Fall was here. The icy n** was in the air, the leaves were showing their true colors, setting the sky ablaze as the sun shone down through them. A soft, low sigh escaped his muzzle, casting a cloud of mist into the air before his deep amber eyes. Soon, the winter would come. His coat was growing thick, the guard hairs long and stiff now. As he glanced down at the pond he sat beside, he examined his reflection. A fine wolf he had turned out to be. He was proud of his size, his strength, and his coat. He looked even more burly with the bulking heap of fur that was continually growing larger in the colder months. He puffed up for a minuted, then chuckled softly to himself. He wasn't exactly young anymore, but he definitely wasn't old. T
he cold season was bringing on a deep-seated feeling of regret. In these months of snow and ice, he would not have anyone beside him. Not unless he acted now. He had lived on these lands for quite some time, and never had another wolf come along to steal it from him. Perhaps it was time he claim it as his own. He was old enough, and certainly well-to-do. His intentions were generally well thought out and benevolent. However, if he were to claim these lands as his own, he would not be able to do it without followers. His thoughts slowly drifted to the white femme he had seen several times. She had often waltzed by, just catching her body in his line of sight as he spoke with Piqure, his half-brother. They had spoken, but briefly, and he could see in her eyes there was a desire buried deep within. He assumed, based on his own desires, that it was to be with him and stay on his lands. She had even been staying closer to him these past few weeks. Tilting his head back decisively, he let out a long, low howl.
Come, Hedwig. We have things to discuss.
The lilthe femme had indeed been through the lands several times before. Her own home had been torn and ravished through war. She had survived, but as time went on the survivors were all but forgotten. Only she, with the wit sharper enough, had managed to exist where the others did not. Time passed and she grew used to be on her own. She was like a butterfly. Moving from land to land, only taking the sweet nectar before moving onward. Lately however Hedwig had stayed on these lands. Only going as far as the river broke before returning once more. W
hat drew her eyes to these lands? Inwardly she knew. Outwardly she claimed food was good and plentiful here. Hedwig only knew the solitude now.
How could she pretend to know anything else? How could she go back to a time where family and friends meant everything?
The reality was she couldn't. Or rather she didn't know how to. The wolves here were kind and she liked the great big one and his brother. But, could she stay? And more importantly would they let her? The thoughts plagued her as an answered seemed to come out of nowhere.
A calling.
HIS calling.
With ears perked forward and a head held high she followed it.
He sat back on his haunches, eyes dancing over the frost-covered pond. The little patterns were so intricately interwoven, like lives and paths of pawfalls of others before him. He pretended to wonder if she would answer, but he knew she would. She was loyal by nature, and she wouldn't disobey him. After a moment, he saw her white figure moving through the thin leaves. He stopped and watched her for a moment, admiring the way her body bounced up and down as she jogged along on such thin, delicate legs. A beautiful sight, no doubt.
"Hello, Hedwig." He called out, his voice confident and glad to see her, but also reserved and a little tense.
This discussion would be made assuming that she would choose to make decisions with him. In short, she would have to pledge herself to Sirius and his cause. He waited for her approach.
As soon as Hedwig approached she knew that this would not be like their usual meetings. Every other time, food would be offered or advice given. Never did they meet for fellowship no matter how pleasant they had always been towards one another. But, the closer Hedwig got the more she noted the way the fur shifted and tightened over Sirius's coat. He was tense.
But why?
Finally, she took the remaining steps to get to him and set back on her haunches, cocking her head to the side just slightly. Her tail instantly began to wag, moving around dirt and leaves behind him as she nodded to his greeting and gave off one of her own.
"Hello Sirius," she said sweetly. "What do I owe the pleasure?"
Ah, she seemed to be relaxed. This was good. Even if she did not yet know what he would ask of her, she was friendly with him. He sat back a little deeper and gave his tail a few swishes, his tongue lolling out in a pant, lips in a grin. Once she was settled, he ran his tongue over his fine whiskers, then thought for a moment, rolling the words over and over in his mind until he found a winning combination.
"I've done a lot of thinking, Hedwig," he began, his eyes searching her for any sign of hesitation; any red flag to stop his speech. "I've lived here for most of my life, without contest by any other male."
As soon as she heard the first part of the words she stiffened. Doing a lot of thinking could only mean one thing. She braced herself, expecting at anytime the words "I want you to leave this place" to roll off of his tongue. But, those words did not come. Instead she was sent into a world of confusion. Her brow raised, interest etched in her face, and perhaps a mild bit of relief as well.
"Oh," she started and then quickened, "Go on." Now she really wanted to know what this was about!
He paused, tensing up again as he saw the mild panic in her eyes. But then, it was gone. He relaxed. This conversation would go much better than he originally anticipated. This was a good thing. He could relax with her, and he liked that. His tail came to rest about his paws as he replaced them more firmly on the ground. His confidence was beginning to bloom once again.
"I would like to claim these lands for myself," No, he didn't think he wanted to, he did want to, "And I would like you to stay with me on them."
"Ohhhhhhh," was the reply.
The words came out like a whispered whoot of an owl and she instantly stiffened. She hated the noises she made sometimes. When she was young her mother and father used to say she was like a bird, more specifically an owl. With her noises and appearance. But, Hedwig did not like the comparison, not one bit. Maybe that's why she gravitated towards Sirius. He too reminded her of the creatures that flew.
She stared at him for what seemed like an eternity, and finally she answered, a smile plasted warmly on her face.
"It would be an honor to stay with you. Does Piqure know?"
She assumed the answer, but wanted him to confirm it as well. Secretly, Hedwig was hoping Sirius would be the head of this new pack he was proposing. She liked both brothers, but had always favored Sirius just a little bit more.
He chuckled softly at the noise she made. In their few meetings, she had done this several times and he found it to be attractive more than anything else. He shifted again, attempting to stretch out after having been something comparable to a statue for the past few hours of deep thought. He brightened when the smile came to her face, his tail giving a few approving thumps on the cold ground.
At the mention of his half-brother, a small frown crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by his usual stoic expression.
"No, you are the first to know." He opened his mouth to continue, but snapped his jaws shut.
Was it too soon to ask something so serious of Hedwig? And what if she said no...? His stomach rose to his throat, choking the words he wanted to say. He would wait, then, until the perfect time to ask. Now just wasn't it. They had much to talk about, the two of them, since she accepted his invitation to live there.
Instead of what was to be expected, Hedwig's face turned into a bright look of good natured flattery. SHE was the first to know! Something like that was surely honrable! Sirius was a wolf to be admired. He was big, and strong, and was a born leader. That much Hedwig knew. And to be confided in before his own blood kin, it made the white femme's heart swell up with joy. Briefly, she wondered if he had feelings towards her. Feelings that she had towards him. Ones that were growing with each passing time they had spent together. But, it was no matter. What mattered was that he had trusted her with this and she was loyal enough to keep that trust.
"Then I will breath not a word to him." she said with a small graceful headnod.
Seeing her reaction made his own heart swell, and he felt as if he would be able to sweep her off her paws right then and there. Walk on water, fly with the birds in the sky, even! For a moment or two, he could have sworn the feeling was written all over his face. He feared he may drool. Giving his head a quick shake, he passed her a smile. She was trustworthy, loyal... everything he'd ever wanted. That and they were practically birds of a feather--both strong, attractive, and about to embark on a journey together. Create a pack together. Rule it together. Yes, he was sure of it now. He should ask her.
"Hedwig... the real reason I called you here was to help me form the pack....create it...." He paused, his eyes dropping for a rare moment of hesitation--unsurity. Then they rose again, meeting up the perfectly gold eyes that opposed him...
"I would like you to remain by my side... and mine alone." though he didn't quite say it, he knew that she could understand. He knew that she would ask, and the question would clarify itself. It would be wonderful.
Hedwig couldn't help but let out a series of small chirping giggles as she saw the twinkling in his eyes. She was a young wolf, but not as young as she used to be. Gone where the silly teen years were some hapless male would try to woe her off her feet by talks of one day becoming an alpha. This was real. She leaned closer as she listened, and when the words were next spoken her eyes widened. So that was it!
That was what he had wanted from her all along. To rule it TOGETHER. Oh what joy. What clear and deep bliss this was. "Sirius," she whispered as the feeling overflowed within and througout her. Of course she could understand the meaning. And of course she wanted it. Instantly, she came upon him and buried her head deep within his neck fur, inhaling his strong musky scent deeply. She had wanted this for so long.
He melted as she came into contact with his neck, and he hooked his head over her shoulder blade, nuzzling into her, and likewise taking in the intoxicating scent. Such fine white fur. So thick and lush, and now it was his! He stayed like this, eyes closed, heart overflowing with joy. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of bliss, he pulled back just enough to snake his tongue behind her ear gently. "My Hedwig." He murmured softly into the delicate triangle of flesh, now belonging to him. He knew they had business to speak of, but he couldn't help but to touch her, feel her, taste her. This, in and of itself, was a release.
Hedwig could not help the noises she made and thus she clucked tongue just once before cooing into his fur, almost preening it with her snout and nibbles here and there. She had not known happiness like this since for as long as she could remmeber. If she were forced to concentrate then she would know it was long before her pack was destroyed. But, no matter. Happiness would begin anew and she felt it in her bones that this would be far greater then the pack she had known. With sirius in the lead, how could it not ?
"Yours," she chirped softly into his ear as she nuzzled against his cheek, finally pulling away as well.
Settling in again, this time much more relaxed, he smiled at her. His eyes shone with new adoration for her. "We're going to have to set down rules and guidelines for this pack... I want it to be a good pack, a strong one." The conviction in his voice spoke volumes of his desire for a pack that would do well and behave as a wolf ought to behave. He had heard of others, across the river, who were the exact opposite. Lying, cheating, sexing wolves he would not tollerate.
"Yes," she said in agreement. Hedwig soon settled and went into her own quiet contemplation. She had always thought of herself as wide and observant and thus wanted to show Sirius that she was both of these things. She thought deeply. She too, believed in the good of the world. Righeous above evil. Hedwig had traveled far and knew of such places where sin was the norm. The thought disgusted her.
"Sirius you are to be the alpha of course, but I don't think anyone else should be," she said, looking at him in admiration. "I want to serve you and only you."
A small smile graced his lips. His new mate was certainly exactly as he had expected her to be. "Very well," he said in a soft tone. "In times of war, you shall not fight. You shall not stand beside me on the battlefront, but you will always be behind my decisions and motivations."
Of course he trusted her, he would always consult with her before anything. That was why he had started this meeting in the first place. If she would abide by his rules, together they would begin a beautiful thing. Courage and bravery would reign supreme. He puffed up a bit, this time involuntarily swelling at the thought of such a noble cause.
Hedwig nodded, liking the sound of that. She would lead, but she would answer to him and him alone. The snowy femme did not need a title for that, she would be his beta, his right hand girl and that was all that mattered. The cause they had was a good one.
"This can be a refuge for so many," she said happily, once more burrowing into him. "We can be a guiding light where courage and bravery outweigh the darkness."
She let out a soft sigh, feeling heady over the rush of how great this would be. "Piqure will have no choice to join. I think he will serve you Sirius," she added with a small headnod. Piqure was a good wolf, though at times he was a bit stuborn and insolent. "We can find others, good wolves to join the ranks."
"Yes, Piqure will answer to me." The thought of that made him fluff up even more before she leaned into him again, the comfort coming back in one big rush. His half brother was a good wolf, younger than himself, and without a doubt strong and worthy. He would rule at Sirius' other side. With his mate and half-brother at the head of this clan, there could be little problem among the ranks. They could take in many, yes, many who needed homes and needed a good thing in their lives. He loved the thought of providing for them, using the pack to clean them up, grow them strong, and keep them loyal. If trouble were ever to befall them, they would have a die-hard group of good wolves, yes, but hopefully strong fighters as well.
That was where Piqure would come in. He would have to speak with the nearly-appointed beta, and very soon.
"We will take in anyone who will join, no matter their condition, and they will grow to be strong and loyal pack members. They will return the favors we initially do for them to others, and those to still others. There is no telling how large and powerful a pack like this could grow, not to mention how tightly bonded we will be!"
She smiled at that. "I'm so proud of you Sirius, and ever more still to be at your side through all of this." She pressed closer. The excitement pressed around throughout her chest and seemed to ebb through her body and flow through his. This would be wonderful. The prospect of this kind of life made her grow giddy at the thought of it all.
"Yes!" she cried out, in full agreement with her new mate. "We will be a force to be reckoned with. Because we are bonded by love and not fear like so many packs are. Nothing can stop us, and nothing will."
She thought for a moment and then looked at him with big golden eyes, "and what shall this home be called?"
He listened to her words. The placement, the cadence of her speech, the way she moved so sweetly to compliment him. She was right. A pack run by something other than fear was a much stronger pack than most would think. A strong bond was love. Fear could be escaped, it could be overcome. Love was something cultivated in the heart, and trapped there for eternity. But what would they call this home? A home built on dignity, pride, courage, and love? He thought for a moment as she pressed into him, wrinkling up his brow as he did. After some time, he nodded to himself, and said simply, "Liens."
By the sound alone she liked the name. But, she knew Sirius and how he operated and she knew there must be something more to it. "What does it mean?" she asked sweetly
"Bonds." He replied, again simply. He smiled a moment after he pronounced the single syllable. A name with so much meaning, yet such an easy word. Bonds between mates, half-brothers, siblings, mothers and children, pack members. Yes, it was perfect.
"It is perfect," she said as if reading his mind. It was then that she moved forward, nuzzling him once more before pulling away. "There is much to be done." she said, "I should leave you to your planning. I will come again when Piqure as been told," she said, already spotting him in the distance.
He touched his nose gently to her neck, then nodded. "I will call for you when he has been informed, and tell you his reaction." He glanced, following her eyes, and saw his half-brother approaching. Most likely, he was curious as to what the howl had been about, even if he knew it wasn't exactly addressed to him. What could Sirius say? Piqure was still young and curious by comparison, not quite ready to be a full adult.
Hedwig nodded and slowly pulled away, not wanting to, but doing so anyway. "Until then," she whispered before she was off.
FIN
