Swiftcurrent Creek Andaran atish’an

oh nooo he's trespassing @Akavir @Arric @Arlette

He moved carefully along the bank, paws picking their way over slick stones. A few shifted beneath him, and he stiffened, waiting for balance to return before pressing on. The sound of the nearby falls rumbled softly, just far enough away to keep him curious about what lay further downstream.

Here and there, the creek betrayed its secrets—a sandbar jutting out where the water slowed, a faint break in the flow where rocks rose just high enough to catch the current. Small fish darted in the shallows, flashes of silver under the dim light.

Fenrith paused, crouching low to get a better look. He swept his gaze along the water’s edge, ears twitching at the sounds of the creek as it murmured against the rocks.

Arric as always was on high alert and when he noticed another in their borders. His fur bristled. A snarl was all that gave away his presence before he burst from cover and ran straight for the winter wolf. His aim the youths side. He'd knock him to the ground and hold him there if he could manage.

Blue eyes narrowed a dangerous light in them. For the first time in a long time. He showed how he had earned his right to lead beside Akavir.

A snarl tore through the quiet.

Before he could turn, the thunder of paws reached his ears, too close—too fast. Fenrith barely had time to tense before the impact hit his side. It was like being struck by a boulder, all power and force as he was knocked clean off his feet.

The cold sting of wet stone met his shoulder first, driving the air from his lungs in a sharp huff. Instinct took over; his legs scrambled for purchase, but the weight of his attacker pinned him before he could rise.

“Shit—!” he wheezed, his voice raw with shock.

Fenrith’s big brown eyes shot up at the black wolf who had him pinned against the wet stone. His chest heaved with frantic draws of breath. His tail tucked instinctively, a show of submission.

"Don't eat me!" A vocal cry that sent birds flying from their trees, stemming from fear and adrenaline.

The youth filled like a lawn chair. Arric was both pleased and frankly a little disappointed. He was feeling a bit claustrophobic, antsy. A little bit of a fight would have helped ease some of that.

Though the males next words drew him pause and he realized how young he was. And had it been any other time and a different situation. He would have laughed. As such his eye twitched and he tampered the urge down. The youth was still trespassing.

If you didn't want attacked. You shouldn't have trespassed. Are you nose blind?

Blue eyes sparking with indignation and a small dose of anger.

Fenrith blinked up at the bristling wolf, his grin faltering as the accusation landed squarely.

Noseblind. Yeah, that wasn’t exactly something he could argue with. For a moment, he stayed quiet, pinned like a rabbit beneath a hawk’s talons, before an awkward laugh bubbled up—light and shaky.

Then he shrunk back, fearing the brute might think Fenrith were laughing at him.

“Uh… yeah,” he admitted, brown eyes darting sideways before sheepishly coming back to meet that icy, indignant glare. He nodded slowly, a little too exaggerated to be serious. “Like… completely. Haven't sniffed a thing since I was small.”

He grows quiet beneath the man, bristling like a trapped prey animal, awaiting death. As if he's expecting it, his eyes squeeze shut—his breath growing still. Maybe if he can't see the brute, the brute can't see him either.

Arric didn't move, but he also didn't press the young man further into the dirt. He did listen. Though honestly he wanted to bite. But he was young. Full of piss amd vinegar.


A laugh and Arric gave a small warning growl. But that was otherwise it. Though when the young man spoke. He stared, eyes growing slightly wider.

Well shit.

Though the way his head moved. Arric wasn't entirely sure if the boy was lying or not. He slowly released his paws and backed up. There was a glare still present on his face 

Get up and Get out. Or I wil ltake a chunk of your hide.

Fenrith didn’t need to be told twice. The second the weight eased from his shoulders, he scrambled to his feet in a tangle of too-long limbs, snow scattering under his paws as he scuttled backward. His heart was still thudding in his chest.

But Fenrith was many things, and quiet wasn’t one of them. “That’s it? Just get out?” he blurted, disbelief edging his voice as he stared at the other wolf. “No ‘my name is’? No ‘this is our land, so watch yourself next time’? Just…” He lifted a paw and gestured vaguely toward the mountain’s edge, his brown eyes widening. “Get out?”

His voice carried a touch of exasperation, maybe desperation, but not anger—there was something boyish in the way he said it, like he couldn’t believe he’d nearly been flattened for so little. Still, he didn’t stand still long enough to tempt fate; his lean frame stayed light on his feet, skittering a few paces further to widen the gap between them.

“I—look,” Fenrith started, his tone softer now, his ears swiveling back slightly as he sought to explain. “I’m alone. Just me, no pack. I wasn’t trying to mess with anyone’s land. I didn’t know.” Then came the sheepish flick of his tail.

And the puppy eyes.

Arric watched as the youth moved backwards. He didn't move from his position just watched. The wolf's youthfulness showing in a big way.

Arric raised a wolfish brow. I can change my mind and take a bite out of ya if you like. But yes that is essentially it. But if you must know. 

Amusement laced with arsenic edge colored his words. 

I am Arric and this is swiftcurrent. I am thr beta and you trespassed most wolves would leave missing some skin or flesh. Consider yourself lucky.

Arric stood still ear tweaked forward as he listened. 

So, you trespassed, but you now want a home?

Arric couldn't believe the balls on this kid. He was  either incredibly stupid and foolish or he was desperate. Neither of which was necessarily a good thing and could cause issues down the line. But they could also possibly make something out of this kid. And he was big enough to hunt and protect borders which they sorely needed.

What are you good at?

His brows lifted when Arric pointed out that most wolves would’ve left him missing half his hide, and honestly? He didn’t doubt it.

"Right, lucky,” Fenrith muttered under his breath, a nervous laugh slipping out. His heart was still thudding, but there was a flicker of relief now, even as the wolf’s amusement carried that sharp edge. At least he wasn’t biting. For now.

Well, I wasn’t exactly planning to ask for one while getting flattened into the snow, but—

Fenrith blinked again, caught off guard by the directness of it, and the awkward laugh was back. He glanced to the side, stalling for time before his brown eyes flicked back to the larger wolf. “I’m fast,” he offered quickly, as if speed alone could save his hide. “Like, really fast. I can scout, run messages, whatever you need.”

He trailed off, paws shuffling. Then—

"And, oh!" A hesitant smile lit up his youthful face. He straightened just slightly, though his posture stayed careful—humble. “I’m a healer. Trained for it. I know plants, remedies, how to mend wounds and calm fevers. My pack—” He stopped himself, correcting the thought with a flick of his tail. “Well, where I was raised, we were called druids.”

He cleared his throat. "Sorry you... probably don't care." He smiles. "Anyways, I can learn! Whatever you need me to. I'm very versatile."

Arric would have too honestly. But he still wasn't sure if thr boy was serious about being nose blind. He was leaning towards not. 

Arric could tell the young man was scared and nervous. His body language and his laugh. But he understood.

So a scout. He didn't think they had one cept maybe Vin, but he hadn't chatted with Akavirs behemoth of a brother in sometime. So it would not go amiss. And a healer. They were up to the gills with healers now. When once upon a time they had to beg for one. But it didn't go amiss 

You'd be in good company. My wife Arlette and another wolf Etienne are both healers.

Arric blinked. I always care about wolves in our pack. You can join, but don'tmake me regret it. Akavir is the leader. My wife Arlette and I are betas. Please refrain from crossing other territory lines while a member of this pack. There are other packs in the valley. Let's go.

For a beat, Fenrith just stood there, ears perked forward and brown eyes wide as Arric spoke. It took a moment for the words to fully sink in—You can join.

He blinked, as if waiting for the punchline. When it didn’t come, his tail gave the smallest, hesitant flick, and that grin—the one that always lingered around the edges of his boyish face—returned. “Wait. Seriously?” he blurted, almost breathless.

It wasn’t relief so much as surprise; Fenrith had been ready to be chased halfway down the mountain, not invited to stay. “You’re not just messing with me, are you?” he added, a touch of that nervous energy crackling back into his tone.

But Arric’s expression made it clear the beta wasn’t joking, so Fenrith shut his mouth—mostly.

Fenrith kept pace behind Arric, his long legs moving easily despite the tension still lingering in his chest. Silence stretched between them for a beat too long, and finally, he couldn’t hold it back.

“Alright, but how am I supposed to avoid that if I can’t smell anything?” It was an honest question—genuine, if a little exasperated—as he glanced sidelong at the Beta’s broad frame.

The young man was going to be a trip. Arric could already tell. Hopefully it was a good one and not a bad one. Because he had about enough of the bad trips. He didn't eat weird fungus for a reason. And life still saw fit to kick him in the ass at times.

Yes. Seriously.

Arric raised a wolfish brow. Trust me if I was messing with you. You'd know it. I don't mess about a home. That's shitty.

Arric sighed softly. I'll take you around to the borders one of these days at least of our neighbors. So you know where they are. or my wife can as long as you keep her safe. We'll figure out a way.

Arric lifted his head and began to point out landmarks and spots to rest his head. Caches where he could grab a meal. You'll have to pull your weight. We have a lot of mouths to feed. ANd winter is hard.