The Sunspire I'm an optimist of the most dangerous kind

ic joining/ all welcome @Ferdie Von Pelt

The peak was now familiar to her, in more than one way. Kipling had already been acquainted with a few of it's inhabitants, some she was more fond of than others. It was for that reason that she stared up at the sharp slopes of the Sunspire from a safe distance. Enough so that she didn't press the borders with a challenge, in fact she was clear out of the territory, but her presence was there and the option to traipse inside the veil of the mountain was only a few leaps West.

The mark she'd been given on her right hock, the first time she'd attempted to trespass, barely stung now (healing up fine on its own) but it served to remind her not be too ambitious.

Instead of charging in, which in truth had been a bad approach from the start, she wasn't quite sure how to knock. She'd never attempted to live in a pack with strangers, everyone had some sort of familial tie in the homes she previously shared. Contemplating what she might bargain with or even greet the wolves with for that matter, Kipling's lips parted with a howl stirring in her throat. A moment later her head tilted back, the call whirling free from her jaw into the air.

When finished, the night grew silent, and Kipling lowered her head again, the she-wolf anxiously tucking her tail between her legs. Whoever happened to show up, if anyone at all, she silently prayed that it wouldn't be that scrawny dingus that had chased her off a few days prior.

Fang was out and about, doing whatever it was he doing when he wasn't undermining Ferdies authority, or spending time with the coy wolf. The howl came from a little ways out of their pack territory, but it was almost certainly another interloper seeking refuge. Despite his continued insubordination towards the Alpha he claimed fealty, he decided to fulfil his duty and inspect. As he made his way down the hill the female came into sight and a small laugh escaped the half-breed. Recognising her immediately as the encroacher with the less than polite tongue he made his way toward her. Haha, come back for more hey? Whilst she wasn't invading their territory, he assumed she wished to gain entry, his attitude reflected that, this time he wouldn't just run her out. Unless she had something to say. Speech thoughts

But of course she wasn't that lucky. It took a lot of willpower for Kipling not to snarl at him and just march away. She probably could've saved herself a lot of trouble. Instead, she stayed trying to compose herself, as the wolf neared close enough to make conversation. Then he spoke, and whatever careful planning she'd been trying to piece together was tossed away.

Quick to mock his laughter with her own ha ha dripping with sarcasm. She would've rolled her eyes as well, but knowing she need to keep her gaze on him, left her simply glaring blatantly at the hybrid's face.

I didn't come back for you. Kipling paused then, quickly allowing herself to glance around. The surroundings were basically clear, no foliage or trees for a few leagues off. They were alone in that moment and that knowledge allowed her to curl her lip at the male, Do me a favor, why don't you bite me, asshole?

When she retorted in kind, he lowered himself to a sitting pose looking wounded at her words. The sarcasm wasn't lost in him. I'm hurt, I thought you missed me. He had no intention of chasing her off again, when she spoke again he did his best not to laugh. Been there, done that, sweetheart. Still trying to get the taste out of my mouth. He made a show of acting like he'd just chewed on something sour. let's put that behind us though, you're not encroaching this time. That and no doubt Ferdie was nearby, he was already on thin ice and didn't think he'd react well to chasing off another potential love affair of his. He gave a shrug, and offered a coy smile to the female. besides, by the second date I usually like to know names. Speech thoughts

Ferdie heard the howl and moved to inspect it, he knew fang was probably causing more trouble then he was worth but he wanted Fang around to help keep Red in line until the time was right, or perhaps he'd have to take the matter into his own paws and talk to Red himself first, if that happened he didn't need 'this' bratty hybrid around.
Ferdie huffed as he tracked Fang's scent heading toward the same destination he now sought. Perhaps he was being too harsh in his mind, but now he was going to be more warry of the inconsiderate hybrids and less keen on allowing mix-breeds in, in the future.

Ferdie watched the small interaction and measured Fang's stance but once she began to speak Ferdie had seen and heard enough. Ferdie pissed on a rock before walking directly past Fang flipping his tail up over his back assuring that the loner should now understood just whom was in charge here. He resisted the urge to nip Fang in the ear as he passed by, that he would save for a later time. Placing himself between Fang and the loner on a slight angle so he might see Fang's reaction if only just of of the corner of his eye

Ferdie lifted himself up and stared down at the female, Where Fang was vocal during boundary meetings like this Ferdie was not.
The large Male would not tolerate outsiders treating his pack members like this no matter how much they may have deserved it. Ferdie curled his lip slightly and rumbled deep in his chest. He didn't attack her but he wasn't overly welcoming either as he waited for her to react to him, he was not about to speak first.

Kipling had a few more choice words for the male, and though she still held him in distaste she couldn't help but to find some of what he said amusing. She hated it. Fighting off the slight tug at the edges of her muzzle, her snarl fell short, and she was left to dissolve her aggression into what she attempted to be a frustrated sigh. Just in time, as another wolf approached from the Spire's borders with a more ostentatious posture than the squirt next to him.

But he didn't speak, apparently not so quick to strike up conversation like the smooth-talker behind him. The new male was obviously dominant, at least more than the first, but Kipling remained unaware exactly who was the alpha. It could have actually been the hybrid for all she knew, though at this point she remained doubtful on that theory. They were on common ground but she took a step back at his rumble, and shrunk down submissively, if there was anyone here to impress he seemed to be it.

Still, she remained unsure of what to say with him simply staring, and the silence between them served to weigh heavily on her chest, until she broke out in an unsure, Hey?

fang fade, tag me if I need to come back

The half smile returned to his face as the unknown female almost lost het compusure, the frustrated sign almost causing him to laugh again. His ears flicked as the approach of his alpha was heard. When Ferdie made his way past Fang he half expected some sort of chastising action. when none was forthcoming and the alpha did his practiced pose, fang would have rolled his eyes at the display, he had gotten used to it and felt, whilst it was effective in showing who was boss it was almost unnecessary in his opinion. Instead he offered a sly wink to the female before moving off a few steps, leaving her to Ferdies tender mercy. Actions Speech thoughts

Ferdie Von Pelt let his lips cover his teeth and his rumble ceased, but his posture was unyielding. As much as his distaste for Fang grew and he allowed Fang's behavior so really he was the one who was letting it get out of hand he was protecting the fool's honor.
Her 'Hey' warranted no response from him but her lack of action did. He stepped toward her and mouthed the back of her neck, though he did not clamp down his teeth barely made contact, frustrated he began the verbal interview

Why do you taunt my pack member? Explain yourself He rumbled into her neck before he lifted his mouth from her and stared down at her, Not backing off to give her any space.

She really couldn't shrink down any further when he sought to press into her personal bubble and pop it completely when his mouth descended upon the nape of her neck. His benefit of being dominant was that she had to allow it from the stranger, though it served to make her uncomfortable enough of emitted a small whine. By all means, he could shove her and she would fall to the ground, but she wasn't about to shut up from what she felt was justified.

He's a jerk. She accused pointedly, obviously not afraid to say it within earshot of the other male. The hybrid might've been his pack member, and perhaps Kipling would take a lashing for being so plain, but she sure as hell wouldn't be sorry to say it. But like I told him, he's definitely not the reason I'm here. And she hadn't come to start a fight despite the flaring of her temper previously, she wouldn't have been the one to throw the first hit.

Crumbled down below the male, the she-wolf nervously ran her tongue over her lips but otherwise stayed still, flattened down against the earth. There's a girl, she's really really quiet, sort of looks me but brighter... um, smaller? I think she lives here. And this other wolf--Jace. She was trying to arrive to the point as quickly as possible, but found her thoughts scattered. I want to join them... and you... sir? I'm Kipling.

Ferdie Von Pelt nodded his appreciation for her actions, She knew Jace and that was good enough for him. Jace couldn't run to Ferdie and tell him about every interaction he had with every wolf.

I am Ferdie Von Pelt, Your alpha, Ferdie stepped closer and whispered in her ear, so that the distant Fang could not hear Do me a favor and give that 'jerk' the what-for some day. Ferdie Von Pelt Stepped back and gave a crooked smile, she had enough of his scent upon her now to be recognized Right then... Follow me Ferdie Von Pelt would take the lead his tail never once dropping from its comfortable spot up high. In fact while in the pack lands he never lowered it. He would lead her into the Pack Lands and deposit her at his favorite starting point for new pack members.

The Oasis

And the mystery had been solved, though at this point Kipling had already concluded that he must be the alpha. Ferdie's whisper allowed her a snort of amusement the tension melting away at passing his inspection. She hoped with whatever few words and actions that had been crossed between them he would see she really didn't mean harm to his pack, and would ultimately try her best. Nodding at his command she lifted herself back to her full height and did as he wished, trailing close behind him as he lead the way. It was nice to see what the mountain had to offer without the consequence of trespassing. This was home now, the doors were open. Did it always feel this strange at first?