“No need,” Alick replied between the splashing of water on his face. The ice cold from the facet, a welcome addition to helping the Alpha chase the chill the nightmare seemed to have left on his soul. “Listen,” is all he said. His own actions paused to allow for the best possible chance to hear what he knew to be there. Life. The sound of restless souls that stirred to and fro, within the walls of the manner that housed the pack. Sprawling could have been a word used, had they proper land to expand. As it was the pack was forced to dwell among the humans, creatures…monsters really in and of themselves that would have loved the chance to kill anyone of them.<br/><br/>These were bitter words from a man whose father was a human and whom he visited when the time allowed. But, like many of the pack who had human parentage, they were but a few in the sea of many. The many who hated and killed. Spilled blood not for food, not because they needed to but because they wanted it. Discussing, really, but until such a time as their numbers were larger and there could be brokered a peace Alick did not see this future ever coming to past. It caused the young man concern for the future of not only his pack but the children that he might be blessed enough to be the father of someday.<br/><br/>Another bitter thought wiggled its way into his mind and he scoffed to himself. Would the wolf or the man for that matter, want to have children at a time like this? When packs that had kept to themselves and honored the territory they had claimed, now attacked and sought to kill to have what belong to him and his family. Is this the place for a family? Is this the time for one? A deep sigh was dragged from his lungs, shoulders allowed to slump for a second, only a second, as the weight of the world about the wolf felt nearly too much to bear. Then he heard the soft sound that was Draina’s breathing, familiar and warm. A comfort to both man and wolf who felt an instant wave of calm wash over his soul. Renewed and determined to always be there to hear that sound. To always be there to feel that breath against his skin when she whispered her love for him in the dead of night.<br/><br/>No one would take that from him. No one would take their home from them.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">No  one.</span><br/><br/><div><hr style="height:2px; width:100%; border:0; color: black;background:black;"/></div><br/><br/>Downstairs, within the main communal space, the pack had been gathered. The pop and snap of the logs in the fire the only sounds for several moments as Alick just stood there. Button up shirt dyed dark blue some years ago though it was faded and torn in a few places. A favorite that he enjoyed wearing so much that Drina never had the chance to get it and mend it for him. The simple brown slacks held the same wear and tear as the shirt they were paired with, though the color in them had held up a bit better through the years. Barefoot, his toes absentmindedly stroked along the fine hardwood floors. It was a known fact within the pack that Alick would have preferred to live his entire life without the confinement of footwear. Whenever the man was home the shoes were off and left somewhere to be found when the society without demanded he wears them.<br/><br/>“The time is not as it once was,” the wolf finally began. “Once we were safe and secure within not only our homes but our lands as well. This city was our territory and we have kept it safe, protected it from both natural disasters and those made by man. Safe we have kept it so that we could have a place to call home,” now he paused to allow the pack to take in his words. Think back on their accomplishments and about all the blood and sweat they had poured into this city. How it was<span style="font-style: italic">their</span>home because they fought for it and kept it. “Now, we are under attack. More than once we had to fight to protect this city. To protect our home and family,” heat in his words as he spoke with a mixture of passion and anger. “Our bodies ache and our souls cry for relief, but we will not bend. Will we?” if no one answered right away, or not loud enough. “WILL WE?!” The question was barked with authority to try and get the response that he wanted to hear from his pack.<br/><br/>“This is our home and we will not lose it. No matter how many come, no matter what is going on, we will not lose our home!” With what he hoped to be a rousing and invigorating speech, the wolf stepped aside to allow his mate to take the floor and speak her mind as she was the reason behind this meeting in the first place.