The light-colored fae trotted swiftly along the canyon edge, being careful to stay more than fifteen feet away from the steep drop off. Her dial was held high and proud. Her pools gazed endlessly at the sky. A cold winter breeze blew every hair on her pelt up, she grunted lowly and continued along the canyon. Soon, the wolfess stopped and rested. She sat down on her hanches and sighed deeply. Nothing exciting anymore happened. Everything was so boring. The pup-at-heart always longed for adventure.

---

They Dubbed me: Aylen

They Molded me: Fae

My Blood is of the: Grey Wolf

My pools are Dyed: Yellow

My Pelt is Hued: Light Grey

I Belong to: No Pack

My Heart Belongs to: No One

Into the distance are his strides as he makes his way forth onto the canyon. His heart was pounding his feet were fast, portraying his body as a black and gray blur to those around him. Dark brown orbs hidden under a lowered head as he approached the wandering gray maiden.

He too was a pup at heart, though he had grown so much more mature than those years. Mud puddles took her sight in, consuming and digesting if or if not to approach the fairer being. Naive was his nature, and so was his actions as he simply moved from the brush into the exposing light. "Hail!" He called in a playfull manner as he flicked a big bushy gray tail about his frame. With a bow of his head he greeted her in the old wolf tongue "I am Absolute, Middle child to Vicious and Insecure." It was costumary to say his sire's name first, even though he did not like to identify his father in such a hearty mood. The beast was fowl, and he hated him so.

Black braces began to move him ever closer. The sun reflecting though his fur as if he were made of the silk worms threads. As he neared, it was noticed that his fur was not like other wolves. His was that of a satan wolf. The colored shafts hollowed, illuminating with the glow and warmth of the sun. White strands seemed invisible as the light bathed through them. His eyes were the only part of him that did not seem to glow so much. They were dark, very dark. A brown that a being could get lost in. The pupil wasn't seen when there was any sign of shade. Only when looking directly into light could the black lenses be discovered. He had seen himself many a times in the reflections of both lakes and ponds, and found his eyes to be the most interesting, even though his coat was what made him so rare.

Aylen turned her delicate dial toward the new wolf. He yellow eyes reflected the sun. The fae's auds pricked as she heard Absolute's voice. Her tail swayed back and forth as she listened. Her pelt was a light shade of grey, in the sun, her pelt seemed white, her eyes the only color that was out of place.

I am Aylen. she replied simply. She had no memory of her parents-she was abandoned as soon as she was weaned. Being polite, the wolfess dipped her head.

He seemed to slightly strain to hear the name of her parents. When none were given he grew cold in wonder why she did not know her history. When her head was bowed his own gray muzzle was dipped and he gave that of an innocent gleam. "Aylen, is it? I beautiful name if I must say." he paused as if to recieve an answer, but clearly expected none. "What brings you forth to these tretcherous cliffs which cause many pains." He looked out over the cliffs and all those below. "They are beautiful, but dangerous indeed." Fifth limb had quieted in motion, laying lifeless at his hocks while brown orbs stared into the vastness of the canyon. The trees which decorated the floor were bare in winter, giving the eerie grave look of death. In his mind he saw the trees green and beautiful, the true sight was unpleasant.

"Do you come here often, Aylen?" He pronounced the name slowly, as if to memorize and completment it. "It is a much prettier sight in the warmer moons. Have you seen it then?" His voice was soft and soothing, no note of harsh on his tongue. He seemed in a daze at the sight of both wolfess and the expanse of the canyon itself.

Today was a good day. He had returned home only a few hours ago, and had already gained a new pack member; a new mother and her pups. The numbers in Vestige's pack were incredably small and the added fact that his mate, Lady, was no longer around made it even more strange in the quiet lands he held claim to. The wolf had mixed emotions inside of him, not only had his mate disappeared but also his 6 pups. He was very worried about them, and with no word of their whereabouts he was becoming increasingly stressed. Still, he had matters to attend to, like filling his pack again. With two mothers as his only other companions, Vestige needed all the help he could get to defend the land. He didn't expect the two mother to help, after all they would need to look after their pups, and he accepted that.

He was trotting through the alleys, head raised and ears pricked forwards. He used his ears like radar, trying to pick up any sounds of danger or potential pack members. He would prefer the latter. His nose tried to pick out the scent of a wolf, one which did not carry the banner of another pack and his eyes flickered around, just to catch sight of any moving object. He used his senses to the maximum, and so he came across the pair. He noted they didn't seem to be part or a pack, and this encouraged him slightly to engage in conversation. However he didn't want to intrude on their privacy; If he was polite, then maybe he could just join in, and if they weren't interested in his offer, he would move on. Simple.

Gathering himself, Vestige approached them, still wary of aggresion, but he tried to hold his body in a way which wouldn't provoke any. The only sign he was of a high rank was that his head was high and he didn't faulter in making eye contact with the male and female.
In a calm, pleasant tone, Vestige began. I hope I'm not interupting anything important, He paused, as if to wait for a reply, but there wasn't really any time to answer before he continued.
I am Vestige, Alpha of Aspen Grove. I have an offer for you both. If your not interested then I shall leave you. Would you like to join my pack?

Peppered wolf lifted brown orbs upon the new arrival. Hollow shafts of fur illuminating his face and brow. He went to give a defending growl but supressed it as the wolf first spoke. Wearily he opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off as Vestige introduced himself. The kindly matter of the more mature wolf confused the pup, keeping his gaze out of the alpha's eyes.

Absolute was still young, full grown but only a little over a year old. As the alpha introduced himself, Absolute bowed his own crown then introduced himself. "I am Absolute, Middle son of Vicious and Insecure." He paused to raise his head, "I am in no pack, my alphess kicked all but her pups from Curcified's pack when I was younger because of our heiritage." He had a bit of interest in his eyes, showingn that with the right words, he could be persuaded. "Tell me, what does your pack have to offer?" His tone, for the first time, was strong a emotionless. As if he was making a life commiting decision.

The wolfess smiled, her yellow dyed eyes gazing at him. She lifter her dial a bit. This wolf was okay-unlike most that she had met. Aylen liked his attitude, for it was much like hers. Being new to the valley, she had never heard of Vicious, but by the way Absolute said his name, she had a feeling that she wouldn't like him. Hearing the compliment, her grin got larger.
Why thank-you, Absolute. she replied. She listened to his next comment.
Why am I here at the canyon? I am simply wandering around the valley. I happen to like this canyon very much, and have been spending much of my time here. She answered. I haven't been here when this snow has melted-no. I've just arrived at Sparkling Creek Valley.

A new scent was carried to Aylen's nares. She stood up and turned around, her eyes fixed on Vestige.
I am Aylen. the wolfess intrtoduced, still not revealing that she had been abandoned. She listened to hear what Vestige had to say about his pack.

So these two weren't agressive. That was a good first impression. Vestige patiently listened to what they both said. Absolutes question took him by surprise. To be totally honest, what his pack had to offer was not a lot, but if these two were right for his pack, they would accept this fact. Still, he needed some more company, the pack was very small.

Pausing as he thought of an answer, Vestige's eyes looked up in thought. Well...there really wasn't alot, but he guessed he would just have to make it sound like there was.

Well, I guess there is no reason for me to lie about it, truth be told there isn't a lot to say. We, my pack, offer protection. I'm not a leader who rules by force or fear, I try to do whats best for my pack. Ranks don't mean a lot to me, so there isn't much of a heriarchy, we're all just one big family. We offer care, everything you would expect from a family I suppose. The only thing I ask is that your loyal. He paused, thinking of something else to add. He felt he was doing a pretty bad job of selling his land to these two young wolves, but decided to carry on, maybe they would be interested. We do have enemies, I'm not going to deny it. I'll tell you more about that if you want, but first, are you in the slightest bit interested?

A head rose in cautious interest. Deep brown orbs searching the brute for flaws or lies. A family... He hadn't been in the pack that long before they were kicked out. Everyone was on edge with each other, the mothers would fight and he had never met his father."A family..?" He questioned quietly to himself. Images of his half siblings, and mothers fighting viciously with each other. His leaving, everything was so uncomfortable. His imagination however longed for something more loving, and he had hoped that it was what a true family was suppose to be. Would this pack be a true family...

Absolute began to grow uneasy about enemies. He had the darkness inside of him to love blood, but he had not yet bathed in it to know its glory. Though his doubt grew, his interest was still the higher. "I may have some interest." He said softly, looking at the wolfess as if for approval, but he was merely looking for her own answer. A gray fuzzy tail flicked slightly in interest to know more.

The lightcolored fae was in deep thought herself. Her eyes seemed empty now, for she no longer could see through them. She was lost in the neverending seas of her mind. She had never had a family. Let alone a friend, for she had met only wolves that were bitter and dark. This family of a pack sounded safe and friendly. Finally, the fae snapped out of her thought, looking up at Absolute more than at Vestige.

"I too am interested." She answered with a soothing voice.

He watched them both become deep in thought about what he had just said. Vestige stood quietly, not wanting to do anything to disturb their thinking. The wind, that had began to pick up slightly, ruffled his coat. It caused the wolf to shiver involuntarily, but he regained himself after a few moments. It seemed that the word "family" had a big effect on these two. It concerned Vestige, who himself was a father, as to what sort of puphood they had had. It wasn't right, in his mind, that any pup should grow up in fear or darkness. It seemed that the some form of damage had been done to these two; Either physical or mental.

Absolute was the first to reply, closely followed by Aylen. A smile slowly revealed itself - The alpha was pleased with the reply. They didn't have any further questions so far, so Vestige decided on what to do next. He came up with something that would sound a bit strange, but it was worth a try.

Ok, Well then how about you come with me. You can stay with me and my pack for a week or so and see what its like. If you like it, you can stay, if you don't, your free to leave. I'm just going to add though; expect a lot of pups. He smiled, with a gentle facade. Would you like to follow me, or not? It was a geniune question now, if they both walked away Vestige wouldn't blame them, but he seemed to have caught their interest.

Aylen's pools glanced at Absolute, and then at Vestige. Her light fur still seemed white against the snow, only part of her fur a light gray. Her auds pricked at the word 'pups'. Instead of turning away, as most would've done in her situation, she smiled warmly. Her yellow pools lit up and her tail wagged. She took a last glance at Absolute, wondering if he would follow her into the pack lands.

I will. Aylen barked, still smiling.

This would be the first time she was almost sure that she wouldn't be alone. She wouldn't be mistreated, and she would be safe. Her paws took her frame to steps forward, but she paused, looking back at Absolute.

In a flash his mind began to race through thoughts that once again pulled him to his puphood. The word 'pups' had a negative effect. He had grown up around so many pups, though the wolf seemed to sound like there was a lot, not to him. "A lot of pups you say... I grew up around 15, not including my two siblings." He snickered with a little pain. Flashes of Sacrifice and Rapture pulsing through his thoughts making him wince a bit.

As his words died down, Aylen stepped forward toward Vestige. Her actions accent and lead his own with a friendly hand. Soon his head lifted in confedence and he took his step forward as well. "I shall come as well." He cooed, giving a friendly glance to the female that stood so strongly next to him. Then turned to the wolf who may become his new alpha.

Aylen nodded at Absolute, glad he was coming with her. As her only 'friend'. She smiled gratefully at him and turned her bodice to follow Vestige. Her pools flickered with the light, making her eyes look soft and dreamy.

Lead the way

The alpha waited patiently for them both to think it through and decide. He smiled when Aylen agreed to come with him and Absolute gave the same answer. With a nod of his head, Vestige turned round. He smiled inwardly before leading them to his home, always stopping to make sure they were following and to check for danger.