"What's with you that you have against her?" She snaps at him "is it this Blood Moon prince? Or do you love her?" Shakota was clearly challenging him, narrowing her eyes she glares at him.
"Yet you defend her from my word, but you threaten her...clearly you got something on your mind."
Shakota pushed passed him into the run down camp.
Jared saw his younger sister return and walked over to her.
You alright? he asked her silently, noticing a faint trace of Clayton's scent on her. Where's Shakota?
Jethro smiled and gently shook his head at Madeline as he quickly made a sling for Edward.
"Thank you for your kind offer, milady, but I'm all done." he said as Edward thanked him, then returned to where Thane and Marina were questioning the rogue.
Jethro turned to his sister-by-mating, his hair and eye colour starting to turn back to normal.
I'm glad you are too, Marina. he told her. Ivan has turned into a fine young male. You and Torren must be proud.
Thane nodded at what Keith said, his eyes narrowed.
"Yes, I've heard of packs or humans hiring human or rogue hunters to destroy wolf packs. Clayton... is also a member of a pack which met that fate. He was in bad shape when some of my warriors found him and brought him to Deep Forest. He's been here ever since." he said, deliberately hiding the truth from the rogue. "I take it Shatoka is from the Winter Storm Pack?"
Ivan listened silently, his eyes narrowed. As far as he could tell, the rogue was telling the truth... or at least, the truth as he knew it. He felt sorry for Keith. When Torren had allowed the rogue into the Blood Moon pack he had taken to pack life like a fish to water, keeping his nose clean, helping out even when unnecessary... he was a good wolf. It seemed others had made him as he was. However... he had attacked a guest of the Alpha pf Deep Forest while a guest himself and it boded ill his chances of staying in Blood Moon.
Keith nods "daughter to Phillip Storm, alpha of the pack!" He says "you'll want to find her quick...once the old packs find out she is alive they'll want her for power in a marriage contract."
Joanna looked at her brother and smiled. I'm fine Jared and Shakota is fine too. She said as she heard what was being said. She looked at her father and asked, "shall I go and fetch Lizzie? She knows about spells."
Madeline smiled and nodded at Jethro. She then turned to join her aunt.
Marina nodded and said, "we will reserve judgement until we return to Blood Moon. For now, you will be confined to your den with guards." She then smiled at Jethro. We are proud of him. Just like we are proud of you. Jethro, you don't have to hide from us. We can see how happy you are here. I would not wish to take you away and neither would your brother.
Clayton watched Shakota go into the old camp and then shook his head. He walked away from the camp and found a cave to sleep in.
Thane nodded at his daughter.
"I think that's a good idea." he agreed, then turned to his son. "Jared, you will take some of our warriors and follow Shatoka's scent. Bring her back."
He then turned to Keith.
"I'm sure you're angry with yourself right now... so I'll hold out on judgement as well." he said, then turned and silently called some warriors who lead Keith to the guest rooms, gently pushed him inside and stood guard outside the door.
Jared nodded as Edward stood up.
"I'm going with you to look for her." he said.
"Not with that hand, you're not." Jethro said, his maroon eyes narrowed, his hair white again.
He then sighed and looked at Marina.
I'm sorry I've hidden for so long... but I thought it necessary. he told Marina. I didn't want to create a situation where the old laws came into play, just because I was born with the blood trait. I didn't want to fight my brother when the Alphaship was his by birthright. Alain had read the note my mother had left with me when he found me, Marina. I told me who I was all my life. When I was old enough, he gave me the note to read myself. I'm just sorry that... my fear kept me from getting to know my older brother.
He glanced over at Ivan and saw the wolf's maw was open slightly.
And I think your son is shell-shocked.
Ivan shifted and immediately began sputtering.
"How- it's not possible...!" he yelped. "He has... but that's not possible right... I mean to have those eyes... he'd have to -"
"Be a Moon." Jared finished as it all fell into place in his mind.
Jethro smiled, then turned to the door leading to his den.
You two can come out now. he called his pups. There are some people I want you two to meet.
Cautiously, Brody pushed the door open.
Joanna hurried out of the den and went in search of Lizzie. When she found her Joanna said, "Lizzie, we need your help with something." (Would you like to play Lizzie Nat? I mean you have all these male characters)
Marina walked over to Jethro and gently set a hand on his shoulder. You seem happy here and I'm glad. When everything is settled down we'll talk some more. I have things I need to tell you. She then looked at her son and smiled. Ivan, we'll sit down as a family and talk about what's happening.
Lacy came out and hurried up to her father. She hugged him tightly as she looked at the others.
Shakota explore the dens before finally got reach the biggest one, she found a bunch of baby stuff but nothing important she signs and shifted. As she walked she found Clayton in his cave and curled up by the entrance far away from him staring at the moon, blinking her red eyes she lays her head down and falls asleep.
Keith signs and did what he was told no more...I'm done. He thought
OOC:
Sure Wolfs.
IC:
A blonde-haired she-wolf with green eyes looked up as Joanna called to her.
"Princess? What's wrong?" she asked, getting up from where she was resting under a tree.
Jethro smiled at Marina.
I'd like that. he said, sensing that the she-wolf in front of him wasn't telling him something important, but he kept quiet.
Jethro gently hugged his daughter back as Brody joined him ad Lacy.
Brody looked up at Ivan and Marina. He then looked up at Jethro.
"Papa.. aren't these the wolves you said to-..?"
"Yes, son." Jethro smiled, gently ruffing Brody's white hair. "But I also said that things might change, remember?"
Ivan glanced at Jethro, then at the two young pups at his side and nodded.
"Yes, mother." he said, knowing it was pointless to press his mother for details now and that he would know soon enough.
Jared called some warriors and took off after Shatoka's scent, following it to the snow covered old camp. Jared shifted.
"What... is this place?"
Shakota was covered in snow as she slept by the cave enterance
Walking around Jared and his warriors saw that it was a pack which had been attacked by something. One of the warriors yipped to tell Jared he's found something. Scenting the air, Jared picked up the light trace of Shakota's scent. and a scent which made him growl as he shifted back.
Clayton! he growled. What's he doing out here?
"Hey Lizzie, um my father wants to know if you could break a spell for us." Joanna said politely.
Marina smiled at the pups. "They look just like you Jethro." She said gently.
Lacy looked at Marina and smiled.
Clayton saw Jared coming and the vanished again.
Lizzie grinned at her princess.
"Of course. Lead the way." she said. "I haven't been called on to use my skills for a while. I hope it's a challenge."
Jethro smiled at Marina as Thane watched them with a small smile.
"Yes, I reckon they do." he agreed, then smiled at Lacy. "Although Lacy's starting to look more like her mother everyday."
Brody looked up at Marina and Ivan. Jethro then looked over at Ivan.
"I'm just thankful neither of them inherited the blood trait." he said.
"Why?" Ivan narrowed his eyes. "It's an honour to bare the blood trait of the Moon family!"
Jethro shook his head.
"This isn't the Blood Moon pack, young Prince." he told him. "There is another trait valued here. Besides... I went through most of my life being taunted for having vampire or demon blood.... I didn't want that for my pups."
As they drew closer to Shatoka, Jared frowned as she spotted a brown blur. He wasn't sure, but he had the feeling it was Clayton.
Shakota felt her anger arise as she stood up and bared her teeth at Jared You leave Clayton alone! She growls as she defended her cousin, she looked as if she appeared out of the snow...the only way to tell her apart from the snow were her bright red eyes and soft pink nose and ears. When she talked and moved she scared one of the warriors who jumped almost like a cat.
Joanna turned and headed for Keith's den.
Lacy looked around at the others and frowned slightly. "Father? Do you think Joanna should be running around, especially with that head injury?" She asked him quietly as she bit her lower lip worriedly.
"Torren will be pleased to know that you have pups of your own." Marina said as she cut her son a warning glare. "Ivan go and check on Joanna. When I get back to the den I'd like to talk about your manners." She said a little to sweetly.
He has a right to come after me, cousin. After all I almost killed his sister. Clayton said to her as he hid in his cave again.
Jared had been as surprised as any of the other warriors, but the one who had gotten the fright was still young, having only recently turned 16 making him and adult an Jared growled lightly at his warriors to tell them to stop ragging on the poor boy, although he had a small smile on his snout. He then turned back to Shatoka.
Your cousin!? Then you're... Jared narrowed his eyes. I see... so you somehow survived...
His eyes then hardened.
Your cousin is a coward! He did something to wrong my family and is now afraid of the consequences. Jared snapped. He nearly killed my sister, Shatoka! By our old laws I'm entitled to pay him back in kind. Besides, harming a member of the royal family is a capital offense... and Clayton knows this. Luckily for him, the sentence isn't automatically death in the Deep Forest as it is in other packs, such as the Blood Moon for example. However, he needs to be brought before the Alpha to hear his punishment!
He then sighed.
And my father sent me to come look for you. he said softly. He's worried about you...
Ivan winced at his mother's sugary tone of voice. Whenever she used that tone he knew he was in for it. He sighed.
"Yes, mother." he said demurely, although his red eyes were sulky, then bowed and took his leave to go find Joanna.
Jethro smiled at Marina.
"I'd like him to meet them someday." he said, then added Don't be too hard on him, Marina. Your son has every right to be upset that I disparaged his heritage.
He then looked down at his daughter and shook his head.
"No, I don't." he told her. "But I'm afraid no one forces our princess to do something she doesn't want to."
"Not even I." Thane said with an amused smile. "She's as stubborn as Rebecca was before her."
Brody frowned.
"But, father... s-she's not completely healed... if that wound reopens..." he bit his lip as well.
Joanna would be in danger of bleeding out again.
Lizzie frowned as she followed Joanna, seeing the bandage on her head and that it was stained a little red.
"Jo?" she asked softly, now that they were alone. "A-are you alright? What happened? Your wound seems to be bleeding again."
Shakota flattens her ears sharply I won't go back...not with this rogue in the camp! She whimpers backing up into the cave even if you have me protected or him well away from me! She bumped into Clayton and then step aside of him.
OOC: Clayton is no longer there. He left and went back to his cave.
IC: Marina waited until her son left then she turned to Jethro. "Ivan should know better than to voice his anger. He doesn't understand so he shouldn't judge." She said as her expression turned sad. "Jethro, don't wait to long to go and see him." She added quietly as she explained every to her brother-in-law.
Lacy's eyes widened with worry. She didn't want the princess to die.
Joanna didn't say anything. She let out a light groan and then fell to the ground in a boneless heap.
Occ oh lol
Re-do: No not with that rogue still in the camp! She whimpers and backs up flattening her ears sharply
Jared stepped forward slightly, but not enough to trap the she-wolf.
Shatoka... the rogue is under a spell. He has no control over it. he said gently. And he is under house arrest. He won't get within a foot of you and live. I promise. Now will you please return. There is another rogue who is beside himself with worry for you. He would have come with if not for his injury.
Jared smiled softly, sure Shatoka would realize he was talking about Edward.
Jethro frowned sadly and stared at the floor as Marina spoke about Torren's illness as Thane looked on sadly, Edward also watching silently. He swallowed hard.
"And... is there really nothing that can be done...?" he asked so softly it was a whisper.
Brody looked up at his father and gently squeezed his hand.
Papa...? he asked quietly. A-are you... okay?
Jethro smiled sadly and gently ruffled his son's hair, not saying anything and by this, Brody knew his father was not okay. He wasn't sure what but something had made his father sad.
As Joanna dropped to the ground, Lizzie was instantly at her side.
"Joanna!? Princess!?" she called as she tried to rouse her.
"Give her to me." a rough voice said as a shadow fell over her and she looked into Ivan's worried red eyes. "I'll take her to the healer's den."
Lizzie nodded and got up, allowing the Blood Moon prince to pick the unconscious Joanna up.
"I'll go with you." she said.
"We've done everything we could, but nothing is helping. I'm so sorry that I've brought bad news with me, Jethro." Marina said sadly.
Lacy hugged her father again.
Joanna let out a silent cry when Ivan picked her up. The bandage was turning more red and there was a little bit of blood trickling from her nose.