Swiftcurrent Creek Home is where the heart lives.

Without a word, the rival pack turned and departed. Njal followed their shapes with his eyes until they became a distant blur, and even then he watched the horizon. The tension had begun to ease. It was as if the creek wolves let out a collective sigh, relaxing as the captives were released and growing content as the enemy departed.

There was a solemn air about the group, regardless of the conclusion that sat upon them. Njal's ears twisted when Bazi began to speak, and then he turned his distant expression upon their new leader - catching the girl's brief look as she shared the grim news of Fox's abandonment - but he said nothing. Instead, Njal looked to the others; he studied them for a response and found his attention drifting to his wife, who appeared concerned and confused.

When she moved to intercept their new Alpha, Njal did the same but paused alongside the flame. He brushed his nose through her scruff as if his touch would ease her worries, and nuzzled against her cheek with one small motion. Beside her now, he looked upon their new Alpha and began ushering Tuwawi away - not to dissuade her from aiding Bazi, but to take her back to the den and explain.

The captives had been returned without fuss – Jace’s words had proved to be completely incorrect, and Scimitar cast a dark, sideways glance to Bazi – was she truly friends with that clown ass? Giving his muzzle a slight shake, an audible sigh pressed past his lips. The newly acclaimed ivory queen spoke, drawing his eyes back to her, and he spoke nothing.

Fox was gone. Somehow, it seemed surreal that the little spitfire was no longer part of the Creek. He did not know what had really transpired between the feisty female and Bazi.. nor would he probably ever. Somehow though, given everything that had transpired even in the last 24 hours.. he could never have looked at Fox the same.

At Bazi’s side, his tired eyes swept over her – pausing for only a moment, he watched as the others began to move away.. all exhausted, whether emotionally, or physically. Leaning his muzzle down, he touched his nose to the new Alpha’s cheek – Swiftcurrent Creek would recover.

Fox was gone... She ha known this, but to hear that she wasn't coming back was a rough blow. When Danica grew to respect someone, her loyalty was hard to lose. Sure, she would always question orders, but even if Fox came back tomorrow Danica would once more accept her position. It took more than a single botched border mission to lose her respect, though she hadn't been putting up with the fiery alpha as long as some of the others.

She worried about Bazi currently. Having to take on Fox's role didn't seem to be sitting well with her. Frankly put, she looked like hell. Danica would have liked to have lent her support to the new alpha but, as always, Scimitar was there. Pushing down her jealousy, for this was hardly the right time for that, she turned and began to make her way back towards Njal and Tuwawi's densite. She had been sleeping a small distance from their den of late, just in case anything happened and they needed an extra set of fangs to protect the little ones. If it felt better for Bazi to have Scim there, then she should. And Danica like a good friend wouldn't berudge her that.

The gathering began to disperse, like a clenched fist finally relaxing. Tuwawi moved towards Bazi in the same moment that Scimitar touched her cheek, mirroring Njal's show of affection towards his mate. She leaned into the touch, closing her eyes for a short, blissful second. The correlation between the two couples summoned a weak smile to the girl's lips. Fire and stone. The Svejarn family represented everything she wanted to be and have - that iron-forged bond, tried across distance and time, the adorable pups, the effortless confidence they both seemed to exude. Next to burnished mother, Bazi felt like a tight, unripe fruit.

She met Tuwawi's steady, cast-iron eyes and give the tiniest nod of her head towards the male at her side. He'll take care of me. Whilst the rest of the pack was left to contemplate what exactly 'gone' meant, Njal was in possession of the facts and would no doubt share with his wife. Briefly, she wondered what else they would discuss tonight. Her suitability as a leader? Their next move? The possibilities spread out like bush fire in her mind.

Danica moved past, heading towards the older wolves' den. Bazi missed the opportunity to catch her eye, and whatever thoughts had passed through the golden female's mind melted into anonymity.

Last post from me. :) Leaving this thread up to let everyone get 3 posts in.

Going to make this my third post.

Shadow had respected the small red wolf and wished that she would come back and had never gone. Though he did not know her well, he had respected her and it was hard for the silver wolf to lose his loyalty towards her. If he had to face her in a fight to death, he wondered what he would do. He smiled sadly as he saw Njal and Tuwawi, for some reason they reminded him of his siblings. Their bond was close, so close and they held an aura of confidence that he wished to have, they must be worried about their pup's safety.

Shadow turned to leave, but he was quite worried about Bazi. Having the role of the Alpha did not seem to be doing well with her. Frankly she looked like she had ran to hell and came back, she was not looking good at all. Scimitar approached her and touched his nose to her cheek, he would take good care of the new Alpha. That was for sure, taking one last look at the white wolf he turned and left. Walking in no particular direction, just where his paws were taking him.

Exit Tuwa

Though Tuwawi offered to help, the pale girl seemed to be in capable hands with Scimitar. Njal moved to her side, ushering his wife in the direction of the den. She met his gaze with curiosity, and a parting glance was all that was necessary to indicate he had information to share. With a nod of affirmation, the red mother departed and moved back towards her den site, following her silver mate.

third post :B

Galileo wasn't worried by the pact. Although it'd be sad not being able to visit the mountain from time to time, he was sure that at least in his paws the agreement wouldn't be broken. Though he couldn't be so naive. He knew that at one point or another one of the wolves from either the mountain or the creek would cross the line. Maybe without intentions to do so.

But for now until that dreadful day arrived, he'd just like to enjoy the truce between the two packs.

I already exited Danica but figured might as well go for post #3 while it's open. Thus, repetitive filler ^^;

Danica completely missed Bazi's look, her eyes trained on the ground as she carefully placed her paws to avoid any more stress than need be in the walking. As soon as she got back to her current sleeping area she dropped down, lying on her noninjured side and staring at the trees in the distance.

Mulling over the pact and what it meant, she knew that she would not be the one to break the peace, much as she may like to. She was reckless but not in any way stupid... such a move would get her kicked out of here quick. For now she would content herself training up for her next encounter with a rival pack. She intended to get the better of it next time.

I’m squeezing in a post in order to have it recorded in my log and to properly explain where Razo was situated during all of this. This will be irrelevant except to anyone who chooses to have their character see him at the end.

When he had found the very fresh trail of Ferdie, et al. leading away from the Sunspire where he stood vigilant, he pursued.

It wasn’t that he doubted the assurance Jace had offered, but among the scents he discerned, Fox was not among them, and as far as he had traced the outskirts of their border in the few hours prior to their materialization, she had not been there at all. Leaf, he was pleased to find, was one of the few making the trek, and he assumed by default that the other unknown scent that only seemed familiar was Magpie. He recognized Amekaze easily, and even if he hadn’t remembered Ferdie’s musk it was plastered all over the border. He knew it well enough.

When they finally reached Swiftcurrent Creek and Razo had caught up with them, he remained out of sight, though close enough to hear the rumbling and cadence of voices. As the Sunspire wolves turned directly around and quite out of sight, and just when his pack mates had begun to disperse within their home territory, Razo finally emerged and headed directly into a shady pocket of woodland, satisfied with everything except the number of questions that went unanswered.