The winter was long it seemed. The cold wind of the harsh season bristled at the male’s golden pelt, though the large Leader paid little mind to his discomfort. The sun crept up the skyline earlier and earlier each day, and would not fall below the horizon until later now. The days were becoming longer, which meant that spring would be upon them soon. Ruiko welcomed this change of season, for it meant the pack would be away from the dangers of the harshest weather of the year.


His paws fell heavily upon the frozen grounds as he maneuvered the borders. Scents passed by him; most frequently that of Aeylen and Wille, though other pack members mingled amongst them. It would seem others were pulling their weight by guarding and marking the pack lands, and for that Ruiko was grateful. After all, the pack was made up of nearly all yearlings.


A howl echoed across the sky, and pausing only a moment to decipher the location of the cry, the Tainn male bounded forward, his large figure emerging from the foliage of the springs only moments after his summon. His hardened gaze swept over the she-wolf, though he spoke nothing. Lifting himself as was custom to his rank, the male awaited for her to speak and explain why she was so near his lands and making demands of his presence.

Ruiko’s ears preened forward at the female’s accent, his eyes blinking once before his stoical mask settled back upon his features. He was unfamiliar with the accent, but it did little to stir his curiosity for the loner before him. Naturally opposed to wolves who lived their life alone, despite having been one, the regal wolf’s words with them were generally short and to the point.


“Ruiko Tainn,” he offered in brief introduction, his tail giving an idle flick. Her submission was noted and the male relaxed slightly, feeling her less of a threat to his pack now. “What’s your name and what can you offer Copper Rock Creek in turn return of giving you a home?” It awed him to the amount of wolves that had settled themselves in Relic Lore as of late. Only a little over a year ago, the male had struggled to keep Swift River ranks up when he had been its leader.

The responses from the rogue wolves only varied so much, so upon her answer, Ruiko gave a nod of acceptance. The skill set of the pack was in tune with one another, and the large male would be sure to give allowance for his members to hone any skill they wished to excel or add. “You’re welcome to our ranks then, Pakuna. We’re getting tight on numbers though, and if you don’t pull your weight around here you’ll be standing right back where you started,” he rumbled in light warning.


Moving forward, the hefty regal prowled around the she-wolf’s sides, his body briefly brushing against hers to give her the pack’s scent so she would not be questioned upon entering. Pulling away, Ruiko gave a nod in the direction he had come, his own paws moving back home with the expectance that she would follow him. “Your accent is different than the ones from around here,” he noted, stating the obvious. “Where are you from?”

Ruiko’s lips held back the twitch of a smile at her words – spoken so brashly and so very unfeminine-like, and yet he could not help but enjoy her presence. She was perhaps the most refreshing rogue he had come across on his borders since Kanosak and Wille.


The wolves walked in stride together, and the male listened quietly to her story – short, and yet to the point. That was how Ruiko liked his conversations. It lacked any luster of imagination, but her honesty was noticed and the large male gave a nod. Not everyone had a whirlwind past. “You’ll settle in fine then,” he decided. After all, if she had traveled for so long, she must have been able to really find a safe haven anywhere, even if it had only been temporary.


The rest of the walk was spent in silence, and as the two came to the clearing that acted as the pack’s main den area, Ruiko offered the she-wolf a nod before departing her side. He was certain she would find herself a warm welcome as her pelt now held the slightest hint of his scent on it, and he would have another round of patrolling before the day was through.