“We should not keep the elders waiting.”

"Alright." He stood up from his chair and walked over to give his friend an affectionate clap on the shoulder.

“Now, let's go get my stuff back."

The Runts met up on the walk toward the great hall, soon to be joined by other packs making their own way there. It was a relief to see that the tension that had settled in during the run up to the provings had now utterly dissipated. Those packs they had trained with talked Like old friends again, and quite a few compliments were exchanged on their respective manoeuvres in their proving bouts. Although there wasn't quite enough time to fully catch up with each other, as they soon found themselves before the great hall.

Quite a few orcs were stood outside flanking the great iron doors settled in the wooden wall of the large building that arose from a solid stone foundation. It was one of the few structures in the

Embervine Encampment that was made to be permanent. When they approached the doors, the orcs who had come to see them proven began to stomp their feet on the ground and clap their hands in congratulations.

Gregory knew that most of the orcs assembled there were family members of the proven pups, and a stab of momentary sadness hit him when he wished his own parents could have been there. Even if he couldn't remember their names, he could imagine their faces amongst the crowd cheering him on. Although if they had been there the chances were pretty high that they'd both have had severe heart attacks by then if they'd known what their son was going through.

It was just as he was feeling saddened by their absence that Ulf gave him a cheerful jab in the arm. It seemed Like quite a few of The Runts couldn't quite believe what was about to happen after their especially long time in the proving grounds. Finally, Algra emerged from the crowd to walk beside him and he instantly felt better. Just because his parents weren't there didn't mean that he had no family there at all.

His pack and his mate had become exceptionally close companions in the previous months. It was hard not to develop some familial relationship with people who you were relying upon to protect your backside day after day.

Algra leaned down slightly and gave his butt a playful squeeze of encouragement as they walked together through the huge doors and into the great hall itself.

“I thought you were already proven?" he playfully chided her for barging in on his Limelight.

“I am, but the pack itself receives a formal blessing soon after you are deemed worthy as an individual,“ she explained; not quite being able to keep the consistant smile from her features. "Sometimes proving packs disband as their members go to join other packs, but The Runts wish to stay together with you. I wanted to join you. So here I am."

"I get it. And we're very glad to have you."

Within the great hall, many tables were set about and filled with applauding orcs. Quite a few of these orcs were elders, or warriors and shamans with some advanced status. The families were also allowed inside the hall, but they had to stand around the edges. When it wasn't being used for the proving rituals, it was usually a meeting place where orcs could talk and govern on matters that didn't require an open challenge.

They made their way toward the high table where Grolfir himself sat beside his elder council. Standing before the table, in her wolf-skin cloak, was Borika. She offered the arriving packs an approving salute, and a smile that widened into something almost predatory when her gaze fell upon Gregory at the head of The Runts.

“Form up!" she gave the order Loud enough to be heard over the noise, and at the sound of her voice every orc in the hall fell silent to watch,

The order was a familiar one, and The Runts soon fell into Line behind

Gregory. Each pack forming a parallel line alongside each other with their respective alphas at the front. It was the first time that

Gregory had done the routine without being armed, and he felt somewhat naked in front of all those orcs without his practice weapons.

“It is time to begin the exchange of gifts!" Borika happily declared.