A Twist of Fate

[bratterratt]

<sub>Bellies full, moods lightened, the Southern Pack was now able to return home to their dens and at their head strode the Alpha, ebony pelted Mors. Head held high, ears alert, and thick black tail swinging jauntily behind him, the Alpha was feeling on top of the world, quite a change from his grouchy attitude this morning, due to the stiffness in his muscles and joints. Now though, he was much better.

As the hill dens came into sight, the Alpha picked up his pace, moving into a fluid trot. He longed to climb atop his own den and lie in the sun for a time, as the hunt was over with. The sun beat down on his black coat and he wished to just relax, soak it in...</sub>

[-sira-]

 
She wondered if Mors would be furious. After all she had been talking to an outside wolf. Kiaros... She had met him briefly, but in the most inconvenient of ways. The night before he had scared her while she was in the pond by her den. She nearly drown in the pond. But he saved her. In the process of him saving her he nearly lost his life himself. So in return, she saved him. It was an interesting night. She shared her den with him. If Mors got irritated, then she would explain that he would've lost a wolf is Kiaros hadn't come along.

 

[Xane;;]

Kairos smelled the tempting aroma of fresh meat, and he couldn’t help the frothy saliva from filling his mouth. Downing it in a gulp, he reprimanded his growling belly. Miss Corra had offered him one of her rabbits, but Kairos had declined. His undetermined fate in the pack was on his mind, and he was eager to get the introduction done with. He was not nervous or fearful of what would happen, but he was tired of contemplating the possibilities. He wanted to know. So Kairos had explained his plans to the she-wolf, and they headed out in search of the pack. Corra had led them to the dens, a usual hideout for the group when resting.

So here he was now, following Corra through the South Thumb’s leafy trees, taking in the unfamiliar smells of many wolves. They had found the pack, alright. Kairos’ ears were up and his eyes alert, darting to and fro in hopes of catching a glimpse of a black pelt that he was bound to recognize. Many questions swirled through his head; had Mors taken a mate yet? Was his pack still a success? Would Mors be glad to see him, or would he be in one of his foul moods? Only one way to find out, Kairos thought, and if he had been human he would have grinned.

Kairos had the urge to push past Corra and burst into the camp, but he bit down on that foolish idea. It would be wiser to let Corra go first and lead the introduction, as she was someone familiar and trusted. So Kairos stayed walking at an even pace behind her, his muscles tense with bursting anticipation. It occurred to him that he had failed to tell Corra about his blood relation with Mors, but right now didn’t seem to be the right time. She would hear the story from him later.

[trenton]

Sköll strolled into the clearing proudly, his frosty black tail waving like a flag behind him. A plump rabbit dangled from his powerful black jaws. He had woken up too late, and the pack went to hunt without him. They were long gone by the time he woke up, so he hunted small game to compensate. This probably wouldn't appease Mors, but he didnt really care. He walked up to the alpha, but halted a safe and respectful distance at three wolf-lengths away. He placed the rabbit on the ground. "My apologies, I woke up late," he said calmly. He wasn't a particularly anxious wolf, and even the possible wrath of an alpha didn't phase him.

His wide orange eyes looked through Mors. Looking another wolf, especially an alpha, in the eye was completely rude. But looking away was a disrespect as well. His compromise was to look 'through' the wolf, like he was looking off in the distance at whatever was behind the wolf.

Word count: 170

[-sira-]

Corra walked though the forest to get to the camp. She felt nervous, still unsure as to how Mors would react. She turned to look at Kiaros, "so as if this wasn't explanatory enough, I'll talk first..." she turned her head back forward. A though came to her, she wasn't sure if she should ask, but she did anyways, "so why this pack? Why Mors?" she started.

Between her and her thoughts, she wasn't exactly a Mors fan. When he gets hungry he irritates her to the max. He is snappy, quiet cold in personality. She prefers to stay away from him. But pack hunts are inevitable. In those cases, she shuts out most of his irritable words and listens to what she needs to. Other than that, she tends to avoid him without making it obvious. She is very loyal, but who said she had to like everything that her leader does or says? As long as she gets what she has to done for the pack, her loyalty will remain true. But talking to an outsider might put her in a ditch for a while with Mors.

[bratterratt]

<sub>Still yards off from the dens, Mors was approached by another pack member, Skoll. No doubt the male had slept in, missing the hunt. The male's lack of attendance, though annoying and irking, caused a negative effect really only to Skoll, as he had missed receiving his portion of the kill. His loss, not Mors'. The distance paused and the measures of respect shown, as well as the short excuse given, was enough for the Alpha to reply with a short nod. No punishment would be given, no, Mors' wasn't that strict, though it did disappoint him that the pack could not be expected to rise at a decent hour and hunt as a group. Perhaps in later years, when their population had grown, then he could enforce these trivial matters. For now, he would have to play the hand he'd been dealt.

Without any more acknowledgment than the nod previously given, the Alpha stepped forward, passing the wolf Skoll, to move upwards into the den area. The wolves who had participated in the hunt were still behind him, but could now disperse to go their own ways throughout the day. Of course, they would be expected to stick close to the pack; a wandering wolf was a vulnerable wolf. But they were free to do as they wished until further notice.

Having only taken several steps, Mors suddenly halted, all four dark paws planted solidly in the dirt. His onyx ears pointing forward, the jet pelted Alpha stood frozen. A familiar scent wafted to his notice, though it was not recently familiar, but something from his past. Images of two wolf pups flashed through his mind, one of ebony pelt, the other a cremelloed color. The two, brothers, and close ones, at that. Litter mates, friends from the start. And yet, complete opposites.

Mind returning to him, Mors' liquid gold eyes looked up at the Southern Pack den area, waiting for what he knew would come. True to his suspicions, two forms appeared, walking side by side. The first was Corra, one of the female pack members. She had been one to participate in the hunt that morning. By her side, was another, a male, someone from the Alpha's past...</sub>

[Xane;;]

So Corra asked him, and Kairos replied, “You see, dear, I’m Mors’ brother.” He said it quickly and matter-of-factly, and followed it up with a rather bold movement. As they emerged into the pack’s sight, Kairos leaned over and gave Corra a lick smack-dab on her muzzle. Before she could react Kairos leapt away, throwing caution to the wind, and surrendering to his impulses. The sight of Mors, with his pitch black fur edged with silver, and his bold eyes of a shining gold, pulled him forward like gravity. Kairos, his eyes shining with their usual mischievous, happy gleam, came to a halt several wolf-lengths from Mors. He did not avert his eyes, crouch low, or tuck his tail as a new wolf seeking admission usually would. Instead he met Mors’ gaze, his tail up and wagging in assertive playfulness. “Hello, brother.” Kairos’ jaws slacked open to allow his rosy-pink tongue to slip out. “How goes the pack?” WORD COUNT 211 NOTES n/a LYRICS So tell me What is our ending? Will it be beautiful So beautiful? - Beautiful Ending, BarlowGirl

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[-sira-]

I run in my pack with distant from everyone.

As he explained being Mors brother. Her eyes widen. Why had they split in the first place? And why are they reuniting now. Maybe Mors hadn't a clue Kiaros was coming. But she wondered why Kiaros had wanted to find Mors in the first place. Being blood brothers was a pretty good reason, but back to her first question, why had they part ways?

She they neared the camp site with her pack. She could tell they were coming in sight. And she knew Mors could tell that the wolf that was coming was one from the past. She turned her head to say she was going to let them talk things out. As she didn't have to explain much, seeing they were brothers of course. She was forming words in her head, and just as she was about to speak. Kiaros licked her muzzle. Her eyes opened wider. It was quiet an impulsive move. But strangely enough, she smiled and her eyes soften as he split ways to find his brother. Now something inside her said she wanted him to stay.

Maybe one day I won't be so alone.

[bratterratt]

<sub>It almost didn't seem real. As the light toned male bounded towards him, Mors watched, his expression silent. His memory tying in with what his golden eyes could see, the Alpha male suddenly saw, not a grown wolf before him, but a goofy little male pup, left ear flopping ever so slightly with the angle of his head. Vision returning to the present, Mors examined the wolf before him with a quiet expression. Though no longer a pup, he had not changed much in appearance. His coat still held the same orange gold tint, the white fur around his face a light shade. The dark mahogany eyes that looked into his own were still the same and held the familiar playful expression. It as as if nothing had changed. The wolf before him was for certain his brother, little Kairos. Though, not so little anymore.

The corners of Mors' lips twitching upwards in something of a grin, the Alpha didn't answer his brother's question, but replied anyway.

"Ah, little brother. You've found me at last."

The statement was a friendly enough one, with a hint of brotherly taunting. True, the two males were from the same litter and the difference in age was not much more than a few minutes. However, the expression had a sense of familiarity...</sub>

[Ooc: So, Opal, for these guys' past... did they just end up going their separate ways once they reached of age? Or did they travel with each other for a while and then end up having a fight and breaking away? Or what? How do you want to play their past?]

[Shanto]

*OCC: Can I have a recap of this thread?*

[Xane;;]

{ooc; @ Bratt - when Mors took over the southern pack, Kairos left to try to start his own life (they didn't fight or anything, Kairos just wanted his own pack). It didn't pan out, he became a loner, and... well, he's back. =D @ Shanto - Kairos is just introducing himself to his brother, Mors, after not seeing him in years. Corra found him and brought him back.

Post coming!}

[bratterratt]

[Ooc: Okay, sounds good Opal!]

[Xane;;]

Mors seemed taken aback; it wasn’t a huge surprise, as after all the two brothers had not seen each other since… When was it? When they were two, three? However long it was, it was long enough. Kairos wondered if he looked different. Mors did look older, his appearance becoming tougher with age. ”Ah, little brother. You’ve found me at last.” It was spoken in Mors’ usual serious tone, but with a slight playfulness that only a brother could detect. Kairos gave a slight nod in response, a fuzzy feeling coming over him as he remembered the old days. When they were pups, they used to play a form of hide-and-seek, and even now Kairos remembered warmly Mors’ reply every time he sniffed him out. “So you found me at last.” Snapping back to the present, Kairos remembered his reason for being here. “You wouldn’t happen to have room for your brother in the pack, would you?” he asked, his deep brown eyes sparkling. This was what he had been waiting for: entry into the southern pack. Some might ask why he wanted it so badly. Well, Kairos had his reasons, one of them being that he was sick and tired of scrounging for food as a loner. The southern pack was full of opportunities, and Kairos wanted in on them. Plus, there’s Corra, Kairos thought slyly. Oh, how he loved the she-wolves. WORD COUNT 290 NOTES n/a LYRICS n/a

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[bratterratt]

<sub>The question inquired was not unexpected. Why else would his brother have returned to him? Some may have wondered why a wolf would request permission to join a pack where his own brother served as Alpha. After all, what wolf would want to be ruled by a litter mate? This question, however, didn't pose itself to Mors. He had known Kairos since birth and his brother's easy nature was not one that would be likely opposed to a dominant wolf. In fact, Kairos had always been willing to follow Mors into the most absurd situations as a pup, always with an eager countenance for adventure. And this was, after all, only just another adventure.

Memories of a venture into a skunk den years before brought the shadow of a smile to the Alpha's face. That had ended a disaster. Mother had made them sleep outside the den for over a week. And then there was the encounter with the bear cub. They had been lucky to walk away from that one alive. The angry she-bear's claws had come narrowly close to both pups. But they had managed, like they always did.

Turning back to the situation at hand, Mors regarded his brother with a solemn expression. Though he was a sibling, Kairos would have to be treated like any other new wolf requesting admittance. Mors was an Alpha. Family could not get in the way of his rules; they were no exception.

"There is room, brother. And I will be glad to have you. However, you will be admitted like any other. A month's time of trial period must pass before full entry is allowed. During that time, you will be required to den as an Omega," -Mors' voice was grim, but it must be done. The Omega dens were currently empty, as no one in the pack had reached that rank. They were centered down on the edge of the basin, away from the main pack. There the Omega's slept. However, a wolf in trial would still be able to hunt with the clan and remain amongst them during the day. It wasn't an easy thing to tell a brother, because it would be unpleasant, but it was Mors' duty and this he stuck to...</sub>

[Xane;;]

A month’s trial period? Kairos bristled at that, as he did at the word “Omega.” But he kept a grin on his face, his happy expression skillfully hiding the fact that he was inwardly groaning. Kairos suddenly remembered one of his reasons for leaving the pack and starting out on his own: Mors was such a stickler for the rules, it drove Kairos nuts sometimes. He liked to live spontaneously, while Mors acted like a commander in the army. But if his brother’s rules were all he had to take, then Kairos was up for it. Kairos then remembered Corra’s description of the dens, and he realized that the omega dens were situated on the edge of Biscuit Basin, only a short walk away from Corra’s hideout. And what’s more, the omega dens were empty. “Well I’m just happy enough to have a warm place to sleep,” Kairos announced, forgetting about his discontent as he celebrated his fortune in sleeping quarters. He looked forward to inviting the she-wolf to his abode, however humble it might be. WORD COUNT 231 NOTES <3 LYRICS n/a

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