Tempest was more than relieved that her self-appointed mission had been a success. She had gotten Koda back home where he belonged and she, herself was pleased to be back home. She had not been a member of Willow Ridge long, but that didn't matter. Her brother was here and she had committed herself to Lady Elettra and would never break her pledge. That was simply not the Thorben way. Honor, commitment and love, above all else. She was proud of her upbringing and fervently hoped that she and her brothers could resurrect the Thorbens here in the lore. She and Guiness with their actions and perhaps Sloane would carry on the line. She suspected that Willow Ridge was to lose a hunter soon to the affections of her baby brother.


So, she vowed to excel in her own hunting to make up for the future loss to her pack. She suspected that Sloane and Narime' would remain close though and that was good. Getting back to her task, Tempest tallied her results of the morning. A couple of squirrels, three scrawny rabbits and many other misses. Not much, but every little bit helped. She had deposited her small bounty in the pack cache and decided to head south to a large clearing that she had seen from the distance, but hadn't had the chance to explore yet. Perhaps she would have better luck there.


As she neared the clearing, she realized that it was far bigger than she thought and was covered in a layer of snow. The clouds covered much of the sky, but where the sun broke through the snow fairly sparkled. Tempest marveled at the simple beauty of nature as she breathed deeply of the fresh cold air, feeling revitalized. With a sigh of determination she began circling slowly, casting about for some sign of life to hunt. Something caught her attention, but it wasn't something to hunt.


It was another wolf, running exuberantly a little ways away. She had just come out of the brush herself, so her coat had blended fairly well with the trees and she had not been noticed yet. She was glad, because the smaller wolf's enthusiasm was beautiful to see. She wished that she could let loose herself, but she had been nothing but reserved since she had left her pup-hood behind. Even more so since the tragedy and her own...attack. Regardless of her past and her own reserved nature, seeing the lighter wolf go into a roll that ended with feet splayed and an expression on her face that was lovely to behold. Complete joy in the moment.


Tempest almost didn't want to ruin the moment, but something drew her forward a few steps, bringing her and her russet coat fully out into the snow covered clearing where she stood out like a beacon. She said nothing, waiting for the other wolf to have her moment of bliss and notice her in her own time. She stood in a completely neutral position with her long plume waving gently behind her. Before the girl noticed her, another form emerged from the trees not too far from her and spoke to the wolf that had been playing. The breeze carried his scent to her and she recognized the large pale wolf as a fellow Ridge wolf, although she had yet to meet him.