They think I'm crazy but they don't know the feeling

The pack meeting had been… strange. It was different from the sorts of gatherings that the soldiers of the Empire had… was that how a proper pack functioned? So much information had been given and, despite Acere’s tone starting off with clear displeasure, he kept his cool, gave firm but fair warning to his members, and gave them all another chance to prove themselves. It was unlike anything Bells had seen and, admittedly, it left her even more curious about how his mind worked.

She stretched the leg that had gotten injured in her run in with Incendio. She was doing better, thank goodness, under the care of the old healer. It was hard to express her gratitude, at least on the level Bells wanted to present it, but she hoped the woman would know she appreciated the efforts. Acere keeping her here, initially, had terrified Bellamy… but she had not been treated anywhere near like she had when she was nothing but fight fodder for the Empire. The wolves here cared… cared about those in their pack. She may had been here temporarily to pay off her debt for her mistake but… she was finding she didn’t mind being in Winterfell’s lands. For the first time since she was a young pup she felt safe and secure. She had a den, a den for just herself, Ears, and Whiskers, and Bellamy found herself getting used to being within the lands even if she had yet to fully interact with most of the other wolves here just yet.

There were things that troubled her though. After ensuring Whiskers and Ears that she would behave, be reasonable and talk with Acere about her concerns, the female had set off alone to find a spot to talk to the alabaster king in private. The mention of his missing mate, and one of his children, troubled her. She was far from the most intelligent but when he spoke of her Bellamy could tell something was amiss. There was more to tell than just that and, perhaps, to spare the children the truth he had held his tongue and gave them that tale instead.

The other and more pressing concern was the raids Acere had mentioned. They were raiding for another group… but why? The woman furrowed her brow. Something about the whole scenario seemed off. Acere even seemed… reluctant when he mentioned having to raid Abaven and put rules in place. He didn’t want those wolves hurt, they were friends, so then why would he have agreed otherwise? Unless he hadn’t had a choice? There had to be more to that then he spoke of, or at least that Bells knew since she was an outsider. She was trying hard not to jump to conclusions but, thus far, Acere had kept his word whenever it involved something with her… so she wanted to trust him and hear it from his own mouth. Little by little she was letting her walls down… and maybe, someday, she would be able to walk in Boreas without needing to feel like at any turn she’d need to prepare for a fight for her freedom and life.

The other main reason she chose to ask was a statement he had made at the meeting. Though Acere made it clear the raids would happen even if his members didn’t agree to them it seemed he would not force anyone to participate who did not wish to. Her green eyes scanned the land and, at last, she found herself at the base of a pine and sat. Her call rose in the air for Acere, sure he might need a moment with his children before coming to see her, but she was in no rush. As long as they spoke before the raids occurred it would be fine.