Neutrality Between
"Perhaps we can be better neighbours then that."
First off, I’d like to tell you that there are some things most of you do not know about Steppe Wolves. Why do you need to know about Steppe Wolves you ask? I'll get to that but first some information. Steppes are an all Female breed of Grey Wolves and each Steppe Wolf has it's own human with which she shares a body. In most cases the human's identity is kept a secret from outsiders and on rare occasions even from ones own pack. Another thing is that Steppes are almost always drawn to others of the same sex - as they rarely breed outside their own species - there are few occasions where Steppes will mate outside of their own species. For instance if they want a male companion or even the chance at male offspring, they will find a grey wolf or even a human male to mate with. Because they rarely breed outside their own species, a mated pair of Steppe Wolves are able to produce offspring with the crossing of both parents blood, this only works if the pair is mated, which helps avoid unwanted young. Steppe Wolves while not too territorial around other unknown Steppe Wolves are fiercely vicious towards other Wolf breeds, which is another reason why they rarely mate outside of their own breed - as an Alpha has the right to kill or run off any male that enters their territory, mated to a pack mate or otherwise. Their humans, however will often take a human partner, which will generally end when the Steppe finds a mate. Due to the human they share their bodies with, Steppe Wolves abhor incest and because of this they generally don't get past the third generation before a lineage dies off. It is rare for a packs numbers to rise higher then ten wolves, however when this does happen, their lineage is extended by another generation or two.
Well that's the fun facts out of the way, Now you should know that this story will be told from multiple perspectives. Your probably wondering who I am, speaking to you in first person and such, well now I shall tell you. My name is Beca of the Western Forest and after that little factorial lesson, you should have guessed it, I am a Steppe Wolf, Leader of the Western Pack. I have some things to tell you about my family. We are a very close pack and our humans are just as close. Our pack consists of three students, a Legal Aid, a Manager, a Singer, two Detectives, a Law Enforcement Officer and a Veterinarian.
Our territory is bordered by Wentworth and a river. Said river runs from a small fountain in the middle of Wentworth and down along the border of our forest. On the other side of the river is a second territory, the Eastern Forest. It used to be lead by a ruthless Female named Jacs and her pack, but one night whilst out on patrol. One of our own, Kim - our third Patroler - was ambushed and killed by the Eastern Pack. In a rage, Franky - on my authority - lead the packs into war. The Eastern Pack fell quickly to our speed and skill, and Franky was able to avenge her fallen mate. The territory has been abandoned for around three years now and our story starts with the introduction of the new Eastern Pack, lead by a female known as Governor and her pack of ten. Governor has something to say to you before we begin our story.
As said briefly above, I shall tell you, my name is Governor of the Eastern Forest and after all that you also should have figured, that I too am a Steppe Wolf, Leader of the Eastern Pack. My family, like Beca's are very close, both as a pack and in our human lives. Our pack consists of a Legal Aid, a Law Enforcement Officer, a Mayors Daughter, four Students, a Manager, a Teacher, a Medical Examiner and a Veterinarian.
Below is some information about our packs partnerships and identities for your own knowledge - But please keep in mind, that as of the first chapter our packs are strangers to eachother. Also throughout the Chapters circumstances obviously will change as the story progresses so the information about partnerships will most probably be altered.
With all that said, Please enjoy Neutrality Between.
Well that's the fun facts out of the way, Now you should know that this story will be told from multiple perspectives. Your probably wondering who I am, speaking to you in first person and such, well now I shall tell you. My name is Beca of the Western Forest and after that little factorial lesson, you should have guessed it, I am a Steppe Wolf, Leader of the Western Pack. I have some things to tell you about my family. We are a very close pack and our humans are just as close. Our pack consists of three students, a Legal Aid, a Manager, a Singer, two Detectives, a Law Enforcement Officer and a Veterinarian.
Our territory is bordered by Wentworth and a river. Said river runs from a small fountain in the middle of Wentworth and down along the border of our forest. On the other side of the river is a second territory, the Eastern Forest. It used to be lead by a ruthless Female named Jacs and her pack, but one night whilst out on patrol. One of our own, Kim - our third Patroler - was ambushed and killed by the Eastern Pack. In a rage, Franky - on my authority - lead the packs into war. The Eastern Pack fell quickly to our speed and skill, and Franky was able to avenge her fallen mate. The territory has been abandoned for around three years now and our story starts with the introduction of the new Eastern Pack, lead by a female known as Governor and her pack of ten. Governor has something to say to you before we begin our story.
As said briefly above, I shall tell you, my name is Governor of the Eastern Forest and after all that you also should have figured, that I too am a Steppe Wolf, Leader of the Eastern Pack. My family, like Beca's are very close, both as a pack and in our human lives. Our pack consists of a Legal Aid, a Law Enforcement Officer, a Mayors Daughter, four Students, a Manager, a Teacher, a Medical Examiner and a Veterinarian.
Below is some information about our packs partnerships and identities for your own knowledge - But please keep in mind, that as of the first chapter our packs are strangers to eachother. Also throughout the Chapters circumstances obviously will change as the story progresses so the information about partnerships will most probably be altered.
With all that said, Please enjoy Neutrality Between.
Alphas
Beca || AnnaOnly Just A Dream
Beca is a four year old Steppe Wolf and is the leader of the Western Pack. Her human half, Anna Kendrick is a seventeen year old teenager doing her last year of studies at Wentworth's local high school. She is actively dating a classmate named Brittany, which Beca has no problem with as she is too focused on her Alpha duties to care what her human does. |
Governor || Erica
Unconditionally
Governor is a five year old Steppe Wolf and is the leader of the Eastern Pack. Her human half, Erica Davidson is a twenty-two year old working as the new head of Legal Aid at Wentworth's local precinct. She is dating a man named Mark and Governor highly disapproves of the man as she knows he is unable to satisfy Erica the way their soulmate would. |
Betas
Franky || NicoleCan't Live Without It
Twin sister of Stella/Silva, Franky is a four year old Steppe wolf and Beca's right hand gal, one of two Beta in the Western Pack. Her human half, Nicole Dagostino is a twenty year old working as a second year Legal Aid at Wentworth's local precinct. She is currently single to which Franky is grateful, as she is still saddened by the loss of her previous mate, three years prior. Red || RubySoldier Down
Red is a four year old Steppe wolf and Beca's left hand, one of two Beta in the Western Pack. Her human half, Ruby Lucas is a twenty year old working as the Manager of Wentworth's local diner and Inn - Bed and Breakfast, which she is also the owner of. Ruby has the occasional fling to sate her needs but hasn't found anyone that she wishes to have a serious relationship with, Red believes partners bring nothing but trouble and so she leaves the relationship decisions up to Ruby. |
Shai || Shannon
Shadow Of My Mistakes
Shai is a four year old Steppe wolf and Governor's right hand, one of two Beta in the Eastern Pack. Her human half, Shannon Henry is a twenty year old working as a Law Enforcement Officer at Wentworth's local precinct. Her patrol partner is Stella Dagostino and she not long got out of a bad relationship, which has left both her and Shai wary on the topic. Queen || ReginaJust Wanna See You
Queen is a five year old Steppe wolf and Governor's left hand, one of two Beta in the Eastern Pack. Her human half, Regina Mills is the twenty-nine year old daughter of Wentworth's Mayor and in line come retirement. She is the adoptive mother of Henry Mills and has no interest to be anything else but a mother to her boy and Queen despite also being focused completely on Prince, would be lying if she said hadn't thought about finding her soulmate to share in her love for her son. |
Advisers
Rizzoli || janeBaddest Thing Around
Rizzoli is a six year old Steppe Wolf and is the packs Adviser, she has a say in most to all aspects of the pack. Her human half, Jane Harmon is a twenty-six year old renowned Detective at Wentworth's local precinct. Her new partner is Detective Emma Winters and they work together with Wentworth's only Medical Examiner, Doctor Maura Alexander. Jane is currently engaged to a man named Casey which Rizzoli is unhappy with as it means she will be unable to be with her soulmate. |
Isles || MauraOther Half Of Me
Isles is a six year old Steppe Wolf and is the packs Adviser, she has a say in most to all aspects of the pack. Her human half, Maura Alexander is a twenty-seven year old renowned Medical Examiner, the only one working at Wentworth's local precinct, she works closely with her law enforcement partners, Detective Jane Harmon and Detective Emma Winters. She harbours a deep liking for Jane and Isles is offended that the Detective would rather be engaged to Casey then Maura. |
Defenders
West || ElizabethCan I Get A Witness
West is a four year old Steppe Wolf and she is one of the Western Packs three fighters, who defend the Territory from other wolves. Her human half, Elizabeth Gillies is an eighteen year old teenager doing her last year of studies at Wentworth's local high school. The both of them are aware that Victoria and Vega are their soulmates and despite Elizabeth taking friendly comfort from her best friend, neither want anyone else. Torres || DemiStuck In My Head
Sister to Emilie Ravin, Torres is a four year old Steppe Wolf and she is one of the Western Packs three fighters, who defend the Territory from other wolves. Her human half, Demi Ravin is an nineteen year old singer at Wentworth's local club - The Dirty Robber, where she is often joined by Ruby on the club's stage. She is the girlfriend of Carter Mason and Torres is mated with Alexis. Demi is waiting for the right time to propose. Swan || EmmaYou Just Won't Last
Swan is a six year old Steppe Wolf and she is one of the Western Pack's three fighters, who defend the Territory from other wolves. Her human half, Emma Winters is a twenty-seven year old who recently made Detective at Wentworth's local precinct. Her new partner is Detective Jane Harmon and they work together with Wentworth's only Medical Examiner, Doctor Maura Alexander. Emma, still healing from the loss of their child years prior is in a casual relationship with fellow packmate Jessica. Swan, also enjoys Arizona's company but has made ot clear that it ends if either finds their soulmates. |
Tiger || AubreyLost Yourself Completely
Tiger is a four year old Steppe Wolf and she is one of the Eastern Packs three fighters, who defend the Territory from other wolves. Her human half, Aubrey Posen is a nineteen year old working as the Manager of Wentworth's local flower shop - Game of Thorns, which is owned by pack mate Emilie Ravin. She is engaged to Stacie Conrad and Tiger mated to Hunter, both are content and happy to have found each other. Callie || SaraWho I Used To Be
Callie is a five year old Steppe Wolf and she is one of the Eastern Packs three fighters, who defend the Territory from other wolves. Her human half, Sara Ramirez is a twenty-three year old fifth grade teacher at Wentworth's local primary school, where she teaches Henry Mills among other students. She is currently in a non-serious relationship with another teacher and Callie is content to sit back and watch it fail. Hunter || StacieGame Of Disguise
Hunter is a four year old Steppe Wolf and she is one of the Eastern Pack's three fighters, who defend the Territory from other wolves. Her human half, Stacie Conrad is an eighteen year old teenager doing her last year of studies at Wentworth's local high school. She also does part-time work at Wentworth's local flower shop - Game of Thorns, which is owned by pack mate Emilie Ravin and Managed by her wife-to-be. She is engaged to Aubrey Posen and Hunter mated to Tiger, both are happy with their current relationship, but Hunter is hoping to eventually have young. |
Patrolers
Silva || StellaWhat Am I Doing Wrong
Twin sister of Franky/Nicole, Silva is a four year old Steppe Wolf and one of two scouts, who patrol the Western Borders. Her human half, Stella Dagostino is a twenty year old Law Enforcement Officer at Wentworth's local precinct. She's elaited that her crush Shannon Henry was assigned to be her patrol partner. Stella is in an open relationship with a woman named Alana and which upsets Silva slightly as she knows the woman doesn't have Stella's best intrests at heart. Alexis || CarterFor A Thousand Days
Alexis is a four year old Steppe Wolf and one of two scouts, who patrol the Western Borders. Her human half, Carter Mason is a seventeen year old teenager doing her last year of studies at Wentworth's local high school. She is the girlfriend of Demi Ravin and Alexis is mated with Torres. Carter knows Demi's proposal is only a matter of time and she can't wait. |
Vega || VictoriaLet Me Hear You
Vega is a four year old Steppe Wolf and one of two scouts, who patrol the Eastern Borders. Her human half, Victoria (Tori) Justice is an seventeen year old teenager doing her last year of studies at Wentworth's local high school. Victoria has been in love with fellow classmate Elizabeth since she first met the broody teen, but has never acted on her feelings. She is currently dating Rider Daniels and Vega can tell she is unhappy. She hates how he treats Tori and tells her often. Chloe || BrittanyJust Stay The Same
Chloe is a four year old Steppe Wolf and one of two scouts, who patrol the Eastern Borders. Her human half, Brittany Snow is an eighteen year old teenager doing her last year of studies at Wentworth's local high school. She is dating a teen named Anna Kendrick and Chloe expressed that she just wants Brittany to be happy, even if it's without their soulmate. |
Healers
Arizona || JessicaStill Touch The Sky
Arizona is a five year old Steppe wolf and she is the Western packs only healer. Her human half, Jessica Robbins is a twenty-one year old Veterinarian nurse at Wentworth's local animal clinic, where she works with Demi older sister Emilie. Jessica is currently single with no interest in dating after her previous partner and Arizona is more focused on keeping the pack healthy to bother with relationships. |
Lacey || EmilieOne By Your Side
Sister to Demi Ravin, Lacey is a five year old Steppe wolf and she is the Eastern packs only healer. Her human half, Emilie Ravin is a twenty-one year old Veterinarian nurse at Wentworth's local animal clinic and is the owner of Game of Thorns. Emilie is recently single after leaving an abusive partner after finding out she was pregnant and Lacey couldn't be happier with their safety and future pup. |
Young
Prince || Henry
Prince is a three year old Grey/Steppe Wolf and is the only pup in the Eastern Pack. His human half, Henry Mills is the eleven year old adoptive son of Regina Mills and is currently studying in fifth grade at Wentworth's local primary school, where he is taught by local pack mate Sara Ramirez. Both Prince and Henry are curious about their birth parents and have often discussed asking their adoptive mothers about it but neither have gotten up the courage to do anything about it yet as they don't want to her them.
prologue
How It All Began - Writers POV
Upon arrival at the apartment she lived in, Anna Kendrick retreated - allowing Beca control of their body. Confused by the sudden control, Beca had questioned Anna, but the human had just mumbled something about new students and a particular jerk hitting on Brittany. With that vague explanation Beca left Anna to rest and stretched out their body, releasing a sigh as her bones shifted into her more familiar skin.
She took in a deep breath, scenting the house for her beta's return. Ruby Lucas and Anna shared an apartment for convenience, as Red was one of Beca's betas and it kept her close at hand. Ruby had the day off work that day and had said she was going down to the local club where Torres' Human - Demi Ravin worked preforming songs for entertainment.
Not being able to scent Red within the confines of their home, Beca figured Ruby was still at the club, most probably showing off her lungs on stage with Demi. Beca released a sigh, seeing she was on her own till the pack met at the den later on. At that point, she decided to just head out on her own, so she jumped out Anna’s bedroom window and headed into the Western Forest alone.
She sprinted into the tree line and once she located water she changed direction and headed west of the river's edge - the direction of their den-site. Having been unclaimed for so long, Beca had planned to gather the pack and scout out the Territory across the river come nightfall, see if the pack could expand their own territory. It would have been done sooner but their humans had been busy and the pack hadn't been around as a whole for longer than a pack meeting. This weekend though - their human's agreed to leave them to themselves.
Beca slowed down as she entered the clearing of their den-site where she was greeted with a nuzzle by West, which she affectionately returned. She was clearly confused by Beca's presence as Anna always stayed out later after school with Brittany, but she didn't ask about it.
Elizabeth Gillies and West actually lived in the den-site. The pack had offered to let them stay in any one of the houses owned by the pack, but they both wished to remain within the den-site. West was pretty headstrong with keeping the pack, den and territory safe and Elizabeth agreed. So the pack just let them be. Elizabeth would drop by one of the pack member's homes to shower before school, but otherwise they mainly stayed out doors.
The two got comfortable on the grass and made small conversation - about Elizabeth, Anna, themselves, the pack and other random things - while they waited for the rest of the pack to show up. Eventually the two of them dozed off, curled up beside eachother.
---
Darkness had fallen when Beca was jolted awake at the sound of a howl close by and she felt West stand beside her. She got to her paws and together they surveyed the den-site. Confused, West glanced at Beca, wondering why their pack was still not there yet.
Before they knew it, Silva, Alexis, Arizona and Torres bolted out of the shadows of the Western forest from their right. They surrounded Beca and West - making chaos with their concern and words - but they quieted down when Beca's ear twitched at the sound of a twig snapping in the direction her pack mates had just come from. She moved so she was in front of the five females and focused intently among the darkness of the forest beyond the den-sites border.
Scenting the air Beca found Franky, Red, Swan and Rizzoli, among other strange wolves and the scent of blood. Worry flooded through her. Her ears swivelled back when she heard Silva whine softly, but they immediately snapped straight - her lips and hackles raised as she snarled - when a golden paw she didn't recognise stepped out of the shadows and into the clearing followed by a golden alpha steppe. The new-comer's left fore-paw was crooked slightly off the ground and her right back leg was risen. Slight recognition crossed Beca's eyes, as she inhaled the scent of the Northern Pack.
“What business have you in our territory?” Beca asked, readying her stance, in case the wolfess was hostile.
The golden alpha just looked at them before glancing over her shoulder with a soft growl, her fangs showing beneath her slightly raised lip. Beca internally sighed as Franky stepped up beside the wolfess. Her beta was ok and if her beta led the other alpha to their den, then she mustn't be a threat.
Franky's eyes flickered from Wolfess to Beca, then she nuzzled into a black paw hanging over her shoulder. It took Beca a moment to realise that Franky was carrying a black, unconscious female while an awkward, runty but cute brown and cream male weaved between her legs. A confident russet brown female moved to Wolfess' other side, carrying a black and tan female who seemed semi-concious.
From behind them appeared five other she-wolves. A sleek sandy female was carrying an unconscious chocolate brown female while the other four were carrying the missing Western Pack members. Red was unconscious and - from what little Beca could see - bleeding over the back of a well-groomed (pregnant?) tawny brown female, Rizzoli - also unconscious - was being held by a calm, collected sandy brown female, and Swan - still concious but limping - was being supported by a happy brown female and a soft grey female.
“I came to return these four.” Wolfess replied and Beca nodded in acknowledgement.
Beca's eyes flittered over her packs states of unconsciousness and conciousness and her ear twitched as she sat down awaiting Wolfess' next move. Seeing that no threat was posed from the alpha of the territory she was trespassing in, Wolfess glanced back at her own wolves before looking Beca in the eyes.
“A fire broke out in our territory to the north of Wentworth and if it wasn't for your pack we would not have escaped with so few injuries. You lead some brave wolves." Wolfess stated with a soft smile before she twitched her tail, which Beca recognized as a silent order.
The females supporting the Western Pack wolves began a slow approach towards the rest of the Western Pack. When they stopped a few meters before them, Tawny brown and Sandy brown lowered Red and Rizzoli to the ground cautiously while Brown and Grey an injured Swan to stand by Red and Rizzoli's unconscious bodies. They then backed up behind their alpha again.
Arizona quickly snagged Red by the scruff and dragged her into the healing den to look over her wounds, closely followed by Alexis dragging Rizzoli. West and Torres supported Swan in right after them. Once the Western Pack pack was safely behind Beca, she looked over at her conscious beta who was watching from Wolfess' side.
Franky nodded the moment her eyes met with her alpha's and she gently placed the unconscious black female down. The scrawny pup immediately began nuzzling and whimpering around Black while Franky retreated over to the rest of her pack, tackling Silva and nuzzling into her with affection that was returned wholeheartedly. Beca smiled at the sisters and glanced over her gathered pack before looking back at Wolfess. She noticed a look of sadness briefly flash through the female's eyes as she watched them before the golden wolf's attention returned to her.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Beca asked as the sisters calmed down and took up sitting on either side of their Alpha.
Beca could tell Wolfess got the meaning of her question, she knew what happened but she wanted details of the incident. At this, Wolfess nodded and she sat down - keeping her left paw crooked off the floor - before starting.
"We are unsure how the blaze started but it rapidly took over the forest surrounding our den-site. I sent my girls out in groups to find the best path for us to get out unscathed - Isles, Vega and Echo through the Northern forest, Shai and Callie directly towards Wentworth and Queen, Tiger, Hunter and Prince to the Eastern border, Lacey stayed with me. We heard back from Shai, Callie, Hunter and Tiger that the direct route to Wentworth was blocked off and that the fire hadn't spread too far south. This meant that we could get out of the fire by heading through the Eastern Territory, crossing the river and following it to Wentworth on the Western side. With the news I gave out orders. Lacey to the Eastern border as I wanted her to get to safety, Shai to wait at the edge of the south den so she could keep an eye on Lacey and Callie to wait at the edge of the north den to look out for Isles, Vega and Echo's return from the northern scout. It was during this time that a charred tree - on the border of the main den - broke and fell, crushing my back leg. Shai and Callie ran to try and help me get free." With the last of her words, Wolfess' eyes met Franky and from that Beca could tell, it was her beta's turn to speak of what happened.
Franky bowed her head slightly but instead of addressing the issue, she glanced to Silva who nodded. Silva's eyes flitted between both alpha's before speaking.
"It was mid-afternoon, my human's partner hadn't shown up so she was on office duty when the radio sounded all available units to the forest fire. I told her of the pack I knew to be living in the forest and she agreed to leave work so we could check it out. She pulled Franky's human from a consult and explained what had happened and when she agreed aswell we swung by to pick up Rizzoli and Swan then headed out to the town border. I know we should have brought this to you Alpha, but I knew there wouldn't be time with how fast forest fires spread and the fact that sundown was nearing." Silva gave Beca an apologetic glance to which Beca nodded in reply to show it was ok and to continue. "When we got there Red was already at the fires edge - pacing a safe distance from the blaze as the fire-fighters fought back the flames before they could enter Wentworth. We grouped and went over a plan as we waited for a break among the flames being doused by jets of water. Once there was an opening the five of us went through. Beyond the wall of fire everything was singed, there were still small fires blazing but surrounding us were burnt trees and an ash covered ground. Rizzoli could faintly scent the other packs wolves through the burnt incense so the five of us spread out to cover more ground and began shifting through the debris to see if we could find anything. We were maneuvering around a semi-large blaze when we stopped. I could have sworn I heard whimpering and when I glanced to see if the other's had heard it aswell a loud crack echoed through the forest. Swan - who was furthest on the right - acted first and knocked Prince out of the way of a falling log. She, however didn't get out unscathed - her leg wasn't broken, just burnt badly. Franky looked the pup over to make sure he was ok while I went to help Swan. That's when we found Queen, hidden amongst the black ash of the forest floor. I pulled Swan onto my back - despite her complaining that she could walk - and Rizzoli carried Queen. We then kept looking." Silva stopped and glanced to Franky who picked the explanation up.
"The deeper we went the more fires that appeared. Before we knew it, the forest was completely ablaze around us. When we finally found the den-site Red and I immediately rushed over to help Shai and Callie, who were attempting to shove a fallen tree off of their alpha's leg. With our help, it eventually shifted enough to free her. We confirmed that Prince and Queen belonged to her pack and she alerted the pack mates that weren't with them of the escape route through the Eastern Territory. Red and I then lead everyone to the Eastern border and away from the blazing flames.
Small blazes were here and there and some of the trees looked worse for wear, but we were in a safe zone till the fire spread again. We found the river separating east from west and that's when we came across Lacey. She was laying down by the river bank, obviously out of breathe from running in her state. Red was the first one to notice that one of the branches in the tree above was a flame, most probably from airborne embers, and she moved as another crack echoed throughout the forest. She arched herself over Lacey and the branch hit her on the back, one of it's sharper side branches ripping into her side and only slightly nicking Lacey's stomach. I pushed the branch off the both of them, careful of Red's wounds, and pulled her unconscious body from atop Lacey's where she had fallen. I checked over the wound to make sure it would be okay untill we got back to Arizona then I directed everyone safely across the water. I made Shai and Callie cross first, helping Wolfess across before Rizzoli followed, still supporting Queen. I put Prince on Swan's back and Silva helped them across, I then pulled Red onto my back and helped Lacey cross. Once we were all safe on the Western side, Silva left to warn you of what had transpired." Franky finished and her eyes shifted to Wolfess, who nodded and finished.
"After Silva left Franky went to lead, but Lacey insisted on carrying Red for her, so we had to carefully move the injured beta onto Lacey's back. I nudged Callie who moved to stand beside Lacey, should she need the support and Franky moved Swan to stand between Rizzoli and herself, we then continued in your direction. We stopped a few moments later, as we were joined by Tiger who was dragging Hunter along by the scruff. I'm not sure how she fell unconscious or why Tiger was limping, but I was glad they found us. Franky offered to carry Hunter for Tiger, but she insisted, so Franky helped her get Hunter onto her back to make traveling easier and we kept moving again. At the slow pace we were going I wasn't surprised when Echo, Vega and Isles joined us. I was relieved to see the three of them were unharmed.
Darkness had just about taken over when I heard a yelp, I turned to see what was wrong and it was in time to see Callie near a ledge pushing Prince away from it. But in her haste to stop him from falling, she lost her own balence and went over. I tried to move to help, but with my two useless legs, I was unable. Luckily Rizzoli was fast on her feet. She lay Queen down from her back and was just able to catch Callie by the scruff, but her claws gave way in the soft dirt and they both fell. Franky, Isles and Shai hurried down the side-slope and with support from Echo and Vega I managed to limp to the top of the ledge. From what I could tell Rizzoli had shifted so she would break Callie's fall. She was unconscious, but I was relieved that she was at least okay. Franky helped Rizzoli onto Isles' back and a semi-conscious Callie onto Shai's back before moving behind them - in case they lost their footing. I was relieved once everyone was safely grouped together away from the ledge. I scolded Prince and he stuck to Franky's side as she was now carrying Queen. We got here without any more incidents." Wolfess finished with a slight bow of her head in Beca's direction.
Beca nodded before stepping forward. Wolfess immediately mimicked her action - albeit with a limp - leaving both alpha's before each other, with their packs several paces behind them.
"Beca." The Western Alpha introduced with a bow of greeting.
"Governor." The Northern Alpha returned with a smile and the two alpha's made eye-contact. "Thankyou for all your help today." She appraised to which Beca nodded.
Beca's eyes scanned over the Northern Pack before her eyes returned to their alpha.
"Where will you all go?" She asked and before Governor could respond Franky took a small step closer.
"Alpha, if I may." She murmured before raising her eyes to Beca's shoulder, not looking her Alpha in the eyes. "The fire did spread and burn into the edges of the Eastern territory but by daybreak the fire-fighters should have it under control if not completely out. Perhaps the Northern Pack could migrate across the river?" She asked and Beca's ear twitched before she nodded in approval to her beta's words.
"If you have nowhere to go right away, the Eastern Forest has been unclaimed for a time now. We planned to scout it out ourselves, however you are welcome to it." Beca explained and Governor seemed happy by this.
"I had heard of the previous Eastern Pack..." She murmured, eyes flicking to Franky. Obviously having heard what the younger had done, she then looked back to Alpha. "Perhaps we can be better neighbours than that." She said with a smile and Beca nodded.
"Will you be alright to locate the Eastern Territory den site yourselves or would you like an escort?" Beca asked gesturing to Franky and Governor's eyes flicked from Franky to Silva before back to Beca, slight sadness in their depths.
"We will be alright... Isles is a great tracker, she will have no trouble finding the den-site. Thankyou for your offer though and I wish your girls fast healing." Governor bowed slightly and turned to leave when Beca stepped forward.
"If you need anything..." She said, eyes flitting briefly to Echo before back to Governor. "We would be happy to help where we can." She offered and Governor nodded in thanks.
"If it's alright with you, are we able to spend the night on the Western side of the river, we will have crossed come Daybreak?" Governor asked and at Beca's nod of approval she smiled.
Then she - with support from Vega and Echo - headed back the way they had come, Lacey helped Queen onto Isles' back before grabbing Prince by the scruff. Lacey, Isles, Tiger and Shai hurried as best they could to follow. Once they were gone, Beca, Franky and Silva went to see if there was anything they could do to help with the healing of their downed heroes.
She took in a deep breath, scenting the house for her beta's return. Ruby Lucas and Anna shared an apartment for convenience, as Red was one of Beca's betas and it kept her close at hand. Ruby had the day off work that day and had said she was going down to the local club where Torres' Human - Demi Ravin worked preforming songs for entertainment.
Not being able to scent Red within the confines of their home, Beca figured Ruby was still at the club, most probably showing off her lungs on stage with Demi. Beca released a sigh, seeing she was on her own till the pack met at the den later on. At that point, she decided to just head out on her own, so she jumped out Anna’s bedroom window and headed into the Western Forest alone.
She sprinted into the tree line and once she located water she changed direction and headed west of the river's edge - the direction of their den-site. Having been unclaimed for so long, Beca had planned to gather the pack and scout out the Territory across the river come nightfall, see if the pack could expand their own territory. It would have been done sooner but their humans had been busy and the pack hadn't been around as a whole for longer than a pack meeting. This weekend though - their human's agreed to leave them to themselves.
Beca slowed down as she entered the clearing of their den-site where she was greeted with a nuzzle by West, which she affectionately returned. She was clearly confused by Beca's presence as Anna always stayed out later after school with Brittany, but she didn't ask about it.
Elizabeth Gillies and West actually lived in the den-site. The pack had offered to let them stay in any one of the houses owned by the pack, but they both wished to remain within the den-site. West was pretty headstrong with keeping the pack, den and territory safe and Elizabeth agreed. So the pack just let them be. Elizabeth would drop by one of the pack member's homes to shower before school, but otherwise they mainly stayed out doors.
The two got comfortable on the grass and made small conversation - about Elizabeth, Anna, themselves, the pack and other random things - while they waited for the rest of the pack to show up. Eventually the two of them dozed off, curled up beside eachother.
---
Darkness had fallen when Beca was jolted awake at the sound of a howl close by and she felt West stand beside her. She got to her paws and together they surveyed the den-site. Confused, West glanced at Beca, wondering why their pack was still not there yet.
Before they knew it, Silva, Alexis, Arizona and Torres bolted out of the shadows of the Western forest from their right. They surrounded Beca and West - making chaos with their concern and words - but they quieted down when Beca's ear twitched at the sound of a twig snapping in the direction her pack mates had just come from. She moved so she was in front of the five females and focused intently among the darkness of the forest beyond the den-sites border.
Scenting the air Beca found Franky, Red, Swan and Rizzoli, among other strange wolves and the scent of blood. Worry flooded through her. Her ears swivelled back when she heard Silva whine softly, but they immediately snapped straight - her lips and hackles raised as she snarled - when a golden paw she didn't recognise stepped out of the shadows and into the clearing followed by a golden alpha steppe. The new-comer's left fore-paw was crooked slightly off the ground and her right back leg was risen. Slight recognition crossed Beca's eyes, as she inhaled the scent of the Northern Pack.
“What business have you in our territory?” Beca asked, readying her stance, in case the wolfess was hostile.
The golden alpha just looked at them before glancing over her shoulder with a soft growl, her fangs showing beneath her slightly raised lip. Beca internally sighed as Franky stepped up beside the wolfess. Her beta was ok and if her beta led the other alpha to their den, then she mustn't be a threat.
Franky's eyes flickered from Wolfess to Beca, then she nuzzled into a black paw hanging over her shoulder. It took Beca a moment to realise that Franky was carrying a black, unconscious female while an awkward, runty but cute brown and cream male weaved between her legs. A confident russet brown female moved to Wolfess' other side, carrying a black and tan female who seemed semi-concious.
From behind them appeared five other she-wolves. A sleek sandy female was carrying an unconscious chocolate brown female while the other four were carrying the missing Western Pack members. Red was unconscious and - from what little Beca could see - bleeding over the back of a well-groomed (pregnant?) tawny brown female, Rizzoli - also unconscious - was being held by a calm, collected sandy brown female, and Swan - still concious but limping - was being supported by a happy brown female and a soft grey female.
“I came to return these four.” Wolfess replied and Beca nodded in acknowledgement.
Beca's eyes flittered over her packs states of unconsciousness and conciousness and her ear twitched as she sat down awaiting Wolfess' next move. Seeing that no threat was posed from the alpha of the territory she was trespassing in, Wolfess glanced back at her own wolves before looking Beca in the eyes.
“A fire broke out in our territory to the north of Wentworth and if it wasn't for your pack we would not have escaped with so few injuries. You lead some brave wolves." Wolfess stated with a soft smile before she twitched her tail, which Beca recognized as a silent order.
The females supporting the Western Pack wolves began a slow approach towards the rest of the Western Pack. When they stopped a few meters before them, Tawny brown and Sandy brown lowered Red and Rizzoli to the ground cautiously while Brown and Grey an injured Swan to stand by Red and Rizzoli's unconscious bodies. They then backed up behind their alpha again.
Arizona quickly snagged Red by the scruff and dragged her into the healing den to look over her wounds, closely followed by Alexis dragging Rizzoli. West and Torres supported Swan in right after them. Once the Western Pack pack was safely behind Beca, she looked over at her conscious beta who was watching from Wolfess' side.
Franky nodded the moment her eyes met with her alpha's and she gently placed the unconscious black female down. The scrawny pup immediately began nuzzling and whimpering around Black while Franky retreated over to the rest of her pack, tackling Silva and nuzzling into her with affection that was returned wholeheartedly. Beca smiled at the sisters and glanced over her gathered pack before looking back at Wolfess. She noticed a look of sadness briefly flash through the female's eyes as she watched them before the golden wolf's attention returned to her.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Beca asked as the sisters calmed down and took up sitting on either side of their Alpha.
Beca could tell Wolfess got the meaning of her question, she knew what happened but she wanted details of the incident. At this, Wolfess nodded and she sat down - keeping her left paw crooked off the floor - before starting.
"We are unsure how the blaze started but it rapidly took over the forest surrounding our den-site. I sent my girls out in groups to find the best path for us to get out unscathed - Isles, Vega and Echo through the Northern forest, Shai and Callie directly towards Wentworth and Queen, Tiger, Hunter and Prince to the Eastern border, Lacey stayed with me. We heard back from Shai, Callie, Hunter and Tiger that the direct route to Wentworth was blocked off and that the fire hadn't spread too far south. This meant that we could get out of the fire by heading through the Eastern Territory, crossing the river and following it to Wentworth on the Western side. With the news I gave out orders. Lacey to the Eastern border as I wanted her to get to safety, Shai to wait at the edge of the south den so she could keep an eye on Lacey and Callie to wait at the edge of the north den to look out for Isles, Vega and Echo's return from the northern scout. It was during this time that a charred tree - on the border of the main den - broke and fell, crushing my back leg. Shai and Callie ran to try and help me get free." With the last of her words, Wolfess' eyes met Franky and from that Beca could tell, it was her beta's turn to speak of what happened.
Franky bowed her head slightly but instead of addressing the issue, she glanced to Silva who nodded. Silva's eyes flitted between both alpha's before speaking.
"It was mid-afternoon, my human's partner hadn't shown up so she was on office duty when the radio sounded all available units to the forest fire. I told her of the pack I knew to be living in the forest and she agreed to leave work so we could check it out. She pulled Franky's human from a consult and explained what had happened and when she agreed aswell we swung by to pick up Rizzoli and Swan then headed out to the town border. I know we should have brought this to you Alpha, but I knew there wouldn't be time with how fast forest fires spread and the fact that sundown was nearing." Silva gave Beca an apologetic glance to which Beca nodded in reply to show it was ok and to continue. "When we got there Red was already at the fires edge - pacing a safe distance from the blaze as the fire-fighters fought back the flames before they could enter Wentworth. We grouped and went over a plan as we waited for a break among the flames being doused by jets of water. Once there was an opening the five of us went through. Beyond the wall of fire everything was singed, there were still small fires blazing but surrounding us were burnt trees and an ash covered ground. Rizzoli could faintly scent the other packs wolves through the burnt incense so the five of us spread out to cover more ground and began shifting through the debris to see if we could find anything. We were maneuvering around a semi-large blaze when we stopped. I could have sworn I heard whimpering and when I glanced to see if the other's had heard it aswell a loud crack echoed through the forest. Swan - who was furthest on the right - acted first and knocked Prince out of the way of a falling log. She, however didn't get out unscathed - her leg wasn't broken, just burnt badly. Franky looked the pup over to make sure he was ok while I went to help Swan. That's when we found Queen, hidden amongst the black ash of the forest floor. I pulled Swan onto my back - despite her complaining that she could walk - and Rizzoli carried Queen. We then kept looking." Silva stopped and glanced to Franky who picked the explanation up.
"The deeper we went the more fires that appeared. Before we knew it, the forest was completely ablaze around us. When we finally found the den-site Red and I immediately rushed over to help Shai and Callie, who were attempting to shove a fallen tree off of their alpha's leg. With our help, it eventually shifted enough to free her. We confirmed that Prince and Queen belonged to her pack and she alerted the pack mates that weren't with them of the escape route through the Eastern Territory. Red and I then lead everyone to the Eastern border and away from the blazing flames.
Small blazes were here and there and some of the trees looked worse for wear, but we were in a safe zone till the fire spread again. We found the river separating east from west and that's when we came across Lacey. She was laying down by the river bank, obviously out of breathe from running in her state. Red was the first one to notice that one of the branches in the tree above was a flame, most probably from airborne embers, and she moved as another crack echoed throughout the forest. She arched herself over Lacey and the branch hit her on the back, one of it's sharper side branches ripping into her side and only slightly nicking Lacey's stomach. I pushed the branch off the both of them, careful of Red's wounds, and pulled her unconscious body from atop Lacey's where she had fallen. I checked over the wound to make sure it would be okay untill we got back to Arizona then I directed everyone safely across the water. I made Shai and Callie cross first, helping Wolfess across before Rizzoli followed, still supporting Queen. I put Prince on Swan's back and Silva helped them across, I then pulled Red onto my back and helped Lacey cross. Once we were all safe on the Western side, Silva left to warn you of what had transpired." Franky finished and her eyes shifted to Wolfess, who nodded and finished.
"After Silva left Franky went to lead, but Lacey insisted on carrying Red for her, so we had to carefully move the injured beta onto Lacey's back. I nudged Callie who moved to stand beside Lacey, should she need the support and Franky moved Swan to stand between Rizzoli and herself, we then continued in your direction. We stopped a few moments later, as we were joined by Tiger who was dragging Hunter along by the scruff. I'm not sure how she fell unconscious or why Tiger was limping, but I was glad they found us. Franky offered to carry Hunter for Tiger, but she insisted, so Franky helped her get Hunter onto her back to make traveling easier and we kept moving again. At the slow pace we were going I wasn't surprised when Echo, Vega and Isles joined us. I was relieved to see the three of them were unharmed.
Darkness had just about taken over when I heard a yelp, I turned to see what was wrong and it was in time to see Callie near a ledge pushing Prince away from it. But in her haste to stop him from falling, she lost her own balence and went over. I tried to move to help, but with my two useless legs, I was unable. Luckily Rizzoli was fast on her feet. She lay Queen down from her back and was just able to catch Callie by the scruff, but her claws gave way in the soft dirt and they both fell. Franky, Isles and Shai hurried down the side-slope and with support from Echo and Vega I managed to limp to the top of the ledge. From what I could tell Rizzoli had shifted so she would break Callie's fall. She was unconscious, but I was relieved that she was at least okay. Franky helped Rizzoli onto Isles' back and a semi-conscious Callie onto Shai's back before moving behind them - in case they lost their footing. I was relieved once everyone was safely grouped together away from the ledge. I scolded Prince and he stuck to Franky's side as she was now carrying Queen. We got here without any more incidents." Wolfess finished with a slight bow of her head in Beca's direction.
Beca nodded before stepping forward. Wolfess immediately mimicked her action - albeit with a limp - leaving both alpha's before each other, with their packs several paces behind them.
"Beca." The Western Alpha introduced with a bow of greeting.
"Governor." The Northern Alpha returned with a smile and the two alpha's made eye-contact. "Thankyou for all your help today." She appraised to which Beca nodded.
Beca's eyes scanned over the Northern Pack before her eyes returned to their alpha.
"Where will you all go?" She asked and before Governor could respond Franky took a small step closer.
"Alpha, if I may." She murmured before raising her eyes to Beca's shoulder, not looking her Alpha in the eyes. "The fire did spread and burn into the edges of the Eastern territory but by daybreak the fire-fighters should have it under control if not completely out. Perhaps the Northern Pack could migrate across the river?" She asked and Beca's ear twitched before she nodded in approval to her beta's words.
"If you have nowhere to go right away, the Eastern Forest has been unclaimed for a time now. We planned to scout it out ourselves, however you are welcome to it." Beca explained and Governor seemed happy by this.
"I had heard of the previous Eastern Pack..." She murmured, eyes flicking to Franky. Obviously having heard what the younger had done, she then looked back to Alpha. "Perhaps we can be better neighbours than that." She said with a smile and Beca nodded.
"Will you be alright to locate the Eastern Territory den site yourselves or would you like an escort?" Beca asked gesturing to Franky and Governor's eyes flicked from Franky to Silva before back to Beca, slight sadness in their depths.
"We will be alright... Isles is a great tracker, she will have no trouble finding the den-site. Thankyou for your offer though and I wish your girls fast healing." Governor bowed slightly and turned to leave when Beca stepped forward.
"If you need anything..." She said, eyes flitting briefly to Echo before back to Governor. "We would be happy to help where we can." She offered and Governor nodded in thanks.
"If it's alright with you, are we able to spend the night on the Western side of the river, we will have crossed come Daybreak?" Governor asked and at Beca's nod of approval she smiled.
Then she - with support from Vega and Echo - headed back the way they had come, Lacey helped Queen onto Isles' back before grabbing Prince by the scruff. Lacey, Isles, Tiger and Shai hurried as best they could to follow. Once they were gone, Beca, Franky and Silva went to see if there was anything they could do to help with the healing of their downed heroes.
IT'S OVER
Franky's POV
We moved cautiously through the trees, knowing we were in another's territory and I felt Swan shift closer to me the deeper into the Eastern forest that we went.
"I am surprised that one of the Eastern Wolves hasn't come to interupt our path yet." Swan commented in a low voice and I grunted in agreement to her words, it was quite strange. We may have made peace with Governor and her pack but we're not allies. "Do you think something is wrong?"
"I don't know." I murmered to her question and my ears perked at a sound in the distance. I sped up, to get there quicker and lowered closer to the brush beneath us as we neared the Eastern den.
"Where is he!" A male voice yelled and we ducked out of site, I could see a scruffy Alpha male wolf - hackles and tail raised as he yelled at Governor who looked calm, but I could tell she was adjitated. "He is of my blood, I wish to take him home."
"He may be of your blood but he belongs here with his mother." Governor replied, I worried when her voice had a slight quaver to it.
"She's not his mother!" The male yelled and I felt the urge to run out incase he became violent.
"Baelfire..." I heard Swan whisper from my and I felt my anger spike when I noticed the fear in her eyes, I was barely able to hold back the growl as I watched.
Swan's POV
Why is he here? I felt my tail unconciously shift to curl beneath me, my ears laid back and my body lowered slightly.
"Yes she is, he is Queen's son and under my protection so I suggest you leave now." Governor warned and when Baelfire took a threatening step forward I felt Franky tense beside me.
I was about to suggest we move to help when I heard a soft whimper off to our left. My eyes flittered around the area and although well hidden. I could see Queen curled beneath some brush, her body arched over Prince. I nudged Franky before slinking around the den, blocking the encounter from my mind as I moved to where they were hidden. I slunk around the back of Queen's hiding place and shifted so I could see her, Prince and the two Alpha's but so I was hidden from site. I could see Queen's eyes were tightly shut and her ears were flat against her head, probably why she didn't hear me.
"Are you alright?" I whispered and deep brown eyes snapped open before leveling a glare at me, they immediantly softened when recognision closed in.
"Thank god your here, please you need to help Governor. He want's to take Prince from us." Queen whimpered and I nuzzled into her lightly, she stiffened at the affection but I just pulled back and smiled.
"He isn't getting your pup." I said with conviction. I glanced in Franky's direction and after a moment she gave a silent nod.
I curled my hunches before stalking into the den. A soft growl left my throat as I circled to their left and both Alpha's looked to me, one with Relief and the other with Anger.
"Swan, where is he!" Baelfire yelled, attention completely off Governor and on me."
"Why are you here Baelfire?" I asked through a growl and Governor, who had carefully shifted near Queen looked to me with confusion as to how I knew him.
"I'm here for the pup you whelped, my son!" He yelled back and my ears twitched back when the two Eastern Wolves gasped, I fel confusion completely take over me.
"Then why the hell are you terriorising the Eastern Pack. The son whelped from your forced actions does not live in the forest, he was adopted by a nice woman in Wentworth." I explained and he had the nerve to laugh at me.
"Are you that naive?" He asked and I snarled. "The pup that she-wolf is pretending to be mother to is OUR son." My tail dropped and I froze at the words, my eyes flickered to where I knew Queen was and Governor was sporting a look of shock.
"That's enough." I heard Franky growl and she stalked into the densite on Baelfire's other side. "Red and I have been hunting for you mutt. Alpha wishes to meet you, she is displeased with the way you have treated Swan." At her words my ears cocked back and my eyes squeased shut with the memory.
"How I treated her? Are you serious, she wanted every bit of it." He said cockly and I snapped, my body lept without my concent and he hit the ground with my weight crushing his chest and my jaw around his neck.
"I was four you bastard! Just because your an Alpha doesn't mean you can rape anyone you want. You don't get to do that and then leave me in the middle of fucking no where. You don't get to do that then banish me from your pack." I tightened my jaw and felt him grunt at the pain, tear's were streaming from my eyes as I tightened my jaw, I didn't even notice him trying to strugle from my grasp.
"Swan..." Franky called as she stepped forward. "Swan stop, you don't want to do this." She soothed and I shook my head catching the taste of blood as I tore the flesh slightly. "You don't want to go down this path..." She murmered but I didn't hear her, a snarl ripped through my chest when he tried to throw me off and It stopped at the whine that tore through his throat as my jaw tightened even more.
"Swan..." My ear's swivvled back and my eyes opened at the sound of Queen's voice. "Please let him go." The she-wolf requested and I found my body obeying, I released his throat and backed away slightly, Franky immedianly pinning him - without hurting him - so he couldn't escape. I rubbed my paw against my maw to remove any blood lingering in my fur and took in calming breaths as I felt the anger reciede.
My attention immediantly turned to my son and his mother, I approached slowly and as I neared I lowered till my stomach touched the ground and crawled the rest of the way. Queen's eyes were watching me warily as Prince sat by her side looking at me with a tilted head.
"Hey kid." I smiled as I stopped before him.
"Thankyou for stopping him, mom was really worried." He said with a smile and as if only just taking in my display of violence, Queen shifted so her tail was wrapped around Prince's forepaws in a protective manner.
To prove I mean't no harm, I rolled onto my back and tilted my head back to look at them. Prince laughed at me and I grinned.
"Your alright kid, your mum did a good job raising you." I appraised, batting the black tail with an upside-down forepaw. Although she was clearly trying to hide it, I could see the happiness within brown eyes at my acknowledgement of her motherhood, despite knowing that he was my young.
Her tail flicked out of the way and she stood, licking Prince on the head before she moved over to where Governor and Franky were conversing over a huffing Baelfire. Now that I was alone with Prince I felt nervous. Princes eyes watched Queen leave before the snapped to me with sudden clarity.
"So your my birth mother and thats my father." He said and I realised he was saving his mother the pain of asking her.
"Yes, I am not certain of your father's fate though..." I explained hoping he wouldn't want to know the wolf.
"Mom has explained how pack life works, your Alpha will deal to him. Are you alright though, I had no Idea my heritage was so... brutal. I hope that you don't feel ill towards me because of how I was concieved." He muttered and I felt a tear slip from my eyes, I licked him on the face before nuzzling into him, he released a happy whine.
"My human let your mom take you because we were young, homeless and had nothing going for us at least your mom had a home. At the time, we weren't aware she was also a Steppe Wolf but I'm glad now that she is, you and Henry have both gotten the upbringing I couldn't provide." I explained and he nodded before looking past me to where the others were gathered and I looked back. Queen was talking to Balefire and her muffled word's seem anything but plesent. Franky was looking on with a smirk and Governor seemed content to leave Queen be.
I nudged Prince in their direction and just managed to catch the last of Queen's words.
"and if her Alpha doesn't kill you for what you have done, I'll do it myself." She growled out and I smiled at the look of terror on his face. She was a petiet, regal looking wolf but from his expression, she had a way with words.
"Are you calm now Swan?" Franky asked looking to me and with a sigh I nodded.
"I apologise." I muttered with my head down and Franky just smiled, knocking her head into mine affectionatly.
Franky's POV
I then looked to the sky, before down to Balefire and was about to announce our leaving when Shai and Isles ran into the densite.
"Alpha! There was a male's scent hanging around the territory and I..." Shai stopped her report when she noticed us all in the middle of the densite.
"It is ok Shai, we were lucky that Franky and Swan stopped by. Why where you here anyway" My mind jumped to a quick flash of the russet-brown tail Nicole had seen after work before I shook her head and looked to Governor.
"Alpha requested we take todays shift." Swan responeded and Isles spoke up.
"What do you mean, shift?" She asked and I smiled.
"Alpha is invested in your saftey. Knowing that Governor is injured... She just want's to make sure your all safe. It's lucky she did too, today could have gone in a completely different direction." I explained and appart from slight offence over her wellbeing, Governor seemed to accept our aid.
"We should be getting this scum back, I'm just itching to see how Alpha deals with him." I said with a grin and I smacked him in the head when he muttered something that suspeciously sounded like an insult.
"Indeed. Before you go, who will we be expecting tomorrow." Governor asked and I smiled.
"Rizzoli and Red will be by around the same time." Swan replied, she had lay down beside Prince who had his forepaws on her muzzle, his tail wagging happily behind him.
"Is she alright to be moving around like that?" Isles stepped forward and asked. "Callie and I saw her by the river early morning, her injuries have not taken lightly."
I saw Swan smirk at Isles as if she knew some kind of secret. "Don't worry, Rizzoli is fine. She has her wifey to look after her." At the look of immidate recognizion in Isles' eyes I knew that this wasn't just about Rizzoli but about Jane aswell. The look was gone in an instant though.
"As long as she is ok, Callie was very worried about her." Isles said with a flick of her tail and I nodded.
"We should be going now, Swan." Franky said sternly as she backed off of Baelfire and grabbed his tail in her jaws, she then began dragging him from the densite. Swan batted at Prince and nuzzled into him before she ran to Franky's side.
"Wait, Swan." Swan stopped and turned back as Queen ran over to her. "I'd like to talk more about Prince..." She started and Swan licked her on the cheek.
"I'll be there tomorrow when you drop him off at school." With that said, Swan ran off and we left.
Franky's POV
We moved cautiously through the trees, knowing we were in another's territory and I felt Swan shift closer to me the deeper into the Eastern forest that we went.
"I am surprised that one of the Eastern Wolves hasn't come to interupt our path yet." Swan commented in a low voice and I grunted in agreement to her words, it was quite strange. We may have made peace with Governor and her pack but we're not allies. "Do you think something is wrong?"
"I don't know." I murmered to her question and my ears perked at a sound in the distance. I sped up, to get there quicker and lowered closer to the brush beneath us as we neared the Eastern den.
"Where is he!" A male voice yelled and we ducked out of site, I could see a scruffy Alpha male wolf - hackles and tail raised as he yelled at Governor who looked calm, but I could tell she was adjitated. "He is of my blood, I wish to take him home."
"He may be of your blood but he belongs here with his mother." Governor replied, I worried when her voice had a slight quaver to it.
"She's not his mother!" The male yelled and I felt the urge to run out incase he became violent.
"Baelfire..." I heard Swan whisper from my and I felt my anger spike when I noticed the fear in her eyes, I was barely able to hold back the growl as I watched.
Swan's POV
Why is he here? I felt my tail unconciously shift to curl beneath me, my ears laid back and my body lowered slightly.
"Yes she is, he is Queen's son and under my protection so I suggest you leave now." Governor warned and when Baelfire took a threatening step forward I felt Franky tense beside me.
I was about to suggest we move to help when I heard a soft whimper off to our left. My eyes flittered around the area and although well hidden. I could see Queen curled beneath some brush, her body arched over Prince. I nudged Franky before slinking around the den, blocking the encounter from my mind as I moved to where they were hidden. I slunk around the back of Queen's hiding place and shifted so I could see her, Prince and the two Alpha's but so I was hidden from site. I could see Queen's eyes were tightly shut and her ears were flat against her head, probably why she didn't hear me.
"Are you alright?" I whispered and deep brown eyes snapped open before leveling a glare at me, they immediantly softened when recognision closed in.
"Thank god your here, please you need to help Governor. He want's to take Prince from us." Queen whimpered and I nuzzled into her lightly, she stiffened at the affection but I just pulled back and smiled.
"He isn't getting your pup." I said with conviction. I glanced in Franky's direction and after a moment she gave a silent nod.
I curled my hunches before stalking into the den. A soft growl left my throat as I circled to their left and both Alpha's looked to me, one with Relief and the other with Anger.
"Swan, where is he!" Baelfire yelled, attention completely off Governor and on me."
"Why are you here Baelfire?" I asked through a growl and Governor, who had carefully shifted near Queen looked to me with confusion as to how I knew him.
"I'm here for the pup you whelped, my son!" He yelled back and my ears twitched back when the two Eastern Wolves gasped, I fel confusion completely take over me.
"Then why the hell are you terriorising the Eastern Pack. The son whelped from your forced actions does not live in the forest, he was adopted by a nice woman in Wentworth." I explained and he had the nerve to laugh at me.
"Are you that naive?" He asked and I snarled. "The pup that she-wolf is pretending to be mother to is OUR son." My tail dropped and I froze at the words, my eyes flickered to where I knew Queen was and Governor was sporting a look of shock.
"That's enough." I heard Franky growl and she stalked into the densite on Baelfire's other side. "Red and I have been hunting for you mutt. Alpha wishes to meet you, she is displeased with the way you have treated Swan." At her words my ears cocked back and my eyes squeased shut with the memory.
"How I treated her? Are you serious, she wanted every bit of it." He said cockly and I snapped, my body lept without my concent and he hit the ground with my weight crushing his chest and my jaw around his neck.
"I was four you bastard! Just because your an Alpha doesn't mean you can rape anyone you want. You don't get to do that and then leave me in the middle of fucking no where. You don't get to do that then banish me from your pack." I tightened my jaw and felt him grunt at the pain, tear's were streaming from my eyes as I tightened my jaw, I didn't even notice him trying to strugle from my grasp.
"Swan..." Franky called as she stepped forward. "Swan stop, you don't want to do this." She soothed and I shook my head catching the taste of blood as I tore the flesh slightly. "You don't want to go down this path..." She murmered but I didn't hear her, a snarl ripped through my chest when he tried to throw me off and It stopped at the whine that tore through his throat as my jaw tightened even more.
"Swan..." My ear's swivvled back and my eyes opened at the sound of Queen's voice. "Please let him go." The she-wolf requested and I found my body obeying, I released his throat and backed away slightly, Franky immedianly pinning him - without hurting him - so he couldn't escape. I rubbed my paw against my maw to remove any blood lingering in my fur and took in calming breaths as I felt the anger reciede.
My attention immediantly turned to my son and his mother, I approached slowly and as I neared I lowered till my stomach touched the ground and crawled the rest of the way. Queen's eyes were watching me warily as Prince sat by her side looking at me with a tilted head.
"Hey kid." I smiled as I stopped before him.
"Thankyou for stopping him, mom was really worried." He said with a smile and as if only just taking in my display of violence, Queen shifted so her tail was wrapped around Prince's forepaws in a protective manner.
To prove I mean't no harm, I rolled onto my back and tilted my head back to look at them. Prince laughed at me and I grinned.
"Your alright kid, your mum did a good job raising you." I appraised, batting the black tail with an upside-down forepaw. Although she was clearly trying to hide it, I could see the happiness within brown eyes at my acknowledgement of her motherhood, despite knowing that he was my young.
Her tail flicked out of the way and she stood, licking Prince on the head before she moved over to where Governor and Franky were conversing over a huffing Baelfire. Now that I was alone with Prince I felt nervous. Princes eyes watched Queen leave before the snapped to me with sudden clarity.
"So your my birth mother and thats my father." He said and I realised he was saving his mother the pain of asking her.
"Yes, I am not certain of your father's fate though..." I explained hoping he wouldn't want to know the wolf.
"Mom has explained how pack life works, your Alpha will deal to him. Are you alright though, I had no Idea my heritage was so... brutal. I hope that you don't feel ill towards me because of how I was concieved." He muttered and I felt a tear slip from my eyes, I licked him on the face before nuzzling into him, he released a happy whine.
"My human let your mom take you because we were young, homeless and had nothing going for us at least your mom had a home. At the time, we weren't aware she was also a Steppe Wolf but I'm glad now that she is, you and Henry have both gotten the upbringing I couldn't provide." I explained and he nodded before looking past me to where the others were gathered and I looked back. Queen was talking to Balefire and her muffled word's seem anything but plesent. Franky was looking on with a smirk and Governor seemed content to leave Queen be.
I nudged Prince in their direction and just managed to catch the last of Queen's words.
"and if her Alpha doesn't kill you for what you have done, I'll do it myself." She growled out and I smiled at the look of terror on his face. She was a petiet, regal looking wolf but from his expression, she had a way with words.
"Are you calm now Swan?" Franky asked looking to me and with a sigh I nodded.
"I apologise." I muttered with my head down and Franky just smiled, knocking her head into mine affectionatly.
Franky's POV
I then looked to the sky, before down to Balefire and was about to announce our leaving when Shai and Isles ran into the densite.
"Alpha! There was a male's scent hanging around the territory and I..." Shai stopped her report when she noticed us all in the middle of the densite.
"It is ok Shai, we were lucky that Franky and Swan stopped by. Why where you here anyway" My mind jumped to a quick flash of the russet-brown tail Nicole had seen after work before I shook her head and looked to Governor.
"Alpha requested we take todays shift." Swan responeded and Isles spoke up.
"What do you mean, shift?" She asked and I smiled.
"Alpha is invested in your saftey. Knowing that Governor is injured... She just want's to make sure your all safe. It's lucky she did too, today could have gone in a completely different direction." I explained and appart from slight offence over her wellbeing, Governor seemed to accept our aid.
"We should be getting this scum back, I'm just itching to see how Alpha deals with him." I said with a grin and I smacked him in the head when he muttered something that suspeciously sounded like an insult.
"Indeed. Before you go, who will we be expecting tomorrow." Governor asked and I smiled.
"Rizzoli and Red will be by around the same time." Swan replied, she had lay down beside Prince who had his forepaws on her muzzle, his tail wagging happily behind him.
"Is she alright to be moving around like that?" Isles stepped forward and asked. "Callie and I saw her by the river early morning, her injuries have not taken lightly."
I saw Swan smirk at Isles as if she knew some kind of secret. "Don't worry, Rizzoli is fine. She has her wifey to look after her." At the look of immidate recognizion in Isles' eyes I knew that this wasn't just about Rizzoli but about Jane aswell. The look was gone in an instant though.
"As long as she is ok, Callie was very worried about her." Isles said with a flick of her tail and I nodded.
"We should be going now, Swan." Franky said sternly as she backed off of Baelfire and grabbed his tail in her jaws, she then began dragging him from the densite. Swan batted at Prince and nuzzled into him before she ran to Franky's side.
"Wait, Swan." Swan stopped and turned back as Queen ran over to her. "I'd like to talk more about Prince..." She started and Swan licked her on the cheek.
"I'll be there tomorrow when you drop him off at school." With that said, Swan ran off and we left.