He faintly registered the rest of the pack arriving, but his main attention was on Nash, feeling the emotion rolling off the normally so cheerful man, lapping at his own heart like waves at a beach, slowly eating away at his composure. With everyone assembled, their leader wasted no time in putting words to his anger, everyone felt deeply by the young guardian – who thought of Nash, Aquene and their children as his own family, as much as his siblings were.

His decree made perfect sense to Leo, they needed to stick together and protect their home, ensuring that no more harm came to anyone. Still, there was a small voice in the bag of his head that wanted action, to seek out the fiend who’d hurt Magg so severely and enact the Cove’s revenge upon him. And it was quickly clear that he wasn’t alone in feeling that way – the first speaker, A woman whom he had yet to get to know after his return, seemed the most objective in her response, which conversely made Leo less receptive to her grievance; Protecting ourselves is hardly sitting idle…!

The new guardian recruit’s suggestion made his ears flick more keenly; A hunting party! Now that was an idea the angry side of him liked. But it was his little brother’s words that truly tugged at Leo, hearing the pain in his voice and imagining what he must have gone through, coming home only to find Magg so badly hurt and having to drag her North where they couldn’t give her the help she needed. He understood Galen’s desire deeply, yet, as the oldest Vuesain raised his own voice, it was to give a measured response: “We have to be cautious! If someone is looking to attack us, they’re more likely to strike when we’re separated. Protecting the pack needs to be our first priority.” He looked around, focusing on their weaker members – the kids and old Moon, and the den where Magg was still recovering. Then his eyes went to Galen, steel and compassion mixed in their two-colored depths; “If we send out a party, it must be large enough to handle a threat, without leaving the rest of the pack vulnerable.” He wasn’t sure they had enough fighters for that, but his attention would return to Nash, waiting for him to make the call.

When it came to discussion of breeding, the young guardian had little interest. It would be their leaders’ choice whether or not to add to the family, and that was that. Keeping their females from the borders for the seasons seemed sound enough, and as for guidance, Leo didn’t feel like he needed any; Last season had not provoked any strong urges in him, and he doubted this one would be different. There were far too many other things on his mind, and he would never dream of betraying Nash and Aquene like that in any case.

Thoughts ”Speech”