Once he was well rested, his limp all but vanished, and the weight gradually piled back onto his bones. He was still lithe, and no more pretty to look at than before, but he was alive with purpose. His days were spent ever dutifully patrolling the borders, marking well as he went. The worst he had encountered as yet was a fox, which he quickly shooed from their home. They didn’t have cubs to protect, but the drive was there none the less.

He had quickly become acquainted with the area. Elettra had chosen well, but he never had a doubt in his mind that she would. An absent minded grin played on his face as he took a moment to appreciate where he was right now, and the chance that he had been granted. He breathed deeply, taking in the earthy scents and the clear presence of pack, along with the quiet sounds of birds busying themselves in the trees and the gently swish of the willow branches in the breeze.

One of the scents was stronger than the others. Fresher, and he knew it was well past time that he made his acquaintance with other members of the pack, if only to please his lady leader. They were family now and he would protect each and every one of them to his last breath. But he needed to know they were worth it well and truly before such a grave decision would need to be made. And so he lowered his nose to the ground and he sought out the strange male who’s scent was so close.

Old habits died hard.

The golden wolf’s tail lifted as he approached the dark male, trying to judge exactly where this wolf sat within the ranks of Willow Ridge. The stranger seemed to hold himself low, it was a look the new guardian had seen often and he didn’t like it one bit. He would not submit to someone so close to handing themselves over to the never waking sleep.

Golden eyes observed closely for the slightest sign of challenge in the dark male as he introduced himself. His torn lip twitched in what could have been a smile, but just as easily mistaken for a snarl as tattered ears flicked in acknowledgment. Before giving the golden wolf a chance to respond the dark male went on. So he was a talker... A non-committal grunt was all the answer Kanosak gave before introducing himself as well.

“Kanosak...” he responded, very much to the point. He had a job to do, and the directions of Elettra would take precedence over this boy. For although they were close in age, the other was not holding himself as a man should, and unless he demanded respect, it would not be given easily by the grizzled former second of Copper Rock Creek.

Although his ears were tattered, his hearing was as sharp as ever. An angry growl sounded in response to the other wolf’s words. He had been here before, and Willow Ridge would not be abandoned as Copper Rock Creek had. His hackles stood on end as he advanced, teeth on both sides exposed as his tail stood rigid over his back. His voice was a dangerous growl. “You would weaken your pack for your own selfish desires?” His question was harsh, but necessary in his own mind. Golden eyes glared daggers, the answer would determine whether this meeting went well for the pair, or ended in bloodshed.

The recusant male allowed the words to pass his ears, not a hint of his thoughts crossing his face. Not understand? How could he? He had loved and he had lost, perhaps he knew better than most. He had walked a dark road for a time... He had lost himself, and found himself again. Nobody had handed him anything, and he wasn’t about to hand anything over for free, least of all his respect or submission. Just because this wolf had been in the pack longer than he didn’t mean he was deserving.

His teeth clicked in frustration as he took another step forward, into Shades space, tail aimed high, pushing. How far could he push before the man before him would snap?

Or would he fold?

If he wanted to depart, Kanosak would more than happily turf him out... At Elettra’s word and not before. “Loyalty.” The word was a grated whisper as the golden patchwork wolf came face to face, golden eyes meeting chocolate brown, seeking a challenge now. He needed to be whipped back into shape? His scarred hide stood on end, exposed teeth flashing in the dappled light. He was a fearsome sight, the stuff of nightmares. His parents had told him ghost stories about wolves that resembled him now, threatened that if he wandered from the den at night that they would be stolen away by wolves that looked like him.

Perhaps it was stealing young in the night that got them looking that way to start with...

“It is not up to me if you leave. But you should know that if you go without our lady’s permission... and you show your face here again...” His eyes flashed dangerously as he allowed his words to sink in. “I will tear it right off your skull before you have a chance to beg her forgiveness.” he warned quietly. Waiting to see how the other male would react. He didn’t mind if they couldn’t sort this out with words. It had been a while. He was itching for fight.