Northstar Vale doors slamming all around

Perhaps a few months ago, he would have cared little for pride, but after leading beside his mate for the months that they had; he couldn't find himself just as willing to bow at the feet of another, least of all whichever wolf led this place. His gaze swept the territory, it was beautiful, surely, but empty. He did not reply immediately, but after a moment offered her a sidelong glance. "We must grovel, eventually, if we want to survive the winter." His was the voice of logic, though hardly what he wanted. What he wanted was for their place to have grown stronger, lasted.

The words came tinged with uncertainty, for while he knew of rank challenges, he had never contemplated simply taking another's land.  "or... we could take this place."  He surveyed his mate contemplatively, wondering if the proposition was as ludicrous as he thought it might be, or if it held some sense.