always

oh your hands can heal, your hands can bruise. I don't have a choice but I'd still choose you.

Rejya’s call rang out across the mountain, echoing and reverberating through the pack lands. Sleekwing and Alcide had been lounging halfway up the mountain, discussing the training he had received thus far and the implications imprinting on his trainer had brought into the atmosphere. Not yet one hundred percent healed from his most recent fight, the alpha was not yet ready to test his son’s capabilities. And therefore, he was not yet ready to promote him either. The ashen brute had understood, and vowed to use the extra time to return once more to Diveen and further his lessons with Malina. Their conversation had continued on, in the way that a father and son should be able to enjoy one another’s company. When Rejya’s call reached them, Alcide rose and so did Sleekwing. They parted ways and Alcide suspected that his son would make his way back to Diveen yet that afternoon.

Making his way down the mountain side, he did not move as briskly as he normally would have. Rejya’s call had not sounded overly urgent, and he believed the shewolf was quite capable in handling whatever matter had presented itself, at least for the most part. There was still a slight limp to his stride as he made his way. Those his chest and the back of his leg had healed, the front of his leg was still somewhat tender and ached a bit. With time it would completely heal, and eventually he would be restored to the fully functioned beast he was. Ready to defend his home; ready for anything.

As he came upon the small gathering he put his full weight upon the foreleg, masking the limp and dealing with the heightened ache that came with it. To show weakness in front of wolves that one did not know the intention of would be foolish. So his tail curled over his back and his ears pricked forward alertly, and he joined them as if there was absolutely nothing wrong with his body. Of course the marks were fresh, still healing and not yet scar tissue. But he would not reveal that they gave him even the slightest of limitations. Drawing even with Rejya he brushed his shoulder against her in greeting before turning to the two wolves who he did not know. Nostrils flared, seeking their scents and trying to determine from which pack they might hail. But both females’ colognes were a mixture of the whole of Moladion, with the most potent of the bunch being the valley. Loners? If they were here seeking a pack to call home surely Rejya would not have called upon him. There must have been something more happening here.

“Greetings,” he said to both of the wolves, “I am Alcide. I trust that you must have some business that requires my attention, for I know Rejya to be of sound judgment on the usual matters that are brought to our borders. How can I help you?” His voice was an even baritone, and he focused his attention primarily on the shewolf who stood closest to his Vega, while also keeping an eye on the darker wolf that stood just a short way off.

alcide | sixteen | moonglow | polaris of spirane
sleekwing, swallowbane, orca, daenerys, ceal, taliesin | ♥