The Leader remained silent as the wolf voiced his thought on the water – at first, he had thought so too, and had worried the taste had meant the water was unfit for consumption. Yet none had fallen sick, and within days the taste had become familiar to him – far more so than the clear waters of the Swift River pack which only fuelled the male’s possessive streak of his home; this was where he belonged now.
As the two wolves looked to the daunting mountain, Ruiko’s tail gave a flick of amusement. He had been surprised when Honijo had claimed the steep heights as his home as well, but his uncle had been nothing but hardcore, and Ruiko had only admired him all the more for it. Wherever he had disappeared to, the Tainn could only hope he had found peace since his sister’s death.
The tawny male nodded, indicating Kashikoi should continue to follow him as he skirted near the base of the sloping mountain. The foliage that stretched before them would fill soon with spring’s entrance, and the regal wolf looked forward to seeing their land flourish green. “From my understanding, the alpha female disappeared one night shortly after she birthed. Quickly after that, a cougar attacked the small pack, and the alpha male sacrificed himself for his pack and children.” There was a small pause before his shoulders lifted in a shrug, recalling the days when Alexander had been the only other leader in Relic Lore besides himself, when he had lead Swift River. “The pack was disbanded and the pups were taken to the Hollow pack.”
As they continued their slower-paced walk, the tawny male cast a quick eye around, looking for anything of significance he should reveal to the youthful male. In truth, Copper Rock Creek was still being explored, and while he was beginning to know every crevice of his territory much as he had his birth pack and Swift River, it did not mean that there was much for him to show to the newcomer. Instead, the regal could only hope the Yearling took comfort to know where the pack borders lie, though he could easily scent them with his nose.
Kashikoi’s question was not a surprise to the large male, and Ruiko offered a shrug of his shoulders in turn. “I’ve lived in Relic Lore my whole life – there have only ever been five packs that fully settled here, and the Creek is the newest in that count.” For now, at least, until a newer pack would establish itself.. little did the male know, the valley would become shelter to the pack lead by a wolf he would quickly despise.
Ruiko cast a quick glance to the youthful male as he spoke of his old pack, and while the tawny wolf was certain the other wolf would explain what he meant, Ruiko did not pressure him for an answer. Generally a wolf of few words, the regal male would listen to his pack comrade if ever needed, but never would he lure him to answering personal questions unless need be.
With a nod, he rounded another corner, his ears swiveling at the light sounds of the forest and creatures around them. “The borders continue along this way,” he mentioned casually, his paws leading the way with ease from memory. The day would grow older as the two continued, and only when Ruiko felt the Creek’s newer recruit felt at home and comfortable would he bid the youth farewell before returning to his den once more to his mate.
Sex: Male