Hushed Willows would that even be enough.

Harlyn was tempted to grow lost amongst her thoughts of the Hollow and - what was likely - its former beauty. It was the first place she had ever felt truly and completely home. Certainly the pack in which she had born had been home to her, and even Ouroboros Spine had felt like home for a moment. But the moment she had come upon the Hollow, she had known in her very soul that it was where she was meant to be. To leave it had been excruciating. To admit the reasons behind why she was leaving - her failure, weakness, inpetitude - had been worse.

In the Keep, Harlyn saw redemption for herself. She wished for a moment that she could communicate these feelings to Tavi, who seemed such a kindred spirit to her own woes. But putting it to words was still beyond her. And beside, the alpha was apparently struggling with vocalizing her own ideas just then.

Harlyn paused and peered at her while she worked on expressing herself. When finally she managed to, the druid found herself speechless. Her brows lifted in apparent surprise, erstwhile her mind began to consider all implications of accepting such an offer. She was tempted, of course. Alphaship meant safety for her children. She would have the power to protect them against any that would be attempted to comply to their natural instincts that any offspring besides that of the alpha's was lesser and wrong in its existence. But would it put them in even more danger to step up beside this woman? Before wolves that did not know her? Before wolves that might think themselves more worthy and thus envious of her immediate ascent?

In what scenario could she do the best by them?

"You honor me," Harlyn replied after a moment of silent consideration, "I will accept. Though I worry what your wolves might think of such a sudden rise in power for one they barely know?" She had no doubt that her own character would have, in time, brought her to the top of the ranks. It had always been such, even when she had not sought such prestige. But to stand before so many others who had not witnessed her strive to prove herself. Was it wise?