The distance between the Sunset Valley and the Maplewood was nominal. The trip, having lasted only a few hours, soon found it's end as Reek's sniffer found the faint scent of the Phoenix Maplewood in the distance. They pressed onward until the smell was strong and the maple forest came into view. Reek shot a glance at Lex, nodding before settling to his haunches on the borderline.
It was then that Reek called for
@Tavi with a howl. "
She'll come soon," he said reassuringly. For a moment, Reek wondered if he should stick around for a while to watch them reunite, but he quickly decided against it. Once Tavi arrived, he would most likely take his leave allowing the siblings proper time to communicate unhindered.
Having returned to the maplewood since her encounter with the wolf named Coeus (and being a little irritated by his vanishing act), Tavi found things with which to busy herself. She visited her den briefly, took a tour around the forest with the den site at the center, and then sauntered towards one of the many caches for a bite to eat - but just as she began to scratch at the earth in order to unearth something to nibble on, she heard a howl. No, she heard a summons, which was very different; and without pause, Tavi gave up her pursuit for a cold bite and headed for the border.
Upon arriving, Tavi was still a bit distracted - she had really hoped to lure a loner in to the ranks, and having been abandoned by Coeus, her ego had been a little wounded. Hopefully neither Reek or Saena would hear of the blunder. When she spotted Reek, she advanced upon his position without hesitation. She didn't mention her brother or his scent, though she smelled it, probably because she was so happy to see Reek that she just wasn't thinking; and Tavi bumped shoulders with him, sliding up against him cheerfully.
You rang?
she called out in a sing-song voice, tail-tip wagging happily. What did he want?
Had he found more bugs? Maybe a bone...?
The walk back was quiet, and more tiring than he’d thought, but his bones were already weary. At first, he doesn’t think he’s going to make it, but a change in Reek’s demeanor gives him a clue that it’s right around the corner. And when they get there, they stop, and he settles on the borders. Lex shoots him a quick sideways glance on why the leader of the pack just stops but he tucks it away when he considers himself still apart of the outside world. He doesn’t belong to those within.
He calls, though, and he feels a jolt run up his spine. A quiet part of him tells him to calm down, that it could be anyone, but the rest of him feels the electricity. Even seeing her in the distance causes some disbelief but, the closer she gets, he recognizes her. His tail beats a few times and he takes a step forward but she doesn’t notice him, or doesn’t recognize him. Or maybe it’s not even her at all?
His brows burrow but he waits, giving the awkward stance he has a chance to pass when the affection of his sister dies down away from this male.
Together, Reek and Lex sat in silence on the borderline until Tavi finally arrived. He did not lead the stranger inward into the territory, believing it unwise to do so. Despite knowing that he would have offered Tavi's brother a spot among the Maplewood then and there, Reek it was up to Lex to decide if he was here to stay or here to go. If he wanted to join, he could take it up with Tavi. She was the beta after all.
She arrived, and to Reek's surprise, barely regarded Lex with even a glance. He thought little of it however, and returned her gesture of greeting with an affectionate press from his muzzle into the scruff of her neck. "I did!" he returned, cheerfully. "I think he's a friend of yours!"
Pulling himself away, Reek whispered, "You two can go ahead and talk in private if you want," before nodding to both of them in farewell. With a heart full of pride to know he had helped reunite a family, Reek returned to the Maplewood with playful bounce to his step.
Indeed, she was oblivious. The fact that Reek had brought a stranger in tow barely registered - but she was gleeful, and gave the white figure a glance, and somewhere in her mind she did recognize Lex. No, that's just Lex -
she commented swiftly, as if her brother's appearance was nothing of importance. And just like that, Reek was sliding away. Tavi had half a mind to go after him, her face contorted in confusion, and that was when it clicked. It was audible, that click - that bulb turning on in her head - and she nearly stumbled as she twisted back around, eyes going wide as she looked upon her brother.
Lex.
He was thin. Rangy, even. His fur hung off of him like an old curtain, and he looked.. Tired. But yes, it was Lex. It was her brother - the one she'd practically abandoned upon her inception to the pack. A grin spread across her face none-the-less, and she squelched whatever guilt rose up like bile in the back of her throat. Oh my god Lex! I thought I'd never find you,
Tavi slid close, inspecting him as she spoke and playfully bumping shoulder-to-shoulder with him. Did you find the others?