The sun had just began to set and cast the sky with one last final blow of colors. Orange and reds set the island in a momentary glow. The white feathered creatures had yet to cease their song as their voices gathered together in coos. The ebony ears on the dark coated girl were high and on alert. To try and spy any noise beyond just that of the doves. Paw steps picked a path through the land. Eyes cast here and there as she waited for one of those dumb birds to slip up and land on the ground near by. Her stomach growled in protest of her lack of a catch thus far. She knew soon she would have to give up the hunt for a bird and find way to shelter for the night. A lone pup was an easy target, after all.

-sorry my posts will get better i promise x.x -

OOC: Don't mind her profile pic, I was just playing around.

Sparrow knew Lark's children would be around one year old this season. She supposed she should throw them a celebration. Sparrow and her siblings never really got a birthday celebration growing up, but that was one of the perks of being the alpha, Sparrow assumed.

She was sure Archon wouldn't care. In fact, in his whole study of 'mortals' he would probably be quite thrilled to let the festivities continue.

Until then, Sparrow sought out something to make the date memorable: a trinket or accessory or something. This journey brought her all the way South. It was getting late, so Sparrow knew she wouldn't be returning to the pack today, but that didn't matter.

On her way, however, Sparrow picked up a scent. It wasn't a pack wolf, but it didn't smell like an adult either. Maybe it was lost. Sparrow sought after the owner of the scent until she found a sooty looking pup.

"Are you lost?" Sparrow called, wasting no time. With the sun setting, there was no telling what sorts of prey might appear.

A dove sounded in a perch over head and her ebony skull jerked back so that blue eyes may stare upward at the white creature. She was hungry since her split with he family some days ago. She had wandered, tumbled around here and there. Taught just enough to get by her own at a young age. When the bird had quieted down it, Thisbee was able to catch the sound of paw steps. Dark child stopped in her tracks. Unable to pin point a proper cover in such a short time and before she knew it, a voice filled the air around her.

Bee turned to look at the older wolf. Speckled paws step back tentatively. Instinct told her to place that one extra foot of distance between herself and this stranger. A cautious pup. "Maybe." She replied to the question. Unsure if she should give the truth or not.

The pup seemed wary, almost scared. Sparrow understood. So this pup really was lost, although she wouldn't admit it. Sparrow looked her over. She didn't seem hurt or entirely worse for wear. Just where were her parents, Sparrow wondered, although she decided it was better not to ask.

"Tell me, little one, where are you from?" she asked with a gentle smile. If the pup wished to speak more, she would listen, but figuring out where this pup needed to be was the most important task at hand.

"By the way, I'm Sparrow, the alpha of Abaven- a pack a little ways off. There's no need to be afraid."

Heat would cause the beast to pant as he travelled at an even paced trot. Paws would be placed delicately, attempting to leave little trail and make little noise. His nostrils flared frequently, turning his direction as the scent he followed went a new direction. Anxiety and worry would furrow the ghost’s brow as he made his way through the forest, ignoring the pretty doves that fluttered about in large swarms. They were not of his concern. There was only one he cared about now and she was lost, going further than he’d ever thought she would from his side. It’d been necessary, but he was already beginning to regret the command he had given her.

The wraith would quicken his pace as the scent grew stronger, the scent of his daughter was strong but it would be dark soon and he knew better than most that predators would lurk in the shadows, eager to take the young pup that had strayed to far from protection. If another predator didn’t get her another Wolf would. The thought caused the ghost’s lips to curl, a growl threatening to bubble up in his chest. He’d rip anyone that dared harm her in half and feast on their flesh. She was his daughter, his to protect and he would do so til his last breath.

Alert ears would twitch as her voice came to him, she was answering someone, a low rumble would finally break free as his daughter came into view- along with the stranger. He caught the tail end of the female’s last words, ‘no need to be afraid.’ The stark white beast would slow now that he was upon them, his skull would be held low at shoulder height, his movements a slow, predatory prowl. The wraith would curl his lips as he stepped protectively up to Thisbee. His contrasting coat would stand out sharply as night began to fall, unlike the pup he protected. A Wolf of few words, Razik would communicate with body language. His tail was up, muscles tense, ears were forward and his expression was unquestionable. Back off, it would say.

She wasn't sure why this stranger could possibly care about where she came from. However, she couldn't see how it could be used against her either. "Far away." They traveled a lot and she remembered it took quite a long time to reach... wherever it is she is now. She remained cautious of this other. Limbs slightly crouched as if she was ready to flee at any given moment. In truth, she more than likely was. She was taught to not risk her life and she wouldn't fail her father yet. Especially not after she survived this long without him. Days maybe lost from his side.

The other began to explain who she was and where from as well as explain she was no danger. Thisbee still stood-fast. Her worry out weighed any thing this stranger may say. "That doesn't mean anything." As if her answer alone was not enough to be proof, out came the white beast. He was a stark contrast to her ebony hue. Large in size as he towered over the youth. His aggressive defense not missed as she stepped back and further into him. "This is dad."

Sparrow could only manage to flinch as the male came barreling out. Quite the show for a man who lost his daughter. This man was further dwarfed compared to the wolves she had been acquainted with recently. Sparrow held back the smallest of laughs at the pair. She was an alpha still and she dealt with scarier wolves- namely Archon and Malleus- often enough to not be shaken by a warning growl. Sparrow held her ground.

"Honestly," she started with a deep sigh, "If you go around acting like that, you're likely to get both of you captured and taken in as slaves."

She never understood wolves who tried to raise pups as loners. She also doubted it ever ended well.

"I'll assume you aren't from around here and are unaware of the monstrous wolves that inhabit these lands, but you should really watch yourself- and her."

Sparrow watched the male. She was ready to defend herself, but with his daughter tucked near him, he shouldn't be a threat.

"You don't have to take my word for it if you don't want to. I'm Sparrow, the alpha of one of the longest-standing packs in these lands."

Thisbee would tuck closer to him. He was proud of her for being so cautious with the stranger but he would have to tell her that later, when they were alone. The female held her grown, managing only to flinch at his arrival. He was content with that, for now. Razik would do whatever was necessary to keep the speckled pup safe. When the Wolf spoke, his lips curled in a silent snarl. “No we won’t.” Perhaps he was being naïve on the subject, but he was confident in his abilities to feed and defend his daughter. He’d done it for the past six months with only one recent incident.

When she spoke again he would nod, they weren’t from around here. They’d come here after an attack that left them separated for her safety. He couldn’t defend her if she was right there, he couldn’t focus. Razik was unsure how to take the warning she gave him. He was more than capable of watching out for his daughter. “We aren’t separated often.” He finally relented. Again the female spoke, speaking of her pack that was one of the longest standing in the land. His ear flicked dismissively at the information, he hadn’t been in a pack since he was an adolescent, he wasn’t eager to go back to one.

“Razik and Thisbee.” He nodded down to his daughter when he spoke her name as an introduction. The pale wolf would relax, slightly, guarded and wary still. “Tell me of your pack…” He trailed; his interest was only half there, he wanted to know but not necessarily because he was interested in joining yet. They were new here; he wasn’t going to just tie them down to the first alpha that came up to them.

This whole situation was not something the girl wanted to deal with after only now being reunited with her father. And only her father. It is a new worry that creased her brow and caused her heart beat to quicken behind its cage. Eyes flick between each adult, but settle on the face of the woman. She could not help the way she picked up a shift in attitude. A different mask than the sweet and kind lady that had approached her before her father arrived. It left Thisbee curious as to why one would be... well, fake.

The threat, cause that is how a mere child took it, caused unease to stir within her. Gaze skittered about as if she half expected monsters to consume them at the command of this she-wolf. Already darkness was spreading over them. The light and colors pouring away to leave them night. Stars slightly blocked by branches of the trees. She remained silent as Razik introduced the pair to her. His question about her pack was startling and she jumped just slight at his side. He couldn't honestly be considering such a thing?

At this point, Sparrow wondered why she even tried to help anyone anymore. It was more than evident that people were completely happy having their pups stolen and their packs taken. She supposed it was a form of complacency and she supposed she was no different.

Once the male's demeanor settled down, Sparrow allowed herself to relax again. Though the pup might not understand yet, conflict was quite common in these areas and it was best to be kind to younger wolves and stern with adults, lest you be taken advantage of.

The father introduced the pair as Razik and Thisbee, earning a light smile from Sparrow. Razik asked about the pack, but did not seem too terribly interested.

"Abaven is a land of mostly healers and hunters. My father founded the pack when he just rose to adulthood. There are several other packs throughout the lands, but I strongly advise against cooperating with anyone in the Abraxas family."

Sparrow looked at Thisbee briefly before continuing, "They think themselves Gods and the rest of us below them. They wouldn't hesitate to do you two harm. They plan on domination and have taken down two packs thus far. Abaven has struck a protection deal with them to keep our members safe from their ways."

The sky had become a starry ocean, the land around them dark. Sparrow was silently thankful that she could see in the night.

"Have you two eaten? The birds have trouble seeing at night can if they roost low enough, they become easy prey."

The male would watch Sparrow with a sharp eye, showing his distrust in her, though he didn’t tense back up or show any signs that he would do her harm. His introduction earned a light smile from the female, it was met with a fleeting one from him, before he stole a look down to Thisbee, where it faltered, his eyes would tighten slightly, hiding away the sorrow that was beginning to return. Fortunately, Sparrow would steal his attention, distracting him from the hard truth he would eventually have to explain to the intelligent pup.

He listened quietly as she spoke of her home, Abaven, and how it was a pack of hunters and healers, good information to know. Her strong advisement caused his head to lift slightly, interest flickering in his eyes, but she was quick to answer his silent question. What had been so important and wrong with the Abraxas family? His brow would rise when she mentioned they had struck a deal with the family in exchange for protection. “A deal with the devil. What do you offer in exchange?” He wondered, curious as to what they had that was so valuable. Perhaps it was their healing abilities, but why would they want to make their enemy strong?

He noticed the look Thisbee gave him; he offered a slight smile, though it didn’t break through the hardness in his gaze. He’d explain later. They had a lot to talk about.  Sparrow would speak about the doves and hunting. He turned his attention back to her and nodded. “A meal would be nice before we find ourselves a den for the night.” He wanted to make it clear that he did not intend to follow her home tonight, they would remain on the island of doves for a while longer before making any sort of commitment to anyone. “Stick close, Thisbee.” He then gestured for Sparrow to lead the way. She clearly knew the area, itd be foolish to not let her take lead on this hunt- if she still wanted to hunt with them.

There was little that could persuade the youth from her cautious state. Weary after all that had transpired with the journey it took to come here. A place that they would be alone in. She still didn't understand why they had to leave in the first place. Going further than they ever had. Why mother was not with him now. Suspicion remained, but she would not voice it in front of the strange. Afraid to let someone so new in to that secret place saved just for family.

Bee continued to listen as the two adults spoke. Her eyes rose to meet those of Razik when he would steal away a glance to her. If the silence between the two could talk- it would plea with him to leave while they still had the chance. Before the 'monsters' and 'bad' came back. It wasn't safe here. Finally the conversation drew on to a subject that perked her ears back up. Food was the topic and her stomach growled in delight. "Okay." She finally chirped out as she waited for them to turn and lead the way. Her own little body remained close enough to Razik that his tail may on occasion brush her right shoulder.

The man called the occupation a deal with the devil. Sparrow couldn't disagree with that. She laughed dryly. He asked what they offered in return.

"They want to conquer. They want land. We let them lay claim to that. In return, they won't attack our pack like they have so many others. We get safety and preservation in our way of being. The peace of mind is enough, knowing our families are safe and that we can continue living without fear that we are next."

The man said they'd accept food before finding a den. "Of course," she replied. They couldn't get to Abaven tonight if they tried and Sparrow had no such expectations.

She led them to a cluster of trees. There, birds filled the branches and loomed on the ground below.

"You two flag out together. This isn't a type of prey we can chase, since they fly. Unfortunately your coat isn't ideal for night hunting, but if I pounce in, you should be able to charge and kill a few of the disoriented members."

Sparrow waited until they were into position, then she would pounce on a small cluster. Though she was small, her weight should be more than enough to do some damage and stop them from taking off while the duo took them out.