I had left Nike in the den, my figure much skinnier than it had been before as a result of birthing. It was natural, I had heard, so I didn't fret. Besides, Diveen kept a large stockpile of food daily and I had heard that pregnant and new mothers could take from it if they wished. So I did, I snuck over there every day with my tail down and head low to show my respect and my chagrin from taking from them, but every day I grabbed whatever the hunters had brought. A squirrel, a rabbit, a fox, it didn't matter. It was not nearly as tasty as fresh meat because I often found myself sleeping late into the afternoons, my body tired from nourishing my perfect, amazing child. I hated to leave him in those moments, so fiercely protective was I. I would growl to myself every time I stepped from my den, ears flat and I would mark spots around my den as warning to those in the pack not to come near. As if that could work - I wasn't much use in a fight. If they came while I was there it would be just the same as if I was not.
But I was safe in Diveen and that thought comforted me. I had not had any of my cursed terrors since Nike was born, much to my relief. I did worry at times when he squeaked in his dreams if Seline was tormenting him and it left me feeling uneasy, often licking and nuzzling him until he quieted. I didn't know what was in his mind yet, he was too young to even know. Today I slipped away, once more pausing to mark a bush near my den and offer a low growl to any nearby before I took off like a fox towards the hunting area. My head was low to the ground as I hustled but before I arrive there I hear a howl only a short distance away from me. It is Achilles calling for the pack for some reason and I am.. curious.
So I turn, feeling as if something is guiding me, and I pad softly to the edge of my path to stare out at Achilles and... a white male. My nose flares, his scent thick on the air and thick with blood, and my heart races as I see it. Blood, why was there blood? What had happened? My eyes skitter past him to Achilles then to that other wolf who I didn't know who was taunting the prisoner. I stare at them with wide eyes, but that isn't unusual. By now Achilles knows that I am weird. Hell, I know I am weird. I try not to look at the prisoner, not to make eye contact, but my eyes flick around as if I am confused by this scene because I am. It wasn't supposed to happen, I was going to tell them they had the wrong wolf, everything was so wrong.