"I can probably help you.." He trailed off, pushing himself off the ground, "If you told me your name, beautiful." He stated with a grin and a flick of his tail. Rugar was a rather intimidating wolf, but at the same time he was charming. It was evident he found Dahlia amusing, and she already knew his thoughts on her anyways.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Torrin smiled as she took a few steps back from Jax, sitting down before shuffling her front paws and moving her body into a laying position. Her wounds still stung a bit, but too others it seemed as though they hadn't phased her at all. "I have fought more than one wolf at once, three too be exact." Torrin laughed a bit at his question, though, it was a sensitive topic. "I won't go into much detail.. but, let's just say It didn't end well for the other wolves." She joked a bit, absolutely adoring the young wolf being happy. She knew he didn't have many others too talk to, and that made her feel terrible.

Dahlia pricked one ear forward at his words, keeping the other back in curious uncertainty. It was obvious that he liked her, which she wasn't sure how she felt about, but voices in her head whispered to her that maybe it was worth the risk.

Torrin wasn't going to be going anywhere anytime soon, and Dahlia was starting to suspect that Blackburn was going to choose the new Delta as his partner. It blew her mind that the young Alpha had made so many wrong choices in the span of such little time. He'd met a packless wolf, and no less than three days later she was joining the pack AND had been appointed as Delta. It was insane! And now...it was looking more and more like she was growing closer with Blackburn.

It wasn't fair! Dahlia's parents had been the most respected Betas this pack had known in YEARS, and everyone knew that both her parents and Blackburns were hoping for Dahlia to be future Alpha Female. How could Blackburn just throw all of that away?!

"How far are you willing to go to help me, Rogue?" Dahlia asked, purposefully not calling him by name. To her he was packless, and therefore not deserving of a name. She took a hesitant step towards him, looking his large body over.

He could be very useful...

"My name is Dahlia," she finally said. "I'm destined to be ruler of the Baxtara Pack, but a certain someone is standing in my way...and I need her gone."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jax widened his eyes at Torrin's words, now completely fascinated. "You fought three wolves at ONCE?!" He gasped, his tail wagging fiercely. "I wanna learn how to do that!"

The sounds of soft paw steps approaching made him turn and look to see Darkheart walking up to the pair. His golden eyes shone as he watched them. "Hello Jax, hello Torrin." He greeted, his tail wagging slightly. "I've come to ask if you'd like to join me on a quick border patrol?" He asked Torrin, his black pelt rippling in the breeze.

"How far are you willing to help me, Rogue?"

With a grin, Rugar sat back down onto his haunches as she stepped closer. "Hm.. I'll go however far you need me too.." He stated before looking over her golden brown pelt. "As long as-" He was cut off by her finally introducing herself too him. "Dahlia..." He stated softly, tasting the name on his tongue. "Beautiful name for such a miraculous looking wolf." He winked at her before standing and stretching with a small yawn. "What is it that you need me to do?" He questioned with a huge grin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Torrin would smile gently at Jax laughing a little. "I'm sure you'll get there someday.. But, you don't want to rush it.. That's how you get hurt.." She told him softly with a small smile before hearing the soft pitter patter of paws then Darkhearts voice. Looking up and over at him, Torrin would smile and speak. "I'd love too.." She told him softly before pushing herself up from the ground. "Which way should we head today?" She asked, flicking her tail before stopping in her tracks and then going back over to Jax to nuzzle his cheek fur a bit. "I'll see you later bud, alright?" She asked before turning and trotting off toward the exit of camp with Darkheart.

The brutish male had really began growing on her. Even though they only knew one another for a few days, it felt like she had a father figure too look up too. As they walked, Torrin could sense an off feeling but would push it back, not worrying about it, thinking it was just her being hungry. Little did she know she'd be very wrong..

Blackburn was on his way to the elders den to check on them. He'd told Dahlia to tend to them all day today and for the remainder of this week as punishment for her actions. But he hadn't seen her at all today. Something was prickling along his spine, a bad feeling. He wasn't sure why, but perhaps talking to the older wolves would help a little. He noticed Darkheart asking Torrin to go with him on patrol, and he flicked his ear in agreement. He was glad he could rely on his Beta and Delta to get things done without him having to tell them. He wanted to speak with Torrin more later, perhaps go on a hunt with her this evening. He knew he'd upset her, and wanted to mend it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dahlia smirked, letting her guard down a little as she looked the packless brute over. "I'll lead you where you need to be," she said slowly, the gears in her head turning. "I'll point out the wolf in my way. I don't want any mercy. Anyone who stands in the way of you...don't stop until the last breath leaves their lungs."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darkheart was glad to hear Torrin's agreement to come on patrol with him. He watched as she said her goodbyes to Jax, and he tossed his head in the direction he wanted to start heading in. "I figure we can start on the western side of the border," he said. "Then work our way east."

TW: Blood/Gore description

Darkheart stopped as Torrin did, his spine tingling with dread. He could sense something was off in the forest, and a strange but familiar scent entered his nostrils. Was that...Dahlia? Was he really smelling his niece out here? Wasn't she supposed to be caring for the elders this week?

Torrin's words had barely left her mouth before chaos erupted. A massive brute emerged from his cover, pouncing and taking Torrin to the ground swiftly. His teeth sank into her shoulder, and her cries pierced into Darkheart's ears. With no hesitation, he leapt into the fray. He wasn't a massive giant like this new male, but he was not a small wolf, either. His extra weight pulled the giant brute to the side, and he twisted his head, sinking his fangs into the attacker's neck. The fur was thick there, preventing him from doing as much damage as he wanted.

"Get off of her!" he barked fiercely, his voice deep and filled with the burning anger of a thousand suns. He began terrorizing the beast, biting and nipping and clawing him so much in the hope he would leave Torrin be and come after him instead. There was no way he could defeat the brute, he knew, but he'd much rather it be him than Torrin.

She was young, had a life ahead of her. He'd already lived many years, he was just a few years away from having to step down from his role as Beta and live with the elders. He had nothing to lose but a life well lived. Finally catching the brute's attention, Darkheart spun around to face him, snarling ferociously. His black fur was spiked along his shoulders and spine, and his tail was held high.

Leaping forward, he gripped onto the brute's shoulders with his claws, and sank his teeth into his neck once more, finally tasting blood on his tongue. He began to shake his head back forth, ripping and tearing at the stranger. Fur was flying everywhere as the two males fought, tussling and growling.

The fight continued for much longer than he could have ever thought, Darkheart taking blow after blow, his determination to protect Torrin outweighing everything else.

Blood soaked the ground beneath them, Darkheart's once handsome face now covered in blood and one of his yellow eyes missing. His left hip was torn so badly one could see bone, and yet he continued on, ignoring the pain that was flaring through his body. As the two males continued to fight, they moved closer to the treeline, and Darkheart's eyes caught the glimpse of someone well hidden in the shadows.

A pretty familiar face was watching, her expression a mix of horror and bloodlust combined. Darkheart felt all of his power leave his body as he recognized Dahlia, piecing the things together. This was no random attack from a rogue on patrol. He stopped his fighting, making eye contact with his niece and opening his maw to speak. But before he could, massive jaws enclosed around his throat, and a crushing weight knocked him to the forest floor.

Feeling betrayed and saddened, the fight left his eye. He knew this was it. Everything finally seemed to go numb, and his body went limp. After a moment, the weight released, and he was left laying on the ground unable to move and struggling to breathe. He heard movement in the trees, and he moved his eye to see Dahlia scampering away back towards camp, and the brute was nowhere to be seen.

He fought to stay alive, not ready to go without knowing Torrin was okay. He opened his maw and tried to speak, but could only feel the warmth of blood bubbling out of his throat.

Rugar continued to tear at Torrins shoulder up until the other brute rammed all his weight into him. The large grey brute snarled as he felt his neck fur being gripped, spinning too try and grasp one of his front legs. Failing to grab hold of the male, he had jumped off before whirling around too face him. Rugar would grin widely as he braced himself for the males attack. As the other male slammed into him, gripping onto his shoulder and violently tearing at it, Rugar could feel the pain in his shoulder as his blood seeped into the other brutes mouth.

Not too long after, Rugar buried his fangs into the others face, ripping and tearing until the taste of blood filled his maw, and the others eye ball rolled on the ground. Rugar soon shoved the other brute back before going at him again, taking him too the ground and ripping at his hip until it was too the bone.

The longer they fought, the closer they got too the treeline. Rugar noticed just how distracted the male was so took the time to plan the kill he was about too make. Though, it wasn't long before his jaw was clamped shut around the males throat.

Torrin struggled standing as the two fought, she wanted to help Darkheart badly. Her heart pounded within her chest as she limped toward the brute, her lips curling into a snarl. She hadn't noticed Dahlia, but her scent lingered on the brute. Snarling louder, Torrin jumped, digging her claws into the males shoulders. "Let go of him!" She snarled before feeling pain as the male spun, grasping a hold of her leg. Letting out a howling yelp as she hit the ground.

Hearing the female yelp, Rugar growled and looked around. Not seeing Dahlia, he knew she proabably run off. Flicking his tail, he figured he had done enough damage for now, and he also knew the whole pack would most likely be here in a matter of seconds. Looking at Torrin, he'd lower his crania to her and whisper, "This is all your fault.. pest.." He stated before turning and running off.

As Torrin heard those words, her heart shattered. She whined a bit as she tried to get up but couldn't, her shoulder was rather wounded. "D-Darkheart.." She mumbled, "Stay with me... Help is on the way.." She whimpered, tears beginning to form in her eyes as she attempted to crawl toward the male, not caring for the blood on her pelt.

TW: Blood/Gore

Darkheart heard Torrin's whimpering voice, begging him to stay with her. His front legs pawed at the ground as he struggled to breathe, opening and shutting his maw as he gasped, each gasp spurting out dark red liquid. His black pelt was matted and soaked, dirt and leaves caught within it. He couldn't muster the strength to answer her, but despite his pain, his tail thumped weakly on the ground in a wag. He wanted to stay for her. At least until someone arrived to help.

Darkheart's chest was filled with sadness at the very idea of his niece being the one behind all of this. He couldn't make sense of it. Was she truly that filled with hatred for Torrin? Was there a part of her that no one had ever seen before? After several long moments of struggling to find his voice, enough strength came through his beaten body to let out a rasping whine.

Finally, he could sense the tremors in the ground as multiple wolves approached. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Blackburn sprinting into the scene, followed by Rift, Jax, and a couple of others.

"Darkheart! Torrin!" Blackburn barked, his voice filled with fear and heartbreak. The alpha reached Darkheart first, touching his nose to his briefly before making his way to Torrin. Rift reached the Beta, swiftly instructing Jax to bring her the bundle of herbs. Everything seemed to be moving slower, his vision pulsing in and out. He could feel his muscles relaxing now that the pack was here, now that he knew Torrin would be okay.

"Who could have done this?" Rift whispered to herself, heartbreak in her voice. Darkheart could barely feel her as she began sticking cobwebs in his wounds, but he could sense her emotions. She knew he was too far gone, that there was nothing she could do to help. "Jax please go to Torrin," Rift told the youngster, a tear falling down her face. "Oh Darkheart..."

The Beta struggled to make eye contact with her. "R-r-rogue..." He rasped, filled with determination to give everyone at least something to take from this. "Attack...Dahlia..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blackburn reached Torrin, pressing his muzzle against her face and licking her all over. "Oh my love, what happened here?" His voice broke, but he remained strong, not wanting to show weakness here. He began licking the wounds on her shoulder, cleaning as best as he could while Rift tended to the fallen Beta. Soon Jax approached, and Blackburn could hear the soft and rasping voice of Darkheart. Lifting his head to listen, the Alpha heard the shattering three words fall from his beloved Beta's maw.

"Rogue...Attack....Dahlia..." Blackburn's eyes widened and he walked over to the older male, looking down at his battered body. Surely this had not been the work of Dahlia...

Torrin had fought Dahlia before and beaten her. No, this was the work of someone much larger. Perhaps Darkheart was confused in the state he was in. Blackburn made eye contact with Rift, who looked horrified and saddened.

"There isn't anything I can do..." she said, tears falling. "He's too far gone..." Blackburn looked to see Jax helping Torrin over. The Beta male gasped for air, and it was obvious he was straining to try and see Torrin. Finally, Darkheart was able to rest his gaze on Torrin, and he let out a weak whine, his tail thumping lightly on the ground. For just a brief moment, his single eye glittered with love, respect, and pride, before the light faded and his body fell still.

Silence filled the clearing.

"This is all your fault... pest."

The words of the rogue rang in her ears as she heard what Darkheart said. Her mind raced as her breathing sped up for a moment. Torrin then looked up at Blackburn.. "T-There was a rogue.. He attacked me.. injured my shoulder badly.. I.." She was cut off when Darkheart moved a bit until their gazes locked onto one another. She saw the mixture of emotions in his eyes until they went dark. Torrin's heart sank as she watched him take his last breath. Lowering her ears, she looked back up at Blackburn, her emerald gaze becoming wet as more tears stung down her cheeks. "It's all my fault.. I.. I couldn't get up.." She whined, "That male had Dahlias scent on him.." She growled out in a mumble before looking around, not seeing her. "The bitch isn't even here!" She snarled, "Her own uncle is dead and she isn't even here!"

The female was now enraged, she couldn't believe that Dahlia would do something like this, and for what? To be Alpha? If Torrin would've known the females jealousy were to go this deep, she would have left to save everyone the pain. Though, she knew Blackburn would've been devastated. Torrin soon looked back at Darkheart, or at least what once was Darkheart. His bloodied and battered body laid there, lifeless. "I'm so sorry, friend.." She mumbled too him as if he could hear her. As Jax got done, Torrin was able to stand, but couldn't put any weight on her leg. The white parts of her pelt was wet and matted with blood, both hers and Darkhearts. She couldn't believe what happened. "I would like to be there when we bury him.." She told Blackburn softly, not wanting to nuzzle up against him like she oh so needed too do right now.

Blackburn's mind was reeling. How on earth could Dahlia have been involved in this? The she-wolf despised rogue's, that much had been made clear during her fight with Torrin. She couldn't possibly be involved in this directly, there was just simply no way!

The wolves watching exchanged glances with one another at Torrin's outburst. It was odd that Dahlia was not present. But where on earth was she?

"Jax," Blackburn demanded. The skinny grey wolf crawled forward. "Find Dahlia. Don't approach her. Just find her and tell me where she is." Jax nodded and pelted off into the trees towards camp. "Anyone who wants to come will be present at the burial," He reassured Torrin, saying she was welcome. "You both fought nobly, his wounds were just too great." The alpha lowered his head and buried it in his friend's bloodsoaked side, laying down next to him.

"Rosefall, Whisper," Blackburn said, calling the attention of the two other wolves who'd joined him. "Tell the pack there is a burial. Bring them here."