Kingsfall i am not a stranger to the dark

Even a blind wolf would have been able to tell that something wasn’t right with the lone agouti. She was thin and straggly looking, which meant that she had been on her own for quite some time. The cold didn’t help, either, as it chased away most of the prey—especially in the north. His peridots had fallen to the silent stranger, his eyes pinched in concern. She did not greet him after his approach but she did bow her head, which meant she was familiar with pack structure. Perhaps she hadn’t been a loner long … but why had she chosen such a life in the middle of winter? Or had she gotten kicked out of her previous pack? His tail twitched cautiously behind him as he turned back to his daughter, his expression softening. The little Stark confessed she wasn’t sure if the loner could speak, which made sense as to why she hadn’t spoken on his arrival, and that something was wrong. He frowned. Can we help her? He couldn’t refuse his daughter’s plea. The tawny female didn’t appear to be a threat—she was far too small and frail to cause any harm to him or his daughter. Plus, he was too nice to leave a tired and hungry wolf at his borders. Would you like some food? He offered, his nose turning back to the stranger. My name is Lachesis, I lead the pack beyond these woods. If you’re hurt I have some herbs that could help you and a warm den for you to rest in. He paused, his tail swaying gently behind him to show that he was no threat to her. Would you like that?

Pip kept her head down as they deliberated. She dared not meet their gazes; the mute didn't want to see the pity or the accusation that would no doubt rest there. Staring at the snow, Pip narrowed her eyes a little. When exactly had she become so cynical when it came to pack wolves? At which point had she become so distrustful? And yet, she still maintained hope. It made no sense when she thought about it. If she was so distrustful, shouldn't she avoid them as much as possible? So why was it she continued to be drawn in?

The agouti female listened as the sweet girl, Lavender, pleaded her case in her stead. She expected her father to decline and explain away why the pack could not house such a needy, useless loner. She expected it to become a lesson for the pup on why it was important to take care of ones' own first. Instead, his reply rocked Pip to her core.

He asked if she would like some food. While the answer was apparent, she couldn't even find a sarcastic remark in her head, for the way he asked had been so gentle and kind and earnest. Further, he offered healing and a warm den. Pip lifted her gaze and met his own briefly with teary orange eyes. His tail was wagging and his entire demeanor was calm and quiet. He reminded her of Veho. Her old Alpha had also taken her in as a useless lost loner with little to no expectations of her. That Lachesis was willing to do the same brought the fall of the first tear.

Pip nodded slowly. Yes. Yes, she would go with them. Even if they led her to her death, she could follow if it was accompanied by such kindness.

Her father’s features had grown softer; more concerned. Her own chartreuse gaze swept carefully over the weak agouti, a frown etched into her pale maw. It seemed foolish to be packless over the winter, especially with the weather growing harsher as the days passed. But that didn’t matter—she just wanted to ensure the mute received the treatment she needed, even if she did not intend to stay. She knew it wasn’t the most ideal situation, as her father was quite persistent on not taking in charity cases, but they couldn’t leave the poor woman out in the cold alone!! Lavender did not want to be responsible for anything bad happening to her. Even if her father had not agreed to taking her in the little Stark would have gone out of her way to bring the injured wolf food and find her somewhere warm to stay. She had done nothing wrong, aside from straying too close to the Hearthwood borders, but Lavender was surprised the loner’s nose still worked after being out in the cold so long!

After a brief pause the timid female nodded in response to her father’s questions, which earned an excited squeak from the girl. C’mon! She chirped as she sauntered up to the agouti’s side and pressed her warm fur against the Pip-sicle. Let’s get you all warmed up! S’not too far to the infirmary, she added, her tail sweeping behind her. She assumed that they were going to her father’s infirmary, as it had everything Lachesis would need to tend to her injuries. And while her father was playing doctor Lavender would scamper off to one of the caches to collect something (hopefully) warm for her to eat…

A sigh of relief escaped him as the agouti complied to following them back to Hearthwood. Lavender, too, was over the moon at the stranger’s silent nod. A smile fell onto his own maw as he watched his daughter saunter over to the loner’s side, his expression softening. Lavender had guessed correctly—they would be making a bee-line straight for the infirmary. He would deal with his mate (and the others) later, for he did not want any questioning glances thrown in the agouti’s direction. If something had happened to her he wouldn’t be able to live with himself, for she had done nothing wrong. She did not deserve to freeze to death, or starve—whichever came first. Her injuries seemed minor but they wouldn’t not heal unless dealt with quickly. A few days rest, paired with proper meals, and the agouti would be on her way. Unless, of course, she wanted to remain. But that was up to her—Lachesis would not force her to stay if she had other things to tend to.

Giving a soft nod in her direction he started toward the infirmary, his chartreuse gaze flicking over his shoulder to ensure that his daughter and their guest were following close behind…

Despite her nervousness, Pip accepted the presence of the pup against her side readily. She pressed into her warmth gratefully and kept her head down to brace against the wind as she followed Lachesis to his home. The little agouti hesitated over the borders, but it took little encouragement to get her to step across. She was with the Alpha and his daughter, after all. It wasn't like anyone would chase her off... She hoped.

Upon entering the infirmary den, Pip nearly wept with relief. It was warmer than she'd been in days and she curled tightly in a corner as the pair of white wolves puttered around nearby. As she dozed in and out, roused by the few questions they had, Pip found herself wondering if it was common for Alphas to be healers as well. Her only experiences were limited to her birth pack, Grizzly Hollow, and now this one. Her father hadn't been a healer, but maybe he was an exception rather than a rule.

With the warmth and a safe place to rest, Pip's doing turned into a hard, nearly unwakeable sleep. If any came and went, she was deaf to their presence and dreamed sweetly of better times.