OOC Never fear, Auggie's here! xD

Word Count → 787

The first light had not even graced the world when the black and white hued Epsilon rose to greet the day. He was careful, as always, not to disturb his pack mates as they slumbered and soon exited the yawning mouth of the communal den. He inhaled a deep gust of the chilly winter air and saw immediately to his duty. Strolling in an easy gate towards the west he stopped himself at a brisk stream and drank deeply to build his reserve. When he was finished his belly was swollen with water and he was licking the straying drops from his black lips. He was off in a moment, a flash of black and white headed for the borders as he did every morning. It gave him a sense of purpose to do so, made him feel that he was a valuable member to his new pack, and family. He would defend them from any danger that came to call, no matter how great or small the threat, he was the one to deal with it. It was one of his duties now, no longer just an idle pastime.

When the scent barrier reached his nostrils he lowered his head and trotted along the line, careful to note where the scent was faintest. When he found a patch of dwindling strength he would pause and spray a couple drops until his scent rang clear, a warning to all. This was his task, as the task of his superiors, and he would see it done. His eyes often strayed to the land beyond, to ensure that there were no wolves or other, less welcome entities seeking to enter without permission, or wishing for an audience with the wolves within. There were none that he could see to stop his progress until he reached the woods. A fresh scent was scattered amongst the foliage, leading him on a wandering path towards the border, and beyond.

It was an aimless course, but recent. Whoever had been here they must have been chasing something or someone. He saw no hint of a hunt, no scattered fur or carcass and he traveled on, more urgently than before. His paws soon led him to his quarry and he heard voices, one familiar, and one hardly more than a squeak. There was another scent here, which he soon realized as Terra, recognition shown in his yellow and green flecked gaze and he caught her in his sights, but there was something else. Amongst her usual aroma was a sweet, inviting smell, and he took a greater whiff, feeling something stir within him. He froze, it wasn’t until he spotted the small reddish pup cowering not a foot from him that he snapped out of it.

He shook his head violently and sniffed at the little creature, thankful that he hadn’t stumbled into her. Her scent sang of New Dawn, and he realized that this must have been the pup that the pack Delta, Deuce, had taken in. What was she doing out here? And how could Deuce have let her out of her sight? He was a little annoyed that it was now up to him to recover the whelp and return her to the den. He was an Epsilon, now, a warrior, and defender of the pack, a master of the hunt. Deuce should have taken better care of her. But he found he could not blame the old woman. He remembered how unruly he had been when he had been this young, but still, this was not his job, and he would have to recount this occurrence to Deuce, and pray it did not happen again.

He eyed Terra a moment, then, before returning to Holly. This reunion could wait, he needed to see to the whelp. He came up slowly behind the pup to stand over her. His eyes observed her carefully, noting whether or not she was injured. She wasn’t and a feeling of relief washed over him. “Whelp.” He called out to her in his low, gruff voice. “You should not be here.” He did not mean to appear so frightening, but the pup was in need of discipline, and unfortunately, he was the only one here that could do so.

When he saw Terra move to reach for the pup an instinctive growl rumbled low in his throat, and he raised his tail, though lowered his head over the pup.“Leave her to me.” He cautioned, oblivious to any bond of friendship at this point. He could not permit Terra to cross the border, for he still had superiors to answer to and they would not be pleased if he let a coyote mix into their midst.

OOC I seem to be in excess of muse, don't feel obligated to read the whole thing.

Word Count → 808

The pup was cowering and stank of her fear. Augustus noted that, but was relieved to some extent that she had found Terra first, not someone less friendly. With Inferni so close it was crucial to keep well within the borders, especially a pup. He gazed down at her auburn frame with his paws on either side of her, acting on instinct. It was a new feeling for Augustus. He had risen to the task of protecting Titania when they met the stranger, his new brother, Jiva, but this. This was different. This was no full grown wolf, capable of defending itself, this was nothing more than a child, and a young one at that, prey to some creatures. And her delicate little life was in his paws. The compelling urge to lick the young ones face and body washed over him and he found himself bathing her with his warm tongue, comforting her in one of the few ways he knew how. After all words were wind, and puppies needed more physical reassurances than an adult wolf.

His ears twitched to Terra’s angry words, how could he have forgotten her, and why was she so angry with him? He was only doing his duty, how could she not understand that? She was half a coyote, and although the other half was wolf it still remained a large part of her being. Zalen had been clear enough how he felt about them, and he was his superior, his alpha it as not within him to question that authority. There was nothing he had done to tarnish his reputation in Augustus’s eyes and he followed his will obediently. Even now as he stood over the pup he’d learn to call Holly. Terra’s scent would be on her fur, no doubt, and he didn’t want the fact to be noticed, or worse, held against Deuce. He did not doubt that Zalen would deal with her justly, but still, pups were born to wander, and Deuce had been nothing but gracious and kind to him.

“No, I don’t.” He replied with an echoing snarl, nothing more than a return for the one she’d given him. He truly did not believe the girl capable of harm, but there were larger things at play here, she had to understand, and if she didn’t he’d be forced to make her. He bared his teeth when she reached out to the pup and nudged her towards him. Was he not clear the first time? “Don’t touch her.” He warned, there was no snarl this time, but his teeth remained a line of pale daggers between them. He watched her every move as she turned away, keeping his head just above the pup’s body. His lips hid his fangs from sight for the moments that followed, but his tail was still high above his back. He was more than just a subordinate now, and here, the border was not far from them. He had all right to display his dominance, but hoped that she did not take it to heart. These were the ways of the wolf in ancient days, a way of life New Dawn was striving to return to. It came more naturally to him than others, he’d lived this way even after the virus swept across the world consuming man kind with it.

His eyes regarded Terra carefully, gaging her reactions. For the first time there was anger in her eyes, but he felt it could not be helped. His family came first, and although her safety was not at issue, their integrity was. With a nudge to the pup he stepped around her to approach Terra. Once within a mere foot of the coy wolf he spoke, “Terra.” He addressed her, calm and quiet. “There are greater things here than you and me.” He started to explain, his eyes peering into her own, trying to read them. “And I know you were trying to help, but she’s not your concern. I will see her back to the den and sort this out, and you cannot come with me.” His gaze turned to the pup for a moment before returning to her. “Things are different here than in the Court, and I have to ask you to stay away. We have no love of coyotes, and I’m afraid that your presence here does more harm than good.” He paused a moment, “I-I’m sorry I just hope that one day you’ll understand.” It was all he could do to stop this from happening again, and although it hurt him to say it just as much as it did for her to hear it, he was firm in his beliefs, and knew this was the way it had to be. When left with the choice between family and friendship, he would choose family every time.

OOC Sorry for the shortness, can't focus today.

Word Count → 266

He watched her carefully, noting the tension in her stance, and replying with his own stiff-legged posture. If she tried anything, he’d be ready for it. Instead, she quickly relaxed and cocked her head at him, but then things turned for the worse. She lowered herself, not in submission but in shame and his eyes sought her own desperately. He was failing, her bitter words echoing in his head. That wasn’t what he meant at all. He wasn’t turning against her, he was just warning her, for her own sake. If Zalen had been here, things might have been far worse. Couldn’t she see, he was protecting her! He was at a loss, standing there, jaw dropping to gape at her as he struggled for words. He didn’t see how he could make her understand. When she turned to address the puppy he stood stiff as a board, gazing at the small creature, then back to Terra. She caught his eye then. He closed his jaws and nodded solemnly.

He strode back to the puppy, standing tall despite how he felt inside. It had all been in vain, and he couldn’t help but feel that he’d made an enemy this day. ’Join the club.’ He thought bitterly, anger rising within him for a moment, before he forcibly calmed himself in the puppy’s sight. “Let’s get you back to Deuce.” He said gruffly, lowering his muzzle to grab at her scruff. With the pup safely in his jaws he gazed back at Terra. He suppressed a whine, and soon found himself redirecting his eyes towards the border.

OOC

Word Count → 383

It was a steely, robotic movement when he turned his back on Terra, but he felt there was nothing more he could do. With the pup safely in his jaws he walked slower than he would have normally, to make the ride smoother for the little one. He was soon greeted by the scents of the border, Zalen, Titania, Soran, each whispered and he let it cross beneath his paws without another thought. When they were safely within New Dawn he turned his head to look back, just in case Terra had chosen to follow after all. He saw and smelled nothing and were the pup not in his mouth he would have sighed. Instead he halted and lowered the whelp gently to the ground, releasing his grip on her scruff. Once she was safely grounded again he turned his yellow eyes on her, trying to keep his thoughts at bay. He bent his attentions to the task at hand, his jaws opening once, but closing again as he sought the words to say.

“What is your name?” He asked first, wanting to know just who it was he was scolding, and hoping to put a face to the name to avoid confusion with Deuce when he let her know of her ward’s misbehavior. He paused a moment, gazing at her all the while, waiting for her answer. He raised his tail and ears, towering over her. “You should not be wandering like you did. You could get killed, do you know how close we are to the coyotes!?” His voice was all a growl as he scolded the little girl. He didn’t know just how much she would understand, but he continued on, regardless, hoping some words would hit home and the pup would realize her mistake. Not only that he feared for her safety, if another had found her, she may very well have been nothing but a pile of bones. “You do not leave the Den unless Deuce is with you…Do you understand?” He was all in a huff, now, and said nothing more, not knowing what it was he could say. His eyes turned towards the den, praying for some sign of the white female, but he found none and he gazed helplessly at the auburn whelp before him.

OOC

Word Count → 395

His eyes were on the pup, searching for any glimpse of understanding. Her name was Holly he found out and he nodded slightly. Good. He’d be spared the embarrassment of simply calling her ‘the whelp.’ The man wasn’t well versed in pup-rearing and let his gaze wander awkwardly. She cowered beneath him and he aimed a rough nudge at her. She twitched strangely and he gazed at her quizzically. He watched her hang her head and his brows furrowed notably. "No, no…It’s okay…Just…don’t do it again.” He offered hastily. She looked a sad little thing and he started to panic. His pleading eyes beseeched the den entrance, looking for somebody anybody to take the pup from him, deal with her in the proper way. He feared he’d gone to far. “Cheer up, okay.” He urged forcing an awkward half-smile onto his muzzle, hoping to lighten her mood.

He felt ridiculous, and no doubt, looked it too. To prevent further awkwardness his tongue lashed out suddenly towards her scruff and he attempted to bathe her, hoping she’d draw comfort from this action. His tongue flicked slowly down her back, and he was soon attempting to roll her over to get at her soft belly. It wasn’t a tender touch, but it wasn’t rough either. He sat on his haunches when it was done and gave her a good long sniff. There was the subtlest hint of Terra’s scent, but Augustus was sure that it would go unnoticed. He lifted a paw to his muzzle to wipe away a puff of creamy fur from her belly. He sighed finally as his gaze twitched towards the borders. Oh he was so behind. Were the circumstances any different he would have finished patrolling by now and still had time to stop by Avalon and keep watch over his favorite herd. There was no helping it now and he returned his gaze to stare at the whelp in full. “Be thankful, I’m taking you back to Deuce. If I catch you again, I’ll take you right to Zalen. Do you understand?” His voice was gentler now, if not a little restless. “Off you go now.” He said as he aimed a nudge at her, indicating the den before them. “Holly.” He called shortly after. “Be a good girl, okay?” He waited for her to start towards the den before following.