She clings and though he does not cling back, I can almost feel his temptation to do so. Or perhaps I merely expect to be able to do so. I can see the glisten of recognition in Natiya's eyes that only seeks to drive my suspicions further. But there is also a small sensation of...appeasement as he rises, struggling up and directing his attention towards me as opposed to her. Perhaps I am a little jealous, hm? Jealous that such a newcomer, even if she is my daughter, has some claim over one of my loyalest wolves through sheer coincidence and not through sheer effort. She merely exists and that is enough to garner loyalty? I sneer. It cannot be helped.

"If he owes you any blood, Natiya, then you may take it as you please today." I offer her that with a stout nod, having done my best to ignore Underidge's claim for now before my eyes pour over he and Kamala with indifference. I settle on Underidge, my head tilting slowly, though my eyes do not waver from him. "An unfortunate circumstance. I will tend to your wounds in steed of Samia, my Thorn." Zeltzin has taught me enough and...ah, I do not wish to waste too much of Samia's time. I can keep Underidge in one piece at least - and closer to me. I nod, affirming my offer, and I step aside as if to welcome Underidge back into the territory.

But I turn to Kamala then. My head tilts to its opposite side and I blink slowly at her, much the same way as Natiya. Her frustrations seem so very...unfounded. How long has she been here? How long has she been connected to Underidge? He did not move towards her touch, did not cling to her like a child - how much did she believe he truly felt? "Does he tell you all his secrets? Everything he does?" I blink again - she came here wanting to mend things but it seems she has no idea that this pack did not begin at her arrival. Underidge has been here since I took it from the nameless king beforehand - she was not here then. She was not here when he snuck into Asteraia for no other reason than to satisfy his own curiosity. No, she is only seeing the results and not the cause. "Do you know each detail that has passed the lips of those involved? Then, Kamala, you speak only from assumption and not from fact." I am cold to her, perhaps, but today, there is no particular warmth here. Who is the truest threat, after all? Underidge, Blackthorne or this child of mine who has returned only to try to steal away Underidge and undermine the order of this place?