Things had been getting better for Secret Woodlands. Everyone seemed to be staying on their feet and doing what they could for their family. It was a good thing that everyone seemed to be in the right end of things. Nina had been in much better spirits recently, trying to find things to busy her with and she found that it definitely helped with the grieving process. The only problem that seemed to be plaguing her lately was the sadness that hung around Hollow. She knew why he was as such, seeing as how Azariah was once again nowhere to be found, and it seemed as though she had once again abandoned them, something that the alpha knew she could not forgive. She wasn’t sure what Hollow’s views were on this, but knew that he would come to her in time. Eventually something would come out of it and she was sure that anytime now they would have that exact conversation.

Nina had returned to her duties as pack leader after getting back on her feet after her son’s death and as she looked at the borders, she inhaled, stiffening slightly when she realized that there was a stranger close to her borders. Ears perked forward, Nina started in the direction that she was sure that the scent was coming from. Blinking her single eye, she narrowed it slightly, noticing the form of another wolf, who looked quite ill, far enough away to her borders, but still, she was here and Nina felt it was her business to find out who she was…and find out if she needed any help. It was the Healer in her that was coming out and it was why she called out to the girl, <b style="color:#008080">”Hey there!! Do you need some help?”

It was clear that the other woman immediately thought that she was a threat. Waiting for the other woman to realize that she definitely wasn’t, she took the chance of approaching the ill female, wincing slightly at the disheveled appearance in front of her. Immediately upon getting closer, Nina listed herself up taller, marking her as an important wolf in the area. When she heard the woman’s voice, Nina listened attentively, reminding herself that she didn’t have many herbs left in stock due to her saving the life of another all too recently. She had used up much when she had been tending to other minor injuries here and there and only had a few herbs that were rarely used and they grew year round anyway. The fact that winter was hardly over and that she was nearly completed depleted of her healing resources hit a sour mark and she inhaled sharply as she listened to the harsh demands given out by the loner, near her lands. If she wanted help, then she better hold her tongue.

She looked over the woman and noticed that all she really looked was starved. If she had some food then she could be whipped into shape in no time. But the woman also had a problem with giving food to someone who was not within her pack. It meant that she would be giving something to someone who hadn’t worked for it. If this Frost had been her patient, then things might have been different, but this lone wolf was definitely not injured, just starving and probably exhausted from stress, nothing a little security couldn’t fix. She then opened her jaws to make her offer, <b style="color:#008080">”Well, all I can offer you is a place to stay during the winter, but you’d have to work for your keep…extra hard this year considering the winter conditions, do you understand?” This lady could take it or leave it, the choice was hers.

It was no surprise to Nina that she got a completely shocked response and for a moment, she almost let a sardonic smirk cross her face; that never happened, of course, but a woman could imagine. It was amazing how shocked and confused the loner seemed to be, as if a home had never been something offered to her. Of course, during the winter Nina would be able to get the other woman’s work cut out for her, considering she was a scout. Communication between Whisper Caverns and Secret Woodlands had been wearing thin lately and Nina needed someone to go ahead and establish base with them better. Clearing her throat, Nina spoke softly, <b style="color:#008080">”Yes…welcome to Secret Woodlands.” To make sure that the loner did not get attacked by her other members, Nina let her muzzle run along the side of Frost’s making sure that her own scent was on the female.

Lifting herself tall once again, she let her ears flick forward when Frost asked her another question. A small twitched on the alpha’s lips, but it disappeared as soon as it made itself known. Opening her mouth, she spoke again, <b style="color:#008080">”I will show you my territory, you will rest and bulk up, and then you will do a job for me.” The alpha spoke quickly and effectively, letting her tail flick behind her in telling Frost to follow her into the thickets. Parting her jaws, she stated clearly, <b style="color:#008080">”Be careful, there are thorns everywhere.” Nina had only stepped on the thorns a few times in the year that she had come to the thickets, but her pads were now use to the familiar sting should she ever happen to step on one too, but new members were not so fortunate once they arrived and would need to get some use to the new area; much like Frost.