Things seemed to be looking up for Secret Woodlands. Nina was gaining weight and was more confident in herself. Even though Miccah and Aideen were on their trip, Nina held onto the hope that they would return to where they belonged. Wherever Koda and Iopah were…it was not there. With their Lead Guardian and Healer out, Nina made sure to assign extra patrols to everyone, including herself. Mirren had been doing an exceptional job as alpha and Nina could not think of anyone more suitable than him to lead beside her. Thankfully, he had come at just the right time and done everything he could to get Nina, quite literally, back on her feet. It was now her time to do patrols and she was quick to make her rounds, making sure that there were no intruders. However, halfway through her round, another scent was blown in the Hervok’s direction, informing her of the presence of another. Raising herself, to make the other aware that she was the regal Queen of the Thickets, she stepped from the shadows. Her single eye was pinned on the man in front of her. He was a gray man, of slightly bigger build than herself and seemed to be healthy enough for a loner. As far as Nina could tell, there was no scent of another wolf on him.

Clearing her throat, she spoke calmly, her single eye staring the other straight in the eye to make it clear who she was, "Hello…I am Nina Hervok…and this is Secret Woodlands, my pack. Is there something you are looking for?" The mother was blunt and to the point, not wanting there to be any moment for speculation. Easily, the matriarch would be able to tell if the other man had to think of an answer to explain his reasoning for being on her borders, or he would already be able to answer her. Either way, the way he answered would determine whether or not Nina needed to be on guard or if she could relax her muscles.

As soon as she arrived, the boy sank deeper into the ground, a sign of respect towards the alpha of the pack. Raising her chin slightly, she looked down on the man, her ears flicking forward in curiosity at his words. Even as a child, Nina had always adored games. Whether it had been hiding from her father’s wrath, to matching the scent to the correct herb, it had always been a specialty that Nina had been well trained in. The behavior of others had always intrigued her. And so when her question was answered with another question, the Hervok felt another familiar rush of excitement course through her veins. She had not truly played any games in quite a while and the thought of this new opportunity brought back a light in her single eye. One that had not been there for a while. Tilting her head slightly, she responded, an icy stabbing tone to her words. It would never hurt to jab back. ”Mayhaps…” she mocked back to him, ”would you have anything to offer us?” She had played their current game many times, and in many scenarios, had won. It felt good to think about a puzzle instead of her current pack’s situation. Maybe this man would give her the desired distraction she needed.

Her tail swayed above her back, waiting to hear the response from the male in front of her. It had been quite some time since she had any kind of confrontation on her borders and it was somewhat…refreshing to know that there were new wolves in the Lore. Most of the wolves she interacted with now a days were either ones she was already acquainted with…and that was really all. This chance of making a new acquaintance excited her and she hoped that, perhaps, this game would extend into some fun for her.