RoD (Courage) Keeper's Inner Demon

It was time. Syn’s first time in fact when it came to doing the Rites of Dominance with one of her own Tokotas. Never had she done something like this before, though she knew a bit about thanks to Leroy and Shar. Both of them had completed the tasks before. Leroy nearly five times while Shar had completed it once. They had given Syn a lot of useful information, but also told her that it was up to her and Keeper of Souls, aka Keeper how he would accomplish them. The first task, courage. To take something that her Tokotas was deeply fearful of and help him learn to conquer that fear. It really didn’t take Syn to figure out what task Keeper would have to do. He was the leader of her small pack of Tokotas. Prideful and always willing to put another in their place if they stepped out of line. Never would he let another try and remove him from the head of the pack. Perfect. With Hoto’s help, Syn might just have the test needed in order to fulfill the first rite. Hopefully. Keeper had always been aggressive toward others who tried to lead his group. Especially Hoto. Syn could only pray that her curly passed this test. She couldn’t face Leroy or Shar knowing she failed the first rite so easily.

“Come on boy. I know you hate it… but we have to. Remember. All that training? All the work we did? This is what you have to do. Don’t be afraid.” Giving the curly ginger a soft pat against the side of his head, Syn continued to sooth her moody boy before turning toward the rest of the pack. Not everyone was coming. Even though Syn could communicate with all her mounts she decided that having ten Tokotas at once was a little TOO much. Instead, she had picked Hoto, Lucifer, Solta, Keres and Eiseth for this test. That being. As she rode Keres. The rest of the pack would be off leads as they tracked down something to hunt. Except, Keeper would not be ahead of the pack. Hoto would be taking his place.

The long mane seemed to understand what was going on though still seemed to become puffed up with pride at the thought of not only leading the pack but also a hunt. Something he’d NEVER get to do with Keeper being there. “Alright everyone. You know what’s going on. Keeper is not to take over during the hunt. Got it?” All eyes on their rider each Tokotas nodded, though Keeper still looked very irritated. Ears flattened against the top of his skull. He was not going to like this one bit. Already he worried that Hoto would show off his skills and the pack would see him better suited as their leader. What if he lost command? What if he was driven from the pack? Fear circled the Tokotas, but he couldn’t do anything about it. This rite was important for not only him but Syn as well. Time to man up, er, well Tokotas up.

<Look sharp everyone. Bear scat seems to be the strongest here.> It seemed Hoto took well to being leader for a day. As the group of Tokotas headed off into the wilds, Keeper did his best to keep himself calm and alert. Still fearing that his pack would replace him, he kept his ears pinned and head low as he slowly followed after the rest. Syn could tell her boy was having issues. From the way his stance and how he grumbled to himself. While most would see it as her curly being cranky, Syn knew Keeper well enough to see how shaky he really was. Already there was probably glares of hatred sent at Hoto as the long mane slowly moved down one of the rockier trails toward one of the nearby rivers. Wait! Where was he going? Keeper knew this area and already he disliked the spot where Hoto was headed. Without a second thought the curly charged between the group of Tokotas as he trotted up beside Hoto. Snarls were exchanged as Keeper and Hoto side glanced one another. Oh no, this wasn’t how Syn wanted things to start off. “Keeper…” Her voice low, Syn gave a slight warning to the ginger which earned a soft whine before he slowly returned back to his original spot. She knew how fearful he was losing control. But this was how things had to be.

This rite was horrible. Just horrible. Keeper almost wished that it was someone else doing this but him. The pack had moved forward just fine without him. No worries. No grumbles of change. Nothing. Already the others had become used to Hoto giving them orders as each member split up into two groups to flesh out any bears nearby. Only Syn riding Keres and Hoto where left standing by the big curly ginger. Settling in the saddle, Syn kept her attention on the forest depth before them as her long mane Hoto took a few steps toward the trail. Ears alert and eyes ready, he waited for any howls or signs of the others. While he maintained his visual, Keeper kept himself back. Still angry. Still afraid. Hoto had been doing so well now and he… he was getting older. While only being six he had a lot of life left in him, but for how much longer could he keep control? His pack mates already seemed so eager to take orders from the younger long mane.

How many more years would he have his reign? As the ginger stood there glaring at Hoto’s back end, Syn kept close watch on her mounts. She knew how much being leader meant to her boy. How much it pained him to give up his position and just how scared he really was of losing it all. For the last few years he had done everything for the little make-shift pack and had lead them all through hard times. This test really was a test of courage. Would he pass it? Keeper already looked close to snapping with each passing moment. Just how much longer would he last?

<There! Bear!> The sound of the hunt echoed through the forest as the pack of Tokotas charged at their prey. Two large brown bears had taken shelter in a nearby tree, but their combined weight had caused it to snap in half. On the run, the two large beasts ran from their pursuers as Hoto lead the pack in the run. Even with his long mane flying through the air he had amazing speed that could compete with any other Tokotas. Behind him, Lucifer, Solta, Eisheth, Keres with Syn upon her back and of course Keeper tagging far behind the rest. <Come on Keeper! The bears will get away with that attitude!> Letting out a sharp few barks, Hoto glanced over his shoulder toward the curly. Why was he slowing them down? Inward whines and angry huffs were the only reply Hoto got. Finally, the pack slowed and the bears all but showered the group in a cloud of dust. Damnit! This wasn’t how a pack should act! Letting out a soft growl, Hoto turned quickly to face the lagging member of their group. Syn kept herself out of the brawl, but was there in case something happened. <What were you thinking?! Stop acting like a pup Keeper! We could have had the bears!> Growls, snarls and a snap of teeth came at the ginger who continued to stand as if nothing was happening. Both males squared off. Both heads held high and tails curled back. Teeth showing and glaring eyes. Would there be a fight for alpha? If Keeper attacked Hoto than he would have let his fear take hold. Let it win and the rite would be over.

“Come on Keeper…” Syn whispered softly as she watched the two males stand off against one another. Keeper wanted to attack. Wanted to show how strong a leader he really was. There were a few tense moments that he nearly lunged to put Hoto in his place. But as he glanced toward Syn, he knew what he had to do. It pained him. It hurt. His pride. His fear. His courage all playing at once. The male didn’t want to lose it all, but sometimes in order to win you had to lose. Finally the ginger lowered his head and showed a submissive state toward the younger male. Oh how his heart ached. <Apologizes Hoto. It will not happen again.> Each word was like a bitter treat being shoved down his throat, but he hadn’t let his fear take hold. Of course it was still there. The thought of losing his pack mate to a younger male. But seeing them all staring. Seeing the look in Syn’s eyes. Keeper fought that fear and put on a brave front. If there was anything more the curly hated it was losing to something he knew he could win. The rite of courage wasn’t just testing how he could remove his fear, but also everything he was. Once having apologized, Hoto nodded before turning around and heading toward the front of the pack. They still had the bears to catch. Hopefully no more issues would pop up.

Finding the bears originally had been hard, but tracking them down a second time? Even worse. The cold November slush had hidden any scent that would be trackable. Even Hoto had a horrible time trying to find something they could use. Like before, Keeper kept himself off to the side as he rooted around in the mud for any sign of their prey. “Guess we might need to find something else to hunt huh Keres?” Patting the piebald female underneath her, Syn slowly scanned the forest line before her gaze moved back toward Keeper. Since Hoto and him had butted heads, he seemed to have mellowed out some. No longer looking tense and seeking to take control. But was that all? Syn had a feeling there might be one more test of Keeper’s fear to come than just what he originally fought through. While the curly may not know it, there would be a choice between finishing the Dominance Rite or failing. To keep his pack or lose them. A tough choice it seemed. Would Keeper be up for the challenge? Even Syn was unsure of that. While she knew the curly well enough, he still had his inner fears he had to settle before the day was over.

It took a lot of effort. But the pack seemed to get on the right trail as they followed the sign of bear tracks through the forest. The musky scent of bear scat and what seemed to be bits of hair lead them right to a clear opening with many different types of berry bushes. <Spread out. The bears might be hiding. Make sure to watch your back.” Hoto glanced over his shoulder before he moved forward through the bushes. He would have to be careful. Thorns and sticker bushes didn’t mix well with long hair. As the others took off, Keeper kept to himself as he nosed around the outside area. Surely the bears wouldn’t have gone through here? To eat maybe, but not if they had been pushed into a chase. Bears were always ones to stay alert even if the danger had passed. Staying off to the side, Syn watched the Tokotas muddle about the berry patch while she kept to herself. If anything really bad happened, she could shift with ease. But it was Keeper’s rite to finish not hers.

No sooner had Keeper though it odd that bears would be within the patch than a loud sharp bark caught his attention. Hoto! Idiotic pup! Already getting himself into trouble. Bolting his head upright and turning toward the other male, Keeper could see Hoto had gotten himself tangled in one of the smaller bushes. However, that wasn’t the issue. Behind him both bears came charging forward as if payback for chasing them all the way here. Wait. If they attacked Hoto. Then maybe, just maybe the male would be maimed enough that he wouldn’t pose a threat in the future. Pausing in his paw-steps Keeper watched the two bear get closer toward his pack-mate with every ticking minutes. Maybe… wait, no! He couldn’t let that happened! Even if it meant securing himself a few more years as alpha. No. That was the fear talking.

He’d never let something happen to a fello pack-mate. Even if Hoto would take his place. Even if he lost his Alpha position. He could let the other get hurt. The fear was gone as Keeper went into full on attack mode. No one would mess with his family. No one. Pushing himself into gear, Keeper bounced forward as he snapped and snarled at the bears. <GET AWAY!> So surprised by the sudden attack the animals stumbled over themselves to get away as Keeper moved to stand beside Hoto’s side. His pack-mate was safe. Even if it meant him losing his position faster. From her spot a bit away Syn let out a sign of relief. That was close. But Keeper pulled through. He showed courage to push everything else aside and help the one that could take his place as head of the pack. Even if Hoto still had plenty of growing up to do.

Quickly returning to the sound of the howl, the rest of the pack circled around Hoto and Keeper as the ginger began helping his pack-mate out. <You really need to trim that mane of yours Hoto.> Lucifer snickered slightly as he watched the long mane give a few tugs before he was free. <Shut up Lucifer. Next time you get your mane stuck in something.” Grumbling, Hoto lifted himself from the ground and gave his form a good shake before turning toward Keeper. <Thank you. Suppose I owe you one now.> For a moment the curly said nothing, though a slight smirked curved around his maw as he nudged himself hard into Hoto’s shoulder. <I think I’ll teach you a little something about how to untangle yourself from those things. How about that?> Blinking in surprise, Hoto thought for a moment before giving a nod <Seems fair to me. Though I think this whole Alpha thing is a big headache.> Huffs of amusement echoed around the pack as Syn quickly rode up on Keres and slid off her back. “How is everyone? Hoto are you alright?” Checking her Tokotas, the red head was glad to see he was alright, though turned to Keeper who stood beside his pack-mate. “I was worried there Keeper… but you did well. I think we can call this Rite a pass. Hopefully.” Unable to stop a grin from crossing her lips, Syn threw her arms around the large male and gave him a hard hug. That was her big boy. Least now he knew that not being Alpha wouldn’t be the end of the world. He had his pack mates and her. Keeper would be just fine.