Aithne does not lie to herself. She rather enjoys the way that Tithe sits in such respect before her. It is a testament to what she has earned for herself. While she had not challenged Andras for this position she had earned it in other ways, strengthening ties and doing what was necessary. She felt she had done a decent job creating a home that was strong and filled with loyal wolves. Being grand was never her intention, but she gave the pack purpose and life flourished. Maybe not as much as other packs yet one cannot hold their standard by the mediocrity of others. Strength was, to her, the greatest defining factor of all. Strength of will, strength of spirit, and strength of heart.

Almost minutely does her head turn to the side, curious as to where his wolf to wolf questions would lead. While Aithne remained remote from the other alphas she did not considered herself a secret. Perhaps others viewed her as she viewed the King Eden, as if they were a mystery that she desired to be filled in on. He was the one who preferred to remain unfettered with alliances, trusting in his own kingdom, and that was a curiosity in and of itself. His question does not disappoint.

Her face remains lax and she glances off into the distance for a moment, memory assailing her. "I strive for greatness. I strive for life. To never make the mistakes that those in the past have made. I come from a place that is far removed from where we are now. These wolves here, they do not know what true hardship is. Here there is controversy, fear bred by the wolves who are different, desire to rise and fear of falling. Where I come from life was the single most desired goal because it was as unattainable as the sun was hot. Imagine, Tithe, a land so dead that your bones creaked from want of shade, your body screamed from your thirst and your hunger was met only by that furious need to prove to the word you were still existing."

It is more than she had shared with others but in this moment she does not feel threatened. She has been asked what drives her. "I would not see another suffer such a fate yet there is a... weakness in this land. They take for granted what they are born into and I would see that they do not squander their life because one day it will end, either the lushness that they are surrounded with, or the protection that is invisible." She doesn't mean it in a harsh way and yet some might view her as harsh. It is Aithne's way to be so stern and her eyes are like diamonds as they stare down at him.

He answers his own question for her and she cracks a semblance of a smile. "I would protect my pack with my life and I trust they would do the same. I cannot say that I would do so for others for we all must learn to stand on our own at times. Some might think less of me for this." It is clear by her tone that she is not worried over it, merely stating a fact, a slight lifting of her brow in a quizzical manner asking what he thought.

Nine - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne