Vex was hunting; the scent of a newborn elk fawn filled her nostrils. She could see it, there, beyond the trees — and not a mother in sight. Vex smirked to herself, rushed forth, and dispatched the poor creature with a violent shaking, breaking it's neck. The pelt would be the bedding for her and her whelps, once they were born; she skinned it with surprising accuracy using teeth and claws, then engorged herself. It was a magnificent meal. Once she was done, she moved to the water's edge, cleaning her muzzle of blood before letting loose a crooning call.

Though Jaganatha had been on her mind almost daily, Vex still could not believe it when he finally arrived. At the sound of his voice, Vex turned, shock clearly coloring her features. "Father!" she gasped softly, sinking into a small half-bow. Rising, her eyes narrowed, and she asked, "But where... where are the others? Visenya — Verran? The rest of the guard?" Had some unforeseen misfortune fallen upon them?

Then, she recalled how much she had to tell him. She met his gaze, a scowl darkening her features. "Vorilye has abandoned us. It is just myself and Vivaan — and a male we captured." She decided, for now, to not tell him about the pregnancy. Better to see how he handled this news first.

She had forgotten, with his absence, how Jaganatha truly was. Her memories had painted him as benevolent — a father who had given everything for his children. But now, as she looked into his eyes and felt the weight of his scowl, she recalled a conversation she'd had with Vorilye. He had left, he claimed, to be free of Jaganatha. Vorilye had never been in Jaganatha's favor, not fully, and now she pondered one question: was she? Vex growled softly, her ears laying back against her skull as she rasped, "I've not forgotten, father." How could she? "I just did not expect you to turn up so... suddenly." But it was good, was it not, for him to be here? It meant their numbers had increased, but better yet, it meant more protection. Her father had always been intimidating.

As their conversation shifted, Jaganatha grew more angry; Vex, meanwhile, grew more tense, her fiery eyes narrowing warily. To learn that the rest of them, even her aunt and uncle, had abandoned... Vex's muzzle clenched down, and she hissed, "More names to add to my kill list. A pity," she sighed, shifting her weight, "I rather liked Auntie Visenya."

His anger became explosive as he learned of Vorilye's betrayal, and Vex could only listen, head bowed and ears tilted back as Jaganatha's voice grew progressively louder. When she could speak, Vex said quietly, fervently, "It was Violante! Her betrayal shattered our family! The black of her blood corrupted them all, it must be!" The Queen began to pace angrily, then, riled by her father. She shot him a swift gaze, then cried, half-joyous, half-hesitant, "But father, father, I bring the best news!" A slight pause, and she nearly panted in anxiety, "I — I am hopefully bearing true Cruor children! I thought... Vivaan was the most loyal — he was with me through the majority of my journey. He — he won the traditional fight to court me." She swallowed hard, heart pounding in her chest. Would he approve, or would he condemn her children as bastards, born out of wedlock, without his approval?

She'd done it — just the right words, and Jaganatha's entire disposition changed. Vex breathed a silent sigh of relief, and then she told him, "Already I have been making an example of the riffraff in the hinterlands. One male who showed his face a second time has been imprisoned, as I've mentioned — and there's the matter of Vorilye." She paused to meet her father's gaze, frowning.

"I found him once, but for the time being, I cannot go looking for him again. I think he lives in the area, I'm just not sure where. As For Violante..." Another sigh, heavy this time. "No one's seen or heard anything about her whereabouts." But, the wilds were a massive place, and she'd seen only a fraction of it.

Then, an easy smile. "Anyways, we call ourselves The Dominion, and it's an army I'm building. I will see retribution!"

All she had ever wanted was recognition from her father — to be his true heir. He had guided her during her rise within their natal pack, and now he would guide her during her reign as Queen. When he had finished speaking, she told him fervently, "We will rise to greatness. Together." She needed him — but, she always had. Mouth dry, she dipped her head to her father, then said, "Call for me as soon as you have news, and travel as you see fit." She would then depart, and return to the forest.