It had been only days since the shewolf had first left the confines of the secluded den that had been her makeshift home for several weeks. In retrospect, the pregnancy had been smooth, and the birth - or what she remembered of it - went as well as she could have hoped for. She and Ruiko's cubs were growing stronger, and hungrier, by the day; the caches were critically low, filled now with only smaller kills, which seemed to rot much faster. Having not laid an eye upon any of her wolves since she'd slipped from her mate's side that fateful night, she knew the time had come for her leave to end, but little did she know that the world she would return to was nothing of the one she'd left behind. A low growl resonated deep within her throat as her muzzle roved just above the earth, her senses in overdrive as she searched for anything that was familiar.

Nothing.

Despite her greatest efforts to return to any degree of normalcy, the was but one distinct thought - a dark memory - that plagued her mind. He'd never came. The proud king had never laid an eye upon his sons and daughter, not once. Initially it had been a minor let-down, she was sure he had his hands full keeping things intact while she existed, unfortunately, as she imagined a hermit would - tucked away, hidden, safe. But then the day had come to an end, and a new day followed, and to her first taste of dismay, another night without him ensued. Now, as she stood among the swaying grasses of her border, her once warm, honey eyes were stone cold, as if the life within them had simply vanished with him. Days upon days had passed since she'd last felt his touch, heard his voice, savored the smell that had once permeated their den and homeland, which had now all but faded along the edge of the Spring; this could mean only one thing. He had left.

The tawny female would inhale a deep breath as her brows came together distastefully, her eyes clenching shut as a new wave of pain spread throughout her chest. Had he gone to pursue Kinis, if he had clung to the notion that he could still be alive? Was he intercepted by their enemies, in the process or not? Did things he did not share with her exist, and if so, could those secrets have caused him to abandon her on the night she'd given birth? Was he even okay? The Onida female was resilient, perhaps more so now that she had an absolute reason other than herself to live. Three, actually, four counting the man who had become her rock and the patriarch of the Creek wolves. Deep within her aching heart, she knew they would be reunited soon. Ruiko would conclude whatever business had drawn him from her, and when she was least expecting it, there he would be, waiting for her like he always had...Right?

In the meantime, it was necessary that she reinforce the borders herself. Additionally, it was time to rally the few members who remained with her; she needed to reassure herself they were all unscathed, and healthy despite having carried the burden her pregnancy had placed upon them. Shaking her worries and wandering thoughts, her large, creamy paws carried her onward.

Patrol was usually uneventful, but some days she was amazed at things she managed to stumble upon. Though she had tracked only the scents of a literal couple of Creek wolves thus far, as the afternoon sun began to shift westward she would come across a fresh trail, canine, and novel. A loner, as it were, judging by the isolation of his signature, though she did pick up on a faded, female scent. Perhaps her efforts today were not in vain, and if he was not well on his way the hell away from her infant children, the creek would undoubtedly run red.

After a short time the leader eventually had the rogue in view, as he basked carelessly beneath the sunlight. Aggressively, if not silently, triangle ears pressed forward and she froze for a few moments to assess the situation. Luckily for her (and perhaps for him, as well), the trespasser was fast asleep. With predatory stealth she crept closer, getting a good look at him while passing her own subtle judgments. If only she had more time, he may have enjoyed his nap. The the facts were that she had no time, absolutely none, to waste.

"Wake up," she stated plainly as she stood before him where he lay, every inch as regal and threatening as she always had been. He would give her a reason for being here, or else suffer a fate much bloodier than any he could envision in his dreams.

The slumbering brute awoke in such a flash that one could have mistaken him for having been bitten in the ass by a rattlesnake. She would give only a blink in response as he slid from his stone pedestal, head follwing her eyes as they scrutinizingly looked over every inch of the young man. He was tall, lanky, in a perfectly improprtionate way, as she thought most wolves of his age were, though she naturally was unaware of what his age actually was. All the same, he was very tall, and though she had to crane her head a bit to get a good look at him while he was standing, it wasn't something that she was unaccustomed to - after all, Ruiko was by far the largest wolf she had ever seen. An immediate show of respect pacified her disgruntled mood, and as the young giant introduced himself she would raise her head and narrow moderately curious eyes upon him.

"Sloane Thorben, you are dangerously close to a place you need not be," she replied, a smooth, scolding tone to her even voice. The statement was very much true, and had it been one of her guards on patrol, he most likely would have awoke to teeth rather than words.

"Aeylen Tainn," she offered. "What is your business here?" If there was none to be had, she'd make quick work of enforcing his departure.

The shewolf certainly had not envisioned such an encounter would take place today. The sleepy rogue had no business in the Spring, after all, save for the youthful dilemma of life's uncertainty. She had been in a similar position before - it had been what had brought her to Relic Lore in the first place - and the fact that she believed she knew how he might feel lightened the weight of the situation. Though she was naturally suspicious, and for good reason, she listened openly to his next statement concerning his uncertainties. Here the boy was, sleeping on a rock in the middle of what would be nowhere, to him, wondering upon his life and future. The wheels in her head turned.

Given the recent disappearances and desertions, Copper Rock Creek was limited by all means. With the cubs growing mouths to feed, there was room for another, one who was able bodied, willing, and most importantly of all loyal. But this Sloane was, for now, a complete stranger, and for all she knew he could be a threat to her and hers. He carried no pack scent, and his naive honesty spoke to her half open, half dying heart. Perhaps, she could make time to get to the bottom of him.

"Why is that?" she asked with cunning, leaving all the room required of such an open ended question. Maybe there was more to the lost man than uncertainty.

Strong. Honorable. Responsibility. Heart.

All were words she had longed to hear, words and concepts that she valued. Sloane's answer had been windy and revealing, and as he spoke her honey glazed stare would sweep over his lips, taking in the look in his own eyes and in the same searching for truth. There was something heartwrenching about the brief tale, a story of loss and family and a desire to be better, to be more. Where he had been merely a sleeping boy in the wrong place at the wrong time, the leader saw in him more than she'd expected or given at face value.

Here and there she would nod, a reassurance that she had heard every word, and - strangely - in offering of some level of emotional support. In the back of her mind she knew it was foolish to spend such time in one place, like she were spinning her wheels when the kids were waiting for her (and how badly she wanted to get back to them), not to mention Ruiko. It was not until Sloane's story was told that he would gaze into her eyes, and within the amber depths there was a plea to be seen. He had not come out with it, whatever it was, but she was sure there was just something he was holding back...

There was not much on her mind by way of advice, for she believed that an individual must forge their own paths, teach and learn their own lessons, but there was something she could, and would offer - a home, a place within the ranks of the Copper Rock Creek dynasty. The young man was strong, sane, and not without a flame of determination within his golden stare. Something about him caught her attention, and in a second of judgment the shewolf decisively knew he belonged with her, if he chose.

"You've a strong mind and heart, young Sloane," she replied softly, taking in a good look at him as she pondered silently for a few moments. "If it is your desire to abandon rogue life, to dedicate yourself to the welfare and prosperity of my pack, my family, then I openly extend you an invitation to join our ranks...Let it be known that we live by a code of honor, of courage, and of respect. I will tolerate no desertion, or deception." It was then that the soft quality of her voice would fade, and her features would grow dark and coded. Death would be the only end to any who pledged faux dedication to the Creek wolves, and while she truly hoped the male would join her, the thought of past disloyalty and their dwindling numbers brought her blood to a boil.

With a gentle grin and a warm smile the leader reached forth to mark her scent upon the young man who she believed would live up to his word. The spoken oath Sloane had offered was all she needed, or wanted to hear, aside from the voices of her children, who she guessed were frolicking with Volkan or Nina. She basked in the glory of the special moment she now shared with Copper Rock Creek's newest addition for only a few moments before the need to depart from the area began to tug at her.

"I believe you to be true to your word, Sloane. Come." It was time to return to the rocky outcropping she and so few others truly called home. Certainly Sloane must be ready for a good meal and some quality rest, and she was sure the others would be excited to have a new face around. Issuing a gentle nip beneath the tawny male's chin, the shewolf stalked quietly northward.