Loki rolled back onto her belly and looked up at Nikera. She couldn't stop shivering and chose to use as few words as possible. "L-Loki. I'm... f-fine." She was looking in Timber's direction, not wanting to look directly at him. This wolf was the one whose scent seemed to be everywhere. This was the owner of the cave.  "I...I didn't mean to intrude....s-sorry. I-It's just...." she glanced out at the snow outside the cave. "...cold..." She let herself curl up again, wanting the warmth to come back. "...it's so cold..." she whimpered again to herself.<span style="font-style: italic"> Is it always this cold when you're a free wolf?</span>she wondered.<span style="font-style: italic">Perhaps Aellai was wrong...</span>The memory of another wolf gave her new confidence. She pushed the thought away and slowly forced herself to stand up, stiff with cold, and look at the larger male wolf.<span style="font-style: italic">The weak are never allowed.</span>The female seemed alright with her, but Loki knew it was the male who would decide whether or not she would stay.