I'll Give You Something To Believe In [claiming]

Karabela found herself heading north.  Bass was discussing potential alphaship with Lark while the young femme fidgeted about the pack lands.  She'd gotten her hopes up she supposed, not that she was really angry with Bass.  It made sense to discuss this with Lark who was the rightful heir to Abaven but she couldn't help wondering how the rest of the family would feel about her ambition.  Many of the early conflicts in Abaven were between the Destruction family and those who were not Destructions…. or at least that's what she remembered being said even if she hadn't quite felt that herself.  Lillie had certainly been passionate about it.  Would Karabela be seen as some sort of monster for trying to give an old man a bit of respite to grieve?  It had been a mutual understanding after all and no one else had stepped forward.  It was fine to talk and react after a decision was made but another completely to make the first move.

Still, she supposed accepting Bass' offer may have over-stepped some line and what-in-the-hairy-armpits-of-a-hibernating-bear were those?!  Karabela's musings stopped dead as she stared at the massive trees ahead of her.  Oh wow cool!  She trotted towards them before a memory slowly filtered through her mind.  Oh right… this was pack land.  She'd met her aunt Aserlín at the border some time ago when she'd been hunting for her son.  However, as Karabela neared the border she noticed that the usually strong and distinct scent markings were fading.  That was unlike the vikings.  They usually took excellent care of the borders…

Karabela's eyes narrowed.  Something had definitely happened here and she'd howl for a moment, ears twitching but receiving no answer.  She howled again and only the wind would answer her.  They were gone?  Carefully she stepped over the border and into the Red Forest.  Nostrils flared, her senses on high alert for any sign of the wolves that would most certainly skin her alive if she were caught here but as she walked it only became more and more clear that the viking pack had disbanded.

Karabela stood still for a moment, the gears in her mind turning.  Here were packlands ripe for the taking.  However, she agreed to take Abaven if Lark didn't want it.  If.  That she hadn't received an answer yet meant that either Lark was mulling it over or perhaps there was now another candidate.  It made sense.  Family was the most important thing to Abaven after all and well… while it would certainly be the harder road to start a pack from scratch Karabela had never been one to fear the harder way.  There was also something tantalizing about starting from scratch.  Making something of nothing and this way would certainly cause less conflict and pain to her former pack mates.  She hoped Bass would not be sore at her for backing out of the deal but fate had just handed her an opportunity and she was not going to pass it up.  What were the odds that a pack would disband just as she was ready to start one herself?  This… this was destiny.

Excitement swelled in her breast with a new burst of confidence.  This was a sign if there ever was one and she was determined to make something great of herself. "This one's for you mother.  I'm going to make something of myself.  For better.  For worse.  Your sacrifice made me stronger, the challenge of a pack will make me stronger, I will walk through this fire, I will be tempered into what I was always meant to be."  Tipping her head back she howled a strong, clear note into the sky.  Ivory Ridge was hers.

"Speech"