How dare he?! How dare he?! Small, innocent forest animals fled from their branches as they hid from a the tyrant below, a tyrant whom was separating the remaining snow with such undeniable force it would be fatal to get in its way. Peering from their safe havens in the trees, the canine appeared so aflame the animals wouldn't doubt it if steam began to fly out the creature's ears. What had infuriated such a powerful wolf and, with all that frustration, what was she going to do now? They hid deeper as a paw swiped a blooming flower, causing the snow to spree and show the untainted ground beneath. Esmeralda peered above at the birds and animals only to see they had fled the scene, a toothy grin became satisfied from their fear.

Breaking out of the foolish forest, emerald hues scanned the fast paced river. In the winter, the river was covered with a sheet of ice, no one could hardly view the roaring dangerous beneath. Now only the waterfall appeared frozen with a few sheets of ice displaying out until the rapids revealed themselves with a roar of significance. Her eyes narrowed at the sight while her body shook with expected fright. It'd always been a weakness of Esmeralda's, her body's fear of fast paced rivers, and her only solution was to fight it mentally. She did not dwell on it's origin, even if only she was the only one in her mind, and did not let her body have that satisfaction. Pushing the ashen body forward, Esmeralda neared the shore, eyes now focused entirely on the remaining ice. A creature suddenly surprised the fae and she lowered her stomach, her bare underbelly shivering from the frigid grass. The hare began to hop about on the ice, assured it would hold his weight, and seemed immune to Esmeralda's presence. Esmeralda became even more furious at the hare's lack of fear, though he hadn't even seen her, and felt that too was Steele's fault.

Going back to the scene just moments ago, her claws went deeper into the soil and teeth bared though no sound followed. How dare Steele embarrass her like that? Who did he think he was? He was not a Beta in her eyes, hardly even near a warrior's position, and then he came around and made a fool out of her pelt in front of a loner? How that loner must have grinned with such satisfaction, seeing the fae she'd previously taken a dislike to be told off and shooed from their presence; just reliving the ordeal made Esmeralda want to kill something. Her words to him resounded and she let the shown teeth curl into a malevolent smile; oh yes he would regret his decision, especially as she ripped the fur from his breathing back only to hang it on a den wall or maybe even making a rug out of the worthless hide. How joyous it will be! No one made a fool out of Esmeralda and no one lived to tell the tale. That feeling to kill still vibrated through her paws, to the brain and into every muscle. The hare leisurely bouncing around was the target even though she wasn't entirely sure if the ice would hold her looming frame. Standing in one swift movement then kicking forward, the hare's back feet slipped uncontrollably as the fae pounced on his fleeting frame. Paws preventing his escape, the creature bellowed for help though none wished to give it to him. She shot down to crack his neck, to twist the spine until no messages were sent and his lifeless body collapsed to her leisure...but it seemed nature had an entirely different plan. Having not taken the time to completely view the situation, Esmeralda had not realized the ice was faltering beneath her weight and when she realized it, her body was already swallowed by the frigid depths.

Her paws scraped wildly, as she screamed mentally for her brain to process her messages though her body wished to remain completely still, as she attempted to break the remaining ice from below and once again breathe the fine air. But slashing the ice only had her form slide quicker to the open space, her head only bobbing briefly before the rapids sucked her ashen build down for more torment. She managed only a yelp in that brief moment of air, taking in what oxygen she was allowed, and forced her muzzle shut as the bubbles threatened to burst from her nose. Needles struck the skin beneath the ash fur, rocks scraped every inch when she was thrown to the river's bottom and the freezing water took all heat she'd acquired. Was this how Esmeralda was to go...? As her body went in it's usual frozen state when in fast paced waters as this, Esmeralda saw nothing but a memory.

Silver hues stared at the fae and then watched as the ashen fae left the area. His attention returned to the new fae and before long, he was on his way to somewhere other than here. Thoughts of the peppered fae crossed his mind a mile a minute. Re-imagining the last views of her, the look she gave him, the way her body twisted with anger towards him. Her voice was angry and it pleased him. it was beauty he had never witnessed in his life prior to this time. As he continued on his path, he caught a scent which intrigued him. Quick on the chase, he followed the scent to a place he had not seen since the beginning of winter. She was here for sure, this he was most certain of. Her scent was fresh and vibrant. He slowed his steps and finally came to find her in sight. He imagined she would be laying there, all mad at him, not wanting to speak to him at all. But no matter what she would say or what she would do, they would have their talk. Before his mind could continue to weave the thoughts he had to reality, he saw her. She was struggling, trying to get from the water. He paused for a moment, unable to move as he felt shock fill his body. Steele suddenly felt the fear evaporate from within him, and he lunged to her aid. "Esme, hold on!" he called with a roar as he bounded towards her.

His movements were quick and agile. He had never actually saved a life before, so this would be a new experience. He ran to the side, closest to her. Treading through the water, he reached for her. The first time his fangs missed her fur by a hair. He watched as her head bobbed in and out of the water, catching few breaths whilst she could. Aggravated that this may have been caused by him, he lunged with all the power that he had. Powerful jaws latched onto her scruff and struggled as he held on for dear life. If the water was going to take her, it would take him as well. Kicking and striking the water with his massive paws, he struggled and finally brought them both to shore. He placed her down to the ground as softly as he could and fell right besides her. One leg lay limp against her as he tried to collect his breath. Water and muck from the rapids spewed from his mouth as he finally sat up. He looked to her, hoping she was alright. "Esme, speak!" Silver hues watched, hoping her chest would rise and fall or hoping to hear her beautiful voice once more. All the feelings that he had been trying to hide and bury, we coming back in full bloom. Maybe he cared for her more than he even thought about.

This situation was so painfully familiar. Drifting into a forgotten memory, Esmeralda was in the exact position though the river had been even quicker and the water temperature was less freezing. The same ashen paws scraped the surface though then the young pup was ignorant to holding her breath and let the river drown her lungs. And when she thought all was lost, reflecting on her life and reaching for the other forest...someone pulled her out. Daedalus...! Esmeralda could not see her savior but assumed just by hope. Though her eyes were open the fae was not really seeing to follow her nose was incapable of sending messages to the brain, if her savior had a scent she did not compute its origin. She hung to her savior to the best of her ability while her body shivered immensely. Ground was her heaven and she welcomed it with open paws, not wasting the energy to get away from the safety it promised.

"Daedalus..." her voice was longing, her eyes finally making sense of the view before her. The soil was moist from her damp coat and there was someone else at her side. "Dae-" repeating the name, the word stopped immediately when she saw the raven coat looming over her. Eyes flooded with worry met her own, confused emerald orbs and she was unsure how to react. A soft cackle sounded in her brain, the form changing before her eyes. "Yo kid, you're taking swimming with the fishes to a whole new level. You all right fur ball?" the false wolf spoke, lean ears flickering forward to catch her reply. But as she opened her muzzle, the form went back to the unexpected brute, "Esme, speak!" Weakly standing, Esmeralda managed to remove the water from her mouth and other debris. Collapsing again onto the moist soil, her emerald eyes flickered back to the brute. "Woof..."

Steele watched the fae closely. She was breathing and soon she was on her feet. Water and other gunk fell from her pretty mouth. She seemed almost alright. But when she spoke, she said the weirdest thing. She almost said it two times, but then stopped. When she finally spoke to Steele himself, she used her sarcasm straight back to him. he was actually worried for her, and yet here she was, being a sarcastic fool. He snarled and bared his teeth at her, while he stood on his paws. "I just saved your life, I was..." he paused, breaking off his own sentence. "And then I asked you to speak and this 'WOOF' is how you freaking reply to me!" He snarled angrily and whirled into a circle, his back facing her. But before he would leave, then turned back to her, "do you even care that you are alive or the fact that I saved you?" he snarled angrily.

((Sorry it's short!))

Steele's reaction was not expected and for a brief moment Esmeralda thought concern was in his eyes. Believing she dreamed it, Esmeralda stayed in her fallen position. She did not say anything at first, avoiding his gaze entirely, not wishing Steele to see the thanks which threatened to burst from her muzzle. Why did Steele deserve her thanks? Esmeralda was fine in that water. Quietly, the fae heard him turn away, stepping from her fallen form, then speaking again. His snarl fell on death ears as his question hung hollow in Esmeralda's brain brain. Eventually the she-wolf replied, still having her head and gaze turned away, "I...I was expecting someone else...that is all. It does not matter, my life...hmmp...my life holds no importance to me." Ashen fur was violently shivering from the frigid depths of the rapids, and, slowly, the ashen tail to match tail came around to flop over her nose in an attempt to warm it; though the action proved useless.

Attempting to stand, Esmeralda could feel the pain echo throughout her body; probably as a result of colliding with the sharp rocks at the bottom of the river. She managed a few three steps and turned back to look at Steele, emerald hues eyes low, "Go away Steele, you have nothing to gain here. Go, tell all of how you saved my hide and mock my existence. I will still end you." Even in such a situation, she was threatening him with such venom and challenging remarks. She walked another fleeting step until her body refused to go anymore. Esmeralda did not allow her body to fall however, instead she let it shake in agony with its damp fur matted to her surprisingly lean frame.

[It's okay xD]

Hearing her replies, he had every intention of leaving her there, but when he stopped and actually listened to them, he stopped. His feet would not budge from their position, not even if he tried. Onyx fur drenched from the waters of the cool rapids. he stared at the water, rushing down the way, crashing into rocks and other objects that stood in its path. Steele turned to look at her, angry beyond all belief. But when he went to speak, he growled and stopped it almost instantly. "Esmeralda, I saved you for..." he paused, thinking of the right words. "I saved your life because you're a member of this pack, whether I like it or not." Aggression was in his aura, as well as his attitude. Looking to the ground, he snarled and then up to her. "I will not tell the pack, not unless you do." There was not much he could say to her. But then it graced his mind. The feelings he had hidden for so long, the way she smelled, all of it came crashing inside of him.

Calming himself down, he began to whisper to her. It was a precaution in case any wolf decided to join the pair at this moment. Silver hues scanned the land, looking for any hidden wolves around them. When the coast was clear, he looked to her. "I plan to leave. This Azul does not operate the pack as an alpha should. He is weak. I know you are strong, I can tell in the way you greet new wolves, the way your voice sounds when you become angry. I want to leave this place, start a pack of my own. I will collect all the strong wolves in the area, maybe in time, take my vengeance against the ivory one." He looked to the fae, waiting for her reply. "You are beaut... You would be a great asset to my pack. I will give you a high rank. You just say the word."

The ashen fae did not expect her Beta reply at all, so when his voice rang out from that muzzle she turned to confront him. Because she was a pack member? That was why he saved her hide? In reality it made sense but, be it the season, Esmeralda felt a stinging pain where one's heart should be - an item she believed herself not capable of possessing. "I am not a fool, I wouldn't breathe a word of it." She hissed back, eyes narrowing to hide the previous hurt. Her body was still violently shivering and though it pained her pride, Esmeralda saw it best to at least sit down as they spoke. The way he began to cautiously check the area with his fleeting eyes, Esmeralda became highly curious as to what he was going to speak of next.

When he began to speak, she let her face take on a surprised manner, though inside she was furious. To learn Steele wanted to leave Azul and start his own pack...it was information she could not take lightly. Strong was understatement, though that was only in her own confident opinion, and she pretended to show interest in his up coming plans. His comment was louder to her ears, knowing clearly the word he wished to speak; how many words sounded with 'beaut'? Her mind hazed at why he would ever give her a compliment let alone find her spiked, lean, haunting figure attractive. When he mentioned a high rank, Esmeralda wished to laugh. She wished to open her muzzle and simply laugh in his very face. A high rank? A high rank?! This male was so oblivious to the reign she was prepared to lead, to the followers she had required, to how she would one day be an Alphess herself! But talking over her planned reign seemed foolish, so she played into the game.

"You plan to separate from him? You have more sense that I thought. Though your last comment...confuses me. You know of what I speak. However, the high rank is inviting. You will understand if I say I must think on the matter..." Why must she think about it? Her mind was screaming to agree, for she knew if she became part of the plan she would be closer to killing him. But there was something there...something scaring her away. Maybe it was spring's fog on her mind or a deeper concern, she had no clue and was unsure if she should confront the reasoning.

He slipped up. What was with the words that tried to pry his jaws open, forcing feelings to come for her ears. He snarled, trying to shake the last memories he had just gotten. Esmeralda did not seem open to his idea of breaking from Azul, which was fine. He could get over that. He snarled and stood to his feet, looking down at her. Perhaps the season had gotten to him, her scent toying with his mind and building the suspense within him. Taking his dominant stance over her, he continued his words. "If you care not to join, fine by me. I just thought I would offer you a better life. If you would rather rot in this hell hole, then go ahead. It's just a shame to see you wishing to reside under such law makers as these like Azul and Kenai. They are weak and someday they both will fall to my paws. I will stand on their dead bodies, howling for my victory. I will bathe in their life fluids, covered in their blood and celebrate for many moons. if you wish to be in that homicide, then stay." Blood-stained teeth flashed at her, his smile curling into anger. He had saved her life, asked her to join him, was basically rejected and now he stared at her. Spring tried to dig her clutched into his fur once again, shaping his thoughts to be of many things unrelated to the task at hand. He walked from her side, heading towards another direction. She did not thank him for his act, and maybe he should have just let he go altogether. He snarled at himself, fighting the feelings back into their black hole. "The choice is yours..." he said as he walked away from her. "Foolish fae..." he whispered to himself.

Ha! What a show the weak male was putting on. Esmeralda's urge to laugh was growing while the previous pain of 'saved for the pack' was rapidly diminishing. As he spoke of a false threat, and obviously offended by no thank you as far, Esmeralda watched his form retreat. Though as he began to leave, that's when she let the laughter release. It started with a short burst then continued, her freezing form managing to stand while she openly humiliated him with such an outburst - though there were none to hear. She yelled to his retreating form, not caring if he took head to her words or not; "You are such a coward, a cowardly Beta indeed! No higher than a coyote's ankle! You expect me to join you, expecting something in return for your chivalry? I needed that laugh. I hesitate in answering and you walk away, leaving me with empty threats of a homicide I surely shall not perish in? Had you seen me as an asset, you should have forced it. You should have made me grovel until I begged to follow your reign. You are too much of a coward Steele, you are unprepared to ever lead a pack. I shall spit on your retreating paws steps, for that is all of me you'll ever gain!"

Esmeralda let a malevolent grin spread upon her ashen muzzle, letting her eyes dance in the new fueled inferno. She would enjoy his reaction, whatever it be, and even forgot her pain and freezing temperature as she screamed at him. What a fool, what a coward the Beta was. To start his own pack? Please, that male was incapable. Spring's temptation had left her now, she'd brushed away mother nature with a furious, venomous glare and those feelings would never return. How would she, the maleficent Esmeralda, ever hold respect for such a disgrace?

She had to speak that word. Her voice had to run, and her words had to come towards him. Why couldn't she just shut the hell up and leave the brute be? He growled as he stopped, listening to her laughter and her calls to him. "Coward," she called him. Steele snarled, trying to calm himself, stopping the anger to build. But it was useless. As she continued to speak her slanders towards the Beta, he couldn't hold it in any longer. He slowly turned to her, an evil grin pressed against his maw. Slow steps moved the brute closer and closer to the fae. He slowly walked faster and faster until his chest was pressed to hers, looking down at her. He was closer than he ever had been to her and here they stood. Mother nature had no hold on him, he was uncontrolled at this point. The only emotion he felt was anger. Silver, lifeless eyes stared into her emerald hues. "You will not call me a coward fae," he snapped. Saliva dripped from his lips, falling onto her fur. His chest rose and fell angrily, taking short breaths each time he did. "I am no coward. I am beyond that of a coward. I have killed more faes like you, than you can even imagine. I have watched families slaughtered before their eyes, unable to stop the wolves. I have taken so many many lives.." he paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts before returning more fiery words her way. The angered face changed to a twisted smile. "Maybe members of the pack would love to hear of the cowardice you displayed in these here rapids. I am sure the other males would love to laugh at your expense." His evil chuckle echoed around them, bouncing from the trees and firing back to the fae. "Of course, I could be tempted to keep it a secret on one condition..." he trailed off as he looked Esmeralda straight in the eyes. An evil and unspeakable plan began to brew inside the cavern of his mind, twisting and turning at everything evil he could think of. This fae did not come willingly, so he would get her another way. No wolf wants their secrets displayed to the pack, especially not one as hers. He could imagine them laughing as he retold the story of her so afraid of the water and needing his help to save her life.

The grin only grew as his raven coat neared her. The proximity was welcomed with a fierce, challenging nature. She pressed into his own chest, matching glare and letting the saliva drop on her already damp fur. No foolish spring feelings interrupted this mighty battle, no, both were fueled infernos with a bone to pick. As he spoke, she only smirked and scoffed at his words onto he toko a pause and she was more than ready to give her two cents. "I will call you whatever I please! Ha! I have killed countless brutes like you! Fool, as you watched the families be murdered, I was the beast killing them in my wake! I killed my own family, you think it tatters my pride?!" Then he spoke again and her eyebrows furrowed while the venomous glare only heightened. "Oh I'm sure they would but they never will. Don't make threats you don't plan to follow through with Steele. I will slit your throat before you even near the camp!"

Esmeralda let her muzzle open to express what she thought of his threat, the growl vibrating both of them. She pressed harder, attempting to make him take a few wry steps back, and quickly snapped at his nose. The entire time she did this aggressive behavior, Esmeralda did not let them separate body contact at all. His extra height, being a brute, did not scare her in the slightest and with the sudden anger her chills had been pushed aside. "Come now, amuse me with your cowardly thoughts! What would you want in return if you vowed to keep that filthy muzzle of yours shut for good on the subject?" Using the word coward again felt natural on her tongue, the word said with extra emphasize. Each word out of her was more venomous then the next, surely venom would truly seep from her mouth if it were even possible.

A bright rosy tongue lapped over the sharp teeth, which only shared themselves to her. Feeling her snarl and growl, the shared vibrations of their chests. The brute would not back down, not to any fae or other wolf that got in his way. "I do not speak empty threats towards you fae. In fact, I promise to keep my end of the bargain if you will sleep in my den every night of my choosing." He stared into her eyes, waiting for some kind of reply. "Maybe spending quality time with me will cause you to become a better warrior and less of a wimpy fae." As he stopped speaking to her, he did not break contact. He starred at her, silver hues clashing with emerald ones. "If you do not sleep in my den, I will call the pack to order and will tell them of the events that happened in this very place." His tail was almost plastered over his back, teeth still bared as his onyx lips curled back past them. Sharp claws dug into the ground with anger. Even if he tried to calm down now, the only way he could would be to kill something. Although the thought crossed his mind to take her life right here and now, Azul would not like that very well at all and it would ruin his plans. If Azul discovered that any of the wolves got hurt from him, everything he was planning would fail. He still needed to push the feeble Kenai harder than he had before.

Esmeralda's jaw gaped open for a mere moment, her eyes widening at the deal and her brain completely blank. What did he want of her? To sleep in his own den?! She had never heard anything so outrageous and said that same opinion out loud. As he continued with his filthy words, Esmeralda continued to snarl again his chest with boiling anger. He thought it would change her? "I accept," she spat in his face, breaking the contact they shared. As she stepped back her voice remained harshly strong and became louder, "I accept only to make you regret such an foolish thing. Nothing good will come of me sharing your quarters. What do you think will stop me form slitting your throat as you lay in a dream world?" The thought occurred to her with such delight; well then, yes, why couldn't she slit his throat as he slept? He expected her to be honorable as they would share a den, thought she would not dare, but the thought was such a possibility it made her quiver with excitement. Either way, Steele would regret such a decision. Esmeralda would make sure of that.

"Speak with your ill tongue if you wish. No matter what you say, you will grow to respect me and you will show that respect to other wolves in the pack when you are near me. If you so choose not to, then I shall take the respect I deserve. Nobody will stop and me and nobody will care what you have to say. Even if Azul were to discover the acts I will force on you, there is nothing he can do to stop them." Even before he could finish his words, he chuckled. It was a dark and evil chuckle, filled with lots of hate and disrespect towards the fae. Her words could do him no harm and her threats were empty. No matter what the fae was capable of, he did not care. If she harmed a hair on his head, she could be charged with many things and in Azul's pack, that was not the way. She would be in major trouble with the Alpha. That was something she could not afford as a Warrior. He might even demote her to an Omega for such crimes. The thought of this made him snicker. If only she were an Omega, this would make it all the more sweeter.

((Sorry it's shirt, I was crushed for time.))

"You are no better than the brutes I have slaughtered." The serpent hissed beneath her breath, seeing Steele as an even greater enemy now. I will not return to that life
style. Sharing a den will be the limit, I will not be a the Beta's submissive decoration nor his whore. If he pushes my limits, he shall share the same fate as my previous Alpha and the rest of those filthy animals. Though he had shown some back bone, confidence she believed him not capable of, he was still ignorant with his foolishly given power. Why did this brute become Beta, why must there be laws to hold her back from spilling his blood? Not much longer, she had to reassure herself, it wouldn't be much longer until she finally took his life. "Is this interaction over with, Beta Steele?" she falsely flattered him with a voice of ill charm, tail fallen to a neutral position though her shoulders good at their usual high position.

Her fur was still chilled from the river but slowly her heat was returning, her legs no longer shaking like a newborn fawn. The incident would not be spoken of as long as she went along with his foolish games. Once he got his satisfaction, she would continue her devilish plans She had more followers to obtain, and though Steele sickened her, as of then the Beta was the least of her concern. He would be her concern when the day for his downfall arrived, which was just on the horizon.

[S'all right]

Chuckling, he smiled at her reply. "You can threaten me all you wish, but it will not change my mind. You will be in my chamber as soon as the sun begins to set, whether I am there or not." Silver eyes looked over her form once again, just as he had done numerous times before. His anger was calming down, with or without his wishes. It just seemed to be happening as he knew he would get his way. He was the Beta. If she did not obey him, the pack would know her secret and her fear of water. The other wolves would look down on her, judging her for this very small thing, but of course he would blow it out of proportion. Thinking of these things only made the Beta enjoy this even more. With the change in the season, he could feel his rage being rejuvenated. With each passing day, he was growing more and more angry with ease. He knew the other wolves would try and make their moves on faes, especially the fire-tongued one. "This confrontation is over. See you soon, at home." He smiled at her, flashing his pearly yellows and walked from the falls. He wasn't headed home, but he would be going there soon.

Esmeralda's anger continued to bubble as he spoke; must they begin this dreadful punishment tonight? When he gaze ran over her coat, she stepped backwards as if it would help avoid such temptation. Why now of all times must her torture her like this? Esmeralda did not bend to his demands but inside she did dread sharing a den with such a male and especially of all seasons. Feelings would not get the best of her, Esmeralda would be sure of that, but she wasn't positive on Steele's control. Spring held haunting memories of those males who wished to dominate her, not fear but more malevolent anger. Could she kill them over and over she would, never would they pay enough for the humility they brought upon her. "You will be in my chamber as soon as the sun begins to set, whether I am there or not." How she would love to slit his throat; whether he was there or not, was arrogance he showed in front of such a dangerous beast.

"So be it," Esmeralda hissed with contempt, not saying a word as he declared the meeting had come to an end. Her eyes narrowed as she watched his fading figure until eventually she too left the clearing, heading to the border to snag the few loners who awaited for acceptance, collecting what joy of this day was left, before having to suffer a night in the Beta's den.