“There’s a lot to consider,” he explained cooly. “If I’m going to claim territory, I want it to be good.” He wanted to scout around, make sure there was adequate prey, a reliable water source, shelter. Snow was already beginning to fall. It would be hard to move around, hard to focus on the future when he needed all his energy for surviving day to day. He didn’t want to make scent markers and not have the strength and health to protect them. “I won’t be able to get everything ready before the thick of winter. The snow will get in the way.” Gathering and recruiting members would be even harder too. Loners were focused on themselves, on eating and sleeping. Travelling in the cold to find his friends sounded hellish. “Plus, I might change my mind. Spring rolls around, the weather gets warm, I might forget the whole thing.”

He knew that was a strong possibility. That his desire for stability and his own piece of land may have been a temporary craving. He was a wanderer at heart. He didn’t want a traditional pack by any means. He wanted stability and freedom, a hard thing to balance. He didn’t see leadership as a responsibility, but rather an ends to a means. If he made his own rules, he wouldn’t have to listen to anyone else. He could thrive from the benefits of a pack, and the benefits of a lone wolf. He wanted that for everyone. That was how his parents had been, allowing loners to stay with the family until their time. They could come and go as they wish, sometimes days, sometimes months. He hadn’t considered that a failure. The loners had never thrived, never owned territory, but it had been freeing. That was inspirational. “I’ll keep it in mind,” he replied, genuine gratitude apparent on his face.

The kindness of strangers was not something to ever overlook. “Maybe I’ll bump into ya again.” He knew the lore was vast, but fate had a way of bringing people together when they needed it. He began to walk away before hesitating, turning to look over his shoulder once more. “I hope your friend- Tulip, I hope she’s okay, that you find her.”