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 Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:51 pm
 It was beautiful, life that is. The day had turned out much better then he could ever have intended, and as the light dimmed and dawn turned to dusk, the alpha could no longer sit still; he had to find someone! Marley grinned childishly in between his feverish glances, limbs working across the terrain as if the life he lived depended upon it. At first he hesitated to speak, or perhaps it was no more hesitation then it was excitement, but when he managed to find his tongue and form his lips the only word that sprang to life was, “Pumpkin!?” it even caught at the end, a dryness setting in his throat from running mouth ajar.
The male was desperate to find his female; to share with her what he had only just discovered and to relish in the thrill it would come to that darkly colored face. Her triangular eyes, that ghoulish grin, and every green patch of fur that trickled down her neck; it would be like ecstasy, watching Pumpkin come alive like he had. At least that was what he theorized. Pumpkin was a lot like him and yet she was very much her own individual. Maybe she wouldn’t be as happy as he, but there was hope…well, either way he had to find her.
Nothing could stop him now. The plan was set, and so it would be followed, Pumpkin or no Pumpkin although he fancied the thought of her presence.
He had left Dunn in the dust, his brother probably settling into the cave as if no time had passed between them. It didn’t bother him not even in the least, since all he wanted was to see things return to normal as quickly and plausibly as possible, but he had never assumed what it would do to his weary girl. The biggest difference would be for Pumpkin, who without any notification would be rooming with a second, power-hungry male.
“Pumpkin!?” He called again, this time a little louder.
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Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:58 pm
 Life it seemed was changing, and quickly, far faster then the sludge like pace her life had moved at before. She had lived in a hard pack ruled by males who tortured females, she had grown hard and strong and finally broken away from that life. She had thought to hate males forever, but then Marley had come along. He was charming and while he might seem like a playful trickster she knew there was a hardness to him as well. If she hadn't sensed a warrior within she might have never agreed to follow him, to support his bid to become an alpha of a pack.
She had never wanted a mate of course, and Marley and she weren't mated, but in her heart she knew she had become fond of him. At the very least she knew she wanted to protect him and would stand beside him against any foe. She tore her jaws away from a small doe and pricked her ears as she heard him call her name. Hmm it seemed he was back from wherever he had gone. She tore a haunch away from her prey, maybe she could share it with him, he'd like that. He called again louder this time and she grunted running to meet up with him and dropping the limb infront of him.
"Hungry?" Her tail didn't wag, she didn't say she missed him, no fawning. The food was enough, enough to say all the things she wouldn't. She licked her lips the black smile marking turning grotesque when her fangs flashed. Her face was frightful to others in the dark, her yellow eyes stood out against the pitch black fur a mockery of what should have been cute and friendly.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 5:59 pm
To her, when he finally saw the orange flicker in between the trees, Marley smiled. Luckily he was not most wolves and found her eerie features...appealing, to a primal instinct he had. It also seemed to benefit the pair that he cared for her just as much as she did for him, a sort of 'love' as the alpha often referred to it.
Knowing that Pumpkin felt the same was undoubtedly a big part of the reason why he felt so fondly of her, of course, but that would never be said. When she dropped the meaty bone to the ground, his gaze followed it steadily. Although he didn't take a bite of the fish from earlier that day, and he appreciated the gesture, the excitement seemed to eat away any sense of hunger. “Are you part of the meal, darling? You know I like my fix of Pie." Clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth, he grinned cheekily.
Then, before she could roll her eyes or bat her lashes in mock disgust, he nudged the meat with tip of his nose and toward her feet. Falling back onto his haunches with a sigh, he said "Sweetheart do you have a minute to chat? Please finish eating, but I have something I really want to tell you."
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:51 am
Her eyes narrowed and she mocked a snarl before smirking at him, his charm was hard to resist. She would be tempted to let him devour her if she wasn't so stubborn and strong willed herself. She moved to tear into the fresh meat but paused and looked at him curiously. He hadn't wanted to eat, he had been gone for a while, and now he wanted to chat? Of course he often enjoyed chatting, which was nice since she had lived in lonely silence for so long. No matter how foolish or clever his words the mere sound of his voice was a comfort to her.
"What's got you so wound up then?" She asked trying to keep the curiosity out of her voice. She bent and tore off a strip of meat chewing and eating relaxed so that he wouldn't sense her true interest.
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:22 pm
While he enjoyed playful banter especially between Pumpkin and himself, those ebon lips that pursed were reluctant to give a reply with anything but the truth. Contrary to the belief most had of him, excitement always brought out the worse of Marley. But how much of the truth could Pumpkin handle, especially when all he wanted to do was throw every bit of information on to her and have it approved on the spot. First, he finally rationalized, state the most obvious. "I saw someone today!"
It didn't quite answer the question, although for Pumpkin specifically it might have. Furrowing those patched brows the alpha glanced off to the side for a moment and looked ready to continue on. His emerald eyes were shady; always a hint of deviance found within them despite such moments that required less suspicion and more honesty...
"He's an old friend of mine and we had an interesting conversation a little while ago. You have quite a big part in what we talked about, love. " Flicking his gaze back to her gnawing form, Marley grinned. “Shall I wait until you finish to continue?”
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 6:19 pm
He saw someone today, well that was just FASCINATING...not, what was he playing at? She raised a brow but continued to gnaw at the meat devouring strip by strip of flesh and waiting for him to elaborate. She sat up a bit and licked her lips her eyes meeting his and then narrowing in suspicion. He was hiding something, or at least trying to.
"Me?" She asked curiously, what kind of friend and what did she have to do with it? Unless if it was an old packmate and Marley was ready to move on with his desire to become alpha of a pack. She had agreed to support him after all, so she would have a part to play. She nosed aside the haunch of meat and licked her fangs again. "You have my complete attention..." She said dryly, but it was an honest statement at least. Her gaunt yellow eyes were fixed on him, that jack o lantern grin showing despite the serious set of her lips.
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Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:57 pm
Marley's ear twitched when she spoke, body reclining more heavily into its place. His grin never faded, the twinkle in his eye growing brighter, and when he realized that her attention fell on him undividedly--his chest all but burst.
The jet black hairs on his head shook loosely around his face, each strand of beaded braids tapping against his cheek and neck while along his back a tingle seared. Wounds against his spine quivered, despite the length of time that stood between how they came about and now, soreness still set in every time he got too excited. "Pumpkin," he whispered, voice deep and rich of clarity. Before he continued, he could help but lean in and bore his eyes into hers.
"Remember our talk about a pack? About how I wanted to rebuild, and just how important you were to that construction? Well--our time has come; Dunn, my brother and partnering alpha has returned with ideas and plans."
We intend on bringing something new to the forest, something the wolves have never seen before. Together we will run things; everything, and with you by our side we will do all but fail."
"But, as is with him being new to the forest, he needs somewhere to stay. I think it would be best if he remained close by, preferably with us...but of course I wanted to make sure it was alright with you first." Marley blinked, turning his head to the side with a new doe-eyed expression.
"Think of all the possibilities that will open up for us, love. It is finally happening..."
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Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:19 pm
A slow twitch started at the edge of her lip, and steadily creeped up until she was half smirking. Damn Marley, the lovable fool, he looked so excited, like an eager pup and it was infectious. She quickly forced her lips back into a straight line her eyes narrowing a bit as he spoke her name. He had somekind of trick, his deep voice lulled her into wanting to agree with him no matter what. It was silly of course, Marley was a male, and males couldn't be trusted! Yet she had slowly come to trust him, to accept him as an alpha...of course in a pack of two it wasn't hard to do.
It seemed all that was about to change, their interesting duo about to grow into Marley's dream. If she were smart she'd back off now, leave him and his brother to their plans. Except she had a sinking suspicion her brain was full of pumpkin seeds because instead of kissing him goodbye and saying 'thanks for the fun times' she found herself...nodding. It was a tiny nod at first, and then her head was fully bobbing up and down enthused. Next thing she knew words were flying out of her mouth without control.
"You know I promised to stand by you...if it's time to start, then we'll start together."
Ugh, that was it, she was...happy...happy because she knew this was going to make Marley happy. It was stupid of her, to trust him, but at least he was asking her, he actually wanted her be a part of things. He wasn't a male who just wanted to use her and then...leave her dead in a ditch. She gave a tiny shudder as memories from her past fluttered by. No, this was different, she would make sure that there was a delicate balance in power, not just males abusing females.
"So, whats this Dunn like?" She asked suspicion apparent in her feral yellow gaze.
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 5:25 pm
He was so pleased. So excited. So--happy. Marley's body kept its composure, sliding back to an upright position as she finally agreed, but deep within him everything wanted to rattle and shake.
"I am so glad to hear of it."
And even when she questioned his brother, there were no inklings of doubt. Dunn was a horrid boy with horrid visions; but he was a part of Marley, he took into consideration what Marley needed and what he wanted, and Pumpkin would never fall victim to what cruelty his brother could impose. Regaining some sort of seriousness, the male nodded his head before continuing. "He is difficult."
"I wouldn't lie to you, especially not about him. Despite how much love I have for the old goon, there is no meaner a wolf out there. I've seen him do horrible things to creatures who have crossed his or my own path...” His pause was meaningful, but still his eyes refused to let worry coincide with euphoria. “Dunn is protective of the things he cares for most, the very few things left in this world that even care for him in return, but he appreciates power and cunning. It is for that reason that he will appreciate my choice in sharing all this with you, Pumpkin."
"I have always seen the potential in that bitter black face of yours, sweetheart. I will not fail you just like you will not fail me. All you have to do is the impossible; trust."
Marley knew what it was like to hear those words and to follow them accordingly. To trust was to be vulnerable; but Marley needed Pumpkin to do just that, and to understand that he can not move forward without the silvery alpha brother of his...or, now, without her. It was his last shot at greatness, and he knew she understood that. Some how.
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:20 pm
She stood and paced slowly, back and forth like a caged wildcat, her eyes fixed on Marley. Sinewy muscles rolled under the pumpkin colored fur she had been named for. He was glad, she was...glad that he was glad. It was a start at least, but now she was nervous, the word 'difficult' made her ears p***k. How difficult, how bad was he, would he be an abuser of females like the males of her old pack? If he was capable of horrors what would stop him from turning on her, on Marley? Yet Marley trusted him, claimed he was protective of the things he cared for. Would he care for the pack, or would he endanger all their lives?
'You have my trust." The words were in her mind, she almost opened her mouth to say them but her fangs clamped on her tongue viciously. No more stupidity, no more blurting out foolish feelings. "I'll see your brother for myself...and from there, I'm sure we'll all be able to move on in this goal together."
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Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 6:13 pm
Marley felt her worry, eyes never leaving the broad orange frame she moved about in. But he believed her when she spoke, not that he had much choice, nodding his head in acceptance; if only to put her at ease.
Then, as a switch dimmed his evergreen gaze, Marley filled the emptiness that followed, "Theses weeks we’ve spent together have left me wondering some things about you, honey. Like--what pains were caused, by who, how long ago and what wounds were left behind; I deduced some things by simply listening and watching but...I've never really come to any final conclusions. None that I’ve ever done or have had done to me at least. You're quite the mystery, my lady, and no matter how tedious the task will be to hear you vent about these secrets, it does not seem to deter me from wanting to know some day. I enjoy your company more then I've ever enjoyed the company of another; even Dunn’s, and that is saying something."
He came forward, trotting briefly to catch her mid stride and to pace along side her. "I'm glad I have your trust." He beamed, smiling wide and truthfully. “It will benefit us both.”
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Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 6:24 am
She raised her head and frowned mildly she could feel her lips twitching in the start of a smile. Damn him, he was too astute, and she had allowed herself to care more then she ought to. She had wanted to be a part of his vision, help him see it fulfilled. Meanwhile he had been aware, he knew there was something in her past. She growled at the thought of sharing it, but in truth it festered for being kept pent inside.
Still this was neither the time nor the place to reveal her rather bleak past. "Perhaps someday..." She muttered softly and then watched as he came beside her. His smile disarmed her for a moment and her mouth curved in a matching gesture.
"Good, then we can both trust each other at least." The words came from deep inside of her, from a place that wanted to stop being so wary and angry, from a place that wanted to be able to trust again.
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Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:23 am
"I'm no impatient man, but I will be as I wait for that day..." His tail swayed to and fro, lips peeling further back in response to her kind gesture. He felt he knew what had happened to the poor girl, broken by someone in her past perhaps…but Pumpkin seemed the type to be great with a secret. He knew she wouldn’t release that information unless she was sure it would be in good hands. "More then you know."
"But I should be getting back, as you should consider too. I've arranged a meeting between the three of us later on in the day...or perhaps tomorrow. He won't be spending the night with us, luckily, but I'm sure he will be around." Marley stopped, watching Pumpkin still with a sort of longing in his eyes. It faded quickly once it was noted, but his heart pounded with great and unusual haste. Perhaps his friend was becoming more then that; a best friend of sorts. It felt...right. Nodding his head once, the alpha found his stance once again and stood erect.
"I will meet you back at the den." It was not so much a question as it was a statement, however in his gaze there was hope and doubt all at once. Turning his body around, Marley took several steps back the way he came before glancing over his shoulder. "Do try not to get yourself into any trouble. I know this is all overwhelming, but I'd much rather have you alive and well."
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Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 11:12 am
She felt suddenly uncomfortable, or maybe that was the problem, she suddenly felt TOO comfortable. Marley was becoming so close to her that she was no longer putting up her usual defenses. He was still a male though, he could still be a threat. As much as she had come to want to trust him she had to remember not to foolishly fling herself off a cliff. She looked back at him and nodded sharply, yes he had arranged a meeting. Focus Pumpkin, focus she reminded herself this was about him finally having a pack. This was about her desire to be in a pack again, a pack where she didn't have to be afraid.
"Of course...I'll be there shortly." She replied quickly and then looked at him in mild surprise when he told her not to get into any trouble."I can handle myself...but thank you...you take care as wel...if you need me...I'll be there..." She felt awkward offering to stand by him. He was larger then her, stronger, he could handle himself the same way she could handle herself.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 5:28 pm
"Of course you can." Although some would have taken the words as doubt, Marley's tone was nothing but confident. He had to remain that way for his own sake, otherwise he'd second guess himself...no matter how meticulous a creature could be there would always be room for mistake. History taught him that one, and to be quite honest he would prefer to feel as if Pumpkin Pie was not a bad omen; he would prefer not to second guess his choice in keeping her around.
Certain that her word was true despite how rushed a decision his seemed to be, the alpha turned tail and disappeared into the forest.
-FIN-
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