In Search Of The Perfect Pack ~Joining~

Ever since the beginning of spring, Mount Frater had been a focal point for Davinci and his patrols. He had been keeping an eye out for Shiva, the mountain lion, and her three cubs. The feline hadn't been a problem for Castellum until just recently when she began to steal prey from his designated territory. Now with Castellum growing larger, it had become much more vital to protect what little prey would be left before the arrival of fall and winter.

It was just by hunch that Davinci decided to extend his patrol onto the sister mountain for the day. He began at the base of the mountain, satisfied that Shiva's scent was nowhere to be found on the eastern side of his territory. The land here seemed to be a mixture of Mount Validus and Mount Frater; covered in bushes and trees but still having enough rocky terrain to wear on his sore pawpads.

He had rested during the worst part of the day, sleeping through the heat and leaving his energy open to patrol in the cool evening. A smile rested calmly on his face, tail relaxed and eyes pointed sharply on the land ahead as he trotted through his home terra. With a slight hum and a swish of his tail, Davinci took in a deep breath of air as he paused to mark the border. There was a strange scent on the wind that caused him to turn, though. Curiosity and instinct took him over then, leading his legs in quick pursuit of the scent.

By the scent of it, she was female. She was an adult. By the time he saw her dark figure silhouetted in the distance, he could see that she was respecting his marked borders. He hoped that she had not come to start conflict, though he was always prepared to fight for what was his. He closed the distance between them quickly and announced himself with a swift bark on his arrival.

Hello! What brings you to our borders?" His eyes would connect with hers and remain locked as he stood before her. The distance between them could not have been much larger than the length of an adult wolf. His stance proved to most that he was friendly but would not be trifled with.

Upon closer inspection of the woman, he realized that she looked and smelled familiar. Was she someone he had come across in the past or did she simply remind him of someone? Her coat was easily distinguishable from others he had come across, and her eyes...No, he definitely knew her.

His ears perked forward as he took a step closer to her, trying to be certain of her scent before intruding with a question. "Nyx?" He asked simply, knowing that if he was mistaken the woman wouldn't likely acknowledge that he had spoken the name at all.

The confusion was clear on the woman's face. She didn't remember him, and he was not surprised. He imagined her family had spoken of Castellum in the past, but where were they all now? Was it just Nyx? Despite the flood of questions that surfaced after his recognition of the girl, he was elated at her presence.

"You were born here, in my pack. Castellum is its name. I am the alpha, Davinci Basileus. I assume that you don't recall who I am, you were just a babe the last I saw you and your family, but I used to play with you and your brother shortly after your birth." He smiled then, recalling the fond memories of his youth, when he had first come into power as alpha. The memories were bittersweet. He remembered that the death of River had been just the beginning of the great illness that spread through Castellum for 2 years. Things were just beginning to get better.

"You've grown into a beautiful dame, Nyx." He told her and sat down on his haunches, relaxing now that he was certain of her identity. She must be about 3 years old now, he thought. She looked just like her parents, obviously younger. The two had been younger than he was now last time he saw them, but time always had a way of warping the memories from his youth. She could have been but a memory herself. "Where is your family now? Are they well? Last I remember your father left my mountain with you and your brother, Storm."

Curiosity would guide his unusually intrusive questions. Styx had promised him that he and the babes would return, but after three years Davinci hadn't expected to see any of them again. Perhaps things would finally turn around.

As she described the horrid scene from her childhood, Davinci felt the mood grow darker. The beginning of the illness had been a horrible time. Many babes died. Many mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters - all of them had fallen victim to the unseen devil that had chosen to plague them. These were memories that would stay imprinted in his mind for the rest of his life. At least there were survivors like Nyx to help create the future for the next generation. It was a rocky start, but they had all already seemed to regain their footing.

He nodded at her comment about her sister, and then again at her strength. It was true, she looked like a strong wolf as well. He could see in her eyes that life had not been simple for the dame. She was calm, gentle, and kind, yet her expression had obviously hardened over many months of distress. She had the strength of body required for a hard life as a loner, and the strength of heart and mind needed to return to a noble pack such as Castellum after such a long time away.

News of her family was not nearly as surprising as the woman's return, however. Styx had always been strange and a tad bit selfish in his eyes. The fact that he was still on the island with Storm was a bit of a shock. He would have expected the man to get as far from the mountain as possible, considering that he still owed Davinci the debt of his loyalty. Perhaps someday he could confront the older man of his deeds. Meanwhile, his daughter was standing at the border of the pack whwre she belonged hoping for permission to enter, and Davinci could not deny her.

"You know that this is where you belong, Nyx. I could never turn you away. You obviously have good enough intentions and have not tried to kill me." He paused with a twinkle in his eye, as if giving her an opportunity to try. "I would be more than happy to welcome you back into your home, if you would simply follow me onto the territory. Castellum calls you home with warm and welcoming arms."

With a slight smile Davinci would approach the girl, leaning his shoulder against her own broad ebony pelt as a sign of companionship and welcome. He walked forward then, guiding his tail until it brushed the tip of her own shoulder. His paws led him back onto his territory with ease as he looked back with his golden gaze, hoping she would follow.

--exit Davinci--