Valko was not a difficult alpha to please. Know your place, help provide for the pack, clean up after yourself if you make a mistake. Those were the only real rules he expected his wolves to abide by, and for now they seemed to keep the pack happy and thriving. He was lean for an alpha, well-formed but lacking the raw bulk some wolves used to keep their pack compliant. While Valko was no stranger to fighting and killing, he preferred to eliminate contention before it even began, using his wits and his innate charm to settle his beasts before they did something they'd regret.<br/><br/>The news of the Evergreen alphas' usurping did not sit well with Valko. Uppity beta wolves giving their peers bad ideas was something that made his gut turn. Valko was still young, having taken over the role of alpha after his father's death only two years before, and had yet to settle down with a mate and father any pups. With no female at his side and no offspring to take his place, Valko was vulnerable to the grandiose machinations of any wolf ambitious enough to try and challenge him. It left a bitter taste on his tongue, one he often tried to wash away with the sweet waters from the pack's stream, and yet the unpleasant flavor lingered.<br/><br/>This taste on his tongue was present, paired with a disappointed frown, as a wolf from the Evergreen pack came into his hall bearing tribute. It wasn't lost on Valko why the new alpha would want to send a wolf like Ylva away despite being good breeding stock. A daughter of alphas wouldn't deign to mate with a second-rate wolf, not if she had any honor about her, regardless of whatever he called himself.<br/><br/>Valko grunted, lifting himself from a large throne-like chair carved from solid wood. The hall was quiet as the alpha of the Kriki pack sauntered down the handful of steps leading up to his imposing seat, his body language loose and easy, conveying a misleading calm. “I remember what it was like to be a new alpha,” he mused, his narrowed blue eyes boring into the scrawny excuse of a wolf Antony had sent along to do his bidding. “One of the most important tasks a new alpha must consider is making alliances with nearby alphas to prevent any unwanted hostility between wolves. It seems your alpha is aware of this.” He paused, looking down at the wolf whose hand was still clutching his new “prize.” Valko stood at least three heads taller than Olaf, who looked practically a child in comparison.<br/><br/>“What your alpha does not seem to comprehend is sending another wolf in his place when looking to earn favor is lazy at best and a grave insult at worst. You'll do well to make it known that his absence was noted.” His voice was firm, his gaze intense. He inhaled deeply and shifted his eyes to look at Ylva. Though Antony had shown his incompetence by failing to deliver the she-wolf himself, Valko could not deny that she was a fine gift. Long, slender, and beautiful, with a strength hidden inside of her Valko could smell. He looked at her unveiled face for a long while, the tension in the hall palpable. His pack looked on, waiting. After his extended silence, Valko spoke to Olaf, though his eyes were still trained on Ylva.<br/><br/>“Alpha Antony's offering is accepted. She will stay here with Kriki.” His eyes drifted down to the delicate silver chain wrapped around her wrists. “Must be Antony's idea, as I can't imagine you would do this to yourself,” he said to her, his voice noticeably softer as he spoke.<br/><br/>“Get this thing off of her,” he snapped at Olaf, gesturing to her hands. “When you're finished, you're welcome to a share of meat and drink, but after that you must make haste and leave. I'm sure your alpha has many important tasks for you to complete before the next moon.”