While Indru wasn't sure of the purpose of her words he hoped that the effect they had wasn't the intended one for it was a stinging blow that they caused, and he felt she made it clear where she thought the blame lay for the Tainn's dispersal. His jaw clenched in response and his muscle's tensed and as he turned his head it was all he could do to keep civil, to breathe, and to focus on keeping himself rooted to this spot. However, it wasn't lost on him how she called it his family, Indru himself never thought of the word family without Cori being very much the head of it but it seemed clear that she didn't think the same. It felt unfair that she expected him to forget his siblings and the bond's they had shared and replace them with Corinna and their children, for family was never replaced it was extended, that was the whole making of a pack.

As she continued to speak it came clear that still she didn't understand, Indru had chosen to send Borlla away from him, and while it had hurt it had been a decision he had come to and one that he had made. He was not such an unfair wolf as to resent others for that, however much weight Corinna had had on him doing so. I'm not angry at you for Borlla having to go, he began with his voice as calm as he could make it, which was fairly so, but it was careful and calculated as he tried to make himself as clear as he could. In truth I'm not mad at all, but I'm hurt that you left, that you must have known I had no other option and yet you still turned tail and left me to see it through alone. For what was a leadership, a mating, but a pair? Indru had picked Corinna to be his mate and from that action —like all wolves—had intended that they lead together, and when she had accepted his courting he had presumed she thought the same. We're a pair, are we not? Mates? Why did you leave me then, to deal with it alone? His question wasn't voiced with anger because what he had said before was true—it wasn't anger he felt at Corinna, but hurt, which was only being strengthened and multiplied by her inability to apologise, to soothe his wounds, even though she got her way in the end. Indru had lost, and he had done so willingly by shoo'ing Borlla himself, but even then she could not give him this.

While Indru didn't threatened like Corinna perhaps intended him to do so, his eyes watched her approach cautiously and his body was held just ready to tense if it was needed—Indru had no desire to retaliate if she planned to wound him, but nor would he be unprepared either. Her words stung but at least he knew that his leaving had not been voluntary like hers had been, when he was able he had always remained a strength at her side whereas she had left him weakened. It was ridiculous, this blame game, and after a measured look Indru decided against a response to her low blow, knowing that she was intelligent enough to eventually work out the same thought as he had—he'd never wanted to leave, but she clearly had—but by not voicing it he hoped he would stop the endless battle.

It's done, he repeated with a deadened voice, his gaze drifting aimlessly around the forest before alighting back on her again. His hurt wasn't one that would disappear in a magical instant—especially not with that apology—but it was one he knew he would get over with time. You should go rest, he added after a moment of silence, eyes twitching away from hers in the awkward, tense atmosphere, I want to check the borders and do a few things. However angry or hurt he was Indru could never not care about her wellbeing and he couldn't stop his eyes drifting towards her belly where they softened lightly and returned to his paws as he stepped away from her. I'll see you later, he added as his fiery eyes darted to meet hers quickly, there was a promise in his voice this time and as he turned away to leave he knew he would sleep beside his family tonight.