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The last thing that Cosette expected to see in Fierce`s gaze was that unrelenting coldness, as if she were nothing more than a stranger to him. She did not know how to react or, let alone, what to do in such a situation; he clearly didn`t believe what she was saying, and the poor dame was clueless regarding how to make him believe her. She felt like cowering away when Fierce spoke, his words certainly more harsh than she expected them to be. In all honesty, he did have a fair point: it made sense for her to find a mate within Felder itself, not elsewhere, even if it did end up being a forced relationship with the idiotic beta. It was the last thing she wanted, but she truly could not do much about it other than run away from the territory itself. She thought that was what a coward would do though, so she didn`t plan on even considering it. Cosette was on the verge of speaking when she was roughly pushed aside, tail tucking rather quickly between her legs. Her blue eyes darted over to the beta, taking in how stupid he looked attempting to intimidate Fierce of all wolves. She didn`t understand what anyone saw in him that was even remotely close to being good; the male was an absolute ass that had an ego larger than his pathetic size. Despite it all, Fierce still went out of his way to defend her and that was.. surprising. He seemed infuriated with her right now, but he was still willing to do this for her. In the midst of her confusion, the sound of a strangled yelp earned her attention. One moment the two were staring each other down, then the next Fierce had the beta pinned down. Her heart broke when Fierce moved to let the beta stand up again, his words implying that he really was leaving Felder. She could not even persuade him to stay, knowing it would be a literal hell for him if he did; she was the only one that didn`t hate him. But.. she was selfish, and she wanted him to stay more than anything else. Cosette was so desperate to find some valid reason for him to stay, maybe even the area, that she barely noticed the look he sent her way. She wanted to go after him when he walked past them, but alas the beta was once again blocking her path. Of course, she could have easily moved around him to rush after Fierce, yet it was the consequences of doing so that absolutely terrified her. Even if she cared far more than she was supposed to, Cosette couldn`t bring herself to say or do something. She was being a coward and she despised it, especially since she knew it was possible she would never see him again; that single thought alone scared her more than the reality of her betrothal. |
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Fierce half expected to be chased once more, to see Cosette's form standing in front of him once more. Albeit, she didn't. Of course she hadn't, why would she? Flicking his auricles back once more, he'd lower his head again and continue to walk. Fierce wasn't sure what his plans were next, but he would live how he was used too. One day at a time. He'd take life with a grain of salt, just like he always had. One pawstep at a time, one mile at a time. Just like always. Though, as he got to the edge of the base, he stopped. Fierce looked behind him to see the beta blocking Cosette's path. Watching as he left. The look in Cosette's gaze making him second guess his choices for a mere moment. Then, the growls sounded. Looking around, all he could see was the bared teeth of others, and all their alpha was doing was sitting there and watching. Fierce contemplated for a moment before turning his large frame back around and lowering his haunches to the ground. His tail wrapping around him as he sat and stared at the other wolves. It was almost as if he were daring them. Wanting them to jump at him. As if he wanted to teach them what could happen if he wanted to wreck havoc. Flicking his auricles as he nonchalantly stayed sitting there. It was as if there was no worry within him. "Cosette." The dames named boomed across the base, his chin lifting subtly as he spoke. "Tell me what you want..." His words softened almost in an instant, as if it were more of a question than anything. Like he was asking her what she wanted him to do. "It's your choice." He added. (Sorry! This is a bit short) |
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Cosette was still being quite the coward, her body stiffened as she watched everything unfold before her. She had never really stood up for anything she believed in, fearing the consequences of doing so. The dame had no power here, in all honesty, so if she ever did, the repercussions would have been harsh beyond belief. However, Fierce was.. Fierce. He had been the only one willing to sit down and talk with her, to not endeavor to get close solely because of her role in Felder, but most importantly: the only one that had ever stuck up for her. It wouldn`t make sense at all for her to just let him walk off alone, especially after everything she thought they shared. When she snapped out of her thoughts, Cosette looked up just as Fierce called out to her, sitting down a few feet away. It was then that she knew exactly what she wanted to do. The dame slowly moved around the beta, walked directly past her sire without a glance, then ceased her movements when she was directly in front of Fierce. She had to tilt her chin up to look up at him, a small, comical reminder of their size difference. Instead of uncertainty or fear, Cosette was determined and she was not going to change her mind. ``I will leave Felder with you,`` she said it so casually that the beta scoffed from where he was. Of course, her sire finally stood up to intervene, but she tilted her chin to glare at him for a moment. Cosette did not want to be in a place where she was constantly being used, perhaps taken advantage of occasionally. Furthermore, if Fierce did stay here, he wouldn`t be happy at all. He would constantly be shunned, loathed, perhaps eventually truly kicked out. There was no changing her mind, unless Fierce had a better idea. |
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She moved with elegance... Grace.. Purpose. As Cosette made her way to in front of him, looking up at him with determination in her gaze, Fierce knew whatever she was going to say was going to be good. Great even. Though, he definitely was not expecting to be told that she wanted to leave. Fierce's auricles flicked at the words as his maw dropped open. Did she truly mean that? Out of his perihperal view, he watched her sire stand and move to intervene. Though, Cosette put a quick stop to whatever it was that he was going to try and do. Her idea wasn't the most terrible one he'd heard. Albeit, Fierce believe that such a change wouldn't work for her. Transitioning from being a rogue to a pack wolf was a lot easier than the opposite. Pack life is all she had known, and he wasn't going to be the one to take that from her. He could tell she was waiting for him to accept, to oblige. But he wouldn't.. With a smirk, he'd push his weight forward, standing up. Take a step forward, he'd lower his his head to peer over Cosette's back at her sire. Fierce seen the look on his face. Utter hatred. "How's it feel to think about losing the only thing you care about?" Fierce questioned a loud, lifting his cranium back up as he looked over at Cosette's sire. The baffled look he got was well worth the question. "If you want your daughter to stay, I shall stay but on one condition." Fierce stated, his tail swaying behind him as he stared down the alpha. "Your beta stands down, at least from Cosette. He isn't to touch her... and she is to be treated as what she is, not some pawn for your games." Fierce spoke with truth, sterness. He meant every word that flowed from his maw. "If any of this is to be broken, she will come with me and leave.." Fierce wasn't sure how he felt entirely. What he did know is that he wanted to protect her. "Are you seriously going to let him speak to you like that?" The beta's voice creaked across the silence that ensued. Fierce's gaze immediately snapping towards him before his paws carried him across the terrain toward him. "It's either that, or I spill your blood where you stand and take her anyways." He snarled, his teeth bared as his voice became rough. Once again, growling ensued from every wolf around. Mainly females that wanted the power this male had for whatever reason. Fierce grinned inwardly before he flicked his tail, hovering over the cowarding beta. "You're a pathetic excuse for second in command, ya know that?" He questioned, snapping his jaws at him before looking back toward Cosette's father. "What will it be?" He questioned. |
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Maybe she had went a little far, but she was willing to leave Felder behind to be with Fierce. Cosette believed she would be better off with him by her side anyways, given how he was practically the only one that seemed to give a damn about her. She saw the shock on his face, which unsurprisingly caused warmth to rush over her countenance; she had a feeling he thought she was insane or something. Cosette blinked when Fierce smirked and moved over her, his head peering over her spinal. The dame merely shifted her cranium so that she could look at her sire from the corner of her eye, stiffening slightly at the sheer fury and hatred that shone in his gaze. Her demeanor brightened, however, when Fierce said he would stay under one condition, especially when that condition was one that was reasonable. Regardless, some of Fierce`s words were a bit.. violent, in her opinion. Maybe she was oblivious to just how aggressive he could be since she always got that soft, kind side of him. She knew it was true, that even perhaps she hasn`t shown him everything about her yet. Honestly, they were not really at a point in their.. relationship that it made sense for them to have done so already. Renier had never once been challenged this greatly in his life, yet there was one thing he knew: he was not loosing his daughter to some rogue that just so happened to save her from a bear. The alpha huffed as he shifted his gaze to Cosette for a moment, contemplating. He had to agree that the beta was a nuisance, wreaking havoc when it was not needed. Alas, it was going to ruin tradition that Felder had been accustomed to. Eventually, he lowered his head a fraction before speaking evenly despite his emotions, ``I will see to it that your condition is met.`` Cosette was stunned that her sire was willing to do it, but even she had some doubts that he would do so. She moved so that she could stand upright, her gaze darting towards Fierce. He genuinely looked like he deserved his name at that moment and, despite it all, she was almost in awe for a brief second. Cosette met Fierce`s gaze, probably looking as awestruck as ever; the warmth she had felt before was overwhelming at the moment, so much so she presumed it was admiration if anything. `'Thank you, Fierce. You didn`t have to,`` her voice was a soft mumble as she returned her gaze to her sire. The alpha was already retreating off to his den with an infuriated beta trailing after him. |
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Fierce had meant every. single. word. If he had too, he'd show this beta and his bystanders that those stories they were making up about him could very well come true -- at the cost of their own lives. Though, what he wasn't too sure about was if he would be able to do so in front of Cosette. He had killer in him, he knew that much. But, Fierce wasn't as cold hearted as he seemed unless he absolutely had to be. Standing there, staring down Cosette's sire was probably the most courageous thing he had ever done for anyone besides save her from that bear. The silence that over came them was almost suffocating. Two wolves, ten feet apart, sizing one another up. "I will see to it that your condition is met." The words that came from Reiners maw surprised him. He was expecting to have to spill the poor betas blood. Hearing whispers coming from all around them now, he'd watch as the Alpha and Beta retreated into the alphas den. Turning his frame, Fierce looked at Cosette as she spoke a soft thank you to him. Telling her that he didn't have to do that. "You've opened my eyes to a lot the passed few days.." He started, looking down at her. "The least I could do is keep you here. Where you belong.. You will be the change this pack needs." Fierce's words were even-toned and laced with a hint of softness. He wanted to make sure she knew he was serious, "I've seen the way you are with many of these wolves, they look up to you." Fierce added, smiling down at her. "Now, you're free from him.. and free to do as you want within your own pack. Free to be with whomever you choose." After he spoke those words, he fell silent. His gaze trailing over all the others as some dispersed, others stared with growling maws all the while cursing him under his breath. None of it bothered him. It never had, and it never would. Fierce was a tough cookie to crack, and he wouldn't let weak-minded wolves like the general population of Felder get under his skin. "First order I decre is we find where all your prey is going. Since your useless beta and father aren't doing much about it.." He stated with a chuckle. "Shall we go together alone or gather your hunters?" Fierce questioned, wondering if she'd suggest something else. |
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Cosette`s entire being seemed to warm when Fierce replied to her gratitude, her tassel barely flicking in an indication of bliss. She was beyond relieved to hear such things from him, especially since she had been a little worried that he had presumed she was in cahoots with the beta beforehand. Her auricles lifted from their formerly lowered position on her cranium as she truly relaxed ever since all the chaos that had unfolded that day. Regardless, it was Fierce`s next words about how it was her that would change Felder for the better that truly caught her attention. He did have a fair point; she was known for being quietly selfless and, when it truly mattered, she stood up for those around her. It was the soft curses and growls that caught her attention next. Cosette did not understand how they could loathe Fierce so much. Was it simply because he was a rogue? Perhaps he seemed too strong or odd to them in some way? She frowned at the thought, but quickly dismissed it. The dame could probably figure it out herself by asking around, even if they may lie to her face about this specific matter. It was clear as day already that she cared about Fierce in one way or another. When Fierce`s voice sounded next to her, she shifted her gaze onto him again. She allowed herself a small laugh, her tassel flicking once more behind her in amusement; he seemed to be unfazed by everything, which she was grateful for. ``That has been a problem for a while,`` she replied softly. The mention of the issue caused her to glance over at the pitiful pile of prey. It only consisted of squirrels of rabbits and with how large the pack was getting.. She was terrified of the possibility that they would turn on each other because of it. The elk and even the occasional moose hadn`t been seen in what felt like nearly a year. Sure, they moved across the territory, but they were absent from their normal grazing grounds. She hummed thoughtfully when he asked her if they should go alone or with the hunters. Feigning contemplation, she waited a moment; the last thing she wanted was to seem way too excited to spend time with solely him again- even if it was true- since she was more concerned over how that would go. The hunters weren`t a huge fan of him. ``I think it would be best for us to go alone,`` she eventually replied, her voice even. ``Besides, I think they`d prefer to stay here.`` |
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Fierce was beyond joyful when Cosette told him that she thought it'd be best for them to go on their little endeavor alone. He'd prefer it that way anyways, just wanted to know her thoughts, and wanted her be comfortable. As she added the statment that her hunters might've prefered to stay here, Fiere chuckled with a small eye roll, "I could give a fuck less what their preference was.. Only yours." The brutes words were rough, but truthful. The small chuckle that exited his maw afterward almost making it seem like he were kidding even though that was far from the meaning behind his words. "Shall we be on our way then?" He questioned, though it was more of a direct statement as the wolf turned his frame with subtle elegance and walked toward the exit, stopping only once to look back to see if she were following. Fierce didn't give an explaination to anyone, didn't give a second glance at any brute or dame that snarled at him and bared their teeth. He was completely unphased -- and maybe that was their problem. Fierce couldn't be persuaded to be fearful of them. The brute didn't give a singular fuck about how they felt toward him. Flicking his auricles, he'd make sure that he at least heard Cosette following him. When he was sure that she was, he'd simply continue forward. "I don't know where you guys usually hunt. Show me, and we shall go from there." He stated as he stopped, looking back at her. He hoped he wasn't being too... cold. Fierce had a hard time showing hard emotions. While he seemed to have rightfully strong protective ones over Cosette, he just hoped that he wasn't coming off as too harsh or cold toward her now. |
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The dame truly should have expected such a reaction from the brute, yet she still couldn't prevent herself from laughing briefly at his blunt words. She felt rather honored by the fact that he had said he only cared about what she prefered; perhaps their relationship wasn't lost after everything that had unfolded. Although she would never admit it to him or anyone else, Cosette had been nervous when Fierce had looked at her as if she had betrayed him in more ways than one. She nodded when he asked if they would be on their way, her blue gaze traveling towards where her sire had vanished into his den. A part of her wanted to say goodbye and wish him farewell, but.. the memory of the supposed betrothal was still at the forefront of her thoughts. Her tassel flicked absentmindedly as she turned and followed after the large brute, cranium lowered slightly since the growls surrounding them were beginning to get on her nerves. ``We should be there by dusk,`` Cosette replied, gently brushing past him to begin leading the way to the hunting grounds. Although she had only been there a handful of times, the route there was rather easy and straightforward; it was located near the edge of Felder's territory alongside the primary river of the valley it was in. The dame picked up the pace when she was certain that Fierce was following after her, weaving through foilage and occasionally darting over fallen logs. She was a little tense at first since it felt.. odd to be alone with him again; she was probably overthinking once again, but that warm feeling was once again present in her chest. The dame glanced back at him and offered him a small smile. It was.. fun, to be out here with nobody but them. It was as if they were free and there was nothing holding them back from simply being who they were. She had always been a little playful and somewhat goofy, but she hesitated to show it to Fierce for now. Whenever she was out on patrol with wolves she was close with, she often tackled them into the bushes purely for the laughter and happiness it could be. To be honest, there was no way she would even be able to tackle Fierce unless he was completely distracted and unsuspecting. |
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Fierce flicked his auricles as Cosette spoke, telling him that they'd be at their regular hunting spot by dusk. His blue orbs following her as she brushed passed him. She seemed annoyed, more than likely by the actions of her pack. Though, he wouldn't push the matter, not yet anyways. He wanted her to be able to loosen up, not have to worry about anything and simply just be herself. Fierce hadn't ever cared for anything more, and he himself was still trying to figure out why he cared so much. As he followed behind her, he stayed back a little, being sure to make some sort of noise to ensure she still knew that he was behind her. Where she lept, he followed with subtle ease. His massive frame making it easy for him to get over most things. Though, the weaving was another thing. His thick pelt snagged on most twigs, branched and jaggers. Burrs entangled within his fur as they snagged on it. He let a small growl exit his maw as he stopped for a moment, tearing the burrs from his pelt and spitting them out. "Sometimes.. i wish i were your size." He chuckled as he continued after her. As she looked back at him with a softened smile, he smiled back. Fierce wasn't sure what to talk about, or do. He wasn't normally the playful type, as many were never really wanting to play with a brute his size, even as a pup he was quite big. Clearing his throat, he'd pick up the pace to fall in beside her. His tail flicked subtly behind him as he walked beside Cosette now, his gaze looking ahead of them. Her home was absolutely gorgeous, and he was grateful to be able to be part of it -- at least for now. Lowering his crania, he'd look over at her, "After we get to your normal hunting grounds, I will see if i can pick up something to follow. Normally, mirgation patterns stay the same, so there has to be a reason your bigger game is not returning. Whether it be over hunting.. or, something else you or your hunters may not have noticed." His words were wise, almost like he had been part of a pack for his entire life. Fierce just hoped that he wasn't sounding as if he were putting her down. He didn't want it to seem like that. It took most of the day to get there, though Fierce didn't really mind it. The brute picked up on the multitude of scents that had just been here earlier that day. They were strong, really strong. "Do you hunt here everyday?" He questioned, flicking his auricles back against his crania as he looked around the area, watching as a few hares ran from their burrows, and squirrels scurried up into the trees. There were zero scents from anything other than the smaller prey. No prints in the muddy forest floor other than the small pin-needle ones small game make. This made Fierce upset, were their hunters attempting to starve the entire pack? "There hasn't been bigger game than a raccoon here in ages. How your hunters haven't recognized that is beyond insanity." Fierce stated, looking over at her. The look in his eyes being a hardened gaze. Though, he was far from upset with her. How could she have known? All she was doing was helping her pack -- right? After a moment, Fierce looked around once more, trying to pick up even the stalest of scents. But, he couldn't. "Hopefully your people understand that I am only doing this for you. and don't grovel at my feet when I help you save them from starvation." Fierce stated, giving a disgusted look as he shook his head at the thought. |
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Afternoon Storms, then Clearing
