The devastating news he had received at the monadnock had shaken him. It had come as a complete shock to the male that Wraith, his old pack mate – Piety’s mate – a man that he had come to respect, was dead. Gored by a stag whilst protecting his child, no less. It didn’t make sense to Lorcan that such a good man should suffer such a grisly end. Wraith had deserved better than that.

Another thing that had come to shock him whilst he had at the monadnock had been the appearance of his daughter. The father was aware that he had told @Oksana that was where she could find him, but he had still not expected for the girl run off from her mother so soon after their argument. If anything Lorcan had expected that Inna would not have let her daughter out of her sight after that, but it had now become apparent that the mother had less of a hold around their daughter than perhaps he had previously imagined.

Regardless of his daughter’s feelings on the matter, Lorcan was convinced that remaining with her mother within Hearthwood River would be the best option for right now. Whilst relationships within the pack might have felt somewhat strained and uncomfortable for Oksana, he knew that living within the pack would provide her with the best outcome during the winter months. She would at least have the luxury of regular meals and a safe place to sleep there.

As the sun rose up high in the midday sky, the father retraced his steps back through the trees of Kingsfall, his smaller daughter trailing by his side. “You understand why I am taking you back, don’t you?” He asked tenderly, turning his head to briefly glance across to the dark haired girl. “It’s not safe for you to stick with me through winter, not whilst you’re still growing.” He explained, flashing her a sympathetic look with his golden eyes. He hoped that his daughter would understand and not think that he was trying to get rid of her for good.

It seemed that his daughter had inherited her mother’s temper. Lorcan’s pale brow furrowed in annoyance as Oksana snapped back angrily at him and his shoulders sagged wearily before he released a sharp sigh and slowed his pace. Turning his head to glance across to the smaller shadow by his side, he moved over to bump her shoulder affectionately as she questioned him. “Believe me, no matter how bad things seem in Hearthwood right now, it’ll always be better than living it rough in the wild.” He explained calmly, before attempting to place a lick to the side of his daughter’s face.

At the sound of approaching footfall crunching through the snow, the father quickly shook his pelt to compose himself a gave sharp glare towards Oksana, silently instructing her to behave in the presence of company. Spotting the large pale figure of @Lachesis, the agouti male immediately dropped his head and tucked his tail submissively between his legs and came to a halt. “Sir.” He responded to the leader out of habit, russet ears flattening down just to further prove to Lachesis that he was not looking for trouble. “It was no trouble..” He said with a small smile before glancing back across to @Oksana.

“I think Inna would’ve torn my throat out if she didn’t get home safely.” He half joked, though the wide-eyed stare he shot Lachesis hinted at his seriousness. Nudging Oksana’s side gently, he silently encouraged her to go with the large male.

A few awkward moments passed before Lorcan once again attempted to catch the chartreuse gaze of the Hearthwood leader. “Lachesis, whilst I’m here, there’s something I think you should know…” He said anxiously, golden eyes drifting to his paws.

No matter how much the father attempted to quiet her and convince her that what he was doing was, in fact, the best thing for her – Oksana continued to argue. Lorcan’s ears pushed flat against his head uncomfortably as he formulated a response. She sure did know how to make him feel guilty for leaving her mother, but he supposed, at her age she couldn’t understand how hard and awkward the entire situation was for him.

“I will come back Sana. I will.” He assured her, his brows arching earnestly. “I will come and visit you from time to time, when I am able, but I cannot stay here with you and your mother. Things aren’t good between us, they haven’t been for a long time, and I do not want you to be witness to anymore of our arguments.” He finally admitted, golden eyes searching for some sign that she somewhat understood.

The love between him and Inna had slowly manifested into something entirely more toxic. It was only during his time away that Lorcan had finally come to realise that. Inna’s reaction to him four days previous had only further confirmed his fears.

Lorcan was not blind to the narrowed glare his daughter shot at him when he had instructed her to behave in front of Lachesis. Oksana’s constant arguing and back-chatting was beginning to wear on the father’s patience. He had been trying to keep things civil and polite between him and his old leader but it seemed, despite his warning, his daughter was intent on making a scene. When @Oksana shouted and growled in protest, Lorcan immediately leant over and planted his jaws around her muzzle, clamping it shut.

The father understood that she was upset and angry but that did not give her permission to openly challenge him, especially in front of @Lachesis. Tail curling dominantly over his back, a low growl rumbled in his throat and out between the fangs which clamped down on her jaws. Golden eyes flashed over to give the girl a stern glare. Before he had been forgiving but now she had forced him to be harsh with her. Lorcan hated to do it in front of Lachesis, but Oksana needed to be disciplined.

After a few tense moments, Lorcan’s jaws unlocked and he released his grip on her. He then turned back to Lachesis, his tail lowering, as he awkwardly blinked the leader a silent apology. Ignoring Oksana for a moment, to allow her to contemplate what had just happened, the father focused his attention on the large white male who seemed very interested in what he had to say. “Whitestone Monadnock is no more.” He stated calmly, before pausing a moment to mentally prepare himself for what he was about to say next. “Wraith was killed whilst protecting his pup from a stag. Piety and the others have left.” He swallowed. "I just thought you should know..." He sighed, before glancing back across to his daughter.