Lorcan had run out of time. Odin had promised him four days, five at a push, to challenge both Nicolo and Sven in order to restore some order to the Willow Ridge ranks – and hopefully prevent all-out war between the three southern packs. Five days had been and gone and the agouti male had only managed to challenge one of the males.

Confronting Nicolo had not been too difficult. The male was old and sick, and quite frankly, it made sense that he should step down to allow a young, more capable male to take his position. Although he had been nervous, Lorcan had gotten the challenge over and done with soon after his talk with Odin. Sven though, he was young and fit, and had the support of the entire pack behind him. He could fight back. It all made the idea of challenging him all the more terrifying, which was perhaps the real reason why he had not gone and done it already. Lorcan had used the excuse of waiting for the perfect time to put it off, but if he had to admit it to himself, he always knew the perfect time would never come.

Expecting either Odin or @Morganna to turn up to check on his progress, Lorcan had made the excuse to patrol the borders, lapping around the edges of the territory numerous times until he was convinced that neither mother nor son were lurking in the shadows. His next course of action was to return to the meadows where he and Odin had talked. As he loped through the crisp snow, his golden eyes caught sight of a familiar dark figure up ahead and immediately his chest tightened anxiously. Approaching her tentatively with his ears pressed back and his tail swaying nervously behind him, he confessed to her his failure.

“Morganna, I apologise. I haven’t challenged Sven yet. Things have been hectic around here recently, as I’m sure you’ve heard…” It wasn’t much of an excuse, but it would have to do.

The narrowing of her eyes on him as he approached made Lorcan anxious. The agouti male dipped his head down low to avoid her gaze for a moment before he nervously confessed his failure. Rather than be disappointed or angry at him, like he had been expecting, she greeted him with her normal affection and simply shrugged it off, questioning why his failure should bother her.

Lorcan’s pale brows furrowed deeply, russet ears pressed back awkwardly, and his charcoal lips parted in confusion at her casual response. “Odin thought that you’d come after Sven and the pack after what happened at the borders with your pups…” The male said slowly, his voice serious and hinting at his bewilderment at the entire situation. “You’re not upset?” He asked tentatively, almost surprised at the thought of Morganna not lashing out after the incident involving her newest litter.

Russet ears perked up and his golden eyes widened in anticipation as the Morganna began to explain the real reason for her turning up near the willows. She wanted to know about the confrontation between the Willow Ridge and Aurora Heights wolves. Lorcan swallowed anxiously before following after the female’s invitation to wander southwards, trailing closely by her side. “A joint pack hunt had been arranged, but when Greer and his pack arrived they immediately called it off and accused Sven of stealing their pup, Revon. I think they said a loner had informed them? Sven got all defensive. So did Ravenna and Leotie. Then Greer ended up severing the alliance and storming off.” He sighed, tail flicking uncomfortably behind him. “I’ve never seen him so angry.” Lorcan added quietly.

Golden eyes glanced nervously across to @Morganna, worry obvious in his expression as he waited to see what she would have to say about it all.

Lorcan's expression was a mixture of puzzlement and surprise as Morganna, seemingly unfazed by it all, explained how she had tried to warn Ravenna about how difficult her most recent litter could be. The agouti male remained silent, suddenly feeling very foolish for charging so quickly into action after his conversation Odin. Her eldest son had been so sure that there would have been Hell to pay if nothing had been done to keep Sven in line. Apparently he had been wrong. Lorcan's tongue slackened in his mouth as he stared at Morganna, feeling rather deflated, until she asked about all the drama that was occurring.

Lorcan had been curious to learn Morganna's opinion on it all, especially what she thought about Greer severing the alliance between Aurora Heights and Willow Ridge — not to mention the rift that had been made between members of her family. Instead she came out with a statement that caused the male's ears to perk and his golden eyes to widen at the revelation. "Y-you do?!" He voice erupted even as she continued to speak, and his tail began to sway behind him at the good piece of news. The swaying of his tail ceased though she she mentioned the yearling. His brows furrowed and a frown pulled at the corners of his charcoal lips. "Where is that yearling now? Not still with Revon I hope?" He asked, his tone serious. Something about the yearling seemed suspicious. Lorcan certainly wouldn't trust him to be alone with Greer's daughter again.

Lorcan nodded in agreement when Morganna suggested that there was more going on between the members of her family than would first appear. "Greer said that he hadn't believed the loner at first, but his mate and subordinates seemed pretty convinced that Sven was involved somehow." He explained, his golden gaze dropping to the ground for a moment in thought. "What I don't get is why nobody seems to particularly like or trust him. Sven seems like a nice wolf to me, but it didn't seem like you were very fond of him when you passed by before?" He was curious, though his ears pushed back nervously. What had Sven done in the past to deserve such treatment from members of his own family. Even Piety had not stuck around for him. Was there a reason behind that too?

Lorcan nodded slowly in understanding as Morganna explained how the possible pup-stealer was hauled up inside her territory at the lagoon. At least Revon was now under her, and her packs, protection now, even if the yearling was still around. Though his mind did drift to Adeltra in concern. “What does this yearling look like?” The agouti male asked with a tilt of his head. “I’d like to be able to spot him if he ever decides to sniff around the willows.” He explained with a serious frown.

Lorcan was curious to learn more about Morganna’s opinion on Sven. In his eyes, it seemed like every Archer except Ravenna was against his male lead in some way or another. The male remained silent as he listened to the dark woman explain how she felt. He could understand where Morganna was coming from, though he couldn’t completely side with her. Being his subordinate, Lorcan had only ever witnessed Sven’s caring side aside from the confrontation with Greer and his mate of course.

Russet ears perked up at Morganna’s question and a single white brow rose up in silent confirmation. “I actually spoke to Ravenna and warned her about that. I told her how close Sven and Leotie seem to be and how I am worried that Leotie may wish to challenge her come Spring. Ravenna didn’t seem too concerned though. She just said her and Sven still needed to discuss the matter…” Lorcan gave a defeated shrug of his shoulders and released a sigh into the crisp winter air. To him, allowing Sven and Leotie to stay so close was just asking for trouble.