Word count 267:: Zalen is in Optime, doing that thing he does.

It had been some time since Zalen had strayed outside of New Dawn’s borders, and this time, rather than heading south towards Ichika, he headed north, through the swamps and fields of New Dawn and into the deep forwards. Here, he spied a human city in the distance, and avoided it; the shells of humanity still made him uneasy. He wanted to see what kind of game was out here, for this day he was famishes. Placing his nose nearly against the ground, the Alpha began to hunt.

He was hoping for something easy; a pheasant or fawn hiding in the grass; instead, the scent of a coyote came to his nose. Zalen lifted his head just slightly, pausing before snuffing the scent out; he knew that scent. It was Terra, the coyote female whom had stayed in New Dawn while she had recovered from her injuries from a cougar attack. Zalen had not been surprised when the femme had seemingly disappeared without a trace; she obviously was just as wary of the wolves that housed her then they were of her. Still, Zalen wished to see how the girl was doing, so he went to sniff her out.

It wasn’t long before he found the makeshift den, and peering inside it saw the sleeping Terra. She seemed to be having restless dreams but did not look any worse for wear; her cinnamon fur was beginning to grow back where there had once been gashes, and her leg was not as bent as it had once been. Satisfied, Zalen took several steps back to silently slip away.

OOC +181

He was about to turn when a mouth full of teeth and fluffed fur came charged to the mouth of the den, demanding he leave. He had not been prepared for it, for the woman had been sleeping so deeply that he thought he would go by undetected. Therefore, the large male jumped slightly, ears flatting against his head and fur bristled.

She looked so angry, so fearful; Zalen immediately turned and took several gangly trotted steps away. But then he hesitated; his mind was full of anger at being disrespected by her; how dare she act that way when he had been so benevolent before? But then, these dark thoughts drifted away; he could not blame her; she had been injured, frightened, and surrounded by unknown wolves. Turning his head he looked back to her, and turned to face her again from several yards away.

You left so suddenly… He began, shifting uncomfortably on his hands and feet, Are… you alright? She had been Shadowfang’s ward, but in his absence, Zalen would make sure that the young coy-female was alright.

OOC +259

She looked somewhat confused after he spoke, and he watched as her eyes darted around. She probably thought there were others with him, but no, even an Alpha had to be alone sometimes. She responded with half-truths, saying that she was well enough. But Zalen could tell, even from his brief glance at her condition a moment ago, she still had some ways to go before being healed well enough to hunt. He wondered how she was feeding herself, and his concern grew.

Taking a couple more steps towards her, his tail wagged slightly, a sign that he meant no harm, I ask because we wanted you to be well enough to return to the Court. It was obvious that she was in no condition to travel such a long distance, You were more than welcome to have stayed, no harm would have come to you. A very low, nearly inaudible whine escaped his throat. He knew that some others, especially Augustus, were not happy with Terra’s presence in New Dawn, but Zalen was obliged to extend courtesies to her that he would expect other packs to give his members if they were injured.

Zalen looked around, nose twitching; there was another smell here, but he couldn’t quite place it, perhaps because the den was slightly downwind from him, Do you need food? I can bring you some if you’d like, I was just hunting in the area when I found you. His voice was calm, soft; he didn’t want to frighten the girl more than he already had.

OOC +272

Her words cut him like a knife but he knew they were true, in a sense. He had created a pack that did not welcome coyotes into the fold, and because of this, he had attracted members who had a hate for their species. He had at one time been among them, but now he had matured from blind hate to a polite respect. No coyote had given him trouble since he had first come to Nova Scotia, and now he had a coyote he could even call a friend. But despite this, he knew that there were some in New Dawn who would have left her for dead, but he couldn’t say that anyone would have outright killed Terra in her healing state.

Zalen sighed and sat back on his haunches, My pack-mates know that their actions yield consequences. I put you under Shadowfang’s watch and Deuce’s healing hand; it was clear to all that you were to be protected and cared for until you healed. If someone had tried to kill you, they would not only have been severely punished but banished from New Dawn forever. His face became stoney, They willingly joined our ranks and they know what kind of behavior is expected of them.

Zalen then turned his head to look at her from the side, Terra, I do not know you, but I know you have some sort of past with some of my members. You spread rumors and lies about New Dawn, because they must have spited you in some way. I would hope that now you have learned that we are not racist coyote haters.

Word count 000:: OOC

Zalen listened intently to the girl and she unknowingly, or perhaps knowingly it was difficult to tell, let him see into her wounded heart. It seemed that she and New Dawn were slated from the beginning to be enemies, for from the Court several members had come, and some of them might have been her friends. Wolves once living by her side suddenly joined a new family, in which she was not invited. Zalen let out a small sigh, weary suddenly and sad for her.

She then shook her head and said that she had only told others what she had known, and despite how false her beliefs might have been, they were what was true to her. Zalen could not blame her for relaying to others what she believed to be true, I understand. He said simply, But I hope you now see different? It was a question full of hope; would Terra continue to speak ill of New Dawn, even though it was because of it that she had survived? Only time would tell Zalen supposed.

Word count 000:: Closing this out

Zalen watched as the nervous tension seemed to melt from the girl a bit and she teased him with her words. He could help but smile, letting his pink tongue slip out past his black lips and his tail wagged; it was good to see her in a different state besides anxiousness. Well good, He said with perhaps too much gusto, then calming, Well then, I hope you fair well Terra, and make it safely back to the Court. If you need anything, you may call me or the others. He knew she wouldn’t but he was offering just the same. Then turning, the black alpha made a quick exit, to make any parting words that might plague her mind flutter away with the wind.