Penny For Your Thoughts

[Bre]

Fatal sat up with her back to the tree's as she sat in the only spot of light visible in the dark forest. Studying her paws it might of seemed as the tree's leaned down watching her, as if trying to figure out what was going on through her head. She didn't even quite know though. Her thoughts rambled in her head not making any sense at the moment as she replayed her past over in her head.

"You need to jump!"

She heard he brother yell from below. His muscular White figure was on a large boulder beneath her, his amber eyes gleaming with amusement as he watched her struggle to get through her mental fear. She growled at him not wanting to speak afraid if she did that by not paying attention to where she placed her paws she would fall to her death into the rushing river below.
She bunched up her muscles as she prepared to jump, every strength she had within her immediately hit her legs and her vision focused on the center of the boulder as she began to calculate how hard she should push off.

"WOULD YOU HURRY THE-"

Her brother was cut off by a gush of wind that made him close his mouth and bury it into his upper leg. She smirked and pushed off releasing all the trapped strength from her legs to guide her across to the boulder below. Once her paws touched the ground her body began to relax again, she turned to her brother and chuckled.

"Maybe next time you should be more patient."

And with that she jumped down from the boulder and onto the narrow path that was on the cliff. Hearing her brother mutter something about being a "smart-ass" she quickened her steps trying to get him lost, but his paw steps stayed only a few tail lengths behind her. As she continued down the path it widened until it became a large open meadow. The meadow was magnification with budding or blooming flowers ranging from many different lovely light colors of pink, yellow, orange, and purple.

Fatal turned her attention to the noise coming farther away past the meadow. It didn't sound friendly at all. Drake, next to her tensed up and nudged her quietly. When she looked over her shoulder at him there was a clear worry in her eyes as her were just lifeless without emotion. She sighed and beckon him onward with her tail as she quietly moved through the meadow towards the noise.

Why did I even go over there? If I hadn't my brother would be here with me, in Falling Moons Pack. But he's not and might not ever be. That thought rocked her inside but you wouldn't be able to tell by her appearance. She seemed calm and thoughtful but there was a rage of guilt and pain ripping her apart inside. She looked up straight into the light that the trees had parted for her and let out a lonely howl. She missed him, Drake. She needed him now, the depression was getting to her and he was no where to be found. Her eyes for once in her life should an emotion of some sort if you looked close enough you could see the swelling of tears in her light green eyes.

This would be the 1st and last time she would ever cry. She knew it, her soul told her so as the salty liquid raced out of her eye and onto the soil below. She wasn't allowed to cry, or feel. Feelings caused problems she knew that very well; a little to well.

[[Midnight]]

Pain, suffering, loneliness, guilt, shame. If there was anyone who could understand these feelings too well, Justyn was certainly that someone. He'd always been a very sensitive wolf, and his unusual puphood had been too much for him to handle; he would always carry scars with him. As Fatal lifted her head to howl of her sadness, Justyn was somewhere nearby, perking his ears to listen closely. His heart had, for a short time, been hardened against compassion. As he listened to this wolfsong, though, he felt a shiver of unease and realized, as he padded through the forest, that he was frowning deeply. Her song had struck a nerve. Before he knew it, he was stopping in his tracks to send her an answer.

He sang his own song moments later, nose touching the dark blue of the forest shade. It was a low, angry pitch and sang of his unfortunate regrets. The forest would stifle his howl and reah only those nearby, which he knew included the female who had just sang her own story. He wondered briefly if this was really a pack mate - Falling Moons weren't usually the type to howl with such blatant grief. He had not recognized the voice, so he began a jogging speed in her general direction. He wasn't sure where to look, and it took some time before he was able to track any sort of scents.

When he came upon her scent trail and had followed he, he found her in a short amount of time. It was an average-sized female, with what he thought very alpha-like qualities. She seemed to be struggling with some sort of pain, whether it be physical or emotional, but she was holding out with a diginifed way about her. He took some time studying her and hoping to pin a name, but after deciding he had not met her, he loudly pulled out of cover, snapping twigs and leaves to let her know of his prescense without having to speak.

He met her eyes and simply stared, with that almost angry front he wore for strangers. Justyn was the young Beta of the pack, and had earned that position for being so tough and unbreakable.

[Bre]

Fatal did not like the presence of this male at all. She wanted to be alone. Solitude fit her best, she had already scented him 2 miles before he reached her. Silently she thanked the wind for that help for by then she had drowned the emotion that once showed into nothing. She decided not to let out an aggravated growl for she realized he was of higher rank. She could tell by his stance of course.

He wasn't exactly in the Alpha position though, maybe Beta? She looked as if she was staring right into him as her green eyes locked on his broad and large figure. His fur was unique in her eyes for she only saw pure colored wolves where she was raised. This sense of interest never surpassed to the surface as she began to analyze him completely. His audacious hazel eyes seem to capture her attention the most but that what she liked best the eyes. They told many secrets of others, she had trained her's to conceal it. It was hard to master but easy to keep.

Why? Was her 1st question but she decided it was better not to question. She rose to her paws and nodded at him, clearly he was the wolf that had answered her song.
Just great, It wasn't meant to be answered she thought, but you could never tell her expression never changed and her body language was a normal as ever.

"Who are you?" Her voice wasn't very hostile but it held an aggressive tone.

Fatal continued to study him until he decided to answer her. He smelt of her own pack but she would never know. The only person she knew in the pack was Duke. After meeting him she left for solitude most of the time; bringing in prey every now and then and attending meetings when called. She had seen this male before struggling to recall his name it seemed at the moment. Jullian? No.. Justyn? Maybe... Her tailed flicked back and forth in the air watching his body language for anything that could help her in anyway about his thought process.

[[Midnight]]

The first thing he chose to take note of was her perception. She must've seen something in his body-language that spoke of his rank and power within the pack. She was all too respectful - to a certain degree. He figured by the way she held herself that she too probably had Alpha blood somewhere in her past. She seemed to wear a mask common to those who'd seen hardship of some sort - or at least a native born Moons wolf who knew better than to give away too many weaknesses. Omegas were usually skittish.

He snorted at her question in a slightly amused way, his hazel eyes flicking to her paws, and back to her face. Frankly Justyn was pretty useless when it came to remembering passerbys. He knew only those whom he carried on conversation with. The rest in his life, packmate or not, were ignored quite blatantly. Justyn was no social butterfly - or at least, he had whatever it was he needed in his life. A best friend, a den mate, and a sister, even if he was convinced that she hated him. There were pups, too. Not his, but a strange part of his psychosis did blur the lines every once in while. There were moments he fantasized being some sort of father-figure for Rose's two pups.

Well, there was no use trying to remember her name.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten a face like mine? And I thought I was unforgettable."
He gave his pelt a quick shake; fur went floating in a cloud of dusty air. His fur still hadn't quite started to thicken for the coming cold weather. Justyn was a largely built male with a broad chest, but in wintertime with his thick undercoat - he could be mistaken for a grizzly cub.

"Maybe you're used to my snarling instead of my singing voice," he brought out pointedly, eyes narrowing slightly. He was confronting her grief...letting her know that he'd felt it, was aware of it, and maybe wanted to throw it in her face. It was always hard to tell what motives the Betawolf had. Sometimes he spoke in slight riddles. Other times, he was an open book, only when cracked open, of course.

[Bre]

Fatal let out a short snort and smirked. He was a cocky one and clearly full of ambition. She twitched her ear in the amusement of his words and ignored them as well. Why was he here trying to confront her about her own feelings. She didn't need that at all, she didn't need anyone to be honest. It was always better not to depend on others for they always seem to let you down some how. Trust was another issue it was earned as was respect in a sense of other wolves who were within her rank. She wasn't the type to make friends easily not want them either. She was more of a loner within a pack, but she was quite apart of the pack; especially in battle. She would fight for it until her heart stopped, she was a defender.

She held back more comments as she saw him shake out his fur and puff out his chest as it seemed. Who was he trying to impress? Himself or Her? It seemed like both. Like he was trying to reassure himself that he was strong and large. He clearly liked being dominate to other wolves but who didn't? He just seemed a little too impressed by his dominance she could tell that by the way he said snarling . She had seen him many times before and wondered if him and the white wolf, Rose we're mates they seemed like it but no one could ever tell with this pack.

None the less If he didn't want to answer her that was fine she didn't need to know him anyway although she was certain his name was Justyn. She didn't care though it wasn't most likely that he would be useful to her She began to pad away from him not sure if it was disrespectful or not but didn't care none the less now. She thought of speaking with a smart comment but why would she? She didn't have the time. Fatal just wanted to be ALONE.

As she brushed passed him looking for a new place to retake her solitude methods, she felt a sudden shock within her. As his pelt brushed hers lightly she wasn't exactly use to other wolf contact. It had been ages well more like 7 months, but it was long enough for her to feel uncomfortable about it. She was glad he couldn't see her face as she continued on-wards away from him. It wasn't quite as skillfully masked as usual.

But something made her turn around and bark out:
"No I'm use to seeing you stalking around or trailing after Rose and her pups. Oh and something tells me clearly I'm forgettable seeing how you don't know my name, Justyn." Her tone wasn't exactly harsh but it wasn't nice either. She knew this would hit a spot because of his affections for the She-wolf, Rose.

And then she padded away not waiting for his response, she knew he had some type of affection for Rose everyone could see it. She shook her head dismissing the fact that Rose was just as evil as anyone else in the pack and was probably messing with the young Beta wolf's head. Letting out a little chuckle she continued on. Rose used mind games more than Fatal did that was for a fact and that was what made her increasingly dangerous. She shook that out of her mind and decided it was time to go hunting as her belly growled reminding her she hadn't eaten at all today.

[[Midnight]]

Justyn blinked back at her, lost in a moment of self-conciousness. He could admit to himself that this conversation had gone just how he had suspected - until Rose's name was so eagerly brought up. His ears twitched with his discomfort. First of all, he had no idea who this she wolf was, and it concerned him that she seemed to know a lot about his buisness. As always, the cogs in his brain were turning as he contemplated just how many wolves were watching what it was he did with himself. How many others had caught on to his friendship with Rose? Did it endanger her at all? He certainly wasn't the most popular wolf in the valley.

It really didn't bother him in the least. In fact he was glad that this stranger didn't bring up Fallon's name, someone Justyn was spending just as much time with lately. They shared a den. But Fallon was not one to take kindly any rumors that may spread around about their relationship, and he wasn't about make a spectacle of themselves. He decided to bite back his anger and hurtful retort. It wasn't like she had said anything highly offensive anyway. It was more the way she had said it that made his sneer spread across his face.

As she brushed by him, he felt uncomfortable as well. He used to nip at wolves who got into his personal space. His head turned to follow her as she continued walking away. She had a very sweet smell for someone so bitter. His eyes screwed up in a thinking manner - why was she walking away? He really thought it'd get more violent than this - at least in a verbal sort of manner. He felt he had to get the last word in as always, and turned to face her.

"You've made yourself sound so jealous. Are you secretly in love with me? Sorry, but you're right, you're definately forgettable. Rose, on the other hand, is beautiful, so of course you're upset," he cooed in a tone of voice that was sharp and meant to hurt. He was only teasing, but part of him wondered if there was some sort of truth in what he said. He dismissed it, though. She was just observant. He was a Beta, after all. Still, it wouldn't hurt to see if she'd react or just keep walking.

[Bre]

Fatal rolled her eyes, she was right he was a cocky one. Like she would ever like him. She could careless if he thought she wasn't beautiful because his opinion didnt matter to her. She decided not to answer him and keep walking, he was a waste of her time.

Fatal could not ignore the fact he was so absorbed in his domiance that he suggest the envy of Rose. She could never envy Rose even if she wanted too. She wasn't the jealous type and respected Rose for her intelligence and beauty as everyone else. It would make no sense to be jealous of another when in some other wolf's eyes Fatal could seem to be more attractive than Rose. Like before it was just a matter of opinons and she only cared for her own and maybe Duke's, only because he was Alpha. She prayed that when he became Alpha as they all knew Duke was getting old; that he would not be as stupid as he was being now. Maybe it would be better if Rose was his mate. He could just be brutal strength && she could be the brain, for it seemed he didn't use his to the capability it possessed.

As she disappeared into the forest away from him she let out a low snarl. She hated how he suggested that she liked him. She barely had feelings towards her own self how could she develop for another if she didnt have any for herself. She shook it off and began to search for any type of prey, maybe killing would get her mood back to normal. She just hoped not to run into again he was quite annoying and clealrly not as bright as he thought. She stopped in mid step at the sound of an animal in the undergrowth. Her ears twitched and her muscles tensed, she relax when she realized it was just a small bird. She wanted to take down something big small things would not help soothe this rage within her.

[Bre]

Fatal growled as the rabbit disappeared out of site. After several failed attempts of finding food and catching it, she decide it was time to head back to the camp. Maybe there was some food there waiting for her. She trotted back silently hoping to not bum into anyone other wolves as she did not want to communicate with anyone other at the moment for Justyn had put her in a really bad mood.

As she entered the camp she heard silence for once. It wasn't awkward at all in a sense to her, it was exactly what she wanted and she welcomed it. She spotted a few left overs of a elk probably caught by one of the brutes in the pack. She silently made her way over, her eyes scanning the territory. For whatever reason it was her body was extremely tense, she couldn't figure out why but something didn't seem quite correct. She stood in front of the elk for a moment surveying around before crouching and preparing to take a bite out of the elks thigh.

[[Midnight]]

justyn snuffed loudly. It seemed she wasn't feeling as contentious as he was. He was disappointed that she so quickly turned away, without even trying to deny his ridiculing. It made him instantly suspicious; perhaps there was more truth to his words than he realized. Why else would she have nothing to say? Unless she was simply a girl of few words, which he found doubtful for some reason. This was what he was thinking as he frowned and began to stalk off in the opposite direction, tail flicked upwards in a confident manner. He was done for the day - he would find a dry spot in the forest shade to rest until nightfall.

Back near the dens, though, another male was stirring, though his movements were still stiff with pain. Caden was looking slightly better every day, though his fur still was without shine and his wounds were taking far too long to heal. At least now he could concentrate a little better. His stomach still cried for food every day. What he was fed was nothing more than pupfood. A male wolf his size should be eating three times as much.

Back in the Stars, Caden would be exploring the forests about this time of day. His sister would often join him, perhaps even his new Beta, Bandit. The Alpha rested his head on his paws and stared off into the distance as he reminisced. When Fatal appeared, though, his head perked up. He hadn't seen this female before but she was undoubtedly a typical Falling Moon. She seemed somehow frustrated by something and perhaps thoughtful. She was yards away, though, getting ready to eat the elk that he had been eyeing for hours now.

There was always a few wolves nearby, keeping an eye on him, and Caden knew the consequences of taking extra food without permission: more wounds. He blinked longingly and felt a dull anger stir him to rise onto his haunches. He almost hoped that Fatal would notice him. Perhaps she would feel generous and throw him a piece of flesh. Or, as Caden would just as willingly accept, maybe she'd feel like fighting him. Maybe she'd put him out of his misery. It sounded quite good to the kidnapped Dancing Stars Alpha. Thoughts of self-triggered suicide-by-Moons had been on his mind constantly as of late.

[Bre]

Fatal l let out a low growl, she could feel eyes upon her watching her. She whipped around ready to snap at Justyn or so she though when she met the eyes of a different wolf. In fact the Alpha male of Dancing stars, she noticed he was rough looking at the moment because of he battle inguries from resisting the Falling Moon packs attack. He also looked hungrily at the elk she had been dining on. She grunted and sat down staring at him. Her green eyes pericing into his pelt, she let out a smirk and bent down and ripped out a piece of meat from the elks side. She dropped it in front of her and watched him squirm with hunger.

"Would you like some,pup?" She said her tone teasing and filled with amusement. She had already knew the answer and decided it was best to watch him squirm for a bit before bring him the elk. She doubted Duke wanted him dead at the moment. But she could see why Duke thought of him as a threat he was a nice built brute with very attractive eyes, a pretty pale eyes a mixture of colors from what she could tell. Another unqiue wolf, after a few mintues she got to her paws and dragged the elk over to where he was captive. Tossing in a couple pieces of the elk inside.

"There would be no point to starve you to death when Duke most likely will want to kill you himself."
With those words she turned and returned back to her spot, her back to him laying down looking out to the back enterance of the camp.

[[Midnight]]

Caden watched quietly as the female took notice of him. Her reactions were peculiar. It almost seemed like she had been expecting someone else. He held her gaze and watched curiously as she grunted and sat back. Both wolves were staring at each other, until she was the first to make a movement. She took a piece of the meat she was feeding on, and tantalizingly placed it at her paws. Caden swallowed drily. So, she was going to be like everyone else.

When she spoke, his eyes narrowed. He felt like snarling at her, but decided not to give her what she wanted. She was teasing him, that's all, and would only derive more pleasure from his negative reactions. He was going to get up and stalk away with dignity, when something entirely unexpected caught him off guard. She was looking at him with guarded eyes, the same eyes that were all around him in this pack. But there must have been something she liked when she studied him, because the next thing Caden knew, there was a tender piece of fresh flesh sitting at his den entrance. Without hesitation, his jaws flashed forward and began to rip it apart. It tasted so good, he thought he could cry.

He didn't respond to her until he had finished every last lick, which did not take long. His stomach still growled with hunger, but most of the sharp edge of it was gone. He could relax a little longer.

His gaze turned back to Fatal. Now he was studying her. She was a light color, like a gray snowfall, and had brilliantly green, shimmering eyes. She looked like an odd mixture of tough badassery and vulnerability, but clearly her tongue was capable of wielding a sharp-edged sword.

"You're too kind. When Duke is killing me, I will remember that piece of elk," Caden commented with slight sarcasm. What a morbid joke, he thought. Even the humor in his life was dark now. And he used to be able to crack such witty jokes!

"Are you sure you don't want to kill me yourself? It might be fun, you know," he remarked, this time regaining a little of his old good spirit back. There was a grin on his bloody maw as he watched her every movement. She had moved a decent distance away, which told Caden that she wasn't one to stick around and hear a "thank you." but he'd told it to her anyhow.

[Bre]

Fatal whipped around once he was done speaking and just stared at him. Why couldn't he just shut up? and why didn't she want to kill him? But then again why would she? She had no problem with him on her part, Duke did though. She just wanted to be able to survive and killing him would not exactly do that. She got up and padded closer to his den before sitting down neatly wrapping her tail over her paws. She looked at them for a moment.

"Your not exactly the one I have a problem with...What would be the purpose of killing you when I feel nothing towards you? I just do what the Alpha says to stay in the pack and survive. IF asked to kill you without hesitation I would but until then, No I don't want to kill you Caden." She spoke in a low icy tone, her eyes unreadable as she stared off towards the forest. Clearly she was thinking. Of what no wolf could guess. She sighed and snapped her attention back to Caden.

"But never mind that. Why exactly does Duke hate you, pup? Is there an old story to tell?" Her once semi-nice low icy tone was gone and replaced by the same one used to address him last time.

She narrowed her eyes even though they slightly held amusement within them, watching him. He seemed relaxed and in a bit of discomfort from injuries, She wondered why such a wolf would be in such a distress when it seemed the reason of dislike for her Alpha was few besides needs to survive. This was not to say she liked him, she never did like anyone except her brother. But that was a relationship of blood. Never had she held a friendship, none the less and emotional loving one. She viewed everyone as temporarily allies that could change to an enemy in the blink of an eye; Like Justyn she felt uncomfortable around him and decided she didn't like him what so ever. He was to self absorbed and she despised wolves of that nature.

Fatal blinked and stared off again wandering into her memories. She seem to have such a wandering mind that it was hard for her to focus on certain conversations with other wolves. Maybe that was the reason she was so anti-social? Or maybe she had a fear of losing people? She couldn't quite decided. She watched him clean his muzzle a bit annoyed he hadn't answered her yet. She flicked her tail back and forth letting out a small grunt. If he was the all mighty Alpha of Dancing Stars what did the rest of his pack look like? She imagined small but fierce wolves racing to fight them. Duke could easily take out two or three at once, as me and Rose take out at least 2 at a time. The rest of the pack was unknown to her really beside Fallon and Justyn but she hadn't held a conversation with Fallon. She didn't want to either. Her eyes wandered back to his as she watched his body language.

[[Midnight]]

Caden felt his curiousity pique at her response. So, she was the calm and cool type. He had gathered that much. He felt very tired at that moment, perhaps because his stomach was digesting. He reested his head on his paws when she spoke her reasons to him. He listened, though his face gave nothing away except his intent to listen carefully. His eyes narrowed when she finished her speech with a very pointed question. He felt his skin grow hot with numerous emotions.

Why did Duke hate Caden? And everyone non-Moons? Caden had tried to always keep peace between them. He had not expected to be kidnapped like this.

He'd heard all the stories, of course, of the elderly Alpha's history. It really had nothing to do with Caden. And in essence, the new Dancing Stars was not the old one. Caden was the one who had banded all these loners and eathquake-survivors together - it was simply everyone's suggestion that he named the pack. Still, Duke hated them so fervently, so violently. He sighed heavily.

"Geeze, you ask such a loaded question, when I don't think anyone in this valley or valleys beyond knows the answer. I have no history with Duke," he replied curtly. He almost wanted to discuss the subject further, but stopped there, feeling that anything else added would not be to his advantage. It wasn't as if he could earn this she-wolf's sympathy, anyhow, and he wasn't looking for it....except maybe when it came to future food. He'd really enjoyed that elk meat.

"I have heard the stories, though. About how he killed others in cold blood, just to gain control over a pack," he pondered out loud, thinking back now to Bandit and how vivid her hatred had been for Duke. Bandit was the daughter of the Alpha Duke had killed, and Caden had felt her hatred like it was an essence to be soaked in. At the time, it had frightened him. That was the day he began to take Duke seriously. "And now here we are," he murmured, watching her eyes as she seemed to drift in and out of memories, much like he was. Strange that he'd be sitting in the company of such an enemy wolf while they both reminisced.

"I guess fate has led me down the same road as that dead Alpha."

He looked up at the sky with a hardened look on his face.

[Bre]

Fatal

"I only asked 2 questions. I didn't realize that was a lot." She replied sarcastically, she rolled her eyes and looked away from him a tad aggravated now. He sounded like he was teasing her but she wasn't sure. Why we're they even holding a conversation they were enemies. She realized it was because of course he was from the "friendly and nice" pack.

Beside the fact that Fatal hadn't expected that answer but didn't show it. She turned back and began to watch Caden further. He seemed so hopeless and it almost made her angry. She wanted to snap at him and make him hopeful but it also made her angry because his hopelessness reminded her of herself. She smirked hiding her true feeling of empathy and pain.

"You seem without hope.. No faith in your own pack. Shame. You would expect a leader to be strong, never weak. It is best to never show weakness to anyone even the dearest ones you trust. I've learned from experience you should too. Why would you even show that to me..? As if I wouldn't use it against you. Yes, your pack has a record of being nice but is it exactly wise to be nice to someone who is apart of your enemy pack as it seems? What if my job was to get close to you and find out things to use against you? You already seem weakened and a bit too open.
You need to be more reserved it the only way not to get hurt."

As she said that it felt like it was more words that she needs to say to herself out loud to convince herself to not open up to this wolf who at the moment she felt she could easily talk to about her whole life. It was an odd feeling she had never felt that way with another wolf besides he brother. It made her immediately uncomfortable, she glared at him her eyes hard and cold so it would block the thoughts and emotions that could lead to her exposure. She didn't want to be vulnerable she didn't like being weak and wasn't one to accept defeat.

She stared at her paws feeling she had said too much, But she knew if she got a disappeared he would realized that she had said too much as she did. She had almost opened herself up to another wolf. That was dangerous, and crazy. She was losing it a tad bit. Now she realized this was why she didn't talk to others. It caused her to open up eventually and trust others. The one thing she feared most. Trust was a tough word to swallow for Fatal. It wasn't one she understood either. How could you trust someone who wasn't yourself? All others did was let you down. Make you feel safe for a while then destroy you. It was literally a dog eat dog world out in the forest and Caden didn't get that or maybe he just saw it different. She didn't know what his problem was but she didn't like him because of her feeling to open up towards him. Her green eyes looked past him as if she couldn't stand to look at this wolf in front of her.

[[Midnight]]

I didn't realize that was a lot, she had said. Oh, but it was a lot. Caden figured she'd probably knew what he had meant, even if she wanted to float around the truth to keep up her "tough girl" act. The fact was, Caden was sitting here, slowly growing closer to death and insanity, because he happened to be at the wrong place in the wrong time. He decided to take her next long speech to heart, though. He was dwelling far too much on himself.

He heart strings were being viciously tugged, back towards the direction of his pack, as Fatal spoke so sternly to him. Though he did not agree with everything she preached, he felt some spirit flow back into him. Determination to become more than what he was made him lift his head a little higher. This stranger had done a good deed by feeding him and giving him a little pep talk - and here he was, losing himself to anger, fantasizing about killing every wolf in this sorry pack. But where there was darkness, there was always light. He blinked calmly, seeming to soak in her thoughts that she'd spoken out loud.

"There's no such thing as a strong leader. Even if there was an Alpha somewhere out there who was always emotionally invulnerable, he'd be nothing without his pack. I have nothing, stranger. I'm no longer an Alpha. My time to be strong for others is no longer here," he responded quietly, borderline despondantly despite his boost of spirit. His head was turned northward, which was where his home and friends lay. "Though I mostly agree with you. I should be thinking of my pack. I thought I was, but now I know better. Thanks."

He gave his pelt a quick shake, feeling slight embarassment at this sudden turn of events. Caden was a proud wolf, even if a kind one, and never had to be told - not once in his life - to be stronger. What a strange feeling. He purposely left out the details about his focus being turned on gathering intel on the Moons plans. He needed to find out what Duke had in store for his pack - after that, he'd relay it somehow. He'd cross that bridge when the time came.

"You sound like you've been double-crossed too many times in your life," he responded, looking to this female, whom he still knew not of a name. He felt in his heart that it was better this way. In reality, he felt his old kindness returning, and the she-wolf might be speaking some truh afterall - to be kind to her now would only end in sadness. His eyes, though, still narrowed with the pity he felt for her in that moment. "How sad," was his quiet murmuring. He was thinking of his sister, Sayuri, and of Bandit, and the pups in the pack who looked up to him. If he had been more "reserved," as she put it, would wolves still have been drawn to him? Would he have had the social skills and leadership qualities to rebuild a broken home?

"It's okay to be hurt sometimes. It's how you learn about others and about yourself. The best qualities can come from those who are in pain - you learn to have empathy. You learn about kindness and love."

The words sounded extremely cheesy, but he knew he meant every word he was saying. Life itself was full of cheesy, happy moments. Caden loved life.

"Those who withdraw from others are cowards. They have so much they can give to others, and yet...they are selfish. No, refusing to share with others is more of a weakness than trust."