It was a lie to say that he did not worry where she had gotten to. They spent a night together – in complete innocence – and in the morning, after the storm, Ruiko had bidden the dark she-wolf a hesitant goodbye, almost certain he would see her again soon. Of course, the large golden wolf had little time to consider such things after Indru’s insistence that the pack relocate. He had been adamant about staying – a rising and fierce passion he had never shown his brother before, and despite such, Indru had left. Of course, the wolf was their leader, and so Ruiko watched his siblings file after his close sibling, one by one.. not once looking back. It hurt him deeply, but the pain was dulled when Kinis had stood firmly at his side, refusing to follow the rest of the family.


Of course, now, the feeling of guilt had seeped in to the bare bones of the leader as the source of water remained dwindled. Kinis didn’t complain, but he could tell the boy was suffering. He knew, because he could feel it too. Every day he would leave the lands to scour Relic Lore for even the smallest of puddles. Each day he would return home empty handed, with Kinis’ young, searching eyes on him. No, his feelings had far surpassed guilt.


Today was no different. He had left early in the morning, and was once more disappointed with the reality of their situation. Coming home, the briefest thought that he should take Kinis away for a day trip outside of the valley began to seem needed.. they could stay away for a few days while Avalloc kept the borders safe, then when they returned, they would send Avalloc to quench his thirst as well. Of course, all of these thoughts fled from his mind as he came upon a familiar figure upon the borders of his home. She had just lifted her muzzle to cry for him, stirring a swell of emotions in his chest. Seeing her there, the stoical wolf felt his shoulders sag lightly. Quietly, from behind, Ruiko cleared his throat. “They’re gone,” he announced to her, his tone raw with an emotion that he could only ever show the girl before him.

Ruiko’s golden gaze swept over the dark warrior, feeling a wave of relief that she was perfectly fine.. and had clearly sought him out. She must have known his desire to be near her, and as the empathy played upon her features, the River wolf began to move toward her. Her questions went unanswered for a moment as she swept in to his embrace, and as the she-wolf planted tender kisses upon him, the tawny wolf buried his muzzle to the back fur of her nape.


He was uncertain what it truly meant for her to come live with him. Winter would be upon them soon, and mid-winter would bring mating season. The idea of Avalloc or any other male that joined his pack attempting to court her stirred a dark note of jealousy in his soul, and he knew that he would fight for her to be his, if she willed it. Never before had a female had this affect on him.


“A few weeks ago,” he responded as he finally pulled back, his eyes seeking her beautiful molten gaze. “I’m not sure where. Indru took them somewhere outside of Relic Lore because of the water.” There was a small pause as his eyes drifted to the Swift River lands. “My brother Kinis stayed behind. I’m not sure that we shouldn’t have followed.”

To soothe him, the dark she-wolf nuzzled him affectionately before trailing kisses along his jawline, stirring again that protectiveness within the large beast. Her words caused his ears to slide back to his skull, and his eyes sought her soft features with a hidden curiosity. His pack was not much of a pack, but Kinis did need him.. if only because the boy had no one left if something happened to the regal Tainn. Ruiko needed Kinis as well, for without the youth Ruiko would not have been as determined and driven as he was every morning to wake up and find water for them. A fruitless effort, yet a labor of love at the same time.


His initial reaction to her words was to state that he needed her. Yet it was far too much too soon. There was a brief pause between the two, and bending his muzzle down to smooth his lips to the top of her head, a soft sigh escaped the tawny wolf. “Stay with us,” he asked, his tone no more than a murmur.

The she-wolf accepted his plea, and with a short response she once more nestled more closely to him. It was a dangerous game, for she awoke in him a response he did not know existed. Revelling in the feel of her agile figure against his, the male gave a small nip to her ear in response, inhaling her scent. Already his scent mingled upon her, claiming her as a wolf of Swift River. Ranger was pack now, and at her offer, Ruiko pulled back to give a small nod. At times like these, any wolf who was sensible could help.


Releasing a sigh, the male pushed himself back a pace, giving a light nod in the direction of her new home. “Let me show you around,” he murmured, his tone revealing that it was a request rather than an order. But he did not wait long for her response, and his hefty cream paws began to carry him toward the heart of the pack land, where the pack den was. Hopefully, Kinis or Borlla would be there so he could introduce them to the newest pack member.. there were quite a few new faces for the growing youth’s to become accustom to, and Ruiko worried they would feel out of sorts. “My younger siblings are at an age where they must begin to learn to hunt,” he told her, casting a glance to the dark lady by his side as they walked. “Anything you have to teach them would be appreciated.”

He did not respond to her initial response to the youth of the pack – it was something he enjoyed about the she-wolf.. he never felt the need to respond to everything she said, for he knew she understood that he took her words for what they were. He moved at a more casual pace, the pang of hunger and thirst slowing down his bulky frame more than he would have liked, yet he certainly could not complain about the company. Every so often the male would shift his weight closer to her, brushing his tawny fur against the deep black of her side as he rubbed his scent upon her, accepting her to the pack.


Her question drew a small shrug of his shoulders. “Aside from the children? Avalloc. He is my adopted cousin from when we were younger.” Ruiko slowed his pace down even more as they came to a small opening in the trees. His eyes fell upon the large enclosure of rocks where a small opening remained between them. “This is the pack den,” he murmured softly, nodding in its direction. The entrance was almost hidden.. the main reason he believed Indru to have chosen it. Unfortunately, no one was around at the moment to greet Ranger. "They're all likely off and getting in to trouble."