Now what -- Open

[silverlight]

The breeze was nice and he again found himself alone, but that was how he liked it. He felt as though he was a pack wolf and loner all at the same time. He let out a chuff in a makeshift sigh making sure he wasn't followed, although a Star he was very secretive and liked to be alone. This may have been more of an act covering his depression but he was never going to admit it to anyone either way.

The wolf's pelt glimmered and casted silver balls of light to the ground as he walked near the nasty mud. He let his neck carry cranium to the side to get a look behind him, and as he realized no one was there, or at least appeared to be there, he continued letting the strain once again dissipate. His audits flicked to the wind quickly, as he was very jumpy and paranoid, 'Oh no someone's following me,' he thought quietly to himself, really only unsure.

Silver's maw split uncomfortably as he calledinto the silence, "Is someone there?" He sat back upon his haunches from fear turning his body towards the unknown where the sound had reached his auditory receptors causing him to tense once again. He waited and stood to even his defense should another decide to attack, if they were even there...

[[Midnight]]

Caden's usual stroll around the river took him from the East end all the way along until he reached the West end, where it forked off into Moons land and No Man's Land. He found this route to be most effective in patrolling the territory. He could cover all of the boundaries and reset the scent markers, while having a relaxing stroll in the meantime. The river was really a beautiful thing, but since it was the only thing that seperated the Moon- and Star- lands, he knew better then to let his guard down for a second. His ears always stayed aloof, his paws were always delicate and dilberate in where they landed, keeping as quiet as a cat. Every once in a while he stopped in his tracks to survey the area and sniff at the air, taking nonchalant glances at the other side of the river.

How many pups were they having over there? Duke seemed to have a lot of pups already, or so Caden had heard from previous stories. Then again, a lot of them had died in the infamous earthquake, or hadn't they?

Caden didn't like Duke, but he tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps the wolf that all these wolves around here feared was just a big family man interested only in the needs of his family, Surely he had enouhg territory over there and wouldn't be thinking of endangering the lives of all his season's pups. Most Alphas were proactive and thought ahead. If they didn't, the pack wouldn't survive a week.

The coast seemed clear in this area, and Caden continued on his expedition across his territory. As he rounded a bend, he picked the sound of a voice, and it was terribly close by. His defenses went up and he stopped walking, ears perked and pointed in the direction of the voice.

If he had heard right, it sounded like a male, asking for someone's wherabouts. He hadn't really heard entirely. But the voice didn't seem threatening, and it had come from his side of the river, so it was likely a pack mate who had picked up on his travels. Perhaps the wind had shifted in the stranger's direction and gave Caden away.

In a few moments, Caden's brown cody was emerging from undergrowth and approaching Silver. When he had seen the male, the Alpha had recognized him right away. He was definately a member of the pack. Caden remembered him as being a loner type, however. He wondered if that had changed at all while he had been in the pack. Most of these Stars wolves were way too talkative to remain quiet for long.

"Hey there," was his casual greeting, tail up slightly and confidence in his Alpha-like gait. His eyes revealed nothing of his thoughts, just a warm friendliness that all pack mates should greet each other with.

"Did you say something earlier? I was traveling the edge of the river and heard your voice," he explained, stopping in his tracks just a few paces away. "Everything's alright?"

[silverlight]

As he stood his ground ready to defend himself he heard a familiar voice, yet his anti-social behavior was just strong enough that he had tried to avoid contact most of the time. He did however know the wolf as the Alpha, name seemed to escape the very recesses of his memory. He began to haunch himself waiting for the other to come. It was acting time and he had to appear to have it all together.

As Caden came he continued sitting back knowing the Alpha wasn't going to be upset, yet he had to make him think he was strong and ferocious, at least somewhat. He wanted to eventually be one of the packs warriors and although he knew he wasn't ready he wanted to look closer than any of them probably thought.

He listened intently noting the way the Alpha spoke and his posture. Instinctively because he was facing a superior his audits sunk into his skull and his tassle laid flat upon the ground. His cranium was slightly lowered also forcing some strain on the ribcage, however all of it was to show respect to Caden. As he listened he was able to raise himself and let his audits stand yet flop to be under his Alpha.

As the questions were asked he smiled slyly ready to lie to make the Alpha think he was doing awesome. He thought for a moment and quickly opened his maw, "I am good," he began quickly going on, "I was seeing if that 'one wolf' was following me." He had no idea who that 'One Wolf' was and had to think fast in case Caden asked him whom it was, or perhaps Caden saw straight through his lies, either way he thought his performance was very convincing, although it may not have been.

[[Midnight]]

Caden's eyes never strayed from Silver's as the male went through the motions of heirarchy. He noticed that the Omega was entirely respectful in every bit of his posture, and was put at ease. As he gave his explanation, Caden's nostrils flared. He was scenting the air again, checking to see if he had missed the smell of another wolf nearby. Silver spoke in a strange riddle and when Caden didn't find traces of anyone else nearby, his eyes narrowed.

"'One wolf?'" he repeated, focused now entirely on what Silver meant by such a statement. Was there a Falling Moon around, or was he simply referring to an annoying friend? "I can't say I follow," he admitted, subtly asking Silver for more of an explanation. "Has someone been tailing you recently?"

On the outside, Caden appeared slightly concerned and entirely curious, but on the inside he was already jumping to conclusion. He knew he was being way too rash, and threw all of his suspiscious thoughts away. Silver was a Stars wolf, kind and nonconfrontational. If there was trouble, surely he'd already have said something. So Caden relaxed as he sat back on his rump, tail tip still slightly curled.

[silverlight]

Silver's snout downcasted a moment as the Alpha began to expose him, or at least he saw it as that and fell silent thinking he had no way out but to admit he had lied. He sat there now his posture was more of a loner, or rather a wolf who was in trouble by his superior. He lifted his sunken form for a minute and began, "I wasn't completely honest," he said a bit fearfully wondering what Caden would think as he finished, "I came here alone." He decided half admitting was better than fully admitting he was just trying to get away from everyone. He still felt as if Caden's orbs would burn into him at his admission.

He turned his orbs back to the ground, closing them wondering if Caden believed him, afterall it was the truth. He sat there a bit uncomfortably hoping the awkward silence would be broken rather quickly, and if he was to be punished it was brought about quickly. He had no idea if this pack tolerated anti-social wolves but as of now he knew Caden still wouldn't know he was mainly anti-social, at least not untill he realized Silver was doing this running away every chance he got.

[[Midnight]]

Caden did not like Silver's enigmatic personality. It left him feeling restless and distrustful, even if he didn't want to draw conclusions in that way. This wolf just had an air about him that screamed of low self-esteem. At least, that's what Caden's perception was of this male. But his eyes were not revealing anger or distrust, just serious curiousity and perhaps a slight feel of dignity. He gave only a small nod at Silver's confession, and was standing back on his four paws, taking a few steps foward towards the wolf of few words.

"Okay, Silver," he said, blinking patiently. His ears still stood erect with his attention on all of their surroundings, just in case Silver really wasn't being honest and there others waiting in the shadows. "But why do you feel like you need to lie to me? I still am unclear of your motives," he explained, and lowered his head in a wary fashion, "and I don't like to beat around the bush."

Perhaps his tone was just a tad too kind for such a discreet, subtle threat. It was certainly a threat, all right, meant to let this pack mate know that Caden wouldn't tolerate anything but honesty, and did not appreciate the direction this conversation was headed. His eyes remained bright and expectant as he lifted his head once more, having no idea really what kind of wolf he was dealing with. Again, Caden chastised himself for not being all-knowing of his subordinates and wondered momentarily what kind of an Alpha Duke was like in these situations. But he watched Silver's facial expressions and posture with confidence, doubting that Silver was really trying to hide something and was probably just a very nervous wolf.

"If there is something you'd like to discuss with me, I am always all ears," was the next comment out of the Alpha's mouth, meant to put Silver at some ease.

[silverlight]

Silver was ashamed of himself for lying and decides to come clean though he was scared of what the Alpha was going to think of him. He gulped as his audits fell towards the ground, tassle following suit, as his cranium lowered in shame, "I am so sorry," he began, "I just didn't want you to know I have a hard time getting to know others."

He was trying to become more sociable, however it didn't help he was soft spoken and shy. He went up to another and saw it as rejection when they didn't answer back, though he had not said anything audibly enough to get their attention. He was hoping one day to get better, though at the same time he was hoping to be either a scout for the pack, reconnaissance didn't take a whole lot of communication, in fact it hardly required any at all.

He watched the Alpha a long moment upon finishing his explanation and let his tassle rise between his legs to show he was sorry. He began to raise his cranium to give the Alpha hope that Silver indeed would change. He hoped this showed that he wasn't completely hopeless, yet still showed him he was respectful and proud of his pack.

[[Midnight]]

Caden felt immediately like a jerk for being so pushy. It was obvious to the alpha that this fellow's gestures of shame and apology were quite sincere. He blinked kindly, though still wondered many things. To be such a skittish creature must be hard. Was Silver always watching his back? Lying to escape pressure?

"It's alright," he responded concedingly, letting his back legs collapse and his rump relax. His eyes watched the Omega curiously.

"It's a shame you have a hard time. But we're all still getting to know each other, even after several seasons of packhood. Don't worry about it."
He flicked his tail dismissively, letting the subject go, leaving Silver the option of talking further or forgetting it had ever happened.

[silverlight]

Silver's orbs continued to watch his alpha cautiously. He watched as he finally haunched himself and he followed. He did like talking, it was just harder for him to get close. He never talked about the reason for that, but he did have one.

He sat a moment as Caden opened the floor to him. He was glad he was more understanding and hoped more of the pack were going to be a lot like that. He doubted there was anyone whom really was kind, it seemed to be always for hidden agendas. He looked up and attempted to make eye contact, "So What brings you out this way," he asked curiously, as the question was stated his head shifted slightly off to one side.

He sat facing Caden awaiting his answer. His silvery fur danced in the light of the sun as the two began to talk and have a 'normal' conversation, whatever that was.

[[Midnight]]

Upon hearing the next question, Caden remembered suddenly what it was he had been thinking about before stumbling into Silver's scent. He had been scouting his territory, making sure nobody had tainted it, while pondering the days ahead for the safety of the pack. Really, he was just doing what all single Alphas do.

"Most likely the same as you," he commented, after taking a brief moment to glance around their surroundings. "Wandering, mostly. Just checking up on things. I often worry about Falling Moon being so nearby. All that seperates us is a small body of water."

He again eyed Silver with that same thoughtful expression he often wore when getting an idea. Caden was wondering how much Silver knew of the Moons. He was not a part of those Empyrean wolves who had survived the earthquake, but perhaps he had crossed paths with them before. He decided not to ask, but was more than curious to hear what this male had to say about them, if he would happen to say anything at all.

[silverlight]

The male felt a slight shiver shift down his spine slowly. It was the mentions of the Moons that had him all shaky. He had only met up with a couple, one wanted to be a part of them and the other his mother stood up for them. He felt the urge to say he was not afraid but decided to not show he knew very little.

His audits raised back to position feeling some better. His tail also raised to normal position, a slight sway becoming more and more evident. He thought very little before answer, "I am sure we would stand a chance," seemed to spill as he gave a confident nod. Fighting was one thing Silver was good at, though he knew his own fallibility and that he could make an error that could end his life. He let those facts be the reason he got his adrenaline rush.

At the moment he felt tough and just saying it made him feel much more confident. He continued to stare the Alpha eye to eye. He continued after a moment, "Even if I was a casualty I would be no big loss." He meant every word and stuck to it almost as a Oath or covenant. Silver would die for his pack if need be, this showed he was a loyal wolf to the end.