Steady took a break from border patrol, figuring the other wolves were doing a good job of securing it. He thought often about the wolves he now called family and how close they had become in such a short time. While he was closer with some more than others, he would protect them all as if his life depended on it.
There was one in particular who was on his mind today.
@Valette had been with them a few weeks now, but she still seemed a little distance. He knew there was an adjustment period when a wolf enter a new pack, but he wanted her to feel at home here. So, he sought her out, raising his muzzle and howled for her.
Valette was curious up under a random tree. Her eyes closed but she was quite alert, only having some from of a nap. Hence why she woke up from Steady's howl when he did. The girl was surprised that it was a call for her and not for any other members of the pack. Had she done something wrong?
The girl pushed herself to her feet and made her way towards him in a hasty trot. The girl's heart was beating quickly as she approached him. Her hazel eyes casted down as she approached him. She then instantly laid down before him. "You called?," she asked, soft spoken. Valette was just used to Saena as her alpha and well, Steady was a friend that took her in but he was still her alpha... so... she should show submission, because she had probably done something. She left without saying something! That would be it!
She came quickly, seemingly wasting no time. She made no qualms about being submissive, even as his own body was relaxed and friendly, his tail wagging when she came into view. He touched his muzzle to hers in a friendly gesture, hoping it would help her relax. He sat back on his haunches. You can relax, this is a friendly call, he said, his voice easy.
I just wanted to see how you were doing, he added. He didn't want to come right out and accuse her of being distant, as he knew that wouldn't help at all. But, maybe if she had reservations about the pack, he might be able to bring them out of her and ease her mind. He had no idea of how she lived in her other pack, and hadn't even thought to ask.
Valette's ears perked up when he said that she wasn't in trouble, that he just wanted to check up on her. She pulled herself in a sitting position, looking a bit surprised. "Oh, well I am doing just fine," she admitted to him, sounding surprised to. Not really something that she thought her alpha would keep busy with, her emotional well being.
She had been more in the background of things, taking her time to get adjusted and to get used to the territory. Silver tip was a big pack and it meant that there were a lot of wolves. She didn't want to meet all of them. "I met some members already, but not all. I'd like to know where I can go if there are other dominant wolves that want me away or something," she spoke.
He almost hated that she looked surprised that he was checking in on her. While he knew other packs had different dynamics, did no one care enough to stop and look in on each other? Steady didn't think himself better than the next wolf, but there were things like this that he couldn't fathom not doing, especially knowing Valette was avoiding pack life not too long ago.
She said she was doing fine, and was socializing with some of the wolves here. Most of them are pretty chill. They're not very dominant... Well, except me, he joked, grinning, trying to lighten the mood a bit. I don't know anyone that would want you away, to be honest. Ezekiel might come off quiet at first, but give him a little time and he'll open up. The others are pretty outgoing and friendly, he explained. Unless, of course, there was something he didn't know. But, he couldn't imagine any wolf being snide to another, unless he counted the Anita and Ezekiel rivalry.
Valette listened to the other, and what he said about his members. She tipped her head a bit with Ezekiel, because she had not experienced him in that way. The girl shook her head. "I didn't experience Ezekiel in that way. He was very nice when I met him and Anita. We went to fish together and Anita didn't mange to catch anything so Ezekiel gave her his extra fish," she explained, which would be some good information for the alpha because he was probably still thinking that the two were fighting. Not that Valette knew about that.
"Do you have any locations you want to know about?," she then asked. "I think I want to go for ranger, though if you rather want me to be an ambassador that is also alright? Any messages you want to be delivered?," she asked. After all she wanted to work on her specialty.
Valette assured him that Ezekiel hadn't been like that at all during their first meeting, and he was surprised to find that he was even nice to Anita, giving her his fish since she hadn't caught one. He hadn't expected that at all, but maybe Ezekiel was coming around to Anita, or maybe Anita had lightened up on Ezekiel. Or, maybe both. His hopes were raising that the two would get along well, and he wouldn't need to worry about it any longer. I'm glad to hear their dynamic is changing.
His expression turned thoughtful when she asked about places he might want to know about, or messages he'd like delivered. You should go for whichever you want. I'd be happy with either, he replied. He'd like his pack mates to go for the trades they wanted to have, not the ones he wanted them to have. Otherwise, he didn't think they would be happy. I don't really know anything about Snowforest Taiga, if you'd like to explore there, he suggested.
Valette looked surprised at his answer that he didn't know much about the taiga. She lived close to there once, and, Reek lived there. It was deep in the taiga. The girl watched her alpha and nodded shortly. She was not sure if she wanted to revisit the past.
The young female would think about it though. How would Reek even react with her being there. She had failed her promise to him to look after his children, she even lost the pack. Though, then again, how much could males be trusted. She had been close to him, like a father, but now she thought back she realized how detached she had become from the one she called her father.
She looked at Steady, something seemed to be bothering her.
"I should go," she spoke instantly and made way to leave.
Steady can stop her! She didn't fully exit! :D
He saw the surprise on her face, and assumed it was because he didn't know the area. I just haven't gotten around over there, he said, trying to defend himself, and gave her a half smile. He was a homebody, and didn't like leaving very often, or for long periods of time. So, it was very positive in his eyes that she wanted to.
But, her looked changed, and he couldn't gauge what it meant. She turned, explaining she should go. Steady tried to backpedal. Wait! You don't have to go to the Taiga, if you don't want to. You could go... go to Tuktu, or-or Rising Sun Valley! I don't know anything about those, either, he almost pleaded. He didn't know what had upset her, but he did know he wanted to take it back, whatever it was.
Valette turned when the other other spoke to her once more. "Don't worry Steady. I'd like to. I can even go through Rising Sun, it is close to here," she spoke with a smile and then nodded politely goodbye. She would have to make preparations for this trip. Because it was a long one. She should eat. So she hoped there would be a pack hunt soon.
With that she left through the undergrowth making as little noise as possible.