It had been just shy of a week since she had left Imperium and ran into Gethin again. She had stayed with him for awhile, but she already longed to be by his side again. It had felt like she was tearing a piece of her soul off when she stepped away from him. But she had duties to fulfill, and two apprentices to train. While Lykos had been the perfect student, it had been very difficult to track Illie down. Mercy had looked for her time and time again, but hadn't been able to pick up her scent trail. Her summoning howls had gone unanswered too, which irritated the pale woman. Oh well, she couldn't let Lykos or Valentine down. She would keep looking for her, even though her heart longed to be with Gethin again. Mercy had tried to rub his scent off of her, but it still clung to her form. The soft, misty rain helped, but after being with him for so long it had altered her own smell to be more like his. With a huff she slowed near the borders. Hiding behind one of the knolls, she glanced around to make sure no one was around. It wasn't like she had done anything wrong, but she still felt guilty for shrugging off her pack for a week. Seeing that the coast was clear, she slipped passed the markers. Her long tail twirled behind her, a sigh leaving her lips. The shame still clutched at her chest, but at least she hadn't been spotted. Time to head to her den, maybe check on Revenge and Lykos.

"Speech"

Where was Mercy? He hadn't seen her for a while - hell, the scent at her den was stale; he went and checked it out. It had been several days since he had heard or scented her. Was she hiding? If so, from what? Surely she was not one to hide. She was a fighter, and one he admired. Hiding was not in her forte... and neither was sneaking around. Lounging high on one of the knolls near the border, the familiar scent that was Mercy drifted into his nose. Unlike the scents over the past week, this one was fresh - she was right.... near... him. Her stood ubruptly, eyes narrowing as he sought her familiar white form. He saw nothing, but his nose didn't fool him. Even if there was... an odd scent attached to it.

A few seconds later, he spotted her. She just slipped over the border and was inside lands, and Lykos stared down at the oblivious female. "Mercy!" he called out, bounding down the knoll that he had rested on. The tall male paused a few feet away from his mentor, nostrils flaring as he sniffed. "Where have you been? Who's that I smell on you?" he asked, head tipping, eyes narrowing slightly in contemplation. A male, he could tell. Packless, also. A mate? A friend? If either, why did she not take the male into the pack?

"SPEAK"

Art by Evelyn