We had no more than met eyes, a fleeting look of concern passing over Gaia's shadowed features, before the red shewolf collapsed to the ground. My eyes went wide with shock, and I hesitated no more. Rushing forward, I closed the distance between us and promptly lowered my snout to sniff worriedly over her in search of outward injuries. There was nothing obviously wrong with Gaia, other than the trembling of her bodice from exhaustion, and once more I glanced behind me to ensure no one pursued her. Assured that Gaia had entered Spirane alone, I looked back to the fatigued woman as she raised her eyes to me. Stepping back, I gave her room to breathe now that I was certain no bodily harm had come to her. Ears remained pricked forward attentively as she spoke, and my tail lowered to a more relaxed posture as I listened to what she had to say.

Though flustered at first, she explained how she had come to be within Spirane's borders, and I could feel the hair along the ridge of my back prickle unbidden. So it was true - these monstrous beasts were hunting the wolves of Moladion. My ears flicked back momentarily, constantly aware of our surroundings. But if the animal had not made itself known by now, it seemed that the reinforced scent markers along the borders of Spirane had done their job in deterring the beasts' entry into our realm. Rolling my shoulders, the fur along my back settled back into place. The matter of these beasts was something that could be dealt with another day - what mattered now was Gaia's safety.

Lowering my head so that it was level with Gaia's, I shook it back and forth at her assurance that she would leave immediately. "Nonsense, Gaia. You are welcome here, and I'll hear nothing of your leaving until you have regained your strength. I could not think of you facing such a dilemma in your current state." Finally, the tension beginning to leave my limbs, I lowered my bodice to lay across from her. I offered her a cordial smile, then added, "You were - and are - pack to me; you may stay as long as you need to. I am only grateful our borders were enough to stave off whatever creature pursued you." She was safe now, and I did not want her to worry about needing to go back out and face whatever perils the freelands offered a lone wolf in our present time.