Adeline was not in the den. She had long since had the confidence to get up on her own and explore, a little further every day, but she still sure to stay a close distance to the den, just in case her Uncle Steady came along, like today. He had never chastised her for exploring, but she got the distinct feeling he didn't like it. The chuff brought her head up from the hole she was sniffing. Her tail wagged, play always on her mind. She sneaked up behind him, as quiet as she could be, and pounced on his back. 

She giggled as she rolled off of him. I gotchu! she claimed, her back end wagging with her tail. She nosed him affectionately, coming to rest by his side. She mimicked his posture, and the evidence that she looked up to him was clear. She knew he was her main caretaker, even though the whole pack seemed to bring her food, which she was not going to complain about.

Suddenly, he was pounced upon. He chuckled as she told him of her success. Yes, you did, he said, not bothering to deny it. She was getting rather good at sneaking up on him, and he was proud of her for it. He knew learning these "play" skills now would come in handy for hunting later. He nosed her back, as was their custom, but his mood didn't quite reach the playfulness it usually did when he was around Adeline. He knew this would be a difficult conversation.

His mood turned serious as he looked to his niece. Adeline, I have something I need to talk to you about, and I need you to concentrate, okay? He knew that was hard for her, but he figured once he got to talking, her curiosity about the topic would help. I'm sure you've been wondering where Odette and Stoic are. He said it as a statement, but waited for her confirmation before continuing.

It was quickly evident that this would not be their usual play session, and Adeline sobered up quickly, her expression almost blank, but she stared at him intently. She didn't expect him to bring up her siblings, but she nodded her confirmation. They've been gone a while, she said, though she had no idea where they went. It seemed like they were there one day, and gone the next. She had been too young to think about questioning it. But, now that he brought it up...

Are they coming back soon? she asked, never thinking that they wouldn't. While she knew death in some form from Solemn's passing, the thought that Odette and Stoic could be gone just hadn't crossed her mind.

He took a deep breath, knowing that trusting gaze that she always gaze him may not be there anymore after this conversation. She seemed to be taking this conversation as seriously as he was, and he was thankful for that. He nodded. Yes, they have been gone a while. She asked if they would be coming back soon, and he paused, trying to think of a way to explain.

I'm going to be honest with you, Adeline... You're a big girl, and you deserve to know the truth, he said, watching her reaction. I don't know if or when they'll be coming back. Odette went to live with another pack because... Because I did something that upset her. I believe Stoic ran off, too, for the same reason, but we haven't been able to find him yet. He watched her, almost waiting for the moment hatred would replace love in her eyes.

This was the most serious conversation Adeline had ever had, and if she knew what anxiety was, she would have admitted to having it bubble up in her chest now. This was no ordinary conversation, she could feel it, and it made her worry. She looked up to her Uncle, worry in her eyes before confusion marred it. Her brother and sister left because of her Uncle? Odette was living with another family and Stoic... was lost.

Why did you upset them? she asked, her brows furrowing above her eyes. Uncle Steady had always seemed loving to her, so it was hard for her to imagine he would make Stoic and Odette run away.

Her question made it seem like he had done it on purpose, but Steady had been prepared for that. He had expected it after the whole explanation, but it didn't seem to matter now. I promise you I never meant to upset them, he said, his voice breaking with emotion. This would be the telling time.

Adeline, you know how the wolves here hunt to bring you food? Well, those animal have to die for us to live... It's the way of life, he said, trying to explain in a way she might understand. Well, you remember when for weeks, you were hungry because we weren't bringing you enough food? All those animals that we normally eat were gone for a long time, and... And we had to do whatever we could to stay alive. Your mother... She chose to give up her own food to you and your siblings so that you could have a chance to survive. So, when she passed on... I decided that the pack would... use what was left of her body for our survival. Odette was... shocked, and upset, so she ran away. His head lowered to her level as he waited for her reaction.

She could tell her Uncle was upset, and she believed him when he said he hadn't meant to upset her siblings. He looked so sad, and she didn't hesitate to bump her nose to his, hoping to make him feel better. When he began his story, her mind replayed all the times the pack had brought her food, all the times her mother had passed it on to her pups, even Solemn giving up his own food. She hadn't seen it then, hadn't known they would die because of so many passed meals.

Her expression had been thoughtful as listened, and then it turned to confusion when Steady said he had used what was left of her mother's body to survive. A memory surfaced of her mother, just after Solemn's death. Do you mean... you did to Mommy what Mommy tried to get us to do to Solemn? she asked. Odette had been at the forefront of that conversation, but Adeline had been watching from the entrance of the den. She hadn't understood then; she only knew her brother was dead and Mommy was trying to feed him to the rest of the pups. None of them had. 

She didn't immediately look appalled like he thought she might. Instead, she looked confused. Had he not explained it right? But, by her question, he knew she was right on the money. He nodded. Yes. Your Mom understood what was happening, and while she was really upset that Solemn died, she was trying to make sure that you, Odette, and Stoic wouldn't, he explained. 

I know it's a tough lesson to learn for one your age... But, your Mom's death help the rest of us live. If there had been another way, if there had been other food, you must know I would have never done what I did, he said, hoping she would understand and not hate him. His heart felt like it was breaking all over again. 

He confirmed her thoughts, and she couldn't stop the images that arose in her mind of her dead mother being devoured by the pack. Her eyes closed as she tried to push them away. She hadn't been there that day, hadn't known what went on. She was probably better off because of that.

As she looked up to him with her Zaria's green eyes, she realized she believed him. Mommy would have done the same thing to you, she said, knowing it was true. There may come a day when Adeline thought more on this subject, but right now, she was too young to give it the thought it probably deserved. She knew her Mom wouldn't have been upset, and right now, that was enough for her. 

Her mind flowed and move on to other things. When I can I be allowed to leave the den area? she asked.

He looked a little surprised at her statement, but he nodded his head. I hope she would have... I'd give my life if it meant my family could live. He wondered just how much she was understanding. She was a smart pup, he'd give her that. And maybe the fact that this hadn't happened in front of her had given her a different outlook on things. She seemed to have come to terms with her Mother's death, maybe that's what allowed her to change topics so quickly.

He had explained what he had come to, and so he let it go. He knew he had kept her here probably longer than he should have. Being cooped up in such a small area with such a hyper pup wasn't a great idea. I'll tell you what, he began. So long as at least one of our pack mates is with you, you can go wherever you want inside the pack lands. It would give her some freedom, while still having the protection of someone around. He stood, shaking his coat off. Like, right now, you have me! Want to go exploring?

Her Uncle Steady gave her permission to go wherever she wanted, provided she had an escort. Yay! Thank you! she said excitedly, jumping up to bump him with her nose. She turned in circles, as if her happiness couldn't been contained, when he offered to take her now. Yeah! Let's go! She ran into the forest, expecting him to follow. He never said she couldn't lead, and so she naturally took it.