Testing the air, I wondered if perhaps she had come into contact with another wolf and just managed to escape unscathed. That my mind immediately went to violent reasons for her call perhaps said something of the stress of leadership. I was the proclaimed protector of the realm, guardian of this pack and Queen of the mountain. The last thing that I wanted to happen was for one of my pack mates to fall under duress and me not be able to protect or help them. Pan’s arrival seemed to alleviate some of the worry in Niviaq’s eyes, and his words even lightened the load that I felt. Surely if someone had tried to harm her, he would have felt it as Meryl had felt the wounds inflicted upon me during my fight. Inwardly I was relieved to know none had tried to maim my leading healer. She aspired to be the Maester of the pack, and I had faith she would soon prove her worthiness for the role.

Finally she composes her words, and almost immediately all tension washed away. A child, a pup. This was what caused her such worry? A smile moved across my features, and I stepped forward, pressing my nose against her shoulder in a show of reassurance. Stepping backwards, my tail waved happily behind me. Though still somewhat sore, it did not trouble me to move it as such. “Worry not, Niviaq. You have a big heart, much like my mother had. Spirane will always be a pack that opens its borders to the less fortunate, to offer them a better future. I myself have two adoptive siblings, taken in by MoonGlow under similar circumstances when they were but whelps. It warms me to see such a tradition carried on within the mountains.”

My eyes turned upon Pan, then, wondering what he would think of the situation. His erudite mind might look at the situation differently than Niviaq or myself did, but I was sure he would not turn the pup away. It was something that Niviaq was clearly passionate about, and to deny something like this of her might cause a serious strain on their relationship. The pup needed help, and Niviaq was willing to give it. Surely he would see that. Warmly I looked back to Niviaq. “What is his name?” Certainly if she had already christened the child, he could not be turned away.