Phoenix Maplewood The Traveler Meets Her End

Saena's glare fixates first on Luke, who succinctly explains that the wolf he has pinned was disrespecting him. Spring quickly interjects with her side of the story, proclaiming that Luke's actions are unnecessary due to the possibility of Nova Rose being useful. Her eyes dart back to Luke, anticipating a response from him, but it's Grace who speaks then, revealing that the wolf at the center of it all is her mother. Saena's eyes flash then and she's reminded of Fire Wolf and the trespasser the traitor had attacked Saena to defend.

This is when she knows she can't let this go on. Fire Wolf had turned with violence on her pack in favour of a lone wolf, and she isn't keen to see it repeated.

"You," she says curtly, addressing the wolf Luke has pinned, "leave, now." Her tone leaves no room for argument. Only when Nova Rose has heeded her command and left does Saena turn on her subordinates with an irate growl. "We do not mince words with outsiders that do not show the absolute highest level of respect on our borders," she chides them, her ears flying back, "or have you forgotten we have vulnerable pups to protect here?" Her glare rests on Luke briefly, as she knows his hostility was probably unwarranted, but she also knows that Luke fancies himself as her keeper. She understands, even agrees with, the reason behind his actions. Nevertheless, such hostility could land them in hot water should it continue and the insubordination wasn't promising, and she reminds him that, "bloodshed was not necessary. You should have stood down." Then she sighs and straightens, and her eyes go to Spring and Grace now, who have both disappointed her with their actions toward their own pack mate.

"We are a team," she stresses, "and I expect every member of this pack to support their pack mates above all others, no matter who they are. You should have supported his judgment. If that is too daunting, if your comrades don't come first, then this isn't the right pack for you. That is what it is to be pack." She wouldn't have anyone in her ranks more loyal to an outsider than to their pack mates. She remembered too vividly the last time that had happened. "The only wolves entering this pack territory while our pups are so young," she decrees, "are those already within it, and those invited to join it." Nova Rose was neither of those things, and while Saena was sure it would hurt Grace deeply to know her mother would be rejected, she nevertheless says, "I would not have taken someone I know nothing about, no matter how great their skills."

Turning, the alpha female shoots them one last chiding look and says, "settle your differences, remember that we are all pack here." With that she departs, keen on returning to her young and relieving Shreya of her temporary duty.