Velvet

September 13, 2021
One autumn night, a stranger appeared in the pack's territory. They drifted around and through it, leaving paw prints and leftover prey yet never leaving a scent. Velvet was their name, and they were a dispersal wolf who went wherever the wind took them. The breeze had deposited them in this swamp, and so they stayed, following the gale in circles.
It took almost a full month before they were approached by a wolf from the local pack. His fur shone underneath the moonlight, almost seeming to refract purples and pinks and blues, and he introduced himself as Glimmering Opal. A fitting name, Velvet thought. Opal told them they were a wolf chosen by the western wind, just like he was, and that gave them claim to the pack leadership. It was no coincidence Velvet had been led here as the current pack leader, Morning Gaze, was near death.
Velvet had always been carefree yet cunning, and they decided they would enter the pack as a scout. When Morning Gaze died, they would decide whether they wanted to lead the pack or not. There was always a possibility this pack was not what they claimed, so Velvet wanted to see for themselves. Opal agreed to those terms and introduced them to the pack.

September 18, 2021
In the first chill of winter, Morning Gaze passed away. She had been too lethargic to make an announcement as to who the next leader would be, and soon the mourning turned to nervous muttering. How would they determine their next leader? Only some of the wolves believed in Zephyrus, and those who didn't suggested other means to elect a leader.

Velvet awoke from a dream of strange, glowing blue lands and found Opal sitting next to them. It was time, Opal told them. Did they want to lead?

Velvet thought of the welcoming wolves, of a warm den with peaceful wolves sleeping around them, of the friends they had somehow made here, of the way the wind always led him back here. Back to Opal. They remembered the mutter of the breeze in their ears. They agreed.

Opal led them to where the herbalist lay grieving. Evening Shade was old and tired, but they discussed the wind's wants and if it aligned with the pack's. It didn't take long for an agreement to be met and later that day, Shade and Opal stood beside Velvet as they laid their claim to the pack leadership. There was hesitance and uncertainty, but the guide and herbalist backing them up and Velvet's friendly, casual demeanour had the pack accepting them by the next day.

Velvet found they fell into the leader role with frightening ease. They still roamed the territory whenever they wished, the only added stress being directing scouts and hunting parties. They didn't even have to take a stern tone with that; all they had to do was ask and their packmates eagerly did so. Leadership, they realized, was a comfort to these wolves, not a requirement. They had no doubt Zephyrus would function without a leader. But having someone in the role assured their worries and stress. It meant everything would be okay, because Velvet was chosen by the western wind itself and that meant they knew what they were doing.

It was simultaneously a boost to their ego and terrifying. They're not going to back down, though. They're going to do this right.

Nov 1, 2021
(start of the coigreach event)
All this talk of missing wolves and wandering pups is making Velvet's fur stand on end. They've had a fairly peaceful rule over the Pack of Zephyrus, only suffering a few fights with rival packs that thankfully ended with no casualties. It's been good. Life has been good. They never imagined they would settle down somewhere but leadership has come easy to them and now the thought of leaving makes their heart cry.

This is in part due to their friendship with Glimmering Opal, though privately they wish it was more than that. Yes, Opal is not perfect and has many personality flaws, but Velvet has come to love every part of him. The two hang out frequently and often go on walks around the territory. However, with all the news of wolves disappearing and the sightings of strange animals and herbs, Velvet has ordered their pack to stay close to each other and not leave camp unless necessary. They have to get to the bottom of this, for Maeve and the safety of their pack.

Notes:
-Paid 20 GC for this fucker
-278 starting stats
-Used RMA in slot 1 & 5