Secluded Spring i learned that strength is something you choose

@Aegir

Pip couldn't think of a time when she'd been more embarrassed. And this time, it wasn't her own behavior that had caused it. Never did she think Aegir would show such blatant disrespect. Not only to an Alpha - one who had been very kind to him by not teaching him a harsh lesson by tooth and claw - but to her as well. He'd always been a willful pup in general, but he had always minded her before, words or not.

She rounded on him now as they left the meeting, as hurt as she was furious. Pip was not the enforcer of their family. She was the comforter, the provider, the playmate. Being in control was never something she sought after, and it wasn't what she wanted now. Respect. It was all she wanted. The mute had spent much of her younger life not having it. Perhaps if she'd never tasted it, she wouldn't feel as much anger as she did now. Only the hurt. But she had tasted it and she refused to let her own kin, her son, treat her in such a manner befitting a wolverine!

The little mute grabbed for the pup's muzzle, brows drawn down while her tail lifted in a clear show of her anger. If she held it close enough, she wouldn't immediately burst into tears from it all.

Trust your heart if the seas catch fire

Aegir Sørenson

For the life of him Aegir didn't understand what his Ma's problem was.

It wasn't as though he had acted out of place or out of the ordinary. Sure, he might have been more than a little bold but wasn't that how he was supposed to act? His Da was bold, courageous and ever striving for greatness. But his Ma? He adored her with all he had but his parents couldn't be anymore different. Aegir felt as though he was being pulled in opposite directions. His Father was a shining example, the wolf he aspired to be, but when Aegir tried to mimic his actions it only earned him his Mother's ire and disapproval.

What was he supposed to do? Be all quiet and humble like his Ma?

Well, that wasn't gonna happen anytime soon. Wasn't she supposed to love him always? He never thought his Ma would try and change him like this, but apparently he didn't know her at all. The thought made his chest hurt, but he shook the thought away as his Ma tried to grab at his maw. Being small and quick he managed to duck away from her reach. He skittered back and shot his Ma a glare so hot it could've burnt through metal. If she wanted to hold her tail high than two could play at that game.

"No! Was yer problem Ma? I did nothin' wrong."

That he thought he was in the right made it hurt all the more! Did he honestly believe his father would be supportive of this behavior? Kjell was many things, but never in his life - even when he had every right to be - had he disrespected Pip. In fact, her mate had been nothing but supportive. He'd joined a pack for her sake, despite knowing he would rather be anywhere else. And even he had not disrespected their Alpha, even if they had their differences. Not once had Kjell showed that behavior to @Aegir either, so why the pup had it in his head that it was alright was beyond her. Did he not realize? Did he not know that an Alpha could kill an insolent pup for trespassing or acting so rudely? Did he think himself invincible?!

Pip's heart constricted with fear. Would she one day come across their son in a heap of his own blood? Would he return to her as Ophelia had to her own parents, bleeding and miserable to the last? No! She refused. If she could only make him see how wrong he was, perhaps she could prevent that fate for him.

When Aegir dove out of the way, the quick little mother leaped after him, paws extended to catch at his shoulder and knock him in some fashion if her teeth couldn't find purchase. He had to see! Why did he not?!

If Kjell were here, she could at least find some way for him to understand her concerns. He always worked so hard to listen. Pip thought Aegir did as well, but he was beyond listening now. His little lifted tail was shoved so high in the air that it waffled his ability to listen to what her actions were telling him.