Hidden Dangers

[[cat.CHAN]]

<sup>The sun had barely begun to make it's slow journey above the towering pines and jagged rocks of the mountains, the soft new born light resting on the backs of snow capped peaks, beginning to filter over onto the land of the Western Plains. A fresh layer of a snow was beginning to melt back from the paths, still nestling in trees and undergrowth, and covering a strangely flat slope among the jagged rocks that almost completely filled one of the odd clearings in the deeper forest. If one looked closely, the slope would be identified as a roof, connected to a small, run-down cabin, a splintered wooden door being gently pushed forward an inch by the breeze, then swinging back to hit the door frame with a soft thump. Both the door, and the frame were covered in deep claw and teeth marks, with two areas were chunks of wood had been ripped out altogether. To a human, it would look abandoned, and none the less rather frightening, especially to the odd dried blood droplets scattered over the steps, but a werewolf would know better. The blood? From the owner, a few odd careless cuts left unattended. The scratch marks? Let's just call it anger management. And the owner? That morning was one of the rare times you could find her at home, curled up upon the bare mattress pushed into a corner, a single thin sheet covering an otherwise bare body, but the cold didn't bother her much, she was very used to it. Startlingly long white blonde hair cascading off the mattress and onto the floor in all directions, in a way that would have given her a slightly 'sleeping beauty' type look, if it hadn't been for the fact said hair was an abominable mess of knots and matted parts where the blood had been caught by stray strands down by her legs. Her skin looked and smooth as soft as lily petals, eyelids smooth; a picture of peace. The complete polar opposite of how she was when awake. Rolling onto her side and clutching the covers closer to her subconsciously, she shivered a little as the freezing air rolled off her skin. The rest of the cabin was mostly bare, apart from a small wardrobe with one door ripped off, the other drooping on one hinge, revealing the small collection of mostly damaged clothing inside. A nightstand beside the mattress held a leather wallet and an aquamarine droplet on thick black string, that seemed to be a necklace. But don't be fooled, to discover this cabin, and Crystal Revine, would be something you regretted for the rest of your life.

If you lived that long.</sup>

[amethyst]

The soft crunching of the snow beneath the paws of the two wolves could easily be heard amongst the silence. The larger, near solid black wolf lead slightly, leaning close to the smaller, brown schemed wolf, shielding her trembling eyes from the sudden gusts of wind that swept through the woods. The bitter cold of night had not yet subsided, though the sun was finally rising, warming the hearts and the bones of the two weary travelers. The small one looked up to her companion in travel. Her voice was very mature in sound, though it rang with a sense of innocence.

"We should find shelter and rest for a while Jayden..."

The one addressed as Jayden merely nodded his head once. He scanned the area, and raised his nose up, sniffing the air, his solemn glare seemed unphased. Another gust blew, and the two tensed up, and merely shook off the snow that had clung tightly to their fur. Jayden looked back up rather quickly, sniffing. The air had carried a scent, of another wolf. His ears folded back, and he turned and looked to the girl.

"Be alert... there are others...."

She nodded silently, and the two proceeded ahead, scanning their surroundings at a constant, their ears up in alert. The two eventually came across a cabin, and Jayden looked to the girl.

"Ame, we must hurry past."

Ame nodded, and quickened her pace, making sure to keep herself unheard. Jayden then proceeded behind her, his eyes focused on the cabin door, until they were far enough away that he ruled them clear. Ame stopped a few steps outside of the clearing, sniffing the air, and turned to Jayden silently. Jayden looked to her in silence, and sighed.

"We must be guarded. We cannot approach who we do not know in the condition you're in."

Ame shook her head, and looked up to him.

"I am fine, simply fatigued."
"Precisely. You are weakened. Let us go..."

[[cat.CHAN]]

The low reverberating hum of voices carried on the winter wind caressed Crys' ears, stirring her from her sleep-heavy state, eyelids creasing as they prepared to open, like flower petals as it bloomed, revealing dazed golden irises, the pupils shrinking as they got used to the light, her face a mask of unfathomable marble for a few moments, before her brow creased again, sitting up straight, comprehending what voices must mean. Other people. Intruders. Humans? Crys inhaled deeply as another gust of wind blew in through the broken door. No. Wolves. Her eyes narrowed as her grip on the sheets tightened until her knuckles turned white. She couldn't have intruders here. No matter what the circumstance. She wouldn't allow it. All they spelled was danger for her. Getting to her feet, she stretched, letting the sheet fall away from her, closing her eyes, preparing herself mentally for the Change. Soon enough her muscles tweaked in response, bringing her onto all fours as they writhed, stretching and contracting into what seemed like impossible shapes for her frame, bones grinding, skin stretching, fur sprouting. And it was done. The snowy white wolf stretched, seeming peaceful for a moment, before remembering her reason for changing, keeping her weight on the pads of her paws so that she'd make as little noise as possible, slipping out the door, inhaling again to pick up the scent. The trail was faint, at least. Crys sighed. No point in following now...Another scent sudden caught her nose, another wolf, but stronger, and sharper. Sharper...Impure. Disgusting. Bitten. Her eyes became slits. This was one wolf she wouldn't let get away.

Padding slowly through the snow riddled path, Kait stifled a yawn, eyelids dropping as her dark brown paws seemed to be on auto-pilot, heavy steps coming naturally as if she were floating on air. Her human side complained that it was too early to be out here, but her wolf side took no notice, wanting to be outdoors in the fresh air, relishing the first notes of winter and the changes it brought to her home. Her senses remained too tired to pick up the scent of others, but as faint voices crossed her ears, she blinked, waking up a little more. The voices were unfamiliar, not from her pack. Strange...

[amethyst]

Ame sighed and looked to Jayden, even merely observing the wideness of her eyes would display that she was not the least bit accepting of his response. Jayden looked to her in silence, his stern glare focused, until Ame's glare became more bitter. He then sighed and lowered his head.

"Ame, if you continue to recklessly care, you're going to get us both killed. Approaching foreign...."

He sighed once more, seeing that her glare had yet to fade, and shook his head, turning around and looking past her. He would never be one to admit he admired her faith, even knowing what little of her he did. If only the rest of the world were even as much a moralist as this one. But that wasn't the case, there are rare few who can be trusted in such a world as this, and therefore, it was his duty to be the sensible of the two. But as he began to finish, Ame began her rebuttal.

"I would never have met you if I didn't pursue my curiosity. If I sense danger, I won't approach, and you know that."
"Ame y-"

Before he had even begun, his eyes widened. The two sniffed the air, the scent they had faintly picked up earlier had grown stronger. Surely the accompanying wolves would be able to detect theirs as well. If they were in territory, it was their wrong. Jayden looked to Ame and tilted his head, signaling her to follow. Ame merely stood with eyes wide. Jayden walked toward her, but before he had even stepped his third step, Ame rushed ahead. Jayden immediately picked up his pace, growling under his breath. This girl had another of her impulses, and while admittedly, she seemed to always be right, he didn't like such risks. He followed her, though not as closely as he'd like, for she was a swift runner. She came to a step at the clearing, and peered out cautiously, spotting a small brown wolf. She looked at her curiously, and Jayden came up beside her, his ears immediately folded back, and his head lowered, baring his fangs. Even if this wandering female weren't of any threat, his wanted to establish that he was not merely going to let her wander into his "pack" untrusted.

[[cat.CHAN]]

Crys crossed the maze of rocks that led to the forest path with surprising ease, very nimble and quick on her feet, lithe form a snowy blur as she followed her nose toward the bitten wolf, golden eyes blazing like embers, lips already pulled back in the first notes of a threatening snarl, building up her throat as her paws touched soft ground, building up speed. The trees passed either side of her, mingling into a mix of browns and greens, until they slowed, Crys dropping low, stomach grazing the ground, prowling forward with the purpose and poise of a predator, claws unsheathed and hackles raised, ears flat against her skull. The wolf was in her sights now, a small brown female, looking to be half asleep, wandering aimlessly through the trees, lazily. The snarl reached full volume and Kait froze, eyes widening as her head snapped back and forth, looking around her. Ears flat and head low between her shoulders, Kait's eyes sparked with an instant panic, backtracking toward the trees, in no state to be fighting, when her fogged brain could barely comprehend it was most likely the growling wolf at fault, in her pack's territory. Crys advanced, finally coming into Kait's sight, eyes fixed on her, tensed for attack. Kait barely had time to turn and stare, before Crys pounced, latching onto her shoulder, fangs sinking into the skin and partly the muscle, but not deep enough to cause bad damage. Kait yelped, very nearly throwing herself to one side, then realized this would be a bad idea, most likely causing a tear, so she dropped and rolled to one side, throwing Crys off. The white wolf hit the ground and sprang up in one fluid movement, feinting to Kait's right and leaping at her side, claws scratching at her back and stomach, knocking Kait to the ground, Crys succeeding in pinning her down. Kait's eyes grew wide, staring into the cold amber of Crys', seeing a mass of conflicting emotions, cold hatred and deep set hurt, rising to the surface to try and prove something she had buried long ago. But to her horror, she saw no relent, no chance of survival.

[amethyst]

A slight movement caught Jayden's attention, and he glanced over, seeing the white wolf approaching the brown one. He then looked back to Ame, hearing as she gasped in reaction to snarl of the attacking white wolf. Ame looked over toward the white wolf, and her ears folded back. Her face contorted to anger, and she began to snarl loudly, her muscles beginning to tense. Jayden, seeing this, immediately concluded Ame was growing defensive over the brown wolf. In reaction, he bound off, and Ame merely slinked behind coverage, readying herself for an ambush if the need arose. Jayden raced over at full speed, and threw himself against the white wolf, intending to send her rolling, long enough for the brown wolf to regain her footing. Jayden's deep, vicious snarling did not last for long. The thought that more would come raced through his mind, and he immediately turned around, tucking his neck under the brown wolf's belly, and pushing her up to roll down his neck and onto his back. He then proceeded to race off in the direction of the woods. Ame followed suite as the two passed, and followed along as he leapt swiftly over the trunks and rocks that lay in his path. After they'd gotten far enough in, Jayden slowed to a walk, then stopped, lowering himself to allow the female off of his back. Ame walked over, and panted, trying to regain her breath, as she sat down.

"My, that was heroic."

Jayden glared at Ame, and then stood up, walking around the female, studying her silently. After three complete circles, he proceeded to sit directly in front of her. He then looked to her, and exhaled, then looked over to Ame, and back to her.

"You should be more careful. Carelessly wandering into someone's territory, alone, is merely giving yourself up as prey..."

Ame walked over, sitting beside him and bowed her head.

"Please excuse Jayden, he's not good with introductions. My name is Ame...."

Jayden merely sighed, and shook his head.

[[cat.CHAN]]

Suddenly, the ruthless glare of gold irises disappeared in a flash, and the world spun in a blur of sky and land, and before she knew it, the ground shot by, despite her being stationary. Kait blinked in surprised, before her sleep-ridden mind bolted awake, realizing she was being carried. Kait opened her jaws to complain, then shut them again, thinking it was probably wise to stay no the good side of her savior, in case the white wolf was following. Stepping down from the wolf's back as he stopped, she stood awkwardly, eyes following him as he circled her, seeming to be doing the wolf equivalent to chewing on her lower lip, before sinking onto her haunches, avoiding his gaze. Instead, she turned it on the female wolf, seeming a little bit more comfortable around her. Well, that was no wonder, as the male seemed to be giving her quite the telling off. Her eyes narrowed in a burst of slight embarrassment and odd courage, the urge to contradict him, an urge that never had good consequences but she was powerless to fight it.

"Actually, that wolf was in /my/ territory, I'll thank you not to jump to conclusions!" She snapped, then stopped abruptly, mentally biting her tongue. Damn. It seemed she wasn't much good at introductions either, today at least. Lowering her head, she sighed internally, counting to ten before murmuring a reply. "I'm Kait...Nice to meet you Ame and...Jayden,"

[amethyst]

As the wolf responded, declaring that this was her territory, Jayden's face lightened, almost as if he were trying not to laugh. The only other sign to give this away was the rhythm of his breathing. Ame looked to the girl in slight shock, but merely shook her head. As she introduced herself as Kait, and stated that it was nice to meet them, Ame nodded.

"I will apologize for the assumption... the situation... gave us the impression it was otherwise."

Jayden looked to her, and shook his head, looking back to Kait.

"It didn't help that you look like you lack the confidence to be the alpha female of a pack."

Ame looked to him, huffing, and growling slightly. Jayden merely shook his head, and stood, walking past Kait and Ame. Ame then tilted her head, and after a moment, she too stood. Jayden continued to walk ahead silently. Perhaps this time Ame's intuition was correct in the sense that the female was defenseless, but that perhaps the female wasn't exactly as socially longing as Jayden had been when Ame first approached. Ame lowered her head to a bow once more, and walked past Kait, knowing that Jayden had no intention of stopping.

"I apologize for crossing into your territory, we're merely passing through. We shall now depart..."

[[cat.CHAN]]

Suddenly realizing what they thought, Kait's eyes widened, a little surprised herself. Her? Alpha female? Surely they must be joking...Although, her pack's hierarchy was a little...messy at the moment. They were doing their best to get things back together, and Eclipse was going his best as Alpha to keep them all in line. But it was a view shared by her pack, that this land was /their/ land, it belonged to them all, it was their home. But as much Kait hated to admit it, she didn't think of herself as Alpha female material, and apparently they didn't either. Nice to know people agreed with her on such matters.

"Uhm..." She began, getting to her feet in order to stop them moving, feeling the need to explain herself. "I-I'm not Alpha Female, t-the pack I belong to owns this land...I-It's just our habit to call it 'our' land..." Taking a few quick steps forward, she skirted round them, block their path with a earnest apologetic expression, still not quite meeting their eyes as embarrassment still reigned, Kait was pushing her own boundaries stopping them leaving. "D-don't feel like you have to leave on my behalf, you can stay...for a while, at least," She wasn't entirely sure how Eclipse would react to that, but she felt it was her own fault that they'd gotten involved with that white wolf, plus the male /had/ saved her, which she was grateful for, despite his rather offensive nature.

[amethyst]

Ame looked to Kait with her eyes slightly widened, a curious expression that was expressed in both her human and wolf form if something sparked any amount of curiousness within her. As Kait walked in front of them, Ame followed her with her sights, and Jayden merely stopped, looking to her. As she explained, and offered for them to rest a while, Jayden sighed. Today was certainly full of new experiences for him. Not only had he reacted and saved someone that he did not know, but he had been wrong in an observation. To top it off, the female was offering to allow them to rest within her territory. It also seemed as if the female were one to insist. He bowed his head, and Ame looked to him as he spoke.

"I appreciate the kindness.... but... how would the other members of your pack feel of such an offer, if we were to accept?"

[[cat.CHAN]]

After a tense pause, Kait opened her mouth uncertainly to answer, but was instead cut short by the fading echo of a distant howl, one she recognized to be Eclipses'. 'All of those in my land, meet at Tooley's or else' Kait chewed her lip thoughtfully, then turned to Ame and Jayden with an apologetic smile. "That was my Alpha just now, actually. I think we should be going, he requests all of our presence," She paused for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm going to grab some clothes if you wouldn't mind waiting here a moment," With that, the brown wolf turned tail and shot off through the trees, toward the house. Of course she couldn't turn up at Tooley's in wolf form. Ten minutes later, the dark haired female returned, clad in a tight silk dark green top with a deep v-neck and black jeans, flat shoes on her feet for the journey. Running a hand threw her hair, she blew upward at her fringe, looking at the two with a slight smile. "Sorry for the wait...Are you ready to go?"

[amethyst]

Ame and Jayden's ears perked upward as they heard the distant howl, and Ame looked to Kait as she explained. Ame nodded as Kait raced off, and sat silently for a moment, looking over to Jayden.

"Perhaps we should take on our human appearance as well...?"

Jayden looked to Ame and sighed slightly, standing up and closing his eyes. He then felt the transformation begin, his muscles and bones reconstructing themselves into that of a humans. After the transformation was complete, Jayden opened his eyes, and cleared his throat, quickly walking over to the small backpack Ame had been toting underneath her belly for the journey. Ame leaned her head down as he removed it, and chuckled, noticing that his skin was already showing the chill bumps in reaction to the cold, though she knew the tough guy was trying to act unphased. She then closed her eyes, and proceeded to take on her form. Jayden stepped into the dark green, red, and black plaid patterened boxers, and then quickly stepped into the loose fit black jeans. He then reached over, and grabbed his black boots and thick socks, stepping into them quickly. With a slight shiver he reached over, grabbing the formal navy blue button up shirt, and proceeded to complete his attire. Running his hand through his medium length black hair and letting it fall into place. Ame, by now, was already getting dressed, in her long black skirt, and purple fitting long sleeved formal shirt. She then clipped on her black chocker, and looked over to Jayden as she stepped into her more feminine black heel boots. She ran her hand through her wavy brown hair, and looked over to him.

"I suppose we simply wait here?"

Jayden looked over to her and nodded, hooking the small chain necklace he seemed favorable to wearing, on around his neck.

"She did say she'd be back..."

As Kait approached, Ame and Jayden looked over toward her. Ame smiled and nodded, and Jayden stood completely silently, removing his hands from his pockets, and rubbing them together a moment before replacing them. His eyes seemed to be observing her, though he was making it as casual as possible. This little brown wolf was suddenly appearing a lot more appealing. Ame smiled, noticing Kait's shirt.

"Oh, that's a lovely shirt... it looks comfortable..."

Jayden blushed slightly and turned his head in another direction, now that attention had been called to the exact object his eyes happened to be upon at the moment.