Malice, though her body had gotten partly used to moving again, still rather slept through her days. She was no slacker, and never would she be one as she would later claim the title of Lady of RiverRun, but being a mother was rather hard. She had gotten used to the cotton balls being around her at all times, and she hoped they would soon learn to speak, but that seemed ages away. They lay at her stomach again, curled up, their blue eyes closed as they softly fed. Perhaps that was the most satisfying sight for a new mother, and while she still found it cute, it didn't hit her as hard anymore. They were hers, that was all and perhaps the only reason she cared for them, even though they had ruined so much.

This particular afternoon, Malice was not asleep. She was wide awake, thinking of how they would all live here together. Her children would grow up here, and perhaps they would have no memory of the hard times in Blackfeather Woods nor their long journey to get where they currently were. It had been right to leave so soon, for now they weren't traumatized.

The strange smell of a wolf she didn't know drifted her den in, and she protectively curled around her babes. She cuffed softly. Who goes there? She knew they hadn't claimed the territory officially yet, but their borders were strong, and so was their scent on this land. Any loner who wandered in here could either not smell or had a death wish. She also knew of the new recruit they had gained, someone named Shink, but she had yet to meet the male. Could this be him, seeking out his new female leader?

Malice was not only nursing the generation of Burke and her, but she was also furthering the bloodline of the Lanius family- Lucifer's family. It was horrible to think that her father could never see his grandsons, and even worse to think Avalon could never meet them. She knew she had loved Avalon in one way or the other, and sharing was what they always did. She wanted him to meet them, wanted to have him close, but his ass was probably still in LuciferPeak. She loved Burke in another way. His greatness, glory and handsomeness aside, she loved him being so stoic. She loved getting to know him, slowly unraveling his past while simultaneously building a future with him. She didn't care that they were 3 years apart.

Shink was the name the stranger told to her, and she remembered. He was one of them now, yet Burke apparently didn't care for her approval. Malice was used to have a second in command, and knew how to discuss such drastic decisions, Burke apparently didn't.

Malice Lanius, the mother of Burke's offspring. She replied in her gentle tone she had been getting used to. She, of course, wanted to show off her kids, going against Burke's words. With Pyro in her mouth and @Vassago being able to stumble in and out of the den by himself, her giant posture crawled out of the den she had claimed. She placed the smaller, black pup on the ground somewhere next to Vassago and sat down. It was good for the little ones to explore their new home. You are the new recruit. She explained to herself.

Perhaps before the scarred woman called herself queen, as she was the daughter of a king and now had started her own little kingdom, but never would she again. She had disgraced the title of queen by leaving her wolves and her home in the quiet Phantom Hollow. Burke, however, had a different story. She barely knew anything about his family, only that it was big and complicated. Perhaps Malice didn't even deserve ruling next to him, but it wasn't like her spot in their band could easily be taken away. She did feel like this was going to be a much nicer pack.

She giggled at Vassago's actions, acting to fearless in front of a stranger truly made her proud. It showed he really was a Lanius-Rochester, for both his parents were quite fearless. They really have. Perhaps Vassago more so than little Pyro here. She gave the darker fluff ball a lick on his head, her little @Pyro. She had no real favorite in her litter, though if she was forced to chose, she would go for Pyro. What were you seeking at the edge of the pine forest?

Malice felt more protective of her little Pyro, and so had never developed a bond with her other son just yet -he was a real daddy's boy-. She was surprised to see him changing direction, this time heading for her. Her eyebrows raised above one good eye and one eye that would be forever squinting, and she stepped back just as Vassago charged for her hind leg. She let out a surprised yelp, giving the boy a glare that could have resembled burning coals, even though her eyes were as yellow as the sun. She shook her leg, eager to let the child not harass her knee anymore. She must've looked quite stupid with her ball of chestnut fur on her leg.

Safe you are here, but I hope you won't be departing with us anytime soon. She said as her eyes still rested on Vassago in the hope he would give up. Perhaps later she would play with them, but she was talking to one of her new recruits now-not that she expected them to know everything already. The famine will soon reach its end, and that is when we will form. We will rule these new lands like no one ever before.

Malice gritted her teeth as the little boy made a second attempt at... She had absolutely no idea what he was trying to do. Did he think he could tackle her? Perhaps he just wanted some attention. Malice did note that because she was so worried about little Pyro, she had not given her firstborn the attention he so deserved. She frowned, deep in thought until Shink spoke again. Good. I don't think we could miss you now that we have all met you. She said as she tried not to hurt the ball of fur on her leg as she wiggled it around. 

What happened next was a bit of a surprise and, as she saw Shink lunge for her little boy, nature told her to pull her leg back as she stumbled further to her den. She almost tripped and would've fallen back into the den had it not been for Shink not lunging his whole body. She didn't know if Vassago was still holding on, neither did she care. Obviously he wanted some play time, but that would not go well with the new recruit near. She was way too protective of her young, as a new mother should be. Her hackles, that had raised in the process of retreating, smoothed down. I'm sorry, I think I need to give my sons some attention before I can join you in conversation again. It was very nice meeting you, truly, sorry to cut it short. She frowned again. I wasn't supposed to apologize... She murmured, thinking of how Burke had wanted her to stop.