The once leader had yet to realize there was another close by. Eagerly, she pressed onward, trying to elicit some kind of function from her nose. Far as she could tell Borden had not been this way. In irritation her eye brows pressed tightly over her mismatched eyes.

"Hell's bells," softly she muttered, but did not stop her leathery nose from its search. The sooner she caught up to him the better. Maybe, then she could collect her rampant thoughts, and fluttering heart. Jayse had lost him once, and she would be damned to lose him again. Even though this past year it seemed her life revolved around a lot of "losing" and a bit of "finding" she knew she did not fair well without him. It didn't matter if he was not exactly "whole", he was hers.

Got off guard, the pale lady flinched at the sudden sound of her name. It seemed out of place, her frame froze, while her head cut sharply to see if she was imagining things. The lady's eyes still served her fairly well, and she narrowed against the light. "Yes?" Was her quick response, as she in turn tried to recall who it was she was looking at. It did not take long for her to remember, even though this woman looked more grown than her past self. It was Narime, a wolf who had helped members of Grizzly Hollow, and a loyal member of Elettra's pack. Jayse had considered her polite, and thoughtful. Since El had trusted her it was not hard for Jayse too. The thoughts of Elettra made her throat tight. How was her dear friend? Should she have gone to her first? Would she help her find Borden? Silencing her internal dialogue, she got a hold of herself. Borden was her priority.

"Aw, seems like a part of life," she replied, knowing being a leader wasn't as carefree as some thought. While she was curious to what drama the silver lady was dealing with Jayse didn't feel it was her business to ask, and so did not. All she could worry about was Borden. Once she sorted at that matter, maybe it would be easier to fall back into place among the Lore. Until then, she didn't feel like she was grounded to the earth in any place to make plans.

Luckily, just the wolf she needed had found her. She could not hold back her swaying tail, nor faint smile of relief as @Narimé told her clearly of what had transpired. If she had been younger she would have danced around, giving joyous barks. Maybe, perhaps when she saw her mate safe and sound herself.
It was the news of another pack in the forest that quickly cut like a knife in her side, sucking her new found joy. Was this the drama the silver queen was dealing with? They should have known it would not stay empty, but she had always hoped. Her pale mask was quick to still, uncertain of all this. She could not hold the rough sigh that fell from her lips. Quickly, she recomposed herself.

"Thank you. We have no idea how much has changed in our absence, and as you've noticed Borden mind does not work with him as it should at times." It became apparent perhaps she would know more of Whisper Caverns. There was only one thing to do if the rest of her family was there. "I must repay you for taking care of my family. Would there be room for me in your pack? I do not know how long we will stay. We would not leave without returning our debt." If this would only make things more complicated for the she-wolf, Jayse planned to collect her family and come up with a plan B.

All she could do was wait as her words faded, thoughtfully looking upon the silver lady. She understood she'd have to decide what was the best for the Caverns. It didn't stop her from wondering what kind of wolves were in the forest now. What had happened to Kade and Ava. Where had they gone? Were they okay? Renier had not known much himself. More importantly was there any chance of making peace with these River wolves? She had once, but those wolves had lived at a different river. And yet Narimé didn't seem the foolish type, maybe they had already tried an alliance.

@Narimé's voice broke across the soft sounds of the marsh, across her wandering thoughts, and relief washed over her. Jayse was quite touched by her words. An honor? It meant a lot to be counted as a former leader, instead of a lone wolf searching for a home. Swiftly, her pale tail wagged, the burdens upon her lightened. She dipped her pale crown in turn. "Thank you," she humbly spoke, gratitude event in her voice, and gentleness to her eyes. She didn't know what else to say to convey her thankfulness, and despite how the Lagina could not think of something specific to return her kindness, Jayse would certainly try for it was more than a small debt she felt. "It is a great act of kindness, and I hope to return it."

Soft expression grew more sober, darkened by lady's next words. It was a shame to hear, and squandered any hope to do things peacefully. "Perhaps you can tell me more about this pack, and what's happened." The picture looked grave, and maybe it would be a way they mutually helped each other. She was probably getting ahead of herself. "Perhaps we can travel and talk? I'm eager to see Borden, and I can't imagine what the Caverns are like." The idea made her a little wary, never being in them before, she was curious about her new home and its beauty.

The easiness in which Narime lead her, placated Jayse's wary mind and body. It was simple to fall in rhythm with the silver lady, and finally feel she wasn't in an endless sea without a shoreline. Yet Jayse paid close attention to their surroundings. Noting the willows, the path that was chosen. Hopefully once they arrived she would fully understand the best places to come and go.


The pale wolf respectfully holds herself as her new leader marks her with the scent of the caverns. This was not what she had in mind when coming back to the Lore, it didn't seem to matter. She was being reunited with Borden, and for now that was all she needed.

A faint smile produces on her muzzle, glad for the Lagina's understanding heart. Was it a sign he had not gotten worse? Would she only know when she spoke to him? Suddenly her chest felt restricted as the questions tumbled in her mind. When the story of this new pack began, it was easy to place her focus on Narime's voice. To hear the hint of something about this Sloane, and picture the dreadful winter that followed the disease.

The Lyall lady cringed, concern and pain inflicting her soft mask at the mention of her daughter's passing. "I wish no one would have to know such pain," she murmured, briefly offering a press of her shoulder to the Cavern wolf's. Onward they went, and the further the tale unwrapped. There seemed to be many details that would make the walk even longer that the leader did not dwell on. Jayse was grateful Narime was telling her anything, and tried her best to understand it from an outsider's point.

There was no doubt Narime's honesty, boldness, and action to gain the truth from this Ash about a puppy. For that Jayse admired her, and felt a great understanding. Though she didn't hear what Ash had exactly said in turn, she assumed he hadn't drowned a pup. After all Narime's  displeasure was apparent over the whole issue, and it did sound that many things had gotten tangled up between egos. It was the warning. The fact that these wolves would not take kindly to any of Whisper Caverns visiting the forest that spoke the loudest.  "What a mess, and I fear the same by the sounds of it." If the River wolves despised the Cavern wolves that much, than it probably wasn't safe for any of them to visit the Hollow. Unknowing these wolves, or the whole picture Jayse had no idea what to do about it. It pained her to tell them to keep away from the forest. The idea of battle sounded worse. This surely wasn't the same Lore they had been living in. "Maybe, in time we can figure a solution," she murmured. Her mind was far from ready to try to attack that predicament. Especially, since it didn't appear a peaceful arrangement would be made. After a quiet moment, she added, "Thank you Narime for everything. If there is something you need of me please don't hesitate to ask. "