these hands made of splinters

Woot! Figured it was time these two finally met. Setting this after Kero and Ton's return.

They'd finally come home. After all that wandering through the wilderness and conversing with the local packs here and there, their impromptu journey to show the plains wolves how seriously they took their borders had finally come to an end. He'd circled their borders, double checking all the scent markers and thickening a few of those that weren't quite strong enough for his liking.

It pleased him to learn that the Spine had been quiet during their time away. Kroc was doing well in her new position as Beta and it was nice to have someone he could trust at their backs. Tonravik was pregnant now. The signs of that were becoming clearer and clearer each day. While he was certain motherhood wouldn't put her totally out of commission, it was still nice to know the pack knew how to function as a pack in their absence. The Spine was strong. They proved it over and over again every day.

Satisfied with the borders, Kerosene turned inwards. It had occurred to him that he and Tonravik would need to pick a den soon so he took to roaming the lands looking for any kind of natural area that would be safe for pups and work as a central hub for the both of him. As far as he knew, both he and Tonravik simply slept wherever was most convenient for them. They wouldn't have such luxuries in the future. They'd need a place that was a little more... definite. Something that didn't change from night to night.

He kept his eyes peeled as he roamed through the territory and made mental notes on this that and the other place. He'd share his thoughts with her later, but for now he decided to take a break. He circled back towards the all too familiar bone pile to find something he could distract himself with. Focusing on anything aside from the hot sun was a blessing. Gnawing on a good bone seemed like just as good a solution as any.

He rounded the bend and shifted through the trees only to set his eyes upon the pile. He neared the bottom of it and landed his eyes on an antler that had fallen from a buck earlier in the season. He wrapped his teeth around it and pulled, oblivious to the petite wolf who lingered elsewhere in this pile of bones.