Slade || River Ash || Beta || M: Pine, Callan, Ichtaka, Minthe, Avis, Khepri (Ind)

The sudden smack of a foreign scent hit his nose and he froze in his steps. Grunting, he twisted around and turned his gaze to the nearest member of the hunting party. "Ichtaka, take them on the hunt. I have to deal with a... setback."

The last word came as a formidable growl and he whisked away, back to the chosen camping grounds. He found Callan, then, and the source of the foreign scent. A female, unknown to him, sat next to a cluster of conies. The frenzy of sounds prevented him from hearing all she said.

"...Pine... rabbits are yours... them... to be honest."

She rolled in a submissive gesture and, as she got back up, Slade moved beside the delta.

"What's your name, anyway? It's only fair; I told you mine."

Hard eyes studied the female up and down and, before Callan spoke, Slade replied, "If you know of our packs, then you know that we are at war. There is every reason to be hostile."

The large male's tone was calm, his words tempered. The female was not a threat -- yet. Until he could determine that her words rang true, though, he would remain on guard. Too much had happened recently; there was no one he felt he could trust. Especially loners. Sure, most of the River Ash pack had been rogues at one point or another, but now there were frayed loyalties and wavering trusts. A new wolf would only feed the fire.

"Now is possibly one of the worst times you could have come. If it were entirely up to me, I would deny you entry at this time," he stated plainly. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately for Pine, it wasn't entirely up to him. "However, the decision to allow a wolf into the pack is ultimately our Alpha's. You may wait, under guard, until she arrives, at which time your situation will be revisited."

He sent a look to Callan, silently asking whether the delta had any further input. He himself began to debate whether he should stay in the camp now that circumstances had flopped or continue the hunt with the other three.