For a moment, it almost seemed as if things would devolve into a fight, with both Solomon and Wasp stepping closer, each with the intent to protect the freshly born child and her mother. As quickly as the moment came, however, it passed, and he watched realization dawn across Wasp's dark face in real time as she connected the various dots.

Yes, he couldn't help but think with some frustration, this is my daughter, the one I sent you to check on, remember? But his lips remained pressed together quietly.

Thankfully, little Vala was there to break the tension with a soft squeal of greeting and Solomon turned to look at her instead with a chuckle. A part of him almost hoped that she would be as rambunctious and wild as her mother, if only to give Vi a taste of her own medicine. While he was certain that Nadja had been near to her wit's end following the wild-hearted girl up and down the Cove, he remembered those days fondly and hoped that Vala might be able to make some of her own memories in their family home until her mother was ready to move on again.

"She will," he confirms comfortingly. "You grew into yours." Granted, Solomon was certain it had taken her all of about ten minutes to learn that Vihar meant her, and probably another four months before she realized ViharNo wasn't actually her full name.

Wasps's voice drew Solomon's gaze briefly and he watched the dark mare leave in silence. He knew that he should follow her to discuss what had happened since she'd arrived, but he hesitated. Was there really anything he would glean from it? Did it matter if she had come to aid Rougaru instead of him? The wolf and his kin were gone.

And yet... he couldn't let it go. She could still prove to be dangerous to his family if her ties to this hellish place were deeper than she had suggested. He still couldn't fathom why Wasp had any ties to Rougaru when she'd spent so many years making his own life hell. Solomon knew he'd deserved her ire in hindsight, but that didn't help him understand why she had a connection to Rougaru. Like a dog with a bone, he couldn't stop worrying at the what-if's lurking behind all the unknown elements when it came to Wasp.

"Will you be okay a moment?" He addressed Vihar again, his face softening as he spoke to her. She was still his first priority and he would not leave her side if she wished him to be here.

Solomon