Stardust Vale Pack - Pantalaimon and Wolf Bane

5 hours after losing the Homeland

Bane’s ears flickered in different directions as he studied the frozen wasteland before him, his breath clouded in front of his face as he breathed in the sharp fresh air. He padded forward uncertainly the crispy ground crunched under his pads; he lowered his head moving over to a section of disturbed earth. He lowered his nose to the ground inhaling the scents around the tracks carefully blowing the air back out of the slits on the sides of his nose so he didn’t disturb the tracks. “What’s the verdict?” Pan’s voice filtered to Bane’s ears. Bane lifted his head and turned to look at the dark pelted wolf stood behind him, his nose wrinkled as he thought about what they had been forced to do. “We have no choice” He growled, his ears pinning back against his head lip rising in a snarl. “You and one other must go to this pack” Bane grumbled, turning back to Pan and walking over to him, his hackles raised his body language reflecting his irritation. “You must get them to accept us into their territory by any means possible” Bane told Pan staring the other in the eye.

Pan lowered his head maintaining eye contact for a mere second before dropping his gaze. “It will be done, I won’t let you down” Pan assured him. Bane relaxed his stance slightly; though he was obviously tense he nodded at Pan and turned away from the young wolf. His eyes returning to the area around them looking for any signs of movement.

Pan turned to the remaining members of the Stardust Vale pack, they would grouped around a fallen tree a couple of metres away from him. He focused his crystal blue eyes on them, trotting towards them. He looked at each wolf in turn...now there were choices to be made, who did he take with him. “Sequoia I need you to come with me to meet with this pack” Pan said matter of factly. “Rose, Tarkutt and Snow you stay here with Bane keep an eye out for any others that come this way” He instructed Rose, Tarkutt and Snow. He turned away from the group, expecting Sequoia to follow him as he slunk between thick tree trunks, heading in the direction of the opposing pack.

Bane had come a little closer to the group by now, he was also wounded from the battle, he had a few lacerations on his flank though the blood had already begun to congeal, he was giving off a particularly hostile signal at the current moment his eyes firmly focused on inspecting the land in front of them. He was clearly frustrated at how desperate and vulnerable they were, he looked at the remaining members of his pack. “Is everyone OK? Now would be the time to tend to your injuries. Who knows what this pack is going to do” Bane grumbled. “Keep your eyes open we have to be prepared” Bane added, his tail swishing once behind him.

Snow huffed lightly as she had been doing her best to keep up with everyone having taking a rather large slash to the side from her shoulder curving round to her mid back, also a large bite on her right hip she was a little uneasy. Softly collapsing against the cold snow her pelt made her almost blend in, if it hadnt been for the blood staining, she would not be very visible. She turned her head to tend to the large bite which was only just calming down with the bleeding. Around the wound she had crimson stained fur, some of the dried blood was flaking off, she whined lightly as she let her tongue skim over the tender open wound, wincing a little as she did so. Her ears flickering, keeping her ears open for any new sounds around her. She may be vulnerable but she would be able to hear anything on coming and be able to warn the remainders of her pack. As she continued to tend to her own wound she looked up for a moment, she didnt really seek help as she didnt want to hinder the pack anymore. She had done so enough by being an easy target for attack and actually being attacked. Though she had pulled through she felt she was slowing the pack and did not like this. Her blues eyes shimmered as she looked over the snowy ground to the others.

A few moments later, Snow shook her head and grumbled. {Get your head back in the game Snow!} She scolded herself within her mind. {No time to daydream and become an even easier target.} She nodded, With that she once more went to tending the wound, trying to clean away the dried old blood, her pelt going from a deep set crimson around the wound to a somewhat cleaner white stained lightly with a pinkish orange colour. She growled in distaste at the fact her fur was not clean. She got up and stumbled a little Stretching out a little making the slow healing wound across her torso re-open the small amount it had healed. She yelped as she felt it re-open, the blood began to trickle down her side again, once more discolouring her pelt. She huffed and turned in attempt to clean off the blood but failed due to the placement.

The wind was howling through the forest, picking up the snow and leaves This was a cold cruel land to live in but if you knew how to survive it could be rewarding.
Farkas was out wander through the snow patrolling the near the edge of the Eastern side of his territory. he often at night wandered alone, casting his thoughts back through the days events, making sure he hadn't done wrong or missed anything out. As far as he could tell it was a normal day. He wondered if he was still making his beloved mate Evie happy and of the events that the tomorrow will bring. Hopefully it will be a normal day..

"So this is where you wandered off too is it?" a voice belonging to Evie called from behind,
"ohh its you" Farkas bounded lover to his lover and licks her on the cheek, "Its a bit late for you to be wondering at night isn't it, i thought you was asleep when i left"
"I was worried" she replied softly "someone has to worry about you at times Farkas"
With that they both started to walk side beside through the snow, playful jumping on each other and trying to trip each other up as they made their way back to the Den

Evie giggled and nipped at her mates ruff softly. Squeaking as she almost slipped thanks to his playful tricks of attempting to make her lose her footing. Smirking softly to Farkas Evie jumped over him, and sped ahead momentarily, the air rushing through her pelt as she bounded for a short while. Stopping suddenly and barking softly to her mate, tail flickering quickly side to side in a dominant stance. She giggled and watched as he slowly trotted to her side, the pair nuzzling at one anothers necks in an affectionate gesture. "If I didnt worry Love, who would?" She taunted playfully with a small nip to his cheek as she giggled once more. The pair slowly coming in close proximity to their den. Yawning softly as she took a few steps into the pairs den she pranced to Farkas and licked his cheek. "We should get some rest Farkas. Who knows what is in store for us and the pack in the very near future." She said almost daydreaming of what tomorrow could bring. Slowly they laid down and curled up together, their tails entwined, small affectionate nuzzles before they both drifted off.

Stardust Vale Pack - Sequoia

What had happened could hardly be believed. It seemed ludicrous and impossible for a pack as strong as theirs to have lost the homelands. Her wounds told her it was true but her mind struggled to understand what had been the turning point, the determining factor that resulted in the enemy pack gaining the upper hand and overpowering her own family. She looked around, her pack mates scattered about in a clearing a ways away from their home, some were injured, some were not, but instead suffered emotional trauma. Sequoia closed her eyes for a moment, allowing her mind to clear with the motion of her breathing. The sound of paw-prints behind her triggered a backward "glance" from her ears. She opened her amber eyes and turned to see Pantalaimon Bane approaching after his meeting with his brother, the alpha. Wolf Bane stood in the distance, his expression unreadable as it so often was. Her brow furrowed for her leader and the burden now thrust upon him.

“Sequoia I need you to come with me to meet with this pack.” She had heard of a plan to meet with a hospitable pack in the nearby area and seek refuge in their lands, but until now she wasn't sure if the alpha was set on this plan or not. Pan's confirmation set off a clockwork of thoughts and ideas pulsing through her mind. After addressing the rest of the pack, Pan took off at a sturdy pace towards the thick woods that surrounded the mild clearing they had accumulated in. She did not hesitate to follow, she would not question why she was asked to go with him, there were enough sensible reasons that she didn't need confirmation. Instead, she let her mind brew possible outcomes of their meeting with this unknown pack. It was true, nothing but peace had ever drifted from their lands, but what did they really know about the others? There were packs that lived peaceful lives and would not blink an eye at conquest, but instead lived pleasantly until an intruder stepped across the boundaries of their lands, only to be devoured by the native pack. Perhaps this was the situation with these others, peaceful until intruded upon.

Sequoia shook her head and she trotted through the woods, weaving through the trees until she was neck and neck with her fellow Beta. There was no way the old ways of the wolves were still in use. Death upon entry was a primitive system utilized only by the most brutal, uncivilized wolves. While effective, they wolves of old soon faced an imminent future of self-inflicted extinction if they chose to continue slaughtering first and asking questions later each time strangers crossed paths.

For a while, there were no words exchanged between the dark, blue eyed male and the cinnamon flaked female. They were both in deep thought, in a kind of instinctual mediation which urged them to protect their pack and solve any problems faced by their loved ones. All wolves had the urge to keep safe those who were closest to them. Quoia felt this urge now, more than ever. Looking over, she took in the stressed expression that loitered about on Pan's dark features.

"Tell me, what do you think will come of this meeting of request? Have you an idea or method to this spontaneous madness as to how we're going to approach the concept of asking strangers to take us in, let us hunt their game, sleep in their dens?" She fell silent for a moment, her thoughts cumulating and contorting.

"Though," she said before Pan had a chance to respond, "I suppose we don't have much of a choice in the matter. To the east lies death at the hand of those brutes, and to the west lies the lands of these strangers. The north and south could hold nothing for us. The north carried a climate that was unfavourable to vegetation, and therefore, prey. The south was the country of the big cats, lions of the mountains and the feeding grounds for the behemoth bears that harvest the salmon each year. This latitude was wolf territory, not because the wolves liked it best, but because it liked wolves best. This strip of land served the thick coated pack well, offering winters to test character, bringing out only the most durable wolves, and summers filled with bounty to supply ample prey for the hungering, growing packs.

A silence settled between the Betas once more as a harsh truth chilled their spines.

She would not let the journey hold this tone for its entirety. She gently checked into the side of the dark wolf, a playful look about her face. "Race ya to the horizon old friend?" She called as she shot off at a sprint through the trees. Many times had those words been let out into the air, a term common to the wolves of the north when packmates would race endlessly through fresh snow or greening grass, embracing the freedom and bounty of their lands.It was a release, a mind-clearing process that brought out the true nature of wolves; hunting, running, and being one with their packmates. They ran as fast as the wind and their legs would carry them, they were one as they had always been, one with the hearts of their pack mates waiting in that forest clearing so far behind them, and they hunted their destination, nearing their prize with each stride, preying on sanctuary, starving for refuge. The miles went by, and the betas kept running.

Rose looked around at the snowy white forest around her, padding her way over to some Yarrow that happened to be growing nearby. She gripped some leaves in her mouth and pulled, tumbling back once the leaves gave way and broke off. She had a deep bite on her left shoulder that went all the way down to her lean muscles, but it had quickly clotted and although the bite showed, her blood did not. Although her pelt was white her top was red, and a deep blood red at that. She quietly padded over to her pack-member Snow, placing the leaves down except for one, placing it on her opened wound which it soaked the blood dripping down onto her Snow White fur, knowing it would clot the blood and she wouldn't have to worry about it too much.

"Just be careful Snow, make sure not to accidentally tear off the Yarrow. It's helping clot the blood, so you can heal faster and it shouldn't open open up unless it's jerked violently." Rose said calmly, tilting her head to the side and making sure she was alright before she picked up her Yarrow and padded over to her mate, Bane, who happened to have hurt his flank. "Bane....... Are you alright?" Rose asked once the Yarrow leaves was out of her mouth, her emerald green eyes showing just how worried she was for him. She quickly licked his cheek affectionately before she looked into his eyes again, wondering what he was thinking at that moment.

"May I put some Yarrow leaves on your wounds? It'll help clot the blood and make sure you should recover quicker....... And honestly I don't need them, my shoulder is fine....... But I don't want you to hurt anymore." Rose said as she picked a leaf up in her mouth, giving him those sad eyes that she learned from her deceased wolf-mother, which usually worked on Buddy, her deceased wolf-father, but she had no idea how that would go with Bane. She also was keeping something from him, having wanted to tell him before they got attacked, but she had been too afraid to. She would tell him once everything was settled with the other pack....... Or if they attacked them, she would defend Bane with her life. And even if she died, she wanted him to live and find someone else. After all...... It was his duty as alpha to give an heir to be the next alpha.

Tarkutt crouched beside the fallen tree, trembling lightly. Luckily for him, the few wounds he did have were trivial scratches, except for the end of his tail, which was a ragged bloody clump of fur that he'd hidden between his legs. He'd had enough time to stuff a little bit of all the dry, crinkly herbs in his den into his mouth before sprinting away and hoping his pack would follow. Now he knew how stupid he looked, with a mouthful of plants. Knowing they could be needed now, he placed them all on the snow before casting a few anxious glances around the snowy forest. His heart clenched. He hoped the same plants could grow here. Don't be so stupid, Tarkutt, of course they do. He forced himself to be glad that he'd brought along the few plants he had, and examined some of his choices. There were oak leaves to help stop infection, although saliva already did most of the job, horsetails to help stop bleeding, and stinging nettle leaves for swelling.
Snow and Bane appeared to have already received some treatment, although Tarkutt made a mental note to check on them both whenever he next had a chance. However, he did notice at a glance that Rose had a bite wound. It didn't look bad, but it certainly couldn't hurt to at least offer help. Feeling his ears lower down at the prospect of speaking, he addressed Rose, "That looks a little swollen. Maybe it could use any yarrow leaves you might have leftover, and a nettle?"

Stardust Vale Pack – Pantalaimon

Pan kept his head low to the ground as he trotted through the trees, he stayed in quiet contemplation for a long time. The cold wind brushed over his dark pelt, he ran his tongue along the side of his muzzle as he moved the coppery taste of dried blood sticking to his tongue as he retracted it back into his mouth. He had a wound across the bridge of his muzzle, his dark coloration hid it well but the smell was unmistakable, his eyes flicked around their surroundings taking in the thick woodland around them, the smell of pine filled his nose as they moved he studied the tree trunks as they passed them, noting claw marks on a few of them he couldn’t decipher who the indentations were caused by. However he was sure they were headed in the right direction, his blue sky blue eyes switched to scan the snow covered floor, he hopped over a small mound stress lines appeared along the bridge of his muzzle his tongue lolling out of his mouth as he panted. Feeling the wound on his muzzle stretch uncomfortably.

He looked sidelong at Sequoia his ear swiveling around to rest on her as she spoke, his other ear continued to flicker in an arc around his head trying to catch every sound it could, the scratch of tiny claws skittering across the bark of a fallen branch, the lonely chirp of a bird flapping loudly above their heads. His tail flicked behind him as he trotted forward his eyes returning to Sequoia once she had finished talking, he felt unease rise through him at her words as she pretty much solidified his worry. “Thank you for reminding me...” He grumbled at her, his ears flicking back momentarily. “I’ll tell you the only thing that can come of this meeting, an alliance” He told her, his voice piercing the silence that seemed to surround them. He looked away from her again, his eyes narrowing as he felt pressure build in his face. “I don’t know” He admitted to her falling silent, as his mind tried to wrap itself around the idea. He had to do this, he had to make this happen for everyone’s sake. His thoughts were dark and confusing, it affected his facial expression his dark and face creased with worry.

He blinked as he felt something bump against his side, looking up as he had been brought out of a trance he pricked his ears towards Sequoia, taking in her playful expression. He was taken aback by her words as she shot off in front of him. “Wait, what?!” keeping Sequoia within his sights as his paws dug into the snow propelling him forward, his pelt glistened in the scattered light that filtered through the trees as he sprinted after her. The thrill of the chase momentarily pushed all thoughts from his mind, as the wind whistled through his pelt ruffling the dark colored fur, his mouth opened as he gulped in the crisp winter air, his muscles leaping into life as he chased after Sequoia, ears flicking back as the wind whistled past them. His eyes alight with joy as he shortened the distance between them, completely losing sight of their objective the seriousness of their situation. He playfully nudged Sequoia’s hind quarters as he closed in on her, pulling up next to her as he leapt over a tree stump. The world around them a blue of movement as their feet pounded against the snow, breath escaping him in rattled pants he was born to run.

Stardust Vale Pack- Wolf Bane

Bane’s ears flicked to the side resting on Rose as she approached him, he looked at her briefly before grumbling in his throat and looking away. “Fine” He muttered, not meaning to seem hostile but he was wound so tight he couldn’t help it. His ears dropped a little as she licked his cheek affectionately, he relaxed his stance a little still watching the horizon he flicked his ears back at what Rose said, his muzzle wrinkling as he looked back at her. “No, I’m fine treat yourself first” Bane grunted looking at the sad eyes she was pulling Those eyes... His muzzle twitched more and he turned away with a grumble so he didn’t have to see those sad eyes...With a forced sigh Bane sat back on his haunches, turning her side to her as if in permission. “Cheater...” He grumbled at her, one ear flicking to the side and focusing on her. “Are you ok?” He asked Rose after a few moments of silence. Such a simple question yet from the way he said it, it held a lot more depth he was ashamed to admit he didn’t know how well his pack was taking all of this...his pack...He looked at Tarkutt approvingly before turning his head away to scan the surrounding area again.

"I wouldn't call myself a cheater, just someone who is very considered about your health, so they...... Oh crap....... I guess I'm a cheater after all!" Rose said, pawing his tail a bit before placing the Yarrow leaves on it, seeing the blood instantly leave his white fur that had been stained with his own blood, which secretly it was driving her mad that someone could do this to her Bane. Luckily her adrenaline wasn't going to run out anytime soon, but when it did, she knew she'd be in a lot of pain. When he asked if she was okay, she was placing the last leave on his flank, knowing she'd need to go back to that Yarrow plant later for some more leaves.

"I'm doing fine Bane....... It's just a bite! Nothing I can't handl-" Rose said before wincing, putting too much weight on her left arm which made her crumple onto the snowy ground. Her bite was deep, and couldn't be healed by the medicinal herbs she knew of. Plus, the bite went into her muscle, so she had no idea how this would go. She already wasn't a good fighter, but now that she was injured like this, she wouldn't be able to run if there was an attack. She'd be sparing her life to save the last of her pack-members....... Like her mother and father, Buddy and Silivia, had done just five hours ago so that they could get people out. And that's how Rose would die, with honor......

But she knew Bane would never allow her a heroes death, he loved her as much as she loved him, maybe even more! He'd try and find a way, she knew it, but why was she having her doubts? Did she really think Bane would sacrifice her for the sake of the pack? She slowly stood up, her legs shaking a bit from the weight she was putting on her left leg. "I'm fine Bane........ Don't worry about me, just had a little fall!" Rose said, her eyes meeting his for a quick second before her eyes darted away. Why do I have to be so shy?! She thought to herself, cursing her unknown mother and father for making her the scared and shy wolf she happened to be today.

Artemis Stardust Vale

"Oh no no i'm lost" The black wolf stumbled about badly wounded through the snow, She had lost the scent of her pack an hour ago when her head started to spin, she vaguely remembers something about heading west to a pack, so she stumbled forward in the direction she hoped they went, He didn't know for sure, she had been one of the first to charge into fight and one of the last to leave and survive, she had sustained a great many wounds, bite marks on her legs and paws laceration to her body she had lost a lot of blood and definitely would not survive alone out here . With the little strength she had she tried to howle as loud as she could to alert any wolves near by that she was lost and needed help.
With that she collapsed the the ground her vision blurred and her breathing slowed the cold had begun to take her, her wounds too great even for her to beat "she knew the end was upon her.
There was a slight rustling from some bushes behind her from the bushes the snapping of twigs and branches, "h-hello" she winces as pain shoots through her body it clearly hurt to speak but if this ways a member of her pack or someone from another pack that could help her she had to take it. she let out a long medium howle despite the pain and stumbled to her feet, The blood had stained her fer and the snow where she had been laying a deep crimson and was still running out from her wounds,
She made her way to the source of the noise knowing it would either be her death or salvation
With caution she edged forward to the bushes and gently made her way through, wincing as the twigs and branches brushes her wounds, just as she made it through she saw Bane and the others and collapsed instantly drifting out of consciousness

The sound of howling had caused Tarkutt to raise his ears and partially forget the previous events. Everything seemed to be going wrong. First it had become apparent that Rose's bite was worse than it had appeared. Then Artemis had returned, and it was clear now that he would need to act fast. Although he was concerned for the others, her wounds were the top priority to treat.
He snatched all of his herbs from the snow and carried them at a swift trot to the edge of the clearing where she lay; the prospect moving her rang alarm bells in his head. Very gently with his paw, he shifted the wolf onto her side, deciding to treat the lacerations on her flanks first. He pressed oak leaves and horsetail to the wounds, taking care of the more severe ones first, and dutifully began licking the blood off of her. The panic in him had vanished by now, replaced with total focus. He took her pulse with a paw against her throat and glanced toward Bane and Rose, hoping for some authority or control.
"Need to clot the blood," he muttered to himself. "Herbs aren't fast enough...need to close some wounds." He paced as he spoke, tore some narrow thorns from a bare bush. It was doubtlessly going to hurt Artemis, but better to do it while she was asleep. Sticking his tongue between his teeth in concentration, he used his paws to hold the first wound shut, then stitched the wound with the small thorns. Every once in a while he stopped to check her breathing and heart.
"We might need something to drag her on," Tarkutt said, half to the wolves nearby and half to himself. "I don't want to risk her moving and opening her wounds. Things are going to be slow." He spoke at the same time he was cleaning and treating the less serious scratches, taking his time. He sighed before saying one last thing. "Hopefully she hasn't lost more blood than she can afford to."

Stardust Vale Pack - Sequoia (En Route to The Winter's Moon Packlands)

The world seemed to fade away as the trees and the under brush flew past her peripherals. She could hear the heavy steps of her fellow beta nearing from behind, and despite her fastest sprint, she could not hold her ground in a race against a wolf of noble blood. Soon enough, she felt a nudge on her flank as Pan caught up with her. She let out a friendly "Hey! You haven't won yet!" at him, as she reached deep within her energy stores and pushed herself harder. She pulled ahead of the male for a moment or two, but no sooner had a smile of victory crept across her face, the black wolf shot up from beside her and pulled ahead with ease. She laughed, impressed with his speed and stamina. As the two rushed through the woods, all the familiar paths faded in the distance behind them. The ground they covered now was strange to her, and thrice, Sequoia had to catch herself as she nearly tripped over a root that she didn't see coming. It was different running at these speeds in strange lands, she didn't know these routes like she knew those in the Stardust Vale Packlands. But... if things went as they were hoped to have gone, these lands would soon be her home. She took in her surroundings, the air silent between the pair's strides and pants.

"These lands are rich, and strong, much like ours. This pack will be well fed and well grown." She saw that she was falling behind, lost in her thoughts once more. Shaking her head, clearing her head, she dove back into the chase and a burst of speed shot through her. The two ran, and ran, and ran, and ran, with a seemingly endless supply of energy, one of the gifts to the wolves from the Goddess of the Moon. When hours had flown by, they were well into the unknown territory they were seeking.

As they bolted up a rise in the terrain, a shift in the wind carried a scent to her nostrils that raised every hair on her body. An alpha.

Instinctually, she shuttered, her body screaming to submit to the dominant presence, but she summoned her willpower and reminded the primitive part of her brain that this was not her alpha, and she would not bow to him. Then the question arose: where is he? She could smell him, quite clearly now, but could not pinpoint a location. She knew it would be a few moments before Pan noticed the scent, he was not a female nearing estrus. This time of the year, she could pick up the scent of a healthy male from miles away, and this alpha was certainly healthy.

Slowing down, she huffed at the dark beta ahead of her, "Pan, wait." As he slowed his pace, she approached him. "We're here. We might not be right here, but the alpha is near, or marked here recently. We're in their lands now.." She lowered her head, feeling an unease. She did not know the lay of these lands, she did not know the scents that surrounded her. For any wolf, the presence of their alpha had a powerful, controlling effect, but this control was shifted to trust and protection. In the presence of an opposing alpha, there was a similar power inflicted on any lower ranking wolf. The scent of any alpha drove submissive instincts to the surface of any lupine, but to feel this urge caused by a stranger, was not a pleasant feeling. It was like being forced into submission by one you neither trusted nor respected. Sequoia shivered and neared Pan, taking in his familiar scent to try and calm her nerves. After a short bit, the initial power of the scent was calmed as her body adapted to it, and she lifted her head, looking Pan in the eyes.

"Perhaps it would be best to take on a less intimidating pace from here on out. The last thing we want is to come bolting out of the woods and running into the local pack. Even the most civilized wolf couldn't stop their instincts from hitting defend mode."

Stardust Vale Pack - Pantalaimon

Pan barked a laugh at her words, momentarily pulling ahead his eyes scanning the floor as quickly as he moved. He blinked as she overtook him, pulling ahead with a grunt he stretched his strides and raced up her inside once again pulling in front of her, the sides of his mouth tugging up as he gulped in air ignoring the chill that seared his throat on its way down. He slowed up a little as the landscape became less familiar, to him his eyes flicking across the ground quickly picking up any disturbance on the path he narrowly avoided a frozen clump of mud before hopping over a raised tree root, he glanced back over his shoulder at Sequoia, the distraction making him trip of a fallen branch he stumbled but caught himself luckily. He took in the dark forest around them as he weaved through the trees with smooth transitions, the smell of pine was still heavy here and he could feel needles under his paws on occasion.

As he hit a rise in the terrain he slowed his pace to gentler run, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth as his claws gripped into the dirt pulling himself up the hill. As he heard Sequoia say his name, his ears flicked back towards her and he slowed to a halt, turning back to look at her, his sides heaving as he panted, his nose twitched as he caught the scent of the male alpha, the hackles on his back instantly rose and he had to force himself to not growl in surprise. The smell of the other alpha stirred feelings in Pan he hadn’t felt for a long while, the alpha in him refused even the idea of showing submission to another alpha. He glanced at Sequoia watching her lower her head, the feeling of unease apparent in her body language. He wrinkled his nose trying his hardest to feign submissive thoughts but his inner wolf wouldn’t have it, he had worked hard to submit to his brother he wasn’t sure he could do it successfully against another alpha. He turned his head to Sequoia as she shifted closer to him; he gave her a reassuring nudge on her shoulder, his tail wagging though he was holding it higher than he should have been.

He maintained eye contact with Sequoia as she spoke, concentrating on keeping his head level with hers, an alpha complex was not needed at this moment. He nodded his head curtly at her, moving over to the top of the small hill they had begun to climb. “Very true...I got carried away” He lifted the sides of his mouth in a wolfish grin, as he padded over the top of the hill. His troubling thoughts pushing back to the front of his mind, casting a shadow over his expression, now he felt more jumbled the scent of the other alpha was very strong in this area. His hackles were still raised as he stood at the top of the hill, scanning the dark wood in front of them. “I don’t think we should go any further...I’ll call to them, so they can come to us. We don’t want to trot straight up to their dens...if we can even find them” Pan explained he glanced at Sequoia before he lifted his muzzle to the sky taking a deep breath he pushed the air back out of him in a melodic howl, calling to the other pack peacefully he managed to keep his tone even so it couldn’t be seen as a challenge...more of an announcement of his presence, a summon. After a few minutes of soft howling Pan dropped his head again, mentally preparing himself for the inevitable meeting. “Here goes” He murmured to Sequoia, rolling his shoulders and shaking his head, his sky blue eyes watching the trees in front of them anxiously.

Stardust Vale Pack - Wolf Bane

Bane chuckled quietly as she admitted she was a cheater for using the sad eyes, his tail flicked as she pawed it. He glanced at her occasionally as she treated his wound, he couldn’t help but appreciate how attentive she was. He leapt up in surprise as Rose collapsed next to him, he moved next to her crouching and pushing his flank against her to support her back onto to her feet. “You’re not fine” He snapped, his tail lashing as she looked into his eyes they were ice blue spheres of agitation. His ears pricked forward as another wolf stumbled into their small group, stress lines creased the bridge of his muzzle as he watched Artemis collapse by the fallen tree, he watched Tarkutt rush to her side. “Come over here and rest” Bane told Rose forcefully, in other words he wouldn’t take no as an answer. He moved around her watching her carefully, he nodded his head at the fallen tree indicating where he wanted her to rest. He came over to Tarkutt as he looked up searchingly at him, Bane moved around to Artemis’s head touching his nose to her cheek.

He watched Tarkutt work, his tail swishing behind him, he listened to Tarkutt mumble to himself hearing something that he knew he could help with he looked up. Turning to the fallen tree he crouched before leaping up onto it with one powerful kick of his back legs, unfortunately the movement agitated his wound. He dropped down the other side before Rose could scold him, sounds of scrabbling echoed around the surrounding trees a loud crack following them simultaneously. Bane’s back end reversed around the fallen tree first, before the rest of him he was dragging a large piece of bark between his teeth, he tugged it over the snow towards Tarkutt and Artemis, pulling it close to Artemis. He stood back up, raising his muzzle in a snarl as he shook his head and spat wood chippings out of his mouth. “It’s not perfect but it will do, I’ll help you move her onto it when you’re ready” Bane told Tarkutt, standing by the other healer patiently.

Snow, Stardust Vale

Snow lay motionless for quiet sometime, letting the help of the yarrow clot the blood which had seized to clot by now. Her ears pricked up instantly as she heard the familiar howl of Artemis. Swiftly getting up, shaking her pelt, the yarrow leaves fell onto the crisp snow which was around her. Padding slowly over to where Artemis, Tarkutt and Bane were gathered, her ears instantly flattened to her head as she saw the damage to Artemis. She growled in aggrivation and inched ever closer to soon sit behind Artemis, while the males readied the plan of moving her, Snow set to washing the crimson blood stains from the fellow pack mates fur. Being gentle as to not graze her tongue across the wounds as she herself knew the pain which came with that from her attempt of helping herself.

She had managed to clean up a fair amount of Artemis' fur on show currently, she looked up to Bane a Tarkutt awaiting their movement of the drained female. A small whine of worry escaping the slender snow white females throat as she waited intently. With nothing more to be done to Artemis till she would be moved, being small Snow would be of no help here so she backed off slowly. Padding over to Rose slowly she smiled gently and lay beside her, keeping watch almost as she saw the damage done to her also. Her gaze ever switching between Rose and the two pack mates and her alpha.

Slowly standing once more as she could not lay there peacefully, the aggitation and worry clear on the females face, pacing a little beside Rose, though she knew that her Alpha, Bane and fellow pack mate, Tarkutt would not risk Artemis' life, she could not help but pace and whimper in displeasure of the pain that would take over Artemis' body once she woke. Snow never really had any close relations with her pack mates as she had been foolish enough to cling to her past. Her ears flickering once again, keeping ever alert to the area around her already exhausted and damaged pack. Growling lightly as she could hear the sounds of birds in nearby trees twittering to one another, almost as if taunting her. She sighed and sat back on her hind quarters and awaited the outcome of the difficult situation before her.

---

Evie, Winters Moon Pack.

Quickly awaking, Evies ears pricked bolt upright. Nudging her mate gently as she could still hear the melodic howl on their borders. Farkus, sweet..We seem to have vistors.. Her fur instantly ruffling as she stood, shaking her pelt. Growling lightly as she soon took a distaste to the idea of oncoming trouble should it be the reason for the howl. Pacing at the entrance of the den as she awaited her dazy mate to wake, "Farkus!" She barked in aggrivation, never liking to feel slightly uneasy alone. As Farkus quickly stood and padded to Evie, a few affectionate nudges exchanged before the pair sped of towards the howl. There was a fair way before they would reach the border in which Evie heard the howl.

Her paws thundering against the crisp snow, she growled lightly, her tail up in a dominant stance as she kept close to her mate. Though Evie was Luna, she often felt uneasy without her beloved mate, Farkus. A Luna shouldn't feel as uneasy as she herself did at times, but, she never showed this to pack mates. She did not want them to see her as a weak Luna and be challanged for her spot. Their swift pace pushed them ever closer to the unfamiliar howl. Her ears pricked up, her fur slightly puffed up as her haunches were up in a defensive state. She growled and pushed herself further, Farkus keeping close on her side.

Stardust Vale- Tarkutt

Tarkutt crouched slightly in submission and flattened his ears, nodding gratefully at the respected alpha. "Thank you. It is much needed." After looking over the wounds on Artemis, he nodded again. "I think that some bleeding will be inevitable when we move her, but we can minimize the bleeding. If you are ready, so am I." He was really glad for the help; Tarkutt was most likely an exception to the general rule that male mammals weigh more than females. His ears swiveled toward the sound of another howl, and although he recognized Pan as the source of the sound, it still made him uncomfortable. He forced himself to focus on the task at hand and worry about contact with another pack later. "Alright, best to do it while she's not awake." He lifted up the wolf by some of the fur on her back.

Winters Moon- Yehki

"Other pack?" came the drowsy, garbled voice of Yehki as she rose to her feet and shook the snow out of her fur. She glanced nervously around, sitting on her crooked tail so no one would see it. She'd just woken up, roused by the sound of a strong howl that came from a stranger. It had made her shudder and whine as she woke. Not knowing what was going on, she assumed this meant that someone wanted the ideal territory of the Winters Moon Pack. That would mean that a fight was inevitable. A fight would mean that Yehki would most likely be a casualty. Worry made her want to crouch and hide in the snow like a pup.
Knock it off, Yehki. If you can hunt, you can fight. She stood a little taller, her paws spreading out on the snow like big, clumsy snowshoes, and puffed out her chest. She also raised her tail proudly, but no matter how high she raised the first half, the second half always angled down a little bit. She hated this.

Winters moon- Farkas
Farkas woke up to his mate nudging n pawing at him, he thought at first she was just trying to get him up to go for a walk or something until she Barked his name aggressively As he stood up he could just hear the the unfamiliar howl off in the distance his defensive mode kicked in Letting out a loud aggressive howl to alert the rest of the pack he started to sprint in the direction of this noise followed closely by Evie.
Though most packs don't follow the old ways of killing any trespassers Farkas still held onto it slightly, He Knew that this was the only territory that was free for wolves in the west to the east was Valley that belong to the StarDust vale pack to the north Colder and Harsher lands than this. to the south is a wasteland for wolves Human settlements that were a death trap for any wolves.
They was soon joined by Yehki sprinting fast to catch up with them
"Where are the others!" He barked aggressively
Yehki panting beside him "Coming, Though almost everyone was asleep so it may take a few minutes"

"Good! i want shadow to take most the group n approach from the other side and wait till it either kicks off or i call. Got it?!" Karkas' voice wash harsher than normal but he had a gut feeling something is off, he learned to trust his gut over the years. and he was not one for taking chances

wintersmoon- Blynn
Blynn was wandering around the spring near the Den, gathering what herbs and water he could for whatever medicine he could make. His supplies were running low as every winter they do. He like always was alone. its how he liked it and wanted it.
Koa one of the sentinels had a bit of an infected cut that he gained from a rock, which needed healing and cleaning up he often left such tasks to Nakia but she was asleep and he rather not disturb her.

As he returned he heard the faint howl of a wolf shortly followed by the howl of the Alpha.
"oh dear oh dear this isn't good Koa, we better go and see what's happening"
Blynn woke Nakia up saying that theres trouble and told her to gather the others, with in minuets the whole pack par the caretaker and pup's were heading towards the sound of the alpha's call ready for anything. ready for battle.

stardust vale-Artemis
Though she felt completely out of it and over come with pain she could feel everything Tarkutt was doing to her between her moments of hr being awake and blacking out, she whimpered and cried a the pain she felt and begged for it to stop for her to be put out of her pain . she couldn't take it no more and wanted it to end but no mater what Tarkutt wouldn't give in to her desperate pleas for relief. But just as they lifted her onto the bark she blacked out again completely.

Rose whimpered sadly as she saw how agitated Bane was with her, following him to the tree and laying down, hoping he wasn't too mad at her. She smiled at Snow as she laid down beside her, but got up to whine and whimper as Rose knew she was worrying right now. "Calm down Snow...... Everything will be alright!" Rose said with a wolffish kind smile, waiting for her mate and her pack-mate to get Artemis on the sled before Rose climbed off the tree, checking on Artemis before she padded her way over to Bane. "Bane....... Please, tell me your not mad at me! I just....... I didn't want to worry you....... You have enough problems, and I didn't want to be a burden........ I'm so sorry Bane........" Rose said, her words trailing off as she hung her head in shame. She went back to the tree, trying to jump up but hitting her arm on a broken branch, making her howl quietly in pain before she fell onto her side on the white snowy ground.

When Rose slowly stood up there was a bloody spot of the ground, making her grimace and hope that Bane was too busy too notice what she had done. She scrambled up into the tree, way up high onto a medium sized branch which could only hold her slim weight. No one left in their group could get up there with her, so she could not be coaxed down nor brought down, so she was safe from Bane's wrath caused by her being clumsy........ for now. She watched everyone from above, wondering if anybody had noticed where she had gone. Her eyes met with Bane's and she wondered what he was thinking, her eyes showing that she was seriously worried that he was going to yell at her. And that was the last thing she needed, especially after her whole family had died, both her real wolf-parents and her adopted wolf-parents, Buddy and Silivia. She prayed they were alright, and were at peace at last.

Pantalaimon

Pan’s ears pricked up as the opposing alpha’s howl pierced the air, he could hear the aggression in the alpha’s tone. His lip lifted in response, hackles raising almost instinctively he stood tall and his tail raised higher than before. “So much for a peaceful meeting” He grumbled, eyes scanning the trees quickly concern constricted his mind as he looked at Sequoia. “This doesn't feel right” Pan murmured, beginning to pace back and forth at the lip of the hill. He had to keep himself in check his inner alpha desperately trying to take control of the situation, it made his scent confusing to anyone around him. He was so exhausted he hoped he could hold it together just long enough to settle this, the wound on his nose stung as he wrinkled his nose. If this goes sour...we'll not get out of this alive... Pan's ears flickered in different directions as he listened intently for the tell tale sign of the other wolves. He looked back at Sequoia sky blue eyes fixed with steely resolve as his usual seriousness returned.

"Sequoia..." He murmured padding over to her, eyes flicking to watch the trees in front of him. "If this turns sour-" He spoke softly and kept his tone low he cut himself off suddenly his ears twitched as the distant sound of heavy breathing and many paws scraping against the cold ground filtered through the trees. He looked back up at the trees, shaking his pelt out his nose threatening to wrinkle as the scent of the paired alpha's assaulted his senses, his hackles remained raised. His claws dug into the ground at his feet, every muscle in his body tensed beneath his dark colored pelt. He saw two distant figures weaving between the trees with fluent and precise movements, they were moving at an aggressive pace which made Pan move closer to Sequoia his lip twitching up in warning a low growl rumbled through his chest though he wasn't sure the opposing wolves were close enough to hear it. Pan's mind was calm as he watched the wolves race towards him, his body however was braced for any oncoming attack...he wouldn't react unless he was provoked, his alpha instincts would not allow him to roll onto his back in immediate submission but he had managed to lower his tail to a less dominant stance. "We mean you no quarrel" He called to the fast moving wolves, hoping his scent wasn't too recognizable...

Wolf Bane

Bane nodded his head at Tarkutt, moving out of the way as the other wolf walked around Artemis. Moving into position in front of the injured female, he waited for Tarkutt’s signal, his ears flicking back and his eyes flashing as he heard Pan’s howl...[i]So it begins...[i] He nudged his nose under Artemis’s flank. “Go” He growled at Tarkutt, his voice was muffled as he spoke. He lifted Artemis a step over towards Tarkutt, using his nose to lift and push it would have been awfully uncomfortable for her but he was able to assist Tarkutt in getting her onto the slab of bark. “Keep her alive” He told Tarkutt...well it sounded more like a request. Bane strode away from Tarkutt, looking up at Dakota who was stoically on lookout not far from him, Hush was huddling with the pups at the base of the tree keeping Cloud and Piper warm. “Dakota we need something strong to put round Artemis in case we have to move her again, some kind of vine” He spoke to the other male in a low voice. Dakota lowered his head and slunk past Bane moving into the surrounding area to look around. Hush watched him go silently, Lulu nosed her scruff in an attempt to reassure the shaken female...the mated pair had barely been able to save their pups in the last attack...had Pan not helped them they would have lost both babies as well as themselves...

Bane was about to return to look out duty when Rose appeared in front of him, he studied his mate as she spoke his eyes unnaturally guarded against her he could tell how stressed she was, he had a theory how she must have been feeling...but she wasn’t the only one hurting. Every wolf in his little pack was hurting in some way, they had all lost family and home today... “Rose...by trying to not cause me problems, you’re causing me more problems! I’m already worrying about you, because you can’t seem to look after yourself” Bane’s tone was soft but his words were most likely brutal to the timid she-wolf. “Please, sort yourself out and tend to the others. We may have to move soon” Bane continued, before he turned away from her and moved over to continue being a look out.

He had barely scanned the horizon when Rose’s painful howl filtered into his ears, a sense of dread sweeping from his nose through to his tail as he spun round sharply to look at her. Seeing the blood patch on the floor he hastily approached it, worry filtering through him as he looked around to see where Rose was, he looked up out of instinct seeing her hiding in a low branch. His ears pinned back against his head and his lip raised in a snarl, she was testing his patience now with her complete disregard for herself. “Rose!” He snapped at her. “Get down and sort yourself out, NOW!” He ordered, his body language emitting a strong signal, enough so that both Hush and Lulu lowered their heads in submission and Cloud and Piper whimpered hiding behind their mother. It was a really unwise move to test the alpha right now...

Rose's heart raced as she heard Bane growl at her in such a way, frightening her so much that she leapt from her branch and wanted to run away. She wanted to hide in the snow, pretend she wasn't there and hope that Bane would soon calm down. She started to back up as she looked at him, heart pounding in her chest as she tried not to whimper. She was trying not to be scared and to do as Bane said, but his sense of strength was over-powering her judgement. She started to dig into the grounded as fast as she could, making a hole deep enough for her to lay in before she covered herself with the snow and dirt, only her green eyes showing out from the snow as well as her white muzzle. She was shaking like crazy, not knowing what to do. "Please forgive me Bane........ Please........" Rose whimpered, her body shaking with fright as she closed her eyes, trying to get over the feeling of guilt that she felt after making her mate and alpha so angry. So she just laid there, eyes shut tight while tears streamed down her fur and into the snow, melting it so that now her whole face was visible, but she didn't notice since she couldn't see what she had done.

Stardust Vale- Tarkutt

Despite being just a little bit winded from moving Artemis onto the slab of bark, Tarkutt remained alert to the situation unfolding between Bane and Rose. He wasn't sure what to do; clearly Rose needed help, but so did Artemis. Was it even his place to get involved? he wondered vaguely as he quickly finished closing up the unconscious wolf's wounds. Even more so, he was becoming increasingly agitated by the answering howl. It hadn't sounded friendly, and that was all he could be sure of. He'd nodded at Bane's request and watched him stride away, but when Rose had scaled the tree and the Alpha had raised his voice, it was enough to scare him into lying flat on the snow with his ears slicked back and his paws covering his muzzle.
He rose back to his feet slowly, still in a low crouching position, and scuttled toward his pile of herbs. Addressing the ground in front of Bane's paws, Tarkutt said meekly, "I-I think that she is suffering from increased anxiety; it is not her fault. If I may suggest it, it would be a good idea to get her some place where she won't move and reopen her shoulder." Cautiously he approached the pair, holding a few oak and stinging nettle leaves. "Perhaps it will need to be stitched, like some of Artemis' wounds. But at least these will keep it clean and slow the blood." He turned to address his fellow healer. "Everything is going to be fine, but I really need your help. Take some deep breaths."

Winter's Moon- Yehki

Yehki had sprinted to catch up with the Alphas as fast as she could manage, which luckily was quite swiftly. Her paws pounded down into the snow and kicked up small plumes of powdery snow, and she made sure to stay behind her leaders as they were older and would be more wise on how to deal with enemies. Finally two unfamiliar wolves came into view and Yehki skidded to a halt behind her superiors, her chest heaving with hard breaths. She paced behind Farkas and Evie, while eyeing the other wolves, the strange wolves. A good hunter is a good fighter, she reminded herself emphatically.