He ran swiftly through the wood using the moonlight as his guide. His nares swelled, taking in the scents of the night. The smells swirled around in his brain: some were new, some were old. The old ones brought up memories that were long forgotten. A playful childhood. A loving mother. Careless fun. His mother’s death. It then melded into his current memories: Kalgalath adopting him and bringing him up in Munashii Gekko years ago. Teaching him how to hunt and fight. Hardening him into a warrior. Solidifying his heart.
When Kalgalath had left Munashii, so too did Aindreas. Without his mentor, he had decided to creep out upon the world and see it through new eyes; find his own place in the world. After searching for his own nook in the world as a loner for a few years, he had found no place that suited him. His mind continuously wandered back to Blossom Forest, and further yet to Munashii Gekko – the place he his heart had essentially died, locked away for safe keepings. The place he had been reborn. And so he had started travelling back to the place that constantly nagged at his brain, and it had pulled him here. He had followed fragments of scents, of his mentor, of himself, to find his way home. The scents were years old, and he often lost his way. But his paws padded true upon the ground, and between his nares and broken memories, he had found his way to the territory line. There were no current scents that he knew, except the scent of his home. The place he felt he belonged. The pack he had lived and fought for was gone. But with or without them, it was here he wanted to live, fight, and die.
And now here he is. His pure white plume flicks side to side, and his muscles tense. His blue eyes dart around, taking in the sights of the land he barely remembers. His muscles are tight…tense. He has no doubts that the pack has already picked up his scent and is coming to meet him. And yet he tilts his maw to the stars, and lets loose a howl. It carries on and on, telling his tale of solidarity, of a need to belong. As abruptly as it started, it ends. No whine, no cry, no pleading. He knows that the alpha will either accept him or forcibly removal him. He stares at the dark starry night a few moments, and deeply brings the night air. The chill runs through him and his coat shivers from the thrill of it. As he lowers his maw, he lowers his hackles. Although on edge, he does not want to appear as if he is challenging anyone. He just wants to belong.
Standing squarely on his four paws, he waits quietly, preparing himself for whoever will come.
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