Zelda knew she should have expected it. Pine was understandably upset, angry. Though no blame seemed to rest on Zelda’s shoulders she still blamed herself for being how she was. Like Cenmatl, Zelda was brought up with an understanding that all life was precious, to take a life, to give life, all of it was something that should not be something considered lightly. It was life changing and was precious, though it certainly was not easy for someone with morals such as her family to deal with. She looked to Cenna, knowing he was brought up the same way, knew what she believed. Zelda could never bring the end of someone herself. Ironic then that she was training in one of the angels oldest traditions that often brought death. She didn't want to kill with it though, she wanted to protect.

Her grandfather lived with the ghosts of all the lives he was forced to take when he was young, he escaped that life started living by his own tenants and then spread them to his family and those around him. In theory it would be amazing in a perfect world where no one killed and hurt others. Cenna even told her not to blame herself, he understood, but it was difficult for her not to feel some level of responsible. After all the bitter tones in Pine’s voice, the death of the wolfess would all have been absent if she had done more. Zelda was learning that darkness settled upon wolves like a cloud. A cloud she didn’t want to see settle over the small wolfess that stood before her, or her family. She was family now, she was mates to her cousin, and while Zelda wasn’t sure if she should have let things be how they ended with Aranck, they were what they were.

She was watching as the light wolfess seemed more tainted, darkened than they had been when they first met. Even though she had always known of her intentions, or at least suspected she didn’t think it would affect the wolfess in such a way. Her worries were further confirmed when Pine’s anger flared that she said she would figure out what happened and yelled causing Zelda to flinch slightly. She knew Pine was upset, yelling didn’t solve anything. She knew Pine hurt, that many alpha’s Zelda included considered pack mates as extended family. Cenna though seemed much calmer, pensive even. He tried to explain that it didn’t feel right though Zelda didn’t understand why. He explained it was all too convenient, like Arace wanted to be found? Zelda worried about Diveen, perhaps it was them that Arace truly was trying to frame now. That was a lot to think about, it wasn’t going to do them any good here.

Pine finally apologized, promising if they found her she would at least be given a fair trial. What was there to try? She was guilty, caught by scent and she highly doubted anyone could frame her without leaving an ounce of their own scent behind. ”A fair trial, with only one outcome.” Zelda said, tones sounding sad, quiet.” She let those words hang in the air as Pine explained that Eleanor was a mother, she had five children. It wasn’t like Zelda didn’t know that or understand, but it only seemed to reaffirm what Zelda thought. The only thing a fair trial within Iromar would give her is death. ”Would it be possible to keep her here under Iromar guards? Once you caught her, that is.” She offered, of course that couldn’t last forever, but there could always be deeper holes. Perhaps wolves assigned to the sole duty of keeping prisoners here. It was an alternative, something to think about other than killing them.

Cenmatl intervened though, asking if Starfall would help. He didn’t say anything about killing her, he understood where Zelda was coming from, she knew it, but she was hesitant in involving him if it meant marching his imprint to death. Pine had to understand, if she killed Arace, Starfall would suffer for it too. An innocent wolf who had nothing to do with any of this would feel that pain of being ripped apart. She couldn’t say how deep their bond was, but it was a bond, she had heard tales of how killing an imprint could end the life of their partner, it almost claimed her grandfather when Moth died. Perhaps Pine had not known such things.

”If I call him, you will be transparent with him.” She didn’t ask she told them, ”I don’t want false promises given to Starfall. I want you to know if she dies, it could hurt, even kill, an innocent, good wolf, who had nothing to do with it. Lives are tied to other lives, that you may not know in ways you don’t expect. She is evil, there is no doubts, but you must always think of the bonds these wolves may have with others. My grandfather always said, the cycle of death and killing has to end somewhere. So please... if you could show mercy.” She let her words sink in giving them a moment to reply before tilting her head back and calling out to the star marked angel. She would let him decide. He had not stopped them from capturing Arace the first time, he had helped, she hoped he would help again, but with this potential end, she wouldn’t blame him if his mind had changed.