Rufflan

Rufflan moved with grace and fluidity through the forests, stopping only every now and then to analyze a pertinent scent. Wolves were definitely here, and he'd scented the young earlier in the day. Now he attempted to hone in on that scent, and lead his pride towards the den site, where it would make for an easy hunt.

Tuini, Autumn Sun, Spotlight

Tuini stalked not far behind the lynx. The lion was thankful for the lack of dense brush in these particular forests, which made it much easier for he and his dense, near-black mane to make it through without constantly catching on twigs and branches.

Behind Tuini was Autumn Sun, moving quietly while also scenting the land and air for any recent signs of wolf.

Last in the group was the largest. The rosette-spotted liger, nearly double Tuini's size, lumbered along in the rear of the hunting party. He too was thankful for the spacing between the trees and scarcity of brambles that would otherwise latch at his mane and leave burrs embedded in his dark locks. This, it seemed, would be easy hunting grounds for the big cats.

Nhevaris, Umbrik, & Shadow Star

Ebon and tan brute felt the hair along his nape prickle. Something was wrong. He slowed from a light lope to a crawl, and then stopped altogether as his senses worked over whatever red flag had been raised in his mind. It was a shift in the breeze that answered his worries, in the form of a foul, unwelcomed odor.

Big cats

But how many? Nhevaris thought about doubling back towards the den, it was only a few hundred yards from where he was, but another idea crossed him. The alpha raised his dial and howled, sending out a warning to the big cats - and alerting his pack of the danger stalking through their land. If the cats came his way, he would lead them away from his children.

Back at the den site, Umbrik was at the mouth of the den, laying on his chest while he gazed out at the pale shadows that danced around the forest floor. He jumped a little when his father's howl sounded nearby, and his heart begun to race. Nhevaris sounded alarmed, and those deep, piercing vocals were not happy ones. The pale youngster scooted up into a sitting position, his head hunkered down and his ears flat. "Taji..?"

Shadow Star was at the edge of the creek playing, turning over rocks with his snout as he looked for crayfish and wood frogs. The howl stopped him too, and he even tucked his tail low in instinctive fear. But his ears were perked, and his head up as he looked about for the apparent threat. "Momma, what was that?"

Arora, Ataji, & Lepiota

Arora bolted upright, woken from a light slumber by the distress in her mate's howl. She immediately scrambled from her bed beneath a sprawling maple and circled down to the nest a few yards away, "Children!" Her yip was sharp and commanding, "Into the den, now!" She nudged Umbrik, giving him a distracted lick on the top of the head before darting towards Shadow Star and grabbing the youngster by the nape, to transport him back to the den.

Ataji had been resting near his mother when the alarm went up, and darted immediately for the den. His ears perked at his brother's calling of his name, and he was quick to sidle in next to Umbrik and lay his muzzle across the back of the other's neck, "It's okay Umbi, we're safe in here. Momma and Pappa will chase away the bad things."

Further away from the den site was Lepiota, stalking a leaf. She heard the howl and the sharp command from her mother, but decided against paying heed to either. Besides, what in this forest was more dangerous than Arora or Nhevaris? Or Naiche, the biggest wolf in their pack? Feeling little fear, the ignorant pup pounced after the elusive leaf, moving further from the safety of the den.

Naiche

Shortly after Nhevaris' howl went out, Naiche threw her ebony muzzle skyward and issued a howl of her own. Hers rose strong and powerful, calling to her former pack as well as to the ally her uncle had secured two years prior; the Aspen Grove pack. With that message sent, the large wolfdog headed for the den.

"Lepiota!" She spotted the errant pup as she approached, and wasted no time reaching down to snag her and interrupt her imagined hunt. "Now is no time to be ignoring your parents, there's danger in our lands." Just what kind of danger, Naiche wasn't sure of. Hopefully just a rogue wolf or two, something that they could handle. But she was taking no chances - she remembered the assault on her family pack when she was just a cub, and she wouldn't let that kind of horror happen to her new family.

Rufflan

His stubby tail twitched. Sharp, tufted ears perked, and he looked in the vague direction of Nhevaris' call. "Ooooh that must be the alpha. Do we go for him? Or-" The second howl rose, this one coming from a different direction, but not terribly far from the first. His little tail flicked again, and he looked to Tuini, "Or the female? We could probably even split up and take them on individually."

Tuini, Autumn Sun, & Spotlight

Nhevaris' howl did nothing to dissuade Tuini's desire for a hunt. He had stopped and flexed his claws eagerly into the earth, more than ready to meet this little alpha and make a snack of him, before moving on to the whelps. "Split up. I will pursue this alpha, the rest of you take to the den. We know where it may be now." He nodded in the direction of Naiche's call, assuming the fae was with the younglings.

A series of howls rose from the northwest, with enough voices to curtail some of Tuini's enthusiasm. A second rang from another location, and he rumbled in annoyance. "Shit." He glanced back behind them to see if his sister or any other members of the Makucha had followed them, but failed to spot the white lioness or the others. "Be quick! Snag whatever pups you can, and take out that female if you have time. We need to be out of here before the rest of those wolves show up." With his order given, Tuini began to stalk decisively towards Nhevaris, ready to engage the alpha and make short work of him.

Autumn Sun and Spotlight wasted no time in following Naiche's voice, and headed straight of the den site.

Nhevaris, Umbrik, & Shadow Star

The moment Tuini came into view, Nhevari's heart nearly skipped a beat. This was his first encounter with an African lion, and they were a touch bigger than the cougars he'd spotted here and there in the distance. Nonetheless, the alpha bared his fangs, the pale ivory beaming all the brighter against the black backdrop of his fur, "You're tresspassing on my land." Nhev stated fiercely, bristling his coat to make his ninety-one pound frame look a little larger. His black tail was strung high in the air, and ruddy-red eyes flashed dangerously to the big cat.

Umbrik cuddled in closer to Ataji, shivering with fear at the unknown enemy lurker in their lands. "But I've never heard Papa so angry before. What do you think is out there?" He hunkered down under the embrace of his sibling, and watched as Shadow and then Lepiota were deposited in the den.

Shadow had curled up obediently when scooped up by her mother, even if he did carry a frown that contorted his little face. Once plopped into the den, the grizzled youngster thumped a paw against the ground in protest, "If you and Naiche are here, why can't I go back outside? I won't go that far."

Arora, Ataji, & Lepiota

Lepiota growled in protest and squirmed in Naiche's hold. She even went so far as to bare her teeth and twist around in an attempt to nip at the other, but couldn't quite reach. "Let me go, nitwit! I'm old enough to take care of myself!" But she was helpless to free herself, and was ultimately delivered to the den, where Arora was waiting.

After passing Naiche a thankful look, Arora gave her daughter a swift nip and nudged her into the den. "You will listen to me and Naiche, Lepiota, Shadow. This is no time to be disobedient." She bared her own fangs, letting her daughter and son both know that she was not to be questioned right now, and Lepi flattened her ears back and hung her head. Cowed and angery, the youngster crawled further into the den, away from her siblings. With all the youngsters now safely inside, in various states of compliance, Arora stood at the entrance, blocking it with her frame as she listened to all the howls that went up around them.

Ataji spoke quietly to his brother, "Maybe it's a bear? But listen-" The little wolf brightened, his words positive and assured, "Hear all of those other wolves? Those are our friends. Momma's family, and Naiches, I think."

Naiche & Rufflan

Naiche had laced her ears back, annoyed by Lepi's insolence. But she dared not chastise the youngster in front of her mother. After setting the pup down, she let Arora handle the chastisement, while she paced anxiously in front of the den and listened to the serenade of calls that were coming in from various directions.

'Crucifix! Krush, Sunburst... they're coming!' Naiche's heart skipped with a mix of excitement. Whatever threat Nhevaris had run into, surely they'd be no match against the number of wolves converging on the scene. She almost smiled as she looked back to Arora, "Sounds like the calvary..." Those words died on her tongue when a lynx came stalking into view, followed by two far larger cats in the background.

Rufflan had skittered ahead of his two comrades, and slowed to a stop after stumbling across the den. "Two adults!" He announced with little fear, even looking over his shoulder with excitement to peer at Spotlight and Autumn. "Think you guys can handle 'em? I can take out the cubs easy enough."

Tuini, Autumn Sun, & Spotlight

The African lion didn't miss a step as he approached Nhevaris. His dark, heavy mane bounced with each determined stride, and his eyes had locked onto the silver-speckled wolf as if he were little more than a defenseless lamb waiting to be slaughtered. "Sorry wolf, I don't bow to the authority of wild cur." He took another few strides closer, shortening the gap between them, before suddenly charging at Nhevaris and attempting to tackle him to the ground...

Autumn and Spotlight were just stumbling across the scenic den site, with Autumn chuckling under her breath at Rufflan's kitten-like enthusiasm. "No problem Ruffie, I'll take the one in front of the den. Spots, can you handle that bigger female?"

The big male snorted, "Please, I could handle both if I had to." So saying, the massive liger thundered forward, breaking into a light run as he headed for Naiche, fully intending on swiping the wolf to the ground and go in for a quick kill. Autumn Sun started for the den, moving in a little quicker than her partner as she tried to lunge forward and seize Arora before she might escape into the den.

Nhevaris, Umbrik, & Shadow Star

Nhevaris wasn't stupid enough to wait around for Tuini to get that close to him. He sprung away from the charging lion, growling in frustration as he did so. Using his smaller size to his advantage, the wolf attempted to circle wide around the big cat, darting close around trees in an attempt to slow him down and avoid capture. "This will be your last hunt, and your last warning to leave, cat! You might have me beat in strength right now, but I won't be alone for long." He stopped and turned back to deliver this message, but was ready to dart forward again if Tuini kept up his assault.

Down in the tunnel of the den, Umbrik took to his brother's words like a security blanket. Ataji's calm confidence helped to sooth his fears, as did his ignorance of what a bear looked like or how big they really were. He settled down in the dirt and roots and heaved a sigh, and would have been able to relax if not for the new swell of voices outside. His eyes went wide and he started shaking again when snippets of their words came to him. "Are those bears?!"

This is about the same time that Shadow Star felt a twinge of panic himself. He took a few timid steps forward up the tunnel and tried to peek past his mother's leg to see if these strange voices came from wolves or the infamous bears they'd been told about...

Arora, Ataji, & Lepiota

There was no time for being gentle in this moment. Arora swept her paw back when Shadow tried to sneak up beneath her, sweeping the pup back harshly. Her coat bristled until it fully filled the entrance of the den, and stuck out awkwardly past the rim. "Naiche, run!" She ordered, knowing she couldn't dash out and help her friend. She had to keep herself between the cats and her pups. She squeezed backwards, pulling herself a little deeper into the tunnel just as Autumn came sweeping in. She snapped viciously at that giant paw, and ignored the sting of four large gashes across her muzzle and nose. "Our allies will tear you to shreds! You wont have my children!" Arora snarled at the feline, all was scrambling further back down the tunnel, trying to get out of Autumn's reach.

"Shadow, no!" Ataji tried to grab his brother's tail and yoink him back as he snuck past to get a peek at the intruders. He needn't have to, as their mother took care of that with a single stroke of her paw. Watching Shadow tumble back, he nudged Umbrik forcefully, "I think those are bears. Come with me, we need to get back to the nest." Keeping behind his sibling, Ataji tried to guide him back to the central chamber, where Lepiota was currently sulking.

Lepiota's bravado was the last one to break, but break it did when she heard the intensity of her mother's voice, and saw one brother getting violently tumbled backwards. She perked her head up and peered up the tunnel, but only a hazy filtering of light was making it beyond the bulk of their mother. She looked determinedly to her brothers as they began to gather in the chamber, "Listen guys, we might have to help mom fight off the bears. I know it's scary, but we've practiced hunting crayfish and frogs before. We know what to do. Umbrik, that means you too."

Naiche & Rufflan

Naiche hesitated a moment too long, torn between standing and fighting, and fleeing to save her own tail. When snarling didn't deter Spotlight, the large wolfdog turned and darted to the side, but the liger was already on her, his giant paws sweeping her against the ground as a shrill yelp left her vocals. Twisting and writhing, she managed to bring herself up before getting fully pinned, and whirled to meet her aggressor. She snapped like a made thing at his face and eyes, trying to drive him back and give him a second thought about his decision to attack her.

Rufflan bounced eagerly behind Autumn Sun. With her bulk in the way, he couldn't sneak in and help attack, and certainly couldn't fit down the tunnel that was blocked by Arora's body. He would have to wait until Autumn was able to pull her out, or else go in himself and finish the job if the liger failed.

Cruciifix, Golem & Tayzerka

Crucifix unlike some of the wolf packs didn't just have wolves. Golem a grizzly bear followed after him. Crucifix ears were back as he plunged past the boundery line and raced to the nesting site. He howled loud as he came across the site lunging to get in the way of any of the animals threatening his ally.

Golem move as well to now block the den from view of the attackers.

Tayzerka with the aspen grove wasn't far behind Crucifix group.

Krush, Sunburst, Naiche, & Rufflan

The grizzly about scared the life out of Krush as he came barreling through the trees, but the ursine scent was at least somewhat familiar to him, as a regular in the Parnassian Meadows terra. The blue-eyed wolfdog pushed that mini heart attack aside and followed after his alpha, charging at Spotlight in particular when he realized the big predator was after Naiche.

Sunburst was far more calm around Golem, being an ex-Haunter and all. He didn't think twice about the giant brute charging past them, and went straight for Spotlight. Like a furious little hornet, Sun darted and dove in on the liger, offering quick snaps to his flank and tail before zipping away, trying to distract the brute. "Here kitty, kitty, kitty!"

Rufflan's reaction to the grizzly was about on par with Krush's. The lynx could take on your average wolf, but a bear as big as Golem was a deal breaker. The bob-tailed cat leaped up and over the mouth of the den, paws briefly thumping aganist Autumn Sun in his haste to escape the charging predator. "Autumn, watch out!" He cried as he hit the nearest tree and bolted up it.

Arora, Nhevaris, Tuini, & Others

Starscream and Crow were nearing the boarder with Tayzeka, and closing in fast. For Nhevaris, it wasn't fast enough to spare him from getting tagged by a well-aimed swipe from Tuini, which sent the wolf spinning to the ground. The feline was on him in an instant, ignoring the alpha's threats as he grabbed and shook the wolf by his upper back. Nhevaris twisted in the cat's hold, trying to snap at whatever piece of the lion he could reach, but he couldn't match the other's strength...

At the den site, Autumn Sun was forced to abandon her assault on Arora. She spun, her face contorting into a fiendish snarl as Golem charged her. "Rufflan, you idiot!" This was hissed out almost as an afterthought as she sprung back away from the grizzly. In a head on attack, the grizzly had the upper hand in strength, and Autumn was not going to put herself in reach of those wickedly long claws. If she could jump on his back or tag him from behind it was a different story, but she wasn't going to play around with this fellow right now. Taking a slow, deliberate step back, the big cat hissed low at her adversary, "Friends of this pack, are you? What's your name, big bear?"

Spotlight was a little less inclined to chat when three new wolves were suddenly barraging him. He yowled at the smarting sting of Sunburst's teeth, and whirled around with striking claws at the trio of canines. "Dammit Ruff, you didn't check to see if they had allies?!" His growl turned vicious as he too hurled his anger at the little lynx who initiated all of this, and struck again with his claws, swiping at any wolf who dared charge at him again.

Arora retreated further into the tunnel, until she was back in the den chamber. The presence of the bear had spooked her even further, not realizing this was an ally from Naiche's old pack. "Hush, children. Be quiet." She urged while hovering over the four of them, and quelling the rebellion that the feisty Lepiota was trying to launch. The little pup growled defiantly, and even Shadow had a quiet rumble to offer the unseen aggressors outside. Umbrik tucked into his mother's fur, while Ataji scooted in close to him and his other siblings, watching quietly, and waiting for the fighting to subside.

Crucifix, Tayzeka, Kozerk & Golum

Crucifix lunged for the big cat who had Nheveris aiming to bite them where ever he could.

Tayzeka lunged toward Ruffien as they dodged the grizzly bear.

Kozerk joined his sister.

Golum faced the cats.it is golum and if you fancy your lives you will leaveHe growled.

Krush, Sunburst, Naiche, & Rufflan

Crow separated from his pack as they came across the first fight, with Nhevaris being whipped about by a much larger Tuini. Recognizing Crucifix as one of their allies, and Nhev as his cousin's mate, it took little deducing to know who to attack. His silver hackles went up, and he plunged into the battle alongside Crucifix, snapping at the lion in quick, vicious bites that were more aimed at driving him off of Nhevaris than causing and serious damage.

Krush took a hefty strike across the side of the face fro Spotlit, laying open the side of his cheek and narrowly slicing above one eye. He yelped and scrambled back, while Sunburst swooped around and darted at Spot's flank before skipping back. "We're not such easy prey now, are we kitty?" He continued to mock, and was ready to rush in again for another stinging bite if the liger continued his attack. For her part, Naiche scrambled up from the ground, bloodied but alive, and beyond relieved to see her old packmates. Finding her voice, she snarled madly at the intruding cat, "Leave our terra! You wont have our cubs, tonight or any night!"

Rufflan settled himself on a higher branch, his ears flat out at either side of his skill, and his eyes wide with fear and... maybe just a little indignation at the resounding rebuke he'd gotten from his pridemates. "Shut up! I didn't know they had so many allies!" He spat back at Autumn and Spotlight before glaring down at the wolves near the base of the tree, leaping and snapping as they tried to get a piece of him.

Arora, Nhevaris, Tuini, & Others

The world swam for Nhevaris for a moment, and in that short span of time, he wasn't sure if this were the end or not. But then two large wolves had rushed in, one silver and one gray, and laid into Tuini. In the haze of action, he spotted Starscream darting past the lot of them, likely headed for his daughter, but it didn't matter. The fury of three wolves was enough to drive Tuini back, and scramble back he did! The lion roared savagely as Crucifix and Crow, and then a recovered Nhevaris, tore at his tawny fur and flesh. "Enough!" He snapped at Crucifix, and swung at Crow, snagging the edge of his muzzle, before backing off a little more, "You've made your point! Makucha, we're leaving!"

Autumn stepped back again, putting more distance between herself and the bear as she continued to eye him up. She briefly watched Rufflan scramble up the tree, two wolves hot on his heals, but didn't pay much heed to the smaller feline. "Golum it is? Fancy that, a bear living with wolves? Must be a little degrading, being their body guard like that."

Spotlight wanted to lunge at one of these irritating creatures, but attacking one would open himself up to the fangs of the other two. Fuming, he began to scoot back as well, trying to keep the canines in front of him where he could watch for an attack. "You got lucky this time, is all. Next time we hunt, we'll bring the whole pride."

Golumn

He laughs at autumn.I am with them of my own free will. I do not mind protecting those I see as family.He said.

Crucifix ears were back and he snapped at him again after the enough.Then get movingHe had intentions of following this cat to make sure he left.

Tayzerka and Kozerk glared up at the feline teeth bared.well you heard your pathetic leader get a move on catShe growled.

Arora, Nhevaris, Tuini, & Others

He wanted so badly to pounce, but Tuini knew he was outnumbered. This was merely a hunt, not a war, and there was little sense getting his pridemates bloodied over a simple lunch. A lingering glare was leveled at Crucifix as he continued to back off, and a second roar was issued to command the other three to leave the forgo the hunt. "Until we meet again, wolf." The lion growled, but finally turning and charging into the underbrush.

Autumn Sun nodded to Golum, "If that's how you have to convince yourself that you're not being used by them, you tell yourself whatever you need to. But I know wolves, and it's a shame such a powerful beast like yourself is being played by them." She left the grizzly with that opinion before she spun around and bolted for the trees, heading sharply north. Spotlight wasn't far behind her, though he did throw another paw at the irritating Sunburst before hightailing it from the territory.

As the Makucha began to melt away into the trees, Nhevaris bowed his head to Crucifix and Crow, "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I couldn't have fought him off myself." He didn't quite realize who Crucifix was just yet, assuming he was a part of Starscream's pack. After his bow, the alpha started running for the den, to check on his mate and pups.

Krush, Sunburst, Naiche, & Rufflan

Sunburst easily dodged the incoming paw, dancing neatly away with well honed movements. He then chased after the retreating Spotlight, barking and snarling, intent on following the enemy to the border before he'd turn back and rejoin the others.

Naiche stood panting, wanting to chase after Spotlight as well, but unwilling to leave Arora and the den site right now. Just as she was moving that way, Krush intervened with a soft whine, "Are you okay, Naiche?" He stepped forward, ears slightly back and tongue ready to help clean away some of the blood that was now seeping into her dark coat. The wolf huffed and shook her head, a slight wrinkling in her muzzle telling Krush that his advances weren't welcome at this time. "I'm fine." She answered back, pushing past him and moving towards Golum with less than trusting eyes.

Up in the tree, Rufflan squirmed uncomfortably on his branch. He was a little irked that the rest of his pride had just run off, without helping out of his arboreal hideout, but then they a little irked at him as well. Taking his chances, the lynx stretched and moved to a different branch on the opposite side of the tree, then made a powerful leap. The feline catapulted himself to the ground, hitting it was a grunt, and wasting no time in running north.

Crucifix

His eyes narrow at the cats words but nothing was said or done. His ears returning to normal. I will have Golum remain with you for a few days to give you time to heal and to keep an eye out and dissuade those curs from coming back right awayHe said. He gave a howl for his pack that had come. Golum stay here for a few daysHe said.

Golum just rolled his eyes at the cat and nodded to crucifix as he moved away from the den.

Tayzerka did chase ruffien for a few moments before moving back to her mate.

Arora, Starscream, Crow, & Pups

"Arora, are you okay? The kids?" Starscream questioned, crouched down on his forelimbs to peer into the darkness of the den.

"Stay here." Arora whispered, firm enough to stop any protests from her children. She then crawled forward, moving up the tunnel towards the entrance where the sounds of fighting had died down, and where her father's worried face all but blocked the sunlight from the mouth of the den. "I'm alright, dad. Just a scratch." She pushed forward, giving him an assuring nuzzle before squeezing past his bulk and blinking into the sunlight. Her hackles were still up, and they remained that way as she surveyed the gathered allies, including the bear. She'd caught what Crucifix said about the creature though and nodded, "Thank you, Crucifix is it? Thank you all." The alphess swept her gaze to those gathered, and let it linger for a moment on her mate, grateful that he was alive.

Starscream rumbled slightly, "Do you think it's wise having a bear around your kids, Arora? No offense Crucifix, but-"

The alphess cut her father off, "No, I trust him. As I trust our allies." She gave her father a gentle nudge and then looked to Crucifix, "We're grateful for your aid today, and I suppose now is a good a time as ever to officially request an alliance with your pack?"

Crucifix

He nodded to her and sighed at starscream. "You will find that the young are the safest to be around him in ways. He was fierce now but when it comes to the young he is a push over." He said. "As i have an alliance with your father my alliance ties to you as long as you are allied with him" he said

Golum wasnt insulted by starscream words but crucifix was right

Arora, Nhevaris, & Others

Nhevaris stood beside his mate, close enough to let their fur mingle as he listened to her and Crucifix discuss the alliance. He took the moment to glance at the den, where he heard the pups talking anxiously between themselves, frightened but unharmed. The thought of a bear hanging around their cubs made him a little nervous, but then Golum did risk injury to protect them and his mate just now, and despite Starscream's protest, Arora didn't seem too bothered. And it would be nice to have such a bruiser nearby if the cats returned; Nhev knew they were lucky this time that their allies were so close at paw; had it taken them any longer to arrive, the pack could have been decimated.

"Golum will be treated as a fellow member of the pack." The alpha vowed, ultimately accepting the bear within their ranks, at least for a little while. "Crucifix, may I ask what other allies you have? Or enemies?" He glanced at his mate after requesting this, then looked back to the leader of the Parnassian Meadows.

Starscream flattened his ears and looked upon Golum with distrust thick in his amber eyes, but held his tongue from further words. He'd always been uncomfortable with non-lupines in his pack, and that dislike had only grown stronger over the years. The old wolf lowered his voice and spoke to his own mate, "Tay, think we should heave your brother or Crow hang around her for a few days, to help keep an eye on things?"