I was not so far away when Kalseru’s call rang out into the mountain air, and for a moment I simply lounged upon the immense rock that served as my throne. I had been stretched out, soaking up what little sun pilfered through the winter clouds, much the same as my father and I used to do in this very spot. My head lifted from the stone, ears pricking upright as her young, sweet voice carried across the crisp winter air to me. I wondered for a moment why she was calling for me to come to her instead of just coming to see me, as she knew where I would be today. I’d told my children that this was a day to spend at a point easily accessible to any member of the pack who sought an audience with me. My throne was centrally located within the packlands, at a lower altitude than my den but significantly within the confines of the borders, far higher than the foothills. Curious what my daughter might have gotten herself into, I stood and shook out my pelt which had accumulated a small dusting of snow blown from the branches of the surrounding trees.

Leaping down from my throne, I set off at a jog, weaving between paths and even breaking some new ones as well. It did not take me long to reach her, but I halted within the nearby stand of trees, observing the scene before me. My eyes lift from the stark, beautiful form of my only daughter to the wolf who kept her company. Iscariot, the male who had come calling at Spirane’s borders twice now. He had held audience with not only myself by also my chief advisor, Pan. From our last meeting I gathered that he was quite interested in my pack, but my brow furrowed slightly. Neither myself nor Pan had given him express permission to come so far within the borders. I had thought that I had clearly implied that he need only call upon me if he had further questions, but perhaps I had not. Then it occurred to me that perhaps he had made his decision, and instead of requesting my presence within the snowy foothills he had decided to come to me. My tail wagged at the thought, for I would gladly put him to work straight away on the tasks for the rank I had informed him about.

When I caught Kalseru’s words my tail ceased its motion, lifting dominantly as my mahogany eyes narrowed upon the form of my daughter. She had much to learn, this daughter of mine, just as her brothers did. I strode forward, revealing myself to them both as I approached from the side, catching Iscariot’s rebuttal to her words. His response was not exactly kindly phrased, but not all wolves had the patience to deal with the workings of young minds. Even I was still learning. I trotted straight up to Kalseru, flashing a sideways grin towards Iscariot for only him to see as I approached. Upon reaching her side I promptly placed a devastatingly embarrassing lick upon her forehead before nudging my nose into her cheek. “Iscariot is right, you know. If it is that he desires to attain the rank of Spider, he must work for it, much the same as you must work to live up to that title of princess you were born with. No princess became a Queen without working for it.” I gave her a reprimanding look, though there was the softness of motherly love expressed there as well, before turning towards Iscariot.

I took a step towards him and offered another smile. “Iscariot, it is good to see you again. To find you so deep within the mountains, I hope is a sign that you have made your decision?” What other reason would he have to delve so deep into the territory, other than to get to know his new home? My tail waved back and forth idly, lifted only slightly away from my hind legs in a show of station but also my comfort within the confines of my home. Perhaps shortly to be his home as well.