Laika had been unable to sit still, so after making sure her pups were fast asleep she wriggled away. Pacing back and forth outside of the Elders den. Poking her head back in anytime she heard a pup cry. Her eyes always drawn to her pups. She had yet to name them, and she couldn't help but wish Ferox was there. He should be there, seeing their pups. Helping her name them. But, alas, he couldn't be. And of course, something else big was happening. Whatever had screamed, it was a terrifying noise and Laika hoped that it was truly nothing. She didn't think they could handle anything else after the rouges. Especially so soon.

Igantius had begun to pace back and forth while Helios and Cinder sat side by side. Watching Igantius with worried eyes. When the scent of Terra Lupi hits them, Cinder and Helios get up, joining Ignatius who turns to greet the patrol who was moving towards them. Igantius dips his head.

"We come with a message." Well, it was more of a question. "Did you hear that terrifying scream?" Ignatius was hoping the wolf would say no. That would make everything easier. That perhaps the wind had just been blowing and the wolves had just made a sound up in their mind. Hopefully the scream was nothing. A sound made by... what? There was no trees in their land.

Everything about the scream freaked the wolves out. And they would admit it. It was a terrifying scream. Whatever it was.... They only hoped they could take it on and defeat it.

(Sorry this is short! In a bit of a rush!)

Bracken felt some of his tension ease, seeing that the Ignis Lupi wolves didn't seem hostile. He recognized these wolves from the battle, although he had never learned their names. However, his expression grew apprehensive, and he shared a worried look with the rest of his patrol before turning to face the Ignis Lupi wolf that had spoken. "So we weren't the only ones that heard it?" he asked.

Did that mean the other two packs had heard it as well? No scream could have been that loud, surely. But here was an Ignis Lupi patrol that had heard it as well... Ferox had sent patrols to the Akvo Lupi border, and Bracken was willing to bet they'd return with reports of the same sound. What could possibly have made such a terrifying noise, and at such a volume that at least two packs had heard it?

Bracken shook himself from his thoughts and stared right at the Ignis Lupi wolf. "Yes, our entire pack heard it," he said. "None of us could tell where it came from, and even our Elders know nothing about it." Bracken gave a worried sigh and looked back in the direction of the camp. "Does your pack know anything about it?" Bracken asked. Normally, asking another pack for information about anything was a bad idea; it typically made them hostile and defensive, but this case was different. They had to find out what they could.

With those words, Igantius' heart drops. So, they hadn't been the only ones. What did that mean? Did the other packs hear it too? Fear turned Ignatius heart cold, but he refused to show it. "Yes. It was very clear and loud. We were hoping it was just the wind, but alas, it seems it was not." Helios and Cinder exchange glances, if the Terra Lupi heard it... Then what was it? A shriek of an animal in pain perhaps? Hopefully.

Wolves had been sent to the other packs, with any luck, someone would have an answer. There had to be someone who knew. Perhaps an Elder. They had the wisdom of the packs, passed down from generation to generation. They kept the stories alive, the legends. They kept the pack history alive. Someone had to know what that scream was. Even if no other pack had heard it,

"No. Our Elders have no idea." The scream had sounded like it had come from every direction. They had to have an emergency pack meeting. They just had to. But Laika couldn't leave camp, she had pups. But she was the Alpha, to have someone step in right now, in such a panicked moment, would be bad. Ignatius blinks,"We must have a Great Pack Gathering. Alas, our Alpha just gave birth and she cannot travel to the meeting place. Would you please send your Alpha and a patrol to our camp?"

Ignatius only hoped they trusted the packs enough,"We swear on our pups that you will be safe. We would not ask this of you, but her pups are recently born. She cannot leave them alone." And to send another wolf... Would it shift allegiances from Laika? And in such a time, there was no room for that kind of trouble.

Bracken gave his wolves a troubled glance. "Well, if both our packs heard it, then the others must have as well," he said. "Perhaps one of their Elders will have some idea." Bracken listened to the Ignis Lupi wolf and nodded his agreement. "Yes, our pack can send a message to the Akvo Lupi pack, and we'll plan a time to gather." However, he looked a bit more cautious about the Ignis Lupi wolf's request. "I don't know if our Alpha will go to your camp, but we'll let him know you've requested to see him," he says.

Bracken stepped back from the border and dipped his head. "We wish you well," he said. "We must return and report to our Alpha." Bracken and his wolves turned to go, but Bracken paused, looked back and said, "Be careful. Stay alert." Then he and his patrol began the journey back to the camp, setting a quick pace to make it back as swiftly as possible.

Ferox spotted Bracken and his patrol returning, and he instantly approached and asked, "What's happening at the borders?" Bracken dipped his head politely. "Alpha, we ran into an Ignis Lupi patrol," he reported. "It seems their pack heard the sound too. They also sent a request that you take a patrol and go to their camp." Ferox tilted his head slightly. What would they need me for? Still, he wasn't going to turn down the opportunity to make sure Laika was safe. "Very well," he said. "I'll take you and Amethyst, we're leaving right now."

Once Bracken had located Amethyst, the three of them set off for the Ignis Lupi camp. Amethyst looked openly nervous, constantly glancing around, and although Bracken was more stoic, Ferox could tell he was anxious as well. Soon, they crossed into Ignis Lupi territory. Ferox led the way straight to the camp, where they stopped and waited to be escorted to wherever Laika was.

Ignatius dips his head, that was all he asked is that they tried. The Ignis Lupi wolves watch the Terra Lupi wolves leave before they return to camp where they inform Laika of their invitation. Laika dips her head, that was good, she would have done the same. Mainly because she wanted Ferox to see his pups. But, she didn't say that to any of the wolves, simply spreading the word and ordering that the Terra Lupi be brought in when they arrived.

When the other two patrols returned, they too informed Laika that they had invited the Alpha's to their camp. An emergency meeting was needed, that was for sure. Laika was glad that her wolves had made the decision to invite the Alpha's. She wished she could have summoned the Alpha's to the gathering place, she did not like them so deep in her territory, but she had no choice.

Laika was sitting outside the Elder's den with her Beta's sitting on either side of her, when the alarm was called. Laika lifts her head, calling out,"Who is it?" There was a moment of silence, before Ignatius, who was on guard, calls back,"The Terra Lupi Alpha and two of his wolves." Laika dips her head,"Bring them in." Ignatius leaps down, landing on the other side of the camp walls. He trots over to the Terra Lupi wolves. "Welcome to our camp. Thank you for coming so quickly. If you'll come inside."

Ignatius turns, leading the way inside the camp where many of the wolves had turned to look. Laika looks up at her wolves who were on the walls,"Get back to watching." The wolves obey, leaving only the wolves within the camp staring at the Terra Lupi. Laika dips her head, keeping her voice formal,"Thank you for agreeing to come here. I wish us Alpha's could have met on neutral territory, but alas I can not leave my pups. They are too young." Some of her Elders stuck their heads out, exiting the den when they saw who it was.

Ferox, Bracken, and Amethyst waited patiently outside the camp until one of the Ignis Lupi wolves came to escort them inside. Ignatius, Ferox thought it was. Ferox dipped his head. "Of course," he said. He and his two wolves stepped inside the walls, ignoring the stares they got from the Ignis Lupi wolves as they made their way toward Laika. As they approached, Amethyst and Bracken both sat down, although Ferox remained standing. His companions looked on high-alert. Although tensions weren't too high between the Terra Lupi and Ignis Lupi packs, they were still nervous about being in another pack's camp.

Ferox did his best not to let any emotion show as Laika began speaking. At the mention of pups, he looked stunned. She'd had them?! When? Were they all safe? How many were there? Questions and worries roiled within him, but he quickly composed himself. "Congratulations on the pups, Alpha," he said, his tone matching Laika's formality. He hated talking to her like this, like they didn't know each other. Knowing that Laika had finally given birth only made it worse. He wanted to shower her with affection and love, not stand here and act like he didn't care.

Ferox dipped his head. "I understand your concerns," he said. "I was perfectly happy to come, given recent events." Ferox finally sat down, flicking his tail over his paws. "I was informed that your pack heard the scream as well," he said. "I think it's best to assume that the Akvo Lupi and Caeli Lupi packs also heard it. Will the other Alphas be meeting with us as well?"

Laika dips her head again, fighting the urge to spill any and all information about the pups. She had to act like Ferox was just some wolf, if she revealed anything now, they were screwed. "Thank you." She wanted Ferox to be able to meet his pups. He deserved to. She wished they could name the pups together, but she highly doubted they would be able to. Her pack would want names soon and no doubt soon. Would she be able to delay them?

Laika agrees,"Yes. My wolves brought me back news that the other Alpha's will join us shortly." The Ignis Lupi wolves shift and grumble, to have so many wolves in their camp, wolves who were not a part of their pack. Laika's gaze travels her pack,"Silence. This is a time of need." The pack glances at their Alpha, but no more grumbling was heard. Laika looks back at Ferox,"I do not know when they will be here. But feel free to rest in our camp until they arrive. I will be returning to my pups sides." A cry came from the Elder's den, and Laika's ear flicks back. That was not a cry that had been heard before, that was one of her pups.

"My Beta's, or my brother--" Laika nods at Ignatius,"Can help you with anything. If anything desperate is needed, you may come into the den." She turns and slips into the den, hurrying to her pups side. They were awake and crying. Four little mouths open, wailing for their mother. Laika laps at them as she settles down beside them. Desperately wishing that Ferox could be beside her.

Ignatius looks at the wolves,"As Laika said, feel free to rest where you would like. With any luck the other Alpha's will be here quickly."

Ferox nodded. "Very well, we'll wait here for them," he said. His ears flicked slightly as he heard the pup cry out, and as Laika made her way to the den to care for them, he clenched his teeth slightly, trying hard not to show any outward signs of any emotion. He wanted to see his pups so badly... He knew he wouldn't have been able to get close, even without the problem of the Ignis Lupi pack in the way. He had seen it before, the motherly instinct that came with having pups was strong, and mothers wouldn't let fathers near their pups until they were older. Still, Ferox would have given anything to lay eyes on his offspring, even from a distance.

Ferox also wished that he could be the one to provide for Laika and the pups. It was his duty as their father to make sure they were safe, which normally meant making sure he brought Laika enough prey to keep them fed and fend off threats, but in this case, it meant he had to keep his distance. He hated that that's what it took to keep them safe... He should be doing more than just staying back and letting the pups grow up without a father.

Ferox turned his attention back to Ignatius. "Thank you very much," he said. "Perhaps my two wolves here could make themselves useful?" Ferox glanced back at Bracken and Amethyst, who quickly sat up at attention.

Laika curls around her pups, resting her head on her paws as the pups quiet down, settling against her stomach. She knew a mother's love was fierce, but she didn't expect it to be this fierce. She felt like she would do anything for her pups. It was truly terrible that Ferox did not get to meet them. At least not until they were older, and they could never know who their father was. Thankfully, the pups looked like her. But she was still worried that as they grew up, they would start to look like their father.

Igantius shakes his head,"No, no. That's quite alright. The only thing to do is watch and wait." His eyes flicker to the wolves on the camp walls. They would keep watch and switch out with the others before too long. Ignatius would stay on the ground near his sister. Especially once the other Alpha's came.

Seraphina slips out the Elder's den, trotting to join her son. Her gaze resting on the Terra Lupi for a moment, before straying away. Having made sure Laika and the pups were alright, she was content to let the five rest. "Ember." The female healer pauses,"Yes, Mother?" Seraphina's voice was partly amused,"Leave your sister alone. She is sleeping, as are the pups." Ember frowns,"Then it's the perfect time to check on them! You know Laika wouldn't let me so close if she was awake." Seraphina chides,"And I'm not going to when she's asleep. If you wake the pups back up, she will not be happy. Let her rest. She will let you know if something happens."

Ferox gave a single nod, then looked back at his two wolves, who stood up. "Very well," he said. He took his two wolves to a spot that looked relatively out of the way, and the three of them sat down to wait for the other Alphas. Ferox stuck his claws into the sand and began vibrating it with his power, making a small area in front of him fluid and free-moving. He watched the sand shift and sway, losing himself in his thoughts as he gazed at the mesmerizing motion of the golden sand.

First and foremost in his mind were Laika and the pups. He fully trusted that Laika was capable of watching over them, and she had the support of her pack behind her as well. Still, he felt completely helpless. Fortunately, the pups were safe enough for now. It seemed that the pups hadn't taken after him in terms of appearance, otherwise he would probably not be as welcome here, and the pups might no longer be alive. Ferox gave a soft sigh. He didn't even know how many there were... He wanted see them, to name at least one, but there was no way he could do that, not with so many Ignis Lupi wolves around.

Ferox's thoughts shifted slightly as he began to rethink the safety of his family. It was possible they weren't quite as safe as he assumed. The scream heard earlier had left a foul feeling in the air, one that put Ferox on edge. He couldn't force himself to relax even if he wanted to, not when he knew something had made that sound, and that something was potentially dangerous.