The wind lazily flared through the charred pines of the Lleingas Woods. Spring was definitely in the air and observable evidence was all around. There were birds over here and bees over there. Plants were sprouting or already in full bloom. Róvanfaer paused in mid step. His paw hung in the air while his nose lifted to the sky sniffing eagerly at the scents that rode the breeze. One was sweet and close - a plant of some kind. The other was the musty scent of a skunk.
Giving a snort, the brown wolf continued forward with his nose wrinkled in distaste. He had run into skunks on several occasions. Like most young pups, his first experience had taught him not to mess with the smelly black and white animal. His older brother wouldn’t let him forget the memory, either. Róvanfaer had been the curious one at the time. Kodiak Black had been smart and let his brother investigate the weird animal. The rest was history.
Pressing his blacken lips together, the Salen Prince wandered through the forest just taking in everything. His father said a pack member should always know the territory they lived in well. Róvanfaer, however, knew a lot about this territory. Unlike Meridian and Kodiak, who were either held up by their father or chose to wander in an absent state of mind, Rovan chose to actually pay attention to his surroundings and learn the way things worked. He always took note of what kinds of animals could be found and where. Hunting would come easier in time with practice and this knowledge. It was Róvanfaer’s goal, actually. Since he was born last, there was no way he would be named heir of these lands. Becoming Alpha and following in his papa’s paw steps was impossible. Becoming the best hunter this pack had ever seen was still up for grabs though! A smile formed upon his muzzle at the thought. Vivid day dreams of chasing the biggest of bucks and bringing them down, keeping the pack well fed, and being the go to guy for hunting helped to heighten his determination.
A clearing formed up ahead in the male’s green optics. Tilting his head, Rovan stepped into the woodless circle. This was a place he had never seen before. His black nose lowered to the ground and took in the lingering scents found there. Rovan’s head snapped up in surprise, “Father,” he murmured and tilted his head the other side. His nose went to work and took in the other scents in the surrounding area. His father’s scent was all over this area. “Strange. I’ve never seen this place before, and he’s never mentioned it.”
A jolt of electricity struck the young wolf as he eyed the area. It was like he was trespassing on his father’s secret area. Out of respect and guilty, Rovan stepped out of the clearing and back into the woods. Green eyes surveyed the land again. In the dead center of the clearing was a large, irregular shaped boulder. Exodus’ scent was all over it. Róvanfaer whined still looking in on the secret area. It felt wrong to be here, but he couldn’t pull himself away. Something, something distilled deep inside the brute, caused him to stay planted. Taking in a deep breath, the wolf stepped into the clearing again. The same jolt of electricity struck his body again, but this time Rovan ignored it and plunged forward. His steps were cautious and his eyes were on alert for his father. What if Exodus caught him here?
Shaking off the feeling, Rovan stepped daringly close to the rock staring up at its large bulk. It was of a dark grey coloring with some jagged areas and some smooth areas. Judging by the way they went up, he guessed that his father used the smooth areas to jump up to the top. Róvanfaer gulped and crouched down allowing his muscles to bunch up. Instead of jumping, he paused letting the moments slip by. Did he really want to place his scent on his father’s secret rock? Eh, the smells he was gathering around here were old. His father hadn’t been by in some time. Maybe he wouldn’t be coming around for some time.
Suddenly, Rovan gave a smirk and leaped onto of the first flat area. In several more bounds, he was on top. The air ripped through his fur caressing his whiskers and refreshing his mood. He gave a content sigh and looked down at the world from his perch. “Wow, pa. I can see why you choose this area. It’s beautiful.” Grinning, he looked around taking in the fresher air and just enjoying the feeling of being on top of the world. He felt like an alpha, for once in his life. He felt what his father always felt. It was also what Kodiak was and would feel. He had to admit to himself, too. It was a great feeling. Chuckling, Róvanfaer lifted his muzzle and gave out a full howl like his father might have done when he first claimed this land. For this moment, Rovan could feel like the Alpha he would never be.
