As Malice was left alone in the den of Burke again with no sign of Kendra showing up anytime soon, Malice got bored. Not the;"I want a nap" bored but the adventurous bored. Burke had said she could wander a bit, and Malice was curious to see if she could find Cicero. She hoped she could surprise the bi-colored eyed boy with her presence, if he hadn't scented her already or had been told about her. She was also curious to see what other wolves were in Burke's pack her new home, and if they were all as bad as Nemesis. Or perhaps they were more like Cicero; weird but likable.

She got out of the den she had shared with Burke for 2 nights now, back aching, and stretched in front of the opening. The glen sure was a nice place to be, but Malice was almost jumping to see what other things she could find here. Sure, it might not be as beautiful as before when all the green and plants were still there, but she had to warm up to this place somehow.

Without hesitation, she trotted away from the den she could now locate pretty well, her tail even wagging from side to side. She was in a good mood, and as long as no one would give her a reason to not be in said mood, she would stay happy. The aching in her heart had somewhat stopped, having been replaced by the aching of her back, now that she was forgetting what it was to be a Moonlit Wolf. She could start over here, be the person that had been tucked away under a layer of kindness and understanding. Or she could stay the potato she was, be the odd one out. She could be the daughter Lucifer always wanted to have.

After walking in the wrong direction around 2 times, she finally reached the Red... uuhh... What burke said. It seemed like a nice place to rest a bit and see what would come by.

It was a nice day, signs of winter even existing blown away by a nice spring breeze. While no rustling of the leaves above nor any bird songs to keep her company, she found this a beautiful place. It wasn't as dark here, not so claustrophobic as the rest of the territory. It reminded her much of the river that flowed inside Phantom Hollow. Quiet, peaceful and maybe even somewhat magical. She breathed in loudly, finally somewhat used to the sickening smell of the Dark Brotherhood that had haunted her most terrifying dreams after the encounter with Nemesis on her first day. She could recall that day like it had happened yesterday. It hadn't been Malice's first fight, having been trained roughly at Lucifer Peak, but it still was her first sign of grief. She shook the thoughts out of her head, instead focusing on the view. All was well...

Until a low, angry and hostile growl boomed trough the air. She had hardly noticed the other's presence until then, and so was quite shocked to see a young male, around Cicero's age perhaps, approach in all his well-deserved glory. Malice's eyes widened as she looked upon the scarred male, his icy orbs staring into her very soul. Had it not been for the fact that she was pregnant and that acting hostile on Burke's property was off-limits, she would've growled back. Instead, she froze, ears and tail lowering followed by her front body into a quite formal bow. She was not looking for a fight, not after having a fit with Nemesis that still didn't quite like her.

Moonlit Hills was and would never be a threat to a pack that was so well-developed as Blackfeather Woods. For what threat did a pack that was just settling, with a big lake in between them, mind you, actually make? Plus, Malice had come to the Dark Brotherhood in peace after meeting Cicero, and a deal had been made. That deal had not been broken, and the two packs lived in peace, even after the locusts attack.

And what threat was Malice to the Dark Brotherhood now, without her pack, without a body capable of fighting? Surely they had all realized by now that the daughter of Lucifer had no malicious plans for this land, nor the wolves that lived upon it. She was just here, so what? She wanted to learn, wanted to help, wanted to follow. What more did they expect? She showed no signs of hostility, unlike the male before her and Nemesis, and wanted to work with them, not against. She was no threat in any way, and well, if it was about belonging, surely they were right. She did not belong, not yet. But times and thoughts changed like the weather.

He came closer, his growl deafeningly loud, and all Malice could do was submit- body and mind. She moved back again, her body lowering even more. If he were to attack, Burke would not like it. She was carrying his off-spring after all. If she were to die, Burke had gone out of his way for nothing, and she was sure the boy before her would get a well deserved beating. Her back was aching even more in this position, but she kept it, feeling nauseous and somewhat scared.

Affirmative. She spoke softly in that gentle tone of hers. Though I have no ill intentions, nor reason to harm both this land and the wolves upon it. She muttered in her own defense. Perhaps Kendra and Cicero were the only nice wolves here, she thought.

Malice did not fully believe that Burke had any kind of feelings of love toward her. Sure, he had shown he greatly cared about her to the extent of letting her join his pack, but love? Perhaps he only wished for his new offspring to live happily, be part of a true family, instead of just being a consequence from that small mistake that was made that hot spring day by the Greatwater Lake. She did not know about Meldresi, not about any kind of religion instead of a small part about the night mother and what not from Kendra. The reason for that was not because she wasn't willing to know. She had even asked Nemesis if she could tell more, but the answer was suspected. She would not get any great details until she would prove herself. and prove herself she would do.

Malice also didn't know about the relation between Damien and Cicero, for if she would've known she wondered how in the name of Lucifer those two could be related. Cicero was so wise, so well-spoken and maybe even kind, while this young warrior was filled with hatred yet loyalty. Emotionally unstable they all were, that was for fucking sure, though it was no reason to be picking on a pregnant woman who had already gone through enough. Besides, wasn't the rule to respect the elder ones? She could tell this male was an adult indeed, though he lacked the years that made one wiser, less judgmental.

Well, then that's settled. She snorted. He was right, in this state she really couldn't hurt anyone. But once the squirmy balls of fur were born and she was back to full strength and her pups could somewhat fend for themselves, she could be a threat indeed. She had trained for the biggest part of her life, and that showed, even while her body was swollen with unborn pups. She could hurt greatly. She watched him as he showed signs of leaving, but she felt she wasn't quite done with him yet. Hell, she didn't even know his name yet, though that was besides the point. What would satisfy you then, besides me leaving? She questioned. She had not thought about it or the words had already left her pretty mouth. She kept her position throughout this whole conversation; submissive, to the ground, scared for the well-being of her little ones.

Because... She muttered back, quite mad that he had not answered her question, but swallowed her words. This was a waste of time. If she were to stoop as low as the two enraged black pelted scumbags, her own pride would be hurt. No, she was going to act like an adult. There was no use in fighting, no use in shooting bullets filled with hatred toward each other. It wasn't even helping Nemesis and this male, for she was still here, steady as ever. And she would stay, in pieces or not. She would at least live long enough to give birth to Burke's offspring, for she knew he was excited for them too. After that, well, she wasn't quite sure. She would love to see her little ones grow up here, but surrounded by these hatred filled beings?

She sighed slowly, rising up again for her back was aching now more than ever. It was no use, no use whatsoever. She would be hated here, hated in Phantom Hollow, hated at Lucifer Peak. She drew negativity toward her somehow, though everyone's life was filled with sorrow and drama. She wasn't the only one, that was made clear by Sebastian. Though she had never felt more hated than here, even with the scarce affection of Burke and the short nice moments she had had with Kendra and Cicero. Everything was going shitty and she would have to deal with it, just as much as they had to deal with her presence.

I bet you look better when you smile... She whispered loud enough for him to hear. Fighting negativity with positivity often confused, and a confused young warrior was better than an enraged one. She let out another sigh. She was going to ask for his name, though why would she need that for? She wasn't going to tell Burke anything about this, nor the hatred that was spat on her everywhere she went. She wasn't going to be a baby about this all. If Burke was so interested as to ask what was going on, not even then would she bring this up. Instead, she would tell about how wonderful Kendra was, in her own way, and how Cicero and her had met up again after quite a while. Yes, happy thoughts, happy thoughts.

He kept quiet for a second, probably letting her words sink in, and with that Malice breathed out again. Her words had not been any kind of seduction, she would only - if at all- do it to Burke. Her words had been a fact; she found everyone look better with a smile on their face. Hench why she perhaps thought of Nemesis as quite ugly, especially when she was angry. But hey, who was she to judge the outside. It was what on the inside that cou-... Oh wait.

As soon as the boy turned around, Malice made a half-dodge maneuver, but she was quick to realize it hadn't been necessary. The gray mass of Burke, his calm and booming voice, had saved her from the claws of the wild beast before her. Her face revealed disbelief, and her eyes were spitting fire. Insulting her was fine, but smacking a pregnant woman? Was that the level he was at?

Fucking perfect, Burke. She huffed right after the white-eyed brute. Absolutely lovely. She rumbled, sitting down angrily. Physically hurting a pregnant woman. pff, even her father wouldn't have done it. She could hardly defend herself. As the boy walked away, her eyes rested on her saving angel, who was probably pretty confused by now. 

Malice fire-spitting face turned calm, calming down at the mere sight of Burke. What was he mad at her for? She had been nice, even when insulted. Though she didn't say it out loud. She was sure he had figured out by now that not everyone was fond of her being here. Both Nemesis and this pregnant women slapping jerk wanted her gone, maybe even dead for that matter.

She sighed a long shaky sigh, still calming down from all that had happened. She hadn't meant to curse, especially not at Burke, but her blood was just boiling. Said I didn't belong here. She rumbled in the direction the boy had walked off to. Her gaze went to the ground as she realized that it was no use getting angry. Perhaps the icy boy had been right, though he didn't have to say it like that. She sighed again, Her eyes going to Burke. Sorry. It's just that, while I do like it here, it doesn't seem as I'm really wanted. She admitted. She didn't talk shit about the others, she would never.

Only in her head.

I'm sorry, but that's no reason to harm a defenseless pregnant woman... She muttered right after Burke's words. So Damien was his name huh? Quite nice sounding. Unlucky for the name, it was bound to a womanslapper. Didn't you see? If you weren't here, I would've ended up with more reminders of how I don't belong. She said calmly again. She sighed. I'm sorry, I'm sure he is a nice boy on the inside, but he hasn't made such a great first impression on me.

She hadn't thought that she would be welcomed with open arms, especially not by Nemesis, but this Damien hadn't even met her before. She could understand to a certain extent how she may be a threat, but wasn't it clear that's she wasn't here to take over or anything? She just wanted to give her children a home with a father. Was that so selfish as to deserve such hostile reactions? I know, I can understand... She sighed, removing her gaze from the gray mass that was Burke. It's just that I don't know what I'm doing wrong to get such rude comments.

She sat there in silence for a bit, until Burke touched her, and she didn't even flinch. It wasn't the first time they had touched, and yet it still felt like sparks were lighting up the exact spot he had just grazed. When she looked over, he was... Smiling? Was this a laughing matter? Oh, what did it matter. She had the great gray, his daughter and the mixed weird boy. The rest could suck it. Her lips quirked up at the cute sight, and she scooted closer to him in a submissive way. She gave a small lick on the underside of his muzzle, brushing up against him if he would let her. Everything takes time... She finally agreed, feeling just slightly better.

Malice snorted softly. She didn't even want to correct someone who was clearly all wrong. She would be wasting time on this Damien. Perhaps he was even worse than Nemesis. Hell, she knew he was worse. If she had to chose between a day with Nemesis or a day with Damien, she would go for Nemesis. But I am no moonlit wolf anymore... She sighed. You couldn't judge actions of the past. What mattered now was the famine and how the Dark Brotherhood could do to prevent it from controlling them. It was no use wasting energy on hating her, nor the other way around.

The feeling of Burke's body against her was as always pleasant, though not for very long. She looked confused at him when he stood up, though quickly had an "oh snap" moment. She smiled, picking herself up too. I bet it'd be best for me to stay in the den... She sighed, taking a few steps in the wrong direction for where the den actually was.

Very complicated it was indeed. A frown settled upon her already squinting face. Meldresi? She questioned, ignoring the other topics for now. How did he mean another woman? Was Meldresi Sebastian's mother? He had revealed no names, and now Malice felt bad for not asking. Why was she close to their hearts? Malice was genuinely confused.

At Burke's chuckle, she froze. What? Was their dirt on her behind or something? And then she noticed she didn't recognize that tree. Her ears dropped and she turned around again, embarrassed. Right, right. She chipped. Quickly trotting beside him. He was right, as always. Maybe Malice would just keep inside. She was due any day now anyway, and soon she would not be able to walk. She sighed. I'd rather avoid any more conflict.  

She knew Burke had had a mate before her (how would you explain all these kids if that was not the case) because Sebastian had told her so. So Meldresi was her name then, though was this truly the mother of Seb? Ughh, better stop thinking about it before you get a headache. She decided to just store the quite nice sounding name in the back of her head, as well as Dark Queen. Huh, funny, that was what she used to refer to herself as... Coincidence? Probably. She nodded, now understanding most of the conflict so far. 

Pretty confusing, yeah, though I'm all ears. She had said in the beginning that she would want to learn, and learn she would. She was determined to be a part of this pack, both physically and mentally. Though, that did not say the rest of them were willing to teach her. Alright. She agreed, though did not feel very convinced the rest would stop bullying her because of a simple talk. It would take some time, probably.

Malice nodded. She hadn't meant right now, she just wanted to let him know that she was indeed willing to at least try to be a part of the Dark Brotherhood. And in a way, she already was. She had a rank, she was allowed in most of the territory and even slept with the alpha. What else did she want? Burke was enough company, and soon her children would accompany her too. A sudden kick in her belly made her slow down a bit, finally recognizing where the hell they were. 

It was not Burke's fault they hated her, it wasn't anyone's fault. They were all in the wrong, but sooner or later they would have to accept her or send her away. Getting sent away was probably the biggest fear for her, for where the hell would she go with her children? She sighed right after Burke, following him inside to nuzzle her scarred face into his fur. Today was not a good day, but perhaps tomorrow would be better.