Swiftcurrent Creek you're a sunflower

Rue's question was followed by a short period of silence as Soltero pondered his answer. Rue let her head fall against the man's shoulder, resting it there as she waited for him to share his thoughts. Warmth spread slowly throughout her body from that small point of contact, revitalizing Rue and planting a seed of hope in her heart. 

She pulled away slightly as Soltero let out a resolute sigh, meeting his eyes as he gave his answer. Rue expression clouded at the implication behind his words, and suddenly she felt awkward for being positioned so closely to the male. Was someone competing for Soltero? Were they watching right now? Was this why Rue was having a hard time making friends here... they saw her as competition? Rue edged backwards from Soltero, her eyes flicking around to ascertain that they were alone. 

"I don't understand," Rue imparted with a shake of her head. "The pups born to Constantine, or any of the leaders... they belong to the pack. They belong to everyone. Why does it matter who births them?"  If this was truly the root of the problem, then whichever leaders wished to breed should make their selections from the competitors, announce the decision, and simply be done with it. That way, all the females would know where they stood and they could just get on with being a pack, for stars' sake. 

Soltero spoke again, and his explanation only compounded Rue's confusion. "Constantine already has a mate," Rue repeated this new piece of information slowly. "And Kavik already has a mate. Liri." Where was the ambiguity here? Who were the females "competing" over? It sounded like all the leaders were spoken for... all but Soltero, that is. Rue's brow furrowed. As sweet and good-looking as the beta might be, she wasn't willing to alienate any new packmates over him. The good of the pack comes first.. it should always come first. Why was the Creek allowing petty jealousies to tear their ranks apart? 

"I hope you're right," Rue sighed in response to Soltero's prediction that the pack would adjust. She stepped forward to nudge against the man's shoulder with her muzzle. "Talos is lucky to have you," she said, attempting to inject a note of optimism in her tone. Soltero's close relationship with the girl was one shining example of Rue's point in practice-- pups grew closest to the wolves who spent the most time with them, whether those wolves were their parents or not. If you live in a pack, you don't have to give birth to become a parent.