Zelda didn’t know what to believe. She heard from Starfall that they acted as though they enjoyed it. She didn’t know who, nor she didn’t specifically say Pine did, but she had heard they did. She had no reason to distrust Starfall’s words, his anger, but Zelda was in too much turmoil at the time to dig deeper into what had occurred and was too nervous to ask questions not from the source. It was clear Starfall now held a clear ill will against Iromar, one that Zelda couldn’t blame him for. They hurt his imprint, part of his very soul, and it was more than just one wolf that did the deed. Perhaps it was wrong of him to hold the whole pack to that, perhaps someday Zelda would try to talk to him and get him to forgive move of Iromar for what they had done, for now though she would let the pain fade from both Arace and Starfall. Though Zelda was happy to hear Pine, at least, didn’t enjoy it, that she didn’t enjoy hurting someone.

Before Zelda could say anything more though a growl touched Pine’s words as she continued, saying that she wanted Iromar to be peaceful and pleasant, a fine dream, one Zelda herself wanted for ALL of Moladion, yet here she was trying to find a way to fix that just within Pine’s lands. She described who had done the punishment, saying one was the mate who had been turned loose on her it seemed and the other wolf had needs… a cannibal was the only thing Zelda could think of, but no flesh was missing as if eaten. Zelda shook her head, trying not to remember the bloodied, battered body of Arace, it made her ill thinking about her broken paws and many wounds. Zelda saw the look of hurt on Pine’s features though, she could tell she was upset that Zelda was displeased with the situation, that Zelda didn’t agree, and even suspected her of enjoying it. Zelda didn’t know what to believe after seeing Arace, and she only felt a little guilty at thinking Pine took part more than she did, but she gave the order. Zelda knew that. She played a large part even if she didn’t enjoy it, if she didn’t physically do it, she was the root reason it happened at all.

Zelda let Pine finish her defense of her actions though, the pit and swirling in her stomach not going away in the slightest. Her lips pursing slightly as Pine, to Zelda, hypocritically said that she didn’t want bloodshed in her lands yet, would do it as revenge. ”If you want to end the bloodshed, Pine you are going to have to learn forgiveness as well as how to give second chances. Very few attacks have happened in my homelands, and I or my family who have owned Taviora for many years now haven’t resorted to beating wolves to an inch of their lives to show others we need to be taken seriously. I want you to think about that before you do such a thing again… but… I’m happy you didn’t enjoy doing it regardless… I don’t think you should put yourself through it again. Needs or not of your pack… there are other ways to handle things than physical abuse.” Her voice was soft, and calm, normal for her all the while and perhaps a little pleasing. This was Pine’s second chance in Zelda’s eyes, and Zelda… well she didn’t give thirds… thus far such a thing hadn’t come to pass… she kept a close eye on Arace and those around her, but so far… things seemed to be going well. Pine just… needed to see things not so black and white and Zelda thought she was. She hoped Pine would listen, it might make her angry at Zelda now, and Zelda almost expected it, she was already on the defense about the whole situation, but hopefully in time, maybe Zelda’s words would sink into her. That was all she could hope for.

Though with the conversation moving forward, in regard to Orion, as well as to why Iromar wasn’t opened up to strangers currently Zelda listened to her story. Her heart sank immediately upon hearing Cenmatl had been attacked by a wolf apparently invited into her lands. That would be… horrifying, the boldness even to say she would be back after attacking an alpha of all wolves. Cenna wasn’t a fighter, Zelda knew that, but he wasn’t exactly weak either, to hear he was attacked made Zelda worry for her adopted Cousin. ”I’m… sorry.” She started quietly, though she snapped back to attention asking about her family, ”He-he’s okay though?” She knew it sounded dumb, seeing as there were pups running around and the attack on Arace happened well before winter… But, Zelda wanted to know her soft spoken cousin was okay.

”Do you know who did it?” Zelda asked, after all this wolf boldly attacked someone within pack walls, an alpha at that, and Zelda wanted to know so that maybe they could help in tracking them down and figuring out why and how to stop it. A new hunt would begin it seemed… figuring out what would happen after… that would come later. ”I want to help you do that Pine, you have no idea how badly we want the same thing. It was why I thought you would be amazing at being an alpha. You are kind, so it was a shock when I heard what had happened here. Don’t let the darkness of all this eat you, there is more than one way, just… Your dream, it's possible, I promise.” She wasn’t being sycophant, Zelda meant her words, she wanted to help, but like the others they had to let her. Zelda really believed in Pine’s dream, after all it was what she wanted for Taviora too.