So humans were animals, and they were real. He didn’t think the little lady was pulling his leg, she seemed quite serious in what she said. He’d known his father was trying to scare him when he was younger, but there was still a fear buried in there within him and he was pretty sure he didn’t want to bump into one any time soon. Still, it was handy to know that they did exist in the world out there just in case he ever bumped into one. It was unlikely, but he was better to be safe than sorry. It was also a relief to know that they resided by the ocean. He’d never seen an ocean, but he knew what they were. Vast lands of water that stretched on as far as the eye could see. Maybe humans were like fish, if they chose to live by the sea?

He nodded in response but didn’t say anything, what was there to say without looking more stupid that there was something he didn’t know. He was thankful that she changed the conversation back to pack life, that was something he did know about and he listened well. He didn’t think she would have known about his home land. No one did, they kept it that way. They were a secretive pack, keeping to themselves and wiping out any other pack who came too close. Territory was the most important thing to them and they owned a vast amount of it, by force of course. With her last comment he shook his head, feeling a little irritated at the thoughts.

”No. Some idiot called Rolu decided to waltz in there, tell them I’m a madman after their blood so I’ve had to change plans.” he added a snort on the end to show his frustration. ”Their second was the one who told me so, but I can’t risk pushing it there.” he then shrugged and took another whiff of the air. It appeared she too had yet to find herself within a pack. ”What about you? No luck with the River wolves yet?” he asked, not mentioning that he too was headed that way. What a surprise that would be if they both ended up placing a rank there.

He nodded his head at her question. He’d heard from Valiant but very little of Hawke, he inwardly hoped she’d been eaten by a grizzly, that would solve a lot of problems but from the way Valiant spoke about her he could only guess that the two were still in contact. He didn’t know if she had joined the Hollow wolves with him, but she was unfortunately still on the scene. ”Valiant has a spot in the Hollow... and appears to have immersed himself in pack politics. I suppose you can’t get much closer to the action then that.” he added with a shrug before he continued. ”As for that female, all I know is she is still around and driving him crazy. I can’t work out why he is bothering... more trouble than it’s worth if you ask me.” he added matter of factly before he glanced back to her.

”What if it that interests you so in forming a pack with us? You don’t seem the type to break the rules...” he said simply, never one to beat around the bush. Looking at her, all innocent, small and sweet he couldn’t work out what it was she was after. Perhaps she wanted a family, the only real bonus of being the lead female in his opinion. She seemed like a family wolf, one that would love and care for her children like a real mother should. He could only guess that is the treasure she was seeking and perhaps it was a smart idea. With her small size he doubted she’d have much chance of challenging anyone for a higher rank... no wonder she seemed so pissed when Hawke had come along. Of course, this was just speculation, pieces he put together and he could only hope that she told the truth.

”No offence of course, but you just seem like a lady rather then a rebel.”

He listened carefully as she spoke of her past. One’s history could tell a lot about the wolf that stood before you and it appeared her story had some similarities to his own. A father who wasn’t quite right, poor treatment, survival of the fittest was his father’s catch too. Maybe they had more in common than he had first realised. Stereotypes could be such a bad thing, she looked so little, so dainty and elegant. She spoke like a lady but beneath all that she was a little fighter. It seemed she had to fight for everything in her life, and he knew that feeling all too well. He deemed then that he liked this female; she was worth while... for the time being.

The phrasing she used interested him. Your pack. Yes, it was his pack. He was hiding behind Valiant. It was a smart move, or had been when he had wanted to remain a loner. Now he was considering joining the River wolves, building his strength up and accepting that he would never be as bulky as the silver male, he was debating whether it was the right move to make. It only took Valiant to wake up and realise that he was being used as a shield, rather than a leader, and the partnership would fall through. For the time being he played on Valiant’s gullible side, but how long that would last, especially if he had a female like Hawke whispering in his ear, he didn’t know.

”Sounds like a good reason to me.” he stated simply. He supposed that is why she was alone now. He understood the want for males to leave the pack, dominance was a tough battle and sometimes it was easier to just leave and do you own thing, but females were well kept, seemed to get along pretty well. Of course, the disadvantage was the pup deal but they could always challenge for that rather than wander the world like a loner. He guessed she left as she had enough, wanted to prove her worth to her father and to herself. Still, whilst he might like her reasoning it still didn’t tell him much more about her and her character. ”So is the reason you want to join Valiant... the chance of leadership? Or do you just find me irresistible?” he said with a smirk. Obviously that wasn’t the reason but he felt a little humour would work well here. He might be handsome but he wasn’t one to attract females, he guessed they sensed the darkness within him and kept their distance... well, the sane ones did at least.

He fell silent for a moment, weighing his next question in his mind. He didn’t want to get the wording wrong, but it was something he had to know. She wanted a strong pack, that was something he could certainly deliver but with Valiant being so engrossed in the Hollows politics and his poor choices in females, he wasn’t certain that his leadership skills were good enough at this moment in time. Of course, Rhysis was going to be telling him what to do in the background, but was he going to have to compete for Valiant’s ear when a female was on the scene?
He’d been mulling it over for some time, debating if it was still a course of action he should take. Of course, he had always planned to use Valiant as his face so that when trouble came knocking he would be the one to take fall... but what then. What if Valiant fell, who would take his place? Rhysis wouldn’t have control over the new leader, he’d have to claim it for himself... which made him consider the option of just taking the pack himself. He had a female in mind... though wasn’t sure if she’d happily come with him or he’d need to take her by force, at the moment he was still undecided but it couldn’t hurt to ask. After all, a pack with two wolves wasn’t enough.

”So what if I was to suggest, that I was going to be starting a pack... soon. Without Valiant.” he said with a quirked brow. Of course, she could go running to the silver brute and spill her guts to him about it, but he wasn’t too bothered about that. Valiant wouldn’t know until he was safely within the arms of the River wolves and then, he would be powerless to stop him. Valiant had always been aware that Rhysis was the brains, he was the brawn and the heir producer, but what if the idea of power had gotten to his head? Rhysis was going to have to be careful... but he was going to get what he wanted, one way or another.

Rhysis smirked at her comment. So it did appear that she’d be ready to jump ships. For the moment, he wasn’t going to complain. She could be a traitor right up until the very second they took land for themselves. He would have done the same thing, jumped from a sinking ship to save his own ass... in fact, he was doing that right now, wasn’t he?

”I... She’s not crazy. In fact she’s quite the opposite... she just doesn’t know about any of this yet.” he said honestly. He wasn’t sure how Naira would take the news that he wanted to lead his own pack and wanted her to be the female at his side. Maybe not as mates, not just yet, but as leaders. He couldn’t be sure she would agree. She was a loyal wolf, good to her very bones and he couldn’t decide if she would leave the River wolves on the off chance that they might succeed in making a home for themselves. He didn’t even know if that was something she wanted. She didn’t have selfish needs like that after all.

Well... it would be tough, wouldn’t it. She was the wolf he wanted at his side, and so she would be. Whether she liked it or not. The stubborn side in him flared up, she would come with them, whether she came by her own free will. Or by his. ”If you want to do this, tell me now. I have other arrangements to make, and a territory to seek out, but when the time is right I shall come and find you with the River wolves. You should be aware however, that you should think carefully about your answer. It would not be wise for you to change your mind after this conversation...” he said. Maybe there was a hint of a threat in there but well, he needed something to keep her on board, right? His tones didn’t show any sign of dominance or hostility, but the message was there. He was not a wolf to be double crossed.