When the River scout heard Inali’s voice weaving delicately through the wind, she at first thought it was simply a product of her imagination. Naia often heard Inali’s whisper on the wind or saw her graceful frame moving through trees at the edge of her vision, likely because she was just so desperate to see her Downs lover. Mating season was not helping matters at all.. every time she scouted the Cedars she found the entwining scents of furtive lovers hanging over the forest’s more secretive spots. It seemed love was in the air in Cut Rock River, and Naia was the only one left out. Of course, her packmates’ secrets were safe with her—she knew how compelling love could be-- but she did hope the covert River couples were careful not to conceive during their trysts. Naia thought that new life should always be a happy occasion, but so often it was the reason good packwolves were cast from their homes. At least that was one fate Naia and @Inali would never face

When Inali’s voice rose once again, Naia knew it was no hallucination. Her feet flew in the direction of her lover’s call, paying little attention to the fact that the howl had actually been requesting Kisla or Maksim.  If Inali wished to speak to a River leader so be it, but she would have to greet her River love first. Her alphas were quick, but none could even compare to Naia’s speed when it was only distance that lay between her and her obviously worried lover. The scout did not slow when Inali came into sight, and she only halted as she fell into the Downs woman’s embrace, neck wrapping protectively around that of her beloved. “What is it? What’s happened?” Naia questioned, her voice a whine as she pulled away to gaze into Inali’s azure eyes. She who knew Inali’s voice better than anyone knew that there was a problem the moment she’d heard the howl.