Borlla’s whispered words in his ear stirred a bitter smile to the man – his eyes flashed upon the rogue as a sardonic snort escaped his nostrils, his own eyes glancing down at his mate momentarily. “That could be awhile then,” he returned, the amusement on his features not truly reaching his tone – an indication that the malicious words he spoke were heartfelt and could be true. This was no time to seek a pack. “Especially since there is no food.” His tone was harsher now, his figure lifting more as he regarded the male openly. “Did you know we are in a famine?” If he didn’t, Phineas would be even more unimpressed. The sudden flock of lone wolves to his borders was agitating him – they only sought a temporary place for survival alone. When the snows melted away and spring warmed the lands once more, they would be gone without a second glance over their shoulder.


“Why would I let a stranger in to eat the little bit of food we have? Tell me what you could offer this pack that might help rather than hinder.” There was always the worry that a newcomer would take more food than welcome – yet the law of the wolf indicated that food would go along the line of the hierarchy.. if somehow, a wolf within Magnolia Glen took more than their share.. or worse, from the mouths of his cubs.. They would be next on the pack’s menu. Phineas would make sure of that.

With non-committal emotion, the Leader moved forward, his own form stopping to brush past the other as the male was silently accepted to the pack. He seemed a more honorable fellow than some he had accepted within the past few weeks, and with a weary glance to his mate, he would then weave back to her side.


Phineas gave a flick of his tail in thought – the scent of a kill seemed to breeze past him in that moment and he felt himself stiffen. Fiery eyes swept the lands before the small group, finally coming upon what could have appeared to be a larger lump of snow. Prowling forward to investigate, the ivory male felt a small surge of relief flood him at the sight of the food.. food for his kids. He bristled slightly now, at the presence of the other, and yet nodding to the fallen deer, he knew this was an opportunity for the other to prove himself.


“We will take this carcass to the pups and the pack,” he ordered, allowing no argument within his tone. “Swallow a piece before my children feed, and I will feast on your hide,” he rumbled darkly, his eyes flashing before he bent down, his own jaws working to gnaw a large chunk of the deer to pass to his mate for her to begin the trek to the den. Next, he would work another piece, dividing the kill to three. They would not leave an ounce behind if they could help it, and with one more warning glare to the newcomer, Phineas bent down, his own jaws, now bloodied, gripping a hind limb and pulling it and part of the torso across the snow.


It was not enough to feed a hungry pack, but it would at least take away some of their hunger pangs. It was with this thought of determination that he began the harder journey back to the den site, where his cubs would be.