Heron Lake Plateau now i’m free from what you are

Faced with an unyielding wall of resistance, Caiaphas's determination seemed to wither. The woman's words struck a nerve in Raven and a low growl rumbled deep in her chest -- how dare she call into question Raven's dedication to her pack? How dare she insinuate that Raven placed herself and her own motivations above the greater needs of her pack? True, her personal bond with Ceara had indeed driven her to keep searching far beyond the point where others might have given up, but was Ceara not family too? Was she not a Redhawk? Was her life not worth every bit as much as the rest of the Redhawks'? "If the life of an individual means so little to you, then it's no wonder your own pack disintegrated," she stated flatly, lambent yellow eyes continuing to drill into the face of the would-be usurper as anger and indignation churned beneath the surface. The circumstances that had led the bedraggled she-wolf to their doorstep made a lot more sense in this context. Maybe it had been a bear. Maybe her mate had drowned. Or maybe it had been her.

The more sensitive side of her wanted very much to launch into a heated tirade in the wretch's face and explain exactly where she stood on this incredibly shitty accusation, but the more rational part of her knew such a thing would be a waste of time. And frankly, it didn't matter. Caiaphas was ousted already. Gone. No longer relevant within these borders. Later, it would linger on Raven's mind and bring her a great deal of regret and questioning -- much of it directed inwardly at herself -- but right now, there was no room for those emotions. She sheathed her fangs and said nothing more as Towhee moved to literally force Caiaphas to leave. Svalinn's aggressive entrance was marked with only a fleeting glance from the wolf at whose breast he had once fed. He had grown strong and handsome in his time under the Redhawks' care, but perhaps now he would starve again. Winter came quickly and his mother had penned his fate in Redhawk blood she might have spilled.

The sea wolf had demanded her children come with her, and Raven would not interfere. She cared little if they stayed or went; truly, it was better that they all left, lest the children aspire to follow the example of the mother in a few seasons' time.