His figure remained aloof along the edges of the creek – one paw dangled lazily along the waters, though it was with a thoughtful glance his eyes skimmed the waters. With the thaw, the fish would be unsettling from the mud they had burrowed in for the winter, and in turn, the Glen pack could feast upon something fresh and new.. Granted, the return of the herds was certainly desirable, given the starvation they had endured throughout the colder months. Soon it would be time to hold a pack hunt.. Especially now that Borlla carried life once more.

He had seen the swell of her belly from afar – yet despite the fact he had helped create that life.. had even encouraged it, he still could not bring himself to truly look at her. Not after he had seen the white flag of her tail as she had fled the scene she had so created for the entirety of the pack. Phineas was no stranger to war – he had excelled in it during his youth and his reign over Asphodel Meadows. This was entirely different however – this included his mate’s family.. and in turn, affected their youth.

Disgruntlement had settled upon him that moment forward. His feelings for her shrouded in uncertainty, he had instead avoided her. Of course, it couldn’t last forever. She was his mate and he had promised himself to her. She was the mother of his children.

And with a stolen glance upward from his offhand duty, his fiery eyes would fall upon her figure, loping along the creek edge, seemingly lost in her own thoughts as well.

She had not run away when seeing him.. whether she sought him out, or simply stumbled upon him, he did not know. But there she was, and the moment her voice washed over him, his chest tightened with a light ache, pulling him from his daze. Glancing over her more carefully now, his fiery eyes regarded the she-wolf he had taken as his mate -- so beautiful without even realizing it, and yet even the sight of her heavy with his children did not elicit the loving stare it once would have.. as if he had been memorized by her. Now, he felt nothing but disappointment and anger.

A frown flittered across his features if only for a moment before disappearing. Lifting himself then, he did not make to close the distance between them, instead, he felt his lip twitch back in a quiet growl. You challenged your brother's pack and then ran. There was a small pause as he felt the disgust seep in to his tone, his eyes flashing harshly. Who was she? You left James under attack, and very well almost got the rest of us in a physical fight. You left us behind. He stated it as openly as he could -- not comprehending the decision she had come to. The action she had taken. He had never witnessed Borlla flee from a fight before, physical or emotional, and yet she had that very day.. the very day she had encouraged it. And then she had left them to take the damage of her decision without even a word. How do you fix that?

Her words could have been meaningless to him – the male regarded her quietly as she spoke, knowing she felt desperate in her own disgust and upset of what had occurred.. and yet he could muster any pity for her. Instead, his own anger still flared within his chest, and a derisive snort escaped him when she questioned what he would have her do. Fix whatever happened between you and your brother if it’s important to you, he uttered then, his tail giving a flick of agitation. I am no stranger to conflict with neighbors, but a war between my pack and theirs would affect me far less deeply than you, he spoke, his tone flattening with each syllable.

But if you want to fix us, he began, his eyes glinting as they lifted to stare her in the eyes, a challenge not to her rank, but to her – then prove to me I can trust you again. Because as of now, he no longer could.

He waited then, to see what she would have to say on the matter – his paws burned for an exit, to leave her presence and the entire situation, but he could not.. nor would he. Despite his rage at her decision, and the effect it had on them, he could no more turn his back on her then he could his own daughter. Borlla, despite everything, was his.. and he, in turn, was hers.

The utter trust and respect before had simply been a bonus between them.

But it would seem to not be enough.. and as he waited for her response, it only became apparent then that none would come. With a grunt of disgust, the ivory man did bend to his initial whim.. and he turned, walking away from her.