It was upon limbs most tired and sore that I was given to step over the lines of my borders once more. My borders. My land. My home- the threat of Purge once more repelled from the golden plains and towering cliffs and rolling waters of the home I have grown to love. Each step is halting and sore, the damage to my scruff a thing most unpleasant as it is blood is still given to run a fresh from the wound upon my chest. Perhaps I am not as strong as I should be, perhaps were I a true warrior I would be given to keep the cry from my lips that came with each pained step. Yet as it is the adrenaline of battle is given to bleed from my system it is so that I am given to feel the pain of each wound upon my form, each muscle tired a fatigued, each limb protesting the stretch and reach of the tendons within as it is I move towards my den. I seek the warmth and the darkness, I seek my Kane and my children, whichever of them may be around and indeed I seek the paws of my Healers most trusted in this moment for with each step I grow only weary. I know well that had I asked of it, my Kane would have sought to take this battle for himself and yet in all things we are equal, so many times he has fought for myself and I would no be his mate, not be his Queen if I did not stand for myself as well. It is a matter of pride perhaps, that I too may say that I have bled for that which I love, that I myself will fight for what I believe. If the price of victory is to be paid in the flesh of the body- then so be it.

To be Queen is so much more then to stand tall and offer commands to others. I had not understood as a child, had never truly comprehended the words my sire had offered to me, had belived that leadership was a simply task and yet…for those whom have never led, they perhaps, will never understand. It is so very much more. It is a responsibility unlike any other, a need to prove over and over why it is one is deserving of respect, why it is Diveen should be my own whether such a thing is proven through action or word or blood it matters not. To lead is to be judged over and over and perhaps it is this which sees myself struggle to stand, to attempt to hide the whimpers of pain within myself. Pack must come first, always first- there will be time to feel hurt later, when the night is dark and all sleep, when I may curly against my Kane and cry for each hurt like a small pup. Perhaps I am Queen, perhaps they belive I am immortal as my sire before me and yet….gods do not bleed. I had felt each tooth and claw of my opponent, each pull and tug of her desire to take from me what I loved so dearly, my desire to retain my home and the home of so many having assured my victory today. I had harmed another and indeed though some shame perhaps lingers still within myself I hold pity no longer for the white female whom had come again to be forced to bow at my paws. I do not desire such things, do not seek war nor bloodshed and yet each time I have been forced to display why it is I am crowned I have done so. I had led my pack to victory in the war, I have repelled each opponent just as my Kane has done. Surely….there can be nothing left to prove.

It is as I reach the mouth of my den that I am given to pause, for just a moment, to allow my gaze to linger upon the lands about me, to admire each rock and plant and tree, the scent of so many within the air. It is home and within this moment, it is all that is given to matter. I know not if my Kane is within as I move to press into the dark place, a call for my healers released upon the breath of passing wind before I move stiffly into the darkness of my den, to lower myself to the earth and curl myself tight into a ball of red and white. A Queen does not show weakness, not ever- yet within the darkness of my own space I allow each wound to be felt, another whimper upon my lips that echoes within the warm darkness before I finally allow myself to breath, to feel and to rest in the wake of my victory, my scent upon the wind once more to assure all of Diveen I had returned for them, that as I had promised- their home was assured once more. Much may be said of the Angels- though perhaps this day, let it be only that for all our perceived pride- we are holding great care for that which we love. I was home once more, where it is I belonged and perhaps, for barely a moment between the pain I was given to smile within the dark as I waited for my Kane and a healer to come.