The female leapt just as he, and the sound of her growl had him scrambling. “Oh uh..I- I didn’t see you there. My apologies, miss.” He said, bowing chivalrously, with one arm at his chest and the other on his sword hilt. He hadn’t meant to grasp it, but old habits died hard, and in his surprise his hand had darted to draw it from its sheath. Thank the stars that he hadn‘t! ’Else she may have been tempted to sink her fangs into his arm. Lifting his head slightly from its bent position, he peered at her inquiringly, quirking a tan brow when he noted the mounting distaste in her features as her eyes roamed over him. Her hackles and tail were raised in dominance, and compliantly his doggish tail remained low and still. He flattened his ears and did his level best not to look down at her. Which was quite difficult as he was in his Optime form, as always.

The German shepherd/ timber wolf had a pendant of sentimental value strung about his neck on a leather cord. Unlike the woman’s it was simple and comprised entirely of steel, it was sun shaped and had belonged to his mother. A woman he’d never had the chance to meet, nor had he ever known his father. As such the hybrid had no family to speak of and being the bastard that he was he had no idea the complexity of emotion the woman was feeling, and nor would he, for none of it escaped beyond the mask she’d erected for his benefit. When she spoke her words were terse, but cordial. She spoke of a pack, New Dawn…He could smell the borders, but they were far enough off. In fact, he’d been trying to give them a wide berth, but the mountains made it difficult.

The smell of wolf was heavy there, and for old times sake he figured it was best to stay away. He wouldn’t want to stain their borders with the stench of his ‘impurity.’ No, no more of that. It was bad enough having to live among them. No matter where he went the brute was certain his past would return to haunt him. It had been enough that Aedan cheated on his mate, but with a dog…and he the product of his infidelity…It didn’t sit well with the wolves to have him in their midst, regardless Alister was eternally grateful to the pack’s Beta’s who’d taken him in. They hadn’t raised him as their son, that was true, but it was better than being left to die. And Alister…he liked living. What he didn’t like was the woman’s tone, however. He felt like he was being accused of something he had no part in.

“Alister Callow.” He muttered indifferently soon adding. “Dangerously close, is it? I’d understand that if I were say, a toe’s length away, but say here…no.” He thudded one foot on the ground as he spoke. For a moment he thought he was finished, but his cynicism seemed to be taking hold of him, and his insecurities were brought to life. “Is this you wolves idea of hospitality, then? If I had any dignity, I’d be offended…Fortunately, I’m used to being treated like filth.” It was a few moments before he regained himself, raising a hand to cup his brows. “Forgive me, my lady.” He sighed. “That was unworthy of me. You are simply concerned for your pack’s safety, yes?”

For every one step Fayne took towards him, Alister took two steps back. She snarled and growled viciously, eyes locked on the hand that rested on the hilt of his longsword. His eyes became wide, and his heart quickened in his chest. Did she truly think him lowly enough to attack her? That stabbed at him worse than any blade. He’d never harmed an innocent, nor would he…ever. In fact, he always tried to help wherever he could. The wolves had mocked him for his compassion, saying he was too soft to be a warrior. And maybe he was, maybe he wasn’t, but one thing was for sure he was no needless killer.

He tread with care here, taking special precaution not to withdraw his hand too quickly. He didn’t want her to mistake it for an attack. Slowly his fingers loosed their grasp, one, by one he peeled them back. When nothing but his palm was next to the steel he withdrew it open-handed, reading her features as he did so. When, finally, his hand touched nothing but air he released the breath he’d been holding. “Is this better, my lady? I meant nothing by it, truly.” He looked her in the eye now, and his gaze was soft, genuine. Becoming more self-aware, he dropped his gaze quickly. He didn’t want her to think of it as a challenge, he just wanted her to see the sincerity in his eyes.

“Believe me, this is as close as I’m like to get, I’d prefer to be further away actually, but I’d rather not have to swim. Wet fur is so unbecoming.” He said when she spoke of New Dawn’s current plight. Her next words, however he met with incredulity. “Hostile? Perish the thought!” He scoffed, before adding more seriously. “I had no idea there was unrest in this region, you have to believe me.” His hazel eyes, rendered honey-hued by the daylight were pleading.

She proceeded to probe him, an act which he felt tiresome. He was as reluctant as ever to concede, and her words were met with sarcasm yet again. “Business? No, no business. I just thought I’d wander about aimlessly for a while.” In response to her snarls he backed a step, throwing his hands out in front of him. “My lady please, I mean no harm to you or your pack, I assure you. I was just…passing through.” His sarcasm was getting him no where quickly, but that didn’t stop him from using it. Maybe she’d tire of him, and leave him be? But for the time being that didn’t seem likely, either.

“Ugh, look.” He groaned. “I get it…I’m half a dog and entirely a bastard, I’m not welcome. Why don’t I save us both some time and trouble, and be off?” He was about to reach for his pack when he stopped himself, what if she took that as a threat too? Although, he wasn’t sure how gauze could be considered harmful in anyway, but seeing how the conversation was going, he may have need of it for its intended use sooner than he thought.

If the hybrid was, indeed, a spy he was doing an exceptional job of it. The woman, though she continued to be unimpressed by his ever-present bulwark of sarcasm, finally seemed to be calming down. Fortunately, this was just Alister’s way. He was a kindly creature, cynical at the worst of times, and chivalrous at the best, but no more or less could be expected from a man raised so offhandedly by reluctant, and often prejudiced wolves. In fact, he’d taken it all in stride remarkably well, and felt no anger towards them, and even looked up to Eirick, the elder of the two Betas. The brothers must have pitied the ailing mother as she struggled to bring her children into the world…Aedan’s children. Or perhaps they were so grief-stricken by the war leader’s loss that they felt an obligation to the welfare of his son?

Either way, the Callow man was exceedingly lucky, and didn’t he know it? Of course it wasn’t entirely evident seeing as he had such a knack for trouble. Most people either loved or hated the man, as long as those people weren’t the wolves of the clan. None wanted to believe that Aedan would jeopardized his honor in sleeping with the dog-woman, and either refused to acknowledge Alister or resented him.

Fayne seemed strangely neutral as of now, her main concern being her pack’s safety, but Alister continued to be adamant that he brooked no threat. “You see, I would understand that if I had trespassed, or done anything to harm you or your kin, but I am blameless, surely you must see this.” His voice was softer now, more empathetic, but he still stood firm. “Here I am, armed, and you, alone, yet I have not drawn my weapons. If I were truly out to harm you, do you think we would still be speaking now?” The edge to his voice was lifted, but he was earnest in his desire to be understood. “Although, your devotion to the protection of your pack is admirable, I suppose.” He added as an afterthought, longing for the day when he had a family to call his own. The wolves had raised him, but it had never been home. His eyes fell and became shadowed as his heart was struck by a sudden pang of envy and sorrow. He did not let it show, and when his eyes glanced from beneath his cream brows all their former wistfulness had fled.

His brown ears twitched and he quirked a brow at her sudden change in manner. He was oblivious as to what had caused it, but found himself intrigued nonetheless, and was surprised by the sudden softness of her forest gaze. “Begging your pardon, good woman, but it is not thought so much as it is truth.” He eyes were apologetic as he continued speaking. “My mother was not my father’s mate, so as offensive as the word may seem, I am a bastard born and bred. It is not pleasant, but we do not get to chose who, or what we are…I am also, a dog. I shame my father’s name by my very existence. Luckily he died, before even my mother did.” His voice was quieter now, but he kept it steady with as little emotion as possible. It was a painful recollection, but it was a burden he’d borne his entire life, and he’d accepted it for what it was. “He was the clan’s War Leader, I understand, and they were engaged in a constant struggle with their neighboring pack…dogs…” There was a pause after which he said, “now, you seem a clever woman, I’m sure you can put two and two together.” Alister found himself divulging more of his past than he would have liked on a first meeting, but under the circumstances, found he’d no other choice. The woman seemed more relaxed now, making the telling a bit easier.

With that being said Alister took only a moments pause before regaining his former, less serious self. “If you don’t mind, I’d very much like to sit down now, this bending is quite tiresome.” His face even dared a sheepish grin, as hazel eyes regarded her from beneath his lashes.

In reaction to Fayne’s change in tone, the Callow man’s hand darted to ruffle his short-cropped mane. “Huh…That’s a switch.” He murmured. It seemed his hazel eyes had worked their charm, or perhaps they were far more open than the man was himself, betraying his compassionate nature despite the disdain his words once entailed. It had all been an act, a front meant to defend himself from scrutiny, deserved or otherwise. But the act was no longer worth maintaining, even more so when she heeded his plea.

“If you’d like, I could attempt to ease you further…It’s incredibly difficult to swing a sword on all fours.” He offered, agreeing to shift for her, if she preferred, as an act of good faith. He was not above such gestures, and would do so with little hesitation on his part, albeit if his Halfling form would suffice. His lupus form he’d rarely used, or perhaps he’d never returned to it at all, not since he could shift, anyway. Or maybe it was so seldom used he simply didn’t remember the last time. Either way, the hybrid preferred the alternatives. His lupus form brought out his mixed heritage more than any other. Despite the lack of a shepherd’s downwards sloping hips, and his hue being the lighter tones of a timber wolf, he seemed to tend towards the dog side of the spectrum. He’d get over this aversion one day, maybe, but not today.

Seeing her smile allowed him to relax, which inevitably led to a heightened awareness to the strain on his back and neck. He rubbed at them as she spoke, and caught her gaze with his earthy-toned eyes. They were green around the edges and stained with an amber-brown in the middle, the brownish hue reaching out from the center and touching on the green here and there. They were honest eyes, almost childlike in their sincerity. He found hers equally intriguing and was encouraged for a moment to believe in her words. A difficult task, that, he’d seen so much to the contrary. He wanted to believe her, but the chilly reception he’d received did nothing by affirm his belief. No one was entirely without prejudice, he defected, not even he, himself.

“You are kind as well as beautiful, it seems.” He replied to her assurances, neither confirming or denying. No, it would take some time for the Callow man to see his worth. Although, he appreciated her compassion nonetheless.

Peering from beneath his lashes his mouth widened in a boyish grin at the sound of her laughter. “Ah-hah! I knew I’d get a laugh out of you sooner or later, I just wish it hadn’t been at my expense.” He said amiably, slowly moving to remove his shield from the strap that secured it around his muscular chest. He was more comfortable handling it in front of her now, and figured she may not be as threatened by the wooden thing. He placed it beside him before making a show of plopping down on the grass with a drawn out sigh of aaahhhh. “Much better.” He said with a toothy grin.

He bowed his head briefly. "Thank you, my lady. That means a great deal to me." Friendless, and often shunned the man was surprised to hear her words, but was no less grateful. His tail wagged as she smiled at him. She quickly accepted his offer, "As you wish. A moment, my lady." He undid the tie of his cloak, allowing it to float to the ground where it lay. Next was his belt. Although she seemed much more accepting of him, he still kept his movements slow. He unbuckled it carefully and allowed it to fall. It thudded dully on the ground with the weight of his bastard sword. There was nothing remaining now but his pants. A blush crept on his cheeks as his hands passed over the laces. With a sheepish glance and a single note of nervous laughter he turned his back to the woman, fingers fumbling over the leather. Clumsily he unlaced himself, getting his fingers caught in his haste once or twice, but soon the pants became loose and he shrugged out of them. He glanced over his shoulder with a crooked grin, his face still decidely flushed.

Fully unclothed the man's body began to lower and morph. First were his feet which turned into large paws. The bones in his legs popped as they shrunk downwards. His spine crackled as it bent, his upper body becoming bulky as his mane grew, darkened, and thickened. The brown saddle on his back stained his hips as it extended to cover a larger area of his body. When his hands touched the ground they became the bestial paws of the luperci secui form. With the change complete he shook out his pelt, turning his head to glance over his shoulder once more before facing her. He'd kept nothing but the silver sun amulet during the change and there it hung on his cream chest.

He pawed his head a moment, as he often did in optime, the habit remaining with him even while shifted. "Apology accepted." The tawny wolfdog grinned, wagging his tail. He turned away from her a moment to nose and paw his clothing into a heap next to his pack. When he returned he promptly sat in the grass, wrapping his doggish tail about his paws. His ears twitched and perked and he listened to her. "I hope you mean interesting in a good way." He teased. He sighed, however, when she asked after him.

"Well, like I said...I'm a bastard. I never knew my father... or my mother as a matter of fact. She died shortly after I was born." His hazel eyes, possibly the most telling about the man were sad, mourning the family he'd never had. "This..." He lifted the hollow sun pendant for her to see with a paw. "this pendant, it was hers. The only thing I have of hers, actually." He lowed his leg to let it fall gently back to his chest. One of his brown ears twitched absently. "She reached my father's clan just before she gave birth. After her death the Beta of the clan, Eirick, took me in. He didn't have to, but I guess he pitied her, or maybe he felt obligated because of my father? I don't know." His voice was soft, contemplative for a moment as he pondered the man's motives. "I wasn't really treated like family, however...I slept under the house." He continued in his softly accented voice, nonchalant as if it truly didn't bother him; another front. "When I was old enough, he sent me away to live with the warriors. I hated it there, but the training gave me some solace. It was all I had, really."

"I trained with them for months, it was a tight regimen. But, I can't say I didn't benefit. I know quite a bit about combat. We're trained with all sorts of weapons, and by the time we come of age, we have to choose what we like best. I know everything from hand-to-hand, to daggers, to two-handed swords, to bows...but I've uh." His gaze fell to the ground and he peered up at her beneath his lashes, flashing her a crooked grin. "never been all the good with..ranged." That was an understatement, but he was still far too embarrassed to elaborate. The arrow had been a pain in the ass to get out, a literal pain in the ass, and the woman hated him for it ever since...

He shrugged casually and continued."I left only about a month ago...just after my first mission." He left it at that, voicing nothing of his sudden departure, or what it was that had happened during the mission that had made staying so unbearable. "It was hard to leave, what with the war still raging, but...I made it here, surprisingly." He nosed the map and grinned sheepishly. "I'm uh...not really the best navigator."

"So, what of you, my lady? Surely someone as gorgeous as you must have quite a few tales to tell." He lowered himself to lay, gazing at her attentively, eager for whatever she may have to share.