Serris was buried deep in a dream. His body lay wide open in the outcropping of one of the many boulders that littered the center of the territory, but his mind was tucked deep into the folds of sleep. A dark blanket had been thrown over his already ebony pelt, tinting his bodice a shade darker than space itself. It was in the oppressive heat of mid-day that he had retired to this little reprise, but his usually light naps had been interrupted this afternoon by a deep slumber. He had been overworked lately, but then again, what kind of Alpha would he be if he laid down his head without an ache or pain in his limbs? This siesta was indeed different though, for his usual blank naps were replaced by vivid movies reeling within his skull. Impossible plays of his childhood, memory and fiction dancing like Victorian courters behind his eyelids. How could this brute tell how much time had passed?
Azure portals opened lazily, a moan rumbling absently from the boy as he blinked away the shifting sun. A deep stretch took possession of his entire body, every muscle tensing only to relax once again. The regal remained still a few moments, the recollection of his rapidly fading dreams flowing through his skull. But like the glaring evening light of the world they faded to a bearable murmur within his skull. Serris dragged himself to his paws, wetting his tongue that had dried during the past few hours. He walked a few stiff steps, toddled up a few rocks, and finally leaped up the slippery side of the boulder he had just been sleeping under. The cool day-ending breeze hit him first; his pools closed to savor the feeling. Then the scents hit him, and he was instantly awake, every hair upon his streamlined body standing on end. Newcomers. Their presence was strong, so they had lingered a while already. But were they joyriding around within his territory? The brute’s nares worked madly, auds swiveling to take brief note of all the other pack scents he picked up. No... he was pretty sure they still waited outside the boundary. But there was only one way to know for sure.
His dismount from the boulder had not been glamorous, but then again his brain both sagged with sleep and pounded with adrenaline. Strong pistons were soon working away, though, propelling the King through the land he knew so well. Would he have to make an excuse for his tardy arrival? Serris just hoped they wouldn’t ask and pushed the thought away. He could tell there was a male and a female pair, but other than that he was entering the situation completely blind. Not that he knew much else about any other stranger at the borders. Gosh, why was he still this groggy?
He could hear faint chuckles and playful words through the foliage, but these sounds told him little more than the scents did. He was upon them soon enough anyway, pulling up late and having to stumble slightly to bring his silhouette to a complete stop. A sly grin instantly leapt to his features, a sideways aqua stare as his banner curled ever-so-delicately over his spine. The two sat close. Very close. He saw small damp patches on their fur that were mysteriously the size of wet noses, but he ignored it with an internal snort. However, their scent was not that of mates, or close friends for the matter; under the recent heavy markings was little of eachother. Reunited lovers, perhaps? It seemed that he had caught them deep in conversation, the grayscale fatale donning a serious, reminiscing look while the male just seemed to be content in the other’s presence. He took a step towards the pair, cranium lowering slightly as if to pry into their little date. Um, Alpha here, a little attention please? Charcoal eyebrows lifted at them both.
“As much as this old man likes a show, I felt the need to show myself eventually.” Canines flashed in his teasing smile. He actually hadn’t been watching them, nor did he suspect that they were doing anything unslightly, but it was always a good idea to make himself look more knowledgeable than he actually was. Lot’s a tricks to this Alpha business, and he was still only a beginner. But Serris raised his skull back to its original level, sitting to quiet the protest in his suddenly active muscles. “The name’s Serris. You know who I am.” A sarcastic glint flashed through his light optics, body and mind settling in to await a response.
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