Nash was just getting back into the territory from a brief foray to the pass to check for herd movements. With the weather warming the deer would be returning to the territory and food would finally begin to flow again. There were a few signs, but not as many as he'd been hoping for. He would need to talk to Ch-

The guardian paused, his heart sinking. He was still having to remind himself that @Chan was gone, and that he had taken his brother's rank. He was the one to coordinate that stuff when Al wasn't involved. It was surreal.

He would need to talk to @Aleister about putting together a small hunting party to see what they could find. It was getting into fawning season; they would surely find something.

A call directed to him broke Nash's train of thought and his ears pricked. It didn't seem urgent, but he picked up into a trot and followed the sound. "Hey Oksana," he said as he approached. "Everything okay?" Just because her call didn't sound drastic didn't mean nothing had happened.

He hadn't been too worried, but hearing everything was well was still a relief to the guardian. Nothing dangerous had slipped past his guard - yet. And then Oksana continued, clearly a little uncomfortable. Nash sat, relaxed, hoping his own posture would help ease her anxiety. Then she explained why she'd called him, and a smile spread across Nash's face as she spoke. "Of course!" he said even as she'd finished. He jumped back to his feet bumped his nose against her cheek in congratulations. "It's about time," he grinned, stepping back. "We need a queen around here, and sky knows Al needs someone to keep him in line."

He'd known the dark woman and his friend had been growing closer and were finally together, but he'd wondered if she would step up to lead with him. Nash was excited for both of them; Al deserved someone who would stand beside him, and Oksana deserved someone who could bring her joy. "You'll make a great leader," he said emphatically. "I'm so excited to see where the two of you take us!"

It seemed his tactics at diffusing the tension by relaxing had worked, but still his response clearly took the crow off guard. He couldn't help a small chuckle at her dumbfounded expression. "Well, yes and no. I hoped you would. You and Al are so good for one another; I couldn't imaging the pair of you not leading side by side." He offered a gentler smile.

She carried on, admitting she hadn't led before. He shrugged. "Chan hadn't led before - to my knowledge, anyway - and he did just fine." He winked at her next words. "Sanguine Cove is already great," he said, "but with the two of you at the helm, we'll become even greater. The best, even." He had total faith in his new leader; she would be brilliant.

Nash smiled to see his friend - and his new leader - relaxing. Of course he didn't want her to worry; he was sure no one in the Cove would object to the woman taking her place next to her husband. Oksana was well-liked, and she had confidence in herself and her pack. He was sure the rest of the pack had confidence in her, too.

He dipped his head with a chuckle as she joked, though a pang ran through him at the thought of his brother. He hadn't heard anything from @Chan since he'd left, and Nash missed him dearly. He hoped he and Flair were okay, and that they were finding a place to be happy. Maybe the would visit soon. He hoped his children would be able to know their uncle.

Oksana drew his attention again and he offered her a small bump. "I'm honored to have you as a friend too," he said warmly.

It seemed Oksana's tension had finally faded. She was even joking, to which Nash chuckled. "Suppose I do," he agreed with a smile. Not that he wouldn't have listened to what she had to say before - now her suggestions held a little more weight. A lot more weight, actually, but the guardian didn't anticipate that she'd abuse that power. He was happy to serve.

He let out another short huff of laughter at her question as he shook his head. "We don't," he said. "If something important comes up, like with the cougar, I'll seek him out, or he'll come find me. For the most part he seems to trust my judgement." He paused for a moment, thinking. "A daily meeting wouldn't be all that bad an idea actually, if we have the time. We don't face all that many threats, fortunately. It's mostly just watching for other predators and renewing the scent markers."

The Cove was fortunate to live in such a safe area, especially with the lake drawing so many animals for water. They could certainly face a lot more trouble - trouble he was content to let pass them by.