Light the Night

Skull stood peacefully among the wolves that Tuwawi and Njal had gathered. He felt no shame in running beneath their banner, because it was by Siku's will that he decided to stay in the first place. She would understand, he knew. They were Tartok, and would always be. But something in him itched and burned; he knew, deep down, he was staying so that time would snuff the ember he coveted deep in his heart for the swarthy Issumatar. With luck, he would find a new love, or not at all, and devote himself more thoroughly to his work. Never in a million moons would he admit it, but Siku was distracting, and Aves held the place he knew he should have commanded.

Still, Skull could only nod when Njal addressed the group. It was not the time nor place to worry about such things. He caught the pale Alpha's eye and closed his own as he nodded respectfully to the scarred male. Tuwawi and her mate had earned their place, and it was time for him to earn his own as an adviser and protector.

When the family turned, Skull hung back and waited for the rest to disperse or follow, before following behind like the shadow he was.