The effort of dragging his unconscious mate through the territories wore on him quickly. With each step he thought this would be it, he would be forced to collapse her beside her and they would be at the mercy of whoever stumbled upon them. Then there was the fear that Cat would change her mind and come after them ? Cru knew that if this happened there would be nothing he could do. He had woozy and out at the start of this trial, now after the effort of dragging her all this way his head pounded like thunder in his skull and his body shook with effort. When he looked up, intent on dragging her further he would realise the Solstice wasn't far now, he could risk a howl to call someone to him. He lifted his head and howled for one of his pack to come to his aid. As he lowered his head again he half collapsed, turning it into a crouch as he hovered above Sibelle's body, ready to give his life to save her if the situation called for it, and not ready to ever leave her side again ? little did he know that some time to come as he guarded over her body and she would awaken, that for a moment she would barely remember who he was. ""

She'd stand as the call reached her ears, the feeling of need in her brother's voice. She would rush from the den, not knowing if Alpine or either of the children followed. She had a guess at what she would find as she raced over the territory with haste. She would fly over the border, running like the wind as she caught sight of Cru with his mate at his feet. She would race in, stopping enough that she would not throw her brother off balance when she came to his side. A whine would flow from her lips as she licked at his cheek, "Oh, Cru.." She didn't know what else to say, he was a mess and Sibelle was.. She was so limp.. ~"Twig"~

She had been blissfully unaware. Unaware of her mates loss. Of the moment of uncertainty that hung in the air before she was released. She was unaware of her release. Unaware that she was being dragged back home. It wasn't until they lay quietly waiting that she began to regain her awareness. Her eye would flutter open, vision blurry and unfocused. She would blink rapidly, blinking the world into focus. She would look around, confusion etching into her features. What happened? Where was she? Her head pounded, her body ached from being dragged. It was then that she realized she was not alone. She would peer up at him, her singular gaze taking a moment to focus on his face. And nothing. Ears fell back against her skull as she immediately recoiled from him. Her posture was purely defensive as she watched him with uncertainty. Her gaze would dart round, her stance wobbly. Her tail tucked as her chin tucked against her throat. She stayed silent, watching him with uncertainty. Nostrils quivered, inhaling the scent of blood and pack. She thought about running, fleeing, but something kept her still, kept her rooted to the ground. A woman stood beside him, one that just as much as a stranger to her as the man beside her. "Burn Baby Burn"

He looked to the borders of his land with searching eyes as he waited for someone to heed his call. So close to home it was nearly impossible to hold on to his defensive stance, his strength and he deflated noticeably as he hovered protectively over his loved one. It would be his dear sister that came to his rescue, flying over the territory and towards him with a speed borne of fear for him. He melted against her, leaning his weight gently against and breathing in for what felt like the first time since his battle with Cat had ended. He hoped Twig could help him get Sibelle's limp form over the territory and into their den, but if they didn't go soon no doubt Twig would have to try and drag both of them. Sibelle would wake as he thought and worried and his attention would flicker to her. The eyes that stared back at him where unfamiliar, because they where filled with confusion and without a hint of the familiar emotions towards him. He started in shock, uncomprehending as she recoiled from him, took on a defence stance with more energy that he thought she might posses. He sagged wholly and completely at seeing that expression on her. It was like she had given up on him, felt nothing for him now in the light of his failure to keep her safe, for what had happened to her. ?Sibelle...? he whispered, holding back his urge to reach for her. ""

She appeared from out of nowhere, a ghost that had been hiding in the shadows. Cru's call had pulled her from her previous task, but it wasn't that important anyway. The feelings lying beneath his call were enough to have her concerned and without thinking, she searched for him. Red and blue eyes fell upon him and a few others before she physically reached the small huddle of wolves. Silently, her heart began to break. Her large, gray form materialized next to Twig's white frame, opts racing over the Alpha and his beloved. She had known that Sibelle had been taken captive by Cataleya, but she didn't know how much stuff the two of them would go through. Instead of showing a submissive approach -- tail between hocks, ears flattened, and head lowered -- she silently moved over to Sibelle's side. "Sibelle..." she softly said, tones displaying a tenderness that only she could possess. "I'm Odette...I'm here to help you and ensure your safety." A soft smile was given before she looked up to Cru, nodding while doing so to show she was there to help with the small journey to their home...even if it felt big to the wounded male. "Talk" "You" Think

She?d feel her brother lean into her, his worn appearance very much needing her presence with him. He wouldn?t have a chance to say anything as Sibelle would fin dher way to her feet, to Twig?s surprise. The woman looked almost as bad as her brother. Though she?d only spent little amounts of time with her it was obvious that she was not in her right mind. Her eyes were wild and almost feral as she stared at the wolves before her. Suddenly Odette was there too, Twig would look her way only a moment, never straying from Crucifix?s side. She could tell her brother also knew that something was wrong with his mate. Instead it would be Odette that reached out to her, soothing vocals filling the air. Twig would nuzzle her brother, she?d comfort him and offer him a shoulder to lean on. This would not be an easy time. "Talk" Think "You"

Aernd?s was returning to base, back to the new pack she'd recently joined. The woman had been keeping to herself, partly because she was in heat and partly because she still had her mission. She'd been searching every direction of the compass, searching for the scents of her quarry. Yet, each day brought more and more disappointment. It was maddening!


Blood caught the rapt attention of the murderess. Had there been a battle? If so she wanted in! Steely limbs unfurled as she raced toward the source of the scent. But where she'd hoped to meet a training session she instead found a scene of defeat and disgrace. Boy? Cru wasn't kidding when he said he needed warriors. Well, it was a good thing she was here. Ignoring the strange red woman she made a beeline right for Crucifix.


"Wow? what the fuck happened? I've heard of lover's spats but this is impressive." She chuckled lightly before glancing at the other wolves. "Oh, I'm Aernd?s by the way, I'm new." She moved to the other side of Cru, offering her side if he needed more support, her nose reaching out to violate his personal space so she could sniff him. "?where have you been? Who's scent is that? It's not Solstice!" Goodness she was out of the loop.


"Speech"