Dawnlark Plains pause for paws

Last post from Meldresi

The Night Queen winced at the pain in her ear, the wolf tore out a large chunk, almost mirroring his own wound, but kept silent, biting her lip hard, ignoring the glares of the other women. They didn't understand, of course. She knew he wouldn't kill her (or at least, she was hoping that he would not), and took the blows in the hopes that her pack would be left alone, for the moment. When the Swiftcurrent wolf backed away, she watched him calmly, recognizing most of the crimes, except for rape. The Queen's face lost whatever mask it had, turning into silent shock. When had any of her wolves done that? And who? She hoped that he (or even she) had long since gone. But nothing she would say would get him to forgive her or her own; the deed was already done.

Without a word, Meldresi walked away without a word, heading South, where she belonged. She had been punished for her pack's, and by extent, her own. The wounds on her ear and side were burning, deep. She wouldn't forget how the North treated her. How could she, when she was marked permanently?