Danger Avoided

[✮ErInJaN✮]

Galaryn had been moving all day. Her steady wolf lope had led her on and on. These lands were beginning to look more familiar.
Her tongue lolling out, she slowed to a brisk trot. She spotted a large rock, which looked as though a step had been carved into it. She climbed it, deeming the flat smooth top a suitable resting place. She lay down to have a good pant. The hazel eyes scanned the area. She was at the bottom of a mountain. The way up looked steep. Dangerous. No, she would not climb it.
I could go around, she thought.

Her head whipped around as she heard the sound of big feet in the snow.

Her first thought was to stay hidden. Maybe the animal wouldnt notice her. She flattened her dingy cream body. Her eyes searched the surrounding trees for the source of the noise. about a hundred feet away, a lynx was sharpening his claws on a tree. It was large. much too large for Galaryn to take on. It yawned as it finished and stared in her direction. A bit of wind blew past her and her heart pounded as the cat sniffed. It stopped for a moment, as if it thought it had smelled something. Galaryn was gathering her muscles and planning an escape route. But then, the cat gave its shoulder a lick, and preceded to saunter away, unaware.

Galaryn held her breath and climbed silently down from her rock. She padded quickly and quietly away, relieved to avoid a confrontation. She was weak enough already, and lynx injurys could mean death. She looked up. There was still daylight left.
She continued on, hoping to soon come upon a carless hare.

[Kairis]

Ameer strolled easily out of his den on top of the mountain and made his way down towards the infamous path that had led him up here in the first place. The black brute has spent many nights living at the top of the mountain rarely bothered by anyone because really, who would risk their life climbing up this dangerous path. Almost every morning, as ritual the massive wolf moved easily though the forest and looked down the side of the mountain where he would often spot his source of food for the day. Many mountain goats tened to find it amusing jumping from rock to rock, but at the same time so the cougars that lingered in wait hoping to steal away the hard earned food of the obsinian male.

His ears imeadiately perked forwards and his proud stance held him in place as he gazed downwards at the lion who just barely missed the white wolf that was hidden. Ameer smirked and hoped the wolf knew how lucky she was not to be torn apart from the beggining, one wrong move and she could have been kitten chow. The male slowly made his way down the rocks his feet had trended on so often, making sure to stay out of sight of the white wolf. even from the distance the male could sense she was weak, not many wolves could climb this path without using up all their energy. Quickly with a flick if his long tail, Ameer leapt into the bush to the left of his and caught an unsespecting rabbit in his jowls.

The creature was blind sided and the male was assured it felt no pain as he quickly tightened his jaws. The fur of it was already turning brown for the approaching spring which made it an easy target in the white snow of the mountain. Step by step, his enlarged paws trended the ground rightfully claimed as his wintering ground as he approached the she wolf. Normally Ameer would have chased away any other intruder but even through his rough appearance he was a gentleman at heart, and was not always a loner; he did indeed belong to a pack once upon a time... even was next in line to become alpha.

The brute shook those memories off and his yellow eyes emerged from the forestry until he was practically standing right infront of the she wolf. Ameer towered over her, a thing he did with almost every wolf as he was monsterous in size and then proceeded to sit on his haunches not wanting to threaten the wolf.. too much. With a toss of his head the rabbit landed near the white wolfs feet and Ameer nodded his head in a sign to take it, it was hers he had caught it for her.

"My name is Ameer, what is yours and may I ask what brings you up this path?" He questioned seriously in his deep and smooth tone, and wondered on her intent for intruding on his territory... well, territory for the winter anyways.

[✮ErInJaN✮]

Galaryn stood stock still for fear of startling the rabbit futher. She had caught wind of it several hours ago, but the tricksy little morsel had been leading her on, up the mountain. She stepped lightly, but her foot landed on a particularly icy spot. The crackly noise spooked the rabbit and it ran again. She kicked up more snow as she took out after it once again.

Her guts clenched when she saw the rabbit snapped up effortlessly by a large black wolf.

Fool, she told herself. She had been so focused on the prey, so blind to everything else. She had never even known he was there. He came out, in full veiw, the rabbit in his jaws. He was enormous compared to Galaryn. Now, she thought, he will kill me for stealing his prey. She imagined her last veiws as his piercing yellow eyes.

But to her utter surprise and relief, he merely settled back on his haunches. He tossed the freshly killed rabbit in front of her, another effortless move. He nodded for her to take it. But shock forbid her to move.

"My name is Ameer, what is yours, and may I ask what brings you up this path?"

His voice was deep and smooth, like a winter lake. She let herself look at him. He looked like the mountain he lived on. Rough and Dangerous, but beautiful. She swallowed the fear.

"I-I'm sorry, I...I'm...My name is Galaryn."

She cursed her nervous stutter. The dirty cream fur moved as the body underneath trembled a bit. Her grizzled ruff flickered a bit in the wind as she searched for more words.

"Please, I meant no harm, I was only passing through. I've been wandering for most of the winter."

She was suddenly very aware of her appearance, and how she must look to him. A thin, weathered, foreigner. Easily dealt with, killed or driven off. But there he sat. Another shiver ran down her spine, but she carefully placed a paw on the rabbit and tenderly tore at its under belly. She couldnt believe how good it was, couldnt believe how hungry she was. She looked up at him.

"Thank you."

Galaryn knew the thanks wasnt just for the rabbit. . .but for her life as well.

[Kairis]

HIs black ears flicked with interest and the beast let his tail thump once against the solid ground before lowering his head slightly. He had probably intimadated the female by the way she was trembling and stuttering. The male did that often, sometimes on purpose other times not so much, it was just... him in general. The wolf seemed to have this presense about him that many just stood there aw strucken as if he was god-like. Ameer was quite used to it and played down on his presence as much as possible.

The male heard the smaller creamy colored wolf managed to speak and apoligize for tresspassing. He didn't blame her too much considering she hasn't pasted any of his sent markers yet, so really she wasn't in his territory. That and this land is not "his". He had just wintered here since Ameer roams the land with no particular place to call home. The sight o fher ripping at the rabbit contented the obsinian wolf as he lesisurely sprawled out on the cold dirt, white flakes of snow mixing in with his somewhat weathered and un glossy coat. Living in a den most of the winter did not improve the healthiness of his fur and the beast snort under his breath.

"It was no problem madam, I could tell you may need a bite to eat, hunting up here is hell take my word on it." He remarked and focused his intense yellow eyes on her and for the first time took her her state. She was small and weak looking, Ameer closed his eyes and pictured her with a few extra pounds on her frame and she would look decent. Galyaryn's coat was also a creamy sort of color, a shade that was somewhat appealing as long as it didn't look dirty. She seemed to be a strong wolf considering she has not yet died on this mountain so far.

"You can pass through here Galaryn, but do take notice that this mountain is not kind to strangers and a wolf in your state may have trouble making it through the cold and avoiding the cougars. If I were you I would rest before going any farther." Ameer state a hint of general concern in his voice as the male stood up and shook out his coat, glacing sideways at the remaining part of the rabbit.

[✮ErInJaN✮]

Galaryn continued to eat the rabbit, ripping small pieces off and swallowing them. She had always been very dainty, and even though she was ravenous, she kept the blood from staining her muzzle. The black wolf had called himself Ameer. He had since been watching her eat, and he stretched out.

He was not in the best possible condition. Galaryn was sure that the cold winter could be blamed for that. But even so, Ameer was a sight to behold. Out of him came a snorting noise.

"It was no problem madam, I could tell you may need a bite to eat, hunting up here is hell take my word on it."

Galaryn looked up at him again and nodded. She knew full well how difficult it was to find prey. And when found, you then had to catch it. Galaryn was fast, but not untiring. She cracked a bone from the rabbit, then chewed and swallowed the nutritious marrow.

"You can pass through here Galaryn, but do take notice that this mountain is not kind to strangers and a wolf in your state may have trouble making it through the cold and avoiding the cougars." Ameer said. "If I were you I would rest before going any farther."

He stood and shook the snow flurries off of his black coat. Galaryn smiled inwardly at the expression on his serious face as he looked at the remains of the rabbit. She sat and curled her tail around her feet, looking rather like a fox.

"Again I thank you, Ameer. Your graciousness and advice . . .mean alot to me."

She looked down at the snow. She didnt want the black male to see the emotion in her black rimmed Hazel eyes. I must stop being so sensitive, she told herself.

"A rest would do me a world of good, actually. Do you know of a place near here where a wolf could stay relatively safe and warm for a day and a night?"

She hoped he wouldnt suggest a place too far, or any farther up the mountain. She knew she most likely couldnt make it.

[Kairis]

The black wolf smiled and nodded at her graciousness towards him. Just because he was intimadating and big did not mean he didn't have manners or was a ladies man. the brute took in her words and pondered for awhile on any den sites nearby and then remembered the old fallen log not far from here.

"If you follow me madam, I know of a den not far from here that you can occupy as long as you need," he stated and proceeded to lead the way slightly further up the path and then veer off to the right and walk in thar direction.

not but a few minutes later, Ameer was perched ontop of a fallen tree and he smiled down at the small cream colored wolf. The wolf named Galaryn was stronger than he thought, it was almost eerie that he could see some resemblance of himself in her. The determined additude and manners. Shakkign his head he leapt down off of the snow covered log and proceeded to crawl inside of it.

It was roomy in there and hallow. Not much, but it would keep the snow off her back and protect her from the wind. Plus, many rabbits lived nearby so it would not be a very far travel to gather food if she was hungry. The black male felt proud of his accoplishment and soon crawled out of the other side.. which took awhile considering he got stuck in the middle with his big frame.

"Its not much, but I hope it will do. There are many rabbits around here if you feel the need to hunt and my den isn't far up that cliff. If you are in danger or just simply need me howl and I wil come.." Ameer spoke to her and bowed his head to the fair lady. Then gave her directions to where his den was located if she needed something or whatnot. Although it would be a long walk for a wolf in her state to come and visit him.

[✮ErInJaN✮]

Ameer smiled and nodded, which washed Galaryn in quiet relief. He knew her condition. Galaryn watched as he seemed to think for a moment.

"If you follow me madam, I know of a den not far from here that you can occupy as long as you need,"

The creamy outsider stood with her front feet together and waved her tail as Ameer turned to lead the way. He walked at a steady pace and his constancy put Galaryn at ease. She followed until they came upon a neatly placed fallen tree. He hopped on top of it and sat upright, smiling down at her.

How perfectly wonderful he is, Galaryn thought. For a moment, she pictured herself with such a mate as this. Helpful, kind, respectful. Unlike any males she had ever known. She thought they were generally all like her father, cruel, abusive. Apparently she was either very mistaken, or just very lucky. She was thankful she had run into Ameer and not another, less tolarant wolf. She cleared the mate idea from her head. If the big black beast had wanted a mate, he would have taken one by now.

He leapt down and made his way into the fallen log. It would be comfortable, seeing as his large body was able to enter. She watched and waited for him to emerge from the other side. A small wolf smile spread over her muzzle as she heard him struggle a bit in the center of the log. Galaryn put her head down to look through the entrance as he wriggled out the back.

"It will be just perfect." she said, still smiling.

"Its not much, but I hope it will do. There are many rabbits around here if you feel the need to hunt and my den isn't far up that cliff. If you are in danger or just simply need me howl and I wil come.."

He spoke deeply and Galaryn felt her insides twist with nervous attraction. She gave herself a mental shake. He then gave her directions to his den, which seemed a treacherous walk.

"Thank you, so much. I know I've thanked you alot, but...Its just...I'm sorry, I've just literally never met a male like you."

Galaryn felt embarassed. He probably thought she was fragile, and foolish. Then again, she thought rather bluntly, I am those things.

[Kairis]

"Thank you, so much. I know I've thanked you alot, but...Its just...I'm sorry, I've just literally never met a male like you."

Ameer felt his chest puff out somewhat of habit. It was rare he encounters another wolf, yet even better that he gets complimented. It was probably the way he was raised to be a gentleman and a kind but loyal leader. the natural instincts in him told the dark brute to watch over her, it was just the wayhe was.

"Your not that bad either ma'lady" Ameer stated casually nodded his head and blinking his eyes and then bowed before turning and leaping up onto the giant log, then onto the cliff outcropping and started loping out of sight up the length of the mountian to his den wich was quite the hike. Upon arrival, the black wolf grabbed the half eaten rabbit from earlier in the morning he had buried at the enterance of his den and eat it was extreme hunger. He sighed and rested his heavy head down upon his crossed paws and let his yellow eyes scan his territory. Quite frankly, it was lonely up here on the peak, Ameer didn't like company, but at the same time he hated to be alone. Meeting Galaryn had really brought the male some happiness that he could help her out and her gracious additude let him know that his work was appreciated.

Finishing off the rabbit, the wolf stood up and went to mark the edges of his territory and then he lifted his black face to the cool and crisp cold night and let a soulom and haunting note echo out of his chords to break the nights darkness and he let the note linger in the air, slowly building intesity before it stopped, letting it ring in the ears of all that heard. In that howl, Ameer hoped Galaryn had still felt like he will be watching over her, even when he cannot be felt. Ameer knew that this land was terrifying, it was some of the thrill that seemed to excite him but he hoped all was well for the white female staying in his land and that she could sleep peacefully.

[✮ErInJaN✮]

Galaryn was curled inside the cozy log. It felt so very nice not to be sleeping on the cold outside ground. She buried her black nose into her creamy tail. Her patchy coat caused the cold to creep in. It would grow back soon. The teeth of her pack had done quite a job on her once full coat.

Her ears perked at a far off sound. A howl. She was sure it was Ameer. It was a long and powerful sound, full of soul. She sighed in relief at the thought of him nearby.

Galaryn would'nt mind staying here for a while. A safe snug place to stay, with adequate prey. She wasn't sure what her future would bring, but it would be nice to stay here until she figured it out. Deep down inside the she wolf, there was a desire. It had become stronger since setting out on her own. It was a feeling all wolves got at one point or another, the desire to find a mate, to have a pack, to reproduce.

She curled herself tighter, and tried to dull the feeling. She would'nt think about that now. She would think about that later.
For now she would sleep. Galaryn decided she would'nt wake until she felt good and ready. She would sleep late. With Ameer nearby, She felt safe from anyone from her pack who might have been following her. None of them were a match for the big black mountain dweller. She sighed once again in content, and fell asleep.

[✮ErInJaN✮]

Galaryn pulled herself out of her log, flexing her toes and swaying her back deeply. She gave her creamy coat a shake. Much of the hair that had been plucked from her pelt was beginning to grow back. She breathed in deeply, catching all the scents from the previous night. It had been several months ago that the big black loner, Ameer, had given her permission to stay here. She had not seen him since, but he surely knew she was still around. Galaryn felt she should not be bothersome, and had not tried to find him. Many times she felt she should move on, that her sister might still be following, about to catch up to her. But the log had been so nice and comfortable and the prey so plenty, that Galaryn would give herself just one more day. By now, though, she knew her sister most likely did not follow her at all, or if she did, had turned back home long ago. The creamy white she-wolf had decided to forget all about her old family, as hard as that was, and look for a new one.

She spent the day as usual, hunting and foraging for anything edible. The warmer weather had been kind to her, and the cooler days had barely shown their faces yet. The prey of this mountain had thickened her once scrawny figure, and even her eyes looked healthier. Galaryn ran down a chipmunk and lay down to work upon it. Her teeth pryed it apart and got to each and every bit of meat, wasting nothing. She had been alone for some time now. Thinking of her new goal, to find a new family, she wondered if she'd be able to socialize well, after being alone for so long.

She suddenly heard a shuffling noise behind her. She froze, knowing the sound was very close. She decided to be very still and perhaps be overlooked. Curiosity ate at her though, and she ever so slightly turned her head, using her peripheral vision. Deducing that it was a wolf, she leapt up and spun around to face the dark figure.