Grizzly Hollow but to be in the grave so long, poor boy.

Mandatory pack meeting.  @Oula @Amaryllis @Nineva @Tyne @Pip @Rook
Also applying the global RE because this blizzard won't end omg.
RE: Snowmaggedon! A foot of snow has fallen overnight!

Had you been there tonight, you might know how it feels to be struck to the bone!

It was a long, restless night in the pack den – even if it was still the wee hours when he peeled his eyes open and hauled his bulk right out of the opening into the chill of the raging storm.  Perhaps it couldn’t be classified as a blizzard any longer, but it was still quite chilly, and the snow continued to fall at a rather alarming rate.  It was no longer walking across the snowpack, but rather wading through the truly absurd fall from the night and days before.  Thank goodness there were no puppies now.  The snow was so high, the children would have been buried a few times over!

Absently, he wondered what Felix and Ophelia thought of this madness – not just of the snow, but the clear lack of organization between their parents.  But had they ever known anything different?  The litter had still been rather small when Rook had left to join the other Lyalls up at Renegade’s Reach, and he hadn’t returned until they were gangly, awkward youths, no longer true puppies.  Oula too, had disappeared when the children were still growing.  Still children.  And she too came back, around the same time as Rook had – but for what, he sometimes wondered.  Why?

 Joan still vanished.  Rook and Oula returned, and that was not enough to keep Joan from wandering off, and that was not enough for anyone in the pack to find his eldest, either.  It was as if she’d simply blinked off the face of the earth altogether.  As if she had not come to harm, but ceased to exist all together, as if she was never there at all.  The very thought made his heart throb – he could only hope she’d found her way somewhere outside the forest.  Somewhere it was warmer, with less blasted snow.  Somewhere spring had arrived properly, once and for all, where she was warm and happy, with a full belly, and a safe place to sleep.

 Oula had still been kidnapped, albeit briefly.  She’d gone looking for their daughter, and while it was a small relief that the man who’d taken the gamma had not taken the first-born Macieo as well, it did not change the fact that she’d been kept from Grizzly Hollow against her will.  How she had escaped, he still was not entirely sure – had been thoughtful.  Careful.  Perhaps he had been too worried, treated her like she was more delicate than she actually was.  Assumed she did not want children again; clearly, this was what assumption got him.  She’d gone out and mated with a random lone male of all things!  When she’d left her own brood once already.  When she hadn’t shown a great deal of interest in Joan, Felix, and Ophelia once they had been weaned.  He had so many questions, and couldn’t put words to any of them.  But it wasn’t his place to ask or demand answers – that was not their arrangement.  It was a one-time deal.

 Ah, but he had thought they were friends.  That they were able to talk about such things.  He had thought they were more than friends, but clearly, he had thought incorrectly.

 Veho continued to plough forward, trying to shake the dark thoughts from his mind as he worked his way towards the border.  It was utterly exhausting this work, and he hadn’t even gotten there.  His wet ears flattened against his skull and he snorted softly, not enjoying the thick snow still falling from the clouds above.  Briefly, he glanced up (and immediately regret that particular decision), squinting at the dark and gloomy sky.  Perhaps the weather was mirroring his own mood.  Or was his mood mirroring the awful weather?  A far more likely case.  It was sheer hubris, to think he had any effect on the nature around him.  He huffed again and bowed his head, continuing the painful trek towards the borders.  Why the borders, he found himself wondering.  Why did he always lurk there when Rook had gone to the trouble of seeking out and building a small, personal den, just for the pair of them? 

 Oh, yes.

 Because Rook was there.  It was so difficult to think clearly, even when his mate was not there.  The whole area still stunk of the man – and with that familiar smell came memories both fond and bittersweet.  Meeting upon the rocks one night.  Loving whispers and words shared, the birth of a relationship.  The guilt of Quil’s own disappearance.  The hurt that came every time Rook disappeared, the joy he felt every time his mate returned whole and unharmed.  The truth that he learned not from his partner himself, but the man’s older brother – information he shouldn’t have, and yet weighed heavily upon him now as he could not decide how to process it.  The pain that drove ever deeper when Rook inevitably disappeared once again – and the pain that came with all the ‘what ifs’ that swirled around him now like an unrelenting murder of crows.  Would Rook stay for Amaryllis’ puppies?  For their sake, he hoped the man did, but it did not fail to drive the throne a bit deeper into his chest, poisoning his blood all the more to think that for some reason, his litter was not worthy of such attention.  Would he disappear again, and leave Grizzly Hollow straddled with pups they would struggle to care for?  That was the only litter amongst the group that had a present father – never mind the others would already have to be working overtime to make sure Pip, Oula, and their children were provided for without the other half of the parental commitment.

 Did Rook actually plan on telling him the meeting with the female alpha had gone beyond simply ‘being social’ or was that esoterica?  It wouldn’t be a secret forever – in a few days, Lily’s heat would end and she would add to the ever growing stench of pregnancy practically dropping from Grizzly Hollow’s border now – but why did he have to learn it from Oula?  When she wielded that information like a weapon, holding it close and brandishing to cause pain, to gain leverage – indeed she did, but Oula had her own brood to care about now.  Of course she went to Lily first.

 Of course no one asked him.

 Of course no one gave one single fuck what he thought on the matter, or what this might mean for Grizzly Hollow, or how they would struggle to handle this when the pups were born into the world.  When had they ever treated him as more than a resource when they were sick or hurting?  When that they ever shown him respect as an alpha? Quil and Jynx and Yvly (and Oula too) – he envied those women for their freedom, for the wings they spread to fly away from the absolute well of chaos the cedar forest pack had become.  No wonder Grizzly Hollow had fallen once before.  No wonder Cut Rock River had abandoned this place.  It was probably cursed.  Tainted.  The land was sick.

 Maybe he was sick.

 Maybe this was all his fault.  He had not confirmed that Pip had understood what mating season brought, what the results of coupling with another wolf could be.  He had assumed her family had done this.  He had not terrorized the other wolves of breeding age in his pack.  They were all adults!  They should be able to make responsible decisions without a tyrant lording over them.  Amaryllis was free to make her own decisions, have her own pups, that was her right as alpha of the pack come springtime, but with his own mate?  Oh, to assume that Rook or Oula would do him the courtesy of discussion as he had done for those to before proceeding with any courses of action last year.  Hah!  He was such a fool.  He had brought this all upon himself.  He had thought to lead with respect and kindness and find it in return – and this is where he ended up.  His children were dispersing away (for which he could not blame them).  He was the last to know about any even relevant information about Grizzly Hollow or forces that might effect it for good or for ill.  Forget the notion that he be consulted before such drastic decisions were made – never mind how his own mate acted – despite that he was alpha, and had always been amenable to conversation before.

 Veho’s eye twitched violently and something in his chest constricted tightly.  He couldn’t breath.  He came to a sudden halt, gasping violently as he struggled to quell the storm of anxiety and hurt swirling around deep inside his throat, but to little avail.  A moment later, he stumbled forward, retching the contents of his empty stomach onto the white snow.  The yellow bile stared back at him, already fading and disappearing beneath the blanket of snow, but--  He understood now.  He knew what he needed to do.

 Once his breath had returned, the male turned in place, heading back towards the center of Grizzly Hollow grounds.  At the very least, most of his path was already plowed and broken through the extreme amounts of snow (even if his paw prints had already disappeared deep beneath the fall).  He trudged with no great speed, only determination, his ears flat against his skull and his flag held high above his haunches as he marched, shoulders set.  He would do this.  He must do this.  There was no turning back, not now, or there would be no Veho left in one or two moons from now.  They were killing him.  Slowly.  But his eyes had been opened now, perhaps the Ancestors were forced to intercede so violently for his lack of consultation lately, and his failure to act now would be no one’s fault but his own.

 Once he reached the center of the pack grounds, not far from the communal denning site, he sat, and surveyed the empty forum.  This would be his last moment of peace, at least for a while – this would not be met with happiness, nor should it be.  So he closed his silver eyes and allowed the snow to fall over him then, enjoy the moment as it blanketed him.  Cleansed him.  He would start over.

 Do not tether me, he once said.  And he had been yoked, saddled with the responsibility and leadership of Grizzly Hollow.  Once, he’d done it gladly for love.  But that love had been revoked, and even Veho Macieo could not operate forever on good will alone.  Perhaps it was good that Joan and Felix and Tomen had left, or had plans to leave.  Perhaps he would be able to convince Ophelia to do the same, and wipe all traces that he had ever been here.  Perhaps he could become the ghost his eldest daughter had become as well, and join her in her ethereal form.

 Perhaps.  This was all very wishful thinking, and he was getting far ahead of himself.  Before he could spread his wings, he must he responsible at least one more time.  He was not like Rook Lyall and he was not like Quil Attaya and Yvly and Deacon and the sea wolves and all the others who’d come and gone so freely, with no thought or care to what they might do to the others who remained within the cedar forests.

 Veho tipped his muzzle back and let his song echo through the trees.  A soft sound, low and mournful in tenor – but then he got ahold of himself, and the song strengthened and grew.  It was no longer a wistful cry, but it was a firm demand that booked no argument of any wolf remaining among the Grizzly Hollow pack.  They were to meet.  Now.  All members needed to discuss the coming crisis facing them, and all members must now face the music as to what Grizzly Hollow had become.

 Consequences.  There would be consequences.

She was on her own in the storm, willing it to batter and freeze her as her strong limbs stood against it. The ice fringed her muzzle and ears, flagged the skirts of her still-thick winter pelt, and coated each spike of her tail. Nineva had never felt so self destructive before, had never felt so ready to implode in on herself. In all honesty, she wasn't sure what she was seeking. The pain of frostbite to wake her heart from the torpor it was slipping into, or the quicken the numbing so that she would no longer have to feel the flames of her own righteous anger.

Her head tilted toward the swirling sky, eyes closing as she struggled to empty her mind of thoughts. Then her ears were met with Veho's howl.

The first few notes inspired bitterness within her chest, and her fangs were gritted behind her black lips. Then it changed, strengthening with the weight of resolve, of action. Her eyes snapped open, and her thoughts whispered a hopeful finally. Her stiff legs moved, steps jagged until movement warmed the muscles up once more. Then she was bolting, plowing as quickly as she could through the threatening mounds of snow toward her alpha's whereabouts.

When she found him, there was certainly something different about his look, something that gave her relief. Ice and all she approached him, pressing against his side and nosing the underside of his chin in affectionate, respectful greeting. Was he finally to do something? The pack needed it. She needed it, desperately. She could not survive this chaos.

The blizzard that ripped over Relic Lore had snowed Rook in from where he slept within his and Veho's personal den. The heavy snowfall continued on through the night to pile on a foot more of white frost to the already carpeted forest floor. Since he had awoken that day, he was constantly trying to clear the half-tunnel and the clearing around the intimate site. Where he was able to pack the snow down into a hard surface underfoot proved hard to keep up with as the storm continued. His paws were frozen and his eyes and nose stung from the cold. Though when Veho's storm-muffled howl came up, he grew still, listening until the notes advanced into a more stern and commanding call.

The pack's communal den was not too far from where he had chosen a den site specifically for them, but even then Rook had a hard time traversing through the trees where the snow was up to his chest and still untouched. He clumsily leapt to where there used to be path, the only telltale sign of the highway ever being there only obvious by the trench-like dip it still had despite the recent blizzard.

Head bowed and legs trembling, he made his way to the old stump where his older siblings had been born. A blink of his squinted eyes produced two pale figures against a backdrop of white and cedar brown pillars. He stopped just long enough to inwardly steel himself then he quietly approached. A wide berth was given around Nineva and her place before Veho. Since his arrival back home, the two had played quite a game of "cat and mouse" and Rook very much hoped that she would not do anything more than turn up her nose at him. Cowardice aside, the longer he stared at them, the more he found his bearings; and, regardless of what he thought of the young woman, he, too, strode up to the Leader to grasp Veho's chin gently with his teeth and nuzzle his face to his partner's throat before pulling away.

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

Oula lay within the dark confines of the den, watching with disinterest as the snow continued to steadily fall. Inch by inch it covered the entrance, and a few times she rose to sweep it clear. Each time she would return back to her same corner of the den, resting with her head on her paws and letting the world pass by her. She had escaped one pit, and willingly thrown herself into another. Sleep had evaded her the night before, and even now her tired, drooping eyes could find no rest. 

There was little work to be done in weather like this, and perhaps, she bitterly thought even attempting to venture forth would earn her a reprimand from her leader because of her condition. Indeed, she wasn't in the mood to cross Veho today, nor any of the others for that matter. She'd suffered the shame of having her rank stripped from her by Nineva, but she could not stay mad at her. For the younger woman was clearly the more disciplined of the two. 

Whatever strained relationship Oula had with Veho she had finally bent until it broke. But she would rather have the broken branch laying on the ground where she could see it, instead of threatening to fall on her head at any moment. She knew that burdening their dwindling pack with an illicit litter of bastard children was a brash and foolish thing to have done. But still, she did not regret it, as it was the only thing she had that no one could take away from her. It was a chance to start over, and if from no one else she could have the undivided love of her own children.

Oula stirred as Veho's howl broke into her thoughts, the reedy song quickly shifting, reaching a determined crescendo. Finally, she thought to herself with satisfaction, he was taking action. As the last note faded away, the woman slowly pulled herself to her feet. With some effort she placed one paw before the other, emerging into the world of wind and biting cold where she immediately regretted leaving the warmth of the den behind. But she stubbornly pushed herself into the wall of snow, cold embracing her on all sides as she waded towards the meeting grounds not far away.

Already Rook and Nineva had assembled before Veho, their devotion to him clearly evident in the gentle touches. Oula looked to him, into his silver eyes, before diverting her gaze into the blinding snow. She looked at none of the others, and especially did not dare place her eyes anywhere near Nineva. She skulked forward with her back arched and tail tucked down between her legs, settling herself at the fringes of the group.

(This post was last modified: Mar 24, 2017, 09:10 PM by Oula.)

She trembled when she heard the call go up. It was by her own self-inflicted exile that Pip remained wholly unaware of the rest of the goings-on within the pack. After @Veho had broken the news to her that she was pregnant, she had undergone the most tumultuous of emotions. Excitation straight to anxiety and horror and fear leading now into depression. That this pack meeting could be about anything other than her banishment for breaking pack law did not even occur to her as a possibility.

The old Pip simply would have run. Tucked her tail between her legs and fled like a coward. But despite her fears, she owned Grizzly Hollow far more than that. She refused to disappoint them as her siblings had. They had given her so much in her time here; the least she could do was show her respect before she was sent away.

She trudged through the snow with a churning belly that was part nervousness and part of her condition, though she wouldn't have known the latter. She'd been vomiting once every morning on her dawn hunts, but had not gone to Veho for it as punishment for herself. In the same way, the tawny mute had avoided every comforts the pack offered. Either she ate her own kills after offering something for the pack or she went hungry.

When Pip came upon the group, her eyes skirted all gazes as she slunk around the edges of the gathering with her belly dragging through the snow. She had no right to the warm, gentle touches and kind embraces and did not seek them. With her gaze so downcast, she missed altogether how Oula as well had chosen to remain an outcast among the pack she once led with the pride of a warrior. The little mute lay with her tail tucked up tight against her belly and her head on her paws while she focused on a snow-covered bush away from her packmates.

Already, she felt herself grieving.

It would be the end to the life she had grown so accustomed to. Of that, she was certain.

Everyone and their mother had sticks firmly up their asses, Ophelia was convinced. While she would never say the word out loud in front of her Daddy, she had no qualms about thinking. And it was true! Ever since all the other females started acting all weird and smelling stupid, the entire pack had been on edge. No, she amended. It all started when Papa came back and then Joan left on a whim with some mutterings about bad dreams. Who let dreams decide what they did with their lives anyway? Ophelia had always thought Joannie to be the logical one, but Ophie thought that was pretty stupid. More like something Fee would do.

And now he was leaving, too? Was the whole pack falling apart at the seams? It seemed only natural, she supposed. Everyone always left. The only ones that were a constant since the day she'd been born were Daddy, Nineva, Pip, and Lily. Wolves would come and they would go and it rarely bothered Ophie one way or the other until it was Mama who was coming and going.

Though Ophie was incapable of emphasizing with @Nineva's recent sour mood, the pup certainly emulated it well enough. That her older sister seemed so irritable lately gave Ophie all the license to act the same. Of course, she dared not do anything with Pip. The whole pack adored the omega for some reason she still could not comprehend. She'd only attacked that moose before so she would look cool anyway...

Upon hearing Daddy's call, Ophie roused from sleep slowly, but with interest. He sounded...almost mad, too? Had some stick crawled up his butt, too? Even in her mind, she could not think of Daddy having the 'a' word. It was too bad a word for Daddy.

Though the posture of every wolf in the vicinity did not escape her when she arrived, Ophie pointedly ignored all but Daddy, Papa, and Nineva who were all so close together. Leaping into the clearing, the pale princess pounced upon her older sister's back in excitable play before lapsing into chin licks for the pair of males. The girl offered a wide yawn and blinked over at Veho. "I was sleepin'," she informed him without heat. While it wasn't said, it was certainly implied that she expected it to be for good reason. She needed her beauty sleep like any proper princess.

When Veho’s howl barely rose above the howling winds as Amaryllis hid in her own den, she nearly flinched at the tone that carried in at the start. Veho was not happy and was demanding everyone come to him. Was this because of what she had Rook had done? Or was it just because of what collectively was going on? Wolves coming and going, three females being pregnant at the same time?

Oh, not that she regretted having her own. She was leader and knew it was her right to breed this spring. Both Rook and she had been willing participants in the act that began the life within her but it had not taken a genius to see or even smell what Rook meant to Veho. Veho’s scent had hung heavily on the other’s coat even on the night they went behind his back. That their den, that she had almost fallen into the day before and which was close to the communal den, was filled with their mingling scents. And when they were in the communal den together, the two slept beside each other. Yet guilt still seeped into her heart as she hoisted herself onto her paws and hauled herself through the roaring winds and high snow, towards where the others were gathering. The snow was deep and Amaryllis could barely see where she was going. Nearly tempted to simply turn back and return to her den, she persisted. Going back to her den now would only make things worse for the future.

As Amaryllis passed Pip, the young girl being on the edge of the group that had already gathered, she paused to dip her head and placed a gentle kiss against her forehead. She could feel the negative emotions just rolling off the silent girl, as well as the scent of her...condition. Amaryllis had suspected something was up for the past week or two now, having only caught Pip’s scent here and there as she avoided her packmates. But now she was closer, it was obviously clear just why Pip had been avoiding everyone.  

She wanted to stay by Pip’s side, to tell her none of this was her fault and further making sure the younger knew she was still loved and cared for but there was a feeling in her chest that told her she should be standing closer to the inner circle. That she should at least go and greet Veho and the others gathered around him properly.

But glancing down at Pip, who looked so despondent, it nearly made her heart break. But there was not much she could do for her, at least not right now.  

With her head still low, the leader whispered into her ear. “You have done nothing wrong.” and it was true. This had been Pip’s first heat and she would not have known what would happen once she had a little ‘fun’, with whoever it was she had chosen. Though that was, she had no idea. Was the father a loner, like the father to Oula’s? Was it someone from a neighbouring pack? It couldn’t be someone within Grizzly Hollow, as the only males of age were Veho, Rook and Tyne. Wherever Tomen had gotten to, she wasn’t sure but was certain it couldn't be him. Neither could it be either Rook or Veho, because well, one had gone to her and the other loved Pip like a sister.The only possibility could be Tyne but even despite their once closeness, she couldn’t quite believe it.

Hopefully though, her words would make Pip feel a little better as she left Pip’s side. Pip was strong and Amaryllis would not allow any harm to come to her regardless.

“Veho,” Greeting her co leader first seemed like the best idea before she looked towards the others and nodded, though she only held eyes with Rook for a few seconds before looking away. Had he told Veho yet about their night together? She thought as she settled a few feet away. Regardless, the others would be able to smell there was something subtly different about her, even though it would yet to be as strong as Pip or even Oula.  

As her eyes looked around, looking for a familiar tawny figure, she noted how Oula was looking everywhere else but not looking at those who were already gathered, especially Nineva. Had something happened between the two? It would not surprise her, given how turbulent everything seemed right now.

But her heart dropped as something suddenly dawned on her. Yvly. Yvly and the fact she had yet to arrive, when she would have been one of the first to do so and the fact Yvly’s scent had been growing fainter and fainter since she handed over leadership. At first, Amaryllis had put it towards knowing just what season was coming up. That she had just gone into hiding or something. And so caught up in her own heat and the small betrayal of her friend’s distance, she had stayed away from even her closest friend in the pack and had missed all the signs.

She bit back a whimper at the idea that Yvly was gone and that she might not see her friend again hit her. hard. Yet she steeled herself. She’d have to deal with her own feelings later. Right now, there were bigger things to deal with. Nineva was standing next to Veho and for a brief moment, as Amaryllis glanced towards Oula once again, it clicked. Had there been a rank challenge, with Nin coming out the victor? It explained Oula’s sight that was cast away from everyone. Either way, she wondered if the younger girl would come for her rank next. If it did come to be, Amaryllis wasn’t sure how she would handle it. Nineva was the only of age female to not have become pregnant and right now, she did not look particularly happy., standing there. If she did seek leadership, would she drive Amaryllis and Oula out of the pack? Or - worry settled into her heart. Was that why Veho had called everyone and have them gathered around? To order Amaryllis, Pip and Oula to leave, so as not to burden the pack with so many pups?

No, Veho would not do that...surely?  

(This post was last modified: Mar 25, 2017, 01:56 PM by Amaryllis.)

While the whole pack still seemed to be on edge, Felix at least found it within himself to go to sleep with the few who remained in the communal den. His father was there, his sister was there – sometimes, Pip came too, though it was hard for him to tell who came and who went as he opted to sleep through the majority of the snow storm. Even now, he allowed himself a sleepy leisure even as all the coterminous wolves around him seemed to come and go. Soon, he would not have this luxury. He might have stayed there longer, too, had his father’s call not rang long and low through the cedar wood forest.

The boy’s ears flipped back as he peeled his eyes open, unnerved both by the mournful noise and the stern tone that followed. He did not dilly dally as he pulled himself from the den, pausing only to shake the snow off of his silver coat before he slithered free, marching through the high snow to the best of his ability. By the time he arrived at the meeting grounds, most of the pack had already assembled – so he offered his father a kiss, and his papa a nudge, and then he moved to his mother, who sat all by herself. That wasn’t right. No matter what was going on.

Felix sat himself next to Oula and nudged her cheek, offering a small whine as he leaned into her bulk. She was his mother. Nothing changed that.

Had you been there tonight, you might know how it feels to be struck to the bone!

It was no small miracle that all the wolves responded with great alacrity – perhaps they sensed the underlying umbrage in his summons. That Nineva was first to arrive was no surprise; she was rewarded with a small nuzzle, a lick across the bridge of her nose. Rook, however, was not given the same treatment. When his mate appeared and took place beside the alpha, offered his own affections, he was given nothing but a steely stare in return. Now was not the time to play cutesy – if the beta wanted love and devotion, he should have come to Veho in privacy, before the truth was leaked, before it came to this.

But it had. And so he said nothing, saving his breath instead for Ophelia, who too was given a kiss and a soft reassurance. “This is important,” he murmured to his daughter, waiting only until his son showed up, as well. Felix was given a nod even as he chose to sit with his mother; the middle child was a kind-hearted boy, and Veho doubted there was little that would change this. Frankly, he hoped little would change this. Tyne was still missing, but quite frankly, he was not the problem. The three women before he were – and as much as they deserved their suffering, he would not leave them in a state of limbo eternally.

“I will not drag this out,” he rumbled, looking from wolf to wolf. “Pack law has been broken numerous times this winter – and if not pack law, then personal trust.” Moonstone eyes flicked from Amaryllis to Rook – none were spared his deep disappointment. “How is it that the only wolves who behaved were the coming yearling, and the newest member of the pack? How is it that I chose to treat you like adults, and you instead chose to act like naughty children?” His ears flattened further against his skull. He could rail on for hours, he suspected – but what would that accomplish?

“There will be consequences. For all involved. Subordinates who have bred without permission will be on probation for the foreseeable future. The offending males who helped commit the crime have been removed from lands surrounding the pack; if they return, I will deal with it more severely. And while Lily has not broken pack law – as it her business to breed if she so chooses – that she has chosen to breed with my mate and I had to hear it from Oula instead of the involved parties leaves much to be desired.”

Dear Ancestors. Was he running a pup sitting center? (If he wasn’t he would be rather soon.)

“And so know this. Ophelia, Felix, and Joan will remain the rightful heirs of Grizzly Hollow – I have been the only stable thing in this pack since Borden Lyall left this plane. All other litters will be of equal standing.” His lips peeled backwards, revealing rows of ivory teeth. “I will not tolerate blatant disrespect under the guise of friendship and care. Going forward – we have three litters come spring, and we must prepare for it. Anyone found not pulling their weight will be dealt with accordingly. And I will be going on sabbatical for the next four weeks. We have ties with Fallen Tree Cove and Secret Woodlands I need to see to and, quite frankly, I need the space. Rook, you will deal with acquiring resources for the litters in the meantime.”

Part of this is your doing, after all. You’ve changed? Show me, Mr. Lyall.

“I welcome Nineva or Ophelia to join me – the experience would behoove you, and you need not be punished for the mistakes of others.” Both girls were briefly regarded. “Felix will be leaving Grizzly Hollow soon, to strike off on his own, and I will leave once he has been seen off safely. I expect everything to be in place when I return – and I expect that the puppies will not be punished for what their parents have done.”

He sighed, his train of thought finally coming to a halt. “Does anyone object?”

Paging @Rook @Ophelia @Tyne @Nineva @Oula @Amaryllis

YES! Finally! Pip - everyone's precious, perfect Pip - was one wrong move away from being cast out from the pack! It was about time. Even if she had worked hard to try to repair her relationship with the omega, Ophelia just found that she really didn't care for the woman. That she had any of her Daddy's attention at all was a constant source of bitter frustration for the pup. But this kind of attention? Oh, he could give her this kind of attention any day!

The youngest sat prettily beside her father as he regarded the pack with a fierceness she'd not seen from him in her entire life. The only time he'd come close perhaps had been after she attacked the stupid little omega. Smug, Ophelia's tail swished with pleasure, wholly unable to hide her glee at the entire situation. The pale princess couldn't think either of a day where she wasn't getting into some kind of trouble. Today was the first.

Yadda yadda, Lily and Papa --- wait, what?

What?!

Lily? One of her favorites? And Papa?

Uncertain how to process this, she looked to Rook with uncertainty as if he may have answers for his own behavior that would make sense to the girl. She couldn't hold his gaze long enough to glean any answers from his eyes, for her attention was pulled away by her own name. With pride, the girl sat up straighter. Yes! She would remain heir no matter what!

Wait. It was a possibility that she may not have been?

Why was this all so confusing??!

When Veho informed the pack he was leaving, Ophelia's heart seized. No, no! Not him, too! Not like Mama! But her concerns were quickly put to ease when he invited her and Nineva along for the journey. Her tail went straight back to wagging full force. <b>"When do we leave?"</b> Ophelia asked brightly, overall unaffected by the sour tone of the meeting. After all, she hadn't done anything wrong.