None could ever tell me that my child was not the most perfect son that had ever lived. Isola had mentioned hers being perfect and it had infuriated me, even if that hadn't been her intention. Something about all mothers having perfect sons - that wasn't true. There were no children I had spied (and yes, I HAD spied on them) that came close to Nike. His proportions were sublime. His personality was exceptional. That Zeus was his father only further my feelings and while I was still so distraught about what had happened and the inner revelation that Zeus might have probably lied to me about his part in all this, I still felt immediate comfort in his presence. In one fell swoop my worry was erased, shoved back by the scent of him and the comforting tone of his voice. What did I care about what he did? He had his reasons, I reason to myself. Guardian was wrong when he tried to tell me that Zeus was a bad wolf; yes, he had to be. But did that make Guardian a bad wolf?

The moment I feel my control beginning to slip I simply forget. The confusing idea comes and is swept away so that all I can think of is this glorious meeting of child and father. Since Nike's birth he had spent every day with me. In truth, I should know that dumping him like that and racing to Zeus would inspire some sort of dislike in my boy's brain, but I am not like some wolves. I don't think like that - I know only what I feel and how others make me feel. It was a side effect of the ill treatment I had received over a lifetime, only ending after Seline disappeared and I stumbled upon the pristine figure of Zeus.

"Okay," I say to Zeus on a breathless sigh; all I had ever needed was his reassurance. Zeus was strong, even with a missing eye and a broken paw. His mere size comforted me because I knew no one would hurt me if he was here. My steel gray eyes turn to my son again, noting his confused look and his short answer, but I beam at him when Zeus agrees with me. I step closer to Nike, leaning down to nuzzle his baby soft ear and then proceeding to lick him gently, to groom away the mess I had left his scruff. "Bad wolves attacked him but he is okay. No one will get us if we are with him." I assure Nike, not that the pup had ASKED for reassurance, but more than my own crazy mind, I never wanted to see Nike discomfited. He was born a perfect child and I would be damned if he didn't' have a perfect life to accompany it.

When I am done with his grooming I turn my attentions back to Zeus, starting once more at his missing eye but then focusing elsewhere. My motherly instincts have kicked in now and I step up to his side, leaning out to begin licking at his fur, cleaning it and smoothing it and ridding him of evidence of the past. "We will stay with you."