Swiftcurrent Creek pack activity · spring festival

Leaving Fox well before dawn, Haunter assumed an early patrol instead of disappearing off into the distant areas of Teekon as he often did. It was a little lucky that he was only patrolling, because no sooner had he finished his first round, had the Alpha sent up a happy, meandering call for her packmates to join her in celebration of the arrival of spring. He fondly remembered yesterday, having celebrated this very occasion with her alone, and he felt equally as glad that she let him into her den each night to share it with her.

But these thoughts evaporated as he made his way back for her. His mind steeled and his eyes became as piercing as ever. He watched as he traveled through the thick of Swiftcurrent, for signs of any cougars, bears, or predators that would cause his pack harm, and when he finally arrived his mood had been hastily depleted by his needless worrying.

His gaze sought Fox first, but they unintentionally landed on Tuwawi first and her injured mate who was just returning to her side. His eyes passed quickly over Jinx, and a pang in his chest reminded him of their brief intimacy mere days after her loss and just before his impromptu pledge to Fox. He found her next, but much to his irritation, Ferdie was standing near her so he didn't approach anyone at all.

Instead of acting like the new Haunter who was slowly getting used to socializing, he precipitously became his old self, and the inky wolf hung out on the outskirts of the group like an outcast rather than representing his rank. He didn't give his stare to anyone now, choosing instead to watch elsewhere as if he suspected some sort of catastrophe to rain down on his pack while they were most conveniently converged in this one spot.

Occasionally, his eyes traveled willfully to Fox, but it would only make his spine ripple with jealousy as he realized she had a whole pack to attend to, and he could not have her undivided attention at this moment. He felt foolish for wanting it, but couldn't bring himself to enjoy the festivities right away, too worried as he was about himself.