The Heartwood Exploration (M)

It was a rarity that Ypres would be found leaving Gull Island, as she had fallen in love with the island. However; her heart just didn't seem to belong. She had contemplated on being just a lone wolf once again because apparently, she does not play well with others... Or so in her kind she didn't. It was a different ball game all in itself with being inside a wolf pack. There where many to choose from surrounding her, and she rushed in to join the Gull Island's pack without means of looking around first.

stupid

Now she was stuck... Stuck being in the pack that everybody in the region hated... Or so word got around. Should she go back to that Island? Live in shame because of a terrible name? Or would this pack rise on its own? Ypres hoped so; regardless she went back or not. She knew what it was like to be the ''hated'', the ''unwanted'', the ''unloved''. Hell she's been there her entire life hasn't she? And she still is..
Despite this, she was still a proud individual that feigned all insults to her name due to her being so short and stocky.

Out of shit a flower grows...

She recalled her words to Verrine and Ragnar upon meeting them the other day. The stipulation was true. A sigh rolled from her mug as she padded deeper and deeper into heartwood territory.

I don't want to go back. Sick of the wars, sick of fighting, all I want to do is eat someone's face off..

The multi personality spoke within the core of her soul as she poked her head inside a vacant den. She crawled inside of it as there was room for maybe two more. Rain had infected the lands, and she was drenched to the bone by the time she got inside the vacant den. The loud claps of thunder and cold air made her shiver as she curled up into a ball and closed her eyes.

While it could be a rarity for others to leave Wheeling Gull Isle, it was becoming a habit for Beric. He would wander off, sometimes not coming back at all that day, though he always went back before two days time was up. He did his duties while he was there, but his heart was leading him away more and more. Soon, he would walk away and not return to the island.

Today, his paws took him to Great Bear Wilderness. Why anyone would want to live in bear-infested country was beyond him, but hey, who was he to talk? He was here, wasn't he? He hadn't been this far from shore before, so he might as well check it out. The scent his nose caught he wasn't expecting. It was pack mate. So far from home, as well. He followed it, his gaze catching her. Ypres, he called out from a distance. He didn't want to come up on her unannounced, or startle her. He closed the distance between them, I wasn't expecting to run into you so far from home, he admitted.

Ypres heard a familiar voice from afar approaching her. She swiveled her cranium to have a peek at who it was, even though her mind told her it was Beric. What in tarnation was he doing here? Did he follow her? The Gamma femme faced her pack mate.

"Beric.."

She barked back with a wag of her tail.

" did you follow me to Bear country to seek refuge and alliance?"

She was looking to form an alliance with a powerful predator for a possible upcoming war. Ypres was going to make allies with a few of the wild fauna to gain power over the packs that were against Majesty's, and if Majesty disapproved of her alliance, then she would fight him to take over his pack and become Alpha female, or simply leave. There were many cards displayed on the table and she needed to play the game right. Or maybe instead of defeating Majesty, she might just very well create her own pack or tribe right here. However the tribe would consist of nonjudgmental wolves that were comfortable with living with cougars, eagles, and bears. She had lived in packs like these before but the rewards had to be great to keep such powerful allies standing beside you. Seeing Beric created a new card out on the table.

" Come exploring with me, I have much work to attend too.."

Ever since Erika left the pack he increased his patrols of the borders, all around. Who knows if Majesty was planning an attack to avenge his lover and possible pups? Or would he strike first before Jinx did? Was he even possible of doing such a thing? Regardless, the dark Gamma kept patrolling the Silvertip borders as his packmates searched the new land.

His patrols complete, he dove into the territory not claimed by his pack, to see if any wolves were lurking in the forests of Great Bear Wilderness. Though rain poured down on him, two wolf smells with a salty tang reached his nostrils, making the dark brown wolf growl softly. Isle wolves... His tail curled over his back, and his ears shoved forward as he strode towards the smell.

At the end of the trail he saw a male wolf poking his nose into a den, speaking to its inhabitant Ypres. The Gamma growled gently to turn the wolf's attention towards him, hoping that the firey little female would hear him too. "What are Wheeling Gull wolves doing so far from that little island of yours?"

Long strides carried him in pursuit of Kaname. While he trusted the dark wolf — thought Lecter's trust was quite fleeting and truly belonged only to Jinx — his latent suspicions as of late set every wolf as a potential betrayer of Silvertip until proven otherwise.

It would do well, in the morbidity of his mind, to kidnap Erika until she was delivered of Majesty's children. Their tender innocence would appease Sos, and there were sundry dark rites that could be performed with the bodies of the very young.

He approached, bristling as the reek of Gull wolves struck his nostrils, and sidled alongside Kaname, a fresh coat of blood dripping from jaws and withers. No words came from the shaman, but a low growl birthed a threatening vibrato into the air.

set by sophie

Uh-oh... lol If a fight is going to happen, and it can, for timeline purposes, I'm going to say this happens after Beric has just left the Isle wolves.

Ypres admitted she was seeking refuge and alliance, but Beric wondered where she would get it out here, and from who. The only pack that was close to here would likely rip them part if they went near the borders, and the only other beings were lone wolves and fauna. Where exactly would we find that out here? he asked honestly. He was willing to go, but for him, refuge would be in Horizon Ridge. Ypres wanted him to come exploring, and he would, but she needed to know there was nothing in this for him. I'll go, but there's something you should know, he began.

A growl behind him caused him to turn his head and give the male his rapt attention. Beric's hackles raised in the rain, and he returned the growl. Whatever we want, considering we're on free land, he retorted. Granted, it probably wasn't a good idea to goad him, especially when a second male arrived, covered in blood, but he felt he was right, and he would defend himself for that right. And, considering I'm a free wolf myself, I'm pretty sure that means I can go anywhere I want, he added, implying he was no longer with the Isle wolves. Ypres didn't know that, though, and may question it. If she did, the other males would think he was a liar. He'd deal with it, though.

Snarls could be heard coming from behind Beric. Hackles raised as she stepped from the den and in full view. It was Kaname the silvertip mountain wolf. She had been resting out of Gull Island and contemplating on not going back as she assumed she had made up her mind with the though of Beric showing up.
She was going to start her own pack, she was tired of Majesty's foolishness, and therefore why be hated by everyone, when she can be ruthless yet desired. Eyes the peeled from Kaname to another Silvertip and a flash of her hooks indicated her displeasure about the thickening plot. Sonars swivel to the words of Beric as he offered his piece; but Ypres said nothing but only offered a cold silent stare before any words were able to break free from her jaws. She watched as the other male approached, she stood neutrally.

"Calm yourselves. I roam free land. And who ever stated I were any longer Wheeling Gull?"

She offered a stoic expression eying the two Silvertip males.

Ypres exited the den and glared at him first. He met her gaze cooly, silently acknowledging Lecter's arrival. "You're too damn close to Silvertip territory." he growled at their arguments that they were on free land. It was indeed unclaimed, but enemies this close were not to be left unchallenged.

His eyebrows raised when they both said they were no longer a part of Wheeling Gull. The dark wolf didn't buy it, but he played along. "It took you this long to realize Majesty's foolishness?" he snarled, making his disbelief known. "You still smell of the sea and until that stench wears off your pelts I will have to ask you to get as far away from Silvertip as you can."

The Gull male answered, and the female bristling alongside him rejoined as well, stupidly, in Lecter's opinion. Both denied involvement with Majesty, though his scent clung tightly to their pelts. "Did I not tell you of the brainpower displayed by those who followed that absurdly-named fool?" he drawled mockingly to Kaname, boldly holding the gazes of the pair in turn.

"Freedom means very little when it is tempered by stupidity," he snarled to the interloping male, drawing forward a scant few paces. Though he would stay within the shadow of Kaname's strength, Lecter would not stand for the insipid wiles and lies of Majesty's brats.

"It is my suggestion that you take your bitch and depart," the shaman intoned, a deliberate goad toward the wench he refused to acknowledge. "You are without the ... protection of your leader, and Silvertip is a stone's throw away." Icewater eyes burned as he awaited the response of the strangers, and he tensed for an altercation.

set by sophie

Beric and Ypres had found themselves in quite the predicament here and Beric was torn on having the right to be here, and realizing that these males were feeling very territorial about their home, especially after Majesty had possibly impregnated one of their females and is now harboring her on the island. He could certainly understand their point of view, but he hoped they would at least listen to his, too. It was difficult among all this tension, but Beric lowered his hackles and covered his teeth. If this was going to end in anything but a fight, someone had to step up and think logically about this. Ypres spoke up, and Beric had no reaction to her words outwardly. Inwardly, however, he wondered whether those words were true or if she was following some lead she thought he had made up. Either way, it could work to their advantage. But, the other males were still on high alert.

He let them talk, letting them think they were big bad wolves with the insults, though they meant nothing to him. It was just a bunch of name-calling, and irrelevant to the bigger situation. Majesty only told us last week about Erika. We had no idea up until that point. I called him out in front of the entire pack, and told him how foolish his actions were, and how much danger he was putting the pack in. When Ypres and I realized he was still going to pick a woman over the safety of his pack, we left. He looked to Lecter, So, yes, we're out here without the protection of our leader because we have no leader, he added. He honestly didn't feel they were, in any way, encroaching on their pack's lands, but he didn't say that. Disagreeing with them on that would not help his and Ypres' situation at all. However, that didn't mean he was going to be run off this perfectly unclaimed area. Abruptly, he sat down on his haunches, silently telling them he was going nowhere.

Ypres looked from one male to the next as they grew even more hostile. Ypres remained calm. She had them right where she wanted them.. Angry! It was a total waste of energy really, and Ypres couldn't be bothered with a further negative response; it took a bigger wolf to remain calm, or an emotionally stronger one that is.

"Oh pass off boys, no need to be so hostile towards two bastards that have had no idea what happened up until now. I don't see how you could possibly have a beef with Beric and I, we are not of Majesty's blood. I come from a far out region that's much different than here. But as far as i'm concerned guys, we done nothing wrong to you. "

She watched as Beric planted his ass down onto the ground indicating he wasn't moving. She too made the bold decision.

" And bitch is far from insult to me brother.. In fact it's a compliment, and thank you! "

She offered Lecter a toothy grin and a simple wag of her tail as she sat next to Beric her body almost connecting with his.

" we have no interest in crossing your lands, I do not hunt, nor pass without given permission dear sirs, and yes I comprehend that we are just a few paw prints away from your borders, but it dont mean you have to come out here barking your orders for us to leave. This after all IS free land... "

She offered a hard nod as she rose her chin with a stiff upper lip. She wasn't interested in fighting, she had other important matters to think about than to bicker with two pack wolves who didn't know from asshole to tea kettle.

Kaname could sense that the former Wheeling Gull wolves were annoyed with he and Lecter snarling at them, even though they were on free land. Free land or not, they were still enemies to him, and they were too close. He gave them his icy glare. "Your leader was banished for not respecting the borders. I will not make the same mistake as he." he growled softly. "I am not asking you to leave, Ypres. You can stay in this place as long as you want. But our pack does not want you within ten pawsteps of our border."

His eyes narrowed when the male sat down, looking unwilling to move. Kaname's fangs bared further. "I suggest you get off of your ass and move that way." he gestured to behind the wolf, stepping into his personal space and growling.

The time for bandying words to and fro had passed, in Lecter's opinion; he did not converse with rocks, and these two seemed dull-witted enough to pass for the stone droppings of the earth. They had sat down in the dirt, shoulder to shoulder, and this gesture only reinforced the shaman's belief that they operated together, beneath the feckless rein of their ill-toned stallion, Majesty.

The Beta allowed Kaname to speak, his own lips sliding back to reveal fangs yellowed with use and with age. He was thin, and aged past each of the other three, but a fervent bloodlust burned in his breast; he would not be struck down. Not today.

As the Gamma pressed forward, so Lecter followed, paws gripping the earth as he thrust himself into the scant few inches of personal space the female called her own, holding her eyes with a cold threat.

set by sophie

Ypres followed his boycott of this bully charade. The male in front of him kept up his incessant talking, and Beric was growing bored of it. He was doing his best to stay calm, but the male took the liberty of stepping into his personal space. Were he to touch Beric, Beric would unleash hell upon him. His words were as taunt as his muscles. By your own words, you want us no closer than ten pawsteps. There is an entire forest between your borders and where I sit now. So, according to your standards, there should be no reason why you're trying to make us leave. He didn't bother to growl, or even bare his teeth, but the words that came from his throat were laced with deadly promises. If you attempt to move me yourself, the grass beneath your paws will be flooded with your blood.

Ypres eyed Kaname who seemed to be alright with the fact that she was there, but he also seemed to loathe a deep hatred for Beric. She watched as Kaname moved in closer to Beric getting in his face. The lead bully Lecter did his moves at her and she looked passed him as if he were not there.

"Like I stated Kaname, I have no interest in getting to close to your lands. "

Eyes fell onto Lecter who stood nose to nose with her.

"What? You wanna make out with me or something boy? I'm sure you have better things to attend to other than trying to ward us off free roaming lands."

She could see Lecter wasn't all that brilliant to begin with himself. Stupid fool. Who was he trying to impress? Ypres simply turned her back as she still sat with an aloof expression refusing to further acknowledge this loser. A man picking a fight with a girl went to show how much of a coward he really was. Real men don't do crap like these!

@Beric I'm going to start the fight now if you're fine with that. :)

Kaname prodded the gray and tan wolf mockingly. "I would love to see you try." he sneered. "The grass will be flooded with my blood" indeed. The wolf in question may be bigger than him, but Kaname was trained how to fight from the moment he stepped out of his den. His wounds from his last fight had healed, and he was rested and well enough to fight now. If this wolf thinks that he is so big and bad, then Kaname was going to put him in his place.

He found the bitch insipid, due the continued gape of her jaws around empty threats. While Kaname taunted the Gull male, Lecter kept his eyes trained on the female. His intention was not to attack outright, but to defend, and keep Kaname bolstered with his support.

set by sophie

Awesome! :-)

Beric was no novice when it came to fighting, either. He had trained with the best of Sterrenvuur and his ability was nothing to underestimate. However, he always did his best to leave physical altercations as a last resort. Unfortunately, today it seemed as if this situation had gotten to that point. Beric was no liar; he would do his best to make this wolf remember today. As soon as the nudge touched him, he was up, growling as his hackles raised and his jaws opened quickly as he attempted to go for the other male's muzzle. Beric was not playing around today.

Ypres heard Beric snarl and rise to his feet as Kaname pushed his last buttons. Who the hell where these guys anyway. Ypres felt a pain in her skull with all the happenings around her it gave her a migraine. With Beric getting up to his defense she too got up and snapped her jaws madly in the air not aiming for anyone in particular but she was sorely annoyed.

"Fuck off everyone!"

She snapped as she actually jumped from her haunches into the air and landing perfectly on her feet as she wildly offered her fangs to the air. She turned to face Lecter to make sure he wasn't going to gang up on Beric with Kaname as she silently put herself in between Lecter and Beric as Kaname pushed Berics last button. She was only making sure the fight would be fair; but she also had a deep desire to actually leave now. She was not feeling so hot and it pissed her off to be feeling sickly.

Kaname easily dodged the male's attempts to snap at his muzzle. He smirked, but reminded himself not to tease the defender that much, or it would end up like his last fight. Moving on an angle to Beric's left, he slammed into the gray wolf's side, attempting to knock him over and take him from there.

Lecter curled a lip at the wench's outburst, but did not give ground, tucking his muzzle to disallow the snap of her flailing fangs. When she moved toward her packmate and Kaname, the shaman mimicked her with a growl. He would not allow her to make sport of the assassin; Kaname was well versed in protecting himself and therefore Lecter would defend until he was attacked, or until the bitch lunged for the Silvertip Gamma dishonorably.

Beric was beginning to get stressed. Internally, he was fighting a war with himself between his pride and the safety of himself and Ypres. His snap had not made contact, but he hoped it made his point. He would not underestimate his opponent, who was obviously confident in his abilities. He had to assume he was of the same, or better, ability than Beric himself. And, if he really was, and just as prideful, this match could easily end up being fatal. Beric was just about to lunge for him again in warning, when Ypres' yell reached him. His head turned to make sure she was alright. In the next moment, he felt a blow to his side.

He had made a mistake in taking his attention off the male he was fighting with and turning it to Ypres. Beric stumbled sideways toward Ypres, bringing them side by side now. He growled as he stood up to his full height, Alright! That's enough! He looked to Ypres before turning back to the other males. We'll go. It was not to be contested by his former pack mate, of that he would make sure. He would not leave without her. He motioned for her to go ahead of him, away from the males, to head North, away from their pack lands, and this area. Not moving until she was ahead of him, he bared his teeth at his opponents, silently warning them to let them pass without further conflict.

I'm not trying to powerplay Ypres when I say "It was not to be contested by his former pack mate, of that he would make sure." Beric will just refuse to leave if she doesn't leave with him, and he will argue until he gets his way. However, if you don't like that sentence, I'll change it. ^_^

Sawl good no worries! I'm pretty easy and flexible.


Ypres felt Beric bump into her side as her flail of jaws. Another snarl ripped from chords as she eyed Lecter who mirrored her reaction. She was a hell of a lot smaller than he was but it wouldn't mean she would lose a fight to him since she'd probably be more agile and can easily escape with a tumble here and there. She wasn't under estimating him, and hoped the same from him. She may be small but was deadly, and usually had others do the dirty work for her. She had a crafty mind, and wanted to save Lecter. For last when it came to it if he did become an enemy; and thus far he was gaining just that. She can forgive why they were angry, but she'd never forget it.
She had some dirty work that needed to be done, and knew who to hit first.
Baring her fangs once more in Lecter's direction, she snapped her jaws at him swiftly moving forward and coiling right back just like a cobra would, and probably just as swift as she could get. Beric voiced that they should go, but she wasn't leaving heartwood just yet. She had plans on making at least one ally out here for some dirty work to be done. Creating her own pack will be much work.

look out and watch your backs, because once my Demons come rolling, you will be sorry you created a nemisis of me

Her mind screamed as she eyed Beric then the two males. Saying nothing she turned her back with a swiftness of features allowing another snarl befall her. She lead the way to allow Beric the safety of leave.



Beric we can create a private thread if you like, I will tag you once done. Nicely played guys! :-)

The fight ended as soon as it began. One shove from the dark furred Gamma made the gray male stumble into his friend. He called it off then, pulling the furious looking Ypres away. Kaname growled gently as he watched them leave. They had made enemies, sure, but Silvertip had a lot anyway. These two didn't look like they would do much harm anyway, but he tried not to underestimate them. They might do something crafty.

As the "former" Wheeling Gull wolves faded into the forest, Kaname snorted and turned to Lecter. "So it seems Majesty's fools are losing their trust in him..."

mercury, having ypres snap her teeth in front of lecter's face and then writing in a conclusion to your post before he has a chance to respond is powerplaying. i'm gonna go with it this time but in the future, please try to avoid this <3

Lecter growled, flinching backward at the bitch's feint. Kaname had routed the Gull male successfully, due to the bellow for peace and the hasty retreat beat by the two. Icewater eyes tracked their progress until they darted from the length of his gaze, and he bumped Kaname amiably with a bloodstained shoulder. "So it seems," he muttered with a dark humour. "Perhaps the fetishes we planted are becoming effective."

Stepping forward, he overlaid the scuffed earth with a rank spray of scent, heralding Silvertip's victory here, and chuffed lightly for the Gamma to do the same.