Fae smiled at Dijkstra's response and followed him into the river, swishing her tail as she walked. She reached the edge of the riverbed and gracefully leaped in, creating ripples around her.

Fae closed her eyes as the cool, gently flowing water washed over her. It cooled her off instantly and she sighed contently. She ducked her head under and then resurfaced, shaking the water off her face before looking over at Dijkstra.

She started thinking about how to explain the situation with her pack. If wolves could blush out of embarrassment, then Fae was sure she was. She felt stupid for not having the support of her pack. She would bet Dijkstra was well liked, and he seemed like a good leader, so she worried he would see her differently if she admitted that a lot of wolves thought she wasn't capable of leading. She sighed and met Dijkstra's striking blue gaze.

"It's a little embarrassing, to be honest," she told him. "But I keep hearing my pack mates talking about how terrible they think I am. Today some of them were saying I do nothing to contribute to the pack."

Fae almost started to tell him about how even her own future mate had doubts about her leadership, but stopped herself. For some reason, she really didn't want to tell Dijkstra about him, or even think about him while she was around Dijkstra.

"The worst thing is that I'm scared they might be right. My parents have been so strict about me being well educated, but I'm terrified that it's not enough. Or that I didn't learn it well enough."

She looked away as she finished talking, her face scrunched with worry as she watched a pink salmon swim by.

Fae squinted up into the sunlight as Dijkstra talked, watching the wide silhouette of a hawk pass over them. Her ears swiveled as he asked his question and reiterated his mother's advice.

She sighed. "No. I don't think there's any reason that they shouldn't trust me. I mean, I suppose I haven't gotten to talk with a lot of them one on one, but that's because my parents are so strict about what I do. Also, that doesn't seem like a justified reason to distrust me."

Her face twisted, as if she had just eaten a sour lemon, as she spoke, but she relaxed after she finished talking. Fae turned back to Dijkstra and smiled.

"You're right though. I do care. I just want to do what's best for my pack."

She was starting to get tired, so the lithe female slipped out of the river, onto the bank that didn't belong to either of the territories.

"Anyways, how about you? What's this about not leading your pack?"

Fae shook out some of the water, chuckling as some of it splashed onto Dijkstra, and stretched out along the rocks, soaking in the sun.

Fae smiled up at Dijkstra.

"Sounds like an interesting childhood," she told him, contemplating his words.

She stood back up, stretching out her front legs in a bow position as she wagged her tail contently.

"You seem like you would be a great leader. Clearly your mom does too. Although," she glanced at him, a small glimmer of mischievousness in her eyes, "I can see you being a pretty great rogue too. I'm glad you decided to lead your pack, but I think either way would've been a good decision. Not that it's any of my business though." She added, trying not to come off as judgemental or nosy.

She shrugged as she straightened herself fully up and sat down, tilting her head as she listened for Dijkstra's response.

Fae looked up into the waving tree tops, listening as the birds chirped with glee. She couldn't help but smile again as Dijkstra talked.

"Your mom doesn't sound too bad," she commented. "If you do decide to try being out on your own, do me a favor and let me know before you leave?"

She met his gaze with a quizzical, but friendly, look in her eyes.

"I hate to admit it, but I would probably think you had just decided to leave me. Changed your mind about if I was a worthy wolf." She chuckled a little at her own self doubt. It was embarrassing, honestly. She hoped it didn't make her seem self centered, or insecure, although the latter was far more true, in all truthfulness.

She flicked her ears, self-conscious. She decided to add on to her statement, hoping to turn it around.

"Plus, I think I wouldn't mind trying that out myself. I don't have much experience with the real world."

Faeris glanced at him, smiling happily at his words. She sighed contentedly and padded over to sit by Dijkstra's side, the forest litter crunching softly as she did.

"That's a big compliment. I really appreciate it." She smiled, then paused for moment before opening her mouth again.

"It's so weird to think we only meant yesterday. I feel like I've known you forever."

She felt her cheeks grow hot. Not just because she was embarrassed about what she'd said, but she had to admit, she kept repeating what he'd just said in her mind. The fact that he thought so highly of her made butterflies appear in her stomach.