Blank Canvas (Xanthus)

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It took a fair length of time before the male considered venturing away from his place of rest. The winter was in full throttle, eager to eat alive every single body that might have come across the path of the male. There was a genuine nervous gesture through most about being around the warrior, and he had never offered himself for a proper explanation. His eyes were sheltered as he paced restlessly and patrolled, and at some point there had just been a need to get away.

The scent of the pack was clinging to him, threatening to consume him. While he had not managed to meet most of them, there had been no choice in the matter. Ears pulled back against his head, and the air rolled out of his lips as the energy sparked. It was a startling matter that clawed up through his body, and he made himself confident enough to want to wander away from Dove Hills. Dove Hills, and Nocturne, that was what he really needed to get away from. The fact of the matter was there was no other choice in his world.

His features were sharp as he padded along, feeling the drier air start to remind him where he was heading. What a nightmare he had welcomed himself to, now he had no clue where to take his next paw steps. It was such a bothersome trail that needed to be walked upon. His shoulders were tightened, and his attitude was more fierce than it had been in a while, and the problem was that insanity came creeping up along the edge as well.

The ground was black, just everything was nothing short of a blank slate. How easy it would have been to trip and fall into a nightmare, to end up murdering someone over the whimsy that was taking him on a daily basis. Attitude was one thing about Reece that was never lacking, but the distinct sour taste in his mouth over the issue had left him bitter. What was the point in being in a pack when there was not a soul he felt the need to communicate with? The incident was enough to want him to ponder, but it never stayed in his mind long enough.

"Damned fate," The grumble was swift on his voice, and the growl rumbled in his chest. "You've caused me too many problems already. It's time to stop." There was nothing corporal to threaten though, so he simply snapped at the air. Shoulders dropped, and he let the bleak landscape leak as easily into him as he gave back his sullen feelings.

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The large male trotted southwards, his mind turning in wild circles. Nico's news had startled him - badly, if he was fool enough to admit it. They had gone so long working on the basis that they were the only descendants of Zarek. That they were sons of the mightiest wolf that had ever walked these lands. Even now, many years down the line, others would tremble at the mere mention of his name. Now, their entire existence was shattered. Whilst NIco hadn't seemed to take the ocean girl's words quite so seriously, Xanthus was troubled. There as no reason why Zarek shouldn't have left more offspring, though many of his females failed to birth the pups. If this self-proclaimed King of the Coast was Zarek's son...then perhaps there were others out here. Maybe there was an entire network of their family, spread out and lost from one another.  It was a tantalising thought, that there might be more of them. Perhaps they could reunite as a family and form the pack that Zarek had always wanted and never gained. It was why he was heading southwards...in search of what might be the remnants of his extended family. From the snippets he had gleaned off his brother, their kin on the coast had his own delusions of grandeur. As if terrifying young females into craziness - Nico had been quite firm on stressing his informants lack of sanity - was doing Zarek proud. He snorted in disgust, his golden eyes narrowing savagely at the mere thought. No, this Kerberos needed a good lesson in humility, as far as he was concerned. Teach him to show some respect for his father's aims. If Shai hadn't been the witch she was, then Zarek would have conquered the world. He had been kind and caring - watchful over his mate and her pups. As far as he could tell, Kerberos had none of those qualities. No, his cousin definitely needed to be straightened out...the sooner the better, as far as Xanthus was concerned. So off he was, looking for allies with Nico scouting the other direction. He was well aware how delicate their mission was. It took tact and manipulation to gain the trust of those who hated Zarek, or his kin. For essentially, they were going to start a blood feud. Not through any fault of his own - he had never the ridiculous aspirations that Kerberos did. But it was a delicate matter nonetheless. Reveal his identity too soon, and the trust was gone. Reveal his identity too late...and the trust was also gone. He suddenly felt the rocks beneath his paws, and resurfaced from his thoughts with a start. He'd spent so long travelling and thinking that he'd forgotten the snow he had set out in. The stone was sharp beneath his soles, loose rubble slipping beneath his weight. He took a moment to take in his surroundings. Rock...rock...and more rock. He had almost completed his look about when a movement caught his eye. Why, there was a wolf! A frustrated one, by the looks of it. Snapping at thin air! My, my... He moved in the direction of this living creature, his nostrils telling him that his to-be companion was male and about his age. The faintest trace of other wolves lingered on the male's scent, so Xanthus assumed him to be a pack wolf. Which may well be a blessing. If he was ranked highly enough in the pack's structures, they would have more than just one ally. His golden eyes twinkled at the thought. Yes, things were going smoothly indeed. "Pardon my intrusion, but you look sorely in need of some sensible company" he drawled as he drew closer, a trademark smile curling his lips upwards. "Xanthus, at your service, sir." "Speech"

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The mere sight of another wolf was enough to stall the wolf in his tracks when he realized he had been found. The curse was soft on his breath, simply because he had been a bit taken unaware. That, in itself, was unacceptable. How could he be so loose in his head that he would be going about causing trouble. The fury boiled up, the blame directed to the black she-wolf with the silver eyes. How hard was it to be truthful! How hard was it to be open over a thought that she claimed had nothing to do with her?

When evidently the thoughts chasing around in his head had gotten him nowhere, he had done the grace of leaving. While he would return to the grounds and winter out where he felt dutied to, it was evident he would have ran. Would it have been childish? Without a doubt, he would have been showing a very poor angle at that thought. His frown was faint on his features, even as he looked at the large wolf that had appeared in front of him.

It had been years since Reece had been intimidated by size, so he offered the male just a dry appraisal. What was the purpose of this? Conversation, company with a strange wolf? There was a heavy scent of a second, and he bristled faintly. Well, didn't that remind him just of how he had scented when he and Nocturne had chummed around. Come to think of it, there was something in that scent--

The somewhat dull expression morphed properly when he realized he had ignored the wolf. His mind scrambled to breathe in the words, and somehow he caught the name he had only half listened to. "Xanthus, it is very least a small pleasure." The words were a tad apologetic, "I am Reece." His head cocked to the side, and the wolf offered a blink of his yellow eyes.

"What did you say you wanted?" There was something off in his tone, something brittle. His gaze remained steady though, even despite the gentle sway of his body. Yes, he was twitchy as forever, and his ear flicked to the left, catching something off to the side. "I'm a bit lost in the head, yes. Space has been sorely missed since the onset of the winter fall."

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The chap before him was evidently...lost. Not in body, but in mind. Xanthus had seen it happen often enough to know the signs. Goodness, he'd been there on occasion himself! He halted at a distance that was close enough to force the other to acknowledge his presence without seeming overbearing. There was a fine line to tread when making first acquaintances, and the male considered himself more than adept at the art. All it took was a little tact, a little thought...and a lot of observation. One blink, the casual twitch of an ear...all signs of the mind's workings. He dipped his head in acknowledgement when the male found his tongue. Reece. A simple name, but not dull. Whilst not quite to his tastes, but it was tolerable as a name. He noted with interest the faint tone of hollowness, and a single look at the boy announced that he was more than just out-of-sorts. The question he fired in return had his eyes widening, gold peering into yellow for a moment of veiled confusion. Reece continued speaking though, offering a moment for Xanthus to gather the tail-end of this conversation and twist it into something he could work with. "There is no need to apologise. Winter's cold breath confines the ramblings of a wanderer to the labyrinths of the mind" he spoke slowly, the words falling easily from his tongue. "It has always astounded me how difficult it is to get lost in the wideness of the world, and yet how easily one becomes ensnared in one's mind." He paused, keeping a hooded eye on his companion. Any signs of reaction to whatever he said would be useful fodder in making sure this conversation ended the way he wanted it to. He set his rump carefully to the ground, the relaxed slope of his shoulders and back hinting at the arrogance that so defined him. "In answer to your question, though, I do not want anything." He ran his tongue languidly along his lips, in no hurry to force the conversation. "You did give me the distinct impression of carrying one burden too many, and frankly, I too feel the weight of thoughts I would rather not entertain." Smooth vocals filled the air, the male offering up parts of himself in exchange for whatever Reece was going to answer with. It was a give and take - as with everything in life. It was simply a question over who relinquished more damaging information. "Consequently, I thought it would provide a good distraction to hold a conversation with a decent fellow." "Speech"

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His expectation of the well spoken wolf did not fail him, it was an opportune moment to test how deceived he had been. Were his skills so off that he had been falsely led to believe in Nocturne? Had he been so blind by what - he playful ways? The twist of darkness in an innocence that could not be easily crushed? The wolf wrinkled his nose at the notion, and gold eyes remained riveted on the newcomer. While he was not all present in mind, he could still catch enough that was needed.

Head merely dropped in acknowledgement to the pretty words; Yes, Reece could be quite well spoken himself when the measures suited him. In fact, he had been raised sensible. If it was not for that twist... One ear twisted away as the voice purred, a little female's voice, gentlemen tend to kill you more swiftly, don't they Reece? Well of course! He had killed her fast enough, and there was no stabbing of guilt over the fact at all.

But it reminded him that the smoother the tongue, the more likelihood there was something to hide. It forced him to raise his head a bit, offering the male a pointed look. Companionship, it was still not a concept he so willingly embraced. "The truth is my mind has been accustomed to being straight for months now, to return to those twisted corridors is the last I had hoped to find."

With another proper glance, idly he noted that the male seemed to be about his own age. Nothing too young. There was still something about him, something in his scent, that set Reece on edge. Perhaps it was just his mind playing tricks on him, the paranoia had been out in rapid force. "Bitter tasting burdens at that," His words were filled with good humor, although still without that punch, "Better to spit them out but like a leech they simply cling back on and continue to suck away the life force."

"Wise fellow you are then, Xanthus, thinking you could distract yourself for a bit." The soft tones were sweet on his tongue, "Best not drop dead from them being ignored with their duties then. Heavens knows, the demons and angels won't step in fates way to help or hinder their tasks." No, they were too busy with Nocturne, ripping her up to shreds. Good versus evil playing right inside the female, and the issue remained that she had let evil manipulate her briefly. Sympathizing was not the same in that context as it would have been had she been a stranger to Reece.

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It interested the male to hear that Reece had been on the straight and narrow for some time. It was strange...evidently he was insane and had just undergone a period of lucidity. But why? From his experience such things didn't happen. Sure, Nico had spots of none craziness...but those were interspersed with his mad ramblings and actions. He rolled the question over twice more, peering at it from all possible angles before admitting defeat. This was a new case, and so he'd need to find out about it from the very source. "Do pardon my inquisitiveness, but what prompted this unsought for turn of events? " His tunes were light and nonchalant, as though not obtaining an answer would be more than satisfactory. It wasn't, of course, but he couldn't well demand things out of a creature he hadn't fully gotten the measure of. Remember, he was out in search of allies...it would pay to be a little cautious to begin with. He nodded sagely at the astute comment, his grave gaze resting on the male. He was a pensive one, this Reece. It was quite a change to think that someone who indirectly proclaimed himself unhinged could be capable of deeper thought. Then again, perhaps he and Nico just never broached such topics. Still, it fascinated him in a way that made him keep still. It was like a puzzle that no-one had attempted to solve, and he would damn well be the first to do so. "Indeed. It would be best simply to confront the issues upon their arrival" he agreed easily, letting his gaze wander from the smaller male out into the openness of the rocky landscape. "Yet some of these problems require such delicacy and tact that they cannot be grasped at the throat and throttled." He sighed deeply, looking back at his own problem and the reason for his being here. He twisted to give his companion a dry smile, his teeth barely showing between his black lips. "I always find those most distressing - they gnaw away at your mind as you guess and second-guess about choices which haven't yet been made." He shook his head, disdain at such actions clearly etched upon his features. "And yet I am neither foolish nor rash enough to sacrifice my mental health for unforeseen complications. " One side of his lip quirked upwards into a half-smile, a silent invitation for the male to offer his own thoughts on the subject. He kept himself at peace, waiting for Reece to break the silence. They were coming to the turning point of their conversation, the moment where they could offer to share their woes and thus be connected more intimately. Otherwise, they could digress onto petty topics, and Xanthus would be forced to find another opening to breach the topic of Kerberos. He'd have to be careful with the topic, no matter when it was laid bare. Too many families had been destroyed due to Zarek's protectiveness and in the wake of his madness. "Speech"

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What brought on his insanity? It was a question that resulted in a barked laugh, and his head was shaking. “Not at all, not at all.” He sounded like the storyteller he was supposed to be, but there was a serious to his features that was not to be denied. “The conundrum of my suffering is brought on by running out of options.” His words were crisp, and there was a shine to his features that could not be so easily dismissed.

His head cocked to the side, owl-like as he met the other’s eyes for just a fleeting moment, and then his gaze was gone away. Looking else where, anywhere but. “I am not well socialized, I am unaccustomed to having… social obligations and emotions barring my way from actions I would normally go.” His paws clawed at the ground, “Thus my problems continue to fester, without foreseeable solution…” His head bobbed in agreement with his words, “Then, snap.”

But his words were without as much commitment. He would not openly say it was a female, nor that she was of value. It was very vague, but at the same time… Reece was being open. He was stressed enough that he was not dismissing claimed. So it was why he listened to Xanthus intently, then rolled his shoulders with understanding. Ah, they were both in a bit of a pickle.

“I see.” Soft pause followed on the air, and he offered a hint of a sympathetic look. “Spoken like someone young enough not to have faced a war.” Although it quite looked like the male was not terribly young. It must have bee a benefit surviving with such a size, compared to the male who had struggled for ever step he had ever been permitted to take through his life. Confident eyes lingered on the blind surroundings, and he chuffed with a hint of pleasure. “I learned from a young age that there’s only one way to deal with a problem that has a heart beat.”

His paws shifted restlessly, his head dropped as he assessed what was needed from his needs. “You become nothing short of their shadow, you linger with them until you’re a part of their flesh…” His breathing quickened absently, making his eyes widen as he stared at the ground, “Then you come through between their legs, twist around and rip out their throat.” His words were so blunt on his tongue, honest, but delighted all at the same time. There was just nothing that could be said, in all honesty, when there was such a shock to the system.

“Unless, of course, you can’t bring it within yourself to murder and be done with it.” There was a stab in his words, one that was tinged with frustration. No, he would never harm a hair on Nocturne’s head. That was one of the biggest problems. If he could only end it, erase all with the blood of the beast who had murdered his family, perhaps he would finally get some rest. Perhaps he could finally let himself die in a little bit of peace.

Blinking, his head rose. “It’s never quite so satisfying not to be the one to kill the problem, either.” There was experience in the voice, his eyes knowing. Zarek had taken everything from him, then the beast had the nerve to go and die before he had ever managed to get his revenge. It had left him feeling hollow, and it had resulted in more loss than he ever thought he would have had to witness. It had caused him to be too stubborn to lay down and die, but it had emptied bits of him willing to live.

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For all that he had been a little taciturn at the beginning of their companionship, Reece was turning into quite the speaker. Xanthus listened carefully, noting each minor inflection of the voice in his search for what made the male work. He nodded slowly, soaking up the words offered and turning them gingerly over his tongue. "I can easily understand how running out of options could drive the sane mind insane." He rolled his shoulders, working out a little of the tension before he settled himself more directly across from the other wolf. "I've always done my best to avoid cutting my decisions so fine. I have to admit to be rather...particular about how I wish matters to play out." He wrinkled his lips, a faint line of displeasure colouring his brow. It was a bit of a nuisance, to be sure, his fierce desire to be able to control matters. Nico was quite the opposite - he'd simply charge in head first, eyes closed, whenever he thought was a opportune moment for himself...the consequences be damned. He started at the male's words, golden eyes narrowing slightly at the assumption that rolled off Reece's lips. It made no difference that the words were actually true. "No, I cannot admit to having close contact with either of the wars that ravaged these lands" he spoke after a moment's careful deliberation. "From your tone, I take it you have? You don't seem old enough to have been part of the island wars, so Zarek?" He kept his light forcibly light, though his gaze was sharp as he waited for the male's reaction. Anything that would give him some sort of indication of how the male felt towards the King of the Mountain would be useful information. Very, very useful. The more Reece spoke, the more Xanthus had the uncanny feeling that his companion was so frustrated simply because he could not bring himself to do precisely as he was explaining. It was an intriguing dilemma and the larger male was frankly, a little confused. "Oh, I certainly agree with you" he commented smoothly, his lips quirking upwards into a feral smile. "There is hardly a greater pleasure than that of watching the life drain from the eyes of those who have wronged you." He paused, teetering on the limb of indecision for a moment. "Yet what am I to do when I have not yet been wronged? When there is simply a creature out there with grave potential of doing so. Is the risk of starting the next war a suitable price to pay for slaughtering one who may damage my hopes and aspirations?" It was more of a rhetorical question, though he wouldn't mind if Reece commented. They were getting onto the slippery topics - the ones that could have them making alliances or cursing each others as enemies from here on out. He could feel his heart thrum in anticipation, his paws massaging the rocks gingerly. Time to see where this union would lead! "Speech"

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The pounding in his head was enough to make his eyes close, his gaze sliding as he dropped his head. Almost as if the male was about to choose to go to sleep while standing right there, not what would have been desired in the outcome that was awaiting him. But there was a pain behind his eyes, a frustration as his emotion continued to climb. It was unfair that he seemed stuck in a muddle over the one wolf in the world he had allowed under his skin. It certainly said something about his luck, did it not?

Head turned to look at the male, and he snorted. "Nothing wrong with wanting it to work out how you wish, but I reckon you'll learn not everything will always go your way." His voice spoke with a knowing tone, his tongue tied as he considered the words. Had he ever had such arrogance that he could control the outcome of the situation? Not as far as he could recall.

Perhaps it was just because everything in life had been so quick to cut him out from under the legs. His eyes drifted over Xanthus, and he sighed very carefully with the name he had heard too often. "I've been exposed to the reign from the one called Zarek." Careful words were non-committal, his head dipping in acknowledgement. "I have created my own blood feuds as well during the time of the... dangerous that lasted to those who were not favored by the wolf."

The sharpness to his words was not lost on his ears. He would have almost frowned if it had been not for his need to understand. What would bring someone to bring up the mention of that beast's name? It was unthinkable, even if it was just in passing. Was there no notion that it would trigger the ghost, the deadly appearance! His smile was faint, almost cold as Reece rolled the thought around in his head.

His shoulders shrugged lightly, and the laughter was soft on his voice. "As long as the physical act does not stand in your way, why would you wait out for the pending storm to arrive?" His head was shaking lightly, "It's like a rebellion when you bring cause in the midst of hell. When one side is already bashed in the head from abuse and at a loss." His words were fierce, his voice flat calm.

"Why let an imbecile run your life for so long when you're so sure they will come in and ruin your plans down the path?" His question was returned, following along with the conversation. The physical barrier, ah, that had been his problem in time. It had been too much for him to handle in some ways. Yes, Zarek had been three times his size at full adulthood, the time for him to kill the beast had long passed by the time he had finally been able to do something about it. Now he lived with the horror in his heart.

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The cool, collected words that greeted the mention of Zarek was too devoid of emotion to be quite true. All who had been exposed to Zarek in one form or other reacted emotionally. There was no other way to deal with the horrors - Xanthus was more than happy to admit that Zarek had committed some unspeakable sins. So the lack of reaction was essentially more telling, than any rage-infused tirade. No, Reece wanted to hide just how much the male had affected his life, and that was a cause for distinct worry. The male was average in size - small in comparison to Zarek's kin - but built sturdily...and there was the definite aura of bloodlust to him. This was a wolf who wasn't afraid to get his paws dirty. Xanthus remained silent for a long moment, keeping his features guarded as he played through his options. He could try to ferret out more information on what happened, but that might well bring up sore memories and sour the meeting. The chances were fairly high that Reece wasn't friendly towards any kin of Zarek, so he'd be an excellent ally in any battle against this Kerberos. There was just the awkward matter of his own kinship with Zarek. Not to inform Reece on the subject now to have it crop up at a later date would be disastrous. Xanthus would tear the throat out of any creature that hid such a vital piece of information from him...he could hardly expect Reece to show more restraint. He listened with half an ear as the male spoke, searching for a way to manipulate the conversation in a way that Reece would not get hostile."Why wait indeed" he mused, his velvet voice soft with thought. "Size itself should not be a problem...but numbers may well be. What use is it to murder a madman with a pack, when you stand alone with your brother?" He huffed deeply, letting his frustration at the subject show. He needed to offer up more of himself if he wanted to keep Reece on board. He got to his paws, shifting his bulk easily as he stalked back and forth. The faintest increase in his heart rate sent a fresh wave of oxygen to his churning mind, and he paused mid-step. He turned, amber orbs meeting those of his companion. "As much as I'd like to eradicate his sorry self from the coast before his aspirations reach dangerous heights, I'm a selfish man at heart. Why risk my own life when there is no-one else to continue the fight?" He set his rump back to the earth, letting his gaze rest lightly on the male. "I don't suppose you shall particularly like what I am about to impart on you" he continued heavily, forging ahead before he could begin doubting his decision. "I shall be blunt in my assumption that Zarek's reign caused you more damage than you are willing to let on. Your words on the lack of satisfaction in having your victim die at another's paws speaks of your own lust for revenge unsatiated." He paused, running his tongue across his lips in anticipation for what was to come. "Your troubles and mine share a common factor: Zarek. Whilst I know not of how he has influenced your life, he is ever present in mine." He kept his voice and gaze steady, his tone satin-smooth with its sincerity. "It has come to my attention that one of his sons has built a stronghold on the coast. He claims to be the true descendent and wishes to take up the work that his father never finished." He paused again, softening his features slightly to make himself look more approachable. "He threatens the existence not only of wolf-kind on these lands, but that of my beloved brother and myself. For we too, are kin to Zarek, though we disapprove of the slaughter he performed." He dropped his gaze a little, his voice lowered just a fraction. "Whatever my half-brother on the coast does, it tarnishes the name of my cursed lineage...and I cannot allow myself to be judged on actions that are not my own." He fell silent, his body kept soft and relaxed despite the sharp alertness in his eyes. Any wrong move on Reece's part would be swiftly rectified....though Xanthus hoped that it wouldn't come to that. "Speech"

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Dangerous grounds.

It was the last thing in the world the mottled wolf wanted to be walking on, but gold eyes watched Xanthus with a careful feeling. Things was about to go sour, somehow he did not need to hear it to know it. There was too much tact, there was such careful delivery. In other ways, it would have caused him to salivate with the anticipation. When it did not concern his feelings toward the wolf named Zarek, he enjoyed his word games.

Head cocked to the side as the exposure started for him, unfolding before his features. "Blunt isn't your right, but I'll allow it." There was a veiled threat in the worlds, ears tipped back against his head as he took the opportunity to breathe in nice and deeply. His tail swished with irritation, and his lip pulled back as the announcement laced on the air.

More of them, His eyes narrowed, his words were icy. "You're like parasites, aren't you?" His voice was harsh, but so sweet at the same time. "Like frigging little blood sucking parasites." The harshness on his voice was soft on the air, the dead look in his eyes crept back in. His body shuddered, once intense tremble that started at the tips of his ears and rolled until all but his tail quivered. Without meaning to, the growl was rumbling in his chest.

He was on his paws, and his eyes were laced with accusation. "I know for a fact that you thinking your name cannot be associated with the imbedded instinct bred through your lineage is as foolish as saying I'll sprout wings, pup." His words were brisk, his mouth turning up as his mouth dropped open, and his paws tensed against the ground. What was he going to do? "Even the kin not of direct constant of his retched bodily functions for creation have the same evil in them, the same curse, as you would so aptly name it."

Licking his lips, the anxiety tipped in his eyes. There was more of them - at least two more in the existence, besides the one standing in front of him and Nocturne. The very thought drove him mad, and he choked on the realization. The blood feud would never end, but the only small blessing was that he would never have young to carry on the madness. His tail lashed in the air as he clashed his jaws at the air in front of Xanthus's face.

"I want no part in your silly games with your brother." He didn't even want to hear about it. Let them all perish in a war for all he cared! All of them served the world better becoming a part of it for the worms to eat.

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It took him a measure of self-control not to sniff disdainfully at Reece's comment. Hadn't he realised that the larger wolf would do precisely as he saw fit, whether his companions approved or not? For all that he played the well-spoken gentleman, Xanthus was arrogant and selfish. He was top of the food-chain for a reason, and pesky little wolves who thought themselves equal to his standing needed to be educated otherwise. Still, he let the manner rest for the moment, unwilling to sow dissent before his story had been aired. Of all the reactions he had expected, being labelled a parasite was not on the cards. His own eyes narrowed at the coldness in the male's voice as he mind whirred relentlessly. Reece had not known about himself, nor of Kerberos. By deduction, that meant he needed to know of at least one other relative of his. He felt his heart stir at the realisation, though he kept himself carefully in check. The deep growl hung on the air, and Xanthus got to his feet slowly. He would be able to squash Reece in a heartbeat if he felt the need to. It was solely that knowledge that had him remain silent, though his own lips pulled back from his teeth in a silent warning. Reece was entitled to get angry - it meant he had suffered far more than he would ever have let on. It made the larger male wonder what his story was, his own ire beginning to boil at the degrading words. He lowered his head a fraction, his jaws angling forwards in a show of his displeasure. "No, Zarek's legacy will never be forgotten" he breathed lowly, his narrowed gaze pinned on the smaller male. "His victims will never let his story die, bemoaning the fate that struck down their loved ones." His breathing had quickened a little, anticipation burning in his veins. Oh, he knew now that Reece had been a victim, all right. He took a languid step closer, a devilish smile pulling his lips upwards. "Only you sentimental fools are too blind and too arrogant to learn of what really happened." It never ceased to infuriate him, how everyone was so willing to condemn the wolf for something he had no control over. "You never looked beyond your noses to see the heart-break that stole his sanity." He paused, his voice dropping to a low hiss. "Tell me you haven't been there before, Reece. Tell me you don't know what it is like to lose rational thought and seek solace in the blood of those who never understood you." He pulled back, golden eyes dancing with a sinister light. Oh, he knew the male had blood on his paws. Innocent blood - that of someone who had caught him at the wrong time in the wrong place. He merely blinked as the male's jaws snapped shut before his nose, a soft rumble of laughter passing through his chest. Oh, how plainly the male's conflict was visible in those tortured eyes! "I don't think you'll have a choice, my friend" he commented lightly, forcing the fur to lie flat on his nape. The illusion of calm, despite the torrent of thought and emotion that fuelled each heart beat. "You won't find rest before you've put each of us under the ground. Revenge has swallowed your heart and painted your heart black." He paused, tipping his head to the side in casual contemplation. "I'll tell you now, it's a futile dream and an unrewarding obsession. You know of more of my kin, don't you. You know them more than you'd like to, given the vehemence of your little speech." He took a step closer, carelessly invading the personal space of the angry wolf. "Who is it, that keeps you so untethered. Not of direct lineage, you said..." he trailed off, not letting his desire for the name or description be read in his gaze or tone. No, he had the upper hand now, and he wasn't going to compromise that. "Speech"

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Oh, it was a joy to see the threat in the other's eyes. His fur was bristling the moment the wolf dared to confront him, the overconfidence of the inexperienced was enough to have him stepping forward. Closing in on the other wolf, gold eyes danced with a threat that could not be denied. It was clear, evident in his gaze. I dare you. So be it for him to think that he was a danger to his own welfare, he would happily die for the right cause... so long as he took down the wolf in front of him along for the ride.

Opening his jaws carefully, her mouth was turned up at the edge and he found himself opening his mouth wide, jaws almost being stretched in pain. There was a threat that could not be denied, danger was dancing in his gaze in a way that could not be denied. "Ah, here it comes! The all knowing little sweet-tongued bear, knowing he can't win with honesty."

His head cocked owlishly, and the growl rumbled in his chest. Threaten him, would this wolf! It was one thing to go on the attack and have it returned, it was another to think Reece could be taken down so easily. It was not something he would succumb to, and while it would probably result in a black out afterwards... It was not important. If a fight was warranted, it would be done. His tail curling up in the air as he snarled with pleasure was evident enough.

"Why would I become involved when I only have to slaughter the victor?" The purr was soft out of his mouth, even as he stepped closer. His hunger was rising, the lust to see the wolf dead was not something so easily dismissed. It was infuriating to hear the male accuse him. Forget the victims! Forget a murderer! Oh, he sounded just like Nocturne, arrogant to their own selfish needs!

"I know nine - nine wolves who have faced murder by your precious, artful kin." He spat on the ground at the dark male's paws hatefully, the mottled body was ruffled with displeasure. His claws massaged the earth, and his laughter barked the air. "You've likely done worse yourself, you and your precious brother!" His head was shaking, his body was quivering mildly in comparison.

"The female who is related to you is none of your concern, but she was my companion for a time and lied about her lineage." His words were rough, sharp on his tongue. Yes, he would give it out. Perhaps they would get together and make their happily ever after, breed together for all he could imagine! It was what parasites did after all; be damned if his heart was not burning, and he turned away faintly, only making sure that his eyes stayed on Xanthus. "She would be one of your... cousins."

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He sniffed aristocratically at the low blow Reece tried to serve him. Why, his mind was too clouded with anger to see the truth right in front of his black nose! If it weren't to be a futile effort, Xanthus would have pointed the matter out. As it was, he didn't bother wasting his breath. There were few things more frustrating that dealing with an idiot - speaking to a brick wall was once such thing. At the bold words, Xanthus couldn't help but burst into cultivated laughter. Only kill the victor? Ha! If only this boy knew. "There will be no single victor" he informed once he had regained his composure. "When our feud comes to a head, it will not decimate our lineage. You will always have a pack to contend with." He paused, his lips curling in a sardonic smirk. "As much as you don't wish to face the truth, your lone self - vengeful though you may be - will have no hope against the allies of Zarek's descendants." It was one thing to mock Zarek, it was quite another to mock Nico. He dropped himself slightly, his fur fluffing up as a deep growl rumbled past his lips. "What prejudice you utter" he snarled lowly, golden orbs narrowing. "You know nothing of us, yet you dare accuse us on the deeds of a father we barely knew?" Oh, Reece was toeing a fine line, now. His teeth glinted in the winter sunlight, a silent warning of what he was capable of. "Would you prefer I judged you so callously? Ought I to spit on you as a coward for not aiding these wolves that you knew murdered? " He paused, not caring how deeply his conjectures might cut. "You may wish to reconsider your accusations before I am forced to free your rotten soul from its confines and let it mingle with the ghosts of our other victims." He was careful to add Nico to his speech, simply because it would make the death count a little more impressive. Whilst he may often give the order for someone's death, he rarely performed the demeaning act himself. He privately crowed with delight when Reece offered the information that he was looking for. The name would easily be ferreted out, now that he was certain this must be of Shai's accursed lineage. The very thought of the wench left him with a bitter taste on his tongue. Still, those things could be worried over when he had the...pleasure of making her acquaintance. Far more important was the frigid tone to Reece's voice at her mention, and subtle turning of the head. Why, he'd be damned! It wasn't exactly affection, but it was probably the closest the angry chap had ever felt. He let the matter slide for a moment, making a careful note of it in the wide expanse of his mind. It was now paramount that he or Nico found this cousin of theirs. Perhaps she was as far gone as Kerberos - then she would need to be eliminated. Perhaps she had inherited more of Shai's obstinacy and would make a staunch ally. Whichever way things fell, the large male was quite certain that this cousin of his would be the key to Reece's cooperation or extermination. "Speech"

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The mere notion of a pack coming to bay at the stance of one bred from Zarek's line did not trouble him. So long as there was none of the kin remaining, what would it matter? It was a nest of death lingering around him, and he was more than willing to succumb to it. Being swallowed by it did not startle him, in fact he found his face melting into a mask of pleasure. Bring it on. There was no reason for him to react in this very moment, it would serve him little to no purpose to rip out the throat of the wolf that was standing before him.

"Oh, spare me, Xanthus!" His words cried, jaws clacking shut again with a soft growl. "I'm not an idiot, I can smell death on you almost better than I can scent it myself. You are exactly like your kin, do not teach me otherwise because I am beyond that level of knowledge." There would be no changing his mind. The darkness he saw in the other wolf, the one who knew how to play the games, was admittedly a killer. Why, he had come with the concern of plotting to kill his own brother - yet he did not want to be painted the same?

It was unthinkable, and his body froze at the accusation. That was the problem, was it not? What could a little pup more than a handful of months due to protect his family that was torn apart like chopped liver. His mouth turned up, and his mouth twisted until he was creeping an inch again forward. There was such a temptation, a little bit of bloodshed would not hurt.

"Free it?" His laughter was harsh, his words were biting as he curled his muscles back. His ears pulled on his head pulled around on his head, and he licked his lips lightly. "The only way to do that is to die, Xanthus." His words were so tempered, they faded off and his gold eyes blinked owlishly. Then his face went flat, communication leaving the male. His ears were ringing, louder than he thought was possible.

It was a dangerous little feeling that bottled up inside of him, and he roared as he lunged at the other wolf. Seeming to come out of nowhere, but his anger was too much. Damned Zarek, and damn his kin! All of them were destroying his life one step at a time!