It was curious to see all the different personalities set before her. The two girls acted like they were close, related? They smelled similar, like siblings. The male with them looked so torn, like he was trying to hide his true emotions or something. Of course, she could have it all wrong. Out of the two girls, one seemed shy while the other looked determined, maybe even angry? It was hard to tell but they definitely seemed untrusting. She didn't know their history but was sure they had their own reasons for that distrust. Maybe they'd open up to her at some point, if they were to stay, of course. The mother in her already felt a protective streak over the girls. Her gaze softened, wanting nothing more than to invite them to stay and earn their trust over time. But of course, that wasn't up to her.

What was surprising was the shy girl stepped forward first to speak. Avery was sure to give her her full attention, ears pricked and tail wagging behind her. She smiled when the girl called her Lady. She tilted her head a little when the girl said they had traveled far and had not been home in a while. She lifted a brow. Could she be talking about Iromar? Avery hated seeing all the negative emotions playing out in the younger female's eyes though. The mother in her wanted to rip out the throats of anyone who dared put those feelings in the girl. She waited patiently, encouraging the female to continue with her coaxing gaze but as the girl's words started to stutter, the other female stepped forward, pressing against the first as she introduced them as the daughters of Pine. Avery could remember talk of a young female alpha of Iromar before Blackthorne named Pine.

She didn't recall much about her besides that she was fair but vicious to those who crossed her. Amusement twinkled in Avery's gaze when the girl changed up her wording while talking about Blackthorne. It seems they had no fond memories of the male. Her gaze narrowed in distaste when the girl revealed that Blackthorne had them captive and being guarded. So they must have been part of the kidnappings other wolves had talked about. No wonder they were so untrusting. The girl admitted that they were guarded by none other than the male with them and for a moment, Avery looked at the male accusingly. So why was he still with them? They didn't outright look fearful of him. Were they just masking it or had relations between them and the male changed since Blackthorne's rule?

Her gaze swept back to the first female though as she cut in, saying they wanted to come home. She gave the male's name as Zharko and said he wanted to come home too. She smiled, glad she'd be able to give them hope once more, or at least a start at hope again. She was curious of Zharko's continued presence with the girls but since it didn't look like he was causing them any harm, she wasn't going to argue it. The girl said he kept them safe from Blackthorne, but she still scowled. He must have been something to Blackthorne to be appointed their guard in the first place. She couldn't just ignore that. So where did he stand on Blackthorne now? She wasn't going to interrogate him, but she would keep it in mind. The girl wagged her tail, her eyes filling with the first glimpses of hope and Avery's eyes glistened with satisfaction to see it, knowing that she could help it stay there.

She glanced around once more between all three of them, her gaze staying on Zharko perhaps a little longer as he stared downward. Was he ashamed in his role during Blackthorne's reign or just afraid that she would reject him based on it? Her ears flicked thoughtfully before she finally smiled at the girls again. "Iromar would be honored to have you back home. What are your names, if I may ask?" Her gaze swept back to the male. "And Zharko, that includes you, too. I will not part a true native from their home, not matter their past decisions. Consider this a clean slate. I look forward to seeing what your future holds." She looked around at the three of them again. "Is there anywhere special in the ranks I should place you three? Any special skills you'd like to hone or already possess?"