It was not long after the collapse of the den and Rayne lay in a cleared spot in the thicket nearby. The entrance was nearly cleared of all rubble however, that didn’t mean it was safe to go back into the spacious living space. It was feared another collapse might happen so wolves had been warned away from sleeping in the den for now, until something could be done or it was safely known to go back into the den.

Rayne sighed heavily, eyeing his leg as a small throb of pain coursed through it when he shifted his weight and making him wince. It had been nearly a month since the injury occurred and Aideen had told him it would be a minimum of six weeks before it could be thought of as healed. And even then, it could take longer. All he had to do was stay off it. Which normally Rayne didn’t mind but he was bored and feeling guilty that so soon after joining the pack and with his promise to help Aideen to find herbs and such, he had become essentially useless until his leg could take his weight again.

Why did it have to happen to him? He had done nothing wrong to want a reason to gain this injury, expect exist according to the black wolf who attacked him. At the thought, Rayne fought down the hot feeling that was rising behind his eyes. No, he was meant to exist. He knew it. Every wolf had a purpose in life and his was to become a loyal guardian. This is the thought that went through his brain last as he drifted off to sleep, because sleep had been advised as the best medicine. But he wished he hadn’t closed his eyes when as soon as they closed, the images and voices begun.

But what use is a broken one? The whisper in his head teased, sounding so kind yet so cruel. you’ll have a limp for the rest of your days. What use is a guardian who can't even walk properly?

”Shut up.” Rayne whispered harshly under his breath, eyes darting around quickly when he realised he had spoken aloud and hoped no one was around to hear him.

Weakling Neoma’s voice taunted in his left ear, her yellow eyes daunting as they stared down at him and in his dream, Rayne closed his eyes tightly shut, softly repeating under his breathe like a mantra. ”Shut up, shut up. You’re wrong.”

You shouldn’t even be alive! snapped the voice of the wolf who had caused his injury as sharp teeth clipped near his throat and tears started to drip out of his tightly shut eyes. The rust wolf wanted to wake up, wanted to leave this nightmare but no matter how much he begged, the nightmare continued on for a few more moments.

Just as Kite bent down to awaken the sleeping wolf, her cold nose touching his shoulder gently, it was the same time in his dream that Rayne felt cold but deadly teeth sink into his shoulder. This caused Rayne to jolt awake rather unexpectedly, nearly throwing himself away from the girl before he let out a howl of pain and collapsed back to the ground. In his fear filled sleep and the terror to get away from the teeth, he had forgotten about his leg. The broken leg, which folded underneath him in agony as weight was placed upon it.

Whimpering, Rayne wanted to pull his leg closer to him and tuck it underneath his bulk to cease the torture, to cut off the blood flow and just let it become nothing more than a useless limb (as if it wasn’t like that now) but also didn’t want to move it. The weight that had been put on it hadn’t help.

For now, the youngling had yet to be noticed but the scent of the rabbit soothed both Rayne's fears and brought forth his raging hunger. Almost snapping his neck as he turned his head, Rayne stared at the dead rabbit nearby before amber eyes stared up at the yearling.

”Did you catch that?” His voice was raspy, as if he desperately need a drink. And he realised he did needs one. His throat was parched. But as his eyes landed on the rabbit again, he wanted nothing more than to tear into before worrying over his thirst.

Once she said that the rabbit was for him, the animal nearly disappeared down his throat in his haste to eat it. The meat was quickly stripped off and soon, precious little was left of the carcass. Licking his chops to clean the blood off, which had indeed tasted fresh and had been warm, Rayne nodded his thanks to the girl. It was kind of her to bring him food, even if it was out of obligation because they were pack members.

”Thank you and I am sorry for scaring you,” He apologised kindly when he went back over the last few minutes and remembered seeing her flinch out of the corner of his eyes. ”I...I was just sleeping and I guess you just startled me.” The girl looked concerned for him however, and offered to go gather some herbs for the pain in his leg. Rayne’s heart warmed slightly at the offer, a small smile crossing over his muzzle before letting out another small groan of pain as he shifted his leg again. How he hated pain.

”I think...I think that would be a very good idea,” He replied weakly. ”And perhaps afterwards, you could keep me company? Only if you would like.” He hurriedly added, not wanting to sound commanding despite his higher rank. ”It just gets a little lonely not being able to move around and do patrols and hunts with the others.”

The male could not help but laugh kindly at her reaction for his question to keep him company. He was a much older wolf, an injured one that couldn’t move yet she seemed so happy to be in his company. Bowing his head at her introduction, Rayne offered her a warm smile to her and a sweep of his tail. ” And I’m Rayne. It is a pleasure to met you Kite.” He then tilted his head at her question, frowning slightly as he thought about it. It was something he was sure Aideen would have shown him, if he brought her any herbs so he could place them where she wanted them and thus knew where they were.

“Uh unfortunately, no. I do not know where the caches are.” Rayne replied guilty, though feeling much better now he had something in his stomach to settle it. The food was needed and he was grateful for the girl for thinking of him and bringing it to him. But to get his mind off food for the moment and back to herbs.“I did offer to help the healer, who is a good friend of mine to fill the caches but she had not gotten around to showing me any of the ones she has established. At least, this was before my injury happened and I ca not exactly walk there to see where they are now.”

At her question, Rayne’s mind drw an utter blank on what herbs Aideen had given him. Whether she had told him what they were or not, his mind had dashed them away them moment he tried to think of their names or what they looked like. Oh, what a hopeless friend he was! He had promised Aideen to help her gather herbs and even though he was injured, it would have been better of him to remember the herbs for when he able to move.

”I’m sorry but it seems my mind is deciding to act its age a little and forget what Aideen’s given me.” He apologetically told her, his sincerity showing in his amber eyes and voice. ”But given it’s the start of spring, there should be plenty of herbs that have begun to grow around here. And you could always ask Aideen for help?” The suggestion was kind as Rayne shifted, wincing when the movement caused his leg to move and sent a spark of pain to remind him why it wasn’t a good idea to move. At all.

”I’m really sorry I couldn’t be more help.”” Rayne couldn’t help but apologize again. ”You’ve been kind enough to bring me something to eat and keep me company for a while. I thank you for that. You don’t have to go out and search for herbs that I can’t even remember the names of.”