Welcome the Darkness (PAFP)

He looked over his shoulder at her then glanced back at his work, it would probably take longer but she needed to know how to take care of herself one way or another, besides it wouldn't hurt him to allow her to help out in any way that she could. "Sure, just uh...grab any branch that you can carry or drag. Just be careful, if you need help then just call me." He went back to his work then stopped, he had never told her his name but then again would she even care if she knew his name? He figured he'd give it to her anyways, after all he'd be spending a lot of time around her. "My name is Alexandru but you can call me Alex." With that said he went back to work of tying the small strips of deer hide around the few large branches that he had gathered, first he'd need to make four bundles then attach them with strips of deer hide so that it made a tepee shape, it would be just enough room for her but he'd be fine sleeping outside or at least somewhat inside so that he could protect her just in case something popped up. You could never be not on guard out in the woods, dangers lurked everywhere you stepped so it was best to be on high alert.

Blue eyes watched her closely before returning to the the male shift tent he was making, he once again glanced over at the young girl then stood up to grab the branch from her. "Thank you Cat." He playfully ruffled up her hair then went back to work of putting the small tent up. Once done he draped the hides over the branches so that it would block the wind. With a sigh he traveled back over to the fire and piled more wood over the hungry flames. "You should get some rest. It'll be a long day tomorrow." After saying that he changed into his wolf form to block out the winds that began to travel through the forest. He landed on all fours and padded forward so that he was in front of the tent then plopped down with a grunt. He placed his tail over his nose and glanced up at Cat before letting his eyelids droop down and cover his icy blue eyes. He looked nothing like other Lycanthropes, their pelts were usually the color of the timber wolves that lived in the area and had dark eyes like ember. He stuck out like a sore thumb amongst his own kind but he was respected and was to be the next alpha in line. It was a great honor and this task would prove himself to everyone.

The night was uneventful besides the small downpour durning the night which made him retreat into the small tent that would allow as much of his body to move into the small space. He had awoken to himself curled around Cat as if during the night he had tried to keep her warm, with a yawn he backed out of the tent and blinked up at the sky, the fire was out but there was still some meat left that could hold them over for the day that they had to make the trek back towards his pack. He shifted into human form and began to rebuild the fire so that he could cook some snow and reheat the meat that leaned against the dead fire. With another yawn he stretched and began his morning work of sparking the flames and getting the fire going. He scooped a handful of clean snow and dumped it into a makeshift pan that was made out of wood and deer guts. When thinned and pulled apart it became a durable water sack that was easy to drink out of. After melting the snow he poured the water into the makeshift water sack and plopped it into his fur satchel while he spun the meat over the fire to warm it up.

He looked towards the tent when he heard Cat's gentle voice reach his ears, he looked into her eyes and returned the smile that she offered then continued with filling the water sacks. "Good morning Cat. We'll be leaving soon. Since you don't have the right attire for traveling I'll carry you on my back if that's okay with you?" He said it in question form as he placed everything in the sack besides the bacon sized strips of meat that he thoroughly cooked. He handed two pieces of meat to her then began to take down the tent and bundle it up so that he could carry it as well, he didn't know how long it was going to take them to reach his pack that would three days of straight walking for humans, for the running speed of lycanthropes was two times faster than that of a humans. As he finished packing everything he turned towards Cat and held his hand out as if asking for her permission. Before he would have done it without permission but he began to accept her as a equal, besides she wasn't bad at all. She was the innocent one here that was caught between two powerful forces that would tear each other down no matter what. But his leaders thought she was the key to their freedom and he couldn't do anything but follow by what they ordered of him.

When she grabbed his outstretched hand he swiftly swung her onto his back during mid-shift into his wereform, once fulled shifted he landed on all fours and grabbed the tent carefully and cradled it within his jaws before taking off at full speed. Cat had plenty of fur to grasp onto to hang on while he easily reached forty miles per hour over the open plains of snow that reached up to his elbows each time he sunk into the deep snow. He slowed down to a trot as he neared his packs boundaries, it was almost night but the sun still remained in the sky but low enough so that rays barely seemed to show themselves. He came to a complete stop as he heard the sound of footsteps, he growled a warning as a dust colored Lycanthrope appeared from the darkness and bowed, it was a Sentinel that was put on guard to retrieve the girl but he wasn't about to hand her off to some stranger that could be potentially dangerous. He padded forward with the Sentinel in tow close behind him. He would have to meet the Alpha with Cat in tow, he couldn't protect her from the Alpha but he'd try his best.

He could feel her shaking and felt her grip tightly onto the fur that covered his nape, he restrained himself from whining with concern and took on a determined expression as he padded further within the territory. Many dark pelted Lycanthropes began to appear from the shadows as they looked eagerly on. Even some pups escaped from the nursery and stood outside, wagging their tales in excitement of seeing their most beloved playmate. Everyone was in wolf form since the cold was coming and in their most comfortable form helped them getting sick like most humans would from the blistering storms that were soon to come. His eyes soon landed on the alpha, they were about the same size but their coats were polar opposites. His fathers fur was like that of charcoal yet they had the same icy blue eyes that could peek into one's soul. Alex and stared at his father who stood beside his mate, she had grey fur and amber eyes like that of a grey wolf. "The mission was successful I see. What do you plan to do with her my son." He knew that the decision was up to him after all this was his way of showing his worth to all of the pack. "Keep her alive and show her our ways. When the kings search parties find us then we make a deal. But we keep her captive until he does his part of the deal, when he does we'll give her back." All was silent before his father bowed his head, that was a sign of confirmation. The rest of the pack seemed to fade back into their dens to escape the blistering winds that howled down with such ferocity. Alex too began to make his way back towards his own den in silence, maybe the King wouldn't come after his daughter or maybe the plan would fall through, if that happened then Cat would die and all of this would be for nothing.

Alex pushed past a pair of bushes and padded deeper into his cave to the point that it was almost pitch black, he gently grabbed her dress by the back between his teeth and lowered her down to the ground, he then preceded to wrap his long muscular frame around her to warm her up the best that he could. "I will be on the front lines but I cannot guarantee his safety but I will try to look out for him." He rested his chin upon her lap as he got comfortable, there was plenty of space for her to relax and snuggle into his soft thick pelt that would easily give her the warmth that her body craved. His eyelids drooped down to cover his eyelids as a loud huff escaped his maw, it was going to be a eventful day tomorrow and he'd be the one on the front lines, attempting to strike deals with the petty fools that held a grudge towards his people. He'd do anything in his power to keep the peace but there was only so much that one person could accomplish. It would be hard and tiring but he'd do his best to make the King and his foolish people see his way like Cat had done.

Alex was awoken by the small rays of sunlight that pierced through his closed eyelids, with a groan he slithered out of Catherine's grasp but put a fur over her still before leaving his den. He'd talk to the stitchers to see if they could make a pair of suitable clothes for her, the dress and shoes she wore would certainly give her frostbite. He pulled back the flap of hide to talk to a certain women that he called grandmother, she was the oldest in the entire pack and she always helped him out with something if he needed assistance, she would be the one that he could turn to and not be judged for helping the enemy. He was met with silence which worried him but the soft cackle of her laugh instantly brightened his features. "Come to get her some clothes I see. Well boy, I already have some set up. Best to plan ahead my grandfather always said to me." She always stayed in her human form for some reason, perhaps because it hurt to shift back and forth with old age but no matter the reason she always seemed lively. She threw a set of clothes at him made out of fox and caribou hides as well as a second set made from deer and wolf pelts. He genuinely thanked her with a gentle push with his snout then left back into the cold to give Catherine her much needed set of clothes. She said that a search party would arrive today at noon, he didn't know if that was true for no one knew for certain where the pack was located at. Many had almost found it but were quickly dealt with. He pushed his way back into the den and set the pair of clothes next to her before he sat down and yawned loudly.

He looked at her with questions forming in his eyes but he let it go as she quickly changed the subject, he didn't want to linger on something that she either can't control or that she didn't want to explain. He dipped his head in acknowledgement then left the den so that she could have some privacy to change. With the outfits came two pair of boots and gloves that keep her feet and hands warm from the cold, grandmother was always the one to make sure everyone was protected, human or nonhuman. The young pups sometimes couldn't controll their shifting so there was always stitchers to make clothing for those that enjoyed the human form or were stuck in it until they could control the transformation. Half of the trainees that were to be Warriors or hunters actually stayed in human form until their naming ceremony. His warrior name is Alexandru the Ripper, he got his name from a terrible fight that was directed at his father, he bravely jumped between the two and fended off the lycan that attempted to usurp the throne. That was how he got his first scar, the lycan had grabbed the top of his snout and but he got away in time to end the lycan's life. It was a feat that earned respect from many in the pack, his father held more respect for him because he jumped between the two to protect him. It was merely a act of duty to his pack, but it was rewarding enough. He gazed up at the sky to see a sliver of the moon still remaining, it was barely there but it's shape could still be seen in the light blue sky. With a sigh he turned to look at the warriors den to see a group of lycans sitting there staring at him, his choice caused a lot of controversy in the pack, he'd have a keep a close eye on Catherine.

He looked over his shoulder at Catherine and nodded as he padded over to the the group of lycans that immediately stood up at attention. "Head down to the river and lead the men away from our territory, try not to kill anyone." They started off towards the river as soon as he was finished. He headed towards his fathers den and pushed past the fur flap to see his father writing down upon a parchment, it most likely was a letter to the King that pretty much said what they wanted in return for returning the Princess. "They're here father. Would you like me to meet with them." He was met with silence then a soft grunt as his father turned towards him. "Yes and bring this with you, I want the King to know our requirements as soon as possible." Alex carefully took the parchment between his claws and exited his father's den. He started to head down towards the river as fast as his legs carried him, he came upon the river where he saw the group he sent down engaging in combat with the humans. With a annoyed growl he scurried forward and launched himself onto another lycan that was on top of the man Catherine had described. With a huff he growled at the lycans then turned towards the humans, several had been severely injured, one had been killed one of his own men was also severely injured. "Catherine says hi Gabriel. She's not injured, she's in good health. I'm sorry things had to come to this but...here." He held out the parchment as he glared at his men, he had told them to not cause a fight with the men, he should have known that trouble would have been caused but it was too late to change that fact now.