6

The sun had risen high above the trees as the two foxes made their way to the falls at a steady pace. "Summer had been going on well." Oli said as he took in a breath of fresh air. "Yes, but I fear that whatever the wolves have to say will put an end to this well-going summer." Kate said in a sign and Oli nodded. "If anything we can move fir the time being and come back next spring." Oli said and Kate thought about this knowing that this was an option but not the best solution. "I know it's not in our best interest since this is our home but we can't really make the wolves leave." Oli said and Kate let out another sigh at her brother's words. "Sorry." he whispered, Kate was going to say something but stopped herself as she and her brother entered the clearing the scent of wolves filling her nostrils.

"Welcome." Alex greeted them while dipping his head down, his beta did the same. Kate dipped her head in greeting as well. "What is it that you wished to talk about?" Kate asked cutting straight to the information that Alex wished to tell them. "Well, we are about to complete our final building and once that is complete we must invite some of the other wolf packs that live in the area to our new home, announcing that we are no longer nomadic." Alex said and felt her brother bristle at the news before calming down. "Would we be in danger?" Oli asked and Kate took note as Alex and Weaver looked at him in surprise. "Yes but also no, the other packs would hopefully respect are boundaries but there may be a few young ones that would be curious and tread onto your territory." Alex explained and Oli nodded in understanding. "If they are to cross then there is nothing that we would be able to do. If they decided to hunt us down and bring us harm we'd have no way to defend ourselves. A breach of contact according to the council." Kate stated and Alex let out a sigh, "Unfortunately yes, but the two of you could also come to show that you are friendly and trustworthy. I'm sure Elder Nora would be happy."

Kate took a deep breath in and her brother bristled once more. "That would mean shifting to our human forms." Kate stated, partially horrified at the thought. "Well yes, it is a formal gathering." Weaver said before looking at the two foxes, which were both bristling at the thought. "You have to understand that we haven't shifted to our human forms for quite a long time. We've had no need to." Kate said and Alex nodded before saying, "It's either that or find shelter for that night."

"Let my brother and I think about this for the night. We shall meet next here tomorrow evening." Kate said as she stood up with her brother. Neither gave the wolves the time of day to respond as they ran into the woods and to their hollow.

. . .

Alez and Weaver watched as the two foxes ran into the forest, neither of them giving the wolves time to respond. "Well, this was a wasted trip." Weaver said as he began to walk away. "I don't think so but when we get back home I'll talk to Elder Nora, and see if she can give them a visit." Alex said and watched as his second-in-command nod his head. 

It was dark by the time Alex and Weaver had returned home. A single light was left on and the figure of an elderly woman stood in the door frame. "Shall I leave the two of you to talk?" Weaver asked and Alex nodded his head before watching his beta depart.

"How did it go?" Elder Nora asked as Alex approached her. "Not too well. The two didn't take too well to the idea of shifting into their other form." He said in truth and the elder fox nodded before saying, "You must understand that they have lived their whole life as foxes, shifting only if they needed to. It's foreign to them." Alex nodded at Elder Nora's words.

"Would you go talk to them? I'm sure they'd like to see you. We are supposed to meet tomorrow evening but I have a lot of planning to do for the grand event." Alex asked and Elder Nora nodded while speaking, "Yes, I'll go but you should know that I'm not going to convince them. They are smart and resourceful but they also are young and still learning. Like you."

Elder Nora spoke no more and turned her back towards Alex. "Thank you, Elder Nora." Alex bowed his head as Elder Nora entered her home. Alex let out a sigh as he walked away from the old fox's home and into a nearby patch of woods where a lone house stood.

It was made of the same wood as the others, had the same distinction as the others, and yet it was alone and untouched by others. An alpha's home.

He stood before it, before entering it noticing just how empty it was. There was no prized hunt. No maps or sculptures that other alphas had in their homes yet this did not bother him as the words of the elder reminded him, "A home is a home whether it be empty of trophies and maps, of sculptures and paintings or filled with the things you hold near. Just remember to always leave space for the one you have yet to find."

He hummed at this and entered a room where a desk and lantern were placed. Papers were stacked neatly and Alex went straight to work, addressing each and every pack leader that was in the area, announcing that the gathering hall was almost finished and that he'd soon be announcing official pack status. He did this well into the dawn, only realizing how tired he was when he set down his pen and stretched, yawning as he did so.

He looked out the window and watched the sun peek over the horizon casting the sky in an array if pinks, oranges, and blues. It was beautiful.