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[meixiaotian]

Frost closed her eyes. Fury and anger and the horrible deep feeling of betrayal. She had gotten too close already. Wolves are social, but she could not get attached. Last time she did, she was betrayed, like now. Trust is unstable. Revenge, she thought as her mind fuzzed in and out of sleep. It was nothing compared to the sense of loss, but it gave some satisfaction, enough to keep the terrible thoughts away, but here it comes again. Revenge on the loners. Nothing big, maybe just a... Frost finally fell asleep. Her dreams were forgotten when she woke up, only remembering a sad feeling deep inside. Her dream was swirls of dark sorrow, betrayal, anger, fury, resentment, and so much more. A few minutes before the sun came up, she woke up. She was too unsettled to really sleep. Frost tried to blink the exhaustion away. She wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep. Staggering upward, she made her way out of her den and lay by the lake. The dark of night was still there, and with the setting moon, she could barely see a gray glint off of the water. Her head reached her paws and she gazed out at the water. Connections only gave grief in the end, something unnecessary. She lay there gazing cross the lake at where everyone else was camped. The rays of light from the sun started to give more color to the lake, the clouds, the dead leaves that she was laying on. Then, without really knowing why, she stood up and ran away from there towards Faumara beach.
Running always helped. She could run away from her fears and feel only the wind. It was also too hard to feel sorry for herself or think about a bad problem while still concentrating on running. The thousands of times she had run away caught up to hr, and she was soon at the beach. The brute from the pack Exousia was still there. His den was there, what a weird place for a den. She glared at him, unseen at the moment. They had gotten off on the wrong paw. He was obviously temper-mental. Then again, she had just snapped at about four other much stronger wolves, who was she to judge one that snapped at a weaker wolf? He was so... alike. Antisocial, lives alone, and... something else. Frost blinked, suddenly realizing what she was thinking. NO! She couldn’t get connected. It already smacked her in the muzzle last night. She lay down and watched him. Then again... Maybe he understood how she felt. That never had happened. She didn’t know how to react to something like this. Frost stood up. Whatever feelings she had for him, she had to warn him about the humans. Hesitating for a second, she went back up to him.
“My alphess would kill me if I didn’t tell you that there are humans around. I forgot how many.” She kept eye contact with him, seeing how he would react to this. Part of her was screaming, telling her to stop, it wouldn’t work, but she ignored it. She had already plunged herself in. It would be pathetic to back out now.

[Halgea]

Oak had been sitting near his den when he saw the silvery white fae walking up. Oh great, He thought wryly. If he still had this wolfs scent on him when he returned to Lobolita.... He could die. Or be forever shamed. Then the famora approached him. He stared intently at her, and her at him. Then she spoke.

"My alphess would kill me if I didn't tell you that there are humans around. I forgot how many." She said, keeping eye contact. Now he had no idea what to do. It was his duty as Beta Male to tell his alpha, but he couldn't just walk up to her and say "Hey, a Xyla fae told me that there are humans roaming around." That wouldn't cut it. But then again, if he lied he would be putting the pack in danger...

"You probably do not understand the spot I am in right now. My... companion, was not happy to smell the Xyla scent on me. The decision now is whether I will risk my pride or life for my pack." Doubt was clear in his eyes. Then resolution. "i will. Thank you... Frost." He said but waited for her reply.

[meixiaotian]

"You probably do not understand the spot I am in right now. My... companion, was not happy to smell the Xyla scent on me. The decision now is whether I will risk my pride or life for my pack."
He didn't wash it off? Well, he certainly was in a bad situation. Frost was about to tell him that humans were probably more dangerous than another pack, but then he spoke again.
"I will. Thank you... Frost." Good enough. She stared out at the water again, the waves crashing against the shore. Then she turned back to Oak. Maybe she could get attached. Then the alphess would smack her away and keep her away from other wolves for good. Would that really help though? Getting smacked again? She still had a life ahead of herself, no reason to re-ruin it. But he... She mentally smacked herself, since doing it physically would seem just plain weird.
Then, everything that had recently happened, her re-introduction into the pack, Koiro, Shade and Kishi, the humans, the loners, her feelings for Oak, the all crashed down into her.
"I'm sorry, it's just... Five loners strutted into pack territory to the den where an injured pack member is." The words spilled out. What was she supposed to do? Just wait for Kishi to sort it out, but she obviously had eyes for Shade. Her grudge at him for no real reason settled down in her stomach. Frost's eyes settled at the sand beneath her paws while she waited to hear his response to this bout of information.

[Oak]

Frost looked doubtful.... Oak almost went up to nuzzle her, but he wasn't one to get to attached. She glanced over to the ocean. Then she looked back at him and spoke. "I'm sorry, it's just... Five loners strutted into pack territory to the den where an injured pack member is." Frost then looked down at the soft sand beneath both their feet.

"I know how you feel. These lands are no longer safe for me though. There are a ton of new members in my.... pack. Lobolita.... I mean, my alphess won't be happy. She will find out and I can't tell her I have disobeyed most of her rules! i hate this... I feel so.... isolated." Oak said. He hadn't meant to say that much. He loved Frost, but they couldn't mate. They were in different packs and they could never be together. Unless.... NO! What was he thinking! He was loyal to his pack! He couldn't leave them! But Frost.

[meixiaotian]

What was she doing? Spilling? Getting too attached?
"I know how you feel. These lands are no longer safe for me though. There are a ton of new members in my.... pack. Lobolita.... I mean, my alphess won't be happy. She will find out and I can't tell her I have disobeyed most of her rules! I hate this... I feel so.... isolated." Oak responded. Frost looked up. Yeah, life is pretty, lonely. She could deal with it happily, but now, especially now, it seemed dark and wrong. She could try and help him. He didn't deserve to be kicked out or in trouble. Then again, she had thought that before, but it had ended out worse than any other wolf could imagine, than again, a lot of the wolves had pretty dramatic pasts. What was his? Could she trust him? she probably could. Anyway, he was right about one thing, If an alphess found her beta talking with another pack's shaman, she would kick the beta out. No wolf really wanted that, except for antisocial ones. He was antisocial. Then again, so was she, and they seemed to be spilling to one another. Finally, after more debating, Frost decided to trust him.
"Yeah, well, I would think you're fine with it. I was." She turned away and looked back to where she had come from for a second. Then she turned back. "Well, I was sort of forced to by a traitor, but... " She trailed off. Best not to plunge in again. Maybe he was trustworthy.

OOC, yeah, we're kind of rushing it.

[Oak]

"Yeah, well, I would think you're fine with it. I was." Frost said, "Well, I was sort of forced to by a traitor, but... " Oak could understand.

"As a pup, my mother died. I was taken in by a human, but... It didn't work out. once I was old enough I found a raft and escaped the island I was currently on, and ended up on kongrai. I was a loner for a bit until I stumbled upon this pack and this is where I was planning to stay." This fae seemed trustworthy. He liked her. She was honest. "This pack fits my personality, and doesn't exactly require too much socialization. I've decided I would like to help them and just not do much..." He decided he had said too much and glanced at her, a bit embarrassed. It was mating season. It had to be that effect.

[meixiaotian]

"As a pup, my mother died. I was taken in by a human, but... It didn't work out. once I was old enough I found a raft and escaped the island I was currently on, and ended up on kongrai. I was a loner for a bit until I stumbled upon this pack and this is where I was planning to stay.This pack fits my personality, and doesn't exactly require too much socialization. I've decided I would like to help them and just not do much..." Socialization isn't a pack requirement, she thought. She had lived in a pack for a couple years and hadn't socialized. But living with humans for a while? Seriously?
"Well, I was in a pack. Then a traitor killed the whole pack." They were spilling out, but, maybe it was just mating season. After a moments thought, she said something else.
"I might stay here for a bit. Keep away from the whole hustle and bustle of pack. I can only stay for one or two days though." Solitary with only one other wolf seemed fine at the moment, especially when he was also anti-social. They'd give each other space.

[Oak]

"Well, I was in a pack. Then a traitor killed the whole pack. I might stay here for a bit. Keep away from the whole hustle and bustle of pack. I can only stay for one or two days though." Frost said. Oak understood.

"That sounds good. I have no problem with it. I will be here most of the time, and when I'm not I am hunting or talking to a pack member. I need to go soon to tell Lobolita... But I don't know how she'll react, so maybe in a couple days, after your gone." He looked up at her and was without words until he turned and walked towards his den. Enough socializing. He was tired of talking.

[meixiaotian]

"That sounds good. I have no problem with it. I will be here most of the time, and when I'm not I am hunting or talking to a pack member. I need to go soon to tell Lobolita... But I don't know how she'll react, so maybe in a couple days, after your gone." Okay, she was staying. Keep her distance from her loner-ed pack for a while.
"Thank you." She said unnecessarily. He walked back to his den. Frost looked around at her surroundings and decided to distance herself a bit farther away from the border. A pile of dead leaves would be fine for now. She gathered up a few from the nearby trees and put them under a large tree near the border. Then she settled down for a moment. There was still now way that she could fall asleep again, but she rested her head on her muzzle, closed her eyes, and tried to relax. What was going on with the pack? Did the loners listen and go to the border? Probably not. They'd probably just noticed and ignored her. She turned her attention to Oak. What was se doing? it might've just been mating season, although she had never even felt a slight speck of feeling like this the past mating seasons.
After a while, she sniffed the air. Mice. Chipmunk. Rabbit. Sniffing again, Frost got up and prowled to the mice. Two fat mice were eating seeds and berries. She pounced and caught them both. They seemed like young mice, not smart enough to read the signs of a hunter. She brought them back and ate one. If Oak wanted the other, he could have it.

[Oak]

Oak made his way to the border to pick up the mouse Frost had left for him. He looked around and saw her sleeping in the rocks, the sun glistening off her silvery fur. His eyes lingered on her for a moment, but he turned and stalked back to his den. A rather large badger was toddling into his den, and he reminded himself he was in charge of all of the packs food storage. Though it wasn't his nature to attack, he had to to avoid a short famine for his pack. But, sadly, he was too late. There was no chance he would save the food now. The badger was tearing through it, snarfing down so much, Oak thought he might as well explode.

He soundlessly dropped the mouse and got down to stalk towards it. All of his focus was on that badger. His stare did not waver. A slow growl erupted. Then he pounced. The fat badger was taken off guard and let out a small yelp of protest as he promptly ripped through it.

[meixiaotian]

The col of Winter was blowing in. A bird fluttered on by with a twig in its mouth. Oak suddenly leaped out at it and-Frost woke with a start. There was the unmistakable yelp of a badger. She swung her head to where it was from. Oak was attacking it. Judging by the smell of blood, she guessed that it had gotten at his prey. Soon, it ran away. It was probably just fattening up for winter. Then again, the packs needed to too. She stood up and stretched for a moment. It was probably afternoon already. Had she napped for that long? Well, she was pretty tired. With another stretch, she trotted over to Oak, without knowing really what to say. The collection of rocks she had slept in was warming in the sunlight, but the wind kept then cooler. Hunger nagged somewhere in her stomach. Being a wolf, she was fine, but winter was coming and she hadn't had a big meal lately. Only a mouse today, and a couple mice yesterday, along with a fish or two. She glanced at Oak's leftover food, there wasn't much but skin and bones. She stood at the border, and asked, "should we hunt?"
It was a good idea, but where would they hunt? Probably Xyla land, Kishi would probably be more merciful than the Exousia alphess, from what Oak said about her.

[Oak]

Oak watched the fat badger run off and glanced back to Frost. She was up, walking towards the border. He walked over to where she stood. Then she spoke. "should we hunt?" She asked and Oak gave a small nod and said, "Definitely. My pack is now quite low on food in the pile, although there are bits strewn around the floor. Badgers are messy eaters." Where would they hunt? "Will we hunt on your land or mine?" He promptly asked. He cocked his head at her, with wide, brown, curious eyes.

[meixiaotian]

Oak nodded. "Definitely. My pack is now quite low on food in the pile, although there are bits strewn around the floor. Badgers are messy eaters."
Frost couldn't agree more. They often left bits strewn about with their scent smothered all over. Luckily, badgers were smart enough not to always mess with wolves, otherwise they would scare away all the prey. She gave another stretch and sniffed the air. There was a good breeze bringing in the smell of squirrels from the Xyla territory.
"Will we hunt on your land or mine?" He asked.
Xyla would be good, but the best hunting land had way too many pack members. Exousia would be more dangerous, but the alphess was greeting new members, so they might be fine. The best Exousia land, she didn't really know what was in there, but she also had smelled some nice fresh air of good hunting land. Both packs, they would be best to avoid. Xyla would probably stick together with Halgea, unless the loners actually paid attention to what she said and went to wait by the border. They wouldn't stay here though, they would most likely stay at the border that they came from. It didn't smell like there had been any recent loners around. The scent of prey from the Zestos River came again. With a last sniff, she decided.
"Probably mine. My alphess and pack won't be so close yet." She said.
"Do you think any of your pack will come over here or near?"

[/color][/blockquote]

[Oak]

"Probably mine. My alphess and pack won't be so close yet. Do you think any of your pack will come over here or near?" Frost asked. He thought about it. Would Lobolita be checking in with him? Had she lost all trust and respect for him? She could just pop by to check that he wasn't hanging with Frost. He didn't want Frost to get hurt. He realized he had never wanted to protect a single wolf so much.....

"I don't know.... But I need to get Xyla scent on me so I won't schmoosh Exsousia all over. I don't know if it'll work, but I can try." Oak said. "When we get back, I will swim a bit to get the Xyla scent off and then come back into my territory." He spoke clearly and with authority. He felt authoritative too.

[meixiaotian]

"I don't know.... But I need to get Xyla scent on me so I won't schmoosh Exousia all over. I don't know if it'll work, but I can try." Oak said. "When we get back, I will swim a bit to get the Xyla scent off and then come back into my territory."
Sounded like a good idea. They probably shouldn't have to go that far into Xyla territory, anyway. Not many wolves would probably come around and notice the scent until the scent faded away. But her scent was in Exousia land... Then, an idea occurred to her. Not really and idea, but something occurred to her. She walked along the border, marking every few feet/meters. Once she had marked a good distance, she went back.
"All right, let's go." She said and led him to her area. As she glanced back, she realized why she liked him so much. He was a strong brute, and he was so nice to her. They also knew how each other felt about being so antisocial. There was a small unidentified ache in her chest. She looked at where she was and realized that she had been smelling a scent for a long time. An injured, sick fawn up ahead, the mother was probably away at the moment. She looked at Oak, not saying anything, so the prey wouldn't get scared away. The fawn was on their right, some smaller prey on the left. More dangerous, but better, or easier, but small. The sun was dipping lower into the sky.

[Oak]

Frost marked a bit and then said, "Alright, lets go." She led him into the Xyla pack territory. His first step in any pack territory other than Exousia. Frost looked as if she had smelt something. Oak smelt it too. A fawn. Oak wasn't sure about this.... what if the mother came back? Well, he didn't have to worry about Frost, thats for sure. She could probably run away, but himself...... He shook off the thought. He crouched low and glanced at Frost as if to say, "Get down now!".

He prowled forward, his strong shoulders the highest point on his body. His mind flickered back to the humans for a moment and he slowed to a stop to wait for Frost. The humans..... What to do about them? He certainly wasn't about to strut up to them and kill them.... They were one of the only things that truly scared him. What if Hani came with them? Would he recognize his sisters pet, or would he kill Oak just as he would many other wolves? Or maybe he would hate him? If Rusho was with them, Oak would get his revenge. Revenge for ruining happiest time of his life. But then again, Rusho had a powerful weapon and could kill him easily. Oak decided to put the issue in the back of his mind and focus on hunting.

[meixiaotian]

Oak crouched low and continued to stalk the fawn. Just in case, Frost sniffed the air again. They were upwind of the fawn, but downwind of the mother. They'd better hurry. She darted forward with Oak, and lunged. She isn't a wolf to attack first, if at all, but with Oak, and in hunting, it was different. She managed to get at the main body with her claws and she twisted around to bite the legs. There was already blood coming out from the front legs. It kicked out and shoved Frost aside. She lay there, stunned for a moment. It stood up and started to limp away. All the other creatures had fled from the trample. It would've been loud and scary enough, that if she was them, which, she luckily wasn't, she would've run away long before. Now, this fawn was all their prey. It cried out. No doubt the mother heard it. It was already coming closer. They'd better hurry and get it over with. If the fawn was dead before the mother got there, and her and Oak were out of sight, the mother would leave. Frost took a deep breath and plunged back in.
The leaves crunched under her as she ran in swiftly. It reminded her yet again about Autumn and the looming Winter. She would have to help her pack with storing food too. She couldn't bring the fawn, that would be Oak's, maybe she could just not take as much food for herself. She leaped on the fawn, this time bringing her claws across the back/butt. It fell down again and struggled. She stood back, panting, and started to clean the blood off. The mother was almost there, her scent rapidly approaching. They didn't have much time to kill her child, much less hide a good distance away. That, and clean away the scent of a hunt. Frost started to clean away the scent, leaving Oak to finish it off.

[Halgea]

Oak watched as Frost lunged at the fawn, and was pushed away. Oak lunged at it. How dare it do that to Frost. But, the fawn kicked him in midair. Frost attacked and retreated. The mothers scent was getting stronger and stronger. He lept at the fawn's neck and pinned it down. It was dead in seconds. He put his jaws around the small deer and pulled it over to the bushes. "Frost, come." He said with the deer still in his mouth. He kept dragging until they were far enough away from the deer's mom, and dropped it to rest. he didn't rest long though. Soon he had it again and kept dragging.... Finally, they reached the sandy beach. However, he didn't drag it to the sand yet.

"Eat." He told Frost. "I will save what is left for my pack. Ration yourself." He strode over to the hind legs and pulled on off. He feasted on that leg. It was so juicy. They had made a very good catch.

[meixiaotian]

Oak leaped at the fawn's neck and killed it. He dragged it back into the dying, leafless bushes.
"Frost, come." He said and dragged the fawn aways away. She followed, feeling slightly insulted. Of course she would follow! She remembered what her mother had told her about what humans had done to some wolves, they "domesticated" them into dogs. The humans had "trained" the dogs into doing what they wanted, and that sounded exactly like what the humans would say! But, she followed anyway. Might've just been a mistake, slip of tongue, or she was just misinterpreting it... After a while, they made it to the beach. She looked up in surprise, she hadn't noticed that they were already there, too wrapped up in her thoughts. She was going to say something, but he spoke first.
"Eat." He told her. "I will save what is left for my pack. Ration yourself." He went over to the hind legs and pulled one off.
Frost watched him. He obviously didn't notice, at least now he was talking to her as a peer, an equal. She walked over to the other hind leg and took it in her mouth. She brought it over a bit away, and started eating. It was a small, weak fawn, but it had plenty of meat in it. The meal would last her for a long time. Maybe a week, if she decided not to eat for that long. When she was halfway through, she looked up at Oak.
"Weren't you supposed to wash off the Xyla scent?" She asked. Then she went back to tearing at the leg.

[Oak]

"After I eat." He said shortly. Frost looked troubled. Then he realized what she might be worried about and he said, softer now, "I don't have very good social skills.... I never cared until now. i am an unworthy beta. I don't think I have the right skills." He was too ashamed to lie and say, "I'm the best beta in the world!!!", because he wasn't. But he was acting like he was better than her.

"I'm sorry." He said, finishing his meal. He went over to the beach to wash off. Why was he so rude, antisocial. Full of himself. And why was Frost so..... Accepting.

[meixiaotian]

"After I eat." Oak said.
Oh. well, he hadn't said exactly when, luckily, they were deep enough into Xyla territory that he wouldn't be smelled by his alphess unless she decided to go into the territory, past the borders. She might snap again if that happened. A few loners is one thing, that she couldn't handle anyway, but a leader of a pack, that would drive her nuts. Pack members are supposed to follow the rules very carefully, loners, they don't as much. A leader would never. Then agin... Kishi had smelled like Skyla when she met her not that long ago. She should ask her about that again. Frost made a mental note about that, then continued to eat and let her mind away from that. She looked up at Oak, but her thoughts turned to Kishi again. This time, it was more of a Kishi and Shade thing. They were pretty powerful, but Kishi had already gotten a mate! Not to mention,, Koiro would put up one heck of a tantrum once he heard they were going to do it. How did she know? Well, it was pretty obvious that Shade liked Kishi, but the way Kishi acted lately with him, and getting some alone time, it seemed so much like her and Oak. She could feel it. She was going to need to go back to the den tomorrow. Frost looked at the already setting sun. The day had gone by so fast... t seemed like only a few minutes ago that the sun was setting, and she was nodding off until the loners came. Again, she wondered whether they left or not. Maybe, because she had snapped, maybe not, because, it'd just be plain weird. She ripped off another hunk of meat and chewed thoughtfully.
"I don't have very good social skills.... I never cared until now. I am an unworthy beta. I don't think I have the right skills."
The right thing to do would probably say that wasn't very true. A beta was supposed to be second in command, take charge when the alpha are gone, out, etc. The position would probably only save him from a fierce punishment, sort of. She couldn't see Oak leading a pack into battle that easily. She could see a large congregation of wolves. What was his pack like? She had no idea-apparently Halgea had heard about Exousia, and of course had somehow forgotten for so long to tell her pack about a pack unknown to everyone else.
"I'm sorry." Oak said, and left to go wash. Frost finished her meal and gave the large leg bone an extra gnaw. Then she licked the excess away and went over back to where she was sleeping. She should probably get rested for the next day.. With that thought, she gave another yawn and curled up.

[/size]

[Oak]

Oak trotted into in the sea, the cool sea foam swirling around his feet. He rolled in the shallow, cool water and allowed a small fish to nibble on his paw. He ran out a bit deeper and swam about. He doubted the whole scent was gone, but the salty aroma masked it well. He climbed out and shook. He was wet, which made him feel vulnerable, but his muscles shone more now and he doubted any other wolf would mess with him. A pelican flew over-head and Oak watched it go by, across the moon, seemingly blocking all the stars. The faint orange-pink in the sky was still on the horizon, but almost gone. Almost enveloped in darkness. He stood for a moment, watching the sky. It was so peaceful.... So calm.

He was drawn out of his revery by a scratching in the bushes. He made his way over and found a trapped rat. Stuck in a human trap. He ripped it out and brought it to his den. He then walked back to the fawn and dragged it into the food storage area. He would get to Lobolita in the morning. Now, he was content sleeping comfortably for what could be the last time in his puny, insignificant life. He followed Frost's scent to talk to her. He found her lying down, and by the sound of her breath, she was still awake, yet Oak did not wish to disturb her. He realized what he was about to do was going way against pack rules and his nature, but he did so anyway. He laid down against her. The closeness bugged him a bit, but he was mostly comfortable and hoped she was too. He sighed rather loudly as he hit the ground and hoped it wouldn't matter. An owl hooted and its eyes shone bright in the moonlight. Deep yellow eyes. They put Oak on edge, but he stared right back protectively and anyone, or anything could see protectiveness in his gaze.

[meixiaotian]

It was a while before she could hear Oak come. He came up and laid down next to her with a sigh. He had washed off. She could still smell the Xyla scent, but it was slightly fainter, and the scent of salt water was still there. He also felt wet, slightly uncomfortable too, being so close, but she ignored it. She was feeling slightly uncomfortable with this too. Only that morning, they hadn't exactly been great friends. They had stuck together so quickly... Over the period of a just a day, they had bonded. She remembered something she had figured out a long time ago, back when she was still a pup. Her favorite sister, Arilzaa, who had been completely slaughtered before her eyes, blood, guts, etc. well, they got in a lot of fights or at least disagreements. But they loved each other. They had... It had been incredible. Magnificent! She had realized then that the best relationships often had many arguments, disagreements, but also relations. It was always good to know that they were thinking more or less the same thing. She and Oak were following that. Arguments? Check. Similarities? Check.
Frost fought off another yawn, but it escaped when she thought about yawning. Whoops. She raised her head and looked at Oak for a moment. Then she put her head back down. She closed her eyes and saw a fleeting image of the scene of what happened when the traitor had destroyed her life. Crouching wolves, full of fear, blood everywhere, and a large brute in the middle of it all ripping someone up to shreds. With a small shudder, she opened her eyes again, but the memory had ben planted in her thoughts again.
That night... She had been out hunting with the pack, and she had caught a few mice and a rabbit. She had swelled with pride and the whole pack ate what she and her siblings had caught. Then, they had been sent off to the den. She had always sat in the back, in a bit of fear. They had all chatted for a while, but then they fell quiet and soon everyone was asleep. She had awoken to a loud howl of pain. Karo, her older brother, he was the only one left in the den. He was trembling, standing over her. He had been trying to wake her up. "What's happening?" She had asked. He had simply looked out the den and she could see. The whole area was covered in blood, dead wolves lay everywhere. Her eyes had rested on her mother. Horrified, and speechless, she had simply pressed herself against him. The torrent of grief had come over her fiercely. Then, there was another scream of fear. Arilzaa had been caught by the wolf, the traitor. He ripped her apart, and from that moment to forever, until the day the world had died yesterday, she vowed never to even remember his name. His fur had glinted with blood, but he looked happy. Suddenly, he had turned around and came to where she and her brother were hidden. He had come to it quickly, Karo bolted, but he caught him, and while the traitor was mangling Karo, she had bolted too. She had felt so guilty about it, even now, she did, but she had survived. He had turned around and tried to get her, failing and only smacking her hard on the chest.
Frost remembered who she lost. Her mother, a large gray-speckled fae. Her best memory... Just being a good mother. All the small, unnoticeable things. Of Karo? He was the braver one. Always slept at the entrance to the den, and often lead everyone else into trouble. Arilzaa, she had always been Frost's best friend. The way she was destroyed... They had some sort of odd connection there. There was Gaeloth, he... Well, he was the funnier one. He always had a riddle or joke he found somewhere. Frost's father had died a long time ago, before she had opened her eyes. she hadn't paid much attention to the rest of the pack. Too young, and she thought that they would always stay together.
Frost opened her eyes and realized that there were tears coming out of her eyes. She blinked them away. She sighed quietly and curled up even more. A faint breeze came for a moment and then disappeared.
In the silence, she said so quietly that Oak wouldn't hear, "Sorry..."

[Oak]

Oak wondered about what would happen to him and Frost once Lobolita found out. She would be angry, as to be expected, but her words from the clearing hung in his mind. She would find him, and she could kill him. He was almost sure she would. But what of Frost? What if he was putting them both in danger by disobeying? How was it fair? She was so innocent, and him? Horrible, selfish, in love.... He thought of his immense trust of the girl who had taken him in... Oh Kinisha, how selfish he knew she had been, but was he a hypocrite to do the same? Or had she been selfish at all, and the real selfish person was himself? And the other humans could be friends of hers and know about him and try to.... find and kill him? Hani would be mad. Oak had noticed how sad Kini had been to give him up.... What if her sadness had ruined her life? it would be his fault. His own. He was sure Frost had no idea of his selfishness. The smallest involuntary whimper left him and he tried to just go on and try to make it unnoticeable. His worry left as he fell into a deep sleep filled with dreams of what was to come.

[meixiaotian]

Oak let out a small whimper before falling asleep. She snuggled up next to him, treasuring the warmth. Sorrow flooded through her, leaving her feeling somewhat hollow. Where did it come from? Her loss? Fear of returning? Or a deep down feeling inside? She looked around. Darkness had mostly settled, but the moon shone from the sky. The stars twinkled up there, brightly illuminated in the darkness. So many times she had looked up there and had been lost in them. She scanned the sky, and after a bit, found the north star. She put her head back down. It always took a while to fall asleep. Worry kept her awake. A bit of fear of what was going to happen when she returned. Still, she was asleep in a few minutes.
Frost woke up when the sun had already risen a bit higher than the horizon. She yawned and stretched. Oak was still there. And today was when she had to head back. She'd had a good time with Oak. She looked around and sniffed. Rabbit north. Two birds west. Rabbit, birds aren't easy, being able to fly, she decided and set out to get it. It wasn't far off. She slowed down significantly, and smelled it. She had been too loud, it had already noticed and was alert. There was plenty of places to run. She froze for a second, let it think it was nothing. The rabbit took a few minutes to calm down, and it had moved a bit away too. Frost crouched low, then leaped out. It bounded away quickly. It was fast, but so was she. She knew it would be best to hurry up. She picked up her pace significantly and finally caught up when it had to slow down to avoid collision with a tree. She grabbed the back, and it kicked fiercely at her chest. It hit spot-onto her scar. She dropped it. It bounded away, but she got over her shock soon enough. It was going slower, and this time, she finished it. Panting, Frost headed back to Oak, the gray rabbit cramped firmly in her jaws, splattering blood here and there. She came to Oak and dropped it at his feet. Then she paced a couple steps away, flopped down, and started licking the blood off of her. Her chest still hurt a bit, but not as much.