As an apology tumbled from Borlla's mouth Indru blinked in surprise, perhaps she had grown up a little in her absence, but none the less his unimpressed expression didn't shift. He was more than pleased to see her safe and unharmed, she'd be silly and he'd be hurt if she questioned that, but whether she had family here or not she was not pack currently and would have to learn to treat those that were respectfully. As Indru suspected he might, Ice accepted the apology, and his fur settled as his slightly risen hackles dropped, pleased that she had been put in her place.

His careful eyes watched his sister with curiosity, even on his arrival she had acted much different than he was used to—respectful even, and for Borlla that had to be a first. However as the male, and then Borlla herself, introduced the stranger the leader's fiery eyes switched rapidly to the silver male and before he had time to respond (not that he was sure what that would have been) Corinna's scent struck his nose and she arrived not long after. The tension in the air suddenly sky rocketed and on instinct Indru's fur rose again, the rage from Corinna was undeniable in her body language and her scent but if that wasn't enough her words made certain that it was clear. At Corinna's arrival Borlla had shrunk and he knew it would take a strength such as one Cori possessed to get his sister to submit the way she had, and Indru continued to watch them in silence as the tension rolled over him in waves.

If it wasn't clear before what Borlla had sought (as Indru didn't much think she'd come just to dangle Bardou in front of his nose) he was certain then by the stutter and insecurity in her words—she wanted to come home. The oldest Tainn's posture stiffened in his dilemma, as torn as he was. To refuse Borlla was the equivalent of Cori rejecting one of her children who had a bad attitude and a rebellious streak and it wasn't something he could see her doing. Yet, he knew too that her predicament was her own doing—too many mistake and too little apologies. His jaw tightened in his confusion, he felt torn both ways, Borlla was only a sister by blood but she was much more than that really. Indru had spent too long being a father to those three cubs, Borlla and Triell in particular, for them to remain only siblings to him. Cori... He hushed, as soft as a whisper, not really sure what wanted by saying her name either, his voice was pained and he hadn't felt this conflicted in a long time, especially with Kinis so recently missing, how could he let another one go? If something was to happen to Borlla he could never forgive himself.

Quickly Indru's eyes flashed to Borlla and the message in them was clear—if she wanted this, if she wanted to come home and be with her family she'd have to prove it. If it required her to swallow her pride and completely submit she would have to do it. There was a desperation in his eyes as he watched her and willed his sister to do the right thing and offer Cori her complete fealty.

Over the last year, humility was something the grey wolf had learned well. The drama with his brother and the woman he had set his heart on no longer cut him as it had at first, and the pale lady at his side had played a big part in that. To see her under such familiar scrutiny twisted his gut, and the knowledge there was very little he could do to ease the situation only made the quickly building pain worse. He felt like he was going to be sick.

It would seem the wolf they remembered was very different to the girl he had grown to know over the last three months, it was up to her to show that now. As submissive as he could appear without rolling on his back, all he could do was wait, and hope that Borlla could begin to prove to them that she was here for the right reasons, and not simply because they were selfish and starving. They managed ok as far as hunting, even with his gammy leg. He would never feel the comfortable embrace of his true family again, but he was happy to make one wherever she was, after all, friends were the family you chose...

His heart lifted a little at the tone of the fiery eyed male, but quickly sunk at the hiss of his mate. He never expected this to be easy, but he wasn’t much of a talker and was completely lost for words at this stage. He liked to think on his words lest he say something foolish. Obviously not a problem for the others gathered and he worried they may think him stupid as well as lame. That wouldn’t be very conductive. Wincing a little at the thought of interjecting on an argument between couples he was well aware it may result in a swift bite to the face (or throat) however if things continued the way they were, they could be here all day with neither party willing to back down.

”If I may interject lady... What would it take for you to reconsider? I have known Borlla yet three short months and I am yet to see her display any disloyalty or bring dishonour on herself... I understand I am but an outsider and there is no reason for you to believe my words...” for they had left Stone Shelf on amicable terms, rather than stealing away like thieves in the night. He still braced himself. He just couldn’t bring himself, with his luck to be able to see this ending well.

The unfair accusation in Corinna's words caused the leaders hackles to rise in turn, and though his nose wrinkled and the tips of his teeth were shown he managed to restrain the growl that bubbled in his throat so that it barely rose to an audible volume. His fiery eyes, which normally only looked upon Cori with softness and affection, had hardened under the challenging stare she had placed on him, and as she broke her gaze from him his chin rose along with his tail in his annoyance. He was far from weak in their leadership.

He let his mate speak, as was her right and as he respected her, but he didn't agree with all the points she made. She's a adult now, he expressed, and surely Corinna would know the truth of his words—a yearling was an adult only in appearance and nothing else, was she prepared to call their children complete, true adults in a month? She has done wrong, she was rude and insolent and she left and came without apology. However, she is back now, and with an apology, and from what he could see, a different attitude too. Indru's family was always the thing he would have a soft spot for, it was instinctual for him to want to care and protect them, however even so it was clear that already he would not put up with Borlla's behaviour as he had before. If her fealty to them was accepted she would have one chance to be a true River wolf and that would be it, but the acceptance was not his to make. Both Borlla and Bardou's words had washed over him and Indru, lost in his thoughts, had no desire to reply knowing they were directed at Corinna anyway.

Turning from Corinna, Indru stepped towards Borlla once again, with intentions to test a theory. Bardou was forgotten for the moment as Indru's attention focused solely on Borlla and as he closed the distance towards his sister Indru's movements stiffened as he began to adopt a more dominant position: his tail tugged at his fur almost painfully it was held so upright, and the fur along his spine rose and only made him larger, his ears perked forwards and slowly a rumble of a growl started to echo from his chest. An old Borlla would have protested, most likely would run from him, but Indru wanted to see if she had changed. Was she old enough now to swallow her pride and accept him (and in turn, Cori) as a true superior, a dominant wolf, and show herself as submissive, or was she no different and would she turn and flee once more?

He had heard the howl. With Relic Lore's traffic increasing, the sounds of wolfish communication filtered through the air almost every day, and most of them were of little interest to Marsh particularly, worth nothing more than a twitch of the ear and silent acknowledgement.

He had not been expecting this one. He very nearly treated it as dismissively as all the rest, save for its message. So, Borlla Tainn was back again, and Marsh had no reason to believe she would be bringing fresh imports of humility back with her. It was no secret that Corinna did not like her.

If Marsh had not already possessed the same opinion, that fact alone would have been enough to soil Borlla's name forever.

The summons had not been for him. Marsh's opinion would not sway whether or not the girl was allowed re-entry into Swift River, though he did not doubt that she would if Indru was the one to greet her. Indru placed a lot of value on family, and in cases like these, Marsh believed it to be a little shortsighted. There was no reason in trusting another just because they shared the same blood. Marsh Barrew may have been incapable of judging those with unquestioning devotion, but at least he gave it to wolves who didn't let others down time and time again.

In the end it was curiosity which drew him forwards, though he never intended on coming out into the open. It was not his place. He could smell Ice, Indru and Corinna as he approached, as well as the familiar trace of Borlla and a stranger she had brought with her. Another perfect stranger during Corinna's pregnancy? Were his nerves never going to be allowed to rest? The sound of voices trickled through to his ears, their content filtered into nothing but their owners. Indru, Borlla, the unknown male. Marsh came to a stop, watching the gathering from the forest, his eyes settling on his leadess and instantly her apparent tension sent a ripple of unhappiness down his spine. Was she being opposed? Just as he knew that Indru would let his sister back, he also guessed that Corinna would have been happier running her out. And the family-blind beast was choosing his sister over the woman who had never failed him?

Suppressing the snarl in his chest, he stepped forward to try and support his leadess, but it seemed as though the decision was already made. Indru had moved forward to dominate Borlla - who, to Marsh's surprise, was actually reacting properly - but Corinna had turned to leave. Coming to stand, briefly, next to Ice, Marsh glared at those present - particularly the strange male, just for good measure - before his eyes landed on Indru's back.

It would have been insubordinate to growl, so Marsh did not. It did not stop the open fire in his steely eyes. Doing his best to contain himself, the beast instead turned about again, leaving the sorry mess behind him, and trotted after the retreating Corinna.

It was hard to contain the pride he felt as he watched Borlla submit. He knew it took a lot for her to fold in on herself. To admit she had done wrong in the past and that she was here to try and make amends, but he did not envy her position. His presence seemed all but forgotten by the gathered, forgotten by all but the grey male with the icy blue eyes.

As Corinna turned and departed without a word, his concern grew, not just for Borlla’s chances, but for the lady herself. It wouldn’t do her well to be getting herself worked up. She should be enjoying this time and he considered himself an idiot for not considering it sooner. They should have come earlier, or much much later. But it was too late to change things now. Hindsight was a wonderful thing.

Another male emerged in russet tones, impressive in build and clearly capable. Scars adorned his body and he wore them like badges of honour. He avoided the man’s slate gaze just as readily as those of all the others gathered, but he could feel the judgement searing into his skin. As he turned to follow the lady back into the pack lands, it was obvious he was just as displeased with their presence as Corinna was and he begun to wonder how they could possibly make a home with only Indru on their side? But he was persistent, and so was his creamy companion. They could make this work.