The summer heat hat practically dragged the woman down to the river. She always seemed to be thirsty; but it was no wonder as to why. Panting dried out the tongue like nothing else. At the burning peak of day the agouti female had trudged resolutely down the small mountain; the call of the rolling waters ever-present in her ears. There was little use in expending much energy during the day when it was so darn hot. The girl doused herself in the cool liquid and decided resting here was the smartest idea. The heat would die down in a little while. Fortunately, by the time the subordinate had awoken from her midday nap, patchy clouds covered most of the sky. Even more delightful; they had covered the sun. For a moment Raela laid still, wondering vaguely what had roused her from sleep. She had a faint recollection of a sound... 

A summer breeze brought a new scent down from their hilltop home. At first, panic lit her veins and the girl's head snapped to attention. It was then that she scented Gent's presence as well. Still worried, the Crest wolf hobbled to her feet. They were near the den, the pups- She broke into a gallop, her speed restricted only by the fact that her sensitive hearing had picked up no sign of trouble. No growling, crying, nothing yet. Part of the reason for her dash was just to get close enough to be sure everything was alright. Thankfully, there was no tinge of blood in the air. The nervous girl darted upwards, hurdling fallen logs while her ears strained to catch any sign of danger. She was ready to call out this time. If something was wrong, she knew now she couldn't handle it alone. 

Drumming feet brought the summit into view in no time. Raela was sure now that all was quiet, and so her pace slowed to an uneasy trot. Glinting amber eyes searched frantically for the rocks of the den, finally locating Gent's towering form. The woman slowed further, pausing some distance away in the foliage. Whether or not he had noticed her yet was of little concern; though she expected as much. No, her eyes sought the stranger first. Unfortunately, her viewpoint allowed no such visual. Cautiously, the subordinate padded forward; her tail straight with agitation. Worried eyes sought the glaciers she had become so accustomed to. Their owner seemed perfectly fine, earning him a faint smile and a respectful dip of the head. It was obvious that she was looking for the source of new scent, though, and her gaze fixated again on the den. The younger woman's pale fur then appeared in the entrance. 

Raela was taken immediately with the newcomer's thin frame. She looked awful! Fear gave way to concern, as it so often did. Still, the female looked more than happy to be alive, and the reasoning behind it came in clear. This was a new pack member. Again her leaders had taken in a tattered soul. Now aware of herself, the woman relaxed her rigid tail into a slow wag. A smile formed on her creamy maw in greeting. “Hey, welcome to the Crest.” She turned to glance at her swarthy friend for the briefest of moments before returning to the young female. What was the story here? 

Draven was not in the den itself, but he hadn't managed to wander very far from it - just enough that he hadn't seen or heard Gent leading the pale stranger home. He heard Gent's call, though, just as he was pouncing on a lizard sunning itself on a nearby rock. The call distracted him, and his pounce ended with Draven crashing awkwardly against the rock while the lizard skittered away through the leaves.

Ow. The dark-furred pup dragged himself back onto his feet and shook himself out, wincing at the throbbing pain in his shoulder. At least wrestling with Ari and Kino made him ready for that kind of bruising, but still - ow.

Draven shook himself out again, then looked up in the direction of the den. That had been Gent's call, he thought. He was pretty sure it was, anyway - and if Gent was calling, something interesting might be happening. (Or something important, which was kind of like something interesting except more boring. Hopefully it was just interesting.)

Curiosity peaked, Draven trotted back to the den, his little tail wagging eagerly as Gent and Ari and Kino and Raela came into view... although it slowed a little bit when he saw the pale, skinny wolf standing with Gent. Who was she? She looked awful...

Draven quickly went over to stand next to Ari, his eyes locked on the stranger as he moved. She didn't seem mean - but what long legs she had, and what patchy fur!

"Hello," he said to the stranger, his head tilted in curiosity. "Who're you?"