Healing was a slow process. Constantly I had to be mindful of my injuries, resting them as best I could so that they were given the best chance to mend properly. If my tail and neck did not restore to their former state, I would be hindered in future battles to defend my home. And so it would seem I was barred from doing even the simplest of tasks for myself in the week after I had reclaimed my throne. Leonidas frequently left food outside my den from his midnight hunts, and Niviaq regularly checked in on me to make sure my wounds were making satisfactory progress. It was absolutely driving me mad, this laying about and doing nothing. The only task I had been cleared for in those first few days had been to mark the boundary of Spirane, and it had been made very apparent to me that I was to only walk the perimeter. Jogging or running might displace the scabbing over my neck, and we couldn’t have that, now could we?

My nights were often restless, mostly because I was beginning to go a bit stir crazy. I had been snoozing lightly when I heard the movement of a wolf outside my den. In my hazy state of half sleep my ears tilted towards the entrance to listen. These were not the near silent steps of my painted warrior; someone else had come to call upon me this morning. I wondered briefly if it was Niviaq, come to apply some salve to my wounds; but she tended to call in to me to announce her arrival. This wolf silently waited for me to acknowledge them. My lids rose and I stretched my legs out in front of me, toes flexing as I lifted my head and yawned. The wounds across my ruff caused me a bit of stiffness, especially first thing in the morning, and I felt the strain as I rose to exit the den. My tail was healing much quicker, and the cuts on the side of my neck were doing quite well also. Exiting the cave-like den that my father and I had shared for so many years, I offered a smile of greeting to Pan. The wolf was a most interesting fellow, by all counts in my first impression of him at the pack meeting. He seemed to have a tongue that relished the taste of words, and I found the way in which he spoke rather intriguing. As he bowed, I moved to stand before him.

“Good morning, Pan,” I said, managing to get the words in just before he was given to launch into his own greeting of sorts. A single brow arched at his words about the female mind. An interesting sort, indeed. If ever I had met a wolf with an erudite mind, Pan was it. He most certainly gave me a something to consider, even in these words he speaks this morning. Clearly he is quite different from other wolves I have met before, and holding his tongue did not seem to be common practice. A unique quality, to be certain.

“Indeed. Correct me if I am wrong, but it would seem that among the wolves that have remained within Spirane over the past year, you have worked most closely with the two wolves that ascended briefly to reign over the mountain. While I believe neither of them will be returning to challenge my claim any time soon, I’d like to garner as much pertinent information from you as I can about the goings on of the past year. The pack deserves to move forward, and I do not want to waste time putting them through trials they’ve faced over and over through the months past.”

I studied the golden male’s face, intrigued by him. While my heritage would have bid me name Orca my hand without question, my goal was to be a fair and just leader. I would not simple bestow the title upon her, despite her help over the past year, when two other wolves also saw themselves fit enough for the roll as to step forward and proclaim it. They would be given every opportunity to prove themselves, and only when I felt that I had weighed my options equally would I make the choice that would not only be best for myself, but best for the future of the pack.