The queen strolled along the borders of their just established pack, her home and that for many more. Her duty was to patroll the borders, make this place into a home for the others and protect her followers. Of course, that was easier said than done. The smell of someone, which vaguely reminded her of a certain wolf she did not like, reached her nose and her hackles raised in an instant. It was the same smell that creature who she had fought with carried, though this one was male. She raised an eyebrow, unsure what to do. If it was a familliar of her enemy, what was keeping him from attacking once he laid eyes upon her?

The queen shrugged, leaving the borders to find out who the one was to boldly come close to their claim. After a while of sniffing the air, looking around carefully, she saw a ying-yang young male in the distance. She knew he could probably smell her already, so there was no point in hiding. 

Hello there. she greeted carefully, the ghost of a smile playing on her lips.

The wind blew through her dark fur as she watched the clearly younger and smaller male, noticing the cuts on the side of his face. She didn't know if they were recent or not, having no knowledge of anything regarding healing and wounds, but it did make her feel a little more comfortable. She could probably overpower him, though she wasn't looking for a fight with yet another one of the brute pack that called themselves Dark Brotherhood. She had heard the thing speak of it, saying they were all assassins and stuff before they got into a fight. Assassin hey? This petite male? She almost chuckled, but kept her cool. She didn't hold it against the young male, knowing it wasn't his fault that the thing she had met was so foolish. She did hope however that this black and white individual had more brains than the bitchy girl.

Her posture remained neutral, her tail even wagging a bit. She didn't move toward the stranger, assuming their packs would be enemies after the fight between the dark queen and the thing that had challenged her. She hoped they could live in peace, but if all were so foolish as that dark girl, she doubted they could.

His smile was a good start, just like his words and the sort-of compliment on the place they had chosen to settle. The queen returned a warm smile before replying to his words. Thank you, young'un. She thanked him, not only because of his kind words, but because he was more sane than the girl she had fought with. What are you doing around here, if I may ask?

Just as the other talked, she noticed something very... Intriguing. The male had two different colored eyes, one being completely white, the other being orange. Was he blind in one eye, or was this just a thing he had from birth? Whatever it was, it intrigued the queen. She had never seen someone with this, and wanted to ask him about it, but thought it would be a bit rude to ask someone why they looked a particular way. Something even seemed off in the way he spoke. Was he named Cicero? Why did he talk this way if he wasn't talking about someone else? Instead of asking anything, she decided to answer his question.

Moonlit Hills, and I am the alpha female. Malice Lanius, though only Malice is fine. I assume your name is Cicero? She asked. She wanted to know, just to be sure. 

Her hunch appeared to be right, the other confirming her thoughts on his name. She repeated the name a few times in her head to better remember it for later. His questions seemed to be endless, but it didn't bother the queen much. She liked answering them, just as much as asking them herself. She enjoyed chitchatting so much that her vocal cords had even been damaged by it, but luckily Veritas had done something about it. She truly was a good healer, and companion. The queen wasn't looking forward to seeing her leave, starting a pack on her own, but she was sure their healer would keep her promise about informing them on her well-being.

yet another question came, one that wasn't answered so easily as the other two. She had not yet made bonds with every single one of her members, so she wasn't totally sure what sort of wolves they were. She hoped every one of them had a curious and loyal soul and, so far, it seemed they all were. Even the shy Mitanni seemed like a true companion, and the new recruit showed promise. And how could she forget their to-be Beta, Sage? The queen had yet to talk to her about a leader rank and if she even wanted one, but was sure she was capable.

Our pack consists of many curious, loyal souls who treat each other like family. We are all equal, despite our ranks, and we will protect our home with our lives. She said, following the male's actions of sitting down. She had time to talk more anyway. Their borders were refreshed and she was close enough to hear anyone call out for her. Plus, she was talking to one of their rival pack's members, so she was still doing the pack some good. If the male had a higher rank, maybe he could carry a message to their leaders. A message about peace between the two packs.

What about your pack, your rank? Is your pack capable of peaceful co-existence? 

So many questions, the queen liked it. There seemed to be a lot going on inside the young male's mind. The more time she spent with the boy, the lesser she believed this was truly one of the same pack as the insane girl. This boy seemed anything but a killer. What was he doing in such a grim place? There are ranks, but no-one abuses their rank. She explained. Not even the aplha pair wanted all the power, they just wanted their followers to be safe. Yet came another question. That's a good question... She said, clearly in deep thought. Perhaps it was respect that made the others listen, but that was such a lame answer to give. 

What makes a pup listen to it's mother? What prevents them from running off and getting killed? She asked. She was going to answer her own questions to make her point though. I think it's because they know they won't survive all on their own. It's the same with older wolves. Lone wolves are often underfed and mother nature will eventually take their souls. I think it's that what keeps my members loyal, though I could be wrong.

Their conversation went on, but not all her questions were answered this time. The pack in Blackfeather Woods was definitely the Dark Brotherhood, the pack that the insane girl had talked about, she knew. Was he not aloud to answer her question about peace? Didn't they want to live in peace? She decided to ask again. And peace? Are you all capable of having peace?

The next sentence that came out of the young boy's mouth explained why he was in such a grim pack despite not looking like a brute. He was born there. Of course, that explained a lot. No, young'un, I am from far away. I was... Sent away for something terrible and stumbled upon this land. She didn't want to tell a lot about her former life and her former self. She was banished for killing her mother, a true crime. But the queen that now stood eye to eye with the young boy wasn't the same wolf anymore. She had changed, she had seen the flares, the twinkles in the sky.

This young male was smart for his age, as for every question he asked the queen had to think for a bit. Of course her followers could make it on their own, especially Veritas who had already made clear she would be leaving them soon to start something all by herself. Perhaps the daughter of Lucifer just believed that she was needed, that she was part of a bigger picture. I don't know, honestly. I would much rather think that someone needs me. She responded, a frown on her face. She had never felt needed before she had met Cogitemus and all the others that now felt like family.

They continued, now about peace. Maybe the young'un had just forgotten about the question earlier, as he was quick to respond. His response did not sound so positive for both parties. Wouldn't it be much more beneficial to form some sort of alliance with each other? That way no-one had to watch their back or go into war and probably end up hurt. The queen actually wanted to meet the leaders of the Dark Brotherhood, to say sorry to the insane girl she had fought with. She now knew she was in the wrong, and maybe even felt bad about being so rude. Are your leaders reasonable enough to consider an alliance, you think? She asked, her head tipping to the right.

His response made her eyes widen. The thing she had done was far more terrible than anything, but her father had been merciful. Any other wolf who had done what she had would have ended up tortured and killed. She didn't expect the young male to understand, he wasn't there after all. You're wrong. What I've done was unforgivable. If it wasn't for the mercy my father showed that day, I wouldn't be standing here today. She didn't go in much detail, not wanting the bad memories to haunt her dreams once again. Besides, she hadn't even told her lover of her former life. Not that he showed any interest in her past, but still. She hoped the topic would fly over so she could be enjoying this conversation again, as she was really interested in anything this male said.

The queen nodded at his reply. You're right. Maybe we're all just a bit naive when it comes to that. She agreed. Who wouldn't want to feel needed, to feel like you're irreplaceable? She had been longing for that same feeling her whole life. Her eyes darted to the sky for a bit, wondering if her mother wanted just that. No. She only wanted to cause misery to her and her family.

She didn't mean alliances like the way the young male now thought. Perhaps the word alliances wasn't the word to use. Maybe agreement on peace would've worked better, as that was the only thing she was looking for. Oh bother, she would seek the leaders of Dark Brotherhood soon anyway to try to reason with them. I see. I didn't mean it like that. I want to prevent war from happening, so perhaps I shouldn't have used the word "alliance". She explained. Who are your leaders, if I may ask? She asked. She needed names. It would make it easier to talk about this matter with her lover.

The words the young male then said struck her like an arrow. She felt her heart slowly being squeezed, the same pain she had felt when Avalon had looked at her with disappointment in his eyes. I'm afraid not... She managed to say, her head tipping down to watch her paws. You see, I was sent away for taking her life. She hoped that this was enough to satisfy the young male, not wanting to carry on talking about this matter. There was no point in fleeing her past. She could, however, learn from it.

Burke. She was sure to remember that name for later use, just as the name Nemesis. Little did she know that Nemesis was the crazy girl who she had fought with. It would make things a little more professional in her eyes, and she wasn't thinking of abusing their names or anything. She merely wanted to be very formal with the Dark Brotherhood wolves. She would do anything to prevent a war from happening between the two packs, as it would benefit them all to have peace. Alas, she didn't know how Burke would think of that, nor Nemesis.

Thank you, I'll make sure I won't forget them. You see, I was planning a visit to Blackfeather Woods. She informed. Perhaps the young boy could send a message to their Alpha that she was coming or something, as it would maybe give the wrong idea if she came near their borders without a warning of some sort. She wouldn't force the boy into doing so, however. If he wanted to, that would be great, but if he didn't, she wouldn't hold it against the young'un. Could you maybe tell Burke about that when you go back? I don't want to come unannounced as it would be rather rude. Just tell him I'll be coming around in a week or so, to talk about peace. She said, but she quickly added: You don't have to if you don't want to, I totally understand.

Back came the topic she despised, but she had already revealed so much to this boy it wouldn't really make a difference. Maybe she had to learn to shut her big mouth up before saying anything in the future. I was jealous of her rank, if I'm being totally honest with myself... She murmured, returning her gaze to the grass. And a total nutjob... She added, almost whispering. She hated confessing to herself that she had been wrong, wrong about everything really. The place she once thought to be dark was now the place where she had found friends, a lover even. She had changed from a nutjob into an understanding, wise wolf.