Ruiko avoided the pack more often since his run in with Indru – the brothers had always fought over dominance, but never before had Indru pulled rank above him because of a petty disagreement that got completely out of hand. Disgusted that his brother expected him to agree with everything he said because he was a notch above in the hierarchy, the tawny male had to take a step back from the situation.


That left him in the forest today – a very near opposite of where the pack was at Swift River. His paws stealthily carried him, maneuvering his pace every so often to avoid the patches of wet mud and puddles. He came to the forest very little, exploration was not a top priority for the immense male, and yet as he trailed down a small path he found himself almost regretting keeping away for so long now. Scenery was lost upon him, but there was something relaxing about this area.


Caught up in his thoughts, it was a small surprise to him when the scent of a stranger filtered his senses and drew him from his reveries. Glancing up sharply, his bright gold eyes fell upon a lightly pelted she-wolf, her fur stained slightly with the mud of the forest. “You got some..” Trailing off, Ruiko lifted a paw slightly, prodding it in the direction of her chest. Just in case she had missed the blotch of mud there.

His presence was greeted by a sharp retort – one that left little confidence that they were true at the casual ‘ain’t’ and ‘um.’ The she-wolf had glanced up quickly to him and her brows instantly clouded. The large male said nothing to any of this, the only emotion offered was the gentle lift of his wolfish brows as the girl stood before him, her mouth agape momentarily and her nerves clearly frayed. He was suddenly regretting not having turned the opposite direction of her when he had first become aware of her presence.


Biting the urge to retort that he didn’t truly care what others called her, the tawny male recalled Indru disappointment with him for not being more accepting of lone wolves, which was now only seeming to bother him now that he was the gerant of the pack. With a brisk glance cast across her creamy white fur, Ruiko decided to indulge his brother, even if he was not here to witness it. “Ruiko.”