Nova Peak what’s yours is mine.

edit: I jumped the gun, sorry! For some reason I was absolutely convinced I went after dirtwater.  Apologies for any confusion that might cause, group threads are hard to keep track of XD.  I can remove and repost if need be

Riley held that same aggression and the same twisted gait that Masquerade had shown.  He was lost; if the illness did not take him, his wounds would.  Wealda noted this at first, but then several things happened at once.

Mulherin came to her side.  She had thought herself heavily outnumbered but still felt no relief; only worry.  She had hoped to risk no more of them than necessary.  Yet he had the right to come.

Then the pups appeared, emerging from the den to defend their father.  This was the moment that broke her hesitation.

She either claimed them or she did not.  And if she did, they were hers to defend.  At any cost.

In an instant Wealda had surged forward, ignoring all but the biggest threat present right now; Riley himself.  She struck aggressively for his neck, intending to catch hold and drag him back and away from reach of the children.  Away from Mulherin, and should he try to join, her snarl would warn him away.

Protect them.  The strangers were not a large threat, but they were one, and in the chaos she no longer could track what was happening.  All she could do was try and give Riley the mercy of a swifter end.