From across the great divide

The soil was tough, but eventually the top crust yielded to her feet and the looser loam beneath was easy to shovel away. She had only gotten halfway through digging a hole large enough for the haunch when she was interrupted, however, and Viatrix glanced up to see a strange black-furred female observing her.

The Lambda knew better than to question Amekaze's place in the pack, for her bearing suggested it was higher than her own. There was always the slight chance that this was a lone wolf who had penetrated the territory's defence and was masquerading as a pack wolf, but it was slim enough to not cross Viatrix's mind. The first thought that did cross her mind was that Amekaze was Ferdie's mate, having been the only other female that she'd smelled within the territory.

Deferentially lowering her head and placing the haunch on the ground, Viatrix folded into easy submission and took a few steps away from the remains of her kill, offering it to the higher ranked female should she wish to have it. At the same time, she spoke up in introduction: “I am Viatrix DeMonte. I'm new here.” New and wishing to contribute, if the half-dug hole and the bloodless haunch said anything about her.