He could hear the drums of war, pounding. They echoed in every step he made, thrummed through her veins and rattled him to his bones. Change was in the air; it was time for him to rise.

North was where he would find her and so north is where he turned, hoping she would have some intel for him. Amaryllis was vast, but he had no qualms about striking some unknown pride. Perhaps it would be better that way, anyway.

He climbed the stone side of the tundra and called for her, chuffs and grunts that carried easily in the chilled air._{BG — ART — CODE}

Erna was taking a much-deserved rest under a boulder that shielded her from the winds, having done some scouting of the pride territories, all the while keeping on the lookout for possible surprise attacks. Her wound was healing, but it was still painful to speak, ear, or even smile. By now, though, she was used to it. Her pain threshold was high, considering how often she got injured.

When the call rang out, the Rike woman stood up nonchalantly, exhaling a cloud of hot air. She followed its direction, perching atop a higher ground when she saw the shape of her burly lover. The woman smirked with the unharmed part of her lip, chuffing out gently in return to draw his attention above him. Then she began to make her descend, sliding against his side in an affectionate greeting. "You rang, mein schatz?" And here she was. "I have what you asked for." She studied his face, daring to tease him if only a bit. To see his need for her, to reinstate that she was useful.

@Alaric

what little exploring he had done had been relatively useless. the lands were full of prides, ripe for the picking, and he imagined that he would strike at random. Unless….

his chin snapped up to spot her above him, stopping in his tracks and letting her come to him. He tumbled a greeting of his own, rubbing against her in his usual aggressive and possessive manner.

“Tell me,” he demanded, with a flash of teeth and his eyes raked over her. Erna was his own particular brand of drug and he let slip a particularly needy sound; around her he was always wanting. A wicked grin, then, as he dropped a name on her he had not yet — “meine Liebe.” Did he love her? Was he capable? Or was this another manipulation tactic, meant to bring her to her knees before him?_{BG — ART — CODE}

As per usual, the wench brushed against his taut flesh, leaving her scent like a perfume against his pelt. She knew she cannot tame the beast he was, but Erna was possessive in those subtle ways that only a woman like her would harbor. Her lavender eyes search the needing expression of his as he asked for her secrets, for what she had promised him. She wants to pin him beneath her, tear him apart and then do it all over again... this little teasing will not help her craving.

The sweet words he speaks to her were only fueling her passion and need for violence. "I scouted the lands," she began, licking her lips to wet them. "I went to the opposite side of the valley, southwest. Dead and dull place," Nothing but dust and weather she could not stand. She almost spat the words with her rough, heavy accent. However, there was a gem among the rubble. The bear-like woman shot him a mischievous look. "But there seems to be a pride inside the caves. I couldn't inspect any further, because the scent markers were growing too close." Erna would've gone further, but she couldn't risk exposing herself. She might unintentionally sabotage @Alaric's plan and break the orders given to her by the Jarl.

There was a part of him that wanted to surrender to her, to see how far she could push, how much she would take. He was tempted to push her, to poke at her insecurities until she lashed out at him — but not yet. This thing between them was too new, growing stronger with each coupling, but the roots were not strong yet.

Soon, though. Soon he would become the beast he was meant to be.

She spoke and he listened; or tried, at least. At the same time he pressed close against her, trailing his nose along her neck and back, marking her flesh with pinches of skin. But then, something of interest.

The only time he had gone to caves he had pulled Esmeree from their depths; he imagined his fiery lover would appreciate a return. Plus… “caves would be well protected.” his voice is thick with approval as he curls around her and returns to her front. “We could grow strong within them, safe and cocooned in the earth until…” He grinned and did not finish the sentence, snapping his teeth with a click of emphasis instead._{BG — ART — CODE}

His teeth bit her skin down her neck and back, teasing her once more. Oh, if he let her take as much as she wanted there would be nothing left to take anymore! She watched him with a scowl and a wolf-like hunger in her violet gaze. Then he speaks, slinking around her and standing to tower in front of her. The darkness inside her rejoices at his approval, her insecurities feeding on the breadcrumbs thrown their way like piranhas. It was enough to send a strong signal of joy and smugness, inflating her ego like a balloon. "Ja," She nodded agreeably, wanting to hear more of how great her discovery was. "We will build our future there," The bobtailed cat sat back. "And then we will conquer more until there is nothing left." More. More.

@Alaric

Alaric settled to his haunches in front of her, not bothering to hide the way he looked her over. His gaze was prying, seeking out her strengths and weaknesses, admiring her raw power. It settles for a moment on her face, on the wounds there, and his lip curls at the thought of any harm coming to her. At the same time he got a sick sense of satisfaction from it — she had fought and survived and that meant she was strong.

“you need to tell your Jarl,” he spoke in a low voice, but the demand was clear. If the Rike leader did not approve then all of this was for naught — he did not wish to fight her family. “Tell him what is coming, what we plan to do. Tell him my teeth and claws will fight for the Rike, for you.”

And then, he hoped, the final pieces would fall in to place. “Tell him and then come to me and we will go together; but I do not want you to show your face.” Alaric would keep this hand tucked close, and he would not reveal this ace until the dust had settled._{BG — ART — CODE}

The cold air failed to penetrate her thick coat. It was more of a bearskin than a lion's coat, really. The long-toothed woman broke eye contact instinctively once @Alaric gazed into her features, the thought that he might strike her now laying at the back of her mind.

She had still to see him outright violent towards her, but she was wary nevertheless. Men were fickle creatures, their minds changing dangerously fast. Her lover notes that she must speak with her Jarl, and he was correct. If they were to proceed any further, they needed to solidify this alliance. "I will call for him now." She decides, chuffing for @Eulalia. There was no time to waste. This was an important matter that brought about anticipation and anxiety within her.

Alaric does not want her to show her face, and that was understandable. She preferred to speak with her Jarl and cousin first, though, for he had the final word on her actions - and those of the Rike as a whole.

Much to the jarl's interest, the wench Erna had been working overtime to make herself useful. Well, it was the very least she could do after the stunt she'd pulled at Vermeda Brook some weeks ago now. If there was one thing Eulalia made his personal law, it was to always reward those who performed for him though, and he was biding his time to wait for the right moment to award Erna.

It was yet another frigid hour upon the freeze, a harsh spring wind brisking a chill through his thick coat. Eulalia was no stranger to such temperatures of course, and when a come hither echoed across the tundra he set towards it without hesitation.

The heavily scarred jarl spotted the familiar silhouette of Erna alongside a larger, far less familiar shape of a male. Hackles raised, lip curled slightly, the powerful veteran strode towards the pair. A single glittering eye fixed to the male as he drew near. “@Erna," He said, his velvet and quiet voice a stark contrast to his warlike and brutish figure. “Found yourself another victim?" He inquired softly.

@Alaric

""

Alaric was not displeased. It was bold of her to challenge him, to bring the Jarl here now, but he would remind her off that later. When they were alone, again, and he could make his mark more permanent.

They do not wait long. The beast that stalks forth from the tundra matches him in size, and Alaric notes the numerous scars that decorate his pelt. He would expect no less from a Jarl. The man addresses Erna and Alaric watches, but he does not wait for his lover to speak.

“Alaric Starke,” he introduced with a rumble in his chest, “and I assure you I am not victim.” A wicked grin, his gaze slipping briefly to the dark cat before it returned to the leader. “Erna had told me of your feud — I intend to secure a pride where the Rike can grow.” A pause, wondering how the other would take his words but not hesitating to press on — “I am offering an alliance; my teeth and claws for your family.”_{BG — ART — CODE}