Zephyr
The bird pecked the forest floor, unaware of the predator watching it. Zephyr lowered his body closer to the ground, keeping his pawsteps as light as possible. He knew it would barely feed a pup but he was bored and had nothing else to do. He raised his bottom in the air, wagging his tail, ready to pounce... Something burst through the bushes, scaring the bird away. Annoyed, Zephyr raised his head to see his brother looked around wildly for him. "Really, Hawk? I was about to catch that!" Zephyr snapped, fur bristling. His brother looked skeptical and shook his head, walking over to Zephyr.
"Even if you did, which I doubt, who is that going to feed? And why are you so bothered?" Zephyr sighed, muttering a quiet "Nevermind." A moment of silence fell over them before Hawk decided to announce his big news. "Mother and Father want to see you. It's urgent." Zephyr frowned at that, his parents were usually quite glad that he was out and about. He opened his mouth to question it but Hawk was already gone. Only a second later, he popped his head through the bush. "Are you coming?" he asked.
The walk back to the pack was quiet. A breeze swept past them, ruffling Zephyr's fur. Like it wasn't messy enough. He was content with the comfortable silence but Hawk, once again, broke it. "Y'know, I don't think you'll like what they have to say. But just think about it, okay?" Now this was even more confusing.
"Hawk, what-" he was cut off as he narrowly dodged a low hanging branch. His brother had disappeared again. With a frustrated huff, Zephyr headed over to his parents' den. A few wolves raised their heads to glance over at him, a few lingering gazes from the advisor but nothing out of the ordinary. He scoffed under his breath. His brother was probably just trying to scare him. And it was a terrible plan too.
He entered the den. His mother looked anxious but his father's face betrayed nothing. "Mother, Father." He gave a small nod to each of them in greeting. Azryn nodded back. "You must be wondering why called you here," he stated. Yes, yes I am. So if you could please hurry this up, dear dad of mine.
"We have decided to make a truce of sorts with the other pack, the rogues." He practically spat that last word out his mouth. Zephyr nodded in agreement. So good news. As long as he didn't have to see their faces too often he was fine, especially not the bratty heir. Their few disputes along the border had given him a good enough look at her personality. "What's so important that you had to call me so urgently, Father? You could have announced this later, to the whole pack."
Nyla sighed, shaking her head. "I don't think this is a good idea-"
"No!" Azryn growled. "It's for the good of the pack. To keep the peace." He turned back to Zephyr. "You see, you and Rhodia must become friends." Zephyr's eyes widened. "Absolutely not! I don't understand, why me? Hawk would be a much better candidate!" He argued.
"This isn't up for debate! It's final. You will become friends with her and you will do this because you care about the pack. Even if you don't, it is not an option."
Zephyr gaped at his father in disbelief. "I- what-" He glanced at his mother for help but Nyla simply came over and nuzzled her son's fur.
"It'll be fine, Zephyr," she said simply. It didn't make him feel any better. He knew he was one of the heirs, expected to look after his pack, make big decisions, make sacrifices for them. He was responsible for them. Yet Zephyr hated it. He didn't ask to be the Alphas' son, have all these responsibilities. It was all being forced on him when it felt like he'd just learned what it was like to be himself, Zephyr, not the heir.
Azryn was just as stubborn as he was, there was no changing his mind. Besides, how would it look to the other pack if they backed out? Zephyr might not have liked the decision but his ego was not going to take a hit like that.
With a small sigh, he nodded. "I understand," he replied quietly. Exiting the den, he found Hawk waiting right outside.
"So, how do you feel?" Hawk inquired, walking alongside Zephyr as they left the pack again. Zephyr shrugged. "It's, well, how you'd expect to feel."
"Not very happy?"
Zephyr nodded. He liked this about his sibling. He didn't need to explain himself, how he felt, Hawk just understood. And the long stretches of quietness between never felt weird or uncomfortable.
"I guess I'm going to be friends with a rogue."
Spring 
Night 
Fog Moon: 
