The soft light of the late day swept down to cascade over dozens of coppery hued rocks, of many different shapes and sizes. Well traveled cream paws were placed with care over the pebble lined bank, as the now distinctly pregnant Notch Alpha set out on yet another search for food. The gradual swell of her sides and tummy reminded her constantly, that it was not just herself she was feeding anymore. The new lives inside her demanded nourishment, resulting in a drastic spike in her appetite. Also, now that she was responsible for overseeing the well being of the pack, a certain weight of responsibility settled on her shoulders. She needed to make sure the subordinates of the Notch were well fed too. Winter had been hard on them all, with the shortage of prey. A possible explanation for their still somewhat low numbers, but fewer mouths to feed in such unfavorable conditions was a positive. On another high note, Jynx was pleased to see that much of the local prey was slowly starting to filter in back to her neck of the woods.

Outside the immediate boundary of the pack lands, but still easily reachable if needed, Jynx was on the trail of an enticing opportunity. Fresh tracks, clearly imprinted in the mud, had caught her eye. The narrow, hooved shape and earthy scent could mean only one thing. Mule deer. Upon closer inspection of it's scent, her hunters instinct sharpened even further. Not only was this animal alone, but it was also pregnant. Possibly close to giving birth. If that was the case, then the doe was likely seeking shelter. Which meant it would be vulnerable, and a double meal for the predatory mother to be. 

Ignoring the gentle splash and lap of water from the creek, Jynx methodically moved along with it, creeping upstream. Her yellow eyes were fixed ahead, far off into the low lying branches of bushes, or past the trunks of trees. Looking for the muted brown coat she wished to see, or the slightest movement. Her eyes were not on the ground, where they should be. A glimmering, slender dark body slipped out from under two shaded rocks, just feet from her paws. The garter snake, who was minding it's own business and simply on it's way to the creek to attempt a crossing, was directly in her path. One step later, and a front paw landed firmly on a wriggling, dry body. Both animals startled, the snake coiled around to latch it's mouth around her outer toe, to get the wolf to remove her crushing paw from it's body. She, feeling a firm pinch, flinched back and peered down with a brief curl of her lips. Rather than releasing her unwilling captive immediately, she peered close to inspect the reptile. If it were venomous, she would rather know, and then seek treatment. A snake was a snake, and no matter the species, to be regarded with caution.
 

Positioned in such a way that she was unable to see the incoming inky form of another wolf, the low call reaching her red ears only a second after the snake had struck. The arrival of yet another wolf, this one an earthy colored female, who called out a cautionary warning, only a little too late. Suddenly much more interested in her fellow canines than the reptile beneath her paw, she swung her head around to gaze in their direction, just as he asked if she had gotten bit, the green eyed beauty offering if she could help. Little did the two females know, that they shared a common link in the past. Had Natalia's eyes been brown rather than green, then maybe Jynx would have seen the resemblance to her first crush, Karpos. Ears falling back just slightly, she shook her head with a sheepish, small smile. "It did tag me on the toe...but I only felt a light pinch. Nothing serious...I think."

She lowered her muzzle back down for a closer inspection of both the garter snake and her digit. She took note of it's dark coloring, and the yellowish racing stripe on it's back. On her outer toe, the tawny fur had been disturbed and spread out to expose the flesh beneath, which was unbroken, but slightly red from the bite. "I feel alright...but...I'm not exactly an expert on my species of snake." Her yellow eyes darted between both wolves, as if curious if either of them had a better idea than she. A soft sniff dissected their scents. The male was from the northern pack, Whitestone, whereas the female carried no claim of a pack on her pelt. Purely a chance meeting, and nothing more than that. There had been no sharp sting with the bite. There was no tingling sensation through her body, or nauseous waves. But oh what a price she would pay, along with her unborn children, should she have received a dose of venom. Using her other paw, she pinned the reptile behind the head, so it could not strike again. The other, she released off the slender body, confident in that it wouldn't get away. As small as it was, it could potentially be a useful snack. 
 

Both of the wolves didn't seem to be any more knowledgeable as she was, in regards to the snake that had bit her. But the pitch black male assured her that if it was venomous, that she would start to feel the effects shortly. Russet ears pivoted back on her crown, accompanied by a thoughtful knitting of her brow. "Then I'll play it safe and take no chances. As soon as I return to my pack, I'll have the medic take a look." In her state, with pups growing inside of her, she was not about to take any chances. The words coming from the younger female did put her mind at ease some, considering that her own mother had seen many snakes similar to this one. She nodded softly, appreciative. "Then maybe that's the same case here...I hope." Deeming the snake no longer a threat, she lifted her paw off it's slender body. Angrily, the reptile withdrew, coiling defensively. Wisely, she stepped back enough to give it some space, and once it relaxed, it slipped away back amongst the rocks. Jynx may have been a huntress at heart, but she had little interest in killing an animal out of spite. 

Now with no more distractions, her eyes lifted up to meet Rowan's as he introduced himself. Rowan Attaya, from Whitestone Monadnock. Ah, so he was a pack wolf as well. And from one of which she and the Notch were on friendly terms as well. At the sound of his last name, a bell rang in the back of her mind. Where had she heard it before? It sounded so familiar, but she couldn't place it. Before she could put any more thought into it, the brown and black female introduced herself as well. It wasn't the first name that struck her interest like a newly lit match, but her last name. An expression of surprise, mixed with hopeful recognition washed over her face. But quickly, she smoothed her features and smiled pleasantly. "A pleasure to meet the both of you...Rowan...Natalia..." She nodded to each of them respectively. "I'm Jynx Myrddin. I lead White Fir Notch, alongside my mate." She said with a friendly wave of her tail, her posture continually relaxed even after stating her position. Out here in neutral lands, she did not feel compelled to flaunt her rank to wolves she didn't even know. That was no way to go about making a decent first impression. With renewed interest, she looked upon Natalia again, peering at her closely. "You said you last name was Slayer, did you?" Her head cocked to one side. "I once knew somebody with the same name....but not anymore. He left this area some time ago..." She said, her eyes falling to the ground while contemplating the past, and the possibilities of what had transpired during the time Karpos left, and the present.