The Call of the Wild (IC/RP)

Chaos kept her eyes on Tyri, smirking when she remembered her, another point for her already large ego. She just couldn't help herself sometimes when it came to conceitedness. The color of the Beta's voice was dark, however, as she was greeted, obviously because of the recent events Chaos had just witnessed. The air was thick with sorrow and tension and it unsettled her slightly. Chaos simply the food by a shake of her black head, saving her appetite for human flesh later.

The grievances of others were worthless to Chaos, and deaths of a wolf, human, or other creature meant nothing to her. The Alpha was, however, an exception. Chaos could feel the sadness of all around her and their hopes of his survival dropped out of existence as he took his last pitiful breath. She would not though, bow her head to the solemn howl of Tyri, her pride wouldn't let her. The itch to say something was not there and for once Chaos was silent and held her tongue for only the sake of Riba. He was one of the few that understood why she had the compulsion to leave the pack and let her return when she pleased. He understood her hatred and anger towards others. He was the only one she put above herself. And now he was gone due to those moronic, irrational, and selfish humans. Revenge of hers or of others that swore it would do no good at the moment, all Chaos could for the moment was watch Tyri with an unblinking icy stare.

Then the unfamiliar loner spoke, telling of how he knew the Alpha. A wave of jealousy swept over her, an easier emotion for her to feel rather than sorrow. They all had much more time with Riba than she ever did. Should she have stayed? No. Just because he is gone doesn't mean that she has to contradict her beliefs and ways. But it would've been nice to talk with him before. Her eyes met Tyri's once more, then she stared out distantly, heaving a sigh and holding back her emotions.

Odin watched as snow began to fall around the outside of the den. The sky was begining to fill with eerie black clouds. This day was a truely sad, mournful day. He joined Tyri in her howl to Riba before the moon was covered up behind dark cloud.

"I'll go and find us some more food. I can feel a storm coming, and we'll need it. I might sound bossy, but might I add you stay here and direct the rest of the pack. We need to be prepared to move if that is our decision." As he started off, he added, "I will return shortly to help you. And don't worry, I can hold out on my own." And with that, he was out of sight.

*Champion steps forwards, from under the tree where she was resting. She walks over to a large rock, jumping up ontop of it so she can see the whole pack* I have something to say. I am standing down as your alpha female. One of you will take my place, as to which one will, it is up to all of you. *She then climbles down, from the rock, and walks into the midst of the pack, laying down under the tree again*

Tyri barked after Odin for a moment, growling for him to wait. Champion had just stepped out and what she had to say would indeffinatly be important. she turned back toward the den then, watching the sleek black wolf leap up toher perch, a rock situated beneath a tree, heavy with snow. Tyri's eyes followed hers, and she took a step closer, bowing her head slightly as the Alpha spoke. She was astonished to hear what she said. Tyri simply nodded, in understanding. She knew Champion was going through a tough decision and she would stand by her.

Walking over toward the black female, she respectfully dropped ot her haunches and lowered her head. her silver eyes met Champions and she stood back a bit.

" You know, I support your decision no matter what, but I know you are a strong wolf, and your leadership was..." she paused. "and still is, greatly valued. "

With that being said Tyri nodded serenly at Chaos, who seemed to be troubled at the moment. She had never seen the female like that before. She offered a comforting smile then stood before the others. she looked toward the old wolf and her own mate. She then nodded to Riba's lifeless body.

" Lets take his body to the creek. He loved it there. "

She then looked toward Chaos indirectly.

" Anyone wishing to pay final respects is welcome. "

*champion stands, noding some at the wolf "Thank you for your kindness" She then watches, to wait, for the right to pay her last respects to her mate.*

Loki rises and walks up to Tyri. He looks back to where Riba's body was.
He looked at the ground giving respect to the fallen leader. His eyes seeme d to be peaceful and content but sadness for his friend was evidently obvisious. He looks at champion momentarily and then bows his head in respect to her. He lowered himself in her presence to show full respect to her. He backs off slowly and turns around to to Tyri. He speaks to her.

"If I am allowed I would like to pay my respects to my fallen friend." He looks at Champion quickly. "Is she his mate?'' If so I wish to ask her how he was killed." But if she does not want to have an audience with me I shall respect her wishes."

Tyri nodded softly to Champion, and turned toward Loki. She let out a digh and nodded once more to his question. She looked back at Riba's lifeless body.

" Yes, that is his mate, but please make it quick, ill need your help to move his body. "

With that Tyri turned back toward Riba. she lowered her head and grabbed a soft hold on his neck. his blood still stained her nose a deep crimson form the previous night. Slowly, she pulled him out of the den. One of his young pups whimpered softly and then clambored toward Champion. his Sister and brother followed, before stopping when they saw their father. The young ones yelped excitedly, and then whined when no response met their small ears. Curiously they nipped at Tyri's paws, but she gently nudged them away. Once more they headed for their mother.

Tugging softly, Tyri herself managed to bring the large wolf to the outer limits of the den. The creek was a little less than A mile away, and most of the pack new it was his favorite spot. She then sat and waited for loki to go any further.

He looks at Champion then at Tyri. He gets up and walks to her and Riba's body. He sits there waiting for her to start to move it again. He lowers his head in silence to what had happened. He raised his head back up so he he could face Tyri. He spoke momentarily.
"I will speak with her later, right now I will help move Riba. How far does he need to go and how long has this group of wolves been around?"

"I would come with you, but we need more food." He turned to leave, but then turned back "Also because..I can never face Riba dead. It's too much to bear. He was...the only one who really understood me and my past, and now he's gone.

As for the Alpha Female stepping down..Now we have no one who will permenantly lead us. So for the time being, You and Carbo, will lead us." Odin turned and bowed slightly to her "I will follow your lead. Whatever your decision is, I will follow without question. You have my word on that."

Tyri nodded to Odin politely, and then back at Loki and gestured for him to lift the wolf's back end while she lifted the frotn. through the scruff of the larger wolf's neck she managed to answer.

" We're going to go out toward the creek, dont know if you've seen it but its straight out this way. With that she heaved up, lifting his body, and trotting forward as Loki supported his lwoer half. Fially she managed to slide her body under his, carrying the bulk of the wolf on her shoulders. this left her mouth free to answer.

" This pack has been aorund for years before my time, but as for our generation, well, he and Champion where the oldest. Champion is ten, so Id say our current pack genere began about ten years ago. As for me, Ive been here for three years. "

She paused then, stopping to haul Riba a bit closer to her shoulder blades for better lifting power. She nodded up ahead at the rift in the snowy blanket. She eyes the spot carefully.

" There. '

She said. She motioned for him to take the weight for a moment, while she ran ahead. Sniffing at the ground, she found what she was looking for. A hollow depth, where the water no longer flowed. She broke the htin ice encasing it, and then set to work. her paws slammed over and over into the frozen earth untill they where numb and callused. her left forepaw was bleeding, and left bright red patches in the snow. Tyri looked back at Loki, and then trotted over, helping lift her fallen comrade for a final time, and together they walked to the hollow cavern.

Tyri tilted her nose into the wind, howling loudly enough to summon all of the pack members who wished to be present. She then closed her eyes, and helped push Riba into his final resting place. A single tear ran down her muzzle, still coated in the wolf's blood. She hung her head low and stepped toward the hole. She laid eyes on the wolf, now broken in body, but surly not in spirit.

" Run free. "

She whispered, turning away. She then stood by, watching closely over the pack. She turned to Odin. Her eyes where heavy with sadness, but she shook it off and regained her composure. She looked at their former alpha's grave and then back at Odin, urging him to say a final goodbye.

Odin nodded slighty and walked forward. He closed his eyes as he began his speech.

"Riba, you were the only one who completely understood me. When I was young, and my parents were killed, you were the only one who cared for me and kept me from killing myself. Until I grew old enough, I wondered why you didn't go with the others. I understand now though. A wolf must never abandon his pack. Never. Even in the threat of being killed himself, a wolf must never turn tail and run.

Taking those lessons to heart, I will continue to follow them. Rest easy, old friend."

Odin then looked up and howled a long farewell cry. Then he turned and slowly made his way off to find food for the pack.

He sighs and walks close to the body. He looks down closely an dsays aloud. "Well old friend I never thought we would meet again.. but I seem to meet you at the beginning and the end. You were always charismatic even when you were outnumbered. For that you became a flawless leader in you time of control. See you in the afterlife my wolfkin brethering. ((Wolfkin means wolf brother or freind just so no one is confused.))

He then rises to face Tyri. He raises his head high to show honor. He looked at himself from his mind and then decided to speak.

"What would you have this wolf do?"

Carbo stood speechless for a while, watching the ceremony of the dead Alpha from a distance. Due his weak sight, he slowly approached the location. He walked past Tyri, watching her and giving out a friendly smile. He stroke his body against hers as he walked past her. He licked her on the cheek gently, before he walked up to the dead leader. He sniffed Riba where he lied, lowering his head. He closed his eyes, which was a relief for his right eye. A tear ran from the eye, down the muzzle. He placed his paw on the shoulder of Riba, giving out a whispering sound.

"Goodbye, friend. Roam the paradise." He turned around, stepping away from the fallen leader. Every time he observed the dead wolf, he shivered. The injury from the bullet, all the clawmarks, it was hardly bareable for Carbo, who stopped by Kyri, sitting down next to her.
"I guess.. this means we are in charge, like Odin said" He paused for a moment.
"But a pack can not manage without an Alpha" He said, lowering his head and glaring at the dead Alpha ahead of them.

Tyri smiled politely at Odin and softly wagged her tail,before letting it fall calmly along her hind legs. She had heard what he had said, and must admit she only only knew half the story. What Riba had told her was that he had only found the wolf wandering, and he took him in. It was good that he took such great care of him. She was glad Odin stood firm with the pack. Thats exactly what they needed at a time like now. As she looked away from Odin, Tyri noted loki picking his way toward his old friends grave, and politly bowing his head before it.

Tyri wished there was more she could've done then. her heart reached out to loki...Meeting an old friend should be under happier circumstances. Sighing she gazed off, pricking her ears and turning back as she was adressed.

" Well, first I must thank you for helping me with Riba's body. "

She sideglanced the hole.

" And now, I mjust extend a permenant invitation to you. If you would like to stay, you are most welcome. We will have to hunt soon, and if you would like to join us, please do. "

Tyri turned her attention to her own mate then. She smiled as she felt his body caress hers softly. Her tongue met his muzzle as he walked on, and she nosed his ribs gently as he passed. She watched him speaking softly to Riba, and then again as he turned. She could tell he was distressed as he sat beside her. letting out a soft, comforting whimper she closed her eyes and presed her head under his, nuzzling him hard. As he spoke she let her silver eyes fall on Champion, and she began slowly walking toward the den, Nuzzling Carbo as she did. She would leave the wolf some time alone with her mate before they filled the hole in. She turned to Carbo then and nodded.

" Yes, I agree..."
She knew well that her mate had troubles with taking charge of a pack as Alpha.
" If you do not want the responsibility, Ill stand by your side and hold the beta position with no second thought. "

She nuzzled him, and placed her paw over his as she licked his cheek. She looked around then, considering the kind of Alpha the other wolves would make.

He stood up gallantly to Tyri and the other wolves of the pack. A look of honor crosses his face. His fur seems to glow from the snowy background and the crescent moon on his head seems to brighten. His eyes trail over all of the other wolves and he finnaly speaks.

"I would be honored to be a member of your pack. I shall follow your orders to the letter and even to my death if neccesary. If I am needed just tell me what I must do."

Faith weeped quietly, from under a rock outside the den. She kept a constant eye on Riba, who bit by bit left this world, until he was eventualy entirely gone. A pup from the pack hung in her ear, but she barely felt it. There was too much going on at this state and she was not able to keep track at everything. She followed the dead body of Riba as he was carried away, lowering her head. A pup nuzzled up against her head and she started licking it. At first, gently, but the more she thought of Riba and the future of the pack, the more anxiously she licked the pup. Not the positive kind of anxious, but to give vent to her emotions. After a little while, the pup successfully crawled out of the grasp of Faith and ran of to correct the right now neglected fur on her own. Faith got back into reality, realising what she did and blushed.

She slowly got up on the four paws of hers and looked into the distance, where Riba and some others of the pack were. As she stood up straight, two or three pups fell of her back, to the ground. She nudged them with her nose one by one, putting them in a comfortable position to sleep in. She took care of the pups, nudging and licking them to make them go back into the sleep they had previously on her back.
With quiet, slow steps she walked closer to the location of Riba. She stopped a few yards away, not willing to approach the dead one. She was afraid of death. She did not fear her own life, but she was always uncomfortable around other dead wolves. Especially the Riba kind, who was kind and caring and at the same time a great leader.

She always thought herself as the possible Alpha kind, due her good care with the little ones. But she was no warrior. She was incapable of such things as combat. It was the main reason she rarely considered the Alpha position. Champion had been a great female and Riba was the perfect male. He could do anything. He had good hand with pups and no wolf in the pack was a better hunter. She lowered her head, looking at Riba one final time. She then walked up to Tyri and Carbo, stroking herself in between them gently, to give them her sympathises to the pack. Now when they were in charge, they suddenly had a much greater duty to take care of. By walking up close, she hoped they would understand that she notified them with the fact that they would have her support at all time, no matter what.

She took a few steps away from the two, as she came up to Loki. She wagged her tail, planting her nose against his nose. With care, she moved it down his body, passing the muzzle, passing his neck and along his body. She did not mind someone joining the pack, but she wished to consume his scent properly, as she finished her sniffing at his behind. She raised her head after a full investigation, nudging him gently with her nose. She made an attempt getting her paw up his back, after three attempts, she got a grip of his back with her paw and held it there for a moment.

"Welcome to the Silver Pack, Loki" She spoke, smiling sincerely "I am Faith"

He looks her over, up and down. He bows his haed gracioulsy and then brings it back up. "Thank you youg Faith. I will do what I can to help you pack when it is neccasery. The crescen on his forehead seemed to glow in the bright snow and his eyes deemed brighter than they normally were. "I believe I may have found my new home. Thank you all." He gently walks past faith up to Riba's resting place and let out a long sould chilling howl.

Tyri's transluscent gaze fell on the den. She heard Faith sobbing softly. She lowered her head, respectfully, despite that at this angle she was not visible ot the other female. Faith was a caring, sensitive wolf, and Tyri from the start had worried how this would effect her. Tyrii looked off for a moment.
Almost as worried as the affect it might have on Chaos..
As Faith stood and walked over Tyri nodded to her politly. As she felt the other females bady sympathetically brushing against her own, she gave a soft, gracious whine. She followed Faith wiht her eyes untill she reached a few paces before Riba's earth bound sanctuary. She then watched as Faith kindly greeted Loki. Tyri smiled softly. Faith always had put others before her self, and it was an unmutable trait in wolves. Either one was born wiht it or not...and those born wiht the caring that Faith demonstrated where the highest of their kind, the greatest addition to the pack.

Tyri thought about what she remembered of her blood pack, the first wolve's she had ever known. She remmebered them all well, though there wgere few due to that brutal winter. In her mind she recounted all their names aand faces, a bitter smile along her muzzle as she did.
After her mother passed away, There was Reigh. That wolf was like a sister to her. She was only a year older than Tyri, and a gorgeous gold coated wolf. She was sweet and strong, and always had the greatest advice. She stayed with Tyri till the end, when she left to find a mate. Then there were Nikita and Rohndo. The two where brothers, both 5 the last time she had seen them. They shared the same deep brown and black pelt, but Nik had deep brown doggish eyes, while Rohndo had some of the wildest yellow eyes she had ever seen. The two , as her mother told her, had caused lots of trouble as pups. A large, 4 year old male, Sieve, had tried to get Tyri as mis mate countless times. After a final refusal he left, followed by Rohndo and nik, as well as the final wolf in her pack. It was a very young male, still a pup at only 6 months. He was a quiet little thing called Red. They had found him alone, not to far from human lands, and that was the only name he remembered. They just assumed he was a lost pet, but decided to raise him. Despite his light brown fur, folded ears, and purpleish tongue, He had deep, sparkling yellow eyes. Those of a wolf.

Tyri blushed, shaking her head to desintegrate these random memories. Now was deffinatly not the time to be caught up in the past. A dire present was resting on jher shoulders. She eyed Carbo then, nuzzling his strong neck. No, not just her own shoulders, but htose of a strong, wonderful wolf. Her companion. no decision would be made alone. She smiled, thinking about when they first met. She was new into the pack, and thought a wolf such as himself would push her away as soon as possible. She was happy that she was so wrong.

Turning then, Tyri trotted toward Odin, and those still remaining at the den. She barked loudly to catch their attention.

" While this is all very upsetting, we cannot forget that we need food. We're all going to live on in honor of our leader, and we have some important decisions to consider. The land and food here is being taken quickly. "

She paused deffiantly.

" As for now, Odin, Carbo and I will hunt. "

Nodding to Faith she smiled.

" I don't need to tell you to keep watch over the pups. And Loki, When we return a second group will go. You and Faith, and perhaps another.."
Tyri wheeled around and loped off toward the forests edge, where she had seen the deer before. She was sure there where more around here somewhere.

He wanders out of the den slowly and explores the area. He follows old trail that would lead to nowhere and went up hills jus tto see what was on the other side. "I wonder if he is still alive.. and if I should find him and tell him what happened to Riba.." He snaps to attention when he hears something moving. He ducks low and hides behind a fallen tree and watches for a creature to move. "Whatever you are I will not let you harm the pack."

Carbo watched Faith as she stroke by him and Tyri, nodding approvingly. This must indeed have inflicted her a lot of pain. She was probably one of the most caring around here. He hoped she would let this go soon enough and get back to her cheerful pup-loving state of mind. After all, Riba would not want everyone to mourn him forever. A silent moment and he would probably not have anything against being forgotten. That was how he was. Caring about others. Putting their well-being before his own. Like some others in the pack, worth mentioning soon.

Carbo walked up, side by side with Tyri, looking around for Odin. He nuzzled up against her chest, stroaking his head against hers gently. He was so pleased he had her, especialy in times like this one. He was not sure how the pack would recover from this loss at all. But he believed in himself, Tyri and the rest of the pack was strong enough. They would make it trough, as long as everyone did as they were told. Sending Odin, himself and Tyri was a good idea, and he smiled at Tyri as she suggested it.

A hunt was indeed needed. They were going hungry, and the food was running out. Luckily, Riba killed the poachers, making the hunt at least a little bit safer. Carbo took after Tyri when she ran of, figuring she knew a good place to start at. It was admireable, to see her lead a hunt. He was one lucky wolf, having someone like her around.