The Territory

Whisper paused, she had watched Kipxin's reaction carefully, no sense of aggression, but Whisper thought she could sense a confusion, and tried to find the source. Whisper glanced at Kole, maybe she was wondering why Kole was going to sleep in the same den as her when it was obvious that he was her mate, maybe it was a good thing that Whisper had opted to sleep outside, it was winter, the thought stopped her in her tracks, maybe that was the reason she felt that way about Azreal. But she shoved the thought aside she would examine it later. The alpha grinned which made Whisper uneasy it was a flash of teeth that made her want to respond with a growl but the expression on the alpha's face was friendly. Then Kipxin spoke, it sounded like there was warmth in her voice but Whisper almost shook her head at the thought, it wasn't just Kole that bothered her it was sleeping inside a cramped space, it was too, oppressive. Whisper was about to respond but Kipxin wagged her tail and finished her thought. A den near the alpha, Whisper wondered if Kipxin thought she was being arrogant, it was a great den, but did Kipxin think that she wanted better? Whisper sighed, she rarely stayed in one place very long, to her it was amazing that she wouldn't constantly have to look behind her back, or fall asleep uneasy, and wake up periodically. But how could she express that, her face remained expressionless but her head was a rush of thoughts. Finally she spoke, maybe Kipxin would understand if she was honest, the thought struck her, when had she been completely honest with anyone? Ever? Even with her friend they never shared their pasts, they just enjoyed being with other wolves. She had tricked wolves and picked on weaker wolves, but honesty, it was like loyalty, only when it suited her, it wasn't natural. Pushing that aside she convinced herself for the moment, this is where her loyalties laid her voice was smooth and respectful "I'm sorry" she paused hesitant for only a fraction of a second, her voice faltered for a moment then smoothed out to its original tone "I don't like small spaces" she wasn't sure whether those were the right words or not, and flicked her ears nervously, but like her last she knew that she could not take them back.

Whisper tensed as Kipxin paused seeming to contemplate her words, and then the alpha flattened her ears and it took a decent amount of effort not to roll onto her back or simply say 'I can take a den' simply not to offend the alpha. But then Kipxin spoke and her words released the tension she didn't know that she had been holding. This time whisper realized when the alpha grinned, and the warmth made her want to flash back a similar one, but Whisper didn't it was something she had never learned how to do.
Whisper didn't quiet sigh, but her exhale was one of relief, she had hoped that the alpha didn't feel insulted, because that was one thing she didn't want to do. And it wasn't just because of Kipxin's rank, whisper paused trying to place it, there was gratitude in her feelings, Kipxin had taken her in, called her family when most would chase her away, but Whisper sensed that this feeling was different, it was a form of respect, but not from fear. Whisper almost shook her head, it didn't make sense, to her respect was always based off fear, it was either from a direct threat or an indirect threat. Whisper paused, as Kipxin's attention seemed to wander, for a moment Whisper considered telling her, telling her why, crashing down the walls she had put up, finding the memories that she had tried to forget, that she knew were bubling on the surface barely contained, Kipxin seemed to hold a certain respect for her too. It wasn't that she respected her as a higher member it was almost as if Kipxin respected her as a wolf, because she realized that there were things that she could not make her do. Whisper was almost on the verge of givng in but like always there was more than one wall to break down. Whisper didn't regret it, the wall of ice had kept her safe, kept her from plunging into darkness when her friend died, kept her living while her siblings fell dead from a slow painful demise around her, kept her from giving in and showing pity, kept her alive. But because the alpha would probably wonder what she was going to say whisper spoke and this time the gratitude was real, and she didn't have to think to put respect into her voice, it felt natural "thank you" and then she dipped her head. Even if she didn't like closed off spaces she did want her sleeping place to be cozy, and like Kipxin had said warm, so she scented over near a group of trees that didn't have dens near them, with painstaking care Whisper nosed around each tree. In the summer trees were the best because they provided shade, and in the winter they warded off snow. She finally ended up picking an older pine, the scent was rich. Whisper paused and marked it as her own. Then she scented the air, where had Azreal and Bain gotten to?
Whisper walked over to the alpha with a more relaxed gait. This time she didn't hesitate before she spoke, even though her voice portrayed little emotion and her face even less "Do you want to go find the rest of the pack?" Then flicked her ears, she had a lot of things to consider, and a lot of things to ponder. She both dreaded and hoped for a meeting with Azreal, he was always interesting; and just being around him made Whisper feel something, something other than nervousness.
Wolves mentioned: Kipxin, Azreal, Pack
Wolves addressed: Kipxin
occ: sorry I have been forgetting about this

Whisper's entire body relaxed as she followed Kipxin, she knew that she wouldn't let her alpha get hurt, or anything threaten Mercy pack, it was just, an impression. Part of it scared her, but another part of it made her fill with a sense of, contentedness. Being with Kipxin and the pack, it made her feel that she was accepted, that she didn't have to prove herself, or constantly be on edge, it was like, it was almost like she could be herself, which was odd because herself didn't feel secure around other wolves. Whisper paused and glanced at Kole he had been silent, but they hadn't really tried to include him in the conversation. Whisper paused wondering if she should say something, she chose not to.
For some reason she wanted to see Azreal, she wasn't even sure if she liked him, at least not in that way, but it was as if she just wanted to be with him. To bicker with him, or talk to him, or maybe even laugh with him is she had enough courage to do that. It was a simple want, but she pushed it aside, as she reminded herself that her first impression hadn't exactly been a friendly one or a good one for that matter. Whisper sent a wistful glance at the forest, maybe, maybe in the future, here she was home, here she would stay, and at the end, maybe her future would be with Azreal, but maybe not.
Wolves addressed: none
Wolves mentioned: Kole, Kipxin, Azreal

Whisper ended her locked gaze at the forest as she noticed that Kole had extracted himself from the den. He looked nervous, and slightly embarrassed by his words, she saw the slight submission features in his actions but chose not to capitalize on them, knowing that it would not end well for her if she did so, her face was calm and placid as she turned her attention to him but could tell that all of his was on Kipxin. Whisper tried and succeeded, not to smirk, Kole was acting like Kipxin was the center of his universe, which she probably was and it was like watching a funny scene play out, each unwilling to be outright about their feelings. He flashed the alpha a quick smile, she couldn't tell whether he was using it as humor or apologetic, neither seemed quiet on target. Whisper paused as he seemed to go into a more contemplative state, wondering if he was thinking of Kipxin or her, maybe other wolves as well, but despite her curiosity Whisper didn't ask, the answer was almost nothing to her. It didn't matter because it wouldn't change what she thought of him, she hadn't figured him out...yet.... With most wolves it was simple, you could categorize them as aggressive or friendly, dominant or submissive, cunning or honorable, and then there were certain personality traits you could look for, but most were the same, but she couldn't place Kole, he displayed a certain need for respect yet he also knew when to be submissive, it puzzled her. Kipxin seemed to be a decent wolf, she was friendly but slightly dominant and even though she had brains obviously didn't turn them to dishonorable purposes. She thought she had the others marked as well; Bain was honorable and prideful as well but he could be friendly and respectful. Whisper turned to Kole wondering how much of the conversation he had heard, she didn't know so she briefed him anyway "I think we were going to go look for Azreal and Bain." Whisper turned to Kipxin, that was still the plan wasn't it? Whisper gazed off into the forest for an instant wondering where the rest of the pack was before turning her attention back onto Kole and Kipxin.
Wolves mentioned: Azreal, Bain, Kipxin, Kole, Pack
Wolves addressed: Kole/Kipxin

Whisper's attention was on the forest around her, its life beating out a rhythm in her heart, it was the song that wolves sang, and it was always different...every single time. It could tell one many things if you took the time to listen, the song was little more than a whisper, and when you listened you naturally understood although if you tried to work it out you could spend hours trying to decipher the impossible complexity of the codes.
It was almost like watching wolves, each gave off subtle signs, waves of anger, flows of contentedness, and many other emotions poured off them, all there if you took a moment to step back and watch. Whisper paused as Kipxin snuggled with Kole, it was obvious that it was a moment of time when everything else seemed to become an oblivion. Whisper almost looked away, even as the movement sent a pang of longing withing her, coming from somewhere she hadn't even know exited inside herself. Kipxin tensed as she seemed to sense her watching them, she wasn't judging she was collecting date, she would judge later, although to Whisper it seemed that Kole might be moving into Kipxin's den soon.
Kipxin seemed to realize that Whisper didn't care, even though she understood so little of love she did understand that it happened. And Whisper could see it here, even though they might be blatantly unaware of their feelings it was in every stare that softened, every movement, and most of all in their eyes when for an instant in time they locked gazes. Whisper waited for a moment longer before her question was answered, they were going to go look for Azreal, Bain and the rest of the pack.
Whisper's paws itched to move as she sent wistful glances into the forest, it was a labyrinth that she already loved, it held a sense of balance and peace, the still before the storm, whenever that might happen. For her Whisper paused it might happen soon.
Wolves addressed: none
Wolves mentioned: Azreal, Bain, Kipxin, Kole, Pack
Thoughts: now Whisper wants a romance