The group plodded together until Zaavier raised his tail to issue a stop. He glanced around, staring at the new area they had just come upon. They had followed the river, as Zaavier had instructed them, and had made their way through the narrow opening in the mountain range. It was a marvelous sight. The valley, split in half by a river bore lush trees on one side, and grassland on the other, later giving way to wetlands. He eyed the Morass in the distance, but decided it wouldn't be of any harm. He could not see the ravine on the other side of the trees, and therefore he had no knowledge of it, but his heartbeat quickened as his eyes drank in the beauty of the valley. All around them were majestic mountains, looming up like a protective border. Tail swished with pleasure as his murky brown eyes flickered to the forest. It was filled with a variety of trees with thick foilage that was sure to produce excellant cover for ground prey and food for large mammals.
He turned his attention to the river. They were standing on the bank, and the sound of bubbling water was loud in their ears. Every once in a while, Zaavier could spot ripples in the water from a leaping fish. It would be complicated to get to the other side, but he would find a way. Throwing a glance over his shoulder to his comrades and the narrow opening they had travelled through, Zaavier felt a new feeling lodge in his heart. Immediately, Zaavier felt the urge to protect this territory with all his might. A large smile spread across the large brutes features as he turned around to address his crew.
"This is it. I feel like this will serve as a wonderful territory," He told them openly, eyes dragging to each and every member. First was Kinvara, his feisty red head. She had proven herself to him many times over as his first recruit, and he respected her greatly. Then Alkiva, who had always struck him as a strong willed wolf from the start. Then he glanced at Thea, who he had promised to help find her sisters. He would uphold that promise, and meet with her as soon as everything here was settled. His gaze was cast to Akazia and Jaida and he smiled at the young females. They would support his pack well, he could feel it. Scully caught his sight next, and he wondered if she would become his healer. She had already shown her intrests of sciences with him. Then there was Dany, his newest recruit. He did not know much about her yet, but he planned to get to know her soon. He was proud of his group.
Turning back around, the red male began to plod forward again. This strath seemed to call to him and for the first time in a long while, he felt like he could call this place home.
He was finally home.
Akazia had held her doubts about coming this way, what with her run in with the worshippers and that crazy male, but she found herself at ease with the large group around her though she didn't know them very well. Thea and Zaavier were the ones she trusted most but she made a note to get to know all of them once they settled.
Hideaway Strath hadn't changed much since they had been gone, she could no longer smell any lingering scents from her or her opponent though he had been bleeding heavily when he left. The tree they had slept against was still there and Akazia smiled fondly at the sight of it.
She found herself nodding slightly in agreement with Zaavier as he spoke, thinking that this would be a good home for all of them.
Jaida was struck with recognition as they climbed through the entrance to the strath, though she had been exhausted last time she made this trek. Her eyes scanned for signs of the angry man who had attacked her mother, but he was nowhere to be seen.
She too recognized the tree and spotted her mother's smile, she might have rushed over to it to poke around and see if she still fit if not for Zaavier stopping the group to speak to them. Jaida had no objections about this place being home, she had already been here and it certainly felt safe.
Jaida glanced upwards at her mother, smiling happily as her tail wagged. They had found a people to call their own and a place to live. Maybe now Mother would stop worrying.
Kinvara was silent, as usual, as they trekked into the protected area. She was unaware to the potential dangers of it just as Zaavier was but it was certainly a safe place to live other than those. It would be hard to get in or attack without coming through the one entrance to the north.
She paused as Zaavier's tail went up, halting the group and making a few comments about how this would be their territory.
Kinvara nodded in silent agreement, flashing their leader an encouraging smile. This would be home.
Dany had come to learn that the pack was not a harem as she thought. It was only coincidence that all the members except for Zaavier were female, a coincidence that worked out in her favor. Truly, she had been with some odd groups and didn't want to live with them only to depart because she had no intentions of servicing with her body.
She had been welcomed with open arms for the most part. Zaavier didn't seem to mind her presence and though she had come to find some of the members were rather quiet, keep to themselves types, she didn't mind.
Dany halted as the rest did, not noticing the looks Zaavier roved over them for she was taking in the scenery around them.
Akazia still seemed a bit reserved, Thea didn't know much about her nor did she talk much. It seemed like the mother trusted her around Jaida and allowed her closer to them than before but maybe it was wishful thinking.
The fuzzy wolfdog followed after the others, noting varied reactions through the crowd though she herself thought that the territory looked rather nice.
"Gonna cry there Boss?" Thea's voice was loud enough for the others to hear, a wide smile breaking across her face in humor so Zaavier would know that it was a joke.