Blacktail Deer Plateau of star & sea

These girls were idiots.

Beyond feeling a personal sting for having lost to each of them in the days previous, Reyes was trying to focus on the threat that they posed and keep tabs on them in case they veered in to dangerous territory - such as if any one of them decided to go after one of his mothers, or his sister now that she was making an apperance. Rosalyn and Erzulie were powerful in their own right; each having their own histories and knowing their own capabilities. Nieve was not so much a warrior as a scout, so Reyes edged toward where she lurked in case things spilled out beyond the obvious challenge between Erzulie and the sisters; he would not let harm befall any part of his family.

Then, as the sisters began to protest with words rather than the natural system of combat, Reyes found himself focused upon each of them as they took their turns barraging those gathered with their sharp tongues. It was Mei's outburst that made him bristle further, tense more, and glare. He need not glance to Erzulie to feel the ripple of aggression in the air; nobody had the right to speak to either of the Betas like that, least of all a couple of punk ass kids. As Mei announced that, You are not one of us! Reyes couldn't help a deep growl from emanating from his chest - but this was curtailed by the sound of his mother's laughter.

Rosalyn's laughter eased some of the tension from Reyes' body - but it did not last, not when the more pugnacious of the sisters began to snark in her own right. Something about not listening; they called to Erzulie and Reyes couldn't help but glance at his other-mother, then back to Ying, wanting nothing more than to insert himself between the sisters and throw some proverbial punches. Why were they letting these girls rant and rave? Why not chase them out to the wilderness where they belonged? They had already proclaimed themselves as other to the Rusalkans. They held no loyalty to their pack, and so their pack would turn upon them - it was only natural.

Then Erzulie spoke. It was quick, so Reyes missed exactly what she said, but then the woman turned towards the dark-capped girl. It was enough of a lunge to prompt Reyes' growl to grow stronger and he too lunged, moving in an arc so that he could assert himself as a defensive measure should the other wolves move to counter. This was a challenge between two beasts of Rusalka (for as long as that might last) and in Reyes' mind, none should intervene. 

One of the others is shouting now, or -- it started as a shout, but seemed to dwindle, to weaken, and it is enough to gather Reyes' attention. He watches as Hua stumbles backwards; she looks unnerved, and it fills him with an unbridled sense of satisfaction to see her cowed in such a way. To watch as she seeks the gaze of her sister Ying (perhaps for comfort); to Reyes, these are all signs of weakness. None of them can fight without the other, or so the actions tell him. Feeling bold and confident and all manner of intoxicated by the presence of those he considers true friends, allies, family -- Rusalkans -- he makes a lunge towards Hua.

He does not snap at her though; he does not so much as touch her. Rather, it is like Reyes has chosen this moment to crowd her a little bit, to see how far he can push the meek girl back. Let the tide of bodies overwhelm these strange sisters and push them away, for they certainly did not belong among them.