The act of stealing wolves - abruptly transplanting them from their day-to-day routines to the confines of Spirane (immense though it is) - had always been a delicate matter to handle. Timing was extremely important; in the case of Tychon, he had been brought in just before winter, giving him a safe place to regain his strength during the most brutal months of the year. But it was not unheard of for wolves to make ill judgments in their timing – taking a female just before the arrival of spring, unaware that she was due to whelp and the anxiety of being separated from a significant other would turn her hostile and ruin whatever opinions she might have had of the pack prior to her perceived abduction. Taking from another pack had its own set of implications; the lack of immediate challenge for the boy’s release gave me the feeling that Eden did not take this act as a true crime against his own. Still, it would likely be a matter broached if and when the attempt was made to create some kind of truce between our packs. In any case, it was a topic for another day’s thoughts, for today I wished to focus on Samus and the wolf she had chosen.

Abel. Abel was clearly displeased with his present situation, but the lack of ruffled fur or shortness of breath told me he had not fought Samus, or if he had it had been short-lived. Brows lifted speculatively as he huffed, then proceeded to state just how little value he believed he held. And yet through it all he maintained an ironic grin, as though he were quite pleased to tell me in detail just how greatly Samus had failed in her task. Mahogany eyes narrowed then, brows stitching together in a consternated expression, seeming to consider for a moment what he had said and then accepting it. At face value, maybe that was all that most wolves would see – a three legged individual who would only slow the pack down. I turned to Samus, then, expectation written all over my face, as if to ask, Well then?

My niece met and surpassed my hopes for how she would respond. It took a fair bit of restraint to keep the grin that threatened to spread across my muzzle at bay when Samus snorted at his words. Rather than look to me straight off the bat for help, she retaliated sharply. Clearly she had given thought to her choice, and saw potential in him that he did not see in himself. Perhaps that in and of itself was the reason she had brought him here – his body language alone spoke volumes of how little he thought he was worth. His present attitude offered another challenge, maybe one she had not anticipated, given her reaction to his words. After a moment she softened, and I was glad that I waited to say anything more as Samus added a final thought. When she looked to me, I gave the barest of nods, blinking slowly to offer my approval.

Only then did I look back to Abel, curious what effect – if any – Samus’ words had had. ”She is right, you know.” I paused, eyes narrowing once more, my gaze slightly more severe now than before. ”I am happy to know that Samus takes a wolf at more than face value. So you cannot hunt, nor sneak or keep up with the pack - for now. Is the Elder wolf useless to the pack when arthritis plagues his joints and he can no longer fulfill these roles? You are young yet, and by the looks of it you were not born this way. Time heals all wounds – even the ones a wolf can never fully recover from. But if you do not believe you will ever be more than the limb you lost, then you will not.” Adjusting to moving upon only three limbs was not an easy feat – though it had been only temporary I’d had to do it before. Balance had seemed impossible, speed impractical, but time and determination had allowed me to overcome the handicap. My bones had healed and I now walked upon four sturdy limbs once more – Abel would not have that luxury. That he had not yet learned to compensate for his loss was concerning, but perhaps it was all the more reason to take him from Glorall and give him a chance.

My voice and gaze both softened then, as I glanced to Samus for a moment, then back to Abel. Though the circumstances of his arrival were different, I felt that similar treatment as to what had been given to Tychon was appropriate. ”Samus will be your host during your stay. Her task does not end at simply delivering you to the pack – if there is anyone who can help you discover your inner strengths, it is her. And perhaps, at the end of your time within the mountains, you will see things a bit differently.”