Bearclaw Valley Like a rushing waterfall

There we go! BWP Disaster! I think some of the babies first @Sesi @Nanook (@Xan?) and then the incoming help? @Raziel @Vega @Adlartok @Rhythm @Kove :3

Scarlett was safely curled around her four babies. Her children were the light of her life, which was no secret for anyone around Scarlett. She was beaming now she finally got to experience motherhood. She had to admit that it was tougher than she expected but not totally unrewarding. With their their small trips outside in front of the den usually her kids were more tired at night to sleep. Though tonight there was something weird happening. Scarlett was a naturalist, a trait she neglected to be honest, but the mother wasn't stupid. Something bad was happening and she wished Kove was here. She had herself tightly wrapped around around her bundled of wonder. Sesi had been displaying the most unusual behavior. Maybe the one month old pup had a knack for Naturalism as well. She tried to soothe the girl. She decided to place Desna close to Sesi. The dark pup was passed out happily with the warmth her mother brought her, completely oblivious to the storm raging outside.

A stroke of lightning lit up the den, and trembled the ground. Scarlett blinked awake with a start. She had dozed off it seemed. The mother was tired with her lack of sleep. It was just a very bad thunder storm she tried to reason with her sleepy mind though if she was anything more awake she might have thought of relocating her pups. Their den was basically next to the lazy river that calmly moved through their valley. They hadn't been living there long enough to realise that calm river could turn into a raging monster with heavy rainfall like this. With all the wind and rain she wasn't registering the running water. Scarlett closed her red eyes, trying to hum softly so their babies would fall asleep just like her. It was only moments later that Scarlett felt water against her back that made her wake up for real this time. She turned her head to see a waterfall running into their den. Scarlett let out squeak shock. There was already a big puddle in their sleeping chamber. The main chamber had more water. Scarlett felt a wave of panic go through her. Her babies!

Scarlett grabbed Sesi first and rushed outside. She tugged her by the roots of a tree on higher grounds before rushing back. The next was Nanook, she tried to ignore the squeaks of panic. She tugged the middle grey sister against her lighter one. "Stay," she barked before rushing back. Water was already till Desna's knees. She grabbed Xan, knowing that Desna was the one to panic the least of the four. She placed Xan by his sisters before running back to Desna. Scarlett was close because water was rushing in fast. She snatched the dark pup and got out. She rushed to the tree and instantly moved down to offer her four babies warmth. Scarlett howled at her loudest for help. Where was Kove?! She needed help!! She couldn't carry all her babies. And she was not leaving one behind, alone in the rain! She moved her mouth down to offer them her warm tongue and lick them dry. Soon she realised it was a hopeless case. Rain was coming down fast and Scarlett decided shelter her babies from the rain with her body.

She made sure to check upon each of them, speaking calm and soothing words with her warm motherly voice. The den collapsed before Scarlett's eyes, flooded with water that was rising towards the tree with were getting a bit of shelter from! Scarlett could hear the tree creaking with the wind that was tugging on it. They had to get away from here! "C'mon," she nudged them. "Walk. Stay close to Mommy," she spoke, keeping on nudging them and making them go forward together. They would need to get away from this raging water that was rising higher onto the bank. She prayed help would come soon because walking with four babies of four weeks wasn't really a fast way to travel at all. They little legs just learned how to walk. Scarlett grabbed Sesi in her mouth she was the one that was the least interested in traveling and Scarlett was not able to deal with her right now.

It was happening. The Big Bad that had been building all day finally escaped its cage, raining its anger down upon Bearclaw Valley. Sesi was paralyzed with anxiety when the water began to encroach, swirling about her little legs. It was cold. She stood, staring and shaking, rooted to the spot until Scarlett plucked her up. Only then did she start to move, struggling and wailing as she was transported from the safety of home and into the clutches of the storm.

There was so much noise. It drowned out her screaming, but the little girl was not deterred - she filled her lungs with air again and again, wailing and crying and kicking against her mother, her sisters, her brother, and the tree that offered temporary sanctuary. The severity of the situation was crystal clear to Sesi. This was not a game, or a test, or a lesson - this was life or death. She could sense it down to her very bones, and the fear robbed her of what little sense she had gathered together during her four short weeks on the planet.

The moment she began to settle, sniffling against Nanook, they were off again - Sesi hanging limp in her mother's jaws and the other three following, stumbling up and away from the destroyed den.

Desna was sound asleep, even with all the thunder outside. Or what ever those sounds were. She was happily squished between her mother and siblings. Desna was in the best spot and was soundlessly getting her beauty sleep. She didn't even hear her mother humming. She was a pretty deep sleeper. Even with all her siblings screaming at night she often slept right through. In that way she was pretty easy going. It was only when she was starting to feel wet that she woke up. She frowned. Bet Xan peed on her! Now she would need a bath again. Yuk. Her sleepy eyes opened when she realized it was far more than a puddle. She stumbled forward thinking her mother was still there to lean on.. Des fell forward with her nose in the water. Instantly she spluttered up. Where was here mommy?! She let out a cry and blinked open her dark eyes. That was when her mommy came rushing back in. 'Take me! Take me!,' She squeaked and tried to get her mother's attention but Nook was the lucky one. Desna moved closer to Xan, feeling weird with so much scentless pee around them. Not that it was a reason to panic. Maybe her mom just had an accident. It seemed to happen to everyone.

Desna did protest when her beloved mother came back for Xan. What about her! "Bwaa!!," she babbled out. The young pup noticed how much more pee was surrounding her. Did her mommy leave her here? Why was there coming more and more while it was suppose to be her mom's pee? She was so confused. Desna let out a cry when the liquid came to her chin. Luckily her mommy was there. Frankly, Desna found, that her mother grabbed her really roughly but she would let her mother get away with that for now. She was pleased that she was picked up from the pee. She wanted to ask her mother who was peeing so much, but she didn't have the words for it yet. Her mother carried her outside but there she also seemed to be getting wet. What was it today with her getting wet with this scentless pee?! She huddled closer to her sisters to get warm. Desna let out a cry for her mother. When was she going to be licked dry? She wanted to sleep and have warm cuddles. Her head looked up when her mother spoke. Walk? Stay close? She wasn't sure what those words meant. But then she saw her mother moving and her fat body instantly jumped after her. "Maaaa," she let out. She was not letting her mommy out of her sight again! Desna stumbled forward trying to stay under her mommy's belly because there she wouldn't get too wet.

long post is long

Raziel was contemplating the idea of abandoning Bearclaw Valley and returning to his home pack for a while now. Let Scarlett see that Kove was her wrong choice for her husband, he thought, let her realize that the Inuit will never be a faithful wolf, he will never be worthy of her. I personally would like to see her face when she finds out that Bearclaw Valley is leaderless and will disband because her goddamn husband is absent and no one in the Valley is fit to lead. It's about god fucking damn time that she, and all of them realize that I'm the one that's supporting the pack, that I'm the one that's been helping Scarlett when she was pregnant and then when she had pups. I'm should be her goddamn mate, I should be the one who's seed fathered her children. Obviously that isn't going to happen anytime soon, but I should at least get acknowledged as the one who's being the fatherly figure to the children. Kove's left her high and dry when she needed him most. First when she was pregnant, and second when the pups were born. I'm the one that's been here all along, and I'm not going to hide in the shadows and keep playing this part when or if Kove comes back. It's high time I get what I deserved. 

He still hadn't confirmed the decision of leaving. After all, he actually enjoyed being leader here and he knew if he went back to Noctem Vagus, he would never be an Alpha again for his half brother had most likely taken that job already. He didn't plan on stopping by any other pack on his journey to the Empire (if he was leaving) so that meant he wasn't going to ascend the ranks of other packs and become the leader anytime soon. If he went back to Aequor Ignis, he wouldn't have the throne as Azrael, his brother was already leader there. No doubt Azrael would give Raziel the throne if he wanted it, but the death angel didn't want that. Azrael had earned his place and he deserved it.

That meant, if he truly left, then he would be a subordinate forever. At best, he would be a second in command, but nothing more. And truth to be told, Raz wasn't sure if he could do that for the rest of his life.

Raziel decided that he would make the decision in the morning and retreated to his den to sleep, hoping the storm would pass by the time he awoke. This wasn't going to be a normal storm alright, he sensed that something was wrong. The sky was an unusual colour that afternoon, it had been so humid and the clouds were dark and heavy. Then there had been the feeling he had; that something was terribly, terribly off but he couldn't place his paw on it. It was all so confusing, and if there was one thing the Roman hated, it was being confused, being in the dark, not knowing what was happening, not knowing what to do. And that was how he felt today.

Raziel slept fitfully and at a particularly loud rumble of thunder, the Roman was pulled roughly from the sweet realm of dreams. He stared groggily around for a moment as he jerked upwards into a standing position, before registering the feeling of water on his paws. It soaked through his thick fur, sticking them to his skin. He glanced around with wide teal eyes, noticing that a shallow layer of water filled his den and that more was steadily coming. He thanked the gods that his herb den was a good distance away from the river so they wouldn't get soaked, but cursed himself for stupidly deciding to sleep in the forest by Scarlett and the pups's den. 

Scarlett and her pups's den. Scarlett and her pups's den!

Their den was sure to be filled with water by now, they were so close to the river that was now overflowing and flooding all the areas near it. The puppies were in danger unless evacuated to a safe area in the pack, and now that Kove was probably not in the den and Scarlett was alone with the children, it was obvious that if they didn't get any help, they were destined to die. This was absolutely brilliant! He would take this time to sneakily leave the valley and leave them all. That would show them all to take him for granted. Scarlett, especially, would finally realize that she would be nothing when he was gone. He was the one who was there always after all, he brought her meals, played with her children. Oh, she was sure to be lost when he was gone. Sure, that thought was selfish but who gave a flying fuck? He had been selfless for too long, sometimes, you just had to think of yourself too. And Raz was doing exactly that.

Yes, this was perfect. Then he froze, the image of the pups when he first saw them swimming through his mind, then Sesi's look when he played with her just this afternoon and his heart jumped to his throat as he realised what danger they were in. They are not your children, leave them be and fucking leave already, snarled a voice in his brain but he realised that he couldn't leave them. While they might not be related to him by blood, he loved them in a fatherly manner, and knew that while they were not born from his seed, he was still their father as Kove was always fucking gone. And a father did not abandon his children no matter what.

Quickly, Raziel made his way to where the den was, already halfway there when Scarlett's panicked howl rang sharply through the air. He quickened his pace, practically flying as he ran as fast as he could to get there. Finally, he spotted them and halted right in front of the, fierce teal eyes which were narrowed against the rain analyzed the situation quickly. "Can you see now, Scarlett?" he snarled. "You should've broken up with your good for fucking nothing husband when he left for so long. Can you see that I'm the one that's always been there for you now? I don't want to argue with you right now, so I won't, but the moment we reach a safe area. You and I are going to talk, because this shit won't fly."

Then he turned to the kids and picked up Desna in his jaws, gently grasping her by her scruff before picking up his pace once more, indicating with a flick of his tail that they were to follow him. He had picked up Desna and not Nanook or Alexander because they were more capable of walking in his opinion. Desna was too fat to him and therefore it would slow her down. If he had known what Scarlett was thinking when she picked the pups up and transported them out of the den, he would've disagreed. In his opinion, Nanook would be the one to panic the least. Polar bears did not panic after all, and bossy wolves did. "You're all very brave, you know? This will be a story to tell your children when you grow up, how you survived a flood in a storm when you were just a month old......" he continued speaking quiet assurances to the kids as they walked, hoping to give them something to concentrate on other than the fear that was probably threatening to consume them.

The rain was torrential – the lightning painted the sky in brilliant hues. Vega would have been transfixed if she had not come upon Bearclaw Valley, but already her thoughts had trailed to Scarlett and the puppies she had met only days earlier. A storm had darkened her own ebony features – it seemed every time she joined a pack, destruction would follow her.
 
Nimble upon her paws, the newcomer came to the sight of the den, her pelt soaked, but her eyes vivid. Raziel was here – and the family was walking out of the den, the waters rising quickly. She quickened her pace, slinking forward with her ears splayed to her skull in deference to the regal male of the land. Each adult had a cub in their mouth to aide, but Vega chose to take up the rear of the group, hoping to keep the two walking children safe from the waters that sloshed across their home. Her gaze sought her leaders, but she made no word – resolute in her duty, and her worry hidden.

The boy's mind had been filled with another bought of vibrant colours and odd things. He'd been dreaming more and more lately, and had quickly discovered that he enjoyed it. It allowed him an escape from his siblings, despite the fact that they were usually closer than necessary to him while he slept. He still didn't enjoy having them so close, as the boy had developed a fondness for a little thing called 'personal space'. It was not his siblings that woke him up this time, however. What woke him was a sudden wetness surrounding him. Somehow, his mind informed him it was not urine, but something else. Not necessarily something bad, when presented in other situations, though the introduction of it now was less than desirable. He wanted it to go away, as it made his thickening coat feel heavy and gross. Xan was thankful when his mother finally came and carried him out of it, though it seemed he was just put into more of it, before being tucked away with his sisters. Another invasion of his personal space, which caused him to let out a dissatisfied noise. For whatever reason, he did not fear the liquid falling down, but instead found it to be interesting.

When the last of his siblings had been brought out, he grew curious about what was happening. Why'd they leave the den? What had happened to the place they slept? He wanted to know so badly, but couldn't quite form the words. There was one word he recalled, though, having heard it from his father when referring to the den—or maybe he was referring to the entire territory? Xan didn't know, but the word rang through his mind, and he took the opportunity to try it out with his mouth. "Angiggak?" The child wanted to go back to sleep, but he couldn't if he didn't have a home to sleep in. It seemed he wouldn't be able to sleep anytime soon, either, as they started moving. The one he'd finally started to recognize as being his mother, rather than just a food-giver, wanted them to walk. The idea of doing so bothered him, but as they actually started moving, he grew more interested. The rain had started to form puddles, and after his nose told him those puddles weren't pee, he wouldn't to play with them. Despite the situation, he'd hop in any puddle he came across, a grin pulling at the corners of his maw whenever he'd manage to splash one of his siblings. He would have continued doing it, too, had in not been for the new arrival.

It wasn't the silver male who visited him and his family, or even the dark woman, that got his attention, but the pale form of his father. After jumping in one final puddle, he hung back a bit to wait for the elder, and once the distance had been closed between them, he instantly wanted picked up. It disappointed him when his father just nudged him along, rather than carrying him, but he didn't complain. The movement was good for his little legs, and he trusted that he would be helped if he got too tired. For the time being, however, he trotted along after his mother, looking over his shoulder every now and again to make sure his father had wandered away to tend to his sister.

The Inuit had been off, as had grown usual lately. He worried over things, such as accidentally harming one of the children, or taking up too much space in the den that his family needed. It wasn't that he wanted to stay away for so long, but he also wasn't sure how to act around his children. They weren't yet old enough for him to take them out and around, and were still too small for him to stop worrying about sitting on them. Or losing them, in more extreme cases. When the storm had started to worsen, however, he grew worried. His legs had started carrying him towards the den when Scarlett's howl rang out, and that caused him to pick up his pace. By the time he'd arrived, everyone was already out and moving, and he did a quick headcount to make sure both his lover and children were all there. Satisfied by the fact that they were, he made haste to catch up, grabbing the attention of his son in the progress. Though the boy seemed to want picked up, he left the younger to walk on his own. While he wasn't entirely sure how to treat children who were still so young, he recognized that babying them wouldn't help anyone.

When the young albino wasn't looking, Kove would move over to ensure Nanook didn't wander off, but would move back each time right before the boy looked over his shoulder.  He liked seeing that the child wasn't fearful of the situation, though deep down he knew he should be. The Inuit had seen the den, or what was left of it, and was glad no one had been inside when it happened. It caused his stomach to feel off as he thought of what could have happen had they not gotten out in time. The idea sickened him, and he told himself he would stick closer from now on. They were his family, and he didn't want any of them to get hurt. Accidentally sitting on them didn't seem nearly as bad as what could happen if he wasn't there to help look after the four.

I also apologize for the length, and also if she's not as pup-like as she's supposed to be. It's my first time trying to write for a character who's so young.

Nanook was dreaming of a place she'd never been. An expanse of water deeper than anything she'd known, though she had seen little beyond the dome of their den. An expanse of water greater than the lazy river just beyond their home. It stretched every way she turned, and it lapped around her body and chilled her to the bone. The little pup didn't think to scream - there were so many screams already. So many screams, and she thrashed. Her sisters. The water darkened, blurred, and she blinked to greet the dark and musky den.

Nanook was dreaming of a place she'd never been. Only this wasn't a dream, and she splashed for purchase until her paws met the ground. But her gaze locked elsewhere, on the blur of white retreating the den, carrying away her sister's cries.

Mama had left them. Something was wrong. The water reached midleg now, and her heart pounded. But for once, Nanook stayed silent. For once she did something other than scream. Nanook followed. On paws unaccustomed to the depth of the pool, the little warrior splashed forward and up, eyes locked on where mama disappeared, intent to go there herself - because wherever mama had gone, that was where she needed to be. A cry rose from Desna, panicked, and for a fleeting moment Nanook lost focus and turned - only to have her feet swept from the ground beneath her. Her stomach lurched and she let out a sharp squeal before she registered her mother's milky scent and the sharp shift in air around her. Her eyes widened as the dark, damp den disappeared, replaced by howling winds and sharp water from the sky she couldn't escape no matter how she turned or how fast she blinked.

Her fur brushed Sesi's shivering form when mama lowered her to the ground and a sharp thrust greeted her, but Nanook didn't kick her sister back. Instead she stared wide-eyed at the blurry land, draped with pelting rain. She stared, even when Xan and Desna dropped beside her, and even when mama's panicked voice filled the air. The call sent a shiver down her spine, and when mama started moving without bending to pick her up, Nanook didn't complain. She could only follow as she tried to do before.

Others joined them - the silver, and the dark one - but Nanook hardly noticed. Her eyes stayed fixed on mama's heels and the sway of her tail as she walked further and further from home. A new noise rose, a rhythmic splash Nanook only registered when a spray of fat droplets accompanied the sound. She yelped and jumped sideways, swiping at her face and lifting her gaze in time to catch Xan's retreating form and the glint of mischief he cast her way. And like that, her trance was broken. With a scowl she turned to her sister - only Desna didn't walk by her side. Rather she dangled from the mouth of the silver, whose words were too many to understand, but whose voice and presence somehow calmed her. It was only then she realized she and Xan walked alone - both Sesi and Desna hung in the jaws of the grown-ups. For a moment a whine threatened, but a resolve in her refused to beg for help. She was walking, and keeping up, and they wouldn't let her fall behind. The press of their bodies all around her reassured her of this - silver at her side, mama at the front, the dark one at the rear, and her father's constant eye. So when papa came her way, she held her head high and fixed her eyes forward, transfixed upon her mother's hocks. Though her grey fur felt thick with mud and dirt, and her heart pounded as hard as the beating rain, she felt safe even in the midst of the raging storm. The water couldn't reach her with all these wolves around - it wouldn't dare try. She could do this by herself.

Scarlett was so glad when Raziel came to her rescue but he didn't look happy at all. Scarlett's ears fell back and she hunched down a bit. She was never a really dominant wolf and Raziel charging at her like that made her want to lie down on her stomach and turn his head away from him. But she only lowered herself a bit. She would defend her pups and she couldn't do that by laying down. She placed Sesi down for a moment. Her red eyes started back into his teal ones. His words hit her hard. Scarlett usually had her head in the fairytale world and having another male take on Kove's tasks was not something she pictured. She even bared her teeth for a moment. "He didn't leave me! He wouldn't!," she let out but as she looked around there was no Kove to be seen. Kove might not leave her but Raziel was right that Kove had been rather shitty as a parent and mate to her. Scarlett shook out her fur before carrying Sesi again. This was not the time to argue, they would need to get out of here fast. Hopefully they would find a safe spot. Raziel would probably take them to his infirmary in the rock wall. It was big and dry. Scarlett liked that idea. Her babies would probably be exhaust. Luckily Desna was picked up by Raziel, so he couldn't really talk either.

Vega came around and Scarlett was pleased to see her helping out. She noticed that she didn't pick up a pup, which made Scarlett hesitant. She wanted all her pups to be off the ground. Only moments later when she was struggling through the rain that she realised someone was behind her. Kove. Damn him. Scarlett was under high stress with her children in danger. Raziel had come to help again. Again. She was beginning to feel embarrassed when Raziel brought her another meal, or a meal to her pups. That was Kove's job and he wasn't around. Even now when they were in danger he hadn't even been in the den to keep watch. Scarlett had to do both. Keep watch over the pups and try to get a night's rest. Frankly she was really tired. Scarlett carefully placed Sesi down and instantly lunged at Kove, in a non pleased way. "You better pick your son up right now and carry him. There is no time to let him play we need to get out of here!," she hissed, teeth bared towards Kove. It was not a tone that suggested Scarlett was talking to her lover. Maybe for the first time ever she displayed some actual dominance. Beta towards subordinate. The stress and lack of sleep was taking its toll on her kindness levels, and those meters were sky-high. Scarlett stepped back, lip moving back over her teeth. "Vega? Could you please carry Nanook, then we can make some progress," she spoke, way more kind than she was to Kove. She nudged Nanook briefly to check upon the muddy pup.

Scarlett wasn't stupid. It was only natural, every time Kove moved away, Raziel moved in closer. She couldn't blame the male. Plus she needed others to help her raise four pups. Scarlett then trotted back, licking Sesi for a moment, before picking her up again. She nudged Raziel will her nose to tell him they could start moving again, though this time they could run. Scarlett already started a hasty trot. She didn't want her young and vulnerable babies in the rain any longer than necessary. She couldn't deal with her mate and Raziel right now. She wanted her babies safe.

When Kove came to herd his children, the swarthy she-wolf relaxed slightly. Her own green eyes drifted between the two walking pups, keeping careful watch upon them, but it was Scarlett’s snarl that drew her eyes up sharply. Her anger was clear upon the ivory male – her mate, and when she instructed that both her other children were to be carried, Vega did not waste any time in following her direct order. She was not one to mess with a mother.
 
Her muzzle bent down, her nose brushing over the top of the girl’s head to reassure her, despite that she was a stranger to her. Gently, she made to scoop her up in her jaws, her paws not pausing for long as she knew they would need to evacuate the area quickly.

Adlartok plowed forward, fast march towards Scarlett's den. Intent to help where he could. He wasn't about to let her or her babies drown. Pushing and pulling he made it and looked to Scarlett to tell him what to do. His eyes were wide as he took in RAziel, a soft growl at  Kove and he leaned forward to help. Whining softly to let them know he was there and he wanted to help.

Guys i am sorry this is so short..i have been battling with a lot of health concerns and depression because of them. I wanted to check in on everyone try and write. I apologize for my absence. Please help me fit Ad back in?

Xan was enjoying his little taste of freedom. Freedom. He knew not yet of the word, nor was he familiar with the meaning behind it, but had he known he would have been able to put a name to his joy. Though his legs were tired, and his thickening fur soaked, he wanted to press forward. The adults were doing it, so why couldn't he? That was the thing—he didn't believe he couldn't. The young Inuit was completely confident in what he was doing, and was determined to keep up with the others. He didn't think he needed carried, like his sisters did. He was a big and strong wolf, after all. Well, that was what he thought, anyways. What kept him going was not the strength his body possessed, as he was much too small to be as strong as the elders, but his determination. His dad was watching him, and his one sister was marching though the storm, too. Already, his barely developed mind urged him to walk as if he had something to prove—which he certainly did not.

Despite his want to hold tight to the fearless facade he'd put on, it all came crumbling down as his mother lunged in his direction, sounding rather angry. At first, he suspected it was directed towards him, as he had been splashing in the puddles just moments prior. Thinking that, his ears fell back and his odd eyes went wide. He kept his gaze pinned up on his mother, preparing himself for whatever she had to say, but it never came. It didn't come for him, at least. Xan watched his mother portray an outburst of anger towards his father, which left him utterly confused. The fact that he couldn't understand all the words didn't help, either, and the kid was left in the dark about what was going on. Even as his mother turned back to pick up his sister and started walking, he had no idea what was going on, or what had even happened. His gaze then shifted to the other child who'd been moving on foot, only to find her being lifted up by a dark wolf. A little smile pulled at his maw, then, taking on as cocky of a look as someone his age could muster up. That is, until he felt himself being lifted up.

Alexander squirmed slightly at first, having not taken notice to who had grabbed him. It was only when he heard the low voice of his father mumbling something he couldn't quite make out, that he settled down. As long as it was one of his parents, he would let them carry him through the storm. Not because he was weak or tired, though—that'd be completely absurd—but because he felt he was doing them a favour. Yeah, that sounded good to him. In truth, however, he was glad to have been picked up, since his body hadn't really been enjoying trying to keep up with the adults. Their legs were so much longer than his, it was almost unbelievable. As he hung from his dad's jaws, he couldn't help but wish for the day when he was older. When the time came that his legs were long enough to keep up, and then he'd be able to go wherever he wanted. It sounded like a good idea, but whether or not his sudden want to travel would be answered was another story entirely.

The man's copper gaze had continued to drift back and forth between his son and daughter, making sure they kept in line with the others. He'd seen no problem with allowing them to walk on their own, as it showed their strength and independence. Though they were a pack in name, Kove still believed that each wolf alive should be capable of providing for themselves, in case anything were to ever happen. It was something he wished to teach his children, and letting them walk on their own was only the first step. Of course, he understood they were too young for anything major, but letting them walk on their own four paws didn't seem like too far of a stretch. Apparently, it seemed their mother did not share the same feelings towards the matter.

Kove was taken aback when the smaller lupine lashed out at him, using a tone he'd never heard her take on before—no, scratch that, a tone he didn't think she was even capable of using. Her anger was as obvious as the storm that surrounded him, and yet a part of him actually wanted to challenge her over it. She was their mother, yes, but he was their father and felt he knew what was best for them just as well as she did. They had Inuit blood coursing through their veins, and so they were bound to be strong. In body, in will, in mind, in everything. He forgot, for a moment, that they were also pieces of the woman he had grown to love, and not just his own. They had two entirely different bloodlines running through them, one from the North, and one from a place he would make sure they never ventured. When that dawned on him, his previous want to go against the albino diminished significantly. A sliver of it still remained, but the calling was not loud enough for him to follow it. "At least he can keep his spirits high, even in a situation such as this one," the male commented. "Which is more than what could be said about you." His intents were not to use a rough tone with her, but there was still a slight edge to his voice. Not waiting for her to say anything in return, he moved forward and picked up Alexander.

As the child started to squirm, Kove did his best to keep a tight grip on his scruff. Not enough to harm him, but enough to try and get him to stay still. "Niggalangak," the Inuit murmured, speaking around a mouth full of fur. He kept his voice low, wishing to speak only to his son. While the boy did not yet know what the word meant, he would start teaching him as soon as he was able. For the time being, however, he focused on moving forward, watching Vega from the corner of his eye as he did so. When the familiar growl of a certain silver wolf reached his ears, he turned his head slightly to see Adlartok. The growl was directed toward him, there was no denying that, but even so he returned a neutral-sounding chuff to get the younger's attention. With a nod of his head, he motioned towards the dark woman, silently asking him to help keep an eye on her if he was able to. The woman was still new, and so he wasn't too sure about her carrying one of his daughters. Scarlett's adopted son might not like the ghost, that was clear right from the get-go, but he hoped the younger's affections for the albino would spread out to her children, if anything.

Artok nodded once at Kove and that was all. He grasped the other son, not sure of their names. he really needed to fix that. And he fixated his golden eyes on the she wolf that was carrying Desna. He spoke softly through the fur and such in his mouth. if anything happens to that little girl while you carry her you will not like me. That was all he said. He wasn't here to make friends, and he honestly meant no offense. He was just a no nonsense wolf, and he was serious when it came to Desna. The one pup he knew her name, the one he would do anything for. He wasn't sure why, possibly because she was a girl and Scarletts he didn't know. But there was a protectiveness to him around her.

Scarlett had requested it – and yet two pairs of eyes lingered distrustfully upon her, and the silver male’s words stirred Vega’s ears to splay back upon her crown. Was this stranger and Kove serious? She had rushed to the family’s side to aide them – arriving before either of them, and this was what she had received?
 
Resolve settled upon her, and her green eyes focused ahead of her as she continued to walk, her tail giving a flick in the direction of the grey male.. as if she was flipping him the finger. Clearly, she had made a mistake settling here – a natural disaster had struck, and this family could no more hold it together than the last pack she had tried to join.. and this time, she was the punching bag for it.
 
They had not earned her allegiance yet, and the moment the gentle girl that was gripped within her jaws was settled by her mother in a safe place, the ebony she-wolf knew she would be bidding her farewell to these lands and not looking back. This was certainly not the home she was looking for.

Once everyone had a baby to carry Scarlett started to speed up. Her paws were carrying herself and Sesi really quickly with the adrenaline going through her body. She just wanted to get her pups to safety. She ran blindly towards Raziel's cave. The ground was dry and it was the furthest point from the river. Scarlett felt relieved. She got inside, sheltered from the rain. Her coat fully wet. She went into the nearest empty chamber and laid down Sesi. The red eyed female shook herself out and then laid down, pushing Sesi against her warm belly. Everyone's words were repeating through her head. She had to calm her mind, she wasn't even sure if she imagined snapping at Kove or not.

The light lady made sure to get every pup back close to her. She was so relieved that they all made it, they they hadn't she would feel absolutely guilty. She called herself a Naturalist. She felt sick to her stomach thinking of the fact that her unprofessionalism with storm watching almost cost the life of her kids. She shivered and trembled at the thought. Luckily that didn't happen and all were okay. She nudged Sesi to drink from her. She wanted the youngster to get some warm milk inside of her. Scarlett's pink tongue started working over the small body, giving it warmth and hoping it would stimulate her to drink.

Kove's words towards her had been so bitter. Scarlett believed he didn't had the right to snap back at her. He was away too much. It wasn't her fault. If she would have done that her babies would have died. Great parenting skills. She let out a deep sigh, placing her head on the dry ground. No water could reach them now, they would be safe thanks to Raziel's cave.

Desna let out a soft squeak when she was picked up. It was a squeak of relief but also of shock. She hadn't expected to be lifted of the ground. Once she learned what was going on she was fine. She turned her head, making fat rolls appear on her neck, to sniff who was carrying her. It was grey daddy, not white daddy. She was more than happy and turned limp in the male's jaws. She was glad that she was being carried. Her legs were tired. It didn't take long for her to just pass out from all the excitement and the scare she had to go through. The swaying motion somehow helped too. A soft hum came from her lips.

Last post from me.

Had Sesi known the expression, she would have yelled I told you so! in the face of every adult that crowded into the cave. But by the time they reached Raziel's hideaway, the young pup wasn't in a state to do much of anything. The trauma of their sudden relocation had short-circuited her brain, and she did nothing but hang and then slump when she was put down again, sagging against her mother's belly like a boneless sack. Scarlett encouraged her to drink, but Sesi didn't budge. Her brain had already initiated shut-down - within minutes, she was fast asleep, quartered off in dreams of sameness and routine whilst mind and body worked to patch up the damage.

Nanook remained in tunnel vision, blind to the nailing rain and the storm of feelings tossed about between the bigger wolves. Her pressing concern was staying upright, and seeing anything past the constant stream of water that blurred her newly found vision. Her toes grew mucky and numb from the cold, and violent shivers contorted her tiny nerves, but the little warrior trudged on. Every few seconds she flicked her gaze from the ground to search for Xan, and soon she couldn't even see him anymore, just a tiny blur against the darkening world. But he was still walking, and that was the mantra that kept her walking, too.

But then she wasn't walking anymore, and her bladder zinged. A trickle of warmth ran down her leg before she registered the grip secured around her back, and Nanook rolled her eyes to meet the face of whoever had scooped her from the ground. Dark fur of a lady she vaguely recognized, but the older wolf couldn't hold her attention. Nanook shot her attention back to where Xan had been walking, only to be met by sodden ground and a bundle of white dangling from papa's jaws. A shiver wracked her body and shook the smug grin from her face, but knowing that Xan didn't walk, either, calmed the rise in her.

Walking through the storm had stirred something new in Nanook, but now that a gentle grip secured her, she didn't struggle to be placed on the ground again, especially now that Xan was being carried, too. With every step the dark woman took, Nanook swayed in a gentle rhythm until her eyelids drooped and a buzz filled her body from her paws to her nose. Numb and dirty, Nanook was only half-conscious when the dark woman placed her in the nook of mama's stomach. The warmth of her siblings swarmed around her, and the strong smell of food, but Nanook could stay awake only long enough to nestle against one of her sisters before exhaustion slurred her into a restless sleep.

The boy kept calm as he swayed from the jaws of his father. He knew the wolf carrying him, had known him since birth, and would not cause him any trouble. There was a growing sense of relief that filled him more and more with each passing second, too. Every step took by Kove, made the little Inuit a bit more glad over having been picked up. At first, the idea of being carried had been like a bur in his paw, annoying him to no end. Now, though, he couldn't imagine walking on his own. Sure, it would have been great—perhaps even wonderful—but being carried by the elder ghost had definitely grown to be the preferred option. The swaying motion of his body, even, felt better than the feeling he'd got after splashing his sister with the puddle water. That made him certain that, for the time being, walking wasn't something he wanted to do.

Before he knew it, the icy feel of the rain was no longer hitting his body. He wondered, briefly, if the storm had ended already, but then he realized that that couldn't have happened. It didn't make sense. Xan's odd coloured eyes popped open, and he scanned the area around him. The storm hadn't ended, but instead he'd been taken into a den-like place. He would have assumed it to be a den right away, too, but there was something wrong with it. It smelled. Dens were suppose to be comfortable and filled with a homely scent, but wherever he was now didn't strike that chord within his small frame. He scrunched up his tiny nose and kicked at the air, but it was not to be put down. It was to be taken somewhere else. Too bad for him, though, he was set down anyways.

Sleep called to him, trying to drag his eyelids down while he was still sitting up, but he did not listen. Instead, he tried to stand up and leave, but was blocked by a familiar—albeit wetter—form. Then, a tongue swept over his body, filling him with a content feeling as his previously drenched fur was dried some. It still remained a bit damp, of course, but at least the surplus of water had been removed. A nose pushed him towards his mother's underbelly, but after seeing the others huddled so close there, he refused to go easily. Even in a situation like the current, his personal space was important to the boy. Since the movement would not stop, however, he settled close enough to be left alone, but not close enough to be touching any of the others. Only then, did the boy allow sleep to overtake him, and his mind filled with dreams of storms and large puddles.

Last post from me~

When Scarlett increased her speed, the pale man followed suit. He kept her in his sights, as did he the dark woman carrying his daughter. He'd met Vega long ago, yes, but their meeting had been brief and not very informative of her true being—or so he believed, anyways. His copper gaze made quick work to not lose track of either of the women, though he also made sure to watch where he was walking. His son was hanging from his maw, and so he didn't want to risk stumbling over anything or splashing through a larger puddle. The boy was soaked enough already, and the idea of any of them fafalling ill weighed on his mind.

Once the albino disappeared into a den of sorts, Kove waited a moment before going in himself. He looked over each of his daughters, doing a small headcount to ensure everyone was safe. Satisfied by what he saw, he placed Xan on the ground and then proceeded to lower himself to it as well. Silently, the Inuit went to work cleaning the child, before trying to nudge him towards his mother's stomach. The boy seemed reluctant to go, though, which would have made the man raise an eyebrow had he had any. For a moment, he wondered what he planned to do, before letting an inaudible sigh of relief pass through his mouth when Xan settled down. The fact that he wasn't huddled close to his siblings unnerved him, of course, but it was something he'd settle for.

With all of the children having drifted off to sleep, Kove looked to the red-eyed woman. "I am sorry," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper so as not to wake the children. He felt guilty for having not been there. If she'd of woken up even a second later than what she did... well, he didn't even want to think about that. He'd been doing a terrible job, as a father and as a husband, and planned to make up for it. For the time being, he would watch over them from inside the den until the storm passed, but then he knew he would need to relocate to outside. The scent of the den belonged to Raziel, and Kove suspected he would not be welcomed within it.

Desna was placed down soon enough and she was happy to be snuggled against her siblings and her mommy's belly. She was so warm and it made everything okay again. She was soon forgetting the whole ordeal with the water and happily nursed from her mother while the her other siblings weren't hungry. Yay! More for her. She eagerly drank and drank. The pup really had a talent to eat. Her small tail wagged happily.

Of course with all the warm milk she was soon dozing off again, curled against her brother and sisters. She was a happy little pup. Her life was easy now, and the water hadn't done her much harm. She was more than content to be back in the warmth though. She decided she liked that instead of the cold and wet.

Adlartok looked at them all and then with a snort at Kove he left the den and he settled outside of it. Honestly if it weren't for Scarlett, he would have left long ago. He looked about him with disgust and settled in for a long night. It would be cold and wet, but he wouldn't let them almost get hurt again. No, this time he'd be watching and even nature would rue the day it angered the youthful boy.