Greyback trailed closely in front of his new pack member as they walked through the tall grass of the Blume Meadow. With the sun beginning to set across the Rising Sun Valley (a humor all on its own), out shot its rays; washing both of the wolves and the world around them in it's soft light.
"...and this is Blume Meadow," Spoke Greyback, his tone gentle as always, despite it being low in depth. He turned back to the young wolf with a humble smile, his tail flicking behind him. "Do you have any questions, Miss Ira?"
Ira followed, her eyes scanning the surroundings as the light began to fade from the world. When Greyback addressed her she stopped in her tracks, the smallest of frowns forming on her maw as she raised her head slightly. I think your tour of the territory was more than sufficient.
Although that doesn't mean I do not have my questions. The smaller wolf looked away to watch the sky change colors, eyes slightly narrowed as she grew lost in her thoughts.
Greyback's smile faltered as he noticed the frown upon the young wolfs face. Was she upset because the land was not what she hoped for? He stayed silent, his ears perked as he took a stop forward.
"I think your tour of the territory was more than sufficient."
The man stayed silent for a few seconds, his stoic appearance hiding his concern. His amber eyes searched for hers but she turned away. Ira was a stranger to him, but why was he feeling such attachment? Shaking his head, he backed up to where he was before. "You seem troubled," He stated, his brows furrowing and pinching together. "Would you like to talk about it?"
The mans concern only made Ira snort. Of course you would care now.
she rolled her eyes taking a seat. The last thing I want to do is talk to you about our personal matters.
"Of course you would care now. The last thing I want to do is talk to you about our personal matters."
Greyback sucked in a breath, his form going rigid at the young she-wolf's words. He would care? Personal matters? Greyback had not met this female in his life as far as he could remember. He swallowed a lump in his throat, his mouth going dry. 'Think,' he told himself. Ira had a northern pelt, she stated she came from far lands that were cold, that alone confirmed she came north. It was very possible they had met then.
Blinking, he took a pawstep forward, his amber gaze running up her pelt till they focused on her back. He watched her sit down, as he circled around her, trying to find her eyes. "Ira," he whispered, dropping the formal title he used. "How do you know me?"
This time the male's question was answered with a light laugh, her expression temporarily losing all traces of hostility before she turned to face Greyback with a glare, rising back to her paws. Oh that's rich. You are more of an imbecile then you let yourself off to be.
Ira drew back her lips into a snarl as she took a step forward. They told me I was a spitting image...You're but a blind fool and a coward.
The high-pitched laughter floated around the male as he stopped. In his wake, he stared down at Ira, his amber-peach gaze finally finding her eyes as she turned to him.
"Oh that's rich. You are more of an imbecile then you let yourself off to be."
Greyback stayed silent, his lips pressed tightly together, sealed, as he continued to let the young wolf go off on him. Inside, his mind was racing with questions; he was confused, slightly overwhelmed, and shocked by her nature. She was explosive.
"They told me I was a spitting image...You're but a blind fool and a coward."
The woman's hot breath on his face was not enough to make him flinch, but 'splitting image' sure did. Confusion contorted Greyback's face. Was she his family? His heart ached at the very thought. "Ira,"
Ira growled cutting him off as she took another step forward, her muzzle inches from the male's, Do you really need it spelled out for you? Either way, it does not matter, our blood does not give you the right to hold an association with me. You are no father of mine.
The roan colored wolf took a step back with a scoff. You gave up that right a long time ago.
Her eyes burned with a fire, unlike their first meeting where she was rather stone-faced.
Greyback sighed, taking a step back and shaking his head at Ira's words. It had been years since he last saw her, the small bundle of fur that once suckled, squirmed, and cried was now standing in front of him; strong, and he couldn't help but feel admiration for the beautiful woman she was now.
However, he was stumped on what to do with her unbridled anger. Had she not known the whole story? How much had the pack told her before leaving. Wetting his mouth to rid himself of its dryness, he sat down, showing he was calm, but did not expect her to follow. "Ira," he whispered. "Let me explain,"
The evening breeze ruffled his fur as he turned towards it, his gaze meeting the setting sun. "I do not expect you to let go of the hate you so firmly hold within your heart, but I encourage you to set it aside while I talk," He breathed slowly. "I did not leave you of choice. If I could, I would of stayed with you and your sister till my lasting breath... You are well aware that Hengfell relies on their pure blood. Outsiders are prohibited within their culture," He turned to meet her with a passionate gaze. "Your mother, my mate-" He let out a sigh and closed his eyes, the thought of her almost too strong to bear at the moment.
"Your mother, Venicy, passed away shortly after your birth. You and Willow were still reliant on milk and needed a queen. I took you back to your mother's birth pack, knowing they would accept you since royal blood runs in your veins," The memories of such a day flashed in his mind. Greyback could still feel the weight of the tiny pups from his jaws as he carried them over the border, the image of them being carried away with so much as a small promise to raise them right- he so desperately wanted to weep, but that was not what his daughter needed.
"I had no choice but to leave. But please," he begged. "Let it be known I never stopped thinking of you two."
The smaller wolf narrowed her eyes not really wanting to hear excuses from her runaway father, but she would, however, take a step back so he could breathe. She did seek him out for answers after all, it was only fair that he had his turn to speak. After Greyback had taken a seat she craned her neck, head tilting to the side slightly as he spoke.
When he finished Ira tore her gaze away, her frown stretching as she moved her stare to the now set sun and colors stretching across the sky. I've heard this story already. I get your actions from the standpoint that you had no milk to give, but that does not mean that growing up in lies hurts any less. It's embarrassing. I was raised believing that the alphas were my strong parents. Instead, my mother had fallen and my father turned tail.
She paused closing her eyes and took a sharp inhale.
You are correct the Hengfell are passionate about their bloodline, but how does that make your kids look when everyone knows they aren't pureblood?
Greyback settled when Ira calmed down. He watched her out of the corner of her eye, seeing her stare at the setting sun. Normally he would warn others to be careful but he knew now was not the time.
"I've heard this story already. I get your actions from the standpoint that you had no milk to give, but that does not mean that growing up in lies hurts any less. It's embarrassing. I was raised believing that the alphas were my strong parents. Instead, my mother had fallen and my father turned tail."
A lump caught in his throat as his daughter spoke of her hardships. Like any parent, he longed to wipe away any pain she had, and shower her in love and care. He was not aware she had heard the story of her birth. It was supposed to be kept quiet. He dipped his head, waiting for her to finish, but also trying to find his words.
"You are correct the Hengfell are passionate about their bloodline, but how does that make your kids look when everyone knows they aren't pureblood?"
Greyback shook his head. "I will not apologize for giving you the best you could have, but I will for the lies that led to your embarrassment. You weren't to know of me and Venicy, your birth birth parents. Everyone was to believe you were the flesh and blood of the Atlar and Eneric."
He got up and circled her so he could sit facing her. His paws nearly touching hers. "Ira," He whispered, his voice still pained. He looked at her with a sorrowful gaze, attempting to lean in so he could press his nose to the crown of her head. "I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you.."
The greyscale wolf watched through narrowed eyes. From the look on her face it was clear that the mans troubles were of no concern or his pleas were simply not enough. When Greyback moved in front of her she instinctively pulled a paw close to her chest and leaned away until he started to move closer. Don’t you dare think you may touch me. I did not join Easthollow for everything that happened to become all fine and dandy with sunshine and rainbows between us.
The smaller wolf took a step back before turning towards the woods. It will take much more than an apology for me to even consider your presence welcoming.
with that she would continue on her way into the growth that had surrounded them.
Hurt by his daughter pulling away from him, Greyback sighed deeply. He was at a loss for what to do, and watched her go silently into the tree line with his mouth drawn in a firm line. It was when she was fully out of sight that he rose up and looked towards the sun, the vibrant orange and pink had now faded, washing him in the darkness of the land. For the first time this season, he noticed the coldness of the night.
'What would Venicy do?' He pondered.
