A call came from the borders, crystal clear thanks to the lack of wind, the world seemed eerily silent to the alpha after the storm. Sun beat down clear against the crystals of snow, untouched in many places and icicles hung precariously from the trees. Silently the woman had rose this morning and stood in awe at the entrance of the cavern at the sight of the outside world. Without a word she had left the cave behind and set to work marking the borders, for many days the wolves of the caverns had been trapped inside by the storm and there was work to do. The trails they had carved within the snow had been filled in, their scents buried beneath mountains of crystals and ice. The snow came almost to Minka's chest as she trudged through, stopping to rub her side against stumps, drag her claws down the bark of a few trees and marking with urine every couple of meters. The passing storm would not be an excuse for loners to walk upon their territory unknowingly, she would make sure of it.

The call came from ahead, a point of the border the alpha had not yet marked and her only though was it must be another loner seeking shelter for the winter. Warily Minka moved ahead, the now familiar questions posed on her tongue, Who are you, what are your skills, what can you offer us a freeloader would not be tolerated in her books. When the dark form came into view the tawny fae's muscles froze golden eyes widening as her heart skipped a beat. Confusion, anger, betrayal all swum across the alpha's features and a growl built steadily in her throat, Asterion? Embarrassment crept onto her cheeks as the woman realized that she was wrong, this was not the same wolf who had abandoned her all those months ago. Doing her best not to embarrass herself again the golden eyes studied the stranger quickly, he didn't look thin and ragged enough to be a loner and he smelled of a pack, and held himself with a deserved pride Minka usually saw upon leaders.

Walking forward warily Minka couldn't help the pride she displayed upon her own stance, tail above her back, head held high. When first entering the position of leader she had been uncertain, now every movement demanded the respect that a leader deserved, she truly had blossomed. Curiosity drove her forward, what could this stranger possibly want if it was not a pack and shelter? The woman stopped a couple of meters away and stood silently for a moment before asking, May I help you? The tone was not rude, though curious and somewhat blunt, after all they were in the middle of a horrific winter, there wasn't time for idle chit chat.

His words confirmed her suspicions from before, so he was a leader, Hollow Nite of Secret Woodlands, not only that but he was brother to Simaea. Nodding her own head in respect Minka introduced herself as well, "I am Minka Leigh, leader of Whisper Caverns, I could call for her if you wish? Either way you are welcome to stay with us for a few days to rest and recover from your trip." The invitation was formal but the alpha found herself wondering why she was so welcome to give it, food supplies were low and her first priority was keeping her pack stable. Yet, she felt the same attraction to Hollow as she had to Asterion, perhaps because he reminded the woman to strongly of the man, either way she knew in her heart this attraction was dangerous, she had learned the hard way the first time. Realizing suddenly she was probably staring the tawny woman averted her eyes, happy her thicker winter coat would hide the blush that was creeping up her neck.

A darkness entered her eyes at the mention of Sloane, though her face remained a mask that hid the true emotions. Minka would never forgive the former alpha for disappearing in the middle of the night without a word to anyone, practically leaving them for dead. Golden eyes focused once more on Hollow and the words that left her muzzle were slightly more harsh than she intended, "Sloane abandoned us early into the winter, he is no longer welcome on pack lands." A moment of silence passed before the alpha's expression softened slightly continuing, "Narimé is recovering from a long trip over the mountains, and as for the alliance as far as I'm concerned it still stands." The tone was softer though still formal, after all this was business even if Minka couldn't bring herself to look directly at Hollow. It was odd how he affected her, but she couldn't figure out whether it was the wolf himself of the ghost he brought of her past love.

Minka's heart beat furiously in her ribcage and the woman fought back the frustration and confusion her physical response to Hollow brought. He was a complete stranger and yet she was acting a fool in her own pack lands, she was supposed to be a leader, stay level headed and one attractive wolf was tearing her down. He didn't answer as to whether she should call Simaea, or if he would stay within their pack lands for rest and so the she wolf hesitated. She felt almost selfish not calling for the healer, but the fae couldn't help but revel in this time until she could control herself. The last thing she needed was to make a fool of herself in front of her pack. The thought of Tokino wandered into her mind, she had no romantic connection with him, but she had promised to carry his children in the spring, how could the sight of Hollow cause her to question her plans?

Golden eyes rested upon the curled lip at the news of Sloane, exactly how she had felt when she finally realized the previous alpha wasn't coming back. Minka knew that Narimé would like the male to return, that she loved him and wanted her children's father to return but the alpha had declared him banned. At least while she still led here he would not be welcome back into territory, he was a traitor. The woman shook her head at Hollow's words, "I'm not sure winter has anything to do with it, perhaps it was just the nature of those wolves to leave as soon as life gets hard." When first arriving in these lands Minka had strongly believed in fate, that karma would give you what you deserved, now though, now she knew you had to make your own fate. On a lighter not she answered his next question, "Ash Hervoc, I believe he is Nina's brother, a good man as far as I can tell." Unsure as to why she added the last part the woman focused her golden eyes just above a point on Hollow's ear, trying to get her internal monologue under control.

Minka couldn't help but notice the way that Hollow's blue eyes lingered on her figure, though it was much leaner now due to lack of food. For some reason this made her blood feel hot and a small gasp escaped her muzzle as she raised it even higher. The golden eyes held a challenge, not one for submittal, some kind of challenge even she did not understand fully. They begged for him to come closer, to claim her, even though she was absolutely silent physically. It was odd, and crazy she knew, Hollow was a stranger, why did he have such a strong physical effect over her? Tokino was far from her mind now, vanished by the look in the blue eyes, the strange attraction that was almost tangible in the air between them. His question only brought further challenge to her eyes, what was he implying? "Ash has a mate, her name is Namara, but I myself am mateless." Why was she clarifying this? It was none of his business whether she had a mate or not, and yet she desperately needed him to know that she didn't.

An a flash of pleasure rippled down Minka's spine when Hollow said her name, how it sounded coming from his maw. Nodding the woman fought to hide her joy, surely by now the dark male was going to think she was crazy, acting so foolish around someone she had just met. Attempting to keep her voice cool she responded, "It would be my pleasure to offer you our home to rest, and I'm sure Simaea will be thrilled." The dark healer was far from the only one who was thrilled that he was staying. Minka craved to know more about him, find out who he was and what he wanted from life, and if he could possibly ever want her.