After her return to the territory, she'd retired to her den in order to sleep the rest of the day away. It was there that she'd stayed until the following day, during which she'd been awoken not by any personal needs or the movements of the fetuses within, but by the call of another. It was Zephyr, that much she was certain of, for the male's voice had since become easily recognizable for her. It seemed as if it was he who often called for her, or at least had something to say, making it rather difficult to not know every octave of his voice. Since it was he who had called her, she'd been slow in pulling herself to her feet, viewing the situation as one that did not demand her immediate presence. Besides, she had an excuse for her tardiness if it were to be considered an issue, one of which she'd not hesitate to point out to any that might question her.

The further Sen walked, the more irritated she grew, the aches and pains of her body having grown quite bothersome. Add on to that the fact that she'd found herself being drawn towards the borders, and it was safe to say that the serpent wasn't the least bit pleased. A scowl had plastered itself across her face, disgruntled by the fact that her orders had been ignored. Before having even reached the two awaiting her arrival, she'd considered punishments that might be dished out, for it hadn't crossed her mind that the other wolf might hold an excellent reason for having disobeyed her direct order. All she could see was insubordination, and for that he was bound to be chastised, less his leaving was somehow pardoned. For the woman to do such a thing would surely be a rare occurrence, but perhaps the likelihood would be increased due to her current physical state. Only time could reveal any true answers, everything prior to her arrival being mere speculation, a courtesy of her conscious self.

When the borders were neared and the male spotted, the first thing she'd noticed was the presence of a stranger. Never before had she seen the new male, and was momentarily impressed by his size, considering his use and what services he might be able to provide for the pack. If only she hadn't gotten closer, for the moment she was but a few meters away, the sickled tail was noticed and she was immediate put off by his being there. While the stranger certainly appeared wolf, that tail of his was a clear sign of his impure lineage. Briefly, she'd glanced to Zephyr and silently questioned him, before having directed her gaze back to the unknown male. It was then that the rabbit was noticed, and she'd considered once again what services his being there could offer to them and, more importantly, if he'd be worth keeping around. "Give me your name and your reasoning for being here," she'd stated, jumping right into things. Due to his tail being the only thing that tied him to the blood of a dog—if that was even the case, for she knew that mutations could occur that plagued wolves with traits similar to their domesticated cousins—she'd decided to look past his possible status as a hybrid for the time being. "Zephyr, you better not have played any part in catching that rabbit at his feet, because you and I both know that now is not the time to be taking in anyone that can't pull their own weight," the woman warned, looking to her subordinate for a moment. She would accept the kill as payment for her time whether the stranger was accepted or not, though for his sake, she really did hope he'd made the kill on his own.

It was not the time for remarks of a teasing tone, and she was quick to tell him of that with a glare. "You don't have to touch something to have helped in killing it," she'd returned, eyeing him for a moment longer before returning her attention to the stranger. She was not entirely convinced, but wasn't so quick to say so. Instead, she'd remained quiet for the time being, letting the topic go less it's presence was demanded again. Perhaps she would bring it up later on, but to say so for sure was not yet possible. The encounter was being taken in by the seconds, each one that ticked by beginning to wear at her patience. It was a good thing that the other male had started to speak soon after, giving her something else to focus on aside from her budding anger.

Denali was his name, and he'd happened across Zephyr in some woods. She'd thought of how far off the woods he spoke of might have been, but made no move to question either of them of their trip. Not yet, anyways, or possibly ever. "You say you can hunt," she began. "But how do you expect to do so during these times? You brought a catch today, but what makes you so certain that you'll be able to do the same thing tomorrow? Can you assure me that you'll be able to?" Of course he couldn't, no one could, but knowing that didn't keep her from pestering him about it anyways. "That tail of yours doesn't belong to a wolf," said the serpent, the true reasoning for her uncertainty revealed. "Have you ever lived with humans? Ever acted like their little pet and did their bidding?" Never would she be able to understand what drove some wolves to produce offspring with their lesser cousins. In a mate, one sought strength, not some creature that would roll over and beg at any chance they got.

The male had defended himself, his lineage. Proclaiming to her the details of his birth, his mother, and the way in which he viewed himself. Not a pet, but a wolf through and through, or so was the claim he'd made in her presence. The woman, of course, was not entirely convinced, and would strive to constantly test his words if she were to grant him access into her pack. In what manner might she do so was not currently known, for wasting the time thinking about something that she might not even have the opportunity to do was, well, wasteful. It would do her no good, nor would it press the matter along any further. She would be forced to linger their on her feet for an ever longer period of time if she'd chosen to do so, and so she'd set for herself a mental reminded for a later date.

"If you say so," she'd returned, eyeing his tail once more before directing her attention elsewhere. It was a minor thing, really, and yet even still it found a way to do the madaflippin' tango—or something along those lines—on her nerves. "If I see you act like some pet, you'll be thrown to the most vile of beasts that I can find." Cougars? Bears? Her fat—okay, okay, okay, maybe she'd reconsider her words some other time. For the time being, however, she was intent on getting through the encounter with her sanity still very much intact, which meant remaining focused on the male and letting neither her past nor personal opinions influence her final decision. Well... not too much, anyways.

"It doesn't please me at all, if we're talking on a personal level," Sen stated, blunt as usual, but dreadfully honest. "But since you think that you can pull your weight around here, I'll give you a chance." Perhaps this was a sign of progress? Maybe Sen was finally getting over her dislike of hybrids and dogs alike? Er... unlikely, but wishful thinking, right? "Eventually, I'll find you and demand some sort of animal. If you can't deliver, my choice will be reconsidered, but until then I'll allow you to live here." Someday, maybe in the near future, the Gorgon wouldn't be such an uncivilized punk.

No more words left the woman's mouth, her patience having since run out. Again, the male had pointed out the gift he'd brought, to which the woman had glanced. It was rare for her to accept help from others, and yet, she did not turn the meal away—and she did not reach for it immediately, either. Rather, Sen had looked to Zephyr, mildly annoyed still, but not a single comment noting his insubordination left her mouth. "You," she'd stated, wishing to draw his full attention over to her before continuing. "You brought him here, you show him around. Consider him to be your responsibility until I say otherwise." For several moments, the Gorgon's stare did not leave Zephyr's face. Whether she was trying to intimidate him or simply make a point, it was unclear, and she made no move to shed any light on her intentions.

When Sen had broken eye contact, she'd snatched up the rabbit and took her leave immediately after. Her body ached something terrible, and she felt herself in need of a decent rest to possibly soothe her troubles. For the rest of the day, she did not allow for her mind to linger on the new recruit, having decided already that he would not be her responsibility until his worth had been proven.