Winter was ramping up in earnest now, with white blanketing nearly everything and frigid winds cutting down from the north. The season bothered Spieden little, warmed by her plush brown and grey coat and doubled by thick layers of muscle and fat. Strong limbs pushed through the snow, breaking new ground as she left a deep furrow in her wake. The Coho woman's bright amber eyes skimmed the leafless forest and she kept her flared nostrils to the wind as she patrolled the territory. It made Spieden's skin crawl with how quiet things were lately. It was too still, too peaceful, and she wasn't used to it. It made her wonder if something terrible was waiting in the wings. She didn't want trouble, but she also didn't want to be caught unprepared.

Spieden's loping pace slowed when a long howl drifted towards her from the outer reaches of the packlands. She wondered if Triell had heard it too, but had to check on the off chance he hadn't or was busy with something else. She interacted little with the man, but at least respected that he gave her distance and hadn't given her cause to mistrust him yet.

Pausing for a moment, Spieden tipped her head back and released a short, low call alerting both the stranger wolf and any of her packmates who might be listening that she was on it. Before the last echo of her song had died off, Spieden was on the move again. She picked up her pace to a hurried gallop, snow crunching loudly underpaw as she traveled.

Familiarity with the land told Spieden she was nearing one of the creeks that edged the territory. It had made a fine fishing spot during the summer, but now it was edged with ice and not worth the frozen paws for what few fish remained in its depths. Spieden approached the bank, and her gaze swept over the other side before settling on a silvery female poised on the opposite bank. Spieden's dark tail waved steady with her back with it's tip arched upwards.

"Yes? You called?" Spieden gruffly asked, her voice steady and loud enough to cross the hiss of the water between them.

Spieden quietly watched as the woman introduced herself. The lone female's respectful body language put Spieden at ease, but she kept her stance firm and her tail stiff. Spieden still felt a bit guilty for how she had treated that poor blind wolf weeks ago. She regretted not offering to help him, and imagined he had probably fallen through ice or off the edge of a cliff by now. Still, it was hard to work against the defensive shield she'd built up around herself over the years. Kindness, or at least an approximation of it, was something she had to actively work towards. Spieden's crumpled right ear flicked and she gave a curt nod as the she-wolf mentioned wanting to join their pack.

Spieden kept her eyes trained on Phyrrus as she waded across the stream. She quietly winced as she knew how cold it must be. Spieden politely took a step back and allowed the woman room to stand on the snowy bank. This also gave some distance to avoid the flinging droplets of icey water.

"You're talking to the right person, then. I'm Spieden Coho, I lead here beside Triell Tainn." Spieden informed her. Now that Phyrrus was standing closer, Spieden could get a better look at her. The female was smaller, looking quick and lithe, but didn't seem too young and Spieden could find a few scars scattered about her silver pelt. Refocusing her attention, Spieden snapped her ochre eyes to stare straight into Phyrrus' dark umber pair. Spieden had never fielded a new member before, this was all new to her. She had to think back to when Triell had taken her in, what he had said then and what she should do.

"So, why do wish to join us? And what can you offer us?" She asked. As much as she wanted to help the woman, winter was here and Spieden had the well being of the pack to keep in mind. They had no need for idle paws that would only consume with nothing to return.

Spieden quietly listened as Phyrrus disclosed her reasons for seeking out the Bend pack. Silently, Spieden wondered who she had heard of them from. One of their own? An enemy or ally? A well informed wanderer? She didn't have long to further ponder this as the lone female quickly continued on with her skills. Spieden slowly nodded, taking it in as she thought how useful it would be to have another able hunter in their ranks to provide, and another set of teeth and claws to keep watch over the border. The woman looked fit enough to stand up to her claims, and had a sharp look in her eye unlike the wandering gaze of the boy she had encountered earlier.

"Your skills sound like they would be a great help. If you can live up to your claims, you might even find yourself with the title hunter or guardian. If any of that interests you." Spieden told her. She knew some found great pride in getting their own titles, while other's couldn't care less. "Even then, we still expect everyone to share in all duties." She added.

"Do you have any questions for me? Of our pack? I don't know what you've heard about us, but I don't want you to find we're not what you expected." Spieden said. She wouldn't demand undying loyalty, and in fact despised the practice, but wanted to make sure things were at least a comfortable fit before welcoming someone to their ranks.

No questions then, not that Spieden minded. Or rather, there was the one question from Phyrrus of when she could start. It slightly amused Spieden, since why would they wait? For the first time in their interaction, Spieden let the corners of her greyed muzzle upturn slightly in a half smile. Her dark tail, rigid and still this entire time, suddenly came to life with a wag.

"Well... Now, of course." Spieden said as she stepped forward, closing in towards Phyrrus and reaching her face towards the other wolf's. Slowly as not to surprise, she grasped the female's jaws within her own in a muzzle grab. It was a test of trust and an initiation rite. She held it for a moment, firm yet gentle, asserting both her own position as lead and this new wolf as one of their own. Never in Spieden's life had she expected that she'd ever be doing such a thing as leading a pack, or accepting members. Yet through strange circumstances, here she was. With any luck, she herself wouldn't become a victim to similarly strange circumstances.

Spieden released Phyrrus' muzzle, stepping away and glancing skyward at the brilliant hues. The beauty of it was lost on Spieden, but their meaning was not; sunset. Spieden grunted, more to herself. These winter days sure didn't last long. "If you want, I can walk you to the pack den. So you know where it is. Wouldn't want you getting lost out here." Spieden offered.