The pups were about five weeks old now and well on their way to being weaned. Which meant that Aponi was starting to get some of her sorely missed freedom back. No longer was she constant being attached to at the stomach for food and she was free to leave them for a few hours to hunt if she so pleased. Not only that, but @”Azra” and @”Kisina” were now old enough to follow the older pack members for walks through the territory and mock “border patrols”. Things were far from easy but the children seemed to be doing well, they knew no different.

The mother had left the twins in the care of their father while she had excused herself to go out in search of smaller prey. She wouldn’t stray too far from the borders with the recent run ins with coyotes but she needed to get far enough away to catch herself a meal. The alpha had been low to the ground, silver pelt blending into the blue mist as she stalked after a hare when the sound of rustling nearby distracted her.

Without her focus Aponi stepped on a branch which cracked beneath her weight and caused the rabbit to take off. But, the Donata - or should she call herself an Aquila again? - wasn’t worried about that, was the sound another vermin coyote or a much larger cousin. Standing to full height with her silver tail stiff behind her she barked out, ”Show yourself.” If it was a coyote maybe they would run, but if it was a wolf she still had questions. They didn’t get many visitors this close to the Bend.

Whoever or whatever was out there in the woods didn’t show themselves immediately to her deman and the woman’s silver tail flicked behind her in annoyance. However, her minimal amount of patience was rewarded with the figure of a small dark wolf, a loner clearly. It was evident not only from his slightly thin frame but also from the lack other’s scent mingling with his own.

Blue eyes flicked upwards to the stranger’s orange, making dead eye contact at his comment and smirking, ”I scared my own rabbit.” She had been following it and these woods certainly belong more to herself than to some loner wandering through. Shrugging off his statement her tone was dismissive, ”The coyotes aren’t much of a threat to a pack wolf, especially since my subordinates are only a call away.” The implication was there, the vermin were a loners problem. Sure they would still be an annoyance to a pack wolf out on their own but it wouldn’t take much to get enough backup to scare them off.

The loner however had more manners than herself and instead of continuing their dry, sarcastic conversation he introduced himself. Flicking tail stilled and sarcasm was dropped, ”Aponi, leader of Oak Tree Bend.” Aponi what she wasn’t quite sure of these days, should she still call herself a Donata and if not would introducing herself as an Aquila again be the final nail in her marriage’s coffin?

Raising a single silver brow the sarcastic smirk reappeared, ”If you’re not a threat then what are you?”

Vaken may be a scrawny looking loner but he was a smart one, smart enough to show her some respect at least. Taking note of his submissive posture Aponi allowed her own frame to relax, a clear display that she wasn’t looking for a physical fight. Not today. Though come to think of it it had been a long time since she had been able to take out some of her physical frustration. She wondered if one of the yearlings might be up to a spar sometime this week.

His snort was matched with a smirk, she appreciated a wolf who recognized sarcasm for the humor it was and not immediately an insult. If Aponi was going to insult you you would know it. Her own silver rump settled upon the ground as she looked Vaken over, ”You’re skinnier than a coyote, I doubt I would need a full crusade maybe only a warrior or two.” Not to mention that she herself was probably the closest to a warrior that the Bend had. The evidence of that was as clear as the scars that marred her muzzle.

Glancing around briefly the queen almost wanted to call this brief but entertaining exchange over and head back to the territory. But, that was looking less and less appealing these days and so she remained, ”So what’s to the south that’s got you travelling so far? You’re not looking for something more permanent I suppose?” Most loners called when they got near the borders if they were looking to make good impressions. But, Aponi supposed she could make an exception based on his wit alone.

Aponi made no attempt to hide the playful roll of her eyes at his comment, ”I’m not prone to underestimating wolves, that’s a dangerous business to be in.” It had gotten many canines injured, even killed depending on how grave their judgement in error was. Two warriors would have been generous to take Vaken down and they both knew it, it was an unacknowledged truth in this exchange. She wasn’t currently utilizing it but she had all the power here.

The alpha was almost disappointed that the loner wasn’t looking for anything permanent. He was witty in a sarcastic kind of way, and they certainly needed the numbers even if they were skinny. Surviving as a loner with the constant coyote vermin was certainly credit enough that he would be useful. Shrugging casually she offered, ”If you ever change your mind, come calling at my borders and we’ll see if we could make a warrior out of you.” It wasn’t everyday she made suggestions like this one, Aponi was a hard woman to impress even at the best of times.

Shaking her head remorsefully she had only a little information to give, ”Never heard of a Nashoba, and the only pack I’ve ever known south of here was Quaking Vale.” And, because she loved to scorn at that pack in particular she added, ”But I knew both their leaders, practically children.” Who said she was still bitter?

The queen paid little mind to Vaken’s frown, his disappointment was not her problem and she was sure he would hear no far more times than he heard yes. If he was going to frown every time someone had never heard of Nashoba then he might as well get ready to frown for the rest of his life. Even those who had heard such a strange name might be more likely to hold their cards close to their chest. You could never be too careful when a strange wolf was asking around, unless he had something to offer in return.

Smirking at his purr Aponi flicked her silver tail in dismissal. It was clear that this meeting was over and after watching his small frame disappear into the woods she had to admit it was time for her to return as well. Turning she made her way back into the Bend, the pups would be hungry by now.