We Can't Find Common Ground

Lykos was a ghost. Not literally, but he may as well be with how drifted from spot to spot, avoiding everyone and generally staying under the radar. He fended for himself through the pack, through the seasons, ever since... well, ever since everything went down between his mother and Mercy. When he was demoted to that of essentially a prisoner, and was not allowed to leave. Since he was not allowed to leave - and he held off on his challenge for his freedom - he simply... disappeared. There were many ways he could avoid others; it was quite simple to ignore everyone, especially since everyone ignored him.

It made him wonder that if this was just a reaction to his demotion, which was no doubt known, or if this reaction was around when he was Heir and he was simply oblivious. He'd certainly earned the ire and hatred of his siblings - and it had been obvious for quite a long time. Had others been harboring that same resentment? It was a curiosity to the silent wolf, who simply watched from the shadows. It bothered him that it might have been the case, but whenever he found himself pondering it further, he found himself utterly apathetic and uncaring. As if the emotions simply slipped from his head and left him with nothing but a shell, and then it no longer bothered him.

It was odd, how that happened, but Lykos also didn't question it - just as he didn't question no one seeking him out or anything during the two seasons he spent as this infernal prisoner. Two seasons, one of them where he aged into a full adult of two years. Now that was past, and it was now winter. Winter was probably not the brightest month for the young adult to attempt to leave the pack (again), but Lykos was beyond the point of care. He'd easily make it through; he had no doubt about that.

Despite the coldness in his heart and his eyes, he did hope he wouldn't have to fight for his freedom. He knew what had happened since becoming this prisoner; first and foremost, Vereux had died. Lykos still wasn't sure how he felt about that. He wouldn't lie to himself - he knew the feeling of relief when it hit him. He was glad, in a way, when Vereux had died. It was one less thread and one less danger, and less trouble, but at the same time Lykos just wished Vereux never existed at all, or at least had nothing to do with his mother. Then, perhaps, the problems wouldn't have arisen.

Something deep in him nagged that the problems would have arisen anyway, that they would have just found a different manner, and he sighed, shaking his head to clear it of the snow that started dusting the top of his head. Shortly after that, just recently, his mother abdicated as alpha - to Dragon. He'd heard that little speech from afar, deigning not to show up, but he'd lurked far enough away to listen without being noticed at all - the point. If he was not to be released, it was far too easy to set himself up for failure to be removed from the pack. However, he'd prefer to just leave of his own volition.

... Which meant dealing with the new alpha of Ivalice, Dragon. Lykos didn't know whether to laugh at that, or to be happy, or what - more often than not, his thoughts simply drifted along the lines of 'eh, whatever'. Indifference, even when he tried to be scornful. He just... did not care anymore. He was tired of this shit, and just wanted to leave.

Sighing again, Lykos stepped out further into the open, the moonlight hitting his pelt squarely even as he shook off more snow that was still being blown around by the slight wind. The air was frigid, but Lykos relished in the cold bite of it, finding the chill pleasurable and calming. He sat down in the snow, eyes focused in the direction that he figured Dragon was, though he was aware and alert to his surroundings; if his shorter brother decided to try some sort of sneaky action, it would not go unnoticed. First, though, Lykos had to call for Dragon. Tipping his head gently back, Lykos howled for Dragon. It was a gentle, mild call, one devoid of emotion and desiring only one thing - the presence of the alpha. It still managed to avoid sounding demanding, instead almost sounding callous - as if Lykos didn't quite completely care about whether or not Dragon showed up... and truly, Lykos didn't. If Dragon did not deign to respond, he'd simply take it as leave to exit the pack as he intended to two seasons prior.

"Lykos"