[DotW] We're Here to Stay

Winter winds blew in from the north, chilling his thick pelt and sending cold shivers throughout his body. He was exhausted. Having been on the move constantly since he left his previous pack, the traveler had not received a proper rest in what felt like ages. But he would endure, as he always had.  

Spring, summer, and fall had come and gone without any tribulations. Prey was plentiful, and the weather had been mild. But winter was an entirely different beast. Amarok had grown up with a fearful respect for the snowy season, believing it a taboo to live alone. It was this fear that compelled him to join his last pack, if not only until spring arrived. It was a temporary stay, as all his winter-refuges were. As soon as the snows thawed, he set out on his own again. Though this time, the wanderer was not alone.

At his side was Nita, a wolf he had come to consider a close friend. She too could not settle in their shared pack, and so she accompanied him when he departed that spring. They had been together ever since. The road was not as lonely with another soul to keep you company. And she was good company. He enjoyed her personality and her skill at hunting was undeniably useful. Amarok had never been much of a hunter himself. He had been trained to fight wolves and other threats, not track or run down prey. That was not to say he was incapable, just not as adept as his companion.

But even her proficiency would not guarantee their survival when the snows came and the prey retreated into their burrows, dens, and nests. They needed a community once more. And Amarok had his mind set on one in particular.

He did not know it by name, but the scent was unmistakable. He had etched it into his memory the moment his detected his brother’s scent among it. Back then he had been too afraid to approach, tormented by a guilty conscious. Of course that was still there, but he knew he had to face it. His dreams carried him to the domain each and every night, beckoning him to return to his past. And every morning he had shoved those insidious notions away. But they would only return, and it was not long until the superstitious wolf heeded his visions.

And this was where his dreams lead him.
At the border of a strange and unfamiliar pack.

He situated himself on a dry patch of soil, leaves crunching beneath his weight. From there, he simply waited, ears pricked forward as he listened intently for the sound of approaching footsteps.

“A wolf will come.”

---

Winter winds bit harshly into Nita as she sat silently beside Amarok, her exhaustion from their long journey worsening as the cold seeped through her fur and down to her very bones. She was just as miserable as Amarok out there in the cold, but the hulking female did not allow herself to show her discomfort. She would not tolerate any weakness from herself, so she’d grit her teeth and bare it like she always.

Beside her however, she felt her companion begin to shiver.

Nita expected much from herself; to always be strong so her companion could depend on her, but Amarok was a different story. She didn’t think less of him for it, and disliked seeing him so unhappy.  The she wolf leaned slightly against her smaller companion; allowing her side to rest against his in the hope she could give him what little warmth she had. It helped some, and allowed her to breath in the slight scent of heather that hung off his fur.

The two wolves had been traveling for many seasons now. Through spring, summer and fall to reach the place Amarok called “The Domain”. Nita hadn’t been sure what to make of her companion’s “visions” and sudden desire to return to his home land, but she wasn’t about to abandon him. So she accompanied him on his journey. They’d arrived only a few days prior and now here they were, waiting at the edge of a unknown pack’s territory hoping someone that they could speak to about joining for the winter would come by.

Thankfully they didn’t have to wait long. A particularly hard gust of wind abruptly brought the scent of a strange wolf, and Nita felt her pulse quicken with dread.  

“A wolf has come,” she growled lowly, orange eyes fixed in the direction she’d picked up the scent. Leaving the comforting warmth of Amarok’s side behind, Nita rose to her paws and shook the loose foliage from her pelt. Though Amarok seemed confidant the pack was friendly, Nita was less than convinced. The negative experiences of the last pack they had joined we’re too deeply ingrained in her mind to be too optimistic. So If the strange pack wolf intended to pick a fight, she would be ready…

---

A light, bouncing gait carried the young Alaka’i through the woods, paws marking an obvious path in the snow. The frozen woodland was as starkly beautiful as always. Though Chandor supported a paradise in summer, the cold seasons were as frosty as any. At least, as far as Nadia knew, considering she hadn't been far outside the territory. She didn't mind the cold; in a pack it was easy to keep it at bay. The she-wolf often wondered how loners managed in the snows, even just locating a meal was a challenge alone. They had no pack to come home to, that would share and help when a hunt went sour.

Loners? Speaking of… unfamiliar scents greeted Nadia’s twitching nose. Her exuberant movements ceased as she came to a halt, both ears pricking up. Two strange wolves, her nose informed her. The young leader shuffled her paws in hesitation. What if they were looking for trouble? Nadia was pretty fast, surely she could scamper away if she needed a quick escape. It was worth checking out.

With cautious steps, the auburn she-wolf trod onwards again. Furrowed brows and twitching ears completed her wary look as she moved smoothly through the barren woodland, paws crunching in the snow. Within a couple of minutes the scents flared freshly in her nose, and she squinted through the trees and dead bracken. There. Prominent against the snow, a pair of wolves appeared to the young Alaka’i. Nadia drew in a breath sharply, keeping her pace steady as she approached the strangers.

“Hello!”

Nadia lifted her head, a curious look now painted across her features. “You two are awfully close to my pack’s lands. Can Chandor help you?” She called, eyes darting from one to the other. A big dark she-wolf stood ahead of a stormy-grey male. Both looked incredibly capable of causing a problem to the auburn female, but she was ready to flee if needed. Inwardly she winced at the thought. Running away was ever so shameful - but - Nadia knew trying to fight off two loners with her meager skills would only end badly. For the good of Chandor, she needed to keep her life. (And for herself too, of course.)

She came to a halt only wolf-lengths away from them, her fur fluffed against the cold.

---

He could not help but chuckle at her growl, golden-flecked eyes raising to see the object of her attention. A young she-wolf weaved through the snowy forest, approaching them with wary politeness. Amarok believed this was a good start, as he had half-expected to be shown teeth rather than words. It was winter, after all.

“Indeed.” He agreed with Nita amicably, smiling at their new acquaintance. Although... they would not be properly acquainted until names were exchanged. “Hello. I am called Amarok.” His eyes flashed to his companion, not daring to introduce her. Amarok had no interest in speaking for his friend, and he assumed she would prefer to give her own introduction.

“We have traveled far—seeking a wolf whom I believe lives in your pack.” He hesitated, the gravity of the situation hitting him all at once. It had been many season cycles since he found Baely’s scent beside the border. And many things could happen in that time. “Or… this wolf had lived among you. My brother. Baely.” There was a hopeful edge to the traveler’s voice, and he gazed at the she-wolf expectedly.

---

As the stranger approached Nita half expected some large, half-crazed male to come charging out at them from the brush, but when the stranger finally stepped from the thicket Nita was surprised to see it was only a young female. She was quick to note the russet colored she-wolf seemed to be as nervous about this unexpected meeting as they were. Nita supposed she couldn’t blame her, and she felt a small pang of sympathy for the girl. She had not meant to scare her.

“I am Nita,” she rumbled after Amarok’s own introduction and explanation. “Along with any news of Baely we would also appreciate the chance to speak with the alpha of your pack.”

---

Her ears pricked with a mixture of relief and interest. They did not outright leap at her, or even growl in their speech - a swift comfort to the pack wolf. As the male continued, she found herself further intrigued. They had come here purposefully, to Chandor. But the name of the wolf was unfamiliar to Nadia, and a flutter of dismay wiggled through her gut. He must have been in the pack before she’d been born, under her mother’s leadership.

Her eyes darted to the large she-wolf, briefly enamored by the confidence and strength she held. Her words, however, made Nadia blink with surprise. A flicker of embarrassment and uncertainty made her fur fluff slightly. She couldn’t blame her, though… Nadia hardly looked old enough to be of such rank, anyway. Her demeanor was soft and approachable, and she struggled feeling like she was in charge sometimes.

But she was. And her pack supported her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Amarok and Nita.” Her gaze flicked to each as she named them. “I’m afraid... I don’t know anything of your brother. He must have been here before I was born… but some of my packmates might remember.” She bit her lip, a flustered smile crossing her features. “But uh, I am Nadia. I am the Alaka’i - the alpha - of Chandor.”  

---

He could not disguise the disappointment that crossed his maw when his brother’s presence within the pack was denied. Where are you, brother…? Sighing, he exchanged a sad look with his companion, finding comfort in those amber depths. His ears perked when she mentioned that some of her packmates might remember his estranged kin.

“Is that so?” Amarok spoke with hope, his spirit was rejuvenated. “I suppose it is an act of fate that we were greeted by the alpha.” He commented, flashing Nita a meaningful glance. There were mysterious things at work, of that the superstitious Amarok was certain. Fate was leading them to Chandor, and now—with the alpha’s blessing—into Chandor.

“If you would be so gracious to permit us a visit into your home, I—we—would be very grateful. Any memories your packmates might have of my kin would be very helpful to our search.” Perhaps he was getting ahead of himself, eager to collect leads on his brother’s whereabouts..

---

Nita felt a flicker of disappointment hearing that Baely was no longer in Chandor,  but she shared Amarok’s meaningful glance as Nadia offered to let them speak to her packmates.

There was a newfound respect in Nita’s amber eyes as she looked back at the young alpha. She couldn’t speak from experience, but she knew Alphaship was a heavy burden to carry. The wiry youth had to be made stern stuff to be able to bear it, and Nita would not underestimate her capabilities. Especially after her generosity. Nita was hopeful now that they would find news of her companion’s brother there.

“Forgive me, but we also have another request,” She began slowly, as if considering her words with great care. “We’d also be grateful for the chance to join your pack. At least for the Winter.”  

The she wolf glanced at Amarok before continuing. “We’ve come a long way and would appreciate the respite.”

---

There was a brief twinge of guilt; though it was no fault of hers that she did not know the wolf they sought. A quiet breath whuffed from her jaws, but she did not linger on the disappointment. As Amarok instigated the hope to mingle among her packmates, she pricked her ears, then gave him a nod. Surely the Chandorians would not mind answering an inquiry or two from passing strangers, so long as they were peaceful. So many of the older members were gone now… but not all. Perhaps there was still hope for an answer.

Nadia’s eyes darted to the big she-wolf, unable to hide the surprise and excitement that flickered briefly in the golden orbs. Yes, please, join us! Her thoughts bubbled, while she kept her composure outwardly calm and polite. “Certainly! I am happy to offer a place to stay for anyone who needs it. You’re welcome to remain here as long as you like, assuming there’s no trouble.” She flashed a smile, assuring friendliness.

Shifting her weight, the auburn female turned and beckoned with a swish of her tail. “Come! Your paws must need a rest. Chandor’s den-site awaits!” Nadia pushed off, scattering snow behind her.