He was dreaming again, that dream that he often had where he and his pack ran through the stars. This time, they landed on the mountains of the moon and sang their joy into the sky. The howl was loud, very loud, and Zalen twitched suddenly, his apple crisp eyes opening to bright sunlight. For a moment he was confused, disoriented, as his eyes adjusted to the light that was filtering in through the ferns at the entrance to the den. Had he really heard a howl? Glancing around he noticed others also had their ears perked, and looked to him expectantly. It must have been so then.
Zalen lifted himself from his laying position and gave a yawn and stretch before shaking himself off and heading out into the light. It was still cold today, but the sun managed to peak through the clouds just enough to warm his fur as he run. The call had come from the border close to Ichika, and he wondered if it might be one of them visiting. He had had such a good time romping through neutral territory and bringing down a bull moose with X’yrin the other day. He felt that the closer he became with the new Ryu of Ichika, the better their alliance.
It did not take too long to reach the borders and as he neared the strong scent of blood and Ichika came to his nose. The blood was not wolf, but deer, and when Saluce finally came into view Zalen spied the carcass with curiosity. He slowed his pace to a leisurely trot, his tongue lolling out of his mouth and his tail already wagging. Though their last meeting had been under difficult circumstances, Zalen respected X’yrin’s mate and his dedication to Ichika.
"Greetings, Saluce!" Zalen barked out he neared, his stance one of relaxed dominance, "What is with the doe?" He asked quizzically. The ebon alpha would not bring himself to think that this had been hunted on his lands, so his curiosity was surely peaked.
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