Samhain inspired undying loyalty to family. His devotion to her and her siblings rivaled the dedication between an alpha and their rank. Though his time was taken mostly by Thoth, as was fitting since Thoth was strongest of them, her vision of Samhain’s nobility wasn’t dishonorable. Alouette allowed their distance because it was only natural for her, the omega of the family, to accept less attention. Despite her submissive nature, her father faithfully answered her. His voice was incomplete, though his perhaps was broken with time whereas her’s was a hint of her faults. It was only the realization that she was going to see Samhain that it dawned on her the audacity that a year, at least, passed since she’d last seen him.

Why was she so confident that he would answer her? Doubt creeped into her chest, writhing like worms over her heart. What right did she have to call on a wolf she’d neglected - and even worse, a wolf she hadn’t noticed she’d neglected? Her self-disgust was extinguished when her orange, blue flared orbs found the cream and silver of Samhain racing over the crest of a hill towards her, his long legs effortlessly parting the grasses. Her self criticism was unwarranted; the circumstances of there reunion were acceptable. If he was the noble father she looked up to, then he’d welcome the chance to attend family.

As he neared, however, her heart endeavored to squeeze up her throat and out of her mouth. Though she saw no tarnish in his spirit, his fur was marred with stress. From it’s silvery luster, it’d dulled into dust. Her fearful expression turned into one of yearning; she longed to meet him in his journey to her, but was frozen by the ghosts she was convinced traversed the space between them. Samhain, however, took care of those the instant he arrived. The nefarious demons evaporated by his heated touch. Alouette observed her father’s protective circle, and found herself at once healed of her concerns that greedy, dead souls were trying to steal her vitality.

When he paused before Alouette, the dark chocolate pup raised her brown nose to his snout. Her soft tongue pressed against the tip of his muzzle in fathomless gratitude. Thank you for coming, was Alouette’s wordless expression. She held him in her gaze affectionately, content in his presence. She inquired, ”Would you teach me your history, Father?”

Perhaps, if he indulged her, she would set about grooming the matts and dirt from his coat while he explained his philosophies to her. Alouette developed a daughter-dutiful need to see her father in better shape when they parted ways. He was the father of her siblings, Thoth and Bastet, after all. Both were worthy proteges and Samhain, even if he didn’t feel it, should appear the wolf who’d sired such fine offspring.