Firefly Glen We'll be alright if you don't ask me to stay

@Charon

She couldn't say she was surprised that her time had finally come, but that didn't make things any easier. She felt like she had no control over herself, and so to avoid any possible mistakes that might cost her her place in the pack, the healer left the safety of the mountain to find somewhere to be alone until her season passed. She slipped away long after the sun had set when she thought she was less likely to run into anyone and now found herself making her way through the glen. The spring brought the fireflies back, and they sparkled above her as she trotted across the soft, new grass. 

Spring really was her favorite time of year and even though she was a mess of hormones and permeated a not so subtle scent that basically called to any male in the vicinity, she decided to take some time to enjoy the clear night. A quick glance around told her she appeared to be alone, and so she settled into the soft grass and watched the insects blink around her.

The scent called to Hydra, whose own heat had not yet ended. It was her instinct in which bid that she follow, though she did not slink and hide. It was perhaps Speedy's own distractions that caused her to not notice herself being trailed, though in truth Hydra had caught onto the scent late and so it was not as though the woman was directly behind her. 

The heat of Speedy could not last. 

Hydra was determined, each and every step ridden with dogged-intent. Speedy could not do what Zafina had done and be bred by some stranger. Worse yet, someone who was not. Dirge might catch wind, and she knew her own scent caused other men, her own family, to act more than strangely. There was two reasons Hydra was here: to protect Speedy, and to protect herself. No matter who begot the she-wolf cubs, Hydra would never have them, nor would her mother. 

In fact, every opportunity that came to her she would likely try to kill them. 

Speedy did not deserve that. Why should it come to that at all? Prevention was key; and Hydra came with that in mind. Her own heat had yet to end, and Hydra moved with a dominant swagger. Concern was written on her features as Hydra murmured with conviction: you are in season, like me. You should return to Moonspear at once, Hydra moved to nip at the others hip in an effort to stress and worry her, feeling in her bones such a thing would cut the others heat short. 

I saw AW, but, if I am not welcome, poke me and I will delete >)

I know you tagged dad but I can't stop myself. OH! And look there's a Hydra. Good thing I previewed.

Revui had exhausted himself on various tree stumps across Moonspear's ridges, wanting nothing more than the burning in his skin to cease and finding that humping inanimate objects worked for a while. His siblings had splintered from the mountain, so had their father, but it wasn't until the past few hours that Revui really took notice. He felt the stirrings of teenage lust in the pit of his belly and couldn't make it stop — so he began to hunt for someone that he believed could help him.

Speedy's scent pulled him across the edge of the claim and in to the wilderness. It held the same heavy quality that Hydra's had, but something about it was also very different — more intriguing, invigorating. Revui felt the itch return to his skin and he picked up his pace, hiking after her with a more direct, insistent vibe to his every move. The boy thought he was sick — he felt so hot and bothered, and thought maybe it was a fever.

Speedy would know what to do, he thought. She always knew what to do.

Then, it hit him — Hydra's scent, and soon after, her voice filtering between the trees of the glen. He didn't make out what was said, but Revui slowed his pace and came stalking close regardless of the conversation. He eyed Hydra at first, and then glanced at Speedy; as he saw her, the burn returned. The fur along his silvered spine rose like a wave, and he stalked closer and closer - eager to wedge himself between the two of them and herd Speedy away from his sibling.

Hydra had left the mountains for the forests beyond, and he followed.

There was little surprise there—the two had been inseparable for days, for a number of good reasons. But even this change in her routine was enough to further pique his interest, where before he may have been slightly inclined to let her roam on her own for a snippet here and there. Leaving the mountain was another matter altogether, though as he trailed behind her at his own pace, he learned there was a reason for this.

Her scent he was familiar with, down to ever subtle nuance she could have provided. Out here, another had begun to mix in with it in the wake he trailed in. Familiar. Sweeter, maybe; a certain fragrance that tied neatly into the season. It hastened him in part of curiosity, but also in wonder of who she pursued, and why. Truth be told, he thought he knew why she'd gone out there after the other, and had narrowed them down to an option he thought most likely: she'd gone out there to run them off.

In spite of every inclination he had to stray and the mute stance of temptation to simmer within, he found himself content as he happened upon the pair of wolves. Hydra did not rebuke him now as she had before; his wants and needs were fulfilled just as often as he could fill her own, again and again.

His gaze lingered over Speedy only momentarily, for the razorbacked appearance of Revui stole his focus away, and discomfort rippled across him for reasons he could not entirely place. Through the narrow trails of the glen he approached, but it curtailed to linger along the fringes of the scene beginning to unfold before him. Uncertain in action, but there; his gaze flicked to Hydra questioning. These were not their grounds.

The air felt tense.

hi i'm not dad but i'm here

The firefly glen was his favourite place. From young age he had come here to look at the fireflies and chase them around, or merely watch them flit across the lands. He enjoyed it greatly, and it brought him some sort of peace whole banished from his own lands in some ways.

Charon hated it, every bit of it. He hated that Hydra was in heat where Amekaze had just given up. He hated that Amekaze allowed it so easily, would give her that. It was not that he did not want grandchildren to further their legacy -- it was just that he was not ready fathering children yet. He felt as if his masculinity had been ripped from him, restricted and bound, and every question he asked was met only with ill will and worse -- the assumption of ill will.

As if it was because he had urges or because he should just be happy with what he had. But he was young yet and he deserved more.

On top of everything else every time he tested the boundaries of the mountain he was once more chased away by his inner demons. It was his mountain, but instead of a king he felt like a prisoner. It only added insult to the injury that Amekaze had done onto him.

Charon didn't even realise that Speedy was in heat but when the group came into view his hackles pricked instinctively at the influx of scents. Even the peaceful fireflies could not save his mood now. With his head and tail raised, his mood clearly foul, Charon came onto the tense scene and snarled: What the fuck is going on here? He could not imagine Speedy the source of any trouble, so his eyes flicked to Hydra, Dirge -- who had too much scent of Hydra on him for Charon's looking -- and then Revui in turn while he waited for an explanation. Better be a damn good one because he was ready to tear someone's throat out.

The approach of another had her quickly back on her feet, and the healer turned to see Hydra making her way towards her, a determined look on her face. She thought Speedy should be at the mountain, and the nip to her hip startled her back, ears falling as she continued to back away. Her gaze was briefly stolen by the familiar form of Revui making his own purposeful approach, his path looking like it would lead right to her. She took a few more steps back, putting more space between her and her sudden company. Dirge showed up not long after, making her grow even more uncomfortable. She, too, could feel the tension rippling among the group, and she wanted nothing more than for a hole to appear next to her ready for her to jump in and be alone once more. 

Her head whipped around at the sound of Charon's voice. Well, why not just go ahead and call a pack meeting and let the entirety of Moonspear come witness her discomfort. I was trying to avoid this exact situation, she answered first, inching closer to the alpha. So, I left the mountain, but it seems I didn't go for enough. The last thing she ever wanted was to be the reason for more conflict inside their borders. Things had already been tense lately, and Charon had been scarce. Leaving until her heat passed seemed to be the best option, and it probably would have kept her out of trouble had half the pack not followed her here.

Hydra watched as Revui made an attempt to separate herself and Speedy, shifting in a tactical manner that seemed to accomodate but brought her closer to the womans flank. Revui could not have children, if she understood the way things worked—it had taken her two years to get to this point, and even if it took men less time some way, somehow, she still thought the danger was least likely from him. 

For her own part, she did not look hostile when others entered the scene, feeling better about the added security. None here would force themselves upon Speedy (she believed). Even when Dirge came onto the scene. Her eyes did not get to linger on him for long, but she had felt some sort of relief that his gaze had fallen upon her. Charon came upon the scene next, but she did not think he would be the last new face that she saw here. Her own hackles did not so much as lift, though Hydra was ever-prepared to defend. Speedy seemed to shift a measure, and Hydra did what she could to prevent too much of that from happening in as casual a manner as possible, though her own tail remained arced a measure to display that she was the woman in authority here. Like her mother before her, instincts demands were never ignored. 

Speedy was the first to respond, and Hydra withheld a shocked snort. Perhaps this was Speedy's own first heat, though. Perhaps she ought to be more sensitive. Situation...? None, yet, she began, and Hydra tried the method, voice softer than before: for heat is a scent that will lure any closer, not further, Speedy. A stranger may have forced themselves upon you, she tried to explain, ears twitching. She seemed more at ease in the presence of her family, trusting them completely. Perhaps you might want to keep the bastards that may come of such a coupling, but... Moonspear had never had them. 

She and her mother would ensure that Speedy need not worry about that, as Moonspear never would. 

Things were tense, but Hydra downplayed it with ease. This was her father, her hero, the man she most loved of all. Her tail waved, slowly, cutting at the tension; she had been thinking his sojourn away was due to their families inclination toward wanderlust now and again. Perhaps he had gone to see the shore he had once brought her to, where Ragnar raised him. Well, he was home now, and Hydra did not think this was a bad thing. Though his gaze was pointed, she could not really blame him... but there was no trouble.

Hydra looked to her father now even while she still sought to keep Speedy's more sensitive areas out of reach. She looked pliant and willing to shift if need be, but the Beta was rooted to the spot for now. Revui, myself, and Dirge have come to protect Speedy from men that might think to breed her in her state. Revui and I can escort her back to Moonspear, father, she offered, gaze not leaving his own. I would like for you to speak with my mate, perhaps get to know him even better, here her head lowered a measure; his approval would mean the world to her. Her ear flicked toward Dirge, encouraging him to stay put, for now, else risk playing with the trait that Hydra knew best how to feed (as it was the very same between father and daughter), pride, ego, vanity. The implication was clear: I seek your approval in my choice, oh mighty, strong, perfect father of mine. 

Truth be told, she had not yet even thought that this would keep him away from Speedy. Hydra's selfish motivations, this second, were not in any vein manipulative. Her own heat seemed to serve to make her love him even more, but only as a daughter could love a father.

Revui did not know why he was acting so brazenly, but to spy Hydra nipping at his friend made him more irritated and insistent on keeping the two women apart; he was focused on the defense of Speedy and did not notice the growing number of wolves until his father spoke, and looked his way. The defiance in his gaze didn't change. He glanced from Charon to Hydra and then, deeming the situation too crowded and the conversation too hard for him to follow initially, he focused back on Speedy and placed himself very close to her - lured by that scent and by his attachment. 

Hydra spoke of dangerous strangers next - of things Revui was yet unequipped for and oblivious to - and his full attention was on Speedy as he ignored the rest of them. You... smell good. He murmured quietly to her while the others were distracted amongst one another. I can protect you. Revui lifted his chin just a bit; whisking his tail, under the spell that his friend had cast, but was resolute in the belief he needed no one else.

Ah, there it was, that physical manifest of tension. Charon. The shock of bespeckled white was hard to miss as he emerged from wherever he had been tucked away but it was in Dirge's belief that the tension he felt in the air was the emotion that radiated off of him. He watched the sweep of the leader's gaze hover over them, his mood well written across scarred features that seemed only to underline the churlish, caustic tongue and its words.

It was Speedy who seemed to move first, her discomfort not unlike the discomfort Dirge felt blooming within. Hydra flanked her to one side and Revui to the next, leaving him at first to bring in the rear until he had shifted more to align himself with Hydra. If there was resolute safety in numbers, this would have been it, but given the season and the ever taut chords waiting to be plucked, it may as well have been the catalyst.

But Hydra, as ever as of late, seemed to have words to supplicate and guide the situation; he listened half-heartedly as his gaze picked over their surroundings, and settled in on the closeness and posturing of Revui instead. A frown threatened to crease his face as he tried to pluck out the words the boy said, but over Hydra he did not hear them. He knew her siblings were young, but they were not stupid, and he too remembered what it was to wonder over a budding lust; perhaps it was best he kept an eye on him for just a moment.

That moment passed swiftly—Hydra was speaking of him now. His attention shifted and his discomfort bloomed into full dismay. He was the distraction piece, apparently, the unwitting pawn in whatever game she was playing. The concept was not lost on him here either and his gaze left Hydra for that of Charon's in wait of a reaction.

it was bad enough hydra's cloying scent hung to the eaves of every tree in moonspear, but now speedy's did too. arcturus did not quite have his father's impression of how heats worked, but he could not help the trickle of annoyance he felt that this simple thing, this stupid smell, could be so disruptive as to set everyone on edge.

so, he followed after speedy - he wanted to ask her questions he wouldn't dare ask hydra -- but when he came across her, there was already a gathering there. it looked more like an inquisition than a pack hunt, and arcturus watched with a furrowed brow as his sister tried to herd speedy away, and his brother hovered close to her flank.

unbidden but very keenly felt, arcturus experienced something akin to wild jealousy to see revui so close to his playmate. he wished to intercept it, but the murderous look in charon's eyes was enough to keep him at bay. settling close to dirge, arcturus glanced at all of them, raking each of the wolves with his judgmental yellow stare.

Maybe if things were a little different, Charon would have said yes. Maybe if Revui hadn't been there, practically drooling over Speedy while saying he'd keep her safe -- but what did he know? Not enough to recognise this yet --, included in the "getting her to safety" party. Maybe if Hydra hadn't bombed "mate" on him. Maybe if Hydra had asked him, included him somehow, in her decision to have children with some guy. Maybe, if his nostrils weren't filled with the scent of both his daughter and Speedy, a loyal member of Moonspear. Someone who deserved better than all this shit. The heat did not make him want to listen to his daughter; the heat made him want to conquer her heart, take her somewhere, make new life -- and so he was not naturally inclined to listen, just because she was in heat. Especially with all that was said and done in between context.

Sharp eyes fell on Dirge for a moment, teeth peeled back into a warning snarl. I don't give a fuck about your mate, Charon said. He felt blood surge to his head and found it hard to control himself. Gritting his teeth he looked back to Hydra. I will take care of this myself. You will escort these drooling men back to Moonspear. And I will meet your mate later, after all of this is done. although I do wonder what we will even do if he turns out to be unworthy, considering he no doubt already took advantage of your situation without so much as a request in my direction. Charon didn't even disapprove of Dirge. Well, not really, not as much as seeped through in his words, but the timing was poor and everything about this was a stark reminder of his own childlessness this season. And he really did want to keep Speedy safe. He just didn't trust any of these men to do so, and felt Hydra would treat her unfairly, for he had enough experience with Ame to know women in heat tolerated no potential risks. Arcturus was ignored mostly in all this though summed up along with the other "drooling men".

Go, the Alpha commanded, And it was clear that he would not tolerate any "but daddy"s, his chin lifted and tail flagging high in warning. He would not have this troupe of wolves cluttering poor Speedy. He could handle this himself. He'd make sure that she fell prey to none, and in this very moment, Charon's rational side totally believed that, too.

She could see the logic behind Hydra's words. Being out here unprotected put her at as much of a risk, if not more, than if she had stayed inside the borders, but all she had been thinking about was preventing any tension between her packmates. This was all very confusing no matter how much she knew about the way things worked, and she was very quickly realizing that it was vastly different when you were experiencing it for yourself. All she knew was that she was getting overwhelmed with the amount bodies surrounding her, and the thought of being escorted back to the mountain by the beta didn't make her feel any better about things.

Any other time, she would be fine with the closeness of her packmates, especially ones she considered to be friends, but when Revui came up beside her, his warmth against her skin made her stomach tighten, and she gave a hard swallow in response to the intensity of the feeling. She felt guilty for feeling that way, and it made the whole thing even more confusing. She didn't like not being in control of her reactions. She didn't blame her friend for behaving the way he did, either; she knew he was in no better control of his own reactions right now. And she really did appreciate his vow to protect her, but she didn't think it was such a good idea to go with him, not with the way he was reacting to her scent. 

She barely had time to register the arrival of Arcturus before Charon's angry words demanded her attention. She winced a little at his harsh dismissal of Hydra's new mate. And as relieved as she was to hear him order the group away, she couldn't help but feel guilt just as strongly; she had caused tension between the alpha and his daughter, and she hated it. She hated that this whole mess was her fault, and that she never even had any choice in the matter. Speedy shifted away from Revui to stand closer to Charon, giving her friend an apologetic look as she moved. This seemed like the right decision, though; she had complete faith in the alpha's ability to keep her safe from any more curious noses.

Perhaps she ought not to have been surprised, but she was. 

She was disarmed, and hurt, for a moment—the latter plain on her features as she looked upon her father—but as he continued on, Hydra got right back onto her warhorse. She noted Arcturus was among their number, now—and as her father spoke, she wondered if her brothers were as offended as she was to hear them called drooling men, and Dirge, for his own part, looked far more dignified than that.  His command was heard, but for once, not heeded. If he thought it fit too disrespect her, and her husband, Hydra would do the very same, voice steady and firm. The disrespect her father had shown her, and the way he had spoken to her, had also never been placed upon Hydra; she did not like it, and she would never have it again. 

She snarled back, something she may have never done herself if not so incensed by her season: Control yourself. You speak about your sons and my mate, and she would fight for them, each of them. Revui and Arcturus are both too young to breed, and I can handle them. In their own distracted states, Hydra did not doubt her capability [swift to forget about her own handicap, as it were]; but more than that, she knew @Lyra would come swiftly enough to assist. She would also fight for Speedy, clearly; it was not the reason she was here to begin with, but the reason she remained. Every move Speedy took, Hydra was careful to seek to guard, to protect, to prevent. 

And if you want to speak of drooling men, you might soon be among them when not so mad. Unintentionally, she breathed, you yourself might act. So, I will not go, Hydra's own chin lifted, ready to confront her father head on if need be. She did not think she would be alone here, to protect Speedy—and just as she was about to speak further on it, that she would be the one to escort her, Hydra heard her mothers summoning howl. The call did not sound pleased, and her gaze turned to Speedy, to measure her. She looked apologetic, at least. Not at all proud. Hydra sighed. She had done a decent job of making a mess of things, but Hydra did not fault her for that. Her season Hydra could fix swiftly; she would not allow her father to prevent her of her right. She looked back to her father now. 

It seems we will all be escorting her. Speedy, I will walk with you. Dirge, protect our rear. Arcturus, Revui, make sure no one seeks to take advantage of us. Father, you too, For despite her anger with him, she did not think he would seek to hurt her in this. Or maybe he would. The moment was tense, boiling to the near brim; her mothers call served to cool Hydra a measure, but perhaps it would cause her father to erupt.

Certainly not her words; it could never be her who did wrong.

Revui out!

An apologetic look creased Speedy's features as she slipped away from Revui, who felt a twist in his gut and soon there was a frown of confusion and subtle pain slipping across his face. He didn't understand what the chaos around him was all about; he didn't know why his father was so adamant that they split away from Speedy. Most of all, he didn't know why she rebuked him — fled from him, chose his father — and for a moment he lost what mental cohesion he still carried.

The sight of Speedy departing from him (and the void of cold that her body's absence presented) steeled his heart against the lot of them. He glared after her - glared to Charon, too - and though his sister spouted her own rebuttal he loosed a contentious rumble in the depths of his chest, lunging around Hydra and after Speedy as if to gather her to himself again.

It was a pointless gesture.

She was gone — her choice had been made. His rumbling died out as he heard Hydra's own orders, but the boy wasn't so keen on listening in that moment. He turned a sharp eye on Hydra as his warnings died away, and then lurched in the other direction — extricating himself before he do something truly damning.

Tense moments drew out; the arrival of Arcturus came quietly, his presence not unnoticed entirely by Dirge. He side-eyed the quiet wraith and the sharp gaze of his eyes, but was drawn back by the crashing thunder in Charon's tone. He knew what was said in a nutshell before it was said, and it heralded back to days he thought long behind him. My word is law, it said, and it did not sit right with him. For as many times as he had spoken in jest to Hydra about conquering lands and ruling the masses, there was a distinct line between leading and ruling, and the gesture made him simmer with anger.

The fringes of his stoicism rippled, his lips coiling back in a struggle to flash his teeth as Charon laid eyes on him with such gravity. The way he spoke of his children skewed itself, seeming more beast of burden than pride. Surely it was the season affecting them all, but beneath it all it stirred deep seated concern, if not abject fear in him. But this was not the fear that would send him cowering and set him to whine and grovel for he had never been one to be cowed so easily. And it seemed he was not alone in reaction either, for Hydra's words underlined what he could not quite put into words.

It was a ploy, he thought, and the wool would not be pulled over their eyes. Hydra's words emboldened him to draw closer to her for emphasis on the cusp of Amekaze's summons; Revui beat a swift retreat in the same stroke, but Dirge did not let his gaze follow to see where he set off to, nor capture the frustration that settled onto his face. His hackles prickled along his spine minutely; he could not hide the conflict of emotions, let alone his discomfort of what was and what could be, and could not spare a wonder for what would come of such a tense impasse.

like so many things in life, arcturus was given little time to react before things just went sideways.

first, his father’s rebuke. it tore through the air, sounding harsher than the single clap of a sniper bullet — arcturus flinched from the bite in charon’s words, his gaze going from judgmental to wounded.

on the plus side, if charon had been referring to him (when he had been standing off to the side not even wanting speedy, but whiny-arcturus digressses), charon had at least referred to him as a ‘man’. that was a compliment to arcturus, who still sometimes felt as the baby, he was not taken seriously by his peers.

following charon’s snap, his sullen gaze flickered to hydra readily, knowing enough of his family to know that an absolute shitstorm was coming. hydra was sure to resent the manner in which she was spoken to - just like arcturus, she was unaccustomed to charon’s fury, and likely would react poorly to it.  

family man as arcturus wanted to be, his loyalty was divided — he had always envisioned he would be steadfast in this devotion, but when his family fragmented, which piece then did he choose to follow?

his options thinned as amekaze’s howl called for all of them; now he had three conflicting commands to obey, and almost no willpower mustered to amuse each of them. he was still stung by the harshness of his father, and annoyed by the commanding overtures issued by his sister. he was not a puppet to be controlled; when would his family see that? he resented being pulled six ways to sunday, and shared a private glance of sympathy with dirge (you is marrying into crazy) before his attention drew to revui.

he would have probably continued to stay where he was, and maybe even would have stepped in as the buffer between the brewing tension of father and daughter, but revui had left, and with him went arcturus’ interests in playing family mediator. he didn’t understand why everyone was so stircrazy this time of year, and couldn’t help but feel like it was partially hydra and speedy’s fault. if speedy hadn’t left, hydra hadn’t been so controlling, charon hadn’t been so caustic....

today, arcturus obeyed the command of none. in an act unprecedented for the most obedient boy in moonspear, arcturus gave everyone in the remaining circle a “you-guys-suck” glare (sparing dirge, whose only flaw was maybe being in the wrong place at the wrong time) before he turned after his brother, tail bobbing in cold dismissal as he went.

A lot of things happened fast. Speedy moved closer to him at his command, though she seemed the only one to obey him at first. As Hydra told him to control himself, a feral snarl broke from his throat, for he would not be controlled by anyone -- least of all his own offspring. Hydra had always been his favourite, his prized daughter. The head of the Cerberus, and it was no surprise to any of Moonspear when he handpicked her to be his Beta when she came of age, just like he had handpicked himself when he grew up. He even vividly remembered the conversation he had shared with Amekaze, where he contemplated if it may be better for Hydra's growth to step out of their shadow, for them to give her the space she needed to grow.

But he hadn't quite envisioned it like this.

Dirge was completely ignored as Hydra spat words back at Charon. The howl broke the discussion they were having.

It was perhaps the way he referred to them as, or perhaps they simply did not feel like any of this right now, but Revui and Arcturus each left. At least there were still some of his family that listened to his commands. They went, like he commanded, and in the heat of the moment and the foul words brought forth by Hydra Charon did not even see the looks they shot him. He'd certainly not expected either of them to stand by his side; no part of Charon actually expected a physical confrontation at this point. He'd never needed that with his own family, and he didn't intend to start on it now.

Instead his body language spoke volumes of this; it screamed that he would assert the dominance that he owned if he were to be thwarted. Her words meant little to him in his current state. It wasn't even that he was intending to do anything with Speedy. It was just that he needed this little bit of control. His home was taken during this time because Hydra was in heat. She had meanwhile taken a mate, which meant she doubtlessly was breeding without even trying to seek him out in whatever way to ask for his blessing. She wanted this now, but he knew for sure it was already too late. He knew how heat worked, and it didn't make you want to wait for daddy to say he liked your guy.

So when Hydra said they would all escort her back, Charon shook his head. No. This changes nothing. I will make sure she is safe through this and bring her home with me after, when all of this madness is gone. And you will return home to inform your mother that it is taken care of. He spoke calmly this time, though his body was still tense and his tail flagged dominantly over his back. Now go, before you make any decisions you will regret later. Charon himself was about ready to go, but he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to turn his back on his daughter and the man he had just insulted in front of her just yet. They would sort all of this out later. Right now it was crystal clear in Charon's mind: He needed to retain control and this was the way to do it. Whether it would prove to be a smart decision he would think of later -- but he felt he could work through this, he could control himself, because it was way different than any of the other times things had gone wrong. Right now, all he knew was that he needed this win when everything else in his life was rapidly rolling downhill along with his youth, and so he stuck to the plan.

Charon took a tentative step backwards, keeping eye contact with Hydra. He just hoped that she understood she still needed to head his command. All the rest they could sort out later. All the rest they'd work out. But he was still her father and Alpha, for now, however hard she was pressing right now to do exactly that which Charon had always wanted her to do (but was kind of disappointing now that he got to it) -- step out from under his shadow.

Things only continued to get more heated. Hydra pushed against her father's command, remaining unwavering in her belief that Speedy should be escorted back to the mountain. She felt Dirge's intensity, eyes lingering warily on his flash of teeth. Then, Amekaze's howl reached them, her demand that they all return clear in the notes of her call. Dread pooled in her stomach at the sound, and she knew then that, no matter how this ended, she would be rebuked when she returned. Her mistake would not be easily forgotten. This was clear in the glares she earned from Revui and Arcturus. She watched Revui take off, part of her wanting to go after him and explain why she had made the decision she made, but that would only make things worse. She looked after the two boys dejectedly before before Charon's own command pulled her attention once more.

So she had three different commands from all three Moonspear leaders, two of which demanded that she return to the mountain at once. But Charon outranked his daughter, and Amekaze was not here, so it was hard to ignore the wishes of the alpha who was standing there, radiating dominance. So, her body shifted towards Charon's as he moved, making it clear she intended to stay as her intent gaze darted between her three packmates. She hoped beyond anything that things wouldn't get any worse than they already had.

Perhaps things might have been well, had Speedy not moved. For a moment she had considered her fathers words, and entrusting him with the protection of Speedy... but her decision had not been made by the time Speedy herself shifted to obey him, and not her. Hydra's season emboldened her, and she recalled quickly what was at stake here. Her future. Her childrens future. Their place upon the mountain this year. If Charon was at all tempted by the agouti woman, it put everything on the line for her. 

Most of all, her pride. 

She considered what was on the line for her father. She did not understand it was the same for him; she had thought he quit the mountain by choice, as she sometimes did to scout. There was an animal desperation in the both of them, but in the moment Hydra could only see her own as Speedy moved toward him—

Everything told her to fight. She lunged forward with a loud snarl, but did not act on it; there was fire in her eyes as she looked to Speedy that did not dwindle as her gaze fell upon her father. Perhaps foolishly, she trusted him; he had not done wrong by her in her lifetime, and had listened to her correction of his own actions. And in any case, she did know she was out for blood—at least now. Speedy listening to her would have changed it, but now? Only one thing would mean she would not, and it was the agoutis abstinence. 

I leave it to you, father, she spoke slowly, terribly calm as her ears thrust forward, but if anything comes of it, you will only have yourself to blame for the deaths that come of her union with any. Her eyes fell to Speedy, fangs revealed in full now. Warning given so that none of her (perhaps even their) misdeeds consequences would be unknown, she turned on her heel and quit their company, infuriated with the turn of events. She entrusted Dirge to watch her back, her gait proud and her gaze determined as she headed toward her mother.

The impasse remained, the tension pulled like strings taut enough to pluck at if he so dared, but it would have taken far more than a menancing pull of lips and flash of teeth to do so. It did not do little to quell the fire he held to be ignored but it was best that way he would realize later, and whatever it would be would simply have to be. It was writ to stone by the tranquil fury of Hydra's parting words; his gaze shifted subtly between Charon and Speedy both with an uncertainty that such a thing would be avoided. Forbidden fruit was always tender, always sweet, and it was a transgression with the highest temptation of all.

Hydra turned, all poised and proud and ready to leave; he lingered for a beat or two more before following suit. Nothing more to be said, hardly the time to waste the breath. The ascension would give him time to cool his own temper but the tension he thought would linger, and he wondered who, if any, would be the first to pluck at the tightly wound strings.

With his jaw clenched he waited to hear what she would say; would she dare go against him a third time, or would she give in? As Speedy joined by his side Hydra lunged forward. Charon, too, lunged forward with the same animal snarl rumbling in his throat, daring her to act upon her instincts. He was still father and Alpha and he would pin her to the ground if he must. Teeth bared he stared at her, and there was a stand-off for a moment before finally she grew calmer and gave in. His hackles fell down though muscles remained tense as she spoke.

The threat in her words were not lost on him. He wrinkled his nose but did not speak. He simply watched as his daughter left, and was not so sure whether he was proud or frustrated more than the other of what she had become. This was what he had spoken to Amekaze of, what he wanted her to be, and yet, now that the moment was there, he was not quite as happy.

Wordlessly he nosed Speedy's shoulder, the intoxicating scent reminding him of how poor an idea this was, as they set off towards another place where they would not be so bothered.

Her ears fell and she winced a little as Charon and Hydra snarled at each other. Guilt swelled inside her again as she watched the stand off, and she prayed this wouldn't lead to a physical fight between the two. She looked away from the beta's intense gaze, unable to hold it even for a second. Any relief the healer might have felt at the other woman's capitulation was quickly snuffed out by her ominous vow. She certainly wasn't planning on anything happening between her and the alpha, but her words had their desired effect, leaving Speedy with visions of murdered children; she couldn't bear the thought. 

Hydra turned and left, then, and Dirge soon followed. Speedy watched their forms grow smaller until she felt Charon's nose against her shoulder. She did as he urged and began moving, following closely at his side, the whole uncomfortable situation replaying in her mind as they left.