No worries, he replied. Ezekiel had expressed an interest in the pups when he first came here, and Steady knew he was eager to get to know them. Steady just didn't anticipate the pups being too leery of the new members to hang around them. The Alpha would do his best to assure the pups that the newcomers were safe, and hoping entice them to socialize.

 His ears swiveled when Ezekiel admitted he hadn't seen Krypton since his joining. He had hoped his Gamma would spend a little more time with the new wolf, and he wasn't sure what had kept her away. She was generally a very outgoing and friendly wolf, but the famine may have changed her the way it had changed others. 

 He was glad to see, though, that Ezekiel was settling in okay. Well, if you have any problems, don't hesitate to come to me. I want to know what's going on, he replied. He almost felt a little detached from the others since his promotion, but he knew that was him projecting his feelings. They had been such a tight-knit family, and Steady was accustomed to seeing the same wolves day to day. With the loss of some, and the addition of others, Steady had to admit that he was still adjusting.

Steady assured Ezekiel that he could come to him whenever, and Zeke nodded. While he knew that it was a pleasantry, he also knew that Steady was serious. They guy should be a counselor, for he was a great listener and always seemed concerned about his pack mates. I will. And Zeke was serious too. Out of all the wolves he'd met at Silvertip mountain, Steady was probably his favorite. He was kind of like the brother that he never had, discounting Gabe. Gabe didn't count as a brother but more as a brother of war, the Manchester wolves were a much different kind of family.

Zeke yawned, remembering how tired he'd been earlier. The remains of that weariness were returning, taking over his muscles like a virus. Well I'm going to get back to my nap, if you don't mind of course. Usually this would be the point when the grey wolf would leave to go back to his den, but they were already there. He did feel a bit bad for telling Steady to go, but he meant it in the friendliest way. His white tipped tail swooshed across the ground as he spoke, as if dusting the ground where he would sleep.

I'll archive here :-)

Ezekiel agreed to let Steady know of anything important, and the Alpha was satisfied, trusting the other male to do just that. The black male nodded when Ezekiel gave him the ever-polite hint to scram so that he could nap. He stood, I know when I'm being dismissed, he joked, smiling. Enjoy your nap, he said, before strolling off to find some other entertainment.