Titania was in Avalon when the call rang out. So close to the water, the sound was almost drowned out by the falls, but just at the end her sensitive hearing picked up the note that sang through New Dawn. There was no mistaking that howl, it was Shandom, and her presence was needed. Stepping away from the crystalline lake, Titania let a brusque howl sound and then broke into a sprint, crossing the clearing quickly and bounding into the thicket of trees, following the path of the call.

It did not take too long for her to arrive on the scene, and when she did she appeared from around a large tree trunk. As she emerged her silver and ivory coat shimmered in the light. Her paces slowed now, and she took a moment to survey the image before her. Her dear, trusted Gamma, Shandom, stood here, clearly ready for the leader’s arrival, next to a wolf she had never seen before. Honey colored eyes that were so like those of her own mother flicked to peer at the stranger. Clearly there was no threat here, or Shandom would have dealt with him so, so she surveyed the wolf with a curious eye.

Prancing towards the pair, her expression light and airy, a smile spanned her muzzle as she spoke to Shandom, “Greetings, brother.” She nudged his muzzle with her own, and then looked to the wanderer again. He appeared to be a fit wolf of a younger age. She saw the spark of youth in his eyes, something like that which shone in her own eyes. And ear flicked, and then her curled tail twitched, and after the briefest of pauses she asked; “Picking up strays again? Or did he just follow you home?” She joked, the grin on her face showing that the Alphess really meant no harm. There was clearly a good reason why he was here, and why he was with Shandom.

And then to the newcomer she asked, “What is your name, Wanderer?”

She noticed the sudden twitch of the stranger’s tail at her presence, and this delighted her. He was postured but at ease, probably thanks to Shandom. Most newcomers were usually too anxious to offer up much of a tail wag, but it was a very good sign indeed that he was happy at the sight of what could be his future alphess. This showed Titania that the stranger’s spirit embraced the idea of the pack.

She was still looking at the stranger when Shandom gave her a lap under the chin, and she wriggled her head to nip playfully at his ear – one of her playful ways of telling him to be at ease. Their greeting was over, Shandom did not have to fret over tedious formal posturing for the Alphess. Although a creature of the old ways, Titania often allowed her pack to rest at ease around her in casual situations – just as all of their ancestors had, even before the virus.

“Well met, Tharin,” she said smoothly. “I am Titania Moonsong, Alphess of New Dawn. Normally I have a few questions for those who wish to join out family, but something tells me that you already know about our pack and our ways.” She turned a smile to Shandom.

The Gamma stood for the stranger, vouching for his skills and worthiness of a place in New Dawn. No doubt Shandom had told him all there was to know about their pack. Her eyes turned back to Tharin. “Well with a reference like that, I would be remiss to deny you entrance into our family. I trust Shandom’s word completely. Welcome to New Dawn, Tharin.”

There was a short pause, and then she continued, “You will join our family as a Subord – equal with most of your brothers and sisters. But in time, if your hunting skills prove worthy then in time you might achieve the skilled rank of Epsilon. Our Epsilons are our hunters and warriors. Or maybe you have other talents we will learn about in time.” She gave Tharin a smile, then stepped over to him and gave a welcoming lick on the snout.