Raela's tawny form drifted quietly through the trees, their moonlight shadows draping across her moistened coat. Held securely in her jaws was the pelt of a hare, together with a few of the larger leg bones. It had been an easy catch from the day before; carried with her to her resting place and devoured for dinner. She had thought then of both the new pups and of Minka, as she so often did now. It was such a horrible situation for the mother to be. The news had brought a thick, frightening air to the wolves of the Crest and their new domain. Their leader had been killed. While she was sad for Tokino's demise, the woman's thoughts had focused much more strongly on what would become of Kova and his mom. She worried for Noble too, but the girl had been gone for such a time that Rae was beginning to doubt her survival as well.

The subordinate's heart was broken for her leader, and each instinct and impulse at her core begged for her to find the now reclusive matriarch. She had lost Tolas just last year, and around just this time. She could feel it in the cool night air and in the droplets of cold, uncaring rain. The thoughts would have drawn tears into her eyes if she was not so set on her mission. Raela had awoken some minutes before, as she often did in the middle of the night. Instead of trying to sleep though, the girl laid awake, listening to the rain and feeling in her heart that Tolas was near. Even if she did not believe in spirits or gods, the girl knew when she felt close to him. It happened out of the blue, and usually when she was alone. Tonight it just had to happen. Everything about tonight was the same. She'd looked to the remains of the rabbit, knowing then that she had to go to her leader, despite the strange time of night. With a heavy heart she had risen to her paws, gathered her gifts, and set off. 

She understood why the woman wanted to be alone. For nearly two weeks Raela herself had become a recluse, returning only when the pack commanded. For two weeks she sobbed alone, unable to stop. But she had lost only a brother, and Minka had lost a mate; the dearest of all dear ones. Though Rae herself had never found another to love, she knew her lady must be in a similar, only more wretched state at his loss. Compassion pulled her onward, and the desire to offer help nipped at her heels. Hopefully the Alphess would accept her presence, as long as her gifts were satisfactory. The concentration of Minka's scent brought her closer and closer to the birthing den, a place she knew better than to enter without permission. Before she was within eyesight, the girl called out; breaking the nights morose and sorrowful silence with a mournful yet questioning whine. It was long enough to be a howl if her mouth were not so full. She would wait there for approval, or if the woman were so inclined, dismissal. 

Image © Chris Smith Photography


Manipulation © Jenandra

No sound entered the air in response to her call. The quiet patter of raindrops and the gentle swaying of trees in the night breeze remained the only audible happenings. The dark silence had her frozen; unsure if she should continue pressing her luck with the mom-to-be. The time between her call and the response she desired drew longer still, leaving the tawny woman to reconsider her actions. It was a strange time of night; perhaps Minka was asleep like most of the others. Surely if she were awake the leader would have let her know? Or, maybe she wanted Raela to think that so she could be left alone? Seconds came and went as she stood there in the woods feeling more and more uneasy. Was this really a good idea?

Curiosity began pulling her limbs forward step by step; quietly urging her toward Minka's strengthening scent. Immediately Rae's posture had adjusted; head low and tail tucked tightly against her belly to signal her submission and to wordlessly apologize for entering the area should the matriarch be in a foul mood. She trusted the older woman not to tear her head off for this, but she was still doing something very risky. As soon as her shrunken form parted the foliage near the den, the girl's attentive golden eyes landed on her leader. Suddenly fearful, she dropped the gifts hastily, shrinking backward with her eyes locked on the deceased animal's pelt. An explanation came swiftly in an attempt to excuse her intrusion. ”Minka I- ” Finding her voice hoarse from disuse and emotion, Raela cleared her throat before speaking again. ”I brought you something, for the pups.” The subordinate allowed her eyes to flick upward a moment to gauge her lady's reaction.

Looking back to the offering, she continued, hoping to better her case. ”There's a pelt for the den, and some bones they can play with.” It was clear in her voice that Raela was nervous her gift and presence would not be accepted, but that she strongly hoped for it nonetheless. Her brilliant pools would remain fixated on the presents at her feet, moving only when she was spoken to. The next few moments would be tense for her, and the rigidity of her body reflected it clearly. She was ready to run; being chased from a birthing den was not a new experience.

Image © Chris Smith Photography


Manipulation © Jenandra

A longer amount of time passed with her eyes on the gifts than Raela was expecting. She was afraid to move her gaze, but she couldn't help wondering what the Alpha was thinking. Clearly she didn't want to chase her off, or it would have happened already. Her haunches eased slowly into a sitting position as the minutes dragged on. Some worry began flicking her eyes upwards in stolen glances; the rain the only sound in her lowered ears. Minka...? she wondered, her eyes finding their way up the matriarch's chest and toward her face. She was still staring at the gifts too. After another drawn out moment with the subordinate unwilling to say a word, Minka seemed to realize what Rae was waiting for. Her empty stare tore itself from the offerings, landing on Raela's unsure face. Instinctively her eyes fled the scene, returning to the ground as the leader opened her mouth to speak. 

Everything was happening so slowly. Even Minka's response seemed to come at a snail's pace. However, the garbled “thank you” was more than a relief to the nervous woman. Yellow pools moved now; seeking the source of the pathetic sound. This wasn't like Minka at all; though Raela could hardly blame her. They both knew the next thing the darker girl was going to mention, though she hoped she could bring it up without causing too much pain. I'm sorry... the words were never enough. “I'm sorry” didn't change a thing; didn't help at all. No, she needed to get around the useless condolences. There was a reason she was standing here tonight; in these wee hours of the morning, and it swept through her fur on the cool breeze as the rain fell. It was all around her. 

Sadness settled like a stone in her chest, and Raela looked away with a quiet sigh. It was so hard to break this thick, sacred silence, but she couldn't let Minka feel this way alone. She wasn't alone. Neither of them were. Her mouth hung open gingerly, tongue practically twitching with the words she wanted to say. Her voice slipped delicately between the raindrops. “I lost my brother Tolas exactly a year ago.” It was airy, gentle, and just louder than a whisper. She recalled carefully just how much of her past the matriarch had been told as she stared at the dark forest. “He was the only one in my whole pack that cared about me ...and they took him.” The melancholy woman would have added “away” but she feared for her voice. She didn't want to descend into trembling, blubbering tears at a time like this. Her eyes climbed upward, gazing listlessly into the dark sky. 

“But I don't feel alone tonight.”

Image © Chris Smith Photography


Manipulation © Jenandra