Arora

A song awoke among the trees, a solemn howl sang from the pale gray jaws of Arora. It was low at first, hanging like the morning mist before it rose in pitch and volume, climbing higher than the swaying trees around her. The notes became powerful, rising and falling as the wolf called to the stars, and offered her music to any and all who would listen.

Arora was letting everyone know that this was her land now, and she was the queen.

Nhevaris

'What's this?' Nhevaris tilted his head, auds fixating on the song. Ebony and sepia-toned brute heaved himself up from the ground and shook bits of moss from his being. 'Bold move, Arora.' Slowly at first, and then with purpose, the alpha began to lope through the sparsely spaced trees, following the lyrics of his packmate.

Chestnut-red eyes flashed in the dark, emerging from the cover of spring vegetation after honing in on Arora's location. He stepped from the cover of the trees and stood, tail raised and ruff broadly expanded around his neck and shoulders. A scant few dozen yards from the brazen she-wolf, Nhevaris spoke in a cautious, almost curious tone, "That is quite the song." His dark eyes locked onto hers, a wordless but direct challenge. "Care to share what prompted it?"

Arora

A smile tugged at the corners of her eyes when Nhevaris appeared, softening the fierce determination that rested there. "Naiche is a good wolf, but she is naive and young, and not a leader." Her tail was loose and friendly behind her, signalling no intention of threat. "I think you and I make a better fit for that role, and together we could lead a powerful pack." Arora continued after a moment, keeping her posture upright, with her head raised and her gaze unflinching from his.

Nhevaris

Nhevaris was initially taken aback, not quite expecting those forward words and actions. Just as quickly though, a smile took hold on his lean muzzle, his reds eyes twinkling with curiosity and amusement, "You have had the benefit of growing up in a sizable and stable pack, from what I know of the Aspen Grove. Seems to have suited you well." Some of the ridgedness in his body relaxed. He moved closer to Arora, carrying himself deftly across the newly greened forest floor with hardly a sound. "I accept your offer, but you will have to settle things with Naiche - that's not my business."

Arora

"Don't worry about her." She assured, seemingly unbothered by the fact that the other fae was considerably larger than herself. Arora was a wolf born of confidence, and wasn't worried about a potential squabble with another packmate. She would fight for what she wanted.

The wolfess moved in closer, erasing the distance between her and Nhevaris until she was close enough to give him a lick on the muzzle. Her tail wagged, a soft and friendly movement, "Our pack has two leaders, now it needs more members." A playful twinkle came to her eyes, and she gave him another caress on the muzzle before shifting suddenly and springing away, enticing the alpha to follow her.

Nhevaris

Nhevaris couldn't help it, the unexpected kiss sent his tail a-wag and melted whatever rigidity might have remained in his pose. The shift from business to play had been a quick one in this wolfess, and an amused chuckle left him at her last question. "More members?"

A second flick of the tongue swept across his muzzle, and the gray she-wolf was bounding away. Nhevaris' legs nearly moved of their own command, springing him forward before his mind could fully wrap around this sudden development. Who was he to fight it though? A playful yip escaped his vocals, and he dashed after Arora, leaving the little clearing behind.