I know that others would have heard the calls from Covet, both the challenging cry and then at the end, the howl of victory that must have been made from the rocks of Diveen. My body shudders at the thought of an outsider being in our home but I have to remind myself that home is not the land you live in but the wolves you surround yourself with. Wherever my family goes, that is home to me. But knowing I will get looks of pity while I take refuge here and heal my battle wounds...perhaps that stings the most. Hearing the cry from my mate's lips would have made me collapse if not for the strong shoulder of Maddox holding me up. She just about takes his support away from me though when she bowls him over but luckily she holds in her own embrace from me, though it's easy enough to see in her eyes that she wishes she could. As she lifts my head, I feel gratitude in my heart to know that I hold such a pure heart in my grasp. I don't know how I ever got so lucky.

And then my daughter Seraphina is with us and she looks aghast of my wounds. I give her a soft smile, wanting to assure her that I'll be okay. After consoling everyone as much as I can that I'll be okay, I let Isola move me to the den Daenerys pointed out so I can rest. I can feel the tiredness in my bones as I finally collapse to the dirt with a sigh and it's not long after that I nuzzle my nose in Isola's fur and fall asleep. I don't know how long it is that I'm out but I know it's what I truly needed. When I finally open my eyes, I feel the pain seeping back into my muscles but at least I'm still alive. When I hear the running paw prints of someone else close, I lift my head to see my daughter Shiloh from Taviora racing toward us. She calls out and when she reaches us, she says my title in a whine that breaks my heart. I part my lips, unsure of what to say. She moves toward Isola, seeking comfort but of course there's not much you can touch on me right now that wouldn't bring a yelp to my lips. At her question, I scowl a little but the look I give her is light hearted. "Hey, don't go talking about me like I'm not here. I'm still alive, you know. And I'm just fine. All I need is some good sleep and some good herbs."