I pause in my gallivanting as I watch the Monster slowly approached me in the cool waters. She towered over me, both in physical size and awesome power. When I was a pup, I often wondered why Mom seemed to bow down before the dark alpha. I didn’t realize then just how intimidating she was. It wasn’t until I came face to face with her on my own, absent of Mom and Athena, that I felt truly vulnerable. I couldn’t stop my tail from tucking ever so slightly under my belly as I lowered myself further into the shallow river. For a moment, nothing is said and I dare not speak for fear I may interrupt her. I am not scared of her hurting me, for I know that is not the Monster’s way, so long as you do not do anything do deserve her fangs. No, I am simply not large enough to stand up to her in anyway. Not now… but perhaps one day…

Chasing that thought away, I moved my own ears forward as she finally spoke. Why did her voice remind me of snake’s venom? Nodding, I sit up straighter and clear my throat as I begin my report of Iromar. "T-thank you, Monster. After arriving to the borders, I was greeted by the alpha female and your daughter, Raven. " I paused a moment, wondering why it had been so easy for me to remember Raven’s name and not the others. Was it also necessary for me to remind the Monster of her own daughter’s name? Shaking my head I continued, absently batting at the water with my paw. "The leaders names are… um… um… Oh, right! Aranck and Malleah! Aranck is the new alpha male while Malleah is his mate, I think. To be honest, they were a rather interesting… couple."

I paused a moment, realizing I had begun to ramble. Gazing up at the queen, I found myself wondering what she must be thinking now. Her ears were forward and her eyes seemed genuinely interested in what I was saying. I remembered the way Malleah had looked at me, with scorn and a “better than you” attitude. Then there was the horrifying feeling Aranck gave me just by standing next to me. Without thinking, I shuddered. Suddenly, I discovered something I hadn’t realized until that moment. Would the Monster think it important? "As far as first impressions go, they are a powerful pair but there seems to be a lot of chaos between them. As I stayed with them for a time, to help with the fires, I realized that I didn’t like them much. I got the feeling that they would bite your tail the moment you turned your back on them." With my honest opinion hanging in the air, I waited to see what her reaction would be. I hadn’t said that they wouldn’t be a bad ally for Asteraia to have, simply one that would need to be watched. Carefully. Waiting for the Monster’s reply, I stood and shook the freezing water from my silver pelt, enjoying the coolness it had brought to such a hot day.