Northstar Vale In my country, we exchange a pleasant "hello" before asking questions.

He hadn’t strayed far often—but @Viinturuth had insisted he stretch his legs, and while the paler Frostfur-Mayfair guarded over his wife and brood—unknowingly with a growing obsession by the swarthy wolf—Akavir did just that.

His pace was leisurely, his strides almost reluctant and guilt-ridden. Still, his worry fell to the pack gathering, and the chaos that he had barely witnessed. He needed more information, if to put his unease to rest. The wind teased as his fur, awakening him from what felt like a sleepwalk. Worried for Ibis and their pups, he hadn’t slept much, and so as he ambled, he could feel the strain on his pale champagne eyes now—the itch of fatigue and the residual yawn that followed.

When tired eyes fell upon what appeared to be a very familiar white form, the man paused, his stocky form taking in the sudden sweep of her fur, teasing her fur and only pronouncing the delicate arch of her neck. Reiko was an attractive woman—Akavir would have to be blind not to notice. But it didn’t sway his thoughts of Ibis and the woman he was growing to love.

At least, that’s what he told himself, as he pressed the tumultuous thought from his mind. He was not his father. At least, not in that manner.

When he was about to call out to her—to see how she and her own children were doing, or, even better, to see what the hell was going on, he paused then, noticing something very distinct about the silhouette of what he had assumed to be the Empress. And the svelte form—untouched by birth.

And he stopped—confused, for a moment, as he processed. Fatigue insisted it was his Queen’s dearest friend, while logic hinted that something was very amiss.