Her patrol began along their Southernmost border, though she found the territory outskirts to have been freshly marked. At once, she detected the familiar scent of Mahler, the gargoyle who'd come from the coast, and the corner of her mouth twitched upward in a fleeting smirk. Swiftcurrent Creek's wolves, despite the drop in numbers, continued to thrive in other ways.
Durnehviir followed the path anyway, reinforcing the pack's claim by trailing the length of her frame along every rock and tree she passed, and delivering a stronger deposit in the form of urine here and there. Having only recently reclaimed her title as leader, it was only appropriate that she become an active presence among the wolves again, and so quickened her stride to catch up to her dark-furred comrade.
When she found him, he was not alone. An older female, perhaps twice the dragoness' own age, hovered just beyond their claim. The Alphess bristled, tail swinging to arch dominantly over her trim hindquarters, and she pressed onward toward Mahler to draw up alongside him with a low rumble of appreciation for his find. "Is there something you require?" Durnehviir asked, not bothering with pleasantries or introductions. Her main focus with strangers at her land was, always, why they were there.
There was a figure that first arrived like a swarthy shadow, silent and watching. Her burnt-orange gaze swiftly raked over his form with ease. Ya look like one o'my sons.
She commented offhandedly -- not yet explaining her doings since she thought it was pretty obvious she wasn't about to start chomping at anyone. Then again, not too long ago, she had been on the other side of this.
The next figure was obviously a female with those angles. Fiery hues that rivaled even the brightest wildfires. This one actually said something too.
Svala slumped down onto her rear as she acknowledged the female with a toothy grin that was nothing but genuine. A younger body again.
A soft chuckle escaped her before it faded off and for a brief moment, Svala had an almost sad face. She was quick to hide the sorrow though. I'll be outta ya fur soon enough, I promise. Ya know us old ladies though, ain't useful to walk a mile.
The stranger was so... relaxed, in the presence of two younger and clearly defensive wolves. This response roused new curiosity in Durnehviir, who flickered a ginger ear in confusion at the other female's attempt at comedy. She had not anticipated such an offhanded retort to her question and, unsure how to react, the russet Alphess furrowed her brow in thought and lashed her tail.
Her pale eyes sought Mahler's briefly, seeking to exchange a glance with him in search of his support, but the gargoyle remained silent. Durnehviir returned her gaze to the unfamiliar she-wolf again, and asked: "are you from around here?"