Beric had only been in Stavanger Bay a few days, but he was already feeling at home. It was great to be back with Verrine and Julooke, and Ragnar seemed like a worthwhile Alpha. Determined not to screw this up, Beric took off early this morning out of his temporary home, which consisted of a low tree with branches that provided some kind of protection against the weather, though not much. He would have to find a more suitable place to rest his head. He was making his way around the borders, weaving on and off the border to check out either side of it. It was an interesting place, with a beach for on border and hills surrounding the rest of it. The only way someone would be able to attack was if the pack really wasn't paying attention.

His thoughts traveled, much like his paws did. While he was glad to have found Verrine and Julooke, he continue to wonder where the rest of the family was. It could be that they missed each other, and they made there way back to Sterrenvuur. He could only hope. The couple he resided with sure seemed happy, and he was happy for them. They had come a long way, and still had milestones to hit together. Beric could only be so lucky to find someone. He was in the prime of his life, and had never had a girlfriend, let alone been in love. He had met a few women along the way that he liked but circumstances always seemed to draw them away. He remembered @Claire, the pretty, shy female he had met after the otter decided he was a play toy. She had been kind, and he could still hear her beautiful laugh. But, he hadn't seen her since that day, and wondered if she had ended up in pack nearby. He wasn't going to go off looking for her, but it was nice to think they might run into each other again.

Beric headed north around the eastern border, coming up to the river. His pawsteps slowed to a walk as he approached the bank, lowering his head to lap up the water into his mouth. After a few moments, he lifted his head, sitting back on his haunches. His gaze took in his surroundings, thinking Ragnar had picked a pretty good place.

His thoughts were interrupted by a voice, and his head turned in the direction in which it came. A young pup was trotting his way, but apparently got thirsty before reaching him. He watched as the pup dunk his face into the water and drank quickly, splashing water around. Beric stood, walking towards him her. Before he reached the pup, however, a familiar form came into view, and he stopped in his tracks. It was Claire. It was like she came out of his thought. But... was she apart of this pack? Maybe she had just joined. She hovered over the pup, as if to protect it from something.

Beric's stance changed to submissive as Thistle clearly made him see that he was wrong. Claire was not of this pack; she was trespassing. Beric came to Thistle's side, keeping his stance to show her respect, but his eyes were on Claire. Did she realize how much danger she was in? He knew Thistle and Ragnar were parents to new pups, and that made them even more protective. Even without that fact, though, as a former, and currently aspiring, warden, he knew it was common play to kill trespassers without warning. Thistle was being nice by allowing her to leave. Step away from the pup, he ordered. He nose told him two things: that the pup was a part of the pack, and Claire was not- she was a part of the Island pack he had previously left. Would Thistle realize it?

Beric was caught between a rock and a hard place. He liked Claire, some might say he had a crush on her, but it was extremely important to him that he be with his family. He couldn't jeopardize getting kicked out by showing any sympathy towards a trespasser. Besides, it did look suspicious that she was from a enemy pack and went straight for one of the Bay's pups. If you do not leave now, you will die here, he warned with a thick voice. He hoped Claire realized his warning was so that she understood the gravity of the situation, and leave hastily. He would have to sort out his feelings later.

His heart broke into a million pieces when the hope went out of Claire's eyes. She obviously thought he was here to help her, and he had just let her down. He could do nothing at this point but stay quiet. He wanted to growl at the juvenile for her response, but he did not, knowing it would seem like he was on Claire's side, and not his own pack's. Thistle, at first, seemed to just want the trespasser gone, but Beric's ears perked when she changed her mind. It seemed she was kidnapping Claire in order to teach her a lesson. Beric didn't really understand the logic. A wolf trespasses, and for punishment, they are forced to stay? He did not openly question his high-ranking pack mate, however, as he knew it would do no good. Beric did not hold any weight with this pack yet, and just had to go with the flow. The one upside would be that he had time to express to Claire how sorry he was for not being on her side in this situation.

His head snapped up at Thistle's quick command. Beric responded swiftly, trotting to a spot in front of Claire, blocking her path to freedom. His voice was soft when he spoke to her. We won't hurt you if you just come willingly, he said. He realized he wasn't exactly doing his job as a warden, considering he was trying to treat this particular trespasser with some degree of respect that he figured his pack mates may think she didn't deserve. But, Beric had met her before this, and just couldn't fathom her mistake had been on purpose, or that she wished any harm to anyone here. He waited to see if she would come without his forceful assistance.

As if it could break more, Beric felt a hard thump in his chest when Claire uttered her questions. He couldn't even look her in the eyes. I'm so sorry, he whispered to her, his emotions evident in his voice. He would never be able to convey to her just how heartbreaking this was for him. She turned back towards Thistle Cloud, and he followed a few beats behind her. He could not bring himself to look at Thistle Cloud, either. He was obeying her, but he knew that if it was any other trespasser, he would have been much more passionate about his duties to the pack.

Thistle Cloud left after giving the rundown to Claire, and seemingly left. Unbeknownst to him, she was still watching to make sure he was following orders. I'll show you where you can sleep, he said. Follow me. The order was soft, but they both knew she had no choice in the matter, and neither did he. He probably should have take her to where the other captives slept, but instead, he took her to his own den. You'll stay here, he said. He wasn't about to let her stay with two males he didn't know. My spot is not far from here, so if you need anything, just yell for me. Well, he would find a spot, anyways. There were plenty of trees with hollowed out bases that he could stuff himself into. He waited to see if there was anything else she might say to him.