Jazereth was bewildered by his playful demeanor. Did he not know they were on the brink on war? How could he possibly be acting so optimistic when their clans were being hunted? "I did not mean to intrude,"she stated calmly"I only meant to survey what the living conditions were like here. You see, my people do not fare well in confined spaces. And, I was not informed that anyone was living in these structures yet." Jazereth saw his curiosity at the notion of her finding a mate. "Yes, according to the Fire clan's traditions I must find a mate soon after the Feast. Why does this perk your interest?" Though it was true that Jazereth had to acquire a mate, she had yet to even set her mind on trying to find one. Her top priority was to make sure her pack would survive through the current predictiment.

Roulan was looking out for animals in the forest to hunt. At first he was noticing only smaller animals such as rabbits, but then he had found a deer that would be more of a challenge. He stealthy snuck behind it and stepped on a twig causing it to look up. When it went back to eating grass he snuck up behind and lunged for it. He had successfully bit into the deers leg to stop it from running then took a vicious bite into its neck that killed it automatically. He then switched back to human form and picked the deer up to take it back to Jazareth. "That was an easy kill" he said quietly and with his keen hearing he could hear the other wolves making their kills.

Sky smiled hearing her and then nodded. "Sorry, I guess I'm just worried... I've seen those who follow tradition sometimes fall into a terrible situation. I don't wish that upon anyone." He said and then chuckled as he shook his head. "I have a really bad feeling that something worse for my pack will happen... There are already many of the people wondering why Ocean didn't attack any water clan except for me... And the motives of just letting Coventina go seems.... Fishy." He thought aloud and then looked to Jazereth. "It seems that something is unfolding when no one wants it to..." He said and looked to Jazereth. "I still believe that the alphas are being targeted... So I'm jus worried. You need to be alert." Sky said and then sighed deeply and leaned against the wall. "I'm not fond of the dwellings but they work. Nmy pack live in massive caves during the winter, but we are always connected to the sea, so it's a bit unnerving to be so far inland for us."

Jazereth practically scoffed at his words. "Me? Careful? C'mon, you should know by now the Fire clan is the most battle oriented pack. You need not tell me what I already know!" But, to Jazereth, Sky's words rang with truth. Finally someone else besides herself knew there was some other plan slinking in the shadows. "I'm glad that I am not the only one who knows this battle is far from over.",she sighed. Suddenly, Jazereth's features showed their youthful traits. The wisdom she had acquired and the stress she had taken on was draining on an adult, let alone a child. "I fear the other leaders do not see as clearly as you do. I wish they would look over the petty stuff like their love lives and focus on the survival of their packs! I don't see how they can just freely walk around declaring their feelings like a prize when our packs are in danger!" Jazereth's frustration was seeping out her heavily guarded demeanor. But quickly recovering, she listened to Sky's description of the Water clan's feelings on the structures. With a slight smile, she murmered,"At least we're not the only ones who find this situation unpleasent."

Seeing the true young woman come out from beneath her shell, Sky smiled. Reaching out he patted her head and then chuckled. "I know my alpha sees everything almost too clearly... And I dislike her choice as much if not more then you... But to think about how much stronger and more alpha like she has become... I sometimes realize that it may be a good thing..." Sky said and then looked to Jazereth. He sighed and grabbed a sack with fruit in it from his home beach and tossed her a ripe apple. Something that was never found this time of year. "Here these taste amazing. And it's something that helps me remember the sweet things." He said and then nudged her playfully with arm and chuckled. "So any hunky males in your pack that have even crossed your mind?" He asked playfully and wiggled his eyebrows at her and then laughed at his own foolishness.

Roulan had then sensed something coming up behind him and quickly shifted back to wolf form. A mountain lion had come in to steal what he had just killed. It must've caught the deers scent"he thought to himself when suddenly the mountain lion lunged for him and scratched at his muzzle. Roulan fought back by biting at its fight, and the lion viciously tried to fight back.

((Jazereth's youthful side is comming out! ))

Jazereth's eyes widened as Sky patted her head. She quickly brushed his hand away from her head for the sake of her pride. 'Damn him! He's treating me like a child!',she thought furiously. Caught by surprise as the fruit landed in her hands, Jazereth peered at the fruit curiously. Fresh fruit like this never grew in the Fire clan territory. "An apple?",she blinked in suprise. "We have a fruit that is simillar. It's called a fire fruit. They only can be harvested on the night of a full moon. At that precise moment they fall from the tree like tongues of fire. It's quite beautiful." Jazereth's eyes glistened as she recalled the first time she had witnessed the harvest. Taking a bite of the apple, she chewed it thoughtfully. Sky was right, it had a peculiar sweetness unlike the tanginess of the native fire fruit. Still eating the apple, she barely registered what Sky had said about her choosing a mate until he said 'hunky male'. At that moment she almost choked on the fruit in surprise. Glaring at him, she stammered,"N...No! Of course not! I have to keep my head clear from all that foolishness in order to lead my pack!!!" Though her eyes were showing her disdain, her cheeks had become the hue of the apples skin.

Sky listened as the fire alpha explained the fire fruit to him, something that sounded a bit like their native sea grapes. But those would be brought up another time. Chuckling as she stammered about his mate comment he shook his head and took a bite of his own apple. "I'm teasing. I am sure that when the time comes you will pick out a good mate." He said and then walked over, brushing some of her raven black hair from her red cheeks. "You know, I haven't seen such eyes as yours before.... They are very different compared to most." He said in a soft voice before pulling his hand away.

The color of her cheeks deepened as Sky brushed the hair away from her face and commented on her eyes. Jazereth smirked and said as he drew back his hand,"Teeth can be a lethal weapon. I suggest you stay out of range. And as for my eyes they'll burn you alive." Many a man had tryed their hand on Jazereth and she had sent them away with their tails between their legs. And she would surely let Sky know his place, though he might just be trying to diffuse the tention, she didn't like getting buddy buddy with people. Least of all the Water clan.

Surprised at Jazereth's words, Sky raised an eyebrow and then chuckled and stepped away. Removing his limbs from being anywhere close to her. "Sorry alpha." He said smoothly to show her a bit of respect and then took another bite of his own apple. Adjusting the glasses upon his nose again, the green haired male chuckled and looked back at his. "Any man who gets your approval is lucky in deed, and I wish you luck upon your little man hunt." he said and then smirked. "Let's hope you can find a man in your pack that doesn't butt heads with you." Sly said teasingly and took another bite of his apple.

Jazereth sighed. He infuriated her. No matter what he did or what he said, she just didn't know why but it annoyed her. 'Damn! Why does he agitate me so?' she wondered. "I'll need all the luck I can get. A man who agrees with me will be nearly impossible to find! I wish Father would've just left me a name to choose as a mate. He knew me better than I know myself." Leaning against the stone wall, Jazereth looked past Sky and out the carved window behind him. The forest called to her and the leaves whispered news of her pack hunting. As did the cry of a mountain lion. Freezing slightly, she couls feel the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Jazereth had to hold herself back from running towards the sound of waging battle. It was only proper that she let the wolf's pride intavt unless he ask for help. To keep from running to its aid, she stared at the floor solemnly. The wind whistled across the stone structure and a small breeze filtered through the window. The slight hint of breeze carressed her face and ruffled her hair. Closing her eyes she breathed in deeply. Trying to remember the first time she went hunting with Father. Shaking her head, she chased away the thought. A man who wished to live in the past was a dead man. Peeking at Sky, she looked at him once more before closing her eyes once more. This time her head started swaying slightly. Jazereth was completely drained from the loss of blood and could feel the darkness of sleep closing in. 'No! I cannot appear week before him! I musn't!',she thought urgently.

Sky smiled hearing Jazereth and then raised his apple to her words. "Then I wish you more luck." He said and finished off his apple as the fire alpha grew thoughtful. Looking around for a shirt hat was clean, the male with the green grass hair pulled on the simple white shirt and in doing so messed up his hair. Well more then normal. Smiling softly, he watched the breeze run through her raven black hair and smiled to himself. Though catching her wavoring he approached her swiftly and put a hand on her shoulder to steady her. His deep moss green eyes looked at her with worry. "Are you alright Jazereth?"

Jazereth deperately tried to open her eyes. But only managed to make them flicker open shortly. "Yes, I.....My hands......"Her words were slurred and she leaned into his hand. Pulling her hands into her body, she could feel them dripping with her blood. Managing to peel her eyes open, Jazereth glanced at the bandages on her hands to see that they were soaked in blood. 'What is going on? The side affects shouldn't be this severe!! Why aren't I recovering?!',she thought frantically. "I'm....I'm fine",Jazereth said firmly and pushed his hand away. Quickly realizing what she had done, Jazereth saw the bloody handprint on his shoulder and stared at it in horror. "Has he abandoned me?",she murmered.

Sky held onto Jazereth as she teetered and reached to steady her with another hand on her shoulders. Watching her with worry, he smelt blood. Looking her over with sorry, the glasses wearing male found her poor hands were bleeding badly. Shocked and wondering how on earth they were bleeding so badly, he was about to speak when she pushed him back. Stepping back, the water clan warrior frowned and then put his hand on her shoulder again to steady her. "Here Jazereth, let me help you." He said, not hearing her murmur. As he grabbed a bowl he conjured up water and put it in the bowl. Taking his shirt off, he quickly ripped it into strips. Then taking her hands, he guided them into the water to clean them off. "You really should have a healer look at your hands..." He said with worry as he gently washed away the blood upon her and kept her steady.

Demicora looked between the two as they started talking. The warriors left the tent at the command of their alpha as well as the water alpha. They had seemed surprised that it had been Demi that they had been holding in front of the alpha. She quickly got up from her kneeled position and stood there as Coventina walked towards her protectively. Her breath was quick as what she had just learned such a short time ago was announced once more. Her face showed something like that of an apology as she turned away from him to find a place to sit before she fell down at the realization that they were now telling her alpha all this information. Figuring that it would be rude to even attempt sitting, she used all her will power to continue standing as she took in some deep breaths. "Sir, I'm sorry. I only found this out not too long ago myself. My earth clan father knew about this. He knew when he took me in from what i remember. Sir... You know i never could remember my past. When they took me with them, my memories started to come back. I'm a hybrid, niece to the water alpha and daughter of the sister of the late earth alpha. I came back against my family stayed protected here. I was hoping to tell you myself that i was back instead of getting forced in here the way I was, but that doesnt seem to have happened." She looked at Coventina for a split second as if to say she was scared of what might happen now that he knew the truth.

Jazereth let Sky tend to her wound but looked away because she could not bear to see his face when he saw the words engraved into her hands. Her hands were like her own little graveyard of sin. They predicted bad omin and reflected her flaws. "I know not anyone who can heal these wounds. Besides the man himself or the one closest to him.",knowing that Sky would want to know, she whispered,"I wanted to become stronger, I didn't want to die. This is my payment for my life. Actually this is just temporary, he will have me soul for eternity." Knowing that she sounded weak, Jazereth straightened her back and held up her head. "It is nothing compared to the tribulations my people have faced. And if I have to do this in order to protect them, I will. No one needs to worry about me, it is merely a price I am willing to pay. So please keep this quiet. I do not wish to burden my people with my self pity." Jazereth then looked Sky square in the eyes. She wanted him to know that she did not fear death, but that ultimately was a lie.

Sky looked to Jazereth as she spoke and his eyes widened seeing the words etched into her skin. Knowing what it ment, he silently swallowed to try to make his throat less dry. Meeting her eyes as she spoke, he shook his head and wiped those warm hands off and a tear trickled down the side of his cheek. "Doing such a thing is the greatest act of bravery and self sacrifice... My mother had the same marks... Her words were different, but the meaning was the same." He breathed and met her eyes. "I will not speak of this to anyone. I aware this to you." He said and then after wrapping her hands he kissed her knuckles softly. He had seen the pain and suffering that came with those marks of the devil, he knew the price that had to be paid... After all, he had watched it kill his mother. "Are those bandages going to work for now Jazereth?"

((I will add as Coventina when Noctis reacts to all the info))

Somehow hearing that his mother shared a similar fate comforted Jazereth. And gave her confidence that she was doing the right thing for her people. Feeling Sky's lips on her knuckles made Jazereth blink in surprise. Though she was happy that he understood what she was going through, she knew that if things continued on this way, she would violate the order like Coventina and Noctis had. Though Jazereth had no experience with these feelings, she did not want to see how it would end. So like many of the other alphas before her, she simply ignored her emotions and locked them away once more. Clearing her throat slightly, Jazereth replied,"Yes, thank you for your assistance. Now, I do not mean to impose so I will excuse myself. Gently removing her hands from Sky, she stood and walked slowly to the door. As if she was learning how to walk again. Opening the door, she turned and said quietly,"Thank you........For everything"

Noctis blinked slowly, looking from Coventina to Demicora. His maroon eyes still burned with emotion, but his features were strangely lacking any expression.

Oh, he recalled the last alpha. It had been a male with enough elemental strength to tear down a mountain on his own. He'd been blond, tall, and downright gentle. It was a strange thing to see someone with so kind a heart leading the Earth clan. And Dire had led them well - he'd led them into prosperity.

Noctis himself had followed that man - how could he not? Who hadn't liked Dire? It had been strange when the alpha suddenly turned up dead. No one understood what happened - no one knew. Now, though, the pieces fit together nicely. Dire must have been found out. He must have been killed.

As the silence stretched longer, Noctis finally spoke. "A hybrid," he whispered, his voice hoarse. The rules had been broken once. Hybrids were too powerful. They weren't allowed to live. It was impossible to trust a wolf who's loyalty wasn't fastened to their pack - not when it could be divided between two of them.

Demicora was a hybrid. Coventina was related to the Vengeance pack. And he was in love with the Water alpha. How had things spiraled this far out of control?

The male's gaze hadn't left his warrior. As he stared at Demi, he finally reached out and touched the girl's hair. He wasn't sure how to react. Anger blazed within him, but could he truly blame this woman for her parent's deceit? She was Earth clan, wasn't she?

No. She was a hybrid. And her loyalties were now divided between three packs, not just two. Though she came from Earth, she now was partial to Water and Vengeance.

Noctis' hand fell to his side once more, and he couldn't stop himself from baring his fangs. His gaze shot to Coventina.

"How long have you known?" he asked, nearly trembling with the effort of keeping his anger from crumbling the stone walls around them.
-

Landon's ears perked up at the sound of a cougar. It was only through the mental link that his pack shared that he could hear the creature, but it excited him nonetheless. Instead of ducking his head, as a scrapper might have, Landon seemed to shift toward the noise. How badly he wanted to help in that moment! Luckily, the emotion left him just as one of the women from his tribe stepped past him.

As a scrapper, he didn't carry any authority. None of the women and children would have paid him any heed if Jazereth hadn't given him an order. Landon was sure to carry out his mission: get his tribe settled into their homes and ready to help if need be. As they settled, though, Landon found himself even more restless.

Trying to push his thoughts away, the youth felt his mind linger on Vengeance pack. He wondered where they were, what they were doing, and . . . who was with them. It seemed that pieces of every pack were embedded in the outsiders' group.

Blue eyes darted toward the building where he knew Jazereth to be. With a grim smile, he stared at the stone dwelling. She needs to last through this. He knew. Oh, he knew of Jazereth's condition . . . and more than he'd like to admit. Not only had the alpha already confided in him, but there were some things that Landon just "picked up" along his way through life with the Fire clan.

Sniffing lightly, the youth turned his attention toward the Fire pack. They were settled in. Landon glanced toward the outskirts of the camp briefly, looking anxious. If only he knew what was happening out there.

(Indeed she is being really youthful)
Roulan had successfully kicked the lion off of him and viciously bit into the animal's neck to weaken it. He then backed off and took another lunge to fight the lion off when it retaliated by biting at his pay. Roulan let out a cry of pain then viciously bit the lion in the same wound by its neck which finished it off. "That takes care of you" he said quietly as some of the wolves from his clan returned with their hunt in their mouths. Roulan read one of their minds and the warrior was wondering if he was alright in which he telepathically told him that he was. "Lets get back now that we have hunted" he had looked at what they had huntedwhich were mostly small or medium kills like rabbits or badgers but good enough to satisfy Jazareth.

Sky let the fire alpha's hand slip away from his own, his eyes a mixture of emotions as he watched her. He felt more connected to Jazereth then he had ever realized, and now she was doing what they both should have done when she had accidentally walked through his door. She turned and began to walk out of it once more. Feeling like turning her around and telling her to stay and rest, the green haired warrior bit his to the and got a hold of himself. "It was nothing Jazereth. I'm always here to help." He said kindly as she thanked him, and he watched her until she disappeared from sight. Feeling empty he looked at the food and frowned. He didn't feel hungry either... What was wrong with him?

Coventina watched the emotion within Noctis's eyes and then let him approach Demi. Her own heart was pounding in her chest. Painic ran through her veins as she looked over the man she truely loved. With that look she felt, scared around him for the first time. He could expose her, and she would be killed upon the spot... That though made her gut twist into a not and turn cold. That would mean that he didn't love her, and that all she had risked to save him, was for nothing... The pain of that thought hurt more then others. And another pained thought came. What if he was thinking of killing Demi? If she stopped him she would be commiting another treason against the rules of the wolves. Even more worries flew through her head like how would her pack cope? Who would be the alpha after herself? How could she protect her people if she was struggling to protect herself? All of this left her unsure. So much fate hung in the balance. Noctis then spoke to her, and she looked up and met his eyes with her own. "I began piecing everything together when in the prison.... But my family just spoke to me about all of this not twenty minutes ago.... This was the true reason I came to find you." Coventina said with strength and met his eyes. Everything she knew and held close was being changed and torn away. What was she to do? "I didn't want to keep you in the dark Noctis..." She added in a soft tone, waiting for what was to come next. "If you don't support Demi or I... I will understand."

Jazereth exited Sky's hut quietly. Then, she saw Roulan leading the warriors and scrapers out of the forest. Walking towards them, she noticed that one of the scrapers was trying to drag along a mountain lion. Taking the carcass from the small scrapper, Jazereth said,"Good job everyone. Once we get to our living area you are free to rest." Then nodding her head to Roulan to acknowledge his feat, she turned and walked towards the Wind Clan's area with the beast still slug across her shoulders. Seeing Navi talking to two of her warriors Jazereth simply stated before walking away,"You may be low on food. My pack just went hunting and have a large bounty. Take whatever you want." Then she turned around and stalked away towards Noctis' hut. Throwing the dead animal down in front of the door, Jazereth threw a dagger into its stomach. The dagger had the carving of flames engulfing the blade, so Noctis would know who put it there. Walking back towards her camp, she saw that Landon had managed to get her people to make their means of shelter. Knowing that the journey had been long and being in another Clan's territory was mentally straining, she told them all to rest and that the cooks would prepare their bounty. "Oh,"Jazereth added,"and don't eat anything yet. We have a strong clan and can easily collect food for ourselves. But other packs can't, so we will be letting them take everything they need. That is all." Turning around, she started towards the forest to hunt for bigger beasts so her pack could eat.

The Earth alpha's reaction was not as explosive as she had expected but then again, she was not exactly knowledgable about the male's personality. At least not completely. He was usually very harsh and to the point, but a very strong leader and knew how to run things. There was no way he would bend the rules at this point. He came close to her and for the first time she could feel her heart slowing down its beating. He touched her hair and held it in his hand gently as she looked into his eyes as though she wanted him to understand that she never knew or meant to hurt him with the new news. It wasnt as though she could control who her parents were or why they had even broken the rules... Well maybe not her mother at least. As the male continued to contemplate, he seemed to be in a place that would follow the rules. He looked as though he was so annoyed with how things had turned out. As his thoughts were released, she cringed. He probably forgot that she could read his thoughts.

Tears started to come from her eyes as he looked harshly at her then snapped his attention to Coventina. Fear was ravaging her heart as the male's anger seemed to grow and grow. She was about to move the alpha to being behind her, but the woman was taking care of herself as he asked his question harshly. Worries started to go through her head as well. Worried thoughts. "Sir. I know its not my place to speak and your going back and forth with following the rules as well as believing me to be Earth clan.... I would understand if you could do not support us. I know you love Coventina and i know that i am a hybrid. These are two things that are not allowed with the clans. We will both understand if you can not support us. The Earth clan is all i have ever known but i will leave if you need me to." Demicora looked away from her alpha for the first time in this entire session. Her tears continued to flow as she looked towards her aunt.

Roulan had watched Jazareth and smiled as she had congratulated him and the wolves he led. "Thank you my lady we work hard to protect the clan" he then frowned when she said to share it with the other clans. "But my lady these other clans can fend for themselves this food should be ours!"he yelled out. The fact that she had thrown the dagger into the lions stomach didn't frighten him. "We should not be caring for clans so weak!"he cried out as she walked back out into the forest. Roulan hesitated and had to wonder what had caused their alpha to be so upset. "What has gotten into her?"he mumbled quietly and started to run after Jazareth as she faded into the forest.

As Jazereth headed into the forest, she could hear Roulan yelling. Once he has caught up with her, she said coldly. "It is the time of the Feast. And it is stated that all of the rules dividing us shall disappear during this time. And that we must treat them as our brothers. Do you wish to disobey these commands?! My personal feelings for the other packs like loathing and disdain must be swept aside in order to follow my duties. You must do the same Roulan. We are creatures of organization, not chaos. There are rules for a reason. And as members of this pack we are expected to follow them are we not?" Silently melting into the trunk of a tree, Jazereth slowing peeked around the huge rough bark and at a cave opening in the clearing. Putting a finger to her lips, she slowly began to creep towards its mouth.