After her question was voiced the scent of Ash rolled upon her sensitive nose. The only reaction she had to the males scent was a quick flick of her blue gaze around to locate the man. Her eyes dragged along his pelt watching the way he moved keenly. She still didn't trust him. If what @Elettra had said was true, that he had once attacked his own sister Nina, then it would take Narimé some time before she could trust the new alpha male. Even if Nina and Ash had quote on quote "...long made up..." At least for now he seemed respectable and fair considering the circumstances. So she dutifully kept her mouth shut and head lowered. Then the hunters blue orbs switched back to Minka as her trusted friend spoke.
She nodded as Minka stated that all was safe. However a slight sigh came from her lips as the rusted lead spoke of no prey being scented. Of course.. Why should I even get my hopes up anymore? Nari thought quietly hoping the news that Minka needed to tell Ash and herself wasn't bad news.
"Since Narimé's return it has become clear to me that this will never truly be my pack to lead, it will always belong to you," Minka's words surprised Nari. She had thought that Minka was doing a fine job leading the pack. Fine enough that the silver woman wasn't ready to try and take the lead away from her. Not when she herself had apparently fucked up her timing on a mission that brought nothing but shit to help her pack.
Her blue gaze glanced to the side seeing Minka's golden gaze watching her. She held that gaze for a time allowing the other woman to see the emotions playing across her orbs. Confusion for the moment kept her gaze lit up. Until Minka continued.
"But I am no longer content to be led instead of lead, so I am choosing to leave this spring, with Tokino by my side to found my own pack. I have asked Inali to join me, but she needs time before she can make her decision. We will be departing early or mid-breeding season, and hope to raise pups of our own over the coming year, but....this means that it will need to be decided between the two of you who shall breed and bring forth more pups of Whisper Caverns."
All the sudden more emotions could be seen in the womans' eyes as she narrowed her blue gaze. Understanding to the first comment about Minka and Tokino wanting to leave flitted past her eyes. It had been a bit awkward for some time as much as she was trying to adjust to the way things were now. Though it was harder when she didn't have someone always by her side to support her anymore. No Sloane, only her pups stood with her, but they were still young and couldn't understand fully what she was going through.
Tokino leaving really wasn't a surprise, but hearing that Minka had asked Inali made Nari feel betrayed. Her eyes flashed angrily as the silver wolf brought her gaze to the snow trying to think things through. Why Inali too? Uncle Kino is fine, Minka leaving is okay though I'll miss her. She deserves the same chance I was given to start a pack. Narimé turned her head away from Minka displeasure clear on her face.
"I understand why you want to leave, I did the same with Elettra from Willow Ridge asking her if I could try to have the family I wanted." She paused trying to sum up everything she wanted to say. "...and I know Tokino has been saying that he was leaving come spring ever since he joined so that I'm fine with." A low growl came to her throat now. "But why Inali? She has no reason to leave, a part from simply being with a friend. Why can't she stay with me and visit you once in a while?" She argued keeping the growl low in her voice. Nari could count, she knew that the pack would be extremely low on numbers if Minka, Tokino, and Inali decided to leave. That would not bode well for the survival of Titan, Malia, and Yuka let alone what pups might be born this warm season.
The last bit about deciding who would breed pups this coming spring was one of the last things on her mind at the moment. Nari would never let another male touch her unless she was beaten to a pulp before paw. She would not give her heart out to another male without knowing whether Sloane was alive or dead. God help the male who did try to mount her this spring. Even against her body's will Nari would fight the urge that had taken her so strongly last year.