She still found herself frustrated and angry. With it had come avoidance, hiding herself away from him and everyone else who didn’t share her last name… her daughter was the only exception. She’d never turn away from her little girl. The symptoms of her heat had subsided, and with it came the sweet relief of having full control over herself once more, not blinded by the season as she went about her careful early morning patrol of the borders, making each distinct tree thoroughly as if to say I’m not going anywhere, jackass. She was still angered at the thought of Adelard simply assuming she’d leave, scoop up her daughter in the middle of the night and flee.

The only time she’d left a home, she had been driven out… and that certainly was not going to happen anytime soon. He could work through his own feelings and emotions and she’d simply employed herself under the belief that she should not care. She had done nothing wrong. He had not propositioned her in any way so how was she supposed to know? The conversation had been living rent free in her head. It was hard to not be angry at just how that night had turned out.

Even thinking clearly, her thoughts were not clear. It showed in the light irritation that wore down her features every day… with it had come with the nausea, and looking at food made her want to find the nearest bush to hurl into… this was all… shit.

She hadn’t noticed the symptoms before… but she certainly remembered the way she had started to feel around this time, a week or so after her rendezvous with the white night that had given her a daughter as a parting gift… Shit. She was frozen in place for a moment, eyes widened before she simply started to look around at her again. She certainly had known it was a possibility. She knew the risks of caving to the heat and to some extent she didn’t care… but now it meant she had to have a conversation with her daughter that she had wanted to put off for some time more.

Rhae had not considered how confusing the season was for her daughter. She had not considered her own behavior changes or the changes of everyone else in the pack and how it might have affected the sweet and innocent girl who wanted nothing more than for everyone to get alone with one another. All Rhae really knew was that she was sticking close to her, and for that the Ravyne woman was relieved. “Little Dove.” She called out softly when she caught sight of her, a soft smile on her features as she moved close to sit next to her.

They needed to talk, and the sooner they did, the better it would be for all involved. “We need to talk about something very important, Little Dove.” She assured her, greeting her with a light nip to the ear to pull her attention. “You know how you were a pup not long ago, and how this year you’re going to become more of an adult?” She asked, figuring it was the best way to Segway into that conversation.

Rhaegara wasn’t entirely sure the girl understood what she was saying, but she kept pressing on for fear of losing the confidence to broach the topic. It wasn’t often she found herself nervous, but in this moment she did. “Well, you’re almost to your birthday… which means you’ll be an adult and help out with the hunting… which, I know all you kids have been doing, but it’ll be official.” They had all reached the age where they could do that.

“What if I told you, there were going to be more pups next year? Younger siblings for you to help raise?” She broached the topic carefully. Enera had been an only child. Sirius had not survived to be her brother, really… so she was not certain how the news could come across. She was a docile girl, which meant she hoped the girl would take it well where others, such as herself, might have been jealous.

Admittedly, at first Rhaegara had planned to raise a warrior who could protect herself long after Rhae was gone… but her pacifistic daughter was no warrior, and she loved her for it. She loved the peace that she was able to live in. The question came and she nodded with a soft smile. “Yes, exactly like that.” She offered. “Except, it will be a little different… Marrah and Caelyn are friends, and like family… but these puppies will be family… brothers and sisters like Marrah and Caelyn are to each other.” She explained, hoping the girl would understand fully.

She honestly didn’t know how she might take her mother’s split attention. She had been an only child for a year now, and Rhae would not be able to give her all of her attention with more siblings on the way…

She was intuitive, and with it brought a soft smile and a nod. “Yes, Enera, I am having babies.” She explained to her, offering a soft nuzzle of affection to her daughter as well. The second question brought a soft frown on her features… how exactly was she supposed to tell her daughter that she had whored around for a second season in a row?

“Like you, they do have a father… but he will not be close to us. He went his separate way.” She explained with a frown on her features. “Family is not only blood Enera. This pack is your family, regardless of who your father was, regardless of who your siblings’ father is.” She reminded her.