Rueger had been accepted into the pack, though he knew his status was precarious, since he would need to prove himself. He didn't have any problem with that, knowing that packs wouldn't want to keep anyone around who wasn't pulling their weight. Rueger would just do what he does, and hopefully that would speak enough for him.

He was roaming the territory now, getting the lay of the land and familiarizing himself with dens and landmarks. He made sure to steer clear of the den entrances, though, knowing the mothers would be upset with a newcomer being so close. So, as soon as he realized there was a den, he committed it to memory, and then continued on his way.

A voice had him stopping in his tracks. Initially his ears were perked, but they quickly folded on his head as his tail lowered at the sight of the dominant male. He couldn't imagine anyone would be that dominant, except the Alpha. He turned to face him, his gaze focused below the other male's eyes. Yes, I'm Rueger, he replied. He wondered if the other male had smelled him near the dens and been upset.

He could obviously understand, seeing as how he had only been here a couple of days, but he hoped the Alpha would give him a chance to explain his motives. If not, well... He was just screwed.

One ear swiveled as the Alpha said he wanted to introduce himself. So... Rueger wasn't in trouble? The other male didn't sound upset, so Rueger took it as a good sign that him mapping the territory hadn't been misinterpreted.

I'm Rannoch, the other male said. Yup, definitely the Alpha, he thought. Nice to meet you, he responded. He seemed friendly, thankfully. Rueger didn't need much discipline from his leaders in order to work for them. He was self-disciplined in that aspect. He just needed someone right to follow. Your territory is nice. I was just mapping it out, he confessed.

His tail swayed side to side at his hocks when Rannoch offered to show him around. I'd appreciate that, thank you, he responded. Mapping could be tedious, and if he had help with the main areas, he could do the rest in sections and knock them out a lot faster.

If it's alright, I'd like to see all caches first, since they are the most likely target for intruders. He wasn't being too pushy, was he? I was also trying to map the dens without getting too close, he confessed.

Rueger was a protector at heart, and he didn't feel worth anything unless he had his plans in places to prevent any intruders from getting in in the first place. If they did, he could at least track them quickly by knowing where they might be headed before they knew themselves.

Rannoch was willing to show him around, and Rueger's gaze shifted briefly to the east before going back to the Alpha. An old fox den was easily repurposed into a cache, but Rueger wondered. Do you get a lot of fox in the area? Scavengers were more like to raid their caches than wolves. A wolf was more easily identified and dealt with, whereas foxes and the like could be a little sneakier.

He nodded his understanding regarding the pups. Are they very young? he asked. The older they were, the less likely they were to become meals to other predators. I'm sure the mothers wouldn't like me snooping around their dens too much, he commented, regarding meeting the pups. He understood he was a newbie here, and it would take time to earn the trust of the other pack members.

He was glad to hear that the foxes seemed to stay away for the most part after being run off. It didn't surprise him that Rannoch ran into once, as they were opportunists at heart, and would always try their hand at the wolves' cache. I bet they liked that, he commented on the pelt.

His brows rose when the Alpha listed off all the litters of pups. You have a handful, he chuckled. It will take me weeks to learn who is who, he confessed, only half joking. He liked to know which pup was which, but it wouldn't mean his protection of them would change any.

As they walked, he wondered. So, is there anything specific I can do for you or the pack? he asked. He knew he needed to do the basic stuff, but Rueger could get bored easily doing the same thing day in and day out.

He grinned as he imagined the pups going crazy over the fox pelt. The earlier, the better, he figured. Foxes could be pesky critters, and were better off outside of the wolves' territory. If they choose to come in, they usually got some wounds to show for it, if they made it out at all.

He nodded gratefully. Thank you, I appreciate that. I'll definitely reach out of I need help. Rueger considered himself a capable wolf, but he wasn't above asking for help if he needed. That was the whole point of living in a pack, to have others there to back you up, and to back them up when they needed it.

His ear swiveled and then his eyes followed, landing on the Alpha. He hadn't been expecting that answer, and he wondered where it came from. Did the pack have a lot of wolves that left? He considered Rannoch for a movement. He had only been here a few days, but the wolves seemed trustworthy. I have no problem pledging my loyalty, he said. To you, he added. He wasn't going to make the same mistake twice, and pledge his loyalty to some future Alpha. I can't make promises about anyone who might come after you.

While Rueger's mission in life wasn't really to please, per se, the follower inside himself was still glad the Alpha was happy in regards to his pledge. Good to hear, he replied, about Rannoch sticking around a while. Most Alpha's were not overturned easily, and he couldn't see Rannoch giving up his position without a damn good fight.

So, are the rest of the pack as chill as its leaders? he asked. He had only been here a couple days, but the only non-leader he had met was Cass, who had intercepted him at the borders. He supposed he would need to make the effort to meet them.

Rueger was glad to hear Rannoch say they had a lot of friendly faces. While he knew the reality was he wouldn't see eye-to-eye with everyone, he hoped he could be on good terms with most of them. At least, that's what he would strive for.

He wasn't surprised when the Alpha asked him about himself. Well, to be honest, and he usually was, The promise of bigger prey, he answered with a grin. Maybe not the answer Rannoch was looking for, but it was the truth. Honestly, I had left my previous pack several months before, and I wasn't sure where I would end up. Your borders seemed strong, which indicated a strong pack, and that's where I wanted to be. He wasn't sure if that was a great reason, but Rueger hoped the honesty would make up for that.

Rueger returned the smile, meeting the eyes of the Alpha for a split second before moving his gaze forward again. Looks good so far, he said optimistically.

Rueger wasn't surprised when Rannoch asked about his old pack. The male was eager to move forward, but he knew he would not hide his past to do so. I was there quite a while. Leadership was good, most of the pack was good. Then an up and coming male overtook the Alpha male, forcing him out. He let in a bunch of rogues that he had apparently made friends with and tried to enslave the rest of the pack. We escaped, I stayed long enough for them to get settled, and decided to move on. He often wondered how they were, but with the addition of a few more wolves along their way, he had left them with the ability to defend themselves.

Rueger was a little surprised that Rannoch would so quickly agree to back him up should any of the bad guys from his past show up here. He didn't expect them, too, though he couldn't imagine their pack was able to sustain themselves once he got his pack out of there. I appreciate that, thank you, he said sincerely. He had a feeling he and Rannoch would be close. At least he hoped so.

Rueger would part ways with the Alpha and continue on his rounds for another hour or so before heading inward in the territory to try his paw at hunting. If there was anything around to hunt.