Winter found the young man restless as ever. Constantly he desired something to do, but instead of going out and finding it he lazed within the gullies of his home. As fresh powder frosted the lands of Diveen, the cold temperatures that morning stirred Atlas into motion. Where he was headed, he wasn’t really sure. But he just knew he had to get out and do something. So he climbed the steep walls of the ravine, practiced as he was it was with ease that he moved. When he reached level ground he set off at a jog towards the borders, crossing them and moving at an ambling pace across Moladion. He spent the day taking the sights, marveling at the way that snow so changed the landscape.

He hadn’t realized just how far north he’d traveled until the sun began to set and the mountains of Spirane began to cast a long shadow that made the air feel even chillier. Deciding it would be best to head home, Atlas turned back south. But to follow precisely the same trail he had on his way north would be rather bland, so he cut west and made his way towards the Aplos River, wondering if the temperatures had dropped low enough to freeze it over yet. Winter snuffed out the light of the sun far sooner than the young lad had anticipated, but he did not mind, for the moon soon cast a glowing light across the light blanket of snow, reflecting its luminous nature. As he grew closer to the river banks, he could hear the movement of water and knew that the temperatures had not yet dropped far enough to freeze it over.

He nearly decided to forgo getting any closer to the water, choosing instead to take a shortcut out and around Iromar’s borders so that he could make his way home safely. As he turned away from the river voices carried across the snow to him and his ears pulled back to listen for a moment. He couldn’t make out what they were saying, but he could hear growls and just got a general bad feeling about it. Casting his eyes over his shoulder, he knew he had to check it out and make sure everyone was ok. So he turned back towards the river, lightly jogging across the snow towards the noises. His stomach churned as he heard a voice, the words indistinct but the tones inciting a dreadful feeling. Taking a deep breath, Atlas reminded himself that someday he would need to defend Emil should the need arise. He had to show courage, always. As he grew closer he slowed to a creeping gate, peering between the scant trees at the scene that unfolded before him.

One wolf lay in the muddy shallows of the riverbank, while another towered over her. Something was wrong here. The black one practically slithered around the white one, positioning herself like a snake ready to strike. And then she did. Atlas’s head shot up in a panic, and he knew he could not just stand by and let this happen. He shot forward, streaking across the distance towards the river. There was no point in trying to sneak any closer to them, for his sundry hued pelt afforded him no camouflage against the white of the snow. Instead he relied on the balance of his body to carry him swiftly and as silently as possible across the powder. When he reached the bank of the river his light yellow eyes flashed to the girl trapped beneath the menacing jaws of the dark one, but never stopped his motion. As she moved her attack to the girl’s side, he launched from the riverbank and threw his entire weight into his shoulder, ramming it into the attacker’s exposed side and launching them both further out into the river. His jaws flashed out, snapping at air and splashing water, anything to at least attempt to keep her at bay long enough for him to find his footing in the slick mud of the river bottom. Though whether he would escape unscathed remained to be seen.

Righting himself, he immediately backed up, never taking his eyes off the commotion of water where he and the female had landed. Wet as he was, his hackles still bristled as he made a stand over the form of the bloodied white female, unsure if she was still alive and unwilling to take his eyes off her attacker to ensure as much. Lips peeled back to expose untried fangs, but they were sharp never the less. Silently he stood over this female he did not know, but knew deep down he had to save.

What the hell had he gotten himself into?

ooc: powerplay was preapproved.