⚶. 𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙢 » closed

[kopfkino]

𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔
𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄, 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔!

( ♛ ) ── ❝ 𝘋𝘜𝘛𝘊𝘏 𝘚𝘏𝘌𝘗𝘏𝘌𝘙𝘋 ❞

( 26 years old ) ─ ( male ) ─ ( omega ) ─ ( town ) ─ ( calm ) ─ ( alex )

indentation Dutch could always appreciate music - there was something about live music that was just all the better. You could see how a musician bared their soul through their performance and he could understand why Alex had chosen the songs that she was singing. He watched as deft fingers plucked at guitar strings, occasionally teasing out a form of vibrato. He knew the second that she glanced up and noticed his presence, the faintest hesitance that slowed her playing for a heartbeat before she resumed. Given her behavior the night before, he was almost impressed that she didn't actually stumble or give up on the song. He had no doubt that she'd prefer to avoid him, which was why he allowed her space and didn't stand closer up like others in the crowd were, some hovering just a few short feet from Alex and her guitar.

indentation Instead, she finished her song and eased the strap over her head, signaling a break in performing that allowed the crowd to disperse a bit. Dutch didn't move until Alex spoke, guilt weighing her apology down. A heavy sigh escaped him as he glanced away, letting his eyes run over the familiar storefronts that he'd come to know well over the past few months. Foot traffic was increasing as people came out to enjoy the nicer weather of today. Yesterday had been quite dead in town, a far unfriendlier version of fall further hindered by the devastating news that had filtered through windows and murmured voices.

indentation Dutch took a step closer to Alex and looked back to face her, shrugging his shoulders once. There was some aborted gesture of his hands, lifting them before letting them drop back to return to the security of his pockets, unsure how to express himself to the utmost. Alex kept her guitar between the two of them - a barrier of protection or something to hide behind a bit, perhaps? Her quiet apology rang in his ears again. "It's done, Alex. It's not how I would have preferred anyone to hear anything I'm dealing with, but it's done. It's fine." His voice was low and something about his tone suggested it wasn't fine but that eventually, it could be, and he was looking to avoid starting anything by dismissing how it bothered him. He wanted to absolve her guilt, and the only way he could thing to do that was to deflect.

indentation He nodded at her guitar, still secure and standing guard in front of her. "You've got a lovely voice. It's cool that you come out and play in town sometimes." It was an olive branch of sorts, extended to allow Alex a moment to recover from the vulnerability that came with apologizing. Dutch would need to form his own apologies soon for what he planned to say, but that required baby steps and the acknowledgement that he might not get anywhere in this conversation he planned to have with Alex. Just as she had no right to be privy to the things Dutch had no interest in sharing with the pack, he had no right to know her own closely-guarded secrets. Still, all he could do was make it clear that he would do his best to assist if she actually wanted his help.

indentation Dutch drew another deep breath, steadying himself as he stepped off the ledge. "Walk with me for a moment? I get restless just standing around." He offered a sheepish smile, finding that it was almost easy to offer the genuine smile. He leaned down to pick up the bucket that Alex had brought along to collect change, peering in and nodding. "Not a bad contribution in a poor little town like this." It was an innocent observation, lacking in malice or judgment over the town's struggles. He appreciated the working class hardcore - they were gritty in their determination to survive in a way that he recognized, and he loved the way the community rallied together to support one another. Meanwhile, larger cities struggled with that sense of community - if something wasn't on your block, why care about it?

indentation With the bucket in hand, Dutch began to walk, listening more than looking to see if Alex was going to follow along. He wouldn't be confused if she refused and snatched the bucket back. He wouldn't hold a "you can make up for listening to my conversation last night by talking to me now" over her head either. There was no room for manipulation in Dutch's life. Nor did anyone reacted kindly to being backed into a corner and prodded, as he'd been reminded of the night before. He left the choice to participate or refuse solely up to Alex and he would respect that decision either way.

indentation He hadn't made it more than a few steps further, however, when a familiar figure caught his attention. It was odd to see Dimidian in town - a rare treat indeed, if one could call it that. He blinked, hesitation slowing his steps. He glanced back at Alex and then to Mid again, sighing as he realized he'd been seen. Mid's body language was expectant in some small but significant way. A clear sign. We need to talk. Something like dread swooped low in Dutch's stomach and he exhaled sharply again - out with the bad, in with the good. He'd promised himself at least once that morning already that he'd get better about interactions in the pack, hadn't he? Why not also extend that courtesy to Mid? Had he not seen a flicker of remorse over the intrusion the night before? He'd hear the beta out, just as he hoped to hear Alex out.

[eleutheromania]

𝐘𝐞𝐡𝐮𝐝𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 "𝙲𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛"

he/him | nineteen | hunter | location:woods | mentions: heron | tags: heron, sao, winnie
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paws barely made noise beneath him as he stalked towards the general direction of sao and winnie. he kept his pace fluid and balanced, unknown to him that this intruder could not hear him. head slow, he weaved through the trees and undergrowth with the knowledge of every branch and tree-like any animal that called this place home. the lack of noise was a possibility a good thing or something bad was about to occur, he knew not either as he finally spotted the two. a good enough distance away was sao, though he could tell she was being far from threatening or upfront with the intruder. in turn, the intruder he could now tell was a female were, making her slightly smaller than his own frame, which was lankier than it was muscular. the hunter was better at tracking than he was at combat, though he could hold his own when needed. as he drew closer, he went to flank her, aiming to move out of her vision but things did not happen in the way he had wanted.

a foreign mind crept at the edges of his own, causing caster to forcefully place a block up, much like a mental kick to the face to avoid letting her in. unfortunately, he was slightly delayed with this, allowing winnie the chance to let her feelings of his presence known and it made him recoil slightly at such the unexpected feeling he had received. in return, he could feel the presence of her own mind, though he had yet to put any pressure out to communicate. a low growl vibrated from him as he pushed forward. his attempt at surprise was over the moment she had located him mentally with her very colorful way of telling him he was far from welcome.

ears erect, tail curled and hackles raised, he purposely placed himself between sao and winnie, not confident that sao was at all out of any sort of danger. foreign wolves were unpredictable, he knew that from experience with this pack and on his own. trust was hard to come by out there and yehuda was not fond of those times that he struggles to just feed himself when he was so young. baring sharp canines, he made it known more vocally than mentally that he was not taking her advice of leaving. he failed to pick up the cues that winnie didn't hear him and only used her other senses. the posturing and body language were enough to tell any smart person that he wasn't going to listen to any orders she decided to give him any time soon. she was not pack and therefore lost any sort of dominance she may have held over him otherwise.

he knew that sao wouldn't see him but he was sure she would be able to pinpoint the general location he was in near her. his focus was mainly on winnie but he knew he needed to send something towards sao and was more focused on showing her what was going on rather than attempt to force an explanation towards her. the damp ground beneath their feet, the way winnie was holding herself against the base of a tree to avoid being cornered, to the small details of how far she was from yehuda, showing not only himself but winnie's position in the way she may have seen it had she not been blind. he hadn't done this type of projecting in this form in quite some time, the last time having been out of sheer desperation and panic. those memories were shoved far back into their corners to avoid that seeping into the detailed picture he painted for sao.

he took winnie's show of confidence with her head held high as a form of a challenge. caster was not one to respect personal space, especially when it involved a stranger trying to control his actions, he'd dealt with enough of it to leave a foul taste in his mouth. his lips peeled back further, jaw parting, as he stalked forward in a challenge that he felt he would win. he knew nothing of her strengths, let alone weaknesses but he was ever so observant when he needed to be. like some people say, you live and you learn. trial and error had gotten him this far in life, why would that method cease working now?

he struck first, the element of surprise already having been lost, he wanted nothing more than to put her in her place for her earlier unwanted intrusion. with quick and agile movements, he aimed to force his weight into her and use the tree to his leverage. the less space she had, the easier things would be for him, in his mind anyway. when he was close enough, caster did exactly that before going for her front leg, her throat would be too predictable so instead, he wanted to lose her balance, thus making it harder for her to fight back. jaws clamped around her foreleg, yanking hard but he did his best not to puncture the skin too much under her fur. he was not here to gravely injure someone, but instead prove a point. unfortunately, winnie wouldn't know what point caster was attempting to make.

he had managed his goal though he did not expect winnie to retaliate as quickly as she did, he misjudged her own reflexes when he felt tension around the nape of his neck. he went down with her and the scuffle for dominance started. who would end up on top was merely an afterthought as he struggled to push himself upward and away from her grip. his own method seemed to backfire as he was pulled backward and hit the ground flat on his back. a rush of air escaped his lungs as he was nearly nose to nose with winnie as she went for his throat.

it was unfortunate but he was no longer staring at her in this instant but someone else. it was then that the panic set in and any control over his own emotions that he had broke.

a older man held him up by the throat, pinning him to the brick wall in a cabin. a long knife was already puncturing the skin between his ribs and the man was laughing as he struggled against his arm to open his airways. 'you're nothing but trash, boy. you think you can come around here and steal my things huh?' the man's voice was rough and hoarse, almost as if he hadn't used it in a while. caster, merely twelve then, more feral than anything else, bit down as hard as he could on the man's arm. the metallic taste of blood caused a panicked shift but the man had seen that coming. yehuda had been trespassing here for at least two days. a werewolf knew when another was around, unfortunately, yehuda hadn't known that. the man wasted no time in giving chase to a panicked caster, chasing him down until he caught him. grabbed the scruff, he was not only bloody and tired but dragged back to the cabin and chained by his neck. it was then that the man shifted back, grabbing his knife and placing it to caster's throat. 'now be a good dog' caster spent four days confined as the man taunted him and offered no food, let alone water. luckily it had rained, but that had left him drenched with no cover.

by day five, he still struggled to shift back. a dark marred wolf approached from the trees, the one that he recognized as his captor. this had been routine, yehuda had counted the minutes it took for the man to come back from hunting. his body was sore beyond anything he had felt before and he was cold, so very cold. the man thought that he had broken the body, unchaining him finally to caster's shock. 'now go on' it was said with a smile, one that caster feared more than anything else. without a second to lose, he bolted with what little energy he had, let alone strength. one minute passed, then two. caster barely had a chance to think he was safe before he was tackled to the ground and pinned. yellowed and wore teeth were all he saw at first until he started to fight back. the two rolled across the terrain until he was once again pinned. teeth enclosed around his throat, he took a deep breath, holding it, and gave one final shove with the last of his strength, thinking he was hearing his heart racing rather than the rushing waters from the valley. he was pulled forward harshly and his eyes shot open to reveal that he was teetering on the edge of the rushing current, swelled from the rain the days prior. the old man was struggling on his grip on the edge, teeth tight around the skin of caster's neck. caster felt so numb point that he yanked himself backward and dug his paws into the ground, trying to rid himself of the heavyweight hanging to him.

it was then that a blanket of darkness clouded his vision and offered him peace, he welcomed it with ease, thinking that this would be the moment he would return home with his parents. he had caused the death of someone, though at the cost of his own life, it still haunted him at night. caster had not realized that he had forcefully pushed that event of his life, the first few times he had learned to shift with it, to both winnie and sao.

his vision cleared as he realized the predicament that he was in. movement to his left caught his attention as he spotted heron rushing forward. a sense of calm bathed him as he realized he should probably let arden and dim know that someone unfamiliar to them was trespassing, though he left out the fact that said person had him pinned down.

he had yet to feel any sort of pressure on his throat, expecting the reaction to come quickly until he would submit, which he had no plans to of course. he started up at winnie, his full focus on her as yet another growl vibrated through him, his displeasure with the situation strong.

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𝙸𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚎
𝙲𝚊𝚗 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝?

[phayraoh]

▐│
▐│

𝘈𝘜𝘋𝘙𝘌𝘠 𝘏𝘖𝘓𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘋─────────❝ staring into blackness at some distant star. the thrill of knowing how alone we are, unknown we are ❞
thirty yrs ▪ she/her ▪ fighter-to-be
location: da woodz | tags: erika, delaney | mentions: dimidian
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--indent--Boots crunching on the gravelly riverbank echoed within Audrey's skull, and had she been a wolf at that moment, Erika would've been entreated to the sight of her ears tracking each step she took towards her. Instead, Audrey leaned back on her palms, the gritty earth beneath them digging into her skin. She wriggled her toes in the water, pleased to find that they were nice and numb, that the cold embrace had helped clear some of the smoke that had slunk its way into her brain. The first twenty minutes or so of her hangovers were always the most grueling, but as luck would have it, the recovery process was a top-to-bottom purging of inebriation that would leave her knees trembling but her mind functional ─ a small price to pay for inhuman healing rates, she mused.
--indent--A frog croaked nearby. Audrey ripped her feet from the water instantly, her widening eyes scanning a six foot radius around her, ensuring the cold, sinister creature had not taken roost anywhere near her. She scooted back into Erika's shadow ─ as if hiding there would save her from attack ─ and brought her knees up to her chest. "I don't have a shower available to me; the river was an ample replacement," she said simply, blinking and tilting her chin to peer up at her companion. "Be grateful it's too cold for a proper dip." A cheeky grin stretched across her face, spurred by the angle at which she peered up at the dark-haired woman standing above her; Erika was looking at the decimated heap of cinders and ash, so she probably didn't notice Audrey's humored ogling. Her stare was broken by the appearance of an unexpected hand, fingertips smelling acrid and combustible. Audrey felt a sudden desire to grab it and yank the body it attached to into the river, to douse the embers smoldering within before they could set fire to something else. After a moment of hesitation she leaned up, wiped the fine gravel coating from her palm, and placed her hand into Erika's.
--indent--Audrey hoped to pass the shiver that coursed through her as a response to the cold, but her lack of balance probably did the job for her. Bonfire and sage alighted upon her lungs, remembered warmth pressed against her side, the roar of famished flames filled her ears, the nausea of smoke inhaled clawed at her from the inside out. "Christ, I'm not going to puke on you," she muttered, reviving her humor in an attempt to ease the shock of her memory. She hoped ─ did she? ─ that last night's arson was an infrequent occurrence, that the wicked delight curling in Erika's dark eyes was a product of mirth and not something...unhinged. Still, Audrey inwardly tutted at herself, hypocrisy shaking a disappointed head. Again the feeling of child's play stole over her, the impression that what she had suffered in life and all that she hoped to walk away from was miniscule and laughable to whatever ailments hung like black, haggard wings on Erika's back.
--indent--Something warm and affectionate stole over her, a mote of dust catching on the sunlight in an otherwise dark forest of immeasurable depths, lined with corridors of gnarled and darkened wood. She looked at the face not looking at her, felt the urge to press against the curve of her neck and murmur soft promises, echoes of vows she'd held onto through the years. Tender kisses, velvet love, divine touch. Audrey brushed off the flannel and pulled it on, shoving down the temptation to tuck her nose under its collar. Would she burn this, too?
--indent--"Dimidian...." Audrey chuckled; "I've known him for many years. He's not the one to worry about, though." She sighed and leaned down to slide on her shoes, relying heavily on Erika to keep from keeling over. After an apologetic glance she took a few wobbly steps forward, setting into a productive pace that led them along the banks of the river, side-by-side. She remained silent for most of the way, tugging up memories as the beer-induced fog around her mind dissipated, her skin blooming goosebumps as she remembered the rush of adrenaline that coursed through her body when the old mill had first received the flame. Audrey wanted to ask if this place had any significance, but thought that perhaps a less-drunk Erika wouldn't be as inclined to hear such questions; besides, had her expression ─ gratified, enlightened ─ not been answer enough? The mill was not some pain that Erika had tore from her body and set to flame, the way it might have been for Audrey...the way it had been. Once the fire had fully engulfed the structure, it hadn't been hard to imagine that the flames were eating away at her home on the ranch; fire had a way of illusion and half-truths that could show what the mind needed to see. Why else did people spend so much time listening to its tongue? staring into its mirror?
--indent--Approaching pawsteps overrode her thoughts. Audrey blinked to attention, stiffening as a large black wolf trotted into view. For a startling moment she thought the brute to be Dimidian, until the sunlight that caught on his fur did not reveal an iridescence of deep blues and violet ─ nor did he carry himself with the same grace. After greeting Erika, the wolf shifted into a man that Audrey soon recognized from the fire, though she hadn't yet learned his name. When he offered his arm, she stared at it hesitantly, if only because she did not want to leave this delicate place at Erika's side; that, and the fact that she had regained most of her mobility by now and did not wish for Erika to be suspect of how long this had been so. As a compromise, she decided it would be best if she introduced herself to this man ─ it could be beneficial to win pack members over with her charm.
--indent--Before she could approach him, movement near her foot caught her attention. The color drained from her face, and the movements she took next were an involuntary response to the shrill dosing of fear that shot into her skin. The source? A frog ─ brown and bumpy and right there. There was no sound, no shriek or scream of horror, only a mad scramble backwards on drunken legs and rain-slicked rocks. Audrey careened back into Erika, arms flailing in a failing effort to find purchase and halt her descent to the ground below. And then the river. She had forgotten it was there until its dull roar was snapping at her ears and its black tongue lapping her cheeks. Her body splashed into the rushing waters, hitting the sandy bed below with a rough jolt that sent a sickening ache straight to her skull. Water tugged at her now-soaked body, bitingly cold and smelling of crisp snowfall.
--indent--She blinked rapidly, heart thumping madly to pump warm wolf blood through her body. Audrey offered the stranger safe on the shore a toothy grin. "Audrey Holland. You are?" As she spoke, she turned to Erika, unsure of what kind of response would be in store for her. "I...I'm sorry. I didn't hurt you, did I?" After casting a wary glance on the riverbank, she stood up and sloshed out of the river, the weight of her clothes bogging her down, water dripping from every inch of her body. Audrey clenched her jaw in an effort to keep her teeth from chattering, and after a moment of thought, shifted into a wolf. Her body contorted itself into lupine image, a pelt of thick, warm fur sprouting from her skin. The pain was easy enough to ignore and she practically welcomed the heat that it sent coursing through her limbs. She groaned and stretched, turning to Erika with guilt in her expression, approaching her with careful steps. Audrey didn't expect such a newborn wolf to willingly suffer the change, and something told her that Erika had no desire to be in such a form. Instead, she pressed against her side, shivered at the wetness that sunk into her fur, offered her warmth just as Erika had offered stability. The last thing she wanted was to return the woman back to her pack with a fever or lost digit. At least for now, until Erika's body recovered the heat that burned fierce and strong within every wolf, she wouldn't have to stand there, sodden and freezing.

[slaughter beach, dog]

────────────── 𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐍 ── ❞𝐀𝐑𝐈❞ ── 𝐄𝐊𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐃 ───── ● ──── ─ ─
──────────────────────────────────────────────── 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘼𝙇𝙋𝙃𝘼 ──── ─ ─

LOCATION; cabin > on the road again ─ TAGGING; Dimidian, Cora, Devlin ─ MENTIONED; Kody baby ─ WC; 2,050

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*


Arden had sank into an easy reverie, or more a monotone absence with no particular thoughts, meant to afford Cora her privacy in her own bedroom, when the door at her side creaked and disappeared from sight as Cora stepped out into the hallway. The fragrance of fresh and undiluted coffee followed, and turning to her revealed that she was carrying a concerning aura of exhaustion. Arden second-guessed her choice, wondered whether she should excuse herself and allow her to rest, but Cora's nod and the sombre expression that chased after a smile settled her mind and made her stick with the plans she had made for the day.
indentinCora's lips parted with the ghosts of words, but they closed just as soon, and Arden's gaze drifted past her, where Dimidian emerged from the stairs with a list in hand. There was a searching look in his eyes that had questions swirling in her mind like wisps of smoke. Pieces surfaced that suggested he might have been wondering how she was handling her first morning as an alpha, and they did not quite click into place with the inquiry in his eyes, but she let them be the answer, did not allow her imagination to wander further or it would catch on Matt and everything that had led to her seeking out his comfort in the early hours.
indentinShe tentatively reached for the bridge between them that had been forged the night before, hoped that it was not a violation of the boundaries of however headfirst he might have been ready to jump into this. Because sharing the phantoms of thoughts in a human shape was intense, even for herself, and she had used a similar connection with Jun before ─ even when it struck her as much more, something tender and familiar, with Dimidian. She gently skimmed the lovely balusters that held together the link, eased to him with the softness of a murmur. She would let him take it as slow as he needed, and only nudged him with a feeling faintly shaped as I'm alright. He would always be the sunlight breaking through the canopy; could she ever truly feel like this bird with a fractured wing when held by his eyes?

indentinAs willing as Arden was to accept Dimidian's offer, she turned her eyes back to Cora to hear out what she thought. It was her she needed to have a serious and possibly painful conversation with, after all. A smile she had not expected turned into a bright grin when Cora presented no objections. It had been what, weeks since she had gone for a four-legged walk in someone else's company? Surely she must have done it at least once since the last full moon? Arden scolded herself with no true criticism to the sentiment, but she knew that she should not allow herself to neglect the uncomplicated pleasures in life.
indentinSomething indulgently brazen gleamed in her eyes when her smile gained a lop-sided playfulness. Her joy was almost juvenile, but it was a welcome spark in her chest after the grey clouds that had awoken her. The ill-fitting shapes that had lodged themselves within her lost a couple of cutting edges. She felt more like herself.
inden"I've seen you lifting things before, I think you'll be just fine," she suggested. An amused hum had her heading for the stairs with steps led by an invigorating eagerness.
indentinDimidian must have set the banister in place, because the stairway was almost back to what it had been for a fleeting moment in hectic time. All that remained missing were the frames hung by the wall, but Arden was almost certain there must have been a thing or two set aside in the storage room of the store for strange emergencies like these. Curiously, the unmistakable scent of a dog hit her once she reached the foot of the stairs, and she must have been lost deep in her own head earlier in the morning to have missed this. Thinking she would give Dimidian and Cora a moment to get ready, she rounded the corner to the kitchen, where she found both Devlin with a cup of coffee in hand and a black shepherd-looking dog peering up at her with inquisitive eyes.

indentin"Good morning, Devlin," she cast out while crouching down to greet the creature that had found its way into their home. The shepherd tilted his hefty sleek-furred head and Arden understood her rudeness, offering out her hands in a benevolent gesture. Nails tapped against the tiles as the dog skipped the formalities and dove in, pressing a wet nose to her face. Warm and slightly stale breath billowed out against her cheek. Arden slid her fingers into the feathery fur behind his ears and scritched, then gently held him at a distance where he could not cover her face in slobber.
indentin"Good morning to you, too, handsome," she cooed in a voice reserved for moonlit conversations and beautiful beasts of the wild. Her fingers felt down the dense fur of his neck for some clue of his origin before catching on a threadbare collar. She guided his head up to take a peek all the while occupying one hand with soothing strokes. Wide and partially worn sharpie scrawl identified him as Kody.
inden"Where did you come from, Kody?" she mused, largely to herself, and Kody settled his heavy head on her knees, endearingly peering up at her from beneath his brows. Arden chuckled softly, smoothed her hand between his ears and back into his neck. "Don't worry, I'm not about to evict you." A thought had her eyes narrowing playfully and she cradled his furry cheeks. "Unless you're a con artist with a worried owner somewhere, and are only here to be spoiled." A faint whine came from Kody's throat, a seeming confirmation that he was here strictly on serious business and not to mooch off a pack of doting werewolves. Arden had never owned a dog herself, but she was painfully aware that she was very much the exasperating companion who paused a walk each time there was a dog to pet.

indentinFootsteps in the living room let her know that Dimidian and Cora were most likely waiting for her. Arden apologetically lifted the head from her lap, pressed a rueful kiss between Kody's expressive brows and murmured that she would be back. Nonetheless, Kody pattered after her, all the way to the coat rack, where she eased into a plaid wool jacket with fleecy sheep's wool around the collar. Arden would not need it during the walk, hardly anything was as warm as a wolf's pelt, but it was always a good idea to make an effort when blending into the town's population. She glanced back at her company to confirm they were ready to go, then stepped out into the budding day.
inden"It should be safe enough for us to take the path through the woods," she confirmed, turning to look in the direction of the town, where the stretch of forest spread out further away from their home in the foothills. The word that had been brought back from town seemed to confirm that the culprit they were looking for was a bear after all, and that was an animal they could smell from a mile away. Humans did not possess that advantage.
indentinArden lifted her arms into a stretch, then twisted her upper body with her elbow still sticking out until the stiffness of sleep and days spent in the office melted from her muscles and her bones cracked silently. She realized a moment too late that it must have been a sight to see, because she could not remember many werewolves that often engaged in a healthy routine of stretching before a shift. Mirthful brown eyes flickered to her company, but she went through with her stretches, possibly even putting a little more flex into them to show that she was fully aware of the absurdity of what was happening.
inden"No laughing at your alpha," she grinned, and pulled her hair free from the elastic she had secured it in so she could clean the hallway.

indentinArden leaned calmly against the ever-present wolf and an ache cascaded down her spine, slipped down each vertebrae with meticulous care, sent little touches tumbling from the cartilage at the root of each rib. It had bent more and more toward warmth and further away from pain over the years, but her pulse still quickened and there was a stutter, a sharper intake of breath, as the phantom twinge coiled through her elbow. She had broken it countless years ago and it had fused far too quickly, the wrong way, and a healer's jaws had helpfully broken it again.
indentinArden fell into the wolf with the grace of someone diving into still and inviting water, and once she had deftly caught herself on the grass with certain paws, she shook out her coat from her head to the tip of her tail. She was a far cry from many of the sizeable and angular ones in the pack, with her gentle shape, dense and downy fur, and faintly rounded ears. The fine pelt was intensely inviting for a human-shaped peer to sink their fingers into, lacking a certain coarseness to the way it clung to her, but where many swayed closer to touch in their moon-graced shape, Arden had never been quite as tactile as a wolf despite her tendency for affection. She had always preferred human touch, but close proximity still came naturally to her when it was needed, especially under the full moon.
indentinShe trusted Dimidian and Cora would not be far behind when she set out in an effortless amble that lead her into the trees. Slivers of sunlight swept across her rippling pelt as flashes of smoky denim and fair beige, and wherever there were openings in the canopy, she drifted toward the sunniest path, soaking the heat into her toes from the warming soil. Her jaws parted ever so slightly to sample the air, and all she found were safe notes of a world heating under the morning sun, in all of its earthy and verdant beauty. Mossy stones steamed in the wan autumn light and fallen leaves turned the ground into a tapestry of glossy colours. A flow of serenity settled itself across Arden.

indentinA question emanated from her and down the threads of the bond that held the pack together. Content emotions danced to where she felt the two minds in her presence, then the link clarified like a radio finely tuned to the correct frequency. A lifetime of experience was helpful in juggling private conversations without the thoughts blending together and bleeding into the wrong mind. She sought out Cora first, because she did not wish to put off the conversation she needed to have with her any longer than necessary, and it seemed a good idea to initiate it before stepping onto paved roads and into the view of human eyes that would note any deviation from the norm they were used to.
indentinI'm sorry if I was harsh last night, but I needed to be clear. I hope you understand why. Did you sleep? she reached out, glancing at the russet wolf drifting in her periphery to gauge whether she would need to slow her steps to keep them among the trees just a little longer. As much as she wanted to claim she knew Cora, it seemed she did not, and there was a certain care she practiced around werewolves whose reactions she could not entirely predict. The people of the town were untouchable to Arden, no matter what. Those with the strength to break bones had no choice but to be the bigger people, even in challenging times.
indentinArden let Cora gather her thoughts and found her consciousness wandering toward the glow that was Dimidian.
indenHow was your morning? I haven't had a chance to ask you how you're feeling, she urged, perhaps a little more bluntly than she otherwise would have, but she needed to know where he was at with the rank he had assumed, and it seemed that had the wolf colouring her questions with an uncharacteristic urgency.

[I'm done delete me.]

𝔸𝕃𝔼𝕏𝕀𝔸 ℝ𝕀𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔸 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[ 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 𝟏,𝟎𝟐𝟐 ]

xxx [ 𝟐𝟒 ] [ 𝐅𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐄 ] [ 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 ] [ 𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐎 ] [ 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬: Dutch | 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Mid, Arden ]
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Alex bit her lip as he told her it was 'done now' there was nothing else she could do the more she apologised it wasn't going to get her anywhere it was idiotic to continue pleading for forgiveness as she truly thought that Dutch never will. Further hearing what he talked about himself dealing with what had been speaking about between Mid and Dutch going over the conversation in her head. Arden and Dutch were part of the same pack once upon a time but from what she understood Dutch was carrying a lot on his shoulders and it appeared he was lucky to be part of this pack. Though whether the alpha knew of his history would he still be a part of the pack? Of course, she would never tell a soul not even her alpha. In a way, she was glad she knew more about omega wanting to learn more about him as she was oblivious about this newcomer. Nevertheless the more she got to know him she grew to like him.

She looked to her guitar plucking on one of the strings as she felt anxious with his presence. Not wanting to say anymore that may put her in a difficult position she didn't want to bring up what she had heard last night and from what she could tell neither did he. Taking a deep breath she looked to him as he commented on her singing she smiled a little her cheeks slightly turn rosy from his complement only hearing from a few of the villagers but not by the pack, it felt someone different coming from someone she knew. "Thank you..., well it's the only way I can find it pay rent" giggling towards the end of what was she had explained but soon turned quiet between the two again. In her head, she was just shouting at herself she was found it hard to speak with him after what she had heard last night she didn't know it would be this difficult to talk to him. Alex needed to know more wanting a better understanding of Dutch perhaps then she could move past this awkwardness between the two although Dutch was trying his hardest to do so.

Gently plucking at the strings of her guitar that stood in front of her but soon she stopped as he stepped closer towards her asking about talking a walk with him. Her emerald eyes flicked up to the omega her mouth opened but no words came out she watched him pick up her bucket of loose change from what she has managed to obtain from the many that come to listen to her sing. "Yeah sure," she manoeuvred her guitar over her back once more with the strap over her chest, "in a way I see it as if I'm providing the town with some music to liven their spirits they don't need to give me money but it's always a bonus but I don't want it to be seen that way you know?" Trying to get him to understand from her point of view but found him distracted by something else instead. Looking to where his gaze was set there she saw Mid standing there in the distance.

Looking to Dutch she was picking up from his body language tension between the two, hearing his sigh she placed a hand on the omega's shoulder slightly squeezing it for reassurance. Although she to felt some anxiety with Mid around thinking back to last night he had pushed her to shift. After thinking about the situation last night she truly had lost respect for Mid as well it could have gone differently but she despised how the brute had urged her to shift reminding her of the pain she once felt when her wolf was taking over her body. Whether or not her opinion would change for Mid she was uncertain if they will.

To this moment she did not want to speak to Mid but found Dutch making his way over to him she had taken the bucket from his hand leaving him to wander over to Mid, her hand dropping back to her side after leaving his shoulder she sighed gently. He had told her that he'll be back and she believed that he would return. Alex made her way over to the near side bench, taking the guitar off her back and leaning it against the side of the bench and she placed the bucket beside her. The redhead started to count out the cash she had made although she had played for long she thought as she waited to count what she had made. Counting it out in the bench she had made twelve dollars in total so far which she had found was a promising start to the day. Though she thought she would stick around later on perhaps after her stroll with Dutch.

Looking to the sky, she closed her eyes as she soaked in the rays of the morning sun taking a deep breath of the fresh air. A gust of wind whistles through the trees behind her, she glanced at people that walked by her before taking her guitar in her hands. She started to play again this time without singing she played 'without you' by the kid LAROI she nodded her head along as she waited for Dutch to return. Another breath of the wind picked up the Autumn leaves in front of her, she watched them dance from her point of view they danced to hear she played which made her smile a little. Alex then stopped as was startled by Dutch as he finally returned and he was ready to go from what he stated "yeah let's go" she got up taking her guitar and strapping it to her back and taking her bucket with her money in. She then followed the omega holding her tongue as she wanted to ask what Mid had to say but she knew it wasn't her place and she didn't want any more trouble between them. Alex had already caused enough trouble.

[Zyn]

♕ ℭ𝔦𝔞𝔯á𝔫 𝔔𝔲𝔦𝔫𝔫𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔶 ♕
Bitten Werewolf || Fighter || Male || Twenty-Five || Demisexual-Homoromantic

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♕ Location: The Forest
♕ Tags: Open(to be Hazel)
♕ Mentions: The Pack, Delvin
♕ Mood: Worried, Hungover
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Quinn's grin widened as Heron followed after, pausing to snag a beer from the container. Reaching out lazily he patted the chair next him, indicating a spot for Heron to take a seat. As she settled down next to him, twisting the cap of the beer of and digging into the stew he followed suit. In his mind it was a bit early for a beer, not to mention he wanted the beer to settle upon something in his stomach. He had quickly finished his own bowl of stew by the time that Heron stood and made her way back over the table and busied herself making smore's for people. His gaze flickered around the gathered pack and took note of a single member sperate from the others, Caster was hanging back from the bonfire. For a moment confusion settled over his mind as he glanced between the stew and Caster. It took a long moment before his sleep deprived mind managed to figure out what was happening. Pushing himself up and out of his seat and gave a luxurious stretch before making his way over to the stew. Snagging a bowl he carefully ladled out a generous amount for the young wolf. When he was happy with how much was filling up the bowl he grabbed a spoon and carefully made his way over to the young wolf. Upon stopping in front of Caster he gently pressed the bowl full of stew into their hands and offered them a charming grin before retreating back to his seat. The poor guy needed to get some food and if he wasn't able to get to the stew then it was just up to Quinn to get that stew for them. As Heron rejoined him he shrugged off his coat, draping it across her shoulder as she buried her face in the collar of her sweatshirt.

He would have tossed his arm over her shoulder as well to warm her up if two shapes sliding out of the forest hadn't caught his attention so full. Turning to face the duo Quinn fixed the two with his usual casual smirk, the one that masked whatever thoughts might be going on behind those brown eyes. He watched in silence as the two made their way over. The moment Mid spoke that one word out loud he felt his shoulder tense, this seemed far too formal to be a casual announcement. At Arden's announcement his heart clenched and his fingers tightened around his arms rests until he was sure he would break them. Jun had left, it was like the whole world was rushing down upon him and the ground pulling out from under him. The moment she finished speaking he rose quickly and made his way over to the beers, grabbing, opening and chugging it in a few fluid movements. Then he reached out and grabbed a second before making his way back over to Heron and Delaney. As the alcohol slowly worked is magic turning his mood fluffy and warm he found himself leaning on Delaney and Heron almost as much as Delaney was leaning on him. Poor pick up lines fell from his lips, aimed at anyone who came close enough, mainly Delaney since the other fighter was the closest. The rest of the night flowed by and any thoughts about the new alpha and beta disappeared. By the time the others started to trickle back into the cabin it was late, Quinn stayed behind waving enthusiastically as each person slipped away. It was only when he found himself alone by the bonfire that he finally stood himself, gathering the bottles scattered around his chair with much difficulty and stumbled into the cabin. His spinning vision allowed him to throw away the bottles and get him to the couch. Where he promptly flopped down and sank into the couch.

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Quinn may have spent the whole night on that couch but he barely got more than a wink of sleep. He wagered he fell asleep for a hour max, the rest of the night have been spent worrying and musing over what had happened that evening. With each passing year the pain of being abandoned by their previous pack had lessened bit by bit. He figured there would never be a time when he wasn't bothered or had a worry tickle that back of his mind but it had gotten better. The announcement by the fire had only served to rekindle that worry, turning it from a small candle to a blaze. A worry he very much wanted to keep to himself. After all it was hardly the fault of anyone within the pack nor was it their job to ease his worried. That was just his to deal with and those were the thoughts that tumbled through his mind amongst the regular throbbing that came with alcohol. By the time a few of the pack members started to rise one at a time he had worked himself into quite the state. Which meant as each person trickled down out from their rooms he had done his best impression of someone who was fast asleep. If it was working or if they had as much interest in interacting with another human being as he did then he didn't know. It was better whatever the reason, he appreciated the silence that shrouded the living room. The smell of coffee almost had him stirring, the overwhelming desire to be caffeinated to chase the hold of the migraine pressing down on his skull was almost too enticing. It even happened to be one of the pack members he was as anxious to run into that fine morning. It was Delvin and by the smell it seemed like they had made two cups of coffee, a good choice in Quinn's mind. However that initial interest withered away upon realizing he would have to get up, so instead he pressed himself deeper into the couch cushions wondering if he even had to get up today.

[phayraoh]

▐│
▐│

𝘏𝘌𝘙𝘖𝘕 𝘞𝘏𝘐𝘛𝘌─────────❝ you know I'll take my heart clean apart, if it helps yours beat ❞
twenty-three yrs ▪ she/her ▪ hunter
location: cabin porch —> pack woods | tags: caster, sao; winnie | mentions: —
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—indent—Heron answered in smile, the tension in her body subsiding as Caster’s arm draped over her neck. She scooted down a step to sit beside him, warmth radiating from his skin; it was a welcome heat on this crisp fall morning — though she would have preferred he at least wear a shirt. Either way, a sense of comfort wound itself around her like a scarf, securing together any unease left over from the night before. “I thought I would have a little celebration party for Arden and Dimidian tonight so, you know what that means.”
—indent—She trailed off in favor of watching the dawn sink to the forest floor, fingers of light reaching out through the trees to brush against her cheek. Her eyes closed as the warmth sunk into her skin, a welcome feeling alongside the press of Yehuda at her side. Cautiously, she let her senses wander out, past a steady heartbeat and murmuring from inside the house. A woodpecker drummed for its breakfast, jays squabbled and crawked; Heron breathed deep, welcoming the fall and its peace into her lungs.
—indent— It was mornings like this that reminded her of hunting with her father. He would wake her up in whisper, nudge her shoulder until she woke and knowing excitement filled her eyes. Heron would grab the sandwiches and canteens of hot cider that eomma had made for them, hugging her goodbye while she slipped a bright pink beanie over her head. They would leave before the sun rose, headlights shining through a veil of fog, the radio sputtering out staticky country music. By nightfall, their bellies would be empty but their bags of game full of turkeys and mallard to see them through the holiday season. Her nose twitched in memory of her grandmother's roast duck, mouth watered for a taste of the succulent ginger sauce that went with it. The idea that this could still be possible played within her mind, and something about sitting the pack down to a fall feast stirred a pot of delight within her. Sweet, pillowy orange rolls, homemade pumpkin pie, baked yams topped in succulent glazed pecan crumble ─ the thought of perfecting each dish with a careful and loving hand was tantalizing; Heron knew she had to make this happen.
--indent--Sao's voice carried into her ears, loud and close. Heron jumped out of her reverie, turning her head so that she could view her packmate. "Sure thing," she chirped, doing her best not to let her anxiety shake her words. She wriggled closer to Caster, who offered his hand to Sao. This quieted the worst of the feeling snaking through her stomach; turning into an animal was one thing, but experiencing the ties that held a pack together felt like something else entirely. If she concentrated hard enough, she could sense the faint tether that linked them to one another. Because Sao and Yehuda were closest to her, their inner presence within her mind felt more tangible than the others'.
--indent--After several minutes of waiting, Arden, Cora, and Dimidian all filed out of the front door, shifting into wolves and loping off into the red-weeping woodland. Seeing them go, Heron felt her own lupine stir inside of her until she couldn't hold it back any longer. Nausea gripped her senses in a sickly hold as she morphed, the pain searing white-hot and powerful. When it was over, she stood on trembling paws, her jaws aching from the shifting and budding of teeth, the lengthening of her muzzle, the contortion of her spine into that which supported a quadruped being. The ground spun beneath her, forcing her paws to splay out to keep her unwieldy body from toppling one way or the other. She blinked rapidly, let out a sneeze as the dust she'd kicked up from her writhing tickled her sensitive nose. Heron let out a soft whine, more out of frustration than anything. This body felt alien and unfamiliar, like she was wearing someone else's skin. A shiver rattled through a white pelt draped in the light of dusk. Looking down, she flexed her claws in and out of the earth as if to clarify that yes, this was her body.
--indent--Sao raced past her, delight singing through every rippling muscle beneath her black-brown coat. Heron's legs moved with their own agenda, but all she managed was an awkward limp forward. Her ears pressed against her skull, tongue nervously swiping her jaws as her packmate disappeared into the trees. Yehuda's bark sounded nearby as he, too, rushed forward, though he, unlike Sao, took notice of Heron's discomfort and hesitation. Relief and gratitude were made clear on her face, and his confidence in her inspired her to take a few steps forward across the yard. After sucking a deep breath into her chest, Heron's legs seemed to figure themselves out and remember who it was they were attached to. She started off at an easy trot and worked up from there, ignoring the way that the dead leaves crumbled away beneath her paw pads and stuck between her toes. Keeping Yehuda's pale form in her sights, she focused on her pacing until eventually she felt comfortable enough to let her mind go free.
--indent--Oak, ash, and tall pallid birch flashed by her in shades of monarch and soft affection. Heron was able to catch up to Yehuda, though it was only because he slowed down to check up on her progress. When he nipped at her legs, she spooked and misplaced a step, interrupting her stride in such a way that she knew instantly she wouldn't be able to recover it. The forest floor was not only blanketed in leaves but damp from yesterday's rains, ensuring that Heron went skidding down the path like a firecracker throwing up sparks of red and orange in her wake. She tumbled to a stop, shaken but not broken, and rose quickly to her paws. A sense of sudden urgency spurred her forward, overshadowing the laughter that had begun to seize her flanks. The closer she got to where Sao and Yehuda were, the more clear the emotions became: fear and intrigue bathed the air around her packmates, directed at the scent of a stranger strung throughout the trees.
--indent--Caster's words to her confirmed the suspicion that lifted the fur along her spine. She nodded in acknowledgement and kept close behind him, taking care to sniff on either side of them to determine if they were walking into some kind of ambush. 'Just the one,' she offered back, eyes shifting nervously regardless. When the wolf in front of her came to a stop, Heron practically bowled into his rear, so intent was she on trying to stay alert. Yehuda was doing some funny jerking motion with his head, which she soon realized was him telling her to circle around. Gulping, she ducked low and slunk off, giving the pale, unfamiliar coat of fur shining through the trees a wide berth. Heron wasn't particularly what one could call stealthy, and though she did her best to avoid stepping on twigs, she failed to avoid snagging her pelt on thorny brambles and sparse shrubs.
--indent--Eventually, she found herself ducked behind a cluster of boulders, far enough away that, hopefully, she would neither be seen nor scented. Heron knew better than to think she could be intimidating or useful in a scuffle, so she played to Yehuda's desire for surprise. If there was anything she could do ─ and quite well, really ─ it was knock into another wolf without them expecting it.
--indent--The stranger held herself with a regal confidence, purpose emanating from every movement and flash of ivory teeth. Something else pickled beneath her pelt, too: perhaps annoyance? Exasperation? It took Heron by surprise to witness the effect the frost-borne lupine had on Sao. She hadn't even touched her, and yet, before Heron's alarm-ridden gaze, she seemed to buckle and cave beneath an invisible weight. Heron attempted to mentally reach out to Sao, but her mind was a kaleidoscopic tangle of light and flashes of endless misted pine. Caster exploded outward, taking the white wolf by the leg and following up with a sturdy yank. As she watched, Heron's body grew rigid and tense, a sick feeling constricting her chest as she watched the two scuffle in the leaf litter and fragrant earth. A horrified whine sang from her nostrils when the foreigner got hold of Yehuda and did not hesitate to sink her fangs into him.
--indent--I need to do something. What if this outsider turned on Sao next? What if she and Caster didn't stop clawing for dominance? Heron felt a growl ripple her muzzle as she lowered her body and prowled forward. Instinct stole over her, sharpening her need to protect and break up the fight. Clarity thrilled through her veins; her muscles, for once, felt sure and taught beneath her skin, and she knew they would do exactly what they needed them to. She sprang, sailed through the air, a paw raised and then brought down on a bony shoulder. The white wolf was solid beneath her body as they collided. Heron clamped her jaws down on flesh and fur, her grip firm but not intent on drawing blood. A searing fire fueled the strength behind her efforts to tear the she-wolf away from Yehuda, and when she had dragged the intruder away from him, she darted quickly to his side, pressed against him and let a beseeching yip choke from her throat. Her neck was flush with his throat, his muzzle cradled between the downy peaks of her ears. She provided not only protection but stability, her heart thundering with such force that she could feel the blood coursing through her legs. The male's fear was nearly palpable, nestled in a thorny bed of fury and revulsion.
--indent--Heron pinned her sights on the white wolf, her eyes offering not hostility but a plea. You've done enough. No more. Her intentions were extended to both Yehuda and the fae, the former she pressed firmly against in an attempt to keep him from launching himself back into the offensive; where he stepped, she matched him, keeping herself glued to the sustaining pulse of his jugular, ensuring they both knew that she would be between them if any more moves were made.

[Zyn]

🍂 Sασɾιʂҽ Qυιɳɳҽʅʅყ 🍂
Bitten Werewolf || Hunter || Female || Twenty-Five || Demisexual-Demiromantic

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🍂 Location: The Woods
🍂 Tags: Winnie, Caster, Heron
🍂 Mood: Protective, Anxious
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.
Sao had paused a comfortable distance from Winnie, missing the visual warning that the white wolf had sent her way. It had been too subtle for her sharp hearing to catch, in fact she wasn't sure what was happening in front of her. In a way she was used to the pack members giving her an idea of their emotions through movements and this wolf was far too still to give her an idea. All she could gasp from Winnie was their positioning. That is until her question was answered abruptly. It happened all of a sudden like a dam breaking and the images flooded into her mind. Colors and sights overloading a mind that wasn't accustomed to dealing with it, much like her mind reeling from the information she staggered. She dropped into a crouch like the gravity on her shoulders had suddenly increased, pressing her into the earth. Her ears flattened against the back of her head and she almost braced herself against the onslaught of information. The fur along her spine spiked upwards, betraying her fear and shock in that moment, her tail seemed to have been glued to the ground. It was like the world around her was being swept away and replaced with the images flashing through her mind. A mirage of colors and shapes that she had no way of identifying or understanding what was happening filled her minds eye. The shapes and colors being presented to her whirled around her, dancing into her mind before spinning away and being replaced by another.

Unidentifiable images silently dancing in her mind with the only noise filling her mind being her own keening wail of terror and awe and pain at the nonstop imagery. It was so much and so fast she couldn't close her mind off from these images, the only barrier she had been able to throw up was one to keep her reaction from touching the other wolf's mind. They flipped from shapes she couldn't even being to fathom to images that started to take ragged forms in her mind, things she knew by touch and had maneuvered in enough to start to understand what they could be. Before she could fully place the images she was yanked away and into a vision of what could only be described as horror. The smell of iron and ozone filled her, making her chest clench as her own memories started to replace her wail. Screams of pain ricocheted around her mind, filling the space created by the near silent images. Most piercing and painful was the howl of a certain person. Before her mind could full shatter under those images they were yanked away as well to be replaced by more colors and shapes she couldn't understand. They slowly changed to what she could only assume was a wolf and a human. Finally a name slipped forward, a single word. Dutch. As though it was a life vest being thrown to someone drowning at see Sao snagged that name and used it to drag herself away from the images and back into the comforting darkness. Almost as soon as she managed to drag herself back into the real world another set of images were flung at her sending her spiraling back into her mind. It was less abrasive this time since it came from Caster but it was a bit much after the onslaught from the new wolf.

Sao instinctively shied away from the image of she could only assume was herself being presented to herself. This time she was able to recover more quickly and she was straightening again trying to get her bearings again. However as though she had been hit by a brick wall and like she had really been punched in the gut her breath caught in her throat as images flooded her mind again. Staggering again she was flung into a memory that didn't belong to her. The swirling image of man pinning what she could only assume was Caster from the familiar touch of the panicked mind and the way the world appeared. A part of her mind screamed to pull away from this but the majority of her was anchored in place, determined to stay by her packmates side through the memory despite the memories it dredged up. Memories that lurked, whispering in the distance. As the memory faded Sao clawed her way away from the memories. Dragging herself back towards the present once more, back to the darkness she had found was more comfortable than she had thought. As darkness washed over her eyes, the sounds came back with a snap and she staggered forward as she tried to get a grasp of the situation. In a heartbeat she had pinpointed where everyone was. Horror coursed through her veins as she recognized that Caster was pinned under the new wolf. The world seemed to slow down to a crawl as she felt more than heard Heron leaping forward to bowl into the wolf. Her paws felt heavy as she leaped after Heron, desperate to make everything stop.

Her panic and fear crashed forward, temporarily enveloping the minds of those affected by her with pure darkness. The panic was like lightning in the darkness, a spark that wouldn't go out. It was only for a split second as she felt the minds around her until she found the wolf she wanted. Pin pointing Winnie's mind she flung all she knew of the Dutch at the strange wolf. His voice, the sound of his footsteps early in the morning and the feeling her fingers combing through his fur. His scent and the smell of the coffee he loved. Anything and everything that she associated with him, followed by a simple word to match Winnie's. "Dutch." Lurching forward the final couple steps she planted herself between Winnie and her packmates. Her cloudy blue eyes were fixed ahead and her ears pinned back as she took on a defensive pose in front of the two wolves. Heron was keeping Caster from launching another attack and she was putting another body between those she cared about and this new wolf. These were her pack members after all and she would sooner die than allow her lapse of judgment to let them get hurt. If fighting a loosing battle meant that Heron and Caster could get away then she would do it in a heartbeat. Nothing matter to her more. "Enough" she projected to whomever was listening. Whatever weakness she had shown just moments prior had vanished, replaced with the overwhelming need to protect.

[slaughter beach, dog]

─────────────── 𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐊𝐀 ─── 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐑 ─────────── ⯮ ───────── ─ ─
────────────────────────────────────────── 𝙃𝙐𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍 ──────────── ─ ─

LOCATION; river near sawmill ─ TAGGING; Audrey, Delaney ─ MENTIONED; Dimidian, Cora ─ WC; 1,909

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*


Erika's mind misplaced the fuse that kept the lights on at the unabashed comment, because it was anything but what she had been expecting. Audrey had spent all of these hours in her company, witnessed her burning down a building in a fit of bitter vengeance, seen the deep and dark in her, and she was not running away on all fours. It was enough to have her ignoring the strange scooting and scanning along the stones in favor of pulling her head out of an electrical storm composed of a thousand calculations all cutting into each other. She was sure there was an academic term for this, the desire to bat away any hand that reached out for her. But Audrey was grasping on to the one she had offered, grounding her into place, and she became undecided whether that frightened her more than the fact that, deep down, she did not mind.
indentinDimidian's name, as pleasant now as a sour breath against her cheek, had her unsticking her tongue from the roof of her mouth and using the green fire stirring within herself as a crutch to take another step through this contradictory disquiet and refocus on the task at hand. He's not the one to worry about? What is that supposed to mean? Audrey's grip tugged down on her arm when she reached for her shoes and Erika's incredulous look was drawn to her from where it had been avoiding her moments before.
inden"Is that your backwards way of telling me I should start sleeping with a knife under my pillow?" her tone straddled the line between another move in the game and the irritation she was certain Audrey would drink in with pleasure. And although the words had been very much her own, Erika was no longer sure what she had meant. Was this a question of physical threat, the shanking she had wrapped all of this in like the pill hidden in ham to be fed to a witless and unsuspecting dog, or something else. Something jealous and unpleasant.
indentinThe silence that settled between them ─ filled only with the footsteps grinding against the small round stones that left them a clear path along the river ─ had Erika's head crowding with a thousand and one additional sources of unease that were all the more difficult to run from when acting as Audrey's crutch. The sawmill was disappearing behind them, and she craved to be back there, with that power to change the very form of a thing, the control that had the defenseless fate of it resting in the palms of her hands. The alluring promises that the loose tongues of flame gave. But that heat and blaze were fading from her now, giving way to everything she had doused with them for one gratifying night. She needed more, she needed to find another go at it, another place to reduce to cinders and set its baggage afire after it. This was the nosedive after an unimaginable high, with old pain carving all the deeper for having been chased away for a moment of tranquillity drawn from the heart of chaos.

indentinThere was a shivering agitation that wheedled its way under Erika's skin the more distance they put between themselves and the burnt sawmill, and the closer the dense pines leaned to the water's edge. She was sitting atop a frightening fence between the numbness granted by the acrid smoke still clinging to her clothes and the suffocating verge of a panic attack at the knowledge she was walking through the exact woods where she had been torn to shreds, now without anything in her system to dull the terror. A branch snapped somewhere among the trees shading the riverbank and Erika flinched at the dark shape that emerged, but quickly channeled the twitches dancing in her fingertips to working her jaw when it turned out to be another wolf. This is what the rest of my life is going to be like, isn't it?
indentinThe closer the black wolf came, the more Erika's jaw tensed. Unless she wanted to drop Audrey, possibly into the river, she had no choice but to stand her ground when a cold, wet nose swept up against the back of her hand, and when fleeing the crossing of a line she must have not made clear enough during her time with the pack, she tried her best to cling to the shreds of her tattered dignity by pulling away without yanking. She averted her eyes from Delaney's shifting, still finding it to be something rather personal, similar to the act of changing clothes in a public place.
indentinThe clearing of a throat returned her eyes to him, and she peered down at the hand offered toward Audrey as if it were holding a dead and rotting fish ─ not because of Delaney, she was not bothered by his company more than anyone else's in the pack, perhaps even slightly less thanks to the moment of delusional peace they had shared by the bonfire, but because she was about at her limit of having her personal space clipping into everyone else's. However, it was also an out, a window of opportunity to let loose the instinct she had been harbouring for a while now. Run from this before it has a chance to get too real.

indentinEverything residing within Erika's head earned a swift eviction when Audrey crashed into her, and for a fleeting moment, Erika thought she had managed to catch her, but Audrey kept scrambling toward her in the grips of what could have only been a bout of complete lunacy, and then the soles of her boots lost their grip on the shore. It was the second time within twenty-four hours that she had been bodily tackled, and as she fell toward an inevitable collision that had sick anticipation curling in the pit of her stomach, her mind treated her to flashes of the previous morning.
indentinAll of the hits she had taken, the air driven out of her lungs more than once, the ground sending bolts of pain into her hip, the dislocation of her shoulder. The russet wolf standing above her, poised to put a few holes into her neck. Erika might have been a little more endurable now than she had been as a human, but it did not mean that everyone was within their rights when treating her body in the way of a punching bag, or that all of the bruises and cuts did not hurt just as much.
indentinFreezing water swallowed Erika's body, gripped onto her clothes with a driving force, and she realized at the last minute that she should draw in a breath and hold it. The frigid water lashed up her neck, solidified the air in her lungs. There was a moment where everything slowed, where the current washed over her face and engulfed her, ate the sounds of the world and left only the rushing water, resembling a pounding heartbeat, in her ears, and the sky above had never looked quite as fractured. Had she ever really taken a look at the sky before? It was distorted underwater, swimming in her vision, but it called out to her with a stilling question: What brought you here?
indentinWhile the flowing waters pulled at her, her boots were still caught in the shallows, but her shoulders were sinking toward the deep, and the natural incline of the river from the shore toward the bottom was pushing her head under. A terrifying position to find herself in. Erika kicked out against the shore, into the deeper dark, regained her bearings and planted her boots on the bottom, which allowed her to tear her head out of the water and above the surface with a frantic and ragged inhale. The muffling in her ears lifted and the sounds returned to normal, dominated by the water coursing around her. Audrey could thank her lucky stars that unsuspecting kid Erika had taken the time to learn how to swim.

indentinErika tossed the wet hair from her eyes and pinned her gaze on the culprit soaking in the icy river with her. The numbness spreading into her body had her jaws clenching shut against her will, and where she could not curse, instinct had her flipping Audrey off ─ and frankly, she would have done it either way. A pattern was beginning to emerge in her mind, being thrown around without a care, ending up drenched and shivering, and she was already quite sick of it. Her sense of dignity had been beaten black and blue, bruises on bruises. She considered splashing Audrey in childish retaliation, but the apology gave her pause.
indentinNo one ever apologized to her. No one. Everyone in this forsaken small town had learned a long time ago that they would never hear one out of her mouth and so they would not care to offer one in return. It soothed her anger, but it also startled her, stoked the urge to run, and not because she could feel the hypothermia drilling its way into her bones. The current still tugged at her clothes when she followed after Audrey, hauling what seemed like half the river with her onto the shore. Water sloshed around in her boots and tremors shook her arms as she crouched to attempt untying the laces with stiffening fingers, when fur swept against her chilled skin.
indentinErika went rigid, debated with her own mind over what poor reaction this deserved, to fight against it with an agitated shove or simply flee, but the heat that radiated to her and chased away the wet cold had her relaxing and pressing closer, ever so slightly. She drew in a shuddering breath through her clenched teeth. It was thoroughly humiliating to know that this was unraveling right in front of Delaney, but survival instinct won over and she opted to hide her shame by ducking behind the agouti wolf at her side, all the while muttering inventive curses and warnings about this being something neither of them was ever allowed to mention from between taut jaws. Had this been him instead of Audrey, the woman she seemed to keep letting get away with things, she might have taken to strangling as a way of warming up. What are you doing to me?

indentinFeeling returned to Erika's hands to let her know that some of her body heat had been restored, even with her clothes clinging to her like an icy second skin, and the thought arrived that her aunt's house would be much closer to the mill than the cabin was. Erika reluctantly peeled herself away from her source of warmth, wrapped her own arms around herself and rose up on legs that she was doing her best to keep from trembling. The tables had turned, it seemed. She sought out Delaney with a look that aimed to convey how nothing coming out of her mouth right then would be disputable and a single word about her state would have her doing something very stupid.
inden"Show her back to the cabin, I have a place I can go nearby," she forced through uncooperative lips, leaving out the I'll be fine and don't worry about me, because both might have turned out to be untrue anytime soon. Yet she had always been exceptionally good at lying to herself.

[slaughter beach, dog]

────── 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐃 ── ❞𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐄❞ ── 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐒 ──── ◈ ─── ─ ─
─────────────────────────────────────────────────── 𝙊𝙈𝙀𝙂𝘼 ──── ─ ─

LOCATION; #1 tree ─ TAGGING; Sao, Caster, Heron ─ MENTIONED; Dutch, the whole circus and all of its clowns ─ WC; 1,665

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*


The brown wolf crumpled closer to the ground, ears pressing low along her skull and feet buckling with her tail tucked between them. Winnie took a single perplexed step back, closer to the tree, but she did not have a chance to make up her mind over whether this was genuine fear ─ some sort of unusually averse reaction to the way she communicated ─ or a deceitful play intended to trick her into lowering her guard, before the fawn one she had warned to keep a distance crept closer and into the confined space between them. The bar was low and you brought your silly little shovel, that was not an open invite.
indentinHe was all bristle and audacity, and Winnie drew her lips back, showing him an exhaustive warning: this would be his last chance to turn back. I told you to stay away, now stay away. But he did not stop, and the increasing pressure from each step closer had her winding herself up, tightening her body like a coil, ready to strike the moment he set a paw over the line she had drawn. His bearing merely grew bolder and more aggressive, and Winnie positioned herself taller, nothing but pointed warning creasing her muzzle. Her nails pressed into the soft earth, poised to set her in motion, but she stood stiff and motionless, waiting. Indignation sparked in her chest. Don't ignore me.
indentinIn a blink, the fawn wolf was lunging for her, driving her closer to the tree and further diminishing the scant space she had had left, and with the crossing of this final line, Winnie snapped into action. The tension ruptured and adrenaline burst into her body, sending her heart into a firm hunter's thrum, rapid and steady in her chest. His jaws lashed out and she had no space left to dodge, but she misjudged the movement as aimed for her throat, and her defensive snap missed and caught only air when he aimed lower and clamped his teeth around her leg.

indentinHer balance wavered but she managed to remain upright, and with his scruff left open and undefended, she sank her teeth in with force and outrage. He was a shade larger than she was, which had Winnie throwing her weight behind the bite and driving her back feet down against the turf, and she began levering him toward the ground. Her teeth sank closer to his hide, found a solid grip and came ever nearer to puncturing the surface. The skin of her leg lacerated under his teeth when she tore his grip from it with a forceful twist of her body, but the piercing pain vanished beneath the surge running through her system.
indentinWinnie wrestled him further away, regained space between herself and the tree, but he was writhing, fighting against her and trying to find another hold. Winnie flexed her back and her claws sprayed dirt up into the air as she yanked him again, harder. When his back collided with the ground, the tremor shot down her neck and all the way to her shoulders. Her jaws released their vice grip to let him fall the rest of the way, but she did not waste any time and leave him with an opening to regain his bearings, and instead stepped forward to stand above him and lunged for his throat to prevent him from rising back up.
indentinHe was prodding at her mind, forcefully, but Winnie yielded to her lupine instincts and closed herself off, spitting whatever he was trying to show her away as if it had been dirt in her mouth. Her jaws grew taut and into a strangling grip around his throat, pressed down hard enough to feel the vibrations running through his windpipe. This was not a bite intended to kill, but there would be no doubt that it was aimed to injure, as a reminder to never again break a boundary she had set, because she would not let it happen without putting up a fight.

indentinThe smell of iron had begun to curl up into Winnie's nose when a white and tan shape flashed in her periphery. Her shoulder buckled under a blow that sent out blunt pain, and a grip wrenched at her scruff, which had her body contorting alarmingly due to the hold she kept on the fawn wolf. Winnie released her jaws on instinct and gave in to being thrown away from her quarry, and she finally lost her balance. She attempted to stop her slide along the forest floor by sinking her claws in and tearing jagged grooves in her wake, but it merely swung her around and sent her toppling into a roll.
indentinFor the first time in weeks, Winnie lost her grip on the shape of her wolf and, like grains of fine sand from between her fingers, it slipped away from her in mid-air. She collided gracelessly with the ground, as a tangle of long, foreign limbs and a body that she had forgotten how to control. With no pelt to soften the landing, the shock of the impact rolled through her until it jolted her bones, and the debris of the forest floor grazed stinging scratches into her fragile human skin. Her palms pressed into the dirt, and with shaky arms, she drew herself up to her knees. Long hair, pale enough to be as white as her pelt, fell to obscure her face like a curtain.
indentinNausea and vulnerability prickled up her neck, and she flexed her left hand in the dirt, felt the sticky blood that had trickled between her fingers from the now-throbbing bite on her forearm. Warmth splayed across her skin as it began healing, and she swept at her nose with the back of her uninjured hand. Without getting up, Winnie coerced herself to shift again. An ache raked down her back, vertigo gouged at her insides and her sides shuddered in the rhythm of her heaving breath. A fatigued heat flared under her skin and pushed up against her thick pelt. The blood stained into her snowy fur, dripped between her toes, and the sight fed the adrenaline convulsing in her muscles. She lifted her head to level a frigid stare at the trio clustered several feet away. Morons.

indentinThe tan wolf had retreated to press against the throat of her aggressor, and she must have been laying somewhere in wait, because Winnie had neither seen nor smelled her coming, unlike the others. Is this how travelers are treated in the east? And I thought the hospitality in Oregon was garbage. Winnie lowered her head and raised her tail to flag that she would bite again if they could not keep the distance that had grown between them. She forced herself to move and began prowling a half-moon in the distance, never allowing her eyes to lift from the group whenever she turned into another loop. As much as it tensed the atmosphere, she had become reluctant to remain a sitting duck.
indentinHer hackles spiked in await of another attack, but each time her eyes swept over the tan wolf, she could see the petition in her eyes. Winnie would respect this request to take it no further, but it had been made clear that she could not trust the fawn one at her back to do the same, and she would not leave herself vulnerable to another ambush. I'm not the one who started this. In her opinion, they should have all turned on this man and beat him with a suitable stick as a punishment for his transgressions, but apparently pack bonds meant something, even out here.
indentinThe darkest of the three, the one she had initially communicated with and who had since fallen behind the front the others had set, clambered forth and into the space she had maintained as an insurance. Winnie found herself tensing again and her lips twitched upward to flash the tips of her canines once, then twice. All of this hit a little too close to home, to the memory of the years of tension she had waded through and lived in. The collapse of the pack should have been the end to teeth and claws and petty scraps in her life, but here she was again.

indentinAnother attempt at communication skimmed at her closed-off mind, but it did not have the frantic and wild energy of the message she had deflected earlier. Her legs paused their pacing and, although it was a careful and tentative gesture, she lowered her walls to see what she had to say. There was a brief surge of darkness and garbled jolts dancing behind her ears, but then a reflection of fingers that felt familiar combing through fur. The images were infused with Dutch's scent, and it brought longing, the misery of a wolf kept apart from family for far too long, but on its heels chased hope and excitement. He was alive and he was here.
indentinWinnie's tail swayed behind her, found a hesitant rhythm, and she allowed her hackles to settle. He is alive, and they know him. She had not traveled all the way from Oregon for nothing. The temper set off by the confrontation faded away and became replaced by impatience, an urgent need to see him, because she had traveled days for this, worn out the skin of her paws on endless roads and slept under strange skies. Her eyes shifted to the tan wolf still pressing against the donkey's neck. One of them had temporarily lost her marbles when she had attempted to communicate, and another was someone she did not want in her head. Only one option left.
indentinShe sought out the third mind, the sneaky one, and showed her Dutch, but this time it was insistent, demanding. Winnie had entered this territory in search of him, and she would not give up this close without seeing him. Take me to him.