Ouroboros Spine sleet

The welcome in the elder's eyes disarmed him and if he'd had any reservations in following the girl here, he felt it dissipate like dew. Her first words lifted in a language he couldn't understand, but when he tipped his ears, he found she had shifted to a common tongue.

Moonglow, he breathed.

Relief washed through him, and he shook his head alongside Akmaaksi - what a curious name! - to soothe the worry rimming Kukutux's eyes.

For nothing more than curiosity, Adrian admitted. Perhaps she might think it strange he would follow a stranger so deep into packland all to satiate his need to know. Or, he reasoned, perhaps she will admire my courage!

My name is Adrian Alban, he said with a low bow. If only he had a title like moonwoman's! His lone nature hung across his shoulders for every wolf to see without needing to name himself a wanderer. I dispersed from the north in search of a new life, my own life, he shared freely. Delight sparked in his eyes, and he spike, hushed and emphatic. I was admiring the woods not far from here when Akmaaksi found me - she is a very good hunter, by the way, I watched her catch her fox! - anyway, I'm sorry, I'm losing track of myself - you get a little lonely in conversation when you've been on your own - but ah, here I was, simply curious after the wolves who lived here, and Akmaaksi was there and now has brought me here. To you.

He took in a breath. What is Moonglow? Who are you?

Adrain wondered what she might think of this. Would she would chase him off or entertain his wonder?

He hoped for the latter.