A single audit flicked backwards, towards the shadows where I knew he stood. I did not turn to look upon him, for I knew he would be invisible to me until the moment he wished to be seen. Part of me had known he would never let me approach the mountain without shadowing me there, to make sure that if I fell he could avenge me. But his presence had been unnecessary, as I had known it would be. My belief in myself had paid off, and now I sat upon this perch and awaited the arrival of the pack. My pack. Unfortunately, I could hardly say I was pleased to see the first face that approached me. Purge. So she was here, just sending other to do the work she wasn’t willing to step to the plate and complete herself. My nostrils flared and my brows pulled together as I glared down at her. Her posture did not speak to challenge my claim, but I was not pleased with her presence. I suppressed the urge to growl, to snarl and gnash my teeth in her general direction. Instead, I remained composed, listening to the words she spoke. Before she rose and left Spirane once and for all, I rose to my feet. It strained my neck and tail to rise, but I gritted my teeth together and stepped forward so that my paws were at the edge of the rock. My gaze was severe, and my glare was unyielding. “You cannot give what you do not have,” I said, my words strong, my tone even. I remained on my feet until she was gone, and only when another wolf approached did I step back and slowly recline to sit upon my haunches once more.

Blinking, I lifted my brows and my face relaxed to a friendly state. She seemed familiar to me, and I was sure I had seen her before though I could not remember her name. Her words make me smile, and I know that this was the beginning of something wonderful. Spirane would again become a pack known for its strong family ties – both by blood and by choice. Before I could reply to her, however, another wolf appears. His golden form moves closer, and a bundle hangs from his jaws. My eyes focus on the fur, and my smile broadens at the realization that it is a pup. It made my heart soar to know what despite all of the trials the mountain pack had been put through, new life had been born to her this spring. I glance back to the female, noting that her name was Natu. I nod to the one named Pan as he begins his long winded greeting. My smile falters slightly, slightly confused by his outpouring of words, but I find myself almost amused in the same instant. “Natu, Pan, Galileo, I am pleased to meet each of you. I intend to have my wounds tended to yet this evening, but they are of little importance for at least the moment.” To me, it was far more important to unite what remained of the pack, and shed light upon the future that I hoped to garner for them.

It was then that my painted warrior revealed himself. Knowing him, simply Pan’s presence had drawn him from the shadows. I glanced over to him, tossing a smirk in his direction. He worried far too much. To me, he was just Leonidas, and this was a normal behavior. But to the others, he probably looked like some stern body guard who would not allow a wolf within five feet of me. I was about to introduce my silent companion to the three wolves who sat before me when my eyes caught the movement of another wolf. He walked among the wolves as one of them, and my gaze followed him in earnest. His form rested beside Natu’s, and my ears pressed forward, tail wagging across the rock. “Brother,” I breathed, almost simultaneously with his words. His choice to stay when the rest of our family had left could not have been an easy one. I had not seen him since the day our parents had passed. He looked well, and happy; which made me glad.

Lavender’s arrival was greeted with a cordial nod, and I heard her words. She seemed quite keen to get right to business, and I grinned. Ladyship. Oh, it would certainly take some time to get used to words like that. Queen, well that was something that I was accustomed to, as it was how I had referred to myself for some months now. Regardless, I took it in stride. “Thank you Lavender; I would be happy to hold court with you, perhaps in a few days.” Another wolf moved among them now, and I scarcely had to catch her movement from the corner of my eye to know who it was. I had spent nearly all of my days away from the mountain in her company. She came before me now, not as the elder sister who had offered me so much guidance, but as a wolf wishing to swear allegiance to me. Her words stir emotion in me, and my tail stilled upon the rock as I listened to her. Her proclamation was a significant one, and perhaps not everyone in our company knew that. But I did. “It is with great pleasure that I welcome you home, Orca, my sister.”

Our gathering was steadily growing, and I was pleased to see another familiar face join those who rested before me. Niviaq; she had been a member of the mountain pack for some time, and I was glad to see she had faced the adversity and come away from it with, well, a pup in tow. She placed the child with Pan, and I observed their brief interaction. To see a family emerging from all that this past year had thrown at them made my heart swell. This was the foundation for something truly great, a remarkable future in the making. Her words showed her genuine concern for my well being. “It is good to be home, Niviaq. Perhaps you could meet me at my den later; it is near enough as well.” Truth be told I was far more tired than I let on. The adrenaline had long since worn off, and the toll that the fight had taken on me was quite real. My gaze lifted from Niviaq to study the wolf who approached now. My smile spread once more across my face, eager for him to reach me. I would have walked among them, greeted them each personally, if only it would not have pained me so. I hardly wanted their first impression of me to be a limping invalid. Stepping onto the platform where I rested, he embraced me and I returned his favor. I wrap myself into him and breath in his aroma before he leaned back. “Home again,” I said softly to him, a brightness shining in my eyes. His presence made it feel that much more complete here. There were still others’ faces I wished to see – Ceal, Idunn, Haven, Zildjian, Reyja – but I knew that Ceal and the girls were in Diveen. Time would allow our numbers to grow again, and I had little doubt in my mind that they would.

Looking out at the wolves that would be the foundation of my future, our future, Spirane’s future, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of bliss. “I know that you have all endured a variety of difficulties over the past year. The instability of this pack is at its end, and from today we will move forward into a new era. We will rebuild the mountain pack together. It will take time, but today is the first step taken in the right direction. Words are only worth so much, but I will show you all that I am the leader you have been waiting for.” My eyes roamed over the ten faces that surrounded me. If they had questions, I would be happy to answer them. If what I had said was enough to content them for today, I would not be offended if they choose to depart and make their way to their respective dens. It had been a long day, after all.