Within Iromar is a piece of land that is all mine. Mother had found herself a secure spot within the darker side of the swamps. Seclusion was necessary for her. She was a loner and she did not appreciate being within a pack. Yet she did it for my sake and for my Father’s sake and for her own selfish reasons. I did not want to leave this patch of the bog. I have enjoyed it here. She had chosen a really good den. I was high above the marshes so that when the rains came I wouldn’t be flooded in nor would I have my entrance of pathway covered with deep water and thick mud. There was plenty of prey here and it seemed like such a tranquil area. Not many predators were around so I didn’t have to worry about anyone coming up and seeing me in my den. Even though it was farther from the borders and it caused an awful long trek to get to anywhere else within Iromar I still liked it.

I know I could have abandoned this place and gone somewhere else, perhaps a bit closer with the others, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Everywhere here brought a memory of Mother and I didn’t want to lose them like I had lost her. As I lay upon my rock quite at peace I notice the familiar dark figure of my Alpha. As she gets closer I notice how she swats at her own muzzle and I cannot help but lift my head and tilt it to the side. I notice how she looks at me as I start to lift my body, but my ears fold back in an apologetic manner as I lay myself back down, getting her silent message that I ought to remain where I was. My russet banner swings up and down behind me as I nod my head not minding her company at all.

“If you eat the yellow mushrooms with red spots the mosquitoes and flies will leave you alone.”

There just a few feet away near a patch of swamp water were the mushrooms I had just mentioned. I discovered this trick after I notice how Mother would take a bite of them every morning. I’ve found myself only needing a few bites in order to create some invisible barrier between myself and the small vampires. I begin to shuffle on my rock to the side making enough room for her to join me if she’d like. I do not mind her company at all, but I find it odd that she has come to me. Isn’t she supposed to call for me and I am to go to her? My russet ears twitch back and forth puzzled as to why she would come. Looking down at her I give her a kind smile. I don’t mind her being her, but I would like to cut to the chase…’cause well, my job is to serve her.

“Did you come to give me a new task?”