Stone Circle ; all have been led astray

Be careful. Goose had pleaded. We're going to get in trouble. Goose had said.

Oath had simply tossed her head, small nose in the air, and trekked further into the snow-coated lands before her. Oath was a canine of action, and this was something they needed. Desperately. So she'd go for it. March right into unknown territory, filled with wolves by the scent of it, and ask for refuge. Safety. A place to call home. Amber hues attempted to track the flashes of white trailing behind her, but the snow was also white. That made it difficult to follow her friend and Oath couldn't risk losing track of Goose in unfamiliar territory, not with the younger female as timid as she was. She'd stand no chance. But, admittedly, it was growing harder to keep an eye peeled for danger when she was so worried about Goose. So, Oath slowed her pace, eyes scanning the expanse before her, while allowing the white wolf to gain some ground. A question pulled at her before she could shove it away: how deep in were they?

Oath shot Goose - what she hoped - was an encouraging look. It might have been more like a wince. It was usually more like a wince, or some bizarre face contortion that didn't belong on the face of Oath, or really, anyone. The brown gave up and heaved a sigh, rolling her bright eyes and turning back to the task at hand.

She loved Goose, she truly did, however the others' timid personality was usually.. less than beneficial. It was something, after being together for so long, that they had managed to work around. Most of the time. Every once in a while Goose's meekness got the pair of them into trouble, but just as often Oath's attitude got them into even deeper trouble. It was precarious, but entirely worthwhile. Oath loved her wholeheartedly, and she felt the sentiment was returned - even if it was often unsaid. Because of this, they tended to balance each other out and keep one another out of seriously deep shit. Goose was her voice of reason, hell, even her conscience on bad days. And Oath? Oath was the 'brawn', the backbone. Sharp-tongued and astute, she had managed to keep them alive this far. No-one had really tried to mess with them, perhaps Oath's face was enough to keep them at bay, but those that approached had been quickly shooed off without a thought.

Oath tended to be self-sacrificing to a fault, especially when it came to the pale female. After all they'd been through, all that had been done to them within the time they'd been with their last pack, it was hard to bite down the protective urges. It was this feeling, this urge, that fueled her so. Winter was hard. And Goose was an awful hunter. She could stalk anything to the ends of the earth, sure, but actual hunting? The pale had never been very good at the killing part, and while Oath was good at killing.. She weighed 50lbs soaking wet and was half of Goose's size. The best she could do was small game, occasionally some birds and maybe a real stupid fish or two. Maybe Oath was at fault for their current predicament - she was not as encouraging as she could have been and instead had taken the role of provider, protector, all for herself. Was she their 'leader'? Possibly, but she was more than aware that she was not leadership material. The thought didn't sting or hurt, it just rung out as truth, so she let it roll off like water. They did need a leader, however. A real one.

Before she knew it, Oath was standing within a ring of tall, standing stones she couldn't even see the tops of. A good a place as any. The small female sat down, rather abruptly, and glanced over her shoulder to wait for Goose to settle in. Only when the white female was settled in, hunkered in the snow and hopefully hidden, and only then would Oath let out a series of short, concussive howls - the closest she could get to a bark. Howling would likely alert the entirity of the pack and bring them bearing down on Goose. And herself, her brain supplied helpfully. So, hopefully, this option would attract less of the wolves who might wish to skin her hide.

ok so this is embarrassingly long, i'm so sorry ;_;
please don't feel the need to reply with a novel as well!!
oh no.. i see typos ):

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Goose couldn't conceal the quiver that betrayed her already small voice as she called after her friend. The idea that she had even attempted to stop Oath in the first place was a foolish one, but it was a ritual that had firmly stuck after going through it together so many times over the years. If she didn't say no or try to talk the smaller female (albeit always unsuccesfully) out of whatever master plan she had come up with that day, would she have been doing her best? Regardless, it was always a guarantee that Goose could eventually be found trotting meekly behind her friend, always at a distance, but never out of sight. If there was one thing more terrifying than whatever they would get up to on their adventures, it was the thought of losing Oath altogether. And so they would go, the lion-heart and the rabbit-heart, off to face the world.

This time was different though. It was for real. Despite their usual banter and back and forth tug-of-war, there was a palpable air of desperation that clung to every word that was spoken. They had to find a new pack before winter took a turn for the worst or they wouldn't make it. Goose felt a twinge of guilt pulling at her stomach as these thoughts rolled over in her head, knowing full well that she was the weakest link between the two. Sure, she could mix some herbs to soothe sore bellies, remedy Oath's cuts and bruises — but that was in best case scenarios. Now, they were in a foreign territory, with unknown enemies at every corner, and new, bigger prey that were smarter than them. So maybe that was why, this time, she let Oath go a little further. Whined a little less. Flashed a whisper of a smile when the girl looked back. Let the mahogany femme wonder, unapologetically herself, into new meadows laced with unfamiliar scents as she trailed quietly behind.

They continued inland through the snowy meadow for what felt like eternity, until the looming silhouettes of tall stone pillars — that had once been mere specks in the distance — were just inches away from Oath's button nose. In her usual bold fashion, Goose observed in awe as the smaller female stalked into the middle and plopped her hind down casually within the circle. She never ceased to be amazed by her friend's sheer confidence in everything she did, even after all these years together, and the memory evoked a small smile from Goose as her chest flooding with the familiar warmth Oath often pulled out from within her. It was enough to take her mind off of their current predicament, even for just a brief moment.

At Oath's unspoken command, Goose slinked herself quietly behind one of the pillars and settled herself down towards the plush snow, pads pushing forward with a quiet whine until her stomach connected with the frigid coldness. If there was one advantage to the snow, it was that Goose had the advantage of blending in. Sort of. It was always embarrassing to hide instead of confront her problems like Oath so effortlessly did, but this technique usually worked to their advantage, funnily enough. It was easier to meet one stranger than two, right? Or at least she would continue to tell herself that, as she flattened her wind-stricken ears against her skull and lowered her maw to the ground at the sound of Oath's calls. Fear bubbled up at the back of her throat as each howl waned out, echoing ominously off of trees in the far distance, but Goose pushed the unwanted feeling down. This was not the time for her cowardliness. If she couldn't do it for herself, then she had to do it for Oath.

Now, started the painstaking waiting game.

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Welcome to the game!! :D

Two things were wrong with the summons that rose through the drifting snow: they carried from the near vicinity of the sacred Stone Circle, and they were wholly unfamiliar to the boy.

These things were enough to propel him to his feet; Merrit had never torn through the birch forest as fast he did now. He had never had a reason to, but trespassers - for he was sure that's what they were - on his land. The raven's lip contorted in an ugly frown, and he tucked himself low to the ground as he ran, caring little for the winter-stripped branches that broke and snagged along the way.

Tulimaq's words propelled the raven, and the remembrance of his resolve. Though the warrior had long departed the Wilds, his philosophy remained engraved in Merrit's heart, and undergirded his actions and ways. Whatever he felt, or didn't feel, toward his family, his loyalty remained, and his drive to protect only strengthened with the departure of Keen. He was a warrior, a defender of his homeland, and these wolves were fools who would pay their price.

When Merrit descended upon the Circle, he charged through the pillars - risen now to an imposing height - in an initial effort to drive these strays back to neutral ground. And yet, when they came into view, the raven found himself stopping just short of them, sending in greeting a spray of snow kicked up from his sudden stop. These were women - slight, and dwarfed against the snow: yet it was in the way the lighter one carried herself, timid and lowly, that caused his heart to recoil, for her demeanour struck him as something so achingly familiar.

Keen.

Merrit made no attempt to soften his dour face, but he made no further stand against them, either. "You trespass on claimed land," his voice was low, level, and he glowered at the two, yet he found he couldn't stare at the paler wraith without feeling the hollowness his sister had left. "Do you understand what you've done? Are you such fools?"

i'm sorry she's such a turdwaffle ):

 

Oath clocked the sound of crunching footfalls the minute they'd come within range and she slowly turned her head to where she'd see a form in only a few seconds, judging by the rapid nature of them. It was a male. Wonderful. Just their luck. Oath withheld a sigh as a grey and black form came charging towards the stone circle and quietly Oath braced for a collision, loosening her muscles as she'd learned to do in a physical skirmish one did not actually want. She'd long since resigned herself to being the punching bag, and if Goose was involved? She'd let him tear her apart as long as meant her friend was safe. However, he'd be beyond stupid if he thought she'd go down without a fight if it truly came to that. Sure, she'd let him pin her and snarl in her face and get his rocks off on her submission, but the second he looked at Goose wrong she'd go straight for his vunerable areas. The areas often exposed when a male pinned a female. Goose would escape. Goose would always escape. There was no other option, and the very faintest, ghost of a smirk tugged at her lips.

Instead of smashing into her, though, the wolf came skidding to an abrupt stop that launched a barrage of beautifully arching snow her way. The small she-wolf looked from the snow to him, a fine eyebrow lifting in question. All her brutal preparations halted. Was this the usual greeting? Snow fight? Amusement tinged her eyes before fading slightly as he spoke. The she-wolf raised herself slightly but retained the low, wide stance she had just adopted. In case things went sour. His voice was unexpectedly even for someone who'd just come rocketing out of the forest like he'd had an army of wasps on his tail. Oath's eyes narrowed slightly and she took a small, dainty sniff.

"Now, now. A desperate fool," She corrected in a voice a little too melodic, sounds drawn out a little too long. "And I am well aware of what I have done."

The brown did not miss the glances towards Goose and she fought down the rise of her hackles, settling for rolling her petite shoulders and fluffing her short ruff instead. Her friend had been well hidden in the snow and Oath was not sure how this newcomer had discovered her so quickly. By scent? Sure. By sight? That was a neat trick, considering how adept Goose was at staying unoticed, unseen. Oath eyed him carefully, taking in the shape of his form and calculating their options in the increasing chance that things went sour. He was easily nearing twice her size, as most wolves were considering she was a measley scrap of a wolf. Especially now that the effects of hunger had touched her ribs, sunken her face somewhat. Feeding Goose had been more important that feeding herself - the white was still growing and Oath was pretty sure she'd stopped growing at a few moons old. He had muscle. He had size. He had a very.. dominating air about him. It felt rather extreme, considering they were both relatively small females who were obviously feeling the effects of winters chill. Overkill, surely.

She came to no real conclusion as the thoughts skidded about in her head, so she made a sound low in her throat - an attempt to bring his attention back to herself and not Goose. Oath knew he knew, but that was of little consequence. Goose was hidden enough that if someone else came flouncing along she might still be able to distract the pair of them enough to keep her friend hidden. But for this... His eyes needed to he on her. And just as she needed him looking at her, she herself needed to not look back at Goose. It took tremendous effort, but she managed to keep her eyes on the male rather than her friend. Instead of meeting her eyes, the littlest of the three settled for the occasional tail-flick and shoulder adjustment that she hoped was reaching the white as a calming gesture.

If she stayed loose rather then tense, perhaps Goose would settle down some as she was surely spooked by his rather outrageous approach. Oath could sense rather than smell the fear on her friend, it pulled in her chest harshly, so she attempted some lighthearted banter she was sure the male would not appreciate. No matter.

"Do you usually throw snow on tresspassers? Or was that just for me?" She asked lightly, lifting a paw before pressing it back into the snow - the crunch pleased her. "I'd say I'm sorry for tresspassing, but I'm not. I have business here." Her eyes lifted as she drawled on. "I'm looking for your alpha." The word was foreign and left a bad taste, as names for leadership roles usually did. She'd see far too many tyrants in her short life.

Her eyes shuttered and she shrugged, as if she could roll his glare right off her fur like water on a ducks feathers. "I'm not here to cause trouble."

Amber met hazel.

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That waiting period was excruciating, and whatever possibility was to follow, Goose wasn't look forward to it. The pair could be cornered, executed for their crimes at worst — or Oath's calls could fall upon deaf ears, and they would left to wither and die, at the mercy of mother nature. The female's mind automatically jumped to the worst, as it usually did, and all she could picture was death. They were essentially organising their own brutal suicide.

She was pulled abruptly from her spiralling thoughts as the sound of heavy snow steps broke the silence within the meadow. Someone had answered their call, and Goose pushed her body down impossibly further into the snow in response. Squeezed her eyes shut. Wished them both to just disappear.

The scent was male, and the vibrations his frame pushed into the earth below them when he shifted his weight let her know that he was probably looming in size. She couldn't hear the brute talking over the sound of the blood rushing in her ears, so when he nonchalantly made it known — that he was, in fact, well aware of her presence — it was a fact she didn't register. So she remained still within her hidden hope, quiet as a mouse, each breath drawn and exhaled with muted intent. Only when she heard the familiar drawl of Oath's voice, did the pale female bring herself back to her senses to cue in to the ongoing conversation.

As usual, the smaller female was going about her ways, intent on not bowing before anybody or letting anyone tell her otherwise. What her friend lacked in height, she made up for in bold ferocity, and sheer, unmatched stubborness. Oath had a fire within her that she would not let anyone extinguish and Goose listened on, eyes still held tightly closed, as a small sense of quiet pride swelled within her feeble chest. Relief also flooded her core as Oath continued to speak of herself as a singular entity, indicating that Goose had by some small miracle, not yet been clocked. She was safe for now. Maybe they could ride this out, whatever 'this' was to be. These feelings would be short lived though as her friend's words became more challenging, more confrontational, and laced with a certain boldness that was signature to, well, only her.

When the subject of alphas came up, Goose couldn't take the combined feeling of sheer terror and curiosity gnawing its way through her insides anymore. So she let her lids slide open, ever so slowly, allowing her gaze to fall only upon Oath's short frame. Despite trying to focus solely on her friend, it was hard to ignore the dark colours of the stranger that intruded her peripheral vision, and Goose pulled back instinctively even further, before letting her gaze trail over his paws, then upwards, towards his broad, muscled chest. She wouldn't dare meet his eye line, for fear of seeing his own scornful auds staring back, which would inevitably end up with him silently forcing her to give up her hiding spot. And if she was detected, he'd no doubt begin with lunging at her. Take out the weakest first. It was easy to see how frail and scrawny Goose was, despite the blessing of her thick, winter pelt.

So she stayed put, naively unaware, as she stared at the snow in front of her paws — her gentle heart beating in her throat.

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she think she still doin' a sneaky hide lmao
goose you're so dumb sobs

 The bite of the cold air against his ears brought with it an interesting scent that picked at the man's nose, urging him to trek forward and scuff it out. Normally the well composed man would have reserved judgement, but with spring on it's way, as well as his offspring, the patriarch had been on edge and vilgilant on keeping the lands safe for his members and future whelps.

Marching his way towards stone circle, tail held high and composure readjusted, the man was met with the sight of a pair, both small and dwarfed by the stature of Merrit— who stood before them with a stance rivaling his own. The mountain of a wolf could not see the boy's face nor hear him but was laid easy by the absence of any hostile air. Infact, he was surprised to see one of them hiding behind the other.

Continuing to hold his posture and swallow any signs of his haste, the beast strolled down to meet them, his form towering over the three as amber eyes locked onto the two with a slight squint of question. He cleared his throat upon hearing the orange one ask for an alpha and state she was nor here to cause trouble— something that would be revealed with time.

"Im quite surprised to hear intruders state they are not here to cause trouble," he interrupted with a playful undertone, though was quick to steady his voice. "Our pack does not use the title Alpha. Only Matriarch and Patriarch— I am Greyback, Patriarch of Easthollow. I see you have met my packmate, Merrit," Greyback glanced to the boy, giving him a small smile. He knew the raven was not fond of him, but still continued in attempt to melt that shell he wore. "What brings you within our lands?"

Merrit blinked, momentarily taken aback by the words from the russet one's mouth. These women were in no position - they had trespassed - and she was - was she mocking him? For some reason he'd expected more from these strangers, courtesy and cordiality - but then, he reasoned, their very decision to loiter here without consent already broadcast their lack of civil manners.

He had clearly expected too much.

The raven could tolerate the pale ghost, even find empathy for her, but this talker did herself no favours. With every noise she made, Merrit found he cared less and less for her. Her disrespect made it easy for him to harden his heart against her, meeting her sharp amber gaze with the commanding stare of his own, and a large part of him simply wished to usher this woman straight out of Easthollow without giving her a chance to entertain the sympathies of his mother, who would no doubt extend her compassion toward this stray and meet whatever demands she made.

Yet, he was curious to hear of what business she and the pale one could possibly have here. His brow tightened with consternation, and he held his tongue - and thank goodness for Greyback. Through the noise of his preoccupation in trying to handle this right, he failed to hear the titan's approach. Only as the russet girl finished her drawl did Merrit grow aware of the patriarch's presence, and he stiffened, his skin prickling with discomfort as he snapped his focus to the tower at his side.

Merrit had never been so relieved to see him as he felt right now.

Still, when the raven caught the patriarch's glance, he returned only the same indifference he always offered, void to reveal anything transpiring beneath the surface. He would not give Greyback the satisfaction of knowing his gratefulness to have him here. Instead, Merrit offered a simple tip of his snout to the man - stiff, a display - before he turned his gaze back to these strangers, and let his hazel eyes rake the russet girl's once more - silent, listening. He would let them speak.

Oath was more than aware how she was coming off to the younger male, but she simply quirked a sharp smile his way. Debated winking, but figured that'd be overkill. She had already, thoroughly, made an ass of herself. His silence didn't faze her.

It was when a towering form, a mountain of a brute, appeared that Oath's smile turned positively feral. She knew she was playing a dangerous game at this point; neither of these males would have to try very hard to scoot her back over the border. In fact, both of them could probably scruff her and cary her angry flailing self across the border and drop her in a lake. Or something more unpleasant. Fortunately, or unfortunately, her resolve was stronger than any fear she knew she should have been feeling. Goose. It was all for Goose. And, for Goose, she'd swallow some of the pride and attempt civility. Attempt.

She gave an amused hiss at Greybacks attempt to break the tension. It was appreciated, so she made sure to soften her gaze at him and pointedly ignore the younger male, Merrit, who now obsolete in the presence of what she automatically knew was someone in a leadership role. So she listened, head cocked easily. When he was done, Oath squinted at them both. Greybacks words about their 'titles' had left a bad taste in her mouth, but she sighed and spoke up, weighing each word, "Oath." She drawled.

She motioned at herself with her paw. "Desperate times call for desperate measures," She started a little dramatically, flicking an ear at Goose. Oath had already noticed that Greyback had also discovered the white and she cursed the ridiculously keen eyesight these boys had. "Winters are hard for a lone wolf," She stated and glanced between the males, unsure if either of them would understand in totality. Merrit was young and likely born here, and Greyback.. had likely not gotten that big by starving. "So. She needs a place to stay. I can't keep her fed, and I can't keep her safe. Everything up to now has been dumb luck, a fluke." Her words were lazy as she twitched an ear towards her friend, chest tightening. Oath was keenly aware that Goose would likely be mortified by her words, not expecting this, but the small she-wolf plowed on. In the end, it was Goose that needed safety. She needed a pack to educate her, food to her build her poor physique up, many other things Oath alone could not provide. Her voice carried more emotion than before, though it still kept that blasé undertone. "I need her safe. She's all I've got, all I've ever had, and we're fading." She didn't have to gesture to their thin, ribbed forms. "So I'm asking you to take her into your pack."

There it was. Her heart clenched painfully but she kept her amber eyes hard, mouth set in a firm line.

Oath finally turned to look towards Goose's prone form, unable to meet the pales' gaze. "Jig is up, dove. Come say hello." Soft, comforting, but obviously pained. She knew that she'd just betrayed Goose, in a way. But.. it was all she knew how to do. Oath was no pack wolf, and with the way Merrit kept glowering at her she assumed she would not belong here. They could take Goose and train her, fatten her up. And Oath.. Oath could linger in the lands nearby, so she was always near. The small femme could survive on scraps until late Spring. Then they could plan from there.

"Right now, her safety is my top priority." Oath reiterated, voice and eyes hard as she turned back to the males, quietly monitoring Goose' actions behind her.

k so this is actual shite i'm so sorry

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The arrival of the even bigger brute added insult to injury, and when he uttered the word intruders, she knew deep down her cover was broken. There was no hiding anymore — so she lifted nervous eyes, high, to look at the grey beast's gaze, then over towards the other male's too. He looked quite young, younger than his voice had let on. And was there an aura of... tension between the two, she might've sensed? The exchange between the raven and the bear seemed almost stiff in nature, but the empath quickly disregarded the thought. Now was not the time.

The use of familial titles by the self-proclaimed patriarch instilled a sense of security within Goose, more so than any 'alpha' title had in the past. That was a good sign, right? But the pale could only imagine what Oath was thinking of it all, which would most likely result in her mentally rolling her eyes, labelling the whole thing pretentious. Oath was funny about things like that, whilst Goose usually embraced them. Maybe it was due to her own subconscious craving for security, for comfort.

As Oath stated her name and began her spiel, Goose's heart sank to the bottom of her hollowed stomach when she realised what route she was going. The self-sacrificing one. I can't keep her safe. Her words once again brought to front the harsh reality that they were facing which was that Goose was just too useless to survive on her own. She was barely a year old — still considered a pup by most accounts — and this was after travelling for so many months. They were kids when they had run away from home. She wasn't so much brought up, but dragged up by Oath who refused to leave her behind, despite only being a couple of months older. The two shouldn't have survived, and it was really all down to her friend's adept hunting skills for small game, and sheer, dumb luck. So with all things considered, and with everything they had been through, there was no way in hell she was leaving Oath behind. This quiet and triumphant resolve boosted her confidence by the smallest amount, but it was enough that when Oath finally told her to come forward, by some miracle, she was able to do it.

It hurt seeing her friend's eyes trained on her body with such an anguished look. And so she set a shaky paw out, creeping out of her hiding spot, bottom lip trembling as she cowered towards Oath's haunches with her ears flattened and tail tucked between her legs. The female was the image of pathetic submission and she knew it. Heat pooled in her face as the feeling of embarrassment flooded itself through her thin frame. Only once she was slightly behind her friend, flush against the right side of her hind, did Goose sit. Despite being a head or so taller than the smaller female, her crouching brought her down to the other's level, and she momentarily tucked her nose under Oath's chin in an act of self-soothing.

And then she sat up. Shakily cleared her throat. This was now or never. "I-I'm... my name is Goose," she stated in her best big girl voice, her tone starkly quiet and airy compared to Oath's bold drawl. With a small nod, she forced herself to look up from below her bowed head to briefly meet the patriarch and the raven's eyes. Prayed they wouldn't hear the wobble in her small voice as she continued. "We," she enunciated, looking over at her friend, "are... are hoping to s-seek refuge." She felt her legs beginning to shake. "O-Oath can hunt. She has been keeping us alive. M-me alive. And I —" eyes dropped to the ground and she fidgeted, feeling overwhelmingly self-conscious, "I can't hunt. B-but, I can mix some plants and herbs, tend to small wounds. I helped Oath when she hurt herself, e-even cared for her when she got a fever. I can learn more, I-I'm a fast learner." She kept her eyes trained on Oath the entire time she spoke, using her for the courage she so desperately needed for the next question she was about to request. Her gaze turned soft, pleading, begging Oath to trust her words. She wondered what her friend thought of this uncharacteristically forward move of hers, and the pale was worried she would interrupt out of her sheer instinct to protect.

She met eyes with the patriarch, rabbit heart beating a hundred miles a minute. Voice timid, meek, yet persevering. Brave. "We... no. I... I ask you, to p-please, um, to please consider both of us. P-please."

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will i ever learn to write short posts??? tune in nEXT week-

The man stood idly, his gaze still tied to Merrit whom, as normally, held the same callousness. He wondered when, if ever, the boy would warm up and meet his stare with something other than that air. For now, he would only take it in stride and feel grateful for the shred of attention he spared for him.

Greyback didm't miss the hiss that slid out of Oath's voice, as well as the hardness in her stare that softened slightly—something that made him offer his own deep hum in return. The lack of courtesy was prevalent and did more to sour the situation in his eyes, but was glad she at least noticed when to pay her due. However, they has trespassed, and he wondered if she had shared the same attitude with Merrit before he got there. Still, he held fast and let her talk, his gaze only flickering to the white girl; Goose, who was hidden slightly behind the pillar.

"I admire your drive to keep your friend safe. However, if that is really what you are most concerned about I suggest you not go treading into pack territories. The god's know if it was anyone other than us your blood would already be feeding the earth." He pointed out rather harshly whilst staring down with a stone face. Easthollow was a friendly pack, yes. But their food was only able to cover themselves, and with pups on the way the elder wasn't quite sure there would be enough mouths to feed. 

The Patriarch watched as Goose slithered out, and planned on meeting her sight with the same look, but was inwardly taken aback by the youngness her face and frame held. He wondered how old she was... Certainly a whelp still. He could only soften his stare and sigh before looking to the raven with a brow raised in silent question. How did HE feel?

"I will not spare our food with those who cannot hunt nor work—we have many mouths to feed, and young on the way. Nor will I give sanctuary to those who do not know when manners are due." He looked back to Oath. "You will respect others. You will follow the hierarchy, and you will not put yourselves and others in harm's way." Greyback stepped forward a bit, his tail raising and gaze hardening before he eventually steadied and shook his head. "Do not make me regret this. I have no qualms with casting anyone out."

Valette frowned when she heard strange voices close to Stone Circle. The female was very protective of her precious circle. Valette was not quick to anger and maybe her raging hormones weren't helping this case. The charcoal female flew forward with bared teeth. In a quick evaluation, she noticed that Merrit was there, and her mate Greyback. Why was Greyback accepting this? It threw the female a bit off guard.

The Matriarch broke onto the scene with her ears flattened, tail raised high, and her lip close to curling over her teeth. She approached the two strangers from the side. "Regret what, Greyback?," Valette spoke to her mate. Her hazel green eyes focussed on the strangers. Valette never really asserted her dominance over other wolves, but when strangers were disrespectful on her grounds she was going to ask for submission.

Valette stepped closer with a warning growl. "What are they doing in the heart of our territory??," she spoke with a growl in her undertone. Greyback and Merrit both knew the emotional attachment she had with these stones. Here their dead rested. This was the circle of comfort. Valette was not pleased. At least one of the two females seemed already on the ground in submission. Which seemed to help a bit.

Merrit listened with an objective mind - or as much of one as he could offer. In truth, he already had his opinion fixed. The russet girl - Oath - she did nothing but dig her pit even deeper. Starving or not, he struggled to conjure any sympathy for her; if desperation drove her to this, then he understood why no one would receive them. The raven had very little experience with company beyond Easthollow, but he imagined her tactless decisions would be met with hackles raised and teeth bared by any wolf in their right mind. Maybe this was why he found himself surprised at Greyback's firmness with her, and he cast his gaze sidelong and caught the Patriarch's with the quirk of a brow and a glimmer of surprise.

Interesting.

He could not agree with the conclusion Greyback reached on Goosie's plea. His decision was too light, too easy, too gracious. How would these wolves learn, if they faced no consequence for their actions? His displeasure showed in the frown of his mouth. Words collected, and formed in his mind, but did not spill along the length of his tongue.

Mother came before he had the chance.

She was fearsome in her approach; he had never seen mother as riled up as now, and he felt her energy crack along the length of his sternum. The raven dipped his head and sidestepped in a willing gesture for his mother to take her place at the helm.

He cast an even look at Greyback when mother aired her pointed displeasure, as if daring him to speak; the decision had been his, after all - and maybe this would break them.

The thought startled him, its ugliness, and his cheeks flooded with a flash of heat. He didn't want that - did he? Yes - no, no! His words came quicker than he could think; an attempt to shoulder some of the blame - yet his desires waged war within him. "These rogues trespassed. I intercepted them, but - I'm sorry mother. I did not know what to do with them," and he faltered; he could offer no more; his tongue felt thick, and he turned his watch back to Greyback, unbreaking, yet stinging with the briefest sliver of guilt when he met the elder's face.

Oath had very little to say at this point, but she did listen. Intently. Her head dipped at Greybacks words - an unusual display of reverance from the small she-wolf. She caught the gleam in Merrit's eyes and narrowed hers in return, considering. Then she leaned into Goose, touching the whites nose with her own, before looking again towards the two males - face thoughtful. At this point, it was best to snap her trap and let things take their course. This Greyback had offered them something so precious to the she-wolf that she couldn't find it in her heart to dig up any more vitrolic remarks. So, she channeled her inner Goose and hoped both males saw it for what it was; difficult to express sincerity.

"Thank you," Quiet but not exactly soft. "I understand-"

And then another wolf came crashing upon the scene, a female this time, and she was obviously upset. Molten eyes shot towards Greyback and Merrit, guaging their reactions before bringing her eyes back to the snarling, dark mass of wolf-flesh before her. Without thinking she shielded Goose beneath her much smaller body, ears flattening against her skull as she ducked down. They wanted submission? Fine. They'd have it. Oath cut her eyes to the ground, attempting to 'know her place.' She refused to look at Greyback, mildly amused and not at all disappointed by his earlier statement about 'alphas'. It was all the same in the end and she never expected anything else. Titles truly meant nothing in this world. So, she pressed her chin to Goose's forehead, hoping the weight from her body would be enough to soothe her soft friend.

However, her eyes did snap up to Merrits face when he spoke. Briefly, confusion twisted her features before the light of understanding dawned in her eyes. Merrit was setting Greyback up, and she and Goose were to be the sacrifical pawns in his game. Which meant Oath was scowling, eyes downcast once more. It was not her place to intervene in whatever bizarre family issues were unfolding before their eyes; she had bigger fish to fry, and to be quite frank she didn't care. So, her mind whirled through all the ways this could pan out - all of them negative - and prepared for the fact that she might have to urge Goose to run, and probably throw herself into a mass of teeth and claws.

So Oath waited for the inevitable; pressed snugly against her friend, a literal meat shield, eyes shifting between the three wolves.

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After Goose had made her plea to the patriarch, she watched for his reaction with bated breath. His expression softened — just slightly — at her appeal and he turned to look at the raven with a quirked brow, surely to see if the younger would reply. But it was the elder who answered first, and to the pale's surprise, and intense relief, his response was fair. Her feeling of ease didn't last long, and waned as quickly as it had come once she saw the look on the raven's face, his mouth contorted with displeasure. Something felt off. Oath didn't seem to be bothered by this though, and Goose reverted back to her earlier stance of selective mutism and cowering underneath her friend's chin, leaning into her touch, once again trying to flatten herself into the ground.

Goose looked up in disbelief through fluttering lashes when Oath submitted, even muttering her appreciation, although hesitantly, under her breath. It wasn't a stance she often took and it looked foreign on her, not exactly in place, like two pieces of a puzzle that didn't quite fit together. But this is what had to be done, so the pale mirrored her friend's actions, gaze shifting to the patriarch's with maybe a little more sincerity than Oath could muster. Maybe, just maybe, they had done it. They were in.

That was until the matriarch came barrelling in.

The pale didn't even have to speculate if this female was the top dog. She pushed forward into the circle with a sense of authority and belonging that made Goose wince, and she regarded how even the younger male stepped aside for her, letting her take her rightful place. The dark huntress was all teeth, lips pulled back over sharp pearls, hackles and banner raised high to the sky gods. Round abdomen. Probably carrying pups. She felt Oath wrap herself protectively closer to her bodice, but instead of making herself tall in retaliation, she shrunk her form down, ears flattened and frame ducked low. The white dove then started to panic when Oath didn't say anything. She always said something, that was her signature move — and she was good at it.

Mahogany eyes darted between the three strangers as they tried desperately to read and deconstruct this developing situation, but her attention quickly honed in on the raven as his posture shifted, suggesting an increase in confidence at the welcoming of the female. When he addressed what Goose soon realised to be his mother, her heart dropped, the feeling weighing heavy on her chest. His words contradicted what the patriarch had previously said to them, painting a different picture entirely for the matriarch than the one that had just unfolded. The pale looked frantically towards the elder, trying to gauge his reaction to what appeared to be blatant disrespect towards him. Was this their pack's norm? Whatever this family feud was, it certainly looked the like pair of she-wolves were going to be the fuel that would be added to this domestic fire.

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The Patriarch warmed faster at the quiet thanks the orange-breasted wolf, Oath, had given him.

That was all it took; A simple thank you and and a heart-felt story about wanting to protect a friend. Perhaps if he was any other man Greyback would of turned them away with more than a stern talking to, but he was not that. He was a leader now, only gaining such a position from his gentle nature to those around him and Valette. He was an oldened wolf who found it hard to deny sanctuary to whose when they were clearly both young. So inexperienced.

But he stood there, still stone faced as usual till an abrupt sound of clashing feet and a fearsome tone tore him from his quaking gaze. It was Valette who addressed him, and never before had he heard such a tone come from her normally steady throat. He turned to face her, surprised with the sharpness that she held while saying his name. "Regret considering their plea to join," he replied, albeit softer than his normal tone. He knew how it looked. While he was Patriarch and able to make decisions, Valette remained the Matriarch and higher on the ranking order. The thought of disobeying her made his paws seize in the snow, and he hoped she was not upset with him.

He waited to hear her response while casting a glance to Merrit once more, meeting his eyes with a brow raised. Once more the elder was caught by surprise today; He had never heard to raven apologize, nor had he seen the look he currently wore. Perhaps he too was sharing the same inner turmoil about Valette.

He only sighed after. "Merrit did well for not being experienced in this situation. And while these two—" Greyback turned to the pair to see them tucked into the snow, their bodies pressed together in an effort to seem small. "—did trespass I believe they are young and inexperienced as well." Greyback glanced back to Valette with his brows furrowed in sympathy, hoping she would take pity on them as he did. "They are starving, my love. Look how young they are."

Valette perked her ears up when Greyback. A frown fell on her face when the male spoke that he should have considered their plea before. So that probably meant that Greyback had been a little too intense... just like her at this moment... Valette noticed their submissive posture and how terrified they were looking. Valette had dropped the snarls and grimaces.

Valette turned her head to her son when he talked. They had been trespassing. Valette wondered how no one had noticed. "You did a good job, Merrit," Valette complimented her son, at least he had been watchful. "It is alright. We never really have trespassers," she spoke to him. Valette still didn't like that they trespassed. Greyback spoke with praise about Merrit as well.

Valette followed her gaze to the two before them. The darker colored one was protectively covering the pale wolf. She could see their youth and perhaps experience. It seemed that Greyback had already made his decision about them. "We told that other wolf that we were not going to be their caretakers," she pointed out to Greyback. She remembered that Aelinea, or something like that.

Greyback seemed to have changed his mind about these two at least. She probably missed the part where they spoke about their skills. "But clearly you vouch for them, so are allowed to stay. But they will have to prove themselves." Valette was still not pleased with them but perhaps her opinion could be changed. If Greyback was going to keep an eye on them at least. She was not completely heartless and these wolves did seem sorry for what they did. If they didn't prove themselves by the times her pups arrived then she might kick them out.

The situation diffused itself, but Merrit felt no less guilt, especially as both mother and Greyback praised him in turn. If only they had seen what had spurred him speak. He imagined they would not praise him so highly now. Even still, he felt a gentle warmth fill his cheeks - in a way, unwelcome - and the raven tipped his head in a composed display of gratitude.

He chose silence, then, and deferred the discussion to the matriarch and her husband. While his relationship with the patriarch was complicated at best, the bottom line was that his mother had chosen Greyback to rule alongside her, and there was some peculiar form of respect due to him if only because of this. While Valette seemed no less displeased at the situation, the matter appeared settled. These two would stay, but Merrit still raised a critical brow toward the duo - and found himself taken, again, by the presence of the white one.

Why should she remind him so much of Keen? He knew she was the only reason why he opened his mouth again to defend her. "The pale one is a healer," and he turned his appraisal toward his mother, for he imagined his words might prove significant to her. The conversation they'd shared had not left him yet. If they'd had a medic among them when father had grown ill, perhaps Stark would still be around.

The raven did not put in any word for Oath.
Any wolf could hunt.

Sorry this boy's such a goon to your girl, Risk! xD Honestly though, I am very much looking forward to exploring their relationship in further threads haha!

Now that the air had changed, the russet folded herself into a sitting position, paws close together as her molten eyes darted between the three - actively cataloguing their conversation. Her expression took an almost feline quality, as if looking at a particularly interesting insect. Something was off about their dynamic, and if she were truly honest they weren't coming across as a united front. Not in the slightest, there was too much disharmony. To her outside eyes, Oath could tell not everyone was on the same page and that was a weakness others could exploit. She'd remember that for future encounters. Golden eyes shifted to Merrit and she met his raised brow with one of her own. He'd tried to throw his Partiarch under the bus by withholding pertinent information; and in front of strangers, no less. It was bold, and very, very stupid. However, a part of the she-wolf respected his gall and her lips turned up in amusement.

The laughter faded from her eyes when Merrit spoke up, defending Goose and re-announcing that she had knowledge when it came to healing. Her eyes narrowed as she studied him, guaging his angle. Her attention darted from the Matriarchs swollen belly, and then to Goose. That wasn't the reason, her brain supplied as she cocked her head at Merrit, especially considering Merrit was Valettes child. This was not the dams first go-round. Oath rolled her shoulders, a habit, before letting the matter go. She'd explore it some other day. Instead, she tured to Valette.

"We didn't get this far by being lazy," Oath was the very face of nonchalance, face schooled into careful neutrality. "We're not looking for charity, we can certainly pull our own weight."

I expect no less, lol. Oath's an aquired taste!

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The acceptance of the two leaders, especially of the riled matriarch, came as a welcome surprise to Goose, especially considering how tense the situation had been previously. Such an effort to diffuse this obviously unexpected case, and so effortlessly too, resonated with her deeply. It was clear to see that peace and understanding were a priority over confrontation in this pack, and the pale found herself easing into their presence ever more so than before. The raven even went as far as to refer to her as a healer, and with that kind of title the girl couldn't help the heat that flooded into her cheeks. It was a title she felt she definitely wasn't close to deserving of yet, but the prospect of proving herself useful and working herself towards it ignited a spark of excitement within her. She looked sidewards towards Oath, who also seemed to be taking this pledge of acceptance in stride, even with her added comments, which were always tinted with her fiery personality.

With this swell in her self-confidence, Goose turned her gaze towards the three once more, carrying the conversation forward off of Oath's words. "A-as Oath says... we can definitely contribute," the femme reiterated with a firm nod, her voice slightly less wobbly as before. Shyly, she turned her attention specifically towards the matriarch, mahogany eyes grazing over her swollen belly before hesitantly pulling up to meet her gaze. "I.. I hope I'm not speaking out of turn, but I see you are bearing life, ma'am," Goose spoke, peaking her head forward to the side once more to look towards the life inside of her, taking an automatic step forward from the side of her friend. When she spoke again, her tone changed — she spoke with passion, with a tone laced with hope, her features alit with enthusiasm as she fell into the caretaker role. "I imagine the growing bairns can cause some discomfort when you're trying to rest, yes? I saw valerian on our travels here... I'm sure I could find some more within your lands, crush some of the root for you to help you sleep." She babbled on, the words falling out naturally as she spoke about her passion. "I know I could find more herbs to aid your pain too, if you may have any pain. To ease the birth. I helped my sisters a lot when they delivered..." As she suddenly became aware of how much she had been speaking at the mention of her personal life, Goose snapped back into her familiar ways. She retreated back towards Oath, feeling embarrassed at how much she had addressed the superiors and rambled on about her own things, which she was sure they didn't need to hear about.

In attempt to drown out her feelings of self-inflicted humiliation, her gaze trailed towards her other half. The pale smiled, she couldn't help it. And the words just fell out. "Oath is also an amazing stalker. I guarantee you wouldn't be able to hear her from meadows away. She has snuck into my lands maybe a thousand times." She looked towards the leaders. "She's better at what she does than what I'm good at what I do. I promise."

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He watched as Valette was soothed, her lips dropping to hide the once evident snarl before hushing the loud growls. Greyback wasn't quite sure how to feel about the display of anger that erupted from her, especially when she reminded him of the loner from before; Aeliana—the she-wolf with her fictitious tales of aliens had done little to impress them.

"The pale one is a healer."

Greyback turned to the raven with a raised brow, surprised once again to hear him speak—Perhaps he had misjudged the boy in the past. "Merrit is correct," he confirmed, turning his attention to Valette to gauge her reaction. He heard Oath and Goose respond from somewhere behind him but was all too busy paying attention to the Matriarch. He did however flick his ear at their voices before looking over his shoulder to glare at Oath, his amber gaze stern. She would do best to quiet that mouth of hers before Valette ripped it off.  Medicine on the other hand did interest him, and he turned his attention to goose. Herbs to help the birth? While Greyback would do anything for Valette he was a bit weary of using unknown medicines from a stranger he had just met, regardless if she said they had been used before.

Oof, for some reason my brain did NOT want to write this- I'm so sorry for the late reply!

Valette was convinced by Merrit and Greyback when they were done speaking. The female nodded slowly. "Well, alright then," she agreed and then looked at the two. It was nice that the pale one was a healer and that she knew about childbirth. Then again, Valette didn't think she needed her advice because she had two healthy litters without any dead ones.

She would later check with the two, but for now, they were accepted in their ranks. Valette would later get to know them but now she didn't really want to. She felt that the two probably wanted to relax before they would have a noisy leader wanting to know about their lives. "You two are accepted in Easthollow," she spoke the formal words. She yawned and decided to retreat to her den to rest.

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