It felt wonderful to be able to walk in his lands again. After so many weeks confined to the den, Halcyon was overjoyed to finally have his body strong enough to journey short distances within the safety of Asteraia. And just in time too. He was going to be a father come spring! The thought alone made the alpha skip as he traveled back from the nearby creek. Determined to get stronger to provide for them and their mother, Halcyon worked hard every day to exercise his weak limbs. Though snow still covered the land, it was mushy and wet as the warmth of spring slowly made its presence known. The water was still freezing but no longer trapped under thick ice. Soon, Asteraia would be alive again and the sound of newborn cubs would fill the air. His cubs would be among them!

A call sounded in the evening air and at once the alpha stopped his skipping and faced the direction of the howl. There was something about it that made his hackles rise slowly on his back. It was a familiar voice but there was also an air of dominance to it. It was time to reassume his roll. Turning, he trotted in the direction of the howl.

Unfortunately, his body was already nearing its limits and he was forced to slow down to a quiet walk after only a few feet. By the time he finally reached the stranger, another had answered his summons. Even in the moonlight, Halcyon knew it was Aster that stood in front of the mysterious wolf. He felt his ears flatten to his skull when the wind brought the scent of the pair. Elohim. He knew the wolf as the one who had taken care of Aster when Iromar fell. But… what was he doing here so late? Why was she here alone when she knew the dangers of the ocean pack? Keeping himself upwind, he slowly began to creep towards the pair.

"You were my Chancellor. You still are, if you want it. What is it that YOU want?" he heard Aster say. Halcyon felt his heart drop into his stomach. What did she mean by that? A gust of wind carried their conversation above the alpha's hearing, but he managed to hear part of Elohim's reply. "Tell me what you want me to be?"

Enough. He had heard enough.

Stepping forward, Halcyon assumed a dominate stance with his tail held high and his hackles standing on end. He was the smallest wolf there, but he looked the most intimidating. Never mind the illness. Never mind the joy he had felt only moments ago. All that matter was the here and now. And right now, the dark wolves had some explaining to do. Halcyon didn't look at Aster. He simply moved to stand beside her and stare down the enemy. He couldn't hold back the deep growl that escaped his throat before he announced. "You've come here at a dangerous time, Elohim. Explain why you are here before I let my teeth taste your flesh."