Ever since her encounter with @Lavender and @Lachesis, the little mute had remained in the Kingsfall like a tiny planet orbiting a much larger sun. The pack didn't seem overly bothered by her presence, so she'd followed them from afar when they made a move on the other side of Turtleback Lake at the base of the mountain range. With the care given - and the additional help from @Reid against a pair of coyotes - Pip was stronger than she'd been since she first became separated from her family. While still thin, the little mute was better able to manage the cold and fend for herself. Time among other wolves gave her body the time it needed to heal, but also some of her heart and mind as well.

Solitude didn't suit Pip at all, but she also had no intention of joining a pack. To tie herself down to one place would keep her from searching for Kjell, Kyrios, and Aegir. She had to be able to move on when the need suited her. Joining a pack was counterproductive to that goal, no matter how much she enjoyed their presence.

But that didn't mean she couldn't thank them. Without a doubt, their involvement had saved her life.

The little mute felt she was near their new borders - it was hard to tell as their scent didn't perforate her senses as readily as it had in Kingsfall - and stopped short. The hefty arctic char in her mouth gave a last dying thrash that shocked her. Pip had thought it dead several minutes before, but she felt it hang limp again. Anyone who didn't know of Pip's excellent fishing skills would have to assume she had stolen the kill from a grizzly due to its size. The red-bellied salmonid's length nearly matched that of her torso and it weighed almost fifteen pounds.

She shifted back and forth on her paws, unwilling to leave the gift on its own and also unwilling to cross into territory without invitation. Russet ears perked at the sound of approaching pawsteps. A patrol? Her tail wagged with relief. Perfect timing! They could take the gift back to the pack!

Pip was even happier to see a familiar face! That took out the stress of having to try to explain herself to someone new and have them realize she had no voice to communicate with. The red wolf's arrival earned an excited little hop in place as her tail wagged wildly. She even turned in quick circles to further show her happiness. With him here, he could take the catch right to the pack and she'd have no concerns as to whether or not it would be received. Had it been someone else, who knew... While Pip liked to think the best of others, her time on her own had taught her not every wolf was kind.

At Reid's question, Pip looked back to the arctic char. She hopped again. Yes, yes! The agouti bent down to scoop up the fat fish and carried it to Reid's paws. Surely he wouldn't mind her tiptoeing over the borders to give him the offering...

Once it was set down for him, she quickly backed up and wagged her tail proudly. It had been a good fight for sure! The char was a monster and the pack that had done so much for her certainly deserved it. She hoped the red male would pass it along to Lachesis and Lavender, too, that she'd brought it by for all of them as thank you for their kindness.