Large snow flakes and tiny ice pellets whipped Veho across the face relentlessly. For a moment, all he could think of was what had he done in a past life? Truly, life had been a trial these weeks of late – he had not changed his behavior recently, so he could only wonder if he’d done something wrong in a life before. But then, he hadn’t found Joan yet, either? He had thought the girl’s absence was a punishment enough, but perhaps it was foolish to think he knew the Ancestors’ will.

Foolish indeed, for they had set someone else’s paws after his.

With no intention of turning inwards towards the pack den, Veho continued to pace the pack borders even amidst Mother Nature’s late winter surprise. With his ears laid back, and his body racked with shivers, he did not hear Oula come upon him until the familiar voice called his name. The silver male came to a halt, lifting his head as he peered back, squinting at her barely visible shape. Good grief. He wheeled, trotting to where she stood. “What are you doing out here? You’re going to catch your death.”

Especially in your condition.

“I am not pregnant, and these are my borders.”

If Oula did not want to be chided like a child, she should not be acting so naïve. Her condition was not lost on him, nor was the fact that she had disappeared, and the males of their pack had been accounted for. Whomever it was, he did not know. Veho was not sure if he should care – but he did, regardless of what he should or should not do.

He moved his bulk, putting himself between the woman and the wind as his tail blew over his haunches like a storm flag rattling in the winter winds. After a moment, he moved to nudge her shoulder, begin to turn her towards the center of the territory, if he could. “I will escort you there.” Whether he would stay or not, he had yet to decide. But he would at least make sure Oula was there, and that his children were inside where it was warm, where they weren’t likely to get frost bite. He should really make sure Pip and Rook and the others were there, too. “Was there anything else you wished to discuss?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder to be sure the woman was following.

Her petulance did nothing to make her case. Veho only watched, ears folded back as the snow drove against their faces. If she wished to make this painful, so be it. He allowed her to catch up before nodding his head. “I have, yes.” He was not am idiot, not was he nose-blind. It was obvious that there were two pregnant wolves now – and Rook had stunk of his co-alpha the other day. Ugh. It was almost too much to think about. But he would deal with one problem at a time. The second was clearly ready to confront him, despite the awful weather.

“Anger would change nothing. You are pregnant, regardless of my opinion.”

Just like everything else.

Was he angry? He wasn’t certain that was a question he could actually answer. The roiling in his chest was so unfamiliar, he wasn’t sure he had a name for it. He couldn’t, and he wouldn’t – so he kept putting one paw in front of the other, plowing his way through the storm as he tried to put his thoughts in a line. “I am curious how you expect to handle this conundrum. The father is out of the picture, I assume.” She had come home without a foreign scent. The only loner that had hung around their borders happened to be Pip’s companion.. And even if he did-- Well. He would deal with the brute when and if he appeared.

“I see.”

How strange. Did she want puppies? What hadn’t she come to him or Rook? Was it a spur of the moment decision? He did not take Oula to make brash choices, but-- Well, he would not assume. There were few other options, though he supposed he should not rule them out entirely simply because he knew the former leader to be a strong entity in and of herself.

He wished he could have said he was surprised the woman went to Amaryllis first – but no. His ears flattened further against his head, a streak of lightning in stormy grey eyes as he snorted derisively. “You have been allowed to stay, regardless of my opinion. And while your situation is vastly different from Pip’s, I would not find it just to allow her to remain, and oust you in the winter. You are not at risk.”

Not from Veho. Little did he know that Nineva had plans of her own regarding the feminine side of the ranks.

And then it dawned on him. Her own litter. Amaryllis was having a litter. Amaryllis, who’d Rook simply stunk of beforehand. Amaryllis and Rook were having a litter, and he had to hear it from the mouth of his children’s mother who, for whatever reason, had gotten impregnated by a stranger. With no word until the deed was well and done. His eye twitched.

“…Felix is leaving soon. I am not sure what Ophelia has planned. Whatever rules apply to your child will come from Amaryllis and Rook.” Clearly, as Veho would have no brood of his own.