She waited. And waited. She saw Nina's eye grow cold, mouth firm; She won't let me..! The russet healer was already feeling her defeat, a small knot forming in the pit of her stomach. Still, the stern words hit Aideen like the lash of a paw over her snout, her head jerking slightly, eyes widening. She hadn't expected complete understanding, but it was seldom that she had seen the Woodland queen so cold. She didn't know how to react, but stood unmoving, facial expression frozen in her painful surprise. Technically she hasn't answered yet... A voice in her head prompted. A small flare of hope relit within her, but she didn't dare believe, not until Nina began talking again.

Despite the continued strain in the golden dame's voice, her words were warming, even drawing a smile out on the nervous healer's lips. She flicked her ears up, feeling the grin tuck more at the corners of her mouth as Nina kept going, and then finally; Yes! A wave of joy and gratitude washed over Aideen and she almost jumped on the spot in her excitement, but managed to rein in her emotions. Her leader was still speaking, and the faithful subordinate continued to listen, smile fading a tad. Once again, she noticed the change in her mentor and friend, the weakening of her usual resolve.

The last injunction send a stab through the vixen lass' heart, her ears falling back in hurt at the insinuation; Not come back..?! Did Nina really think that was a possibility?! Is it? She asked herself, and suddenly she felt uncertain. It was true that she had not felt as connected to Secret Woodlands after her return, that the changed pack was not the home it had once been to her. But leave?! It seemed so extreme. Aideen shook her head, as if to convince both Nina and herself that she would not leave, that she would return within the limit. Meeting her alphess' emerald gaze, she found both clarity and a touch of the strength that had once characterized the woman, it was still in there; She can bounce back from this! Once the slight healer came back, she would give her all to help that. She nodded once, strictly, acknowledging her leader's command; "We will return before then." She said confidently, and, at least in that moment, she believed it wholeheartedly. Then she stepped forwards, ears, shoulders and tail lowered submissively, and stretched up to nip the underside of Nina's jaw-line in show of respect and gratitude; "Thank you Nina, for indulging me in this, I won't disappoint you."

That was all, she could go. The overwhelming joy blossomed within her again, and she felt it unfurling like thousands of butterflies in her stomach. Once Nina dismissed her, the tri colored girl would hurry back to the infirmary to rouse her escort so they could get going, after all, they had a time limit to keep within. She let herself be consumed by the excitement, pushing back that small, nagging doubt that was forming in the pit of her stomach, that wonder if she would truly ever return.

Word count: 525

Unitas lurked around a large rotten stump careful not to trip over its decaying roots as he slipped through the shadows. The young rebel could not be trusted to answer a call or return from a hunt on his own. He did as he pleased, meandering across the territory learning to hunt at his leisure. The dark wolf had also been scouting the lands outside of their territory lately. His interest in those places grew and grew, but somehow he always managed to turn back around and head home. Even with Wanderlust washing across his soul, Unitas couldn't leave. He couldn't help but fear what his mother would thinking and do to him if he actually left without saying anything. It was that fear that kept him in line mostly.

His young neutral temperament had faded away into a selfish evil one. With his brothers out of the picture and no one willing to really forcefully educate him on pack law about what is good and right, Unitas had turned confident and cruel. His actions were almost completely comprised of selfish needs and wants. Right now he needed physical comfort, from whom it did not matter. Just as long as he found someone to stick around for a while until he ultimately became tired of them. His mother was usually the wolf he found to stick around by. He could tolerate her for long periods of time, maybe because their personalities were somewhat close. Or at least they both like to brood the same way, and Nina had done a lot of brooding the past year so he had no trouble being around her. It was only when Nina tried to socialize and bond with him that Unitas ultimately grw bored of her and tried to slip away.

For now though, he wouldn't mind anyone coming around. If only for a short while he wanted company.

"Speech"

The king looked around as he neared the den, his paw steps slowing as he noticed all was quiet. After his little excursion earlier in the day, the man had decided he needed some quiet time. And that quiet time would be spent within his territory. He still didn't know exactly what was bothering him, but clearly something was. Miccah made a mental note to speak to his wife later about this, but for now, he would enjoy his solitude. Letting out a questioning chuff, and seeing there was no response given the man still did not enter the den. He did not want to rest, he just wanted to sit and relax for a few minutes and then resume his usual duties. Maybe, he would get to the point of why he felt something was very, very wrong. Or maybe the king was just losing his mind. Miccah grunted softly, not amused at where his thoughts were heading. So he sat, and focused on relaxing.