627

OOC: I assumed a few things here. If any of it isn't okay, just let me know and I'll change it. Happy to be threading with you!

Adrenaline coursed through the golden Epsilon’s body as she followed a lukewarm trail under the orders of her Alpha. Her work had brought her further and further from the New Dawn territory and close to Flanders’ Fields, but at long last she had picked up the faint scent of the dog bitch who’d been stalking her pack mates and stealing puppies. A low growl bubbled from her throat when she found the scent, one paw held aloft while her tail stiffened parallel from the ground and at attention. She was under orders not to act on the trail but just to watch, Ciara reminded herself, quelling the anger that rose when she realized Amy was close by.

The morning had started off just as any other. Augustus slipped in from his turn of patrolling around dawn; waking Ciara and giving her a brief nuzzle before all but collapsing on the ground to rest. With Tharin injured and no longer patrolling the Epsilons were stretched thin by their duty, but they continued on without complaint. The pack’s protection was important to them, it was their very reason for being, and they would each wear themselves down to the bone fortifying the borders and insuring the security of the pack members. After licking at her mate’s ear Ciara had slipped from the den and came face to face with her onyx Alpha.

Instantly she grew serious upon seeing him, figuring he had bad news. Her fur bristled as she prepped herself for battle, but as Zalen explained her task she relaxed. Her ears perked forward to catch his words and she nodded at his request, bumping her head beneath his chin in acceptance of her duty before returning to the den to inform her mate. She licked his cheeks, stilled his protests and reminded him that their Alpha had faith in her, and so should he. She would be fine and would return to him in one piece, and he needn’t worry. As she turned to leave, she could tell that Augustus was not convinced, and the anxiety in his fiery gaze worried her. She hated to upset him, but she had orders to follow.

At least she wasn’t alone. The golden Omega had also either been asked or volunteered to go with Ciara, so Ciara paused at the southern borders and awaited the other female’s arrival. She was curious with the choice of Palaydrian, who was one of the lowest ranking members of the pack and more than likely not skilled in matters such as these. Nonetheless, Ciara was happy for the company and would not judge the other female until she figured out firsthand what the Omega was capable of. She knew of the hunting with Augustus, and from what her mate had told her, Palaydrian was a very competent and well-bodied she-wolf.

It had taken hours of traveling before Ciara caught the whiff she was now inspecting. Her limbs were warm but not yet aching, for the long hours of patrolling had prepared her for this journey. As she carried on the trail of the dog bitch, she repeatedly glanced over her shoulder to the Omega. There had been small chitchat on the way for an hour or so, but soon both of the New Dawn wolves were consumed in their task, and more than likely their uncertainties of what would happen with Amy. They both knew that the bitch had to die, and that she would die at their hands. Ciara was certain that Palaydrian was as committed as she was. Suddenly, though, her thoughts were jarred as another scent blended in with Amy’s. Her ears perked forward and she stopped, head whipping to look at Palaydrian with a lifted brow.

“Someone is with her…”