~Growl~ (Manahcob Downs)

She'd half expected the anger of his response. The boys had grown up without the support of their uncle's pack, and hadn't heard so much as a peep from the ruler of the Aspen Grove in the two and a half years since they'd been born. Not a single family member from that branch had offered a visit or a friendly howl, so why should Cruiser and his siblings expect any help from them now? Ta'kali understood the resentment; it festered in her, too.

On the other side of the paw though... she had no idea where her mate was, nor four of her five children. It was entirely possible that some of them had simply spread out over the territory or beyond to scrounge what food they could during the famine. Maybe they had gotten lost, or became too weak to make their way back home. Maybe they'd run into trouble. And despite the rift that ran between her family and Stormrunner's, they were still blood. Storm had a larger pack, and more resources. If there was a chance he'd heard or seen something, or could help...

"Dishonorable as your uncle is, it's still worth looking into." Ta'kali ignored the bared fang of her son, as well as his far larger size and strength. With the kind of mental fortitude and defiance that had made her such an apt partner for Megatron, the alphess didn't shy back from Cruiser's anger, "I'll rest this evening, and travel to the grove at dusk. You're welcome to come with."