One of these things isn't like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong. What was once an innocent song to teach children how to associate matching objects together was a sing-song chant that the pups in the pack used to torment her with. And unfortunately it affected the lupine far too much than it should have. Being different wasn't seen as a good thing. Others might value and appreciate the difference in others, but in her case she didn't see anything positive about it. Being different meant you simply didn't belong. She was already different in one pack and she was mistreated because of it. Obviously they didn't know how to handle her predicament. Any therapist would have berated them for keeping her locked up and separated from the group. The abuse and mistreatment only made it worse. Too many times she had listened to their spiteful words, tearing her down over and over again. Even if she was a part of their pack she wasn't truly a participant. Raven wasn't sure what other packs did, but some packs had traditions.

One important tradition was for a pup to learn how to howl. Howling wasn't just a natural tool to use to communicate with their pack and complete strangers. With a howl you can tell a pack where you are, warn enemies to stay away, sing with your friends or pack to celebrate or mourn. More importantly though a howl was your individual statement that allowed you to express yourself. Each wolf had a unique sound that was only for them, it made them special. Because of what she was she was not allowed to learn. Each time she heard a howl she was eager to join in, and when she tried, she was punished enough to where she couldn't do it now. Raven already knew what it was like to be a pariah. In fact she felt that way whenever Nadya was around. And with that woman gone Raven had the chance once again to try and fit in. Although in fairness, she did have a point in questioning why 'doggy paddle' was the name when an animal swam, when other animals do the same thing.

Swimming wasn't necessary an activity she got to participate quite a lot in. It was quite sensational to feel how the cold water slipped through her thick fur, as she propelled her front legs forward, feeling how the water attempted to push her back. She couldn't help, but smack her soggy tail behind her, finding the sound quite fun to make. It was that weird feeling of something slipping against her legs and frame that made her dip her head into the water to see just what it was. Fish. Lots and lots of fish. Lifting her head out of the water she swam around in a tight circle her jaw snapping at the fish as they swam by. The feeling of their slimy scales touching her just didn't seem right. That he agreed to the idea of eating a fish was responded with a rather rough dive of her head into the watcher, her jaws wide opened as she attempted to snatch a fish. Of course, she didn't catch one her first time. Over and over again she would lift her head to take a deep breath as she continued to propel herself forward, zig-zagging as she attempted to catch a fish in that thick swarm. Such an exercise was rather exhausting. After several attempts of catching a fish she decided this activity simply wasn't for her.

Fishless she looked over to find her Alpha holding a fish that wiggled to and fro. Nodding her head at his suggestion to reach the shore she followed obediently. Coming up closer to the shore she noticed at the water surface there was a fish that seemed to be struggling. Opening her jaws, as wide as she could, she lunged forward to snatch the fish, raising her head proudly as soon as she felt the creature wiggling about. Pleased with herself she walked up to the shore following him until he found a spot away from the water's edge. With the sun out on this pretty fall day they would be dried off in no time. Unceremoniously she plopped herself next to him dropping the fish between her forelegs. Seeing it flop around she slammed one grey paw on it, to hold it down, as her jaw snapped over its head and the movement stopped. Satisfied she happily began to dig in almost as if she had eaten a raw fish before. Halfway being done with her fish she paused for a moment contemplating something for a moment. Turning her head towards him she gently nudged his shoulder to get his attention. As soon as his eyes focused on her she spoke quite softly, a tiny bit embarrassed to mention this, but also a bit anxious to speak about the fear that their worst nightmare could occur again.

"Believe it or not, but we actually need you. Not just because you're the Alpha, but because you're pretty much everything to Tobias, and me. Tetra...please try not to die again."

For a moment she paused not quite sure how else she could explain it to him, without thinking she was crazy. He wasn't just an Alpha. He was a close friend and an endearing older brother. Did he not realize that without him they were nothing without him? Was he not aware that they were at a loss without him. He wasn't the kind that was touchy feely. Actually no one in their pack really was. The only way she could get Tobias to understand her emotions was to explain them, and she was attempting the same way, sort of. With her mate she had to spoon feed it to me, but with Tetradore she assumed he would catch on quite quickly. Before digging into her fish again she spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

"And if you do die again, could you please come back sooner?"

Raven Clocksworth.