Grezig’s sister, Yizur, had disappeared. So had that strange, tiny mutt, Quail. Within the first few weeks of the pack’s creation, two members had gone MIA and Grezig was not sure how she felt about that—especially when one of them was her sister. Grezig sat despondently in the grass, the grey, overcast day not doing much to lift her spirits. It was strange of her to be so depressed about such things. Perhaps the title of Beta put pressure on her shoulders she had not really anticipated. Will the pack hold together long enough to get through winter? she wondered. She knew this sort of thinking did not help, but Grezig, whose mind was always more logical than emotional, found that her logical thinking was actually negatively affecting her emotions. She shook her head and stood up, deciding that perhaps a walk would help to clear her mind.

Grezig turned her head at Liri’s greeting, grunting a return greeting but saying nothing. She did not mind the fae’s company, but unsure what to say in this moment. I’m sorry my sister left us? Her sister leaving had nothing to do with her, so she had nothing to feel sorry for. Yet… it was still her sister who had left, someone she felt at least mildly responsible for. She sighed. “Liri, will we be all right for the winter months?” she finally asked. “Our numbers are… shrinking. My sister… and that small mutt who was always around Barracuda. They are gone. I fear more will leave.” She looked into the eyes of her Alpha for a moment, and then sighed and turned away again.

Grezig listened silently as Liri attempted to reassure her. She tried to allow herself to be reassured. Their pack was young and small, but surely, after so much effort, it had to mean something. Besides, even if they ended up losing too many members to be a real pack, it wouldn’t matter. They would make it through winter—somehow—and try again. Grezig, at least, would not give up on this. 

Then Liri said something—a word—that Grezig found interesting. “Rosings?” she repeated, glancing at the pale woman. She raised her eyebrows in an obvious question, waiting to hear what Liri had to say on the matter.

Grezig took in the information with a grunt. It was interesting enough, but not enough to ask anymore questions about it. “I’ll double my patrols outside of the packlands,” she said, moving on. “Hopefully I’ll meet new wolves, ones who will be wanting a home for the winter.” It was all she could think to do. She just hoped her luck with patrols held out.

The mention of Ruenna let Grezig know that there was a wolf she hadn’t met yet within pack territory. She would attempt to rectify that as soon as possible. She listened as Liri listed off the things she would be doing to ready them for winter. “I could help with that,” Grezig said, though she sounded hesitant. “Only, you would need to tell me what to look for, specifically. I am not gifted with plants like you. I fear I would bring in something poisonous without realizing it.” She paused, thinking. “Perhaps you could teach me the basics. There was a wolf, months ago now, who I met in a swamp when we were staying farther east.” She was thinking of Invictus, who had long since left the Teekon Wilds. “She taught me the basics of wound care, but perhaps you could teach me what herbs to look for to bring you?” This was Grezig, always ready to help.

“I will wait for that day, then,” Grezig said, looking forward to it. It would give her a chance to get to know Liri a little more, and maybe learn something about plants—though she wasn’t sure such abstract knowledge would stick. Grezig was a brick wall, not a sponge. She knew how to hit things and do border patrols. More and more, though, she was learning to speak her mind on things, and if she was going to be an advisor, she needed to keep in close contact with both of the alphas—not just Kavik. She bowed her head in deference and said, “Forgive me, but I must stop wallowing now and get on with patrols.” She stood and, with another dip of her head, turned and wandered away through the trees.

[Exit.]