Aesire was dead. Aponi was gone. And Phineas found himself the sole guardian of a child who had been terrified of him only a moon before. Vitani now reigned as the lead female – and in truth, the only adult female within the pack, given Celandine and her friend were still yearlings. It took everything the male had to not simply corral Kyna, Takis and Celandine away – to steal down the mountain and find Narime or Elettra and request to join them.


And he still wasn’t convinced he would not, one night, do this. His desire to reign over a land had long since dwindled.


But for now, the morning light filtered through the cloudy but blue sky, and an autumn chill clung to the air. Tipping his muzzle back, the alabaster wolf called for his pack mates – those that remained. He beckoned them to him, for the Plateau needed to have a meeting. Far too much had happened over the past month, and to move forward, he needed to solidify the pack bonds they shared between them.. or, at least, what they should have shared. As his call quieted, the large male made to take a seat, awaiting his members to return once more.

He had not been home for long when his father called a meeting. Takis had heard of Aesire’s demise, and Aponi’s rise to leadership.. before relinquishing her title and leaving the pack once more. The youth had been trying to track Celandine down – uncertain of how she would receive the return of her brother. Before he could trace her, Phineas’ howl had rung out across the Plateau, and pausing, Takis gave a small wince at the realization that Celandine would see his return through this, rather than him finding her. Yet he could not ignore the demand of his leader, and so the boy remained resolute.


Releasing a soft sigh, the boy made his way to where the meeting was called. Phineas was waiting, his large form regal as he sat – and yet Takis could see age practically blanket his father’s weary form. The boy dipped his muzzle lower in deference to the leader as he came in, his bright eyes drifting around the small clearing before settling a respectful distance away. His eyes sought out his sister – wondering if she would show.. and hoping that once she did, he could sidle up beside her and try to talk to her.. if not before, then after the meeting.

Her father's call still held the same deepness it always had, the same authority she remembered. For a moment, she could have told herself that nothing had changed. Evy's irritating voice might have spilled into the air, Takis' might have exchanged a knowing glance with the former youngest Argyris, but in truth, everything had changed.

Aponi's disappearance had been such a relief, but for what? Celandine could hardly call herself a princess anymore. She didn't look, or sound the part, and in a world such as theirs, that was half the battle. Who would follow her now? Especially with her closest adviser gone. With a sigh, the pale girl turned, to head toward the heart of Silent Moon. 

As her small steps neared the meeting, she caught a scent on the air. It was not the faint traces that had once lingered upon the rocks after his departure, but a strong musk that was undeniable. Takis had returned. She felt her heart jump-start, before it caught in her throat. The youth had almost let her emotions get the best of her. Almost. Placing a cool mask upon her sharp features, the soon-to-be woman kept her amber eyes forward, unable to even glance at her brother. Instead, she chose a spot next to Maeve, and let her rear fall to the soil below.