It wasn't like I intended to be a whirlwind for those around me. It simply was a part of my being. When I was born, I knew instinctively that I was to follow in the footsteps of my mother and yet there is my father in me as well. Those were large paws to fill as a pup yet I persevered and I did what was asked of me, maybe with a little complaining at first. The world was a place of adventure and I put on a brave face, crumbling in the midst of misery but once again rising in glory. It helped that I surrounded myself with those who did so as well. My mother had ensured that I would have an entourage worthy of a leader and I had built upon it and would continue to do so. Elohim was in that circle despite his lack of commitment to me or Asteraia - that didn't change the way I saw him. He was my friend and I could confide and depend upon him, even if the world dictated that we should be wary of each other.

He is two wolves - Elohim here and Elohim there, but I was two entities as well. Aster the Empress and simply Aster; but could not the two coincide and feed upon the other? What I learned as Aster reflected in my ruling as Empress. I felt little in the way of shame when I took up my mantle. Ruling was not an easy business but there was no real need to make it a tough one, so I didn't. I enjoyed my amusements and I reveled in them.

Even now as he speaks to me so honestly I mature before his eyes, my face becoming something sharp and hungry. I take one step closer to him, staring hard into his eyes. "I would risk anything, if necessary," I say calmly, although my heart rattles at the words. Would I really? I sound so sure, so confident and serious, and yet what does EVERYTHING entail? But maybe.. maybe my mind is overruling my heart, like a ruler's should.

It entertains me to see him recoil at my jest because it means I am learning to art of deception well enough to convince HIM! Elohim knew me very well, like my friends, so it took effort on my part. Still I am left unsettled by our interaction, his smell lingering on my fur and mine on his and I twitch, wondering why I should feel so odd with it. Why I felt guilty. It never occurred to me that Elohim desired more, despite his sly wordings, because I had never considered anything more. My life had been set in my mind as a pup - learn, become Empress, and oh yeah, get the boy. The boy being Halcyon, my protector, guardian, and now mate.

"Is this place not filled with defectors?" I say callously, ears flicking back, not actually talking about Asteraia although that was true too. "I've met many wolves who defect for their own reasons. We are not tied to one place because of birth, Elohim. It is all choices and who are others to judge us for them?" I was challenging him then - the way he had challenged me about returning 'home'. Iromar.

His next snippet makes my ears flick forward again and my nose flare in a sustained excitement. Elohim is clever with his baiting and I let him know I am on to his game, yet I keep playing because it is entertaining. Seldom, he says, which infers other meaning, but I haven't the time to press him as he once again throws out the idea he is a spy. My eyes narrow on him as I take a step closer, lifting my lips in a feigned threat and yet... there is a real purpose to my movements. "My King would allow it because I have offered it to you. He trusts me implicitly, as I trust you despite how you try hard to make me think otherwise. Is that what you wish, Elohim?" Now my voice snakes out hoarsely, much like that of my mothers as I take one more step forward so that our noses almost touch. "You seem awfully worried about being your own sort of spy, so is that it? Is that what you are? Do you seek to enlighten me or to test me? You forget, I have been there at my lowest when you helped to care for me. In those moments I saw you and I know the truth. You are my friend - your travels here speak of it despite how you have yet to commit to the plains. I won't ask it of you because family comes first, even if they won't fight for you like I would."

My words are stern and in that moment I feel like the Empress I am, but also like his friend. The baring of my soul to someone who has already seen it broken.