-Hell's Gates-

Gladiator eyed the male as he spoke "It's just the offspring of my brother that are fools" He could feel the sharp pain getting worse "I'll be still right now I just need the bleeding stopped." He licked his maw eyes still focused on Harmi Akiko and Deadly not to far off. They where close enough so he could see them. He groaned a little wishing the brute would hurry...

Curse snarled at the brute as her attack missed only because he scrambled around like a little whelp. "Pathetic you are brute" She snorted at him growling even more "I should take your life where you lay" He world spat out cold lyrics. She snorted eyes looking around seeing Evander battle blade. She rolled her eyes at the male moving in a slow trot to where Blade and Evander lay. She snarled jumping into the battle aiming to get Blades back side. Her growls could be heard before her attack was even throw to the brute.

Balthier rolled his eyes while applying the medication on all the open wounds. "I also numbed the pain you'll feel. If... when you take off again, I expect to at least see you again after this battle's over, if not back again for another patch-up." He had a feeling Gladiator would leap back into the fray at some point, although he was unsure when. Numbing the injuries could work either way. It would help him focus less on the pain, but also possibly lose sight of his limits and will push himself further...

With his patch up work done for now, he watched the wolves ahead, seeing which ones were allies and their condition. He knew wars well, and was immune to the guilt of death of allies in these cases. They are fighting because they want to... although they should feel lucky they had a skilled healer to help out, as he didn't see a hair of Petra. He was a bit glad she wasn't here, yet, as he noticed Blade bleeding. Morgan was fighting now, and he wondered how this would change him.




Blade couldn't help but laugh when Evander pulled out of his grasp after after trying to tell him to let go, making the new neck injury worse. The second the older wolf had pulled away, Blade backed up veering towards the side, having a need to fully analyze the condition of his foe, and was able to see the attempt at his own leg and pull further back, receiving a small cut on his leg. He had also faintly heard a growling, and was trying to quickly come up with a way to deal with it when one of the wolves he recognized from Midnight Meadows lunging forward. "Loosing your cool, old man?" he questioned, blood dripping from his teeth. It was probably mostly because of Curse's loud attack that saved him from getting a worse cut than he did, but wasn't going to silently thank her. She, and the one now attacking her, was just a factor that happened to lead to a more beneficial outcome.

He slowly licked his chops, feeling his shoulder throb, but not to the point where it was unbearable or hurt... too much, so he pushed it aside in favor or looking bored. "Is that all? I've had worse before." The blood was flowing freely, but he wasn't sure how bad of a wound Evander had. Could he lose enough blood quick enough to affect his movements? He might be able to tell depending how his taunts were responded to. Blade was looking for weak points from his peripheral vision while his maliciously gleaming orange orbs stared into Evander's own. This also gave him time to think and plan again, being built for fighting carefully and strategically- not an all-out, constantly clashing assault like wolves like Crow and Gladiator probably were. Plus... it was more interesting to draw this out. The last time he was fighting with a pack against another, he didn't have time to slow it down.

Gladiator growled a little as he watched Deadly and Akiko he shot a look to Curse where Morgan now was. He licked his maw groaning in pain as the brute began to heal the wounds. He shifted a bit away from him but stopped himself. He closed his eyes letting the herbs numb his pain. He pinned his ears back and turned his gaze to the brute "Thank you" Was all that left his maw. He wondered what he would do about his face wounds. He knew there would be some nasty scars after this. . .

Curse snarled as she felt the form of another hit her. She rolled hitting the ground only to roll up onto her feet quickly. She moved fast not even giving it much thought. She aimed for the right side of the brutes face. If the target misses she would quickly shift to his chest then swing her body out to avoid his attack... Her lust for death seemed not to even come close to what these wolves could deliver. She wanted to die in a manner as to keep her own pride attached. She wanted her death to be by the fangs of a worthy opponent.


Harmi snarled as the stupid bird attacked him. He snapped at it getting feathers as the feeling hit him. It was like he had been hit by a bull. He skid a few feet back. He was pissed now he came back snapping at the brute growling horridly. He pushed forward more aiming for whatever his fangs could reach. If it hit it's mark he would shake violently till his whole flesh came off the bone...

Harmi couldn't stop the whole attack because he was to busy laughing at the brute. He paid for it with flesh. To avoid being locked onto he moved only to have his scruff caught. He snorted pulling away letting the wound take it's form it was a better spot then his neck that was for sure. As he pulled away he made sure to take a piece of the brute with him. He looked at Curse a little as she battle Morgan then he looked at Crow he could feel the laugh coming and he knew it. "Dear god man it was a bird" His couldn't stop now as he laughed at him. It was to funny in his eyes. He stepped back looking to Deadly he snorted "Curse lets bail" His tone was firm and quick eyes watching Crow. " I feel no need to battle anymore I was here for personal reasons and it seems I have finished with this land" He snorted looking at Crow. " I have grown bored with you brute. Be thankful I didn't kill the bird... see it as me being ever merciful to you." And with that he moved away smashing his form into Curse....

Curse was reading for the move of Morgan. He smirked as the brute pulled away. When he came back for her she moved her form only to lose footing on a rock. Before she knew it the rip of Morgan's fangs was placed on her maw. She could feel the warm liquid seep threw her fur. She licked it letting the chill flow threw her. She could hear her brothers words and snorted. She wanted to kill at least one but before she could move to Morgan Harmi had smashed into her. Curse skid growling at him. "Fine you idiot I'll come" Was all she said... She eyed Morgan one last time " Remember sleep with one eye open" She threatened him yes. This battle was not over. It was far from done. She would live to see another day for now. She moved with Harmi into the shadows as they ran she tilted her head to give Deadly the message that it was over. If he came she cared not. It was Harmi she needed.

Gladiator could feel Pitchra come to him. He knew the brutes reason for being here. His maw parted letting his sweet lyrics flow "We can't help who we love. Once we have imprinted on a female she is ours till death takes us... Curse loves you and always has seen you two where pups." He let his icy blue orbs fall onto the male. "It's her blood that holds insanity, but she can tame it as her father did. All hope is not lost. Don't give up on her" He snapped his head in the direction of the howl looking around to see only blooded allies. "Your female calls Pitchra. She is alive. Will your love save her or will it mean nothing?" He tried lifting himself but was still to weak. He grunted excepting the fact that he couldn't move right now. "Akiko saved me from my brother. We went threw hell as eyes of the clan judged her for her breeding. And being a prince I should have taken a Midnight fea, but my heart was hers since I saw her laying by that very tree that sits by the den area." He rambled on like a old man. He needed no children his knowledge was passed onto the children of his brother and there children and even the little ones like Dracul Jr who was now seeing his second winter and when he gave the land whelps he would pass his knowledge to them. He knew from day one his love never wanted whelps so he took part in raising others. It felt the same to him. Altho he wouldn't mind one whelp to leave this land with when he passes he knew it was only going to be with one fea and if she never wanted it then he would settle for leaving his mind with the others. "You know I thank you and Curse for giving us a litter of very smart wolves. Archillis looks and acts as I did when I was younger. He is here somewhere" His orbs never leaving Pitchra's "Go to her Pitchra find her heart and help her learn to come to her senses." The ivory male watched waiting for Pitchra to go. He knew the male would he had a heart as big as his and he knew this whole mess had torn it in two ways but regardless of Curse's actions his heart was hers and he needed to stay true to it or would die from grief.

OOC: More drama to come Im going to kill curse off but not just yet!!!

Blade eyes gleamed again, seeing this new development. A dark smirk came across his face as Evander made one last attack. He knew it was the end... they both did. His eyes narrowed, watching his approach. To have more momentum, he, too, darted forward, aiming at the open throat. He ducked, turning his head to get a good grip, and he distantly felt a bit of pain from somewhere that wasn't his shoulder. Too distracted by playing Death, he continued forward without hesitation, his jaws making contact with the softer flesh, biting down.

He stood over the dying wolf, saying, "You weren't so cowardly... in the end." Unlike others... he mentally added. He stepped forward to finish him for good, but paused, to glance at the fae who had seemed quite close to Evander, his curiosity piking up, wondering what she'd do... although if she didn't react, he'd just continue with what he had planned. A slight altercation in his original idea, but none of his packmates seemed to be in too big of danger... although Crow looked really angry. He couldn't see his small crow companion on the ground, so he wondered where the bird was.

Blade raised an eye, stepping back to neatly avoid the younger wolf's attempt to push him away. Still, he kept his distance, just for respects sake. Unlike Evander had been, he'd be more courteous. He was still anxious for battle, and her inexperienced movements were easy to avoid. He snarled at her, and said causally, as if blood wasn't smearing his pelt and there weren't fights around him, "You're the whelp, really, you being younger. And... you're not alpha of these lands, little pup, so don't pretend to be one, unless you can actually function like one." As an afterthought, he added, "Be grateful I'm even letting you to say your last to him, unlike what he has done to us wolves of Jabbar."

Blade didn't know this foolish, blind youngster, so he was granting her a chance to keep her life... but he couldn't help but try to rile her up. He hadn't wanted anything like the massacre he'd help with... but Kira had just awoken a memory with her actions and attitude that was very unwelcome to him, a memory of his terminated birth pack. His fur bristled angrily, starting to get impatient, but he refrained from growling... barely. He didn't want to join in any of the other fights around him, as his packmates and allies seemed to be doing well enough, and he didn't want to deny them a kill. He wanted to run her off the lands, like he did Legend, but this time, really injuring the escapee. His expression was dark as he smirked, knowing he had damaged Evander's vocal cords and probably wasn't able to speak much, if at all. If she didn't realize that yet... all the better for him.

Balthier was already aware of the fallen ally, seeing Morgan was carrying Crow; he had picked out more of his herbs from his temporary stash, sensing most of the fights were drawing to an end. He glanced back at the two clan members and muttered just enough for at least Gladiator to hear, "I'll be back," to try not to interrupt their conversation too much. His face never changed expression as he approached, able to see the injury from the distance. Looking at the flightless crow, he paused when he got closer, put the herbs down, and said, "If you understand me, I'm just helping him." He didn't know if the crow actually understood anything his apparent master said, but nothing was going to stop him from healing this wolf. He picked his choice of herbs- choosing to worry about closing the wound and stopping infection. Then he'd worry about other steps. Within a short while, he was applying the poultice on the neck wound.

He paused after stopping the worst of his condition and commented out loud for the sake of Crow's friends, "This will stop the bleeding and infection. When he wakes up, he has to eat some of those herbs," he nodded towards one of the piles he had separated while he had worked, "so that he can recover quicker. He'll also need water. Heavy blood loss does that... Is he injured anywhere else, or any of you?" His eyes looked at the crow, an eye raised as if asking the crow if he was fine other than the missing feathers. As a healer, even though he had limited knowledge with other animals, he knew as long as he didn't feed the crow with anything he was unsure was poisonous to birds or not, poultices should work... in thin layering.

Rawbones had tried his best to keep up with the rest of the group, but it was not long before his aging body began to give him trouble, and his stiff legs refused to carry him any faster. He grunted and groaned, frustrated to be left so far behind, knowing that his packmates would be fighting already, possibly needing his aid, when he had not yet arrived. He huffed as he finally reached the pack territory's outer limits; the stench of Evander and other invading strangers stung his nostrils, and built his level of frustration even higher. He forced his body to move faster, though his paws protested fiercely, causing him to grit his teeth in response. The sound of heavy padfalls reached his ears, and he became more alert, readying himself for a possible fight. Like a blur, two Midnight wolves passed him, apparently leaving the territory - the scent of blood clung heavily to them, and he wondered if they were fleeing for their lives or merely regrouping. None of his packmates seemed to be chasing, so he ignored them and continued onwards, feeling more anxious as an almost overpowering smell of blood reeked from ahead. Had his pack been defeated? Ears flicked back, and he trotted at an even higher pace, anxiety and adrenaline building in him now, erasing any feelings of discomfort.

As he drew closer, he could hear the echoes of snarling. There were still some wolves fighting. The sounds made the hairs prickle on the back of his neck, made his muscles become taught, his body driven more by instinct now than anything else. At last, he could see them. Several lay wounded, blood pouring heavily from deep evlusions. Rawbones' silver eyes widened, and his breath quickened while his heart began to race. Suddenly, he was glancing around almost desperately. Where were the enemies? Who had done this to them? Those two cowards who had fled... but there must be more. His breath caught in his throat when he spotted Akiko facing off with Deadly, a massive, crazed brute, who seemed to be matching her move for move in a very dangerous dance. The senior brute stopped in his tracks, his breath more ragged now, rage filling his body. His eyes moved again, and he spotted Blade hovering near a fallen body - Evander's - while an unknown fae seemed to be grieving over the brute's last moments. Rawbones didn't know what to do, there was so much going on. A deep, thundering growl escaped Rawbones as he watched the scene for just a few more moments, fury pulsing through him. That brute was being dealt the fate he deserved! He did not deserve to be mourned. He wanted to race over there and shove her away, smack some sense into her and rip at Evander's pitiful body. But something else caught his attention, something even more appealing.

Malice. Serenity, a wolf allied to their pack, was being picked on by an older, bigger, more vicious wolf. His muscles twitched, tense and aching for use. His neck jerked to the side, and his tail lashed. Rawbones snapped, and he bolted forward, needing not a second more to think about what he needed to do. This youngster did not need to be harmed, when he had come here for the good of Jabbar, risking himself for a pack that was not his. The elder would see to it that Serenity did not risk everything, and made it out of here in good health. Wrinkling up his face and peeling back his lips, Rawbones let forth a violent battle cry, deep and rumbling, and lunged towards the Joker. His jaws parted wide and clashed down towards the male's tassel, ready to crush anything that came between his deadly traps. Yet, he was not finished there. The blind, rabid ferocity that filled him grew only stronger, causing his actions to become more heated, more dangerous and most of all, completely unpredictable. Rawbones lashed out with deadly precision, razors lunging toward vulnerable tendons and slashing at exposed flesh. There were no hesitations, nor any pauses between his powerful movements, and he would stop at nothing to sever this brute's skin and draw out his blood.





Bloodeye had arrived upon the scene long ago, spying Aladar as he approached Evander, watching him carefully, listening for hints of treason. Once the wolves of Jabbar arrived and the fighting commenced, she saw whose side the brute was on, and was no longer concerned about him. She watched as the wolves in front of her fought with passion and bloodlust. Gladiator did his part in many ways, though he paid for it dearly. Bloodeye could do nothing to help him, they were all moving so quickly. She could see that he held his own, anyways, and her bold eyes watched the rest of the wolves. All of them held their own. There was not a battle that she felt was too pressing, that she needed to interfere with. She would let these wolves have their revenge for things they felt more strongly about. All she wanted was for them to reclaim the lands. When she spotted Blade standing over Evander and Kira, she shook her head as she watched the fae hover over him as he died. Why couldn't she see how futile it was to side with the wrong wolves? She needed a lesson in judgement, it seemed. Bloodeye rose from her place in the undergrowth, ignoring the rest of what was going on. These wolves were handling themselves, and didn't need her help.

She approached Kira where she lay near Evander, her muzzle touching his as though affectionately. She narrowed her eyes. This femme was so patheticly misguided, what was going on in her mind? This brute was weak and pitiful, nobody liked him, and he had no talent or special skills. She could do so much better. Wasting no time, she stepped up behind Kira, standing over her now. "What do you think you're doing?" she questioned the femme, void of compassion, "This brute got what he deserved. Surely you must have known this would be his fate." She shook her head, quirking a brow and readying herself for some sort of retort or lashing from Kira. She already knew the femme was belligerently rebellious, and didn't like to listen to reason. But she was too young to back herself up; she was just all talk. Bloodeye wanted to see more out of her. And she wanted Kira to be logical and see reason. "Now, unless you wish to join him, I suggest you bid your farewells and leave him behind," she said, her crimson orbs narrowed, "It is time you used your brain and aligned yourself properly with us." She tilted her head, this time cocking the other brow. Would the femme be reasonable, or was she ready to lash out and run away? Bloodeye saw too much potential in this young Kira to let her go without teaching her a lesson.

Gladiator could hear Bloodeye's words sting his ears. He let a whimper out as he lifted himself. He forced himself to move. His body was so stiff but his will power moved him to where she was. He let a horrid growl leave him as he approached Bloodeye "We are wolves of honor and respect for everyone not just are friends... His is till Dameans brother and I know for a fact he would let his brother have his fair wells before he left this land. If we start to act like him then what makes us any better" Gladiator growled again. "She has the right to say her fair wells regardless of who they are to... now shut up and show respect before I teach you it" He disliked Bloodeye he knew where her words lie when Evander was King. He showed his dislike for her and cared not what anyone would think. He flashed the fea his fangs before looking at Blade. He gave the brute a nod before turning his form. He did it to quick and fell over. He growled with the thud that came. He snorted making his mind up to to stay there. He sighed seeing it was a better view to see Akiko with anyway.

Bloodeye was surprised when Gladiator approached her, a growl rumbling like thunder in his throat as he did so. She readied herself to defend, though she could see he was in no shape to do much damage. Her hackles rose and lips curled back, furious with the way he spoke to her. He still had the feather-brained idea that she was sided with someone else. No, it was Kira, and Evander, who had been against them. Evander had killed their King. Bloodeye had never gotten to know Damean nor care for him, but she had never sided with the foolish and cowardly Evander. How dare this brute get in her face and try to tell her a thing or two? "Say what you want, hessian," she retorted, snapping her fangs, "But had more of your kind been here to fight against us, this little fae you're defending here, and Evander himself, would have watched us all die with pleasure. Whose side are you on, Gladiator?" She snorted and shook her head as the brute turned away from her and fell over from exhaustion. What sort of 'lesson' was he going to teach her in that condition?

Rolling her eyes, she didn't move from her position near Kira, merely looking over at Gladiator. "You'd best stay right there and rest, big boy," she said smoothly, almost mockingly but not quite, "I'm no healer, but I'd say if you keep moving around, you're not going to make it." She glanced over to where Balthier was. She'd already seen him deal with Gladiator some time ago, but it was clear this male was stubborn and willful, and wasn't going to sit around even for his own good at the word of a healer. It wasn't likely he was going to listen to her either, but she suspected that even if he wanted to, there wasn't much he could do other than spout some more nasty words at the moment. She could probably push him right back over with one toe at this point in his recovery if he tried to come at her. Shrugging, she turned back to Kira, intent on getting some sort of response from her, regardless of whether it was what she wanted to hear or not. Briefly, she wondered where Zaiaku was - it would be interesting to have him around in this ever-fragile situation. Then with a flick of her ear she focused her attention on Kira.

He turned to the side when he heard raised voices. Bloodeye and Gladiator. Their confrontation was bringing him back to his senses, and he was concerned when the latter fell. Blade barked towards Balthier for attention, as he didn't know where Petra was. It was clear the other was busy, so allowed the healer to come as soon as he possibly could. He turned back to see Gladiator walking away, then back to Bloodeye briefly. Although, if she showed any indication of heading towards the midnight wolf, he'd have to step between them despite his desire to end Evander's life as soon as Kira was finished. Sometimes, it was difficult for him to comprehend why some thought only in black and white, not shades of gray. He had been called intelligent before, and he held that more highly than he did any wisdom he might have, but to hear another wolf, especially one considered to be dark, refer to those shades of gray Blade called wisdom perked his interest.

His attention was back on Kira, intent on her response. Would she forget his words, more angered at Bloodeye? Evander's vocal cords were clearly damaged, and the longer Kira waited, the longer he's suffer... not that Blade was complaining. He'd have thought that she'd rather let him get put out of his misery if she really did love him, but... they hadn't been gone for that long, and she seemed immature as well as young, so how could she be certain, having such loyalty when she probably didn't know anything about him.

He was also putting off medical attention. Others needed it more than he, even if his shoulder was still bleeding a little. He felt a sensation he hadn't felt since he was younger and killing off his birth pack. Back then, he had gotten a small scar on his side, but not visible unless someone knew where to look, but even then, fur was covering it now. He knew he just collected another. That was two now, one for every significant fight he participated in, he guessed, although he knew he could have avoided receiving this particular mark. Had his body just moved on its own, wanting him to have these milestones, or was his body really as flawed as his father had claimed. He'd have to look in some water later, but it probably ran from the corner of his right eye to near the base of his right ear. He felt that impatience again, though, and stared at the two on the ground.

Blade held back a scoff at Kira's words. She still had that attitude, but at least she wasn't trying to sound like she was looking down upon him... much. Waiting until she moved away, he came up to Evander, looking down at him. He didn't look to see if he was still alive as he said, "Looks like you're the second one to make a scratch on this blade," by blade, he was referring to the sharp objects that described him best, the objects that gave him his name. Swiftly, he dealt a blow to the neck that would kill Evander for sure if he wasn't already. He straightened, looking to Bloodeye. "She is a foolish whelp, but even dark wolves have hearts, perhaps not the kind pures have, but nevertheless... but what are you doing now? Openly aligning yourself with us once more?" He was still unsure of where Bloodeye's heart really lied, but believed the pack was enough to take her on if she defected. For now, he'd treat her like he did the others. He glanced around him. Some were still fighting, but Rawbones was helping Serenity. He didn't have to do anything now, as he knew Akiko wanted to fight alone, so he'd wait for Balthier to finish with Crow and Gladiator, or for Petra to return.

Akiko face remained stoic even though she landed the hit. Dodging out of the way he was right on her and aiming for her chest. Lowering her head she engaged her jowls with his but continuously sidestepped never ceasing movement. Breaking the hold her mug was bleeding but it only made the deadly gleam in her eye sharper. If he wanted to dance than she would show him how to do it right. He would become slower eventually, she had all the stamina in the world, fueled by rage of Damean's death. Wolves clashed around the but the fighting seemed to have died down...Evander had fallen. She knew it and yet she was still unsatisfied. Deadly needed to die. "Come on pup, its time to go to hell." Curse's howl rang through the trees calling for a retreat. There would be no retreat for Deadly this day. Then she took her paw and quickly swiped it against the earth throwing some dirt at his face, cheap trick but she wasn't in this for the glory. Darting in she launched herself from her hind paw to wrap her forelegs around his neck, sure he could probably sink his teeth into her shoulder but she would make sure she took an ear off before she let go...

Eris had come in but everything was in an out too quickly, Jabbar wolves had come in so quickly there numbers overpowered the others easily. Evander had fallen...there were wounded. And Crow had fallen and his bird was injured. Glancing over at her own feathered companion she frowned. Another wolf carried Crow away and his bird stood on the ground unable to fly away. Making a small yipping noise her falcon flew from its perch and hovered above her. Approaching the crow she lowered her body and cocking her head to the side, birdlike almost she spoke softly to the creature. "I'm sorry to see you have fallen my winged friend. Would you like a lift for the time being?" She looked at the bird with eyes half shaded. Cadence, her falcon landed by her and she snuffled his chest for a second in a rare picture of affection and then looked back to the crow. If it continued to hop around on the ground no doubt it would earn the eye of some predator.

Bloodeye returned the flash of fangs from Gladiator, taking her attention from Kira again. He was much too talkative and belittling for her liking, and he had too much confidence for his weakened state. Bloodeye would not be foolish enough to fall into his fangs while he was in his current state. Nevertheless, she had no intention of fighting with the brute, no matter how annoying he seemed. He was a part of this pack too, and she was not going to sully her reputation by acting out on her first impulse. She was already viewed with suspicion as it was. "We all have more to learn, so don't count yourself out," was all she said, not wanting to drag out his arguement any longer. It wouldn't go anywhere anyways. Only time and actions would tell them who was loyal to whom. But he didn't need to act like he knew everything. If he dubbed her not worthy enough to speak Damean's name, then so be it, she couldn't really care less. And she also didn't care what he thought about her trying to claim these lands. She'd had every intention of running off anybody who wished to challenge her, but return these lands to their original state, the way it had been before Damean had been murdered. Which meant having the original pack on their own soil. So what if she wanted to lead them? She was not power-hungry and monstrous by nature; she was merely the type who liked to give direction rather than take it.

Snorting, she turned around just in time to see Kira give her final words and rush off after Gladiator. She felt completely blown off and dug her claws into the ground, lifting her lips and giving a very displeased growl to nobody in particular. She looked up, ears perked as Blade addressed her and she reclined upon her haunches, taking in a deep breath to keep her cool. "I know that already," she said briskly, eyes narrowed. She had a heart, too, and could be compassionate and merciful when needed, but she was not tolerant of youngsters like Kira who thought they already owned the world. Bloodeye had had plenty more life experiences than Kira - she had run two different packs, birthed whelps and fought many battles. She wasn't going to let a little know-it-all brat like her try to run the show. But she also had no way of proving her worth to these wolves through anything but her present actions - there was no point in arguing with any of them on things she couldn't show them. She nodded to Blade when he asked her if she was aligning herself with them. "I've always wanted to be a part of this pack," she told him, "Evander was an idiot, not cut out to be a leader. From what I'd seen, Damean had a much better head on his shoulders and was much more equipped to lead." She knew she had to get him to see from her point of view what she'd seen, though, the reason she hadn't been overly impressed by Damean.

"Of course, since the moment I arrived here," she continued, "He wasn't around much. Always off, never letting anyone know where he'd gone. Forgive me if I mistrust wolves of the sort, but I've been abandoned too many times, and had too many 'loyal' wolves at my throat. I just want to be with a pack whose loyalty never sways." She shrugged, glancing around. No one ever really seemed to take her seriously, so she would let him judge her as he would. No one could blame her for viewing Damean the way she had, and she couldn't blame anyone for judging her either. Perhaps her choices in the past hadn't been the best, and she hadn't shown herself as the most trusthworthy wolf, but she was determined now to change that around. She would do what she had to in order to take care of these wolves in whatever way she could, and show them what she was made of. Despite the frustrations of doubtful wolves, she would not give up on them.