Sungjoon sighed, picking at the pebbles at the edge of the riverbank, head spinning with annoyance. Dami had worked up his mind earlier that morning, annoying him to no end again. He couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that his sister, his youngest sister at that, was such an annoying little fox. She knew just what to say to get under his skin and he always ended up red in the face while she laughed in his face when she realized she had succeeded in bothering him. He had groaned in frustration, grabbing his book from the dining table and leaving the house. He could still listen to his sister's laughs as he stepped away in a hurry, rolling his eyes as he made his way through the trees. He decided he did not want to deal with anyone after his back and forth bickering with his sister about true love.

Dami had snickered when she sat beside him for breakfast, comically eyeing his romance novel, one that he held dear to his heart. She joked about it being impossible finding true love with his personality, and he snapped his book shut. As if she knew about love, true love to be exact, she wasn't even capable of holding down any relationship. How dare she question his hopes of wanting to find true love like the tale of the two lovers that he loved to read about. He let out another sigh of frustration just recalling their conversation, grabbing a pebble and throwing it into the river. Droplets of water splattered on his feet, he couldn't even get himself to focus on his book since arriving by the river. He had decided he would carry out his chores here, fixing up the traps and waiting for fish to wander in. He had tried to get busy, looking around for herbs that grow near water. But he couldn't concentrate long enough to find any, and so he sat by the edge, dipping his feet into the water and watched as the small tadpoles swam by from time to time. Book long forgotten by a tree, he didn't think he could pick up to read any time soon.

He leaned back, laying down over the moss that covered ground beneath him. His eyes wandered over the clouds, over the rustling of the leaves on the trees. It was warm beneath the shade, comforting in a way because it would be the last few weeks they would be getting any warmth. Fall was set to blend in soon enough, and it would work up his pack into a frenzy to prepare for winter. Fishing would be impossible when the snow packed in, scarce even, so he will have no excuse to daydream for hours with the excuse to take on fishing chores.

The breeze swirled around him, and he closed his eyes, enjoying the peace. But it was short lived, eyes snapping open by sudden rustling around him. He listened around, only sitting up in a haste when the snapping of twig felt a little too close for comfort. He stared across the river, waiting for any sudden indication of danger, it could very well be an animal. But he wouldn't know until he sees something, and all he could do was wait. His eyes dashed around the trees, body moving slowly as he stood up, his wolf was restless now. Maybe he should leave, listen to the nervous shudder running through him from his wolf. And when the rustling got louder, he took a few hasty steps away, heart thundering in his chest.

But he stopped, breath hitching for a second when he saw a figure walking out from behind a tree across the river. His eyes grew wide as he saw the rogue stepping into full view, eyes set into his own. He knew it was dangerous to stay, his pack was not welcoming to any rogues that trespassed their territory without permission. Sungjoon knew he had to run, alert anyone about the stranger in their lands, but he couldn't. He watched the stranger take a step forward, and he took one back, preparing to run as he should already be doing. He was definitely not following anything he was taught when encountering a person he did not know. But he was a bit in awe, the man was young, seeming to reflect his age but he looked a bit rough around the edges. His hair was long, thick black locks tied back by a string of some soft, but a few strands framed his face. His eyes were black, mysterious but inviting. And his arms, they were littered in scars, some looking newer than others. The stranger was a rogue, through and through, outcast and seeming feral in a way. Living without a pack and surviving day by day, did that to wolves. Sungjoon took another step back when the man took one forward, and he knew it was a bit out of his comfort. He needed to leave, and he turned away after one final look.

"Wait."

The voice made him stop, swiveling around to look at the stranger who seemed to call out in a soft voice. He didn't know why he expected something deeper, more haggard in a way. But he waited for him to speak again, maybe he had a valid reason for passing by. Although marked territory was off limits and dangerous to rogues, maybe he had a reason and maybe he should give him a chance to explain before running for his father.

"I don't mean any harm, I merely need directions. It seems I have lost my way through your pack lands. I followed word of a camp for rogue wolves by the mountain side, I need to get there, I need medicine for a friend."

Medicine? Friend? Was someone hurt?

The mere idea of someone needing help piqued his interest, someone who wasn't desperate would risk their life to go into marked territory. This man was risking his life for a friend, surely that was reason enough to listen, to help.

"What type of medicine? Maybe I can help, and you can go on your way."

The rogue was taken aback, his feature opened, eyes looking hopeful as if relieved. It gave Sungjoon all the certainty that this stranger meant no harm. All he needed was help, for his friend. And Sungjoon couldn't help himself from helping someone that needs help, especially if he has the means to do something within his power to do. It would be easy, just help him one time and spare him from being questioned by his father and maybe even banned from ever entering. Surely it would be the only time he sees this stranger.