It didn’t take long. Soon, wolves began calling their own howls and coming to meet him. Wolves like him, who asked questions. The first to arrive is a middle age wolf who seems to have some experience with the world, but was still a greenhorn compared to Matthias. It was a good start and at once he shows he demands answers and spits on respect. The grey wolf ignores the jab at his age, though his tail gives an annoying flick. He was not here to dominate others and it would not be a good way to have other join in his cause. “I am a wolf. I desire the company of others of my kind, just like you. Or else you wouldn’t be here. But I have little interest in pack life…” He didn’t have a chance to finish. Another wolf appeared, this one closer in age to the grey mountain than the first. He gave his name, a pleasant change, and asked the same of the other.

But Matthias remained quiet, almost like he hadn’t heard Vincent speak. They were being watched and from the sounds of the snapping twigs and crunching grass, it was by an untrained fool. Forgetting the others for a moment, the huge male moved towards the sound and found a small pair of eyes gazing up at him in both awe and fear. Eyes widened in mild surprise to see such a young pup answer his call. Or was he here simply to observe. Well, that was his decision to make. If he was old enough to find his way here, he was old enough to join in the conversation. Still staring at the pup, Matthias announced loudly for all to hear. “Gentlemen, as you can see, we are all like-minded individuals,” he turned away from the pup to sit next to the others. He purposefully left a small space open to him should he be brave enough to sit with the grown-ups.

“As I was saying, we are wolves and while we may not desire the boring humdrum of pack life, we do desire to be amongst our own kind. This is how nature works and it’s nothing I feel we should be ashamed of. I called out to you, wolves of strong wills who could not turn away from a challenge, and you answered. I have a proposition for you, something to give your uneventful lives purpose.” He paused a moment to be sure he had their full attention. Then, he gave a small, cunning smile. “Work.”

Such a strange invitation and yet he gave no sign he was joking. He waited for them to absorb what he was saying before he continued. “You are fighters but you walk alone. I am offering you the freedom you desire but the ability to work with your brothers. We shall become mercenaries, travelling from pack to pack doing tasks for each alpha. In return, they provide us food and shelter for a season.” He finished his speech and waited to see what they would do. He had more to offer, but their first reactions would tell him if this was something they truly wanted to do. Matthias was sure there were questions and he waited patiently for each wolf to speak their mind and ask whatever they wanted.