Namid had finally been able to take some time to slip away from the den. She had left the children with a babysitter, for they certainly couldn’t be left alone. They had become extremely mobile, and she was sure that if they were left alone for too long they would end up much too far from the den for her comfort. She had opted to leave them with a sitter, more confident now that she was certain that most of the pack had become acquainted with them. The wraith woman had yet to show her ugly, single-eyed face around the site and the pale queen was in no complaint. Sooner or later she would chase her from her borders and be happy with it. When she finally decided to do so, she would be sure to inform the pack of the woman’s leave so that they would be sure to chase her as far from their lands and possible if she were to try and come back to the edges of their territory. But, for the moment she was still a member of their ranks and the matter would have to be dealt with later.

The rabbits had seemed to be plentiful this year and a few new pelts had been added to the floor, of course the center was the white pelt of the hare Anthem had caught for them. She had planned to do the same for the pelt of the rabbit she had just caught, its body dangling limply in her jaws. Though she hadn’t hunted for a good month or so, she found she still had it. What she would do with all the pelts once the children were moved was unknown to her, but she figured she might give them to her members to bed their nests within the communal den. She was sure that by the time that time came around she would have more than enough. However, their numbers seemed to be growing slowly but surely and she couldn’t be prouder of the fact. Soon, they would be one of the most powerful of packs in the lands. With this in mind, however, she knew that she would need to make some ties with other packs. Whisper Caverns was one pack that she wished to ally with, for she had called it home and was happy there for a few months. There was also a pack within the black berry bushes that she knew of from a previous encounter, and though it had not been a very pleasant first one the child was most likely at the least a yearling by this point and perhaps the alphaess, if she was still the lead female, would be able to come to an agreement with her.

Her thoughts were cut short by a calling howl, the names of Anthem and Angele slicing through the air. She couldn’t help but wonder what they could want with their subordinates, and while the call hadn’t been for her if someone was at their borders regardless of who they were searching for she felt the need to be there. Anthem could hold himself and, though she had yet to meet his sister, she was sure his sibling could too, but she had been away from her duties for a while and she longed to get back to them. It was because of this that she quickly buried the rabbit where she stood, mentally noting where it was so that she could come back to get it later before taking off at a trot toward the direction the sound had come. Upon approach she found a male only slightly larger than her at their borders, clad in dark coat and bright, intelligent eyes that seemed to gleam with a happy emotion. He bore nothing in offering to their lands, and again she was left to wonder what he could be here for. She came to stand just at the border, her tail raised and chin lifted to show exactly who he was dealing with. It wasn’t a threatening stance, but it showed that she wasn’t some mere subordinate and should be treated as such. “My name is Namid Vuesain, lead female of Fallen Tree Cove. Might I ask why you have come upon our borders and called for two of our pack mates, whom I am sure will be arriving soon?” she inquired.

It seemed the man was quick to please, offering an almost immediate bow as well his name and what seemed to be the beginning of an explanation. Her ears were pitched forward intently and she stood, fully expecting a reason for him to be calling at their borders. The thud of paw steps alerted her to a presence and she turned, identifying the fast approach of Anthem himself. The look that was given was one of shock, and the pale queen’s gaze slid between the two men. Was this a good reaction, or a bad one? If it were to be the ladder, it would only make the situation all the more interesting. And dangerous. Her guard went up, preparing herself for anything other than the suddenly beaming look that seemed to radiate from the beta. He moved forward, encroaching the other man’s space without question and Nathaniel greeted him with much the same enthusiasm. It was clear that she was confused by the situation as she stood there, in the dark as to the relation between the two.

“Namid this is my brother, Nathaniel.” He sprung, and suddenly it made sense. A bemused grin took place on her lips and she couldn’t help the chuckle that bubbled its way up her throat. A sheepish look was given on part of his sibling as he seemed to realize her presence again, apologizing for his actions. She gave him an understanding nod, for she expected she’d act much the same way if any of her family showed up. Her mismatched gaze traveled to Anthem, “If we are not careful it will be your family who takes over the cove before long,” she mused with a grin. First his sister had come, and now his brother. He was quickly making up for his failed outings the last winter, and she couldn’t help but be slightly jealous of him for his luck.

Her attention was drawn back to Nathaniel and she gave him a dip of her head, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Nathaniel. No need to apologize for your behavior, I suspect I would act much the same way in a similar situation. It is by great luck that you have met again, I am happy for you.” she said, and she meant it genuinely.

Namid couldn’t help the chuckle at Anthem’s assurance that he had no other relatives coming to hunt him down. She still felt the faint twinge of jealousy, jealousy that he had been reunited with his family when she had spent and was still spending so much time still waiting for hers. Oh yes, she had looked and searched for many months before coming to Fallen Tree Cove and still kept a look out for them on her patrols but somewhere in her heart had told her that her search needed to stop. She needed to let go of her past to focus on the present, focus on making this family right in more ways than her own had been. Segregated, split, not quite a whole family even though they had been related by blood. No matter where things went she still wanted them to be a true unit, to be there for each other when it really counted and sometimes even when it didn’t. That was her one wish, and she would be damned if she didn’t have it.

”Are you thinking of joining us?” Anthem asked his brother, and this peaked Namid’s interest. They could always use more wolves in their ranks for there was always room to grow, especially when their territory was so vast and abundant in prey. Even when the winter came, they would still have the fish in the lake to keep them satisfied and animals would stay by the lake if they weren’t hibernating for the water source. She was sure they would be well off in the end, and surely Nathaniel would be as hard working as his siblings had proven to be. The dark man confirmed his thoughts to stay with his brother, and Namid gave a pleased nod. “Of course you are welcome with us. Your siblings have proven to be fine members within our ranks, and I will assume you harbor the same enthusiasm to prove yourself as they do. Welcome to Fallen Tree Cove, Nathaniel,” she stated, moving forward to rub her side along his and officially mark him as their own. Only time would truly tell whether or not he was of the same blood as the Coldheart pair, but she trusted Anthem enough to trust his siblings.

Backing away she looked between the pair, her smile reaching her mismatched gaze. “Now then, shall we be getting back? I am sure Angele would love to see him after whatever duty has kept her from his call, and I have my own family to attend to. Nathaniel, should you need anything please do not hesitate to seek me out.” the pale queen said, turning and giving a motion of her head for them to follow her back within their borders. After the heartfelt meeting, she was eager to get back to her own children and admonish them with the same affection she’d just witnessed.

Exit Namid.