You're fine," Fire whispered back, "he was just stronger than you."
Autumn looked at Mist, then at Nikki. "Mist, you should have questioned them first," Autumn said a bit sternly. "They may not have had bad intentions. But," her gaze grew even harder, yet pained as she looked back at Nikki and Chayton. She knew they were in the right, but as much as it pained her, she couldn't side with them; not anymore. "Chayton, you should have explained the situation first before wounding Mist so gravely. I love you both, but I will defend my pack." Her eyes were a bit pained at what she had to say, but firm. "Now, what is your business here?" Ever so slightly, her tail began to wag. She hadn't seen them in so long!
Mist rolled her eyes at herself. "And smarter." she whined, drooping her ears at what Autumn said.
Chayton smiled at Elan, who smiled back. "We're here to visit you!" he barked happily. Elan chuckled. His brother, forever playful. Soon the alpha male's face hardened to match his mate's. "Why did you feel it necessary to injure Mist?" he asked, a growl hinting his voice. Chayton's tail stopped wagging. "That guy-" he motioned toward Sunfire. "-had Nikki. I had to get him to release her somehow." he admitted, looking at Elan sheepishly. Elan turned to Autumn, a hard look in his eyes. He dipped his nose, allowing her to decide.
Autumn's eyes grew dark. "You two were attacked for a reason, Chayton. You should have explained your situation first before resorting to fight. I'm sure if you did, Fire would have gladly let her go.
"Well I tried to. He wouldn't listen. I tried to explain to her too, but the outcome was the same." Chayton said, furrowing his brows. He looked nervously at Elan and Autumn, shifting on his feet. He didn't like this, his brother and his mate not trusting him...... he didn't like it one bit.
Autumn looked to Elan. "Who should we believe?"
"Up to you." Elan dipped his head, giving her a wink. He never liked making decisions. His mate was better at that sort of thing.
Autumn closed her eyes for while. Difficult as it was, she couldn't let her love for her sister get in the way; the pack had to come first. Finally, she opened them again. "Fine. You both may come back with us. But, there will be
no fighting, period."
"No problem!" Chayton yipped happily. He nudged Nikki happily, licking her cheek. Elan smiled good naturedly, he wagged his tail, and touched his mate's ear. "Good choice." he murmured.
Nikki smiled weakly.
Autumn chuckled a bit, "It looks like it." She turned to Chayton, "are you two mates?"
Chayton instantly laid his ears back. "I um... uh... n-... I um...." he stuttered, then fell silent. Elan narrowed his eyes at Autumn.
Mist struggled to stand, grimacing in pain.
"What? I was just asking," Autumn hissed.
Nikki sighed painfully. "I wish he was..." she murmured quietly.
Fire rushed to help her.
Elan nudged Autumn, frowning thoughtfully at her. Then he began to lead them all back to the dens.
Chayton sheepishly glanced at Nikki, unaware she had said anything. He walked alongside her, concerned after what had happened.
Mist blushed. "I'm fine." she said, now on her paws. Her knees quivered, but she stayed on her feet. Lowering her head, she followed Autumn and Elan at a slow pace.
Nikki acted strangely sullen as they went back. She shared a few quiet words with Nikki, before going inside the alpha's den with her.
Chayton whined, pacing away from the den. Elan smiled, concerned. "Hey, brother, something seems wrong. Wanna tell me about it?" he encouraged, giving his a playful paw on the shoulder. Chayton grimaced. "I love Nikki." he blurted, then sighed. "She's the prettiest wolf I've ever seen, and because of that, I can't bring myself to ask her to be my mate! I don't deserve to have her as my mate." he said sadly, groaning. Little did he know, his frustrated voice had drifted to the alpha den.....
Nikki's ears lifted, then drooped again. "Why won't he ask me, then?!" She snapped to herself. "He
knows that I love him! I've asked him before, and he didn't answer! Don't I at least deserve an answer?!" Nikki grit her teeth, whining sadly. "Doesn't he care?!" As she hadn't exactly watched the volume of her voice, it drifted right back out.
"Nikki..." Autumn only watched her sister sadly. She didn't really know what to tell her; she'd never gone through this with Elan. She nuzzled her sister affectionately, and Nikki sighed.