Tharin worked his way along the borders. It wasn't long before he crossed into the scent of a vaguely familiar pack mate. It took a moment before he remembered. Jiva. A rather odd wolf, really. He'd suddenly become very busy. Kiara hadn't understood the actions, and neither had he. Perhaps now would be a good time to get to know him better. His pace was swift, eating up the ground as he followed the scent to where the smaller wolf was.

Tharin stepped up his pace to be beside Jiva, his tail swaying brightly. His head was held high, looking over the border. It didn't look like anything but the occasional deer and rabbit had crossed over the border, and he wasn't about to go chase those from the pack. It's a good day for a patrol. His voice was friendly, inviting Jiva to speak with him. Tharin wasn't much of a talker, but perhaps it would be good if he tried to be to understand him.

Jiva welcomed his presence brightly, tail wagging. Tharin's body arched dominantly, proud of all that he saw. He'd earned a position of trust in the pack, and he wouldn't be letting it go. He loved the pack, even if it wasn't the home he'd been born in. The occasional strangeness was forgiven as he let himself be enveloped by the safe nature of the familiarity the other packs lacked. He didn't like luperci very much, unsure of how he was going to fight against creatures that could become so much larger than him. Guilt ran through him in quiet moments, remembering the pack that he'd failed, but most of the time he was happy.

Nodding his head Tharin checked the grounds of the border again. Someone had come by and paused for a short time before leaving again. It wasn't anything big to deal with. His tail wagged picking up the scent of a moose that passed through. If it was still in the pack perhaps he could call some members together to hunt it down. I patrol the borders everyday. I was actually surprised to come across your scent. I don't usually run into you along here.

Tharin nodded, unable to halt his hackles from rising as he looked out past the pack. Someone was out there hurting pack mates. His pack mates. Palaydrian wasn't the first, and he was furious that it was happening. If he was a stronger fighter, better tracker, he would hunt down the ones who had done this, and kill them. They had hurt Kiara, Fayne, and Palaydrian. Defense around the pack needed to be increased. It was the only thing he could do right now unfortunately.

Tharin nodded his head as Jiva spoke, not as focused now that he was thinking on the attacks. His movements were more stiff, aware of the danger around them. Jiva, do you know how to fight? Tharin knew some basics, but fighting against luperci was a completely different manner. He couldn't be the only one protecting the border. He wanted to make sure the rest of his pack was capable as well, seeing that they could help him fight back where he was weak.

Tharin's amber gaze found his way to study Jiva as they continued along the border. He was thin, small. He didn't look particularly strong. Tharin was surprised that he'd won Palaydrian's heart, considering how confident and powerful she was. Well, perhaps not confident. She definitely had strength though. Tharin wasn't too sure why she would choose someone like Jiva. He was a good guy, if a bit odd. Not someone to count on when she needed it though.

Shaking his head as Jiva spoke he continued the patrol. Augustus had spoken the truth about there being few defenders in the pack. They needed to grow stronger. Next time something happened it might not be something the pack member survived. There's so few here that know how... It was part of a thought, just trailing off into silence. Tharin himself was new to fighting, though he was relentless in his training. The skills he used to take down large prey were rapidly adapted, learning new techniques to strike the enemy. He still wasn't completely confident, but at least he could buy time if needed, and a good chunk of it.

Tharin nodded his head appreciatively as Jiva spoke up, assuring that he could hold his own if needed. It's good to hear that. Maybe you could help me train. I could use someone to train against. Makes it easier to adapt to situations. Months of playing Hunter hadn't benefited him as much as he'd thought on his first hunt, as the deer had moved unpredictably, unlike the prey in his games which always reacted in the way that brought him out on top. He could apply what he'd learned as a child about that to his fight training. That way he'd be ready when a real enemy appeared.

His tail waved behind him, hearing that Palaydrian would be seeking out help. Of course! It was good to hear that she was taking steps to protect herself. Tharin didn't want to see her as torn up as she was ever again. That meant not only improving himself, but making sure that the pack improved as a whole. He would talk with Zalen if he could about helping the pack learn self defense. It was sorely needed.

Tharin nodded his head. It will be good for both of us then. Help polish the skills you have, and help me improve. He couldn't rely on purely his weight to pull him through a fight after all. It took more skill than that to win a battle. He'd seen small wolves take on large prey and win through strategy. He didn't want to be caught off guard and end up losing a battle that could cost the pack. He wanted to help protect it.

The smile on his face wasn't exactly hidden as Jiva spoke. Tharin might not understand what Palaydrian saw in Jiva, but the affection he held for her was clear. He'd teased Palaydrian about it when he'd been with Zalen and her one day. She'd responded so sweetly, both him and the alpha working to convince her that she was desirable, and that Jiva would have to move quick to secure her. He was fairly sure that they were mates now. Then again, he'd thought they were mates when they weren't.

Asked what else he did around the pack Tharin considered. Patrols were usually done twice a day. Then he'd hunt, which could take between a short wait to half of the sun's passing before he managed to catch enough for him to be satisfied that the pack would be cared for. Afterwards, he usually went back to the den and saw how everyone else was doing. Head down to the meadow to see if Fayne was there, chase some prey and swim in the stream.

If he was really lucky, Kiara and Lucia wouldn't be too busy and he could be with them. He loved being around the pair. Lucia was a sweet girl, and Kiara was always up for some fun. I don't do a lot. I go swimming. I like being around my pack mates. It felt a bit odd for him to talk about this, not knowing exactly what he should say. His ears twitched at the growling stomach, laughing a little. Sounds like it's time to grab something to eat.

The pair moved through the pack lands silently, retreating further into the interior to find their prey. It wasn't long before he scented something simple enough to satisfy the pair. They were close to the river that ran all the way through the pack. The smell of otters rested in the air. Perhaps they'd be lucky and catch one of them sunning itself. They were too quick to catch when in the water. On land though they were fair game.

Crouching down Tharin moved through, tail swaying as he searched for where the prey was. It was a small group of them by the sounds of it, perhaps three or four. Tharin peered through the bushes. Two of them were safely in the water, one sound asleep on the shore. Another sat up, alert and observing the area. Tilting his head he looked back at Jiva. One of us go to the other side, swim through. Make sure the otter's cut off from the water. We'll pull it down then.

Jiva agreed, parting from the large beast. Tharin moved back, settling himself behind the otters. As soon as they came close enough he'd grab them. Wouldn't take much to kill them, less tough than a deer, though more tough than a rabbit. A good shake of the neck should be enough to kill one. Tharin laid low, eyes gleaming as he watched Jiva swim across. Tharin couldn't move any closer, as tempting as it was. If the prey startled that didn't mean good things for either of them.

A call to run shot up. The otters in the water vanished completely, the sleeping one startled awake. Dazed it wasn't as quick as the one that had been alert, running towards Tharin already. Jiva did well with his herding, both otters ending up near Tharin's waiting jaws. It was only a split second of hesitation, and Tharin grabbed one. His teeth sank in deeply. The otter squirmed wildly in his grasp as Tharin tossed it around, shaking the beast to break it's neck. Smashing it against a nearby tree Tharin growled, pleased to feel his kill fall limp. It would make a good meal for the pair.