Yet another sleepless night had plagued the Alpha. Every time his lids began to close, visions of the horrific events Teren had described to him would flash before his eyes. He couldn't go on like this. If he did not speak with Quinn soon, he would surely go insane and die from either madness or lack of sleep, or both. He felt weak, in both body and mind. He wished for the black demon dead, but he would need to seek clarity on certain events with Quinn before he could do so. He lay beside his sleeping mate, one with whom there was supposed to be no secrets, and yet here he has, restless with worry about things he had knowingly kept from her, and sick with fear that there was things she had kept from him. He looked over her peaceful form, watching the slow rhythmic rise and fall of her body as she breathed. He couldn't do this anymore. If he did not speak with her today, his mind would implode on itself. Slowly he rose to his feet, feeling the chill of the autumn morning nip at his fur where he had been pressed against her and the heat no longer radiated between them. "Quinn, please wake. I wish to speak with thee about matters of great importance, but not here. Meet me within the Brimstone Grove whence thou have risen." he said grimly and with that, took his leave from their den.

Walking out into the crisp morning air, he inhaled deeply. The sun was only just beginning to peak above the horizon. He was certain that Quinn would question his lack of affections upon his departure, but he could not bring himself to be his typical loving self. Not today. Weary footsteps carried the large brute through the woods. He did not know why he had chosen the Brimstone Grove. He had found himself spending a great deal of time there in recent days. Perhaps it was the maple trees that drew him. Their radiant colours had always pleased his eyes a great deal, but perhaps it was more than the pleasant colour palate. Perhaps it held a deeper meaning for him. A large portion of what he held dear had come from the trees of maple. Maple Woods had been his fresh start. He had found love, made friends, risen to power, and started a family within the brilliantly coloured forests of maple. But he had also lost everything there, and with recent information, perhaps he had lost more than he had thought.

It did not take him long to reach his destination, the sun still barely risen, providing an etherial glow across the lands. Frost clung to the blades of grass and the tips of the tree leaves, twinkling in the sunlight that refracted off of it. He had once been able to appreciate such beauty; nature in its simplest form, but now all he saw was darkness. Nothing held his attention except the dark thoughts that poisoned his mind. Teren. The death of his pups and the horror they faced before their death. And then there was Quinn. He still refused to believe such vile things could be true that she would betray him in such a way, but then why would his mind not let it go? He trusted her, with all his heart... or at least he thought he did. He was beginning to doubt everything he had ever known, and that in its own was enough to send him into a downward spiral with no end in sight. He hated this, hated himself for not seeing through Teren's evil plight long ago, hated himself for not being there to save his pups from the cruel fate they had suffered, hated himself for doubting Quinn's virtue. He could not go on like this, he simply couldn't.

Pressed to the side of her mate, Quinn could feel his warmth. She could hear the gentle breathing from his powerful maw. He was silent, even as close as she was to him. She loved their closeness, and the way they could just know what one another was feeling. Lately, Quinn had been so busy with the pack she had little time to notice the changes in her lover. The mating ceremony had put some warm fuzzy feelings deep within her body. Her heart was blossoming with love and he was who she wanted to share it with. As he nuzzled her to wake, it was not like his usual attempts. There was very little love and affections behind it, as if a stranger was trying to wake her. Slowly her eye lids raised enough for her to see his hulking frame move from their den. Unsure if she was seeing reality, she heard his voice speak of Brimstone Grove. She knew the place well as she had added it to their lands in the first few months as Alphess here. It reminded her of her last home. She missed the Maple trees and the leaves which covered the lands. It was the most beautiful place she had ever been. Stirring awake, her paws graced the warm floor of their den. The fur along her sides was flat and stiff, not perfect and fluffed as it always had been. She adjusted her coat, cleaning and licking all the fur she could reach. She needed to be perfect, especially if she was going to be speaking with her mate about something so important. She always looked perfect when she was out in public. Only Fenris was allowed to see her looking like such a mess, Fenris and her pups when they were around. How she missed their tiny faces and adorable little paws. They had been a blessing to their lives, enriching them to the fullest. Quinn would love to have pups again, though the pains of the past could always come back. If anything happened to them again, then it would ruin her life. The Alphess moved from her dark den, following the trail of her mate before her. He was long gone, but his scent was like nectar to bees. She knew where he would be always, easily tracking him as his scent alone made her feel safe.

She followed him, though his stride was much larger than hers, she still tried to place her paws in the imprints of his own. It was an impossible task, but giggles arose from her lips as she tried. Sometimes she would try to lunge, making her way to each place, but she could not make it. Finally she gave up. When she moved to the areas within her pack, she saw him there. His beautiful silhouette was standing among the large trees. The image alone in itself made her think she was back in Maple Woods. Though most of the lands were covered in the colors of autumn, this place was always this way, just like Maple Woods. She could smell the scent of the trees and feel as though she was back home. But this was her home now. As she looked to her mate, she could see something weird within him. Instead of pointing out the obvious, her gentle voice began to speak. "Fenris, my dear love, do you know why I added these lands to our home? You see, ever since we were forced out of Maple Woods from that horrible fire, I could only recall my lands in the worst way possible. The flames engulfed everything and the smell was horrid. This place, Brimstone Grove, I chose these lands as a way for the both of us to relive old times. When I look to the trees," she said gently as she looked around them. "I recall the very first day I laid my eyes upon your form. So handsome and strong, it was hard not to stare at you and to accept the other two wolves as well. I had never seen such a handsome brute as yourself. I was captivated and the first time I heard your voice, your howl, it was a sound I had longed to hear for all my life. And although I did not know it then, eventually I came to find you would be the love of my life. You complete my existence, and I am so glad I have found you. I do not know what my life would be without you..." Quinn gave him a warm smile, her ears rested on her head as she approached him. She nuzzled her nose against her chest, moving it along his form. She pressed herself to him as she had done when he professed his love for her so long ago. "My love, please tell me what is on your mind? You seem so... distant from me. And if I am to be honest, it worries me so."

He knew he would have some time, however brief, before Quinn Arrived. No doubt she would awake, and begin her daily routine to ensure her coat be in pristine condition before setting paw outside the den. In the time that he sat among the maple trees in solitude, he closed his eyes, taking in the scents. Funny how certain scents could be connected to so many memories, both good and bad. Here, in this place, it was like walking back through his past, but what good was it to linger on events he had no control over, things he simply could not change no matter how hard he wished. Thoughts of such things were scattered when Quinn's scent grew strong on the air. He would know it anywhere. A scent he would never forget. Slowly, he opened his eyes and glanced over his shoulder. The sun sat before him, so upon turning to look to her, it cast a shadow across him, and illuminated her. A fitting contrast he had to admit. The sunshine danced across her delicate features, a sight that would have prompted a smile to form upon his own hardened features, but no such smile appeared. There was simply too much on his mind for him to bring himself to smile. Such a task seemed near impossible at the moment.

She closed the distance between them, her tiny paws kissing the frosted blades ever so delicately and quietly. He did not speak, but the silence between them did not last long when she began to speak, her voice gentle and soft. This place held the same purpose for him as it did her it would seem. A reminder of their old home, of all the joy and happiness they had found there. Then she spoke of the day they met. It was a day he remembered quite vividly. It had not been the most traditional of acceptances as she had called not only him, but the likes of two other wolves into pack lands to meet, where she promptly accepted all three. One of the other two had been a good friend to him. Warrior Tuka. He recalled their first true meeting in the training pasture. The little black wolf with the patch of white upon her chest. She had been kind to him, and had listened to his story, as he had hers. He often wondered about the fate of Tuka. She had disappeared from Maple Woods around the time that he had been promoted to Delta, and had never returned. He had been captivated by the small Alphess from the moment he met her, and though he had not know it then, as she had not, their love would grow to something of immense proportions, daring to challenge even the greatest of loves.

When she pressed herself into him, he sighed. So she had noticed his change in behaviour. He couldn't say he was surprised. He would have been more shocked had she not noticed. It was time for him to tell her what things had burdened his mind for too many days. He pulled away from her and stepped away, looking around him briefly before turning to face her. The usual softness about his face that occurred when he was around her was absent, in its place was a hardened expression. The lack of sleep was visible upon his features. "There are thing I must tell thee. All of which are of a most horrific nature. I wish it possibly of mineself to protect thee from such things, but I cannot bear the weight of them any longer. I took to neutral lands during the dead of night some nights ago. T'was there within the mist and moonlight that and Erenyx crossed my path. None but thought provoking conversation ensued, or at least until he arrived. Teren. He is alive, and were it in me to say he is well I would. But he is far from well. He is the devil incarnate, and Erenyx has fallen unto his vile control. " anger was building within him at the mention of Teren.

To the addition of her affections, she felt his cold shoulder. Stepping back from her side, Fenris looked to her with a sheer sense of pain. His eyes were tired and low, but angry. It was a look she had never seen from him. It scared her. But she would not show it for fear it would aggravate him even more. Her ears stay pressed to her delicate head, resting on the fur tenderly. Her harvest hues looked over his form, watching him closely. "Fenris..." she tried to speak, but he continued to speak over her. There was nothing she could say to try and stop him. She listened to her words. Occasionally her ears would rise and fall. But when he spoke Teren's name, she could feel a knot building within her throat. How could the black wolf still be alive? Last she saw him, she could have sworn he was covered by a burning tree trunk. The large male was elusive and powerful she supposed. But then Fenris spoke of Teren leading the other pack. But why had he said it in such a tone? Teren was always a good friend and ally to the pair. He served them both well, even surpassing all the other wolves in the pack. It was then that it hit her. She knew he was alive. She knew he was well. "I can believe he is alive. I would have thought the fire consumed him... I swore I saw his fate before my own eyes. But it's good that he is alive. Teren was very faithful to the both of us. Perhaps sometime we should meet up. I would love to hear how he escaped from Maple Woods and came here. I wonder why he did not join Helidos... Surely he could smell our scents around these lands. But then again... I do recall one horrible thing he had done. As told by Healer Athena, Teren killed Lucas. But nobody really knows how it happened as the young wolf was slain after begging for her life to end." As she spoke, she could not understand why Fenris had seemed so... off... to her. What was his issue? As she looked over her mate, she tried to figure everything out on her own. But he was shielding her from everything, even pushing her away without even trying.

His actions, however simple they may have been in stepping away from her, hurt him, and her. Though he knew she dared not show it. He did not wish to elicit such emotions from her. He had never wanted anything more than to make her happy, so how had it come to this? Hearing the way she spoke so fondly of Teren nearly made Fenris sick to his stomach. Surely she would not hold him in such high regard when she heard all of the terrible things he had said, and possibly even truly done. Hearing her say she wished to meet with him, a low rumble began to build in his chest. There would be no such meeting. She was to stay as far away from that monster as she could. The only meeting that would take place between any of them, would be himself and Teren alone, and it would be there that only one would walk away. "No. he snapped though immediately regretting his tone. He did not wish to be angry with her, though he knew the anger was not directed towards her, but towards Teren. "Thou art not to go near Teren. He is none but a danger to thee. To us. To our pack. The matter of how he escaped Maple Woods is of no concern to me, but the horrific news that t'was he who took the lives of our pups is. I shalt spare thee the details, for they haunt my every waking moment but know that they did not leave this world in peace, but at the jaws of a monster we raised them to trust." he said in a most somber tone. He shut his eyes tight and choked back the pain that crippled him. He would have been far better of thinking that his pups had been taken by the cruel hand of nature, and not forced unto the other forest at the jaws of a wolf they had been raised to trust, that he had trusted.

Quinn could not hold back the fear any longer. Her heart sunk deep into her chest as her harvest eyes looked away from Fenris. Who was this wolf who stood before her? Never in their time together had he ever snapped at her. The wad in her throat was building, almost stopping her from speech all together. Her tail hung as if it were lifeless between her hind legs. Her ears clung to her head as if they were going to be swept right off by a great wind. Her body trembled gently and decided to have a seat. She could hide it better this way from him. Though, she knew her body carried her emotions far more than she could control. He would know the damage he created in her mind. His words were confusing in their own way. Teren was Elite, considered the Beta to their pack. Why would he wish to do anything to young pups who did nothing against them. Quinn and Fenris had always been so kind to him. In a whimper, she spoke. "What happened to them?" Though her voice quivered, it was something she needed to hear. If something horrible did happen to her young, she would need to know. She had already failed them once, but to hear of how she failed them yet again... it would be rough. But she hoped whatever possessed Fenris would leave him soon so they could build from this together. In order for either of them to get through this honest truth, they would need each other. "I will not see Teren if that is what you wish, but you have to tell me what happened to my babies. I need to know what happened to Cadence, Reed, and Harley." This time, her voice was backed by a minimal use of anger. Her harvest hues turned to him, telling him she must know. There was no escaping this.

Immediately he could see the hurt he had caused her. He would never forgive himself for making her feel this way, even if she forgave him. She pleaded for him to tell her what had happened to their young. His jaw clenched as Terens words played over in his mind, each and every syllable filled with malice and hatred. Could he even bring himself to repeat such awful things? And to the mother of the children such a fate had befallen? Whether he wanted to or not, he felt he owed it to her. After the way he had been acting lately, and especially the way he had been today, he owed her the truth if nothing else. Taking one last deep breath, he took a cautious step towards her, his body melting from its tensed state into a a nearly deflated one. "Had you been a better father to your young, they may have known how to survive to flames and make it with you to your new pathetic home. If I had to pick a pup who screamed the loudest, I would have to say it was Reed. The male who looked much like you was nothing more than a bitch like his two sisters. But I will tell you, my favorite one... The most succulent of the pups.. It would have to be little Harley. She was a tiny one like her bitch mother, but she seemed to keep the most meat on her bones. But I shall never forget the last one... Cadence was it. Boy I really made her scream. After I killed her siblings before her eyes, told her that her parents were dead and had deserted her, she whined and whimpered. But don't you worry, in her last moments I was knotted within her tiny little cavern. It was so tight, I didn't even think I would fit all the way." he repeated Teren's speach word for word. There was no other way he knew how to tell her. He had hoped she would not ask him to elaborate, but since she had, he had to tell her exactly what was said. His world was shattered. He felt as though he had lost everything, and feared that in telling Quinn all of this, that he would lose her too. His breaths were now short and laboured, like he was fighting for air against an invisible adversary. His entire demeanour was shrunken. He felt as though there was no way he could possibly carry on, but he had to. He had to see this through. "Those were his words. They haunt me. Taunting me day and night. T'was not in me to believe them at first, but Quinn... Thou should have seen the malice upon his eyes. He is a monster. And I shall not rest until the beast has been slain. If not for the vengeance of our pups, than for the safety of those we now protect." he added, daring to take another step towards her, carefully gauging her reaction. He wished to console her, but knew his recent actions did not grant him such permissions lest she allow them.

Shock and fear rolled over her tiny frame as he depicted the words that Teren spoke to her mate. What a monster. Quinn was frozen in the horrors of the acts he spoke of. It was not true. It could not be true. How could any wolf do that to younglings? They were just pups. The Alphess could not look to her mate any longer. The way he had changed, it scared her. He was dark and aggressive even. This was not the Fenris she knew, this was not the Fenris she loved. There was nothing she could say. What could she even say? As she sat there, she thought about all he had said. She could not believe that Reed would be the loudest and most complainant of the bunch. He was a brave boy, strong and intelligent. He would know what to do to save his sisters. Quinn always knew she could depend on him. Although Harley was the smallest of the litter, she sure did not act as such. She had a big heart and was quick to help others. She was faster than any fire. Then there was Cadence. Cadence was very wise for her age, and she seemed to know a lot of what was around them. She could not allow herself to believe these lies. As he came closer to her, she stood up and took a few steps back from him. She could not stand to be close to Fenris, not right now. She held it all in, no matter how much she wanted to let it all out. She knew she must not. "Do not touch me. I can't even... I can't right now." Her voice was cold and her eyes looked away from him. When she could finally look at him, she could not hide her emotions. Not that she had been doing so for a while now. "Fenris. Why you did not tell me these things sooner, I do not know. Do you think I am weak? Do you think that I cannot handle something of this magnitude? I am not a pup. These are our young, my babies. If I ever see Teren, I will end his life myself. I should have taken care of him a long time ago." As she stared at him, she started to think more. Her tone was a little harsher than she had liked, but it was too late. Fenris had pushed her to her limits. But was she mad at him or the monster who spoke such words? "Did he say anything else?"

His steps towards her were answered by her own steps in retreat away from him. He could not blame her for such a thing. He barely knew who he was anymore, he could not expect her to feel the same way she once had. But those steps away from him tore his heart in two. He would do whatever it took to win her back. He had to. He had already had to live without her in his life. Thinking that he had lost her to the flames. But he had found her. By some grace of wolves past he had found her, and the thought of losing her again was far to much. He understood that she may wish not to see him. And if that was the case then he would not rest until Teren was dead. Maybe then, maybe once the monster that had taken so much from them no longer roamed the earth, perhaps then they could begin to rebuild the unbreakable bond they had once shared. "I understand. I can only begin to imagine what thing thou must think of me. I did not wish to tell thee sooner for fear of what pain it may bring to thee. All I have ever wanted is to protect thee, for pain both physical and of the heart, but now I see t'was mine own selfish actions that hath caused thee such distress. I shall leave thee to thyself should you wish it, but know I shall not rest until Teren no longer lives. I shall drag his lifeless corpse unto the heart of Erenyx and show them that the monster that ruled them is no more, that the devil himself may be slain." he said assuredly, with determination ringing clear through his voice. "I did not think thee incapable of handling such knowledge, I simply did not wish the pain it brought me upon you. I should have told thee sooner, of this I know, but I cannot change the past, only insure the safety of our future the only way I know how. I will kill Teren, even if in doing so, my life too does end." he said, his amber eyes glowing fiercely. He would not return to their den with her this day. She needed space, she needed time, and though he wished to be there to comfort her, he knew deep down that she did not wish for him beside her. He could not bare to look at her any longer. Seeing the feeling of betrayal in her eyes as she looked at him was too much. He moved to walk away, but he came to a dead halt when she asked if there was any more that Teren had said. He had so hoped she would not ask, but he knew that if he kept this from her, that it would only tear the apart further. His head hung low, his eyes falling on the ground beneath his paws, not daring to make eye contact, "There was but one other thing... though hear me when I say I believe not a single word of it to be true.." he began, taking a deep breath before raising his head and turning it to look at her once more. "He spoke of betrayal. A betrayal of love. Of your love. He claimed that shortly after we were mated, and thine belly heavy with our pups, that thou took to his den in search of pleasure." he said in nearly a whisper. He still did not believe it to be true, but he supposed he would find out whether he was right or not in this moment.

Seeing the hurt and the pain flush over his body was not a good feeling. Instead, it hurt Quinn even more. But she had never been this mad in her whole life, not even when Zetos told her the truth of what happened to her first mate. All she could think was how long he had been hiding this all from her. What he must have thought about her to hold it for so long. If anything like this happened to her, she would have told him immediately. But that was the difference between the pair. She would confess everything to him, but he would hold everything away. It hurt even more just thinking about such things. She closed her eyes and she growled towards him. It was the first time she had ever done such a thing, but it needed to happen. He needed to know he was in the wrong. "Of everything we have been through, I would think this little thing such as words would mean nothing against out relationship. I thought you trusted me. I would tell you immediately if I were to have heard these horrible things. I love you Fenris, but maybe we need some time away from one another. I'm not ready to be close to you right now. I would never share anything intimate with another male. The fact that you even slightly thought this was possible, it kills me. Have I ever done anything to make you think I would even be capable of such things? I have never loved anyone as much as I love you. I have been faithful to you since I first laid eyes on you." Her voice was hard and deep, deeper than it had ever been. The fur along her spine stood on edge, high on her back. Her tail did not fall, resting in place. She moved further from him, and snarled again. "I don't care where you go, but do not come home." She turned her head from him and immediately dashed off into the woods. She cared not where she went or how fast she got there. If there was one thing she had over Fenris, it was her speed. When she was nearing the territory she called home, she smelled the scent of a creature she had known before. She had met it two times now, different ones of course, but all from the same genetic pool. The scent was toxic and hideous, one she could not stand. She had gotten too close and it knew she was in the area. Before she could do anything, she screamed out loud. "Fenris! Help me!" Her tail curled beneath her body, clinging to her stomach as her ears pinned to her scalp.

The seasons, and the rise and fall of the sun and the moon were the only certainties with each passing year. So as the sun would rise after dark, the fall of the leaves would bring the winter. Time was running out for the massive beast. Though food supplies were bountiful here, a creature of his size needed far more than he had been getting. A sense of urgency had overwhelmed him, and had pushed him further into wolf territory. He did not fear the canines. Though they had power in numbers and were far more agile, only the fools dared take on a bear, especially during this season. Their scents marked the place, proving to be unpleasant to his nose, but none were fresh. He was alone. Allowed to forage in peace... at least for now. Massive paws with razor sharp claws pressed into the hard ground leaving in plain sight proof of his presence. His intended mission had been the search of berries. Bushes he knew were bountiful in this area, but a change in plan had occurred when the scent of blood hit his nose. It was not fresh, perhaps a day or so old, but it was worth investigating. Slow, but powerful strides carried his large form through the woods. Branches snapping beneath his immense weight. The kill lay upon the forest floor before him. Most of its worth had been demolished by the sharp teeth of wolves, and some by the razor sharp beaks of vultures. Though there was not much left, he would take what easy food he was given.

Powerful jaws tore through the wreckage of flesh and bones without pause. In the midst of scavenging what he could from the carcass, a strong scent grew even stronger yet. He was no longer alone. One of those damn canines dared to interrupt his meal? One they had clearly had their fill of. A low rumble began to build in his chest as he pushed himself onto his hind legs, raising his massive chest part way into the air. He sniffed the air trying to pinpoint which direction it was coming from. Upon locating the scent, he crashed back down to the ground causing the nearby landscape to tremble. He took off in a run towards the wolf, his weight propelling him forward in a rocking motion. Claws dug into the earth, slowing him to a halt upon spotting the wolf. He could smell the fear radiating off of her as her head swivelled desperately in search of him. He rose up onto his hind legs once more, though this time standing to his fullest. A roar bellowed out from his chest in warning. She could run and live, or she could stay and die.

How had it come to this? How could one wolf cause so much hurt. He had never thought the day would come when something would drive the two of them apart, but it had, and that wedge was built of razor sharp words, and bound by his innate desire to protect her. Perhaps there was some truth behind Teren's words in that he and Fenris were not so different. Though Fen would never think to commit such vile crimes as he was sure Teren had over his lifetime, perhaps he was just as destructive, but in his own way. His desire to protect Quinn, to keep her from feeling the pain he had to had hurt her only more so. Had he told her right away perhaps there would have been something left to salvage, but now, there was only hurt and anger on both ends. A rift of this magnitude would take time, and perhaps a miracle to mend. The tone in her voice was something he had never heard. She snarled at him, the anger in her words as she told him he was not to return home was the last straw. His eyes dropped to the ground, the will to argue had left him entirely. There was nothing more he could say, and anything that he could would only make things worse. "As you wish m'lady." was all he could muster as he watched her turn and take off into the woods.

Just like that he felt more alone than he ever had. She was all he had, and she no longer wanted him. A pain like that was not something he was akin to, and it hurt in such a way he could not explain. Pain of the heart was supposed to be just that but instead, his whole body ached. What was he to do? He couldn't linger on the question too long for somewhere within him he knew exactly what he must do. He needed to rid the thing that had started this all. Teren had to die. He would need food, water, and most of all rest. He was exhausted beyond all belief, now more so than ever. He closed his eyes for what seemed like forever, unmoving, his breathing slow. The quiet that surrounded him was unnerving. It was as though the wind had gone silent, the birds taken their leave. Nothing but the beating of his own heart rang in his ears. He now knew what it felt to be truly, and utterly alone.

But the silence did not last, and a scream rang out, the voice unmistakable. Quinn. She was in danger and he was not there to protect her. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he took off in the direction she had. Massive paws tore mercilessly at the earth beneath them. Though he was not blessed with speed, his stride was long, and ground covering. "I'm coming Quinn." he said to himself, pushing harder, faster than he thought himself possible. He had to get to her, she needed him. All too soon a familiar stench hung heavy on the air and Fenris' eyes widened. He had encountered this beast before, and he knew very well that is held its own place in Quinn's past even before their encounter with one in the grove. Though it was not this beast that she had faced long ago, or the one that they had nearly escaped from in Maple Woods, they were all the same. "Quinn!" he yelled out, dashing over brush and fallen trees. He was getting closer, but it was in this moment he cursed her speed. How had she gotten so far so quickly! But there was no time to dwell on that as the beast came into sight. A bellowing roar echoed through the tree tops as he saw the bear rise up onto its hind legs in the distance. His eyes narrowed on the bear, his target locked. Even if he could only provide distraction enough for Quinn to escape, that would be all he needed. He would not let harm come to her. Not while he still drew breath.

When the sounds of the forest were silent, nothing moved. Yet, she chased after the young pup, her body much quicker in this time than the present. Her ears were alert, knowing full well the dangers that rested in the lands before her. Her nose sniffed over the lands, checking everything as quickly as she could. At the youngsters approach of the large den, she called out to him, but it went ignored. He was a brave Alpha pup, stubborn in his own mind. He would not listen to reason or purpose. Instead, he wanted to prove why he would be Alpha with the passing of his father. His siblings followed him, but were far from the danger. Quinn ordered them to return to the pack, but it was not until the arrival of the bear that they did listen. The Caretaker begged for them to leave, and they did. All but one. The Alpha's stubborn pup was still with fear. As if it had been replayed in slow motion, she watched his figure stiffen and his eyes grew wide. His little figure was no match for the large beast, but still he could not move. Quinn lunged at the arm of the bear, but was thrown off and slung into the trunk of a tree. Her head bounced from the wood and dropped to the floor as she landed with a loud noise. Her vision was groggy and blurred. But then everything went perfectly clear. The bear had killed the pup and had started to do some horrible things. She could do nothing. The pups returned with the rest of the pack and they chased the creature off.

Harvest eyes watched as the bear stood on two legs. As much as she wished to run from it, she was stuck in position. She could not flee, no matter how hard she tried. Her legs buckled beneath her and she stared up to him. How long would it take Fenris to make it to her location? Did she really want him coming to get himself hurt? Would he even be able to save her or would she end up like the old Alpha's pup? These thoughts raced through her mind, a million miles a second, and she could not budge. Her body shook and she closed her eyes as she waited for the bear to strike her. This was the third time she had come into contact with such a creature. Perhaps it was time now that she finally lose everything. Was she ever really fit to lead a pack? Was she ever really fit to find such a perfect mate as Fenris? Fenris. Oh how she loved him, and as she thought of him, her mind flooded with the memories of their lives together. He had been there for her every time since the first day they met. He was loyal, brave, intelligent, and handsome. What was there not to love about him? Her eyelids held closed tight, pinning her ears to her head. She tried to move, but figured if she got as small as possible, then she dropped to the ground. She tried to stay close to the ground as possible without laying down. Maybe he would forget about her and continue to eat his kill? She waited for Fenris to come, hoping she would be able to tell him she loved him one last time.

The scent of wolves was growing stronger. One cowered only a few feet from him now, but another was growing closer. His mighty roar bellowed out once more, baring his yellowed teeth in an attempt to deter the wolves. It was in none of their best interest to fight, but if they so wished to take him on, then he would ensure it was only he who walked away from this. The female still cowered before him. It was clear that she was afraid for the scent of fear littered the air, so why did she not run? Why did she not save herself the trouble and leave him be? He never had, and never would understand these canines. But pondering why these creatures did what they did would have to be saved for another time. A movement from behind the female caught the massive beasts eyes. The other wolf was approaching fast and showing no sign of stopping. Angered by this threat, he stepped closer now to the female before crashing down onto all fours, his forelegs landing only inches away from the little wolf. Had he been but a step closer, his immense weight would have crushed her. Taking his massive paw, he swung it at the she wolf, sending her tiny form toppling into the bushes nearest them though keeping his eyes trained on the form that was closing in ever so quickly.

He would die for Quinn. There was no doubt in his mind that he would give his life for hers though he had always prayed he would never have to. Though he would not have to deal with the pain of living without her, he did not wish for that pain to befall her. He knew she would blame herself for his death if it was in anyway to protect her. He wished she would not do such a thing, but he knew her well enough to know that such a thing would be inevitable if his death were to separate them. As much as he did not wish it, that looming death may come sooner than he had expected. His heart raced, all senses on high alert, his eyes locked on the target that stood only a few feet from his mate. She was terrified, and rightly so; her past had been tainted by a beast such as the one that threatened her now.

He was so close, yet still so far. His eyes widened as the bear took a step forward towards her before crashing down onto all fours. In that moment he could have sworn his heart stopped. He prayed that she had not been caught under the sheer weight of the creature for that alone would be enough to severely injure her if not kill her. But it would seem luck had been on her side as he saw the bear swing its paw. He had not landed on her, that was good, but the force from the blow he was about to deliver would hurt. "Quinn RUN!!!" he shouted though not in time as the bears paw came into contact with the tiny Alphess and sent her toppling into the brush. A snarl ripped from his throat.He surged forward and leapt through the air towards the bear, teeth bared, and target locked. His teeth were the first thing to make contact, sinking into the bear's left shoulder. The salty tang of blood filled his mouth as he clenched his jaw tightly. His claws hit next, desperately grasping and raking at the bears hide trying to find a hold. He didn't need to kill the bear, he simply needed to keep it distracted long enough to give Quinn ample time to escape.

(sorry its short. Life kind of happened, as it has a funny way of doing, but I wanted to at least get something up for you.)

He would die for Quinn. There was no doubt in his mind that he would give his life for hers though he had always prayed he would never have to. Though he would not have to deal with the pain of living without her, he did not wish for that pain to befall her. He knew she would blame herself for his death if it was in anyway to protect her. He wished she would not do such a thing, but he knew her well enough to know that such a thing would be inevitable if his death were to separate them. As much as he did not wish it, that looming death may come sooner than he had expected. His heart raced, all senses on high alert, his eyes locked on the target that stood only a few feet from his mate. She was terrified, and rightly so; her past had been tainted by a beast such as the one that threatened her now.

He was so close, yet still so far. His eyes widened as the bear took a step forward towards her before crashing down onto all fours. In that moment he could have sworn his heart stopped. He prayed that she had not been caught under the sheer weight of the creature for that alone would be enough to severely injure her if not kill her. But it would seem luck had been on her side as he saw the bear swing its paw. He had not landed on her, that was good, but the force from the blow he was about to deliver would hurt. "Quinn RUN!!!" he shouted though not in time as the bears paw came into contact with the tiny Alphess and sent her toppling into the brush. A snarl ripped from his throat.He surged forward and leapt through the air towards the bear, teeth bared, and target locked. His teeth were the first thing to make contact, sinking into the bear's left shoulder. The salty tang of blood filled his mouth as he clenched his jaw tightly. His claws hit next, desperately grasping and raking at the bears hide trying to find a hold. He didn't need to kill the bear, he simply needed to keep it distracted long enough to give Quinn ample time to escape.

(sorry its short. Life kind of happened, as it has a funny way of doing, but I wanted to at least get something up for you.)