Times of Hardship

[Asia]

Malloren walked sulkily into the Zenti den. She knew her pups would be born any day now and even though she knew she should be happy about this, she wasn't. The birth of her pups, she was certain, would force painful memories of the death of Zygon. The Alpha male of Minarron had killed her beloved mate and now her pups would grow up not even seeing a glimpse of their father.
The orange-pelted wolfess would mourn hours on end for her mate. Without him, the Zentis had lost hope in ever obtaining the Minarron lands for themselves. They were becoming ever so anxious for her to choose another male for the alpha position, but whenever she refused, the wolves would become more and more angry with her. The Alphena was losing patience with them too, however. Malloren even killed one of the females and her son when the female claimed that Zygon was the father of her son and that he should have the rightful postition of Alpha. After seeing her brutally kill the two, the pack reluctantly stopped badgering her and their respect had resumed once again, but for how long, Malloren did not know.
These days the Alphena was still distressed, and with no one there to confide in... she was losing all hope for a better life for her and her pack.

[Shaman]

Shaman slunk through the lands of the fabled Zenti pack. He was well aware of the spiteful reputation they had held for themselves, and Shaman was satisfied he had passed their borders at last. Losing his family and being imprisoned by Man had left him bitter, and slightly twisted. Needless to say there was some kind of rage burning subconsciously inside him.

The scent of the Alphess was all around him. It saturated the air, making it thick to inhale. Her dominance was almost overwhelming and Shaman pinned his ears back with concern, knowing he risked her temper to come trespassing so blatantly into her lands.

Shaman sensed no other wolves about, only the presence of the Alphess. He continued to pad onwards, drawing irrevocably closer to the pack den and the Alphess who guarded it.

[Asia]

The despodent alphess lifted her crania when an unafamiliar scent engulfed all surrounding air. Her ears stood erect in attempts to catch any suspicious sounds or voices. She apathetically rose to her feet. Her enlarged belly caused a significant difference in the way the alphess moved. She unhurridly made her way to the mouth of the den, being careful all the same. The new wolf was a male, she could tell by his distict scent. She was not about to jump at him when she was in such a vulnerable state. "Who are you and what are you doing on my lands?" Malloren asked. The way she spoke was crude and demanding, but no where near as rude as it would be if she were not pregnant.

[Shaman]

Intelligent green eyes noticed her bloated abdomen almost immediately, but Shaman was no fool. He would mind his place and not comment on her obvious pregnancy. Averting his eyes, Shaman bowed low to the ground, tri-shaded brush tucked neatly under his belly. Clearly he was submissive, an act out of courtesy rather than physical inability to confront the wolfess. Nay, she was leader here and he would not jeopardize her position of power.

"My name is Shaman, mistress, and I have come to the Zenti pack to do your bidding," he said, speaking to his paws rather than to her directly, lest he risk her anger.

[Asia]

Malloren was slightly astonished at his politeness. She dipped her head in greeting to him, while surveying him out of golden eyes.

"Shaman..." she repeated, "I am Malloren. Why would you seek to join the Zenti pack in such a difficult time?" She asked, abondoning her harsh voice.

[Shaman]

"It's these difficult times that drive me to join your pack, Mistress Malloren," he replied immediately, almost eagerly. "I was an Alpha, until recently. I lost my pack to sabres and I don't think there were any survivors but myself. At least, not enough survivors to refound the pack."

Shaman shuffled at the dirt with one paw, making one pad mark before rubbing the dirt out, and making the mark again.

"I need to be in a strong pack, Mistress. I do not wish to succumb to such weakness again," Shaman said icily, the bitter needle of guilt twisting inside his gut making him feel sick. "Zenti was, of course, the obvious choice."

[Asia]

She thought his words over for a minute. If he were a former Alpha, maybe he could be of some assistance to the pack. Malloran's tail shook faintly. He also seemed sincere with his words and she couldn't help feel a bit sorry for him, knowing that he had lost his pack.

"You can stay in the territory until I debate on whether or not making you a permenant member," the Alpha sighed heavily, "but it's be best if you stayed out of the pack's way. They've slaughtered every new wolf to pass these lands so far and I doubt they'll stop with you..."

[Shaman]

He responded to her subdued comment with a cocky grin. "Aye, Mistress, although I do not doubt my fighting abilities so. I know how to take care of myself. But a hostile pack is not to be underestimated - especially a fierce pack like Zenti under your leadership, Mistress," he bowed his head again with gratitude, sighing a little in relief. Shaman had found a home, at last. Perhaps he would make something for himself here. But even if he didn't, it was better to be an Omega than vagrant.

Shaman paused before leaving his pending Alphess. "Mistress," he quietly said, rather hesitant. "May I ask what ails you so? You seem... upset."

[Asia]

Malloren's ears perked, "Well, it's already hard enough to keep a rebellious pack under control with only two wolves leading... but to run it without my mate.... it is... rather tiring, to say the least.

She looked at him, as if surprised she just admitted this, "but I should know better than to rant to strangers..." she muttered solemly. The orange-pelted wolf gazed at her surroundings. "I suppose you can stay here permentantly if you'd like..." She had told him too much. If he ever got any ideas to leave, he would know her most burdening secret; a secret that could, in time, lead to her and the Zentis downfall.

[darkenedwolf]

(I am joining in because the two boards I was most active in just sort of seeped into the dead board zone...)

Anuko appeared with a rabbit in her mouth. She had sworn to herself to protect the alphess until she chose a new mate. Anuko dropped the rabbit by the alphesses feet and sat down next to the mouth of the cave ignoring the twos conversation, not wanting to eavesdrop.