Hearthwood River A Matter of Trust

Inna wanted to rage and scream at the pale healer that she had not done what he was accusing her of. That she'd had every intention of speaking with the rye wolves behavior when she had returned to Hearthwood. That she knew her place in the pack as her mother had made it clear to her. She wanted to tell him how much she respected him and had only told the rye wolves that she would recommend it but understood it was Lachesis choice what he did about the alliance. He would never hear it because it was clear that instead of asking her or allowing her to explain herself he would rather believe the words of whatever rye wolf had supplied the information to him.

More than anything she wanted to tell him that what had upset her so was that she had been accused of not caring for her sister. The only link she really had to her mother, that she was afraid she would lose her forever. That didn't matter either for Lachesis wanted to trust the rye wolves with her sister when she had just lost her other and only wanted to pull Risa closer. To help her through her grief, for them to help each other. She was not to be allowed that for Risa was to remain with the rye wolves despite Inna feeling that only she could understand what the Raven was going through for she too had witnessed their mother killed.

Lachesis spoke more but the damage had been done her respect for the man who chose to believe the words of an outsider over his own subordinates was gone. Her body sunk lower to the ground until she was laying on it. Her ears remained firmly pressed against her skull and she did not look at the pale leader, could not.

Inna couldn't lose anymore than she already had her father, her siblings, her mother, and now Lachesis. He had hurt her more than he would ever understand, the man she had seen as a father. She heaved a deep sigh doing her best not to cry in front of the men. That would be saved for later when she was alone with Oksana.

The their punishment came and it was not as bad as being chased out or demoted but was she supposed to he happy now? Jump for joy because her punishment wasn't more severe? She couldn't when she did not believe she was as trusted member of the pack as she had once thought for if she was she could have told her side and then maybe this would have gone better. She wouldn't feel that she had lost her father all over again.

Finally she turned her head to face him but she did not bring her gaze to meet his and instead focused on her paws. When she did speak her tone was cordial but without the usual friendliness she spoke to him with, “I understand how wrong my actions were and I am sorry to have caused you so much trouble. I appreciate the mercy you have shown in our punishment. I accept my punishment and will fulfil until instructed otherwise.” That said she gave a dip of her head before turning her averting her gaze once more.

He did not like dishing out punishments or being overly dominant. Raising his voice and being aggressive were traits that the young Lachesis would have rolled his eyes at, for he was incapable of getting angry. Yet, here he was, with his upper lip curled and his tail extended high over his back, his posture screaming with authority as he stared at the two submissive wolves before him. He considered the raven his right-paw, for he trusted her with everything and had never expected her to act so boldly—especially to a relative. He knew that she was grieving too, and handling it in a different way than the others, for Kisla had been her mother too. Which was why a bubble of guilt surfaced within his chest, threatening to break his calm exterior. He swallowed it quickly once Inna spoke up once more, offering another (sincere) apology, her gaze avoiding his. She was upset with him, that much was obvious, which only made this harder.

But he could not help but be angry. While he believed what Reyes had shared with him, as there was no reason for the Rye scout to lie to him, he also wanted to hear what the raven (and the healer) had to say. Just not now. Not while his limbs with quivering with anger and the fur on his neck stood so high he was confident they would be able to touch the sky if he jumped.

“You’re both dismissed,” he murmured once Lorcán spoke up, his lips falling into a straight line as he took a step back, his posture relaxing slightly. “Inna,” he started, his expression softening as he studied her despite the frustration that still lingered in the back of his mind, “I’d like to speak with you. Tomorrow, or the day after.” He hoped she would be willing, for he did want to hear her out as well (even though he knew the truth). He turned to look at the healer before speaking once more, his brows still pinched together: “You both should rest—it’s a long way from Wild Rye. Get some food, too.” With that he dipped his head, bidding the pair a silent farewell as he turned on his heals, disappearing into the forest once more to collect himself.

When they had arrived back in Hearthwood she expected Lachesis to be upset with them because they were late. She was not expecting someone from wild rye to have beaten them to Heartwood and told the pale healer everything. Except it wasn't everything and now she and Lorcan were paying the price. She knew on some levels she deserved to be punished but only if she was being punished for the right things and she did not feel that she was. Yes she had acted rudely and was out of line but she was being accused of wielding a power she knew she did not have. That was the part that made swallowing everything and taking her punishment so hard.

She would take her punishment and she would serve her alpha the best she could but now she did not know. In a matter of minutes she felt as though she'd lost another wolf that was so important to her. He had become someone she no longer recognized, this was not the Lachesis she had left only days ago. Inna didn't know how to understand that.

After they had received their punishment they were finally being dismissed and she could finally go back to her den and be with her daughter. An ear flicked to acknowledge her name was said but she did not look at Lachesis, he wanted to talk to her. She supposed she shouldn't have been surprised, she figured he wanted to make sure she knew where she stood. “Yes sir, of course,” she said taking a page from a Lorcan's book on how to address and alpha. “I will be available whenever you are.” It's what good subordinates did after a, make themselves available when necessary.

A small piece of advice before he left but Inna didn't feel much like eating and didn't even know if she would be able to rest. Even after he was gone Inna didn't move immediately but laid there somewhat Frozen on the ground. Then finally she regained the use of her legs and rose herself up into a lowered posture before glancing toward Lorcan. Then she left him slipping of toward her den where she hoped to find her daughter.