Always she was a creature that did not want to aggravate others. Their aggravation only led to physical pain on her end and there was only so much she could take on a daily basis. Survival was key and she kept herself passive, quiet, and undetected by others only so she could be unacknowledged. It was a lonely life, to not be among others, but if it was what kept her safe then she would do it. As a canine it was not in her nature to be alone. She was a creature that needed to be among others regardless of what species. Attachment bred loyalty and without anyone to be loyal to she was at a loss. Her desire to be close to the raven-haired witch was a natural need fed upon by their familiar bond, but she had felt some resistance from the young woman and so, she gave her space. Yet every now and then she would watch her, follow her, and sometimes approach her if only to satisfy her need to be around her, but mindful to stay away for Serafina's benefit. The need to be loyal and attached to Tobi only grew stronger, that invisible thread slowly coiling around the two making it tighter, each time they were around one another. Each time they saw one another they were doing something that could be considered pack related, they played together, hunted by each other's side, protected one another from threats, and slept beside one another...these things naturally making them closer, but it wasn't until he marked and claimed her as his own did it simply solidify their connection. As for Alexis there was a subtle understanding that only could be created by the two of them, it was something that couldn't be done to another, and that in itself provided Raven grounds of understanding from someone else. The need to keep Alexis alive and out of harms way was becoming such a natural need. Deprived of what a true pack felt like she was filling in those holes with others as a Loner, something that was forbidden, and yet it was the only way she could be whole- until now. With Tetradores' offer for her to join primal instincts ensured her need of survival...even if it meant she might go through terrible treatment as her own pack had done to her.

As Tobias made his approach the young lupine noticed how agitated the Panther had become. Her own ebony and grey fur began to bristle in response to the Panthers' bristling, her posture remained straight- confident. That Nadya was threatening to take something so valuable away from her was something she could hardly accept. Raven was going against what she believed kept her alive. Tobias claimed he would always protect her...and so with his presence near her she felt even stronger to continue to fight for her right to join. As he began to rub against Nadya her head would tilt to the side curious at this gesture. Felines and Canines had different antics and she was still learning to understand just what theirs meant. As he came around to bump his head into her shoulder, her form would move slightly not prepared for his weight to throw against her. Content with his closeness and allowing his touch, her neck would stretch out some allowing his gangly tail to coil around, familiar with this caress. As his golden spotted frame slammed into the ground her skull would tilt to the other side, one grey ear pointed forward puzzled. As his paws reached out to touch Nadya's face she heard the growl come from the Panther and in return a soft growl rumbled within the she-wolf's chest. As Tobi continued to toy with Nadyas' emotions through physical touch there was a smart part of her that was a tad bit jealous, but she was much more agitated when Nadya turned her harden gaze on her and spoke. Severe blue-grey eyes didn't break from the golden eyes of the female feline, as a harsh snort was given, before her finally allowed herself to respond.



"I can't be trusted? I don't know why you are so disgusted with my species...but you have no idea about my kind. Pack is everything to us, it is life. It is our desire to be among one and it kills us to be alone. We have a natural drive to be loyal to who we are bounded to, to protect our own at whatever cost is necessary."

Raven could not help herself as she slowly rose to her grey paws. Emotions were something she held tightly under lock and key. Anger always seemed to be a trigger for her feral mind to activate and although she did not wish to do such a thing especially at such a hostile moment, there wasn't anything that could soothe her. Keeping her tail down and her head not raised at full height, still providing Nadya and Tobias respect as it was not her place to stand so highly, she was not quite finished. The fear of losing this chance at a new life mixed in with her confusion as to why Nadya always seemed to show some sort of disgust with her simply angered her to no end. It was not like her to talk of the past. Tobias alone was aware of her past, because she opened up to him thinking he would not judge her too harshly. She didn't need to say a thing to Alexis because she simply understood. Isolt must surely have an inkling about her past after their encounter with her Sister pack. However, Nadya had no idea and although Raven did not trust Nadya with all the little details she was willing to open up a small part of herself. If they were going to be in a pack then she might as well start sharing. Keeping her voice soft there was a subtle underlying note of pain, pausing every now and then to allow Tobi to understand, but to also keep herself from sounding angry- that was the last thing she wanted to express.

"My pack harmed me...all the time...and it frightens me to join yours, because in the back of my mind I will always be thinking- 'How will these felines treat me? ....Will they lock me in cage? ...Will they attack me when they want to have a little fun?... Will I be left out of pack events? ...The food that I get...will it be scraps or nothing at all?...Each time when I come near a pack mate will they ignore me, chase me away, or spring an attack? ...Will I have to keep one eye open when I sleep in fear?'... If my own pack treated me this way so long back since I was a pup, even when my parents were the Alphas...is this exactly what I am to expect from yours? I'm not saying there aren't any bad wolves...there are, I lived with them...but that doesn't mean we are all bad."

Raven was not looking for sympathy. She was not wanting Nadya to change her attitude to be sad for her. All she was hoping to achieve, to revealing her vulnerability was to at least allow Nadya to have some sort of background information...to help her understand. Quietly she sat herself back down watching as Tobi continued his devious technique, keeping this in mind. Her fur remained bristled as she simply stared back at the feline, before locking eyes on Tobi. She was nervous to promise herself to a pack, leaving it was simply out of the question for her, and she hoped her decision wouldn't come back to bite her. There was a hint of longing in her voice, her attention focused on her spotted feline friend, before her eyes seemed to soften when she looked back to the Panther.


"Tobi reassured me that your pack wasn't like that...it was a family...I've always wanted to belong somewhere."

With Nadya speaking her admittance the lupine's tail smacked the earth in a lightly wave. An overwhelming warm feeling began to tighten in her chest. The desire to belong somewhere was finally feeling quite possible and she could only hope when she looked for Tetradore that the offered still stood. As Nadya approached her, the lupine stilled herself learning what Tobias did, and as Nadya's shoulder met in contact with her own, she did not budge. Instead when Nadya turned her head around to look at Tobi she moved her muzzle towards her face, pink tongue gently licking underneath her chin. But before Nadya could react the lupine leapt away and ran towards and behind her spotted feline companion, her tail swaying side to side in a furious happy manner. Her voice filled with humor and sincerity as she looked to the Panther.

"That is how my species acknowledges those above them, it is an honored gesture far more than exposing your stomach...I figured since Tobi was doing that to you, I could too?"

Raven submitted to Nadya in what she understood. Tobias had licked Nadya so many times that she felt it was the right thing to do. Clearly this canine needed to learn feline antics, but for now none of that really mattered. She was one step away from belonging somewhere and there was no going back now.

I'd Rather Feel Pain Then Nothing At All

Raven