Important Moments of Pack Life

• Pair Bonded to Eve


• Mentor


• Proficient Hunter


• Beta to Lucifer

Tale of the Founding of a Pack

The gentle rhythmic thud off paws dancing on the dirt rang in the air. Sepia and amber figures danced playfully around each other. Aphuch reached out and nipped lightly at the heels of his partner. Her violet eyes flashed mischievously as she yipped and pulled away. Laughter erupted from deep within Aphuch as he bowed low playfully inviting Eve in closer. Playfully, the wolves continued their dance into the forest bounding after each other over the bed of soft pine needles and ferns. Sunlight filtered through the forest canopy bringing out the red sheen of their coats.

It had only been 7 sunrises since they set had met and decided to journey together in to the unknown. To Aphuch it had been a whirlwind. The instant he met Eve, he was captivated by her grace, beauty, and nature. While together, he watched as Eve would hunt for the both of them, but she never killed wantonly. Hunts were only for enough food to sustain their day to day adventures never more never less. It was something she had learned growing up, that life was valued and precious.

Taking a pause, Aphuch looked up towards the sky breathing in the pine forest air. Beside him he felt Eve stiffen and halt the breath in her body. Allowing his eyes to follow hers he settled on a foreign figure in front of them. The sunlight reflected off the light blue pelt shimmering like the sunlight dancing on the creek as it flowed. Bright blue eyes peeked out from behind a black and red mask, as the wolf before them tilted his head slightly to the right. The wolf studied Aphuch and Eve silently with amusement on his face. Even though his appearance was striking, it was obvious to Aphuch's eyes that this wolf hadn't been fairing well on his own. The strange male positioned himself to look apposing with an air of mystique, but faint bony prominences were noticeable underneath his thick bright coat. Pulling back his his lips to reveal teeth, Aphuch dropped his head and allowed a low rumble to vibrate deep within. The fur on his back raised up as he took a protective step in front of Eve. Eve on the other hand dropped onto her haunches, allowing her tail to wrap in front of her paws. Silence dropped over the forest as the tension began to mount between the three wolves.

"I have no interest in her." The stranger barked haughtily as he allowed his eyes to lock firmly onto Aphuch's. Ice blue eyes that sent a chill down Aphuch's spine resulting in him to waver momentarily in his defensive stance. Something felt off to Aphuch about the way the stranger carried himself it was unsettling. Still, Aphuch allow himself to slowly relax sheathing his teeth, flattening his coat. "We are just passing through. We won't disturb you further." Aphuch barked forcing to maintain his gauze unwavering. A gentle nudged to his shoulder, pulled him from the stalemate.

"Sorry to have disturbed you. We're passing through and mean no harm. If this is your territory we will leave in haste." Eve's whine was soft and gentle with hopes to dissipate the growing tension.

"My territory!" The strange threw his head back barking wildly. A big toothy grin erupted across his maw as he rolled onto his back. Aphuch cast his eyes sideways in a nervous glance towards Eve. Both red pelted wolves wore puzzled looks as the stranger stopped his laughter and jumped to his paws.

"Not my territory. No pack of my own either really. Just me. Padding closer to the pair, the strange wolf tilted his head again taking them in slowly. "You all seem to be around my age. Packless too I assume? Mates? Or soon to be mates. His voice went from curious to commanding as he studied the wolves before him. With a plop he dropped on his haunches just in front of Aphuch and Eve. "You can call me Lucifer if you wish." Ears pricked as Lucifer looked at the other two expectantly.

"I am Aphuch." The red male started slowly finally offering a slow tail wag towards the stranger. "I am Eve." The soft voice chirped as she stretched her nose out to touch Lucifer. A deep grumble rippled through the introductions as the newcomers stomach voiced its displeasure. "Why don't we catch something to snack on while you share your story with us." Eve rose fluidly to her paws tapping Aphuch lightly with her tail. In a flash they darted off into the forest.

Quite the interesting pair. Lucifer mused to himself as he settled to grooming the tuft of fur on his haunch that had slipped out of place. With a pause he glanced towards the sky, the half moon slowly rising bringing the night and the stars into the forefront. Is this what you wanted father… Is this the future you envisioned for me…
The ground before him rustled as the red wolves entered back into the clearing dragging behind them a small doe. The one named Aphuch dropped the doe right in front of Lucifer dipping his head inviting him to help himself. Eve had already set to work making a soft bed for them to tuck into for the night before curling onto her paws. Aphuch slipped beside her laying his head on her flank. Silently, with studying eyes he watched Lucifer take small tentative bites from the doe. "You have an air about you." Aphuch broke the silence. Lucifer paused mid bite thoughtfully before speaking softly, I've never thought that about myself, but I am definitely different so to speak. Each word uttered between savored bites. "You can say I was 'royalty' I supposed or 'high ranking' depending on the term you use. Groomed to take over leading my father's pack. I had different ideas or well different ideologies on morality, right, and wrong. After acting out in a way my father viewed as treason I was dumped here to fend for my own. This has definitely been a learning curve. I used to be able to fed myself, but prey here seem smarter or I'm slower. I don't know how long I have been here, but most of my memories have finally returned." The wolf paused glancing at the pair before him. Neither one moved to break the silence fixated on him with their ears pricked forward anticipating his next words.
"We have time, stranger. You can share your whole story."

A wild gleam flashed across the icy blue eyes as Lucifer let forth a bark, "I think I like you two." Without another pause the wolf launched into a tale he dubbed the 'Fall of Morningstar'.


Warm Welcome by Loafhound


Art by Fleiryuu