He swore he could smell the she-wolf from a mile away. It may not have been that far exactly- but it felt like it as he weaved through the woods. He wasn’t sprinting (didn’t want to seem too desperate) but moved quick enough to not miss her, maintaining a sturdy run. When he saw her figure, he slowed down significantly- trying to stay hidden. He hadn’t considered what to do when he got here. He wasn’t sure he wanted to do anything, not even say hello. It was a strange situation to be in, but it would be foolish to turn back now.

He purposely snapped a twig beneath his feet, announcing his arrival in a casual unassuming way. He didn’t want to shout out to her, that felt forced and uncomfortable. This was better. She would see him and be able to make her own decision, stay or leave.

He moved towards her like a magnet, head low and eyes glistening happily. She was a puzzle to him. He could never assume what she was thinking, what she was going to say. It felt like a constant coin flick, that her reaction would be 50/50. He never knew anyone like that, anyone who kept him on his toes the way she did. She was like a shadow to the man. He didn’t know her well at all- but he wanted to. He didn’t know how to start. He didn’t know what to ask her, he always got too distracted. Even now, he felt his mind turning into fuzz as he approached slowly.

He was clearly infatuated. He tried to hide it with a smug smile, his shoulders broad and mischievous glint in his gaze. He glided across to her, stopping a few feet away. It felt presumptuous to get closer. Even though they weren’t strangers, he wasn’t the domineering kind. He would let her move how she wanted. The events of that night replayed in his mind, but he didn’t dare assume she would be the same now. Things had changed. He knew how the night could make things different. He took a seat, relaxing the muscles in his body. He faced her, his cold nose pointed forward and eyes concentrated. “Feeling better?”

The words were soft, genuinely concerned for her well-being. He was testing the waters too, casually bringing it up as if to avoid startling her. He had left the morning before she had woken up. He was afraid she would resent him for that, but he couldn’t ignore it.

Her concern was validating, but a little unexpected. He hesitated with an unsure grunt, uncertainty rising in his features. He felt okay. He was eating alright, his health was in good condition. He was bulking up with his winter coat, the fur around his neck even more mane-like. He wiped his nose with his paw and scoffed. “Gotten into a few fights recently, nothing serious though.” Vaken was not a tough guy. He wasn’t trying to sound like it in the moment, his voice even softer and weaker than usual, almost as if apologizing. The subtle scars under his fur did not hurt, there was no risk of infection. He was overall healthy. His unsure tight-lipped stare lightened, the corners beginning to twitch upwards in a playful grin.

He twitched his tail at her dismissively, attempting to brush off her worries. She didn’t need to worry about him. He barely even worried about himself- he wasn't that type of wolf. “I’m doing fine Circe, really.” He lowered his fluffy tail back down and wrapped it around his paws, warming them up with the thickness, scrambling to change the subject. “Winter’s coming,” he whispered, knowing she was close enough to hear. Even now, bits of snow were drifting from the sky, the flooded area beneath their feet beginning to freeze. The words were loaded with meaning. He wasn’t just stating a fact, but acknowledging the danger the cold could mean for loners like them. “What are you going to do?”

It was a fair enough answer, but the yearling’s forehead creased unhappily. He wanted something more from her. He wanted her to have a full proof method for survival. He wanted her to say she was planning on joining a pack, or that she had found other loners to travel with. It was an unfamiliar feeling, caring so much for the well-being of another individual. He looked at her with genuine tenderness and fear. He didn’t want her to struggle this winter. Didn’t she have any family? He couldn’t find it in him to ask, forcing his lips closed in a tight line. He had never found someone so alluring than Circe. He was drawn to her like a moth to flame, but he was scared of her reaction. The last thing he wanted to do was make her upset. He couldn’t find it in him to ask something so personal, something he didn’t feel entitled to. It would drive him crazy wondering, but he didn’t have a choice.

He cleared the curiosity out of his expression and tightened his tail around his paws. “I’ll follow you,” he whispered. “I will make sure you are okay this winter.”