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"There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."

She knew nothing about most of the wolves considered under her care now and she wanted to change that. She knew it needed to change if she was going to be an Alpha worthy of Iromar. Aithne had personal relations with all her followers. That's what made them trust and believe in her. That was her strength, and even though it didn't save her from a tragic death, it kept her in power and made her someone to admire. Avery certainly admired her. She wouldn't have followed anyone less. But now she had to be the one to set the example and it would be a lie to say she wasn't a little intimidated by the challenge. Of course, there were voices telling her she might not be up to this. She might fail them all. But she pushed down those voices and stood strong. She would prove them wrong. She had to, if any of this was worth it and it was to her. Iromar was her home and it was worth all of it. The male looked surprised to see her when she walked toward him and his den. Did he not suspect himself worth getting to know? Again, she was reminded of that look in his eyes when he first approached her to join Iromar and be one of her hunters. It still saddened her, but she wouldn't show him pity. Any wolf worth their weight in salt wouldn't want that.

So she gave him the benefit of the doubt and showed him only open curiosity. She had an open mind so she would show him that she was tolerant of all types. Even a mute wolf was worth something. It didn't make him tainted or handicapped. It only strengthened his other senses, or so she heard. The male tilted his head as she came closer and she could see the puzzlement in his gaze. So she started to speak, hoping to clear everything up for him while offering an easier route for her to get to know him. She would even let him know some facts about her too so it felt more balanced. She didn't have any secrets, after all. Not really. When she asked about family, he seemed thoughtful, as if considering, which only made her more curious. Family didn't always mean blood. She knew that, firsthand. Andras was more a father to her than any of her blood. She pricked her ears as the male responded, shaking his head. She was okay to take that as his answer when he paused before nodding. Her ears flicked back and forth, obviously not getting it right off. Maybe he was anwering for blood relatives first, then those he considered family? She decided they could come back to that once she had a more specific question.

At least, she now knew that he wasn't completely alone here in Iromar and that was her main reason for asking. He was fast to answer her question about Iromar. She smiled, liking that he was a native. Already, they had something in common. When she asked about the former alpha, he shook his head and she watched him thoughtfully. So the alpha didn't run him off with his ideas. Did the male stay because he agreed with them or was there some other reason? His face became unreadable and yet overall, she still caught a sad air to him. She wanted to understand him more, somehow. When she asked for his name, she wasn't sure what to expect. She figured they could either play a guessing game or find some other way to communicate. But surprisingly, he nodded his head for her to follow and stood up. She nodded to let him know she understood and stood as well, moving after him. Her ears pricked and her tail swayed behind her as she followed, letting him lead. When they came upon a bush, she thought nothing of it at first, not until he pointed toward one of the flowers. She was thoughtful for a moment, sure he was trying to convey something.

What was the name of those bushes again? She knew it was poisonous. She had been taught as much by her mother in the short time she was here. Her mother used to say "Beware the Hemlock for its beauty is deadly." Avery used to admire the flowers as a pup and and want to pick one for Chernobyl, but her mother warned her away and ever since, she would pout as she looked at the bush when she went by. Avery's eyes suddenly brightened as she glanced back at the male after the memory. "Your name is Hemlock?" She wanted to make sure she got it right. Someone named him after a poisonous bush. Did they do it on purpose? She glanced at him again, considering. "Do you compare yourself to this bush in more than just name?" She studied his face, wanting to read his reaction, whatever it may be. Maybe he would be forthcoming and maybe he would lie or shrug off the question. Maybe it was about time she shared something about herself. She sighed and took a seat, glancing again at the bush before looking back at him. "I was born here, sixteen years ago. My mother was a native to Iromar so she taught me about the dangers of the swamps, including this bush and the others like it.

"Our Alpha at the time was Andras. He was one of the original Demons. I don't know if you've heard of them. He was feared throughout Moladian and was the main enemy of the Angels and Heyel. He was in the great war between Diveen and Iromar, if you've heard of that. I was too young to join that battle at the time. My mother left in my puppyhood, went to Diveen to join her Angel lover and never looked back for her children. I had abandonment issues for a long time. I felt like maybe there was something wrong with me. My brothers scattered to the winds. I didn't see any of my blood for almost 2 years. I stayed in Iromar and Andras started talking to me, giving me tasks to do. He was the first wolf to believe in me. My mother came back to visit when I turned two. She tried to apologize for leaving me, but I had changed. I was growing more confident and I finally saw that it wasn't me. It was her. She was the problem. So I turned her away. I moved on and never looked back this time. And it felt good. I was better off without them." She studied him for a moment, letting it sink in. "I think you're better than you give yourself credit for, Hemlock. You haven't given up and that's a start. You wouldn't be here if you had." She tilted her head, waiting.