It wasn't long until her oldest son came into view. Well, she thought it wasn't long, it may have been hours. He may not be her first born, but she could clearly remember the day she found she ragged pup in the winter. He needed her that day, and in turn she had needed him. Fate had led them together and Andromeda fiercely protected him as her own. As Meryl approached, dropping his fawn hide, she couldn't help but allow her stiff visage to soften slightly at the sight of him. The dark female of celestial origin allowed her tail to wag slightly behind her, especially when she heard the sound of his voice. Her yellow eyes fell on the boy, closing slightly when he asked if she was okay. It was hard, not knowing exactly what was going on with Azrael. She did not feel as he did with the imprint bond. There was still much uncertainty within. She swore she could feel his anger, a faint pain in her heart that grew stronger with time, but she wasn't completely sure what caused it.

"I am...as okay as I can be right now. Guardian got upset that we wouldn't let him go fight. Starfall ran off when I went to check on Guardian, and the girls...they are in the den. It...it is just me..." she said, her voice cracking slightly as she choked back some. Her sons did not wish to comfort her, those of her blood, and her daughters did not wish to be out here with her either. In this moment, the dark female felt a little...under appreciated. Azrael was the adoration of all of her children, and sometime Andromeda simply felt like she was the caretaker. No one took interest in her past, the culture of her people, like they did with Azrael. It was easier with him though, they were in the city of Angels. Andromeda's family? Days upon days away. Only Stafall took mild interest, simply because he had to. Meryl however, she knew he would have stayed by her side if he hadn't needed to meet with Spirane. He was a sweet boy, and she reached out her pitch black muzzle to gentle caress his.

"It is no worry, my dear. How did it go? Did you like them?" she asked as she pulled his muzzle back, attempting a rather pathetic grin on her face. She was worried about Azrael, of course, but she still wanted to hear about Meryl's day. She just wished she could devote her whole attention to him, when she felt like a there was a huge, painful void inside of her. As her laser yellow eyes looked on his face, she could tell that there was something...important he wanted to say. At least she thought. Maybe he was just worried like she was.

Andromeda would let his ears listen to anything Meryl had to say, but soon their conversation was interrupted by the howl of Isola in the distance. Her ears immediately perked, listening and hearing that they were back. She was unsure if Azrael was okay, but she knew they were back. As she waited, she felt the hole in her very core filling up once again. Her body started to tighten with energy but she wasn't sure from where or what. Her mouth was opening to speak once more to Meryl, when she heard something from behind. Her heart swelled as her head flung back, just in time to see Azrael's bloodied face coming straight for her.

Her yellow eyes grew wide, and her body tensed as she attempted to get up in time to....well avoid him because it seems like he isn't stopping, but it was too late. He pummeled into her body, not too hard but she was definitely surprised by it. Her head dashed to the other side to catch him almost falling flat on his face. Andromeda whined happily, a few uncontrollable yips coming from her mouth. She was overjoyed to see him doing just fine, and she was completely giddy with him near.She felt his face suddenly mesh with hers, his affection completely overwhelming but she was enjoying every second of it. It was much better than sitting alone outside the den, not knowing if he was hurt. The smell of blood and sweat filled her nose. She could feel some tinges of it smear on her face, but she did not care. Her own tail wagged behind her as she licked him furiously. He was pressed so firmly against her, and once again she felt whole. Their muzzles though, black against white in the moments they held them together. It was a symbol of how meshed they were, that they were the dark and the light, and everything in between. She felt his whisper, and the saw the very light of their bond like on the day they met.

"I know"she said in her own happy whisper. Their muzzles parted, and her bright yellow eyes rested on his...very minor injury. Was that all? She looked all around, and saw nothing else to speak of. He was just fine, and this made her smile so brightly. It was about then when Azrael's facial expression changed, and Andromeda knew what was coming next. She sighed as he began to speak, shaking her head as Iophiel and Guardian joined their little gathering. Oh, so NOW they decide to come. As Azrael freaked out over this terrible dilemma, Andromeda gently let her muzzle reach down to stroke the very excited Iophiel before returning her gaze to Azrael once more.

"Darling, you are just fine. You are not disfigured. You are alive, that is what matters! It is just a little blood, and scars are not THAT bad. You are being overdramatic," she said with a slight laugh to her tone, her dark ears twisting to hear Celeste compaining and yelling about how Azrael needed to be cleaned up. Great. He is to blame for that type of attitude. Andromeda was rather pleased that Iophiel was less concerned with such trival things. Andromeda continues her whines through Guardian's comments, wanting to know all the details. Of course he wants to know it all, he wanted to be there. Andromeda was so happy to have her whole family together...well, besides one.

"Everyone is here but...Starfall. He left when I went looking for you, Guardian. But, I am so relieved that you are okay, Azrael. That isn't a bad scratch at all either!" she said, her tone slightly down a bit in the beginning but perking up a bit afterwards. She wasn't even raising her voice to Azrael...yet. Not yet. Maybe soon, but not yet. She was just happy that he was here.
Eight Years - Soul of Azrael - Mother of Meryl, Starfall, Guardian, Celeste, Iophiel