Sun Mote Copse Danger days

During the pause in her tale, Wildfire's ears twitched in rhythm with the pounding rain. It was beginning to slack off a bit, which meant she should be getting home to her kids. But first, she wanted to finish her story.

Shooting Wraen a grateful smile for her condolences, she said, "Everything happens for a reason. I like to think so, anyway. Thur—Thuringwethil or Heda to the rest of the world but always Thur to me—and I were together for years. We raised two litters we brought into the world with the help of donors. I was happy in Drageda, with her and them, for a long time. Even when tragedy struck, we weathered the storm. And when she left to go support another pack's war, I thought we'd be okay. But I wasn't okay. She left me to raise four pups all on my own and it just..." She searched for the right word. "It broke me. I decided to leave Drageda and find my way back to the Redhawks, my family. It wasn't easy but it led me here, to Eljay, then Weejay and Elfie..."

She didn't mention the part where she'd left two young sons behind, plus some older children who wanted her dead for being a traitor. Nor did Wildfire tell Wraen that Thuringwethil had returned not long after her departure, only to perish. For today, Wildfire wanted to linger on the happy ending.

"The rain's letting up, so I ought to get back to them," the Sovereign said reluctantly, slowly pushing to her feet. "It's been great passing the time with you, Wraen." She did not immediately take off into the rainy wood, instead lingering in case there was anything else her pack mate would like to add. And on that note, she added, "I'd love to do it again sometime."