It didn't take long for Indru to notice the unfamiliar scent along his borders—he was so familiar with them the young female stuck out like a flash of red in a white landscape. Indru's curiosity was perked, he could tell she was young, not much older than his young cubs, and perhaps more importantly, she was a lone wolf. Curiosity piqued, once he had inhaled and digested the strange scent along his borders (pleased to note that it was still fresh too) he turned and began to lope in the shewolf's direction, his knowledge and familiarity of the Grove allowing him to travel considerably quietly for a wolf his size.

Just as Indru started to near her direction a howl burst forth from his right and the lonely tone of it was undeniable. As he got closer to the female Indru's posture adapted one more fitting his role—his leg's stiffened and his tail rose, his chin held proudly upright as he left the shadow of the trees to fall into the sight of the female. His fiery eyes alighted on her with curiosity again as he took her in, his body wasn't overly welcome but he wasn't threatening either, yet it clearly showed he requested the respect of his rank when on his land. Hello young wolf, he greeted her warmly, a small smile curling his muzzle quickly before it disappeared, what brings you to the edges of the Swift River pack?

Upon his arrival Indru saw the female lower herself respectfully and he nodded in acknowledgement, after all if you approach a leader's borders it is only proper you give them the full respect their rank requires. Her requirement was not a common one and Indru's held titled to the side as he regarded the young female. You just seek to talk, Ren? It was an odd request, but one he supposed could come from loneliness, but surely if you were lonely it made much more sense to quell it for good and join a pack? A pack was family after all—or it most certainly was in Swift River's case.

Though he could tell that the female's packless status was not a new thing, her scent did not give away the length of time she had spent alone. Surely, though, at her age (barely even an adult, really) she could not have been without guidance for too long? You're young to be alone, Ren. I have three cubs not much younger than you. Do you not seek a home? Yearlings, while adults physically were far from adults mentally. They still had the playfulness they had as a cub and more importantly they lacked experience in the necessary skills to keep themselves well looked after and he could see the tell tale signs of a hungry life on her lithe frame. No wolf was a healthy as a pack wolf.

The leader wasn't surprised at her admission—clearly her loneliness and desire for a pack had brought her to his borders and the only way to cure that loneliness was to seek a pack. However, Indru wouldn't take in just any wolf, they had to be able to benefit the pack too and, of course, be loyal and trustworthy. I'm sure Swift River could teach you many things, after all, the pack had already successfully raised one generation of yearlings and would soon be raising another. They were, perhaps, the pack most experience in Relic Lore to help this yearling. Having wolves a similar age, as Rihael, Fenru and Kisla were, would surely only make the young Ren feel more at home too.

However, we have new cubs coming and we only have room for wolves who can help our pack too, who have skills of their own to gather with ours, briefly the leader thought of Elsa, their newest recruit, and how already she had acquitted herself into the ranks and was beginning to show her use. What could you offer us Ren, in return for shelter, food, security and a family? It was an important question and one Indru awaited the answer to eagerly. So far the shewolf had been respectful, but if she was now requesting to join their ranks Indru expected a further display of submission on his own lands—a clear sign that she would accept him as her leadwolf. The yearling had already begun to demonstrate her prowess as a hunter, she had survived after all and from her words seemed capable of catching a variety of small prey, but what else could she give them than a capable hunter?

Indru listened carefully as she spoke, admiring her honesty and her spirit as he did so, hunting is something you can learn. Along with other practical skills, he smiled warmly. The shewolf was certainly young, barely a yearling and the thought that she was alone and only a few months older than his own daughter, Kisla, couldn't help but kindle his paternal side for her, even if only slightly. But loyalty and trust—well, those things are something wolf either has or hasn't I feel, and we could certainly always need more of those wolves.

After a pause and another assessing gaze at the female Indru cocked his head to the side in curiosity as he asked, would a home in Swift River suit you, Ren? The female was polite and courteous and Indru would be a fool not to see her potential and besides, it would be good for his own cubs to meet a wolf their age other than their litter mates, and surely it would only make this female more comfortable as well. For, if you want one, I'm willing to let you become part of our family.

A smile broke on her face and instinctively Indru responded in kind and though his was admittedly more restrained it wasn't any less as warm. With a measured step forward Indru's posture rose to represent their new role: leader and yearling, no longer were they leader and stranger, he was her direct superior but she was also part of his family in turn. His tail curled over to rest confidently on his back and his chin rose proudly as he closed the gap between them, his intentions made clear as he stretched forward to gently grasp her muzzle between his own jaws. It was a gesture with multiple meanings, first of acceptance and reassurance, a bonding of the two so that they finally became pack, but also it was a sign of his dominance over her and while it was a hold she could easily break if she wished (for his grip wasn't tight), by accepting it she was thus accepting him as her leader.

Then welcome to the pack, Ren, his tone was gentle and when he broke his hold upon her muzzle he pushed his nose against her cheek, his tongue quickly washing across the top of her skull between her ears. Without a further pause the leader stepped forward, his body pushing softly against hers as he meant to leave the telltale signs of Swift River upon her fur, no wolf was pack without their leaders' musky scents on them. Once done, the leader pulled away again, watching her curiously, ready to go home? Turning swiftly Indru started to head back over the borders, giving the newest River wolf an encouraging glance over his shoulder to follow him while he led her home with the intentions to introduce her to the rest of the pack.