This was and still is my home[joining]

Gargoyle listened carefully. A few interesting things were said. For one thing, the Chief never heard of bones becoming strong by breakings, though a threshold for pain tolerance could certainly be improved. And for another thing: ?A Tortugan with ties to Valhalla?? he questioned curiously. Interesting. He?d have to ask more about that later. Gargoyle?s relationship to the pack was rocky at best. It was home to his brother, Collision, whom he loved despite the fact that he could be a twerp. But it was also home to the wolf known as Cairo, who was still alive only due to Gargoyle?s self-control. Of course neither of those males ruled anymore. Another of Cairo?s descendants did. A girl named? Chrys-something. Perhaps Gargoyle would send his diplomatic sister to reestablish good relations there and learn what was happening. He?d been out of the world for too long thanks to his wounds. But now that he was back in, it was time to build up his pack. And in that order of business, this particular male seemed like he could be of use.

His manner of speech was reticent of Mahniya?s one of Gargoyle?s packmates. Or rather she?d been a packmate before. Mahniya and her new mate, Gargoyle?s brother, Rogue had more or less gone MIA since the announcement of their love. Gargoyle had been beyond pleased, but somehow the announcement had gone off on the wrong foot, partly due to the Chief?s sense of humor where his brother was concerned, partly due to the female?s over sensitively. Gargoyle had had plenty of experience with exslaves. Some integrated better than others. Respect was always neccisary in any pack, but self-respect was necessary in Glaciem ?er-Tortuga now.

That was still going to take some getting used to.

?You sound qualified and willing,? the chief rumbled. ?And I would be happy to have another good wolf training and working as a Brave in the pack. There is only one thing remaining; to inform you that this Tortuga, will not be like the old one. In more ways than one, but mainly in terms of pack interaction. We aren?t a random collection of independent warriors. We?re a family. Many of us are related and there are three litters of growing pups to protect. We look out for each-other; back in Glaciem we all even slept in the same cave.? Her flicked an ear, dismissing the bittersweet regret that came with the memory. - He didn?t have the freedom to pine away for the past. He had wolves to take care of, he had to keep moving forward. - ?If you join our pack, you join our family, and you?d better be worthy of that.?