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When one really spent time thinking about it, really thinking about it, wolves could be the ultimate killing machines if they could climb trees. Squirrels, birds... sure, they were small but they were enough for a slight meal when the stomach pangs grew too great.

And Zeke's stomach pangs were beyond great and bordering on all-consuming.

There was a small, oh-so plump squirrel that seemed to be mocking Zeke from the loftier branches of the old tree he stood before. Zeke knew it was mocking him, because he'd just chased that same wily squirrel from the underbrush into the security of the tree.

Zeke couldn't climb trees.

Zeke was a great hunter, but to showcase such immaculate hunting skills one needed a pack to hunt with, and currently Zeke was rather pack-less. Tongue lolling out, the male sat back on his haunches and pondered his current predicament, fairly oblivious to anything occurring around him.

If looks could kill, that squirrel would be dead a thousand times over. Maybe even a thousand and one times, it was hard to say. The approach of the second wolf went unnoticed until she spoke.

Zeke wasn't usually easily startled; in fact it often took a force of nature itself to shake him. Such was the case here. With a final growl at the lofty squirrel Zeke stood and turned to face the newcomer.

Respectfully he bowed his head, ears perked forth attentively. "I was just thinking about flying." The statement wasn't bright or meant to be even poetic; it was simply Zeke. "I'm hungry, you see." Raising his head, his ears flicked forward towards the female.

Lazily a pink tongue rasped out against his nose as Zeke straightened. "The squirrel seemed easy enough," his head cocked to the side, "until he moved." One golden ear swiveled around and then swiftly snapped back forward. Zeke blinked a few times, seemingly lost in his own thoughts for a moment before his tail wagged appreciatively. "I'm Zeke," he said slowly, "What's your name?" He looked behind her hopefully, "And do you have friends? Maybe we can share a meal?"

Zeke had been told many times before that he was 'different' -- he couldn't say with much certainty exactly what was meant by that word, but he didn't mind being different, really. Now, he'd never met a Queen before, and after those words were spoken he looked kind of confused for a moment before clumsily dropping into something that might've been a bow had it been properly executed.

"A pleasure to meet you, Queen Penthesliea," he mumbled awkwardly, ears pinned back in submission. "I've never met a Queen before," he added, hoping that excused any mishaps on his part.

Zeke shook his head, though he looked excited by the prospect of being in a pack. A pack meant food, shelter and companionship, at least in Zeke's mind. "I do not have a pack, my Queen." His tail gave a happy little wag. He hoped that he was right in guessing what would come next -- perhaps she would offer him a home amongst the wolves in her pack? Then again, maybe she would just charge at him snapping her teeth. That had happened to him once before and he'd barely gotten away intact.

That thought made him step back just a little without thought of how it might look to Penthesliea. He wasn't trying to be disrespectful, he was showing a little self-preservation.

Zeke dipped his head. He'd never been a wolf of high-ranking, perfectly content to follow given orders. He was not an ambitious wolf, in all honesty, and would much prefer to be the low man on the totem pole -- so to speak. As long as he felt relatively safe and protected, had a full belly and a place to sleep, well, Zeke was not one to complain.

"I will, my Queen, and you honor me with your offer." His tail wagged just the slightest.