Unclaimed?

[Kerisis]

((OOC: I'm going to make this like later in the week during the daytime for anyone that joins me . . . since I know all of Amber Moor is currently in Sun Crest!))

Keris trotted through the snow, his strong legs rippling with muscles in the sunlight. He glanced up at the sky; it would be spring soon. He could sense it. He slowed and came to a stop, sniffing the air. There was a very faint smell of wolves in the area, but for all he knew it was just bypassers and loners wandering through unclaimed territory. He pricked his ears, gazing around the Moorland, eyes bright and alert. One thing was for sure though; he was hungry! Right away a wiff of deer gripped his nose and turned his direction around and silently, he streaked across the snow, fluidly like he had once been taught, though he couldn't entirely say he remembered the training.

Nor did he even have the slightest idea where he was.

But he did know how to survive.

He slowed when he saw the herd up ahead and crouched low. It would hard to hunt on a moorland without being seen, esepcially with his dark coat against the bright white of the snow. He highly doubted he could take down a full grown deer by himself, but maybe, if he was lucky, there would be a lame one amongst the group; the winter had been hard. Or at least it must of been; it wiped most of his memory.

It only frightened him a little; the fact that he couldn't remember much of what happened before he arrived here. Something had stuck with him though; his name, his skills, his training. He felt like a fighter, a hunter. Knew he was strong and felt a sense of dignity. He couldn't place why exactly he was this way . . . he must have hit his head harder than he thought.

Suddenly something small and tawny jolted out of the corner of his eye and though he didn't jump, he tensed and then snarled as a pair of scrawny coyotes dashed ahead of him. In less than a second, the herd was scattering. What were they doing? He would be lucky if he could take one down on his own; they definitly wouldn't be able to do it! Without thinking, he dashed after them, legs pumping too the max. He caught up with them in seconds but they split off into two directions. He stopped, confused as to what they were doing until two small game hens burst from the bushes and they leapt in unison, catching the squaking birds by the feet and bringing them down maliciously. Small game. He should have guessed. One trotted over to the other once he had made his kill and nuzzled her. Keris watched the deer escape in the dstance and grumbled and lowered his head, his swaggering gait showing his displeasure. He'd show those two a thing or two about messing with a hunt . . .

He approached them and was surprised when the male stood his ground and snarled at him.

"Back off, wolf, my mate and I are just passing through."

Keris raised an eyebrow and huffed.

"You're mate and you have chased away a perfectly good hunt." he eyed the female, slightly surprised to see her stomach bulging. "A bit soon to be expecting pups, wouldn't you say?"

The female snarled only slightly but stepped back as the male stepped in front of her daringly. Keris smirked.

"I'm not going to kill you, this isn't even my land. You'll be lucky if I don't take one of your birds though. You cost me dinner."

"Your fault," responded the male, motioning for his mate to go. She picked up a hen and started to trot off. "You should have gone after your game instead of waiting around for ours!"

The male leapt at Keris's face then, but Keris was ready. He jolted back, snapping out for the coyote's neck, which the male neatly avoided. Keris caught sight of the female up ahead; she had stopped and was now looking back worriedly. He looked down as the other one lunged angrily at his side. Keris hardly felt it, having a high pain tolerance, and reached down quickly, grabbed the coyote by the scruff of the neck and swung him over to his kill. The coyote landed in a muddled heap.

"Go." Keris growled. "Go to your mate."

The coyote snatched the bird and sprinted towards her. Keris watched until the two of them disappeared and sighed. Well, there went one meal. He turned with another grumble and stalked through the snow, now grumpy. That coyote had been lucky. If that fae hadn't been with him . . . oh he despised coyotes . . . scavengers that they were. Well, nothing he could do about it now, he supposed. So he continued on, sniffing the ground. So far, he had not met any other wolves. He had heard howling . . . but was this land even claimed? Perhaps he could claim it, start over, make a new past.

A new past . . .

Now that would be something.

He loped up a tall hillside that overlooked the moor, letting the cool wind blow into his face. He squinted his light colored eyes, the sun dancing off his smooth fur. What would it be like to be alpha, he wondered?

[Unalaq]

Unalaq wasn't sure how good of a hunt the three of them would encounter, but he was determined to find something better than "bunnies and other random dead things." Having Heron in the pack had so far proved to be a good experience, at least there was someone else to rely on. Another hunter. Another set of claws and teeth. Which was why he drug his small pack all the way out onto the Moorland.

He spied deer in the distance; thin though they may be, at least they were something. Without speaking, he motioned his head toward the meek herd and wagged his tail. This was it; food! With the warm sun shining down on them, he quickly put in a plan of action in his head, thinking of each of his pack mate's strengths and weaknesses . . . When suddenly he stopped and raised his head inquisitive.

There was another wolf. A male. On his territory.

He raised a lip.

All of a sudden two coyotes burst from the long grass, scaring the deer and catching to hens. There was a short tussle between one coyote and the wolf but it didn't last long. Soon the male was trotting up onto a hill, seemingly very . . . sure of something. Like he was contemplating . . .something. He was big, Unalaq would give him that. But this was his territory . . . He looked behind him.

"Come, we need to check our new wayfarer out." he said, starting down the hill.

He loped easily through the snow, scenting the wind as he grew closer. He growled loudly to let the stranger know he was close and then raised his hackles when he approached the male. Unalaq bared his teeth and raised his head, arching his tail so that the stranger would know his position. Mostly Unalaq was angry about the lost hunt. But this stranger acted somewhat dominant as well and Unalaq felt the need to change that.

"What is your purpose here, stranger? I do not take kindly to those trying to hunt in my territory without my permission . . ."

All Unalaq knew was that he'd better have a good story . . .

[Larka]

Larka trotted after Unalaq, happy to be back on her Territory...their Territory. She motioned to Heron to follow them as Unalaq headed down the hill. She saw the male standing at the bottom of the small hill and sighed, Unalaq was acting extremely territorial.

She stood next to him, keeping her head slightly lower than his, knowing that this was important. But it wasn't that much lower than his, the male would not mistake her position for anything lower than what it was.

Larka growled as she stood next to Unalaq, the male had tresspassed and stolen prey. She shot the male a death glare, he'd better have a good story or make up a very convincing lie because he'd gotten them both angry....that is not a good thing.

[Kerisis]

Keris closed his eyes and panted into the wind, enjoying the cool breeze. Shadow season would be over soon and then Burgeon would come . . . but why did that make him feel sick? It struck an unsettling cord with him. Something about the naked wolves in the south . . . something wasn’t right about them.

Suddenly his muscles tensed when he heard a low growl and his fur sprang up along his spine. He opened his eyes and took a step back, snarling back in surprise. Three wolves were coming towards him, though one lagged behind. The first to approach him was a very upset male, whose teeth told all, even before he recognized his posture as that of an Alpha.

Whoops.

Keris lowered himself as the white female joined the male, her head merely slightly lower. A beta. She looked angry too . . .

He tucked his tail, looking up as the Alpha male spoke. Great, now how was he going to explain himself? He swallowed hard, heavy muscled body rising slowly as he quickly though through how he was going to say. He hadn’t meant to intrude, it was just that border scents were so faint and he didn’t even know where he was . . .

Then a familiar scent caught hold of his nose and his eyes locked on the red female that was trailing them, left behind it seemed, in her own curiosity. Something pricked at his memory but he couldn’t quite place her scent or her vague face . . . maybe if she got closer. . . But Keris returned his attention to where it was currently needed, laying his ears to the side, his tail twitching slightly between his legs.

“I apologize for the intrusion, Alpha of the Moor.” He gave a side glance to the white fae and nodded also. He could feel the anger between the two and suddenly like a small pup. His strong hunter’s body was weakened by his humiliation. “If it is consolation . . . any attempt at a hunt was unsuccessful. Coyotes are getting bolder . . .”

He faltered, his eyes locked on the Alpha’s feet. He chanced a broken glance up.

“I really have no purpose here . . . I have no purpose anywhere . . . I . . .” he stammered and tried catching sight of the red wolf still arriving. So familiar . . . “I seem to have misplaced my memory.”

Hearing himself say the words made them sound ridiculous to his own ears and he gave a cautious smile to the dusty male.

“My name is Kerisis . . . my friends called me Keris. A pity I can’t recall who they may have been, or in fact where they are from, or from where I came from. Perhaps you remember? Does my face look familiar at all?”

He turned slightly to the side jokingly, trying to ease the tension, though he honestly couldn’t remember much. He knew his name, knew the emotions he had had, could remember vague faces and shapes. He knew he was a hell of a hunter – he knew that was what he prided himself in, was hunting.

“I fell, several miles back.” He clarified. “I’m not sure how long ago, but I’ve been wandering ever since on my own. I didn’t think there were any other packs around because when I woke up . . . well, let’s just say I must have fallen harder than I thought. Now your friend out there, the red fae . . . something her strikes a chink in my fog. Perhaps she’ll know? Ah but maybe I’m just blabbering.” He sighed. “Beauty isn’t she? And so are you,” he said turning to the white fae. “You hold yourself elegantly . . . Beta, I presume?”

She seemed submissive as far as Alpha status went, but at the same time more dominant that any normal rank. He smiled widely at her, keeping his eyes carefully away from hers to avoid challenge. Even Beta’s could challenged for their rank and he didn’t want to harp on any bad chords. He turned back to the Alpha, hoping he was more relaxed now.

“Perhaps I could join you? As far as I know, I’m not ranked anywhere else. Have you need of a hunter? I can fight well too.” He leaned closer to the male. “It seems you need another male in the pack . . .eh? Even out the numbers?”

[Unalaq]

Unalaq blinked slowly as Keris spoke . . . and he spoke a bit too much for Unalaq’s liking. He didn’t like the look he gave Larka or Heron, though he couldn’t help wondering about the look of recognition on Keris’s face when he saw Heron. Maybe there was a connection there and his “I hit my head story” was true. Unalaq looked over his shoulder, already feeling Larka’s presence there, and sighed undecidedly as Heron loped up, still a little behind them, slipping perhaps, in the slick, wet snow. A look of annoyance became apparent on his face when Keris leaned up to whisper in his ear. He sighed and shoved his muzzle away.

“Keris, I am Unalaq, Alpha of Amber Moor. Beside me is my Beta, Larka.” He turned to see if Heron was with them yet but shook his head. “Whether she knows you or not will not help you. The border scents are faint but still there and you did trespass, not to mention ruin my pack’s hunt.”

Unalaq’s amber eyes regarded him with a hard measuring, still rather annoyed. He had the looks of a strong, able bodied wolf. His body was fit and covered in muscle. A good head hunter maybe, or a fighter under Heron. But if he did get accepted, he would be working towards the top just like Heron. And Unalaq had an instinctive impulse to place him in the Omega spot. Perhaps lowering his rank would lower his ego a little bit and if he really was as good as he said he was, it would show.

“And for the record, Keris, the females you speak of are quite able to take care of themselves . . .” he sighed, thinking of Larka’s ever dominant, fierce nature and Heron’s skills as a warrior, even with her single paw missing. “Trust me.”

He bought some time by sniffing the male over. His scent was definitely not one Unalaq was familiar with. He rammed his head against the male’s shoulder, noting how strong the muscles were, before moving to his haunch and putting his body weight against Keris.

“So you want to join the pack . . .” he murmured.

Slowly stalking to the other side, he caught eyes with Larka and nodded, a quiet recognition for her opinion.

“Do you have any questions for our newcomer, Larka?”

Unalaq wanted to see what the male did, see how snappish or easily distracted he was. He placed his front paws on Keris’s broad back. Unalaq noticed how small he was in comparison to this big hunter but didn’t let it intimidate him. When he took his weight off, he pushed with his front paws, trying to throw Keris off balance.

“How could you handle being called an Omega, Keris?” he said, brushing against his other shoulder with a glance at Larka quietly asked what she thought.

Normally he wouldn’t need to include her, but he valued her opinion. Perhaps she saw something in the hunter he had missed, perhaps she had a good point she wanted to bring up. His physical testing done, Unalaq calmly began to walk back towards his spot beside Larka.

True, the big brute had trespassed, ruined his hunt, and successfully angered both him and Larka. But he could be essential in their pack; all muscle and strength. Unalaq began the big debate in his head, his eyes bright and dangerous, all about keeping the stranger in his place.

[Heron]

The shiny bauble that had held Herons attention for a while was now gone, swept away by a chattering magpie to be hidden in his nest of pretty treasures. The colors had caught Herons attention from a short distance away, and she had gone to investigate what it was. She had dug away at something hidden in the dirt with her front paws, and her nose was covered in dirt... But she did not care. The beautiful weather had erased all worries from the warriors mind, and reduced her to the mental state of a puppy. She was happy here, with her new pack.

The bauble safely hidden, and the magpie sufficiently satisfied, Heron began her return to her Alpha. Both he and Larka were a short distance ahead, hidden by brush and small hills. A strange, but somehow not unfamiliar sent had been carried to Herons nose... Another wolf? Heron picked up her pace, breaking into a quick trot to catch up with her pack. She knew that Unalaq could handle the situation, but it was wise for Heron to be in attendance, just in case...

Unalaq came into Herons sight as he was testing the strength of a red male... "You!", her voice was nearly unrecognizable through the growl that ripped from her throat. Heron immediately bristled, a fiery anger ripping away the power of the beautiful day that had held its sway over her. Heron rushed a few feet foreword, body held low and aggressive. She stopped, a short distance away from the male, restraining herself from ramming her full strength into one of them who had worked to see her dead.

He was the one who had chased her the furthest... One or more of the scars on her body were the result of this capable fighters determination to see her corpse grace the dishonored dead. His smell reeked of the happy, betrayed days she had spent with the Outlands Pack. His face reminded Heron of many precious, lost things.

She would not be sorry to see him dead.

[Larka]

Larka's low growl turned into a loud snarl as the male spoke of her. Flattering yes, out of line, YES! She bared her teeth as he got closer to Unalaq. She took that as a challenge, but did nothing, it was Unalaq's decision .

Her eyes were still locked on Keris, Ice blue pools of anger. As Unalaq spoke of her and Heron her eyes glittered with slight amusement for a split second before returning to their former state.

Before Unalaq began his testing she spoke up. "It makes no difference. You were hunting on OUR territory. I'd be ripping you to shreds right now if we were alone...be thankful we aren't." she said, smiling with fake but convincing savageness.

This was her own test. If Keris was afraid of her then he deserved the title of Omega..if he wasn't...then we'll see.

Larka watched Unalaq go though the usual test. Her eyes still glittered angrily....that wasn't a good thing. She smiled slightly at Unalaq's question to Keris while thinking about what Unalaq had asked her.

She returned his look as Heron limped up. She could see the pure hatred in the fighters eyes and feel the rage flowing off of her as she laid eyes in Keris.

Baring Herons way, she gave she she- wolf a low warning growl. She was to move no closer to Keris, she would have consequences to pay if she disobeyed.

Looking back at Keris and stalking up to the overly confident male that was getting on her nerves, she raised her head high.
"Thing's aren't looking too good for you, Keris. If you join....and I stress the word IF...you will be titled as an Omega until you prove yourself higher." She growled.

She raised her head to look at Unalaq. "Unalaq...I don't advise letting him in. Considering the way Heron reacted to seeing him, he's done something to her that's scared her for life. In my experience that's not a good thing to have between pack members." she said softly, eyes warm and full of knowledge, even though they were about the same age.

Larka wanted Unalaq to know she didn't approve of the male so as she walked back towards Heron she kicked up snow that in turn flew right into Keris's face. She snorted with contempt as she heard a wet splat behind her as the snow landed.

She stood next to Heron, slightly blocking the fighters path. she didn't want a fight breaking out.

[Kerisis]

So much had suddenly happened at once that Keris barely had time to take it all in.

He lowered himself, tail twitching nervously underneath him. He easily braced himself as Unalaq pressed against him, feeling ashamed that his words had done little to please either Alpha or Beta. He sighed, looking desperately at the white female when the Alpha asked for her opinion. His ears pricked up hopefully when the Alpha mentioned a possible chance at an Omega position. He knew that position entitled much humility on his part, but if he could prove himself . . . well, at least he wouldn’t be a loner anymore. He needed a place in a pack, in a family.

“I would humbly accept any position, including that of Omega.” He said calmly, eyes lowered to the earth.

He couldn’t to hold the Alpha’s weight as Unalaq leapt up and put his paws on his large back. He looked back at the Alpha, wondering if this test of his was done yet. He was solid muscle; he wasn’t moving. He looked back at Larka.

Yeah. She really wasn’t liking him.

“Look, I’m very sorry for what happened . . . I had no intentions of ruining your hunt and I’m very sorry. I’ll make it up to you if I can but please . . . if you can at least let me . . .” he stammered off as he saw the red female come loping towards them and then jumped back in surprise, snarling back in defense.

His stance lacked fight though, his body merely showing his surprise at her furious posture. He took a few careful steps back and looked around at all the faces that peered down at him, which felt odd for such a hulking form like his.

“Look, miss, ah . . . Look, apparently you remember me but I’m serious . . . I really don’t remember you . . .” he said, back up slowly. The red female suddenly looked like demon from the depths of the Southlands – he really didn’t want to tick her off more. “Though, I wish I did. I’d like to know why I had made you so angry.”

He’d must have done something terrible. Keris’s heart ached at the thought of hurting a female to the point where she would want to potentially hurt him back – but then, perhaps he deserved it.

He looked back up at Larka when she spoke to him and laid his ears against his head when she told the Alpha of her opinion. He swallowed, his chin now nearly touching the earth.

“Please! I ask for forgiveness, for whatever it is I’ve done . . .” he directed his swift words towards the red female. “Please, let me not be haunted by a past I can’t even recall! I can prove myself, start anew. This world is frightening when you don’t know it, when you must learn from scratch things that were once habits . . .”

He flicked his gaze back to the Alpha’s, avoiding Larka’s bright blue eyes.

“Place me at Omega, if you must, but please . . . I am a hunter, and a fighter. This much I know; it is that alone that has kept me alive in my aimless wanderings. If I disappoint, then . . . then I swear to show myself to your border. I will cause little trouble. Please . . .”

Keris hadn’t realized how desperate he was for a pack, for other’s like himself. It was frightening, being in a world so vaguely familiar but not knowing where you were or where you had come from all at the same time. He took another step back.

He didn’t want to lose it again

[Unalaq]

So the wolf had withheld his strength testing; it was hardly surprising given his structure. Unalaq took Larka’s words into account, knowing that she wasn’t totally impressed either. He sighed and then jumped as Heron arrived unexpectedly, her snarl clear and obviously angry.

“You!”

Okay, so she did know him. He watched her with caution, green orbs willing her to be calm. He watched Larka step in front of her but if he knew Heron like he thought he did, the warrior would have her own measure of self control. He pricked his ears as the male began speaking again and he turned to face him sternly.

He was suddenly so willing to take the Omega position. Well, at least it was a sign of being grateful. He listened to his begging for a while, his promises. Larka advised against he and he understood her reasoning. Unalaq would choose Heron over this loner any day and there would be a problem between the two, either they would find a way to work through it, or Keris would leave.

Unalaq would make sure of that.

He took another long look at Keris; it was very obvious that he remembered nothing of what he had apparently done to Heron, even though that didn’t excuse him for whatever past action he had taken. There was always that chance it would resurface and he would try and do it again. He sighed, looking back at Larka and Heron.

“It’s alright Larka,” he said softly, nodding to her. “I believe our Heron has more control then you give her credit for.”

He approached Heron slowly, cautiously. It was never good to make an angry fighter nervous. He looked her purposefully in the eyes, a quick glance saying that he was trusting her – this was a chance to prove herself worthy of her rank.

“Keris seems to have the build of a solid hunter, but I agree with Larka; would he benefit the pack if his presence will keep you on your toes?” he directed his words toward Heron. “Larka advises against it. I would like to know what you see in him? I am withholding my decision until my pack can agree with a comfortable outcome. I can’t please everyone, but I can at least try and meet you halfway there.”

[Heron]

Heron stood as still as her stiff muscles would allow. Though she had charged in as though she would attack the male, Heron adopted a defensive position. Larka moved in front of her, a restraining power to keep the warrior at bay. In her agitated state this cautionary movement only aggravated the warrior more. The Beta knew Heron very little indeed if she thought that she could not restrain herself!

"You do na' need to stop me Beta Larka! I kno' better than to pick a fight with those my Alpha tests! I know my place!" Still she stood stone still, staring at Kerisis.

She listened to his story, and pleas to Unalaq. Oddly, though they did not effect any pity in Herons heart, she believed him. The fact that he did not know her face or their history said a lot in his favor. Had he known her it was likely he would not have let her live... His memory had been long in the Outlands. Where Herons paw had been burned, remembering the teeth that had torn it away in her flight.

Unalaq's eyes calmed Heron slightly, and the muscles in her back and neck loosened. The alpha was not worried... He trusted Heron in her self control... His voice was a sedative for the warrior that only an alpha could create in her. Though Heron was a successful independent fighter, able to maintain command and cool in a fight, there were basic instincts in times of duress that she fell back to. From the time she began training she had learned to take orders, to trust her commanders, to obey. Unalaq's trust in her calmed Herons worried body.

"...I would like to know what you see in him?"

Heron gazed into Unalaq's eyes, now almost entirely relaxed. "I see mah own history... A rather painful memory. I was formerly of the Outlan's pack, this you know. I was born and trained by them, and I was one of the best fighters of mah age. Soon after the las' Heus war began, I was accused falsely of betraying mah pack... And Kerisis here was one of the loudest to call for mah death... And participated in what was obviously an unsuccessful execution."

She glanced at Kersis, and returned her level gaze to Unalaqs, "Kerisis was one o' the best fighters in the Outlan's. He will be a good addition to your pack Alpha Unalaq... I'll give him nahta bit of trouble as long as he leaves me be. Mah grudge is... controlable... I'll behave well enough... .

Heron's insides withered at this promise, but she would keep it. She would not be a disappointment to another pack. Kerisis would be a good addition to the pack...

[Larka]

Larka nodded and stepped away from Heron. She didn't normally take orders but she knew the warrior could control herself...she was just a worry wart sometimes. She glared at Keris as he once again tried to suck up to them.

She was not pleased with the male. Her blue eyes were locked on him as he pleaded to be let in. "Pitiful." She thought. He didn't even try to act like he could hold his own. If she was in his position she would be standing strong and proud, not on the gound whimpering like a frightened pup.

"Well Keris... It seems we have a problem. Heron here seems to hold a grudge pretty well, but she's willing to try. In my experience, things like this eventually tear packs apart. It's your desition Unalaq." she said, looking at the Alpha.

[Kerisis]

Keris rose up slightly as words were exchanged between pack members. Heron. He couldn’t get her face out his mind. It felt like it should be familiar but it wasn’t. He avoided looking at Larka; he didn’t like the feelings she gave off. He pricked his ears interestedly as the Alpha spoke to the red fae and he listened quietly, hoping to hear what it was he had done to make her hate him so.

As she spoke, he let himself get lost in her words. Outlands? Was that where he was from? He felt himself grow sick as she continued. So he had tried to kill her . . . yes, he could clearly see where she’d hate him for that. He doubted there would be any forgiveness anytime soon for such a deed. It hurt worse, though, knowing that if he hadn’t been hurt he would probably still feel the need to kill her. He bowed his head to her, flicking his ears back with an apologetic sigh.

“Heron of Amber Moor . . .” he couldn’t seem to find the right words. Even though he had caused her harm, she still praised his abilities, going so far to tell the Alpha that he would be a good addition. Not many wolves would have been noble enough to do that. She was genuine. He sighed and settled for a quiet, “Thank you.”

He would keep his distance. Perhaps, later, when he had figured out his life a bit better, he would politely leave the pack as seemed to be Larka’s wishes. Return to the Outlands perhaps – maybe returning would jog his memory. Assuming he wanted his memory jogged. He solidly placed his paws into the ground and squared his shoulders, looking to the Alpha, he waited for his decision.

[Unalaq]

Unalaq let Heron speak, holding his emotions back, though inside he felt his heart break for her. She was looking into the face of one of her executers. True it was a failed attempt, and he believed that Keris couldn’t remember. If he was lying, he was certain Heron would know. She would be as willing to deal with him. It interested him that she found him an asset regardless, and was willing to try, regardless of what had happened to her. He found it admirable at least. He stole one last hard glance at Keris.

He would have to work harder than Heron to prove himself. He would have to go through more than just proving himself helpful to the pack; he would have to prove he would turn on Heron. That was one thing that worried Unalaq the most; Larka was right about these types of things hindering a pack. If anything went wrong, including that of Keris’s memory returning, things could get ugly fast.

He stood, keeping the pack in silence, the wind tussling his thick winter coat before he thought about his old pack. About the Alpha that kept order like a lion and loved like a cub. It was his decision ultimately.

What if I mess up?

Unalaq finally stepped forward, nodding his thanks to Heron, catching Larka’s eyes for a fraction of a second and gave an encouraging smile. This would work. Together, they could all make it work.

“You’ll have more time than to just simply thank her, Keris. You can show your gratitude by proving your worth in this pack and keeping your distance, in respect for Heron.” Finally he managed a tight, controlled smile, acknowledging Keris’s strong stance. “Welcome to Amber Moor. You will eat last, trail the pack, and take orders from every member. Even pups rank ahead of you and as we run, you will be sure to keep a distance from the last wolf ahead of you. Other than that, we should have no problem.”

He looked into the fading sunlight and sigh. One wolf stronger. That’s how this was going. One wolf stronger . . .

“Alright, let’s head back for the night.”

He pointed his nose to the sky and called out a song to the fading sunlight. Winter was ending. He could feel it. He whisked his tail in the nippy air and lurched forward, large paws digging through the light dusty snowfall, content now with his decision. It would work. He was sure of it.

He had to be sure of it. He had to believe it.

[Larka]

Larka's ears pricked as Keris spoke. He really and truely didn't remember. She shifted her weight from her left side to her right side, the snow crunching under her paws. She stole a glance at Heron...the warrior didn't seemed fazed by her words. She trusted the fae but she still knew that things like this could and most likely would tear a pack apart.

She smiled shyly back at Unalaq, her feelings getting the best of her. Her tail and her head rose as Unalaq spoke, her lip curled slightly. She didn't like Keris being in the pack one bit, but she would deal with it. She just hoped Keris didn't get his memory back and remember why he wanted to kill Heron.

Larka cast a dominent glance at Keris. "I don't agree with Unalaq's decicion but seeing as he is Alpha..I'll deal with it...for now. Welcome to Amber Moor, Keris." she growled, severe dominence filling her voice. She wanted the Omega to know that if he EVER hurt her pack, he would have to deal with her.

She trotted after Unalaq. "I don't like it, Unalaq...he gives me the chills." she growled softly to him as a chilling winter wind blew over the moor. She pressed herself closer to Unalaq, forgetting her promise to keep her feelings to herself until he was ready.

Larka took in a deep breathe as they trotted towards the densite. The den's would need to be expanded before nightfall. So much to do, but the Betess of Amber Moor was at ease next to the wolf she loved. She felt safe with her pack behind her....well almostr safe.

[Heron]

Heron lowered her haunches, sitting as she watching Unalaq puzzle out his answer to Kerisis. She was happy to leave the decisions to the alpha, decisions that could make or break the pack...

"Welcome to Amber Moor."

Unalaq turned away, leading the small pack to wards the den-home. Larka followed after, growling a warning to the new pack member. An unnecessary warning, Heron felt. Kerisis knew his place as an Omega... And Unalaq would not tolerate anything from the fighter.

Heron remained sitting, her level gaze fixed on Kerisis. She stared unblinking at the wolf she had once called brother. She had fought along side him in many fights, trained with him, escaped from him. And he did not remember any of it. All the days past were gone from his head, and now he wanted to like her... To be part of her alphas pack.

Slowly Heron stood, turning to follow Unalaq and Larka, lost in her own memories. She tailed a ways behind the pair, lost in memories...

Not all were painful.

(OOC: Meh, not very good, sorry.)