Shrike Hailstorm

Founding member of the pack.

Died Year 7, Heart of Winter. Buried in the Deciduous Forest.

Family: Andromeda (Sister, Pack of Wandering Spirits), Condor Hailstorm (Son), Sitka Warmblood (Mate), Magpie Hailstorm (Daughter), Sequoia Hailstorm (Daughter)

Apprentices: Condor Hailstorm, Amara Lostwood

Song: Next To Me—Imagine Dragons

Lovely art by Faolan (#10707)

Shrike was never all that important to his parents. His sister, Andromeda, was the subject of a prophecy, and therefore got all the attention. Shrike was constantly pushed aside and, feeling unwanted, at the age of six months he left, deciding to live on his own.

His first night away from home, a storm blew in just after sunset, the rain quickly turning to stinging hail. He hid under a fallen tree, shivering as the storm continued. It was the first storm he had ever experienced, and it was terrifying. However, as the sun came up the next day, the storm faded away, leaving the world sparkling and fresh. Shrike felt that it marked the beginning of his new life, and gave himself the last name Hailstorm to recognize that.

He enjoyed living alone, and quickly mastered the art of hunting. He avoided interacting with other loners, save for Salmonberry, who he had a bit of a crush on. He was thrilled to find out that she was carrying his pups, and though he wouldn’t admit it, he loved the thought of settling down with her and having a family.

When Salmonberry confessed that she didn’t feel the same way about him that he did about her, he was incredibly sad. She was the only wolf he’d ever really bonded with, and while he’d never said it out loud, he loved her. But he also knew how awful her family had been about these kinds of things, and reassured her that he was fine with just being friends, and that he just wanted to make sure that she was happy and comfortable. She thanked him, and they went their separate ways.

He went back to being an antisocial loner, vowing to never even become friends with another wolf. That is, until Honey came into his life. He found her half dead, weak and starving and barely conscious just a short walk from his den one afternoon. He grudgingly handed over a rabbit that he’d caught earlier in the day, telling her that it would be an inconvenience for him if she died this close to his den. He didn’t expect her to stick around after that, but she had other plans. 

Honey, having run into the first wolf she’d seen since her sister died, was immediately drawn to him. The fact that he’d given her food meant that they were friends, right? Every time he tried to leave, she trotted after him, talking his ear off. He started to tune her out, simply mumbling an agreement whenever she asked a question. He didn’t actually listen to most of what she said.

Perhaps he should have listened, because when Honey left the next morning, he thought it was for good and that he could go back to enjoying the quiet. He was understandably surprised when she returned hours later with a handful of other wolves. He had no interest in starting a pack, but this overly-friendly young female was going to get into trouble if he didn’t stick around to help.

Even more surprising was seeing Salmonberry again, who had met Honey and immediately bonded with her. Their reunion was awkward, and they still haven’t quite regained the casual friendship they once had. Shrike was excited, though, when his two pups were born and he got to meet them. 

Despite being one of the youngest wolves in the pack, he quickly became the most respected, and naturally fell into place as Honey’s second-in-command. Most of the others in the pack had never lived on their own for an extended period of time, and were used to having more experienced wolves directing them. While leading came easily, he still hasn’t figured out how to hunt alongside other wolves, but is making an effort to practice.