Important Moments of Pack Life
- Second Alpha
- Mentor
- Sibling to Sathanas
- Pair Bonded to Ramiel
Spring Greeting by
Yabi
A Tale of the Next Generation
The rhythmic pounding of paws striking the earth tickled pricked ears of the blue coated male.
Where are we going…! Rang around his mind as he raced behind the fleeting silhouette that was his Alpha. The sun had only started slipping down the sky, while Amenadiel and his future mate Ramiel shared remnants of an elk carcass for dinner. Neither noticed the silent presence of their Alpha behind them.
"Amenadiel." The firm voice of the Alpha jerked him from his meal.
"We need to speak in private." Before either wolf had a moment to respond the Alpha was gone.
Ramiel's violet eyes showed a hint of concern, but went back to her meal with a comforting shake of Amenadiel's head. He savored the warmth of the meat as he chewed allow his thoughts to runs endlessly with the possibilities the Alpha wanted with him. He listened to the crunching of the bones between rock hard teeth, when his eyes caught the blue ones of the Alpha staring at him.
Oh he means now. With a quick swallow, the male gave a soft nudge to the blue striped female beside him,
Don't wait up for me. His voice warm and soft as he rose to turn towards his leader, who was only a tail flick at this point.
Through the fleeting sunlight he chased the shadow of his Alpha as the darkness of the night nipped at their heels. The faintest sliver of light began to illuminate the piney forest trail. Amenadiel would have been lost without the red tail tip of the lead serving as a beacon. The pair drew close to the end of their territory line.
What is it he wants that requires us to go so far out… Amenadiel's under voice was drowned out as the thudding of their paws became louder as the soft piney forest beneath them became more solid and rocklike. The coniferous forest was giving way to a an unwelcoming rock face of the looming mountains. What little moonlight breaking way into the forest floor was enough to set the mountain aglow. Sliding back on his haunches, Amenadiel allowed himself a moment to take in the sight mouth agape in awe.
Focus, child. Lucifer spoke calmly as he he dropped with a thud on the ground beneath him,
We have much to discuss.
With those words, Amenadiel was snapped back to reality. Mimicking the leader, Amenadiel dropped all the way down to the ground.
Ok, what is it that was so important we had to discuss this far away. Amenadiel fought to keep his voice even and respectful.
Do you remember anything from your childhood?
With those words, Amenadiel was transported back to the humid, hot forest thick with trees, vegetation, and vines. The vague feeling of wet, damp foliage underneath his paws which exotic birds chirped in the distance. Growing up, Amenadiel remembered little of his mother as she passed shortly after his birth. In fact, once he was old enough to be weaned the pack did what they could to find him a new 'home'. Only the strongest thrived in the rainforest.
"Vaguely." Cold and curt was his response. Thankfully, the Alpha didn't flinched at the curt words.
"First you should probably know a little more about me. I am not of this world so to speak. I was sent here partly as punishment from my father to learn a lesson, that he deemed I needed to learn. When I came here I decided I would do what I could on my own. LIfe had it's own plans, resulting in me founding this pack with Eve and Aphuch. I had no intentions of taking a mate or siring any heirs. Because of that, I travelled to your birthplace looking for an heir. I searched for a pack that lived and breathed strength. Lineage wise you have strong sires and damns. Your previous pack did a fantastic job training and preparing you for an adult role. Aphuch, Eve, and I all saw something in you and agreed to bring you pack with hopes you would take up the mantle one day." His voice was soft as he allowed the words to sink in.
Me the heir. Those words chilled the blood in the younger wolfs veins. Reflexively he felt his ears pin flat to his head as he flashed his teeth.
"That sounds like a mistake" Amenadiel didn't even fight back the bite in his voice.
Lucifer, the alpha, sat patiently flicking his ears forward,
"Oh interesting reaction. I can't say I was too excited either when my father initially announced that I was supposed to take over his pack. I can't say I was excited to start this pack, but here we are. One of the keys to success is to surround yourself with a strong support system. For me that is Eve and Aphuch. For you, I imagine Turiel, Ramiel, and Castle could be of use."
"You're talking as if this is set in stone. Many different emotions battled to take over, but Amenadiel felt the initial shock wearing off as started to relax his snarl.
"I don''t understand why you chose me. I'm not particularly strong, let alone wise enough to lead this pack." Disbelief, yes disbelief was the overwhelming sensation right now. Finally allowing the levity of the situation to sink in, Amenadiel glanced towards Lucifer. The alpha patiently sat with paws crossed studying the younger wolf. His face was soft, warm, and kind as he allowed everything to sink in for the soon to be successor.
"Well nothing is ever set in stone. Let this all sink in. Speak with Ramiel, I'm sure she will be able to be a voice of reason, but I ask you meet me here again two nights from now. If you decide to take over I would like to teach you a few things that you wouldn't have picked up from hunting." Like whisper, Lucifer disappeared into the night off to explore a nearby territory leaving the younger wolf to contemplate everything that had been discussed. On autopilot, his paws carried him back through the piney forest towards the pack. Mind numb, the scenery around him never registered as he drew up towards the dens. By the time Amenadiel had returned to the hunter's den, Ramiel was already fast asleep tightly curled into a ball. Gingerly, the male lowered himself next to his striped mate. With a shaker exhale, he allowed his muzzle to rest atop his forepaws before letting the dark curtain of exhaustion wash over him.
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A soft nudge helped to remove the dark film that had filled Amenadiel's mind last night. The sunshine was bright, obscuring his vision of the wolf before him.
"You've slept way past morning hunt shifts, here eat up its time to go." A soft thud of the rabbit carcass that Ramiel dropped before Amenadiel helped to jerk the remainder of his sense back to life. The dull hunger in his stomach grew into a roar as his mouth watered at the scent of a meal before him. He only felt the warmth of the meat and crunch of the bones as he scarfed the prey before him down.
"Come on if we hurry, we can take afternoon hunt shifts" Ramiel gently whined.
"Actually, I think we should skip hunting shifts today is Turiel still around or did she go hunting?"
"She should still be around, do you want us to meet in our usual spot Am?" Ramiel soft questioned. She pricked her ears looking for guidance from her mate.
"Yes, I'll wait for you all there." He rose slowly before padding off towards a nearby stream. Taking a few cold laps, he padded off to the 'secret base' they had established as apprentices. Their hideaway laid at the end of a trail hidden behind ferns and a large down pine tree. At the end of the trail a small clearing large enough for 3-4 wolves to sit comfortably. A flat rock towards the furthest end is what the trio rotated through as a guiding point. Whichever wolf sat on the rock, is the one who guided the conversation. Amenadiel fixed his gaze intently on the smooth surface of the rock. Slowly, both forepaws were placed on the edge of the rock while gathering the strength to propel himself forward. Cool to the touch, Amenadiel settled gently on his stomach allowing a shaky breath to settle and calm his nerves.
"Alright Am, what is so important that we had to skip our duties to the pack?" The low rumble came from a blue black she wolf, Turiel who had entered the clearing with Ramiel at her heels.
Amenadiel took a deep breath and launched into an explanation of the previous night's occurrence. When he finished silence clung to the clearing. Minutes ticked by before Turiel finally spoke again.
"Sounds like this was a well thought out decision on the Alpha's part. I understand your hesitations, but I think you deserve some credit. I've spoken with Tennin and Seraphina about when you all hunt. You're a natural born leader." She mused. Turiel had always been a source of reason and stability in this pack. A few months older than him, the she wolf took a sisterly role with him shortly after he joined the pack.
"I agree with the Alpha though, I think you need to think on this a little more. Also in the words of the Alpha, we need to go hunt." Turiel flashed a quick toothy grin before exiting the clearing.
Ramiel, the striped she wolf, looked over at Amenadiel and wagged her tail low and slow.
"She's right, come on." Just like that, she darted away.
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Amenadiel hadn't seen the Alpha since their late night encounter almost 48 hours ago. In fact, the lead had been absent around the dens every since the conversation. Only Aphuch and Eve had been present providing run downs and meetings with he remainder of the pack. Due to this, Amenadiel had been anxiously counting down the minutes until their scheduled rendezvous. Dinner that night barely registered to his taste buds, as he scarfed chunks of meat from the carcass Ramiel had brought to share. He was so preoccupied with his thoughts he hadn't noticed her slip away for the night. It was the shadows reaching from the forest that jolted him back to reality. Robotically, he felt himself rise and begin the trek to the mountains. Padding through the pine forest, he picked up the scent of his Alpha mixed amongst the pine needles. He was going to right way. Before he knew it the pine forest ended and Amenadiel was standing face to face with the Alpha.
"You came." The lead wolf rose to his paws.
Amenadiel paused and dipped his head in acknowledgement.
"Yes." Solemnly he spoke.
The Alpha dipped his head again,
"I am taking this as a yes to my offer. There are a few secrets us Alpha's hold. For example, each month when winter rolls in one is able to explore and enter the dreamlands. The dreamlands are a realm between the terrestrial and celestial so to speak. Some have become accustomed to those of us here on earth joining them and will welcome you, while other will try to fight. That is the biggest reason I've called you here. I am limited in my strength and have experienced first hand the limitations one experiences when performing duties of an Alpha. There is a big difference in hunting prey versus fighting bears, wolves, or other territorial animals. So I wish to teach you how to spar." The Alpha didn't wait for all his words to sink in after all, the fights experienced while an Alpha explored were never fair.
Amenadiel was shocked, startled even as the weight of his leader slammed into his side. He felt the raking of claws and teeth dig into his shoulder. A gasp exited his muzzle, as the air was forced out with the impact of the ground. The Alpha took a step back, hackles raised with teeth bared.
"Get up. You will not get another chance to catch your breath after this." He snarled.
Panting, Amenadiel rose trembling to his feet. Part of the trembling was due to the adrenaline coursing through his body screaming at him to run while the other part was due to fear gripping in the pits of his stomach.
If this is what the Alpha considers to be weak… The thought vanished from his head as his body reflexively tried to roll away from the next attack. Roll wasn't quite the right word, more stumbled over trembling feet just out of reach of snapping teeth. Every inch of Amenadiel's body screamed at him to flee as this wasn't a fight he could win. Fighting the urge to tuck his tail, Amenadiel pinned his ears flat and began to fluff up his coat in an attempt to look intimidating.
"You don't scare me boy!" The Alpha laughingly barked fangs still bared flashing in the moonlight. For such a large wolf, the Alpha moved swiftly almost gliding over the ground. Amenadiel took a deep breath and leapt forward, gathering his strength.
Pretend he's a moose. With a flash of teeth, the younger male reached for the scruff of his Alpha. The coppery taste of blood filled his mouth as his jaw was snapped shut by a slam from the Alpha's shoulder. The clack of his teeth reverberated in his head and tears began to prick his eyes.
Don't give up. Gathering what strength he had left, Amenadiel forced all his weight down onto the back of the Alpha. Both wolves dropped to the ground. Amenadiel used all his weight to force his Alpha into a pinned position beneath him. All his muscles screamed in agony at him with the effort.
A chuckle started shaking him, as the Alpha underneath him roared with laughter.
"It took the whole beating for you to finally start fighting back. I admire your loyalty to me. Come you need to go see Haniel." Effortlessly, the Alpha lift Amenadiel into the air.
Me succeeding was all an act. Amenadiel was gulping cold air into his lungs as fast as he can take it in. His body ached in ways unknown to him.
"Don't worry, we will continue practicing. Here lean on me and I'll guide you back to the den." Amenadiel didn't bother speaking, but allowed himself to lean against his leader.
This was so different than hunting. His mind mused slowly. By the time he delivers the finishing blow most of the prey is exhausted from the extensive chasing of three other hunters.
Please Amenadiel rasped softly,
"Teach me more."
He felt the rumbling laugh of his Alpha underneath him, as they silently slunk back to the back.
Battle of Wills by Yabi
Art by BlueJay
On the hunt by by Bluethealpha