Ludovic meandered through the dense forest, his mismatched eyes shifting restlessly as he prowled beneath the canopy’s shadowy embrace. The morning mist clung to his fiery pelt, trailing like ghostly tendrils as he wove through the undergrowth. There was no purpose in his stride, no clear destination—only a gnawing restlessness that churned beneath his skin. He paused by a twisted oak, emerald and crimson gaze scanning the terrain. He was too sharp-witted to settle for idleness, but with no prey to hunt and no scheme to hatch, his muscles coiled with unspent energy, craving anything to break the monotony.

Come on. Something needed to happen!



"Ludovic Praetor-Inferos"

Flare was in the forest, checking on pelts he had left to cure when he heard the sound of yipping creatures moving through the woods. He paused, frowning thoughtfully at the noise. Coyotes? He assumed they were moving through and wouldn’t linger in the territory owned and guarded by wolves. But the sound of their yipping cries changed.

A sound that meant prey had been found. He frowned, moving away from his pelts and further into the woods. If they were hunting on Syndicate territory, there would be hell to pay. He didn’t have to go much further before he realised they were hunting a child. One of Absinth’s children. He stepped out of the woods and next to the red wolf before the coyotes arrived, following the boys scent.


"Speech"

Ludovic's ears twitched at Flare’s approach, his gaze cutting to the side as the other wolf stepped beside him. A low, dangerous growl rumbled in his throat as the yipping chorus drew closer. Realization dawned on the boy as he mentally berated himself for being caught so unawares. The scent of the beasts—it prickled his senses, setting a cold rage simmering beneath his skin. His eyes narrowed, a vicious smile tugging at his lips as he peeled up at the fiery brute beside him. He could rival his own father in terms of flame and ash. "Fucking coyotes." he murmured, voice dripping with youthful indignation.

He flexed his claws into the dirt, muscles rippling with anticipation. He was loath to accept being seen as prey to the mangy mutts. His shoulders rolled, head dipping low as his tail lashed at his hocks. He was angry, jerking his skull to the side to bid his ravens to call out any attacks from the rear as he wanted for the fight to begin.


"Ludovic Praetor-Inferos"

“Fucking coyotes” He echoed back at the boy, agreeing with the sentiment. He spared a moment to grin at the younger wolf, even as he prepared himself to intercede in a fight. He did not care much for others, and certainly wouldn’t step in the middle of most fights. Puppy or no. But he owed Absinth more than that.

The coyotes tore out of the woods and immediately circled them. If they were shocked that there was more than just the pup to face them, they didn’t show it. The first two lunged, one to Flare, and one to the pup. Flare couldn’t be at two places at once. He just needed the pup to hold their own long enough for him to finish his fight.


"Speech"

Ludovic’s gaze flickered back to Flare, catching the fleeting grin, but he said nothing in return. There was no need for words—the shared understanding was clear enough, wasn’t it? He squared his shoulders, mismatched eyes burning as he took stock of the approaching threats. The coyotes moved with coordinated aggression, weaving through the undergrowth with all the speed and cunning he loathed them for. Scavengers.

His hackles bristled, a fierce, almost feral gleam lighting up his eyes as the first two broke from the treeline. He could see them clearly now: lean, mangy bodies with sharp, hungry eyes. They’d chosen their marks without hesitation, and one had its sights set on him. Good. He welcomed the challenge.

Lunging forward, Ludovic didn’t wait for the coyote to close the distance. He met it halfway, jaws snapping with a vicious snarl as he barreled into the wiry creature. Teeth clashed, and the acrid scent of its breath washed over him, but Ludovic twisted, using his growing size and momentum to slam the coyote into the ground. Claws tore through fur and flesh, a brief spray of blood marking the spot as he forced it back.

“Think I’m an easy mark?” he growled, breath hot and heavy as he clamped down hard, feeling the coyote struggle beneath his grip. It yelped, thrashing wildly, but Ludovic held firm, muscles straining as he bore down. Even through the chaos, he caught a glimpse of Flare tangling with the other one, and he knew instinctively that the older wolf would make short work of his opponent.

“Guess again, motherfucker.” he snarled into the coyote’s ear, voice low and dangerous. With a violent twist, he released it, watching with a twisted satisfaction as the creature staggered, bleeding and disoriented. But he wasn’t done. Not yet. He bared his fangs, eyes flashing as he stepped forward, lunging once again at the coyote, holding fast to it’s jugular.

"Ludovic Praetor-Inferos"

As Flare used his large size to dominate his coyote, and grab its throat with his teeth, he heard the pup behind him as he snarled words at his enemy. Of course any offspring of Absinth would be sassy…

He snapped the coyote's neck, and tossed his opponent to the side. The other coyotes danced around him, treating him with more caution. He snarled, not wishing to delay the fight any longer than it needed to be.

He turned to see how Ludovic was doing, and saw the pup was winning against his opponent. Turning his eyes to the more cowardly coyotes, he fake lunged forward, and then turned suddenly. Snapping at a different coyote with unexpected force. He caught their shoulder in his fangs and tore it to the ground.


"Speech"