family only please

The storm raged on, raining pouring down endless, thunder cracking the sky. And even as mother nature forced her wrath pun them, she would steadily grow weaker. She was so weak that she had been unable to answer her brothers call at the beginning of the storm. Her boys were out and about, there was very little that could confine them to the den, even though both were not to pleased with the move. Amarant had voiced his displeasure, his attitude had changed, and Koray spent much of his time asleep or wandering. She would sigh, but it quickly turned into a hacking cough. Her frail body would rattle helplessly as her cough subsided to a wheeze. She had known for a long time that she was ill. Sick and slowly dying. Unknown to her, she had cancer.

Curled within the confines of her den, her sides would rise and fall with shaky breaths. A doom fell around her and she knew what needed to be done. With great care she would begin to groom her pelt. She would wash away the dust a debris, carefully placing each hair in its place. She would bathe herself from head to toe. Rising, she would move to the mouth of her den, her steps slow and weary. Sticking her head out, she would let loose a weary call for her family. Backing up, she would lay down in her designated place, limbs folding beneath her delicately. She had lost weight, the only thing that had kept her from looking like a skeleton was the fact that she had forced herself to eat regularly for her boys sake. Her crown would lower to her paws, a cough raking her body again.

Eyes would flutter close, consciousness ebbing. A peaceful death, it wasn't that bad of a way to go. Part of her felt weak for leaving her children orphaned. Their father was gone, and now she was living her last few moments. How would they fair? Would they be okay without her? She had taught them as much as possible, but they were still so young. A sigh would lift her sides, her breath whooshing out softly. Peace would surround her, the world slowly slipping away. But she needed to hang on. She needed to say goodbye to her boys. She needed to tell them she loved them.

"Speech"

He hadn't been busy, he had simply been scared. He had heard so much about his children from Vi when he and Cataleya had first planned to leave but since then had only heard rumours that Rune had gotten his own pack. He hadn't been to visit yet, not having seen his kids since? Well? How long had it been? He had met Rune's mate on an off encounter but that was it, since Secret's death? What was that? A year, two years ago? His heart clenched in his chest as he stood at the boarders of this pack, deeply inhaling the scents that floated around him. Despite the rain he could catch some scents still. His children were here? The storm was still going hard, the wind howled and the rain poured down in sheets it seemed as he waited. He had to go? He had to make sure they were alright in this storm. Basanti was safe with Catalyea and now he had two more children he needed to check on. So he didn't wait, plunging into the pack lands uninvited and probably unwanted. But he didn't need to be found, didn't need them to see him. He just needed to see them and see that they were okay. But apparently the gods had a different plan. The rain hadn't completely washed away Maia's scent and after a few long minutes of searching he found an area that it was fairly scent. But what was that? Sickness plagued her scent and slowly his head would lift and ears would fold into his skull. Verdant eyes fell on what must have been her den. Massive paws would begin moving before he even early thought about it. and he would slip into the den to find Maia. She was curled into herself, so small and frail looking. Sickness plagued the scent of this den and slowly his shoulders would sag. His dear sweet daughter? He had always felt so much resentment towards her, she was so much like her mother and it had frustrated him to no end? "Maia?" Her name slipped off his tongue in a breath and slowly his legs would begin to tremble before collapsing complete. "I'm so sorry my dear.." His voice quivered, his nose just inches from her own. He wanted nothing more then to reach out and touch her in what seemed to be her last moments. Would she let him? WORDS HERE

Fog surrounded her, pulling her deeper into the darkness. But someone was coming. Someone as in the den. Her name fell from his lips. So familiar. A thud landed before her, his smell washing over her. That was all she needed. Eyes would flutter open, blurred vision focusing on none other than her father. Despite her pathetic state, eyes would widen in surprise. He had crumpled just inches from her. Had she not been on her death bed, she would have trembled with rage, shouted curses at him and damned him to the deepest pits of hell. He had abandoned her. She knew he had resented her. She was the only one who looked so much like her mother and she guessed that had contributed to his resentment. She should have been angry. How dare he show up after so much time had passed. He had plenty of chances to be a father but he failed.

But instead, her lips would lift in a weak smile. "Daddy." His name left her lips on a breath. There was so much she longed for. Her boys, she wanted to see them. She wanted to feel her fathers love one last time. Her gaze remained fixated on him, eyes brightening only fractionally. "I love you." Words came out in a mumble, a shiver rattle her frame. She was cold. Darkness crept in on her vision, her breaths coming in slow gasps. No. She wasn't ready yet. Her boys weren't here. She would fight, desperately, to keep her eyes open and focus on her father. She held on the last remaining threads of consciousness. "My boys..." Concern etched into her weary features, along with traces of panic. Death was knocking at her door, demanding to be let in. Her heart would skip a beat, stuttering even as she fought.

"Speech"

The massive beast took up almost half her den on his own, he couldn't take his eyes away from her as she trembled and fought to remain conscious. He should have been there for her, should have supported her more but he had blamed all his children for what their mother had done. For what she had done to him. He had never really taken into consideration his children's feeling. Not until Basanti. Since her? He understood now, understood everything he had done wrong. He wouldn't blame her if she hated him, wouldn't blame her if she wanted to be with anyone but him in her last moments. But as he watched she would smile, weakly, and whisper a single word he had never heard from her lips since she was a child. A lump would gather in his throat and for a moment he would swallow and choke on that lump, closing his eyes against the sting that was beginning behind his eyes. When he finally opened his eyes again his vision was blurred, barely able to make out anything about her other then the darkness of her fur and the green eyes she had inherited from him. 'I love you." The words hit him like a brick to the head and for a moment his head would snap up and his eyes would widen. His lower jaw unhinged, opening and closing as he gasped like a fish out of water looking for words. He couldn't find them, a torrent of things he always wanted to tell his kids flooding over him. All he could do was slowly lift himself and move, stepping over his daughter to lay behind her and drape his head over her shoulders in an attempt to share some of his warmth with her. She spoke again and again his eyes would snap wide. She was a mother? "You're a mother?"His words were coked, raw. Wetness dripped onto her back and for a moment he would stare at where it fell. Tears? He cleared his throat, trying to chase the rawness away as he closed his eyes and tried to force the tears to go. But that just made them fall faster, wetting her shoulder until her lowered his head to wrap her in a sort of hug. "I'll keep them safe? Find your mother, I will see you in my dreams just as they will see you in theirs..." He was trying to be comforting but even as the words came from his lips he realized that he must sound like a madman. Had her mother ever visited her in her dreams?

Speech!

She could see the shock on his face, but it wasn't completely registering. He would rise, curling around her and blanketing her in his warmth. She would sigh, leaning into, burying herself in his side. How long she had waited to feel her fathers love again. His choked words would barely register. "I need to see my boys." Her voice would rise in panic. Her father would embrace her, his head resting against her shoulders and pulling into his embrace. He would keep them safe. He beckoned her to go, to go find her mother. A defiant growl, weak as it was, would leave her throat. She was not ready dammit! Her gaze would focus on the mouth of her den, waiting to see her sons faces.

She wanted just a few more moments with them. She wanted to to tell them that she loved them, that they needed to go out and be good boys. They would be okay. She would always be watching them, whether or not they knew it. And she that her father and brother would take care of her boys, they would be safe from the cruel world until they could properly defend themselves. Her breathing slowed, each breath growing more and more shallow. Fighting off the darkness was exhausting her, she simply wanted to close her eyes and drift off into a peaceful sleep.

She could the invisible force pulling her, dragging her away from the light she was so desperately clinging to. "Colten, Amarant." Their names would leave her tongue on a strangled breath. Her body would sag, an eery coldness grasping at her paws. Fear began to creep in. She didn't want to die. But she couldn't fight any longer, she simply didn't have the strength. A single tear would slip down her cheek, desperately hoping her boys would make it in time. It was all she cared about. She needed to see them.

"Speech"

As the boy did often, maybe even every day since the summer began with the storms, Amarant laid in the very center of Fern Gully, belly up letting the rain soak his pelt. When he heard Maia call, he didn't budge. Most of the time wasn't very important and she never seemed to rush him, never seemed angry as he came to her demand late. Just a little while longer... Not realizing how much time had passed, he would bounce up and start running to their den, a large grin glued to his maw in an effort to make her see that he was getting used to being here. Even though that was a complete lie. He would jump into the mouth of the den, his smile ripping off his face and turned into a tiny, menacing growl. But instead of asking of the stranger's reason of being here, his dull optics would turn to Maia and his ears would gently pull back. He approached the two, being on the opposite side of the other male and going to his knees next to his mother. He pushed his head between her two front legs and squiggled his way so the back of his neck was aligned with her throat. He didn't care if he rubbed anywhere against the stranger, but almost forgot he was there at all. "Mama?" He would whisper, his nose pushing against her chin. He did not see her death this close, he never even noticed her illness, but it was his own instinct not to freak out. He didn't really believe that she was dying, just that she was really tired and needed a long nap. And at this moment, he thought of Koray. He hated him, hated his brother for not spending time with either of them. He probably wouldn't show now, and it would only infuriate Amarant more later. If anything, Amarant hated himself. He just wanted one more moment laying in the rain... One more moment he could never get back... Walk "Talk" Think

Walk | Talk | Think He had been out again within the Gulley, scouting the area and assessing the damage that was being done by the storm. Likely he was being a bit excessive about it, constantly venturing off to keep tabs on the areas that were no longer passable, other areas that might eventually pose a threat, but all it took was a quick reminder for him that if he did not do this, if he slipped up somehow, then it was his family's safety at steak. They were what pushed him to keep up the demanding work, to patrol and scout and lead them around the dangers both within and without. The last thing he wanted was to lose one of them to inattention. His work was put on hold the instant he heard his sister's call, and as soon as the sound touched his ears he could feel his anxiety rise. Not in any of the days since they had moved here and founded Secretua had Maia ever called for them. Her sons, yes, but never for the family as a whole. Combined with the weariness of her voice, the weakness he had detected about her howl, he knew something was wrong. Quickly he set a course for her, dark paws moving swiftly through terrain that was entirely familiar now with as often as he traveled through it. Rune needed to reach his sister, and fast. Only his pace faltered when his nose identified a new scent present within his territory, distorted practically beyond recognition by years apart and the scent of a neighboring pack. Instantly the dark fur along the grey wolf's back rose and his body tensed reflexively. Secretua had an unwelcome visitor treading in their midst, wandering about close beside the pack's sheltered densite. Was this why Maia had called? Fearing the worst, Rune set out again at a more reckless pace, desperate to reach his sister before the intruder did. He might have been familiar with the terrain, but he still managed to find the scent of the intruder ahead and along the path he made and followed it right up to Maia's den. A growl rumbled low and threatening from Rune's opened muzzle, his lips drawn back to expose teeth as he hurried to his sister's aid, ready to dive in and drag out whatever wolf had dared step into his territory, into his home, all the way into his sister's den, and punish them for their insolence. Except he found no stranger within. Instead what, or rather who, he found stopped him short, cut off the growl that he had voiced with such conviction, and practically stole the breath right out of his lungs. The sight of his absent father captured and held his attention wholly, for a moment making him oblivious to the ailing state of his sister. What the hell was he doing here?! Rage, enough for both himself and Maia, flooded him, threatened to cloud out all sense of reason, and whatever anger he had felt at the thought of a mere intruder lurking within his lands multiplied and continued to grow. He had no business being here, no right to set foot upon his border let alone stumble his way right into the heart of his family's home. He could have easily reached across his sister and grabbed the male by the scruff to physically drag him from the den if he just let go and gave in. But at last his gaze shifted downward, taking in his sister and her son. He might have been overwhelmed with an overpowering anger, but inside the den there was only sadness, quiet and somber. His rage felt entirely out of place with the situation he found himself in, and even when he realized what he had failed to notice in his blind fury, the sickness that clung to Maia's scent, it still made his legs tremble where he stood, added an unwanted quiver to his voice as understanding set in. She was dying too? "Maia?" he croaked, for once unable to hold up the steady, frowning mask that he constantly wore. He breathed heavily, unable to process everything quickly enough. His father was here. His sister was dying. And he was unequipped to deal with both at once.

He hadn't be home in weeks. He had gone out in search of adventure. Ever since their move from Covari, he had felt out of place and bored with life. But then this storm had struck and shook the world into chaos. It had taken sometime to get home, he had to navigate around flooded lands, and he ended up lost several times. His mothers call would reach him, faint and barely recognizable, especially with the howl of the wind. His brows would furrow with concern, something was different, a bad different. He was on the far side of the gulley, with only furthered his lateness. Broad shoulders would roll, massive paws splashing into the mud. Her crown hung level with his spine, eyes hooded against the harsh rain. He would pick up his pace to a steady trot, his tail dragging limply behind him. Nostrils would quiver, picking up a cluster of scents as he closed in on his mothers den. Slowing to a walk, a frown would pull his lips down. Rune and Amarant were here. But someone else was here, someone he didn't know. Slipping into the den, there was barely room for all of them. His gaze would first find Rune, confused. Then he would look to his brother and mother. Amarant was curled against her chest, and his mother looked ill. It was then that he registered the heavy scent of illness that suffocated him. His mother was sick. Curled around his mother was a huge man, he took up most of the den, but nothing about his was familiar. A low whine would leave his jaws as he lowered himself to his belly. Crawling forward, ears fell flat against his skull. He would press himself against her side, burying his face in her neck. "Mama?" His voice was low, gruff and filled with worry. What was wrong with her? Speech,

Weariness tugged at her mind. But a soft voice pulled her from the darkness. Eyes would flutter open, finding Armarant looking up at her. A faint smile would lift her lips as she embraced him. He would curl up beneath her chin and against her chest. She would lift her crown, placing a kiss on his head. Her brother would file in next, taking up the entrance of the den. Her name left his mouth and she would peer up at him. Her smile turned sad. There were no words that she could speak to make him understand. The familiar russet figure of Colten would shift her gaze. He would bury himself in her side, his face pressing against her neck.

A content sigh would heavy her quivering sides. "My boys." She would coo, her voice raspy. "Take care of each other, understand?" her gaze would flicker between the two of them. "You're father, his name is Maverick, should you ever meet him." Her crown would lower to rest across Armarants shoulders. "I love you both very much, and I will always be with you." Her tones dropped to a hoarse whispers. She press against Kylar, using the last of her strength to pull her boys in closer.

"I love you." She spoke to all over them. Her gaze rising to Runes before eyes slide closed. Her breathing would grow shallow, each breath becoming farther and farther apart. Her heart beat slowed and stuttered until it finally stopped. Her final breath would whoosh from her lungs, her body going limp, sagging against her father. Her spirit would separate from her body, looking briefly upon her grieving family before she followed her mother into the next world.

-exit via death-

"Speech"

She needed to see her boys, he would nod closing his eyes and sighing heavily into her neck as he tried to keep her warm, tried to keep her as grounded to this world as possible. He would wait with her for what felt like forever, she breathed their names and his ears pricked as he committed them to memory. He would wait with her for as long as was needed, he would wait until she passed. He would stay with her and be with her in the end just as he should have been with her mother at the end. Why did this keep happening? Was this secret's blood? Was it cursed? Was it his blood? Would this happen to Basanti too? Tears fell steadily down his face, matting and streaking his fur as he tuned into her breathing as much as possible. A black and white spotted boy would arrive shortly after, slithering into the den and looking at Kylar cautiously. Kylar would open his eyes slowly, a soft smile touching his lips in greeting to the boy but he didn't seem to notice, instead he would immediately slip into his mother's embrace. Kylar would not interrupt, simply remain with his neck draped over his daughter's shoulder. His massive form would threaten to envelop her completely. Another brown boy with stripes like his mother but spots like his brother would arrive and also press himself into his mother. He had robbed himself of this, he had robbed himself of being surrounded by loved ones when he died. He had messed up with his first litter, and now he was messing up with his current family. Another scent would reach him and slowly his head would lift. Grey and black form slipped towards the den and then into it. Kylar felt the hatred radiating off him in waves but then Rune would sense the same thing Kylar had when he had entered. Suddenly all the focus would turn to Maia as her breathing became more laboured. He would curl himself tighter around her as if somehow he might be able to keep her close to him and keep her here. He would simply listen to her last words, listen to them as she spoke to her boys and then nestled close to him and pulled her sons close. Her last words were 'I love you.' and he would hold onto them even as her breathing became laboured until finally it would stop completely. "My dear sweet girl, my little princess? You deserved so much more." His words were soft, more for her then for anyone else. He would sigh, closing his eyes before lifting his head and looking down at the two boys still nestled into their mother. "I know you don't know me, but I am Kylar. Your mother's father. Her last request was that you come with me, I plan to follow those orders. Come, lets lay her body to rest?" He would say softly, his voice barely a sigh as he pressed his nose into his daughter's neck one last time before looking to the boys to see if they had any ideas as to where they wanted to bury their mother. Anywhere special? "Rune?" His voice was a soft rumble as he lifted his gaze to meet his sons gaze. HER WORDS HERE HIS WORDS HERE

Amarant would feel as Colten come to join them in their mother's last words, but wouldn't turn his attention to him at all. "My boys" was enough for him to break; his eyelids clenched and when they opened tears flew from the sockets. He would gently nuzzle the bottom of her chin before her words grew limp and so did her body. Her last words, I Love You. Everything else she spoke was locked into his mind to be brought over later; To take care of each other, who their father was, that she would always be with them. It was all silence and feel, he knew she was speaking but refused to listen. He realized that she had stopped breathing a little belatedly, and shot his head up in response. His ears were erect, but the emotion on his face was mortified. "No," He would almost whisper. "No!" He then shouted, echoing through the den. He had not heard Kylar speak, by the time he finished Amarant was screaming, as if he were speaking to the man that claimed him as a grandson. He would drop his skull into the fur of her neck, rubbing through it coarsely before telling himself she really was dead. She was really gone. He would not move from that position, his tiny belly pulsed ass he sobbed. They would have to pry him away for him to leave her. Walk "Talk" Think

Walk | Talk | Think Rune managed a shaky step back as his sister's other son Colten squeezed his way into the den, finally pulled from his disbelief enough to glance at the russet boy as he took up a place at his mother's side. Where had he been? How was it that, just when it seemed his presence most necessary, he finally decided to show up? Confused, irritated, and still miserably at a loss, the grey wolf could do nothing but watch on helplessly as mother and sons had a quiet moment to themselves amidst their family. It was so hard to accept, so hard to wrap his mind around, that the grey male felt almost as if it was not entirely real, that it was all just some elaborate nightmare dredged up from too much work and not enough rest. But it had to be real. The scents were too strong, the coldness that had settled within the pit of his stomach far too weighty, and everything was going way too fast. She was so weak already, watching Maia do her best to comfort her boys, to offer them her last bits of strength to comfort them was heartbreaking. How had he not realized she had been deteriorating so quickly? If only he had known, he might have tried to use his connections to help, might have tried seeking out Surreal to ask her mother for aid. But it was too late. Everything was out of his paws now, and Maia would soon leave them. He felt his throat tighten around an uncomfortable lump as the sickly woman spoke of her love for them all, met her vibrant eyes with a look full of remorse, of unwavering affection for her, and with a desperation that she not need to leave. Vixe was gone already, lost for so long before he had even known of his death. Maia had been his sole remaining sibling, the last true family he felt he had from those days growing up on Mount Volkan. Selfishly he wanted her to stay so that he would not be alone, so that he could have someone to turn to who knew him as no one else could, but as her eyes closed he knew any chance of that was gone. A few shuddering breaths and Maia was gone. For a moment he could not react. He stared at the suddenly still figure of his green-eyed sister wrapped so carefully within her father's embrace, her two sons pressed close and clinging to what remained of their mother. He felt himself lean slightly until his shoulder connected with the wall of the den, providing him with support that he had failed to realize he needed. Whatever his father might have uttered there at the far end of the den was drowned out by Rune's personal sorrow and the desperate, frantic screams of his nephew. God, how was he going to do this? Rune closed his eyes, attempting to steady himself, before he pushed off from the wall and stepped forward. As his pale gaze came to rest on Amarant, clinging to Maia in refusal to accept that she was gone, he very nearly reached out to comfort the child with a touch. But in his current, emotionally unstable state he half expected the child to snap, and it was not a position he wanted to put the kid in. He glanced briefly at Colten and then at his sister, wishing for his own moment to say goodbye but understanding there would be time enough for that later once the boys could be drawn away from her. She was truly all they had in the world, the connecting piece that had brought them here to Secretua. They needed time to come to terms with her loss. At last his gaze shifted away from his family and came to rest upon Kylar, feeling the rage that had nearly stolen his ability to rationalize come back as cold fury. His hardened stare was not welcoming and very much he wanted to tell the man to leave - his time with his daughter to say his own goodbyes was done and gone - but the distraught figures of his nephews stopped him from expressing those wishes in the terms that he most would have preferred. Censoring himself, he made himself speak with forced calm, only lifting his voice as much as was necessary to be heard over the children. "Leave them be," he ordered the older male, tone as frosty as his gaze. For a second more he deliberated before averting his gaze and adding, "We need to talk." Without further elaboration, Rune turned and stepped from the den out into the stormy world of the Gulley, breathing in deeply the crisp, unsullied air as he prepared himself for a confrontation that he hoped would end swiftly.

She was gone and he felt absolutely nothing, he felt a chilling numbness close in around him as he forced himself to try and hold himself better then he had last time he had buried a loved one. But still he could feel himself shaking, trembling with barely controlled rage. Why did they have to keep leaving? His verdant gaze was hard, intense as he stared at his remaining son, barely blinking as he lay their still curled around his daughter?s lifeless daughter. Someone would pay for this, just as that fucking family would pay for his son?s death. He would burn this whole god damn world down if that?s what it took for Rune to be safe, for his Maia and Rune?s kids to be safe. Odd how Basanti barely crossed his mind, but he strongly believed her to be like her mother, capable of taking care of herself. Though he still planned to be there for her every step of the way for as long as he could from now until he drew his last breath he didn?t feel she was as frail as the children he had fathered with Secret. They took too much after their mother? He was expressionless, gaze hard and unwavering as he watched Rune lean into the wall and stare at Maia?s limp form. One of Maia?s boys would begin shrieking but Kylar would not move, keeping his daughter?s form pressed into his body. It was half in a fool hearted attempt to make up for all those times he had never been there for her and half because he knew that she had to stay folded in a compact position if they wanted to be able to get her out of the den once rigor mortis set in. But Rune had other ideas besides burying his sister and honestly Kylar was in no mood to discuss anything. Another tremor would wrack his massive form, tension rolling off him in waves. Even as Rune spoke he would finally allow himself to tear his eyes from his son and travel down to his daughter?s still form. Her two boys were still pressed into her. Had they heard him? It didn?t matter now, he would deal with it later. ?Leave them be.? It was an order, a demand and instantly Kylar?s emotions would solidify and drop away from his consciousness. Suddenly his son was no longer his son anymore but the alpha in a pack lands where he had trespassed. Vi had been maimed for that. Despite his sudden change of heart the massive male would lift himself, pausing for a moment to place an oddly tender kiss on the top of Maia?s head and then a soft nudge to each child before stepping over them all in a long stride. His head was lowered, hackles raised and ears pinned. There was an odd mix of respect and caution in his stance as he walked into the storm after Rune. Massive paws would press into the mud with an odd squelching sound. Rune had grown so much, was a father and alpha now but as he always had Kylar would overshadow the grey and black boy. His verdant gaze would narrow, unspeaking as he watched Rune. Obviously he had something to say, Kylar would let him speak. WORDS HERE

Embraced by his mother, he would hang on her every word. Fear and panic began to take over as she told them to take of each other and that she would always be there. A name fell from her lips. Maverick. He finally had a name to give his father, but still no face to go with it. But none of it mattered. She would speak of her love with her final breath before she went still. His vision would blur with tears, his throat tightening. Eyes would clench shut as he pressed himself harder against his dead mother. He would flinch as his brother began to wail, his voice echoing off the confines of the den. Curling in on himself, he didn't move as his uncle spoke, nor as his apparent grandfather nudged him. He acknowledged no one, taking a moment wallow in self pity and grief. He had been gone. He wasn't around to take care of his mother, to ensure that he was safe and well. This was his fault. If he had been around then he would have been able to take care of his mother, she wouldn't be sick. His sides would shake with silent sobs as he buried his face in his mothers fur. Nothing would disturb him even as his uncle and grandfather left the den. He would finally register that he did indeed need to bury his mother. His gaze would lift to his brother. Amarants body quivered as he sobbed, bury his own face into their mothers coat. Rising on unsteady limbs, he would lean forward in an attempt to nudge his brother gently. His russet cheeks were wet with tears, and his legs trembled, threatening to give away beneath him. "Ammy." His voice was a hoarse whisper, spoken only loud enough that his brother might hear. Speech,

The call has sounded out for her mate and nephews. Alamea had allowed for Rune to answer it alone, it was his sister after all and the woman wasn?t all too sure where she stood with the woman. There had been something in the summon that had made Alamea feel off though? something told her it wasn?t good. After too long the worry got the better of her and made the snowy woman seek out her sister-in-law. Much like her mate before her as Alamea drew nearer she hesitated, the scent of Maia struck her like a wall, it was distorted and eerily faint. Picking up her pace the woman rushed towards? well she didn?t know what but it certainly was not going to be good. The scene unfolded before her, the scent of her nephews coming from a den, and her mate and? the woman peered at the other man for a moment, frowning before steering herself towards the den. Ducking her head the woman pushed into the shadows, pearl orbs landing solidly upon the unmoving form of Maia. A lump rose up in her throat and for a moment she struggled to breath. "Oh boys?" She rasped. Maternal instinct took over from there. The snowy woman folded herself to the ground, nosing each of her nephews, moving back and forth between the two. "Speech," Goodness Gracious great balls of fire, thank you Fox!

As he did the entire time, he felt like he was the only one stuffed in the den with his mother. Rune had reached out, but did not touch him so Amarant felt nothing from his only Uncle. But as Kylar rose and nudged at him a bit, he tensed, curled in closer ready for a fight to stay put, but there was no pulling, there would be no fight. Finally his brother would decide his time was up, and in a desperate attempt to comfort what little soul was left of Amarant, his nose would follow after kylar's and an almost silent voice of his name. To the touch, Amarant started to shake, maybe seeming like more sobbing but really in a form of anger. Just as Alamea had come in to find the mess that had been made, she too would lay little kisses on both the boys. But Amarant, not knowing that his Aunt had entered then den after the other two males had left, he could only think none other than Colten was poking at his skin, and it was coming out. "No!" He would shout just as loudly as he did last, but this time whipping his neck around to connect with Colten. He had noticed that Alamea was the one offering comfort, but it was too late for that now. He wouldn't even look her way as he continued to rage. "You don't deserve to be here!" His eyes could have turned red in how much anger he had inside him, especially when he had never been angry in his life. "I hate you!" His neck would turn back to Maia, and he would bury himself into her again, wanting it to just be him and her again, and for everyone else to just disappear. Walk "Talk" Think

Walk | Talk | Think The grey and black male stood staring off into the heavily forested Gulley, forcing another calm and steadying breath, and wished desperately that he did not have to turn around. He knew - or at least hoped - Kylar would have had the right sense to listen to the direction given to him regardless of him being part of a different pack, obligated to submit to another. But Rune had absolutely no desire to speak to his father before his nephews, not with knowing the emotions that were currently threatening to boil in him again. This was not the time and place for it; the kids needed everything to be as steady and comforting for them as they could possibly be. He would not have been able to forgive himself for succumbing to selfish desires in their time of need. At last turning in place, Rune was relieved to note that his father had stepped from the den and had followed him, though the look about him was hardly encouraging. Bristling in answer to Kylar's own unease, the blue-eyed wolf regarded the elder male through a narrowed stare, unable to stop himself from tensing as he stood firmly in place. Words, so much that he wished to say, so much that he wanted to keep bottled in, just about clouded out his senses, turning him mute and preventing him for a moment from recalling what exactly in particular it was he had asked the man to come out here and listen to. He was afraid if he chose the wrong thing he would end up screaming and raving just as his distraught nephew had done. But thinking of them, of Amarant and Colten, of their loss, seemed to help ground him and create a clear path toward what it was he needed to say, the most important thing to honor the somber place beside their mother's den. "You need to leave," he remarked heavily, his low voice still not entirely steady, wishing so desperately he was not in this situation. It was difficult simply standing across from the man let alone telling him - in much more polite terms than he deserved - to get the hell out. As if seeking a distraction, Rune glanced once at the den just in time to see his petite mate slip inside and, knowing her kindhearted tendencies, called out, "Alamea, don't-" Too late he heard the screams of Amarant yell spitefully for all of them to hear, and his heart went out to the boy. He knew exactly how he felt. Before Kylar could offer any sort of rebuttal, before he could try turning the conversation with whatever hair-brained excuse he had made up to warrant his presence here, Rune pressed on swiftly, doing his best not to raise his voice and let the others know of the tense conversation just outside of the den. "You got to say your goodbyes, that's it, you're done." And, as far as Rune was concerned, it was all much more than the absentee father deserved. Whatever kind welcome Kylar had received from his daughter was gone now. His welcome in Secretua had been worn out.

ooc;; so we know we'll be fighting, and it will be for multiple claims do you want to do it all in one fight or multiple fights, one fight each? I'll leave it up to you, you can choose the rounds as well <3

Instead of bristling in return, instead of making this a pissing contest between alpha?s he would simply fix Rune with a level look and stare. Acidic green gaze was unwavering, unblinking even as he regarded his grown son. It was only a short time in the rain before Rune would speak, again a single command would leave his lips. Rune wanted him to leave, did Kylar blame him? No. Not in the least. How could he when he had been the worst father to ever grace this earth? Since their mothers death he had avoided them like the plague, punishing them unknowingly for their mothers weakness and cowardice. He would almost speak before a white woman would appear, one vaguely familiar as the woman he had met at Mount Volkan, then disappear as she slipped into the den to attempt to comfort the children. For a moment his verdant gaze would follow her form into the shadows of the den that was now beginning to smell of death. The rain pounded down around them but he would not show any hint that it bothered him.

Kylar would remain standing, staring into the den for a moment before his son would speak. It was time to leave, goodbyes were said, that was all he got according to his son. ?I?m not here for you. I was here for her and she told me to take her sons. ? He would return his gaze to Rune, it was solid. There was no hint that he was joking or playing around here he was dead serious and he hoped that Rune would understand that. Though his stance would not move, would not assume anything threatening there was something about him that seemed off. Beneath his pelt muscles would ripple, prepared to fight if needed. He would not back down here, already his mind had settled on the matter. He paid little mind to what it would do to the children, how Cataleya would react or how it might affect his life. He had offered to take care of them and though she had neither agreed nor denied his claim to them he had the idea stuck in his mind now. He wasn?t going to left it go.

Again his gaze would turn to look into the den before switching back to Rune and taking a few steps back. Head would lower, ears pinning to his skull, eyes narrowing as lips curled back to gather excess flesh around his eyes. Head would lower slightly, chin tipping down as shoulders rolled forward and hackles rose. Back arched and his stomach tucked to gather his core strength. Stance would widen, hind paw slipping backwards, joints loosening as toes splayed and toes clenched the earth. Tail fling out behind him to align his spine and act as a rudder. ?I?ll be taking them with me after I bury my daughter. If you try to stop me I?ll make this personal?? He said, his voice was a low rumble that almost blended in with the storm. There was a cold resolve in his tone as he stared at Rune. He didn?t want to have to do this, didn?t want to have to fight Rune but he would not be banished from his daughter?s funeral.


Speech!

Walk | Talk | Think (( I'd prefer one claim fight for both of them, that way there's no chance of the boys being split up on the off chance I win once 'cause that would likely make things worse. As for rounds, the minimum three should be good. Also sorry, Rune's done playing nice. x: )) He had hoped beyond hope the male would take his cue from the order given and simply leave, to distance himself once again from the family he had long ago deserted - after all, it was what he was good at. But there was no complacency within his stare as his green eyes finally swept back around to regard him, no understanding that his time here within his son's pack was up. Instead there was stubbornness, a mistaken authority that was unwarranted, and a claim that Rune could not at all believe. "Bullshit!" he shot back, the anger that had only been coursing below the surface now beginning to writhe and come through. He had tried to be civil, to set aside his own regards about the man so that his sister could leave this world in peace, so that her sons could grieve in their own time, but now that they were being threatened, now that it was no longer their comfort but their safety on the line, he found himself unable to keep his temper in check any longer. "She was a part of this pack, she joined because she trusted me," Rune countered angrily, his voice rising with his fury. "Why the hell would she give them to you?" It was absolutely ridiculous! He could not, under any circumstances, believe the claim that Kylar was making, could not fathom what suddenly made this derelict, flighty male more fitting of a guardian than himself. He who had followed his sister and joined her pack to be near her, he who had been there at the birth of her children, he who had sheltered her and provided for her family as her brother, their uncle, and their pack leader. Those boys by rights were his charges, his pack members, and he had no intentions of handing them over to this man whom they had never met, who had failed in every sense to be a father to his own children, just so he could try again with his daughter's. With a glance at the den and a couple retreating steps toward it, Kylar once again iterated his claim, all the while falling into a stance that was all at once defensive and threatening to Rune. Preparing for a fight already? He was probably smart to. Rune's own lips had curled back, his eyes narrowed both threateningly and protectively, as he growled in response to his father's words. How was it not personal already when the bastard was threatening his family? The fact Kylar wished to still bury his daughter before he left was of little consequence, though Rune would have argued that too. The boys were grieving; to tear them away too soon would only make them hate those watching over them more, would give them someone to place the blame of their pain on. But he was still hung up on the kids being forced away from their home, and he did not want them falling victim to the same fate he and his siblings had. Already he was in his own fighter's stance, settling into it after a step taken forward to follow at least one that his father took back. His own head was low, though not quite as much as Kylar's considering their height difference, and his chin tucked slightly inward toward his chest to minimize the exposure of his throat. His hackles were raised, lifting the dark line of fur that covered his neck and spine, and his shoulders remained forward to gather the fur there at the base of his neck. His stance had squared with his weight shifted slightly back, black paws seeking purchase in the wet earth, and his hind legs tensed in preparation of that first move. "Like hell you will," he growled, leaping forward to get close to his opponent as he reached his parting jaws at Kylar. He braced his paws to catch his weight within the slick earth upon landing, aiming to land close before the would-be kidnapper though slightly off center and more aligned to Kylar's left shoulder, and turned his head to attack the left side of his father's face. His shoulders remained tensed, slightly hunched, and his narrowed blue eyes stared through a snarling face as he attempted to snap up and across his father's muzzle and close to his left eye, intending to tear skin and flesh there with his top fangs and across his chin and jaw with his bottom ones. RUNE vs KYLAR For Possession of Amarant and Colten of Secretua I II III

He was hardened, ready. Rune did not take his reaction well, did not take his blanket statement well and Kylar was ready. Muscles flexed and tensed beneath his blackened pelt, silvery markings rippling like water as acidic gaze burned into his last remaining child from Secret. But he was his mother?s son, he was so much like her just like Maia. He wished to say the same of Vixe but he didn?t know, had been absent from their lives far too long and Vixe had been murdered far too young in a war he should not have been a part of. He did not wish to speak ill of the dead. But at the same time? He had lost. He was dead because he had lost. Weak blood had tainted his own blood. The blood of a monster birthed by a goddess, trained and groomed by one as well. Secret?s blood had not been a worthy mix and so the goddess had cursed their spawn. It hit him like a blow to the head, the realization dawning on him all at once. He had strayed from her chosen path, had been deterred by family life and she was angry. Rune?s words fell on deaf ears as, for a moment, Kylar would stand stone faced and churn these thoughts through his mind. It all made so much sense? Why had he not seen it before? Muscles would slacken, and for a moment his defenses would fall away. In all honesty all of Rune?s words would fall on deaf ears, sliding off his back like water through a creek bed. But he was not completely disconnected from the here and now, not completely oblivious to his son?s rage. No. Not his son. If Kylar wanted to gain the goddess?s approval, if he wanted to be within her favor so she would not curse his wife and daughter Rune could not be his son. Rune had to die. ?Like hell you will.? The words brought Kylar back to the present, just in time to settled back into his defenses and to lean back slightly. But he would not remain there, no, already his mind was working even as Rune attempted to close the distance. Haunches would uncoil, launching him forward in an attempt to close the distance even quicker and throw off Rune?s intended strike. His head was lowered, pulled to the right so broad chest was exposed. He hoped to slam himself into Rune, looking to land his left shoulder into the dead center of Rune?s chest. His attempted forward momentum would throw Rune?s initial attack off, instead exposing his left shoulder completely to Rune. Fangs would sink in, blood seeping up from mild puncture wounds but he didn?t seem phased by it. Adrenaline pumped heavily through his veins, carrying the mind blowing, pain numbing toxin all through his body. Neck would arch to his left, jaws gaping as he attempted to grab the left side of Rune?s neck in the center between his shoulder and skull. A massive paw would snake forward, left forelimb moving without leaving the ground, attempting to slid behind Rune?s left front leg before pulling his own leg backwards in an attempt to pull Rune?s leg out from under him. He would try and hit the boy at the ankle and yank his paw away. He wanted this boy close, he wanted him to bleed. The goddess wanted his blood. All the while defenses would remain immaculately in place. His stance was widened, weight shifted slightly to his right as joints loosened to lower his center of gravity and accommodate his tripod stance. Toes would splay and nails clenched heavily into the ground to try and stop any backwards pressure from forcing him off balance. Neck was arched and chin was tipped down, protecting his throat, shoulders rolled forward to gather as much loose skin and fat as possible around his ruff. Hackles would remain raised, lifted to add any extra height and cushioning he could gather from them. Abdomen was tucked, spine arched to gather all his core strength to aid him. Tail was straightened, aligned with his spin to act as a rudder and help manage his balance to the best of his abilities. Ears were pinned to his skull, flattened against his thick scruff. Lips pulled back in a snarl to gather excess flesh around already narrowed eyes. KYLAR VS.RUNE For Amarant and Colten of Secretua ONE TWO THREE WORDS HERE