It had been a couple weeks now since the piebald woman had saved the eldest prince's life from an angry wolverine that had foolishly been disturbed. He unfortunately didn't get to walk away unscathed having a wound to his shoulder and neither did Enoki as a pair of partly healed lacerated claw marks now marred the left side of her dark tinted muzzle before she managed to end its life. Now the fur of the beast lined a portion of the pack den, a gift she gave to the young prince after that adrenaline filled day. All that remained of their wounds now were scabs and the early stages of scarring. Deacon getting the better hand with his ebony fur capable of helping to camouflage the damage that had been done. But she would risk her life for his all over again if it meant keeping him safe. The boy had acquired a special place in her tender heart since their first encounter.  

Today though her day was less hectic taking up her usual routine of running the borders before trudging out in the snow to the meadow to attempt a hunt. Most days were unsuccessful with the ever present fog hindering her senses leaving her to search further and further than she would have liked, but some days luck would be on her side and a snowshoe hare would pick the wrong time to cross her path. They were hardly enough to feed a pack as large as Willow Ridge, but it filled a spot in the caches and left someone a little less hungry. Currently her two toned frame trailed over the south-eastern portion of the border where Elettra had ran over recently, her personal scent used for marking her territory fresh under Enoki's nose.

A howl on the air belonging to her favorite pup quickly brought her to a standstill, ears alert cupping each nervous tone of his melody that caused the muscles of her body to tense. He was not only summoning his parents, but anyone else that had come to mean something to the Archer-Lyall. Was he alright? Ever since the wolverine incident she had stuck closer to his side than usual and hearing his shaky voice now put the woman on edge. Without hesitation she followed the sound of his howl to the southern border. She was the first to arrive as she came upon his form, rump planted firmly into the snow. "Is everything alright, Deacon?" She quickly asked him while giving him a quick look over to evaluate him for herself. All seemed to be okay, but what was the reasoning for his call?

It didn't take long after her arrival for another swarthy form to appear and it took equally as short of time for Enoki to realize it was Elettra that now stepped forth to greet her son with a lick to the wounded shoulder he had. Respectfully her body lowered to be beneath her height and the tail that once wagged high casually now brushed against the snow and flung it with each swish she made. "Elettra." She greeted with a small nod of her head and a gentle smile before letting her amber eyes return to the pup who now began to speak on his reasoning for calling those dear to him today. With ears cupped forward she listened intently as they spilled from his mouth, seeking permission more so from his mother dearest to leave the safety of Willow Ridge to fulfill whatever desires yearned within the beating of his heart and restlessness of his paws.

Mixed emotions arose within the aging woman, but she did her best to keep them from appearing on the features of her muzzle knowing that this was not her place to voice any opinion unless asked. The matriarch and mother beside her held the final word on what was to become of this sought after permission. Inside the piebald woman was both saddened by his decision to leave and stirred protectiveness over him. Here within the whip like branches of the willows she could look over the fast growing prince, but venturing out past the permitted areas a pack member could roam her ability to do so was dampened. What was there for her to do if he should fall victim to another attack by a predator such as wolverine or worse a mountain lion? These thoughts caused her to shift in her spot while the points of her ears momentarily pressed against the back of her head. Maybe if the queen would allow it she could act as a guardian over the traveling prince, but then again that would leave the pack with one less able bodied hunter. It was a game of tug-o-war. Part of her wanted to protect the pup and leave with him for safety's sake, pulling one way, but her upbringing left her wanting to fulfill the loyalty she had sworn to the matriarch, pulling the opposite way. Remaining silent she let the thoughts rage their little game inside while she waiting to hear the words Elettra would offer.  

At the mention of a pack on the mountain the patchy woman gave an interested flick of her ears as thoughts briefly drifted to think of the earthy man she had been meeting with at the rise most evenings. He had spoken of living on the mountain in a pack, thought never mentioned their name and it made her wonder if this was the pack he resigned in. Silent Moon Plateau. That was a name she would keep in the back of her mind for safe keeping. Could prove useful the next time she managed to steal away and visit Heigen at the base of the mountain. For now though her thoughts and attention returned to the conversation at hand, listening to the swarthy prince list the young wolves he had met and inquire that there must be more wolves yet to be met by him. A wild look blazing within the depths of his eyes that almost brought a smile to her lips if she wasn't so against the idea of him leaving on his own, especially after the whole wolverine incident that nearly took his life if she hadn't been so close when he called for help.  

The woman was on the fence about it all still. She wanted to keep him home and safe within the willows. She didn't want to crush his dreams and wanderlust in exploring the giant world he lived in. There was so much to see and do. The young prince reminded the Ashrelle woman a lot of herself. Around her second year the same wanderlust that filled him now had filled her. Leaving her to depart from home to explore the world and come to the lore, finding home here among the weeping willows and wolves of the Ridge. "I don't know what to tell you, Deac. It's a dangerous place out there and I and no doubt your mother.." A quick glance to Elettra following this statement before glancing back down at Deacon with amber eyes. would hate for something to happen to you while out and about alone. But you are growing and should be allowed some freedom to an extent. I personally would feel safer if you had someone with you or traveled no farther than a couple days from home." She left it at that, hoping nothing said was crossing a line of some sort. She would hate to get on the bad side of Elettra especially when it came to her brood.