There was a stillness in the mountain air, as if it waited on bated breath. The challenge that had been issued seemed to affect all that dwelled within the peaks. Though this is not the home she had would have chosen without force, she had come to admire the mountains and all that it had to offer. At the moment she had left den, basking in the fading warmth before winter took over her eyes find the pacing wrath of the one she held such contempt for. The desire to chase him from her doorsteps is quickly doused at the tension that seems to bleed from his steps. For a moment she watches him, wondering why he has come here of all places. Abruptly she is brought out of her thoughts by the gentle caress at her side, head turning as orange eyes gaze into the pale green of her daughter before shifting to her Everett and Liah. All who seemed fixated on the pacing scarred form of their uncle. An almost silent huff escapes her lips knowing now any thought of driving him away is obsolete, for she knew her children had come to care for the monster of her past.
When Semele steps further out, she follows instinctively; ears perked as she listens to his growls and snarls. Only when her daughter moves to go to him does she step to block her path, a silent warning in her eyes. For this was not the first time she had seem him like this and she would not allow her children to step upon that edge Jericho seemed to perch upon. If he were to strike in this state, accidentally or not she would guarantee a funeral this day. Instead she moves them close yet enough space where she deems safe. The silence of her youngest children tells her they too seem to sense the warning. At seeing Semele lay upon the dirt while Everett and Liah keep close to her does she relax slightly. Once again focusing on the rage that is her brother.
She watches him with a detachment she is use to. For she knows the reason behind his anger and worry, it was the queen. For it seemed only she could evoke such a response from the beast. The jealously she had felt at seeing him at her side when they had arrived still burns, envy at the fact she had earned something she had never gotten but tooth and claws. But as she watches him a feeling of sympathy grows, it is a foul taste in her mouth but there none the less. For she had to be blind to miss the way he had looked at her, it was the same way she looked towards her shadow stalker. Though it did not make it hurt any less. It is when she see's him step from his well worn path does she dart to his side, snapping at him with a promised threat should he continue. She knows he wants to go to her, needs to go to her. She can tell it by his answering snarl of dislike before returning his pacing. Narrowed eyes follow him unsure why that had been so easy when he would have just met her head on. Surely it was a trick? Yet he does not move to strike instead continues his protests through low growls.
She steps back slightly confused but also relieved? The desire to take his flesh gone now that he is complying, which was wrong. No, she should want it anyway right? This was the same monster that tormented her for years, even when he knew of their blood bond. So why did the thought of striking him now in his distress feel so.. bad? For a moment she watches him, truly fights to see him, as a brother, as a pack mate, as an ally. For the first time since they had been reunited does she feel a sense of tether to him. His pain and worry over his queen, would probably match her own if it was Reich out there fighting. Her hurt gives a lurch at the thought, battling the feelings of compassion against hatred. Yet in the end it is the compassion that wins and she moves to offer the only thing she can, for she knows of nothing else to give.
Lips raise and teeth gleam as an answering snarl escapes on the tail of his own, yet the aggression is false. She wants nothing more than to distract him, make him see something else than the fears his mind is probably creating. Another snarl as orange eyes collide with one another, trying to provoke him. Ears do not miss the shift from where her daughter lays. Knowing she would move to intervene them, for the love her child felt for him was visible; her distaste for violence would drive her in the jaws of a predator if it meant safety for others. She does not miss the shake of his head towards Semele, telling her no. She can only assume now that this was coming to blows, that he was accepting this form of understanding from her. Though for once her intent would not be to maim but deflect, she did not want his blood just his attention. Yet as she waits with bared fangs, listening to his growling sigh she pauses. Before she can question this there is a echoing howl that seems to shake the core of the mountains as she watches him almost deflate and shiver at the act. For it was none other than the queen, singing of victory. A sight of relief escapes her, eyes locking once more until she nods her head to the side. Silently telling him to go. She does not anticipate the passing brush of his fur as he moves with haste, it was the first contact they had shared that did not result in pain and she had to admit it was oddly pleasant.
For a moment she just stands there, trying to absorb that foreign thought. Only when a slight whimper escapes does she break from her dazed state looking towards Semele with a small smile as if to assure her daughter. The slight sway of her tail lets her knows she is forgiven of her actions as she moves towards her children.
"Come, we have a queen to see.." As she playfully nudges at the rumps of her youngest son and daughter, watching as them seem to perk up now that the tension seemed to disappear from the air. But before she moves to trail after her pups does she pause and look to Semele, a rasped whisper escaping.
"I would not have hurt him..." She is unsure why this needed to be said, but she does it all the same. Giving her one last look before bounding after Everett and Liah.
The closer she gets the clearing does she feel the soothing caress on her soul, letting her know that Reich had already arrived there. The desire to be near him has her steps quickening yet not so fast as to leave her children behind. As she steps through the dense brush, orange eyes are quick to notice the abundance of wolves. All of them had come to answer the call and lend support to their victorious queen and the respect she feels at Daenerys at earning such loyalty is felt. As feet soon move once more carrying her to the dark shadow that lingers near the rocky throne. A smile on her lips at seeing him, still yet does she feel the flutter of wings within her at being so near to him. But before she allows herself to submerge herself within her shadow stalker, orange eyes seek another. Landing upon the queen with her brother at her side, a nod of respect is given along with a timid smile. Offering her silent support despite the past tension between them, it was small step but a step none the less at the mending pain that separates her from Jericho. Turning away from them as she focuses upon her mate, a warm grin on her lips. Offering him a tender nuzzle before licking at the face of Lailah. Taking her place at his side while she watches her youngest children together and she feels a sense of ease she had never felt before. That is until a voice catches her attention and orange eyes lock upon Semele, close - too close to a boy.
"Who is that!?" She rasps to Reich. Ah, peace never did last long...
everlyse
REICH'S HEART AND SOUL - OF SPIRANE