Magnus. Apprentice, outcast, Hunter, Lead Hunter, Guardian and now Alpha. He was new to this position of leadership, but he settled into it naturally. He demanded loyalty and respect, but whats more, he earned it. He didn't mistreat his pack or make heinous deals that ruined lives. He didn't kill out of petty desire to inflict emotional pain or start wars. He didn't endanger his pack. But he could see it in his packs eyes. They didn't quite respect him the way they respected Chiara. They showed mandatory respect to them both as mates, as the Alpha pair, but their eyes and their deeds were for her. He knew he could count on Malachai and Claudia, but the others he saw them favouring his mate. It was a sad thing. He loved her dearly and they were equal in all things but this. Their recent training exercise with the pack made this abundantly clear. Upon their return the members of the pack presented their kills to her, greeted her first. Though he was not one to seek the approval of others, it irked him that these creatures could not show him some deference. He was there to lead them, not to be ignored. He was the one to run the borders each day and ensure their territory was well marked. Chiara was often the one to receive new recruits because she enjoyed knowing their pack and often beat him to the calls. The Alpha rolled out his shoulders and stretched his neck. He could do with a good run.

He'd already traversed the Timeless Valley and made his way out to the Seafoam Shore. He thought he might head for the Neutral Lands for a bit, do some scouting there. He was preparing himself for the run when the call came. A deep and masculine howl that sounded oddly familiar. It came from their borders, that much was obvious, but who made it he couldn't be sure. The call had clear tones of request and respect, from one male to another, as if he knew the Alpha and called to him directly. Magnus wasn't one to disappoint. He made a call of his own in return, acknowledging the request and claiming it for his own. Deep in his chest the howl rumbled and surged, his authority bolstering his voice. He changed his heading for the nearest border and took off. The Alpha kept up an easy lope that with his stamina he could hold for quite some time without becoming winded. He came to the nearest border easily and turned, scouting along the line until he found the scent of the newcomer. Again, it was familiar. Someone he knew, someone he'd met before. But not well enough that they presented in his mind. He slowed to a brisk trot, raising his tail behind him in a show of dominance. Here in the forest, unlike on the beach, the snow made landfall and upon it sat a wolf he never thought he'd see again. Out in the open, non-threatening, as if he had nothing to hide. "Samael," He coolly greeted the male, the son of the bastard who'd threatened his life and the life of his mate. He continued on, slowing his pace as he neared the dark male, eyes of liquid flame appraising him. "Come to join us, have you? I have to say I never thought to see you again, at least not alive."

The Alpha was honestly surprised to see the dark male before him. The son of Steele. Magnus held no love for this brutes father and had done nothing to stop the males death. How was it, then, that Samael came to stand before him out of all the other Alphas in this land? Avoiding Teren was understandable, the halfwit logical (if the male did still rule over Helidos), but what about that other one? Desmodo? Magnus didn't know much about him but he hadn't heard anything to make him dislike the brute. And yet, Samael the Exile bowed in respect to Magnus. Magnus held firm, watching the male, hearing him out. "Oh? And what would you need of me?" He asked, curious. The more he looked over the dark male the more he saw that he liked. The male appeared open, honest, honourable. Far more than his father ever was. Samael appeared to trust Magnus and it would be only right for Magnus to show the same amount of trust, if begrudgingly. The sins of the father are not the sins of the son. The Alpha slowly lowered his hindquarters to the snow, prepared to listen to the brutes proposal.

An Alliance. It seemed laughable, what could an Exile offer an Alpha? But he allowed the male to continue his clearly practiced spiel. He planned to train, improve and eventually challenge Teren. It would be dangerous, near impossible even, but the Demon King was growing old. Though he was large and easily overpowered many other wolves, he was past his prime, slipping into the years of Autumn where his bones grew weak, his muscles would shrivel. His strength would eventually fail him and Erenyx would be ripe for the taking. Magnus had his pack, his mate, he was not ambitious for more power. But Samael could make the challenge and planned to do so. As he said, he was not his father. No, he was idealistic, dreaming of a better place, a better world. Did he not realise he could not force demons to become angels, or even to be less demonic? There would be those who opposed him, some who were loyal to Teren or at least disliked Samael enough to not want him leading them. He had the same vision for Erenyx Magnus had had for Pyrvanthros. Magnus and Chiara had moved quickly to bring their members up to speed, to train them and have them well rounded but some in Erenyx had been there too long. Many feared change and would fight to avoid it out of that fear.

Magnus had much to consider and more to say. First came shock. His friends son was alive. "Striker is alive?" He whispered, slightly shocked. He had hoped to bring Cliche with them but she did not come. Striker had never had a close relationship with his father, but he was the only reminder of the friend Magnus had once had. He should seek him out, offer him a place in his pack, for the love he bore his brother. After all, he and Tye had been brothers of a sort. "I don't know if you are aware, but it grieves me to tell you Tye passed into the Other Forest, some time ago now." He waited a moment, wondering if Samael knew of this. Magnus had been the last to see his friend, few knew of his death. He believed most assumed that Tye had simply left, unable to tolerate the pain of the loss of his children. But he continued to ponder. " Chiara is flourishing as Alphess. I always knew she was meant to lead. But Piper... Piper is not with us. She blames us for the pup wars - she is right in some respects. She never left Erenyx. I worry for her every day but she will not come when I call." The Alpha was sombre and contemplative. He wanted nothing more than to protect his daughter. He would do anything to ensure her safety and now he might just have a way to do that. "Samael, would you consider doing something for me? I am willing to make this pact with you, but I need something from you. My daughter. Please, you must protect her. She won't come to Pyrvanthros, she won't speak with her mother or I, we need to know she will be safe. Can you promise that? Can you ensure her safety in your takeover?" He nearly begged but managed to maintain his Alpha authority, remaining calm and controlled. She's all we have.

Magnus was happy to hear his friends son was alive and well in another pack, away from Teren. He knew Tye had said some terrible things about Samael and Cliche and Striker. He loved his friend dearly but he knew they were likely the ramblings of a dying brute angry at the world. But if his child could live on and be happy it would be enough. Katyusha was my friend once, we had an understanding, but I could not abide how she threw her lot in with your father. I do not blame you for your fathers mistakes, but I cannot understand those who defend what he did. Teren is no better but I hope you will not follow the pattern that I see emerging." After what my family has been through... Magnus only took a deep breath at that. Their family had been through so much but he and Chiara had worked hard to establish their pack and he wanted to move forward. The loss of his daughter Piper was his biggest regret and he wished he could make things right. He hoped that in time they would become close again or that she might at least wish to speak to him. His mate was as happy as she could be considering the situation and they were both thriving but their family was broken and may never be whole again. Magnus could see that Samael was nervous of any overhearing their conversation, that his plan might be betrayed to his enemy. Despite feeling a little under appreciated by his pack, Magnus knew he commanded their respect enough to not be intruded upon and to earn their silence on delicate matters. But now comes the true purpose of their meeting. An alliance. A pact between Erenyx and Pyrvanthros. And Samael was willing to watch over his daughter and bring him news of her growth. It was as much as he could have hoped for. The Alpha had to make his decision. "When you become Alpha of Erenyx, I would be glad to be allied with you and see my daughter safe and cared for. We have an accord, Samael. And to you I will extend this offer: should you fail, your supporters are welcome here and we will take them into our care. Anyone you have strong ties with will be targets for Teren and he will want to kill them for betraying him. I cannot in good conscience allow those who would stand against him be slaughtered."