That haunting howl that had proclaimed its dominance over the lands of Asteraia had resonated throughout Moladion. I had known from the first note it would greatly change the dynamic of the pack, for it was laced with an almost venomous tone, calling to those who lived in the shadows. Vincent and Spirit had been the first to come calling at Spirane’s borders, but I had my suspicions that they would not be the last. As a former ally to Iblis and Rhae’s pack it did not surprise me that those fleeing from the new alphess of Asteraia might come here. And in the wake of Tesseract’s loss of Glorall, I had spent much of my time in the foothills. I wanted to be able to greet these wolves personally, to meet them first hand so that I might be the one to invite them to call this place their new home.

More often than not I found myself in the company of Jericho, our friendship running deeper than ever in the aftermath of his confessional to me. He had spilled all of his truths for me to hear, and I had listened without judgment. The events of that night had drawn us closer together, and as he walked beside me now I knew that my wishes to bestow upon him a rank I had not seen fit for any to hold were well founded. Although he’d first made his desire to keep me safe known under the delusion of a dream, I knew it was more than that. And I wanted him to be the one I called my Bloodrider, a rank that could not be earned in any other way than this. As we walked through the undulating landscape of the edge of my realm, I glanced over at him, and the words seemed to float to my lips of their own accord. “Jericho, I would have you as my Bloodrider; my sworn protector and an adviser in all things.” It was a request in the form of a statement, and perhaps came from out of the blue. But I wanted him to know that despite all he had told me, and in fact because of it, I trusted him with my life.

I was keen to know his reaction, but a howl interrupted my focus upon him quite literally at the end of my declaration, drawing my gaze straight ahead as my ears perked forward. The voice called out for the both of us, for anyone of the mountain, and I glanced back at Jericho for just a moment with a questioning look in my eyes. Did he know this wolf? My own muzzle lifted skyward, calling out a reply, informing this wolf that we were on our way. Then I set off at a jog, ears flicking backwards briefly to ensure Jericho was with me.

Upon reaching the point of the border where the wolves waited, I was met with a most interesting sight. Cae had reached them first, and my eyes flitted over him approvingly before they swept over the two wolves who he spoke with. The stark white form of the female was most prominent, but then my mahogany eyes fell upon the black wolf at her side, and my heart leapt into my throat. Reich! I was so happy to see my again, to know he was safe despite all that had happened in his homeland. As soon as I recognized him I took off at a lope, closing the distance between us quickly. When I was close I slowed myself, not wishing to bowl them over, and remember that I was in fact a Queen who should really greet others a bit more properly. I first touched my nose to Cae’s shoulder, greeting my pack mate before I turned and crossed the borders to repeat the action with Reich. My tail arched high above my back, waving back and forth with glee at being reunited with my friend, even under the circumstances. A tinkling of guilt tugged at my heart for never having come to visit him as he had asked me to; he’d wanted to show me his home as I had done for him. Now it would seem the opportunity was lost.

I took a few steps back then, glancing towards the female with a half grin. Something about her scent seemed familiar – although unknown – perhaps it was just the notes of Asteraia’s plains. Regardless, I was quite pleased to see my friend here and safe, and a buoyancy that was not usually present when I first met wolves crept into my voice. “Hello, I am Daenerys, Protector of the Realm of Spirane; you’ve already met Cae, and this is…” I was about to introduce Jericho when I met the white wolf’s eyes. Orange eyes, and I was startled into silence. They were piercing, vibrant and unmistakably alike to Jericho’s. He had told me of a sister, one who had fallen victim to his misdemeanors. One who had rewarded his following her here with attacks that had brought him bloody to my borders. Mixed emotions roiled in my chest and suddenly the light hearted nature of my greeting evaporated.”Jericho.” I finished simply, turning to look at him for a fleeting moment before returning my eyes to her and Reich. I thought that perhaps Reich had come here in search of a new home, and I would have welcomed him readily. But I would not allow this female to shed any more of Jericho’s blood. I may have just asked him to be my protector, but I was ready to shift myself between the two if she showed any signs of aggression towards him.

“I am sorry for the loss of your home; is there some way in which we might help you?” My eyes drifted back to Reich, but I was well aware of the fact that he could not speak. I waited patiently for a reply from either of them, wondering if they had come here in search of a new home, or in search of something else altogether.