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The morning had gotten off to a strange start, as the young male found himself keeping the elder wolfess Deuce company in the early morning hours. It was true that she had her fair share of problems, and even despite the fact that the man was not the best shoulder he was happy to have been there for her. He’d often watched the female from a distance, and when she shared her awful and eventful life story he felt a pang of sympathy and respect resound within him. He did find it rather strange and deterring that she had decided to share her life with another female, but he kept it within him not to say a word. As entwined as all their lives were, that was the only thing that would not be openly discussed. He couldn’t help but wonder what had inspired the pair and how such a coupling could work. But no, that was an unfair though and nothing for him to pay any attention to. It was their business and preference after all.
When they went off their separate ways the male made a beeline for the border and got his day back on track. He’d been planning this small excursion for a while, but despite his planning he approached the border hesitantly. When the border was set before his paws he inhaled a breath and lifted his leg to spray his scent along the patch. When he was satisfied with his marking he lowered his leg and gazed at the land beyond. It didn’t differ much from the earth beneath his paws, but it wasn’t home. He steeled himself and crossed the border, turning once he was on the other side. With a long stare he promised himself he would be back by nightfall to loiter among his pack mates until sleep led him to his little niche in the den. He was loathe to leave in the first place, but the fact that he knew little of the lands beyond unsettled him even more. How could he distinguish one pack from another if he did not know their scents. He was aware of the coyotes beyond them, and the peace loving Ichikans, but knew little of how he would distinguish them physically. He would not wait for introductions to decide, for then, it may very well be too late.
He lifted his muzzle in a brief cry before departing, alerting anyone within earshot that he was outside of pack lands, but would be returning soon. He started his journey with slow, dogged steps, carefully observing his surroundings. He traversed the rocks of the mountain even slower, careful not to slip on a loose stone or get stuck in a crevasse. Once he was clear of all obstacles he quickened his pace and gained a tall confident air. His superiors were behind him, and he would bow to no on in the buffer zone between the packs. He feared little of what he might face with his pack not far behind him. If there was trouble he had little doubt his brothers would come swiftly to defend him.
His paws soon brought him to a forest. Pine needles blanketed the ground and made his steps near inaudible. The smell of game was plentiful and he debated bringing something back, but lost the argument. By the time he reached home there most likely wouldn’t be anything left for him to share. His belly rumbled a confirmation. His self-appointed ranging soon led him deep within the buffer zone between Ichika and Inferni, and he turned his course south, unconcerned with the peace lovers for they were New Dawn’s allies. There would be no threat from them, but the coyotes, he was not so sure of. Suddenly something gave him pause. He looked up warily, eyes suddenly narrowing. Another scent lingered in the air about him and he stopped to sniff. There was something vaguely familiar about it, but he simply couldn’t place it. He raised his ears and tail, proceeding stiffly. There was another being on the horizon and as she came into view his steps became slower. He watched her groom in the snow, eyes narrowing in the slightest.
It wasn’t until she lifted her head that her eyes were revealed to him. He stopped entirely, eyes suddenly wide. She was the color of dark chocolate….with one eye the color of ice, the other a bright yellow. His heart leapt into his throat and his jaws gaped. Their midnight romp around the trenches seemed half a dream now, and the young man had dismissed it as his imagination, but here she was as clear as day before him. And she was beautiful…
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