After the time of darkness the new reign swept over Iromar like a glimmering breath of fresh air. Pine had taken over and immediately set to changing the way Iromar worked and functioned. It seemed even though the shift was born of blood and death, at brought a different scent of new growth.

Or maybe it was just the change of season that gave Aakil the idea of a new beginning.

Pine had been encouraging, the pup could not help but feel some semblance of interest and kindness towards the new Alphess. She had been kind, caring, and giving when she brought food and care. Occasionally the small queen even tried to tempt the pup to play. However, Pine was also the woman who killed Aakil’s father. It was not that the pup had any loyalty or love for her sire, but that did not mean she could deny his presence in her life. Cruelty was a constant and any shift was jarring. The muttering of a madman and snarls towards their mother were enough to make her wary of anything different, no matter how kind the face had been. Over time though, Aakil slowly started to trust Pine. Never did the young woman raise her voice or snap or snarl at the pup. Her consistency was binding. Finally, she convinced Aakil to leave the safety and comfort of the den long abandoned by adults and come to the more central grounds of the moors.

The silver-fox wolf hesitated before stepping into the dry clearing of wildflowers. This had become a central place of peace and play for the pack. The relaxed nature of the environment put her at ease. Though she missed her brother’s comforting presence. Having never really been too far from Zephyr, moving alone through the grounds was nerve wracking.

Cautiously she stepping into the clearing, her eyes flicking around to find a choice spot. Eventually she decided she was far enough into the open, flopped onto the ground, and started nipping at a fall blooming flower. Slowly she started to feel safer here.