Lorcan felt tense as @Ravenna spun around to acknowledge him and his brows furrowed awkwardly as he noticed her pleasant smile. It would be obvious to her now that he had not sought her out for a casual chat. What he wished to discuss with her was serious.

His ears pushed back against his head nervously as he moved to stand directly before her, close enough so that they could talk more privately without having to raise their voices. “I was speaking with Leotie the other day and became concerned…” He began, golden eyes blinking up to hold her gaze for just a second. “I don’t know how much you know already but…I’m worried that her and Sven might be more than just friends.” He hoped Ravenna would catch his drift.

“I know it’s not really any of my business what they get up to but I feel it was something that you should be aware of. With Sven stepping up as leader, I’m worried that Leotie may eventually wish to challenge you or that the two of them may breed behind your back…” Lorcan kept his gaze averted from the silver woman, not daring to hold direct eye contact in case he had angered her. “I owe you a lot, and I'd hate for you or this pack to suffer as a result of something which could be prevented.”

When @Ravenna spoke his name, Lorcan lifted his head and finally let his golden gaze meet hers. His body tingled in anticipation, nervous for the leader’s opinion on the matter and on his own outcome for telling her about it. He knew it was wrong to pry, to stick his nose in where it wasn’t welcome, but in this instance he felt that it was worth risking any negative backlash.

Much to Lorcan’s relief Ravenna did not seem angry with him. His ears began to rise up more confidently and his posture became less tense as he listened to the silver female explain how her and Sven could not breed. “I understand..” Lorcan said quietly, unsure of where their conversation was going. It seemed a strange situation to the male, to have two relatives leading together. It was bound to make breeding time in spring all the more complicated.

The agouti male swallowed as Ravenna told him that she had no objection to Sven eventually taking Leotie as his mate, but that breeding out of rank was still strictly forbidden. He nodded to convey that he understood and to also acknowledge her plan to discuss things with Sven later on, though it still bothered him. “I just think you should be vigilant come spring. I know from experience how easy it is to get caught up in it all..” He admitted with a sigh and nervous flick of his tail. “I've got a daughter myself, about Adeltra's age.” He confessed. Better Ravenna find out now, he thought, than when either Inna or @Oksana turn up seeking him at their borders.

Lorcan had known it would always be a difficult subject to talk about. Openly admitting to your new leader that you had broken pack law once before was terrifying and Lorcan couldn’t help but crouch down lower, his ear moving to press back against his head like they had when he had first approached her to talk.

“I-I know. It was wrong of me.” He stuttered, his fear of swiftly being chased out the pack suddenly coming to the forefront of his mind. “I will not breed out of turn again.” He promised her sheepishly. Lorcan had learnt his less the first time.

At her question the agouti male diverted his gaze, feeling ashamed. “Oksana...she’s with her mother, Inna, at Hearthwood River.” He paused and curled his tail submissively between his hind legs. “Me and @Inna didn’t get on so well towards the end…It was better for everyone that I left.” That was certainly an understatement and one which Lorcan hoped @Ravenna did not wish to hear explained in more detail.

Lorcan could tell from Ravenna’s hard stare that she was serious. No doubt that if Inna had been a member of Willow Ridge at the time instead, both she, he and Oksana would have found themselves as loners at some point during their relationship.

Keeping his tail low and his eyes even lower, the male waited to see if any form of punishment would be handed out. Not that it was really Ravenna’s problem. It just didn’t look good on him at all and Lorcan was concerned that his past could cause the leader to view him in a more negative light. Still, it had happened and Lorcan was prepared to deal with whatever consequences came his way.

Fortunately for him, @Ravenna did not feel the need to make an example of him.

“I can assure you that me and the leaders parted on good terms. I don't expect that there will be any trouble.” He said quietly, lifting his golden gaze up from the floor to meet her sharp silver eyes with confidence.

Feeling that he had said all that he needed to say, Lorca rose up somewhat shakily from his submissive crouch and took a few steps backwards. “I’ll leave you to get on with your work now…t-thank you for taking the time to talk to me, Ravenna.” He said quietly, before slipping back out into the territory to continue filling the caches like nothing had happened.

- Lorcan exits -

As he watched Odin walk away, Lorcan felt his stomach sink even further. Four days. He only had four days to come through with his promise and do what needed to be done. It wasn’t like the male to challenge for a higher rank. He had only ever challenged once before in his life and that had been through desperation and a lack of food. Greer had backed down without much fuss and soon after, he now realised, had left to start his own pack.

As he began to walk his way back towards the main den, his thought flashed back to Mittani, remembering how violent his challenge on him had been. Russet ears pressed back anxiously as Lorcan wondered how much of a fight @Nicolò would put up when he came challenged him. The agouti male couldn’t afford a serious injury, not if he planned to later take on Sven.

As his pale paws left the freezing snow and stepped up onto the smooth stone of the cave, his bright golden eyes scanned the darkness for the old male. Lorcan couldn’t be sure that he would be there, for he had seemed quiet and distant lately. The pair of them had hardly spoken since his arrival in the pack, which only made the idea of approaching him even more awkward when he eventually spied him.

Inhaling sharply, Lorcan took a deep breath before he proceeded forwards. "Nicolò." He called out stoically, ears pushed forwards and tail rising to curl noticeably over his back. The intentions for their interaction was obvious.