give my heart a place to rest

Tonravik watched the display. In the end, Nanuk rose victorious; Kapvik showed due respect, and their differences were settled. It was the way of the wolf, and Tonravik knew no better way. She listened to them speak for the moment, hearing his once-name. Tatsuya. It was clear he identified with the word more than her own name for him, but her pale Beta's words were true. In time, he would come to see.

Tatsuya was nothing, a word she did not understand, a word that tethered him to where he once had come. He would break free of those bonds on his own, as they all had. When did not matter. It only mattered that it would happen. She had seen the change in Iqniq; if one did not believe in their way, their method, one only need to look to her mate to see his growth, his success, his understood strength and more than that, his understanding. For some, it could be a slow process.

As she looked contentedly to the uniquely marked wolf, she did not doubt that his transition would come soon. Slowly, but surely. For he was a strong wolf, and strongwilled; but Tonravik knew his devotion to her was true, and knew that he was a stone that would be carved to a point of perfection. Time, they had.

She rose to all fours to join them again, panting in the heat and nosing them. She remembered a rabbit warren, and wanted to bring them with her to take them out and refill caches. In itself, it would be a team bonding activity. Tonravik trudged forward and followed her nose, only looking over her shoulder once to be sure they followed.