Phoenix Maplewood It was inevitable.

Cameo, no need to acknowledge or include her.

From the depths of the den that Saena shared with Scarlett while they both healed, Saena heard the exchange. Scarlett was gone. The alpha felt a pang of guilt and sorrow for the woman's passing, but there was also a greedy wave of relief. She would no longer need to share the space. Her mate's stores would no longer be depleted on the hopeless case that was Scarlett, whom had shown no fight or will to go on living. Most importantly, she would no longer need to endure the presence of Scarlett's young in the den, whom Saena held no love for.

Well, it wasn't wholly true. Desna was a worthy and useful asset to the pack. Her sisters, on the other hand, were about a hair's breadth from being thrown out on their asses by the vindictive Alpha female, who felt that their mother's promise had not and would not be fulfilled. Desna had risen to the challenge and so would always have a home in the maplewood and the tolerance and potential respect of the Alpha female, but Nanook and Sesi were about as useless as bumps on a log. Sesi in particular. Yes, she was tired of them and felt slighted by them, and so she was glad they would not disturb her rest any longer. They would come, say their final farewells, and then leave her in peace until she felt well enough to deal with them.

When Saena heard the slightest girl's voice, her lips lifted into a silent snarl as she glared out from the darkness. She was unnoticed, though, and soon the sylph left. Saena hoped she would not return to the maplewood. The Alpha's eyes cut to Nanook next, and when Desna lifted her voice in a whine, she snapped and growled, "oh, shut up, you're all giving me a headache." She turned sourly away from them and faced the back of the den, willing them to leave if they insisted on whining to each other.