Redhawk Caldera i warn you not to doubt the silence before the storm

Artaax was watchful as the wolves of the Caldera began to appear in the distance, but became distracted entirely when Blixen turned and bolted. His eyes narrowed as he determined that, once again, she was misbehaving - something he did not at all approve of. His irritation melted though when his gaze landed upon the heap of red lying upon Blixen's destination. Wildfire.

"Mom..." the boy breathed, barely louder than a whisper. His ears fell as emotion flooded his eyes. All at once, he felt all of his mature bravado disappear. He nearly crumpled with his tail tucked beneath him, whining and crying like the puppy he still mostly was. But Thuringwethil shifted in the corner of his eye, and he found himself holding onto his dignity and his self-control. He remained standing straight and tall at nomi's side, turning back to look at the alpha male and female whom had just arrived at the side of the first young girl who had come to greet them.

Artaax took in a steadying breath as he fixed his gaze upon the trio of Caldera wolves, only to turn to look at Thur instead when seconds later, she told him to go. He gave her a look that was twisted between emotions, but was quick to obey after the briefest of hesitations. He followed on Portia's heels, his eyes glued to Wildfire with every step, taking in each disheveled, abused feature about her.

The stench of some foreign pack mangled the smell that had grown synonymous with comfort, and somewhere in the pit of his stomach he felt vicious anger at the unknown enemy that was to blame for all of this. He didn't know if it was a pack, a wolf, or anything at all. For all he knew, it was a cliff that she had fallen from that had done this to her. It didn't matter - he trembled with anger and fear and sorrow and longing and joy over this moment.

It was too much. She looked so terrible. So sick. So hurt. So close to death that at any second, he knew she was going to just slip away before his very eyes. He couldn't take it. He didn't want to see his mom die. Artaax turned away with tears in his eyes and moved away from the group. "Let's keep watch," he said to Hux as he stepped past the older male, walking a few feet further out before stopping with his back turned to all of it. He stood tall as he sent his gaze across the horizon, watchful for anyone approaching. But in spite of his posture, the boy was shaking fiercely as he finally allowed his face to contort from the overwhelming emotion he felt, that needed to spill free before he could hope to grapple it into submission.