The Sawtooth Pack's Beginning ( STILL BEING WRITTEN )
Jun 19, 2021 10:11:40 GMT
Post by ~ C o u r t n e y on Jun 19, 2021 10:11:40 GMT
THIS IS A HUGE WIP THAT IS MORE LIKE A NOVEL....
THAT WILL BE EDITED AS I GO
The Sawtooth Pack’s Lore
The Sawtooth Pack was the brain-child of a lone wolf named Kou. But we need to go back to the beginning before we can start here.
Kou was born into a very vicious and mean pack. The alpha pair where her parents, and the female was always attacking her and treating her badly. Kou was the black sheep / black wolf of the family. She wasn’t allowed to leave the den, wasn’t allowed to go on adventures and growing up it was very difficult. Kou had two other siblings that did not get this treatment. Kou was the only one who took the battering’s at the whim of the Alpha female, and in Kou’s opinion she didn’t even deserve to be an alpha. Kou’s father was the alpha male, and he was also at the whims of the alpha female’s abuse. Kou often got it worse than her own father, and a few times it caused fights between them.
When Kou was young, very young she used to sneak out of the den and go down to the river, alone. It was dangerous, as many other packs lurked around their territory. But Kou loved being down by the lake, and sometimes she found herself at the river. She spent most of her time staring at the fish, and watching them swim to the surface and then go back down. She always made sure to be back before anyone noticed. It was always late at night when the pack was asleep.
Her days where spent being held close to the alpha female so she could take all of her anger and frustrations out on her. If Kou left she would lose her life. Kou was not the omega, she was the alpha’s daughter and treated like she was lower than omega. There were days that the Alpha’s where too busy with themselves, and Kou would take it upon herself to wander. The pack’s territory wasn’t very big, but it hosted a lot of cool areas that Kou became quite familiar with in her wanderings.
She was born to wander she knew. She was all too aware of the dangers that lurked in the woods, in the sky, and most importantly, within her own pack. Her pack wasn’t her family; it never had been. And that was why she wandered. She knew she didn’t belong there. But she didn’t want to leave her father behind.
It wasn’t until Kou was an adolescent that the alpha female’s anger drove her father to leave the pack. And that was when things shifted. Kou’s sisters where held in high regard, and all of the abuse was then directed at her. It was relentless and constant. She was constantly being attacked by members of the pack, and her own kin. But Kou held on.
It was late one night, Kou had snuck out, and was down by the river when a familiar scent infiltrated her nostrils. It was a distance away, and even though she was not a full grown wolf, she was big enough to travel on her own, she thought. Kou followed the intriguing scent without nerves. It wasn’t far, and she didn’t have to be back for a bit. When she came to the clearing she realized it was her father.
He’d come to see her. She was so happy to see him. He nuzzled her, noting the scrapes and bite marks that covered her body. Kou just nodded and nuzzled into him. It was such a comfort to find him. But he made it clear this could possibly be the last time they see one another. They both knew that if he was seen within the territory he would be dead. But this moment, under the moonlight it felt like they were both immortal.
That was the last time she saw him for a very long time. Torn between following him away, and staying with the life she’d known all along, she couldn’t risk leaving. She knew that her mother would send her hounds to find her. She knew if she left she was dead as well and her father understood that too. He didn’t fault her for staying.
--
Kou spent a lot of time away from her “Family” pack, many hours, many days, and if someone was looking for her they would usually find her by a lake, or river attempting to get her own food because the alpha female / her mother starved her. Kou adapted to this and had begun training herself how to fish. She was too small still to hunt large prey on her own having never been taught a thing about it, and she had spent her entire pup-hood going to the lakes and rivers watching them. She was getting better at this point. She could touch them with her paws now. But she was becoming desperate. Her form was skinny and she was starting to feel weak. She knew if she didn’t do something she was going to die.
It was just before Kou’s first year of life day. And she was down by the river, and it was the time when salmon were spawning. Most would consider this an easy time to catch fish but still Kou was struggling. She was having to be patient and wait for the bears to leave their kills. She was scavenging. It was obvious by her skinny form that she was still desperate, still not full grown.
She spent hours waiting for the bears in the cover of the trees, watching carefully how they did it. How the cougars did it. Learning from them. She knew they could smell her but with the salmon spawning, they were distracted.
She wandered down to the far end of the river, and watched the spawning salmon. It was chaos, they were jumping and flinging themselves into the air, and one actually hit a grizzly bear in the face. Kou couldn’t help but sit and laugh for a while. Quietly. The bear heard her and growled a warning, but Kou, desperate for food decided that food was more important. She tucked her ears back and waited for her moment. She picked it, and dove into the river with her mouth open. Her fangs made purchase on a small salmon, and dug in. It was the most amazing feeling she ever knew. She could taste the iron of the blood running down her mouth, and the fish obviously in pain was flapping away slapping her in the face. But she wasn’t letting go, this was her prize.
What Kou didn’t know in her excitement was that the grizzly had seen her catch the fish and was quickly coming toward her. She swam as fast as she could back to shore where she dropped the fish for a moment to catch her breath. It was at that moment that the largest grizzly bear she had ever seen tried to attack her, swinging its massive paw outward toward her rump, but missed. Kou yelped in fear, and grabbed her fish and bolted. She wasn’t losing it, not even for her life. The bear gave chase as well but soon gave up because she wasn’t worth it. He was just stating his mark in the world and she knew it.
That was just once incident.
Kou spent the next year of her life learning and perfecting the fishing technique. She became one of the only wolves in the area they lived in that knew how to fish, and no one in her pack knew she knew how to fish. It was her little secret.
She made her own hidden den away from her family pack’s and would go there instead of back to her family den. There were times her mother would send her hunting parties out to find her but they never could, she covered her tracks well. She would even leave her scent in other places just to throw them off, and watch from a distance the face of the alpha female when they told her they couldn’t find Kou. It made her smile a wicked grin. She was not going to be tamed.
--
One night Kou had wandered off, she was still too small to be out on her own, but her adult body was slowing coming into shape. She had decided to wander farther than she ever had before, just to see what was out there. She’d never been out of the pack’s territory before, and had never been really taught of the dangers that lurk outside of their ‘protection’ if you could call it that. She knew deep down that her mother wouldn’t protect her, she would rather save herself.
Kou wandered further, and further until she could no longer see the hill and rocks of the den she called ‘home’. She was past the treeline when all kinds of scents infiltrated her nostrils. What she didn’t know was that she was being followed. One of her mother’s scouts, was keeping a close trail of her. Kou kept moving forward – knowing that her legs would take her wherever she wanted.
It was so clear out that millions of stars and the moon shined over-head and Kou was besotted with this. She loved looking up at the moon and stars and wondering quietly what could possibly be out there. Her father had taught her that all the shamans and those who’d saved the lives of wolves lived up within the stars, and that they always would protect her. It made Kou smile to remember that night when her father and she lay in the tall deep grass and look up at the sky. To be told that no matter what happened she was protected.
Kou’s mother’s scout kept trailing her. She had one mission in mind and that was to bring Kou back to her mother. She would be paid well for it. It was no secret that the Alpha female of the pack was well addicted to Velarian Root, which made her act very funny and relaxed her as well. It was her specialty; she could never be without it.
The Alpha Female paid high prices for that herb, and the scout still couldn’t figure out how she managed to acquire it. But regardless being able to share in it was something she did not take for granted, and on this day, that was her payment.
Kou was oblivious to the danger following her, and around her, and was just enjoying the scents of everything she was taking in, the flowers where in bloom and smelled so pretty, the stars where beautiful. She felt for once in her life like she was free. Did she want to go back, of course not, but she knew eventually she would have to.
Kou approached a lake and smiled as she saw the fish at the top of the water and as her belly rumbled she decided she could try and hunt here and see what she could find. She sat on the bank her tail wagging lightly back and forth and thinking about how she was going to catch the fish. She saw them all almost teasing her, so she decided she was going to open her mouth and dive in. That’s how she would do it, maybe… Kou picked a fish, and stood up, her ears flicking back and forth, her eyes narrow as she waited for her moment.
It took her two split seconds to decide, and she dove in. Mouth open, teeth out, she bit down as soon as she felt the water hit her nose and lips, and caught one! She couldn’t believe it herself, it was a larger pike, that had swam to the top to eat fish itself and now it was flapping and hitting Kou in the face.
The water was deeper than Kou thought it was and she was struggling to keep purchase on the fish, and swim back to where she’d leaped from. There was no beach, just a lip and it was becoming hard to climb back up it.
The scout appeared now, realizing that if Kou died without a beating from the alpha female that her ass would be reamed. “You idiot” she said as she approached. She was a larger wolf, just a normal grey wolf with black markings. She wasn’t anything special and Kou wasn’t really fond of her. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you not to jump into a lake if you cant get out of it?” she called from the lip where Kou had jumped off.
Kou, mouth full just lifted her lips and growled. The fish was still struggling in her grasp but she refused to let it go, she was stubborn. “Hrmfh” she called back but it wasn’t translatable. She knew what this meant as well and dread filled her already empty belly.
The scout reached down and grabbed Kou by the scruff and dragged her out, throwing her down on the ground with not much care. “I saved your life, I get your fish” she stated in a very condescending tone.
Kou sighed, and laid the fish down, it was tired from fighting and flailing so Kou finished it off, by biting its head off. When she looked up the scout known as Aina was standing over her licking her lips. Kou growled loud, lifting her own in protection of her kill. “I don’t think so.” She replied.
Aina said nothing and threw herself forward, stealing the fish and body slapping Kou off of her feet. “This is for the alpha now.” She called out. “And youre coming with me.”
Kou was taken slightly aback and fell onto her side. She just laid there for a moment and inhaled deeply. Caught. “Alright.” She sighed as she stood back upright. She knew what was coming.
Aina and Kou walked slowly back to their own pack’s territory Kou with dread filling her belly and Aina excited for what was to come, a beating and herbs, she couldn’t be more excited.
--
The Alpha Female, known as Brela, she had been born into a very successful pack, and her parents both adored her. But something happened along the way, and she turned dastardly evil. Some believed it was the herbs, others believed that she was addicted to inflicting and causing pain, either way, she was a coward, and only ruled because she was powerful.
Brela stood at a normal wolf’s height, and was covered in scars, it was hard to see her pelt as she also had a bad case of mange, and most of her fur had been turned to nothing. She was skinny but her liege always made sure she had food. She paid them well. They were always willing to do her bidding. She once was a beautiful wolf, with stunning white and black fur, and now, she was a despicable creature that not one male could possible dream of looking upon.
Kou knew from the laughter and howls what was coming. She could sense it in the air, and Aina’s smile while still holding her stolen catch told her everything she needed to know. “Great.” Was all Kou could say as they entered the area that Brela called “The circle” it was a huge area with rocks that circled around nesting materials and dirt. It was the alpha female’s favorite place to hand Kou her ass back to her.
Brela knew Kou was there as soon as her nose scented her, and she smiled. It was a wicked smile, the kind that normal pups at an early age learn to run away from. “I see you ran away, again” she said in soft tones as she approached Kou.
Kou said nothing she just stood still.
“I’m going to make an example out of you” she murmured as she came in close and snapped her decaying jaws in front of Kou.
Kou side-stepped and lifted her own lips. “Go on then” she murmured. Her gaze was dead, and she just stared ahead.
Brela looked at her. “You’re pathetic, you wont even defend yourself.” As the words left her mouth Brela threw herself at Kou her jaws open and grabbed her shoulder.
Kou didn’t even flinch. She felt the alpha’s broken and decaying canines dig down and break the skin. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered.
Brela dug in, crushing bone and tissue with the taste and smell of her daughter’s blood filling her throat and coating her nostrils. She smiled wickedly. She then lifted her head up and threw Kou as hard as she could, using her muscles in her neck.
Kou, dead in the eyes and limp just let herself be thrown, fighting back only made it worse and the pain that was surging through her now broken shoulder was nothing compared to what could possibly happen next. She felt it as it happened, the slam of her body against one of the large boulders that encompassed the area, and when she slid down, bleeding and broken she just lay there, and not move.
Brela high on the rush of adrenaline and power started laughing as her daughter’s blood spilled from her lips. “You wont be able to run away now will you?”
Suddenly all of Brela’s pack started howling and laughing, in unison. As if they’d defeated an adversary or they took down a large kill.
----
Kou slowly got to her feet, her bleeding, painful, broken shoulder was aching and so was the rest of her body. She could see the rest of the pack was in a frenzy and decided it would be best to sulk off into the shadows. She was sure when she hit the rock she had been knocked out as well but its not like anyone else cared. She knew as well that she wouldn’t get very far as she was losing quite a lot of blood and couldn’t put any weight on her front leg at all, it was just hanging limp.
--
The sun rose the next morning and Kou had passed out not far from where she’d been attacked. She didn’t feel pain first, she felt the desire to run to get away once and for all, the pain was secondary. She knew she was still too young to be on her own and now she was injured.
A male wolf was walking around aimlessly when he picked up Kou’s scent, he was a member of Brela’s crew, and had seen what happened last night. He was a large male, and had also been breeding with Brela, the Alpha.
Kou just laid still knowing if she tried to walk anywhere she was just going to collapse again. Sleep was what she needed and for now it was what she decided to do.
The large male finally found Kou, laying sprawled out on her side bleeding and broken. He nosed her, as he could tell she was asleep hoping she wasn’t dead. What would Brela play with then? “Hey, get up.” He said nipping her flank with his jaws.
Kou stirred and looked up and yelped. “Ahh!” she hadn’t been prepared to be awoken by the male that her mother had brought into the pack after her dad left. “What do you want?” Kou slowly got to her feet, holding her front paw in the air and sitting on her rump.
“Your mom is looking for you, says I needed to find you” he explained.
Kou rolled her eyes. “Not today.”
The male, known as Ino sighed and grabbed Kou by the scruff, Brela wanted him to bring her with him back to her. “Youre not staying here Brela wants to see you”
Kou yelped and tried to get up herself but the male insisted on dragging her. “You know what youre doing don’t you?” she called out and nipped her jaws.
Ino sighed and held onto her. He knew exactly what he was about to do. And he didn’t care. The reward was worth it. Kou meant nothing to him, Brela did.
It took five minutes and Kou, and Ino where back where she had started the night before.
Brela was sitting on her rump waiting for them. She smiled that wicked smile and could see Kou wasn’t any better than the night before. “Ah, I see Ino had to go find you, again.” She murmured. She got right in Kou’s face and lifted her lips. “That’s fine, you aren’t going anywhere.”
Kou in an act of desperation as well as pain surged out and nipped at Brela’s mask biting down on the bridge of her nose. She inhaled a deep breath and pushed her jaws together as hard as she could.
Brela taken aback by this almost yelped but held her composure. She shook her head which threw Kou once more to the side and forced her to let go.
Kou was weak but her point had been made. “Don’t mess with me.” She murmured from where she lay.
Brela walked over and bit Kou in the face just the same way, her own blood mixing now with Kou’s. “You will not attack me. You will not speak in my presence and you will not go against me! You hear me!.”
Kou spat blood and sighed. In her mind she was thinking of all of the moves she could make. Escape was the only one that kept ringing in her mind. She was going to escape, it was now or never, if she stayed she was going to die.
--
The next day Kou was limping around as far away from Brela as she possibly could. She knew she had to hunt but with a broken shoulder that was oozing blood it was pretty hard to keep her scent covered. She refused to sit still knowing that would be when one of Brela’s scouts made their move and instead just kept limping around edging her way closer and closer to the edge of the territory. She knew she would have to make her move soon and it would have to be an intentional one. One that she couldn’t ever go back from.
---
Night fell and Kou knew it was time to make her move, she had already prepared by coating her wounds with mud so her scent wouldn’t be traced and it would sauch the bleeding. She had pretended to fall asleep not far from where Brela and her pack where doing herbs and waited for them to vacate and go back inside the den. Her time was now, quietly and as silently as she could muster she got upright and put her front leg to her chest. She was going to have to walk on three legs, and she knew she was going to have to walk far.
She started her journey, heading south toward where she had run into her father a few weeks previous. She knew that area well and knew that it was easy to lose scents as well. She was running on pure adrenaline when she hit the border between freedom and Brela’s territory. She inhaled deeply and stepped across the border.
She was free. For the moment. She knew how easily it could be taken from her. She kept going, she knew now she couldn’t stop it wouldn’t be possible to leave again after this. It was her only chance.
A few hours passed and Kou felt like she had travelled quite a distance, and felt safe enough to stop herself and rest. She needed to, her wounds where bleeding again, and she was basically starving to death. She laid down to rest her leg, and try to sleep.
--
The next morning, she awoke to an interesting scent. Her nostrils flared first, and then her eyes focused in on a wolf about the same age as she was. He was sitting staring up at the sky and his ears where twitching back and forth. She also noticed that there was a rabbit laying in front of her. Kou observed that he was a pretty wolf, with dark markings splashed with brown and he was in very good shape. Kou just cleared her throat. “Ahem.”
The young male turned and for a moment he smiled. “Oh, I.. Hello. I found you while I was patrolling and thought you were dead but realized you were breathing and I thought maybe you would want some food and its nice to meet you.”
Kou was already endeared to him, it was the nicest thing anyone had ever done to her, and the fact that he was rambling, was just as cute. His blue eyes where stunning as he looked upon her and she felt safe in his company, even as paranoid as she could be.
The male sat down in front of her, taking a record of her. He could see that her front leg was basically unusable now, which he hadn’t noticed before and she was covered in scars. His heart broke a little for her. “Youre um, not from around here are you?” he asked in soft tones.
Kou tried again to sit up, she hated laying down and talking. Finally, she was able to. Her hazel eyes met the males. “No.. I’m not, I uhm… I’m on the run.” She murmured, her hurt leg held to her chest.
The male looked at her now sitting and couldn’t deny even with all of her scars she was beautiful. He’d never seen another wolf with hazel eyes before. He’d heard about them, but it was a rare thing that few where blessed with. “Well, its kind of dangerous out here. Where are you going exactly?” he asked.
Kou nodded and offered a little smile. “Currently? I’m going to eat this rabbit because I’m starving, and then, I don’t know, I’m just wandering I guess.” She murmured, leaned down and bit into it.
Curiously the male watched her, he hadn’t expected that answer as he thought maybe she actually had a plan, but it appeared she didn’t. “Well, I’m Xi. My pack lives in this territory, don’t worry, youre safe. My parents wont hurt you I promise. Maybe they can help you?” he asked.
Kou looked at him, already floored by the offer of food, and now an offer of help, was she dreaming? Who was this wolf, and what where his plans. Her paranoia kicked in. But hearing him say, in that beautiful voice of his, that she was safe, fluttered something within her. “I could use it, I guess.” She murmured still eating the rabbit. There wasn’t going to be anything left when she was done.
Xi offered a kind smile and moved a little closer to her and laid down, he could sense just by looking at her that she might have needed company, or a friend. “Youre from Brela’s pack aren’t you?” he asked.
Kou almost was afraid to admit it, but she figured honesty was the best policy. “I am, she.. uh, did this to me.” Kou explained and then inhaled a breath before speaking. She knew the outcome of what she was about to admit. “Shes my mother.”
Xi, in his placid, calm laid back demeanour looked at her. His eyes widened and his ears pulled back. When they folded forward he had a sad look on his face. “Brela is your mother? And she did this to you? I heard stories, but I never…” his voice trailed off and sadness filled his heart. He cleared his throat. “Don’t worry, you don’t ever have to go back there.”
Kou, suddenly shocked and totally taken off guard by his reaction went completely silent. “You’re not going to uh, attack me or kill me?” she asked.
Xi snorted and almost laughed. “Why because youre the daughter of a psychopathic herb addicted killer?”
Kou looked away now, feeling slightly ashamed. “Yeah.”
Xi wanted so badly to reach out and nuzzle her, to touch her and let her know that not all wolves use their teeth. He moved in a little closer, and touched her cheek with his nose. “You escaped, that life is over now. We can help you.” He said in a quiet tone.
--
But was it?
Aina smiled from the cover of the trees and could see Kou with another wolf whom she did not know.
Brela was standing closely behind her. “Wait a minute. We have to make our move properly we cant just rush in there.”
Aina knew that Brela wanted to kill Kou now, and would be happy to see it happen. That daughter of hers was nothing but a problem and stressed Brela out so much.
Brela smiled. “Lets see how she takes this” she said as she rushed forward, her eyes on Kou, her mouth open.
Aina followed, but stopped short.
--
Xi heard them first, and he immediately got to his feet, his hackles raised and his nostrils flared. “Brela. We meet finally”, intentionally putting himself between Kou and Brela.
Kou snarled and looked up at Xi who was taller than her on all fours. She stayed laying down. “No Xi don’t!”
Brela laughed and looked at the pup who was about the same age as Kou. “Oh you have protection now do you?”
Xi snarled louder hoping that someone from his pack would hear him. “I’m not going to let you hurt her again. Never again.”
Kou was defenceless, she could only use her mouth and there wasn’t anything to bite. She growled in frustration.
Aina stood staring past Brela, Kou and Xi. She could see what they couldn’t. A very large pack of wolves whom were intent on chasing both of them out.
Kou turned her head just in time to see about ten wolves rush forward and start the chase against Brela and Aina.
Brela now panicking turned her tail, and ran.
Xi snarled once more “Get out of here, and don’t ever come back”
Kou rested her head on her paws and had tears streaming down her cheeks.
Xi held his position and watched Brela and her lackey take off to save their own lives. “They wont be bac-“ he turned and saw Kou “Hey, its okay, its okay” he murmured.
Kou still shaken and still trying to figure out what just happened looked up at him. “No one has ever tried to save me before… no one has ever protected me - - before.. and I-"
Xi cut her off, and smiled, he nosed her head with his nose. “Hey, shh its okay, youre going to be okay.”
Xi’s father walked over when he was sure Brela and Aina where gone. “Xi what is this?” he asked. He looked at Kou, and she looked pathetic.
Xi looked up at his dad and sighed lightly. “This is Kou, Brela’s daughter. And shes staying here until she heals”
Xi’s father moved closer to give Kou a proper look. He could smell the sweet scent of iron all over her body, scars and blood. “Did Brela do this to you?” he asked.
Kou merely nodded.
Xi’s father looked from Xi to Kou. “I’m Deni, and I run this pack. My mate is Ellie, and she is the Alpha Female. Don’t be afraid, we wont hurt you.” As the words came out of his mouth he looked toward the location of where Brela had run off.
Xi inhaled a deep breath. He knew that his father, and mother both would help her. “Thank you dad.” He murmured lightly.
Deni moved closer to Kou and nosed her. “Why don’t we head back to the den?” he murmured. He wasn’t stupid, he could see how they were already looking at one another.
Kou looked at Xi and then at Deni, and got up slowly and not without pain. “O-Okay.” She said. Her lips lifted as pain ran through her.
It was then that Deni realized the extent of Kou’s injuries. That the damage that Brela had done wasn’t just physical. It made him sad.
All three of them walked back to the den, when they reached the den Kou was in awe of its beauty and size. The rock structure was like nothing she had ever seen and there where wolves everywhere. Up high, down low, and the view from the top, she mused standing on the ground was probably stunning.
They were greeted first by Ellie, and then the rest of the pack
.
Ellie approached Kou first, and smelled her and looked her over. “This will never do” she murmured. “Sanga get some herbs quickly to help heal this wound” Ellie never asked questions only rushed to help.
Kou laid back down as sitting and standing was more painful than she imagined it would be now that the adrenaline had worn off.
Xi stayed close to Kou as the rest of the pack came through and checked her out and then went about their own business.
--
It was a few days later, Xi’s pack had made Kou a nice nest to lay in to heal, and not move around very much, the pack’s herbalist had come and checked out her shoulder and told her in fact it was damaged pretty badly and to stay off of it for the foreseeable future. Kou didn’t like this news; her nature was to always be moving. Her nature was to always be running. She didn’t like having to stay put. But she took it with a grain of salt, still unsure if she could trust anyone around her.
Xi had taken up bringing Kou food when she wanted it, and just making sure, sometimes with force that she didn’t move. She sure was stubborn. This morning he walked out to where the nest was, his parents hadn’t been quite so keen to let a strange wolf stay in the den, so he found her a nice spot under a pine tree. He had a large rabbit he had by himself between his jowls, and he was eager to share it with her. He wanted more than anything to get some weight on those bones.
Kou was asleep, the pain and the fact that her adrenaline had worn off had finally exhausted her to the point of not being able to move. She hated it but she welcomed the sleep, before in her mother’s pack she wasn’t able to sleep hardly at all, the beatings came every time she closed her eyes.
Xi found her, laying in the sunlight asleep, almost as if she were dead to the world. He slowly approached, unsure if he should wake her or leave her. He’d learned at a young age not to wake a wolf when they were asleep and this was not one of those times. A sly smile crossed his features and he moved in closer. He nosed Kou’s cheek and lay the rabbit down in front of her mouth.
Kou’s nostrils flared the instant the rabbit had been laid down and her exhaustion could not beat out how hungry she was. Slowly her hazel eyes opened and she looked up and saw Xi. He hadn’t abandoned her after all. In a groggy voice barely audiable she cleared her throat and sighed. “Good morning.”
Xi’s tail was wagging behind him as he looked down at Kou, her very swollen front leg, which looked as if it was going to explode, was worse now than it had been when he found her. It worried him, but he didn’t show it, or betray it. Though when she spoke he was suddenly caught at the tongue. “I- I- b-brought you this, I got it myself.” He said leaning down and nosing the rabbit closer.
Kou shifted just enough to reach the rabbit with her mouth, and dug in, dragging it to herself. She didn’t even sit up she just ate laying down, which was difficult, so in the end she sat up clumsily and tucked in. She said nothing for a moment and then licked her lips and offered a smile and a tilt of her head. “Th-thank you, I really appreciate everything you all have done for me.” She murmured.
Xi sighed lightly and then lifted Kou’s head up with his muzzle. “Youre safe here, I want you to remember that” he said, he backed up a bit, and looked at her, she looked so pathetic sitting there with her swollen front leg held against her chest because the pain was unbearable. But, Xi admitted to himself, he was falling for her. And he decided in that moment, he was going to do whatever it took to protect her.
Kou offered a nod, and smiled. She was feeling something for him as well, and she was afraid it would be ruined. He was something else, and she wanted to know more about him and his life. Wanted to live the life that a wolf whom wasn’t the whipping pole of an alpha lived. It mystified her. She had never known that kind of life. “I-I don’t know what to say” she said finally. “You saved me”