Ruiko moved at an impressive speed for a wolf who’s hind ankle was torn and tattered – the deep gashes from Weldering’s attack still broke open quite frequently, and despite his brother’s request that he remain off the bad limb for a few days, the River wolf knew such a thing was not possible. Besides, with three bored little pups at the den site, he wouldn’t gain much rest anyhow.


The clouds rolled above, darkening the sky in grey. The Tainn wolf paused a moment, his eyes glancing up to the angry skies and briefly wondered if they would receive rain. It was needed. The ground was far dryer than it should have been, and the sporadic puddles that usually littered the forest floor were long gone. The air felt humid, and as the crackle of thunder emitted across the sky, the male ducked his wounded head down as he swept his large body in to a small cave. It was shelter from the storm, but a sad storm it would be, for only the sky would rumble with distant thunder and the forest would light up with flashes of lightning. There would be no rain.

The male strode to the center of the small enclosure he had found; a dry and cozy place, if he had to describe it as anything. Just as he was about to settle down upon weary haunches, a flash of black alerted his senses, causing his muzzle to swing to the entrance. With hackles bristled and a low growl seeping past his lips, Ruiko only recognized the slender figure moments after her arrival. Instantly his annoyance and defense was hushed, and his imploring bright gaze caught hers as she brazenly tread forward.


A whine broke from her lips as her eyes sought his inflicted injuries, and before he could reassure her of his well-being, the rogue wolf moved closer to him. His eyes remained fascinated upon the silver that spun itself upon her dark coat, unable to ignore the feminine curves that softened her warrior spirit. He lifted his muzzle slightly, and upon the embrace she gave as she nudged his chin gingerly. The soft lick to his nose ignited a powerful desire to protect her, and as she buried herself to the soft gold of his neck the male finally allowed himself to move. Bowing his muzzle slightly, Ruiko nipped playfully to her ear, accepting her as he would a pack mate. Wanting much more than that.


She moved now, stirring a light shiver from his large figure that he was unable to conceal from her as she touched him. He stiffened greatly as she found the sharp wound upon his ankle, and only relaxed after a few moments of her tending to him. He could not decipher what this moment meant, and instead, the stoical brute expressed his tender concern for her the only way he knew how: “The water in Relic Lore is drying up. Have you found a decent water source for now?”

He remained still for her as she sought his wound – thoughts of Weldering and Ruiko’s desire to find the coward had subsided in her presence, and while there was a sharp pain that throbbed along the joints of his ankle, he knew if any were to care for him she would do it the gentlest. It was just something he could feel.


As she paused for a moment to seek his gaze, the male returning her look levelly as she moved away from him now. Finished with her ministrations, Ruiko shifted his injured limb closer to him now as she spoke. Her response was far from what he had expected – the idea that she was thinking of his younger siblings stirred an appreciation to his protectiveness of them, and he gave her a rough nod. “We’re fine. The river is still plentiful – we’re just not sure for how long. It’s dwindling quickly.” There was a light pause in his words as his ears perked at the sudden crack of thunder in the sky outside. “You should come back with me to the river. Meet my brother.” There was no point in hiding that he worried about her now.

Only when he heard her words of agreement did the male fully settle, and while it elated him to know that she would do so, he offered only a small nod before settling to his haunches. Withholding a wince of pain from his torn ankle, the male’s bright eyes were once more drawn to the storm outside as the wind seemed to pick up, whipping small bits of foliage and dirt in to the very entrance of the cave. And still the grey clouds that darkened the sky did not offer what Relic Lore truly needed. “Perhaps the rain will come,” he murmured gently, his eyes soon training back on to the dark she-wolf.


She was captivating to him. She was larger than any other she-wolf he had met, though her figure emanated grace and power. She was not as gentle-natured as his sister Niija, but nor was she power-hungry and malicious like Ioni. No, she was a warrior, and that was what drew him to her.

The she-wolf was silent, though action spoke to him far louder than any word. Her dark frame nestled softly against him, her chin finding its way to rest delicately upon his shoulder. It was a very natural feeling – as if she was always meant to be there, and thus was the reason why she seemed to fit so perfectly. He shifted his muzzle lightly, tracing the tip of his nose along the top of her head as he listened to the roaring thunder and sweeping winds outside. It was a storm like he had never seen, and while he worried for the whereabouts of his younger siblings, it was hard to completely keep the girl in his embrace from his thoughts.


Her query interrupted their silence, and Ruiko pulled his muzzle back slightly. Shifting his figure down to stretch across the smooth den, the large male brushed his muzzle ton her nape in invitation for her to follow suit. “Yes,” he responded simply, his bright eyes studying her features as his intentions became more clear. “That is, if you want to.”