The boy of shadows had waited long enough, he could only hope his former wife still loved him enough, loved their pups enough to talk to Scimitar. Because nothing could be achieved if they refused to talk, he could only pray to the gods that they would grant the burly male and himself some patience as they (hopefully) talked. Shadow had prayed to the gods that night, begging them to make it work, to prove that the fates and the gods were not as cruel, merciless and ruthless as they made themselves to be. I bear your mark, shining father, a mark I know no normal wolf can have before they shrivel and die. I live, great king, grant me patience and grant my wishes, I pray to you and all the gods. If I am truly your descendant, great three, Neptune, Jupiter, Pluto, then I beg you to grant me this. He took a deep breath then continued. I, Hadrian Nox Shadow Angelus Mortis, descendant of Pluto, Jupiter and Neptune, faithful servant of the gods of Olympus, Imperator of the first Legion of Rome, Noctisardor Bypass. Child of Rome. I have served you since I was born, grant me this one wish. And with his great silver crown lowered, he finished his prayer.

Shadow gazed into the clear water of the river, his own reflection staring back. No blood leaked out of his wounds now, though they glowed crimson against his pale platinum fur. The talons dug deep into his flesh and when all the blood vanished, he could see the mark that the king gave him resembled a bolt of lightning, the ones his mother drew on the ground as she told him stories of the gods. Its the symbol of your ancestor, little one, he remembered her soft voice and wondered if his own kids would ever know the stories of Rome, or just the stories of Paar's world? At least they would have something he never had, something hopefully Swiftcurrent Creek would be able to offer them, a home, a loving family. Pain struck at his heart, strong and unyielding was his love to his wife and unborn children, afraid he would not be able to ever see them but glad they would have a better life than he had. Anger at Paarthurnax, that she could run away with his and her children, knowing he might never see them, and yet be happy, reunited with her friends, their litter probably raised with Bazi and Scimitar as their other parents. The Roman would make sure that would never happen, not while he still roamed here on the living's land.

Tossing away his angry thoughts, for that would not help when he attempted to talk 'peacefully' with Scimitar. Shadow sighed, rose to his full height and made his way to the borders of the Creek. A respectable distance away from the borders, he began pacing, wondering if he should howl for the wolf or just wait for him to patrol his lands. A responsible leader always kept his pack safe first. Emotions whirled underneath the Roman's stoic mask and he continued pacing, deciding to wait and see if Scimitar would approach.

A familiar scent touched his sensitive nose and stopped his legs from pacing, the Roman turned, silver eyes usually fierce and vibrant now emptied of light. Only his mask was kept in place, his posture was neutral, neither displaying dominance or submission. He exhaled softly and dipped his head respectfully towards the fellow Alpha, even if it was more of a robotic move. Mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted, there was no more bite to his tone, no more annoying sarcasm, no more of his formal arrogance. It was only his Roman teachings that kept his shoulders from slumping, from his whole figure crumbling to the ground. Her leaving had taken its toll on the male, but death's angel had to do something before he left. Perhaps for the last time. "Yes," he began, then stopped as other Creek wolves began to arrive. Did he need the entire pack to greet him? Was he that much of a threat to these wolves? The former Creek wolf recognized some of them, Kieran, Bazi, Star. Where was Galileo? He missed the older man, wished he was still his friend, he wanted advice, advice not given in riddles from the gods.

No words of arrogance or sarcasm or mischief came from the silver male's mouth, instead he returned the greeting from Star and dipped his head to Bazi and Kieran even if they refused to acknowledge it, at least he did his part in manners. "You know I'm here to talk about visiting. I doubt you'll let be into your lands at all, but you won't be as heartless as to forbid them from meeting their father?" his words were spoken quietly and felt as if they were dragged out, one by one, with no life left in them. Once Scimitar answered, he would ask if he could be at the birthing, even if it meant being escorted. After all, Shadow Angelus Mortis was the public enemy number 1 in the eyes of Swiftcurrent Creek. Would it have been different if Danica hadn't gotten kicked out? Perhaps he would be happily living in the Creek, serving the wolves and knowing he would have pups soon. How he wished he had taken that path, but then he wouldn't have friends like Flash and Crëyr.....but still..

Shadow lifted his head, not in a prideful arrogant manner, but a weary tired one, the red wounds on his face glowed in the light, flashing. Silver eyes sought out Scimitar's turquoise ones and met it steadily, though he dropped it a moment later, after all, the Roman was not here to challenge the man's rule over the Creek. If it wasn't for the kids and Paar, hell, he wouldn't be here at all, he would be at the Bypass, strengthening his wolves and his land for the cold winter to come. But now, the Roman realized what true exhaustion meant. His brain was literally melting down, his heart torn to pieces and stolen by the crimson princess, his body physically hurt from his own patron's eagles. Ah....did he really deserved to be punished so many times, in so many ways? A waste of resources for a single wolf.

"She is well?" Shadow asked them, Scimitar and Bazi for he knew Bazi used to be Paarthurnax's friend and probably still was. He remembered his crush on the white dove before and thought it foolish now, he had a good relationship, someone he truly loved, and he ruined it for himself, gods, he hated himself. The silver Roman's brain flashed back to two faces, one a tawny male with bright green eyes and the other, a gray welsh female with unusual dark blue eyes. But with him in this pitiful condition, Shadow truly doubted he was able to return to the Bypass, and he couldn't feel anything except for anger, frustration, grief, sadness, misery and all negatives emotions. This was not the life he thought he would have after he escaped Noctem Vagus, this was the life he was trying to escape, but the gods always pay their debts he thought bitterly.

Shadow's gaze remained only on those he knew within his life at Swiftcurrent Creek, he didn't bother truly looking at anyone else. He didn't know them, therefore they didn't matter, even if they hated him, he still knew them and missed some of them dearly. Funny, one only appreciated his past when he was dying, not fake dying, literally really dying. The angel of death was dying, slowly, everywhere.

The Roman listened silently, deciding to speak after the Creek wolf finished saying all he needed to say. He doubted he had enough energy to counter and interrupt him anyways. And to listen had always been his best skill, other than fighting and manipulating words and wolves. The words the agouti male opposite him spoke penetrated his fallen shields and straight into his heart, though they didn't have the same effect as Paarthurnax had on him. “You’re insolence and attitude got you kicked out of this pack. You’ve been unwelcome at our borders the moment you stopped new Creek wolves to harass them – and you sure as hell sealed that deal when you couldn’t keep your Bypass fools from stomping in here and attacking my members.” His Bypass wolves came to the Creek and attacked members of Swiftcurrent? What in the name of Jupiter? Who the fuck did that? Shadow had a firm rule, that the battles he started, the wars he created, he fought by himself, that no one else should interfere if he could help it. There would be hell to pay when he came back to the Bypass to whoever who did it. The Roman was a firm, strict and loving ruler, so when it came to things like this, he was firm and fair, he most certainly did not congratulate whoever who trampled on Creek grounds, it was his fight not theirs.

Shadow's figure noticeably slackened as the other wolf spoke, he'd expected it but it didn't mean he was ready to take it all at the sametime. He pulled himself together and looked up and felt there was no more use to use the mask he held in place since the few weeks before his birth in nymore. Why should he? This wasn't Rome? They weren't going to assassinate him or kill him just because he stood here. He was such a foolish little boy. What was he thinking? So the Roman looked up, raw emotions on his face, grief, sadness, desperation, regret, resentment at himself. But also thankfulness and hope. A sad smile graced his lips. "I have, haven't I? I've been such a foolish little boy, if only someone knocked some sense into me earlier."

There was a new kind of energy in him, a hopeful one, perhaps he might have a chance at a new life. Maybe this was what the gods above were trying to help him. "I wish I could turn back time and repair all my mistakes, I wished I saw Paar's despair sooner, I wish I never messed up her life by telling her to come with me. It would be better for all of us. I wish Danica was still here....I would fix so many things." he trailed off and shook his head, the same sad smile still on his lips. "But I can't, so I'll have to make do with what I have now." he took a deep breath and exhaled softly. "I did not know my wolves came to the Creek and attacked your members. I have told no one about what happened between the Creek wolves and I, they know nothing of the grudge I use to hold against this place. I do not know what drove whoever who did that to trespass and attack," - the Roman's lips drew back in a snarl at that, but it wasn't directed to the Creek wolves. "creek wolves. You can be assured that whoever who that was will be dealt with severely, I don't tolerate them running off, trespassing and attacking other pack wolves. I am sorry for my pack mate insolence and bad attitude, as well as my own." he bowed his head apologetically at the sametime. "Do you mind giving me a description of the intruder?"

Shadow did not expect anything from the Creek wolves, knowing he deserved the hate and disgust they felt towards him, or whatever they felt towards him. He just knew, he had to apologize, whether they accepted it or not. "I no longer wish to fight with the Creek." he glanced wistfully at the land he knew resided behind the wolves that stood in front of him. "It was the first home I loved and could reside without being afraid of being attacked by my own pack. My foolishness, stubbornness, pride and arrogance made me bitter. But someone finally knocked some well needed sense into my head, I wish for a truce between the Creek and the Bypass. I'll keep my wolves off your land, I won't bother the Creek anymore except if Paar lets me visit our kids. My wolves do not belong in my fight with you guys, and it seems I should be defeated this time." the Roman bowed.

The silver Roman looked Bazi and Scimitar in the eye, not a challenge but to let them know something. "Take care of Paarthurnax, please. She deserves so much better than me, a stupid arrogant little boy. The best thing I ever gave her were the kids, hopefully they'll make her happy." he sighed. "Take care of the pups, they were not involved and it wasn't their fault, or Paar's in that matter. Everything is mine. I know I could apologize a million times and still not deserve anyone's forgiveness. Teach them to be strong, honorable wolves, protect them. Do what I cannot." Sadness and acceptance drifted onto his features. "I know you already said I am not allowed on Creek lands, but maybe you could make an exception for the birthing? The naming....only this once, please. You and a bunch of others can escort me, I don't care, just please...." he begged.