Dawn was starting to break across the sky, creating a beautiful pinkish purple tinge to light the clouds. Highlighted by a dazzling orange color, that would soon be the sun as it rose up from the horizon, to take its place in the sky. Down below in the forest birds, small mammals and other creatures started to stir. One of these creatures was a large female wolf, her paws making no noise as she bound through the trees. Her jaws parted to allow for better air flow as she bounded along, paws pounding the frost covered ground. Nails scraping at the dirt and throwing it up as she went, her rather short but fluffy tail held high. Though this fae’s actions seemed joyful and her movements light, Tatsu’s mind was in a dark place, it had been for a while, ever since her departure from her former home. Tatsu hailed from a valley far north of Age, where she had been born and groomed for the position of Alphess. Only to have her mate murdered in front of her very eyes by her own father. This betrayal causing Tatsu to leave her birth pack forever but the pain didn’t leave. No, Tatsu’s travels as a lone wolf brought the fae little solace. Her heart was empty, cold left to wilt and die. Her mind unable to wrap around what had happened to her or why. Then there was her guilt, her unbearable guilt. For Tatsu had given birth to three healthy pups before leaving the valley pack she’d called home. Only six months old, Tatsu had heard them howling for her as she’d roamed away from the territory. Their little voices nearly causing the heartbroke fae to return to the pack. But just the idea of being forced to live alongside her father was too much to handle. Sure she could challenge him, attempt to kill him as he’d done her beloved but Tatsu was no killer. She would never murder another so needlessly. Believing her former packmates would take care of her young, Tatsu left for good.


So now in the chilly grips of morning Tatsu was hurtling closer and closer to the territory of a pack rumored to of just started. Tatsu hadn’t the faintest idea why she thought joining another pack would solve her heart ache. Perhaps it would be a second chance, perhaps she could move on. The only thing Tatsu knew for sure was she was drawn to these lands for a reason. Perhaps it was a sign, perhaps fate was trying to speak to her. She didn’t know and was too focused on getting there to ponder it further. Huffing some as she traveled, Tatsu’s breath whirled away from her face and into the air in a cloud of steam. Revealing just how chilly this fine fall morning was, as the fae neared her destination. She slowed to a steady trot large paws landing with precision and delicacy. Her thickly furred ears stood erect upon her broad skull seeking signs of danger. Tatsu wasn’t sure who she could trust anymore. A fact that made the fae rather wary and even a tad paranoid. If her own father could betray her who in the world wouldn’t? Sighing, Tatsu attempted to relax knowing she couldn’t go to the border of another pack tense and filled with doubt. Weakness wouldn’t get her anywhere, nor would her years of training as an Alphess allow it. You have nothing left to lose, she tells herself as the smell of a border marker wafted into her nostrils causing them to flare.

Coming to a halt amongst a little clearing Tatsu scented the air her nostrils met by the musk of urine. Guessing the border was only a few feet ahead Tatsu planted her rump firmly on the ground. Sitting with her head held high Tatsu contemplated the border. She had never joined the ranks of another pack or witnessed a wolf attempting to join one. She had been far too busy living her life as the heir to the northern valley pack to pay much heed to such matters. Now however, she was left with no option but to figure it out. She knew if she sat there long enough surly a wolf would come by to investigate. However Tatsu wasn’t getting any younger and had little patience. So instead she tilted her thick creamy tan maw into the air and let loose a long howl. It was strong and beautiful but Tatsu couldn’t hide the sorrows inside her head from spilling into her howl. “ Now we wait.” She murmurs to no one in particular. As if the trees around her might be listening or something.

Tatsu didn’t have to wait long before something moved ahead. Yellow oculars flashing, she watches closely as the form of a large snowy white brute appeared. He came through the trees at a quick pace his tail held up. Though Tatsu didn’t fail to notice, his tail wasn’t fully raised like an Alpha’s might be. Curious to know who had answered her calls, Tatsu remained still like a stone. Her muscles tensing ever so slightly beneath her fur. Just in case the brute meant her harm, Tatsu wanted to be prepared. Moments later however the brute spoke, and Tatsu relaxed slightly. Her thickly furred ears swiveling to catch his words, then when he finished they pinnned back against her broad head. Rising to her paws, Tatsu knew what must be done, no matter how unpleasant she found it to be. Lowering herself before the brute, Tatsu dropped her tail between her legs and her body to the ground. She didn’t grovel however showing him just enough submission to reveal she meant no harm or disrespect. “ Greetings Delta Malachai ” She murmurs her voice even, but never wavering or showing an ounce of fear. “ My name is Tatsu.” She adds dipping her skull, ears still back some to show she did not wish to challenge him. “ I have summoned you here today to ask you for acceptance into Pryvanthros.” She says yellow oculars examining the white brute before her.

On closer inspection she discovered he was nearly as large as her. Only a few centimeters shorter if they were to stand side by side. Somewhere in the back of her mind she wondered what the outcome of a spar between them would be. She’d enjoyed sparring back home and had become rather efficient at it. Who knew maybe one day she’d get the chance to challenge the brute. But for now she would study him, his words, his behavior. For Tatsu wanted to know if she could trust the wolves of this pack. If she was to join she needed to know they were trustworthy just as they needed to know she was. “ That is if you are in fact accepting?” She questions, watching Malachai for his reaction. “ If you are, I am willing to prove my worth however you deem fit. “ She finishes falling silent and slipping back into her sitting position before him. Had she properly submitted? Were Pyrvanthros truly accepting? Were they trustworthy? These questions swirled about her head as she waited for he white wolfs reply.

Tatsu was relieved when Malachai seemed to accept her submittance. He however did not move or show the slightest hint of emotion. Giving Tatsu nothing to go off of as far as what the brute was like. Other than perhaps reserved with outsiders or maybe just reserved in general. But Tatsu could respect that, having had a difficult past herself she could see the appeal of hiding oneself away. Yellow oculars glancing over the Delta’s blank blue ones Tatsu listens carefully to his every word. Her skull nodding ever so slightly at his statement, unsurprised that he had questions for her. Her yellow oculars however, were quickly drawn to the small pest which flew around the Delta’s head. Catching his growl Tatsu remained calm knowing it was directed at the bothersome insect and not a challenge to her. Watching as the irksome insect came in her way Tatsu waited till it was nearly over her head before snapping her powerful jaws upwards and squashing the bug between her incisors. Satisfied Tatsu, allows the dead bug to fall to the ground, her ears still intent upon Delta Malachai’s every word. Looking back to the brute she was however caught off guard by one particular question, ‘have you killed anyone?’ It caused the fae’s heart to sink, as memories of her father’s betrayal flashed before her eyes. Blinking the image of her mate’s lifeless battered body laying on a blood soaked ground, Tatsu returns her focus to Malachai as he finished speaking. Now it was her turn to speak and Tatsu took her time choosing her words with care. What made her worthy to join Pyrvanthros ranks? Was she worthy? Could any pack appreciate the value of a she-wolf who abandoned her own pups? Stop feeling sorry for yourself! A voice snarled in her head.

Pushing these negative thoughts aside Tatsu, sits up a little straighter keeping her eyes averted ever so slightly as to continue to show she did not wish to challenge the snowy brute. “ Well Delta Malachai I believe my experiences, background and training make me a worthy candidate for Pryvanthos. I was raised from a young age to believe in the unity of the pack. That all wolves regardless of their position are a key part of the pack as a whole. Like a living organism if one aspect fails the others will follow. So I’d say I work well with others, and I can offer you protection. I know how to fight and fight well. I may not be the best but I was taught to never back down and I assure you I wouldn’t. I can track and hunt like most wolves. I also have some basic knowledge of herbs. “ She says not going too deep into her skills. That would involve stories she did not wish to share with Delta Malachai just yet. “ As far as your inquiry as whether I have ever killed another wolf the answer is no. I have never taken the life of a fellow wolf.” She murmurs her voice was low but strong, her yellow oculars flashing fiercely. I am not a traitor, I am not a murderer like my father, she added in her head. Licking her lips she continues, “ As for your last question…” she starts keeping her body posture as still as a stone. “ I Tatsu hereby pledge my life to you, this pack and the leaders of this pack. If the time comes I will lay my life down to protect those within. “ She finishes lowering her head before the brute, ears back before raising it once more to await his response. She didn’t show it but she was nervous. She was taking a chance putting her trust in this brute, trust that he and his pack were trustworthy. That they would not betray her, that she could call Pyrvanthros a home. Perhaps even move on from her past and let it go, as she so desperately wanted to do.

If not, if betrayed once more, there was no telling what the fae might do...