Something To Do [Aspen]

[Juice]

A red and black female was sitting at the base of a small tree that was just on the edge of the meadow. Upon closer inspection, it could be seen that she was guarding the entrance to a subterranean den. Within this den, a beast was slumbering and recovering from her wounds slowly but surely.

Jaavan had walked her sister here on her back all the way from the Amphitheater and although it wasn't that far, she was still tired out from the trek. Portia wasn't huge but she still weighed enough to be difficult to care a long distance. Jaavan had put her sister's unconscious body within the den and licked some of her bloody wounds. The white wolf's side and face were scraped up quite badly and her ear had been torn right down the middle. Still, it was better to have her injured and unconscious than filled with the terrifying rage that Jaavan had witnessed in the amphitheater. If she and Ilana hadn't stepped in to stop Portia, she surely would have killed Storm and probably herself in the process. After sufficiently cleaning her sister's wounds, Jaavan had stepped out of the den for some fresh air.

Jaavan didn't want to think about these serious issues. She didn't want to think about how her sister could easily murder anyone in the pack and how she and her mother had to be the one to ring her in. She didn't want to think about the hatred towards Storm that was breeding within Portia and how it may end in murder. Jaavan shook her red head and tried to think about something else. What she really needed right now was a distraction.

@aspen

[Deleted]

Axel

I had been following Jaavan as she hauled her sister back into the densite but I had made sure to keep a far enough distance so I wouldn't be spotted. If Jaavan did know I was around, she probably just assumed I was returning to my own den so I didn't think I'd arouse much suspicion. Once she found a suitable den at the base of a tree, I had watched and waited for her to emerge. It took awhile but I wasn't surprised as I was sure she was tending to her sister's wounds. Finally Jaavan emerged but still I remained hidden and watching.

The red she wolf was so beautiful with her exotic fur coloring and markings. Her long black legs looked strong and powerful yet graceful and lithe at the same time. Her tail was full and bushy and I could tell she took the utmost care in grooming her coat. Jaavan truly was a thing of beauty. I had been admiring her for all our lives. We were almost the same age, she was only a season or two older than me and we had grown up together. It was true I didn't always get to see her as she was the alpha's daughter but that only made her more appealing to me. The feelings I had developed towards her seemed to be strengthening every day but I never had a chance to be alone with her to tell her how I felt. Luckily, today had changed that.

After watching her linger in front of the den for awhile, I decided it was safe to come out and say hello. I emerged from the tree line on the edges of the basin and padded towards her, in full view so I wouldn't startle her. I had to say something that would catch her attention or she would quickly lose interest. "So, that was some fight back there huh?" I blanched as the words came out of my mouth. What was I thinking? Why would I bring up the fight that had just happened? Jaavan was probably annoyed at having to take care of her sister and I assumed she didn't want to talk about the fight at a time like this. I corrected myself quickly before she had a chance to respond. "Ahem..I mean I wasn't really paying attention to the fight, I was looking at you the entire time." I tried my best to produce a debonair smile but I had no idea how I looked. All I knew was that I wanted to impress the dark beauty before me.

Turquoise View

[Juice]

It was as if Jaavan's prayers had been answered when she heard a rustling in the leaves and smelled something familiar. Lo and behold it was Axel, a son of two subordinates of the Dark Donoma pack. Jaavan grinned maliciously as she recognized the look in his turquoise eyes. She had managed to grasp Axel within her steely clutches without even having to try. This will be fun. she thought as she looked everywhere but directly at Axel.

Jaavan had to stifle a giggle at how the young male wolf was acting. It was no secret that he'd been infatuated with the alphas' daughter for at least a season now. At first, Jaavan had found it cute and flattering but that evolved into annoying and pestering as they'd grown older. Jaavan wasn't a fool and she knew that Axel had been looking at her in the Amphitheater and had stalked her back to her own private den. Who knew how often he would look at her gorgeous form and pine after it? However, Jaavan needed the attention right now and beggars couldn't be choosers so she settled for Axel...at least for the time being.

Jaavan's silver eyes lost a bit of luster at the mention of the fight but Axel quickly righted himself and her ears perked up. The red wolf stood up and took her time stretching, making sure Axel would be able to view every part of her body. She then licked her lips and batted her eyes at the wolf before her in a flirtatious manner. "Oh Axel, flattery will get you everywhere." Jaavan said, taking a step towards him. She continued to walk forward and brushed up against Axel, throwing her tail in his face. "This whole ordeal has been very stressful for me." the she wolf said in her best pity seeking voice. "I could really use a distraction." The words almost seemed to ooze out of Jaavan's mouth and she could almost picture them seeping slowly into Axel's ears.

[Deleted]

Axel

I froze up as I saw Jaavan start walking towards me. I was glad she didn't take my comment about the fight too seriously and when she spoke, it was like music to my ears. The closer she came to me, the harder it became for me to breath. She was just so beautiful my brain always seemed to short circuit when I was around her. I felt my skin shiver when Jaavan was right next to me. I could feel the soft fur of her tail against my nose and inhaled her scent deeply. It was enough to drive me wild but I had to restrain myself. This was the alpha's daughter after all.

I'm sure I heard Jaavan's words but I wasn't really listening, I was too caught up in her beauty to notice a lot of what was being said. "Uh huh." I said when I heard a pause in her speaking. I did catch the part about her needing a distraction. I really hoped I could be that distraction so I decided to tell that to Jaavan "Well I'm here. Maybe we could do something to take your mind off of what has happened?" I tried to keep the eagerness out of my voice and play it cool. "Maybe we could go somewhere little more...private?" I didn't know exactly where that would be as no wolves, other than Portia, were currently near the densites. My turquoise eyes looked hopefully at Jaavan's silver ones.

Turquoise View

[Juice]

It was so easy to seduce and manipulate Axel it almost wasn't fun for Jaavan, almost. She had the wolf in her paw and she knew she could mold him like clay to do whatever she asked of him. He would prove to be a loyal servant as long as the she wolf kept up the charade of sincerely enjoying his company. Axel, apparently, wasn't one to mince words and got straight the part about being alone although they were, in fact, already alone.

Jaavan continued to circle around Axel, making sure to rub against him affectionately. "But we're already alone my sweet. That is, unless you want to go into a den." Jaavan stepped forward slowly and headed for a den that was across the meadow from the one in which her sister was recovering. The fact that the rest of the pack was in the amphitheater enjoying some bloodsport meant that Jaavan and Axel would have utter privacy. Portia wasn't likely to awaken from her sleep for quite some time and it would take awhile for Bane to chew Raid to pieces so it was a safe bet the young couple would remain uninterrupted.

The red she wolf slowly made her way into the den and looked seductively over her shoulder before saying "Follow me.

[Deleted]

Axel

My skin still shivered as Jaavan rubbed against me and I could tell this action was awakening something deep inside me that I had never felt full force before. Only a season or two ago my uncle Bane had sat me down and had the 'pups' talk with me in excruciating detail. I knew the feeling that was coming over me and it was one that was exhilerating. I wanted to be with Jaavan so badly because she was just so beautiful and I had admired her from afar for so long. Her beauty and smarts were unrivaled by any others and I saw something in her that her other sisters and brother didn't have. The red she wolf had a caring heart although I knew she'd probably try to kill me if I ever told her this. It was my belief she tried to hide this trait from others out of fear of being perceived as weak but I couldn't be sure.

I felt a jolt travel up my spine when Jaavan suggested we go into a den. It took a lot of self control for me not to just barrel into the den and get things started right away but there was something I had to do first. I turned around so I was facing Jaavan while she stood at the den's entrance but I didn't approach her just yet. "Jaavan..." I had to think of how to word what I had wanted to say for her all these seasons. "You're so beautiful, cunning, athletic and strong which is why I'm so attracted to you but there is another trait you possess that makes me....adore..you even more." I made sure to look into Jaavan's silver eyes because I needed her to know I was serious. "Do you...remember when we were just pups? I wanted so badly to be a part of you and your group of siblings. You were all so cool and you guys were the alpha's brood so that made you even more appealing. One day we went on a hunt and my sister and I weren't old enough to hunt like the rest of you so we stayed behind with our mother to watch instead. I wanted to hunt though, I didn't want to just watch. While my mom was busy with Aestiel I jumped up and took off through the tall grass towards the rest of the pack. You were all just about to get into position for the hunt when Portia snapped her jaws at me and barked at me to crawl back to my mommy. Anneliese, Cress and even Delacouri all laughed at me and snapped at me too to frighten me. It worked and I was so scared that I crouched low in the grass with my tail between my legs but I was frozen to the spot. The rest of your siblings just turned around and left me to fend for myself but not you..." My turquoise eyes widened at the memory that I held so close to my heart. "You nudged me to get me to stand up and then you walked me back to my mom before loping off again to join the hunt. You didn't say anything to me but your actions spoke volumes and I never forgot that kindness you showed me. I know we're evils Jaavan, and I will be until I die, but kindness is something we need too. No one ever had, or ever has since, shown me kindness like you had done." I stood silent for a moment, allowing Jaavan to process my words.

I slowly began to step towards her, my heart and hormones racing, before I came face to face with her. I nudged her head affectionately and then licked her maw before showing her a wily smile. I then entered the den and waited for her to join me.

Turquoise View

[Juice]

Jaavan was getting impatient when Axel didn't immediately follow her into the den. When she turned her head to see what was taking him so long, her silver eyes met with his turquoise ones and he began to speak. As he reminsced about the past and talked about that day so long ago on the hunting plains, Jaavan bristled. She didn't like to think about that day because Portia had told on her and Ilana had punished her for being kind to Axel. She remembered with bitterness how she had pleaded with Ilana and told her she thought it was the right thing to do to by helping teh small pup. Ilana had bitten her and told her it was Aspen's responsibility to watch her pups and if Axel would have been hurt he would have grown stronger for it.

Jaavan pushed this from her mind and couldn't meet Axel's gaze once he finished. Her heart hurt for some reason but she swallowed these feelings and turned the charm back on. "Oh Axel that was such a long time ago. Come with me into the den and I'll show you how I can be kind to you in a different way." Jaavan slithered into the den until only her shining, silver eyes could be seen in the darkness.

[Deleted]

Axel

It almost felt like a slam to the gut when Jaavan didn't address me right away. Had she perhaps forgotten about that day? No, I saw something flicker across her features that told me she did know what I had been talking about and that she did remember. Why wouldn't she say anything though? The look on her face looked as if she were remembering something painful so I wouldn't bring it up again. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her.

I felt my heart skip a beat when Jaavan smiled at me once again. It was such an exotic and intoxicating way she looked at me that I felt I was being hypnotized and, maybe, on some level, that was exactly what was happening. As if in a trance, I trotted towards the den, keeping my eyes set on the Jaavan's. I soon entered the den and felt my instincts take over from there.

Turquoise View

[Juice]

The glint of Jaavan's fangs could be seen within the shadows as Axel obeyed and came into the den. Now it was time to let nature take its course and the red wolf was more than happy to give in to her longings.

---

Sometime Later...

This. Was. Bad. This was very very bad. Jaavan was pacing back in forth in front of the den that had housed she and Axel only a short time ago. It had been fall during that lovely evening with the leaves in full change and the colors orange, yellow and bright red had created such a gorgeous scene. The she wolf would have been lying if she wouldn't admit to herself that the colors had definitely enhanced the mood of that fateful night. But now it was the middle of winter, the basin was full the brim with snow almost as if it was a giant pool she could swim through. She had been pacing for so long and in the same exact place that the snow was almost totally melted and she had begun running a rut into the soft and mushy grass beneath. How could this have happened?

Jaavan was no fool and she was old enough to know how nature worked. She had gone through the talk with her mother and almost laughed because she already possessed the knowledge without having to be told unlike her dimwitted siblings. What Jaavan couldn't understand was how she hadn't noticed until just recently the swelling in her belly, the strength in her appetite and the overwhelming moodiness. Her body ached and she desperately wanted to eat some rich, red meat but she couldn't leave her densite. Thankfully she had chosen a den on the complete opposite side of the basin from her parents and her mother hadn't paid much attention to her these past few weeks. Jaavan tried desperately to calm her thoughts and take a deep breath to relax. Then she heard the yipping.

Her ears perked up and her heart jumped into her throat at the sound. She would never get used to it. Rushing back into the den she curled around the brand new pups she had given life to only the day before. One small form was lying in dirt in the farthest corner of the den...he hadn't made it. The only son she had birthed and he hadn't even lived. Jaavan forced the thought from her mind and looked at the motionless blob for what it was - a dead animal. The she wolf crouched down and flopped over on her side, allowing her two new daughters to nurse. She hadn't even told anybody about the birthing except Portia and she had to admit, she was terrified to even do that much. Her sister had laughed in her face and recounted all the cruel and heartless things their mother would do when she found out...but she also promised not to tell. Who did Jaavan think she was fooling? Her mother knew everything...it would only be a matter of time.

Whimpering with tears in her eyes both from the new found pain of motherhood and the fear for her pups, Jaavan made the decision she knew was inevitable. She was going to have to tell Axel the truth. In reality, she had tried to avoid him like the plague after the wild night they had shared in the fall. She had gotten what she wanted out of him and there was no longer a use for the scrawny black male but he had been persistent. He brought her gifts of food left outside her den at night and watched her from afar. Luckily he had the sense not to come too close to her or she'd attack him, especially during her pregnancy when she would have mutilated anything walking on four legs. But now she really needed him and hated herself for hoping he would come. Although she was still inside the den and feeling rather week, Jaavan summoned all her strength to let out a low howl to alert the father of her pups.

[Deleted]

Axel

It had been quite a time since the night I had spent with Jaavan but the memory still lived in mind like it was fresh. I thought about Jaavan everyday from the moment I woke up to the moment I fell asleep in my den at night. I wanted so badly to be with her but after that night she had been distant until she finally made it crystal clear she didn't want to be around me. I didn't care, I was in love with the alpha's daughter and I always would be. Since I didn't see any way around loving her, I decided to treat her like she was my mate even if she didn't reciprocate. Maybe it wasn't appropriate behavior but I just couldn't help it.

I had begun hunting for Jaavan since she had seemed so weak lately but I had to leave the meat outside her den in the night while she slept. I was never too far away from her and would often sit on the very edge of the basin and watch her from the long grasses that surrounded our densite. I'm sure she knew I was there but she never said anything or acknowledged my existence until now. I heard the howl while I was on my way to the basin anyway and I began sprinting because it sounded like Jaavan was in trouble. When I finally reached her den I thought I heard some strange sounds coming from it.

Tentatively I entered the den with my ears flat and my position crouching. If Jaavan didn't want me there she would attack me viciously but she didn't attack and remained in a lying position. What was that by her belly...? As my turquoise eyes adjusted to the darkness I could make out two small blobs cuddled close to Jaavan's stomach and realized they were the source of the odd sounds I was hearing. It was a strange kind of whining sound and it took a moment for me to understand that they were pups. "What..?" I didn't even know what to say at this point. Could they be mine? Of course they were mine, I had been with Jaavan every day since the night of their conception and I knew she hadn't been with another wolf. I felt a strange knotting pain in my stomach and just stared for a few moments more. Desperate to look anywhere but at the pups or Jaavan, I looked all around the den until my eyes landed on the small lump in the corner. Oh...one hadn't made it.

It was as if I was viewing the scene before me from someone else's eyes and my actions weren't my own. I stood up and licked Jaavan's forehead in a sign of sympathy and understanding before I slowly walked over to the lifeless pup. I took him in my jaws and trotted outside the den and went a few paces east where a large tree stood. I dug a deep hole and quickly buried the pup who hadn't made it before walking back into the den and curling myself up around Jaavan's back. "I'm here now." was all I could say as I looked down at our two puppies.

Turquoise View

[Juice]

The red she wolf watched as Axel crept into the den cautiously. He was right to approach her that way as she had to fight back the urge to growl. Lately her instincts had been heightened, probably due to her new puppies. She was about to say something to Axel when his eyes fell upon the little one who hadn't made it and Jaavan looked away. When she opened her eyes once more she saw Axel leaving the den, pup in mouth, probably to bury it. Jaavan hated all the new emotions she was feeling and hated the fact that she couldn't make sense of them or deal with them even more.

Finally Axel came and curled his body around Jaavan in warmth and whispered into her ear. The she wolf hated being comforted as it was always viewed as a sign of weakness but she figured since there wasn't anyone else around Jaavan would allow it, besides she was really feeling bad. With some horror, Jaavan began choking on the tears that had been threatening to burst forth since the birth of the pups. "I just...I just" she had to pause between her words to keep her breathing steady. "I don't know what to do." she finally broke down and began sobbing uncontrollably both hating herself for it but knowing she needed to purge the feelings.

[Deleted]

Axel

I curled myself closer to Jaavan as I felt her body start to shudder. I knew she was about to start crying and in the back of my mind I briefly wondered if she'd bite me solely because I was witnessing this phenomenon. She did her best to choke back the sobs but she wasn't doing a very good job of it. I cooed to her softly to try and calm her down and licked the tears off her face as they fell. "We'll figure something out. For now though, lets name our new pups." I nuzzled Jaavan and then looked at the little pups curled up at her belly. They didn't look like much yet, just blobs of fluff, but they were my daughters and my heart swelled with pride and love for the fact that they were also Jaavan's. One of the little ones was a smoky gray color and reminded me almost of a ghostly prescence. I nudged the little pup gently with my nose and she squeaked lightly before finding her way back to Jaavan's teat. "I want to call this one Phantom." I said, turning my turquoise eyes to Jaavan to see if she approved.

Turquoise View

[Juice]

Jaavan sniffled lightly at Axel's kindness. She was still trying not to cry but she felt more tears squeezing out of her eyes only to be licked away by the father of her pup's. Jaavan knew deep down she was developing strong feelings for Axel but she refused to admit it to herself and still held firm to the belief that he was still an annoying little whelp. Thankfully Axel suggested they name their new pups and she looked down and watched Axel nudge the gray one affectionately. At least he wasn't angry with her and trying to kill their children. Jaavan nodded at the suggestion of Phantom for a name-it seemed fitting enough. She licked the dark red pup who looked more like her and said "Tris...Tris and Phantom." after licking the little pups some more Jaavan yawned and fell asleep propped up against Axel. She was exhausted.

[Deleted]

Axel

I looked down at the two pups I had sired with Jaavan and they seemed to become real once they had been given names. Phaontom and Tris...my daughters. Jaavan was very tired from the stress of birthing and the overhwelming emotions she had been experiencing lately. It wasn't long before I felt her body go limp against me and her breathing became regulated and slow. I nuzzled my snout into her red fur and thought about what the future would hold for us. I knew Jaavan well enough to know she would be slow to accept me as a mate...if she ever did but I also knew she needed help with the pups. She would need someone to help feed her until she had the energy to hunt for herself and then I'd have to watch the pups for her...not to mention they would need us to teach them how to hunt, play and live in a pack. I forced myself to stop thinking these thoughts as the slow realization crept up on me that Ilana didn't know these pups existed. What would she do when she found out?

I looked at my pups...Tris and Phantom, and vowed to them that I would be a better father than my own. I wouldn't run out on my family and I would stay to make sure they were protected and learned everything they needed to know to survive. I wouldn't coddle them and I wouldn't send other pack members out after them when they needed time to find themselves. They had to learn their own way of life but for now they depended on me and Jaavan and I would not let them down. I looked outside the den and saw the snow beginning to fall serenely onto the ground. When the time came to defend my new family, I would rise to the occasion.

Turquoise View

/end thread