Howling for Acceptance (Delphi)

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Dried leaves and twigs crunched beneath Delphi's paws, as she wove through the forest of slender trees, seeking a pack. It was time she found a purpose in life, rather than wander about aimlessly for the rest of her days. Having been abandoned by her previous pack due to her peculiar colouring, she had taught herself to survive alone, and defend herself. Not so much like a little damsel in distress. She had long longed to have a family of her own, and joining a pack would be just fine. Her keen gaze swept over the impenetrable darkness as she attempted to detect Secluded Sunrise's territory borders. There it was, distinct among the different scents of prey and foreign botany.

Delphi took a deep breath. So this was it. Either the Alphess accepted her as one of her own, or rejected her. She took a deep breath. Then paused. Even if she was taken in, her new packmates might consider her as a freak due to her peculiar hued pelt. Did she really want to take the risk? The ebony wolf remained silent for a moment, muzzle tilted to face the velvety black canvas above. She let her courage take over, and howled. It was a long, quivering howl, with a tinge of sorrow and hope. The sound echoed throughout the forest, and she raised her hackles in wariness that predators might mistake her call for a challenge. It lingered till her lungs ran out of air. She curled her tail round her paws, and waited patiently. 

This decision would turn a page in her life, and Delphi fervently prayed it was a wise one.

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Lunar tread closer at the sound of the howl. The Alphess had yet to accept her to the pack,she was just curious as to who the new wolf was. That's awfully close together for two wolves to approach a pack she thought to herself. She peered through the branches of a shrub silently watching the new arrival. She was dark as night which shocked her,she was Lunar's exact opposite! She had never seen a black wolf. White was rare enough where she came from, black was never seen in the snowy landscape she hailed from. Something in the way the female held herself reminded her of her own stance. Nervous,afraid of rejection. She decided then and there if this new female along with herself made it into the pack she would befriend her. With that thought she slunk away silently.

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Delphi's ears twitched in mild surprise when an unfamiliar scent wafted by. It was laden with the smell of rogue, and she wandered hopefully if this newcomer was awaiting acceptance, just like herself. Lowering her haunches, the ebony wolf proceeded to scan through the shrubs and foilage. She suddenly found a pair of dark eyes, gleaming in the ghostly moonlight, gaze directed at her.

Her heartbeat paused for a fleeting second.

This wolf was not just any ordinary grey or tan wolf. She was ivory. The exact opposite of Delphi's black coat, dark as a starless night. She silently prowled round the bush to meet her.

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Lunar began to run in a panic. Her tiny white paws pounded the earth as she ran,she was terribly frightened. She had hoped the larger female wouldn't notice her,might even be friendly. But why could she be following her now? She didn't know Lunar and no one ever approached her out of kindness. So she assumed the large dark female was out for blood. After all they weren't yet accepted by Secluded Sunrise and had no laws to keep them in line. Her heart beat wildly as she ran memories of a more distant place,a more dangerous chase filled her mind.

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Delphi reeled back when the second female broke into a swift run, seemingly terrified. She was not certain if it was because of her peculiar hued pelt, and a pang of sadness washed over her as she recalled the bullying she had received because of her coat colour when she was just a mere pup. It definitely was not her size — Delphi looked large in the dark for it was rather difficult to spot the outline of her figure. In fact she was slightly smaller than average, yet and strong and quick on her paws. She bounded forward instinctively, not give to chase, but assure the white wolf that she was not blood-thirsty. She had never been.

In a few leaping strides, Delphi had caught up. She pricked her ears and barked softly, signalling she meant no harm. Her heart pounded wildly. Was this wolf like the others, taunting her for being a pathetic, weak 'crow'?

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Lunar stopped at the female's bark,she wasn't going to hurt her. You have got to stop thinking everyone's going to hurt you,it's pathetic she thought to herself. She turned to face the ebony female noting that she wasn't as large as she had seemed at a distance. She was only slightly larger than the white runt herself. Alpha Remus would not have liked her she thought. She pushed thoughts of her father away realizing that she was only staring at the she wolf. Must be a habit from my omega days she thought. She studied the black she wolf now that she was closer. She had dark silky fur and dark eyes. She was slender but muscular,similar to her own posture. They could have been sisters if not for their drastically different pelts. "I'm Lunar,it's nice to meet you", she said quietly.

[Rykett]

((Hey, @luna55 , sorry that it took a while for me to respond to your post, but liquid time isn't allowed. Not enough time has passed for Lunar to be in a new thread without finishing her current thread.))

Blaise:

The charcoal colored she-wolf bounded through the night. The moon’s light rippling on her sunset-colored markings which curved over her form. The bright colors on the alphess’s dark pelt were muted in the night as her purple eyes spotted the dark form of a wolf on the borders of her territory.

Blaise approached without fear. The howl that had called her here had held no malice. Of course, a first impression wasn’t often correct. The charcoal alphess called out the the wolf as she drew closer, ”Hello! Who are you, stranger?” The sounds of shuffling paws reached Blaise. The charcoal wolf paused while her ears listened for further noises. There was a bark and a distant voice. Blaise couldn’t make out what words were said, but she called out her greeting again. ”Hello?”

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Delphi's spine tingled at the call. Stiffening, the ebony wolf lowered her haunches slowly and cautiously. Moonlight spilled over the treetops and touched her lightly on the back of her head, revealing her rippling scarlet and striking yellow markings, and feathery tail that was rather like a bird's. She could vaguely make out the large figure of a wolf in the distance. Perhaps the Alphess. Her outline was masked by the impenetrable darkness around. Delphi dipped her head in respect. "I have been seeking a pack since I left my birth one. May I join the Secluded Sunrise?" She hoped silently that those were the right words to say — Delphi had never attempted to join another pack since she had left her birth pack. She subconsciously held her breath, waiting for the Alphess's response.

Of course she could not expect a warm and cordial welcome. But there was no harm wishing. Delphi flicked her tail to and fro, warily watching the charcoal-coloured wolf, preapring to flee, or stand her ground, at the first sign of aggression.

[Rykett]

Blaise:

A loner seeking a pack was a common reason for howling on the border. Blaise wasn’t surprised that the newcomer wished to join Secluded Sunrise. The alphess’s response came not long after the stranger had finished speaking, ”Before I accept or reject you, I need to know your name and what you can provide for my pack.” An owl hooted in the silence after the alphess’s words. The symphony of crickets sounded in the background of the conversation.

Blaise examined the she-wolf that’d asked for entry into Secluded Sunrise. She was a slender wolf, but strong muscles tensed underneath the wolf’s dark fur. Her markings were colorful, but didn’t quite match the rainbow of colors that coated Blaise’s pelt. The stranger’s eyes were a bright teal color. She seemed cautious, but not completely filled with fear.

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"I'm Delphi, Alphess," the slender female said quietly, observing the Blaise with alert eyes. The Alphess of Secluded Sunrise was a myriad of colours, large and muscular. She was truly a magnificent sight. "I might be small, but I am swift and agile. I can see well in the dark, when my movements are as precise as like in day." As she spoke, she scanned the immediate surroundings for a suitable target. Emerald met the wide yellow orbs of a passing rabbit, and in one quick motion, Delphi bounded forward and seized the tiny animal in her jaws. The rabbit struggled frantically but it went limp as a ragdoll at one hard bite. Delphi dropped her prize at the Alphess' s paws, holding her breath, with her body poised. The gently flicking striking scarlet and gold feathers of her flowing tail betrayed her wariness. The cacophony of cicada chirps and eerie hoots echoed in the background.

"I am good at fighting as well. My mother —- she was the Alphess of my previous pack —- trained me in the harsh climate of our territory."

[Rykett]

Blaise:

The alphess listened watched the young wolf as her quiet voice spoke. Delphi paused to suddenly darted away. The she-wolf returned as quickly as she had departed and dropped the reason for her sudden movement at Blaise’s paws. Delphi was eager to prove herself to Blaise and she’d taken the first opportunity. The alphess looked down at the rabbit. It seemed to have been killed effectively. It occurred to Blaise as she gazed at the food that she could figure a way to share food between pack members. She would have to find a place to store food. That wasn’t the only thing missing in the pack life. The alphess needed to organize many things before the process of raising this pack from the idea of a loner into reality.

Blaise returned her mind to the task at hand. She examined the rabbit. Delphi seemed efficient enough in her hunting skills and she had some experience in fighting if her words were true. Blaise saw no reason to deny her entry into the pack. Yet there was still a final thing to ask. ”Delphi, are you willing to uphold this pack with unwavering loyalty and presence?” Blaise said very seriously meeting Delphi’s gaze.

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Delphi observed Blaise's approving look and let out a relieved breath inwardly. She lifted her muzzle to meet the Alphess's intense gaze. "I do," she responded solemnly. "I pledge my loyalty to Secluded Sunrise." Finally. A secure place to hang her hat and where she could call home. But there was still the challenge of fitting in, and anxiety thrummed inside her at the thought.

Very patiently, the ebony she-wolf waited for the Alphess's response. Her words would be the thing that would accept her, and change her life forever, and Delphi was blazing with determination to become a true wolf of her new pack.

[Rykett]

Blaise:

As Delphi pledged herself to the pack, Blaise was relieved to recognize the resolve and determination that clouded over the she-wolf's expression. "Delphi, I accept you into Secluded Sunrise," the alphess responded with a smile, "You may explore the territory at your leisure. I'll be calling a pack meeting soon, though. Be sure to attend."

She looked back down at the rabbit as her thoughts returned to improving packlife. Blaise picked up the rabbit and departed into the night. Her mind was swirling with plans. First of all Blaise would need to find a place to gather all the food. She'd also need to give every wolf a more permanent rank than Subordinate. New determination accompanied the new goals.
-Exit Blaise-