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Ferdie Von Pelt had come to expect disdain from his newest comrade, the only other male in the pack aside from Jace and himself, so when Fang offered actions that showed more respect then necessary Ferdie knew something was weighing heavily on Fang's mind.
Ferdie slowed to a stop having set a fair pace and keeping quiet most of the way 'home' and cast his eyes upon Fang, listening intently.
Ferdie offered a sad smile. You know how they say, Fang, the road to Hell is paved in good intentions. well lets just say my path in life is a four laned highway Ferdie chuckled softly wondering if the reference would be received for not.
Ferdie shook himself getting serious now, he took a seat Was it worth it... Ferdies tail drummed against the ground thoughtful as he began a very long winded recollection of events, it was a good this he also loved the sound of his own voice.
I didn't take them captive just to get to Fox. That thought occurred to me later, I didn't have an end game in mind when we took Magpie from Fox. All I wanted was to protect that pup from further harm at Fox's paws, I had foolishly hoped Magpie would stay here and grow up, as safe as I could keep her. That was the thought in my head the moment we took her into our pack lands.
Ferdie sighed As for Leaf, That was personal, I learned she and Jace had feelings for each other.
Now I am no Cupid and in fact what I did was rather stupid.
All I wanted there was to give them a chance in as neutral a ground as 'I' could personally offer to sort things out.
I failed in that respect too. But at least I got to talk to Leaf and Jace got a few fleeting moments with her.
Ferdie flattened his ears against his skull and he muttered I should not have to take a wolf hostage just to have a decent conversation with them.
Ferdie swung his ears back, not really looking at fang anymore as he continued his recount of the past week
Now I must agree with the outcome, even if it was rather convoluted. If we let all of them run, Fox would have gone back to their pack and plotted more, and continued to harass us, forcing retaliation sooner or later.
If we Killed them for pissing on our boarders then we would have had an all out war, Swiftcurrent Creek would have invaded with intent to kill. You saw their numbers that was the worst possible outcome.
By keeping them, Fox for some reason, chose to run away, which knowing Fox intimately since she used to be my alpha really isn't all that surprising. Her running, it set forth Pack wide chaos in swiftcurrent creek, which worked to our advantage, Thankfully.
But, now, I have a wild card in this pack something that could visit this whole mess upon us all over again....
and in this respect the answer to your question was it worth it.... Yes and No.... Ferdie turned his gaze to Fang, looking for the males reaction. Not sure what he'd find there. It was Ferdie's job to look to the future and stand by his decisions, if he had to would he do this all over again? yes he would. That alone make his resolve firmer.
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Ferdie shook his head, No, and I must admit my reasons were naive but I didn't have to tell you or I could have hidden it since it all worked out nicely. I choose to tell you everything because you had the nerves to ask.
Ferdie inclined his head to Fang patiently awaiting his next question, Ferdie held no disdain or annoyance he was rather impressed that Fang was able to show humble respect and yet questions his motives in the same breathe.
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Ferdie's first instinctual thought was 'My Female!'
His eyes half lidded over, anger and hurt behind them, before he regained his composure. Ferdie had found out quite suddenly he had the beginnings of feelings for the little 'Red'. Feelings that he didn't want to have for any wolf anyway, Love had caused him nothing but pain and this ... This here showed him just that yet again.
Ferdie turned his gaze to Fang, he was not angry, just resigned I went about it wrong, I was caught off guard with something... Ferdie broke off for a moment while his mind flitted over a few thoughts .. A broken heart. A heart that he didn't realize he had started to give away yet again... I'm a bloody fool. He thought to himself I can't fall in love. It's not worth it. Ferdie cleared his throat finding it dry suddenly.
I was hurt, but in that moment I felt there was a reason to be so harsh I needed to deter her. Our pack is to small to split up, maybe it will be larger by then, but if I am to have pups, I need as many wolves as I can have here. We also need as many wolves as we can have to huddle together through winter's worst storms..... Plus I don't want that lil' spitfire to go anywhere. Both she and You are needed here.
Ferdie tried to smile but it didn't reach his eyes, the crack in his heart was there and he had to find a way to mend it somehow. Ferdie stood up but rather then dismissing Fang he wanted for Fang to dismiss him, however that allowed Fang to ask more questions his burdened heart was having a hard time handling.
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An alpha can not lead if they don't look where they are going. Ferdie looked at Fang puzzled; If Red and Fang didn't know this basic thing how could they possibly know what they were doing if they left to start a pack. A pack without a plan was sure to fail.... Ferdie continued without any condescending tone just thoughtful food for thought that he hoped dearly would be taken to heart.
It is the job of a good alpha to look for the future, If an alpha lives in the past or just in the present Ferdie glanced toward the hunk of Fox's pelt hanging from the tree Then the alpha can not lead the pack to any clear goal, what is a pack without a future to work toward?
Ferdie needed them here not just for the three basic needs but to be his pack, to be his family. Yet here was Fang, ready to stab Ferdie in the back along side Red. Already Red recruited from this pack despite his warning, Fang's choice or not by allowing a Sunspire member to follow her she was not heeding his warning in the slightest.
Would he have no choice but to drive her away like a tick. She was a fine warrior, a wonderful warden, Ferdie wanted to see her grow into a great wolf, he wanted to guide her grow old with her by his side.
Instead here was Fang claiming his loyalty lay elsewhere and that the pair of them were just using him and his pack until they left, this was no longer "maybe I might" this seemed to be a we are leaving and you better be ok with it speech from Fang
All this conversation had done was prove to Ferdie that he should had driven her out already. That he was a soft fool and his heart had once again gotten the better of him. More walls were needed.
Ferdie's lip curled when fang made his bold, threat laced, statement Besides, an ally from old companions is far better than an enemy.
Why should I keep an ally that stole from me? That continues to steal from and use me and that will likely set up a pack somewhere so close that they may visit War upon me and or itself. Swiftcurrent creek will not allow another pack in the rising sun valley and they will no tolerate what was once my pack members setting up shop closer to them then we already are. I scented a lot of Red in the rising Sun Valley when we passed through,
Ferdie tightened his lips closed and stared into Fang's eyes his brows furrowed as he listened to the lie spill forth I will as I said, respect your wishes and choices. Fang! I do not want your lips service, I want your actions.
So Far your words and your body language have screamed loudly that don't respect me or 'my' pack or 'my' family. And if you did respect my wishes, we would not be having this conversation. thoughts of leaving would be far from your mind. Ferdie knew this conversation was not going the way Fang had hoped and Red didn't get what she had wanted either, then she had ran off to sulk when it didn't go her way, proving more then ever she was to young and untried to run a pack. Why she didn't stay for a least a year and get a taste of how a pack was run was beyond him. What did the pair of them want from him, "Oh we want to go play house and threaten everything you built here. What!? you are not ok with that? but wahy??"
Ferdie's tone was tight but forcibly calm, still no condescending hint to it, for he did want to know what the one more thing was, So tell me Fang, since you have my attention, What is this one more thing?
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Ferdie looked upon the tiny hybrid in front of him, he was so angry he wanted to grab Fang and squish his face into the ground, beat him like the cur he was acting like but then something dawned on him, and all of a sudden he broke out laughing; laughing so hard he had to take a seat again.
choosing his words carefully for Fang was saying one thing but acting out in another and he did not want to offer praise where it was not due. Ferdie chuckled, If I ignore your tone and listen, only listen to your words and actions, Now you display respect, A little late but it was there.
humm...
and acceptance of consequences for not only your actions but Reds.. So willing are you to lay down your life.
Ferdie shook his head his lips no longer tight, his voice back to it's normal timbre
You seem upset by my reaction when you barely contained a growl for my reasons for wanting you and Red here in my pack.
And then after that contained growl you give me a comment that which taken by the wrong ears; can be heard the way I heard it.
Your actions, but not your tone, no, your tone was cretinous, now tell me that there was no ill intent in those words but in that moment I did feel threatened.
However; I have learned from the mistakes made by Swiftcurrent Creek and I choose to listen rather than stand by my very first reaction. I will admit when I took it the wrong way. in this Ferdie Von Pelt came a long way
I chose to listen not only with my ears but my eyes; at least when I can see and I am not blinded by something else..... Ferdie quirked an eyebrow at Fang feeling now much like a father chiding his way-ward child
I reacted to Red the way I did because in that moment she had broken my heart; did she tell you that we were star gazing at her den that night. After I groomed her and I thought we were enjoying each others company....
Ferdie sighed, allowing his feelings for Red to melt away, easing his heart some, once gone those feeling would not return, not in the same way at least. Beside Fang had practically claimed her as his own, not that they would be allowed to breed under him.
Please sit and listen to me Fang, Ferdie Von Pelt would wait until his 'request' was complied to before he lifted his voice again.
Now or any time in the near future is not the time to create a new pack, this here is a fledgling pack the lost of any members could spell disaster for the rest of us.
If Red could look past the desire to lead, look past the need to have the 'alpha power' she could see this.
If She could bide her time until our pack became as large as swiftcurrent creek then a off-shoot pack would not only be welcome but necessary this mountain is fruitful but there are only so many Goat.
I know she wants to lead and in that right since she came to me first she would get first choice to be the off shoot pack and therefore she would be doing things in an amicable way which would make our pack allies and not tense neighbours
Only time will heal the wounds of this 'war' to reopen them again so soon... If she goes into the Rising Sun Valley to create a pack, She could and probably would visit this whole war upon herself or even upon us yet again.
I would love to keep her close and teach her what it is to be, not just an alpha, but a good alpha Ferdie's lips curled into a smile like the playful one from the day he and Fang first met but that is focusing on the future again, My fleet footed friend.
Do you think you could convince her to stick around and do things right, create a pack of Peace not a pack embroiled in chaos. The chaos way doesn't always work out
Ferdie waited then for at least 3 minutes before he gazed upon Fangs small yet masculine form, he could appreciate why Red choose him.
Fang... what is it that you were hoping to gain from this conversation? For it feels like you already had your mind made up and you were hoping to have me solidify some sort of thought in your mind
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Ferdie titled his head and mouthed Fang's ear holding it for a moment both out of fondness and to remind him though Ferdie was being accepting, this tone he had was still on the line of disrespect. And Ferdie was nearing his patience of it.
Ferdie turned serious, Do not joke though, I don't care to live in the 'what if's' I can't dwell there very long. reality can become skewed His eyes hardened However... He said thoughtfully drawing a breath as if living though one of them dieing if one of you were seriously hurt or killed, it would have been a burden my heart would carry for all time. One that I would never be able to let go of. And it may have... no... it would have ruined me.
My grand presense? this caused another chuckle from the brute and Ferdie released Fang's ear only bumped the side of his head with his muzzle.
Fang, That chaos.. that war.. could have gone either way. It was not my honor we were defending but our 'right' to live on the mountain I don't give two Rat's tails about my honor if I did then I would have either been king or killed a long time ago on a far away mountain.
Ferdie laughed and smacked a paw on the ground, bringing that up usually caused him so much pain that it rendered him a pile of pathetic wolf mush. As had been the case in Swiftcurrent Creek. I love you Jace Du'andris Ferdie chuckled then chuffed before his gaze fell on Fang... um... Sorry Fang that is a long story and not one I could share right now I'm exhausted.
Jace Ferdie hissed, Jace had been injured though it was Jace's own doing he had gone directly to swiftcurrent creek against Ferdie's judgement, he did so hoping to relay Ferdie's message in a clearer manner. Fang, I must attend to Jace, he may have gone to swifturrent against my wishes and knowing the risk especially since both he and I were cast out together but I still feel responsible, he wanted to relay my message better then danica could have It was likely Jace's interference that caused everything to turn out 'hunky dory' But that was of little consolation as Ferdie stood and jogged away leaving Fang behind
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