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Word Count :: 449
Dated April 1st
If someone just looked at Kaira, they wouldn't have known that she gave birth to three puppies less than a week ago. She had managed to stay active and fit during most of her term, and with the help of the pack she had received enough to feed both herself and her puppies. The puppies were only sick days old and were still suckling, so her teats were much larger than normal. Kiara laid with her beloved children and sung them gently to sleep. Their eyes were still closed, but they had grown so much since their birth. Instinct told the young mother to remain in her den and watch after them. But Kiara had no mate, and she needed to stop relying on the pack to provide her meals.
The arctic female stood with the utmost care and gently wrapped the free deer skin around her children. Her chest tightened as she stared at them, the prospect of leaving just to painful for her to bear. She bent down and gently nuzzled her son's head, before finally taking off. Once Kiara had cleared the den, she made a mad dash towards the mountains. She wanted to hunt quickly and return to her den even quicker. They were so young and dependent on her, so she trusted no one else but herself to take care of them. They were her pride and joy, and she would try to see them all to adulthood.
Her mind was set on game, something large enough to last for several days. The advantage that the arctic wolf had during the winter months had completely vanished. Her stark white coat was difficult to hide in the bush, but she tried the tactic all the same. Kiara crept through the blooming underbrush till she came across a herd of deer. She hadn't been there stalking the herd for more than a minute when she was spotted by a young doe. The alarmed calls of the deer sounded through the forest and the entire herd took off. Kiara surged forward, her lean muscles working in perfect harmony to propel her through the mountains and past the Ichikan boarder in pursuit of her prey.
After chasing the deer for several minutes, Kiara was forced to resign. All of the individuals in the herd were healthy, not a single one even slightly injured. Most healthy prey could outrun a lupus wolf with no problem, so chasing after prey that could easily outdistance her was futile. She would need her energy to take down the sick and wounded. Kiara stood panting for a minute to reclaim her lost energy before she set out again in search of easier targets.
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Tharin had been watching a herd of deer, noting it's place so that he could come down and hunt from there when deer got sick or injured. It was an old habit, useless without others to hunt with and a pack to care for. The hunter still made sure he memorized every detail of it, until a white wolf broke through. Standing up he watched in surprise as she chased them, fruitlessly trying to take them down. If she'd taken a little more care instead of acting so rushed she would have realized that they were too healthy for a lone wolf to take down on his own.
Trotting down from his position Tharin moved so he was upwind of her, her scent blowing down to where Kiara was. That would let her know he was there, and keep her from being surprised. Trotting over Tharin wagged his tail. He hadn't seen many others during his time of solitude. It seemed he'd reached an area with a fair number here. Perhaps there was even a pack he could join. Tough luck hunting on your own? I could help with that. I'm a pretty skilled hunter where I come from. Tharin puffed his chest out, confidant and dominant in his actions before the scent of pups reached him.
A mother? His eyes widened as he turned to look at her again. She was a beautiful snow white creature, thin and gorgeous. Only her scent gave away the fact that she just had pups. Why was she out on her own hunting? Had the pups died? Grown sick? Where was her mate? Sorry, don't mean to intrude. Hastily Tharin backed away, now very unsure of what to do.
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Word Count :: 383
OOC
Sapphire eyes watched as the bounding forms of the deer took off into the distance. Her form was solemn and showed no sign of her usual good mood. She needed to hunt and get back quickly. Every moment that she was away from her den made her uneasy and worried. Her babies were alone, with no one to protect them. Yet the failed hunt only increased her time away from the puppies. With a soft sigh, Kiara started off in another direction. Her nose was high in the air and her ears swiveled from side to side as she searched for any hint that would lead her to prey.
The young mother was so focused on her task that she didn't notice the stranger who passed by her. However, it didn't take long for the arctic wolf to notice him when the scent of a loner wafted down to her. Kiara's snowy ears flicked back as she lowered her muzzle. Soon, the silver form of a much larger male appeared with a wagging tail and a smile. He was a handsome wolf, and the specks of black and patches of red gave his beautiful silver coat just the right amount of color. Like Kiara, he was slim and fit like a seasoned hunter. Kiara had always loved meeting new people, and even with her strong desire to continue on she couldn't help but smile. Her own fluffy tail began to wag back and forth as her teeth flashed in a polite smile.
When the strange male offered to lend her assistance, Kiara couldn't be happier. That was what she needed. A strong and sturdy male to help her raise the puppies. His dominance was met with a happy, but submissive, reaction from Kiara. Her tail wagged low and she lowered herself just enough to show submission. "Thank you! I could really use the help." Suddenly, a shocked expression formed on the stranger's face and he backed away while apologizing. Kiara cocked her head to the side and wondered what he could possibly be so concerned about. It took the white feme a minute to realize what his problem was. Embarrassed, she looked away. "N...No, that's alright. Your not intruding. I really could use the help, and I'm in a rush to get back..."
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The wolf's immediate submission bolstered Tharin's confidence slightly, despite the fact that he was obviously out of place. He didn't have his own mate, despite the fact that he was old enough to have one, and was on his own. He ought to be looking for a mate, really. Instead he was wandering around, with no goal or purpose in his movements, still struggling to recover from his failure at protecting Akira. She seemed happy enough for his help, despite the fact that they were strangers. He wondered if her mate would mind if he did.
The idea that her mate might have left her to raise the pups on her own didn't even occur to him. A sympathetic whine slipped from him at her embarrassment. Hearing that she was in a rush to get back he nodded. So the pups were alive. Why was she out here then? Was her mate watching the pups while she got food for herself? Well, as long as he was able to help her it would be just fine. Lifting his head Tharin looked around, scenting the air for prey. The deer were long gone, but that herd wasn't good for them to hunt from anyways. His tail twitched, asking her to follow as he silently moved to higher grounds to get a better scope of the area.
From there the scent of a herd of goats reached him. That would make a decent meal. Carefully he picked his way around, moving so they were in view. There was a kid, frolicking a short distance off, but it was a very fat old ram that caught his attention. The wool was patchy with age, the body thick and heavy. By the smell it wasn't so close to death that the meat would be hardened, making it a juicy meal for them to eat. Turning he smiled to Kiara, indicating towards the target. Dropping down he moved so they could work together killing it.
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Word Count :: 348
OOC
This was how wolf interactions should be. One wolf showed dominance while the other submitted. It created a clear pecking order and allowed for meetings to run smoothly. The ways of the luperci practically eliminated such important social interactions, which made Kiara feel a little awkward in her interactions with them. Luckily, the arctic female was instinctually submissive.
A sympathetic whine emerged from the silver male, and Kiara looked back up. Her tail wagged a little and she smiled. He didn't ask any questions, although they burned in his amber eyes. The alabaster wolf was grateful for his silence and understanding nod. It didn't take long for the male to enter into hunting mode and Kiara followed his lead. She too raised her snout and once again searched the air for any sign of prey. The scent of deer filled her nostrils, but Kiara ignored them. They were too healthy to take down.
The strange male signaled Kiara with a flick of his tail and she fell in step behind him. Her paws moved gracefully and silently over the landscape. Together they climbed the mountain until the land stretched out on both sides. Kiara's body was alert and her mind worked ferociously to pick up every last, little detail. Soon the scent of mountain goats floated past the pair of wolves and a hungry grin passed over the white wolf's delicate features.
With practiced steps, the huntress followed her companion until the goats came into view. Sapphire eyes scanned the tribe, looking for any vulnerable individuals. There were several kids, but one in particular stood out because of its antics. The kid was frolicking dangerously far from the adults and Kiara zoned in on it. However, her hunting partner had other plans. He quietly motioned to another goat and Kiara followed his gaze. It was fat and old, a perfect target and a great meal. The huntress licked her lips and drew closer to the ground. Her muscles tensed and her eyes blazed with excitement. Again, Kiara moved in step with the male and waited for his signal.
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Tharin moved, careful to keep his scent downwind from the selected target. Carefully he worked on moving so he was between the ram and the rest of the herd. His presence was scent by the goats, several startling and working their way off, the kid that had been a distance off running to it's mother. The old one couldn't move fast enough though, and found it's way blocked by a very hungry, very determined wolf. Fangs bared he growled low at it, pacing forwards. The ram backed up, head swinging as it looked for another way to escape.
Without pausing Tharin crouched down. Springing he twisted his body, dodging the large horns that tried to gouge him. His teeth set into it's nose, blocking off the airway. The ram shook it's head violently, working to knock the wolf off. Growling he kept his grip in, waiting for Kiara to join in, helping him take it down. He might be a good hunter, but taking down large prey on his own was a challenge, and not one that he could do without getting injured. With no pack to back him up it was far too dangerous to let happen.
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Word Count :: 376
OOC
The presence of two predators startled the tribe of goats. Many began to wander off and all eyes were on the pair of wolves. Kiara relaxed her demeanor and moved at an easy pace alongside her hunting partner. Although her eyes glistened with hunger, she made sure not to let the rest of her body give away her thoughts. It was one of the few times that Kiara was not an open book. Upon spotting them, the once frolicking kid bolted back to it's mother and bleated in fear. Kaira smiled briefly before returning her focus back to the task at hand. She needed the hunt to succeed, she had three extremely young children to feed.
Their prey, an aging and fat ram, was successfully cut off from the rest of the herd. To it's credit, it tried to discourage the wolves by swinging it's large set of horns around. Kiara immediately switched to her more aggressive hunting mode and joined in with the growling. Her black lips pulled back to reveal fierce fangs and she swiftly moved to the other side to the ram to cut off it's escape rout. Her lithe body worked flawlessly despite her extensive scars. She was fit and would soon resume her defense training.
The arctic female watched as the loner lunged at their prey and sank his teeth into the ram's nose. It was an impressive stunt, even by Kiara's standards. Eager to join in, the arctic wolf lunged at the ram and sank her teeth into it's backside. The ram had decided to focus on the more immediate threat and tried to shake the male off it's mouth and nose. One lucky thing about her being an arctic wolf, was her bulky body. She quickly positioned herself so that she hung off of the ram's left side, and it's hindquarters went down for a moment. Kiara held on until the left leg was brought up to kick her with sharpened hooves.
Rams were not the biggest prey out there, but they could be incredibly dangerous. As the goat's hind leg was brought up, the white mother was forced off. She couldn't afford to get hurt. Kiara growled, her white teeth bared, and she charged in for another attack.
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The ram shook it's head, Tharin's teeth sinking in deeper. Eventually he'd have to let go, getting out of the way of the striking hooves, but he could hold on for now. A white blur moved as the mother joined in, tugging on the ram's back. The ram struggled against the two lithe hunters, both fit and more than ready to hunt down the aging prey. The leg tore, the breathing struggling as it sank down, kicking out fruitlessly. It made it so much easier for Tharin to keep himself attached to the sheep, legs kicking out uselessly. A strike moved for the white wolf, Tharin leaping in and breaking the leg that would have injured his partner.
The ram kicked up as she charged back in, Tharin's grip released. He leaped clear of the old creature, watching it's labored breath. Blood poured down as it managed to stand, head swinging again. Leaping back in Tharin grabbed the neck, doing his best to drag it down. Blood covered him at this point, mixing with his already red tipped fur, turning him a crimson color, eyes glowing with hunger. This wouldn't last much longer now. The kicks were weakening, age and the struggle to breath catching up with it. It had lived a good life, but now it was their prey, to feast on and feed the pups that were waiting. Tharin forgot they weren't pack, were strangers, reliving the hunts with his pack where they worked to protect the new life that lived with them.
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Word Count :: 322
Sorry for the wait
The retaliation from the ram forced Kiara to back off, but her larger companion fought back and broke the infuriating leg that threatened to maim the arctic female. Kiara smiled and growled as she charged in again, her teeth successfully grabbing onto the goat as it reared and threw her hunting companion off. In order to keep steady, the young mother planted her hind legs on the ground while her fore paws dug into the rams side. Her ears laid back against her head as she worked to hold onto the struggling creature.
Fighting off two wolves proved to be too much for the aging ungulate and it slowly went down. Once again, the male leapt back into the fray and both wolves worked to bring their prey to the earth. This time, rather than push, Kiara pulled at her end and the wounded creature could do little to fight her off. Together, they managed to topple the beast, which soon drew it's last breath. Kiara reluctantly let go of her portion, her sides heaving and her pink tongue hanging out between bloody teeth. Blood pounded in her ears as the remaining adrenaline rushed through her system. A satisfied smile crossed her maw before she raised it high in the air to announce her triumph. The arctic wolf's voice rose to the heavens and scared the remaining goats speechless. The few that had remained to watch their comrade's last moments had decided to leave the hungry wolves to their meal.
Finally, Kiara couldn't wait any longer. She dug into the meat savagely and focused on eating enough for herself and her growing pups. Although normally submissive, Kiara would not bow down when it came to them. She would fight for the best bits of meat and would eat until she was full. Her children had become her life, and she would topple mountains to make sure they were safe, happy, and healthy.
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Tharin stood still for a moment, making sure that it was truly dead. Silence filled the air as they examined the meal that would now feed the pups. At the white wolf's howl Tharin lifted his own head, his voice calling far through the air. They had done well, taking down food that would feed her and her pups well. Tharin backed off slightly, taking on the position of a guardian as the hungry mother dug in. As always, pups came first. She had pups to care for, and would be allowed the best of the meat. Tharin wouldn't fight her for that. He made sure nothing came too close, eyes out for scavengers that might show too keen an interest in the meal.
Once he was satisfied that she'd eaten enough Tharin came over. He looked around, checking to see if Kiara had missed anything that he could give to her. Satisfied that the wolf would do well for a while Tharin dug in himself, taking enough of the meat to last him a few days without needing to eat again. Licking his lips he turned to the white wolf, realizing he didn't even know her name. Laying down he looked over to her, ears and tail still alert. A little late for introductions, but my name's Tharin. Could I learn yours? It was a shame she already had a mate, but simply helping her had been enough to lift his spirits.
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Word Count :: 375
Sorry for the wait
Kiara's dominance and greed went uncontested as she dug into the best bits of meat. Occasionally she would stop and glance over at her companion who had stepped back to give her full access. He was a much larger canine, and he was quiet handsome on top of that. One thing that really peaked her curiosity was his form. She didn't often see the luperci in the lupus form, so it was kind of refreshing. Kiara didn't mind the luperci, all of her friends were shifters. Yet, she sometimes missed being around the uninfected. They were bound to a single form, which made talking to them a lot easier because she didn't have to crane her head so much.
When it was the silver male's turn to dig in, Kiara plopped herself down on the ground to clean her coat. Diligently her tongue moved to return her fur back to it's sparking white. Occasionally she would pluck off a clump of winter fur that she had shed. Spring was in full force and the shedding season had begun. While she waited, Kiara too played guard dog and chased off any scavengers who tried to take a bite out of their meal. One particularly stubborn crow had some of it's tail feathers removed. After that, the other carrions made sure to stay well away from the new mother. The arctic wolf had never liked birds, and their extreme caution around her made her smirk. Eventually, the male was also done eating and introductions began. Kiara smiled and let her tail thump lazily against the ground. "I guess it is. Kiara Amarok of Ichika."
Sapphire orbs looked acros the horizon towards her home land. Kiara was enjoying Tharin's company, but she was anxious to return to her den. With no mate to help her, she was more than worried for their safety. They were alone, and were growing cold. They needed to be fed and watched after. Predators could harm her children, overexcited pack members might injure them. There was a myriad of dangers waiting for them, but it had been a while since she had met someone new.
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Ichika? He didn't know that pack. Well, he didn't really know any of the packs, just that it was probably close by. Her name was beautiful, and suited her quite nicely. Again he had to remind himself that she had pups, and probably a mate, waiting for her in her pack. The glance back only confirmed that thought. There was a gap between them that couldn't be closed, no matter how much Tharin wanted it to. Well, he had done what he'd wanted to do. He'd helped her hunt, and now the pups wouldn't starve, and neither would their beautiful mother. He really had to stop thinking like that.
Kiara. It's a beautiful name. He managed to stop himself from saying that a beautiful name was well suited for a beautiful wolf, knowing that the thought was wrong. He was simply a little stir crazy from having spent so much time alone. It made him a lot more boisterous than he should have been. I can walk back to your pack with you, you know. You probably want to return to your mate and pups. The words hung heavily in the air, and Tharin wished he could take them back, even if they were true. He wanted to spend more time with her, but the pups were more important.
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Word Count :: 303
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Even after being with another male and having a litter of her own, she was not immune to the charms of a male. His complement was flattering and Kiara looked down in embarrassment. Shyly her eyes flicked upwards and she imagined what it would be like to have a good mate to help her out. For just a brief moment she envisioned Tharin in the position and relished the fantasy. But life was cruel and she had no mate to help her raise her puppies. Reluctantly Kiara flashed a smile and said, "Thanks."
His offer to turn back was like a blessing from the Great Goddess. The young mother was more than eager to return and she gratefully accepted his offer. "Thank you. I would love the company and I really do need to get back to my puppies and..." She almost said it. Her mate had disappeared on her and she had no way to find him. White ears drooped as reality hit her all over again. "I need to get back to my puppies. I can't stand the thought of them being alone any longer."
Before departing, Kiara turned back to the carcass. There were still several sections of meat that remained and the arctic wolf thought of the luperci practices. Many took meat with them, and it was common for them to dry the meat or to cook it. If Kiara had hands, she could have easily transported the last bits of food back to her den. That way she wouldn't have to hunt the next day and possibly the day after that. Kiara sighed and remarked under her breath, "Makes me wish I could shift." Although she had once completely rejected the idea, she could have used the aid of two other forms to help her raise the puppies.
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His tail wagged softly. Kiara seemed glad for the company. That was good. He couldn't do much, pushing away what he kept thinking of her to focus on her pups and how she needed to get back to her pack. The white wolf drooped down just as she was about to say mate though. Had he hurt her? Tharin moved over, immediately worried. It was silly, but he didn't like the idea of her mate being rough with her. Tharin knew it happened sometimes, that some males would even kill pups to continue sleeping with their mate. Her words were different though, admitting that the pups were alone.
There was no mate. Tharin couldn't believe it. Even worse, his first thought was how lucky that was. How could he even think of such a thing when she clearly needed a mate to help her care for her puppies? It suddenly got a lot more serious, the need to return to the pack much more severe. His ears twitched at her words, just barely caught. You're not a two legger? Tharin did his best to sound casual talking about the strange new form some wolves could take on, still working on adjusting to the idea. Stepping over to the meat he studied it. I could probably help drag it so it's closer. They wouldn't get far, but at least that way she wouldn't have to leave her pups to hunt again. If necessary, he could get something for her. No, that was wrong. He couldn't do that. She probably wouldn't like that.
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OOC
As an arctic wolf, she was built a little hardier than most canines. Because she was used to the harsh climate of the Canadian tundra her strength and stamina were somewhat higher than most wolves her size. She could run farther and go without food for a longer period of time. However, Kiara was uncertain of how far apart she would be able to space her meals when she had to feed three infant puppies. Could she afford to go two days without food? A week? Although it wasn't much, there was still a good leg that could feed Kiara for another day. She wouldn't have to go out hunting. But that would also mean her jaws would be tied up and the conversation between her new found hunting partner would be gone.
Ears twitched high on Tharin's head as he caught the white wolf's mumbled words. His question made Kiara's ears prick as well. "Two legger," a phrase only the uninfected would use. Kiara turned her sapphire eyes and stared into Tharin's warm, amber orbs. "No, I'm not. I was born high in the arctic, there were no luperci there. Your not...are you?" The white wolf's eyes sparkled, suddenly a whole new door had opened up for her. If he could just stay uninfected, Kiara could seek him out when the puppies had grown. She would never let a stranger near her children. Heck, she wouldn't even let her friends near them. But, perhaps when they were older...
Kiara quickly shook her thread to clear the thoughts from her mind. The young mother needed to focus on the task at hand. Tharin had offered to help drag the corpse closer, but it wouldn't matter much if the scavengers ate the rest of the meat. Kiara approached it, observing the remains. "This leg is really the only thing left. If we could just get it back to my den then the next few days will become that much easier." For several moments, she debated whether or not to take Tharin up on his offer. Finally, she decided and began to work on separating the leg. After several hard yanks she managed to separate the limb and staggered backwards as it went flying up. A foolish smile crossed her filled jaws and her tail wagged high in the air. Kiara turned and jovially let out her wolfish bark, almost like she was showing her prize off.
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She was not infected! That was marvelous! She was the first wolf without the virus that he'd met in this land. His tail wagged like crazy, delighted to find another like himself. It was awfully strange here, and meeting someone that could understand that helped him cope with it just a little bit more. If she could adapt to the strangeness, so could he. No, I'm a normal wolf. I didn't get the virus, luckily. Didn't even know about it until I came here. It's...very strange. Hopefully she wouldn't think less of him for being nervous around the luperci. It was hard for him to adapt to.
The leg was torn off, and Tharin trotted over happily. Her happy manner was contagious, tail wagging with joy. He nuzzled her before bounding off to where the leg had landed. Grabbing it he shook it in his mouth, tail wagging brightly. It was good that he was full, or the leg would be in danger of being eaten. Returning to Kiara's side he nuzzled her, mouth full. Indicating with his head he pointed for her to guide him to where her den was. They had the food, now they just had to return. And Tharin would have to keep himself from thinking that he could take her as a mate.
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Word Count :: 321
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Normal, it was a term Kiara had stopped using to describe herself months ago. Normal in the arctic was strange and unusual in Nova Scotia. In the world of the shifters, normal was walking on two legs and living in a house. Kiara had come to accept that reality, even if she sometimes felt uncomfortable because of it. Even so, her tail wagged happily and here smile was bright and cheery. To meet another wolf like her, it had been so long. The arctic female laughed a little at his comment. The luperci were strange, weren't they? "Your going to quickly find out that normal here isn't what you think it is. Your the first uninfected wolf I have seen in two months. Although I understand how you feel. Don't worry the luperci are nice...well, most of them." Kiara couldn't help but think of Amy and Rojo...and Noah for that matter. It took all of her self control not to shudder.
When Tharin nuzzled her gently, Kiara was immediate in her response. Her black nose pressed against his cheek and a happy whine emerged. For one reason or another, she didn't find the contact weird or strange. He wasn't a member for her pack, he wasn't her family. He was a total stranger, yet she found herself reacting to his contact positively. Kiara needed to get out more often. One the silver male had retrieved her precious meat he returned to her side and they nuzzled each other again. Once promoted, Kiara quickly took the lead. They weren't far from her den, but it would still be a good long walk. Kiara trotted happily through the mountain until she reached the boarder of Ichika. The white wolf paused and turned to look at her companion. Visitors in Ichika were allowed in so long as they were escorted, but Kiara knew it could be a little intimidating to enter into claimed territory.
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Kiara remained bright and cheerful despite his embarrassing admission. Her promise that he'd get used to it was good. It would be horrible if he couldn't find some way to adapt. Not to mention that lack might kill him. If a wolf couldn't adapt to a circumstance there was a good chance he would die. Hearing that he was the first she'd seen in a couple months was a little worrisome, since he knew there were lots of packs in the area from his investigation. The luperci must live all over, spreading the virus. He wondered how many uninfected there were still alive beyond his own pack, and this female before him. No, he couldn't think like that. Surely there were plenty more. He was just living in a strange area.
Assured that they were friendly creatures he smiled cockily at her. He wouldn't let himself be intimidated by the two leggers. He was strong enough to survive and fight back against them. Happily he trotted after her, more than happy to be able to watch her attractive flashing tail and white hindquarters moving before him. They reached the borders, and Tharin hesitated. He wasn't sure if he could continue. The encouraging look she gave him helped, and he stepped over carefully, hoping that this would be okay, continuing in to where the den was.
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Despite all logic and reason, the closer the pair traveled to Ichika, the more anxious and eager the worried mother became. What if something had happened to her children. What if Amy or Rojo had showed up and taken her babies away. What if a coyote had found them, or if they had gotten sick. He mind spun with all of the horrid possibilities as her fears mounted and piled inside her breast. Kiara's steps became quicker and uneven. At random intervals she would speed up, only to slow down when she remembered her companion and the baggage he carried. When they reached the boarder, it wasn't soon enough. Th pair of wolves paused at the boundary line, and Kiara did her best to encourage Tharin. It didn't take long for them to continue on.
Kiara led the way to heart of Wentworth Valley. As soon as her den came into sight the whole world seemed to fall away and the only thing that existed was her den and her puppies. The arctic wolf rushed forward and dashed into her underground den. Her slim body squeezed into the tunnel and soon her children came into sight. They were wrapped up in her deer skin, safe and warm. Kiara moved carefully around them and took her time checking each one over. They wailed at her touch and shifted to get closer to her. After her examination, her entire body relaxed and her mind was put at ease. They were safe, they were okay. With a large smile plastered on her face, she moved out of her den to thank Tharin. "Thanks, I really appreciate your help." Gently she nuzzled his neck, her gratitude flowing through her muzzle. Tharin was amazing, and she really appreciated all his help.
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Terra would cry if she knew Kiara was nervous around coyotes XD
As they moved further and further the white wolf moved further and further away. Certainly not physically, though she did have a habit of running up ahead before slowing down to allow him to follow along. No, her mind was elsewhere, his presence gradually erased from her mind. His nose worked eagerly, taking in the scents of the pack. It seemed it was rather small, weaker than it should have been. It really was a shame that the pack was like that, the scents spaced out further than they would have been if there had been many, entire sections where the only scent that broke through was Kiara's. He could only hope that it would grow stronger, providing the mother with the protection she'd need.
Reaching the den site Tharin stopped. He watched the slim wolf run ahead, bursting into the pups' resting place. Dropping the leg he'd been dragging Tharin nudged some of the snow that was there to cover the meat. He sat back, waiting patiently for her to make sure that the pups were alright. He couldn't do his own inspection or assure her, knowing she would only see a threat to the pups. All he could do was wait. She finally returned, trotting over to him. Her entire body seemed lighter, barely touching the ground as she approached him. It was beautiful. Pulling himself back he accepted her thanks, nuzzling along. He nibbled slightly into her fur before remembering where he was. He removed his head, looking down awkwardly. It was my pleasure. I'm glad to have met you.
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