A challenge was a challenge. 

Bryce gave both Thea and Zane a few seconds head-start, his golden eyes watching them even as his muscles shifted under his fur in preparation. Reaching five in his mental countdown the young prince sprung forward with a soft yip and easily caught up with both his friends. The smell of pine and different animal scents filled his nose the moment he breached the treeline. He allowed his senses to talk over, instinct guiding him west at a fallen tree stump that seemed to act as a split between the normally even route. They didn't get to explore much anymore, what with his father insisting on finding him a mate and all. 

He couldn't help the howl that clawed it's way up from his chest, it left a tingling feeling in his stomach as it filled the forest air. The river wasn't too inside the forest, which he was thankful for as he neared it with his ears perked and nose sniffing the air. Reaching the edge Byrce tapped a forepaw against the edge before sitting down on his haunches, his head lowering to lap at the cool water. He could hear faint heartbeats to the east that told him prey was hidden amongst the thicker foliage, a soft snort escaping as he rose and settled down beside a rock where Thea could sit if she'd like. His head lowered to rest on his paws, his body relaxed though his senses not. He wondered again if he should show Thea his new ability, she had after all been the first witness to his shift so many years ago. Aside from Zane -who he thought of as an adoptive brother- it was like repeating the past, except for the fact that back then they had been in the castle compared to in a forest. 

Huffing softly and rising once more, Byrce shook himself once more. He could feel the strange coolness that hovered just above his fur, glancing down he found where his paws touched the ground a faint imprint of ice was left. He couldn't much control it and with the excitement of possibly telling his friend he couldn't really focus. Moving towards the river Byrce placed a paw to the surface and watched as it immediately froze, though it only lasted a few seconds. The flow of the water dispersed the ice-imprint he'd made, the young prince watching with avid interest as the near invisible ice pieces mixed with the water around them. Happy with his ‘test’ he turned to face where he could hear Thea and Zane approaching, sitting down with his tail slowly beginning to wag.