Bearclaw Valley a new day,

@Nephele @Anatolia @Ameline, Neph post first, then Anatolia (if you want, siv!), then Ameline?

Cole was rather wordless when he was bringing Nephele back to the valley. Her storm wrought demeanor had set a discourse of thunder through his body, tormenting him with the hanging thoughts of "what-ifs" and that he could be there for her. But he wasn't often caught so smitten, so determined.

It was her daughters.

It had been no secret that Cole had a soft spot for children— Ameline's own had grown on him like a parasite, even making him break a smile here and there.

But two daughters. A grief-stricken mother. God, it was just the works for him to fall into the deep end. He cleared his throat, looking behind him at Nephele as they entered the valley. Ameline's a nice woman. She'll treat 'ya right, and them. He motioned to her daughters behind.

When deep enough into the valley, Cole halted his step. We'll be okay. He uttered, if not for her, then them. He tilted his head back and summoned his Lady of the Valley.

FINALLY getting to this, so sorry for the wait!

a million questions lingered like shadows waiting to tie a noose around her neck. was this what was best for her children? or was it what was best for her?

cole was silent as they traveled across what felt like a never ending terrain of unfamiliar brush and flatland. nephele was thankful for this, finding herself lacking much strength for anything other than tending to her children. and that was primarily what had taken hold of the stormcloud woman, her thoughts and actions only that of her two girls.

finally, after feeling like she'd been dragging chains behind her for the entire duration of their trip, they'd arrived. nephele managed to summon up an appreciative smile for the stalwart man when he mentioned a woman, ameline, would take care of them.

"we'll be alright" — the very utter of the words made her heart lurch. she'd been telling herself that for many days now, but hearing them for the lips of cole made her start to believe them.

husk.

empty, hollowed out.

packed full of fake feelings that surely weren't her own. she stayed silent for the majority of the trip. especially as the tension shifted and it seemed things were coming to an end.

quietly, tiredly, she settled herself into a laid down position behind the adults.

eyes closed.

she listened to the world.

It would only be a matter of months before the pack expanded again, as she anticipated another litter of children. Currently, the pack grew, fed by a steady stream of new members brought home one by one by Cole, who was beginning to make Ameline wonder if he might possess some magical flute that made him find so many willing joiners. 

He could keep his flute- as long as he kept bringing them to the Valley. 

She wasn’t choosy; wolves who needed a home could come, so long as harm found no place in their shadows. A pretty woman had come this time with Cole, and a young one who trailed behind, eyes closed as if to shut the world out. She sensed that something was awry, considering that Cole’s usual, casual demeanour seemed to have become somewhat determined.

Welcome to Bearclaw Valley, Her greeting for women was naturally different than how she might greet a male joiner. This one, in particular, looked in need of a gentler hand. I’m Ameline…You an’ the kiddo got nameth?

Cole stood firm beside Nephele, his presence solid and unwavering, like a sentinel. Though his posture held no hostility, there was a clear protective air about him, a quiet signal that he would brook no harm to the woman or her child. His golden eyes flicked briefly toward Ameline as she approached, offering her the acknowledgment of a subordinate greeting his leader, but his attention quickly shifted.

Over his shoulder, his gaze lingered for a moment on the girl—Anatolia, he thought her name was. The weight of her quiet, withdrawn demeanor pressed against his chest like a stone. There was something there, unspoken and heavy, that he didn’t need words to feel.

Without speaking, Cole returned his attention to Nephele, a subtle nod all he offered as if to say, it’s your turn now.

single post, zeph can be skipped

zephyra had done little on their journey but eat and sleep. her world was cold, in more ways than just the weather.

she trudged behind the rest of the group, silent as she thought back to the last time she'd been home.

home. she could not remember it now. she could not remember it's warmth.

voices trailed ahead as she stumbled upon the scene, shifting quietly to move beside her sister and snuggle close.

home. she wanted to go home.

time worked in mysterious ways. some days felt as if they would never end, and others passed by with so much as a blink.

nephele had expected there to be a wait before they were greeted, but if time had passed between them, she did not feel it. had the woman just been swift? or had nephele lost herself to the quicksand of her mind?

she could not tell the difference these days.

a dip of her snout was given to the woman's greeting and introduction. a turn then to introduce herself and daughters. "my name is nephele," she revealed just as zephyra joined the collection and laid to rest. "the larger of the two is anatolia, the other zephyra."

she wished to smile for them, but she found her strength lacking to do so.

her focus swiveled back to ameline, a desperation sunk so deeply upon her eyes that they might collapse inward. "we have suffered a loss, and we have grown weary from travel."

"we search for somewhere new now, some place that might become home for us once more."

in that moment it was only her and zephyra.

the adults on scene went mostly ignored. a soft flick of an ear to signal she had heard them chattering, heard her own name somewhere up there.

none of it mattered.

she kept zephyra a bit closer and tighter to her side.

Cole had brought the Valley a mother, war-torn by loss, and her two children who looked so shut down and closed off that she was led to assume that the loss they'd suffered had likely been their father. 

I'm thorry to hear that, She responded quietly. Orphaned in her youth, she could not remember what it was like to lose parents. Ancelin had remained steadfast, reliable, hearty and hale. The only losses that they had suffered were ones that she had been able to endure- she could not imagine what Nephele and her daughters were going through, but she could help them through the process by giving them a home. You're welcome in Bearclaw Valley. I can tell you've been through a lot, tho I'll waive the quethtionth an' formalitieth for now- Cole'll help you find a plathe to get thettled in, an' I'll come by thoon to check in on you. She said, gesturing with her chin that they could proceed into the Valley. 

To Cole, she turned her gaze, finding a sympathy and compassion in him that she hadn't noticed before. She gave him a nod, grateful that he was helping establish the Valley's reputation as a safe haven.