As the pack stirred from slumber or return from their hunts, Thomas watched over them from his perch upon a ledge just over the cave entrance. Thomas had been finding himself up there fairly often these days as finding sleep was getting increasingly difficult and the worry of the Claws remained ever present in his mind. Though they had settled back into a relatively normal state, the wounds and loses we still felt in how empty the cave now wasâ€¦ which might make the other thing on his mind worse: The Heat season.<br/><br/>Though he was Alpha, Thomas was (relatively speaking) a fairly newcomer to the pack having been with them for just under 9 months. This was going to be his first time being around a werewolf pack when the females go into Heat. Sure he was around for the Fall Heat but when that happened Sherman had him and one of the experienced wolves out on patrol for that week. This Heat he was supposed to be on patrol again as well but this time closer rather than the edges of the packâ€™s territory like last time. Thomas understood why this was necessary once he heard about how overpowering the scent of the females was and how maddening the urge to mate could be. Just being as far out as they were, Thomas still found himself drifting back to the cave following the scent without realizing it until his patrol buddy snapped him out of it.<br/><br/>Thomas shook his head as he remembered his partnerâ€™s depiction of the Heat season: â€œImagine a partyâ€¦ A big, hot, sweaty party where no clothes are allowed. Brains are not really working during this time though, itâ€™s all dicks and pussies running the show for a week!â€ Thomas only response was how it sounded like an orgy, of course his partner just told him that is exactly it though only the single wolves free game. That was the reason for the patrol: so Thomas could build up a resistance or willpower enough during that and this season to avoid causing a major fight or worse by trying to jump someoneâ€™s mate later. This season there was no such option though. The Claws had reduced them to a mere handful of what they used to be so they needed to stick together to maintain their strength.<br/><br/>Sighing, Thomas cleared his head again of his worries and started padding down to the fire in his large wolf form. Kakasha seemed to have gotten herself a nice kill and Thomas figured Aidan was not too far behind as the two had almost left together. Damian, Seravi, and Michelle were all up as well joining the fire. It seemed almost eerily quiet this morning, other than Michelleâ€™s comment about Kakashaâ€™s kill the only sound was the crackle of the fire and the sound of the skinning knife being sharpened.<br/><br/>*Why is everyone so quiet this morning?* Thomas asked as he came up to take a seat near the fire. *I would figure that a few more would be talking or salivating over fresh venison for our stores or wondering where was breakfast.* He added with a mental chuckle as he tried to lighten the air a little. Looking over to Kakasha, Thomas gives her a smile (well as best as one can in wolf form). *Very nice catch, Kakasha.* Thomas says before pausing and cocking his head in curiosity, *Wasnâ€™t Aidan wi-* Thomas did not get his question out as an unknown howl echoed through the forest. It obviously was not one of theirs but did not sound like any Claw heard to date. Sounded like whoever it was might be in distress as well.<br/><br/>*Iâ€™m going to check out what that is about. Damian and Seravi, I want you two with me. Kakasha, youâ€™re in charge till I get back.* He said with authority, double checking his choices in his head before giving a nod and turning to head out in search of this outsider.<br/><br/>In Thomasâ€™ mind, Damian was one of the people most used to being wolf so he would come in handy if they needed to do a little tracking. Seravi seemed to know how to carry herself in a fight so she would work well if things got nasty. Kakasha was the only logical choice Thomas saw for putting in charge while he was away, Aidan was not back yet and Michelle kept her head down a bit too much.<br/><br/>As for what they were going to do once they found whoever stumbled into their territoryâ€¦ well they would have to see once they got there. The whole thing could be a set up for all Thomas knew, either by the Claws or someone else coming to try and take their territory.<span style="font-style: italic">Oh well, plan for the worst but hope for the best... All a matter of getting there first.</span>Thomas thought as he pumped his legs and propelled himself into the forest.