I did my best to let this moment engulf me, to focus on that clarity that I had found. This was the only way; I had to completely submerge myself in the duties of my leadership so that my mind was always consumed. My thoughts would not be allowed to wander to him, to wonder where he was and what he was doing. Whether he kept company with another or if he had struck out into the world beyond Moladion once more. He told me he wanted to become better for me, but why should I believe him? There was no trust left between us, and I did my best to seal the gaping wounds in my heart so that I could give this foreign shewolf who sat so idly within my home my full attention. Though perhaps such a situation called for concern – an unknown wolf so easily traipsed amongst my own – nothing about this female spoke of imminent threat. Rather than worry about how she came to sit here upon this ledge, I was merely inquisitive of the reason why. What would bring wandering paws, in the company of one who showed little interest in claiming his birthplace as his homeland, so far up into my mountains?

It was the most subtle of reactions that informed me she knew of my presence, her ears twitching as I grew closer to her. Pleased that I had not somehow startled her into a fight or flight mindset, I continued towards her. When I reached her side I lowered my hindquarters to the earth, my greeting amicable enough, and my eyes slid from the view to the stranger beside me. Already her gaze was upon me, and eyes of mahogany met those of aquamarine. My features remained in a placated state, not giving way to the curiosity I felt, but also not generally morose. It was an easy façade, welcoming and yet somehow stoic all in the same. The smile proffered was accompanied by the slightest shift in her posture, her head lowering but a fraction of an inch, and I knew she recognized me for what I was – the alpha of these lands. I was not prudish, expecting her to throw her body down in submission and appeasement. Another alpha might demand such a thing, throw her in metaphorical shackles and call her prisoner. But that was not the way I was raised, not the way I ruled. Hospitality came naturally to me in this moment, and I would not chase her from my borders for simply enjoying the view on a morning that would never whisper of the up heaving storm that had raged the night before.

Though the cream and cocoa hued fem turned her gaze back towards the horizon, my eyes remained steady upon her. Despite all my thoughts on the situation, I knew that I could not blindly trust this shewolf just because she did not display the marks of a traitorous intruder. Never did my eyes betray this mistrust, but it was there none the less. The compliment she paid to my home was answered with a single flick of my tail, bringing it around to rest just ahead of my forepaws, near enough to the edge of the cliff that with another motion it would hang in midair. A small smirk tugged at the corners of my lips, always pleased to hear such praise for Spirane. It was then that she shifted herself slightly so that she faced me and we might have a more open conversation. Her introduction bridged the gap between cordial conversation starters to the real issue at hand – who was she, and why was she here?

“Daenerys; Queen of Spirane and Protector of the Realm,” I replied, abridging my usual greeting that was reserved for strangers. “Well met, Church,” I said, with a gentle nod of my crown. “You have come with Ragnarok?” I asked, though it was more of a statement than a question. “I am glad to know of his wellbeing; I have not seen him since he was but a pup,” I mused, vaguely recalling the grey form splashed with russet across his hips. As I took another breath I noticed a scent that I had not before – Natu. I reserved comments on such a thing, realizing that Ragnarok and Church’s presence had not gone totally unnoticed, and I was pleased to know such a thing. My faith in my pack members was great, and this only bolstered such a feeling. We might not have been the largest pack in Moladion by numbers, but our land was great and vast and it was always reassuring to know that those who did call this place home were vigilant in their protection of the welfare of our home.