He hadn't had the pack for very long. But by this point, he was sure everyone if not most of them had settled. He ghosted his way over to the ship that sat forever buried on the arctic field, the alabaster titan staring out towards the ocean. His foxes sat nearby, both sensing the mood and knew why he was feeling a certain way. There were certain plans he wanted to do for seasons now, and he wasn't quite sure when the best time to do it was until now. With Tyranis in his pack, his former brother no longer had the sanctuary or support of a family, nor walls to hide behind. Their last encounter had ended in Acere's favor, his brother now scarred and half blinded for life, but it had never been enough of a punishment after what he did. Acere stood there like a statue, feeling the emotions of that day tug at his breast. The sadness and grief for his murdered niece...the anger at his brother. The gravity of the situation had caught him off guard, and he never thought Elias would do that to the children he claimed to love. Now that he thought about it, it was very much possible that Elias had lied about his mate and other kids gone missing. Acere was starting to think that that hadn't actually happened, and instead was being used as a cover up. The king had every reason to believe that the tyrant Praetor had murdered them, too. He had absolutely no reason to doubt those thoughts, either. Elias had proved himself unstable time and time again, as well as untrustworthy and manipulative...Elias simply didn't know what love was, nor did he seem to understand it. He never did. And truth be told...Ace felt he should have taken it upon himself to end him before all of the others had gotten hurt. Before Domina had gotten killed. Perhaps if he had acted sooner...she'd be here, alive. The only good that had come out of that bastard, were the kids. But everything else? He shook his head slightly as his gaze narrowed and his brows knit together. His mind was made up now. It always had been since that day. And probably even before that. Drawing in a deep, shaky breath, he tilted his head back and called together his niece and nephews. "Speak"

"Talk" Walk His uncle's call was loud and clear, though it seemed to specifically be calling for him and his other siblings. Ears perked as he listened, curious as to why they were all being called. His sister was nearby, likely already on her way there. He didn't know his elder brothers very well, but he was a bit more hesitant around them. Perhaps it was just the association he had when they had their own pack, and he hoped that he could at some point, learn to get along with them. For now, he spotted his sister and uttered a soft bark towards her, though he didn't slow down and instead, continued on. He knew she would catch up if not match him step for step. His heart beat hard against his chest, though more out of apprehension and the feeling of nervousness that he could suddenly feel. The tension and mood when he got closer to where his uncle felt palpable, so his usual not-so-serious mood had immediately been replaced by a serious mood of his own. He was the first one there with the exception of Ace's companions, so quietly he took a seat on the deck and flicked his ears and waited for the others. "Is...everything alright, uncle?" He asked quietly, leaning slightly to the side to try and catch a glimpse of his face since Ace's back was to him.

Actaea Praetor The loud and clear call from her uncle drew her attention immediately. She was nearby her brother at the time and briefly glanced over at him before moving forward. She was heading towards her uncle and soon Ignis uttered a soft bark making her look towards him again. She altered her course to catch up and walk beside him towards the metal ship that she had yet to explore. She had been spending most of her time in the pines getting her den system finished and ready to be stocked and lived within. She wasn't sure what Uncle was calling them for. She found it a bit different that he was calling not just for her and Ignis, but their older half brothers as well, making her wonder even more about what was going on. She could feel the tenseness of her uncle's emotion as she sat on the deck with her brother. Something heavy was on the man's mind and realizing that was not making her feel any better about why he had called. Unsure of how to act she simply sat beside Ignis and gently pressed her side against his while they waited for the others. Ignis voiced the question that was screaming within her mind. Was he not happy being an alpha? Was there trouble already? There was loads of questions that were circling within her mind. She sat quietly and tried to patiently wait. "Speech"

In many ways Tyranis still felt like an outsider, his half siblings were closer to Acere than he ever was, and he could still feel the doubt in his uncle’s eyes whenever he looked at him. He chose to ignore it, far too absorbed in his horde of children and loving mate. He had taken root in Winterfell whether his uncle liked it or not, although the fact that Acere hadn’t flayed him living the day he joined made the lightning king suspect that Acere’s attitude toward his nephew may have changed. He heard the call and made his way to the ship, more than sure that he knew what Acere wished to address. The new alpha was going to kill their father and Tyranis, with his freshly forged resentment would be there to wish him well. Acere was a champion fighter, it was what cut so deeply when he had turned away from his call to rally his family. Elias by comparison had been completely consumed by his mind blight and had already grown frail the last time he saw him. He would lose with little contest. Tyranis stood before his uncle addressing him silently before he sat and waited for him to speak. Speech, Thought, You

The haunting call of his uncle echoed through the territories, though it seemed it was meant for a select few. Cloud didn't know his uncle very well, didn't even think he had met him formally yet, but he knew who he was and what he was capable of. He wouldn't hesitate to go to him though. If he was calling them together then it must be for a good reason. He abandoned the tracks he was following and headed straight for the abandoned ship that sat frozen in the ground. A silent silhouette against the backdrop of arctic scenery, a place that to him felt strangely comfortable. Perhaps it was because he felt like he blended in better with their new surroundings...or perhaps it was because his brother was here. Whatever the case, Cloud didn't allow his mind to wander too much.

He arrived quietly, his Osprey floating somewhere above them like a quiet shadow. He found his brother and settled nearby, bi-colored gaze on his alabaster uncle as he waited to see what they'd been called for. He had a feeling what it was already, but he didn't want to jump to conclusions just yet. He would spare a glance at his brother, but his littermate was quiet. When he looked at their two younger siblings, they both seemed on edge as if something was on their minds, too. Whatever it was...they would find out soon enough, he was sure.

speech Thought You

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He could smell their approach. Hear them even before they gathered. The slight shifting sounds his companions made also made it clear that they weren't so alone anymore. He said nothing even when Ignis posed his question, and when the last set of footsteps quieted, Ace took a few moments longer to himself. This wasn't going to be an easy conversation. He didn't know what they would think after this. But whatever they thought...well...he couldn't say it didn't matter, because he would always take their words into account. But this was something that his mind wouldn't be swayed on. Finally, after a minute or two, he turned around and looked at each of them. His gaze lingered on Tyranis and Cloudburst longest, however. Knowing they had been around him longer than Ignis and Actaea had been. But that wouldn't matter anymore. "Thank you for coming so promptly...there is...something I wish to discuss with you all," He began quietly, crimson gaze darting between them for a moment. He would take a deep breath and let it go before continuing. "I'm going to get straight to why I called you four here...as you're well aware, I've had significantly strong feelings about the things your sire has done. Unspeakable things. He has let you all down time and time again, and I'm sure he continued to do so even while hiding away in your pack," He looked to Tyranis and Cloudburst then. He didn't doubt Elias hid away like the coward cur that he was. That he always had been. Hiding under the guise of his insanity. Using the demons as an excuse to do the horrible things he'd done. "I know some if not all of you, have strong feelings towards Elias. As have I...and I vowed that day on the mountain after he murdered your sister that I would make him pay his debt in full." He growled, hackles beginning to rise at the memory. Domina's scream echoed in his mind again, and the ice king had to shake his head to try and clear it away. "I intend on making him pay the rest of his debt. He has lived long enough consequence free, and it sickens me that that vile creature still walks. He hides behind his demons to excuse the things he's done...rape...murder...lies...he's hurt many, and I'm sure many more have suffered." His gaze settled on Ignis and Actaea, "I fear he might have killed your mother, too. I don't believe she would have just left you all alone on your own...I know he had something to do with it." While that last bit was speculation, he didn't doubt that Elias had done something to Zuriel. Whether he did or not, he wouldn't put it past the deranged Praetor. Elias had killed an innocent child, after all, simply for doing as children often did. "Tyranis," His gaze settled on the lightning boy, a flicker of thought passing over his face for a few heart beats. "Should I not make it out alive, will you teach Ignis in my stead?" He turned to Ignis then, "I want you to fill in should I not make it...I think you're capable. And should you decide it's not for you, I won't blame you. You're free to pass it on to whoever you wish. As for you two," He looked to Actaea and Cloudburst, "Help them. Actaea, I know you're learning diplomacy, so I'd like for you to aid your brother Ignis with this as his adviser, and Cloud, for you to make sure things don't get too out of hand." He knew he was asking a lot, but with Winterfell still in it's early stages, he wanted it in trusted hands if he didn't make it back. And the only ones he trusted with that were the four that stood before him. "Just in case I don't make it back...agreed?" And if he failed to kill Elias...he was sure one of them would finish the job. "speech"

"Talk" Walk So worried and focused on what his uncle had called them for, he didn't bother to spare a glance to anyone else. When he felt his sisters touch, he instinctively pressed back into her. And when his elder brothers arrived, he waited with baited breath for his uncle to speak. He listened quietly, a turmoil of feelings raging inside of him. Anger. Pain. Sadness. Regret. Confusion. And so many others. He hated Elias for leaving them. Hated him for killing his sister. Hated him for everything he'd done. Ignis wanted him dead for a while, though at first he hadn't been sure. His uncle was right though...his father had hurt too many, and was probably still out there hurting others as they spoke. It wasn't until Ace said that he wanted Ignis to take over if he didn't make it back that had the boy raise his head with surprise. "Wha? Me? He exclaimed in disbelief. He stared with his mouth open at his uncle, still unsure what to make of this. But as his uncle continued, the weight of it settled on him and he realized it was very possible there was a chance that his uncle wouldn't make it back. He glanced at his eldest brother, wondering for a moment why his uncle had not chosen him to lead instead. Wouldn't he have made a better leader since he already had an experience as an alpha? Or...maybe his uncle realized why Tyranis had quit leading...? He didn't think it had anything to do with resentment or hatred, else his big brother wouldn't be here. He knew his uncle too well. He wouldn't have let him stay if he held feelings like that towards him...still, despite his believing that he might not be ready, his sister and his older brothers were supposed to help him...he had some comfort in that, but..."You better come back alive." He stated, a determined expression on his face.