Silvertip Mountain My Wounds Run Deeper Than My Veins

The gray wolf lay there in his old den. Nothing much about it had changed. Sure, might have been in need of some very few changes, but he was too tired for that. Too injured. Too heavy with worry and depressing thoughts. 

His eyes drifted off to the sky. Chaska waited there, wanting the stars to come out sooner. But it was the afternoon. They weren't coming out for some time. All he could do was wait. With a huff, he averted his eyes from the sky to the landscape around him.

The guardian paused his rounds when he caught onto an unfamiliar scent. It smelled faintly of Silvertip Mountain, but was definitely not a scent he recognized. Ezekiel snorted, deciding it would be best to make sure this was just a newbie and not some intruder. The large grey male was ever the protector, it was his duty to ensure these borders stayed safe. He wouldn't want anyone getting in and harming the pups or any of his pack mates for that matter. If that happened, he would feel the brunt of the guilt, always believing it was his fault. And so his snow tipped paws led him after the unknown scent, curiosity burning in his mind.

Soon he came to find an older white and grey wolf lazing about in what looked like a den. So he was probably new to the pack, but Zeke had to make sure. He stood a bit away so as not to intimidate the male, but held himself high to show dominance. He chuffed to get the other's attention and waited for Chaska to notice him.

Chaska was about to look up again when some movement caught his eye. Normally, he was glad to see another to greet him for the day. But despite what he said when he arrived, he didn't want to see any faces, new or old just yet. 

He lazily nodded his head in their direction in acknowledgement, but said nothing. For a moment he wondered if this wolf was the one who would be caring for him. Chaska recalled the time after his fall, where Krypton had looked after him. A kind gesture he would never forget. Nevertheless, he did not speak.

Ezekiel liked this guy already. He didn't talk much, which was good for Zeke because he wasn't a talker either. But then again that was just his first impression, he didn't know the guy all that well. The other wolf gave him an acknowledging nod, but did nothing else. That wasn't exactly what Zeke had hoped for, but it'd do for now. What he didn't like about this new wolf was that he appeared sickly, or just starved, or perhaps even wounded. Why would Steady have allowed a sick or wounded wolf through borders in a time like this. They needed helpful members, not helpless ones.

More curious now than before, Zeke broke his usual silence to speak to the male. You new or... He asked, trailing off in expectance that the guy would finish the sentence for him.

Chaska eyed the other wolf. He took in their features so that he would not forget, once their name came up later in the conversation. If it did. Frankly, he didn't care at the time. He shook his head at the question. "Came back after a journey south. This pack, it was good to me..." "And I still have a promise to keep" he added silently in thought. 

"Are you?" he asked, ears perking up to hear an answer. If he hadn't changed at all, he would have been going on about how great this pack was, and would have asked if they wanted to hear a story be now. But he was not in any mood to tell one.

Ezekiel gave the older male a moment to study him, check him out and get used to him. Zeke usually would do the same but he didn't want to get close to this guy just yet, he appeared wounded, and was likely just starved, but sickness could lunge at any time and this would not be the ideal time to come down with something. The male spoke about the pack, and how he'd come back. So maybe he'd left and returned, that explained why Steady would've let a weak wolf across their borders. Even then Zeke didn't approve much of the thought, but he also didn't know this guy at all.

The returned wolf turned the question of Zeke, and he nodded quickly. Relatively. Name's Ezekiel, or Zeke. Nice to meet you sir. He said respectfully, though the other male was in a lower rank than himself. Back at Winter's Bluff, through all the dumb, strict, and cruel rules, they'd also been taught respect for their elders. The guy wasn't that much older, just two years, but still it was nice to have respect.

A large grin appeared across Chaska's muzzle. He was oddly humored by this wolf's, Ezekiel or rather Zeke, formality. It was very kind of him. But he found that wasn't the reason and instead was humored by how he used to be so formal to others. His tail ever swayed a bit.

"Chaska" he responded, giving a little nod to Zeke. "Nice to meet you too." He didn't add in sir, cause he rarely used that. Unless he addressed an alpha for the first time. "Steady accepted you? He is a kind guy." "Just like Fitzdutiful" he added in thought, his ears wilting ever so slightly. And his tail stilled at thinking about him. He missed him liked he missed any friend.

Ezekiel didn't know what was so funny. But Chaska's smile led him to think he'd done something laughable. Zeke raised an eyebrow, a bit confused, but he got over it quickly. He'd never know why some wolves were the way they were, and he would probably never know what he'd done to get the older wolfs tail to sway. His name was Chaska, one he'd definitely never heard before. This Chaska was courteous at least, returning his greeting and dipping his head. Finally, some people knew how to treat upper ranks. He still was yet to tell Steady about Anita's disobedient and rude streak, but with every confrontation he was getting closer to tattling.

Ezekiel nodded to Chaska's question, oblivious to the little drop in the males good mood. He usually didn't catch on to these things, he was bad at emotional conversations. Yeah, Steady's a cool guy. He's found a special girl now too, if you didn't know. Zeke smiled, finding the though amusing. He wondered how it would go between Steady and Niita, especially after the whole sparring incident. Steady was easy to let things go, but would Niita?

Chaska very much liked this wolf in front of him. He didn't seem rude at all, in fact he was quite kind. For a moment Chaska thought on how long he'd been here. Had he come right after he left? Or right before he came back? That would be something to ask later, if he got the time.

The older wolf nodded. "Niita. He told me about her, though I haven't met her yet. She must be something to have caught his eye" he said with a grin. He hoped to meet her soon, just to see what Steady saw in her. He was curious.

Chaska already knew about Niita, but hadn't met him. Ezekiel smiled at his smile. He found that he liked the older male, he seemed tolerable, and humble. Two things Zeke looked for in his friends. Yes Niita. Seems really nice, very pretty and helpful. Not really my type but she's a good friend. I'm glad Steady found her. He smiled, remembering the day when he himself had intercepted Niita at the border. He'd been rather rough on her at first, but now they were good friends. Sometimes Zeke was too quick to judge, and that sometimes led him down the wrong path. With Anita however, he hadn't gotten it a bit wrong.

Ezekiel sat down, maybe a chat with Chaska wouldn't be that bad after all. Curious to learn more about the older male, he spoke again! What about you? Have you ever had a mate before? It was a touchy subject at times, but Zeke had sort of been hoping someone could mentor him in all things relationships. Back at the Bluff, relationships were one of the last priorities, and on his mother and father were allowed to do so, seeing as they were alphas. Even though he was technically a young adult now, he still didn't really know how to start a relationship.

What Zeke said about Niita made him want to meet her more and more. He just had to see for himself who had caught Steady's eye. Sure, he wasn't a good judge at these kinds of things but surely he could figure it out between those two. Especially since Steady could easily tell him.

And Zeke's next question, Chaska shook his head. He remembered having a talk like this before with Zaria. Someone he needed to meet again. "Not ever have I had a mate. Nor looked for one." And he hadn't planned on ever having one. "Never thought on it really." For some reason, and he hadn't noticed, those last words had a sad touch to them. As if there was some hole in his heart he did not know about.

Chaska had never had mate, nor looked for one. Ezekiel hoped he'd someday find one, but like Chaska he hadn't really thought on it much either. If it's any consolation I haven't either. I've never really had time for those kinds of relationships. I hope I'll find a girl someday though. I'm sure you will too, I'm pretty sure girls like cool scars like yours. He said with a smile, gesturing with his nose to the rake down the older male's eye. Zeke had had some scars himself, one long and down his back leg. Given by his loving mother. Another a bite mark on his rump from a more challenging fight. A scar on the eye was what he really needed though to complete the cool bad boy look.

Chaska rolled his eyes at that remark. He didn't care for any of that. He was about to make a response until the other wolf came closer. An instinct rose and his head reared back, a growl threatrning to come through his toothy snarl. His hackles raised, the grey wolf frowning at the other wolf.

Immediately after, he let it all disappear. "I'd rather no one was to touch me, thank you...it's still fresh." Even though it wasn't fresh enough for it to hurt as much as his leg, he didn't want anyone touching it.

As Ezekiel neared to gesture at the scar on Chaska's eye, the older wolf lurched back a low growl beginning inside of him. Zeke moved back on his haunches, ears flattened as he prepared for Chaska to attack. He shouldn't have trusted him all along! He was about to begin growling at the grey wolf when Chaska's facial features returned to the way they were. Still on edge, Ezekiel let his ears swivel up to their normal height and fur flatten. Never mind, the male had been on the defensive and nor offensive. Zeke was so used to taking growls as challenges that he'd almost got himself into a fight. Stupid.

I'm sorry sir, won't happen again. He said, hoping this hadn't ruined his budding friendship with Chaska. It wouldn't be the first time his quick judgement had lost him things.

last post

Chaska watched the other wolf warily. Part of him suddenly didn't trust them, thinking they might try it again. His mind was taken off Ezekiel when his rear wound started to tingle with pain. He reached back to begin licking it. Then paused realising the other wolf was there. 

"If you will excuse me...I would like to be alone. Please." He went back to licking after saying that, being careful with the wound as he gave it a thorough clean. But before the other wolf could leave, he spoke up again. "Thank you for the company." He had enjoyed talking, even if it had ended with him snarling.

So Ezekiel had blown it, but it was completely understandable. He dipped his head respectfully and stood. Of course, and sorry again about that eye. He said, offering up a faint smile. With that the large shale colored wolf began to walk away, head held high in posture. Chaska spoke up again, thanking Zeke for the company. It had been a nice conversation before of course they got all puffed up. You're welcome! See you again downtime. He gave a quick nod and then continued back to the border. This had been a nice break, but duty calls.

Thanks for the thread!