Laika dips her head, especially as Ari agrees,"It is a safe place, and neutral ground. No doubt all four packs can summon their elements." The only issue would be keeping the packs from fighting with each other. Laika blinks at Ferox,"Maybe take Ari with you to convince your pack?" The Akvo Lupi Alpha dips her head, glad to do so. Laika continues,"While I move my pack to the gathering place." Laika glances sideways to see that one of Ferox's wolves had disappeared, and she grimaces slightly. She had a slight idea where the wolf had gone.

Ferox turned his gaze away from Bracken, feeling like someone had dropped a rock into his stomach. He did his best to stay focused though, nodding as Ari spoke. He glanced over at Laika, then back at Ari, giving an appreciative nod. "I would be most grateful for your help," he said quietly. Ferox got to his paws, as did Rider and his wolves. "Well, if we're done discussing, then I'm going to begin moving my pack," Rider said, shaking sand out of his pelt. Without another word, Rider took his wolves and left. Ferox watched him go, then looked over at Laika and said softly, "I will move my pack as well. See you at the Gathering site." Ferox turned and left the camp quickly, and Bracken followed wordlessly.

Ari agrees,"Happily." Laika blinks warmly at Ferox,"See you." Her gaze follows Ferox as the Akvo Lupi Alpha gets to her feet, gathering her wolves behind her as she moves swiftly after Ferox. Then Laika turns towards her pack, her eyes sweeping them. They were all staring at her, a lot with mistrust and some with just wary. What was Laika going to do? Would they listen to her. "Let us began to prepare for our trip." Her wolves stare at her and Laika draws herself,"Now." Finally her pack moves, finally going to obey her orders.

Ferox glanced back as he walked and saw Ari and her wolves following behind him, and he dipped his head before facing forward once more. He didn't say a word the entire walk back. Soon, they arrived in the Terra Lupi camp. A large number of wolves were guarding the camp, as he had instructed, and more were out patrolling the territory. As he, Bracken, and the Akvo Lupi wolves approached, the guards gave Ferox cold, unwelcoming stares. He snarled, and they let him pass, but once he was in the camp, he was met by yet more cold stares. Not one wolf didn't look hostile, except Granite, Slate's old trainee, and Oak, who looked perfectly calm.

Ferox sat down as the wolves slowly converged upon him. "You have undoubtedly heard the news from Amethyst," he said, addressing his pack in a voice loud enough for all to hear. "Let me make something perfectly clear to all right now. I may have broken the law, but am am still your Alpha, unless the Elders decide otherwise. I will not tolerate any disobedience or rebellion. You will all do as I say; I don't care how much you distrust me or despise me, you will obey me, or I will punish you." Ferox looked each wolf in the eye, making sure his point had gotten across. Many avoided his gaze, although some did look as though they were ready to turn against him.

As Ferox looked around, another wolf, Ferrum, stood, growling. "You have broken the law, Ferox," he snarled. "What kind of Alpha would betray his pack like that? Certainly not one that I would follow." Ferrum looked around at the wolves around him, shaking his head. "None of you should accept this," he growled. "I say we drive this pretend Alpha out!" Ferox's hackles rose as he saw that many of the wolves gathered were agreeing with Ferrum, several baring their teeth and growling quietly, taking aggressive steps toward Ferox. Ferox snarled back at them as wolves began to close in, but he held his ground. "That's enough!!" he shouted, digging his claws into the earth and releasing waves of power into the ground. Shockwaves spread out from his front paws, shattering the earth and making it roll, causing every wolf around him to be knocked off their paws. Only Ferrum managed to stay upright.

Ferox stood still in a circle of cracked, displaced stone, panting, his teeth bared in a feral snarl, the ground still vibrating lightly. "It is not your place to say whether I should be Alpha or not," he growled, staring at Ferrum. "You will give me the respect my rank warrants, or I will crush you. Understood?" Ferrum, who looked a little shell-shocked, didn't answer for a moment. Then, recovering, he snarled, baring his teeth and tensing up, as though he was about to attack. Ferox prepared to defend himself, but a voice cut through the air. "Ferox, Ferrum, that's enough." Oak stepped forward, putting himself between the two wolves. "You should know already that this is not your desicion to make, Ferrum," he said. "Ferox did break the law, and it did result in the crisis we are facing. But the Elders have elected to let him remain Alpha, at least until we've dealt with the situation at hand."

Ferox dipped his head in Oak's direction, but the elderly wolf just gave him a disappointed look, shaking his head and walking away. Ferrum didn't try to attack, but he snarled one last time and stalked off, shoving through the wolves that were getting to their feet. Many still looked rebellious, but after what Oak said, none tried to challenge him. "In light of recent circumstances, the Alphas have decided to move our packs to the Gathering site," he said. His wolves began to protest, and Ferox glanced back at Ari for support.

Ari trots along, her wolves keeping up well, even if one was a pretty old Elder. None of the Akvo Lupi said anything as they followed. Though all remained on high alert, their eyes constantly on the move as their paws thumped against the ground. Would they be attacked? Or would they be left alone by whatever was stalking the packs? Finally the group reaches the camp, and Ari keeps her head high as she follows Ferox into the camp, ignoring the wolves he had just snapped at. Though once inside, Ari moves to sit somewhat beside Ferox, though not very close, as if ready to defend him. While her wolves sat behind her.

The Akvo Lupi wolves remain quiet and listen as Ferox talks, their sharp eyes scanning the clearly angry pack. Ari was ready to step in at any moment. Though she knew she'd have to return home and get her pack to the Gathering place soon. Ari was proud that despite it all, Ferox remained confident and somewhat in control. Much like Laika had. Yet like Laika's pack, Ferox's pack was not happy about it. Would his pack turn on him or would an Elder step forward like Aodh had? Or would Ferox be on his own? Would his entire pack refuse to follow him? Could Ari convince them different? She hoped she could.

Ari's ears flicker backward as the pack starts to grow angry and loud. It was clear they were not going to take Ferox's side in anyway. Ari gets to her paws, as do her wolves, and just as she opens her mouth to say something. Ferox beats her to it, snapping at them as he releases a powerful display of his powers. Making the earth roll and shake, knocking wolves off their paws. As wolves not use to the ground moving, Ari and her wolves were knocked over. But they were quick to move agilely back to their paws, eyes flickering across the fallen pack. Though one wolf still seemed to be on his paws.

Just as the wolf seemed ready to pounce, someone cuts in. An Elder, one that Ari knew as Oak. Ari turns towards Oak slightly, about ready to appeal to the Elder. For the first time in her life, she felt old and tired. Yet, she refused to let any of that show as her calm eyes watched the Elder inform the wolf that Ferox's rank was for the Elder's to decide. Before shooting Ferox a disappointed look and turning away. Clearly the pack respected their Elders enough to not challenge anyone.

Yet as soon as Ferox announced that they were moving to the Gathering area, the protests started. Ari cuts in, voice sharp,"Would you prefer to be the only pack still in their camp? How stupid would that make you look?" Her eyes sweep the camp,"Every other pack gathered in a place easy to guard, and yet you are sitting here in a camp that may be easy to guard. But you are alone. The packs are meant to support each other. So, let's go." She jerks her muzzle towards the entrance with that last word, her voice only getting sharper with every word.

While Laika and her pack were halfway there. The mothers, pups, and Elders were in the middle. While everyone else was surrounding them in a protective circle. Laika's pups were being carried by Seraphina, Ember, Ignatius, and Rhys. While Laika was leading the way. All the wolves were on high alert, jumping at any noise. Laika's family was still angry at her, and were pretty much refusing to talk to her, but Laika had bigger things to worry about.

The Terra Lupi wolves, startled by Ari's sudden sharp tone, instantly ceased their protests and listened while she spoke. Ferox watched with satisfaction—and a bit of envy—as his wolves began to realize that she was right. She might not have been their Alpha, but she was more experienced than Ferox and was very effective. Once Ari was done speaking and Ferox could see that his wolves were beginning to agree with her, he stepped forward once more and barked, "Everyone, prepare to leave now! Mothers, Elders, and pups in the center, everyone else encircle them and keep them safe. Slate, I want you to take a small team and scout ahead as he make our way toward the Gathering site. If anything happens, run back and let us now!"

Ferox's wolves jumped into action, which started Ferox a little, as he wasn't expecting them to obey so readily. He certainly wasn't complaining though; as long as they did as he said, he'd be content with that. Before long, they were on their way in the formation he had ordered, and although the going was a little slow with every wolf in the pack, they made good progress, and by early that evening, it came into view. It looked as though some of the packs were already there, but Ferox couldn't tell which ones. Slate and his team rejoined the rest of the pack, then Ferox and the Beta did a quick head count to make sure everyone was accounted for. They made their way closer, and as they approached the Gathering site, Ferox could definitely make out the scent of Caeli Lupi wolves, but wasn't sure if the others were there.

(Sorry for the delay, I've been super busy!)

Ari was satisfied as the wolves shut up and listened. She was even more satisfied when they realized she was right. That meant less protest and more obedience... Hopefully. She stays quiet as Ferox takes charge again, her eyes scanning the group. Nodding as Ferox's wolves move into action, actually listening, which apparently was not expected by Ferox. Ari realized she'd have to send at least one of her own wolves to return to camp and bring the Akvo Lupi. She'd do that as soon as they left camp and were on the move. She was worried about sending just one wolf, but had to trust her gut that it'd be okay.

Ari and her wolves follow as the Terra Lupi start off. Ari stayed near Ferox, but not too close. After a mental argument, she sent off the second wolf. The younger one who took off quickly, knowing that the quicker he got to camp, the safer he'd be. Especially once the message had been delivered and the Akvo Lupi united with the other packs at the clearing. Ari was half tempted to go with him, but figured she better stay. Especially if Rider tried to start anything else. Ari's eyes scan the clearing, the Caeli Lupi were there, as were the Ignis Lupi. She could see them crowded around their Alpha.

Laika's eyes flicker up as the Terra Lupi scent hits her nose, she looks until she finds Ferox, at the front. She dips her head towards him. She was curled around the four pups, still unnamed. While her pack was crowded around her. Most all of them were laying down as well. The mothers, elders, and pups are the center. While the others laid in circles around them. A few of the wolves were on their feet, pacing around and around. Laika lowers her nose to sniff at the pups, making sure they were doing fine. Which they were. As pups did, they were just sleeping.

(All is good! No worries^^)

As Ferox led his wolves closer, he could see the familiar-colored pelts of the Ignis Lupi wolves, and he caught their scent as well. He spotted Laika, and although his heart skipped a beat and he wanted to run to her and shower her in affection, he doubted that would be very tactful with all these wolves around. They needed to keep everyone as united as possible, and reminding everyone of the law that had been broken would do just the opposite. He'd have to wait until they could get some time alone, but he despised waiting. His gaze softened as he spotted the four little pups sleeping beside her, and he gave Laika a small smile, glad they were all safe and sound.

The Terra Lupi wolvs stuck together, clearly uncomfortable with being around the other packs, and they kept quiet, only talking among themselves. The Caeli Lupi wolves were doing much the same. Hopefully they'd be able to keep the tension reigned in, otherwise things could go bad very quickly. Ferox turned to Ari and dipped his head. "Thank you for coming with me," he said. "We'll wait for your pack to arrive, then we'll begin coordinating defenses. For now, we'll just set some guards." Ferox selected twelve of his wolves and started them circling the perimeter of the Gathering site, carefully keeping watch. Rider selected some wolves as well, nearly doubling the amount of guards.

As soon as Laika's eyes landed on Ferox, she was half tempted to order her wolves to make a path for Ferox. But she figured, that would not only make the wolves angry, but it would not be smart. The packs were in this predicament because of Ferox and Laika, best not remind everyone of it yet again. No doubt tensions were already high, and to make it worse? That was just pure stupidity. Laika sighs to herself as she keeps an eye on her pack, her gaze occasionally moving to the pups curled against her stomach. They needed names, but Laika wanted Ferox's opinion. Which meant, that they two would have to speak soon. Laika just didn't know when...

It was slightly worrisome that all the packs seemed to stay with their own packs, not mingling. Not even as they had done during Great Pack Gatherings. But, Laika did not blame them, this was a stressful situation...

Ari dips her head to Ferox,"No problem." Her eyes flicker to the edge of the clearing,"Yes. They should be here shortly." If she knew her mate, he'd push the wolves as quick as they could go... Without tiring any of his wolves. He would understand the importance of getting to the clearing. Ari watches as wolves move to the edge of the clearing. Soon some of Ignis Lupi wolves join the Terra Lupi and Caeli Lupi. Laika was alert and her head high as her gaze swivels around.

Ferox let his gaze linger on Laika for just a bit longer, then he turned to watch his wolves begin mingling with the Ignis Lupi and Caeli Lupi. Well, at least they weren't going to isolate themselves completely... that would have been impossible anyway. Ferox stayed put for a few minutes, then, once he was sure his pack would be alright, he stood up and shook out his pelt, then began moving away from the main body of the wolves.

He began walking around the Gathering site, inspecting the perimeter closely, occasionally walking past some of the guards, who all seemed tense and uncomfortable. Ferox didn't blame them, that sound had been terror-inspiring, and they were still in the dark regarding what had caused it... Ferox turned his mind to other things, inspecting the ground to make sure there was plenty of stone they could use, even though he had been here before and already knew the layout of this place. He just needed something to take his mind off things, so he continued his lone patrol.