Fifth & Sixth Alphas | Years 18-22

Nīkau & Anahera

    You pad along, pebbles shifting under your paws as you keep pace with the retinue of wolves you've been walking with for the past few hours. Excited chatter bubbles up as you draw closer to your destination. A green tinged wolf looks toward you with a toothy grin, as if to ask whether you're ready for this meet, but as you open your mouth to respond he is swept along by a large and bright-furred wolf that you recognize as one of the Redfeather alphas.
    You blink and shake your head as the group enters the den site of your own pack to mingle with your own wolves. It's overwhelming in the best way as friendly faces pass by going here and there and all greeting the newly arrived Redfeathers. The diplomatic retinue of your new allies greets each new face with as much grace as the last and you smile knowing you chose a decent ally. A few more minutes of this pass before the general pack members fall away and both your inner circle and the visiting Redfeathers convene to meet and discuss the future.
    "Well! I, for one, am very glad we're here," Anahera begins with a warm, clear voice. "This alliance has been a long time coming. Our packs have lived alongside one another in friendship for years, but now we get to commit to an even stronger bond."
    "Indeed, this will connect even more of the riverside packs and close a gap in both our defenses and our shared resources," Nīkau continued his sister's thought, bringing about answering nods from wolves of both packs.
    You smile and nod along as well, preparing your own speech and catching a gleaming grin from a blue-furred she-wolf and a respectful head tilt from a darker wolf beside her. With this meeting, seeing just what kind of a pack you've thrown in with, you feel reassured that you'll be a part of a great alliance of packs.

    The first dual alphas and the first alphas to be born into the pack, sibling duo Nīkau and Anahera grew up among the thickets and pebbled banks of the river glade. They underwent rigorous training from their mother, the third alpha, Ātaahua, beginning when they were just pups and continuing until well after they were full fledged members of a hunting party. Even so, they spent most of their days getting into trouble and causing chaos within pack life with their cousins and other rowdy young members of the pack.
    As a pup, Nīkau would spend all of his free time playing and exploring with his best friend, cousin and now beta, Winnie. They often hid from their lessons and Nīkau's sister under the herbalist's thicket in an unused and forgotten den, dreaming about their futures within the pack. They each always secretly believed the other would be chosen as alpha, and made a pact early on that whomever was overlooked would become the other's beta. This plan evolved with them as they rose within the ranks to become full fledged hunters, eventually coming to include Anahera as well.
    Anahera was altogether a more dutiful pup, if a bit of a kiss-up. She applied herself rigorously to her studies with her mother, becoming a superb hunter well before she was even halfway to becoming a full fledged pack member. In her free time— as seldom as it came 'round— she could be found playing with her cousin, Raea, and the other young she-wolves of the pack. Her favorite pastime was dragging her brother and cousin into her games, and as such it was a long while before she was included in any of their schemes.
    Anahera and Nīkau eventually became good friends and confidantes. They were made full members of the pack with accolades, and assigned to a hunting team alongside Winnie and other promising new hunters. They quickly assumed control of their young team, sharing their knowledge and training with their new fellows and greatly improving the average take. They still got into plenty of trouble here and there, however, and several times received a shrill bark and severe reduction of time off from their mother. Anahera generally heeded these warnings, still ever eager to please, while Nīkau did not hesitate to sneak off with Winnie nonetheless to frolick and cause more trouble.
    Eventually their mother passed her reign to their uncle, Áleifr, and the siblings' ever rigid lives grew a bit more slack. Their uncle was not entirely ready for his new role, and spent long years trying his hardest to master it. Thus, the siblings were free to pursue more friendships and endeavors within groups other than their hunting party. Anahera, in her typical fashion, made herself useful wherever and whenever she could. She assisted Whistle and Alastor with pup training and the other hunting teams with hauling in their catch. She dutifully and diligently took her turns on watch when the mysterious fog appeared and whisked away Áleifr's beta, Peregrine, and others. The pack came to know her as a dependable and inexhaustible force. Nīkau tagged along on any and all hunts he could, learning new techniques and making new friends on each expedition. He and Winnie took to exploring the territory, and particularly the borders, making new friends and contacts wherever they went.
    At this point the pack had an immense respect for the siblings and even their uncle— who had finally managed to rein in his leadership during the unnatural conflict that he had helped put down in the pack's sixteenth year— which only helped to solidify the familial line of succession Ātaahua had put into place years ago. As the now-confident Áleifr's reign drew to its height it was time again for the pack to choose a successor. The only wolves of Håkaan's line who were old enough to be considered were the siblings and Winnie, so, just as they had all always dreamed, they were the clear options to become next alpha. The pack deliberated for quite a while, weighing the siblings' skill against Winnie's ingenuity and tenacity during the final battle with the shadow wolf. For long months they considered, and at long last it was decided that both siblings would have a paw in leading. They assumed their training under Áleifr, which was more like shadowing since he was not one for formalities or tutelage. Soon they were ready and eventually they took their place as alphas. Only once they had risen to their new ranks and the ceremony was completed were they told that Winnie would also become their beta.
    At first all three young wolves were dumbstruck. Dual alphas was an unprecedented notion in itself, let alone the idea of an accomplished beta stepping down to make way for an entirely new one at such a time. Coorah assured them that it was her idea and her wish that her stepson take her place so that she could rest, focus on hunting and come to terms with the passing of her dear mate. She also assured them that she would still be their advisor for as long as they would have her, to Anahera's immense relief. Anahera took immediately to her new role, at once commanding respect from her pack and lending a keen ear to her advisors. She also attempted to ease Nīkau's sudden fears and apprehensions about his new role, but she could see that he, like their dear uncle, would need much more time to rise to the rank. He had always believed— especially after Winnie's escapades with the shadow wolf— that his cousin would be chosen and that he would never actually have to worry about leading a whole pack of wolves. At least he wouldn't be doing it by himself, he took to telling himself.
    After they took up the role of alphas, Nīkau and Anahera simply tried to keep up the friendships and ties they created within the pack and continue what their uncle and mother began before them. They continued to build alliances with other packs as well as improve hunting and the strength of their wolves. They became great and magnanimous leaders with the strong system of accountability between not only themselves, but their carefully chosen inner circle. Most of the valley as well as the forest packs had many former Redfeather members and pups of the breeding male, Idrit, to strengthen ties, and in turn the Redfeather pack had members who came from all over the surrounding territories. The Redfeather pack became known and respected far and wide, but, of course, a thing that great and peaceful can only last a short time without some kind of hitch.
    The threat came from far across the valley and to the north in the form of the Cereus wolves of the pack's distant history, as well as from inside the pack itself. Young Sorcor, descendant of said Cereus wolves and son of one well-meaning but overambitious former foundling pup, began to visit with strange moonlight wolves who would appear in the mist over the river with increasing frequency. They whispered to him of his heritage, and of wrongs done in the past which needed to be put right. He bought into them as a young and impressionable wolf, and, once he was old enough to be an effective pawn, he was ordered to strike. Sorcor allowed the Cereus pack to come through the mist from their lands to Redfeather territory in the calm of night. Almost as soon as the fight began it was over, and so was the Redfeather pack. For two years Anahera and Nīkau led the Opposed, a group of wolves from all corners of their former reign who refused to be cowed or ruled by those who had no right. A peaceful pack, the Opposed were nomads who focused on doing good and sheltering those who refused to roll over for the new structure of the forest.
    They created a vast network of spies and scouts who braved invaded territory to collect secrets and information, as well as to sow confusion among the ranks of the outsiders. Eventually, young Sorcor realized he would never really be in control, and that he had done a great wrong, and came to the Opposed alphas with inside information and the beginnings of a plan. With his help the Opposed stood against their invaders and sent their high ranking wolves back from whence they came. Sorcor slew the Cereus alpha, Borealis, and relinquished his leadership to the rightful alphas of the Redfeather Pack. Nīkau and Anahera decided to show him mercy and put him to work rebuilding the connections and alliances between the packs of the West. Anahera in particular is not without a shrewd sense of irony, and restored just a fraction of the former king's illusory power to him in the form of his becoming the new Redfeather breeding male.
    Now the Redfeather pack has returned, and is rebuilding and restoring itself and the empire of independent packs surrounding it to their former glory. Anahera continued to shine as an effective and uncompromising alpha for a good long while, and Nīkau had the time of his life keeping morale up until the end of his days. Connections are returning slowly, but surely, and hunting is getting better all the time. The road will be long, but things are always done better the second time around...

Nīkau & Anahera's Inner Circle & Family

    Anahera padded up alongside her brother who had stopped on the crest of a rise as the morning sun's rays began to peek up over the horizon. Rays of light began to filter through the trees as the golden she-wolf nudged her brother with a shoulder. She shot him a tired smile which he returned before casting his eyes once more over the horizon. Their little band had long since adjusted to their new nomadic lifestyle, but the habit of being on the lookout was not a bad one to hold onto. The gully ahead seemed a good place to set up for a while. Defensible, sheltered, sunny and quite beautiful. With a flick of her tail the golden alpha led her pack down into the gully to find places to soak up the sun and rest for a while before sending a few of them out on a hunt.
    "I'd say we could stay here a good long while, eh, Nīk?" Anahera called up to her brother who still stood on the rise.
    "I suppose," he said with a sigh as he finally made his way down to join his sister, "I'd still much prefer to be home, though. We ought to be home."
    Anahera shook her head with a degree of finality, "well, we cannot be home, brother. You know that, they know that." She gestured to the pack with a paw. "Better to live in the here and now than spend your time wishing in vain. Besides, this is not a bad life. They leave us alone now, and perhaps one day Sorcor will see sense. He still has good wolves with him who may yet convince him."
    "Ah, yes, the 'king' himself. I hope you are right, sister." Nīkau settled down with his chin upon his paws to enjoy the sunshine and put his cares to the side once more.

    Nīkau and Anahera led with equal measures of grace and control, working consistently to accommodate and uplift their pack into a leadership role among packs. From the very beginning they decided that they would be joint alphas, sharing the load and working to balance and ground each other. They recognized their mother's interference in their succession of her brother's installed reign, and, while they did not dispute it, they worked to make their young family members who would potentially succeed them conscious and respectful of their duty to lead the pack well. The siblings' stewardship of the forest, the surrounding territories and their pack members endured for a good couple of years, propelling the pack into good enough standing across the valley and forests that they were considered the ruling pack. All looked to Nīkau and Anahera to guide them to safe alliances and mediate disputes that arose. It was a peaceful time and the alphas handled themselves with grace. Though they made changes to their uncle's inner circle right away they greatly respected their own chosen inner circle in all decisions, never making choices without them present. It was a prosperous time for all on their side of the valley, which is why they did not see the threat coming from the darker side as well as the inside. During the time of the invaders they ruled only their little band of renegades who wandered the forest, keeping out of the way and building a network of spies throughout the Western valley to plot against the unwelcome. Eventually their hopes that Sorcor would see sense were realized and for his help in righting his wrongs they allowed him to help rebuild the pack. For the rest of their reign the rightful alphas worked to restore the riverside and forest packs and all their alliances therein to their former glory. They may not have reached the heights of the beginning of their time as alphas, but with their guidance the forest and riversides became a safe and prosperous place for all packs once again.

| Betas |








Winnie, then Drelas








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| Herbalists |








Nicht, then Raalia








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| Inner Circle |








Elder Group: Idrit, Coorah, Thorn, Nicht, Zinnia, Winnie, Raea, Raalia


Younger Group: Arnfinn, Nilou, Drelas








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| Lead Hunters |








Thorn, then Raea briefly, then Nilou







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| Breeding Males |








Idrit, then Sorcor







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| Apprentices |








Faleeah, Arnfinn, Wytt & Totem








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| Parents |








Ātaahua & Advesperascit








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| Mates |








Frozen Tide








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| Pups |








Wytt, Totem, Nyphaea, Merigold








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"hello, newcomer. Care to stick around and hear a story?"

More History Awaits...

First King | Years 20-21

Sorcor

    Loose pebbles skitter down the steep embankment as you creep along the rise, trying your best to go unnoticed. The pebbles crack sharply against the stones below and your ears shoot up, eyes on a swivel looking out for anyone who may have been alerted to your presence. A few hammering heartbeats later you let out a quick breath of relief. No one. You resume your swift but cautious creep, thinking of the recent turmoil in the area. The riverside packs of this valley have been beset for nearly two years now by savage attackers from the moors, and any wolf traveling alone does so at their own peril. You press on nonetheless. Change is coming and you are determined to help bring it about.
    As you go you begin to hear activity around you. A sharp bark followed by a whimper. The sounds of a skirmish in the distance. Things are beginning to change slowly, and the invaders don't like it. The inhabitants of the forest and the riversides have been plotting an uprising, stoked by a network of scouts and spies working in the shadows to spread the invaders' secrets. Somehow you have found yourself among these spies and now you look for the wolves of the once-great Redfeather Pack who are putting the final pieces of the grand plot in place. The river valley will soon be free again and you possess the information needed to make that happen. You shake this thought from your head and as you emerge from the thicket you've been using for cover you come face to face with a large, snarling wolf.
    The slavering jaws of your attacker snap just past your ear as you duck and dash low, sliding in the dirt at the gigantic wolf's paws. The snarl of outrage at your escape spurs you into a sprint, your claws scrabbling for purchase in the loose dirt and leaf mold of the clearing. You feel the hot breath of the large wolf on your tail just as you take off in a dead sprint toward your goal. Any other time you might think of staying to fight, but right now your mission is too important and there's no doubt that backup is on the way. Howls echo from left and right as a whole pack of hunters closes in behind you.
    Their huge paws thud against the ground with each long stride and your heart beats fast as you begin to recognize where you are. A pair of jaws snap at your heels, but you dodge and double back around a large oak. Another wolf splits off and attempts to follow you, but you duck into a thicket of brambles concealing a tunnel that lets out onto the riverbank. You hear the furious howls of the larger wolves as they crash headlong into the sharp brambles as you emerge from the tunnel and shake our your fur. You have a moment to catch your breath before you glimpse your final landmark.
    You pad slowly into another clearing just off the riverbank surrounded by large standing stones. As you pass them you can't help but shudder at the unnatural placement of such colossal stones. As you step inside the circle you know instinctively that no one could breach it and no one could overhear things said inside. You know the invaders have some supernatural aspects but this? This should be beyond any wolf... Abruptly a voice shakes you from your reverie and you look up to see a well muscled golden wolf staring intently at you.
    You stare back at the Redfeather alpha and answer his question, "I have it.".
    A beautifully menacing green-tinged wolf steps out from behind the alpha then, and you know you're looking at the wolf who destroyed the peace and opened the way for the invaders. His snarling face softens to a quiet resolve as he responds, "then I am ready to atone."

    The first king of the Redfeather Pack, or the Court of Moonlight, as it was briefly called during his reign, was born into the pack to former scout and fifth herbalist, Raalia. He grew up hearing stories about how Raalia herself had been born into a pack that did not value her. They demanded excellence and absolute obedience from their members in exchange for the barest amount of care. Raalia told him that she couldn't keep up and was left alone in the snow when she was only a pup. She often explained to he and his brothers that she overcame her fear of not living up to the standards of her pack when the Redfeathers took her in, but once she had pups of her own those fears returned. She began to plot for her sons and teach them all they would need to lead and be high ranking members of the pack.
    Sorcor was told from very early on that he should work hard to become the best that he could be. The best that he deserved to be. His mother was convinced that he could be an alpha and secure his position within the pack through rank, and so an alpha is what he trained to be. Alongside his brother, Drelas, he sparred, hunted and tracked until he knew the entire Redfeather territory and everyone in it. He came to know the surrounding packs, the ins and outs of their connections and how to communicate effectively to just about anyone. He became the charm while his brother became the muscle.
    He and Drelas were close as pups, training together every single day and then getting into trouble as young pups are wont to do in the bored and mischievous evenings. They spoke of their dreams and those of their mother. They trained with their older brother and accomplished hunter, Arnfinn, too. Arnfinn was told of his mother's plans early on and openly balked at them. He was unsure that such rigorous training and such entitled language would go over well in the long run. Raalia called this hesitation nonsense and so, over time, the elder brother distanced himself from the family.
    Sorcor and Drelas paid him no mind, though. They had work to do. As they grew up they began training with other wolves of the pack. Drelas began sparring with hunter Zinnia and her daughter, Solas, who was the brothers' only peer. Eventually, Drelas begrudgingly brought Solas into the scheming and friendship the brothers shared. In truth, Sorcor never quite became friends with Solas himself. He was too busy with other things.
    As a young wolf, Sorcor was approached one fateful night by a cloud of moonlit wolves made of mist hovering delicately over the river. They whispered beautiful things to him, promised him the future he had been assured all of his life. The future that he now dreamed of himself. He was meant to be an alpha. These wolves could give him that. He agreed to meet them there on the riverbank at each full moon. They promised him that they could give him the power that he would undoubtedly need to seize what was his. After all, the Redfeathers weren't what they seemed to be. They lied.
    For several full moons the moonlit wolves uttered their secrets to Sorcor and he listened, rapt. They spoke of the history of the Redfeathers and how their founder had spread discord and caused uprisings within the Cereus pack before she had left it in turmoil to prosper in the West. They also told young Sorcor that the stories his mother had told him about being left in the cold were untrue, and that they had in fact facilitated the whole thing to bring about this very moment in history. The Cereus pack was his birthright, after all, and he should claim their full might as well. Of course, being young and spoiled, Sorcor lapped this up. He told his brother of his clandestine meetings and even brought him to meet Borealis, the Cereus alpha. He knew that even if Drelas was a bit skeptical, he had no reason to go against his own brother, and would support the schemes. It was then that Sorcor began helping the moonlit wolves to build a portal through which to attack the Redfeathers. This led to discord between he and Drelas who was wholly loyal to his brother but hadn't signed up for that much, and between Drelas and Solas, who thought that the brothers were utter fools for their plans.
    Sorcor began to rely only on himself, and keep to himself as he worked to bring about Borealis' plans. From that time on he never quite let on exactly what was happening or how close the moment was. Eventually all was forgotten as Sorcor and his young peers became full pack members and were once again friends. His brother and Solas were bonded and Sorcor set to work while they were neatly distracted. A full year passed before the circle was ready. He could only attempt to understand how Borealis and his wolves placed seven gigantic standing stones upright in the delta clearing. All he had done was dig and place herbs and runes around each space when the moon rose to its zenith and became full. He didn't much care how they had done it, though, because the moment of truth had come. One peaceful morning after the final full moon of preparation he arrived at the standing stones to find an army awaiting him. Borealis bowed to sell his deception, and Sorcor led the strange wolves straight to the river glade.
    The battle that ensued was savage and bloody. The Cereus wolves outnumbered the Redfeathers three to one, and they came with a vengeance born of a small slight dealt to a prideful tyrant two decades prior. Each Cereus wolf had been conditioned to believe the story that Borealis and his forebears spun, and they did not hold back. The Redfeathers at first viciously defended their home, but once it was apparent that there was no end to these gigantic and all-too-eager invaders they took no time in sounding a retreat. Sorcor rose above the dust of his victory to announce that any who desired to stay or were unable to go would be welcomed into his Court of Moonlight. That was when he began to realize his mistake.
    The faces of the wolves he had spent so long charming and getting to know looked back at him, haggard and betrayed. His alphas snarled at him and left, along with more than half of the pack. Most of the adults. Those who stayed looked none too happy either. Arnfinn openly scowled at Sorcor as he helped the crippled pupsitter, Faleeah, with wounds sustained trying to protect pups who should not have ever been attacked. Nilou and Sirion shook their heads in bitter disbelief. Two of his young sisters were gone. Even his mother looked at him with sad, regretful eyes. He had dug himself into this hole, though, and to be an alpha he had to appear strong and be confident in his decisions. He accepted Borealis' congratulations and set about barking orders.
    Eventually things settled into their new alignment. The Court of Moonlight strengthened as its young became hunters and scouts, and the Cereus wolves bolstered their numbers and helped Sorcor patrol the forest and keep the order of things. Sorcor waited for Borealis to return home to his moor and leave him in control, but all he did was put it off, moon after moon. The Redfeather alphas created discord as they roamed the forest with their little pack. Drelas and Raalia's faith in the new king decreased with each moment. The forest no longer prospered as it had before the attack. Sorcor's frustration grew the longer Borealis remained in the West, constantly denying his requests and ignoring his outright orders. Sorcor knew more than one member of his own pack was spying and plotting against him. His supposed birthright had shown itself to be a scam, and his supposed ally was a snake. Worst of all he had fallen for it.
    After that realization Sorcor began to plot again, this time on his own. His brother had left him, the spies wanted nothing to do with him, and Borealis was using him to legitimize his terrorization of  the riverside and forest packs. Sorcor had started this mess, and now he had to put an end to it all. At first he worked on his own to oppose the raids and takeovers in other packs' lands. He hoped that news would not reach the invaders' leader from far away, and he hoped that the spies would see his change of heart. It took a long time. A year passed before anyone would trust him enough to show themselves, and even then they were skeptical. Nonetheless, the so-called king worked to make a connection and prove his regret until the Redfeather alphas themselves came to meet with him. Then the real plotting began.
    Sorcor told the alphas of the summoning circle used to bring the Cereus wolves to the West, and the spark was lit. The trio and all of the Redfeathers' numerous spies devised a plan to gather all their remaining strength to stage a battle near to the circle and push Borealis and all his high ranking lackeys back through to whence they came under the light of the very next full moon. It proved to be a difficult month of work, but once each piece of vital information about these wolves' weaknesses and whereabouts had been gathered the plan was set in motion. Sorcor suggested and set up a meeting of Borealis and his officials in the river glade on the night of the full moon, every Western wolf of fighting age, down to the bravest young adolescents gathered near the summoning circle, and Sorcor himself played bait. His mission: to be caught by the officials speaking to a spy and then run like hell.
    Borealis took the bait and a long and bloody battle ensued. Again the wolves of the West were outnumbered, but this time there was no option but victory. By the setting of the moon only Borealis remained outside of the circle, and Sorcor was able to dispatch him himself with the help of the spy who had helped him lay the bait. His brother, Drelas. The brothers reconciled there over their victory, and Sorcor relinquished control of the pack to its rightful alphas. Nīkau and Anahera were merciful, considering the night's success, and Sorcor was allowed to remain with the pack. In fact, over the following moons of rebuilding they embraced him as a savior to his unsettling mixture of pride and regret. Now Sorcor lives as a pack member and breeding male in training, astonishingly enough, and is loved by most. Of course, only time will tell what retribution may be brewing in the East and what Sorcor's future may hold.

Sorcor's Inner Circle & Family

    Sorcor sat in the delta clearing, staring up at the standing stones catching the light of the sunset above. The etched runes and markings glittered on the dark bluish grey stones and the pang of frustration the young wolf felt tightened his jaws. He had been impatient and stupid in his arrogance. Wolves loved him, they would have chosen him simply based on his merit. Now all he had to show for his ambition was two years of utter chaos and betrayal of his family. Of course, as a young and impulsive wolf he hadn't considered how much his pack meant to him, only what he could take for himself and what he was owed. Whatever that even meant.
    Behind him pawsteps splashed in the shallow eddies of the delta and his reflection on his adolescent ridiculousness was interrupted. His eyes snapped up to glare at his new companion before he caught himself and put on an uneasy smile.
    "Beating yourself up again, are you? I wish I could say you didn't deserve it." Solas' slight smugness made his tail bristle, and he had to fight to keep the smile on his face. His eye twitched.
    "You know me too well. And it isn't any sort of compliment," Sorcor sneered out of his plastered smile. Then he let out an explosive sigh, "I suppose I should leave the past in the past. Back to work with me, I know."
    Solas shook her head with a genuine chuckle, "no. No, your brother wishes to see you. And a whole host of others. And, I suppose even I don't mind hanging around with you anymore." At Sorcor's evil grin she swiped him with a paw and whirled back the way she had come, "oh, shut up and come on. Don't want to keep your fans waiting."

    Sorcor led with complete chaos and arrogance, believing himself to be a chosen one due to years of the wrong kind of well-meaning encouragement from his mother and manipulation by distant relations plotting revenge. It is safe to say that he got the short end of the stick in his early life, and it made him into a power hungry and even rather evil young wolf. At just over a year old he became the most hated leader in Redfeather history and has spent every moment since then attempting to atone for the mistakes that put him in that position. As king he was not able to contribute much at all, as all of his time was spent vainly petitioning the pack's invaders to allow him to do anything. His rule culminated in his own betrayal of the dark ally he brought in to help him seize power, and barely clawing his way back into his pack's good graces by relinquishing his illusion of control. With the rightful Redfeather alphas back in power the pack has rebuilt and grown strong once more. Sorcor was shown mercy for his part in the plot to banish the invaders, and now that he is a pack member once more-- and an altogether more effective one than he ever was before-- he is loved as a partial savior and effective diplomat in the efforts to reconnect with the other packs of the West. He is currently even in training to become the pack's next breeding male so he can continue his efforts to rebuild alliances and have just a taste of that power that he worked for all his life after all.

| Betas |








Drelas








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| Herbalists |








Raalia









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| Lead Hunters |








Nilou







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| Breeding Males |








--







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| Apprentices |








--








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| Parents |








Raalia & Lucien








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| Mate |








--








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| Pups |








--








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"hello, newcomer. Care to stick around and hear a story?"

More History Awaits...

Seventh Alpha | Years 22-

Arnfinn

    You pad across the clearing, a chill breeze ruffling your fur as colorful dried leaves crunch beneath your paws. You look around to get your bearings and continue on. 'Past the rock and under the thicket, then right at the gnarly tree and follow the riverbank until you see the standing circle.' Whatever that means. You're sure you'll know these things when you see them. For the moment, at least it's a nice day for a good long walk.
    You manage to find the rock, the thicket and the gnarly tree just fine after some wandering, and as you emerge from the edge of the forest you see the river flowing strong before you. The crunchy leaves turn into smooth pebbles beneath your paws and you decide to stop for a drink. The water is cool and refreshing this close to the mountains, and you feel your energy return. You prepare to continue on. As you look up a pair of cold blue eyes stare into yours from across the river. The strange golden wolf slips into the water and begins swimming across with several others following suit.
    The stranger emerges from the water and shakes out his wet fur on the pebbles of the riverbank. His well-muscled form is obviously expertly attuned to swimming, and you can see that this is a trait shared by the rest of his wolves as they also reach your side of the bank. Wolves of unusual colors, wolves with shining golden coats. Friendly riverbank dwellers that swim like fish and are curious as crows. This must be them. The Redfeather pack that you've been looking for.
    "Have you come seeking shelter or are you here to join the alliance?" The golden wolf asks with a knowing glint in his eye. Clearly he is no stranger to visitors. You know he is a relatively new alpha, but it is apparent that he has the bearing of his famed predecessors already. "Ah, but I apologize. I've not even introduced myself or my pack. I am Arnfinn, and these are the Redfeathers. Welcome."
    The pack wolves behind Arnfinn add their greetings at their leader's introduction and you smile. Whatever you've come for, you're sure that these wolves can provide it or at least help you to get it without hesitation.

    Arnfinn is the first alpha to be born into the pack to parents who were both Redfeathers. He grew up being trained rigorously by his scout mother and alpha father. He got to be a pup, too, playing among his peers in the hollow and listening to stories told by the old herbalist, Nicht. He was a gregarious pup and made friends easily, but it wasn't until he became a hunter that he began making close friends and stamping his mark within the pack.
    He became an integral part of the pack's hunting culture as a young wolf, rising within their ranks and having fun while doing it. He was an easygoing, friendly and therefore well-liked within the pack, so when the lead hunter, Thorn began to slow down (which for her was only doing slightly more than any other wolf in the pack) Arnfinn began to do a bit of directing within his own team to help her out. This may or may not have included taking his team on detours to swim or play or lounge on the warm rocks beside the river.
    Not too long after his rise the trouble with Sorcor and the moonlit Cereus wolves began, and the peace and prosperity of the river glade was shattered. The rightful alphas, Arnfinn's cousins, were ousted and Arnfinn had to make the impossible choice to stay among the enemy to help provide for the young wolves who were either forced or foolish enough to remain as well. For two years the young wolf hunted, fought and spied amongst the chaos of the hostile occupation of his home.
    As the Cereus wolves ravaged the forest and beat down its occupants Arnfinn learned to affect change in covert ways, lead through adversity and take care of others. He learned to hunt sustainably in an overhunted forest, and to fly under the radar. He ran information for the spy network established by Faleeah and Raea, and he mentored his blind pup cousin Wytt so that she could hold her own within that twisted world. By the time his third year came to an end and the final battle was won Arnfinn could finally admit that he was thoroughly tired. He could rest at long last and have a moment for himself, wrong though it felt after having to give his all for so long.
    Over time Arnfinn began to relax. He was able to reconnect with the wolves who had left, and gradually get back to hunting, though he never hunted with quite the intensity he had before. He remained close to his small found family, Sirion and Nilou who had become siblings and Wytt whom he had raised. He also began to attempt to forge connections with his immediate family once again. His little brothers and mother had regained their senses before the final battle, and though he found it difficult at first he warmed up to them again eventually. His little sisters weren't an entirely new frontier after raising his young cousin for two years, so they bonded quickly despite their wildly varying and chaotic personalities. Life was finally normal again.
    At this point Arnfinn was revered by the pack, and when Anahera and Nīkau began to listen for successors the pack his name was among the whispers. He went about life oblivious to this for as long as he could manage. He wanted no part of responsibility for a good long while, but it was not to last. With the other contenders being his little brothers, the pack's former betrayers, there just wasn't ever going to be quite enough competition to keep Arnfinn carefree. Of course, by this point almost no one held a grudge-- the pack had been rebuilding and moving on for quite some time-- but Arnfinn had captured their trust completely, and so he began his training to become the pack's seventh alpha.
    Now Arnfinn leads the Redfeathers and does his best to continue Nīkau and Anahera's work rebuilding the pack, the forest and the alliances within it. He still hunts occasionally on his own or with his little family, and he is still training the young of the pack. For the most part, though, he directs, advises, makes alliances alongside his brothers, and attempts to carve out as much time for relaxing as he possibly can.

Arnfinn's Inner Circle & Family

    WIPWIPWIPWIPWIP">Anahera padded up alongside her brother who had stopped on the crest of a rise as the morning sun's rays began to peek up over the horizon. Rays of light began to filter through the trees as the golden she-wolf nudged her brother with a shoulder. She shot him a tired smile which he returned before casting his eyes once more over the horizon. Their little band had long since adjusted to their new nomadic lifestyle, but the habit of being on the lookout was not a bad one to hold onto. The gully ahead seemed a good place to set up for a while. Defensible, sheltered, sunny and quite beautiful. With a flick of her tail the golden alpha led her pack down into the gully to find places to soak up the sun and rest for a while before sending a few of them out on a hunt.
    "I'd say we could stay here a good long while, eh, Nīk?" Anahera called up to her brother who still stood on the rise.
    "I suppose," he said with a sigh as he finally made his way down to join his sister, "I'd still much prefer to be home, though. We ought to be home."
    Anahera shook her head with a degree of finality, "well, we cannot be home, brother. You know that, they know that." She gestured to the pack with a paw. "Better to live in the here and now than spend your time wishing in vain. Besides, this is not a bad life. They leave us alone now, and perhaps one day Sorcor will see sense. He still has good wolves with him who may yet convince him."
    "Ah, yes, the 'king' himself. I hope you are right, sister." Nīkau settled down with his chin upon his paws to enjoy the sunshine and put his cares to the side once more.

    WIPWIPWIPWIPWIPequal measures of grace and control, working consistently to accommodate and uplift their pack into a leadership role among packs. From the very beginning they decided that they would be joint alphas, sharing the load and working to balance and ground each other. They recognized their mother's interference in their succession of her brother's installed reign, and, while they did not dispute it, they worked to make their young family members who would potentially succeed them conscious and respectful of their duty to lead the pack well. The siblings' stewardship of the forest, the surrounding territories and their pack members endured for a good couple of years, propelling the pack into good enough standing across the valley and forests that they were considered the ruling pack. All looked to Nīkau and Anahera to guide them to safe alliances and mediate disputes that arose. It was a peaceful time and the alphas handled themselves with grace. Though they made changes to their uncle's inner circle right away they greatly respected their own chosen inner circle in all decisions, never making choices without them present. It was a prosperous time for all on their side of the valley, which is why they did not see the threat coming from the darker side as well as the inside. During the time of the invaders they ruled only their little band of renegades who wandered the forest, keeping out of the way and building a network of spies throughout the Western valley to plot against the unwelcome. Eventually their hopes that Sorcor would see sense were realized and for his help in righting his wrongs they allowed him to help rebuild the pack. Now the rightful alphas work to restore the riverside and forest packs and all their alliances therein to their former glory, and prepare for any retribution or new threats the future may bring.

| Betas |








Drelas








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| Herbalists |








Raalia








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| Inner Circle |








Nilou, Drelas, Sorcor, Sirion








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| Lead Hunters |








Nilou







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| Breeding Males |








Sorcor







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| Apprentices |








Wytt








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| Parents |








Áleifr & Raalia








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| Mates |








--








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| Pups |








Wytt (Adopted)








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"hello, newcomer. Care to stick around and hear a story?"

More History Awaits...