What had been his life so far? The moment his paws hit this earth from the comfort of his mother's womb he was surrounded by love and adoration from both his parents. He would fumble over the writhing of his siblings for food and warmth, and especially for attention from either of his parents. Those first early days, even though he was blind and practically deaf, he was probably the happiest he had ever been. The bond of his siblings grew in that den, the bond with his mother bloomed even more than it already had in the womb, and the bond with his father began. But little did he know, those few weeks with his older father, would be the last of them. Death was introduced into his life at such a tender age, at a time where he didn't understand that dead meant never coming home. Day and night Julien would wait up at the entrance of their den, hoping to see the dark pelt of his father return to him. He never did of course, that was simply a hopeful pup's dream.

In the darkness Julien came to a sudden conclusion about his life. There was no purpose without family... and so his family became his purpose. So out of the darkness he crawled, into the burning of the daylight, and kept walking. He was determined to meet everyone. Every single member of this large family of his. Not just his siblings... but the whole pack! It was time that he came out of the den and made himself know. It was time he began to learn how to be a wolf, to protect his family and honor his father's memory by taking up his mantel as a leader, a protector, a father figure if need be. Though Julien had no idea what any of those titles meant, he was determined to learn it. So the dark coated boy trudged through the Sparse Pines, his oversize paws clanking about the undergrowth as he stumbled about their territory, large gold and blue orbs glued to the trees around him, memorized by their beauty and sketching their patterns into his memory. So this was home?

One would think maturity would snuff out the sense of rebelliousness that the near adolescent felt... It did not. She'd lingered away from the pack for a bit, venturing here and there, trying to figure out who she was... Or who she wanted to be. The answer still hadn't come. The need to venture away was strong within the youth still, but today she had promised Knot that she would be within the territory today and she's keep to that promise... Even if it meant a boring day for her.

Or not. Ears pricked as her two toned frame came to a momentary pause as she regarded a young pup, marching through the territory on a mission. Orca knew what Aceres reaction would be if he were found alone... It'd be the same as when she'd been his age and exploring. Smirking slightly she'd move towards the pup, waiting until she was closer before speaking.

"Are you supposed to be so far from your den?"

Her tone was stern, scolding even, her furrowed brows suggesting she was upset. It stayed that way only for a few minutes before it softened into a smile.

"Guess it's good I'm here to escort you, huh, pup?"

She grinned mischievously, but it was also friendly, the dire wolf meant no harm to him, if anything she'd follow him around so he could explore in the safety of her shadow.

Julien was not far into his journey before another stumbled upon him, much to his disappointment. When the female called out to him, large black paws came to a halt as he turned to peer at his first encounter. His tiny brows furrowed together as he looked up to the other wolf, noting that he didn't have to look up very much, but just enough. Was this a dwarf wolf? Or could it be possible she was a pup from another litter? Either way, Julien took a defensive stance on the accusation. "Are you old enough to escort me?" His voice cut like a knife and stung like a viper, full of anger and distress. Perhaps it was the residual of his week old sour mood, but the moment the words left his mouth he regretted it. His ear flattened against his skull as Julien winced, closing his eyes as he imagined what kind of scolding his father would have given him if he was here to witness it. Letting out a long breath, Julien shook his head and offered the girl and apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I just miss my dad." He whispered, honesty dripping off his tongue. He didn't want to upset the first pack mate he would meet, and he certainly didn't want the rest of his family to think he was such a bad mannered boy. He wanted to make his father proud. He wanted to make his mother proud. He will make them proud!

"Julien"