The alpha was but a child to the elders, it was clear in the way the auburn haired woman looked at him, tutting her tongue with a chastising note. The others chuckled among themselves, their tired feet dipped into the refreshing, icy river. Valko smiled, a faint rose blooming across both cheeks. He squeezed Ylva's hand, pulling her close to him. "Ylva, this is Vargmamma Ebba. She has taught me since I was at my mother's breast. She is wise, and kind, and blessed by the gods with a mouth that never seems to cease its flow of sharp words," he teased, bowing his head to the elder wolf.<br/><br/>"Please, Vargmamma, I understand it may not have been wise to bed a new wolf, especially considering the circumstances surrounding Ylva's arrival, but I..." he paused, searching for the words to explain. Truthfully, he had considered little, his actions guided only by the low hum of the wolf inside of him, the one that had pulled and clawed toward Ylva since the moment she had been delivered. Even beneath that pale veil, he had smelled her, known her to be more than a common she-wolf.<br/><br/>"She is to be mine, if she so wishes," he finished softly, looking to her briefly. "But... I did not come to discuss this. Ylva and I are not making a declaration of our mating--"<br/><br/>"Boy, you did that the moment you took that pretty girl to bed," one of the males called from over his shoulder, his silver hair cascading over his hunched shoulders. The male huffed loudly, bringing up a gnarled hand to run his fingers through his chest-length beard.<br/><br/>"Vargfader Ilvin, whatever Ylva and I are, it is not important now. I want you to know her, yes, but we come to you with other intentions. I am going to call a pack gathering tonight to ask for assistance."<br/><br/>"Assistance, Valko? With what?" the vargfader replied curiously.<br/><br/>The alpha looked to Ylva, brushing his thumb over the top of her hand. "Ylva, this is your story. Do you want to tell it?"