Ouroboros Spine out of the night that covers me

Open for OS wolfies!

Tonravik was not so unwise as to think she would be received well by all. That, however, was of little consequence to her. For in time, they would come to see that she was here, and she was here to stay. It did not matter who their leader once was, it did not matter her longevity. For what she had done to her own pack was unforgivable; she had left with no word, leaving the borders unmanned and her pack open to any number of things. How fortunate for her. How unfortunate for the other.

The new leader knew beyond any benefit of a doubt that Kroc and Echelon were nearby. Tensions certainly were high, and Tonravik only hoped these tensions would be gone when the week passed. The bear of a wolf would not be dissuaded from the task at hand. Whether or not the wolves here would become part of the greatest legacy these lands had seen was up to them. She needed no weak links. 

Alusia had no idea if she was going to stay in the Spine, but unfortunately for the pale wolfess she had no where to go if she left. A sigh escaped her as she trotted through the territory, searching for something to eat. However her search for food was interrupted when she spotted the dark wolfess, who now ruled the Spine. Alusia turned around wanting to completely ignore the other wolf, but something inside the arctic wolfess told her to face the new alpha. 

As Alusia approached Tonravik, her tail rose slightly, and her ice cold eyes focused on the midnight form infront of her. She wanted to prove that she would not be shoved around, but also didn't want to be run out of the pack just yet. After pausing for a few seconds, Alusia finally spoke to the other. "I apologize for my actions at the gathering" the pale female forced out, and waited for Tonravik's reaction. 

Tonravik continued to move through the territory, her lumbering form from afar looking something like a grizzly not yet full-grown. But, for a wolf, she was large, as large as was proportionately allowed. She carried her weight well, the tall, boxy wolf. In the distance was a pale form... and as her nostrils flared, she caught wind of who it was. Tonravik watched as the confident woman strode toward her, and her erect ears cupped and leaned ever-so-slightly forward. A quiet growl was offered to the woman, mind yourself. Tonravik was not here to push the pack around, and although there was a certain pleasure in dominating wolves, there was no pleasure to be found when it was your own subordinate. The dark woman wanted unity and strength. She wanted the Spine to become a cohesive unit. But none of that could be had if others thought it fit to challenge her every move.

But first, Tonravik knew, the wolves would need to know she was here to stay. Tonravik watched the other, and truth be told, was surprised by the words that she heard. It took a moment for them to register for her. "Do not apologize. You wanted to be sure," Tonravik offered at length, "Sure I was fit to lead." Tonravik understood that much. It was better that Alusia knew she could, the strength she had. There was no shame in what she had done. Tonravik, most of all, knew what it was to earn one place. She had fought tooth and claw for her place before; but, there had been none to fight here. Cara had abandoned the helm. She wondered what Alusia would make of her, now. While Tonravik was not compassionate, strength and force and instinct she could understand.

The dark female's growl did not intimidate Alusia like it would have before. Her time away from the Spine had changed the arctic wolfess. She had become tougher, when she had to survive alone, and she had little respect for those she didn't know. Her parents would be ashamed. Nevertheless, the pale wolfess was glad she changed, and thought it was for the best. 

Alusia was shocked to hear the words that came out of Tonravik's mouth. For a moment the pale wolfess wondered if she was just saying that, or if she actually meant it. Alusia lowered her tail a bit, and became curious on how exactly this stranger would rule. For a brief moment the arctic female wondered if this wolf would be a better alpha than Cara, but she quickly shook that idea from her head. "The only way I will be sure you are fit to lead is in time" Alusia spoke and kept her stare on the dark female. However the pale wolfess might not be around to see just how well Tonravik could lead.  

I luv Alusia, and I luv this thread

Tonravik observed the other woman. It was not strength that made a wolf not flinch in the face of their leader, but stupidity. Particularly when strength was already shown. Tonravik was unflinching in her own resolve that she'd need to put the woman down again if she continued to behave in such a way; strength was all she could show to Alusia in the moment, and truth be told, all she needed to demonstrate she was worthy in the time Alusia had given her. To be challenged at every turn was not something Tonravik was interested in... but, Alusia had heard her words, and seemed to change.

She was glad for it. Tonravik did not want to think the woman simple to the most basic way of the wolf, which would render the woman altogether useless. Tonravik still could empathize with the need to be tested, and accepted it. The woman would show the wolves she was a woman worthy of being followed. To the others words, Tonravik nodded. Time, she had. The bear of a wolf licked her chops. "Whoever led, whoever abandoned her wolves," she started, "If you think that is the leader you wish to follow, you may find her." Tonravik looked to Alusia, impassioned. "What happened here," her takeover, "Will be the last time. The Spine will become a stronghold. I have no room for fickle wolves. Loyalty is earned," she hummed, "I will earn it," With, or without Alusia here to see the Spine become the strongest... "And we, as a whole, will be unconquerable." That would be the legacy she would leave. Her words finished with a resounding click of her jaws, her eyes hard and her energy palpable. Tonravik was a woman with a vision.

It would be a shame if Alusia did not wish to be a part of it. Tonravik could not understand the mind of a wolf who would follow a woman that had simply left them. Her words were not empty, however. Alusia could be a part of it, or she could leave, now. Tonravik did like the spirit Alusia held, and there would surely be disappointment to come if that was what Alusia wanted. She saw plenty of potential in the pale wolf, potential untapped. Only a beast could lure it out, and Tonravik knew she was the beast that brought out the animal in Alusia.

Aww thanks :) Tonravik is going to be such a good alpha <3

Tonravik's words angered the arctic female. Cara was not a nobody and did not deserve the title of whoever. Alusia kept her mouth shut until then dark wolfess finished her rant, and then the pale girl rolled her eyes and gave a huff of annoyance. "I bet every alpha says what you just stated. That they will rule their land and it will thrive, and that they will be impenetrable." Alusia paused to take a breath before continuing. "I hate to break it to you, but no matter how many loyal wolves you have, or how great a leader you are the Spine is not invincible." 

Alusia silently wondered how Tonravik would take her words. The pale female expected to be shoved back to the ground and forced into submission once again. Alusia wanted her voice to be heard, and one way or another her opinion would matter. Whatever Tonravik said Alusia would try and use it against the dark female. 

I HOPE SO! EDIT: added a bit presuming lu left!

Tonravik had no other name to call the once leader of this place. She had left everything behind for Tonravik to gather... but not her name, only her scent. Alusia's words were met with amusement in her heart. That Alusia could only bet, and did not know from her previous leaders, already refuted her imaginative claim. "You think this, because you do not know. Soon, you will know." Tonravik could not attest to the moment, because the pack had been thrown into limbo in the absence of a leader. Tonravik heard her, however. She had listened. Tonravik would not pretend that the fortress they had was impenetrable. Tonravik knew every land had weak points. But, it was the wolves that mattered.

"Invincible is not the word. Nor is..." the other word she had used. Tonravik shook her head, "Impenetrable." Alusia was more eloquent than she was, to be certain. "No wolf is immortal. Many of mine have died in wars. But those wars were won and well-fought. Those that trespass here will now pay the ultimate price." A morbid grin came upon her lips thin, her eyes flashing in the light. Tonravik had plenty of experience playing the reaper, and her yellowed-canines were evidence of all the blood that she had tasted and the carnage she had dealt. Tonravik watched the pale wolf before her, wondering what she would make of her words. Tonravik was a realist. But, in her short life, she had seen the rise and the spread of Tartok. Tonravik was more experienced in battle and in surviving than most from her parentage alone.

But it would appear that she had no response to this. It was a victory to Tonravik, who watched the other turn and take their leave. She remained, however, and looked around her.

The animal was out of its element. It had lived coastal all of its life, but with the absence of males, and her children reaching adulthood, Bear migrated. Another coast, she would find. For some days now she had loitered in this squat mountain, and hated it. The burly beast was not made for this sort of location, and her paws ached from the stone. She was ocean-bound, but it would take her some time to get there.

And so she lumbered on. None had harassed her here, yet. But the place offered her nothing. Time to go. She kept to the shadows, thinking of nothing but leaving. Her frame had lost some weight, leaving her two-hundred pounds lighter than typical from her journey. No ocean fish or seals or anything she desired. Bear scavenged.

When the other left, Tonravik stayed. There was a bear that marched past her. Tonravik watched for a moment before deciding to follow it. Its body language was easy enough to read. It was moving along. But in case it found a meal on her turf, she'd simply make sure to prompt it to leave. The beast was a large one, and although Tonravik was a bear of a wolf, she was not an eight-hundred pound bear. Nevermind six-hundred. By the seasalt on its coarse furs, it was clear that it did not belong.

Even if it did, it would not stay.

Tonravik kept a distance, head low and posture tense. So long as it kept moving, and it left, Tonravik would not challenge its life. She loosed a howl, summoning whatever wolf was nearby to aid her in this march.

@Sinaaq @Kroc @Echelon I know are members at this time :)

The howl drew her head up. Immediately, the female adjusted her course to go to her leader's side. Though they had not been in camaraderie long, Kroc was loyal to the cause, loyal to Tartok. What was bid of her would be done and so, she moved in the direction that would put her with Tonravik in the shortest amount of time. 

Upon arrival, she immediately understood the reason for the call and silently walked alongside her, keeping the bear in her sights. They would "escort" the creature out and put up a damn good fight if it reversed it's course or attempted to lay claim to anything within the Spine's boundaries.

The bear moved on. She only paused upon the sound of a howl. It was nearby. How nearby?

Best to not stick around and find out. This was decidedly not her home. It would never be her home. So the sow picked up the pace, grunting all the while. While she could usurp wolf kills all she wanted, presently there was no kill to feed on and what was more, she wanted to go. There was no doubting her superiority to the canine creatures. She had taken prey from a group of five, once. She would surely do it again.

But there was no reason to stick around here. She was a coastal critter, after all. These mountains offered her nothing but sore paws and muscles both. Best not to waste her energy. She would conserve it, in case there were wolves on the coast she deigned to live on.

Tonravik moved along. Soon, Kroc came to her side. Silently, they moved with the bear. It increased its pace, which pleased Tonravik. It was no mystery, how strong bears were. Even a strong pack ought to be wary, and they were not at their best, their strongest. If the bear desired to, it could likely put up a good fight. Perhaps win it. They had just staked their claim here, after all, and could hardly call themselves any number strong when things were only now falling as they were, but not yet into place.

It went along. So did they. Quietly, and patiently. It only stopped once, when she had howled. But other than that, they were making progress. In time, they arrived to the borders. Tonravik continued in step with the bear, and Kroc, until the distance from the Spine was a comfortable one.

They walked on and the bear did not slow, so they did not either. Though they held a distance, Kroc stayed alert for any sudden or aggressive moves towards them. She would fight the bear only if need be, and though she was not afraid, she was wary. Rightfully so. She had fought a bear once before and had not come out of it without severe wounds, now long covered by pale fur. She had been lucky then, but she had also been less experienced. Still, this one was full grown and fighting now, when they had just taken over... It was not a smart thing to do.

Fortunately, the bear crossed the borders without fanfare. Staying with it's pace, the pale creature wolf did not peel away. Instead, she would stick to Tonravik's side. They had left the pack lands together and they would return as such.

Away it went. And away it would stay. After it went for many more miles, she noticed that she no longer had company. She looked back once, realizing as she sniffed at the air they had left her long ago. A strange feeling struck her. Their following had been familiar to her. Like her cubs. The nostalgia left her standing in the distance for many more minutes until she turned to go and find the shore. She had left behind many cubs when they were grown. Only without them did she wish for any more. But when she had them, they were a nuisance. She plodded on determinedly.

Tonravik kept with the creature for a while. Her respect for the animal was nearly reverent. Tonravik idly thought of her mother, and of her abandoned faith. They had worshiped bears. Atka. Sos. This bear was dark, more the hue of Sos than the pale Mother. Tonravik thought of these things idly, making nothing of it. After a certain amount of time, she turned around to return to the Spine. It was far enough to not be a threat.

If it returned, they would take care of it. But it seemed willing to depart, meaning it likely would not. The leader chuffed her thanks to Kroc, leaning into the other to attempt to bump shoulders. Her ears swiveled as she began her walk back to the Spine.

At some point, when Tonravik had deemed it a far enough distance, they turned back to return to their home, the ridge of mountains rising in the distance. Their shoulders connected briefly and Kroc was grateful for it. The female did not believe in fate or anything but she was glad to have found the dark female. Her self-appointed mission to find her brother was no longer a valid thing; in her mind, she laid him to rest. Should he actually turn up one day, she would no longer acknowledge him as blood.

They reached the borders and silently, the would-be Warden broke from the other's side to continue her patrols. She was Tartok and this was her family now. They would be strong, together.

Thread fade!