Howling for the Loners

[Ärï]

"They're cowards hiding behind rumors and legends" Kojo barked fiercly. "Wolves and nothing more! All wolves die, either lying down like a dog or fighting as they should. BloodMist is nothing but a pack of wolves looking to scare you into easy submission. Standing against them, you think you'll all die. Leaving them alone, you think you'll die. So what, are you going to flee like pups with your tails between your legs?"

[Sivoncé™]

Lucinda silently wished Diablo was there. "Did you not hear me, or are you just DEAF?! I WAS THERE!!! I WAS ONE OF THEM!! Fine then, die here like the stubborn idiots like you are, you DESERVE to die!" She snarled and turned. "Come on, Liv. We should head out."

[.Rabid Lycan.]

A dark shadow loomed over them all. Diablo swept a deadly gaze over each rouge with his dead, golden eye. Ghostly white lines ran across the bright yellow orbs. He looked to Kojo. "I was with BloodMist as well. It isn't the wolves that are there to scare you. Yes, they want to scare you into submission. In decent warrior, such as yourself, wouldn't dare back down in front of a mere chorus of snarls? But other factors are brought in. I've seen the pawsteps they follow... Verlust is the one to fear. Now, if you do not have children, I would merely avoid the pack..." Diablo looked to the others. "But to those with family... I would escape with the packs when it is possible."

Mosca watched carefully from the edge of the thicket. She didn't mind leaving... she was a wanderer, anyways... But out of fear? That fact got under her fur.

[Ärï]

Kojo snorted. "I refuse to go cower off to the packs with my tail tucked like some mutt begging a human. If you are too scared to fight them and run off and hide like the cowards you are. BloodMist doesn't scare me and I refuse to be pushed around by some pack of pompus idiots. We've lived outside the packs, most of us all our lives. One more pack won't change that."

[Destiny]

Faith did not knoe waht to say.

"Faith I order you to get over here.You are my sister and you are coming with us and the packs."ROnin snarled.Hope and Fate joined in.They wanted her with them.

Faith's instincts forced her to rise to her paws and pad towards Ronin/She stopped halway and turned back towards Kojo.She was trapped.If she stayed with Kojo she would have her love.But would they live long enough to bring the pups into the world,and if they did would the pups survive?But then she would be betraying ROnin and her fai\mily.On the other half if she went with Ronin she would have packs of wolves and many loners and rouges to protect her and the pups.But she would be betraying Kojo,her mate.Faith let out a whimper.

Nezero watched this.Ronin was a larger brute then Kojo.But was he as strong?COuld he protect the fae?What did Faith want?

Thite caught Mosca's scent and found her in the underbrush.He padded towards her.

Dreamer barked an agreement with Lucinda.But the fe doubted she would get far if she left with the packs.Her limbs were stiff and sore.

Gnaw and Bite snarled."Verlust doesnt scare us.Lupus will return and save us."

THite gave his parents,Gnaw and Bite,a hateful look.

[Sivoncé™]

"We're not cowering, we're only saving our pups. My mother worked to hard escaping that pack for me to stay here. Humans have been more active lately too, so what makes you think they won't cause more problems as well. Oh, and in case you haven't noticed, Lupus is dead. Sure, he still hangs around, but he's DEAD. And guess who killed him? VERLUST!" Sweet Tangerine snorted with disgust.

[Ärï]

Kojo watched Faith with oddly calm eyes. "Go with them" he barked softly. "I fight my own fights, BloodMist or no BloodMist. If I die with BloodMist here then so be it." Kojo turned and glared at the others. They hadn't been toughened by years of human mistreatment and beatings. He had fought wolves twice their size. Kojo had no fear left. It had been used up as a pup. It was an emotion he had pushed away and locked away in the back of his mind. If these wolves thought they would all die then fine. Kojo didn't care. If Faith was safer with the packs he wouldn't stop her but he refused to degrade himself. Kojo stalked away, jaw clenched. If he wasn't careful he'd turn and hurt someone, he knew it.

[Sivoncé™]

"And don't you DARE think you are better than me because youre too stubborn to realize when you're beaten!" Lucinda snarled after him and stalked away.

Liv sat on the rock, crestfallen. She hadn't wanted this to happen...

Sweet Tangerine frowned, but followed Lucinda.

[Ärï]

Kojo ignored them. He'd been beaten plenty of times and yet here he stood. They thought he was crazy. No. He was just free. Too many years of cages and boundries had taught me that once you have your freedom, keep it or die trying. No pack would confine him, none of them from white to black or blood. They would kill him or he would kill them, plain and simple.

[Sivoncé™]

Liv leaped of the rock and sprinted after Kojo. "Mister Kojo, sir, I just wanted to let you know that you're very brave...momma thinks you're stupid, but it would take guts to stay here when death is imminent. So...farewell, Mister Kojo, sir. I hope you enjoy life,"

[Ärï]

"I plan on it" Kojo barked simply. "No ones taking my freedom when I just got it." Kojo sped up a bit. "Go back to your mother and do as she tells you. Stay alive but stay free." Kojo padded into the shadows. If dieing at BloodMist paws was his fate, why bother running? If he was meant to live so be it but if not then why bother avoiding the unavoidable. "Just remember" Kojo barked over his shoulder. "All wolves die. I'd just rather die fighting, not running."

[Destiny]

Faith watched Kojo leave.Her orbs filled with overwhelming sadness.She turned,her glare resting on Ronin."No.I am staying with kojo.I love him and if I die then I die."Faith's orbs burned into his with an overwhelming despise and rage.

Ronin snarled but she had made her final desicion.He was surprised by her spirit."Well sister.if you have the courage to stand up to me.then I suppose you have the courage to kill every wolf in Blood Mist.Good luck."With that the brute looked to Kojo."Treat her well and with respect.She is your equal.Not a lesser being."With that the brute turned and padded after Lucinda.Hope and Faith at his heels.

[Ärï]

Kojo glared toward Ronin, his fur bristling slightly. "I would never treat her as a lesser wolf. If anything she surpasses me." Kojo turned to Faith with a slight smile, golden orbs relfecting his affection. She was his mate and he would protect her and the pups she carried. No BloodMist fool would dare to touch her.

[Destiny]

Faith smiled.

Ronin glared at the brute but went on his way.

Nezero paused.Kojo was right about the freedom.But Nezero had been over the mountains and back.He knew them like the back of his paw."come Moon."Nezero padded after liviana."Liviana!I may be of some assitance."

[Ärï]

"But Nero, what about BlackMist?" Moon asked warily. Her sightless eyes tried to follow her mentor but worry made her sensese feel fuzzy.