The call reaches his ears and his head pops up quickly, ears cupping forward. The amount of lone wolves in the winter surprises him but he leaves that question for another time, tucked away to deal with later. For now, he begins his trek toward the borders. He doesn’t expect Saena to show up, still injured, but part of him expects to find Reek there.  If not to greet the loner, but to watch him, make sure he’s capable and can make decision in favor of the pack and show his worth.

The boy licks his chops as he approaches, the form of a wolf in the distance. Ukko broadens his shoulders and lifts his head, his gait gracefully trekking through the snow. The silhouette of a wolf turns into features and Ukko can better judge the condition of the other.  Tired, perhaps, but he doesn’t expect loners hovering the borders of his home to be in tip-top shape.

“Can I help you?”

The wolf responds quickly, straightening her shoulders and matching his gaze.  Ukko growls, low, and shows his teeth. His own gaze hardens and his fur bristles. The dark wolf didn’t have a consistent dominant feel through his body having spent a while avoiding leadership but now, in his new home and new rank, the threat ran his blood hot.  “Doesn’t look like it,” he flatly states, snapping his jaws shut with a definied click of his teeth. 

Her gaze drops but his alarm doesn’t, watching to see if her posture would change for a wolf in need of a home. Tension eases slightly but Ukko doesn’t let it show, debating his choice for a second chance so soon.

The wolf eased to the ground and kept her gaze averted.  His own eyes narrow slightly, watching as she altered her posture and exposed her neck, explaining her apology.  Her lack of etiquette in the beginning, however, did not leave his mind.  He’s only eased to a point, though questioning her trustworthiness remained in the forefront of his mind. It is then he sees the wound on her nose but on a loner it does not surprise him.    

“What’s your name?” 

Ukko remains stiff, shoulders back and head high. Her neck is still his focus, tongue flicking against the back of his teeth.

“Spring,” he repeats. A word often used for weather, time of year, and in some instances aging. His face eases up into half a smile as he thinks about the innocent confusion it would cause.  “I’m Ukko. This is Phoenix Maplewood,” he explains. A pack, despite his difficulties, he puts his life into and second guess his choices.  Even when unsure of himself, he can’t go against the things he’s supposed to do.  Spring corrected her mistake and seemed to be good at a few things, things to benefit the pack. A second healer wouldn’t hurt, especially with as much damage that has been done lately.

The boy swings his head around, expecting Reek or Saena to pop up behind him but, for the moment, it’s silent.  

“You will work to prove yourself. You mentioned healing and fight,” he decides to bring himself back, two trades he himself is working toward. They’d been set on the back burner for the time being while he gathers himself as a leader. “I expect to see you master these trades in return,” he adds his conditions upon acceptance and raises a brow to see if she’d accept the terms.

Her question, however, gives him a moment to think. He doesn’t expect her to this moment, working over time toward the trades for the pack. A single act wouldn’t be enough.  They are a family and with help of the others, she’d easily be able to sort it out. “Get settled.  Get to know the land. Brush up on your skills with the rest of us and put them to good use,” he explains. Heal the sick and protect the weak. 

With a quick jerk of his head, Ukko urges the woman to follow.

When she asks the questions, he jerks his head to attention and smiles sheepishly, realizing what he’d missed out during the introduction. It’s his first conventional joining and accepting of another wolf that he’s bound to miss a detail or two, and he’s thankful it’s something as minor as this rather than a misunderstanding of skill.  He laughs a little, softening his features and taking a few steps to continue his new pack mate. “Ah, no, sorry,” he says to try and lighten up. “I am the Beta.  Reek and Saena are the alphas. You’ll meet them soon.”

Ukko smiles when she feels comfortable enough to do the same. His body relaxes, slightly, but he keeps his head high and shoulders back, though the tension eases to make his gait a little more smooth. “Well. I left my birth pack and began traveling and it wasn’t until I found this place that I needed to find my new home and it’s been that way ever since,” he explains. Ukko doesn’t like going into the details of where he’d come from, lashing out at Reek had been enough to work on forgetting it again. For now, he continues to lead the woman through the territory. “Come, let me show you around.”