Dew weighed down the fae’s fur when she woke, and she uncurled slowly to stretch with a yawn. Arching her back, she rolled to her paws slowly to shake out. She had slept well the night prior, and the morning light had only just broken over the eastern horizon. Already, this had the makings of a good day. While it may’ve been naïve of her to feel that way, she really did. Cerys couldn’t bring herself to feel she had a bad life just because of a few bad days.

Sniffing the air, her green eyes closed as she processed the scents. Not so far away, there was a rabbit’s warren. The soft furs in her ears trembled at the tiny sounds that reached her, the little pitter patter of bunny paws on packed earth. Saliva built in her mouth at the imagined taste of them, and she felt her stomach tighten in hunger. She’d have to hunt soon. Being a lone female meant that she had to defend herself, and she had heard horrible, dark stories about rouges, so she had little interest in being weak and helpless.

However, she felt no rush, not yet starved and close enough to her final goal. It seemed simpler to follow the path she had found the night before than to deviate just for a quick meal. If her plans failed, she knew she could easily turn her tracks back to the warren for an afternoon snack.

With that in mind, she started off at a trot. Days ago, she had picked up the scent of another pack, and she had been slowly drawing closer. Her nose was keen, and just as easily as she could smell where a deer had passed through from miles away, she could smell the lingering, building odor of pack from twice as far. She knew she had some ground to cover when she first caught their scent, but the night prior, she had all but been on their boarder. After considering it, she had backed off to wait for dawn. Now, she would go to the boarder and announce her presence.

It took only a short while for her to reach it, but already the spring air had warmed considerably. Her winter pelt still clung to her, and it already felt too heavy. The young fae was quite ready to blow coat and wear waves of amber rather than ivory. Dismissing these thoughts, she found the boarder she had happened upon the night prior and sat down just beyond it. Tilting her head back, ears lying flat on her skull, she howled, a sweet, high note, and she hoped that someone would soon come to investigate.

Long days of late spring filled the sable brutes with a sun filled coat and a belly full of young prey. With clear days behind him and the promise of a equally bright day ahead the male had set out early to search for deer in the mid morning light. The past few weeks had been wonderful in Marrok's mind, filled with time spent with Juno and the rest patrolling the territory. The delta was going fond of this position and made the most of it by going above and beyond whenever he could. Time not spent training with Kenai was spent searching for new places to find prey and meeting new wolves at the border. With the wind blowing behind him the male could hardly scent the new fae at the border, that is until the wind shifted slightly to let her scent float around him. Perking up Marrok's black tipped ears honed in on the sound of her high pitched howl. Drawing his maw up he scented the air and picked up her gender quickly.

Setting out the large male covered ground as he broke into a slow lope, dodging bushes and rocks over the terrain. Soon the fae was in his sights, causing him to slow to a trot as he approached her from the right. Clearing his throat as not to startle her he walked over and took in her form with his amber gaze. "Greetings miss I am Delta Marrok who are you and why have you come here?" He questioned, his voice strong yet gentle. Never being one for forcibly interrogating newbies Marrok liked to take a polite approach to his greetings, so long as they showed the same respect he gave out. A few new wolves had ruffled his feathers in the past, but he quickly put them in their place. Not making a habit out of it he tended to take after Azul in his calm manner towards potential new members.

Attentively watchful and patiently waiting, Cerys kept alert for a response, and it did not take long before the ashen fae caught the scent of approach. The curious emerald gaze searched for signs of movement even as she heard the rustling in the undergrowth. Each bound seemed to resonate in the fur deep in her ears. Inhaling deeply, she gathered what she could about the approaching strangers. The scent told her enough for her to feel pleased with the pack she’d chosen to approach. A healthy, mature male was always welcome company. As she remained on her haunches, she tried not to think of her appearance, of the patches of silvery fur pulling away from the light fawn underneath. Hopefully the underlying strength of her build would be enough to convince him that she was healthy and strong. After all, she knew that she was powerful, and as soon as the stranger heading her way saw her, he would see it as well.

When the mahogany brute came into her line of vision, her tail pattered against the ground briefly. He was a welcome sight if just because of the obvious health and fullness of his belly. No pack doing poorly would let a male eat first. His body language seemed open, so she rose slowly to her paws without fear. As he greeted her, she dipped her head respectfully before glancing up at him. The obvious lack of aggression was pleasing to her. It gave her hope that this may just be the place she had been searching for. Of course, one word of his introduction stuck in her mind. Omega, it wasn’t one she had heard in her inexperienced life, but she pushed it back into her thoughts to be inquired about later, should she find acceptance here.

Straightening up again so she wouldn’t appear to be groveling, the fae answered in a clear and confident tone, "I am Cerys, Child of No One. I come from the White Faced Mountains to the North and a nameless pack there. My reason is no greater nor lesser than to ask acceptance here. I’ve traveled far and wish to find a pack where the strong protect the weak and the littlest pup isn’t asked to fend for themselves." Her words were formal, tail straight down rather than curled up beneath her. There wasn’t a shred of fear or discomfort in her body language. If anything, she looked relaxed, sure of herself and her reasoning.

Coming closer now Marrok could see the fae was a young grey girl that showed hm the proper respect, how riveting. Smiling at her display of respect and submission the Delta sat down before her and wrapped his sable tail neatly around his forepaws. She looked young, yet strong and seemed capable of fending for herself. The pack needed more wolves like that around here and up until now the male couldn't see a issue with her. She started to speak and the male sat attentively, taking in her words. She spoke of how she sought out a pack of respect and commitment, what sort of pack had she come from? Most pack's defended the weak and especially the pups, for they were the very future of the pack themselves. What sort of monstrous pack wold not defend the very innocence's they whelped? Confused by this statement yet relived to the fact that Azul's pack was one as she described he waited for her to finish before speaking.

"Nice to meet you Cerys, you say you are looking for a pack that protects all of its members from the great Alpha's down to the smallest pup? Well my pack here that I serve is one that fits just that, but there are some considerations I must make before allowing you passage here. You appear capable of caring for yourself despite your young age, but what of your hunting and fighting skills? What can you bring to the pack?" He questioned, studying her for hints of exaggeration or nervousness, either would deter him from bringing her to his home. Wolves who embellished their talents were more trouble then their worth, and those who shied away from such questions made flags go up in the male's mind if they even had such skills. "Also what do you mean you are the child of no one?" He questioned as that statement puzzled him a bit. Was she without parents? Had they died?

For the young fae, the pack she had been birthed into did not seem cruel, much less monstrous. Each member had their place and role, and if they didn’t fulfill it, their family suffered. This was given knowledge, so if an omega whelped, then she lost her right to the support of the pack. If a pup’s parents passed in an undignified manner, they had forsaken their pup just as much as the pack had. This was what she had learned as normal, this was all she knew. She didn’t want normal though. She wanted something above that. She wanted to be able to proudly show them the family she had picked for any pups she may birth. She wanted to be able to go into battle to defend her pack and die with no fear of her death not meaning enough, leaving her pups to starve. She wanted to see those that could mend wounds and those that could soothe pups better than others to be just as provided for as the warriors. She wanted for strength to be seen in more than just physical action. It wasn’t what she was raised to believe was normal. She was raised to believe what she wanted was weak, but it still sounded better.

Remaining on her paws as she listened to the delta speak, she dipped her head in respectful agreement as he described what she sought. This was what she wanted. When she heard the questions, she wagged, almost wanting to laugh with relief. Instead, she answered quietly, "Yes, Delta Marrok, I can fight and I can hunt. In the time since leaving my pack, I have defended myself from a bear and many wild cats. I have brought down deer that wish to be dinner as much as you or I would, and I have stalked and caught rabbits that were as scarce as leaves in winter. I have provided for myself, and I am certain I could provide for any pack I should join." There was no hesitance, no doubt in herself. While she may have questioned her mentor greatly, she never would question his teachings. The final question obviously put her off. Dipping her head, she murmured, "Forgive me. Such a thing must seem strange to say. Many boast of their lineage. That is how I chose to represent mine." The fae kept her head down, not looking at him this time. It wasn’t with shame or to avoid looking at him. It was just how she expressed her apology for not being willing to elaborate further on the matter.

Listening to the young fae's words Marrok bit back his feeling of being impressed. Smiling warmly down at the grey she wolf he took in her abilities and grew more sure of his decision of her rank with each word that flowed from her mouth. "You seem well rounded and quite capable, but whats more you seem eager to help others and eager to contribute to a pack. We are a close knit pack here, everyone helps each other and has their own task to contribute. With your skills you sound well suited to become a Warrior of the pack. Defending yourself from bears and wild cats is proof enough that you can handle yourself. As a Warrior you will help with hunts and help the pack to defend itself. Now before I name you a warrior I need you to pledge yourself to the pack and its Alpha's Azul ad Lucy." Marrok stated, looking the fae in the eye as his strong words fell over her.

Cerys spoke of her lineage and it made more questions rise in his mind. Though after seeing her bow down before him he bit back the urge to question her further. "No need to speak more of it if you don't wish Cerys, we all hold our own secrets, there's nothing wrong with that." He said, hoping to ease the fae.

Cerys glanced up as he spoke, and she slowly resumed her original position. Neither challenging nor groveling, she had the proper stance for a low ranked wolf. She was as well trained as a soldier. She was sure her mentor would be pleased if he heard of that. Hearing the other wolf’s praises, she felt they reflected back on him more, and she wagged, feeling proud of her skills and proud of her own judgment for which pack to approach. The tales of her struggles were true-though she had faced down the bear with a fae that she had been hunting with, though hadn’t shared more than a few words with. When all that was asked of her was to pledge herself to the pack, she knew it was more than mere words. This was a promise, a sacred vow to honor and defend each of these wolves, strangers she had never met before. She was giving her word that she would die for them.

"I, Cerys, swear my loyalty to Alpha Azul and Alphess Lucy. I swear my life to this pack, to defend and strengthen it in every way that I can," the young fae answered solemnly. She meant it. If they were what Marrok spoke of, then she had no hesitance to die in protection of that. Her feeling was only furthered as she was given permission to not speak more on it. Abruptly, the first real smile broke the surface of the young face and she wagged. Looking at him, she dipped her head and said happily, "Thank you, Delta Marrok."

Proudly displaying a wide smile to the young Fae Marrok dipped his own maw to her as she pledged herself to the pack and it's alpha's. "I Delta Marrok now name you Warrior Cerys, you are now a full members of this pack and shall serve it with all your heart and strength." He said warmly as he beckoned her to rise. "You may now explore the territory or you could go back to the main camp. I have business to attend to, but you can follow my scent trail if you want to go to camp. Welcome home Warrior Cerys." He said, nodding to her as her rose into a standing position. His bushy tail swayed behind him as his gaze floated from Cerys to the mountains in the distance. He had yet to explore there, something he had been wanting to do for a while now. His old pack had lived in the mountains and he had always loved the thrill of high places. Perhaps being in such a place again would remind him of home and perhaps his late father.

"Please excuse me Warrior I must be off now. I do hope I see you again." He said before dipping his maw and starting out towards the mountains. The harsh winds and steep rocks called to him, making his hackles raise out of excitement. Would the mountains be just like his home?

Cerys felt happier in that moment than she could ever remember feeling in her old pack. This feeling was amazing, like she’d done something right without even realizing just how important it was. Her emerald gaze was bright with excitement, the urge to yip and howl and sing filling her, though blessedly easily contained. As she was told where she could go and how to find the camp, she nodded, eyes drifting away from him again. Already, she knew what she wanted most to do. She wanted to meet everyone she could as fast as she could. "Alight, Delta Marrok. Save travels," she answered respectfully, a saying that was instilled from her since her first trip from the den. As he left, she took off into the forest. Fast and eager, she made her way along his scent trail, heading back towards camp. Welcome home, Warrior Cerys. It would be ringing in her ears with pride for days.