Bracken
Lumen Beta | Male | 5.5
Location: Lumen Camp | Mentions: Tarkik, Romulus [Indirectly], Remus [Indirectly]

The sounds of a tussle echoed across camp, but Bracken made sure to ignore it. The cries where of Remus, a wolf who didn’t seem to know how to keep out of the Alphas way. Romulus would quickly put him in his place, and all would be calm once again. That is, if the healer didn’t think to try anything. His name escaped Bracken for the moment, but golden eyes locked onto the tucked form of the other wolf. He noticing him noticing them. The look in his eyes he was ware as well.

The large brute huffed, climbing from his flat rock to follow after the younger male. He was very young in fact, Bracken recalled. So this mistake he would let be a lesson to the wolf, and not so much a punishment. Romulus on the other hand, was unpredictable. Bracken fell behind only a few steps, just to see how ballsy the young healer really was. Eyebrows rising up towards his ears when he actually heard him speak. Perhaps too ballsy.

“Some could say that they’d fight even harder, if only to earn that encouragement,” he slipped in beside the smaller male. Giving him a side eye downward. He wouldn't offer him the respect of direct contact, and dared him to hold it anyway. Their Alpha was a bit forward with his anger, unlike Bracken, who held all emotions under lock and key. He was a cold and calculating male, almost unfeeling. This came across as clear as day now, his blank eyes on Tarkik, and his posture tall and sturdy like a tree.

Romulus | Lumen | Alpha | Location: Lumen Camp | Mentions: Besart, Remus, Tarkik, Bracken

"To the North?" Romulus hummed to himself thoughtfully, "Alright then, hunting at an unknown burrow might just put us on even grounds," The Alpha replied haughtily, directing his latter comment at Besart. Remus being equal? Now that was a funny joke. Romulus made to move, but paused mid-stride, attentive enough to hear another wolf quickly springing into their vicinity. The male turned, catching the eye of his healer. Romulus didn't place him as the confrontational type, but he was young, and spurred on by the inexperience of interfering in business one should not. Romulus' fur bristled at Tarkik's gall, and he stepped closer into the younger male's personal space. "If I may, I'd suggest that you stick your nose out of my business," Romulus jeered, "It'd be very unfortunate for Remus if we lost our only healer." The Alpha barely noticed the arrival of his Beta, his mind hazed by a cloud of anger. Romulus clung on to a mere thread of restraint - Tarkik was young, and so should be excused of his behaviour, however the Alpha wasn't above putting him in his place if he refused to back down.

↞ { Scorch } ↠
Female • 4 Years Old • Noctis Scout
Location: Noctis Camp | Mentions: Ace

Scorch's expression seemed to change, to one of knowing rather than confusion. "You do not wish to entertain thoughts of war. I understand, but it is best to be prepared. You must have a plan should they come from your throat." Ace shook himself, swiftly changing the subject to something more pleasant, agreeing with fervor how wonderous their new home was. Yes, he did not want to discuss the prospect of conflict despite her words of caution, she could see.

Ace was still brimming with youth and innocence, and the death of his father came prematurely. He would have much to learn through trial and error...yet an error severe enough might lead to a short life. 'Wolves like you often die young,' she thought to herself, but for once stopped herself from verbalizing her opinions. There was something about the lad that endeared something inside of her. She wanted him to succeed. Encouragement, and guidance. That was what he needed. Scorch would keep an eye out for anything else. Danger, from outside or within, and if she saw it, she would take care of it. "Indeed, it is. I think we will be happy here."

"A meeting would be the proper procedure when you're ready. I look forward to hearing your first speech in our new territory," she replied cheerily before padding rolling back onto her paws. "What would you have me do for now? Is there anything you need?"

━━━━━━━━━▲━━━━━━━━━

↞ { Tarkik } ↠
Masc NB • 2 Years Old • Lumen Healer
Mentions: Bracken, Romulus, Remus, Besart

Bracken's arrival should have deterred him. Those cold, empty eyes that wouldn't even do him the honor of staring him down directly, as if he were not worth the beta's acknowledgment combined with the way Romulus towered over him, spitting ominous words would have left the old him a cowering puddle of apologies. Instead, it only increased his dismay. More of the same. A big brute of an alpha and his equally brutish second, throwing their weight around, forcing their subordinates to submission through fear and violence. Romulus' body language and tone were clear enough. If he didn't back down and show proper respect he would be punished.

The one thing that differed Romulus from his previous alpha was the nature of his rage. Hot and wild, uncontrolled like a fire, whereas Slade's anger ran cold, calculated. It should frighten him. So why wasn't he afraid? "I'm your healer, anything that brings harm to a member of the pack is my business, even if that harm comes from you," Tarkik replied sharply. "Remus won't be the only wolf who suffers if you kill me and you know it. Healers aren't easy to replace, good ones at least. Our craft is a rare art."

What would Romulus do to him for speaking out? Shred his other ear? Re-break his tail? Was there anything he could do Slade hadn't? Tarkik doubted he had the creativity. 'He could blind you, break your legs, leave you in the forest for dead,' a quivering voice in the back of his head squeaked and the thought nearly set his legs shaking. Somehow, he managed to keep his body still, if only barely. His ears pulled back against his skull, but his eyes still held a hint of scathing disapproval.

Besart placing himself in front of him and Remus like a barrier took Tarkik by surprise, the shock evident on his face. He'd never had a packmate rush to his defense before. Even his own mother had left him to face their alpha's wrath alone, lacking the courage to shield her only pup from his cruelty. Apprehension itched beneath his belt. What if Besart was hurt for trying to soothe frayed tempers? His words held some truth, he realized, Tarkik was tense, and perhaps emboldened by the journey it took to reach this place. He'd worked hard to keep the pack healthy and strong on that arduous trek.