For so long Inna had been worried that she had put an unrepairable rift between her and the pale leader.  He'd become so important in her life that she wasn't sure she could even imagine her life without him in it. She was aware that things between her and Lachesis as well as in the pack could have gone so differently.  It seemed that for the most part everyone had at least accepted what she'd done and moved on. She still needed to talk to her mother and the longer time.went on she believed Alek wouldn't ever be over it.  It hurt that he couldn't at least try for her because she was his sister but she supposed it was different since she wasn't his litter mate.

The young Baranski was worried that her mother was still angry with her, it was the last thing she wanted.  There had been times when she'd been angry with her mother bit at the end of the day Kisla was her mother and she wanted her in her life.  She felt some relief when Lachesis told her that Kisla wasn't angry with her. “I hope that we can start to rebuild our relationship,” she told him, “I hurt her badly and I think I need to find a way to make it up to her.” He spoke of Kisla being worried about her, Inna nodded o agreement, “I'm beginning to believe that the worry a mother has for her children is something that can't be turned off no matter what happens.” Even if her mother had thrown her out of Hearthwood Inna doubted she wouldn't worry. Inna couldn't help but laugh as he stated so matter-of-factly that he was right. “Well I suppose it's your job to be right about these things,” he was alpha after all.

Inna’s feelings toward Lilya might not be completely friendly, she had her opinions on the woman which she kept to herself.  However the Hearthwood second made Lachesis happy and she had given him the chance to be a father again, he deserved it.  Inna thought he was a wonderful father, the way he had always been there for her she was sure he would do the same for his own children.  What had gone wrong before she didn't know but she hoped that with Lilya as their mother things would go much differently.

Her place in the pack was something that was very important to her but she worried that after what she'd done it would be tarnished. She had been worried that she would never be able to to come back from it but reconciling with Lachesis gave her hope. His reassurance proved that he had taken notice of her loyalty to the pack and the hard work she had done.  His words also seemed to suggest that though she had broken pack law her loyalty and hard work had been taken into consideration. “Perhaps it's selfish, I'm not really sure but Hearthwood is my home, my parents built it and I want to ensure what they built last long into the future.” It was the reason she worked so hard and her loyalty wasn't hard to give to those she knew cared about her.

Throughout her pregnancy Inna had slowly dropped of some of her responsibilities, hunting was the first to go.  Her border patrols she felt left something to be desired since they had become more like a stroll through the woods.  Meeting wolves at the border was all that she felt she could still do well and she didn't feel they were too much on her body.  She expected there would be a time when that would have to stop as well. “I know and I probably won't want to leave them once they are born. It's just I should be out there doing me part you know, They are working hard because of something I did, it hardly seems fair.” She supposed that Lorcan was the only one who it didn't bother her that he was working hard because she couldn't.  After all he did help her to become pregnant and she doubted he would like it very much if she was still out hunting and patrolling.

Even when she had her doubts Inna had always worked hard for the pack and in a way for herself. Hearthwood was her father's legacy and she meant to protect it and see it grow into something he could be proud of. Now that she was getting older and able to do more for the pack she meant to do everything she could. In a way though she hadn't set out to get pregnant but now her children would be a part of Maksim's legacy too. Things had seemed bleak for Hearthwood duto g the winter but with spring came not on three litters of pups but some new members who all seemed like they would stick around, finally she felt like the pack was flourishing and her dream seemed to be coming a reality.

It was her mother that worried her, she didn't want to go through the rest of her life with Kisla angry with her for the poor choice she'd made. Lachesis had known her mother for a long time so his confidence helped her have hope that she and Kisla could reconcile. “I think I just need to talk to her,” Inna said with a nod. She hoped enough time had passed that her mother wasn't still so angry with her. Inna used to worry about the pack and how it was doing, it was the only thing she'd had to worry about but now she worried about that and the pups growing inside her. Since she'd found out it was a constant thing that never completely went away. She thought of Lorcan when he spoke of a father's worry, “Yes father's too,” she said with a smile, “I think it's just as great as a mother's.” It certainly seemed to be with Lorcan.

After her father's death and the departure of her family from Hearthwood Inna had realized that without hard work the pack wouldn't survive. She'd thrown herself into keeping it going so while it was her home she also felt like she'd had a part in making sure it made it through the rough times. A smile crossed her face as Lachesis expressed he felt the same as she did. “We all have to work together but with the same goals I think we we have a good chance.” She did worry that those who’d recently joined might not share her and Lachesis’ dream. “Thank you, I hope our newest members are just as loyal and remain with us for a long time.”

She felt badly letting her duties fall to others in the pack but she also knew that it was important that she take care of herself. “I will and I will work as hard as I always have,” she assured him. How much work she put in for the pack was something that would never change and she would teach her children to do the same. “I will miss them too,” she said with a laugh, “But you're right they will be there when I am able to return.” She couldn't say for sure when that would be but she planned to get back to her duties as soon as she could.

She knew he was right when he said that packs were there to help each other out. “I know and I suppose letting everyone take care of my part of the work is something I'm going to have to get used to.” It made it easier to accept knowing that the reason she couldn't attend to her duties was for the health of her children and herself. “I've always tried to do my best for the pack and hopefully they can understand that if I could I would be out there with them.” She was certain that Lachesis knew she would still be working as hard as she always had if she could.

During the few months she'd​ spent away from Hearthwood Inna had come to realize how important her family was to her. Then after her father's death it had all seemed to fall apart and she'd had no choice but to grow up. The hard work she put in to help make sure Hearthwood made it through such a difficult time only made what her father built that much more important. Now everything she did was to make sure that her father's legacy would last long into the future, even her children were part of that legacy. It didn't matter to Inna how they had come about they were Baranski's​. Hearthwood was theirs just as it was Inna's and she fully intended to make sure her children knew that.

Something that Inna had started to wonder about However was her part in building Hearthwood up and making sure it lasted. Months ago she'd asked Lachesis about pursuing the role of scout but since then she wasn't sure that was where she belonged any more. The borders we're where she felt comfortable, making sure their visitors we're well taken care of and kept occupied until Lachesis or her mother could arrive. Inna wasn't ready to breach that conversation with her aloha just yet until she knew for sure where she stood.

As for her mother In a was almost certain she was still angry with her, maybe not as much as she had been the day she'd discovered what her daughter had done. Inna knew that she needed to talk to Kisla, that was the only way she felt they would be able to get past what had happened. Lachesis’ nod told her that he agreed with her it was just knowing the right time to speak with her. She too was pregnant and preparing for her children to arrive so it might be she would just have to go to her and hope for the best. She smiled as he agreed with her but then he would know best for he was a father twice now, “You’re a good father Lachesis,” she said setting him with a look that clearly said she wouldn't be argued with, “And you will be a good father to Lilya's pups. I'm sure of that.” She blamed Kjors for what had happened with Kyrios and nothing would convince her that his mind had not been poisoned against Lachesis.

Inna nodded, “I have not had the chance to meet all of our new members but from what I have seen I have to agree.” She fully intended to make herself known to the newest members but she feared it might have to wait until she’d had her children. She smiled, “Ayti is a good guy and seems very committed to the pack. He just has some adjusting to do,” she commented about the chocolate man who'd been such a great help to her. “I'm sure with a little guidance he will be a model pack member.” What she had learned about him had shed some light and she had seen just how much he tried to help. She nodded once more, “I do as well, as long as we are all working together the stronger we will be.” She now felt that had the numbers in case setting happened and as long as they all had the same goal in mind then they would have the strength they needed to protect their home if necessary.

He spoke of the borders being a nice break from the children which she did have to agree, once they were old enough to be out and about she imagined them to be quite rambunctious. “You're probably right, their antics might be better left to the sitter,” she jested. He was also tight in the next thing he said too, “I think it will be hard at first while they are still young but as they come into their own and are old enough to start running about Hearthwood like I had it will be easier.” At least she hoped that was the case. Inna knew she wouldn't be able to stay away from her duties forever.

There had been a couple times in the last year that Inna worried she would no longer be able to call Hearthwood home. Things had seemed pretty grim for the river wolves while her mother had been away. They had come through it only to flourish after all was said and done. It was as if this that had joined them since her return from her time with Lorcan had known that Hearthwood would need the extra paws. She hoped they would never have to go through such a rough time again. That with their new members and the pups the pack would continue to do well in their forest home.

She was grateful to her mother for allowing her to stay within Hearthwood despite having broken pack law. She knew that she had a lot of repairing to do where her mother and Alek we're concerned. She hoped time would help to heal the wounds she'd created and that in time she could at least have her mother back. Alek was a different story, she didn't know if she would ever get her brother back. Inna just wished he would give her a chance, maybe he would and maybe he would but she planned to try when he did.

Now as it grew closer to the time her pups would be arriving she felt she had some things to evaluate about her life. She supposed she could do that when it came time for her to remain in her den.

Inna smiled, “You're welcome,” though she had only been telling the truth. She didn't blame what happened with Kyrios on the healer, had Kjors not been in the boy's life things might have turned out differently. She hoped one day he would come back to Hearthwood and him and Lachesis would have the chance to mend their relationship. She smiled at his words, “Thank you, I'm a little nervous though,” she admitted, “Which I suppose is normal too. Once they are here I think it might be better.” Inna was sure her mother had to have been nervous before her first litter but she'd gotten through it. In a was sure she could too especially when she had help and guidance.

She nodded as Lachesis said that Ayti was trying, he was most certainly doing that. After their conversation she knew he wanted to make Hearthwood work. She also knew a little of his background and could see why he was having difficulty. “Yes, he does need to do that,” she agreed, “Which I think will come in time.” It was all part of the adjusting he had to do. Inna was sure he was up for the task though. “I hope so. Especially since some duties may fall to them and they will have to be willing to not only protect the pack but the pups as well.”

As for the puppies and how they would interact she had to agree. “I do hope they will all become good friends. With so many they shouldn't ever get bored,” she said with a laugh, “There will always be someone to play with.” Inna was curious about the personalities of all the puppies too.

In the past months Hearthwood had flourished which made the ebony Baranski happy and she believed her father would he pleased as well. Though she worried that it wouldn't last long just as it had before. She remembered the days when the river wolf numbers had been large and had seen them slowly dwindle. She supposed she would always have the fear that it could happen again. What if their newest members decided that life by the river just wasn't for them and they took their leave slipping away in the night. Inna didn't want to believe that would happen but she felt that she always had to prepare herself for that possibility. She believed if she did that she wouldn't have to be too disappointed when it did happen.

A laugh vibrated her throat when Lachesis said he'd be surprised if she weren't nervous, “Are you nervous even though it's your second litter?” She asked though she felt she knew the answer considering what had happened with his last litter. The Baranski still missed Naia just as she did her father. She regretted not being in Hearthwood when it happened and wished everyday that she could have been. “Thank you Lachesis I'm glad to know that my children and I have the support of the pack. It eases some of the worries that I have especially about the pack being taken care of while I can't do my part.” Knowing that she had the support she had been so unsure of made her feel a lot better about bringing her children into the pack. She was slowly coming to terms with it all but talking with Lachesis helped her to see that she'd had nothing to worry about.

She had learned where Ayti had come from during their talk before finding her a new den and understood it to not be like a normal pack. It helped to understand him better but also to see that he had the potential to be a very good member of Hearthwood. Though she did hope that he wouldn't get frustrated with how things were going for him and suddenly leave the pack. “I'm glad to hear that. It seems they understand our predicament and doing what needs to be done to make sure that everyone is taken care of.” Inna nodded in agreement to his sentiment, “I do as well but I don't think we have to worry as it sounds like they are working hard and doing their part to make sure Hearthwood survives.”

With three litters coming into the pack Inna did wonder what effects they might have. There were so many questions about how things would go once all the puppies arrived. She worried about how her pups would be received among not only the pack but the other puppies as well. She laughed again as Lachesis spoke of a pup sitter having all the puppies at once. “Hopefully the pups will keep each other company and all the pup sitter will have to do is make sure they don't get hurt.” The children would be rambunctious and most certainly keep the pup sitter on their toes.