Stolen (Open)

[Sivoncé™]

The night was calm, and strangely tame. Above, a canvas of deep royal blue glistened with white stars; not a cloud tainted the domed mural of beauty. In the depths of the forest, a young she-wolf was restless -- an off-note in the soft hum of forest melody.
Annelise paced uselessly around the camp, sticking to the semi-seclusion near the borders of the camp. If I count my herbs again, I'll start to worry if I'm becoming obsessive compulsive... Yet, here she was, walking in circles around her camp. If anyone's been watching me, they probably think I'm a psychopath by now. She sighed with discontent, but proceeded in her circling nevertheless.
When the healer reached the vacant nursery, she couldn't help but take a small peek into the hidden den. Her heart gave a small tremble as her eyes traced the beds of the former occupants. It's so lonely, she thought with a twinge of sadness. Yet, sooner or later, she would rest her head in those imprints in the grass....
I need Shade, she lamented.
She settled down in the shadows and continued to stare into the den with a growing heartache.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

It was your typical miracle, really.
Two figures shifted through the night, divided in motivation, appearance, and psychological stature, and yet completely devoted to the criminal workings at hand. Together, they had shirked around a nearing patrol, the wind in their favor as they violated enemy lines undetected. Nature, it seemed, approved of their pursuit. It was all clockwork. According to plan.
One male assumed the lead, a calculating glaze falling over his hardened gaze. He nodded solemnly, and at the supposed entrance to the Siverian stronghold—easily distinguished by the concentrated scent of wolves—the duo separated. The male darker in color veered right, and the scrutinizing leader headed left. In unison, they circled around, ears alert for signs of approaching enemies, and clinging to the relative safety of the shadows.
I smell herbs Magnus noted. We’re getting close.

[Sivoncé™]

It was drawing her in -- the motherly images, the memories she conjured of her own puphood. She remembered, very vivdly, how her world had fallen apart in the old Siverian Camp. There was a period of time, cut cruelly short, where Annelise didn't have anything at all to worry about except for was playing with her and what game they would choose. She huddled against her mother's side, fighting for the warmest place in her fur with Kar. And her father, Arroyo would come and snuggle, making them a complete family...
The cheerful images faded like ghosts in the dark nursery. Annelise stood there, lost in thought. The world seems like a stranger sometimes, she thought sadly. I need to get away tonight...I need to see Shade. It's been moons...I need to know he's all right. Fear and agony pounded in her chest. What if....no, no, he'll still be alive, of course he'll be alive. But...it's been so long...what if he....doesn't.... She shook her head fiercely. I can't think like that! I know he'd never do something like that! Determindly, she whirled towards the concealed hole in the nursery wall. I'll slip away for just one night, they'll never know I'm gone...

[.Rabid Lycan.]

A sudden hush stilled the air, the twitching ends of whiskers relaying confirmation of the find. She was here.
Magnus receded into the canopy of foliage, senses trained on a particular portion of tangled nettles. From the outer wall, it was well camouflaged, but rank with the fresh wave of sharpness that only a Healer could provide. Unbeknownst to either wolf, it was in fact the nursery, and not the Healer’s den, but the fact remained: she was there.
By this point, Temper had nearly completed his circumnavigation of the camp, with little success. But a certain resolve had settled in his features; he would not fail. Not tonight.

[Sivoncé™]

Just one night.
Annelise had suddenyl found her clarity; she was determined and deliberate as she crouched down to squeeze through the small, well-concealed nursery exit. Briskly, she pushed and squeezed through the narrow break in the tangled, protective walls briar and leaves. She shut her eyes tightly as she pushed through, the desperation quickening her pulse.
I need to see Shade. I should've done it so much sooner, I've let it go for far too long, letting myself be punished and miserable for leaving him when he was hurt. I still feel guilty, even though I didn't have a choice but... She swallowed hard as she opened her eyes and surfaced from the nursery. She scanned the camp as she rose slowly, a cold wind stirring her pelt. Shivering, she squinted and leaned forward slightly, though her vision had never once been a problem.
That's....strange...
The camp was unusually quiet. The air of late spring had turned from a pleasant, tickling warmth to downright frigid in a moment. You're being silly Annelise, she told herself. Still, she couldn't shake the disturbance. She took soundless, cautious steps forward into the camp.
"Hello?"

[.Rabid Lycan.]

The innocent, cautious note—two single syllables that hesitantly intruded on the evening silence—sparked the reaction. The domino teetered, and in a swift blur of motion, Magnus dove down onto his prey. “’ello, love,” he whispered gently, the brute force of his swing ramming into Annelise’s upper neck and torso. Temper correspondingly arrived at the opposite flank, aiming to take out her legs as accurately as possible—and prayed to Verlust that his aim was true.
Elsewhere, a cricket stirred momentarily, not entirely bothered by the ensuing scuffle.