Wolves learn through trial and error. We grow and make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. As puppies, we could get ourselves into a lot of trouble if we simply go through life making mistakes. A lot of lives would be lost from falling off ledges and getting too close to bears and mountain lions. That's why we have older wiser wolves to teach us, so that we don't have to make all the mistakes. Usually the parents teach the puppies. Dad has taught me much. He taught me how to hunt and how to fight. Mom taught me some things about healing but only some of it stuck. I have to find something that interests me and stealth is one of those things. However, dad is too busy patrolling borders and welcoming new wolves and such. That's why packs have apprentices and teachers. That's why I have Caster.

Sure I learned some while I was young, while wrestling with my siblings, but they've mostly gone off in their own directions, wanting to learn other things. I think Amoxtli will make a good warrior and Zeltzin..well, she could do anything. She could be a hunter or a spy or a diplomat. She's good at just about everything. Me, however? I'm not good at much besides reading blood, and no one really knows about that. Caster slowly tilts his head as he talks to me, studying my reactions, I would guess. I hope I'm not doing too bad for a first impression. It's not like I would come to him all wise and mature. I'm still much too young for that.

I know that I have a sharp tongue, that I can say things in a way that flatters others. I meant to do this while speaking to Caster though I hadn't thought about how I wanted him to react. He moves toward me, circling first before stopping before me. He stares right into my eyes and while I don't challenge him with my own gaze, I don't dare look away either, not wanting him to think I'm timid or weak. I keep my head just beneath his, just submissive enough to let him know that I will listen to his commands. He demands now that I tell him why I wish to learn. I think before replying.

"Because I am destined to fail without your teachings. Because I will always be clumsy and noisy if not taught the correct ways to carry myself. Because I am ambitious and I have a plan for myself but I haven't yet figured out the end result, only one step to the next. I will need these skills and others to get to where I want to be in life, to get to my end result."

I wait patiently to see if this answer satisfies him. It's easy enough to tell that I believe every word of this. I know not what I plan to do with my life even though it seems everyone wants us to have our future picked out from the age of one. I only know that I want to be stealthy and quick and agile and deadly. I want to be a living weapon and yet I don't know what else I wish to do about that. Will I kill? I don't know. I know that I have a fascination about killers and that I want to confront them and see how they work but do I want to be become one? I simply don't know.

His gaze into mine is intense as if trying to see right through me. It might be intimidating to most but I've been known for my fearlessness from the beginning. He waits only a moment more before stepping away from the den as if he wants me to follow. I do so without hesitation, not curious enough about his den but rather about the owner of the den. He is the important part right now, not his den. He then asks me who I am. I glance at him in curiosity, sure that he knows me. He must know my parents and my name, but then, I don't mind repeating.

"I am Dexter."

I keep it simple, unsure if I should add my parents into it or not. He would know them instantly and really, they have no business in this affair. While dad might have set up this meeting, I will not let his rank decipher how I am to be treated. I will forge my own name for myself, starting from the very beginning. I will start with the name I was given at birth. Maybe some day there will be more to go with it.