Duskfire Glacier If he don't want me [J]

The boy was quick to list his credentials, to which Malachi replied with a surprised quirk of his brow. Adlartok was eager to help, and his willingness soothed some of the nerves that had risen in the young man moments before. A light grin pressed across his face, and he dipped his muzzle to show his approval. "I trust you will prove yourself a valuable member here."

In regard to the boy's presence here, the leader didn't know what he expected to hear. Malachi had his guesses, of course, for there were few reasons a youngblood like Adlartok would find himself seeking a pack in the dead of winter. Lost, a run away, left with no family to call his own - each spelled a bleak remembrance, and one the young man didn't want to make the child recall. But he had little choice but to do just that, for if there was family out there seeking the boy, he needed to know in case they came looking.

But though he had prepared himself for a tale of tragedy, Malachi felt the familiar prick of unease nibble at his toes when the boy turned his head away. Diverting his eyes to the ground, the young man searched the layer of snow while his ears caught Adlartok's every word, another story ripe with loss. But while empathy filled his heart, a nook stayed frozen, exhausted from feeling so deeply the pain of others. "Oh," was the uncertain noise the man mustered from his throat. His ears remained slack, and his brows furrowed in a gentle crease. "Will your uncle be looking for you?"