Northstar Vale NSV CLAIM: we owe this to ourselves!

@Silas

Patience was one of the more important virtues he exercised, and one of the few. As the clouds hovered overhead, the dark male remained unmoving, waiting. He knew for certain that two would come - the monk and Lham, but others still were expected to show their faces. Namely the ones that had been plucked in their explorations of the valley. The beast felt the wind breathe upon his skin and tousle his fur, but neglected its touch.

The first two to arrive were of course familiar creatures. The male he had hunted alongside, and the female he had coaxed into their ranks upon learning of her ill impression of the plateau wolves. He blinked, even tipped his nose in greeting to the two of them as they stepped forth. And then a tiny, meek creature came into the gathering, and he felt her nose against his ankle. It trailed up his leg and flank, and she came to stand beside him acknowledging him. Raheerah was rigid in his stature, but he glanced down at her and answered her with a carnal rumble, deep in his chest. It fell silent as she called for the monk. He would not speak on matters of the monk.

Two more appeared after Dawa; another male and female, though he didn't know these ones. Again Raheerah tipped his jaw. As expected, the monk did arrive in time and shepherded Dawa into his embrace. Raheerah did nothing but peer at him out of the corner of his eye, then turned to look out to the group as he spoke. The monk began to address the gathering, and he stood taller, assuming the position that spoke of power and loyalty. The faithful dog. The unrelenting guardian. Only when he spoke to Raheerah did the beast cock his head to listen, and answered with a gruff puff of air. Still he spoke nothing to the monk. Yes, he would stay and watch Lham - it was his duty, for she was innocence, and he its divine protector. He would be foolish to assume that Raheerah would abandon them once his promise had been fulfilled.

The time soon came when the monk prompted Raheerah to do as he did and introduce himself. The monster was never so good at introductions; they'd always been brief, terror inducing. Had he wished to frighten these lost souls into their deaths, he'd have done so long ago. He was not meant to be known. Merely felt, and feared, from a distance. The beast parted his jaw, lazily licking the side of his mouth before he uttered his words. "Myy naame is Raheeerah, the guaarrdian of this valley." He began, gaze flicking over each wolf present. "Yoou will do well to remeemmber my authoorrity as tailing that of Teennzinn and Dawaa." Raheerah added. For that moment, he glanced at the monk, and remained silent.

As the gathered wolves were given their opportunities to introduce themselves, he turned to the monk again. "I amm your Betaa." His voice had quieted, but retained that natural hardness, the persuasive drawl of the dragon's desires. He would leave no room for compromise or argument - he had chosen his ranking, and the monk would be advised to remember it. With another snort of breath, he cast his gaze back out to the gathering.