Cormalin

It was several hours after the successful meeting called by Chrysanthe. Cormalin was giving her time to go through any wolves that might want to speak with her, and he was also waiting for when Aislyn could be available. Her daughter would be sleeping right about now. While none of the pups here in Valhalla were his own children, he had a deep interest in them and kept watch over them all when he could. Luna forbid any rogue try to hurt a pup of Valhalla. They?d not live to learn from that mistake. He settled onto his haunches, glancing up at the sky, which was just beginning to darken into the colors of evening. When the sky settled into dark pastels of purple, blue, and grey, he tipped his head back and sang two names. Chrysanthe?s name was sung in a respectful Summons given only to an Alpha. Aislyn?s was given in the notes for a respected Beta Female. He sang to the both of them, and let his song taper out, before lowering his muzzle and looking about the small meadow clearing. In Spring, it would be alive with flowers and grass, and herbs that Erani would be gathering for her healers? stock. He thought of the soft sweet scents the flowers would bring to Valhalla and smiled. How would his Nieces and Nephews take to Spring. Gabriel would be the one to hide from it, he knew. The pup didn?t seem to like anything but his mother.

The meeting had gone quickly and smoothly. She couldn't be happier about that - she had been quite nervous to start. Yet the wolves that had showed up were supportive and attentive, and she was extremely grateful. Leaving those grounds, she felt better about leading this pack, even though at the moment she was doing it without another alpha beside her. She no longer felt like she was pulling any sort of weight alone - she had Aislyn, Erani and Thane, as well as the support of her family no matter how young, old or spread around they were. She would do well, Valhalla would prosper once more. Feeling a touch more confident in Valhalla's future, she perked her ears, hearing the call of another lupine. This particular wolf was Cormalin, someone that she had yet to truly get to know, but who she knew was related to Erani. He had spoken briefly at the meeting, and said that he wanted to speak to her afterward.


Trailing in the direction that he had called her from, she looked forward to their talk. He would probably choose a rank, and perhaps he had a goal in mind that he wanted to pursue? If he did, she would support him, and offer any guidance that she could. He had a family to protect here, and she knew how important that was to a lupine. Erani's pups were her family too, her brothers and sisters despite not being blood related or even tied together by their last name. Erani was all they needed to make them family, and since they were family, Cormalin was as well. He had her respect, and she hoped that she had earned his as well.


"Cormalin." She spoke his name to catch his attention, standing neatly before him. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" She asked, and would wait for him to speak. He seemed to want Aislyn to be here as well since she was part of the council and second in command. Azalea could be here too if that was the case, but the yearling was new to her rank, while Aislyn had been a leader in Valhalla for a very long time.

Cormalin

Chrysanthe arrived, graceful and lovely. He waited, but Aislyn must have been busy. He thought back to the grey male that looked a great deal like her daughter, and smiled. Then turned his attention to the matter at his paws. He stood, bowing his head in greeting to Chrysanthe. ?Chrysanthe.? His deep baritone greeted her with warmth. Raising his head, he settled back to his haunches. ?The pleasure is all mine. The meeting went very well, don?t you think?? His muzzle pulled into a gentle smile. Now, to his business. ?I had wondered. Have you anyone in mind for the secondary Beta position? I?ve been considering it myself. Aislyn needs someone who can take some of the load from her back, and give her more time to spend with her daughter and mate. And if she is injured, a secondary Beta will help her feel that she can afford to rest until she is healed. I?d like to take that position, and will happily do all I can to earn it.? He dipped his head lightly, and fell silent, giving her the stage. He?d been trained to be a Beta in Redwood Pack. He would have been named the Beta?s Heir if Redwood Pack hadn?t been slaughtered. And Erani would have been announced as the Chosen Heir of the Pack on the same day. He was confident in his ability to lead beside Aislyn as a friend, and the second wave if she fell in a fight. He wanted to serve Valhalla, and he felt this was the best way to do so. So he waited for Chrysanthe?s decision. He wouldn?t fault her or be put out if she said no. But he did hope she would say yes.

She had expected for him to request a rank to train in - but instead his inquiry was far bolder. What the dark brute before her wanted, was a chance to fulfill the beta position. At first, it struck her as almost arrogant, because she had barely known him, there were wolves that had been here longer. Yet as he spoke, his words sincere and his tone and body language not a pinch short of respectful, she found herself considering it. He did not know it, but he had brought up a very good point. Aislyn had wanted to step down from her position months ago - so that she would have time to raise her family the way that she had wanted. Then, Collision and Soliel had been alphas, Syrinx their heir and she a beta. There were many wolves to make her job run more smoothly. Now, she was filling in shoes on her own again - which she was capable of of course, but it would stretch a lupine with fewer responsibilities, not to mention a new mother.


"Cormalin, you are newer to Valhalla than many others. Asking for such a position could be seen by many as overtly proud." She started, but there was no resentment, no anger in her blue gaze. "But you're right. Aislyn and I could both use another beta right now - and you are family to me." Through Erani, she didn't feel that it needed to be spoken. "I trust you." It wasn't something that everyone could manage right off of the bat, but this male was one of the few that could say that he did. He was a regal brute, one that was scarred and a bit aged. But Chrysanthe didn't see his age as weakness - they could use someone experienced in their growing council. She and Azalea were both young, new to power, and although Aislyn was experienced she had other goals to meet as well.


"If I were to give you this rank, it would not only be for Aislyn's sake or mine. You must prove to me and to Valhalla that you will serve as one of their pillars. My father worked his entire life for this, and I plan to do the same. I expect the same of you, Cormalin." It was a pledge, a promise, that he would not desert Valhalla like so many already had. That he would not turn his back on them, turn tail and run at even the largest of changes. He would fight for this pack, just as she would. "It can all be earned with time, but you have to promise me you will remain loyal." If not to her, then to Valhalla as a whole. The alpha's blue gaze settled on the male before her, inquiry in her expression.

Cormalin

As Chrysanthe spoke, he listened, not speaking letting her speak her piece. His ears were forward, taking in every word she uttered, mismatched gaze gentle understanding. A faint smile touched his jowls as she spoke that he was like family to her. Family. It was something that had been torn away from him twice. He had found it again, in Erani, and in Valhalla, and he would fight to the death to keep it from being ripped away again. Blood didn?t matter. Her trust in him was a warm ember in his heart. In a way, she was almost like a Niece. He?d watched her grow under Erani?s care, with her siblings, from afar, and had grown to love them just as much as any blood uncle. Chrysanthe continued speaking and he understood all she said. He had asked for a private meeting with her and Aislyn because he knew it would seem too cocky to ask about it at the meeting. She finished, and looked at him for his answer. ?I will only ever leave Valhalla when Death takes me in His paws, whether in battle or in sleep and Old age. Valhalla is my family. And Family is worth fighting for, dying for. I was born in a pack where loyalty and Honor were what drove it?s prosperity. I would sooner die than break my oath of Loyalty to Valhalla.? He gazed into her eyes as he spoke, his honesty plain in the mismatched gold and blue eyes. His heart went into the words. He knew his parents and mentor would be proud if they were there. This was the oath he would have given as a yearling, and with just as much honesty as he gave them now. ?I couldn?t be more honored to serve you and Valhalla, Chrysanthe. Whether as a Beta or an Omega or anywhere in between, I could never be more honored to be a wolf of Valhalla.? His voice was steady, though his tones thrummed with an undercurrent of pride for being a part of this pack.

His answer was inspiring, it was perfect - more than she had expected of him actually. She knew that his family would give him the drive that he needed to fulfil his duties as beta, but he considered the entire pack his family, just as she did. He mentioned his birth pack, and she couldn't help but be curious as to where he and Erani were raised - she had never heard much about them, but on the contrary had never asked. It was a place of loyalty and honor though, which only gave her more confidence that the decision she was about to make was right. When he met her eyes, his own were filled with sincerity, and Chrysanthe's shone with pride. "Your loyalty to Valhalla and sincerity in its expression are commendable." She was proud of him, incredibly so.


She would watch him at first, but there wasn't a doubt in her mind that he would do well here. Perform above and beyond expectation. In all honesty filling in this rank was an incredible relief, it left her with a more well rounded council - and although he was not an Adravendi, he was family to her. "Cormalin - please do me the honor of serving this pack as its Beta. I couldn't imagine a man suiting the title more than you do." She was glad that he had come to her, even though the idea seemed rather brash within her head, he had managed to do so in the most humble way possible. He was truly one of a kind.


"You will lead beside Aislyn, and are welcome to tell her should I not get to her first." The ivory dame should be glad to know that she wasn't filling the rank on her own any longer. Although she needed to speak with her, to figure out whether she wanted to do this during and after her daughter growing up, or whether there was someone that she should have her eye on to train to take her place.

Aislyn

The ivory temptress was within her den tending to her child when she heard the call. Cormalin, one of the stronger males in Valhalla was calling for her and Chrysanthe. For what she did not know, hadn't everything been sorted out during the meeting? Apparently not, he seemed as if he needed something, and it seemed to be a discussion with his alpha and beta. She hoped nothing was wrong. She nudged her pup to bed, tucking her deeply into her fathers soft pelt. With a kiss goodbye she set on her way. By the time she got there a conversation had already been had, and all she heard was ""You will lead beside Aislyn, and are welcome to tell her should I not get to her first." Lead? Beside her? Had Chrysanthe just promoted another beta in Valhalla? She slithered toward them, hips swaying in the most sensual ways. She was a diva at heart, an untouchable desire that most males wanted. Though she payed little mind to men, well, except Friction. He was an acceptation. "Good day my queen and Cormalin." She offered them both a respectful nod. "Excuse my tardiness, being a mother isn't as easy as I expected it to be." A warm smile spread across her features as she giggle lightly. It was true, being a mother to just one pup was a job itself, let alone two more. "But it seems as if I've come into the conversation just in time. You've been honored with the title as beta along side myself." She took a few steps toward the man, focusing her attention directly on him. "I'm honored to lead alongside you and miss Chrysanthe. I see nothing but good in you, and I do agree that you will be a marvelous beta male." She nodded politely to him, then turned back to her queen. "I do need to speak with you my lady." She needed to tell her about her plans with Liberty, and hope she would agree. She had been training awfully hard, and the idea of becoming beta was already planted into her mind.

Cormalin

Cormalin stood silently as she spoke, her eyes proud, and his own gleaming with a soft confidence. She studied him for a moment, and he wondered what she was thinking, before she spoke, and he listened to her words, lowering his head in acceptance as she went on. Aislyn chose this moment to arrive, offering a greeting and an apology. ?Quite alright.? Baritone voice returned the warmth as his mismatched eyes twinkled. Her next words were received with a smile and a nod, and then his eyes turned to Chrysanthe. ?I will serve you and Valhalla with honor, pride, and will give my life if that is what it takes to protect the pack.? His words were given with the same honesty he would always carry till the day he died. He bowed his head and stepped aside to give Aislyn room to speak with Chrysanthe. He had an idea of what she wanted to speak to the alpha about. He wondered who he would find to train to take the Male position after them. He too had an idea, but an idea only. Castiel might only want to be a warrior, maybe a Gamma like his father, since the eldest born child of Erani seemed to idolize the giant black male. The imitation of Nova?s mannerisms were quite amusing at times. Cormalin sat to the side, haunches sinking to the snow, tail curling over his paws. He was pleased with what he had. He would serve Valhalla to the utmost best that he could give. He still had a few years in him, and intended to use them for Valhalla and his sister. They were all he had left.