Alpine Lake and so it begins

It was weird. Donnelaith had not yet been handed to Deirdre, but it felt like it was already hers. The position had slipped so quickly through her paws and, though she knew she was not truly ready for leadership, Aria had wished so desperately for it to be hers. But, before the final departure was announced, the pale queen left with Constantine to find their new home. 

He spoke to her, and she was drawn from a discussion she was having with herself. Her pale gaze found his face and she studied it for a moment before moving closer, pressing against him as they walked, her steps in sync with his. She wasn't sure what to say at first, but fully agreed. Her only choice in words came as an attempt at comfort, though after she spoke she wasn't sure they were. "You get used to change," she murmured, ears falling slightly. "You get used to the change and then it becomes your life, and you forget how it used to be."