Stone Circle Back again...

@Steady

It'd been months since any familiar scent from Silvertip ventured near her nose - especially with it's handicap. She trailed across the edge of Easthollos territory, unknowingly crossing the lines, her nose being too weak to smell any sign of a pack yet. She felt completely hopeless, her brother was officially lost in her mind, and she now, with a glimmer of aspiration that her old home, which she abandoned twice, was still there. Although a gut feeling told her it wasn't. The dread of her first winter completely alone had drained whatever energy she could possibly have left. 

Trudging aimlessly across the snow, head low, eyes struggling to stay open. Her fur was matted and damp, finally she stopped and sat. Staring down at the ground, she knew there was nothing else logical to do besides continue moving, but her muscles ached and her stomach growled. Mara slowly took each stinging breath, in attempt of rest.

Steady was out patrolling, as per his usual, though his mind wasn't really on it today. Krypton's return was so out of the blue, but he was happy to have her back. Part of him had worried she would find her family, and not come back. He had lost all hope as the days went on, and she remained away from the pack. He still felt as it was possibly a dream, but surely he would have woken by now if it was. 

A figure in the distance brought him to a stop. His eyes narrowed as he had the sinking feeling this was not one of his family members. He waited, hoping he was wrong, but he knew in his gut that he was not. A growl was emitted from his throat a split second before he was running towards the intruder. He had time to think instead of running off emotions. He wouldn't kill the stranger before asking questions. But, they would neither get off scott free.

His intentions were to plow into the stronger, hoping to get them on their back. If he was successful, he would begin his questioning. If the stranger decided to fight him, there was less of a chance that he would bother with questions, and instead end the life of the fool.

Hope this is okay! He doesn't intend much, if any, injuries at this point.

Mara was unable to detect the new figure behind her, too overwhelmed with thoughts of rabbit meat to ease her begging stomach. It was only the sound of rushed paws hitting the ground that gained her attention, her ears lifted into the air, eyes suddenly filled with shock as a soot colored wolf plowed towards her. Her heart beat quickened, the only thought on her mind was her inevitable reaction - fight or flight.

As the seconds built up and the space between them continued to close her mind raced. She wanted to fight, but her condition was so frail and weak. She stood up and backed away slightly, leaning towards the more logical approach, to run. But her pride couldn't allow her to be a coward. Mara's hair stood on end, however taking too much time to decide her approach, that she ended up being put on her back by the jet brute. 

Completely startled by the sudden impact, a short bark escaped her throat.

He was successful in bringing the intruder to the ground, and onto her back. He growled in her face, his hackles raised and the rest of his fur bristling. He was large enough as it was, and this only made him appear that much bigger. He hoped that worked in his favor. He held back his instinct to rip her throat out. He felt he would have been fully justified, but the quick flash of Keoni's face in his mind stopped him. He didn't want to be a murderer. 

His eyes focused, and it was in that moment he was desperately thankful he had the will to stop himself. His expression changed from anger to awe. Mara Susi? he asked, dumbfounded as to how his old pack mate had just ended up beneath him. He was so shocked that he didn't realized he remained pinning her to the ground.

This was it. She was going to die all because when she was a yearling she wandered too far from home and was stripped her sense of smell by a bear. She knew exactly why the jet brute was attacking -- she entered his territory unknowingly. And now she was going to die for it. For a moment she felt like she was going to cry, she wouldn't allow it though; to die crying, it was too shameful. 

Her eyes were closed and the growls of the wolf above her ceased. It wasn't until her name, no her full was said did she open an eye. Only one wolf ever compulsively referred to her by her complete name. Steady. It was unbelievable, she stared in disbelief into a pair of deep brown eyes. "Steady?" Her voice cracked, for a second Mara's tail began to wag.

His shocked changed to happiness, and a smile spread over his maw as Mara Susi said his name, as if she was confirming it was him, just as he did with her. His tail began to wag, too, and he suddenly realized he was still on top of her. He shifted off, sitting back on his haunches, and waited to see if she would right herself. It was a unique and fragile situation they found themselves in, but Steady knew his duties. I know you don't have much of a nose, but you're inside my borders, he pointed out, though he gave her grin to try and ease the moment. I'm going to have to escort you back out, he said, standing. 

He wasn't sure what had brought her back here, though he was certain it wasn't him. They had moved from the mountain, and he didn't think his old crush had tracked them down here. He motioned for her to follow him, hoping that she did, and walked to the borders before he stopped and turned to her. On neutral territory, mostly anyways, he could relax a little. What brings you here? he asked boldly. What he really wanted to ask was why she had left him again.

Mara couldn't believe it, it really was Steady. Her heart was pounding out of his chest, for a second she wanted to tackle him again just out of excitement. Though the mood changed quickly to a more serious tone, he explained her oversight and she instantly felt guilty. The wolfess's ears lowered in apology. "Oh, I didn't mean to, really..." She insisted.

Mara followed the ebony wolf to more neutral ground, her muscles loosened once he spoke again, though she held apologetic eyes. "I was just roaming-Steady, I can't believe it's you," Her tail was still wagging by the time they began to talk, for a moment tears began to form, mostly out of relief that she wouldn't be killed that day, but also that she was staring directly at her once considered closest friend.

He could feel the excitement radiate from her, and he hated to squash that, but he knew they would both be better outside the pack lands. He would expect the same from his family, and therefore felt the need to uphold it. I know you didn't mean to, he said with a soft smile. He was aware of her injury, and of her character, and he couldn't imagine her willingly walking into a claimed territory. 

He was glad she relaxed when they reached the borders, and his own tail wagged. She seemed excited to see him, and Steady was her, too, but the past seemed to come out of nowhere, and simply wouldn't leave. She said she was just wondering, and for some reason, that got to him. I'm glad you seem well, he said. And he did. But... why did you leave? I stuck my neck out for you with Zaria, and then you disappeared. His voice was soft, not really accusing, but the hurt was there. Maybe he wasn't giving her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she didn't have a choice.

She felt her heart sink, her eyes grew guilty, and instant regret fell over her. Mara could feel the pain in his voice, despite it being less noticeable. Her tail stopped, and her body tensed again. "I found my brother again, Steady, I..." The creamy coated wolf paused, she held her gaze onto his eyes. "I finally could see him again, he was so intent on showing me his findings I couldn't refuse." Mara stepped forward for a moment, before shifting her gaze to the ground. 

"I'm so sorry, I returned because...well, I missed my life here. But, what happened? Did you leave Silvertip?" It didn't seem like something Steady would do, nor did this smell anything of Zaria and her pups.

The lighthearted conversation he may have wished to have upon realizing it was her was all gone now, replaced by reality. Steady had been developing feelings for Mara Susi when she left the first time, which is why he had put himself on the line to bring her back within the pack. Then, she had left again, no words, no goodbye howl. It was obvious to him now that the feelings were one-sided, and Mara Susi simply hadn't thought of him enough to even let him know she was leaving. It was a hard pill to swallow, but not so hard since he had never confessed his feelings for her. Well, I'm happy you got to see him, he said. There wasn't as much genuineness in his voice as he wanted, but he supposed he couldn't help it. 

She brought up Silvertip, asking if he had left. No, I didn't leave like you did, he wanted to say. He was having a hard time suppressing his resentment of her silent departure, now that he knew her reasons for leaving. He felt like she could have said something, anything. Things happened, I became Alpha. But, it got crowded near the mountain, so we relocated here a couple months ago. It wasn't the whole story, not nearly, but the past was drudged up enough in their conversation, and he didn't want to explain the deaths of his family members.

Truthfully, a lingering crush on the ebony wolf had always followed Mara, no matter how hidden it was to him, and to herself. Peak had blinded her, taken advantage of feelings she'd never experienced, and left without a word. It was then that she realized she'd done the same to Steady, in some sense anyway. Her face lightened slightly when told of his new position, a true smile shown on her muzzle. "Steady, that's great! I always knew you were a leader-to-be." Of course, a Beta is already a leader, just a lesser one she supposed. Though her mind didn't wander, and her guilt stayed put. 

She lowered herself slightly, looking back into the wolf's eyes. "Is there anything I can do for you to forgive me?" The words slipped out before she even knew it, being completely out of context of the former comment. The girl had been referring to her silent departure, and although she knew that if Peak returned and asked the same question, she would allow him forgiveness, but Steady wasn't her, and her heart beat raced, expecting the worst answer to come out of his mouth, no. She resisted the urge to comfort him in any way possible, assuming it would be too awkward and strange.

He gave a soft smile at Mara Susi's congratulations. Thanks, he replied. He wondered if she would feel the same if she knew about some of the decisions he had made in an effort to keep his family alive. To this day, he had not seen Odette since she had left, and he feared the worst of Stoic. 

She asked if there was anything she could do to earn his forgiveness, and he instantly hated himself for putting her in that position and making her feel bad. That hadn't been his intention. He just wanted her to see that her actions had consequences, and not just for herself. But, no matter the hurt that had been caused, Steady knew he couldn't dwell on it just because she was in front of him now. He shook his head side to side. You don't need to. I just... I just hope you keep in mind that what you do doesn't just affect you, he said softly, voicing his thoughts. 

In an effort to curb the conversation to something more positive, he asked, So, where are you heading to? She had said she'd been wandering, but did she have a destination in mind?

Instantly relief had washed over her, Mara's breathing slowed and her heart didn't beat so hard it hurt. The creamy fae felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders, all she wanted at the moment was for Steady to not be mad with her. 

It was obvious he wished to change the conversation, so she did as he wanted. "Well, I returned to Teekon to find Silvertip, I had just happened to wander here." If someone were to believe in destiny, they would call her mistake of entering Steady's pack just that--but she wasn't a firm believer of such spiritual things. Her tail wagged, elated to be on a lighter topic. "I almost can't believe it." It was true, what if this was some wonderful dream that would only be stripped away once she awoke into reality. 

"I..." She almost wasn't sure whether to admit it or not. "I really missed you." Mara couldn't voice the joy she felt to feel any sense of home again.

So, she had been looking for them. While the pack, beyond just its location, had changed, they were still the former Silvertip pack. He assumed she wanted a place here, to come back and join their ranks. Steady couldn't deny that her loyalty had been challenge, and to the pack, it had failed. But, the time she had spent on the mountain wasn't a total loss. She had contributed, and given what she could back to the pack.

She admitted that she had missed him, and on the tip of his tongue, he held his reply. Had he missed her? Yes. If she would have asked a mere month after her departure, he would have said so. But, things had changed. His gaze shifted in the direction of his family's den, his mind going to Valette. He had feelings for his Beta, and above all, he was loyal to her. He didn't think it would be respectful to her to tell Mara Susi he had missed her, knowing there were feelings involved at one point. He looked back to the female before him, deciding on a broader response. The pack has missed you, too, he replied with a soft smile. You're welcome to come join the family. We could use your skills, he quickly added.

The pack. Something didn't allow him to say it soley from himself, and in truth it did hurt her. Who else in the pack did she know? She'd only grown mildly close to Chaska, and Peak had left a long while ago. It was Steady who she'd opened herself up to the most, and it was unlikely Zaria still ruled Easthollow, as she couldn't find a trace of her smell on his fur. Though she couldn't allow herself to be too hurt by the comment, time had passed, and they weren't what they once were. 

"I'd love too," She said, forcing a smile onto her muzzle. She wouldn't allow herself to run away this time, she would stay, no matter what. A goal formed in her mind, and that was to stay loyal to her friend, and no longer strand him.

The subject of missing each other dropped, for which Steady was glad. She didn't question his wording, and he didn't elaborate. He did smile genuinely when she accepted his offer of joining, his tail wagging. Great! Come in, he said, turning in anticipation of her following him.

Valette is our Beta, he began to explain. She and I are raising Keoni and Nikai. They lost their mother, he said, his voice dropping a little when he spoke of Althaia. He still hadn't forgiven himself for her death.

His enthusiasm lightened her mood slightly, and she walked up to his side ready for him to bring her likely toward the center of their territory. She continued to listen to what he had to say, and raised her ears at the idea of pups. One thing that would never change of Mara was her love for puppies. "How old are they?" She questioned, tilted her head to the side. 

For a moment she thought back to Zaria, and a sense of nostalgia fell over her once more, but she pulled out of it, wanting to stay in the moment.

Mara Susi asked how old they were, and Steady had to think a moment. He didn't really actively keep up with their ages, though he supposed he should have. He was just more concerned with feeding and teaching them. They're almost three months, he surmised aloud. 

Amber and Grayday have just had pups, too. They're just about five weeks old now, he added. Little did he know, those two would come to lose their mother, as well. It was almost like a curse, first of Silvertip, and now of Easthollow pups, born or brought here, that they would become orphans. Steady did his best to simply not think about it that much.

Three months was a rather crazy time for yearlings, and a smile appeared on her face, she was excited to meet the young energetic pups to be rushing around with the innocent joy the held so perfectly. "What a lively age," She remarked, thinking back to the little she remembered back then.

Five weeks was rather an adorable stage too, but she was even more thrilled that there was more among them. "I truly can't wait to meet them." She exclaimed, glancing back at Steady with wide, joyful eyes.

A soft smile appeared on his maw as Mara Susi's comment of the pups brought a slew of memories of how "lively" his son and daughter were. They were something, alright. Their curiosity never seemed to be appeased and they were always looking for things to do. Yeah, it takes a lot to keep up with them. But, Steady really didn't mind. He loved them.

I'm sure they'll be happy to meet someone new, too, he replied. It was a bonus, Mara Susi's return, that they would have an added wolf to watch over and teach the pups. He knew they needed all the learning they could get as they grew into strong, capable wolves. At least, that's what he hoped they turned out to be. 

I hate to do this, but I need to get back to patrols. Are you going to be okay to check out the lands on your own? He asked. He figured she would be, but if not, he could probably how for someone else to show her around. He'd do it himself, but he needed time to digest Mara Susi's sudden appearance back in his life. He had feelings for her at one point, and he needed to know what that meant today.

She laughed lightly at his input on his children, yes it was rater hard to care for such balls of energy, but Mara knew well Steady could handle them. Even with the time consuming job of Alpha, if anyone could do so it would be him. 

His second comment comforted her, to know it wouldn't be a onesided excitment for the yearlings to meet her. She wondered of their personality, hopefully they would get along fine. A small voice in her head worried otherwise. 

"I'll be fine, thank you, Steady for this." She sent him a true smile, and although she'd prefer him show her the grounds, just as he did the first time, she held a large understanding for his responseibilties and knew well he likely didn't have the time. This was her chance to learn the territory at her own pace, and for that she was thankful.

This time around was certainly different than the last. Steady would have a lot to think about when it came to Mara Susi, her loyalty, and his feelings, if they even still existed. For now, he would leave her to her own devices and simply watch from afar to see if she would stay this time. He nodded to her, returning her smile before he headed off back towards the borders.