Everik - Goldenclaw Alpha

The snow fell steadily, blanketing the Goldenclaw territory in glittering white. The air was crisp, sharp with the scent of pine and frost. Everik stood barefoot on the ledge overlooking the dens below, long golden hair tangled by the wind, golden eyes flickering like firelight in the winter gloom. His tail swayed lazily, betraying a calm he didn’t quite feel.

“Bit cold for standing shirtless on a cliff, don't you think?” came Kain’s voice, steady and unimpressed as always.

Everik smirked but didn’t turn. “Gotta keep the image, Kain. Let the pups think their Alpha’s immune to frostbite.”

Behind him, Kain sighed. The taller man approached with a fur cloak in hand and draped it around Everik’s shoulders without asking. “The only image they need is you alive, warm, and not catching your death from showing off again.”

“I’m not showing off,” Everik teased, letting the cloak rest loose around his broad chest. “I’m brooding. There’s a difference.”

“You don’t brood,” Kain said, flat.

A low chuckle rumbled from Everik’s chest. “You wound me.”

Kain’s gaze was unreadable. “Something’s bothering you.”

Everik’s ears twitched. He hated how easily Kain saw through him - how quickly the mask cracked under that stare. But maybe that’s why he kept Kain so close, considered him his closest ally and friend despite everything.

“I caught Silverfang scouts again this morning,” Everik admitted, turning finally to meet his second’s eyes. “They weren’t near the border by accident.”

Kain’s expression darkened. “Andri’s testing the boundary again.”

“Mm.” Everik’s fingers tightened around the cloak. “Let him try. I’m itching for a fight.”

“You’re itching for something,” Kain muttered. “And don’t tell me it’s just territory disputes. You’ve been restless for weeks.”

The golden Alpha’s grin didn’t reach his eyes. “Maybe I'm due my rut."

Kain didn’t answer immediately, but Everik could see the flicker of concern in his eyes. Everik’s ruts were legendary - for better or worse. And when he was stressed, they hit harder, more vicious. Dangerous, even.

“Well,” Everik added, stretching leisurely and letting the fur cloak slide halfway off one shoulder, “if fate is kind, maybe a new face will wander into our snowfields and offer themselves up. A gift from the gods. A pretty little thing begging to be marked.”

His grin sharpened as he felt the wind shift, carrying a new scent on it - something unfamiliar. Someone was here. Someone not pack. Not Silverfang either. Curious. Intriguing.

And intoxicating.

His tail flicked once, then stilled. “Kain,” he said, voice quieter now, more focused. “We’re not alone.”

Kain stiffened beside him, already sniffing the air. “How close?”

Everik’s pupils dilated slightly as he licked his lips, voice low and full of promise. “Close enough to play.”