The War

On the Brink

Onacona felt the bile rise up in his throat as he thought about Amber, and how afraid she must be. It must have felt similar to the fear hes feeling now as he stood in front of the five Walee wolves, tension at its highest, and time running out as the sun began to set. The silence of the conversation filled the forest, and the sound of thunder rumbled in the distance- no doubt bringing a rough storm with it. 

"Onacona?" Cadell called, trying to get his attention again seeing it waiver. "Who are you looking for?" 

 Onacona's eyes flicked to Cadell momentarily, he silently wondered if there was concern in Cadell's voice. He could practically feel his warrior's eyes burning holes in the back of his head. 

"Nobody that concerns you, Cadell" he spat, fighting the urge to tell him. He didn't want to show any weakness or vulnerability to Cadell as he would- in the end- report it to his Alpha and most likely use it against them... If they weren't planning that already. 

Onacona turned to leave the group, attempting to diffuse the situation when the same wolf from earlier that was jittering in the corner flicked his eyes to his counterparts. The Alpha caught this out of the corner of his eye and was just barely able to dodge Cadell as he flew over the back of Onacona, his teeth bared and his lips pulled into a foaming snarl. 

The warriors suddenly jumped into action, attempting to pin the five Walee wolves where they stood, their howls and screams as they fearlessly fought for their Alpha. In the meantime Onacona, now cool and collected eyed Cadell, a small smile breaking on his face... "You never had a good poker face," he stated before suddenly getting into fighting position, and leaping off the soil to pounce on Cadell. His teeth bared and a roar that escaped his chest. 

Onacona caught the back of Cadell's scruff and used it to fling him to the ground, puncturing his canines into the stretchy skin on the back of his neck. Cadell yelped in suprise, anticipating the Alpha to go for his neck instead. 

The warriors around the two brought two of the four companion Walee wolves down, pinning them and not allowing them to move, their Alpha's signal the only thing preventing them from killing the wolves. 

Cadell quickly got up from the ground after Onacona's attack and lunged at him once more. His claws stretched outright ready to dig into the chest of the Alpha. Onacona anticipated his movement and delicately stepped to the side last minute, sending Cadell skidding across the ground. When he hit the ground, Cadell flipped over onto himself stunned at the Alpha's movement. 

Onacona turned behind him and saw the Walee wolves had frozen in place, suddenly at a lost without their leader. He let a small smile crack on his muzzle, a small amount of cheer in his voice... "Next time you want to 'attempt' to fight an Alpha, you should send someone of an equal caliber, BETA wolf." He called after Cadell, as he laid on the floor. He spat out the word Beta, and turned to his warriors, now beaming with pride as he nodded his head and began to head back towards his pack. His warriors watching him leave, suddenly released their grips on the Walee wolves, and snarled at them one last time before trotting after the Alpha and leaving the group behind. 

Cadell watched Onacona disappear with his warriors into the forest, heading back to camp. A small smirk on his face as he watched them leave, the smile filled with anger and bitter feelings toward the esteemed Alpha. He quickly got off the ground, shook off the dirt and headed back to his camp. He ignored his companions questioning looks, and ideas as they stalked back to camp. 

In the meantime Onacona began to feel his age hit him as he slowly stalked back to the pack. He suddenly felt sore, regardless if Cadell had landed a strike on him or not. His eyes began to blur as his adrenaline crashed making him dizzy and nauseous. His jaw that he used to grab Cadell earlier suddenly becoming sore. He stumbled out of the woods before his warriors caught up, in human form, he approached Marian in the tree clearing her face laced with worry as she took in his state. 

He came up to Marian, sighing into her neck as he smelled her sweet smell of lavender. Tears threatening to spill from his eyes as he thought about his scared little girl, somewhere unknown to him. His warrior wolves shortly following after, coming through the clearing, shifting into their human forms and returning to their families. Each warrior questioning the Alpha's decision of sparing the intruding Walee members, and suddenly calling off the search for Amber. 

The thunder from the approaching storm became much louder, and the sky suddenly became dark. The wind picked up, giving the indication of an incoming storm. Carter walked into the tent with Marian, his Beta Steven quickly chasing after him into the tent. Carter sat down on a makeshift bed, his head falling in his hands as Steven approached. 

"Cart" Steven had always called him that loving nickname since they were kids. "What was that out there? What about Amber?" His eyes pleading with Carter, as he sat there rubbing his eyes and face attempting to rub out the soreness. 

"I'm getting too old for this sh**, Steve." Carter said looking up at Steven, his face suddenly appearing to age, his eyes bloodshot as the mental wear of everything taking its toll. "We lost her scent, and she could literally be anywhere now. With this storm coming the only thing we would be doing is pissing them off more, and our pack is small as it is, I can't risk losing more members." 

Steven looked at his lifelong friend dead in the eyes, his expression shocked at what he said. "Shes your daughter-" 

Carter suddenly becoming frustrated with Steven screamed at him, standing up as he did so, "and you don't think I know that?! That it literally kills me my only child is missing?!" He paused, his lips drawn into a thin line, "You aren't the only one here that loves that kid Steve, I'm her Father." He stated sadly, shaking his head. His breath catching in his throat as he talked about her. Marian instantly being at his side rubbing his back attempting to calm him down like she usually did. Attempting to keep her own emotions at bay. 

Steven looked at him, his face set. "You have become weak with your age Carter." He spat, turning around leaving the tent, and the couple alone to grieve their thoughts.