Glittering forest eyes narrowed at Zelda, Pine’s lips curled over the tips of her fangs. The two Alphas had been raised differently, almost in completely different worlds. The crown of Iromar has passed by bloodied paws and still sat on Pine’s brow with the crimson dripping off it. The loyalty and the make-up of the two packs were as vast and varied as the sun and moon. Zelda could have been right about the ruling to Taviora, a peaceful world known for its honor, passed by family instead of by blood. All in the forests united by family, whereas Iromar had always been at war. The tone Zelda used to the other was soft and light, the words came across as condescending. Just because she was small, did not mean Pine would put up with being spoken down to. I think about everything I do. Pine said bluntly, though the truth of the matter was sometimes she thought about it after the fact. But there are some things I cannot forgive. Her eyes fell onto her children, who had lived up to the true attention spans of their age and had started to wander away. They were beautiful to her, as were all the youth in her realm. Her heart bled silently in her chest and her face fell at the buried memories. All she could recall was the red face of a father who was not her blood but was everything she had ever known. The rough and tough love of Big Wolf. Watching Whisper and Metztli she felt the urge to bury her face in their fur, assure them she would always be there. They would know the face of their mother and her love for them. Where she, and now a little of pup did not. Her children, had also almost lost their father.

Pine could feel her heart harden again and she wrenched herself back to the present with Zelda standing before her. I did not catch the other wolf’s name. Whoever invited her is going to be….questioned… but until then, as I said, our borders are closed. Pine face softened, though her worry was still evident. Cenna is okay. He recently woke up. The small wolf shifted around, trying to muffle her own whimper. Now the children paid more attention, wobbling over to their mother. I still worry about him. Her thoughts started to wander even as Zelda continued to speak. The mists around them swirled. In them Pine started to see the mauled face of Aranck and her ears flattened. The future is uncertain, Zelda. I hope you are right. Is there anything else you needed from me? I will talk to Orion when I can. For now, she wanted to return to her family, feel them against her, and remind herself they were all there for each other.