Stone Circle Ashes

He watched as the woman laid her ears back and bowed to him, a gesture that pierced through him, bringing him back to the time he also came upon the borders and had given the same grace to Valette in eagerness. Many other wolves, much like himself, much like this woman, had been on these same markers, upon Easthollow seeking refuge. And just like before, Greyback and Valette would test her.

He spared a glance to his son as the woman—Nyra introduced herself. He seemed to be engrossed in the conversation, drinking everything in attempt to learn. It warmed Greyback's heart, knowing that his son was taking after him. He would grow up to be a fine young man in a matter of months. One that would hopefully take up his mantle in due time.

He looked back to Lyra, still looking upon her with a stoic expression. "Lyra," he tested the name on his lips as he always did. "of 'not from here,'" he continued. He was humbled by her presence, of her understanding of dues. Not many wolves had bowed to him, and while it didn't irk the Eastholloian, it still was a nice change. She knew rank. She knew her place.

"Winter will be upon us soon, and the quakes of the earth have left very little prey on our land," he said cooly. The bison had fled sometime ago, leaving very little for Easthollow to take and survive. Even he had lost some pounds from the shortage, opting to give his rations to his whelps. He wondered if Valette had noticed... If his kids had noticed.

"You will likely starve here." He admitted. "You will be hungry."