It was late summer, but the weather today felt more like autumn. It was relatively chilly and the day was overcast and gloomy. Grezig wondered if it was going to rain. At least she would not have to get wet since they had the Door to retreat to in bad weather. As creepy as that place was the farther back you went, it did have its uses. Most nights Grezig slept outside, hating the feeling of being cooped up, but she could imagine a cave like the Door would be very helpful in winter when it snowed day in and day out and the temperatures dropped so much at night. 

Grezig was out on the western edge of the plateau, staring down at all the land below her. As much as she loved the forest to the east—she’d grown up in a forest, after all—this open space made her feel less claustrophobic. She stood looking at everything around her and breathing, and everything felt all right.

Grezig’s ears went backwards as she picked up the sound of approaching pawsteps. She half-turned to see who it was, looking over her shoulder, and saw Liri.

’Mind if I join you?’ the alpha asked.

Grezig shook her head. “Please,” she said, by way of invitation. “I was just enjoying the view… something I was unable to do until recently.” She let out a sharp breath as a kind of laugh. “It seems settling down has been good for me in more ways than one. Before, I was all survival-driven. But now that we are here, I find myself able to relax a bit more.” She glanced at Liri, wondering what the fae would have to say on the matter.

Liri sounded surprised that Grezig could take in the beauty of the land. Grezig supposed that made sense. She was not a wolf who came across as one who stopped to smell the roses. (Her interpretation of Liri’s response was wrong, but she did not know that).

The alpha went silent for a few moments, staring out at the land before them, and then she spoke again. ’It’s good that you have found a way to relax,’ she said.

Grezig grunted a reply. 

’I sometimes have to remind myself to find time for it. So much lingers on the mind these days.’

Grezig turned to look at the alpha. “What lingers on your mind? We have a home now. We are safe.” She paused, trying to think of something that might worry Liri. “Is it the boy? Illidan?” Indeed, Illidan worried Grezig, a constant nagging at the back of her mind.

Liri admitted that Illidan was worrying her, but she had another reason, also. Winter. Yes. Grezig worried about that, too. “Yes,” she said, agreeing with the alpha about hunting. “Should… should you call a hunt together soon? Or…” Grezig hesitated, not wanting to come across as someone who was grasping for more power. But she was a beta, after all. It would make sense if… “Or I could, if you wish it.” She bowed her head in deference. Whatever Liri wanted, Grezig would do. Despite her inner thoughts—that she would make a better alpha than Liri—she would never voice this. Not unless something dire happened. She was not so power hungry as to destroy a pack’s structure to become a leader.

Grezig could not help the short sigh of relief that left her. She had to constantly remind herself that Liri and Kavik were not like her parents. They were not your usual Alphas who demanded fear and respect. Respect, certainly. All Alphas were to be respected. But they did not lord their titles over their members. And Grezig was their Beta, after all. Of course she could call a hunt together if she wished. “Thank you,” she said to Liri, allowing a brief smile before letting it fall away again. She searched her mind for something else to speak of, and remembered Illidan.

“The boy,” she began slowly, unsure of what to say. “He remains despondent and… distant. Cold. His mental health worries me.” She pursed her lips, gazing out at nothing in particular, thinking. “I have tried being soft on him. Kind. I’ve tried being harder on him, demanding he find something useful to do with himself. Neither approach has worked. I am… out of ideas.”

Well, the fact that Liri was also out of ideas didn’t do anything to brighten Grezig’s mood, but that wasn’t Liri’s fault. Grezig sighed. Again. “I suppose our only option is to continue to watch him closely. His future actions worry me. I fear he may lash out at us, or disappear one day without a trace.” Grezig had no idea that she and Liri’s thoughts on the subject were so similar. She paused, thinking of something. “If he disappeared, would you give me leave to follow him? I am unsure if that would make matters better or worse, but I promised him months ago now that I would not give up on him. I think—I think he is lost somewhere in his head, and I do not need him to get lost in the real world, as well.”

’Of course, if he does disappear, please try to bring him back,’ Liri said.

Grezig nodded. Good. She would be given permission to track him if he left. She would not—but Liri wasn’t done.

’Unless… he is old enough to care for himself and does not want to return.’

Grezig’s breath caught in her throat. 

’In that case, I wouldn't want to force him to stay.’

“No,” the Beta managed to force out, choking on the word. “Of course not.”

’I know I've called him our son before…’

Son.

’He’s something like a son to you too, though. I've noticed it.’

“Yes,” Grezig said, her brows drawing together. Tears stinging her eyes. She turned her face away from Liri, attempting a slow and steady breath through her nose. It only shook a little. 

She spoke again, but Grezig heard only muffled sound. She would not cry in front of Liri. “Excuse me,” she said quickly, standing and running away before she allowed her emotions to overcome her. This was stupid. She needed to get a grip on herself or risk losing it all. She ran until she could no longer feel anything beyond the burning in her legs, and then collapsed in exhaustion, too tired at this point to cry. Good. No crying. Not ever.