Arora

It had been months since Arora had left her birth pack, and she nearly crossed right over the border without thinking. A wry grin wrinkled her muzzle as she thought about crossing it anyway, knowing full well her father and Tayzeka wouldn't mind. But she was an alpha now herself, and she would do things properly.

Pale gray muzzle was turned heavenward, and jaws loosened to let out a call for her family. She had news for them.

Crow & Hawk

Hawk was among the first to hear his cousin's call. He dropped the shin bone he'd been gnawing on and bolted through the black and white trees, flashing in and out of the morning mist that always seemed to blanket the land.

It didn't take but a few minutes before he'd made it to the edge of the border where Arora stood. He wagged his tail and stepped across the invisible line, a smile widened over his grayed muzzle, "Arora, it's good to see you again! What brings you back?"

Crow parted through the fog next, and bore a similar - if a little calmer - reaction to Arora's return. Nodding his head to the other, Crow smiled, "Welcome back."

Arora, Starscream, Darling, & Stormrunner

Hawk was soon sharing space with Stormrunner as Arora's half-brother came barreling in to greet her. His tail was a-wag, and he showered her with chin licks, overjoyed to see another sibling, "Arora! Are you back for good? It's been- oh, you smell like other wolves?" Enthusiastic greeting done, he took a step back, while his hindquarters continued to sway with the motion of his thumping tail.

Arora endured the well-meaning bumps and licks from her younger family members, giving a few in return. "Just stopping by to say hello, and to give you all an update." She answered back, waiting until Starscream and Darling finally appeared through the dense fog, both moving swiftly despite their advancing ages. She shared a heartful nuzzle with her father and elder half-sister, after a mildly disappointed Stormrunner scooted aside to give them space.

"I'm glad to see you again, and looking quite healthy." Starscream ventured approvingly, then narrowed his eyes thoughtfully when something hit him. That smell...

Arora permitted a smile, "Healthy, and expecting a litter." She watched her father's eyes light up, and without missing a beat, continued, "I've found a mate, Nhevaris. We own land just east across the lake from here at the Sonnet Forest. If not for Pike's Lake in fact, we'd share borders."

Crow & Hawk

"Congratulations are in order, then." Crow announced with cheer. The thought of little ones brought Hulia to mind, and had the wolf's sharp, green eyes casting about for his own mate.

Hawk pranced his front paws in an outward display of excitement, "When do you expect them? Can we play with them? How far is the Sonnet Forest, like right on the other side of the lake, or...?" As he peppered Arora with questions, the young wolf was looking excitedly between her and Stormrunner, eager to have some new playmates.

Arora, Starscream, Darling, & Stormrunner

Starscream nodded slowly, bringing to mind what he knew of the Sonnet Forest landscape. "That's good, not far from here. How big is the pack?" The old wolf sat back on his haunches, enjoying the sense of content and peace that had come to him. After losing half his children in their last litter, along with Starwhisper, having Arora return to him with this news certainly warmed the alpha's wearied heart. "You'll have to bring Nhevaris over for introductions."

"I will." Arora assured, happy to see her father in better moods. To Hawk she chuckled, "It'll be a few weeks yet, and you won't be able to play with them right away. But I'll bring them over to meet you when they're ready." She looked to her father again, "And you of course are welcome to come visit them."

Stormrunner mirrored his cousin's prancing paws, "We can teach them how to hunt and the like. Play hide and seek, tag..."

Crow & Hawk

The silver wolf raised an eye to Starscream, offering his uncle a questioning look, "This might be a good opportunity for a joint hunt, to unite the packs?" Those green eyes travelled with invitation to Arora, as keen as Starscream on keeping close to the family they had left. "If that's okay with you and Nhevaris, that is."

A gray ear flicked in his father's direction at mention of a hunt, but most of his attention was now on Stormrunner as he continued to beat the ground with his front paws. "...and frog pouncing! And fishing!"

Starscream, Darling, & Stormrunner

Arora couldn't help but smile at her younger brother and cousin, and found herself quietly excited for the future playdates that could be set up between the two families. When Crow brought up the hunt, the alphess was quick to nod and address her father, "I can't object to that. With just the three of us in our pack, big game is hard to come by."

"Hmmph... I suppose so." Starscream was a little slower to agree, and Arora could see the immediate hesitation that awoke in his eyes. But even the old alpha couldn't argue with the logic of a pack hunt, and the promise of a fresh feast for he and his pack. Finally, he dipped his head, "The Eskers should be ripe with newly dropped bison. We can start there." Star turned his muzzle upward and pierced the air with his signature howl, pitched high and wavering as he called to the rest of his pack to gather.

Darling soon added her melody, and after Stormrunner added a few more ideas to the growing list of 'what we'll teach the new pups', the young wolf joined in the song.

Arora tossed her muzzle skyward next, but her call shifted and beckoned Nhevaris and Naiche to join her at the Eskers.

Tayzeka & Korek

Tayzeka had been dozing till the howl. Her ears flicked and her and her brothers and the now older pups headed their way. Arora it is good to see youShe said.