Oksana was now two months old and growing fast, it saddened Inna that soon her little girl wouldn't need her so much anymore. As she sat at the mouth of the den Inna also realized she'd been away from her duties for far too long. Sure in the past few weeks she had started to do a few border patrols but she had not hunted for the pack since before her daughter was born. Like it or not she had to get back to her duties and be the pack member that she had been before her pregnancy. Most of all she had to set a good example for her daughter do that she too would become an important part of Hearthwood.

At two months Oksana was old enough she could play outside the den with someone checking on her. Perhaps Risa or one of the other children would make their way to the den and keep her company. Once the Raven had made her decision she set off for a hunt outside pack lands. It was best just to jump I'm anyway and get the initial shock of it over with and she had every intention of being successful even if she was a little rusty.

Crossing the border into Kingsfall Inna was nervous, she'd gotten comfortable leaving Oksana while she traveled inside the borders but this was different. What if something happened and she wasn't close by to be there for her daughter? The thought of it almost St made her turn back but she knew she couldn't, she had to go through with this. Once she did and Oksana was okay then it would be better, she was sure of it. So lost in her worries about her daughter and bringing something back from the cache Inna almost collide with a pale coated stranger. “I'm so sorry,” she said as she came to an abrupt halt a mere inches away from him, “I just… I have a lot on my mind. Um, not to say that's an excuse,” she went on looking down at her dark paws before finally meeting his gaze, “I'm really sorry.”

Her first foray into the lands outside of Hearthwood in what seemed like months and she had already made a mistake. Perhaps it was just too soon for her to be making her way across the boundaries. How she could forget so easily that she needed to remain alert while out on her own, she had a daughter now. It was important that she return home each time she left pack lands because her daughter needed her. It was irresponsible of her to not pay attention to where she was going no matter how worried she was over Oksana.

Even more it was embarrassing really to have run into someone, a stranger no less. That was something puppies did when they were so busy playing and not paying attention to where they were going. She was old enough to know better and stay alert as she left the safety of her pack lands. Especially after what happened to Lilya, she should have been extra careful when she didn't know where that wolf was that had attached the Hearthwood second. She could only that the pale stranger didn't take offense to her carelessness.

In an effort to make it better she apologized profusely and tried to explain but it was a poor explanation. She knew that and really there was no excuse for her invading his space as she had. As she saw him fluff up and his eyes widen she worried that he was going to be angry, how would she explain this to her pack if he was so angry he hurt her? Inna didn't think it would go over well after what had happened to Lilya and this wolf was white too.

She wanted to say more in hopes it would help the situation but instead she remained quiet to see how he would respond. Maybe she was just overthinking all of this and everything would be fine. It could even be that she had become more paranoid for fear that something would happen to her and she wouldn't be there for Oksana. Inna shook her head, she needed to get those thoughts out of her mind right then. It wouldn't do to dwell on them especially when she really needed to pay attention to the wolf she'd nearly knocked over.

Much to her relief he didn't seem angry at all and in fact told her it was okay. Inna sighed and immediately calmed herself from all the terrible thoughts that had rim through her mind. “That's very kind of you,” for him to let her off the hook as he was. Her brow furrowed as he told her that he'd been walked into many times before, “That doesn't sound pleasant but I suppose it's one way to meet others,” she said a small laugh escaping her at the last part. She supposed it was good to have some humor in such a situation.

He also told her that she hadn't even hurt him which returned the smile to her face, “I'm glad to hear that, I wouldn’t want you to have to go on with an injury. Still I truly am sorry and I appreciate your kindness.” Finally Inna was a blessing to take a breath and a moment to really take in the stranger. She realized he was a rye wolf from his scent which of course made her curious about what he was doing there but even more she had her chance to find out how Askan was doing. “I'm Inna by the way, now that I have nearly knocked you down I should probably tell you my name.”

The Raven felt really horrible that she had run into the white male but she could he grateful that she had not hurt him. Though she wasn't sure she could have still she was sure it wouldn't have been pleasant to have practically been run over. She gave him one more apology before she finally felt as though she had made it clear she was sorry for not paying attention to where she was going. Inna made a note to pay more attention next time for she might not be so lucky to run into a wolf as kind as the pale man. Next time she could run into someone who would be angry about it and she couldn't afford that with Oksana waiting at home for her.

As her daughter came into her mind she couldn't wait to bring her across the border for her first adventure outside pack lands. Even though she wished the dark furred pup would stay little forever there was still so much she wanted to do with her and show her. Oksana needed to learn all the things her mother knew so she would be able to rely on herself when she was older.

Worry was part of motherhood and she always would but it would help knowing that her cub could take care of herself. The pale man was where her attention was then as she have him her name, it was the least she could do after running into him. At least it was until she maybe learned a little more about him and as he smiled with a sparkle in his eye she felt she could really like him. Had he not smelled of the rye pack she might have even considered extending an invitation to Hearthwood to him.

The Raven nodded as he expressed it was nice to meet her and she was soon rewarded with his name. “It's nice to meet you too Cottongrass.” Before she could say anything else he also pointed out that she was a river wolf and she nodded, “Yes I am and you are of Wild Rye Fields if my nose is correct,” she said with a laugh. However, her expression became more serious shortly after, “How is Askan? I've been worried about him.” Had she been able to get away she would have gone to the Rye wolves to check on him.

She was afraid of the answer she might get for fear that it would he had news. The way the dark man's injuries had been described she worried he wouldn't make it. Even with Oksana and the way thing we're going with Ayti and Lorcan Inna had still found time to think of Askan and hope he was recovering from his injuries.

Once she'd gotten past the fact that she had almost trampled the poor fellow Inna had the thought to ask Cottongrass about Askan. She hadn't heard anything about him in the past weeks and was worried that things had taken a turn for the worst. So while she had the Rye wolf there she thought she would find out for sure so that hopefully she could either have her mind put at ease or find closure whatever the case maybe.

She rose a brow when he repeated Askan’s name as a question. “Yes, I learned about his injuries when I met your packmate at our border when he came for Lachesis’ help. I've been worried about him.” She knew that her and Askan weren't friends by any means, anyway not like her and Ayti but she still did care what happened to him. She worried that maybe for whatever reason Cottongrass might not know the answer to her question or perhaps he didn't know Askan for whatever reason, she knew that could be possible especially if Cottongrass was new to the pack.

Her worries however turned out to be unfounded as the pale man told her that Askan was in fact okay and had recovered. A smile brightened her features, “Good, I'm glad to hear that.” She stated happily. Perhaps once her daughter was a little older she could pay the man a visit and he could show her the rye like he'd offered. ”So Cottongrass what brings you to my side of the Tundra?” She asked curiously since it wasn't too often she ran into to the Rye wolves so close to Hearthwood, “I hope everything is well with your pack.”

After finding out how Askan was doing she thought it would only be courteous to also ask how the rest of his pack was doing. Especially since Lachesis wanted to develop a relationship with the rye wolves. In a didn't want to ruin that by being rude and not asking. The Raven had also not forgotten that the leaders were from the same pack where members of her family resided.

“I'm glad to hear that,” she responded when he told her that his pack was also good. It was good to know that everything seemed to be going well for the rye wolves. Once the greeting and apologies beer made and she’d done her duty she turned her attention to the reason the pale man had come to Kingsfall. Since his pack was doing well it was clear he wasn't there for them so she'd asked.

“That is a good reason to be here. Have you found them?” She did wonder who his friend might be and if she knew them since he was in Kingsfall. However, it was a big place but at least she knew he wasn't in the area with bad intentions. Her ears perked when he said that she might know him, “Oh? I suppose I might if he lives in Kingsfall.” She had of course grown more curious especially when she heard the note of excitement in his tone.

Then the pale man went on and told her the names of his friend. As it turned out she did know of the wolf he spoke of. “I do know Aytigin quite well in fact,” she told, “He's my friend too.” She didn't ask how he knew Ayti since he'd recently been a lone wolf she suspected he probably met Cottongrass during that time. She did however ask, “Have you known Ayti long?”