Duskfire Glacier all we wanted, was a place to feel like home

no worries! Thank you guys for the warm welcome back -- I forgot to add that earlier on. <3

Imaq braced herself as her mate circled her, sniffing at the haunch that had become the source of her shame. The shepherd had been rejected before, denounced for the spirits' will. She had braved the wilderness with children in tow once before and would do so again if need be. The wolfdog's spine stiffened beneath her thick pelt, drawing herself up tall and proudly to belay the strength she would need to walk away if Rye should decide he did not desire to have an amputee as a wife. 

Selkie promptly melted in relief when the healer instead wrapped himself around her, the projection of willpower melting from her bones like meltwater feeding into the Qeya. 

"Shhh," she soothed gently, rasping her spotted tongue between Rye's cinnamon ears. "Is not Rye's fault. Imaq is one who is sorry," she reassured as her sea-kissed gaze sought his own orbs of sunshine. "Imaq should not leave. Should have stayed here - with Rye."

"Lane," Imaq chirped in return when her tribe sister appeared, weary but managing a hint of cheer to see a friendly face and such a familiar one. 

"I..yes," the hunter dipped her head gratefully, stumbling over the words. How she had antagonized over returning, and all for naught. A lump swelled in her throat to think the Glacier had become the family that her own had never been. 

"Imaq and Siku stay, if Lane will have Imaq and Siku," she glanced down to her son, smiling. He had changed, grown up too soon. But she had faith, or perhaps just hope, that the solemn boy would recover surrounded by their loved ones. 

Perhaps in time, they would both be okay again.