Laika listens to Ferox, it sounded like the Terra Lupi pups learned control and balance before hunting and fighting, much like the Ignis Lupi. Laika then shrugs,"Who knows? I'm sure they do. We packs are much more alike then we think." Control of the element is what binded them together, but the different elements drove them apart. The Ancient Pack Laws reminded the packs of that, while friendships between packs were not forbidden, many found them unacceptable.

(Skip to the Gathering?)

(Sure!)

-Gathering-

Laika's packmates swarm behind her, the younger wolves were eager for their first ever Great Pack Gathering. However their young Alpha was the complete opposite, she was extremely nervous. Laika had returned home to see a fight, and she had earned a few more packmates respect by breaking it apart and sending both wolves to do a fair but harsh punishment. They liked that Laika was not being soft hearted and allowing bad things to happen. The Ignis Lupi Alpha had about ten wolves were her, while the rest had stayed at home to protect the camp. The Ignis Lupi wolves were hidden among the undergrowth of the large clearing where the Gathering was held. While one side sloped up a bit higher to create a sort of ledge for the Alpha's to sit on.

"Are we going down?" That was her Beta Male, Khan. Laika had left Khan's mate, Nova at home to lead the pack while they were at the Gathering. Laika dips her head,"Yes." Already she could see the Akvo Lupi Pack lingering at the bottom, their Alpha's sitting on the ledge muttering to each other. Laika breaks into a trot as she leads her pack down, the Akvo wolves looking up in surprise, expecting to see Flint at the head of the group.

Laika keeps her head high as she trots, she was the new Alpha, and she was not to be undermined by anyone, especially by another pack. The Ignis Lupi wolves follow, spreading out as they hit the bottom, heading to talk to some of the Akvo wolves. Laika dips her head to a few as she heads to the ledge, leaping up to join Silver and Ari, the Alpha male and female of the Akvo wolves.

"Where is Flint?" It was well known that Flint's mate former Alpha female Strike, had passed a few moons before Flint had been attacked. Laika replies calmly,"He sadly passed a few days ago. I was appointed in his place." Silver and Ari exchange a glance and Laika asks,"Any sign of the Terra Lupi or Caeli Lupi?" The water Alpha male shakes his head,"No sign yet. But it is still early."

(Would you like to control the Caeli?)

Ferox paused as he approached the Gathering, sniffing the air. He caught the distinct scents of Ignis Lupi and Akvo Lupi, but not Caeli Lupi. He breathed a small sigh of relief, glad that he and his packmates weren't the last ones there. He led the way into the clearing, seven wolves following behind him, Slate and his trainee, Granite, among them. Ferox paused, looking around the clearing, then nodded at his wolves, allowing them to disperse and mingle with the others.

Ferox, who's heart was beating much faster than usual, forced himself to calm down, putting on a confidant facade, keeping his face neutral as he trotted to the ledge where Laika, Silver, and Ari were already talking with one another. Ferox joined them, dipping his head in greeting. "Silver, Ari, Laika," he said. "I hope you're well." Ferox forced his gaze not to linger on Laika for long, and he looked back at the other two Alphas.

His attention was distracted as a new scent arrived on the breeze, and his ears twitched as the sound of pawsteps approached. Ferox looked over and saw the Caeli Lupi wolves entering the clearing. Rider and Moone were at the head, and after a moment, they both approached the ledge, allowing their ten wolves to mix with the others. Ferox dipped his head. "Welcome," he said to both of them. Rider regarded him curiously for a moment, then asked, "What are you doing up here?"

"I belong up here," Ferox replied. "I'm an Alpha." Moone looked at him for a moment. "You're the new Terra Lupi Alpha?" she asked incredulously. "You seem a little young." Ferox gave her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Don't let that fool you," he replied. "I may be young, but I am quite capable." Rider and Moone turned away from him to greet the other three Alphas. When Rider saw Laika, he gave her a curious look as well. "I wasn't aware that the Ignis Lupi wolves had chosen a new Alpha," he said. "I'm sorry for the loss of Flint. He was a good Alpha. You'll be hard-pressed to follow his pawsteps."

As the winds shifted and the scent of the Terra Lupi wolves reached Laika's nose, she fought hard to stay calm and collected. Especially as Ferox soon joined them on the ledge, Laika dips her head slightly to greet Ferox. Silver and Ari exchange a glance at the arrival of Ferox, two new Alpha's? Two young new Alpha's? Laika could almost read their thoughts, and Laika's fur heats up slightly in anger, but then she forces herself to calm down and her pelt returns to normal. Moments later the Caeli Lupi pack had finally arrived. All the packs were gathered.

Laika watches the interaction between Ferox and the Caeli Lupi Alpha's, forcing herself to stay quiet and indifferent, she could not show weakness. Laika meets Rider's gaze squarely and with just enough fierceness to seem like a normal Ignis Lupi wolf. Her words were carefully chosen and well worded. "Flint's passing has got us sad." Simple and yet let no indication that the Ignis wolves were suffering or weak because of their former leader's passing. Silver and Ari exchange another glance, before Silver speaks up,"The moon is rising. Shall we began?" Laika dips her head, the quicker the Gathering started. The quicker it would be over. As tradition, the older Alpha's went first. Laika would go last as the youngest. That meant Moone and Rider would go first, they had about a year on Silver and Ari.

The calculating looks that were exchanged between the other Alphas were not lost on Ferox. I'm going to have to convince them that we're not as weak as they think we are, he thought. But that might be difficult, seeing as how they were just as weak, if not weaker, than the other Alphas assumed. As Silver spoke, Ferox nodded and stepped back, sitting down on the ledge and looking at the gathered wolves. Rider stood and gave a long, loud howl, silencing the chatter and getting everyone's attention.

"Welcome, everyone," Rider said, his voice loud and strong. "This Gathering has now begun. If you are not an Alpha, please remain silent unless you are called upon to speak." Rider looked around once more, and Moone stepped up and sat beside him. "The Caeli Lupi wolves are as strong as ever," Moone said. Ferox rolled his eyes at the cliche opening, but said nothing, listening intently. "Prey is plentiful, and our border along the unclaimed lands remains secure," Moone continued. "However, we have chased away numerous loners from the border, and they may still be in the area." Rider nodded, then spoke again. Outsiders from without the borders of the four territories were not welcome inside, and even though the packs had their differences, no pack wanted loners intruding on any of their lands. "As always, keep your senses sharp," Rider warned. "I'm confident that we can keep enemies away from our borders." Rider glanced back at Laika and Ferox, then nodded to Silver and Ari and stepped back.

Laika stayed quiet during Rider and Moone's little speech, her head held high. Despite how she felt inside, she showed none of it. Staying calm, collected, and trying to act and look like an Alpha. Laika holds Rider's gaze squarely as the Alpha glances back at her and Ferox after saying something about keeping enemies away from their borders. Finally the Caeli wolves step back, gesturing to Silver and Ari who step forward. "The Akvo wolves are doing well. We've had new pups born, and prey is running well. We too have had to chase off some intruders, but besides that all is well." Laika liked that, short and simple. Silver and Ari return to their original spots, gesturing for Ferox to step forward and speak. Laika would be after Ferox, and she was ready. The young wolf just wanted to get it over with.

Laika listens to Ferox's speech, as she mulled over what she would say and how she wanted to say it. And then it was her turn. Laika steadies herself and gets to her paws, stepping forward to the edge. Her posture and gaze were collected and authoritative. She would not show weakness. Much like the looks that Ferox had received, many were wondering why there was such a young Alpha appointed for the Ignis Lupi.

"A couple of days ago, our former Alpha, Flint was patrolling and was attacked. He sadly did not survive. We still do not know what attacked him, but I warn you to be vigilant. It could be rouges, but I also chased off a lion." Her next words were more directed towards the Alphas,"The lion hasn't returned to our territory and may be in yours. I would watch out for him." Laika returns her full attention to the wolves below. "However, despite the loss, we are remaining as strong as ever." Laika steps back. Typically the wolves were allowed to mingle a little longer and the Alpha's would talk amongst themselves, discussing things that concerned the packs or just conversation.

Once Laika finished her speech, there was a moment of silence, then Rider stepped forward, giving brief nods to Laika and Ferox. "We regret the losses of both the Terra Lupi and Ignis Lupi Alphas," he said. "However, I am sure that our two young Alphas are well up to the task of leading their packs." Those words might have been touching to Ferox, had they not been laced with just enough condescension to completely undermine Rider's sincerity. Rider looked around the crowd, then gave a nod. "If the Alphas have nothing more to say, then feel free to talk among yourselves," he said. After a brief moment, wolves started up conversations, turning their attention away from the six Alphas on the ledge. Moone jumped down from the ledge, but Rider stayed to talk with Silver. Ferox glanced at Laika and dipped his head. "Well done," he said, his tone rigid and formal.