Silvertip Mountain When Snows Arrive

There’d barely been enough time to blink before the explanation had been given and the rocks claimed. It seemed as if the male had been too slow, for by the time he’d drawn close enough, all but one of the rocks had been taken. At that, he frowned, as well as inwardly chastised himself for not being quick enough. He should have taken the initiative and grabbed a stone before anyone else had been given the chance to, that way he might have been given a greater opportunity at acquiring the one meant to represent himself. Sadly, though, he hadn’t done that, and it was already far too late to change that. The last of the objects had been placed before him, to which he responded by staring down at it. He couldn’t tell who it was meant to be, but he was certain it was not a representation of himself. That drew a sigh out between his teeth, his original plan completely ruined. He saw the event more as a chore than anything else, and wasn’t the least bit happy with his being forced to give someone a gift. Normally, it was undeniable that he would be over the moon with joy to have been presented with such an opportunity, but the worry of messing up had him unable to think with such a high level of positivity. They were all members of the same pack, yes, but he didn’t know anything about any of them. It was a troubling matter all around.

It wasn’t long after he’d been given the last stone that the results were delivered. Alastor’s pale gaze followed the chalky leader as he approached each of the other wolves, attempting to listen in so he could learn and possibly strike up a trade with whoever had his rock, but was left without a clue. The male’s voice had been kept low and unable to be heard, especially with the distance the foreigner had placed between himself and the rest. When it was his turn to be given a name, he almost asked who had his rock, but quickly decided against doing so. There was no guarantee he’d be told, plus he didn’t want to come off as being made miserable by the need to obtain a gift for a child he hardly knew—even though he was. At least he was to get something for someone he’d spoken with in the past. That would surely make things easier on him… right? He gave an unconscious shake of his head to clear his mind, then focused on what was being announced. There was an opportunity to have assistance in the little exchange he was forced into, though a part of him detested the idea of even considering taking the offer. Gifts were meant to be meaningful, not something you were told to get by someone else. Knowing that, he released yet another low sigh, begrudgingly accepting his fate.

When the gathering had finally seemed to draw to an end, Alastor stood from his place and departed from the area. He left the rock behind, uncertain of whether they were supposed to take it or not, but not particularly fond of the idea of carrying some rock around for who-knows-how-long. The Greek wolf had more important things to think of, anyways, such as what he would have to get for the alpha’s son. It was certainly going to be a troublesome task, but he felt he couldn’t back out. It was too late to do such a thing, after all.