Silvia was awake before dawn, it was a normal custom for her. She had always woken up before dawn, it being something she had to do to help her father wake the pack. The sun had trickled over the horizon ushering away any mist that had been formed the night before. The ground was oozing up water, but it was evaporating quickly. The sun was rising high and it was a clear day, the only clouds she saw were the ones that flitted over the blue sky. It was a a good day to remember, and as Silvia stretched her sore muscles she got a chance to lay her eyes on the alpha pair. She hadn't met them yet, but she was loyal to them. She really enjoyed seeing them, they both looked strong and wise. Silvia was sitting in the clearing when Quinn made her announcement. Wolves began to come out of their dens, making their way to the clearing. Each one sat, and each one had a different purpose in the pack. Silvia had perked her ears when she heard Elite Nnlya's name. Nnlya had been the wolf that had greeted her before hand. It was good to hear that she found somebody to love. It made Silvia very happy to know that another pair was also being mated. Two ceremonies in a day, that's luck. She thought, and smiled.

Thinking about love, she thought about the male she had met at Mirror Lake. Nefarian. He seemed like a really nice male, it had been a long time since she had been able to open up to a wolf like that. Traveling for many months had put a lot of strain on her thoughts. She felt closer to him, more than before. It would be good to see him again, it did make her feel something slightly different. Silvia didn't want to push it to call it love, but there was something there. It was something she hadn't felt before, and even though it made her fear what happened if she stepped off the ledge she wanted to find out. Embracing what she always knew was boring, it was good to take a leap a time or two. When Alphess Quinn asked for silence, Silvia was brought back to the present time. She looked at the wolves filling the clearing, not knowing any of them yet. It would be good to meet all of them when she had a chance. She was a very friendly wolf, and she would be glad to meet all of them at least once. Silvia sat in silence, the wind stirring her fur and making her breath in the early fall smell. It would soon turn into winter, making everything white as fur. It was a time she would dread, but also look forward to.

Slowly she began to escape the darkness of sleep. Everything seemingly uneventful. No wonderland dreams, no nightmares. Just sleep. In it's purest, simplest form. As soon as her head rested on her forces she felt herself slipping away. And not soon after plunged into darkness. But the darkness did not scare her, it was comfortable and relaxing. Though she did wish for a dream that night, it would have made her wake up in a some sort of mood. May it be good or bad, but she, as always, wished for the good. Realizing now what what her she slowly lifted her head, her amber orbs lazily opening and squinting as the light crept into the den. Voices. Murmurs, exited exclaims, and lastly the voice of a she-wolf who held dominance and power within it. One would be stupid to not guess it be the Alphas Quinn she'd heard of from Azul. Oh how fondly he spoke of her that day.. She must be quite great and I look forward into seeing her in action.. Parting her jaws widely she let out a yawn as she slowly stood- Stretching out her back and legs as she resumed her full height. Shaking out her ruffled pelt she made sure she was presentable, not particularly stand out-ish but to the point where you look... nice enough. Trotting to the mouth of the den she spotted what she guessed was most of the pack gathered around. What it was for she did not know, but her curiosity told her to "go forth and find out for herself". And that she did. Spotting Kike a few feet away she made her way over. Nudging her slightly as she sat beside her, to the opposite side of a black pelted male. She believed she'd seen him in the den, another Caretaker perhaps? But the other vixen, white as snow and kind brown eyes. She'd not met her before. Though she and the brute seemed to know each other. They held a quiet conversation and she did not interrupt. But rather kept her eyes swarming around, eventually her eyes landed on Kike once again and she gave her a warm hearted smile. "Good morning Kike. How are you on the start of this fine day?" To the others she offered a smile not wanted to get in their mixes of business. Curling her tail slightly to her left she watched the situation unfold with interest. What could be going on here?

Sleep was a peaceful thing that dared to be awaken by the world. Dreams crushed the perfect world of a peaceful sleep made, making Clare stir. Although she was in a new place, she couldn't help but think what her step father would do to ruin it. A small breeze of cold air brushed against Clare's sleeping body as she opened her eyes. The air seemed to carry her body, making her sit up, her maw opening up in a yawn. She blinked her eyes and pawed at her face, looking around. Ever since she was accepted into the pack, she couldn't get use to the fact that she was now waking up inside a nice, warm den in an actual pack. She sat there for a moment before she felt the need to exit her den, some adventure awaiting her. As she stood up and stretched, she couldn't help but yawn once again, her throat perched. Walking out of her den, she was faced by many wolves all gathered around. Her face scrunched up in confusion as she made her way towards the pack. She hadn't met anyone since she was accepted, but maybe today would change that. She sat far in the back, but in the crowd of multicolored wolves and a few white and black ones, she stuck out. Her baby blue eyes scanned the area, hoping to figure out what was going on. Sitting there, she hoped that she would soon find out.

Looking around, she saw how many wolves were in groups or pairs, not many alone. Longing of a friend or partner was tugging at her heart, but she pushed it aside. Her orbs soon landed on two pairs, there appearance radiated with authority, she couldn't help but stare in awe. They must of been the alphas, two lovely couples who looked as if they were made for each other. Clare noticed how everyones attention was on them, she immediately knew this was an important event. Her tail flicked as she curled it around her paws, her eyes landing on a small pebble. Although she was alone, she couldn't help but enjoy the comfort she took from being surrounded by others. It was as close of a family then she ever got and she was going to enjoy it, pushing aside the selfishness. She may of be a shadow in the sea of crowds, but at the moment she felt like she was apart of something. Smiling slightly, she kept her head down and ears perked for something to happen.

The howl had reached the pricked ears of the russet male immediately. There was no drowsiness to bat away, no need to turn and stretch out- jaws opening to form a yawn. No, Twelve had not been gifted with sleep that night and it was almost a relief to be able to roll onto all fours and escape his den. It would have been something he would've done much earlier if it weren't for he now knew that danger seemed to have taken a liking to him and if it weren't for pure luck it was likely he'd be dead to be quite blunt. Or maybe he was being modest, he had saved himself not luck. Luck was feeble, it was a weakness, he'd given up on such a thing a long time ago. He took a moment to lean back on his haunches outside his den, breathing in the crisp morning air deeply. His gaze would flick about- focusing on the trees, most still holding a decent amount of leaves however their colours were now magnificent shades of reds and oranges alike. Many scattered the grounds and as he stood, he made sure not to slip on any of the dampened ones. Must have been a few showers last night. He was surprised he hadn't heard them, likely it had just been drizzles he supposed.

He would take off at a limp towards the source of the sound, still in the process of recovering from his spar with the Erenyx brute and the older wounds from his bear attack which had proceeded to reopen with the activity involved in fighting another wolf. It did not take long to reach the camp's  clearing and he would come to a halt- tongue lolling from his maw and deep amber gaze slowly taking in his surroundings. He was once again reminded bitterly with how little he interacted with his pack and how foreign each member appeared to him. It was not a good idea to have no bonds whatsoever in a pack, if he had had any type of friend or even acquaintance when he had gotten into bother with the Erenyx wolves they might've noticed his disappearance especially when he was not supposed to have left the camp and gone in search of him. Sighing he merely shook his head and watched as the Helidos wolves moved about, speaking to eachother in excited whispers. It made him wonder what it was that they were being called for- he could spot Quinn and her mate not too far off and was able to hear her words as she called forward two males and two females. Ah, a mating ceremony. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a flash of white and tilted his head as another wolf joined the crowd, however she did not proceed to run over and greet someone as most did and sat alone- head down. It was likely she was new, making it normal for her to not know many of the pack, unlike him who would be with the pack a year when Winter arrived once again. He stayed standing a little while off for another few moments, should he go over? It could be a good opportunity for him to speak to someone. Running his tongue over his sharp canines absentmindedly he merely shrugged in the end and limped over. "Greetings miss, I hope you would not mind me taking a seat here?" He questioned with a dip of his head. He leaned back on his haunches, muscles paining from standing too long while they were still healing. "Name's Twelve by the way, yourself?" He kept his head tilted to the side, a small smile present on his features.

[I'm sorry I just had to have Twelve speak to Clare ic hehe]

"Thank you all for coming. I can assure you it means a great deal to your pack members before you. The most beautiful thing about wolves has been our traditions. We choose one single mate for our whole lives. Sometimes, they are taken from us, but many times they are not. Friends come and go, but mates are forever. It is a truly beautiful thing when two wolves find their soul within another. As everyone here knows, the mating ceremony is very important and cannot be broken until one or both wolves in the mating are killed or die of natural causes. When two wolves decide they have found love in one another, to finally be joined before their pack, to have and to hold until death do them part, it is a beautiful thing. I present to you, Elite Nnlya and Warrior Drogo, look upon them and see the love they hold for one another. Also look to the Healer pair, and see their adoration of one another." She turned her head to look to both of the males, Drogo being the first. "Warrior Drogo, do you take Elite Nnlya as your mate? To love and cherish until you both shall live?" She moved her head to Jackle, "do you Lead Healer Jackle, take Healer Ember as your mate? To love and cherish until you both shall live? You may both speak freely to your faes, if you wish to." She smiled to both pairs and then looked unto her pack. She was so filled with joy, her tail started to wag slightly bumping against Fenris tenderly. She was so captivated in the world around her, the pack and everything that she could not sense the difference in his attitude.

Happy. He was to put on a happy face, if not for just a little while until he could retreat to solitude. He needed to think. He needed to drown in this thoughts and calm himself. So many horrible things were racing through his mind. Thoughts he never would be burdened with. He watched as the wolves gathered, one by one taking their seats in there respected places, and the four wolves who were to be joined, made their way forward. He could recall the day that he had been called forth to be joined with Quinn. Teren himself had done the ceremony. The thought of that alone was enough to bring Fen's blood to a near boil, but he took a deep breath. He had to compose himself. How must it look to the pack to see their Alpha, their would be leader in such a deteriorating state. He bit the inside of his cheek in an attempt to settle himself, but to no avail. He bit down harder, and then harder still until the salty taste of blood trickled onto his tongue. At this he surrendered his hold of the soft skin within his mouth. This would be over soon, and then he could take his leave. He listened to Quinn address the pack once more, though her words were more towards the two couples that stood before them. He awaited her to finish before speaking himself, though he kept his voice hushed so that only those who stood closest could hear. "Love is but a fragile thing. Thou must tend to it, nurture it, respect it, and help it grow for tis ever changing. To let love be thy light in the darkness is to fully live. Cherish it, and ne're let it slip from thy grasp." he said, his words ringing with a stern tone as if they were nearly a warning.

Having kept to himself for much of his time in Helidos, Odin was thinking that today would be the day. Today he would profess his love to the fae who had held his heart gently in her paws since the first day he saw her. She had been so kind to him, even when he was so awkward. His training was lacking and his abilities were decent at best. He had been working to make himself better, a better wolf for the pack. Odin moved from the pack lands, even after hearing the call from his Alphess. He knew he had to see her, as they all had to, but he needed to do something special first. He wandered to the neutrals lands, searching for the perfect gift for her. As he moved, his eyes and nose checked every single flower, sniffing the petals and making his way to the furthest region from the pack. When his eyes stumbled upon a dozen white lilies, he wagged his tail with joy. He dashed for the flowers and carefully chewed each stem at the base of the land, allowing enough room to carefully hold the stem. When each had been broken from the ground, he gathered them in his maw and raced back to the pack. When he returned, many wolves had been seated in a semi circle before the Alpha pair. But four other wolves were beside the Alphas. He did not care for the Elite nor the Warrior, but when his eyes fell on his Ember, his heart sank. She was pressed against the body of the Lead Healer. His jaw dropped and the flowers were released. Gracefully they tumbled to the ground. It seemed to almost be in slow motion, not enough weight for them to pummel to the ground. His tail no longer wagged and his ears pressed themselves to his form tight. His heart shattered into a million pieces and Odin could no longer feel a need to go on. The last shining light of his life had found love in another. Blaming himself, the broken wolf turned his back on the pack. He could not wait to hear more from the pair, of their undying love or adoration for one another. Instead, he would prove to Ember that he was the better wolf. He would bring her back a prized kill, a bull moose. If one wolf could handle such a feat, then by god she would have to be his. There was no way she loved Jackle for his "talents" in healing. Lifting his head, he held it high as he whispered words to Ember she would never hear, "for I so loved you Ember, I shall bring you back a gift and in turn, you shall receive it and my heart. I shall love you forever and always. Taking his leave of the pack, he sauntered out, determined to seek the tracks of the large beast and defeat it. He would do anything for her.

Crystal was asleep in the entrance to the Caretaker's den, where she slept now and again, when the Alphess's howl woke her. Rising to her feet, she padded out into the warm sunshine and stretched. Crystal then headed off towards the pack clearing. Arriving at the clearing, Crystal could see a number of wolves already. "Greetings my Alphess and Alpha." Crystal said bowing to Alphess Quinn and Alpha Fenris stood next to her. Slinking around the edge of the group, nodding at the two betas and Elite Nnlya, whom she also smiled at as she passed.

Crystal spotted a space next to Delta Rose, who was in conversation with another wolf, and sat in it. Turning to Rose, Crystal nodded to her and the wolf next to her and said "Morning Rose and to you too sir." She also spotted two more unfamiliar females sat on the other side of the male wolf and gave them both a friendly smile, before turning her gaze back to the Alphess. The caretaker wondered what was going on, when the Alphess began to speak. Her ears flicked back and forth as Quinn spoke, calling Jackle, Ember, Nnlya and Drogo to stand in front of her.

It turned out that Jackle and Ember were to become a mated couple, as were Drogo and Nnlya. Looking across at Nnlya, Crystal was positively delighted for her friend and for the other couple too. Crystal had first met Drogo and Nnlya not long after her old friend Aurora had had pups. They had come to visit her when Crystal had been there and she had been introduced to them. Looking over the four wolves, Crystal had a sudden thought. "Hmm, the Caretaker's Den could be busy soon." the gray female thought to herself as she flashed Nnlya a delighted grin.

This was it. The moment Drogo had been waiting for so desperately for some time now. He had never known he would dream of such a thing before he met Nnlya, but now it was all he could think about. His heart raced at a pace that was foreign to him. He had experienced a raised heart rate before, in the midst of battle, but this was different, it was racing, yet he could swear it was skipping beats every now and then. "I do." he said with a confident nod when he was prompted by the Alphess. He then leaned in towards Nnlya and nuzzled her gently before whispering in her ear, "Forever and always." The wolf that always held himself with such composure, the perfect soldier, never fooling around, never slacking off, following the rules to a tee, was simply glowing in this moment and wished for it never to end.

There was none but him. He was her whole world, her reason for existence. There was no crowd, no other pair being mated. In this forest she could only see one thing. And she saw him brighter and more clearly with each passing moment. The words of the Alphess barely filtered in. What did she ask? Did Drogo want to have her as his mate? This was the final moment in which he could back out. His last chance. She trusted him implicitly, but hearing the question asked sent doubt wriggling its way to form its own cavity in her mind. 'I do,' those two beautiful words set her mind forever at ease, releasing the breath she had unconsciously held. 'Forever and Always,' he added, only for her ears. She leaned into his gentle touch, so privileged to bear witness to this softer side of him. She pulled away to smile, her eyes of glacial blue seeking his flaming orbs. "I do," she whispered, not needing to say any more. For them, words weren't necessary. Their love was ineffable, unexplainable. His flames met her ice, melting it in a single gaze. Some people were worth melting for.