The recent change in Sylva's behavior had certainly not gone unnoticed by the new alphess. The dark female was not her usual social, bubbly self. She was keeping away from her pack mates, isolating herself in the chosen location of the infirmary. That in of itself, was suspicious. But even more disturbing was the distinct, unmistakable change in the young wolfs scent. No longer was it sickly sweet and inviting, but riddled with the tiniest traces of new life. It was without a doubt, that Jynx knew from this subtle change alone, that Sylva had broken pack law by sneaking behind their backs and breeding with another.

By the courtesy of Gent and Raela, her trusted friends, Jynx had earned  the right to breed. And she continued to prove herself worthy by fulfilling her duties as Leader, until the rightful queen was well again. She was grateful for the blessing Gent had given her and Emrys, but it by no means extended to the other subordinates in the pack. What had Sylva been thinking? Was she really so naive...so foolish, or perhaps treacherous to go behind the backs of the very family that had guided and supported her all this time? Jynx didn't know what her reasoning was, nor did she care. With her seasonal heat in full swing, complimented by surging hormones, her tolerance for this type of insubordination was non-existent. She had heard of course, of Zilas' plea to return to the Notch, which was ultimately denied by her co-leader. Which was just as well; they had no room for wolves they could not trust. They would much rather be short a few wolves than have their ranks clogged with plotting minds and broken promises. 

As Sylva's howl called for her and Gent, she stopped by the gently flowing creek. Her right hind leg planted back down after a yet another spreading of her scent, to remind the females of her condition and status. With vigorous scrapes she kicked her legs back, sending melting snow flying behind her to further disperse her scent. Her golden eyes narrowed in the direction of Sylva's medical den. So, she had finally come out of hiding. Not a wise choice. With a surge of fire running up her spine under her skin, the russet alpha turned on a dime, striding purposefully to the location. The dark speck that was Sylva in the distance, she focused on, moving towards with purpose. With intent. As she grew closer an overpowering sense of dominance welled up inside her, intermixed with anger and disgust. Her shoulders rolled back, tail positioned stiffly over her spine, ears pricked forward aggressively. "Sylva..." The name rolled off her tongue as the bridge of her muzzle crinkled, a low growl building steadily in her chest. There was no mistaking her scent, no hiding what she had done. She took one single, purposeful step forward, aligning her head with her shoulders, muscles tense and ready for release. "Get out." She commanded coldly, with no room for argument. If the healer resisted even in the slightest, then the newly appointed matriarch would not hesitate to use physical force.

Luckily for Sylva, just seconds after her single warning glided past her lips, did a savior arrive. The blur of unmistakable bluish-black fur flying between them filled her vision, his voice issuing a firm command to back down. Having held nothing but utmost respect for her co-lead, even with her shift in rank, Jynx complied. She straightened her posture, easing out of the predatory stance she had once assumed. She was no longer on the brink of lunging at the younger female, to give chase. Offering Gent a stiff nod, she gave Sylva the chance to speak, to explain herself.

Perhaps she was being hard on their ebony healer. Her surging hormones ruled her emotions, clouding her judgement some. But Sylva had been with the Notch from the start...even before then, in the late days of the Crest. She was certainly a loyal member, and did at the very least, deserve a chance to explain herself. After all, Jynx had not considered the possibility that she could have been impregnated against her will. Even as she stammered, huddled to the ground in nervous, fearful submission, the new ruling female remained imposing. From her hind end, all the way up to her crown, her hackles stood on end, tail lashing intently through the air. Golden eyes narrowed in contemplation at the beginnings of the explanation she offered. A brow raised, almost skeptically, but not in complete disbelief either. "And did you see what this wolf looked like? Could he still be in the Lore?" If Sylva was to make her case convincing, then the more realistic, the more details she could provide, the better. Whoever this wolf was who had forced himself on her, had to have been larger than Sylva. Otherwise she surely would have had a chance at putting up a fight.