He did not know the mama nor her mate, but knew that lingering around the den — a stranger and a male — would be unwelcome, especially when the children were still so small. His visits were brief, only dropping off food to the mother so she could spend her time with her pups and keep her milk stores high. This time was no different, though he was less than pleased with his offering — a small rabbit, perhaps a leveret, slightly lame from some accident. It was dark, much later than he was used to. As he arrived he could hear a voice murmuring something, what snippets he gleaned he barely understood. He knew immediately who the speaker was — for the only adult who had stayed here the longest was the mother. He chuffed to her through the rabbit swinging from his jaws, his head low and tail tucked.

He placed the carcass down near the den's entrance. He had expected to simply slip away, suspecting that the mother was asleep, but was surprised to see her peering out at him. She was lovely to look at, slate gray with pale eyes. He dipped his head. My name is Haoniyao,

Her name was long and unfamiliar. Willow was...a tree? He could not recall correctly. It was a nice name, at least to hear from her voice. Yes, he answered. So you can focus on the pups, he said, earnest. The connection between mother and children was paramount in his mind. The pack — family bound or otherwise — was supposed to support that bond above all else.

He was impressed by her courtesy. It was within her right, as a nursing mother, to take it all for herself. But she offered him some of his own measly catch. He dipped his head, If you do not mind, he held back, allowing her to take the first bite.

They were quiet for a moment, Yao watching as she took a bite of the rabbit, then moving the carcass to him. He took a small bite — he could go through a rabbit in seconds if need be and felt unusually small and strange as he took what was pretty much a nibble. He swallowed his small morsel before he answered her. A few months, he said, quietly amazed at how long he had stayed here. Lenny recruited me, he smiled, recalling their first meeting and the strange circumstances that led him to become a member of Neverwinter Forest. What about you?

He was curious as to who the sire of her pups were — Mal, perhaps? He was unsure if wolves here, or of Mal's culture, took multiple mates, as he had already met another one of his progeny before. But he knew that it was too improper to ask, especially on first meeting. He simply nodded, saving his questions for another time.

Kwa kweli! he said, then realizing that she wouldn't understand him. Of course, he translated, rising to his feet. If you ever need anything, let me know, he smiled.