Stormrunner & Dawnstride

Stormrunner was worried. He'd found his parents dead, and hadn't seen Megatron since before the pack hunt, and knew he was heavily injured. Combine that with the scent of a strange wolf, and his thoughts led to troubling possibilities. Had Megs been lured away to his death? Perhaps chased down by this rogue wolf? He'd been anxious enough to enlist the help of his friend, and had sent out a call for Dawnstride before rendezvousing with the cougar-mix three miles down from the Canyon.

Dawn hung back, slinking in the shadows and thick vegetation while Storm took the lead in the hunt for Megatron. Storm had lost the scent a few times, especially in the marshy land of the Downs, but eventually reconnected and traced it to this long-abandoned terra. Coming across no obvious border markings, Storm cautiously entered the land, and it was here that he howled again, calling for his brother.

Megatron Mega wounds were cleaned but still quiet visible which was why for the moment the border scent didn't extend far.. and he didn't want tik out of his site. His ears flick at the sound of his brother. He got up and head up in alpha position along with his tail he began heading in storm and blackouts direction

Stormrunner & Dawnstride

"Brother!" Relief flooded the wolf when Meg's familiar form appeared across the marshy terrain, heading briskly in his direction. Storm picked up his pace, moving with paws that seemed a little less heavy than they had a moment ago. His joy shifted some upon reaching his elder sibling, and that note of worry crept in again when he spoke next, "Megs, you're far from home, and still wounded; why are you all the way out here?" The way Megatron held himself irked Stormrunner too, but his first concern was the other's wellbeing.

Dawnstride didn't join in on the greeting. The dusty-gold cat stopped nearly fifty yards back, where she sat neatly atop a fallen log to keep her paws off the spongy ground.

Ta'kali

Ta'kali followed after her new companion. She left little space between her body and his, and met his pace stride for stride. It was a show of protection and quickly growing affection for the harsh old male, and she was not going to let anyone harm him while he was recovering. To that end, her snowy tail shot up and her steps grew stiff, letting her body convey her defensive aggression without having to speak a word.

-Brother!-

The single word made Ta'kali think back to the first conversation she had with Megatron at the Canyon. Was this the bastard he'd spoken of? Her ears flattened back and she glanced between this big, storm-gray brute and her Megatron.

Megatron

He laughed**that not my home you think I'd settle for being a lowly pack member? No here I can take my rightful spot as alpha and grow a stronger pack then father's is. ** he said with a snort. ** if the pack cared about me then I would still be beta or better yet Thier alpha. **

Blackouts ears went back

Stormrunner & Dawnstride

Now the raised head and tail made sense, and the younger brother suddenly found himself in reverse position. He forced the stiffness out of his tail and kept it held neutral now, since he was no longer alpha to Megatron. He was on another's turf. Gold-rimmed eyes danced uncertainly between Megatron and Ta'kali, and an aud flicked back to note Blackout's position near him. The tension that suddenly hung in the air was enough to choke on.

"This doesn't have to be a competition, Megs." Storm edged carefully. He had no idea who this new fae was, but it was abundantly clear that she was on Megatron's side, and he wasn't sure if she would prove aggressive or not. With continued care, the younger leader added, "An alpha is meant to serve their pack, not be served by it. You don't become alpha because you think you deserve it, you earn it."

Dawstride kept her place in the background, a safe distance from where the wolves had gathered. She had no plans on joining in on this little interaction, for she'd only come along in the event that Megatron had been in danger. Too far away to hear what was being said, the cougar-mix, with her delicate brown striping, turned to grooming herself while raising the occasional glance in the lupines' direction.

Megatron

**I know the meaning of alpha don't treat me like a child pup. I did earn it. I protected the pack longer then you. I was always there for them. I am an alpha and you'll treat me like one. Your lucky I didn't outright attack you for trespassing** he said.

Blackout took a step back to give megatron room

Stormrunner & Dawnstride

The earlier laughter from his elder brother left a crick of irritation in Stormrunner's trail. He was still riding a wave of sorrow from finding their parents dead, and the lingering fear that Megs might have shared their fate. Faced now with his sibling's haughty response, Storm's calm demeanor fractured and a scowl darkened his almond eyes, "You might be older than me, but I was the one that took initiative to lead the pack when I saw mom and dad were too old for their duties. And when you challenged me, I won." There were no growls or snarls given, just strong emotions to charge his words. "You didn't earn it, you went off and abandoned the pack to sulk when you lost!"

Stormrunner took a step back, having to forcefully remind himself to keep his tail held below the height of his back. "I'll respect that this is your territory Megs, but don't tell me you earned my position when I was the one that fought for it."

Bits and pieces of conversation caught the cougar's ears now, but other than casting a casual look in their direction, she was still very disinclined to get up and do anything.

Megatron

He rolled his eyes ** it's not about winning fights for alpha brother. You barely beat me as is. I did earn the right. I never abandoned my pack do not accuse me of that.im making your life easier because I would continue fighting for what rightfully mine. By me leaving it stops that** he said with a snort. ** now leave**

Stormrunner & Dawnstride

"You were ready to flee to the Parnassian Meadows after you lost to me, willing to leave our family behind, because you couldn't bear the thought of not being in control. When our family needed food, it was more important for you to fight for power than help us. And here you are now, away from the family you've lived with your entire life, all because it's more important for you to be leader of empty land than to set aside your pride and help those that have been loyal to you for so many years." He'd channeled his burst of anger into something a little more controlled, and offered this response with gravity. "When I say you abandoned the pack for your own delusional ego, I mean every word of it." Stormrunner then turned away from Megatron and Ta'kali, feeling a bittersweet mix of emotions. His brother was alive and on the mend, but their relationship was anything but. Feeling there was little he could do about it, and needing to get back to his children, Storm gave Blackout a nod to signal it was time to head back home, then started plodding back through the marsh.

As Stormrunner began to make his way back to the border and the lands beyond, Dawnstride stretched and stepped nimbly down from her short perch to follow.