No matter what she told herself, it was always hard trying to put on a fake smile for everyone around her. Nina knew she had to be strong for her pack mates, they were her family, a family that she hardly knew anymore. Only a few of her members she was sure she could trust, and one of them wasn't even her current partner. Miccah, had proven his trust worthy of her pack....that was clear enough when Ashanti had left them, but even professionally the Hervok had never fully gotten along with the other man. She would have to try and accommodate the new change in leadership. She knew that it was going to be hard on her, with Hollow gone, but she knew that with the lives growing inside of her, they would need her to be strong to. She had Mirren...she had her little Bane, whom she considered one of her own, and she had Iopah, and Kashikoi. Some of the founding members had returned and remained, the mother only hoped that it would be able to stay the way it was.

Lowering her head, she stifled a dry sob that was trying to rack through her body when the voice of a child called out to her. Lifting her head off of the ground, Nina turned in the direction that Bane had called her from, her emerald eye glimmering in happiness. He had, indeed, not left her and Nina clung onto the hope that she would be able to convince the boy that it would be alright for him to stay with her, the remain within the pack where he could grow and Nina could watch over him. She set off into a brisk trot, wanting to see the boy again, and when she did, she couldn't help but immediately gone over to him, her head moving so that she could touch his forehead affectionately, her jaws parting to speak, ”How have you been, dear one?” She tilted her head slightly, stepping slightly away as to give him some space should he have desired it before giving the boy room to answer.

It was good to see the boy again, as she too viewed him as her son. He had been such a sweetheart and a fighter throughout this year, and Nina could not have been more proud of him. Bane had been doing so well and the Hervok woman couldn't have been any happier for him. As their muzzles touched, she allowed him to give his own affections to her before she pulled away. When he spoke, she felt the familiar pain of remembering that she had found out that her last son and lover had disappeared. That damn storm had taken them away from her, and as much as she had clung onto the hope that Hollow would return to her, he never came, and it made Nina lose faith in her own love for others. Had her love not been enough for them? Constantly she struggled with just wanting to be enough and now that it was here, she just didn't know what else she could do.

Though the sadness was not on the outside, she could feel it eating away at her insides and it was hard to do such a thing, knowing that it was unhealthy for her and the bodies growing inside of her. Taking a deep breath, she turned her single-eyed gaze back to Bane, giving him a sad smile in the process as she spoke, ”Them not being here...it wounds me deeply. I feel like someone has clawed my heart out of my chest. But I need to stay strong, for you and for the rest of out family. Especially now...that there is going to be a new lead male.” She spoke the words softly, her emerald eye staring at the boy in front of her, that had grown much larger than her. ”No matter about me....how are you faring with their disappearance, dear one?” She truly was concerned about Bane. Not only had he lost Ashanti, but he had also lost his foster father, Hollow, as well, including Ashton, who Nina thought was a friend to the young man. She didn't really know how he was feeling, as the Aranna had adapted quite well to not showing his emotions.

At Bane's words, Nina could only have mental argument with herself. Miccah certainly was not a trustworthy alpha, at least not to her, and she couldn't help but worry about the future of her family. She tried to clear her mind from her doubts as the boy in front of her began to speak. It pained her to know that he was unhappy here, in a place where Nina had attempted to make him feel as much as home as possible. She listened to what he had to say though and quickly found it absurd that he should think such a thing. Nina knew that she practically preached selflessness, and it was so deeply obvious with Bane's tender words and touches that he was trying to keep her together, just as much as he was trying to keep himself together. She could definitely see him being a great role model in the future. Giving her own affection nudges to him silently and mulling over the best way to communicate her answer, Nina finally spoke, ”You mustn't worry about me. You must do what makes you happy, and in turn, that will make me happy, my dear child.”

She stood in silence for several long moments, her single emerald eye staying on the young man before her. Such a hard life he had lived since he had come into this world, and he was much of a fighter. If he ever were to be a father one day, Nina wouldn't be surprised if he was a great one. Clearing her throat, she spoke again, in kind tones, ”But, if you ever wish to return here, or visit, you will be openly welcomed by me. And you definitely will come to visit me.” The end of her promise headed some tease into it, as she playfully nudged his shoulder to lighten the mood. She definitely didn't want him to feel obligated to stay with her, especially not after her own past on the matter. Bane deserved to be happy, and if that meant leaving, then she would allow him to leave.

They sat in silence for a few moments longer, her single eye sparkling as he spoke. She truly would be happy if he was granted happiness. The heavens knew that with all the boy went through he deserved some of it in his life. She spoke softly to his words, a light smile on her lips, ”Nor will I forget you, my dear child.” She nodded with her words. The mother would definitely be sad with Bane leaving, but she knew that in the end she would be pleased that she had set him free and into the real world. Never would she want to burden him with herself, especially not at such a young age. He was not even a man yet and already making individual decisions for himself. She could not have been more proud.

With his next question, Nina's eyebrow raised slightly, an amused smile on her face as she glanced down at her swollen belly, her muzzle moving over to smooth down her fur. Hollow and her had never had time to decide on names, with his disappearance and what not. Sighing softly, she turned her gaze to the boy she viewed as a son, his honest opinion mattered to her greatly, ”No...Hollow and I...we....we never spoke of names. His....disappearance, was too soon for me to determine if I was pregnant or not. Do you...have any suggestions?” The mother looked towards the dark boy, her emerald eye shining at him. She did truly wish to see the reaction her question got out of him, and to know his opinion.