Rayna padded through the woods, her paw-steps nearly silent. She looked around, alert, just in case something came up. She had recently turned two years old, she had been trained to be silent, fast, stealthy. Unnoticeable. The one who had trained her was now dead. Rayna's paw-steps stopped at that thought, her eyes ahead of herself. This was not going to work. She could not think of that right now. Look on the bright side, her front leg had healed. She had gotten away from the other pack. She moved on, physically. She had to move on mentally.

She continued to walk through the forest, alert and quiet. After a while, she came across something she did not particularly want to come across. A pack's border. She stopped immediately, not wanting to cross the border uninvited. She was wary, if the pack was like the other one, she would surely die. The only reason why she got away from the other was because of luck. But... she needed to pass through if she wanted to continue. Well, Rayna could go around, but it would bring many more days to her journey. She didn't even know where she was going, just away. The femme sighed, wondering what she should do. Being a lone wolf was dangerous, she knew. It would be much better to join a pack than wander on her own.

But the other pack she had come across was vicious, murderess even. They had tried to kill her. She had only gotten away because of her speed. She glanced around again, then decided that either way this pack would need to know that she was there. She lifted her head and howled. It was a long howl, her tone indicating that she was friendly and not wanting any trouble. She hoped that they would not hurt her like the other pack did. She could only hope. She knew nothing of this land or its wolves.

Early morning sunlight filtered into the den where she slept. Beside her beloved. The additional thought brought a grin to her face. Soon they were to be mated, joined before the pack so that all would know of their love for one another. If any tried to break that bond or besmirch it in any way, the punishment would be severe. She sighed, not wanting to leave his warmth. What air filtered in from the outside was extremely chilly today. There was a breeze coming from the south blowing icy winds down from the mountains. Her fur would keep her warm, but it was one of those odd days where the temperature really dropped. The corner of her muzzle twitched into a small smile looking at her sleeping beloved. "Duty calls," She whispered, licking his cheek affectionately before rising and crawling from their little home. Outside it was very cold. The breeze sent ripples through her fur like water. She bowed her chest into the ground, rump high in the air so she could stretch her spine. Her tail curled, adding an extra element to the manoeuvre.

Setting off for the borders in the morning mist, the Elite wound her way through the trees. The further she travelled the more she thought, the more she thought the wider her grin became. She didn't know exactly when - maybe a few days from now - but the Alphess would call a meeting to bring she and Drogo together as one. The landscape continued to change as she went. Sometimes there were trees, sometimes fields of flowers. There were mountains in the distance and rock formations not so far away. And on the border, the scent of her Alphess held strong. An aromatic deterrent for those who didn't belong. Though some were bold enough to venture close and call out. One such was being recieved at the very moment. "Ho there! Yes, you! What exactly is it you expect to find here on this glorious morning?" Her tone was neither harsh nor demanding, but light and gentle as befitted her nature. It seemed indeeed she had a talent for receiving the wolves of the lighter colour-scheme.

Rayna waited silently for someone to come, and soon enough, someone did. She was tense, ready to turn around and run at any given time. But then the wolf spoke. The tone was soft from the female, welcoming even. Not like the other pack who had immediately tried to murder her. She looked at the female wolf, seeming startled. "Oh, um, I was just wondering if I could pass through..." she said, her eyes still on the female but her attention on her own thoughts. She had nowhere to go, honestly, and if she tried to survive much longer on her own she would surely become bored of it. Her expression was that of a wolf who was making a decision, she wasn't hiding her emotions in like usual.

Rayna then focused on the wolf in front of her. She was a bit shorter than the female, she thought. Maybe this pack was nice enough to join? After all, the only reason Rayna had left her lonely home was because Shadow had sent her out to find a pack. She had made her promise before she passed away. "Or... well.. I have nowhere to go, really..." she whispered quietly, though the other wolf would probably hear her. "I apologize for my unsure thoughts, I should introduce myself. I am called Rayna." she said, realizing that either way this wolf would probably want her name. She bowed slightly, showing respect. She didn't know whether or not everyone in the pack was like this one, so she didn't really know if she should ask to join or not. Most likely others would not want her, like the other pack, though Rayna did not know why. She was fast and a good hunter, even though she was as small as Arctic wolves could get.

This female seemed jumpy if not a little uneasy. The Elite nodded, they all wanted the same thing. Very rare was it that a wolf wanted nothing more than to pass through. Nnlya had never met one. In fact, she'd never had to turn one away either. It wasn't in her nature to be inhospitable. Nnlya smiled. The females eyes were trained on the charcoal Elite, but they were lacking in focus and depth. Physically she was looking at her greeter, but mentally she was elsewhere. It was a habit Nnlya found herself subconsciously committing on occasion. Is this what I look like in those moments? She wondered. If so it was obvious why her friends would wave their paws and shout at her to snap her out of her reverie. She gave a little chortle, amused by how alike they must be.

This she-wolf, Rayna she called herself, was a simple one to read. Her expressions played across her face. She was thinking extremely hard, deciding whether to join. Nnlya lowered her rump to the ground, her fluffy tail sweeping away the dead autumn leaves from beneath her. Cranium lowered to the submissive level of the other, speaking softly with a smile. "My dear Rayna, please rise and speak to me as an equal. You may call me Nnlya." She gave the female pause to settle a little more comfortably. "Would you please tell me where it is you've come from and what you've learned there? I'm most interested to know." The larger female smiled sweetly at her shorter companion, rolling her shoulder back to sit proudly. Indeed this morning chill appeared to have little motivation to move on. Being raised in a more northern environment had served her well against the cold. Indeed she felt it, but found it pleasant as it wove its delicate fingers through her fur.

Rayna smiled softly as Nnlya introduced herself and told her to rise and treat her as an equal. This made Rayna feel some joy, something she had nearly forgotten as an emotion. She lifted her head and sat down, now knowing that this wolf would not try and fight her like the others. "It's refreshing to meet a wolf as nice as you. I have not met many others, but in all that I have met, only one was welcoming." she said, stating the truth. Shadow was the only one who had been kind to her before, even her parents did not welcome her since she was a runt. Then Nnlya asked her where she came from and what she learned, a question that would have surely come up sooner or later. "I came from mountains far north of here, I have been traveling for nearly six moons. As for what I have learned, I learned much about stealth and hunting. There used to be someone who trained me, but she passed away before I started heading this direction. Though, four moons ago, I came across another pack, though that one was keen on trying to kill me for no reason. I only survived because of my speed."

Her eyes were on Nnlya, curious to know what she thought of her words. She had spoke the truth, she was not one to lie unless it was completely necessary. Rayna had a good feeling about this wolf, and nine times out of ten her instincts were correct. If this wolf asked more about her past, Rayna would tell the truth freely. The white female was not one to fight, even if she could win physically. She especially did not want to become an enemy to a pack, though she had seemed to have been made an enemy of another. She had told Nnlya that situation, hopefully she would not attack her because of it, though Rayna doubted she would.

Her head raised once more to its lofty perch atop her shoulders. Bathed in the cool autumn breeze she looked especially regal this morning. Almost instantly the other fae seemed to relax into herself and take a moment. It was gratifying to see such appreciation of her natural kindness. Some might find it odd that despite her experiences she was so upbeat and approachable. It was her opinion that if she had the strength to pull herself out of a destructive depression, then she owed it to herself and to those around her to make the most of her decision. Why should she have gone on living if only to despise her life and everything in it? The mountains in the north, perhaps she had known of the Aurora pack. It was only wishful thinking of course, but one could only hope. She wished to have some news of her family and birth pack, to know if her remaining brothers were still alive or whether she had little nieces and nephews running around. Would her father still be Alpha? Had Coda moved on to the rank of Elder? It was likely Mona had passed on, she was an old wolf, but lovely. So much could have changed in three and a half years. But this meeting was not for Nnlya to indulge in personal discovery. It was to decide whether this she-wolf was a good fit for her pack. "I'm sorry for your loss. But if you are willing, able Hunters are always welcome at Helidos. Winter is Coming, couples will be mated and pups will be born in the springtime if we are fortunate. I hope you're up to the task. If you can swear your loyalty to our Alpha-pair and those in Helidos who follow them, then I would be glad to name you a Hunter in our ranks." Kind as she was, Nnlya had to be cautious. Until the female promised her allegiance to the pack, revealing personal information wouldn't be wise. In time she might seek out the female, offer to walk with her - or race, as she had mentioned being quick on her feet. They could talk, learn about one another and, if the Elite was lucky, learn what became of her home.

Rayna smiled as she listened, this pack, Helidos, seemed really nice and welcoming. And after winter, there'll be pups! Rayna always loved pups, watching them play around and be happy. They were adorable. She nodded, of course she could give her loyalty to this pack. If they would welcome her like Nnlya said they would, then they deserved her loyalty. "Thank you, Nnlya. If you tell the truth, which I fully believe you are, then your pack will truly have my loyalty for as long as I live." she said, a smile to her maw. She was glad that other wolves would want her, glad that someone was nice. She wasn't used to it, besides from Shadow.

She then stood and stretched her back, realizing how tired her body had become from the journey. She would have to sleep soon, but not until she was settled into the pack for the day. Her legs were weary, though she still stayed light on her paws. Her throat pained for cool liquid, a drink of water, and her stomach was empty. She hadn't eaten in a while nor had she taken a drink for the past few hours. She ignored it though, not showing the pain to Nnlya, as it would make her seem a little weak, she thought. "How am I to swear my loyalty officially, if I may ask?" she inquired, wondering how it would work. Shadow had told her that some packs had a ritual, while others didn't.

Nnkya was impressed the fae had asked how to swear her loyalty. It was a question she'd never been asked. Those she met simply swore to obey and that was the end of it. It's possible that where this one came from there was a ritual, or special words to be recited exactly. Helidos had no such ceremonies, the only necessity was the words to be said with a trusted witness. It was why, aside from the Alphas, only the Deltas, Elites and Betas could accept new members at the border. They had earned their position by upholding their own oath. They were trustworthy members of the pack whose words were respected almost as much as the Alphas. It was a hefty duty to lay upon ones shoulders, but one Nnlya bore gladly. She was happy to serve a good and just Alphess as well as her people. "My dear, we hold no special words nor actions that you must complete. We ask that you obey our Alpha-pair and show respect to your pack members - a mere common courtesy. If you wish to swear to other oaths, then you may. You create your own vows and only make the promises you want to keep. Our only stipulation is they be said with a witness present - that would be me." She waited, hopeful. The fae recalled her own promise, made nearly two years ago.

Rayna nodded, hearing the words of Nnlya. So there wasn't a ritual here, okay. She would obey the Alphas and be nice to the members, it was something she was actually wanting to do. She didn't like being alone all the time, it was boring and dangerous. There was no one to talk to, no one to be friends with. "Oh, okay..." So... Well, Rayna was slightly confused now. "I don't have to swear on anything?" Rayna was tired from her long walk and she was slightly out of it at the moment, taking a while to let the information seep in. "Well, then I offer my services as a Hunter to this pack and as an obedient member under the Alphas."  she said, her words true. She smiled honestly, her expression slightly worn by exhaustion. Her foreleg hurt a little, but she ignored it, she was used to it by now and it was good enough that she didn't limp.

She was glad that she was joining a pack, like Shadow had told her too. Rayna wasn't sure if what she had said was enough for Nnlya to make her into a Hunter or not, as she was tired. Though she didn't show her exhaustion as much as she felt it, it was still on her expression. She wasn't grumpy though, there were no bad emotions in her, it was just tiredness. "I'm sorry if I seem kind of out of it, I've been traveling for a long time and haven't gotten any sleep the past couple of days." she said, apologizing for seeming distracted about whatever.

(Ooc - Apologies for the wait)

Nnlya grinned, quite proud of the fae sitting before her. It was a tough decision to give oneself to a new pack, to a new Alpha. She seemed hesitant, as though believing it to be a trap. In a way it was. If she stepped out of line she would be condemned. She had chosen her words and made her oath based upon her ideals and abilities. If she did not keep her promises it was her own fault."My dear Rayna, welcome to Helidos. You are a Hunter. Cross the border with be and join your brothers and sisters." She stepped aside, allowing the snowy fae to pass freely. "I must apologise, I have duties that need attending and I cannot escort you to the main clearing. However, if you follow my scent trail it shall lead you to our pack clearing. You can make yourself a den there for the winter, or choose one of the preexisting ones. You might do well to introduce yourself to a few other hunters, they might be able to show you around. I would suggest Hunter Silvia." She inclined her head respectfully. "Until next time, my dear." Her tail raised, a fluffy banner to her rear as she trotted off into the depths of the forest.