The old rogue limped heavily across the pack borders. His normally gray fur was blended with crimson as his blood leaked from several large gashes along his sides and neck. One eye was swollen shut, a large bruise clearly visible beneath the faded fur. Panting, his aged body begged him to stop, to rest before continuing. But his soul would not allow it. It drove him forward, forcing him to push onwards until his heart gave out. It was what had allowed him to live through the fight with the large cat. The she-devil was nearly as old as he was, but still just as strong. Her yowls still echoed in his ears, her blood still stained his teeth. Matthias found her stalking the edge of the pack lands, never straying too far from the tree line, but still watching the invisible barrier with hungry eyes. He knew why. Puppies were an easy meal after all. Unfortunately for the old girl, some of those cubs were Matthias’.

Asteraia would be safe tonight. The corpse of the cat lay just outside, warning all other monsters to steer clear of the plains. The battle had almost cost the old mercenary his life, but he wasn’t about to let Death take him. Trespassing into the plains without a second thought, Matthias dared anyone to try and stop him. Though, he doubted any would. From what he had heard, the alphas here were as soft as his stool so they weren’t going to be a problem. The large wolf did not stop, even as he heard a desperate cry in the wind. A unfamiliar tug in his heard urged him forward, pushing his body to the absolute limit. The smell of blood, not his nor the cat, wafted through the air towards him. It was Leviathan! Something had happened! Following the smell, Matthias found the den at the same time the rump of another wolf vanished within. A deep growl echoed in his throat as he trotted the last few steps.

Luckily for Viserys, the elder heard his voice before acting. He spoke softly to the she-wolf inside, coxing her to eat something and try to push the last cub out. Peeking inside the den, the mercenary knew his mass would not fit in there. He would just get in the way. Instead, his body collapsed at the entrance, his head just inside. "You better take care of them, boy," he growled, eyes glaring at the white wolf. "Or else I'll pull your corpse from this den and leave you for the birds." Matthias was not one for empty threats. Of course, right now, it was as empty as the day was long. He was in no position to fight, but old habits die hard and Matthias quite old.

As he watched, he couldn’t help but spot the two balls of fluff tucked neatly next to Leviathan's belly. They were his children. Despite the situation and the growing anxiety in his belly, his tail gave a single wag of sheer joy. Who knew such small creatures could melt his icy heart.