Alone. It felt strange. He'd always had at least his mother by his side, even without the safety they'd found in Anathema. Esmeralda had won the battle between them, due to her dirty tricks. Now Gunnar was a runaway, a rogue, a deserter of the caverns he'd called home. It felt... unreal. Like a dream.

He'd been wandering in and out of the area for a few weeks now. This place had been deserted up until a day or so ago. Suddenly he'd started noticing more people wandering the area, marking borders and making a home here. A new pack. He still wasn't sure of the name or the leadership, but he did know that he wasn't about to relinquish his hunting grounds. With winter so near, he'd starve without it.

So he'd travelled to the newly marked borders early that morning. Unable to produce a noticable howl without hurting himself, he waited there for the first patrol to come around. A young woman was the first one to show up; pale white fur with black markings and lovely bright blue eyes. A beautiful little fae.

He only hoped his limping gait, scarred throat and raspy voice wouldn't scare her off.

He approached cautiously. Miss? He called out, voice croaked as usual. He hated that; Esme had ruined his good looks and soothing voice. Now he was a beast, not a prince. No wonder she'd chased him off so easily. Are you of the new pack that's formed here? May I speak with you?

The girl's voice matched her looks and he smiled at that, a sort of crooked grin that suited him even still. Well, no, I... He started, pausing to think it over. How was he supposed to go about this conversation? He'd made a new home in the area and with her pack having moved in... was it still his? Was he to be chased out? Ugh, confusion.

As he thought it over, the girl decided he looked worn out. Yes, he was tired. Yes, he was limping. But he felt fine overall. It was with a chuckle that he shook his head, smile evening out a bit. Miss, I'm fine. Really. Some injuries just never healed right, is all. He waved a hand to reject her offer politely, and was glad that she sat down instead a second later.

Actually, He started again, forcing a smoother stride over to where she sat, leaning against the rock at the hip and crossing his arms over his chest. Actually, my concern involved your pack, miss. I moved into the territory a few weeks back. Your borders overlap with the area I've been living in and I'm not entirely sure I can afford to give up my hunting grounds. I'd like to talk to your alpha, if that's alright?

Then, as an afterthought, he smiled and relaxed, flicking from business into flirting in an instant. Then again, if they're busy, I wouldn't mind waiting in your company, miss. Name's Gunnar LeStrange. He introduced smoothly, despite the raspy voice. And might I say, you look lovely in the sunlight, miss...? He trailed off, hoping for a name. Yup, still a smooth talker. Not a player anymore, but still a die-hard flirt.

He'd been checking her out just as much as she was, him. Gunnar found the girl to be a very beautiful, very bright young woman. Her eyes attracted him the most; bright and shining like a winter morning sky.

Handsome? Charming? Brave? Fia, darling, I'm hardly any of those. He murred smoothly, feigning modesty. You, however, seem to have all three covered; Beautiful, alluring and probably braver than me. He mused, bringing a hand up to gently touch her chin, bringing it back to his pocket soon after.

So you're in the new pack, hm? Would you tell me about it? Gunnar shifted his feet and continued leaning on the rock, tail waving behind him and eyes sparkling with a forgotten excitement.