He was pleased by her reaction and most definitely happy with it. The joy that he saw within her eyes was something he would kill to see on a daily basis. Even though they had just been sent away, there was an even better hope for them, somewhere else…somewhere…where the both of them could possibly be happy and really start their lives together. He looked down at the woman beneath him, his mossy green eyes shining with a newly claimed happiness. Namara had stuck with him through everything and in turn, he had stuck with her through every bite along the way. It didn’t occur to him until then that she was waiting for her to lead them…again. He had to keep himself from snorting in amusement at his thoughts. It seemed that anywhere he went he would not be able to be satisfied with his place as a low ranking wolf. He had been born and bred to rule.

Nodding his head slightly, he started towards the west side of the mountains, ready to face the reality of what they were doing. Hell, if they made it in time, Ash would be able to be reunited with his sisters, Eva and Nina, both of whom he had not heard from since their last trip down to Secret Woodlands. Flicking his tail, he suddenly stopped, his neck craning back to take one last long glance at his former…to former home. Images of Belladonna and himself playing and laughing flashed through his mind. Once again he was reminded of a time before all the heartache and pain. Treena bumping into him on her run away from Copper Rock Creek. Meeting Ava and then eventually being accepted into Poison Path and staying loyal until the end. That was the end, and now it was time for a new beginning. With this thought in mind, Ash pushed on, confident that Namara was matching his stride and right by his side.