Moonspear les miens

Not only did the Sovereign appear promptly, he immediately began firing heated words at the band of wolves gathered at their borders. Treepie inhaled sharply, trapping the breath in her chest as every muscle in her body tensed. Her yellow eyes remained riveted on Chaudry as the accusations flew, though they cut sideways when she sensed Tikaani flanking her. She exchanged a look with her sister, then looked back to where the man pressed against his mother, looking for all the world like a young pup clinging to her leg.

Chaudry said nothing, though the other male whispered something to the woman in charge. The Matriarche, if memory served. Then she opened her mouth to speak, meeting Alaric’s accusations with one of her own. Treepie’s impassive expression twisted in confused disbelief. What did they think, that Moonspear was holding Pala and her children here against their will? As prisoners? She might’ve laughed at the absurdity, if not for the woman’s subsequent words, surprising in their equanimity.

Tiuttuk finally broke her silence to say, Pala is here because she wants to be, because we care for her and her sons. But don’t take my word for it. Isn’t Pala’s word all that’s needed to prove it?