It felt like only a moment's sun after all the dreary, snow filled days they had and after a morning of hunting Inna meant to take full advantage of it.  She was proud of the morning hunt she'd finished up by putting three rabbits into the cache.  She'd worked hard for them and hoped that they would be a start to redeeming herself to her pack.  She hoped she could show her mother she didn't see the border of Hearthwood as a revolving door and that she was sorry she'd broken pack law.  However, Lorcan had been right in her condition she had to be careful so she'd chosen to take the remainder of her day to rest.

She'd found a sunny spot next to the river though still covered in snow the sun shining down on her ebony coat warmed her.  The sound of the river as she laid with her eyes closed lulled her into a light sleep where she dreamt of how things could be, how she would like them to be.  Her side rose  and fell rhythmically with each breath and an occasional flick of her ear as the breeze blew the small hairs inside the wrong way. The sound of footfalls approaching were lost in the bubble of the river.

Her light sleep had been less restful but it wasn't often these days she was able to actually rest. After a long morning hunting and being as successful she felt it would be okay for her to rest as much as she could by the river. The dreams she had were much different than what she usually had. Life within Hearthwood feeling much different than it was outside of her dream world, her pups being accepted by the pack and everyone loving them because they were hers. Lorcan happily playing with them and teaching them all the things he knew as Inna looked on proudly. Then her worries started to creep in as she dreamed about her mother kicking her out of the pack and…

He ear flicked at the sound of a chuff that didn't quite register as outside her mind and almost drowned out by the sound of the river. Inna sighed but didn't stir fearing the chuff had only been in her imagination, he couldn't really be there when he was in Whitestone. Then the sound of her name though quiet she couldn't deny how real it sounded. She opened her eyes, head turning in the direction the sound had come from. There he stood, “That's impossible,” she said to herself in disbelief.

There Lorcan stood only a few paces away from her, she shook her head and blinked her eyes fully expecting him to go away. It had to be her mind playing tricks on her but when his form didn't disappear into the distance she couldn't deny that he was there. Rising to her feet she moved quickly toward him taking in his scent as she reached him, Kisla was there. Inna knew her mother's scent it had been with her since she was born. She looked into his golden eyes a small tear running down her cheek, “What are...How...I don't understand,” she said before pressing head head against his neck. She did not know how he had come to be in Hearthwood but she couldn't be happier that he was.

This couldn't be happening after everything that had happened​ since the day she’d returned from the mountains with him. She couldn't understand how he could be there in Hearthwood when he'd made it clear about his life there and she had been adamant that she didn't want him to give that up for her. She was almost convinced his presence was part of her dream, that he really wasn't there. Inna couldn't let it go, she had to know for sure that her mind wasn't playing tricks on her. Her nose told her that he really was standing there waiting, the look on his face was one he wouldn't have in her dream. He should be smiling and happy to be with her and their pups.

Then he spoke,his tone worried her as he spoke of things changing but in that moment all she could think about was the fact she didn't have to feel so alone. That he had come to Hearthwood to help her like he promised, she couldn't help the tears that fell from her eyes. As she leaned into him pressing her head into his neck he spoke of it not being what they had planned, she shook her head, “That doesn't matter,” she whispered to him. Then as if he'd been burned by her touch he was backing away telling her no. All she could do was stand there dumbfounded with her brows furrowed at this sudden change more confused then she'd been only moments ago.

He went on to apologize for his behavior and told her they couldn't but then his behavior made sense, Aleksei. She should have known, her brother, they would get to him in a moment but she nodded that she did understand. She took a moment to gather her thoughts now that it had sunk in he was really there. “We start at the beginning what's changed? What are you doing here?” She asked and paused a moment before she whispered, “I am happy you are here,” she tried to reassure him.

When he backed away she was more confused than anything else since they had become so free with their affection towards each other. As he explained himself she understood, “It's okay Lorcan, you’re right,” she agreed quietly. It was risky for them especially if they wanted to keep the fact Lorcan was the father of her children a secret. It was then she realized just how dangerous it could be for them. “I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking.” Inna knew she couldn't let that happen too many more times.

With Lorcan's concern Inna became worried too that they might be watched. She already felt like she had to be careful that her place in the pack was at risk, she didn't want Lorcan to feel that way too. She first needed to know what had brought him to Hearthwood in the first place.

After asking her questions she allowed Lorcan the time he needed to explain what had happened that would lead him to her pack. She watched his face knowing from past experience he sometimes have more away in his facial expressions then in his voice. She wanted to go to him and comfort him as she always had but she thought it was best not to. Instead she tried to give him comfort through her words. “I'm sorry Lorcan, I know how much you love Whitestone, how much it meant to you. I can't believe Craw and Morganna would leave like that, it's understandable you would feel let down by them. With your loyalty being with them and they are now gone I don't think you should feel badly for leaving Whitestone.” She also remembered what he had told her about Piety so it might have been best he left so that he wouldn't have to suffer every time he saw her. “You can start over here, I am sure Lachesis will be willing to help you, he really likes you.” She remembered that from one of their long conversations and from that Inna felt Lachesis would help Lorcan any way he could. She spoke quietly so that he would he the only one to hear her. “Having you here with me and having your support is something I really need,” she told him, “I can't express enough how happy I am to know I have your support. I will also support you in whatever way I can too, and I am always here for you.” She hoped her words helped to give him some comfort so that he might feel better about what he'd done and that yd wasn't alone.

With Lorcans appearance in Hearthwood her life was going to get much more complicated but Inna felt she could handle it. If it meant that Lorcan could be there for the pregnancy and to watch their children grow then she would gladly take it. She didn't know if he had yet accepted he was going to be a father but she didn't want him to regret missing it. So if it meant they had to be extra careful around each other until he’d been in the pack and gained their trust that is what they had to do. She did not want to risk either of them being chased out because they had made a mistake.

It was surprising news about Craw and Morganna, the way the spider had spoken about his pack she couldn't believe he would abandon them. She could see that his leader's leaving only added salt to the wound Piety had created, she couldn't imagine what he was going through. She also didn't blame him for wanting to leave Whitestone. Inna tried to comfort him the best she could but she felt that he would need some time to get over what he'd gone through. She hoped he knew that if he needed to talk she was always willing​ to listen.

She was happy to hear that Lorcan was already making plans to make a place for himself in Hearthwood. Now that he was in her pack she wanted him to feel as at home there as he had in Whitestone. He seemed surprised when she spoke of Lachesis liking him, she smiled and nodded, “That was the feeling I had when we spoke of you. There isn't any reason why he shouldn't, your a good man and I'm sure a good healer. I think gaining a role in the pack is a good idea. Do you have one in mind?” She was curious about what his plans were. As he supported her she would support him too.

“You're welcome Lorcan and I would be happy to give you any help you need to get your bearings in the pack.” Then the conversation circled back around to her brother, “He does have quite the temper,” she agreed, “And he’s not very happy with what I've done. I will do what I can to help you with him. I take it you've already met him then?”