All lay silent because a predator was on the hunt. For what though? The Family was fed, the woods were still full of game, and the predator himself was rather sated.
So what was he truly searching for?

Despite Gwen telling him others would flock to them as they needed it, Cry was too stuck in his ways, patrolling the borders for both threats and potential half-frozen bodies who either begged for solace or begged for death. He’d deliver both into whichever they requested, should it prove most useful to the Keep, but everything was artificial. The borders only had the few scents he had accumulated, and even some of those few had come to be gone from sight. Kai might have hibernated with Kovertol for all he knew. Arrowbella might have gone with her. Phex, he knew, was still out and about romping around and finding all of everything to busy herself with. Recently, she had requested a trip to Red Hawk territory just to introduce herself and the Keep, and despite his inner screamings of ‘NO, possibly dangerous, we don’t have the numbers, right now to defend’, Gwen had remained optimistic and thus he allowed it.

Regardless, the Ebonian was settled in his ways of claiming this land for his family, and though it was weak enough to penetrate through and more capable wolves take it from them, he would fight until he couldn’t anymore. 
The glacial gaze of the obsidian Watcher crossed over the body of another dark wolf. Though not as void-hued as himself, Cry could easily pick out this unaware wolf from the stillness of the world around them. It was the gift of his Assassin life, and he used it well for deciphering the situation as it would be. 

This occurance was no different. 
Deciding this wolf was no threat to the meager numbers he held, Cry chose to break from the camouflage of dark trunks, and walked forward. Despite his attempt to make himself known audibly, his pads made no sound. His steps were simply naturally soundless. So instead, the Assassin chuffed a greeting to the swiftly moving male. 

“Hello.”

Standing flacidly but aware, auds locked into this soul before him. Was this their next inclusion? Or would this be another wolf who’s body he’d have to hide under a mound of dirt and snow?

Easy enough this meeting seemed to be as no hostility was brought between them. Though through instinct, Cry could somewhat feel the uneasy energy from the lupine before him, and decidedly he acted on it. However, instead of furthering it, Cry meant to diminish it, and make whoever this was feel a bit less uncomfortable.

”I’m Cry,” he tossed out there with his redeemed baritones. “What’s your name?” He hadn’t taken any steps forward, as to not send the male skittering off. Gave him all the personal space.

Cry smiled internally at the perplexity of this situation as it grew with every passing second. Though his Family was well off, they were a hidden gem he kept secreted within the already mysterious junglesque woods. It was no wonder this male knew not where he journeyed. But Cry wasn't upset- polar blues could see this man was new, and ignorance saved as many as it damned. 

"I am," he nodded. "These woods belong to my Family and I." A light chuckle to ease the company further. "In fact, I originally thought you were one of the newer wolves of the Keep- hence us having a conversation with you rather than showing you the borders." The Phantom was a polite Guardian, very aware of all that went down in his home. He had a few whom he could rely on to find him, should need be. But most issues he tried to keep burdened to himself. The details would of course be shared to his Trusted later on, but only after he ensured there was no lingering dangers. "Pleasure meeting you, Darkmoon." The dip of his crown punctuated the exchange. "Were you looking for anything in particular? A place to rest, perhaps?"