The simple press of her body was enough to pique Valko's interest. Had their brief moment of serenity not been interrupted by a foreign voice, Valko most certainly would have taken to mating with Ylva again before breakfast. Instinctively, he growled in protest as she pulled away, wanting her to stay but knowing he could never make her do so. He followed her as she rushed out the door, neglecting to clothe himself and she had done, more than comfortable in his own skin.<br/><br/>There was a familiarity between Ylva and this strange wolf. Despite this, Valko was on edge, jaw clenched tightly as unfamiliar hands touched the she-wolf he had unofficially claimed the night before. Though neither had marked the other, there was an understanding between them that<i>something</i>was there and to be explored. Whatever relationship Ylva and the red-haired wolf shared, Valko found himself uncharacteristically edgy at witnessing it. Through his casual eavesdropping, Valko caught a few words he mildly recognized. Fjord was one. A pack far north of Kriki and its southern waters, past even Evergreen territory. Kriki wolves rarely had a reason to travel so far up and thus Valko had never received the opportunity to parley with the pack and its alpha.<i>This</i>one, apparently. Ylva must have meant something for him to wander such a great distance from the safety of his territory.<br/><br/>Valko was willing, however reluctantly, to allow this wolf to stay as long as he wished, especially if it would please Ylva. Though as Gunter's nostrils caught a whiff of Valko's scent on her, the cool neutrality shifted into protective hostility, and Valko rose to meet Gunter's accusatory attitude.<br/><br/>"If you were clever, you'd watch your tone, wolf," Valko warned, a low snarl rumbling in his throat as icy blue eyes narrowed dangerously. "You are a lone wolf quite far away from his own pack, surrounded by strangers. I am not keeping Ylva here against her will, nor did I force myself upon her like some common brute. I welcomed her into my pack because I believed her to be better off with me than some primitive beast who<i>would</i>find reason to take advantage of her. I believed she could have a good life among Kriki, and I do not appreciate your implication that I have committed sin against her for doing what I thought best."<br/><br/>Valko stepped forward, mouth twisted down into a frown. Ready to defend himself if necessary. "You have two options. You can lower your hackles and behave while in my territory, or you can leave. I will not tolerate blatant disrespect from an outsider. I recommend you think carefully before acting out in a rash or impulsive manner, because it will not end well for you."