Pip watched the exchange with caution in her eyes and butterflies in her belly. Though she took great pains not to let it show, her anxiety was reaching a fever pitch. Though she would never be forced to admit it, she hated how her cousin spoke of her. As if she were some useless pup incapable of taking care of herself. Nauja's mother had thought that. She'd been the worst, though the woman had made a show of being gentle with Pip when others were looking. The memories colored her view of her cousin in a poor light. Was she her mother's daughter after all?
There was at least some hope in the mute's heart when @Nauja offered her apologies for her behavior. Her mother never would have done that. She would have sneered and offered some nasty insult. Still, her presence unsettled the omega.
@Nineva's arrival was a welcome distraction to Pip. When the larger female bent to nuzzle at the back of her neck, the omega let out a sigh of relief. At least in all this confusion, that remained unchanged. The mute latched on to the gray woman's presence like a lifeline. Nineva's greeting was far less welcoming than @Tyne's and even her own lackluster response. She could always count on her to be true to her feelings and hold nothing back for the sake of propriety.
Hearing Tyne's growl, the hackles along Pip's shoulders lifted with unease. It was wrong of him to react like that to Nineva. She was pack, and as loyal as they came. Though it was not her way and felt wholly unnatural, Pip pinned the male down with a disapproving stare. Though it was fleeting, she made sure he met her eyes before she let them fall again in favor of licking at Nineva's cheek.