Cheza lapped at a pool of standing water, sighing at the relief it brought and ignoring her inward chastisement. Standing water was a breeding ground for disease of all sorts, and she should know, but she didn't have many options. Besides, it rained this morning... It was probably as fresh as it came. Nose twitching, she pulled away, and continued on her path towards the pack border.

The trees that towered overhead weren't enough to thwart the blasts of cold wind, and she flattened her ears against the tempests, choosing a route as nearest to cover as she could get. Brilliant red and orange leaves stirred around her paws, crackling underfoot with each step she took. In a few weeks, the first flurries would touch the ground, melting and first, but as the trees grew more bare they would stick, and the world would be white. Her brows furrowed at the thought. Perhaps this pack would not be so accepting so near to the cold season, but she certainly wasn't looking for handouts.

She remembered her conversation with another loner not many days ago. After the tension dissolved and they shared a meal, he told her of two packs that dominated the region north of were they were. He could not tell her more, though, and they parted ways, the brute on the path to tracking down his brother. His intensity had intrigued her, but they both had a destination to meet.

That the fae had happened upon this pack was a matter of pure coincidence. A stray wind had carried its scent her way, and she changed course. And so she found herself here, weaving through the trees and padding ever closer towards her fate. How romantic, she thought, her ears twitching with amusement. But for all she knew that was exactly what she was doing. Very soon, the scent of a marker wafted towards her--bold, very distinct. Pausing now, she lifted her muzzle and released a summoning, letting the note resound for a few moments before shutting her maw. "That should do it." Cheza sighed through her nose, then sat down to observe her new surroundings. The hardest part was waiting.

Each step the Alpha male took was with authority and purpose. He had been awake for what seemed like ten years. The bags beneath his eyes were forming and sleep was something he was not accomplishing. His massive paws stepped on the ground, pushing more of it together, compacting it in a way that it could not spring up from the floor and move on its own free will. His tail hung over his spine like a pirate flag waving in the wind. He hoisted his colors for all to see he was not one to be trifled with. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing his other scents to take over and move his body forwards. His shoulders rolled back and forth as he made his way through the lands. The large male lowered his head some, not keeping it to the normal height he held it at. He was a proud wolf, drenched in the awesome which was his life. His body moved swiftly through the trees, dodging the low hanging branches, fallen logs, and large boulders. When he heard the call of the fae, his ears perked atop his head and his eyes glared into the foliage. Where was she? He quickened his pace and charged for the direction of which the howl came from. As he broke through the trees, he stood tall and proud. His essence filled the area, alerting the other wolf that he was the Alpha. His tail still hung over his spine, while his green gaze stared at the female with a sickening look. He judged her by the way her body was, now neutral she had been. He judged her by her gender and the putrid smell the escaped her coat. It was all too obvious she was a female, ignorant and unnecessary to their pack. But he would accept her either way. He snarled as he looked down upon her, "who are you and why do you come to my lands?"

Her ears twitched as the sound of paw steps neared her, and Cheza turned her gaze to the wolf approaching. Her eyes momentarily flickered over his being, noting his cadence and demeanor. The male was the Alpha--Alpha Teren, as the rogue had told her, and not a very happy one, so it appeared. She was a bit surprised that her call had been met by the pack leader himself. The act itself wasn't too far from commonplace. But now I have to make an impression...

As she sunk into submission, tail hanging limply between her legs and ears pinned against her skull, she caught his disgusted stare. Her own eyes narrowed slightly, and the hairs began to rise on her neck, but she kept her composure. The she-wolf had absolutely no idea what set him off. Perhaps she hadn't shown her respect soon enough, but the fact was she had done so as soon as she saw him. Do you expect me to cow to the trees, then? She wanted to scoff, but patience, patience was the game, and so far she was miles ahead of him. She listened as the brute snarled out his question, then answered, unfazed, as straightforwardly as she could. "My name is Cheza, and I've come to ask for entry into your pack, if you're allowing."

Standing before her, his eyes trailed over her form. Submission was the first change he noticed. So she knew the ways of being accepted into a pack and she knew the proper respects he deserved. This was good, but it was not enough to change what she was. She was a female. As the Alpha peered down at her, he listened to her words. All she wanted was a new place to lay her head and to call home. But was Erenyx going to be that place? He could not decide from this lone statement, in fact, she would need to give him more information before he would even considering allowing her entrance. "If I were to let you into my pack, what skills and experience do you bring with you? What purpose would you be to join my numbers?" His voice was a deep and cold, some might say it was almost lifeless. But as he thought of the recent happenings, he knew their numbers would need to increase, if they ever had plans to take over the neighboring pack. Teren watched her closely and waited for her response. He was curious to see what the female had been trained in.

Had all formalities been set aside and this wolf was a common stranger, she might have reproached him for his tone. He sounded completely disinterested, and Cheza's nails dug silently into the earth as she was filled with frustration and utter distaste. Really, did he even want her there at all? But she had no intention of leaving this opportunity. So far as the wind had told her the pack was fairly sizable, about thirty or forty wolves--a force to be considered. Winter was coming soon, and she would be wanting for shelter and food. And as long as he was offering a chance, his way of handling things shouldn't have mattered at all. So long as I'm given a fair bargain...


Hesitating a moment, she soon answered. "I've trained as a medicine wolf for half my life and could offer my services healing, whenever needed." Her ears twitched at her own words. Cheza had never believed that healing was meant for her, but it did have its advantages. Just another thing to add to her qualifications. "I'm an average hunter but an especially proficient tracker. My strongest suit is, however, battle. Particularly defense, though my offensive is not lacking. As for experience, I've known war and held my own on the battlefield, as well as others'. It leads me to say that I would serve you best as a warrior."