His mind had been settled – but that did not mean his pack would agree. Magnolia Glen had once been a paradise, now, it remained stagnant with the memories he carried of both his son and his ex-mate. Loved ones had been lost – Inkheart, Lucero, Zia (which had partially been his own fault).. and now they remained a dwindling pack of strangers with one another.


His children deserved more, and he would give it to them. Slowing at a lush slope along the glen, his muzzle tilted to the evening sky, noting the variegated pinks and oranges that streaked across pale blue – soon, it would turn to a purple.. and then an inky midnight. His cry echoed across the lands, beckoning the wolves of Magnolia Glen forward. He had news – and he spoke of change.


Where their new direction was undetermined yet, but he was already planning his journey to find it. He would not take the cubs just yet – he would either go solo, or request another attend with him. Either way, it would be a new start for them all – especially the trio of puppies.


As his song faded across the evening sky, the large male settled to his haunches, his features unreadable for the moment. As he waited, he could feel the cold autumn breeze sweep past his fur, reminding him of what was to come. Soon, winter would be upon them.. there was only a short window to do this successfully, and he was determined to see it as such.

Takis, needless to say, had kept to himself these past few weeks. The disappearance of his mother had shattered him – had he not been good enough? Was it something he had done or said to make her so angry with him? His father had pleaded this not the reason, but the pale boy could think of nothing else, and so, feeling undeserving of the companionship of his sisters, Takis had instead integrated himself to the lifestyle of a hermit.


It was his father’s call that would force him up – his paws splayed across the edge of a rock he haphazardly remained stretched across, and as he jumped down from his perch, his pelt gave a quick shake. His eyes flashed in the direction the Argyris regal beckoned him to, and without any form of emotion, the youth trailed to the gathering, only slightly curious as to what would be considered.


He eyed the few wolves that had already appeared – his bright orange eyes shifted quickly to see if he caught sight of Borlla, but disappointment no longer swelled in his chest. Instead, he was met with silent resolve as he moved forward, sidling up to Hypatia’s side and rubbing the crown of his head to her shoulder by way of gentle greeting. Settling down to plump his rear upon the ground, his eyes then found the proud figure of his father – who, for once, was maintaining a rather proud stance in comparison to the slumped shoulders he had witnessed in the confines of their den these past few weeks.

A small group moved before him, and it was disheartening to know that the only ones missing from the pack was Deneb and his two youngest daughters. This alone spurned him forward with his need for a change, and offering each a nod as they came in, a crooning growl given to his daughter as she bumped her muzzle under his chin. He dipped his nose lower, teasing the crown of her head between her ears in a sign of pure affection. She had been nothing but a doting and loving soul her entire life, and now, with the disappearance of her mother, she had truly stepped up to take care of her siblings. He wanted nothing but for her to be happy.


Takis and Aponi were the last to arrive -- the latter greeting him in such a way that he misinterpreted it as the same affections for his daughter, and he lowered his muzzle to bump his nose to her cheek in fondness as well. They would not wait for the others -- the girls were old enough they could join on their own accord and should have been encouraged t do so.. but he would seek them out after and reprimand them for not attending. Perhaps, once settled in their new home (wherever that may be) it would be time for them to go on their first hunt. Just because the lead female had left did not mean the traditions of the pack would leave as well.


"We are a small number now," he mused quietly for those that gathered to hear. "As you may have noticed, Borlla is gone. I do not know where she went -- I followed her trail until I lost it.. but there had been no sign of distress.." His eyes shifted, finding his daughters before continuing. "Zia, our long standing second had also left. When she returned, she had the audacity to insist her way back in to the ranks with dominance." There was a small pause, and while he felt a stir of guilt at having pushed the she-wolf away, he knew the ties that had once bound them had severed. Yet there was a pang in his heart at the thought of her -- and he realized he missed her more than his mate. "She left. This is all we have," he said, sweeping his eyes over them. "And I want to move us -- our family -- to a new home. Away from this place and the memories that linger here." He paused then, waiting to see what the others had to offer.