He stood at the mouth of her den, his fur soaked through by rain. The storms had been the main reason he had wanted to stay out of the east but now they seemed appropriate. He hadn’t seen Philomena since their discussion on her pups and now it felt as though he should have. Her hawk had told him of what had happened before his challenge, and cruelly he had decided to give her the space she most likely desired. Now he felt he had given her enough time. He gave a soft bark, calling her to meet him and alert her that he was there. He shivered in spite of the cold rain, his heart aching for the woman who he intended to make his mate. He wondered if he still intended that and quickly pushed the thought away. Now was not the time. speaking Thinking  you

Philomena had come to realize the sort of pain that her parents had felt when she had gone with her uncle Rikeros… essentially kidnapped. One of her children had died, her body buried beneath one of the trees by the lake. As for her other children? She had spent a bit of time looking for Evangelos and Nausicaa, whom had been missing since the day she found Venti’s body… and she assumed that Dylas, feeling neglected, had wandered off to find someone who would give him more attention than the woman had. Philomena had been left at a loss of what to do…

Her companion was nowhere in sight. After having passed along the message to Pegasus he returned to Philly to find the woman distressed. For roughly a week they had scoured the Eastern lands only to return to find Dylas missing too. Praying her children might return Philomena had stuck close to the lake and remained there, howling for them periodically throughout the day in hopes that they might be close enough to hear.

No Face on the other hand had been tasked with continuing to scour the lands for any of the kids. Philomena was desperate for information on what had happened to them. She had begun neglecting her self care somewhat as well. She ate enough to stay alive, to stay healthy, but she had lost some weight and her body looked constantly weary from lack of proper sleep.

She had actually only just managed to drift off for a short while, lulled into sleep by the rain, when the soft bark invaded her dreams. At first she thought she imagined it, eyes heavy as she tried to force them open. She made her way to paws and, hoping, she poked her head out of the den.

Seeing Pegasus she averted her gaze, both happy and sad to see him. She made her way into the rain and sat across from him, a defeated look in her posture. “You came…” There was no accusation in her voice, only a bit of weary relief.

“I’m lost, Pegasus…” Philly confessed.

“Venti’s dead… Nau, Evan, and Dy are missing…” Her voice wavered as she looked at him with hurt in her gaze.

“I don’t know what to do... I’ve lost everything twice now…” First Dragoste, her father…

...eventually her brother and mother too…

...and now her children.

""

The Lovliest Lies He was speechless, moved by her grief, his heart ached for her, but he knew at least one way he could comfort her. “Your son is in Olympia.” He said softly, his ears pinning back. “He’s safe there, and waiting for you. I can send my sister to find your other pups.” He offered, his heart throbbing dully in his chest as pain clenched at his heart, hurt that he couldn’t undertake the task himself with his duties overseeing the pack. “I…Would you join me? In Olympia?” He asked meekly, a soft whine escaping him as he waited for her answer. He needed all the help he could get now, they were still few in number and they had yet to establish alliances with the other packs. Talking Thinking You Of All

Philomena could tell that her state pained him -- his eyes, the window to the soul, reflected the pain just like hers did. His presence brought some comfort but it was his words, his sweet words that brought the woman something she desperately needed; Hope.

One of her children was in… Olympia. Philomena didn’t fully process what that meant at first. But Peg knew where her son was. He was safe. One of her babies, at the very least, was safe. Philomena visibly relaxed some, the aid offered helping her worry. With more eyes searching for her children perhaps the other two might be found.

“Thank goodness…” The words fell from Philomena’s head as she lowered her head, tears starting to spring forth in her eyes once more. “I… don’t want to have to bury another child so soon, Peg… never again if I can help it…” The words were quiet.

Then that offer left his lips as Philomena lifted her head again, piecing together what he had meant.

“Olympia… this is… your pack?” She frowned a little. “Of course I would I…” She furrowed her brow a little, trying to hold back her tears. “As long as you don’t mind me being distracted for a bit while we find my other children, Pegasus. My other goals haven’t changed… but I can not lose them.” She stressed this point.

She hadn’t been the best mother… but there were still time as long as she found the rest of her children alive.

""

The Lovliest Lies “I understand.” He said heavily. In truth he was in no hurry to rush off to war, not while they were still so few in number and had just recently formed. “Let the pack help you.” He said as more of an offer than a command, the thought of reaching out to touch her comfortingly never once crossing his mind. He thought of Célestin then, how he had laid with him when his sister died, and felt a pang of guilt strike at his heart. That was different he assured himself, but he couldn’t quite convince himself that was true. He stepped closer toward her, a solid lump resting in the pit of his stomach like a stone. “We have time for now.” He assured her, “Take as long as you need.” Talking Thinking You Of All