A Pack's Journey Home. Private (2) with tenebria

[tenebria]

Thunder glanced back to his mate for a moment, then tilted his head to the female "Do you wish to bid the pack farewell, or shall I?" he asked. She hesitated, looking uncertain once again. "I...I don't mind speaking to the Luna, but... maybe you could tell the others?" She said haltingly. He quickly nodded, just wanting her to feel comfortable and relaxed. "Of course, I understand, it is a hard thing to speak of" he said gently, then motioned to Bella. "Shall we go together now?" he asked. She took a steeling breath and nodded. "Yes, I want to talk to her first, thank her for her goodwill and kindess" she said softly, following him as he led the way back to his mate. Thunder nuzzled Bella when they got back to her, licking the pups softly then nodding to Askari to speak. "Luna, I have a decision to share with you" the female said quietly.

[Abbster]

Bella smiled at Thunder and then sat up as Askari came behind him. “Of course.” Bella said. “What can I do for you?” She asked as Thunder lay down beside their sleeping pups.

[tenebria]

Thunder lay down, giving Askari a comforting look before leaving it to his mate.

Askari sighed, then looked into the Luna's listening gaze. "I have decided, under no ill will towards the pack, that I must leave and return to my life as a loner, now that we are in a safe area, a new area, where I can restart" she said quietly.

[Abbster]

“Of course.” Bella said. “I understand Askari. We’ll miss you, and this will always be your home should you need it again.” Bella promised. “You have served this pack well. I hope you find this home a safe place should you ever need it” she added

[tenebria]

Askari let out a breath of relief and bowed her head "I thank you my Luna for beign so gracious, for welcoming me in so warmly and allowing me the protection of your pack" she said, then smiled softly, a rare sight. "I will not be far, if you ever need me, I shall be here" she said, then got to her paws, looking over to Thunder who gave her a solemn nod. "I will leave now to secure my den, but I will return come nightfall" she promised. After all, cutting off too suddenly would not be good for her, or the pack.

[Abbster]

Bella nodded. When Askari disappeared, Bella turned to her mate. “I’m glad she chose to go. Like I said, I’ll miss her dearly, but I knew something was off with her. She was always spaced away from the pack.” Bella said with a sigh.

[tenebria]

Thunder gave her another nod "Fare well Askari, may your hunting paths be clear" he barked as the lean female turned and leapt into the forest without a backwards look, finally free, and back to her own self.

Thunder nuzzled her and nodded. "It's for the best, this is what she needs. I don't think she'll stay away completely, I believe it will be like having... well a neighbor" he said with a laugh.

[Abbster]

Bella tilted her head. “A what?” She echoed. “Where did you hear that word?” She asked.

[tenebria]

Thunder frowned "I think... Beidel. That's right, he was talking about... neighboring packs. Like ones that live nearby but not in the pack. Like... friends living beside each other that can help but aren't bound by any pack laws to help" he said.

[Abbster]

“OH! Yes ok.” Bella said. She still didn’t really understand the whole neighbors thing but she just went with it anyways. I still don’t really get it, but I think I will eventually, maybe. I don’t know” Bella said with a chuckle as the pack began emerging from their dens. Bella looked at thunder and then at the pack. “You gotta tell them.” She whispered.

[tenebria]

Thunder smiled and laughed "Maybe, it's just like having friends not in the pack" he said, then looked over and sighed. "You're right... I hope they take it well" he said, getting to his paws and nuzzling her before barking to the pack to assemble.

[Abbster]

Bella licked his nose in return before sitting up and pulling the pups towards her as Thunder called to the pack. She had a feeling the pack would understand. It wasn’t like when he announced the death of gingers pups. Bell suddenly gazed at the healers den. Ginger and Remus hadn’t left the healers den since the burial of their pups the day before. After the meeting, Bella would head to the healers den to check in on her pack mates.

[tenebria]

It didn't take long for the pack to assemble, stretching and looking curiously up at Thunder as he stepped towards them. "I have called you together for a solemn announcement" he began truthfully. The pack shifted and glanced at each other worriedly. "It is nothing to be concerned of however" he hurriedly assured them. "Askari has come to a new decision in her life. You all know how she joined us as a loner for protection, but a pack life was just not her calling. And now that we have found a new safe home, she has decided to return to her life as a loner. Much as we all hate to see her go, as she was a true friend and wonderful guard, it is what is best for her. We shall still most likely often see her in the forest, and she will return to us if she should ever need us, or we her." he said, finishing.

[Abbster]

Bella gazed around at the pack as they all nodded their understanding. She smiled slightly, and when her mate dismissed them, she waited until he returned to her. "I'm going to check in on Ginger and Remus" Bella said. "Keep an eye on the pups" She said, already knowing her mate would. She licked his nose and then stood to her paws, making her way to the healers den. Bella pushed her way inside. It was shadowy and cool. Ginger was asleep with her two remaining pups sleeping curled at her belly. She caught Remus' eye. "Remus" Bella said quietly. "I just came to check in on Ginger....how is she doing?" Bella asked

[tenebria]

Thunder smiled at the packs understanding murmurs and swiftly dismissed them to go about their duties. He himself turned and moved back to his mate, nuzzling her then nodded "Thank you my darling, that is a wonderful idea" he said gently as he lay down beside the pups, licking her nose in return then nuzzling the sleeping pups.

Remus lifted his head from where it lay beside his mates, trying to get up, then realizing it would wake up ginger. He opted for a respectful dip of his head instead, then sighed and gently brushed his muzzle over her fur. "She's coping. We both are somehow. Barely for her." he said with deep sadness .