The group that had gathered had been small, the atmosphere quite intimate as many members of my family returned home. I was glad for each wolf present, noting their reactions to my return. Thus far, there did not seem to be any unpleasant feedback from the remaining members of the pack. I hoped that meant that I would be given a just chance to rule, the opportunity to return the mountain to her former glory. After my speech, things had become more sociable and I had greeted each wolf as a friend. However, my focus on the wolves before me had not distracted me from the movement of the wolf behind me. Every so often my ear had flicked backwards, listening to Leo’s movements. My painted warrior was restless, and I had expected little else of him. Large groups of wolves were not his choice of company; especially sitting out in the open among them. He had always been a wolf of the shadows, and I knew my rise to power would not change that. That was why I had created role for him high among my ranks that did not require him to be a wolf ‘of the pack.’ He was mine, and I his, and so he would serve as such. I knew what I had in mind for him was probably close enough to the vision he had for himself anyways.

With time the meeting waned, and wolves slowly made their way back towards their own dens. Eventually, only my shadow and I remained. My body ached, and I was tired. As I rose to move towards my den, he was there. Alone, I was unafraid to show him my weakness. I willingly leaned into him, letting him help me as I knew he so desired. His snout nudged against my shoulder, and I sighed softly. My eyes met his as he commended my efforts in the battle. I reached forward and licked him on the muzzle, showing my gratitude for his presence. Despite the history that perhaps proved I should not, I trusted him. When he questioned where I would rest for the night, I smiled at him. “Come Leo, I have a place in mind.” I pressed my nose into his shoulder, then rested my head against his neck. His demand to help me clean my wounds was met with a slight glare, and I was reminded of how much we challenged one another. The look said everything I did not wish to speak – not here, not now. I wished to lie down in the cave like den that was the most familiar to me of any place I had ever rested my head.

Whether he continued to support my weight or not, I began to move forward. The exertion of the fight had left me exhausted, and I was more than ready to simply lie down and sleep until the sun had set and rose again on a new day. But I knew that my wounds required tending. I had requested it of Niviaq that she would bring her healing treatments to my den, for I did not know if I would rise again if I laid down before I reached my den. And I hardly wanted to impose upon her family and take up residence in their home for the night. Surely Ceal would help her to transport whatever she needed to tend to my wounds to the den. My scent trail would be easy enough to follow.

There was a slight incline to the den’s mouth, for it was located on a ridge that had a vantage point to overlook almost the entire eastern side of the mountain. Alcide and I had often sat outside the den and discussed matters of Moladion while looking out towards the eastern shores. To glanced to my right just before I turned into the den, and sighed softly. I missed my father greatly, but I knew he had lent me his strength today. Turning away from the horizon, I entered the cave like den and took a deep breath. The stale aromas of my father and mother lingered, and I was grateful that no other wolf had tried to make this place their own during Purge or Snowshoe’s failed attempts to rule. There was still a bit of bedding within, and I moved towards it and laid down, grateful to finally remove my weight from my paws. After I had adjusted and found a comfortable way to rest my neck and tail, I looked up to Leonidas. “Stay with me, my painted warrior. You will forever more be known as my Bloodrider. Blood of my blood, you shall be my protector as you ever have been. Guard me this night and forever more.” My tone was serious, my eyes hard as I bestowed his duty upon him. There was no other wolf that would stand against him for the position – and that was not open for debate.