He lay awake, the bright moonlight shining through the entrance of their den. He couldn't sleep, and it wasn't the first time. He had slight insomnia, though it became severe when he left Noctem Vagus with his two littermate. Constantly thinking about his other siblings that he left behind, wondering how they were, hoping his father wasn't being too brutal to them though the chances of that was unlikely. The Roman had defended his younger brothers from Aku's wrath and taught his sisters how to fight (if they wanted to) against his father's will. Sometimes, he wanted to return to Noctem Vagus and kill his father, but that was one of the most important laws of Rome. You couldn't kill your father, pathetic really, and the silver male was ready to break it, but the gods would punish him, maybe he might not even go to Elysium, and he couldn't have that. Eternal torment for his father from his siblings should do. But Noctem Vagus was so far away, and he couldn't leave his wife and unborn children here. He couldn't leave Noctisardor Bypass too long and the journey to his his natal pack was certainly going to be anything but short.

It had begin to heal at the beginning when he arrived at Teekon Wilds but nowadays, it was becoming more severe. The ashen outrider silently got up and crept out of their den, hoping he had not woken Paar, and sat beside the entrance, gazing at the sky. The stars twinkled down on him and the moon lit up his fur, making them glow an ethereal silver. Shadow knew the gods were there, watching over him, even Diana, the goddess of the moon. The Roman hoped his family, his blood family was safe, for he had another family to take care of here. Dies pater, Optimus Maximus, Lord Jupiter. Noctem imitantur vagus in invigilandi, rogo, ira Aku tueri. Mars Ultor, Rogo te, ut cum patientia ac fortitudo imitantur indigent, cum indigent, opem et auxilium. he said softly, praying, gazing at the sky.

He froze when he heard a grown, then a familiar voice rang through the night air. "Come back to bed," she said softly. Shadow turned around, the light of Diana catching his eyes, making them seem to glow pure white for a second before it turned back to its usual platinum. The ashen outrider shook his head and smiled wearily at Paar, trying his best to not seem like he was worrying. I'll be fine, you go back to sleep. he said to her softly, and turned around again, hoping she would rest. He hadn't meant to wake her up, and though he asked her to go back to sleep, a small part of him wished for her to talk with him and ease a bit of his burden off his shoulders.

Now his mind wandered to Swiftcurrent Creek and how they were doing now, so far, the wolves there had not bothered the wolves of Bypass. Good. At least Scimitar was keeping them away, he himself wouldn't go too near that place now, it wasn't because he was scared, but because he didn't want that place to remind him of his past.

He knew, though, that she would not sleep but try to get him to talk. And sure enough, moments later, faint footsteps were heard as she walked across the den towards him. Shadow leaned into her touch, absorbing the warmth she held before exhaling softly. "What's on your mind?" he smiled tiredly. I was afraid you would ask that, he said, gazing up at the stars littered across the night sky. It's everything. I've been worrying about everything. My families.

Especially my siblings. he continued, then he stopped, unable to bring himself to say anything more, instead scooted closer to Paar and lay his head on her shoulder, seeking comfort and warmth. Every wolf needed love sometimes, even the most heartless villain, or the most sarcastic, annoying, strict, indifferent, snarky Roman. And it was one of those days (or nights) where everything came rushing towards you, and wrap and blind you with your problems.