High Tensions[Validus Animus Pack Meeting]

[Weylyn Tokalawaya]

The moon illuminated a beautiful gray coat, shining in the glory of his victory. Weylyn was vicotrious in his attempt to seize the lands of Lasonia, and he had finished marking over the former alpha's scents. Perhaps it wasn't a battle, and maybe it wasn't that complicated, but the control was relinquished to Weylyn and he planned on telling the pack that night. He made his way toward the most trafficked area, where most of the scents were. This was the den, he realized, andh e sat in the middle of it. He could smell Azzuen, but that didn't matter. Soon, the former alpha's scent would be gone, and would be replaced by a younger blood, and one who thought himself better of the previous. It would be the smell of a revolutionary wolf; one who took active steps in disolving the evil in the world.

A long and cold howl erupted from Weylyn's maw. His muzzle parted in the moonlight and the air crystalized where his breath was. He sent out a call to all Validus Animus pack members. Of course, from the differnce of a howl, they would realize something was wrong. But that was just fine. They would come anyway, and he would tell them what Azzuen had said, and he would tell them that this pack was his now. He sat, perfectly prestine in the new enviornment, eerily silent in the night.

[Rælyn Kranis]

An ebony and ivory pelted femme lay on her back among a pile of fallen leaves, the moonlight shining on her silky fur. Like many nights before, her mind was filled with thoughts of her sister and memories of the past. They always came back to haunt her like demons, as of late she had repeatedly dreampt of her sisters huge, evil figure looming over her, laughing at her while covered in blood. The bodies of her dead parents below Teekahs jaws. Those bodies would turn into the bodies of other wolves she had met and were important to her. This series of dreams being repeated over and over again must mean something. Rælyn wondered just what her sister had in store for everyone, and if it could be stopped before it was too late? Still, they would find out sometime, the sooner the better.

The beta rolled onto her side, the leaves crunching around her from the movement. Her delicate ears pricked forward at the sound of a howl. It was dominant and powerful, yet not Azzuens. What was going on? She rose to her paws and swiftly begun to move in the direction of the sound. She sped up instantly from a trot to a flat out sprint. There had to be an explanation for it. The scent of the breeze was not the scent of Validus Animus.

Before her she saw the large brute sat down. It was him who had called them? Her eyes narrowed slightly. He had the faint scent of the dragga on him yet the borders had been overpowered by this lupos scent. It couldn't be that Azzuen had left them? She had sworn allegiance to him and his pack, knowing she could trust him for accepting her despite her blood ties with Teekah of Blizzard Moon. He had overlooked the relation between them and trusted her to serve him well as beta. What if this male thought differently and decided to get rid of her? Still, she wouldn't jump to conclusions. Her mind was wandering yet again ans she still wasn't sure that this male had taken over yet. Though she had a hunch. "My name is Rælyn Kranis, beta of Validus Animus. What business do you have here, wolf?" She asked. Her voice calm and composed. Her bi-coloured orbs looked the male over as he sat there.

[Akascha Ze'ev]

Akascha was having quite the normal morning in solitude. Her gray figure was napping on her back against a fallen tree which had fallen onto a tall rock. She was up high; if her tail had not hung over the side of the rocks, no one would've been noticed her. Her paws moved in a fit she had whilst she slept; she was running so very fast. She had to get back to her family in the anathema of a storm. There was thunder and lightening and rain drenched everything. So hard to smell... Her brother, if he hadn't left, would've told her to find familiar things. But she never thought of that. Who cared about the surroundings? Then the image of her dead brother popped into her head.

A howl, a nice reprieve from her dream, interrupted her. She jolted onto her feet, one of her paws slipping on the edge. Akascha quickly caught herself, assessing the situation she was in. She leaped off of her rock, and wondered, for a split second, if she should've left and pretended that she was never a part of the pack. There was a new leader; Azzuen wouldn't let some punk come in and order others around. So this new lupo either fought him and won, or Azzuen disappeared and the new brute took over. Whichever it was, Akascha was sure she didn't want to deal with the getting acquainted to each other or the arguments or the denial. It would've been easier to just walk away. But, then again, Akascha was getting tired of the solitary lifestyle. Perhaps this new leader would be refreshing and new. Maybe not. But she could always leave as she usually did.

Her gray body stretched, ready for the run through the woods to the place the howl echoed from. Her ears twitched slightly and she, close to the border, smelled the new scent that overtook Azzuen's. This male didn't waste any time making the territory seem like his. But she didn't smell too much of blood, or even Azzuen's flesh. Had they not fought? Had Azzuen willingly given power to someone else? The thought struck her odd, but it wasn't unheard of. In fact, Akascha didn't really give a damn about what the reason was. She just wanted to see who this new pack leader was and if he was competent. As her legs started to slow, her muscles cooling down, she approached the male and another pack mate. My name is Rælyn Kranis, beta of Validus Animus. What business do you have here, wolf? Akascha knew these type of questions would come up. They very much irritated her.

He's taking over the pack, which is why Azzuen is not here. Isn't that right, new-comer? Akascha asked. She quickly looked over the new male; he was a gray wolf, as she was, made mostly of muscle and he had a cocky attitude. She could already tell. That wasn't to say she minded, really, she was just indifferent about these things. What do you call yourself?

[Wrath]

Fiery amber eyes pierced the shaodws that concealed him. He was still and quiet, a muscular bulk, the black cloud of fur surrounding him blended well with the dark leaves and shadows. He had come as soon as he had heard, of course. He had seen some of what had taken place up close. Azzuen had abanoned them. The coward. He was never fit to be leader if this was all it took for him to flee. Wrath examined the new wolf. He did not appear much better. He was smaller than Azzuen had been.

"He's taking over the pack, which is why Azzuen is not here. Isn't that right, new-comer? "

Wrath resisted a snarl. Akacsha was such a know-it-all, cutting off her own Pack Mate. As the she-wolves pestered the new "leader", Wrath awaited the lupo's reacton. He hoped the new lupo would be harsher, tougher in some way. But these things were truly not an omega's business.

He had decided already that he would stay here, discover some useless details about the new wolf, then go about his daily routine of fishing and patrolling lone borders. He sighed. Honestly, sometimes he didn't know why he bothered.

[Rioga Oiche]

Ri had dissapeared from her alpha's side a few minute's after entering. She had wanted to explore her new home and get a idea what she would be living in. The forest was dark and inviting and seemed perfect for her. Her silken pelt matched the foliage and shadow's making her seem welcome. She was excited with this fact, her blood boiling with the emotion. She finally belonged somewhere, and even though they did not know she grew up tame meant nothing. She was a loyal lupa to her alphine only, and the other pack member's could suck it up. Ri wouldn't take their crap and they would have to take what she dished out, or act like a pup and be treated like one. Ri was good at that.

Then, the howl resounded in her auds. Ri turned, her grey orbs scanning the forest. She scented her alphine but also two fae's and a brute. Her lips pulled back from her ivories in a silent snarl for she was his protector and these fae's would get a good close up of her ivories if they dare lay a paw on him. Pelt bristling and aud's pinned, she slipped through the forest, a mere ghost. Her large paw's made no sound, bodice making no sound as they passed through the bushes. She was quick and silent, a predator on a lead.

Then, the scent of the unknown brute was strong. She flicked her gaze to the side, spotting the fellow who was watching from the shadow's. She snarled as she brushed past him, not even tossing him a look because it would just be wasted. These lupine's where not good enough to her but mere pawns in a game. Her dome lifted a notch as her alphine and the two fae's came in view. Ri narrowed those grey orbs of her's and her charcoal and silver pelt stood on end, ever clear muscle taunt.

Biting back her lyrics she wanted to say, Ri headed to her alphine. She glared at the beta fae before turning away with a shake of her dome. They where all weaklings in her orbs. Taking a deep breath, she whirled and stood a bit behind Wey, dome lowered and ivorie still bared. She was ready to leap at any lupine that made one wrong move, even the slightest one. She was a bit protective of her alphine's...especially wey. "Riocha Oiche is my name. I am a new pack member" she said, lyrics cool as she spoke them to the other's, though inside she was burning.

[Raphael Samedi]

Raff had been wondering around just out side the Lasonia territory. Azzuen had always told her not to venture to far on her own as it wasn’t safe for her. She loved her mate very much but sometimes he was just a little too over protective, but she also loved that about him. It made her feel loved and safe. She would forever be loyal to him no matter what happened. Something the caught her eye and she became instantly intrigued and followed it. As she got closer she realised that it was a wounded rabbit. Being the soft natured kind hearted wolf she was she lowered her muzzle and began licking the wound. Wolf saliva was an amazing substance, it possessed the power of healing. She knew that once she had licked the wound the rabbit would be alright. After she finished she nuzzled the rabbit and turned and walked away.

She decided to head back to the den and the pack, slowed she headed in the right direction towards her home. She loved taking her time when ever she went somewhere, there was always something new and interesting to look at. Then something entered her listeners and she stopped dead in her tracks. Her ears twitching at the sound. It was a call, a very demanding call that wasn’t Azzuen’s. Why was there a wolf in her territory making such a call, a call with such authority. growling with and unexpected anger she took off at a fast sprint towards the sound. She never ever got angry well she never showed it. This was the final straw she was sick of pitiful curtails come into her land and think they are boss. She was going to show this intruder what for, she just hoped none of her pack get caught in the cross fire.

Finally she rounded on the den and an unfamiliar scent entered her nose. What was going on here? She didn’t like this, not one bit. She slowed her pace as she could see that a few of her pack had already arrived. She had to show dominance and leadership in front of them after she was there Drappa after all. They looked to her when Azzuen wasn’t around. She loved them very much like they were her own pups. Even the new comers held a place in her generous heart. Slowly she paced her way into through her pack and took her place in front of them and the stranger, no wait strangers. She sat down and on her hinds her back straight as a board. “What is the meaning of this disturbance in my woods?” she asked authority dripped from her words. She was in no mood for such nonsense and she wanted the drama resolved quickly and quietly.

[Weylyn Tokalawaya]

Weylyn, feeling incredibly proud to watch as the wolves came one by one, sat in pristine condition, although his mind was buzzing with thoughts. They knew Azzuen better than they knew him; other than Rioga. He watched them sit and arrive, some angry and others indifferent. But the most angry of all was the last to arrive; a female wolf who smelled more like Azzuen than anyone. She was the one Azzuen had asked to treat equally. However, he wasn't sure if she'd want to be treated equally. She seemed enraged by his appearance there even if it had no affect on Weylyn. He sat dominant in his place, grinning at Rioga in familiarity.

Now that you're all here, began Weylyn. There were four lupas and one lupo. I'd like to begin. True, I have taken the place as alpha in this pack; Azzuen himself resigned to me. If you don't believe me, where is he? I do not smell like blood, because I hadn't fought him. My name is Weylyn Tokalawaya. I now know two of you; Rioga and Raelyn. You must all know I don't care about your past, or your allegiance to Azzuen. If you are part of this pack, it doesn't necessarily matter. When Weylyn spoke to the wolves before him, he spoke with authority and meaning. Azzuen told me to treat his mate equally to myself, so I'm assuming that makes you the Drappa? Wey looked in Raphael's direction. Now, if you would all state your name and positions, as Raelyn had, I'm sure we can get along just fine.

Perhaps he was just being stupid, but Wey was completely oblivious to the tension that might proceed if Rioga might announce he had also promoted her to beta. Maybe it was the fact he didn't care; Rioga was loyal and fierce, and her attitude may have been tough to deal with, but it made no difference to Weylyn. Loyalty and pride was all you needed his pack. Weylyn looked each wolf into the eyes, as if testing their spirit by looking through their eyes. He'd already seen Rioga, and liked it. The other gray wolf's attitude was indifferent; she hadn't cared at all that the power had changed. He wasn't sure about that one; why on earth wouldn't she care about a power shift? Maybe she was new, and hadn't gotten the chance to sample Azzuen the same way the others had. The others were angered by his presence, most likely.

[Wrath]

Wrath snarled, more in disappointment than anger. This leader knew no better. He would have appreciated Azzuen's rule if he had been able to control the Pack better, to stop the mockery and cruelty that his mother and sister had endured. But sadly the Alpha did not, and this wolf wasw proving to be no better. By his calm demeanor, Wrath assumed the new alpha was either being passive aggressive, or was truly oblivious of the danger he was in. A bloodless take over! What true leader would allow such a thing? It was honorless! Though certain wolves seemed to have already accepted the shift in power. Wrath felt a dark amusement at the thought that he, an omega, felt more loyalty to a leader he hated than of the wolves present.


The Drappa seemed displeased as well as she showed up. Poor creature would be torn apart to know her dearest had abandoned her. Wrath sat back on his haunches to watch as he was considering his options. He had no family ties here, no real reason for staying. Perhaps he should walk out now, but first he might as well enjoy the show he had paid years of blood for. Years of scars, and battles, and hunts, and border skirmishes, reduced to a scrawny alpha's take over of a pack he had despised to serve. His life was truly a comedy! He would find a home elsewhere, somewhere he would not be treated by dirt for his fatherless birth.

He padded out of the shadows to get a better view. It wasn't as if any of these wolves would acknowledge his presence anyway. His black pelt glistened with health from stolen meals and his muscles rippled just beneath it. This was an omega by birth, not by weakness and the wolves who recognized this fact would not be harmed today.

[Rælyn Kranis]

Rælyn watched one by one as the rest of the pack members came. She had only known Azzuen and now that he was gone she felt a little cut off from the others who probably had met before. As a black and silver femme pushed her way forwards and stood at the large brutes side Rælyn's fur bristled. Just by the way that this femme carried herself made her angry, this was the type who looked at others as if they were dirt on the bottom of their paw. The femme turned her attention on her and gave her a glare, Rælyn couldn't have cared less for that pathetic warning but nevertheless she returned the favor with one of her own. Her bi-coloured orbs like daggers at the newcomer. Rælyn had an inkling that they weren't going to get on.

All these wolves as they appeared didn't seem to all to pleased to meet her. Was is because she had layed down her rank to them and authority as soon as she had turned up, or was it because she had the scent of her sister on her? Either way, their silent dislike for her was being taken into account. The first wolf that had shown up seemed irritated by her, the male hiding in the shadows didn't seem to want to approach. Rioga already seemed to harbour a dislike for her too. The only impartial ones really were the new dragga who didn't pay much attention and the drappa. She had sworn allegiance to Azzuen and his pack, and vowed to aid them against her sister and the Blizzard Moon Pack. She hadn't joined to be left behind to help, she needed to be met halfway. Rælyn was begining to question joining Validus Animus.

It was now that Raphael, the drappa appeared. Rælyn backed up a little to let her pass, showing her some respect. Something she had never been shown but was always willing to give. Raphael didn't seem all too pleased about what was happening, the beta didn't blame her either. Now Weylyn was speaking out to them all and asking them to state their names and rankings. Her eyes darted about her and once again she felt a tension between herself and Rioga.

[Akascha Ze'ev]

Akascha saw the displeasure she brought to Wrath, the Omega. He had no right to snarl at her, being the in the low position he was in, and she looked down upon him as he stifled the growl. She hardly cared about pack ranks; it was the fighting and the hunting ability that mattered to her and he had displayed neither. She grinned at him smugly, happy she was able to bring about such a reaction. Wolves were supposed to be calm, cool, and collected. She had merely stated what she saw, and that was a new power had come upon them. Akascha actually didn't mind this new-comer very much; she liked the way he held himself, despite just becoming alpha. He was self-confident and a fighter.

That isn't to say Akascha didn't like Azzuen; she respected him a lot. And just because he walked away didn't mean he was going to stay away. When Wrath turned to walk away, Akascha muttered Good to see you, too, Wrath. She didn't care what he did, or the new alpha did. But before she made her decision, she wanted to hear him speak. She inhaled a good whiff of him and moved closer, her head bowed as she approached. I am Akascha, the Venatora of this pack. It's...okay to meet you, Weylyn. Before I accept you, though, I'd like to know exactly what you plan to do to us as a pack. Akascha held her ground now; she wasn't being dominant or submissive. She just relaxed. Many power switches had happened in her time. She didn't care.

Akascha looked curiously at Rioga, who had situated herself beside the new alpha. Obviously, she had been recruited by him, and she was quite the wolf; her attitude was different and Weylyn seemed to have a fondness for her. She thought it was quite odd, though, that he had appointed two betas. Raelyn and Rioga; which would win? Perhaps he hadn't been aware that there was already a beta, or he did and appointed Rioga anyway. Akascha decided, if it were the latter, that she liked this alpha. She liked the stirring up of things and was excited to see how each would react to each other; obviously the new femme seemed to be more sure of herself and quite dominant. Nice to meet you, too, Rioga, Akascha said, quite honestly. She was right below the other femme in pack ranking.

Akascha empathized with poor Raphael. Her mate had left without telling her anything, but the fact that the new alpha had accepted her made Akascha's interest to raise even higher. He had been instructed by Azzuen to make this femme an equal and Weylyn actually listened. Akascha was quite pleased about how the situation was playing out.

[Rioga Oiche]

Rioga met the bi colored orbs of her new 'enemy' without the slightest of movement. She held the gaze, knowing it was a mere staring contest to some, but to her, it the battle of dominance. Her black lips pulled back from her ivories, and she wanted to snarl but she kept it in her for fighting at the moment would get her no where and she didn't need it. Though, she knew she would never get along with this being, and Ri didn't really care. She just swept her gaze away, not saying the other was dominant, but bringing the stare to a end, and they where on equal ground...at the moment. Ri wasn't about to take any crap from any of these wolven, espicially not the alphine bitch.

As her thoughts went to the drappa, she appeared. Ri took in the wolven with a quick assessment. Her orbs hardened slightly, and her dome came up slightly, not about to follow the rules of this fae. Ri had a temper, and no way was she going to bow down to this drappa. No, she would die first, well fight and die trying. Her gaze moved away and went to the terra as she closed off her thoughts. Being hostile to everyone would get her no wherre but hated by everyone in the pack, so taking a deep breath, she let herself lossen up and just enjoy being near her dragga.

Her dome then whipped to the side as another spoke her name. Her orbs brightened slightly as she took in the fae who was already accepting Wey into the pack, and had said that it was nice to meet her. Ri's auds pricked again, and she stood up, and dipped her dome Likewise fae she murmured softly, before turning her attention to the drappa, and her rival beta. She had already proclaimed her name, and wasn't about to say her rank, for she didn't presume Wey wanted her to. Thing's where already tense, and saying she was betess alongside that mongrel would only get thing's hotter so she kept her jowls shut.

-sorry muse down.

[Raphael Samedi]

Raphael sat there still as a board her jaws clenched tight. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, should didn’t want to believe it. Why would Azzuen do this, why would he give up his pack so easily. The pack that he fought to protect and spent his whole life to build. She was so angry right now, and having this impostor sit there and speak among her pack and claim his den as his own made her feel as though a murderous rage was going to burst out of her at any moment. But of course she restrained herself as she didn’t want to endanger the tiny beings growing inside of her. No body knew that she was pregnant and she wanted to keep it that way. Instead she just watched as the various members of her pack spoke to the apparent new Dragga. What was she to do? Just back down and accept this? No how could she?

She needed to talk to Azzuen but she couldn’t just leave her den and her pack now, she would just have to wait till later to talk to him. That’s if he even wanted to talk to her. Soon her pack feel silent and there were no words spoken by anyone. She felt as though this would be a good time to say something. What would she say? “Weylyn, what brought this on? Surely Azzuen didn’t just offer you the role of leader?” it was a good enough question, good and simple. It was something that was bugging her, she needed to know how all this came about, for now Weylyn’s side of the story was good enough in time she would hear his and Azzuen’s and then she would decided what was best for her and her pack and of course the new additions that were on the way. What would become of them now that all this has happened?

Her eyes then flicked curiously to the Lupa that was stand close to Weylyn. From memory she had heard her introduce herself as Rioga. The femme gave her a strange feeling, she could feel that she wasn’t completely friendly. Which was a shame because if this new change was inevitable then she didn’t want to have her as her enemy. She had more important things to deal with right now. One was of course finding out why her mate had abandoned her and his pack and allowed a stranger to take him place.

[Weylyn Tokalawaya]

Weylyn was not one to preach about honor. What was honor anyway? It was pride; it was immense, overwhelming pride that people claimed to live by. To Weylyn, honor was bogus. It was nothing but a sham, created so that people wouldn't seem cowardly not doing things out of the ordinary. He had not taken over the pack; it was given to him. And he was assured that Azzuen would be back. This alpha was not stupid, and he was already going through the preparations to take on an older foe. Older meant wiser about fighting, and perhaps more strategy, but it also mean that he was starting to lose strength, with his youth gone. Weylyn was not oblivious to these facts, for he had fought many fights before, and he had known about these attempted takeovers. Some wolves had age and strength balanced; some had wisdom but not the capabilities to back it up. Weylyn wasn't going to let it bother him now.

He assumed that the wolf in the shadows was omega, by the ignorance the others in the pack feigned toward him. Weylyn, if asked, would have not problem promoting the wolf. Even a born omega deserved a chance in higher ranks, and the way that this one looked, muscles and all, surely made him a legitimate candidate. Besides, it was a new alpha, a new pack order. The wolf only had to ask, but Weylyn wouldn't tell him this. This wolf had to ask him himself, without provoking, because that would mean he earned his position, and he had thought he deserved to be there.

To Akascha, Weylyn nodded. He was being cautious about her; she didn't seem too bothered about the take over, or the change of power, and it seemed like she wouldn't be too attached to him. Weylyn grinned, though, for she was the only one who didn't seem too intimidated by Rioga; a talent that required some skill. She wasn't angry and didn't fight back, and wasn't affected by Rioga's attitude, which was important, for she was his beta. Rioga, now is not the time, Weylyn said, not annoyed, but found that she was pushing wolves too early in the game. Weylyn chuckled. No need to start fights so soon, he smiled at them gently.

No, he didn't just offer me the role, Raphael. I came to Halasia not too long ago, seeking a pack. It was this pack that I found most suitable. I challenged Azzuen, and he granted me leader of the pack, as long as I treated you equal. I plan to keep my promise, if it means anything. Weylyn paused and looked at her sympathetically. She was going to have a trying experience. Weylyn also didn't voice his unease about the return of Azzuen; that would make him seem eak, as if he needed reassurance. He didn't. He knew, by that time, he would be ready. He would win his fight and he would manage to earn his respect better.

[Raphael Samedi]

Weylyn’s words struck Raff’s heart like an arrow, she didn’t want to believe what he was saying but all evidence was pointing towards the truth in his words. How could Azzuen do this to her and his pack, especially now that he wasn’t only going to be leader of his pack, but a family of his own. Even thought Raff hadn’t told Azzuen of what dwelled within her, she knew that he knew. He wasn’t stupid. She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh, what was she to do? There wasn’t anything she could really do, if Azzuen had indeed passed his reign over then she was in no place to argue what has been done. She couldn’t only choose, stay with her pack and her knew leader or leave, go find Azzuen and start something new. No how could she do that to her pack? Azzuen was the one who abandoned them, she owed him nothing.

“I understand” was all she said, she looked around to all the others of her pack and felt her heart breaking, she knew that things were going to change and a lot of the faces that she looked upon now might be the last time. She knew that many probably wouldn’t stay, they would leave. Many wolves don’t like change and this would be the time they too their leave. But she wouldn’t she would stay and be strong for those that do stay and for those that would soon join them. She was better then that to abandon her pack. She looked back to Weylyn and out of respect bowed her head, even though it pained her to do such a thing. She wasn’t one for disrespect. After all Weylyn had the decency to leave with her title and not replace her. It did mean something to her, it meant quiet a lot, she has always been treated equal and not having that power would kill her. She hadn’t fought her entire life to get were she was just to have it taken from her in a blink of an eye.