Blackburn's POV

Blackburn noticed her relax, and was glad. He couldn't help but wag his tail as she accepted his offer for her to be Beta. He lifted his chin a little as she nuzzled in his neck, letting his warmth and comfort soak into her.

He knew he didn't need to apologize for the events out of his control, but he still felt like he should. He was the one who'd brought her into the pack, after all. "Good idea," he said, lowering his head and beginning to tear into the meat.

"We'll take Whisper and Rosefall with us," he said through a mouthful of meat. "If Jax wants to come along he can. He needs all the experience he can get. He's going to need to grow up fast." Blackburn felt a weird tingle in his chest as he thought of the dwindling numbers in his pack.

There were no males left other than himself and Jax, and no pregnant females. Their numbers would continue to dwindle and eventually fade away if no more wolves joined and if no pups were born. Pups were the future of this pack, and it was beginning to hit him that he needed to begin that process. Soon.

He stopped eating, pondering how to bring it up to Torrin. He knew he wanted her by his side as leader, which meant that he wanted her to be the mother of their pups, too.

"Hey Torrin..." he began slowly, thinking. "How would you feel about mothering pups?"

Dahlia's POV

Dahlia got up from her spot under the shade tree, shaking out her pelt. She was angry and sad at Darkheart's death. She hadn't meant for him to be there! Why on earth did he have to put up a fight to save Torrin?! She'd mistaken his nature as a wolf. She'd mistaken his loyalty to the true pack.

"Such a fool," she muttered, grief flashing through her. "Why did you have to be with her?" She lifted her head to the sky and closed her eyes, feeling the breeze. She wasn't sure what Blackburn would decide to do next, but he was inside his den with Torrin now.

Now was her chance to slip away if she wanted to without being spotted. Darkhearts death had brought the dwindling numbers to her attention. She assumed everyone else was beginning to notice too.

She opened her dark eyes and turned her face to the east, taking in the scents that the breeze carried her way. She could still smell Rugar. He wasn't completely gone. With a soft growl, she began walking in that direction, slinking into the shadows completely unnoticed.

It wasn't long before she began to feel the prickling sensation of being watched. "Hello?" She spoke into the air quietly, the sound of he own voice echoing back at her. She hesitated, unsure if she should speak his name. But she reminded herself that the entire Baxtara Pack was at camp.

"Rugar?" She called a little louder, scanning the shadows of the forest.

"How do you feel about mothering pups?"

The question rang through Torrins audits like some sort of screeching. She hadn't given a thought too having pups since she met him, but, she knew she wanted them. "I'd love too.." She told him softly with a smile. "I don't know how the others would feel about that with me not being an alpha yet.. Though.." She told him softly, looking over at him with a softened gaze. Torrin didn't know how to talk about it without making it seem like she didn't want them, because she did. The female had always loved the thought of having her own pups. She just didn't think Blackburn would bring it up this quick.

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

A dark pair of brown orbs watched Dahlia walk through the forest as she entered the small spot where the brute rested. He grinned wide as she called into the small clearing, his large frame hidden rather well in the brush too her right. Rugar yearned for her too say his name, and was hoping she would. When she did, his eyes widened and he practically bounded from the brush and into the clearing, "Hello beautiful.." He stated softly too her.

Rugar soon rounded the front of the golden brown fae, noticing the look of dispair in her eyes. Sighing, he sat back onto his haunches. "She will get restless and come out looking.. Or, if she's a rogue like you're saying, she'll need time for herself.." The brute reassured the female, thinking that was the reason she was so sad.

Blackburns POV

Blackburn listened to her answer, nodding. I don't plan to have pups with you until we are ruling as alphas together." He said gently. "I'm just...I'm a little concerned about the packs future. Jax and I are the only males left now." He paused, staring out at the light that was seeping into the den.

"Jax is still young, too young to father pups properly." He sighed. "The pack is dwindling, and I know you and I will have some amazing and strong pups who will grow to be wonderful wolves."

Dahlia's POV

Dahlia almost jumped as Rugar emerged from his hiding place, coming to stand in front of her. He must have noticed her despair, for he began to try and put her at ease about Torrin.

"I'm not worried about that right now." She said, flicking her tail behind her. "My kin has just lost his life to your brutal maw." Dahlia told him, her ears flattening. She knew it wasn't directly Rugar's fault, it was hers. She'd told him to cut down anyone in his way...and Darkheart just happened to be that someone.

"I'm so stupid!" She barked, tears welling in her brown eyes. "I didn't think he'd feel that strongly for her! I didn't think he'd try and defend her like that." Her voice fell, and she looked at the ground, sitting on her haunches and curling her tail tightly towards her.

"And now look at me...sitting alone in the forest with a rogue I barely know...talking to him about my insignificant pack problems." She scoffed at herself, feeling low. She didn't know why she'd come all the way out to find him. For some reason he gave her a sense of calm. He was the only other wolf who knew what she'd done, who was there to witness her betrayal.

"I don't know what to do anymore."

After finishing eating, she picked up the scattered bones and tossed them asaide for now. "I will take those out later.." She told him softly with a small laugh before moving to stand up, sliding her tail under his chin gently before spinning too face him. "Ready to go on that little patrol?" she asked, her patched up shoulder was seemingly feeling better now with her being able too put weight on it.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Rugar's audits would flick back to his skull as Dahlia told him he had killed her family. Wasn't that the whole purpose? To kill anyone that stood in his way. Mentally shaking those thoughts away, he listened to the beautiful females words. "You aren't stupid.." He mentioned, gently reaching his muzzle forward too gently nuzzle her cheek. "You just don't always know the true extent someone is willing to go for another.." He spoke in a rather softened tone.

The grey male then heard her next words and silently scoffed before one of his charming grins pushed onto his maw. "I'm not just any rogue though.. Obviously I'm more than that or you wouldn't have came all this way too find me.." He chuckled a little, moving closer to her before laying down and looking up at her.

"I don't know what to do anymore."

With those words, Rugar already had a plan. Standing up, the brute would circle around Dahlia and come up behind her, his chest brushing gently against her back fur as she sat there. "Stick with me, beautiful.. and we'll figure that part out together.." He told her before backing off a bit and circling back around her, flicking his tail back and forth.

Blackburn

Blackburn grinned, standing up and shaking his pelt out before wagging his tail. "More than ready." he said. He let her lead the way out of the den, ready to start the patrol. He wasn't comfortable with the fact that the rogue was still out there, possibly near camp. He wanted to be vigilant and on guard. He would need to assign patrols and night shift guard duty.

"If we spot any prey along the way, only try and catch it if you think you can. We don't need unnecessary noise drawing any visitors of our presence." He told her quietly, knowing she probably already knew that. But better to voice it just in case. He wasn't sure if he was fully prepared for if they did find someone. Was he ready to risk his life in a battle with the rogue who killed Darkheart?

The answer was yes.

Yes he was.

He kept his head on the swivel, taking in the scents of the forest.

Dahlia

Dahlia felt herself stiffen slightly at his touch, uncomfortable. She hadn't expected any form of physcial comfort or intimacy to come from him. But to her surprise, she didn't really mind all that much. She tilted her head at his next words, thinking. He was right.

Why had she really come out all this way just to find him again? She hadn't really had much of a reason to, other than to talk to someone who was also at the scene. But what for? To just let out her feelings? Or to see him again?

"You don't know what you're talking about." she said softly, flicking her tail in what seemed to be annoyance. But a soft glint in her eye displayed flirtatiousness. She watched him as he stood and began to circle her, and settled behind her, pressing himself softly against her. She felt a slight stirring in her withers and at the base of her tail, instantly making her heart flutter in a way she hadn't expected.

She felt a tingle shoot down her spine as he spoke, and she turned to look at him, keeping eye contact as he circled back around in front of her. She stared at him for a long moment, taking in his figure. He was a large and strong brute, great genes. Despite being a rogue, he looked healthy and fit, and she had to admit to herself he was quite charming.

"I can't leave my pack." She said finally, after a long moment of thinking. "I want what I want. And how could I achieve that if I left with you?" She secretly knew, but she wondered if he would speak it. She wanted him to say it. To confirm. If he was truly willing to take her with him and make her his mate...they could start their own pack together. All it took was one successful pregnancy to start the makings of a proper pack.

As her mate spoke to her about possibly hunting, Torrin would only nod in understandment, not wanting to make too much noise. As they stepped from camp, a pit formed within the depths of Torrins stomach. She didn't want the same thing that happened with Darkheart happening too Blackburn. The black and white female stopped dead in her tracks too look at him, "Promise me you'll run for help if I get attacked.. Don't fight.. Run.. I don't want the same fate for you as I caused for Darkheart.." She told him, her audits lowering to her crania as she looked toward the ground then back up at him.

"I can't lose you.." She told him softly, gently licking his cheek.

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

"I can't leave my pack."

At her words, Rugar smirked and as she continued to speak, he chuckled a little. "You want power, don't you?" He asked, stepping toward her, using his height and build as not only a height advantage but as a possibly flirt method. "What better way too have it then too start your own ways with someone who could give you everything you've ever wanted.." He whispered into Dahlias ear, his breath warm and laced with seriousness and flirtatiousness.

The canine then moved away from Dahlia, gently running his tail along her cheek and then down and around her body as he circled her once more, this time staing beside her, his deep brown eyes looking at her. "Though.. That's a lot of thought.. You don't have too give me an answer now." He told her softly. Rugar didn't want to push her towards it. If she wanted to continue on the path that they were, he would.

Blackburn

Blackburn listened to her words, instantly feeling a torrent in his chest and stomach. He wasn't sure if he could genuinely promise her that. He knew that if she got attacked, his instincts would push him to fight for her. It would be hard to simply turn and run, even if it was for help.

"Torrin..." he started, feeling his chest begin to ache. "I want to promise you that I will do as you ask. I really do. But I don't want to make a promise I won't be able to keep." He took a step closer to her, softening his voice and gaze. "Remember...I can't lose you, either." He nuzzled her softly, closing his eyes and resting his head on top of hers for a brief moment.

"What happened to Darkheart was not your fault." he said quietly but firmly. "Don't blame yourself for that. He did what he thought was right, and I am forever grateful to him for saving your life." He couldn't imagine what would have happened if Darkheart hadn't have stepped in. Would they both be dead? Or would only Torrin have suffered his fate?

"What's done is done," he said. "We can't reverse the clock. But we can push forward and prevent it from happening again."

Dahlia

Dahlia flicked an ear, listening as he spoke. She did want power. He was right about that. She lifted her gaze to look at him, not wanting to admit to herself that she was enticed. She stood still as he ran his tail down the length of her body, and she was fully aware of his size and strength.

He was a strong wolf with strong genes, and she knew by his side they could form a formiddable pack. "I do want power," she admitted to him, lifting her chin to gaze into his face. "My parents had it before me, and I was stripped of my chance to take their place."

"It is a lot of thought." She told him, surprising herself by how relaxed she was in his presence. "I hope you have the patience to await my final answer." She rose to her paws, flashing him a flirtatious grin. "Until then..." She glanced up through the tree tops to catch a glimpse of the sky. "Meet me here tonight at moonhigh. We have matters to discuss." She knew Blackburn would probably want a patrol, and she was risking everything by staying out here in daylight.

"When darkness falls and the shadows are lined with the silver light of the moon...I will meet you." She paused, turning to look back at him as she began walking away. "I promise."

Torrin had came into Blackburns life, and three days later was part of his pack getting one of the highest ranks there was. She had pretty much taken over and secured the position as future alpha female, which obviously pissed a lot of wolves off. Including Dahlia. Torrin knew that the brown female had to have done something. Why else would the rogue smell so much like her? Looking at Blackburn, she let a small smile spread across her maw as she moved to continue to walk before hearing his final words.

"We can't reverse the clock. But we can push forward and prevent it from happening again."

The words spilt from Blackburns mouth with such confidence. It was as if he knew they'd be able to get out of it if the rogue were to come back. But, was that the truth that the gods wanted them too face? Letting a silent sigh release through her nose, Torrin would only nod, not wanting to cause a big heap over it right now. They needed too make sure that this rogue was gone, and gone for good. Though, something told her that he wasn't.. and he wasn't going to be anytime soon.

"Let us go then.." She told him softly, licking his forehead before picking up to a small trot, a gimp intertwining with her strides from her shoulder.

~~~~~~

"I do want power,"

Hearing the words, Rugar stepped a few steps forward, turning back to look at Dahlia before sitting down once facing her. "Well.. I promise if you stick with me you will never be stripped of anything again.." He grinned, "You'll get everything you have ever wanted.." He added. Rugar was speaking nothing but the truth, the large brute wanted Dahlia too be his. If he was being truly honest with himself, he'd stop at nothing to make it happen.

"It is a lot of thought... I hope you have enough patience to await my final answer.."

Rugar grinned from ear too ear almost as he sat tall, his deep brown eyes staring at Dahlia with intesity. It was obvious he was willing to do anything for her. "I am more than patient for you..." He stated before standing with her. He had an urge too follow her, slaughter everyone who had intentions of hurting her. Rugar would do anything for her, though the wierdest thing too him is that he had only met this female out of fate. He usually didn't believe in that sort of thing, but now he did.

Watching as she spun, Rugar listened too her words. "Here at Moonhigh.. Got it.." He grinned, "I will see you then.. Beautiful." He stated before spinning and quickly disappearing into the brush and shadows of the trees.

Blackburn

Blackburn smiled softly as Torrin licked his forehead. He wagged his tail a little and followed her, noticing the twinge in her shoulder as she moved. He was hoping they would see or smell no sign of the rogue...or Dahlia. He didn't know what he would do if he discovered Dahlia was the one behind all of this. Could petty jealousy really be her only reason if she did do this?

Surely there had to be something more. He was worried for his pack, worried for Torrin, and all together stressed out. He couldn't figure out what the best option was to do. He couldn't outright blame Dahlia, not without any proof. And if it was her...what then? Would he banish her? Could he afford to lose another wolf?

He kept his eyes on Torrin, watching her as she moved. She was so beautiful. How had all of this happened in such a short span of time?

Dahlia

The pretty young female watched Rugar with her dark eyes, her mind turning. It was tempting to walk away with him now. To leave this sorry excuse of a pack and start over fresh and new...from the top. But a part of her wanted to watch Torrin fall. Dahlia knew at this point that Blackburn would never take her as his mate, even if Torrin died or left.

He was so in love with her it seemed HE might abandon his pack for her heart. Dahlia wanted to find a way to get rid of Torrin first. Then she'd decide on a final answer for Rugar, although she already felt a pulling towards him. She had it set in the back of her mind that no matter what befell the Baxtara's...she would follow Rugar as far into the beyond as possible.

She turned away, satisfied that he would meet her tonight at moonhigh.

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

Blackburn

The large male wandered back into camp with Torrin by his side, the sun falling behind the trees. There had been a strange smell in the air...a lingering scent of the rogue male. But no matter how far they tracked it...the scent would die out and then pop up elsewhere. It was almost as if the rogue was appearing and disappearing without a trace.

It concerned him, but there had been no sight of him. The daylight was gone, and he knew his pack was hungry. There wasn't a lot of prey left, but enough to at least feed a little to everyone.

Dahlia

Dahlia watched silently as Torrin and Blackburn returned to camp, her dark orbs following them the entire way. She was sitting in the shadows, waiting. A small and gimpy rabbit carcass lay at her feet, but she didn't eat much of it. She wanted to meet with Rugar again, so she watched the sky warily, awaiting the moon.

She looked down at the measly rabbit body before huffing and leaving it behind, slinking into the shadows of the forest. Perhaps she could hunt with Rugar and eat a proper meal. She walked slowly and quietly, using her nose to find her way back to the spot she had been in earlier. With the sun completely down and the moon taking its place, she knew there would be prey out and about. Bigger prey. Like deer.

Soon enough, she found herself coming into the clearing. She sat down softly, wrapping her tail around her hind legs. The moon shone brightly, sending its silver rays down to spotlight her and surround her in an angelic glow. She would wait patiently for his arrival.