Tithe

It was plain on his face that Tithe listened to the Empress with rapt attention. Not because she was an Alpha who had obtained her status, but because her words were different from his own. The world she had come from was as foreign to him as the moon. Just like the moon, they shared the same sun and therefore still had ties that could link them together. Small things could become large and create an understanding between individuals. Shared ideas, or at least the understanding of differences, could create a view unmarred by judgement. The sharing of ideas could also deepen your own. As promised, Tithe ignored the politics of understanding and internalized her words within himself.

You drive yourself. He repeated back to her to ensure he was understanding correctly. Your will and desire to live is what causes you to both live and feel desire. Being on the brink of destruction has led you to not only fight for your own life, but to push others to do the same for themselves? Attentive gaze continued to study the dark woman for her affirmative or clarification. She had talked of bodily need. Thirst, hunger, shelter, and mere life. What of the soul? The companionship most of their species craved. She said she would protect her pack with her life. The corner of his lips twitched. She also stated she would ensure they stand on their own. It was a fine line, nurturing the strength that could be found in others while still protecting their chance at life. The smile faded and his eyes darkened. Aithne had much the same outlook as his mother, though he hoped the Empress had more success. Curious, he pressed on.

You have said you do not wish to make the mistakes of those in the past, and that you will not let others squander their lives. What defines those as mistakes to you? What do you see in them that would point that another has made something of their life?”I will only give birth to kings!”If I could spend one day in the stars, my life would be well lived. Two faces, one living and one dead shifted before his gaze. Neither’s wishes had come to be, their lives could have been wasted. Dreams were different depending on the life that dreamt them. Their goals may have been the same but the outcomes of what Aithne desired and what he desired could have been completely different, just as the roads that led them there. Both could have desired for the strength of those around them to be realized and fulfilled. To her that could have been leaving them to face the challenges on their own while she sat by, stepping in only when their lives were at risk. To him it could have meant he fought side by side until their lone victory was insured.

Eyes glanced up when she stopped speaking and her brow lifted. I do not think others should think less of you for that. You have said you strive for the life of your pack. To me it says you would let them fight, or grow, and prove themselves and only when there was a chance of their lives being wasted or destroyed would you step in. You make others around you stronger by letting them find it within themselves first. He shifted his shoulders and legs to make himself more comfortable, growing more at ease in their conversation and company. You let them find their own drive.