Golden paws caressed the ground, his momentum of the uppermost elegance. He maneuvered as though he was a ghost - a creature that did not breathe. His bones were stilled, paralyzed, and yet he was able to carry himself with an aura of professionalism; he was not meant to be tampered with, nor taken lightly. Alpha Steele had rewarded him with the opportunity to serve Erenyx to that of a broader extent. He was newly titled a Delta before the eyes of his pack members. Of course, it had been a great honour, but he did not feel any different. The same chilled iciness, the same surge of isolation, coursed through his veins and somehow consumed his beating heart. Emotion was a foreign concept to the multicoloured male. He was unable to feel what others felt: such happiness, and at times melancholy. But, all the same, he was unable to feel the ordeal of self doubt. He was confident in his abilities, and thus he knew with certainty that he would continue to thrive in his pack under his new reign.

A female’s howl was carried toward him upon the wind, its tone melodious. His ears twitched slightly on top of his head - perhaps he would have bothered himself to offer a response, but such an idea was cut short when he smelt it. There was blood in the air. He did not know whether the blood happened to belong to this stranger summoning him, a pack member, or perhaps mere prey. However, it was enough to quicken his strides, knowing that he would have to pursue consequence for the she-wolf if she so happened to cross a line. One of his new duties, as the pack’s Delta Male, was to patrol the borders and accept new wolves into the pack. Alpha Steele would not appreciate his home welcoming just anyone, and thus the male knew that he would have to remain guarded and strict throughout the duration of such interrogations.

His form peeled away from the foliage, revealing itself to the she-wolf that was lying down beside a tree. His dark gold eyes skimmed over her form, cold and calculating, as he searched for the source of blood. It was apparent to him that she had been injured, and for a moment he was hesitant to address her, knowing that Alpha Steele would not allow an injured wolf to enter his lands. She would need to prove to him, first, that she was not rendered useless due to her leaking wounds. “Can you stand?” There was no concern alight in the male’s voice, his tail heightening its elevation in the smallest sign of dominance. Blank eyes pierced the female’s form, lacking any and all traces of sympathy, as he waited for her response. He was, perhaps, one of the few Erenyx wolves with status that did not immediately enlist himself upon a path of aggression. He was hollow hearted, arguably soulless, and thus it was proven difficult to get a rise out of him.

He eyed the she-wolf thoughtfully, skeptically. It appeared as though her wound did not keep her from walking - she was even willing to spar him with, one that was clearly more prepared to sustain injury than she. A part of him, buried deeply beneath the surface, found this proposition entertaining. If she thought that was in any condition to fight with one of her legs holding her back, then perhaps she was in dire need of the correction that he could offer to her. However, it remained as so that he wished not to harm her any more than she already was. He was interested in learning of her fighting abilities, considering that she spoke of them so highly. But he was firm with the belief that she at least deserved a fair chance. It would not be right of him to take her on when she was wounded and hold her solely to what she was able to do with an injury. He would spar with her when she was ready, when she was fully healed, so that he could know the full extent of what her capabilities permitted.

“No.” The single word sounded more like a command than the simplistic rejection of an offer that it was. Standing his ground firmly, his expression remained unchanging as he further analyzed her injury. It was apparent that the wound burdened her slightly, regardless of how much she attempted to disguise it. Nonetheless, it was impressive that she was willing to push aside her pain in the hopes of gaining the Delta’s approval. Erenyx wolves were not meant to cower in the face of agony, they were meant to overrule it and do so fiercely. She had great potential in standing amongst their ranks, standing before their Alpha, if she could ignore the pain that plagued her and still be prepared to take on an opponent. “I will not unfairly judge your skills based on the way you fight with an injury. If you wish to prove yourself to me, then you may do so only when you are fully healed so that you pose a true challenge.”

Raven had made it clear precisely what field she belonged to. The Delta did not require that she voice aloud her skills, the question itself was unnecessary, for she had gotten straight to the point without any need for him to ask it of her. Dark gold eyes did not waver as he continued to scan her. “I understand that you would fit well into the rankings of a Warrior. I am willing to grant you with this opportunity.” The multicoloured Delta paused for a moment, allowing the information to sink in before he continued. “However, I must first question you of your loyalties. Do you think that you would be able to serve Alpha Steele of Erenyx? Doing so without daring to oppose his rightful authority? I am taking a risk in permitting you to enter his lands while you are wounded. You will need to prove to him, not just me, that you are a capable fighter when the time arrives.”

He approved of her words. She had given him no reason to question her, and so he would not. She had been willing to offer to him a taste of her fighting abilities when she was horribly unprepared. That revealed a quality within her that would undoubtedly find her a suitable place amongst the ranks of Erenyx. Alpha Steele would be most pleased to see one of their newest assets being so eager to serve, and to do so without faltering. The multicoloured Delta had no reason to turn her away. As soon as she was fully healed, he had no doubts in his mind that she’d be a thriving addition.

Dipping his head in confirmation of her acceptance, the graceful male pivoted on his heels, beckoning her to follow him deeper into the heart of Erenyx’s kingdom with a hasty flick of his tail. “Erenyx welcomes you, Warrior Raven.” She was free to either follow him to the camp, or provide her own escort after taking some time to explore her new lands. Irrationality did not voice aloud her options - she would certainly be able to figure it out on her own. He did not mistake her for the type that needed an intolerable amount of guidance.

[Accepted! You may change your name to “Warrior Raven” when it is convenient. Also, you’re now free to post in the Erenyx territories!]