Willow Ridge home is where the heart is

we are not things

It was a big pack – there were far more wolves among Morganna’s gathering than had ever been a part of the Moose’s Tooth pack – and for whatever reason, the large woman had not expected it. She was taller, heavier than most, even some males, but so many others still filled her with a certain degree of dread and discomfort. And thus, she avoided the other wolves at large. It was not to say that she would ignore the request of an alpha, for even she and her redheaded rebellion knew better than that, but she did not seek out company like perhaps she should have.

Until today.

Moving towards the center of the Willow Ridge territory, she tipped her nose up as she tried to scent any of the Archer siblings’ other wolves. There were plenty of them about – it was simply a matter of finding one with a bit of free time on their paws and currently interested in a workout. When she heard the snap of brush behind her, she turned, paws crunching in the snow as she tipped an ear. “I hear you,” she informed the other wolf. “Come say hello.”

Or don’t, the suspicious part of her mind whispered. She’d been doing just fine on her own.

The first time the scent had graced his nostrils, just a hint along the borders, Craw had done a double-take. Initially, he was confident that he was wrong, that he had made some mistake. The unpleasant coincidence would just be too strong. But he had continued walking with a doubt in his mind, and the next time he came across it, there was no doubt left at all. Not only was she walking so boldly in the depths of the territory, but Craw could smell @Morganna on her too, which was about as clear a message as you could get.

So, on this third time that he happened across a much fresher trail, a dark curiosity took hold of the silvered wolf, for while he did not find the idea of her company soothing, there might be a little redemption to be found in a reunion. Capable had been prickly and unpleasant but she had kept her promise, and they had not parted ways until the sun was up and some small portion of Craw's strength had returned. She had served her purpose, and he would have been content to never see her again... but it wasn't his fault that she appeared drawn to him.

Eyes trained on her back, his careless footfall caused her to stop, to glance about, to call out her unwanted company. Craw did not hesitate to step forwards, ears pushed forward in unbidden excitement, his tongue lashing out over his bared teeth as he stared at her, verifying that she was real, she really had followed him here. Did she have any idea that's what she'd done?

A single breath rattled inwards, a toothy grimace of a smile on his face. "Hello."

we are not things

“Hello.”

A familiar voice, and perhaps not in a good way. She recognized the pale wolf who slunk from the willows and fought the urge to look dismayed. Their last meeting had been less than pleasant, though she reckoned both parties were equally to blame for that. So she held her tail at a neutral place, not willing to start the conversation with aggravation if she did not need to. Patience, she tried to tail herself, ears cupping forward as she studied the older wolf.

“You look much healthier,” she greeted him, head tipped to one side as she allowed the approach. He was packmate, now – he was in the boundaries of Willow Ridge, and stunk of Morganna. Packmate, and she knew what was expected of her now. “Good to see the beast never came to finish you off.”

And that much was true, at least. Isuni had no reason to wish harm upon the man, no matter how poor his company had been that particular night. But once the greeting was over, she found herself a bit at a loss, the tip of her tail wriggling in an indication of her uncertainty. “Did you – need something?” He’d been following her, hadn’t he?

A wild dissertation appears!