He watched her brace herself downward, coiling her muscles for a lunge at him, and returned the gesture. His shoulders rolled back, settling naturally into poise as his stance widened and his joints relaxed, prepared to do what must be done in response to whatever attempt was thrown his way. Never was his expression taunting, but there was no doubt about the challenge that filled his gaze. She was a tank, simply put, a kindred frame that Gent was far willing to use as a tool to test his own strength and capabilities. Oh how grateful he was that Raela had brought her to him.

He was able to properly read her advance, and moved timely in order to avoid her attack altogether, though once he was clear of those potentially dangerous, daggered jaws he curled toward her, making a strike of his own against her. His intentions mirrored her own, aiming to scruff the girl and attempt to use her own momentum against her in way of throwing her to the ground. One last time he would assert himself over her, and hopefully that was all it would take, for he felt himself on the verge of beginning to tire. Stamina was not his forte, strength was, which was what led him to hit so heavy so quickly, hoping to win the fight before it carried on long enough to negate his advantage and even hinder him.

His attempts were effective, bringing the woman to the ground once more. The mammoth alpha stood his ground beside her, glacial eyes boring down upon her to await what she would do once she had caught her breath again, but at last he witnessed the falling of her ears and the surrender of her deference unto him. The submission pleased him, and he was willing to return the smile given to him as relaxation melted over his body. Reclining beside her, his ears took in her compliment, but it was the following claim that caused his mirthful expression to expand. That was exactly what he wanted to hear from her.

"I'm counting on it," he informed her. "You're going to make an excellent guardian."

The praise was genuine, and he looked forward to the day he would officially extend the title to her. It was an assumption on his own part this was what she wanted, to continue the training her father had given to her and make a career of it within the Crest, but as had been the case with Astraeus, he was likely to leave little room for argument regardless of what fanciful, contrary ideas she might have. Guardianship was an occupation sorely needed within the Crest, and he would see it filled first of all.