ooc: This meeting is absolutely necessary for everyone. I'll be assigning mentors for pups as well as discussing a few other things. If you feel as though you can't meet the deadline pm me and we can discuss a solution. First round ends March 25th.

Faite was in a bad mood and that would still be the understatement of a century. She hadn't expected to need to hold a pack meeting like this - she'd planned to have one regardless, but now the matter was urgent. Originally she'd only had a few light announcements to make, but now this changed everything. She'd been patrolling the borders, as usual, when she'd come across it. It was just there, on the ground, glistening and smelly. Blood. Lots and lots of blood along with tufts of fur. She could smell it before she'd even seen it and she already knew who it belonged to. Ritsy. Her mood had plummeted since then and turned into frantic worrying. She'd searched the immediate area, but had seen no sign of Ritsy. There was no body to be discovered and no blood trail to follow either to see if he'd escaped. It'd been on the sandy shore by the river - had he escaped into the waters? If so there would be no tracking him or whomever had attacked him. The scents would surely be washed away which only infuriated her. Surely no one in the pack had attacked him, would they? He hadn't bothered anyone since they'd moved here. Sure, Zell hadn't exactly liked him, but past that first meeting there hadn't been any instances, so what had happened to him? As much as she wanted to call the pack to the scene of the crime she padded further down the river. The pups would show up, as she had other things to announce as well, and she didn't want them to be there to witness the scene. Sure, they'd learn what blood looked like in due time. It was a part of their nature - they'd hunt prey and participate in their own battles later on down the road, but they were too young right now and seeing such a gruesome scene of a pack mate, and friend, was something she didn't want to put them through. So she paced back and forth in front of the river, further down stream away from the border, before throwing up her head and letting out a loud and frantic call for her pack mates. Her tone suggested that attending was non-negotiable. She expected everyone to show up - and quickly. Walk, "Talk" Think

He didn't know what she was calling for, but whatever it was sounded urgent and demanded everyone be there at once. So Zell wasted no time in rising from his nap and heading towards her call. His path took him towards the river, a totally different place then the first meeting had been called, but she was calling everyone there for a reason, right? He moved along the river, the water rushing alongside him as the occasional breeze brought a bit of water spray onto his coat. However, the water wasn't the only thing the wind brought to him. It brought to him the scent of blood too, and it made his fur stand on end. What the fuck!? Blue eyes narrowed as he kept going, until finally he spotted the bloodied ground. He stopped for a moment, sniffing at it until he figured out that it held pack scent. Was this what she was calling for? A growl bubbled in his throat, and Zell continued on until he found her. He hoped none of the pack's kids would come across that. It was too gruesome for them to see right now, but it didn't help that it was left there. Maybe he should go back and cover it up? The thought crossed his mind, but maybe Faite had left it that way for a reason. When he approached her, it was obvious he had seen it by the way his hackles bristled. "What the hell happened!?" "Talk"

He was new here and had vary little time to settle in especially when he felt like he needed to spend extra time with Star, to make up for coming here so darn late. He hadn't even made a proper den yet, but he wanted to get a head start at getting to know the two territories the pack had claim to. Once familiar he would then be able to lay out the prey trails and get familiar with what there was to hunt and prepare himself to start hunting for the pack. He didn't forget what his true plans for coming to Ardent, but he was taking a break from it. There was plenty of time to get knowledge of other packs. Who knows, maybe it wasn't even his calling to become an alpha, but he wouldn't know until he did his research and sought out advice. For now he had to keep his focus on doing his duties and proving that he had the potential. Today he was out towards the borders, tracing the edge of the territories so he knew where the pack territory ended. He needed to be aware of this first in order to know if someone would be trespassing or not. He had chosen to be one of the hunters of the pack, because he felt he needed more experience with fighting before he went into that type of rank. He was vary good at hunting and his lanky build gave him a long stride and a great endurance for hunting. The lanky male was moving along at a steady pace before Faite's call rang out over the territory. There was urgency in her voice and the male knew he better move fast. He whipped himself around and took off quickly, racing to where her call came from. He came roughly the same direction that Zell had come from and when the stench of blood hit him he slowed himself down. He hurried until he came upon Faite and another male. A quick look around and his eyes spotted the blood covering the ground and his questioning gaze rose to Faite wondering what was going on. "Talk" & 'Think"

Star wished she was a better hunter as she tried to find out just what direction the rabbit had gone in. With a huff she lifted her head and sat her sand colored haunches on the grass. Luckily she was much better at making wolves better from illness than she was at making them full. She wondered if it was because her whole heart wasn't in the action of killing cute little rabbits or mice. She loved watching the deer and their young play in the meadow, so maybe this was why she couldn't commit to ending such beauty. Her thoughts were harshly disrupted by the sharp howl of her leader, Faite was calling the pack and there was no question about if she should attend. Sprinting her way towards the direction of the howl, Star was downwind of the scene. Blood hit her nose first, metallic and harsh and wolf. The second scent was Frostbite's, and her heart gave a hard thump in her chest, though she pushed him from her mind. There was something wrong, and it had Ritsy's scent all over it. Moving forward, Star looks wide eyed at the sight before her, the scraps of what fur Ritsy had possessed lay matted with blood and gore. A broken whimper left her throat as she came in from behind the gathered pack, both announcing her heartbreak, worry, questions and sorrow in one shattered note. She was frozen, wide-eyed on the scene, unable to do anything but stare at the scraps of Ritsy. Was he...was he gone?

Zuriel's head snapped up at her sister's howl. The tone to her voice made Zuriel's stomach drop. She was quick to get to her paws while she tried not to let her imagination get the best of her. "Come on, kids, we need to get to the meeting," she said gently as she gathered up her children and hurried them on ahead of her so she could watch where they were going. At least the meeting wasn't too far away so she didn't have to herd them for very long. She started scanning Faite's expression as soon as she was close enough to see her. Zell's face was even more telling since he didn't seem to be quite as composed as Faite. She settled down on her haunches among the small group that had gathered so far and motioned for her kids to sit by her as well. She realized this was the first meeting for her children so they may not know what to expect. Putting her concerns over what might be bothering her sister on the back burners for a moment, she dipped her head down so that she could speak softly to her pups. "Sit quietly with me, okay? Aunt Faite is going to tell the pack some important news so we need to pay attention. When your cousins get here you can sit with them if you'd like." "Talk" "You" Think

Daelos didn't really know why their aunt was howling, but she didn't put up any fuss when her mother told them they had to go. She hurried on along with her siblings, occasionally glancing back at their mom curiously. Soon enough they got there and she saw their aunt there with a red-marked guy and two other wolves she didn't know. She was excited about meeting the new wolves, but then her mom told her to sit down back her and she didn't wanna make her momma mad since she looked kind of worried anyway. She plopped down onto her haunches and started to get even more curious when she said that Aunt Faite was gonna tell them some stuff. What kind of news was important news? Was there gonna be something about herself? Suddenly much more interested in this pack meeting thing, Daelos sat dutifully next to her mother and waited to see what all of this was about. "Talk" "You" Think

Breasal knew his momma well enough to know when she meant business. Her howl sounded really serious so he definitely didn't want to wait around and end up getting in trouble! He abandoned the big grasshopper he was stalking and quickly made his way over to where his mom had called from. He didn't see any of his siblings there yet, but his dad was there and he saw how worried his parents seemed to be. His ears flicked uncertainly, but he still made his way over so he could sit next to his dad and glanced between the two of them. He had no idea what was going on or what had happened so he decided the best idea was to sit quietly and wait to see what his momma had to say. He hoped it wasn't anything too bad, but judging by his parent's reactions it probably was. He looked around at the other wolves that had gotten there so far and peeked by them to watch for any of his siblings that might join them soon. "Talk" "You" Think

He'd been at the border when momma called, not so far from where she was. Torin was bulky, brawny, not the fastest creature when it came to getting places, but he'd come none the less. Her tone was different, off from the usual kind and gentle they were used to. How odd. The winterborn's large frame brings him close, ever closer to the source of the call. Mind tumbling all sorts of thoughts and ideas, what was the problem? Torin smells blood before he gets there. Wolf blood. As he meets up with the group, standing beside his brother. Breasal is a stark contrast, and he stands as if a ghost beside the creature. A pair of sentries, stolid. They know when to hold their tongues, and now was one of those. Grim and ghastly, there was no way to tell exactly what was going through mom's mind. Oh no. TORiN bet you'd be disappointed

Population on the wild boars had become imperative. Honestly, she didn't really want to know what would happen if they got out of control. They were large, awfully tempered, and rather rude overall. Granted... they were delicious. Fortune really didn't mind that part of the issue. She'd picked off a couple breeding age females as a means of keeping them controlled. They weren't going to be wiped out, no. They would be stable but not growing. She knows well how to keep them in check. Smart when it comes to what she knows. Faite's call from nearly the other side of the universe leaves Fortune stricken. That tone was not one she was used to, and it sends her off like a bat out of hell. She's not fast. She's never been fast, and by the time she makes it to the group her heart is hammering in her chest. It's clear across the Valley she's run, panting slightly. Head high, but... wow. "Holy..." the word curses her burning chest as she moves to stand at Faite's side, looking to her sister. The Kaliq and the Kalin, standing at the head of the group... but oh the carnage. Fortune knows the scent well, unknowing entirely of what became of Ritsy. What happened to their little weirdo? fortune shock & awe

"Gotcha!" Overgrown paws lifted slightly so she could get a glimpse of her catch, but as soon as she started to lift her paw, the mouse darted out. "Wha? Hey! Come back here!" She bounded after it like a cat would bound after a toy, her tail wagging as she giggled, focused on trying to catch the mouse again. "I just wanna play!" She playfully growled as she bunched her hind legs, her body springing forward in one big leap. She landed with paws outstretched, and before she knew it, her prey had been caught once again! "Awright!" She giggled again, and before she could do anything else, her mom's howl startled her, and once again the mouse slipped out and away. "Aaaawwwww...." She watched it dart into the grasses, and she pouted knowing that she didn't have time to go chasing it again. Huffing, she got up and decided to quickly make her way towards where her mom was. She didn't sound very happy, and her howl sounded a lot different then the first time her mom had called everyone together when the pack was first made. She moved as quickly as her legs could carry her, and luckily she didn't go the way that her father had gone, so the blood that had been spilled was left unknown to her. She arrived in time to see a fair number of the pack gathered, though the mood of it all felt...off. Her smile somewhat faded as she slowed, her fur prickling slightly as she suddenly felt apprehensive. Her brother Rory wasn't there yet, but Torin and Breasal were, so she headed over to them. "What's going on?" She whispered, her eyes wandering over to see her cousins then. She hadn't met them yet, but she knew they were there. She just didn't know when she was allowed to play with them...maybe after the meeting? Without waiting for an answer from her brothers, she slunk over to her cousin Daelos and sat next to her. "Hi, I'm Kairi!" She introduced herself, her apprehension quickly dissolving as she beat her tail lightly against the ground. Walk, "Talk" Think

The call for Lirim's first meeting (asides from the one that announced Lirim's rise) reached the tall males ears. He abandoned his nap, rising up from the ground as he shook the dust off his pelt. He flicked his ears, trying to shake away the flies that buzzed around him in the summer heat. His cousin didn't sound very happy, and he wondered why. What had happened? What was going on? He hadn't been to a meeting since he was a child, and that was when his father once ruled all those years ago. He made his way towards the river with haste, and he didn't stop until the already gathered were in view and their migled scents hit his nose. He slowed until he came to a stop among them, everyone seemingly tense and on edge. In front of the group, Faite and Fortune stood...his head tilted slightly to the side as he sat, what was going on? "Speech"

She tailed her siblings, dreading what their mother could possibly need with a howl like that. The urgency made her want to dally, though she dared not take too long in getting to the gathering. The red velvet girl made her way while watching the others. When she arrived at the gathering, there were so many new faces. But she ran instantly to Daelos. "Hi Dae! How's it going!?" She asked after Kairi spoke to her. Waving her tail, she hardly even looked at the others, instead she stuck with what she knew for now. Curiosity would bloom once her mother spoke again.

She had found it! a stash of food, though who's she didn't know exactly, but hopefully they didn't mind sharing with her. It was only one dead boar but it was huge and she wasn't about to stop and ask questions. Not like they would of understood her perfect French anyway. Her nose had found the slight traces in the wind earlier and then she had found it a short while ago. She chewed her mouthful of meat with reckless abandon. her ears twitched at the sound of a howl, a summoning and she tilted her head before swallowing her meat. She glanced to the direction and stood after cleaning her muzzle with her tongue.

Her paws started her in a trot and she was soon running towards the sound. Her tail was out behind her as a colorful flag of her position the entire time. Not like her brilliant red coat wasn't a bright red flag of her anyway. She kept moving though was quick to stop as she caught sight of a scrap of fur. Her ears pinned and she poked at it with her nose, chancing a few strands to stick to it. The scent here it was to her familiar enough, but the scent of male stood out and she backed away from it before turning tail and dashing to where Faite had called from. She was quick to skid to a halt before the woman, French words falling in a rush from her mouth. The few strands being the tell tale of her fear and panic. "Les cauchemars sont là! Courir! Nous devons courir!" Her sides heaved and her ears pinned as she looked at the woman who she hoped more or less understood her. Her tail was between her legs now and her wide eyes watched her hoping she would understand.

With a glance to the others around she moved to place her shaking form against the right foreleg of Faite. A look to Kairi was sent before her eyes went back to Faite, pleading now.

A howl pierced through his groggy consciousness and Miach might have ignored it if he'd been given the chance. As it was though, their mother was already ushering them towards the meeting and he lifted one lazy eye to peer at her. Whatever was going on, he doubted he'd be allowed to miss the meeting. He rose with a yawn and trotted after Daelos and kept ahead of his mother. When the arrived he took note of the others that had arrived already, but didn't pay them too much attention. Instead he chose to sit quietly next to his mother to wait to see how it all played out. One look at the alpha told him that she was upset about something. Walk, "Talk" Think

Already half a year old and it was obvious he was going to be big and yet he wasn't going to be bulky. He was already showing traces of taking after his mom in stature except for the puppy fat that still clung to him. He had yet to work any of that off yet, but even as it was he was mostly legs. Legs, paws, and large ears that were on constant swivel. They instantly picked up on the howl that came from his mom, but something was off about it. She normally sounded a lot happier than that. The downside was that he was late - super late. He'd been spending most of his time at the border, believing himself to be helping by patrolling (even though he had no earthly idea what he'd do if he'd actually run into somebody) and he wasn't anywhere near Faite when she'd called. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, only tripping over a few things, and arrived panting. He spotted his mom instantly, as well as his dad and other siblings, and then the bright colorful girl that he hadn't seen as of yet. Who was she and why was she cowering up next to mom. He edged closer, coming to the other side of Faite as he peered at her. "Hi I'm Rory, who are you?" Walk, "Talk" Think

She didn't have to wait very long before Zell arrived and judging by his bristling fur and the look on his face he'd seen the gruesome crime scene that had yet to be covered up. If her frown could have deepened it most likely would have, but at the moment it was impossible to get more upset than she already was. "I'll explain in a bit when everyone arrives. I want everyone to be on high alert." It was best to warn everyone now so it didn't happen again. They all deserved to be alerted and on their guard, especially so the pups wouldn't be in any danger. Frostbite came next and judging by his face he'd seen it as well. She was aware the adults could handle seeing it, but if so many were coming across it on their way here perhaps she should have covered it up after all? The last thing she'd wanted to do was let one of the kids see it and freak them out. It was too late to do anything about it now so she dipped her head in greeting towards the other large male in greeting before she turned her attention to the others trickling in. Fortune's presence helped ease her worries slightly. There were two alphas now and the borders would be patrolled more regularly. This wasn't exactly how she'd wanted to announce her cousin's promotion, but it would have to do for now. She dipped her head towards the woman before watching as the last stragglers came in. Jewell's arrival was probably the most surprising simply because she ran right up to her spouting off whatever language it was she spoke. Her ears flattened temporarily against her head as she struggled to figure out what the young girl was saying, but to no avail. The only thing she could glean was that she was scared about something. "Everything will be alright, I promise. There's no need to panic." She whispered. By the time she looked up again Rory had arrived, one of the last few she'd been waiting on, and she looked down at him with a stern look as he talked to Jewell. He'd been late, but she supposed she'd have to address it later. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice." She began, looking up at everyone gathered. "I'll start by addressing the elephant in the room - I know some of you have already noticed the scene further down the river. Ritsy was attacked. I'm not sure by what and his body is missing as well. I strongly suggest that everyone takes a partner with them when they go on a patrol and children are not to be at the borders or outside of them without an adult." That would help give her some ease of mind - not that children were good at following rules, but she hoped that they could grasp how serious the situation was. It was bad enough that someone had hurt Ritsy - if anyone else got hurt she wasn't quite sure how she would handle it. "I've promoted Fortune to Kaliq - I'm sure she'll serve the pack well as my secondary." She offered a brief smile to the larger woman as congratulations. "Anyone is free to call meetings and I strongly encourage everyone to attend them when they are called, even if it's not a subject you're familiar with." She glanced towards the children next - they were all big enough for mentors now. Rather than waiting another two seasons for them to become an apprentice it was about time to kickstart their training. She'd waited long enough and there was almost enough adults in the pack to be able to teach them everything they needed to know. "I'd like to assign all the children mentors now. Fortune, you'll mentor Rory, Zell you'll take on Torin, Zuriel, you can train Jaidah, Stardust can take on Kairi, Rin with Miach, Frost, I know you're knew, but if you could train Breasal for now I'd appreciate it. I'll train Jewell and Daelos for now. After about a season I'll have the children switch mentors again so they can learn another subject so in the mean time just teach them according to whatever rank you possess currently." She lanced around, seeing if there'd be any objections or opinions before she continued. "If anyone has any questions or concerns feel free to voice them now or you can speak to me or Fortune after the meeting." Walk, "Talk" Think