Noble and Kova had grown large enough that they could spend much of their days in the small clearing surrounding the communal den; with adult supervision of course. This meant some free time for their mother who until recently had spent day and night watching over them and keeping them safe. While every step she took away from them as Minka watched the border caused her heart to cry out to return to them she knew that she needed to stretch her legs and she had other duties to the pack. They were still relatively new and had no guardian that meant every member had taken upon the responsibility of performing border patrols. Minka herself usually completed only one or two a day but she knew the others laid their scents down much more frequently, after all they had young life to protect and if they kept up their efforts their scents would soon become embedded along the borders.

All had been calm and typical as the rusty she wolf wove her way through the gentle slopes and trees, the sun peaking occasionally from behind the clouds. The days had become warmer and longer and Minka had long since shed her winter coat, her body appearing leaner and slimmer with the thinner fur the lay beneath. As a slow breeze played lazily across the territory the scent of a loner reached the new mother, yet she had heard no call. For a moment her muscles tensed and she had to fight the urge to run back to her pups to ensure their safety, but she knew that her pack mates were keeping a close eye on them, and a loner was her duty not theirs.

Taking a breath to calm her nerves Minka cursed herself for being so on edge, they were safe now, they were established, no longer were they on the run. Picking up speed the she wolf moved at a trot now, reaching the edges within a few minutes, though she was unsure how long this ebony stranger had been waiting. Making herself visible she took note that the male appeared young, though was obviously not a yearling as he seemed to have grown into his full size. He stood on the other side of their borders and seemed patient enough to wait, a good sign of his character Minka assumed. Clearing her throat her tail raised above her back and her muzzle elevated proudly, her voice was strong and steady as she spoke, "Please state your business at our borders." There was no need for small talk, it was evident this would be to the point, the pack she was building would be strong and there was no need to beat around the bushes. The stranger smelled only of himself and wilderness though he still held hints of another, it was probably he was looking for a home within their borders.

The dark male, Nios instantly settled into a submissive position and pleased with his reaction Minka lowered her tail into a more friendly manner. She observed his posture, low to the ground with his ears and tail tucked before she nodded her approval, though she was sure he wouldn't see it as his eyes were focused low. At his name the tawny ears perked forward and the alpha's head tilted ever so slightly to the right, "Does the name Vaeta or Grizzly Hollow mean anything to you?" Her voice rang with curiosity but held no malice, it was obvious that this was not a threat of any kind or a test, just a genuine question. He certainly looked nothing like the girl she had met nearly a month ago before the pack was truly settled. A gypsy she had called herself before once more going off on her quest to find her family and her old home, Minka cursed herself now for not asking her destination. Perhaps this male in front of her was one that Vaeta sought?

It was Nios' next words that caused the golden eyes to narrow slightly and her tail to rise up a fraction. Though she appreciated his honesty they were not the type to take in vagabonds who already had plans on leaving before they even joined. A formal coldness returned to her voice as she answered him, "And why should we take in you who has no intentions of staying, when we could use the position for someone else who is ready to swear their loyalties without a doubt?" The Lagina woman paused now, allowing her words to sink in as she once more looked over the young man. He certainly would be able to work but how could he allow herself to trust someone who was not fully committed to the pack? With these thoughts in mind her voice lacked all of the warmth is usually carried and instead held a serious finality to it, "I believe it is the best interest for yourself and my pack that you search for a home elsewhere." The tawny tail was once more flung above her back and her muzzle in the sky as her golden eyes locked on the dark male. It was expected he would take his leave now.

Nios obviously knew the she wolf that she spoke of, his maw fell open in surprise and emotion flashed across his eyes, recognition perhaps? It would seem however that the gypsy gene ran in his family as he declared that he was unsure how long he would stay with the pack. While she had been pregnant she had offered a home to Vaeta should she chose to come back, but now that she had her pups to think about she knew she couldn't risk accepting someone who wasn't committed. For all she knew this dark male before her could chose simply one day to take one of her children and disappear without a qualm.

Nios stood before her and answered his dismissal with cold words of his own, but Minka was unaffected. Nodding once she answered, "While honesty is always appreciated, it does not give a free pass into a pack, though I wish you all the best in the future." That at least was true, she held no malice towards the man before her, felt only that he did not belong within her family. Golden eyes watched the figure disappear into the distance, waiting until she could no longer see the stocky frame before turning back towards the den. It was unfortunate as they could use another male within their ranks, but Minka knew this was no reason to just accept any male who came along. Shaking her head softly the Lagina woman made her way through the trees of her home, back towards where her children waited for her.