The storm had been quick to begin but slow to stop, its anger unfettered. Another violent flash of electricity split the heavens as Serris surveyed the river that ran by one of Munashii’s borders. The usually calm, mountain waters were now boiling with rage, each raindrop another bullet shot into the beast, her banks swelling, chocking, looking for anything to pull into the turbulent flow. The ebony brute watched her grow, standing in silence with the rain drawing curtains over his aqua spheres and the stinging liquid pooling within his auds, plugging his perception. It was sensory overload, drowning on dry land, and he absolutely loved it. Craved it. The waters had always been his paradise, his strength, and no doubt they would be his undoing. In due time, though. In due time. The thought brought a smirk to the regal’s lips, knowing his reign still had centuries. Just as the waters began to lap at his charcoal talons the king turned away, off to enjoy the weather with a stroll around the grounds.

He paused every now and again to re-scent a border or follow a set of rabbit tracks, hoping for a quick snack. It was on one of these rabbit-tracking escapades that the midnight boy came across another set of prints, fresh like grass in the spring, and deep within his territory. Although he could not discern if this muddy paw belonged to one of his own warriors, as sight alone was not an accurate way to determine ownership, the faint scent clinging to the damp earth was one he could not claim knowledge of. Instantly the hackles of his fur rose like church steeples in the rain, his watery oceans freezing over with the instinct to protect and kill. Stiff joints followed the course of the footfalls, inky nose hovering just inches from the ground as Serris tracked his new prey. After only a short distance the perfume of a stranger exploded upon his nares and the warboy looked up, the beginnings of a snarl on his kissers.

There, within an old tree and hollowed by time and wear, lay a creature in pitiful state. Their stares met, no doubt, within the torrential shower as water streamed down the Alpha’s sides, making him appear as if he were a demon composed of the very substance. The girl was small, hints of a russet hide peering from behind a muddy blanket, oddly pigmented eyes gazing back. Almost reminded him of another young lass he once met at his borders.... He shook the thought off with the rain, straightening in stature until he stood tall, a monument in the downpour. No need to be so hasty he purred to himself. Such a small wench posed little threat to him or the pack, and although he did not appreciate the penetration of his borders, he was keen to draw as much amusement from this situation as possible. “Well well well, what do we have here?” he mused to no one in particular, although the lyrics were clearly meant for the ears of the stranger. Black talons dug into the soft earth as the monarch slowly stepped closer, drawing out his movements because he knew he held all the power in this situation. He halted with only a few feet between them, lowering his cranium slightly to peer down into the woody shelter. “A stowaway from the storm, hm?” The words sounded simple enough, but they were laced with shadowed intent and dark humor.

✗ ѕerrιѕ ✗ ĸnιgнт ✗ alpнa oғ мυnaѕнιι geĸĸo ✗ loveleѕѕ ✗ мιмι ✗