The newcomer was quick to press herself to the ground – a sight that did note soothe the golden she-wolf in the sense of petting her dominance, but one that did reassure her to remain at Maksim’s side, as she longed to be. The girl was a pretty thing, and always insecure of her mate’s favorable attention to herself, she wondered if, come breeding season, his eyes would stray.

Shifting her weight, she felt a stiffness in her limb – recalling the old injury that had even brought her to the pack she now led. The cold weather would always bring the worst of her old injury to light, and almost as if distracted, she cast her eyes upon the girl once more as she spoke, offering a name.

A small smile touched at her lips, giving a nod to the yearling – one of approval, and that held no threat to push her weight around. Her own form relaxed slightly, and with ears carefully preened forward to take in the girl’s intent, she found her heart warmed. They might not have been a large pack, but the River wolves were indeed tight-knit – something she hoped could be seen easily by any wolf who newly joined their ranks. Kisla Baranski, she offered in ways of greeting, her tail sweeping through the freezing fog, feeling a shiver course her spine.

This weather is strange, she agreed, allowing her green eyes to drift from her new companion to sweep the forest – even it felt different as ice would coat the tree trunks. Come, she beckoned, shifting her weight then to begin to lead the girl to the main den. Let’s hope the others have kept themselves out of the weather.

Grey clouds roiled above -- the snow would hit them, and it would hit hard. It seemed almost fitting to the question Jynx asked next, and as the two began to weave their way to find a place to seek shelter from the storm, Kisla allowed her mind to drift back to the storm that had stolen her from her family -- that had barricaded her upon the western side of the mountain. No -- I came to stay here during the harsh winter last year, she offered then, her eyes gazing before her as she sought a small nook in which the females could both fit. She found nothing.

My intention was to return to my family on the eastern side of the mountains come the first sign of spring and when the snows thawed -- but I fell in love with Maksim, she spoke once more, her voice quiet. She had met her mate prior to her accident.. when Oak Tree Bend had been newer, and promise had seemed to be just around the corner. Instead, light would find her instead in his embrace, and she had never been able to find her peace with the world until he had instilled it within her. What of you? Why are you not with your birth pack any longer? Her creamy limbs moved forward as she navigated her way to a slope she knew of -- one, where a tree bowed, partially broken upon one side of the steeper incline.. and where they could both likely remain until the worst of the storm was over. It was a nice distraction having Jynx with her then.. otherwise, her silent mind would have been further worrying about the safety of her children.

The two she-wolves had more in common than Kisla would care to put thought in to, if only because of how sorrowful it was. Her ears would slide back at the mention of Jynx’s father abandoning her – how familiar a tune that was. It was not something she shared out loud though.. instead, she kept the information close to her heart. Indru’s abandonment two times over, where he had stolen her youngest brother in the night, away from her mother. Rihael had disappeared at the same time – whether he had aided the man he had come to look upon as a hero or not was still unclear to them all.

Somehow, as each year passed, the pain ebbed away bit by bit until only a small ache would linger in her chest.

Snow began to fall then. The flurries that cascaded down upon them was only the beginning, and very soon the storm would truly emerge. Kisla snuck in beneath the shield of the tree, settling herself beside her pack mate. Her bright green eyes would cast out upon the oncoming weather, noting the silence of the forest as the snow settled upon it. My mother is dead now, she finally offered, still, after so long, despising having to speak the words. I miss my youngest brothers. And my uncle. My littermates are gone now – our family was once very large in Relic Lore. Now we are quite divided. The Tainn’s had a rich history, but it would seem their wanderlust was taking them further from their home. Not a day went past where she did not wonder how Fenru was doing. Shifting her weight, the leader cast the girl a stolen glance, her wolfish brows lifting. And what skills do you wish to specialize in for this pack? Jynx would soon be old enough to gain a title of sorts – surely, if she desired, her talents could be put to great use.