Pushing what was left of his aggravation with wolves and mixed emotions into the darkest corners of his mind was no easy feat, but he had conquered it. At least, for now; and that he could manage. He’d run off the rest of his frustration or find solace in the depths of the pack den whenever he returned to the mountains later that evening. His ears lapped up her words, taking to mind that being mad wasn’t a crime. Pffff… His siblings, wherever, they were now, probably would have thought so. But, no matter, he brushed the thought of them away; they were no longer in his life and he no longer cared for them anymore. Relic Lore was his home now, and Bertram Valley, hidden away in the east, was nothing more to him than the ghost of place that once was.
Regarding her reply about not needing her to get back at whoever had upset him, he returned her smile. Charmed… He listened to the wilderness beyond the enclosed surroundings, but it only took her voice to bring him back to her. His eyes didn’t meet hers again until she asked if he was a lone wolf and if he was going to introduce himself. No need to be rude, Borden… his uncle’s words continued to chide him. The mountain wolf gave her a smile, one that actually tried to look as genial as he meant it to be despite his shaken mood.
Oops. He raised his head to look at her; his ears turned forward in a more welcoming manner and he nodded briefly. ”I…” he began. ”I’m fine. Sorry, that… was rude of me. I’m Borden Lyall.” A brief pause stopped him as he gestured with his nose towards where the Mountain of Dire stood, towering above the forests of Relic Lore. ”I come from the mountain. My… pack and I live there.” He had hesitated on the word ‘pack,’ but by all definitions, a pack of two wasn’t at all improbable.
Perhaps, she meant to ask if she could join him. Most of the time, it seemed, wandering wolves wondered why so many scents mingled in the fibers of his thick pelt. Not only had it taken on the distinct smell of wet rocks and frozen tree bark, but among the various markers of where he had been were traces of his superior’s musk and hints of the wolves that had traversed the mountain before him. He considered the idea of her becoming apart of Midnight Plateau, but decided not to push it; if she expressed interest, then he’d gladly accept her request. For the mean time, though, since he had given her his name, he hoped she would gladly share hers.