A Little More Than I Can Handle [Skaar]

[Ava]

Though winter should be drifting away into spring, winter was still thriving strong as ever. A fresh blanket of snow covered the wood terrain, making a lone fae leave tracks in more ways than one. Normally around this time she would only have one kind of track, and that'd be her paw prints in the snow, but she was always careful with that by smearing her paws a bit to cover up her actual paw shape. Now though, she had one other track to worry about, which was terribly hard for her to cover up. The white fae had to deal with her seasonal heat that tended to draw any lonely brute within a ten mile radius. It was not a great time for a lupa to be on her own, but she had survived it many times before, and planned to do the same this time around. Her white coat blended her into the snow fairly well, so that helped her from being noticed too much. It was just her strong scent.

Ava carefully kept away from pack lands and tip toed around it, sniffing around for any food. At this point she really didn't care if it was a small elk or a rabbit, she just needed something. Her black nose caught the scent of a jack rabbit, her eyes darting in the direction the wind carried it from. She caught sight of him, burying his little paws into the snow, looking for any strands of grass that had survived the nights freeze. She lowered her belly down to the ground, her ears perked and focused on him. She slowly crept up to him, but something stirred the small animals peace. A savage wolf ran out, growling obnoxiously, scaring the jack rabbit off into a hole where neither Ava or this stranger could get it. It only took the charcoal colored male three seconds to pick up on Ava's scent and direct it towards her. Ava froze, her eyes narrowing as she stood up a bit higher, a deep growl echoing from her vocals as she dipped her head down to guard her neck. She doesn't like fighting, but it wouldn't be the first time she had to fend off a forceful brute.

The male took no time into charging at Ava. He was biting and snapping at her, careful to not kill her, but trying to scare her enough to make her submit. The lupo definitely picked a fight with the wrong lupa. She wasn't really the submitting kind, nor did her father raise her that way. She was strong and taught to fight when she needed too, and because her brother is dark souled she was taught how to defend herself from attackers such as these.

The wolf rammed onto her side, making her take a step back before she bit at his hind legs, grabbing hard and tugging. He howled out in pain as he fell to the ground. Before she could charge in for another attack he was steadying himself on his paws again, charging her once more, jaws wide open. Her small frame enabled her to be a step faster than he could ever dream of and let him run himself into a tree. Ava took this opportunity to take a leave. She turned, her ears pinned back to listen to hear if he wasn't humiliated enough. He clearly hadn't had enough. He charged at her again, full blown running and before she got to slip far enough away he latched his front paws on her back, gripping tightly to not lose ahold of her. She whined, running forward and dragging him along with her. He bit at her ears, in hope to finally make her stop moving, but she wasn't going to give up. She was not his to have.

The fighting wolves, completely engrossed in their own problems, didn't smell the territory line and over step their bonds. Ava caught a slight whiff of it, but she wasn't going to stop because of someone else's territory. She was going to get the brute off her if it was the last thing she did. Her golden eyes zeroed in on a tree, ran over and started ramming him into it, making him loosen his hold on her and cry out more.

[Skaar Skilgannon]

The large wolf had always enjoyed this time of year. The world was quieter, the air crisp. Water tasted cooler and even slightly sweeto n the tongue and the air was filled with scents. The one eyed lupine creature lay by the stream with his nose resiting just above the surface, his one good eye watching the little swirls of broken ice that drifted down the stream. Every time one came close his tongue lapped it up and swished it about his mouth, enjoying how it made his lips tingle with cold before it melted on his rough tongue. Lazily his tail wagged, having the amusing effect of crating a sore of 'Snow-angel' asit brushed across the snow. His thick grey coat just visible over the fresh snow.

Skaar yawned, a whine escaping his throat as he rolled onto his back, shifting his massive shoulders to make a comfortble bed in the cold snow. The sound of the stream always made him sleepy. He loved how it was so constant and tranquil. He was just about to nod off when his eyes snapped open. The good one glaring ahead as he rolled to his feet. Somthing sickly sweet was in the air. Fleshy and sweeter than honey. The scent set fire to his blood, making his mouth salivate more than the smell of freshly caught elk. Tail low he padded towards the center of the scent, his single good eye sweeping back and forth, scanning the snowy landscape for any intrusions into his terriroty.

As he came to the edge of his mark his single eye could just make out the source of the scent. A pale creatures, so well blended into the land-scape if gave Skaar a head-pain just trying to focus on her. She was having problems with another creature, a male who seemed to be overly excited. The air seemed to be fighting and it was then Skaar's mind deducted what the smell was. Sitting on his hunches Skaar watched the procedings with the smallest hint of annoyance. Mating wa of course natural, but Skaar belived as most alpha's do in mating for life. Pairing wiht a single female untill one of the partnership dies. Strong cubs were raised that way. Eventually the female was over-powered and ran, half-dragging the male behind her. Skaar was tempted simply to allow them to pass uninteruptted but the female had fought well, and had proven herself strong and determined, and of course they had just breached his terriroty perhaps unwittingly but his all the same. Skaar ran towards them.

...and connected like a lighting bolt. A massive wolf at nearly ninty five kilo's and of almost unnatural length from nose to tail, when he hit hom i was more like the charge of a bear. It connected with the males rear end, sending him sprawling off his rather unwilling partner and rolling in the snow. He rolled to his feet only to be greeted by Skaar's snarling features. The one eye glaring dangerously at the male wolf, his fangs bared. Unwilling to give up his prize the male and Skaar connected together in a snarlng biting storm. The male snapped his fangs along Skaar's hind leg, elicitng a yelp from the larger wolf who in turn tore the smaller wolf's ear and smashed his large head into it's neck. Rising on their hind legs the wolves snaarled, barked and snapped at one and other. Biting and clawing. Claws raked across Skaar's nose, leaving several thin rivers of blood across his snout. In return Skaar sank his teeth into the mails leg, tearing away meat and exposing raw flesh. With a cry the male turned and limped away swiftly, blood staining the snow., Tail firmly between his legs.

Skaar glared at the male untill he was out of sight. Only then allowing the pain of his wounds to settle in so he could gauge them. They would heal well, his experince and size allowing him to come out on top of the small fight. Wheeling his form to look at the heated female he glared at her for a moment. In normal circumstances she would be his prize, but in this particular case instead of the same mating attempt the previous male had tried Skaar merely turned and began to amble towards a solem nearby tree, covered in snow and gnarled branches. " Your in my territory." He stated rather matter-of-factly, his tongue flicking out to lick his wounds.

[Ava]

Before Ava was able to really fling the wolf off, something hit the both of them, or at least hit the male wolf but his stumbling made her lose her footing. She was shoved into the snow, slowing her down from being able to really get up and bolt. Her head whipped around to follow the noise of snarling and jaws snapping against each other. Her golden eyes rested on two large males battling it out, for what, her? She pinned her ears back and growled. Or did this new male think he could try some chivalry thing on her? She was too weak to handle it herself? Ava huffed and slowly made it to her feet, letting the brutes beat on one another till the larger male finally grabbed ahold of the attackers leg and rip off a piece of skin. The male cried out in pain, and hobbled away defeated.

Standing on all fours Ava raised her head high and narrowed her golden eyes on the wolf that just saved her. He was glaring at her with his own golden eyes, not as angered as the last male but it wasn't the most welcoming stare. Did he think that because he won she was now going to give herself to him? Well he had another thing coming. She wasn't the type to do things like that. She believed in love and being with someone special to you. Not just someone you won as a prize. Shoving all her thoughts down her throat, the male wolf turned and made his way to a tree, not paying any attention to her. Perhaps, he was different.

"Your in my territory."

Ava blinked and lifted her head to sniff the area. Suddenly she remembered smelling the boarder line as she ran through to get the male off her. He probably intervened to just get the two of them off his lands. Nothing more. He probably even had his own Drappa to have if he wanted. Her glare softened to just a simple look as she watched him lick his wounds. What was she suppose to do? Just leave? She couldn't just go without saying anything, but part of her really didn't want to get that close. Even if his intentions were innocent, she was in heat and any male could just change their mind.

"Thank you," she said, dipping her head in gratitude and turned to go. She was a few steps from leaving his lands when she stopped and turned around. She could see the wounds that the other male had inflicted from here and part of her felt like she owed him something. Just leaving would make her feel terrible, and yet staying almost seemed to put her at risk. She sighed, hearing her heart win over her brains as her paws took fresh new steps in snow towards the male. "Let me help you with your wounds, then I will leave."

She knew an alpha had no wanting of some loner on their lands for long. So that was why she mentioned it. She would never stay unless invited too, and the vide the brute was giving her was telling her to not stay long. Once she was close enough, she looked at him warily, making sure he wasn't going to pounce and then seated herself next to him. She bent her ears back and timidly reached out her muzzled, then licked at his wounds gently, careful not to harm him in any way.

[Skaar Skilgannon]

The only reply to her thanks was his lips curling to flash his canines and a small sound that was half way between growl and grunt. From his momentery throne under the small, bare tree covered in snow and long stripped of leaves he watched the heated wolf, rather glad the smell of blood, both his own and another's filled his nostrils for it blocked out her heady aroma. Left over anger still made his heart beat hard and turned his blood to fire, the instinct to fight and defend having over-powered the instinct to mate. When she was near the boarder of his land he lowered his head and began to clean his wounds. The coppery taste of blood wasn't completely unpleasant. He had long since leared to appreciate the taste of his own blood for it's taste told him much. The taste now told him he was strong, that he would not get sick soon and that the wounds would clot well. He had seen small wounds from fights clot badly, the wound would fester and grow a yellowy crust, instead of blood a thick, yellowy liquid which tasted of illness would ooze from the wound. It was the curse of the male, the instinct to fight was deep rooted in their minds and somtimes even the winners did not survive the fights. When the time to walk the dark woods came then it came and there was nothing any wolf could do about it. Thankfully, that dark place wasn't howling to him this time.

At the sound of aproaching foot-fall he snapped his head up, his ears going flat against his skull and his fangs bared, the lips peeling back to show those bloody teeth. His hackles rose as he made to rise. Her soft statment froze him for a moment and he stood with his fangs bared before relaxing. His scarred face serene as he sat himself back down and resumed licking his wounds. It was kind of her to offer, and brave considering her condition. Of all things in the world Skaar respected bravery. She was risking much to come to his aid, more than most other creatures in her position would. As she approached he had a chance to look over her before she moved into his blind side. The colour of snow, her thawny gold eyes were sharp, she carried herself with a certian pride. The way she had glared at him after the fight told the wolf she had a temper, and from both that and the scent on her coat he could tell she was a loner. He gave a low growl as she meekly licked the wounds over one shoulder. He disliked anyone being near him in his blind side but her tongue did wonders to ease the wounds pain, and it would clean the wound so it would heal well. Lowering his head he lapped at his wounded leg. The skin had split but the flesh below was mostly undamaged. It would bother him only a little and certianly not hamper him. After a few moments of tending to his wounds he stood without warning and shook his shoulders before padding forward a steps and wheeling to face her.

" Thank you. Kindness should always be rewarded. I am Skaar, Dragga of the Fenrir Luna pack. You are welcome to hunt and rest on my lands. Game is good even in the snow. Considering the only other in my pack is female you will have no trouble with your scent. You do not need to worry of me either, I am Skaar Skilgannon, not a pup incapable of controlling his dalkota." Raising his muzzle he drew three loud sniffs from the air before glancing over his shoulder. " We made an elk kill yesterday. There was plenty left after we had our fill. If you do not wish to hunt you can have what's left. The meat will be cold, but prey around here eat's well, thus so we do." Respectully Skaar tipped his head, muzzle alomost touching the ground, his good eye fixed on her as he waited for his guest to accept or decline the invitation.

[Ava]

Ava was in the midst of finishing cleaning the wound on the Dragga's leg, when he suddenly stood up, took a few steps away from her and faced her direction. She blinked, her gold eyes staring at him curiously. Did she hurt him? Did he not want her help? She could understand if the male had no liking for help, she didn't like it all that much either, but she was repaying him for his own kindness. But then sweet vocals slipped from his jaws to explain everything.

" Thank you. Kindness should always be rewarded. I am Skaar, Dragga of the Fenrir Luna pack. You are welcome to hunt and rest on my lands. Game is good even in the snow. Considering the only other in my pack is female you will have no trouble with your scent. You do not need to worry of me either, I am Skaar Skilgannon, not a pup incapable of controlling his dalkota."

Ava stood, her ears perking as she situated herself to look full onto the wolf. His invitation was a generous one. Any smart fae would take it, but any other smart fae wouldn't have taken the risk in helping him with his wounds. He promised security, something Ava would definitely need in her current state, it just felt weird to her. She had been on her own for so long she wasn't sure if she should really stay. She didn't want to disrupt their way of living. Yet at the same time, in the back of her head, she remembered all those nights she hated to be alone and longed to have a family of her own. She was just thinking of doing that like her parents had. But not everything really went perfect with that.

"We made an elk kill yesterday. There was plenty left after we had our fill. If you do not wish to hunt you can have what's left. The meat will be cold, but prey around here eat's well, thus so we do."

Ava couldn't help but wag her tail at the mention of food. It being winter, and her being on her own made this season a bit lame in the food department. She often preyed upon rabbits or elk when she can, but finding them in nomads lands were a rarity.

"I am Ava," she said, bowing her head, "I will take you up on your invitation for as long as I am welcome here. Since you have already killed, if you aren't completely averse to it, I would like some meat. I would hunt, but I wouldn't want to have the elk deal with a wolves greed." She hoped he understood what she was saying. She wanted the elk to thrive just as well as they did, if they attacked too often, they would take out their foundation to live and soon wither and die. What would the wolves eat then?

Ava let her golden eyes survey him, she looked at him for a few seconds before finally letting her words get ahead of her, "Why are you so different? You could have made me yours by now, like the other brute tried. Not saying that I don't appreciate your kindness, it's just rare, I guess. At least for a lone lupa."

[Skaar Skilgannon]

The small walk allowed Skaar to test the wound in his leg. It wasn't painful to put weight on the leg, but the wound was tender when it brushed by bushes or anything harder than his own fur. It would be an annoyance, but little else. The lupa had done well to clean it, avoiding his fur and ensuring that she left just enough blood to congeal and close the wound. It showed some small experince with encounters of this type. Then again all females had seasonal heat which put them in a rather constant state of danger. Perhaps all females knew of wounds through requirment rather than experince.

" Ava" Skaar repeated under his breath, memorising the name to go with dozens of others before he dismissed it with a rumble of a growl. Most of the following vocals to escape her was simply thanks, it was the last sentance however than won her Skaar's respect. The wisdom she showed in understanding the balance between predator and prey was far beyond her apparent years. Few wolves had such a clearly defined knowlage of the way of the world. Predator and prey had to respect and understand one and other. Each helped the other, the prey sustained the predator, the predator ensured only the strong survive.

Following the scent marks left on the many tree's of his domain, Skaar led Ava to a secluded part of the creek, screened by tree's and bush in all directions. Old blood stains and fresh paw prints studded the soft earth and the musky smell of wolf hung thick in the air. Padding over to a brush Skaar clamped his jaws around the slender elk shin and growled as he dragged the carcass from it's hiding place. Normally such a creature would be difficult for a wolf to move but he and Akailia had torn a good chunk out of it, leaving it less weighter than when it was living. Depoisting the mauled carcass before her Skaar took to cleaning the cold blood from his jaws.

The question no doubt escaped her lips before her mind could cease it. Skaar glared at her for a second, obviously somwhat annoyed and perhaps even insulted. He merely shifted his gaze to the carcass as he lay on his stomach, resting his muzzle on his paws. " Because I am Skaar, the mightiest wolf ever to walk under the moon and hunt in the plains. If I cannot control my own body how can I control an entire pack? One day the wolves of my pack will number greater than the stars that keep the moon company. That will never come to pass if I chase after every female on heat that walks past." Raising his head he nodded at the mauled remains. " Eat" he commanded, his voice slightly softer, perhaps even slightly coloured by humour. " Besides, any creature that cannot fend off a single curl-tailed male would not survive my cubs." A small growl that could be equaled to a human chuckle rumbled in his throat.

[Ava]

Ava followed the brute towards some bushes where he had pulled out a large carcass. There was a whole in the center of the gut where the other wolves had taken there fill, but there was still plenty of meat to go around, and the winter chill kept it in pretty good shape. That was one thing about the winter that was slightly good. The meat could last a little longer, that is if it didn't freeze completely in the nights cold. She watched him clean off some of the frozen bits and then he lifted his head after he had listened to her question.

"Because I am Skaar, the mightiest wolf ever to walk under the moon and hunt in the plains. If I cannot control my own body how can I control an entire pack? One day the wolves of my pack will number greater than the stars that keep the moon company. That will never come to pass if I chase after every female on heat that walks past."

Skaar was definitely proud of himself, that was for sure. But what alpha wasn't? They all had to keep some sort of royal feel to them or no one would have respect for him. But the way he talked about himself made Ava roll her eyes a little and smile. It was just typical male banter to her. "You sure are cocky. Even if you are mighty and the greatest to ever roam the earth, that doesn't mean you can never slip up or maybe go on a little splurge every now and then. Even the wisest and mightiest have their faults."

Ava heard his command to eat, and without thinking she just bent over and took a few bites, enjoying the sweet taste of the elk. It had been a few days since she was able to eat anything. The cold kept the small prey in their dens and made it hard for her to hunt down anything bigger, or find some that weren't already in pack lands. Nomad's lands seemed to have scattered food, it was almost like a punishment for not belonging to a family.

"Besides, any creature that cannot fend off a single curl-tailed male would not survive my cubs."

Ava ate her fill and lifted up her head, her ears bent back in annoyance and her golden eyes staring at him like daggers. "If you think I wouldn't have been able to handle him for myself, well you are wrong. I nearly had him off of me when you came barreling in like that. I have had to fend off many selfish brutes in my life, he would have been no different."

"I should go," she said, raising her head high with pride and turning around, "Thank you for the food and the help. But I do not need your pitty or your protection. I have been great on my own and I will always be great on my own." She started walking off, her ears pinned back. Any brute would be lucky enough to have me bear their pups. No other fae is as smart as I am. I have been on my own for two years, and I have fended off every bossy male, unlike most females that have been on their own. It is almost a death sentence for a fae to be on their own but I am making it, and I always will.

[Skaar Skilgannon]

Skaar enjoyed the sight of another wolf eating the meat his pack had caught. It was a natural instinct of an alpha to be a provider. As the strongest it was his duty to protect the weaker members of his race and even if Ava wasn't pack she was on his lands, hence his responsibility. His enjoyment of the sight was almost cut short when she commented that he was cocky and then decided to impart some of her wisdom. " You mistake me. I am never cocky nor arrogant, I am merely honest." After a moments silence he added. " However, I do have faults and even the father of all wolves slips up somtimes. Why else would he have made hunger and disease and sickness if not by accident?"

The larger wolf fell silent as she begnan to eat, swinging his head to glance around occasionally. A small, snow-white hair scurried from it's den to pick at some frozen plant under the snows, but upon seeing him it stared for a moment before scurrying back down the burrow icking up clouds of snow behind it and drawing a growl from Skaar as he felt his muscles tense, his body bunch ready to chase. By the time he had turned his head back to Ava though her eyes were narrow, her ears pinned back as she raised herself from the meal with frosty thanks and turned, head held high to walk away, taking whatever vestiage of pride she had left. A moment of confusion crossed Skaar's features, single eye downcast as he mulled over the females odd behavior before it clicked.

Padding up alongside her Skaar drew across and cut her off, the move might have been seen as aggressive right up untill the time Skaar sat on his hunches, his head held slightly lower, muzzle down. " It was ment in jest, I apologise. I have never been good with.. humour. However you know as well as I do the danger your in in nomand lands. I ask you to reconsider, untill you won't be troubled by the oddl one male anymore. These lands are good, better than most. Should you come to apprecite them my pack is always open to outsiders, I have seen your strength and it was ignorant of me to discount it. I apologise." His head dipped low for a moment before it turned to it's usual position, his eyes turning from fairly soft to hard as ice.

[Ava]

Ava was just about gone when she heard paws stomping in the snow that weren't her own. Before she got a chance to pick up speed and run out the male came out in front of her, making her stop abruptly before she ran into him. He sat down, not backing up for some personal space and Ava stared at him, her golden eyes wide and her muzzle forced down some so it wouldn't hit him. She backed up quickly to readjust herself so she wasn't so close to him. He proceeded to tell her about how it was just for fun, how he didn't really mean to anger her with his comment and then moved onto the topic about her staying on his lands. Clearly he thought she was in danger on her own and the only real true way for her to be safe was to be in his pack, well in his pack lands at least. Ava let out a sigh, why did males seem to think that lupa's were incapable of taking care of their own hide? Though she was frustrated and annoyed at it, something deep down inside of her liked it. She liked the idea of someone taking care of her or at least being there if she ever needed it. On her own she rarely had someone to talk too let alone have to protect her on occasion.

She let out a small sigh and looked to the ground. Staying would be better for her health and she would get a small taste of the pack life. Maybe if she liked it she could even stay and keep it her normal life. She knew that the pack life intrigued her and she at times dreamed of it. She liked the idea of a family around her and pups. The idea of having her own pups someday made a bit of a butterfly effect in her stomach.

"All right," she finally let out, "I'll stay." She lifted her head up to look at Skaar. Her golden eyes peering right into his. It was the first time she noticed he was blind in one eye. You had to be a really good leader to be blind in one eye and control others. "But what is the catch? I don't think you are just let me congregate here without having to do anything."

[Skaar Skilgannon]

Irritation flickered across Skarr's features when the lupa sighed. She sighed at him as if he were an over-active, yappy pup. He didn't appreciate the sutle insult at all. He offered her substanace and protection simply because long ago when his fangs were not quite as long, and when his blind eye could still see the moon he had survived on the kindness of strangers. The huff and sigh like a moody pup was like a thorn in his paw. A constant annoyance. In her pride she somwhere along the line forgot about decent manners.

He surpressed his anger though the slight raise of his hackles was somthing he couldn't control. His one golden eye was narrow, a sure sign of his growing anger and fraying temper. His scarred face was set stern, his nose low as he looked right into the lupa's golden orbs, staring at her as if to try and read her intentions, read her awnser before she said it.

When she whispered 'I'll stay' Skaar's hackles lowered and he held her gaze for a moment before swinging his massive body around to prepare to leave. His single eye scanning the woods ahead. Her question brought another flare of irritation to him. Who did she think he was? Some... disgusting jackal that could do nothing more than slink, scavange and steal. " I am Skaar Skilgannon." He repeated for the second time since their meeting. " My promise is stone. There is no catch, for a catch is just a lie in disguise and I do not lie." Venting his irritation by speaking the words rather forciably Skaar fell silent for a moment before glanced back to her. " Come on... You can meet the other's of my pack."

[Ava]

Apparently Ava had done something wrong. Everything in the males body language was screaming that he was annoyed with her. His ears twitched, his hackles raised and he stared at her like his eyes were burning through her soul. What had she done that was so bad? Was it something in her mannerisms? Ava was raised in a small family, they were all loose and playful with one another. There really was no formality taught. Perhaps real packs and families act different amongst one another. He turned away from her and started to leave but it wasn't exactly in a pleasant way. It was more or less stiff and annoyed. Ava stood still, confused about what his body language was telling her.

" I am Skaar Skilgannon. My promise is stone. There is no catch, for a catch is just a lie in disguise and I do not lie."

His words were of no comfort to her either. Did he think that by her being cautious on who she stays with was being rude to him? What did he expect from a lone fae? She had been alone for most of her life, and when she wasn't she was constantly told to be wary of other wolves, especially brutes. Skaar glanced back at her, anger and frustration written all over his face.

" Come on... You can meet the other's of my pack."

What would a pack member do if the alpha seemed upset? She knew that she would just raise her head a little higher and mouth off. But that didn't seem like it was going to get anywhere. Whatever she said seemed to piss him off even more, even her actions set him on edge. He was just a ball of anger. Something Ava didn't understand. She understood being cautious and careful around others, picking who you were with carefully. She got that, that was for protection sake. But she didn't understand being angry for no reason, or for silly petty things. Whatever she did she felt compelled to saying sorry, even if she wasn't sure what she did wrong.

Ava took in a deep breath and picked up pace with the male. Once near his hind legs she bent low in a submissive manner (probably the first time she ever had done so) and slowly made her face visible to him, making sure it was lower that his head. With her ears bent back and her tail sunk low she looked up at him, "I don't know what I did to offend you, but it was certainly not the intention. You have to understand I have been on my own for a long time, never raised in a pack, so your ways are different from my ways. Please be patient with me, and I am sorry if I have done something to upset you."