Nachi

The wolfess returned to the little valley, her attempts at stealing unsuccessful. There was always later.

"Drakar, Ireshk! Come my childeren, it's time to hunt!" Nachi called out, looking around for the two.

Drakar

He raced towards Nachi, coming from the edge of the valley where he was hiding under a weeping willow tree. "Nachi!" Phelan yipped, happy to see an adult again. As he reached her, he nuzzled the wolfess and gave her a lick on the muzzle; a submissive gesture on his part. Then a bit of worry clouded his eyes, "When will I get to see my family again?"

Ireshk

Ireshk scrambled after Drakar, his tail low and eyes wide. He was still struggling with being without Annie. And still, he didn't know what had happened to her.

Timidly, he krept up to Nachi, nuzzling her briefly like Drakar had done. "W-where's momma?"

Nachi

She felt great joy when they nuzzled her, and couldn't help but smile in return, despite the questions they asked. Her voice took on a soothing, motherly tone as she responded, "My poor, sweet little ones..." Nachi began, dipping her head to their level, "Your mother, why, I am your mother now." She looked to Drakar first, "Your parents plotted to kill you, poor Drakar. That is why I changed your name from Phelan. You know that wolf that killed your sister? He was sent by your parents... to kill you all. That is why you must never return to them. You must hide from your parents and siblings; they are nothing but bane to you."

She looked sadly to Drakar and licked his face, then turned to Ireshk. "Your mother, she was killed by a monster in the lake. A wolf that lives under the water... I tried to stop her, but she went into the water for a drink... and the wolf-monster got her." It would sound like a rediculous story to any sensible wolf, but Nachi knew that Ireshk was only a youngster, and a frightened one at that. Feeding him such stories would make him more dependent on her for safety; or she hoped, anyway. "You two have nothing to fear while you are with me though. I will teach you the true ways of the wild."

Nachi

Her ears perked up at the howl of her brother, "Oh, wait here dear ones! My brother calls." She nuzzled each of them again before running off.