When Godric lowered himself in a sitting position beside me, I was more than grateful to follow his lead. I allowed my legs to fold beneath me and rocked back onto my hindquarters. My sides were rising and falling at a more rapid rate than normal, a side effect of the effort of the run. But as I greeted her I was all smiles, and my breathing slowly returned to normal. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, thrilled both by the gallop through the snow as well as the chance to prove myself as an diplomat for the pack. Someday the choices of who would and would not suffice as pack would fall foremost to me. I only hoped that I had pack members such as Godric to assist me in the duties that I would become responsible for.

The words of the female seemed somewhat nervous, but I suppose I would be a bit nervous if I was bravely sitting upon the borders of such a great pack as this and asking to seek refuge beyond her boundary. My smile never faltered, because I was always happy to meet new wolves and possibly count them as new friends. Her name was Snowshoe, a fitting name for a wolf who wished to gain entry to Spirane in the coldest months of the year. It seemed that the snow fell thickest here upon the mountain, which made sense seeing as we were the closest to the heavens and stars from where the snow fell. I nodded in agreement with Godric’s statement; I was most pleased to make a new acquaintance. But when my uncle looked to me, implying the decision was mine to make, I looked up at him and my brows rose slightly. This would be my first reception of a new member to the pack! My tail swished over the snow at the prospect, and I looked back to Snowshoe with my smile gleaming towards her.

“Your instincts have served you well, Snowshoe. Spirane is a beautiful land that will never cease to peak your interests,” I said, proud of the land that I called home. “We would be happy to welcome you into our pack, our family, but every individual must provide for the whole,” It was something father had taught me, told me time and again. I cannot simply step into the role of leader and expect others to follow me. Just as each member of the pack provided for his peers, I had to provide for the pack as well. “This is your home now, Snowshoe. What will you give of yourself for your pack?” I did my very best to keep my voice even, but friendly, to hide any sign of the nerves that roiled in my belly. I kept my eyes upon Snowshoe now, not looking to Godric for his approval. If I did well in this, surely Uncle Godric would tell Father, and I would be one step closer to my throne.