It was as if the life had returned in a single night, the green was back and it was so vivid looking that it nearly hurt her eyes. The meadow near her den had revived with wild flowers, sending up a sweet perfume to the air. The prey had returned with it and Liri would never again take the plants for granted. She would always be grateful for every blade of grass.
Liri picked fresh herbs to dry for the coming winter, just as she had done when she first arrived in Rosings. She plucked them sparingly, leaving plenty of room for more to grow in and enough that she would have a small pile to dry outside her den.
Stretching out in the sun, Liri took a moment to peacefully observe the shady forest she called home, basking in the warmth of the summer sun from her spot in the open clearing.
The man was feeling better than he was the previous few weeks-- soon he would retaliate. For now, however, he would spend his time laying low as ever, staying out of Keirkegaard and Pallas' sight. As he travelled Through the territory he comes across Liri, basking in the sun.
He stops before her and tilts his head, smiling. "Enjoying the day?" He asks, his tail wagging behind him.
Liri had not seen Aaron since before he had been defeated though he looked no different now. Whatever wounds may have been inflicted must have healed just as the small wounds on her jaws from the fight with Pallas had.
For a moment her body was confused. To Liri he was still the Alpha of Rosings, though he now held a status lower than her own. Her paws shuffled in different directions, trying to decide how to approach him. Finally she settled for a submissive stance, proof of whom held her loyalty and support between the usurper and Aaron.
"That I am. What about you?" Liri smiled pleasantly, careful not to bring up any mention of revolt against Kierkegaard. She might already be on the radar with what had happened between Kierkegaard's bodyguard and herself.
Liri bows, and the man smiles gratefully at her. In an attempt to show this, he returns the bow. "Indeed, it is a nicer day than it has been in a long while," he tells her, his tail wagging. Without asking, he lays before her. He heeds Liri as one of his closest packmates, and feels more comfortable around her than most of his other subordinates-- he doesn't feel that she'd mind.
"I must ask you something, Liri, do you have the time?"
Liri watched as he lay, staying where she was. They were good friends but Liri had always preferred to keep her distance from others, save for her brother and mate. His question perked her ears, head cocking curiously.
"Of course, ask away." Liri assured, moving a bit closer in spite of herself. What could he possibly have to ask her?
"You have been within my ranks for quite some time now, Liri," he tells her slowly, his ears lowering gently. "I say this with hope and with a positive outlook on our current situation-- but I cannot think of anyone better to have as my Beta," he says, a small smile forming on her face. "I have not yet spoken to Amara, either, but she adores you and appreciates you as much as I do."
"I will come back, Liri, and when I do I want you right there alongside me."
Of all the things he would ask her, the healer had not expected this. Her lips parted, jaw dropping the tiniest bit in shock. Liri blinked rapidly, almost certain he must be joking with her and then she is rushing forward in the most undignified way to give him what can be perceived as a wolfish hug.
Liri pulled back, beaming and tail wagging so hard she feared it would detach from her body. "I would be honoured to be your Beta," Liri assures him, fighting to keep her exuberancy under control.
A thought pops into her mind then of Samuel, wondering if he too will be promoted but then, her mate has been rather absent. He no longer speaks to her as openly and she fears soon he will leave the twisted forest.
hahaha i think i accidentally promoted her to beta before i got a response i'm so sorry
"This is wonderful, Liri, I am pleased to hear this from you," he says, accepting her embrace before allowing her space. He then frowns, noticing her gentle shift in expression. "Samuel has been absent-- I am just as aware of such. But please, have an open heart, he may return. He is welcome to join you in your rank if he does."
It no longer surprised her how privy Aaron was to her emotions, he seemed to be intuitive with everyone that way. It wasn't shocking he could read her so easily after all the time they had been together either, it wasn't as if she tried to hide her emotions either.
Liri sighed softly, concerned with her mate. "I worry Aaron. He has been distant since the locusts hit and I fear he will not be returning at all," Liri confided, seeming to be visibly deflating at her mate's absence. Her ears drooped sadly and her shoulders sagged.
"How is your own mateship with Amara, I haven't seen much of her either," she tried to change the subject from her own marriage, hoping Kierkegaard's presence hadn't strained her Alphas' mateship.