Being the solo leader was nothing new to Cortinarri, nor was being a mother. The pain of loss was of course an old enemy, as it was with the rest of the pack. But the wolfess had a resilliant personality, and put on a look of calm determination while her heart was in turmoil. Vestige, you will never be forgotten. Even your sons and daughters will know of you, even though your were taken away before they arrived.

While Cortiarri lapsed into reverie, Isias and Starscream were engaged in a mock battle. The two siblings, now a month old, were wrestling eachother for the fun of it.

Beneath one of the many Aspen Tree's lay the son that was like neither parent. Valian watched his siblings playfight through narrowed yellow eyes, his head lowered onto his paws. Sighing heavily to himself, his eyes travelled to his mother, and the black pup watched as she seemed to gaze in a dream-like state. Wonder what she's thinking about... Standing up, Valian began to approach his mother, head and tail low in his sauntering gait. As he drew near her, he moved to stand next to her, before flopping down into a puffy black ball of fur. Looking up at his mother with those entrancing yellow eyes, he offered what greeting he could, "Mom..."

On the other paw, Sylar was watching his siblings fight with a large grin on her face, her tail waving behind her as she yelled out encouragement to whichever sibling was losing in an effort to make them feel better about being pinned; but the battle continued to swing between her sister and brother, so there was no shortage of action, or one being the underdog for more than minute.

Since she had opened her eyes, Sylar had been the spitting image of her father, but between Vestige's calm, friendly manner, and her mother's fiesty arrogance, Sylar had turned out to be one who was maturing the fastest. This didn't mean she wasn't going to have fun though. The knawing urge to join in finally took over, and in a white streak, the pup aimed to tackle Starscream. "Girl power!" she giggled, her amber eyes, bright and vibrant, flashed and growled playfully.

Sylar and Valian. As different as their coats; as different as black and white.

Lost in her memories, it took the little voice of her son to snap her out of it. A soft, motherly smile lit up on her elegant muzzle as she focused her eyes on Valian. "Valian, why don't you play with your siblings?" She questioned softly, while giving him a few cleaning licks on the head and back. As much as it pained her to think about it, she knew that she would eventually have to tell them more about their father, and why he was not with them. Up until now, she had only ever told them of his personality, looks, and endearing qualities. If ever asked about where he was, Cortinarri would always rebuff the question as casually as possible and try to change the subject.

Isias happened to be on the loosing side at the time that Sylar joined in. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" She squealed out as her brother bit a touch too hard on her throat, though he couldn't possibly do much of any damage even if he tried his hardest. In retaliation, she gave him a swift smack in the head with her paw.

To the brother's dismay, he was uncerimoniously tackled to the side. "Unfair!" He yipped out with narrowed eyes, taking things a bit too seriously. Isias, giggling at her brother and his quick temper, took the opportunity to get up and pounce on him as well. "Girl power!" She repeating merrily.

With Altan's help, the beta had managed to get her daughter home, and had left her resting under her brother's watchful eye. She didn't look very good, but already she looked better than she had, so that relieved Liseli's mind a bit. So she was out wandering the terra at her son's insistence that she take some time off. She'd objected strongly to leaving her daughter, but now that Altan had talked her into it, she had to confess that she felt much better for the change. And, as she came upon Cortinarri and her pups, the white fae had to smile. Well, well... I see we are having fun.

Kiku and Mikomi led their mother back home and stopped near Cortinarri and the pups. Dove had tears in her eyes. Vestige was dead, Jagged was dead, and Canis Rex was dead. She let out a long, mournful howl before resting her head on the ground.

Mikomi couldn't help but think of her father. Now she felt lonely. Her family was dying off around her. Her son was stolen from her. Oh, she'd kill those humans. She'd kill Tyrant as well. They would pay. Her green eyes filled up with tears as she watched the alpha's pups. She felt as if there was only one thing she could do to save her and her family.

Mikomi silently approached Cortinarri and bowed, letting a single, shining tear fall the the blood-stained battlefield. She raised her head so her eyes met the alpha's. "I want what is best for my mother. She is dying. If there is one more war, she will be gone." She said, choking up as the sadness consumed her. "I feel that my family must go neutral. I am sorry to say it. You are wonderful, but we can no longer have enemies." She closed her eyes, knowing that the alpha may want to talk her out of this.

Kiku came up beside his sister. "No, Miki. It doesn't have to be this way. In a time of war, we can bring Mother away and then come back to fight for our pack." He suggested.

Mikomi shook her head. "Look around you, dear brother. Father is dead, Grandfather is blind, and Mother is on her way to the Land of New Life. We can't do this anymore." She said, her voice shaking.

The alpha's amber orbs shot towards Liseli first, keen and penetrating. Domineering. That's they way they always were, and would forever be as long as she lived. But a soft smile was given to temper the look that might otherwise not seem so friendly, "For the most part, yes." A slight chuckle accompanied her words as she let her gaze to soften and drift towards her offspring.

With Kiku and Mikomi's approach, the hardness in the wolf's eyes returned, and she was quick to stand up and listen to their words. "She is free to do what she wishes. But I'll warn you right now, leaving this pack will not shed the enemies. The are vengeful and won't leave her alone just because she is no longer allianced with the Aspen Grove."

Mikomi sighed and lowered her head. "That is true. I just want her to be safe..." She said quietly, tears running from her eyes. "Perhaps I can find a human who is willing to take her in." At this point, the young hybrid would do anything to save her mother.

Kiku sat down and inhaled deeply. "I'm going to kill Tyrant." He suddenly said. "That beast took my father from me, and I'm not going to let him hurt this family anymore."

Dove came up behind her son and daughter. "I am staying with the Aspen Grove. And Kiku, you will do no such thing. Revenge kills a creature from the inside out. I don't want to lose you too." She said sternly.

On a sudden impulse awakened by the saddening in her heart, Liseli came forward and nuzzled Kiku, Mikomi, and Dove, as though she were their mother and knew that they needed comfort. Aye, my friends... I know all too well the pain that you speak of. I cannot say that I blame you, for troubles have haunted this pack since the day my sister Sauda and Lady took over the rule from the alphess who died, and her mate who killed himself. But please... if you must go... remember that I, at least, will not forget you... and will always hold open a place for you. Call for me if you need anything. And, forcing herself to keep a smile on her face, Liseli turned away and headed back to the den to check on Kimama.

Sylar laughed; a full-bodied carefree laugh, as her brother began to get into a strop. Using her body weight, the white pup tried to pin down Starscream and grab hold of his ear. "You're just grumpy 'cause you're loosing!" She loved to torment her brother, and it was obvious from the glint in her eyes that she was loving the fact she and Isias held the upper hand in the fight for now. "Come on then! If you're so good, throw me off!" Then, in a total change of behaviour, Sylar leapt elegantly away from her siblings, chuckling to herself. "Catch me if you can!"

Valian tried to surpress a disgruntled growl as his mother began to lick his fur; only a small rumble could be heard from his throat as he hunched down to try and escape his mother's grooming. At her question, his yellow eyes focused on his siblings, and a few minutes passed before he decided to speak, "I don't see the point in games..."

Valian had noticed the subtle changes of subject whenever Vestige's whereabouts was mentioned. At first he hadn't really thought about it, but as time went on and the question still remain unanswered, he had grown suspitious. "Mom, where..." he began, but was cut off by the appearance of Liseli. Valian watched the Beta as she spoke of fun, and once more his attention was directed towards his siblings. If anything, he felt like an outcast; Starscream, Isias and Sylar were the perfect pups. Sure, they had their bad moments, but they did everything pups were ment to do: play games, have fun, enjoy their youth and worry about nothing. Valian knew he was different, which was one of the reasons he distanced himself from his siblings.

Perhaps now was the time for him to try and fit in, and make an effort? The black pup turned to look up at Liseli, but was quickly interrupted by Mikomi. They were leaving? Why? Cortinarri had never really explained the history of the pack, and for good reason. Aspen Grove had a dark past, and he and his siblings were still too young to hear of it. So, he watched in silence as confusion welled up inside him. What were these enemies she spoke of? The fights, the deaths?

Cortinarri quickly stood to answer Mikomi, and Valian took his mother's lead, lifting himself to stand in an assertive position to mimick his mother. More words were passed between the adults, and his eyes shifted to watch his mother's expressions. Liseli left, leaving what seemed to him as a wrecked family deciding what to do with the rest of their lives. Valian moved closer to Cortinarri, pressing himself gently against her side. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what was going on anymore...

Being of small stature wasn't an endearing quality at the moment. Struggle as he might, Starscream couldn't wriggle free from under the duel efforts of his two sisters. "You'll think grumpy when I'm done with you!" He shot back heatedly as his high, piercing vocals lent nicely to his name. The absurdly sharp and whining tone of her brother made Isias giggle all the harder, while doing little to quell Scream's growing fury.

When Sylar sprung away, Starscream was on his paws in a flash. Little Isias was bowled completely over, and promptly trampled in her brother's mad dash to catch up with the other sister. "Hey, not cool!" Isias yipped indignantly, but was quick to cast away her anger in favor for some more laughs. As Starscream ran for all he was worth to catch the offending Sylar, Isias was soon on his trail.

Cortinarri fixed Kiku with a stern gaze, but waited until Liseli had finished her speech before she added, "No one will instigate any fighting, for any reason." The alpha took a step closer, raising her head and tail a touch to assert her power, "There are pups in the pack now, and they come first. I will no risk retaliation from others, just for the sake of revenge." The mother allowed for a pause, then went on in a tone that was almost a whisper, "We all have reasons for revenge..." Vestige and Isia flashed through the wolf's mind as she recounted her lost loves, "...but they come second right now. Understood?" As she waited for the male's reply, Cortinarri shifted her stance slightly, pressing her own body closer to her son's. The last thing she wanted to do was bring up the darkness of the pack's history in front of her offspring. Not yet, anyway.

Kiku sighed and let his head hang. "Al-Alright." He said reluctantly. "Family comes first. That's what my dad would say." A tear was brought to his eye as he mentioned his father. The Haunters would pay.

Laughing loudly, Sylar quickly picked up speed to bolt away from her siblings, but as a mocking tone invaded the childish laugh, Sylar turned back to wink at her brother. Winding him up was so much fun. The quick look back cost her speed, and soon enough Scream was close on her tail. Now laughing hysterically at her brother's determination to catch her, Sylar belly-flopped onto the ground, right in the path of her brother. Now out of breath, she instead spent the rest of her energy cackling on the ground, as she prepared herself for her brother's imminant attack.