01-30-2008, 12:29 PM
[html] http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/k ... efinal.png);background-repeat: no-repeat; padding-bottom:140px; background-position: bottom center;">
[/html]
The last time he had seen a cougar, he had been a lot smaller… so this one didn’t seem as big as he remembered them. And yet, it looked no less menacing. Perhaps more, considering that it had seriously injured a member of Storm. Phoenix didn’t know who, but that wasn’t important. This thing was a menace to his pack, his family, and his alpha had called on him to help eliminate the threat. Phoenix was nervous but determined to do what needed to be done. He had his doubts, killing a fellow hunter, but this thing had started it and they couldn’t’ be blamed for defending themselves. He didn’t really notice who made the first move—Gibraltar or the cougar—but once the battle was engaged Phoenix forced down any doubt he had and leapts onto its back, doing his best to cause it pain and keep it off-balance so it didn’t injure Gibraltar as he moved in for the killing blow. ***
Nervously Phoenix pulled a few select pillows from his own personal stash and set them aside for his new roommate to use. He sat down, searching Achilles for a positive reaction to his new den. The poor three-legged puppy didn’t seem to know what to make of the whole situation, but Phoenix wanted his new charge to feel right at home. Granted, it wasn’t much, but the Wahrer could easily expand it whenever they needed it. Besides, this was just until the pup got on his own feet—no pun intended—and settled into the role of a full-fledged member of the pack. As nervous as he was, he was also energized—he loved pups, and he loved helping others. Perhaps he had finally found his own niche… He would have to talk to Gibraltar again the next time they ran into each other and ask to be made the pack’s official aufpasser. ***
Who was he? Was he Phoenix, an orphan taken in b Storm, or was he Nirupama Hale, member of Jaded Shadows and son of the valley’s most feared and hated criminal? He was drowning in both identities as he searched the eyes of the other wolf—Hale of Phoenix, he wasn’t sure—and looked into his very soul. The brunneous wolf didn’t know how, but somehow his mind had reached into the other’s and merged with it. And… it hurt, too. Both were frightened senseless, but too overwhelmed, disoriented, and caught off-balance to do anything. It took all of the brunneous wolf’s force of will to recall who he was—Phoenix! I’m Phoenix!—and force himself back onto his legs. Both ran as soon as they could back to their homes, the connection finally being torn by distance. As soon as he was himself again, Phoenix gradually slowed down and sat under a tree, near tears. What had he done? What was he… becoming? |