Leap before you think! [J]

  After leaving the Poncle Woods, the black brute's instincts automatically told him to set off to find a new home. After his argument with his father, he became so angry and confused inside. He stole all of his Packs belongings and threw it in a river. It wasn't an easy job. And he did that for months until he was finally caught. They forced him to flee.

 His smokey black paws led him into the Teekon Wilds, where he was greeted with all new things. New smells. New sights. New lands. New everything. And this new setting called for a new Pack. Wolves that he could be loyal too. Fight alongside them and care for them. He was born a loyal heart.

 The scent of a borderline hit his nose, making him beam with excitment and worry. What if he had made a mistake? Was it too late to turn back? He growled to himself, shaking those thoughts from his mind. Leap before you think. That was his motto. It can kill you or it can enchant you. 

 His head went backwards as he let out the sweet tune of a howl. It was long and confident. He wanted anyone within earshot to know that he was here. Waiting. And when he finished he sat down, and waited.

@Kerosene will be posting shortly!

The howl made her ears twitch, a scowl wrinkling her muzzle as she changed her path to direct herself that way. Her strides lengthened, carrying her at a run as the tank beelined through the edges of the territory. That howl had been much too confident to be at the Spine's borders and the Beta had every intention of knocking the caller down a peg or two. In light of the developments with the Plains idiots, the Spine took no chances when it came to outsides and even waiting at the borders as she saw him doing now was too close. 

A short howl was loosed, calling for another of the pack before she barreled right up to him, her snarls vicious and threatening. He had two choices: run, or submit and he only had a split second to decide. The outsider needed to choose. Now.

One howl. A stranger. Another? Pack. He heard both and his rapidly moving paws slowed to a steady pace as soon as he heard Kroc intercept the lurker at their borders. No doubt her fangs would occupy the wolf until he arrived. Her teeth had quite a way with words... most notably deadly ones. True to the toothy creature for which she was named, she flashed them with vigor. Wardening for her was not a job. It was a thrill of life.

His paws came to a rolling stop as he neared the pair. The lone wolf sat upon their borders. Just sat there, watching and waiting beneath Kroc's snarls. He had moments to submit to her authority before Kerosene fully entered the scene. And when he did? He was at his beta's side with another snarl equally, if not more savage than her own. Deeper. Definitely deeper. He had pups on the way and the Spine had expanded their patrols. They would not take trespassing or any taunting of their lands as an idle threat.

Tail raised and teeth exposed, he stepped forward with a snatching of his teeth. "Too close," he growled, his voice like gravel in his throat.

 Soon enough he was greeted by two savage looking wolves. Good. He hadn't made a mistake coming here. Maybe he could fit in with these wolves that matched his own ferosity. He would want to take them on, but not now. That would ruin his chances. Instead he lowered himself on his belly in submission, his silver optics flickering from one wolf to the other. His gaze was calm.

  "I do not wish to fight you," he informed in a deep tone, "but only to fight alongside you." How would they answer to this? Would they attack him anyways? He loved to fight, but to be two on one was a stupid act. He prayed in his mind he wouldn't see the light today. But only time will tell.

Her snarl only deepened, ignoring his words. This idiot must have been death. Whether or not he got on his belly, he'd been given instructions. Rules. And even if he was on his stomach, his gaze was brazen, foolish. She rushed him again, a non-verbal way of saying back the fuck up. Those teeth snapped, aiming for nothing in particular but her warnings were done. He'd gotten one and had failed to listen to it. Until he did, his words meant nothing more than dirt. If she caught flesh in her teeth, so be it. It was the price he would pay for his stupidity. 

The wolf lowered himself immediately, but he failed to hear the words. Kerosene spoke again, elaborating. "Back up." Another growl as Kroc rushed the wolf to back up his words with actions. He stepped closer, still snarling as the wolf coward and spoke of fighting alongside of the wolves here. The Spine did not fight for no reason. They defended their own. If this wolf was out for blood, he would not find it here.

"Why us?" He asked instead, his question more of an order than the inquiry it was intended to be. This stranger knew nothing of them, but wished to fight with them. How curious indeed. If there was a spy in their midsts or some weakness in their walls they would find it and snuff it out before more caught wind of them. Ouroboros Spine looked out for itself. No others would learn anything of them.

 His words ment nothing, for the white wolf lunged at him, teeth clamping onto his ear. The blow didn't matter to him. He only dunked his head into the dirt, forcing his attackers jaws to part with his tender flesh. He then backed away, flipping onto his back. A sign of submission once again. And he hated it.

 The orange fured wolf asked him why he had choose them with a dominant voice. He flipped over to his stomach once more, ears and body flat. "I only wish to defend something with my life," he started, "And I decided that something would be this territory." He had a serious tone to his words. He was born and raised to protect. It was awkward not to be doing that. He looked up at the two, "Surley there is something I can do to... pursuade you?" Whatever it would be, he would do to the best of his ability.

Blood spilled into her mouth, dripping from between her jaws. She moved to rip the ear off, teeth clamping down on the flesh, his head ducking likely only making the pain even worse. It was only when he backed away the she would release, but did not let him get far. The Beta stood over his prone form, teeth bared in his face. "What the fuck makes you think we need defending?" She growled, her words finally breaking the air. It was a valid question since the Spine did not go around gossiping like little bitches about the happenings and tensions between them and other packs.

Kero's ears turned. He decided to defend this territory. This one? That was quiet a statement more worthy of an alpha seeking to claim new lands than a subordinate who would fall into the ranks. His lips curled, snarling as Kroc manhandled the wolf. It was to the male's advantage that he flipped, rolling to his back in a blatant display of submission. This appeased him well enough. Kero silenced, flicking his tail to signal for Kroc to stand down.

The white wolf still had a few choice words to say. It was a decent question and one he wished to hear the answer to. "Answer that," he said, his voice more content now that the wolf had responded by backing up, if only a little. It meant he was listening, which was good. "Then tell us how you can contribute to the Spine."

 He tensed as the attacker loomed over him, snarling why does he think they needed defending. He laughed internally. What kind of question was that? Did it even need any answering? The firey wolf ordered him to answer and then tell how he could contribute to the Spine.

 "Every Pack needs sone sort of defence do they not?" His head turned over to the white wolf, then back again. "You never know when you might need it. And you two do seem to be more territorial then any other wolves I've known. Way much more. It's obvious you're trying to protect something precious." He took a breath before answering the next question. "I offer brute strength. Any wolf who dares come near shall suffer slow and painful death" That last word came out in a sharp hiss. Back where he came from, he was ordered to kill anyone who was a threat to the territory. And he had dealt with a few of those stupid little wolves who came near him. And he was proud to see light drain from their eyes.

Permission given to post around Kroc.

The wolf monologued about how all packs needed a good defense. They knew this. Why else would they be baring their teeth down on a wolf who neared their borders? His eyes narrowed as the wolf continued. He seemed very intent upon death and blood and a number of other things he would not taste as often as he seemed to think. "Death comes swiftly here. We have no reason for slow." There was no reason to prolong the inevitable. It was a waste of time.

"We require all our wolves to be both warrior and warden," something this wolf seemed very keen to be. As for what Kerosene had meant when he asked previously. "What else can you contribute?" He did not care that this wolf could be both defender and offender, he cared more about what other specialties he might contribute for the first two were a given. This wolf seemed far too focused on one thing and one alone. Such narrow mindedness was... unbecoming.

Tonravik came, but she came belatedly. The wolf knew that this was handled well by her mate and her Beta. While she patrolled, Tonravik felt her instinct take her deeper into the territory lately. Her desire to nest was ever-growing, but she had not yet found the spot she would claim for herself and her cubs. So giving that task pause, the alpha female arrived in time to hear the tail-end of what was going on. 

The others words were valid. Defense was a thing all packs ought to have. And while they were few strong, if others would offer their able bodies, Tonravik would investigate them herself. So she drew nearer, tail held above her hindquarters as she stole upon the scene none too quietly. She sniffed the air, careful to seek any unwelcome scents upon him. But there was none. 

After a pause, the leader spoke. "Strength is good." She looked to him, her gaze hard and fierce. "Though we do not care for strong wolves who are not loyal." Her ears swivel atop her head, waiting to hear his take on this. She speaks after her mate, looking to the wolf and expecting him, now, to further go on to explain what he would bring to them. A body until he met his late or early grave would be a welcome thing to hear. 

 Another wolf had come to join. She seemed more stronger and threatening then the other to. Not that they weren't threatenting enough. He looked up at the dark wolf with a somewhat confident gaze, but still shown submission. "I'm not some power-hungry rouge. I only kill for who I am loyal to. It is in my blood to be loyal. Without loyalty, who are you?" Ever since he was a pup he was prone to being a loyal mutt. Being the most tiny of the Pack, he wanted to prove he was filled with greatness. That was until his encounter with his father... 

  He went back to reality, and thought back to when he told the flame colored wolf he could pursuade him. "I can prove that to you. Right now if you wanted."

His question went ignored. What Tonravik spoke of was true. He was getting there, but he wanted to hear if this wolf had more to him than fighting in his blood. Did he hunt? Did he explore? Did he track the stars. Something. Anything in addition to the broken record on which he spoke. Kero's ears flattened for a moment before lifting. This wolf swore his loyalty would be true. Very well. He was still irritated that his question continued to be misunderstood.

Nevertheless, the wolf looked to him with promise that he could prove to him he was useful in other ways. "Go ahead," he replied, tipping his chin upward to permit this wolf to rise should his paws be required for whatever he wished to prove. As prompted, Kroc removed herself from the wolf so that he might do as he was bid. 

Post edited to include Kroc moving of Issun as per PM'd request.

The other Alpha showed up and spoke, causing the fool to prattle on. She growled, a subconscious sound, but also one to curb his spout of empty promises. He could go on all day and the Beta would be no more trusting of him. But her leaders gave the signal and out of the corner of her eyes, she saw it. Moving away, the white wolf allowed him to rise to his feet, retreating to give him a sparse amount of space. Her glare said everything for her: show us what ya got, asshole.

Don't know if I'm supposed to post before or after Tonravik

Mature Content Warning

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The participants have indicated the following reason(s) for this warning: Gory Violence

 To his excitment, they wanted to see what he could do. As the white wolf backed away off him, he got up with some kind of determined evil intention. He smiled a toothy grin. "With pleasure," he murmered, eyes flicking over to his attacker. He wanted to show that he wasn't someone to be taken for a fool. Espesially to her.

 He spun around, lifting his head in the air. Testing for a subject. Without looking back, he swiftly darted farther away. He didn't care if the others had followed. He would bring back proof. He would show them that he was good at tracking down.

 A wolf scent came in, and he followed it with determination. Walking in a quick, quiet motion. His mind telling him to kill. It would be just like tracking down prey. Easy.

 He travled uphill, and stared down the slope with his ghostly eyes. There was a wolf down there. Luckily he didn't notice Issun yet, but he was about to. In his mind he hoped that the others wouldn't come over to help. This was his kill. His. He would show them he was worthy. He leaped down, running towards the wolf. He leaped at it, jaws wide. It tried to dodge, but Issun was to quick. They both plumeted in the shallow water, Issun's jaws latched tight around his shoulder. Close to the neck. The other tried his best to loosen from the grip, but the brute was to big for him. He slammed the other underwater, dragging him deeper in, but not to deep. He let the other stay there, listening to his cries underwater. The brute moved his powerful jaws to the wolf's neck. He shook visiously. The cries turned to screams. Issun moved up to his lower jaw. He placed his body on the head and jerked at it. He could feel it tearing. He tugged harder until he heard a slow snap. He had ripped his jaw off. Issun droped the jaw and listened to his victims gurgles. The water around them was red now.

 He picked up the dying wolf by its scruff and carried it to the bank, his head held high with sick pride.

Hey! So unfortunately, Ouroboros isn't really a bloodthirsty pack... in seeing this, Tonravik drew some assumptions. If you have any questions, PM me or any of the other leadership!

 

Tonravik was an observant wolf, but perhaps not perceptive. But she was stealthy in her pursuit of him, wanting to see him at work. Evidently, it was enough to go unnoticed. With her were her fellow leaders, and together, they watched the events take hold. It was perhaps not his actions that bothered her so; the wolf was close, whoever it was (though not so close as he had been) and now was a non threat. But how did he expect to not be treated the same? And he enjoyed it. The way he went about his task... 

The Spine had one unstable wolf she humored killing. Tonravik wasted no time as he carried the head toward him. Her cubs would not be around any unstable wolf; it was clear, with that sick pride in his step, that there was something amiss here. Tonravik would make as quick work of him as he did the wolf that lingered some distance from their lands, and her snarl insinuated that she would not be in this alone. 

Mmhmm! We'll be happy to answer whatever questions you may have.

He gave this wolf permission to show them what he was capable of. Kroc backed down and all three of them stood curiously as they waited to see what it was he wished to do to prove his loyalty. Kero watched with curious eyes, noticing the way the wolf eyed their beta and the way his voice drop low as if to hiss with malicious intent. There was serpent in this one's blood. He was certain of it.

The wolf only further proved the red flags that rose within Kerosene's suspicions. He was quick to move away from their borders and quicker still to willy nilly drown a loner without approach. Had they not just offered this wolf a chance to speak when he'd been closer to their home? What made him think such an act was proof of loyalty? He couldn't say. What he did know was there was something a little bit crazy in this wolf's eyes and he didn't want it anywhere near their unborn children.

He was a split second behind Tonravik as she began to snarl, intercepting the wolf so he'd not move a step closer towards their borders. "You are not welcome here," he said with a snarl, the gravel in his voice rolling through the depths of his chest. If this wolf did not leave and pursued them further? Their message was clear. They would surely kill him where he stood.

The second he went for the loner, they knew. They all knew. He was not fit for life within the Spine. The three leaders did not need to converse about reasons or opinions, for they acted as a unit. With gnashing teeth and deep, guttural snarls, the trio moved forward to show him that he was unwelcome. His display of "loyalty" was more along the lines of depravity and the Spine did not harbor such creatures. 

A very meaningful step forward was taken in tandem with SFB's words, her head ducking to protect her throat as she backed up the unspoken 'or else'.

 They didn't approve of his actions. They came at him with snapping jaws and unwelcomeing stares. He dropped the dying body at their feet, a snarl on his face. "Your loss," he hissed in their faces, "Keep it as a gift." He was not afraid, but he was not a fool. He wouldn't take on all three at once. So he pushed passed them in a confident mannor, and ran away, heading for someone new.

 Issun exits

It was not his words that rewarded him this response, but his actions. That he behave with any confidence at all on their borders caused Tonravik to lurch forward and snap at his rear. It was then he ran, and Tonravik did not, as per usual, relent until the very last moment when she deemed him far enough. This one was an odd one, certainly, but what he did from then on in his life did not involve her (unless he returned to them). The family he sought to join were intolerant of mindless killers. She breathed heavily, staring irately into the distance, snorting loudly.

The wolf got out a few parting words before he turned and ran. Kerosene did not consider this so much a loss as it was a small victory that all three of them had so quickly been on the same page. Quick to deem him as not the right fit, quicker still to run him off as the snapped at his heels until he was far enough from the spine for them to feel content in his departure.

With the wolf gone? That left only one thing. Kerosene padded back towards the carcass that lingered on their borders. A wolf. His eyes narrowed. He wasn't quite so fond of discarding the body of a wolf who'd not threatened them on their borders, but when the fur dissolved and the flesh was picked away by crows? Their bones were all the same. He nudged the corpse towards Kroc. She could discard of it wherever she felt best.

He pushed past them and immediately, Kroc turned to snap at his hide, to scar his flesh and mark him with her teeth as one who would never have passage into the Spine. Or any Tartok regiment, for that matter. With him gone, she turned to the task Iqniq appointed her, moving to grasp the body with her teeth and maneuver it across her back before going to dump the body, to let it sink to the floor of the large lake a few miles away. This one's death would not come back to the wolves here, not because of that fool. As soon as that task was complete, she would move on to the next.

Thread fade.