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Post by Phantom on Nov 26, 2009 18:24:39 GMT -5
The storm raged above their head. Starfrost whimpered, limping slowly on top of the den, old bones barely supporting him. He had to lay at the top, panting, eyes having already dulled with age-old blindness. Beside him, waiting, was his beloved mate, who quietly lay her head on his shoulders comfortingly. She let out a quiet gethering howl for him, acknowledging he would need his last breaths. These last moments were heart-wrenching for her. The two lovers had started out, once upon a time, and had their ups and downs. And now, all that was falling apart. She would hide her pain from the pack, though. she would have to stay strong. Now they just had to wait for the pack to gather.
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Post by Mystic on Nov 26, 2009 18:30:00 GMT -5
Mystic emerged from the den she shared with her mate and pups. Starblood, Starfrost's namesake, and Dandre soon followed. Both pups had rarely left their mother's side since Blackshadow had come into their camp and slaughtered their brothers and sisters. Songheart would soon emerge from her den and Magic from his. Juliet hurried out of her, ears pricked forward in alarm. Finally Avalanche, his mate, and Dartsnow emerged. Each wolf began to settle before the dying Alpha, whimpers and whines already beginning to surface. A few, like Donovan, were sitting tall and proud. But their sadness was evident.
"Oh no...Papa..." Mystic murmured, hurrying closer. Without thinking she leapt up beside her father and nuzzled him. She couldn't let him go without letting him no how much she loved him.
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Post by Phantom on Nov 26, 2009 18:58:54 GMT -5
Starfrost instantly leaned against her, sighing. He used her to push himself to his paws and face the pack. As he did, Sootflare emerged from her and Magic's den, and stood close to her mate, uncertain what was happening. Malikite came out to sit beside his sister, casting a glance towards Dartsnow, wary. Romeo, like Soot, didn't really know what was going on, but had more of a hunch. Dying of old age was a new concept to him too.
"I won't be here much longer." Starfrost sighed. "But as a last wish, I want to entrust my now-immortal mate to the one I know I can trust to keep her safe." He turned and gave Sunstorm a loving nuzzle. "Donovan." He turned to the silver-black male, giving him a nod. "Please keep her and the pack safe." He turned to Mystic, nuzzling her gently. "And my... daughter...." He smiled warmly, meaningfully at her, even though he could nolonger see her. He knew, like she did, that she wasn't really his. But she was still his to him. "She'll be a great Alpha when she's ready to take the job."
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Post by Mystic on Nov 26, 2009 21:34:29 GMT -5
Heads turned to Donovan. He rose to his paws and let out a bark of recognition, then bowed his head to Sunstorm.
Mystic had tears running down her face. She nuzzled against her father's neck. No, he wasn't her father really. But Starfrost was the one she called 'papa.' Not Hemitite. Starfrost was the one who would comfort her when it was storming at night. Starfrost was the one who told her stories as a pup. Starfrost was the first to congratulate her when she completed her first hunt. "I love you, Papa."
Magic had tears in his eyes. He tossed his head back and howled. Not in mourning. In honor. Starfrost was his grandfather, the only Alpha he'd ever known. Magic was simply thanking him. Dartsnow and her parents joined in, along with Juliet. One by one, more wolves began to howl to honor their dying Alpha. Mystic smiled at her pack and nuzzled against her father again. "Thank you Papa. Thank you for everything." Not just for being a wonderful Alpha. But for raising her, caring for her when a lesser wolf would have killed or banished her from birth.
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Post by Phantom on Nov 26, 2009 22:14:16 GMT -5
"Hey, I'm not dead yet!" Starfrost snapped playfully, amused. "Don't get your hopes up so soon." He laughed, turning to nuzzle Mystic. Hiding it from the pack, he whispered into her ear. "I love you too, Myst... I think I'm going to ask your father one last favor." He sighed, moving away and limping off into the woods. It was generally tradition for a dying elder to just walk off to die peacefully. But by what he'd told his daughter, that wasn't what he'd had in mind.
Having not heard his hidden intent, Sunstorm sighed and stepped down from the dens and towards Donovan, sitting beside him and just resting up against him someone. It didn't matter whether or not they loved each other - her dying mate had requested it. Nothing else mattered.
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Post by Mystic on Nov 26, 2009 22:23:23 GMT -5
A few giggles ran through the pack as the howling died down. But all was silent as Starfrost began to disappear into the forest. Mystic kept her head up as he sauntered away. This was part of her immortality. She'd see many packmates go off like this. But she'd never do it herself. Nor would her mate or any of her kin.
I'm going to ask your father one last favor.
She was going to ask Hemitite something? What? Well, Myst didn't want to follow him and find out. She looked to Donovan, who nudged Sunstorm. They didn't love each other, but they would honor their Alpha's final wish. Mystic dipped her head in respect to the new Alpha, then went to her mate and two youngest pups. Both were hiding under Romeo, who provided some shelter from the rain. Myst let out a sigh and nudged her mate.
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Post by Phantom on Nov 26, 2009 22:43:33 GMT -5
A snarl ripped from the crowd and Jaggededge, the infamous dark wolf paced up to Donovan, whispering into his ear. His fur stood on end and he glared over at Mystic, feirce. Sunstorm frowned at his gaze, glancing at Mystic worriedly. She didn't like that look. She didn't like it at all.
(Shoooort. >.<)
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Post by Mystic on Nov 26, 2009 22:58:36 GMT -5
Mystic didn't seem to notice. She dipped her head down to talk to her two youngest. Starblood was staring in the direction where Starfrost had disappeared to. His mother was telling them that when wolves got very old, they'd go into the forest and let nature take their bodies. Dandre followed his brother's gaze and nuzzled him. It would be the last time they saw their grandfather, and they knew it.
Donovan was looking at Mystic, his eyes narrowed at her. His gaze flickered once to Juliet and Magic as well.
((Now? >3))
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Post by Phantom on Nov 26, 2009 23:15:07 GMT -5
((Yus. C<))
Jagged leapt to the top of the dens, letting out a feirce howl. Threatening. He glanced down at Donovan, signalling. He glared over at Mystic, a snarl on his lips. "You? The Alpha? How ridiculous." He laughed coldly, sitting down to wait for Donovan totake his claim.
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Post by Mystic on Nov 26, 2009 23:23:58 GMT -5
Magic and Juliet snarled in unison. How dare Jag insult their mother!
Donovan leapt up beside Jag. "Mystic is no Alpha. I will take Starfrost's place as leader of this pack. She should not have been allowed to live past birth, much less lead us!" He snarled at her. Mystic blinked. What had she done?
"Mystic IS the Alpha!" Avalanche growled. "She's Starfrost's daughter!"
"Does she look at all like Starfrost to you?" Donovan demanded. "Do her pups look like him? Look at her two youngest! Look at her grandson! Mystic isn't the daughter of Starfrost, our beloved Alpha. Mystic Niveus is the daughter of Hemitite, the Blackshadow captain!" Lightning flashed across the sky and all heads turned towards Mystic. "She was lucky. She managed to hide her sire's identidy with her appearance. But her descendants couldn't." Donovan glared at Malikite and the two pups seeking shelter from the rain under Romeo. "She even has a Blackshadow as a mate! Their son has a Blackshadow as a mate. They're reverting back to their blood thirsty roots."
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Post by Phantom on Nov 26, 2009 23:34:53 GMT -5
Jag, seeming to have adopted himself as Donovan's beta, growled in support. "Filthy half-breeds! They should be chased out at once! Or soon our pack will turn as blackened and heartless as their Blackshadow family!" He snarled, tail lashing behind him. Malikite snarled up at the two, shooting a glance over at Dart. She wasn't a target. He was glad she wasn't. But what did she think about this? Romeo, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes feircely at Donovan, lowering himself over his two sons. No matter what happened, he would protect them.
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Post by Mystic on Nov 26, 2009 23:51:11 GMT -5
"I am a Greenwood!" Mystic snarled. "I was born here! I was raised here! Starfrost raised me as his own! Does it matter who sired me?"
"Then you admit it!" Donovan growled.
Mystic paused, and all was silent. Then she drew herself up proudly. She refused to be ashamed. "Yes. I am Hemitite's daughter." Cries of surprise and alarm ran through the pack. Many began to back away, eyes on the Blackshadow family. Magic positioned himself in front of Song and Sootflare, his eyes narrowed at Donovan and Jag. Dartsnow was looking at Malikite, her expression unreadable.
"Does it matter?" Mystic growled. "You all know me! I'm not bloodthirsty! I've never so much as bared my fangs at any of you! Neither have my pups!"
"Your father has. And Jag has seen you talking with him. He's seen ALL of you talking with him. Juliet told him he could stay on our territory!" Donovan snarled. "Traitors! The Blackshadow should have killed you along with the rest of your litter, Mystic! Leave our territory! All of you! And any one of you-" He looked sharply at the pack. "-who disagrees can go with them."
No one moved.
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Post by Phantom on Nov 27, 2009 0:12:37 GMT -5
Malikite was terrified. He could hardly keep himself calm for his sister. He couldn't stop glancing at Dartsnow. What would she do? It didn't take him long before he turned his gaze completely away from her, refusing to look at her anymore. She would keep living here. What other choice would she have? He glared up at Donovan, a snarl on his lips. "If this is the Alpha we'd be trusted to, I wouldn't stay anyway." He snorted, making the first retreat, moving back into the woods. He knew he'd have to. He was one of the obvious Blackshadow half-breeds. He couldn't stay.
There was no hesitation when his mother followed him. Sootflare didn't look at Magic as she turned away. She would stay with her son, at least. And she knew her daughter wouldn't leave her brother behind either.
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Post by Mystic on Nov 27, 2009 12:46:38 GMT -5
Magic and Song were at their side in moments. Song rushed to catch up with her brother, whimpering. She glanced back at the wolves standing and watching.
"MALI!" Dartsnow suddenly ran forward, only to be blocked by her mother.
'No! I will not allow my daughter to throw her life away for a filthy half-breed!" her mother snarled.
Dartsnow looked helplessly at Malikite and whined.
Juliet looked at all of the wolves. She had been popular and well-liked. Especially with the males. No all of those same wolves were throwing her entire family out. "The rest of my family may forget this one day, but I certainly will not!" She looked to her mother and mouthed 'Hemitite.' Then she took off towards the corner of the territory where he was dwelling. She had to warn him to get off or be chased off. Mystic looked around at the hostile faces. Not even Avalanche, her oldest friend, said a word in their defense.
"Let's go, Romeo." Mystic said quietly. She leaned down and grabbed Dandre by his scruff, leaving Starblood for Romeo to carry. Mystic began to pad after her kin while Dandre whimpered and looked back at his home.
"And if any of you ever come back, we'll kill you!" Donovan called after them.
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Post by Phantom on Nov 27, 2009 13:33:49 GMT -5
"No, you will not!" Sun storm snarled at her new mate, eyes like fire in their anger. "It matters not who Mystic's father was, I am still her mother! And I will not let her die by the likes of a monster like you." She shoved past him and went to nuzzle Mystic. It may be one last time. One thing Donovan could not do was exile the real Alpha. But he could tear all she loved away. She sighed, though; Donovan still had authority over her in some way. He did have the right to banish them. "I'm sorry..."
Romeo had already grabbed Star and was heading out, keeping as close to Mystic as possible, refusing to look back even once. He most certainly would not return. Not ever. His grandson had a harder time. The moment Dart's voice reached his ears, Malikite froze, and a heart-wrenching whimper escaped him. He slowly turned, eyes catching Dart out in the crowd. He stared, unable to move at all. He couldn't. He couldn't just leave her behind. Weren't they still engaged? No... anything Mystic had ever said would just be disregarded... "Dart..." He whimpered, and though he'd been the first to turn away, he was also the first to crack. With frantic whimpers, he raced back over to her, trying to shove past his exiled fmily and maybe even past the crowd of traitorous wolves to get to her. He could never leave her. No, he wouldn't let them take her away! "DART!!"
Meanwhile, Hemitite met Juliet part-way. He was already at the edge of the clearing, and had been watching the whole scene play out. His green-tinged fur had helped him blend in so well, she probably wouldn't even see him until she was two or three paces close. "Just because I can..." He turned to her, whispering. "I told you so." But really. Since the day Sunstorm had snnuck onto the border one spring day, he'd been saying the exile would happen eventually. It just depended on how long they waited, and how many would be thrown away.
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