His leg was continuing to grow stronger, now that Aquene had set it right. Every day, he walked a little further, feeling a little more like his old self, patrolling the border and guarding the pack, like he was meant to. It had grown in his absence, counting several new faces, as well as his cousin who had helped get word of Leo to the Cove – and his little brother too had returned alongside Magg, managing to do what Leo couldn’t manage and bring the girl home. And then there’s Ally… But he couldn’t think of her, not right now, there were too many other emotions to process, as well as him continuing to heal.

That was his main focus, keeping him mostly solitary, with little energy left to socialize. Still, when Nash’s voice rang out, more demanding than he had perhaps ever heard it, the guardian didn’t hesitate, rushing to join the rest of his family.

They were gathering at the medical den, as Magg and no doubt Aquene too were inside – Leo had yet to speak to the girl properly, letting her tend to her recovery as he had his, or so he told himself. In truth, he was terrified of facing her, knowing how badly she had been hurt on what should have been his watch.

But for now, Leo’s focus was on his leader, as he walked into the gathering, still with a slight limp. He passed several others on the outskirts, nodding briefly at Armand as he walked close to the youth, before continuing to the front. Here he stopped for a moment before Nash, meeting the dark man’s eyes briefly and then bowing his head somberly – The Guardian had some idea of what might be discussed today, and he recognized his alpha’s anger, ready to share and execute it however he was instructed.

Thoughts ”Speech”