Thicket of Secrets unjustified

<b style="font-size:12px; font-family:georgia;"> Every day it seemed that time was running out to pull himself together with his plan and begin making it work. He needed to find a few troops to get his plan started but there were so few loners running amuck that he could rope together. He had only sensed there being around five but even that didn’t seem right. Every day he just passed one but the scents were always so light and barely there. However, there was one particular scent that made him remember a certain memory. Hunting with a particular woman that had not talked very much (kudos from Inkheart) but he could tell she would be a good asset to have within the system.
As if following some broken trail he moved slowly in the direction that her scent had gone hoping that he would be able to catch her by nightfall. If not, he would certainly try again another day. From this moment he could not see a reason as to why she would turn down an offer like his but maybe that was just it—things were not supposed to be planned, they just happened. He needed to start this for himself so that he could progress through his life’s goals as he had imagined since he was a child. His hair was standing on end but not out of aggression but more so because he had just recently taken a bath and had attempted an air dry. It was a handsome, chic look so he could only hope that it might attract a woman in a more appealing way.

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Ranger had not thought of that dark man who had reminded her so much of her brother since their parting, as they had shared a kill and little else. Her life had revolved solely around Ruiko and his wishes, his desires, leaving little room for stray thoughts about wolves she had only met once. Today she was enjoying the warming sun upon her back, laying carelessly across a large outcrop of rock.

Her dark fur glistened in the sunlight, enhanced by the silver-tips along her shoulders and her golden eyes would have shone, if they had been open. She was snoozing lightly, soaking up the sunlight through her dark pelt. Ruiko was off doing Ruiko-y things and she was simply lounging, conserving energy for when they would next relocate. She had eaten earlier that morning and wasn't hungry in the slightest. Her nose twitched every now and then, picking up the scent of a passing creature, before her mind quickly discarded it. She was trying to sleep, and unless it was the scent of a bear or a mountain lion, she simply remained in this relaxed state.

<b style="font-size:12px; font-family:georgia;"> It was a pity that the dark coated woman was so lazy in her lounging otherwise Inkheart could have truly made her lounging even more worthwhile. Unfortunately, he was out to have a quick conversation with her in hopes that he could round her up and make her of use to him (though he did truly like her as a friend but never would admit to such blasphemy). As such, he quietly moved through the brush until her familiar silhouette broke through the bushes and he paused in wonder. Nothing had changed and she still looked the same as she had before but his memory wasn’t very good at remembering such an occasion besides that they had shared a meal.
He roughly cleared his throat before taking a few bold steps forward, announcing his presence and eliciting the fact that he was there and was interested in having a (probably) brief conversation.

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This <span class='word'>bivouac</span> of hers upon the rock was a place where she was safe, where no other would harm her. Ranger was becoming soft and optimistic in her time with Ruiko, but she didn't mind. The fire that had made her such a good mercenary still burned within her, but only manifested itself now when it was most needed. A scent drifted through her nostrils once more, and instead of ignoring it, her brain alerted her body to the nearness of the wolf. She did not wake up frightened, but instead woke with both ears trained upon the wolf, his bark bringing her fully from her nap.

Ranger turned her head toward him, still resting across the rock, and recognized the dark wolf before her. She didn't smile, as she didn't know his intentions, but she didn't display any sort of negative emotion, either. She was, to put it simply, blank. She stood up from the rock and shook out her fur, enjoying the warmth spreading through her body. She was sure it would madden him, as she was still in heat and the wind had changed direction, carrying her scent toward him. She'd maim him if he tried anything, but it was fun to tease. She saw how hazy Ruiko became in such moments, and while she knew it pained him, it was still a little bit fun to elicit his desire.

She hopped down from the rock and nodded toward the male, indicating that he could speak whenever. There was a river nearby, and the heat that had soaked through her fur was now making her more hot than warm. She wondered briefly if he would want to swim with her, but waited to ask until she knew what his intentions were.

<b style="font-size:12px; font-family:georgia;"> The last time they had met had been brief and somewhat uneventful but now he actually had reason to talk to her. He needed to round up the troops before things got way too out of hand. Every day that passed was just wasted away and he really did not need to waste time when he had very little of it. Considering how little they actually knew each other, he swore neither knew the others name, Inkheart desired for her to be a part of his blueprint to gather. Had it not been for her standing up and shaking her fur, he would have never truly noticed the scent but once it hit him he felt shattered and his mind blazed over with desire. His primal instinct was to take her by force, considering he was sure it would come willingly, but with baited breath he held himself together as his lips twitched in revolt.
Inkheart was smart enough to know that if he were to have taken her forcefully then it could have cost him a possible member. <b style="font-size:12px; font-family:georgia;">“It’s been a while,” he finally spoke, <b style="font-size:12px; font-family:georgia;">“I didn’t think that anyone would still be here let alone still living as a lone wolf.” Amelie had found love and moved into a pack so where did that leave her? At any cost, he just wished that once he got to asking her that he could begin to get things rolling. Surely she would like to join a pack where she would not start at the very bottom like everyone else.

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The sunlight filtered through the sparse treetops to <span class='word'>dapple</span> the world below, including their black coats. Ranger listened to the male's explanation and she shrugged, explaining after a pause. <b>"I lived in Swift River for a few months, but Ruiko and I left a couple weeks ago."</b> There was nothing she could do about it now, but she did miss the idea of having a home and a pack she could rely on. For now Ruiko would do, but she knew that soon they would want to settle. <b>"We've been lone wolves since, moving around, being free."</b> As it was spring and the snows were melting quickly, it was a much easier life than usual.

<b>"I'm Ranger, by the way,"</b> she finally said, realizing she hadn't introduced herself before. <b>"I don't think we exchanged names during our hunt."</b> She inclined her head to the tall male, her golden eyes studying him. What did he want? She watched him for a moment longer before shaking out her fur again, though this time it was not to tease him. She was getting hot. <b>"Would you care to go for a swim with me? The water is very refreshing."</b> The stream was not too far away and they could still talk, if he wanted to.

<b style="font-size:12px; font-family:georgia;"> <b style="font-size:12px; font-family:georgia;">“Is there a reason that you and Ruiko left Swift River?” As he thought about it, he probably would have eventually joined that group of canines had he the motivation. Unfortunately, Inkheart lacked the selfless heart that everyone else seemed to have been born with. He took care of himself and himself only. The urge to do as he was told had not once struck him and thus he knew that leading a pack was more his thing. He would easily go out of his way to make sure that others were participating in the pack and, if everyone cooperated and did what they were told then he would protect and feed them.
Poor Inkheart had only ever known what it felt like to move around and be free thus he knew how difficult lone life was in winter times and how bountiful the land was when abundant with prey and water. <b style="font-size:12px; font-family:georgia;">“Inkheart,” he gave his usual name with no titles or last names (had he one) and was briefly reminded of their hunting party. They had not talked a great deal which had been a plus for the dark loner but he certainly was growing to appreciate other company aside from himself. <b style="font-size:12px; font-family:georgia;">“I don’t see why not,” was his final answer as he began to walk towards the stream to finish their conversation. <b style="font-size:12px; font-family:georgia;">“So you and this Ruiko guy a couple?” A normal question considering they had left a pack together and she was an attractive woman so the chain connected, so to speak.

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<b>"When his brother left during the drought, Ruiko was the alpha. Indru recently returned and they quarreled over the title."</b> It seemed a simple enough explanation, but she knew that their game of thrones was not one taken lightly. <b>"Ruiko could not live under the yoke of his brother after tasting kingship."</b> There was really not much else to tell on that subject, so she simply nodded and walked beside him toward the stream. It was a warm enough day out and she was feeling hot from the sun soaking into her dark coat.

As they reached the stream, he asked if she and Ruiko were a couple. With a smile she said, <b>"Sort of. We like each other, but haven't made it formal until we can find a new home for ourselves."</b> Whatever this male was getting at, Ranger would simply listen and reserve judgment for later. Anyway, she wanted to swim, not talk too much about her emotional entanglements with other males. With a giggle, she jumped into the chest-deep water, splashing it all around. She resurfaced a moment later and laughed, though the chill made it seem shrill. <b>"It's colder than I thought, but still pleasant. Come on in!"</b>