Zethus
Male | Night Shade | Delta | Mentions: Rune, Mai (direct), Evanora, Halcyon, Ruth (indirect/briefly)

A hum of disinterest had emmitted from the sleeping beast. Now awake, his dark orbs had fluttered open to reveal that of a busy morning, one of which Zethus was wishing to sleep through. He grumbled softly, taking a soft sigh before deciding it would be time to deal with himself and well, his family. His one true pride and joy in this lifetime.

Zethus had heard the distant call of Rune, but first, he would deal with his family.

Approaching his mate, he muzzled her softly before he would look towards his offspring. "Everyone doing alright this morning?" He asked with a soft and low-key smile. Zethus looked around for moment, seeing the distance between him and his offspring. Mai had found herself a tree, which Zethus was grateful for the shadow it had casted.

The longing call for Rune had made Zethus' ears perk up. He huffed slightly before departing from Maireia. "Make sure your kids don't get into any trouble," he said jokingly befor departing from her. Zethus always tried his best to stay close to his family while doing his duties, but at times, work wasn't always the best and it would pull him away from quality time.

Zethus approached the Alpha, Rune, giving a soft bow as a greeting. "Rune," he exhaled softly. "What can I do for ya?" He questioned, focusing his eyes on the other male, waiting patiently for instruction for his task for the upcoming hours. Either it was going to be a long day, or it was going to be quick. Either way, Zethus just hoped the pack could get back on their feet.

Just so he could make sure everything was in line.

Good, be angry with me. Let it all out.

While her sister spoke, no, screamed, Ornate listened. She was good at that. She was also good at keeping her emotions hidden. She would not express her own displeasure nor any sadness she may feel. As far as anybody was concerned, she was a blank face. A lifeless statue; motionless, quiet, undetected.

Finally, when her sister concluded, that was when Ornate spoke.

"Everyone had to be out of the loop," was all she said as she stepped forwards, beginning to circle Khepri. It wasn't out of anger, no, it was to intimidate her. To stop her from storming off. It was a tactic she used to get others to listen to her. Their attention had to be upon her while she spoke. "I left so that a war wouldn't break out. I left so that our pack would not be killed off." Now, Ornate was beginning to increase her gait.

"Do you see Night Shade's numbers? Do you see how easily our pack could die? Yes, their numbers are similar to our own, but they are expanding. They are stronger. Do you want to risk a battle? Do you want to see others die?" Pausing, Ornate stopped before Khepri. "I don't." The female stood there for a moment, staring into her sister's eyes before resuming. "You had to be out of the loop, and so did everybody else. I needed to gain Night Shade's trust, and I have. I couldn't do if you and everybody else knew of my plan. I don't want to betray Night Shade, and I didn't want to betray River Ash, but what's done is done."

Pausing once more, she now stood in front of Khepri, a mere few feet away. "I climbed the ranks, and now, Night Shade trusts me. I can prevent a war from breaking out, and if it cost me my pack, so be it. At least I know that their lives won't be stolen by another. Let them hate me. Let them feed on anger from my betrayal. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it granted them their safety. If it granted you and Chione safety." Ornate was angry, and while it couldn't be visually seen, small tells were noted. The way her eyes twitched was a solid giveaway, followed by her words growing louder before resuming back to a normal tone.

"If one thing is certain, Chione did not have to become an omega," she hissed then, something not common for Ornate's character. "She could have been a subordinate. That would have worked just as well. She has no power then and is forced to listen to others, all while still receiving food and proper housing. Do not tell me for a moment that Chione's current state is upon me." Grunting, Ornate's lips curled in displeasure before a sigh was released.

"You aren't listening to me. I listened to you, so now you listen to me." Eyes widening, the white female raised her voice slightly before calming down. "I don't want a war breaking out. I don't want bloodshed. I don't want to witness death. That would be a 'bloody insurrection,' not what I did." Shaking her head, her voice calmed almost entirely, a softer tone now being presented. "I apologize for what I did and how I did it, but I wouldn't change anything, not when I know that I can save lives. I want peace, Khepri, and there was no other choice. Conversing was out of the question, as was battling and moving to another territory. I was out of options, so I took a risk. A large one.. But River Ash is safe. That is all that matters to me."

Face growing more stern, a look she had often given as an eldest sister, she gazed down at Khepri. "You need to do something about Chione, as a leader, and as a sister. I don't care now, but fix it. Tell the pack of what I did, let them take it as they please. I am going to fix this by ensuring nobody's blood is spilled. That is my duty, so you tell them that. You're duty is to protect Chione. You're smart, find a way."

Stepping back, she began to turn. "I kept you and the others out of the loop because if my plan was found, then I'd be the one solely punished. If it was known that the entire pack knew, or even you? That would cause the war that I'm trying to prevent." Nodding a singular time, she made it clear that she needed to return. "Tell Chione that I say hello."

And with that, Ornate vanished behind a thicket.

Gait increasing, she broke out into a brisk trot in order to return to the camp. She had taken longer than expected, but at least she felt better. It was as if a weight had been lifted off of her. Though the news about Chione angered, no, enraged her, she would leave it up to Khepri to fix. She didn't believe for a moment that that was the only option for their sister. So, with those thoughts circling around her mind as a distracted look remained upon her features, Ornate entered the pack's main vicinity. Immediately, her eyes landed upon a masculine figure before her, her head immediately dipping out of respect.

"Forgive me, Rune, what have I missed?"

Pine sat in a badger den that she dug out. She had been following the River ash and Night shade packs for some odd time. She hadn't eaten in about 2 days and was starving. Pine was ahead of the packs because she had not stopped when there scent trails did. Pine howled into the night sky, low and beautiful. It startled her to hear a howl back. Rumbling overhead told Pine that rain was coming, and coming fast.

.

"Well, better to hunt now than later." Pine whispered to herself. She gingerly got up and winced, her left back paw hurt. She eased into a slow jog and ignored the pain. It was a solid 10 minutes before she caught the scent of a rabbit. She crept through the brush, the rabbits brown back was to her. Pine calculated the steps until she would catch th rabbit. 3, just 3 steps. Pine stepped 1, waited a long moment, 2, she stared down the rabbit wondering if it heard her, 3, Pine lunged forward and grabbed its neck. The rabbit struggled slightly but Pine's strong jaw snapped its neck.

.

Pine inspected the rabbit further, it was a young male, maybe 3 years at the most. It was a big boy and Pine ate every piece of meat she could. Finally with a full belly she went back to her badger burrow. Except she didn't stop. No, she felt herself making her way to the River ash pack resting area.

"Soon Pine, but not today." She whispered to herself. Pine turned around suddenly tired. A picture of Owl flashed in her mind as she walked away. She was the reason he died. Her fault. Pine knew, if she lost one more treasured thing, she would die of heart break. One thing she knew for sure, was she loved River ash pack as if she was one of its members.

A moderate rain peirced Pine's pelt and made her shiver. She ran the rest of the way back to her borrow.

The tall male stood waiting patiently. Well, truth be told, he was rather in a hurry. The clouds ahead were growing darker, the wind picking up and the rain grew slightly heavier, or so he noticed. He wanted to arrive at the raised terrain sooner rather than later. For Ildiko's sake above all else.

"Pick up the pace, let's go!" He hollered. Alright, so perhaps he was a tad impatient, but who could blame him? He'd rather not be caught in the midst of a storm, and he doubted anybody else wished to be either. Scowl resting upon his features, Callan's eyes glazed over the gathering wolves, his eyes locking upon Chione.

Callan was a mighty wolf full of height and muscle. Even now in the midst of hunger, he was of an impressive size. He feared little, always facing things head on, and yet, he couldn't meet Chione's eyes for more than a few seconds before lowering them to the ground. Was he ashamed? Perhaps guilty? Whatever the feeling, Callan couldn't look at her. He stole her title, the one that rightfully belonged to her. How could he meet her gaze?

He couldn't even apologize. How could he? Callan had tried before, but he was never good with words nor feelings. He knew how to talk to others, but he never could muster up more than a few sentences, especially about his own feelings. Yet, he wanted to do something to show her that he was sorry. The thing was, Callan wasn't creative either. He didn't know how to possibly show her how badly he felt for taking her rank. He didn't know how to talk to her.

Instead, he allowed his gaze to return to her. He could offer a smile? That would seem friendly? Maybe it could show her that he was sorry? So, the male's mouth gaped open slightly, lips peeling back before snapping shut. Alright, that looked more like a threatening snarl. Noted.

Slowly and rather awkwardly, Callan turned away, instead, focusing on Slade. Clearing his throat, he spoke. "Take who you need for the hunt. I'll lead the rest to the hill and get started on the dens." Nodding once, the delta turned back to the others, noting the slow pace of Hallbjorn. "If you don't mind, Slade, I'd like to steal Hallbjorn." Checking in with the beta, he raised his head and voice. "Those whose name Slade does not call, you're coming with me." And with that, the male departed, but not before walking up to his sister.

"Do you need to lean on me?" He asked her. Regardless, his pace would be slower. However, he wouldn't be the one leading. "Hallbjorn," he practically snapped. He didn't mean to, it was simply the way he spoke, his tone always sounding rude and harsh. "You're leading. I'll walk at the end to ensure nobody gets left behind. Set a slow pace, I don't want anybody slipping or getting injured." Since Hallbjorn wished to take his time, Callan couldn't help but give him the role of leading the others to the chunk of raised land. That, and because Callan would linger behind in case his sister, or even Chione, fell behind. Not to mention anyone else. Everybody was weak and thin from hunger, he wouldn't be surprised if the small walk would be difficult.

So, the male checked in with Ildiko before glancing back to Chione. Maybe he would check to see if she needed help, after all, that was his task. That, and he felt bad. Even when not a delta, Callan was good at watching others, so, he mustered up some courage and slowly approached her. Standing before her, all the male did was stare, attempting to find something to say. After a long moment of silence, he spoke: "Um, would you like to walk with Ildiko and myself? It'll be a slower pace if that makes it easier for you."

Gah, he practically called her weak right in front of her face. Ears lowering against his skull for a moment, they perked up once more. "Only if you want to. The terrain might be, uh, slippery, so that's why I ask." Did that even make sense? No, no it didn't, but Callan was going with it. Maybe then he could find some words to apologize properly.