The scent of the foreign soil seems to stain his lungs, large paws shifting the snow from his path as he wanders aimlessly. This was the first time he had left the comfort of the peaks, the adolescent male finding no meaning in leaving those that surrounded him. But now, for some reason there is something pulling within. An odd sensation that he cannot refuse despite his attempts, he did not like to be controlled by something he could not see or understand. So with much reluctance he finally seeks the world outside of the mountains, a deep rasped growl humming in his throat with each step he takes.

Sunset eyes linger on the world around him, taking in the differences he had not witnessed before. Ears perk and twitch at each subtle sound as he moves slowly forward. Knowing well his speed seemed lazily and uncaring but he had learned early on that it was rather difficult to move all his weight around in quick attempts, so slow and steady seemed to be the only pace he had perfected. It is when sunset eyes catch the outline of the Grotto does he pause, a subtle tick in his lips as they raise slightly. A heavy sigh coupled with a rasped growl escapes bared teeth. A piece of his mother unleashing itself without true intent. Eyes darting to the sides before looking back at the dark rocky cavern entrance. An almost shrug seems to shake his mass as a grunt escapes and his feet once more begin to move towards the unknown.

The closer he gets, the more his curiosity seems to build. For he cannot deny the fascination of his first outing even if he was soon to be two in the coming spring. Nose twitches as he comes to a stop at the dark entrance, taking in all the scents that seemed to be pouring from within. Some fresh and some not, he still cannot stop the hesitation at possibly being surrounded or meeting the strange wolves the scents belonged to. A growl escapes before he can stop it. Despite it's low sound, the echoes that bounce within the darkness has his ears perking and head tilting at the effect. Momentarily blinking before he disappears within the dark, swallowed by the shadows.

The rasped breath that escapes him along with the scrape of his nails upon the rocky floor seems to echo all around him and for a moment he wanders if his sisters had been here before, the thought of them here in the dark has him grinding his teeth. Not liking the idea at all. And if he didn't like it, neither would mother. But it seemed the girls had ways of vanishing from their mother's side, he cannot fault them for their creativity nor need for freedom it was something he seemed to lack. It is when a shift of sound up ahead causes him to still, a heavy breath escaping as ears perk to listen closely. Pushing his thoughts away as he scents the air around him. Wondering if the darkness was beginning to play tricks on him or if something else lay hidden just ahead.

everett

THE SAINT WITHIN THE SINNER