To this day she couldn't shake the memories of Myriad's initial meeting from her head. The way Riv had addressed her as his mate, like she was an object with no opinion, no say in anything whatsoever. He could have asked prior. Even before everyone had shown up. Her answer would have still been no, though at least he would have asked. But did he? No, he just left her looking like a surprised buffoon. Now everyone thought they were mates, when she hadn't yet thought the whole situation through. The pressure of providing Myriad with an heir didn't help either.

A masculine scent drifted to her nose, a scent quite similar to the alpha's though equally different. She knew her lover's scent inside out; the pleasant, aromatic smell like an imprint in her mind. She had to admit, sometimes she could pick up her own scent amidst Rivaxorus', their scents intermingled, blended, from the many days (and nights) they had shared together. But no, this one was quite different. A sibling of Riv's, perhaps? Whether that was the case or not, she decided to pursue her mysterious pack-mate, following his scent as she swiftly weaved through the willow trees.

A lot had happened this year so far starting with being reunited with his family, well most of it. All of these events that lead up to present time had been a lot. It had seemed he hadn't really had time to let it all sink in. He had moved staying with Riv as his new pack rose from the dirt. Razor had stayed behind in his uncles pack. Riv had been busy and with all the new faces Jackson was feeling a bit out of sorts. His time alone was spent within his thoughts, even when he took to circling the territory. His thoughts at times led him to feeling a little depressed or down in the dumps. Without someone to talk to he was beginning to dwell on it and currently was feeling pretty crappy. Mother was dead, father disappeared, Ep also disappeared, and Holly seemed so angry with the family. He was glad to be under Riv's rule, but he missed the rest of the family and right now he was finding it difficult to create new relations and to deal with the rest of his family being absent from his life. He had even blamed himself, if he wouldn't have wandered and gotten lost he would have had more time with all of them and maybe, just maybe things would be different.

The thoughts made him growl in frustration and shake his head. He sighed his bi-colored eyes looking around seeking a distraction from his thoughts. Taking off in a trot he moved throughout the main area of the territory seeking out someone or something to distract him and hopefully get him out of this funk. He had found a rather large willow tree and moved under it. Under the tree was a small hole that went under the tree which drew his attention. Moving over to the hole he lowered his head and sniffed at the ground trying to figure out what creature lived in that hole.

The scent of the male grew stronger as she steadily approached him, keeping her composure and speed of her paces natural and casual. She didn't want him to think she was following him, more or less being a stalker. She just wanted it to seemed like it had just happened. Like she was passing by, having just picked up on his scent right as she noticed him. Sure, she was the alphess, and she needn't be reminded of this "supreme power" she had inherited with the position. However, she was just like everyone else - a wolf, willing to play their part in Myriad's future. Keeping everyone comfortable and satisfied was the least she could do as queen.

From behind the draping willow trees, she caught a glimpse of her mysterious pack-mate, his vibrant orange pelt catching her eye straight away. It definitely wasn't someone she knew, not that she suspected they were in the first place. Just...observing. She slowed her pace, edging around the trees to get a better look of the young man. He appeared to be Riv's age, sniffing around a hole at the base of the tree. Should she interrupt him? Did he want company? "Need any help there?" she called out, emerging from the dense clutter of trees.

The animal scent seemed familiar to him, but not exact. He may have come across this type of animal before, but it wasn't this particular one. The scent around the hole seemed faint as if the animal hadn't been back to this spot in a couple of days, perhaps it had moved to another location and abandoned it. He had to admit their choice of location had been a good one, in fact Jackson himself had dug his den under the roots of one of the large willow trees. He had found it oddly soothing and secure to have the roots showing throughout the interior of his den it made him feel like he wasn't alone.

He hadn't even noticed the approach of the green and black female. He was occupied with checking out the hole. Her voice drew his attention away and his lifted his head looking to her with those mismatched eyes. The white patch over his one eye was a dead giveaway that he was a sibling of Riv's. He had never had any interactions with her, but Jackson automatically knew who she was. She was the right hand to his brother and remembered her sitting beside him at the first pack meeting. His mind had to stumble over the names within his brain trying to remember what her name was. His tail gently wagged in a friendly manner. Then it hit him. Zephyra.... Zephyra was her name.

"Ah no the creature smells long gone anyway," he replied. "How are things so far?" he asked wondering how she likes her rank.

As the male spun around to meet her scarlet gaze, she instantly recognised the alabaster eyepatch contrasting against his orange fur, as well as the purple eye. No-one else had this eyepatch, no-one else besides Rivaxorus. He had to be his brother, just like how he said his brother would coming with them to Myriad. Although, she had never gotten around to meeting him back when they were in Fiori. Perhaps she was more...social now.

It seemed the male hadn't found anything in that hole by the tree, disappointing the alphess by the slightest bit. Not disappointed in him, but by the emptiness of the hole itself. There could have been something in that hole, maybe a mouse - something they could have hunted on. That would have been a better way to make a first impression than just showing up, like she always did. How could she make this not awkward? "Pretty okay," she answered, soon wondering if she should have made a better choice of words. "It's Jackson, right?" she asked, loathing herself for not knowing earlier. "How are you settling in?