The King’s feelers continued to gently explore the creature/pup, but they came to linger gently on a cut on the creature/pup’s leg, a massive bruise on his back, and many other small wounds that covered its... his, this was definitely a male creature/pup, body. What was his pack thinking, allowing him to sustain such damage while under their care. He would always let his pups explore, and that naturally meant that there was a risk of injury, but until they learned the risks of the world he would keep them away from the most dangerous and harmful of situations. Surely this pack was not so inexperienced that they would let this pup get harmed. Or, even worse, harm him themselves.

It was at that moment, as those thoughts were running through the King’s head, that the creature reached out and scratched gently under his chin, fingers tugging gently in an imitation of the pups that would chew on his jaw, submissively begging for food and attention. And, like that, creature became pup, and the King’s instinctive protective instinct kicked in. he promptly released the pup, although his feelers lingered gently, brushing against jaw and shoulder like the caress of a parent. If his pack was doing such a bad job of protecting him, then the King would simply have to step in. Obviously the pack leader of that strange clearing was as inept as the Princes of his world, and the King would step in here, just as he had there. He still wanted to come to understand the new things within his own mind, but he had lived with them for a long time already. Until he knew what exactly was happening to this pup, the possibility that these injuries were normal briefly entered into his mind, maybe it was some sort of strength ritual, he would stick around. Once that was complete, he would resume his search for answers.

Hopefully it wasn't going to take too long. It had been many days since the Pack had gone hunting, and while the hunger that had gnawed at the rest of the members had yet to fully touch him, it would find him soon enough. There was very little in this quiet forest that was really suitable for eating, and while he would catch and feast on birds and small rodents if it came to that, he wished for the hot blood of real prey. His tongue flicked out, briefly licking his lips, before his jaw snapped shut again. His feelers moved away from the pup, reading the air lazily. He could still feel the faintest vibrations coming from that strange clearing. He would not be going near there again.