Pregnancy suited her well, and now that she was beginning to show the woman knew it was time to announce her joyous news to the rest of the pack. The Kleins knew very well the importance of the next generation and Belle was eager to add to their numbers. Of course she couldn’t forget how close they were getting to the land’s population count. Ashen’s lands were fertile and recovered from the volcano’s wrath quite well. Still, the family had much to speak about.

Deathbelle made her way to the shrine, the official meeting place of the Empire. The sun was absent from the sky, and the bright fullness of the moon took its place. The pack was primarily nocturnal, a byproduct of the family’s high albinistic traits. It also made them unique to the rest of Boreas, a good trait to have when raiding. Not everyone expected an attack in the dark of the night.

These thoughts weighed heavily on her as she took up her position at the shrine. She made her way up the pedestal, her beautiful form lounged easily over the rune marked stones. Daedra followed after her, the young slave girl was almost always at her side these days. Belle motioned for her to make herself comfortable at the base of her throne and lifted her sculpted muzzle to the sky. The Empress called out for the pack to join her, there was much to discuss this night.

Pink pads fell upon the supple earth with ease. The delicate yet strong sound of his Empress beckoning the pack to gather filled his tattered ears. Hannibal felt his heart rate quicken as the sight of his plump with pup lover filled his mind. A little smirk slipped across his lips as he changed his course towards the meeting grounds inn an instant. He knew this would be the night in which Belle informs the pack of their relationship and its outcome. Hannibal was aware there may reservations with some of those who are not elder members of his family. But, they were prepared to hear the few who may think wrongly of their love. Hannibal would not allow the voices of a few shine above the many. Hannibal arrived quickly and noticed he was of the first to arrive other then Daedra. The familiar smirk thickened as he looked to the love of his life. Deathbelle looked regal as ever, nearly taking his breath away. "Empress." Hannibal dipped his head down in a gentle bow before moving to take a seat towards the middle of the clearing with those sharp eyes never leaving Belle's violet optics. Hannibal Speech

The man had not been within the Empire long and, while there were those to meet, the man had set his task to preparing his den and lookouts for gathering information rather than interacting with those who lived there. There would be a time for it all, Asphyxiation knew, and so he didn’t rush anything. His duty came before socialization; he had to prove himself here, just as he had been working on doing in their homeland, and would do so no matter how much work it took. He had always had more of a work oriented personality anyway… socialization on the level that some preferred was not quite his style.

Yet, when his sister’s call rose over the lands, Asphyxiation turned from his work on one of his lookouts at the edge of the shrine’s borders to heed the summons that urged him to come. He moved with haste, tardiness would not be tolerated, and he found only one other had made it to the meeting before he had; Hannibal. His brow twitched, a bit of surprise passing his features for a second before his stony expression washed back over. How curious… not that he was unhappy to see the other man. Seeing more of their family was a welcome sight, not an unwelcome one, after all!

“Good to see you both.” Asphyxia dipped his head to the pair.

He took note of Belle’s pregnancy too but did not comment on it. She would only choose the worthy to help her brings heirs, more Kleins, into the world; he trusted his sister’s judgement.

The man took a seat to wait for the meeting to begin.

This would be interesting.

Tiny black pads fell upon the earth with silence as the slim fae followed her mistress. The floral scent flowed from the Empress into Daedra's nose as they moved. The scent was intoxicating but was now incredibly familiar. It didn't take long for the handmaiden to feel comfortable within the Empire. It was not nearly as cruel as it had been in her previous home. Soft in comparison. Obviously if Daedra had chosen to resist in anyway there would be consequences. But, it was incredibly easy to do her duty nontheless. As her Empress lounged upon her grand pedestal the handmaiden chose to take a seat below her. Daedra noticed Hannibal was the first to arrive. She didn't allow herself to lift those pretty pink eyes to his own gaze. Dae was rather daring with her Empress but not her mate. Thus, the slave merely sat with her head down and still as ever.

words "Speech" Under the mantle of night, the Samurai walked toward the meeting. Posture confident as always, she would hold herself as a Klein should always do. Or that was what she thought about it. Eyes of blossom pink remained serene as she made her way to where her sister called them to. And soon she would spot her and more wolves. Hannibal and some others. She arrived and would give a quick glare in greet. She would take a seat in silence. Ready to listen to what the empress would say. Her tail went around her paws. The soft wind pulled her black hair. "I am ready," Words of honey came out of her maw. Calmly and with a soft smirk formed on her lips.

ART BY IRISH

A meeting was very much due for the Ashen Empire. It had been a time since the lot of them gathered formally. Since the resolve of the volcano their pack had recovered quite well. Not without it's understandable hiccups. But, they were now a well oiled machine and he figured things would remain that way. With all of the pups growing up and training sessions happening left and right the Kleins would have a new generation of soldiers and subjects to pave their way. Yet non of such would be possible without direct communication from the crown. Which was why Deathbelle calling upon them that day was necessary. As the song hit his ears the massive yearling made his way to the gathering. Upon arrival he saw a few had already gathered. Hannibal, an unfamiliar male, Hela, and his mother's new handmaiden that he hadn't met yet. Plague eyed everyone for a moment before choosing to move towards his mentor, Hela. The alabaster beast offered a gruff nod to his aunt before sitting a polite distance away and settling his attention upon the Empress in usual silence.

Harbringr was out and exploring, reveling in the gorgeous autumn colors that were spreading out across the eastern territories. He'd been on his way back to Ashen when he'd heard his sisters call. He broke from a walk into a swift run, knowing he had a lot of ground to cover if he wanted to make it to the meeting on time.

Ari raced along beside him as Costanza took the air. Soon the trio arrived to the gathering. Harbringr trotted in, grinning wide as he dipped his head respectfully towards Deathbelle before moving to take his seat. There was a certain roundness to her frame that had not gone unnoticed. She was pregnant. But who was the father?

The young Princess stalked silently into the meeting place, her gaze curious as it flicked to each of the arrivals thus far. She felt herself easily drawn to Plague’s side and she settled back onto her haunches beside him. Her tail flicked at his hips mischievously but she didn’t offer a vocal greeting. Their other siblings had yet to appear but Venom was curious to see the reactions to the meeting ahead. She had suspected her mother’s pregnancy for a while now, and as she and her brother had discussed before, it was likely their uncle Hannibal who was responsible.

She had her own ideas about the coming meeting, Potentially. She waited silently for the coming words, depending on the reactions she would step forward.

Bourbon did his best to herd his little family towards the meeting, and he had to admit as far as herding went pups were the worst to try and keep together. Still despite his difficulties in keeping an eye on all three of them Bourbon had a huge smile on his face. His life was perfect, he had a mate who he loved to the moon and back along with three curious children that lit up his life.

With his head held high Bourbon led his little family into the meeting he gave the pups a serious glance as he motioned for them to take a seat. ”Behave yourselves,” he warned softly as he reclined back on his haunches and looked back to Deathbelle for the beginning of the meeting.

Toxicity had been laying low while her ritualistic scarification sleeve healed. The still-fresh scars protruded from the short fur on her left shoulder and leg, although it was no longer painful. Her sigil stood out now for all to see, the smooth skin glistening, and she bore it proudly as her mother called a meeting. She found herself drawn to her siblings, although she could hardly remember the last time they had all spoken. She had been taking her religious calls seriously and any sacrifice to that end, she was more than willing to make. She came over to Venom's side and gave both of her siblings an almost sheepish nod ad she settled next to them and turned her attention to her mother.

Pesto arrived fashionably late and did her best to sneak in unnoticed before her mother began the meeting. She beelined it for the others of her litter but found herself stopped dead in her tracks as she saw Toxicity and what the fuck was that on her arm? Pestilence had thought often about their battle and how she'd won, proving the Abraxas God to be hot garbage and permanently scarring her sister in the process. She planned for the thrilling excitement she'd feel each time she saw the marking, how she'd remember her victory and - most importantly - Toxicity's defeat. But this? This Pestilence did not do. Toxicity took her punishment and turned it into.. into.. into faith! It infuriated the yearling, and she sent a poisonous glare towards her sister as she awaited Deathbelle's address.

Cognac hemmed and hawed around his father's paws. He loved keeping him on his toes! It was fun watching his herding instincts kick in - or, even better, to try and herd him. Chuckling to himself, he danced about Bourbon's front legs and then skittered around to his rear. "Bwehehe," he breathed, nipping at his dad's heels. His mother had warned him that there'd be hell to pay if he didn't behave during the meeting. While he felt like he could get away with quite a bit from his dad with the right head tilt and pout, when mother was mad... well, he didn't want to think about that. Cognac darted back up to walk by Bourbon's side and settled in quietly for the meeting ahead.

Having child felt like it had aged her 1,000 years. Luce had no idea how Belle had survived her much larger brood. She'd smelled it on her though - after her first litter had reached triumphant yearlinghood, Deathbelle had fallen pregnant again. Lucretia minded her own business, but she had seen how close Hannibal and the empress had grown. Much, much closer than typical siblings. Even now she could see his eyes trained on her from across the clearing. Luce made no assumptions. She would hear her sister out. Deathbelle had overcome so much. Lucretia trusted her beyond measure to make the correct choice in all situations. She'd always idolized and respected her older siblings. Even though she was naturally cynical and inquisitive to a fault, the older Kleins had risen above to become infallible.

Calamity arrived late, a faraway look in her eyes. She'd spent the past few days meditating in seclusion. No matter how she tried to continue her studies on her own, she kept coming up short. It was disappointing. She felt weak - spiritually weak. The idea frustrated her but she had spent so long struggling to overcome these petty mortal feelings. There was only perseverance. She could only move forward. Perhaps it was time to consult Obi and Toxicity. There had to be some way to reach further enlightenment. Since her world-altering encounter with her father from beyond the grave, she'd made such frightfully little progress. It was troubling. Still, she answered her mother's call. Some mortal dalliances were still required, no matter how boring she found pack meetings.

The boy heard the call and hadn't meant to be late, but he'd also been busy working on a network of tunnels stemming from his den that it had taken a bit longer for him to get out and arrive. It was night time, and whenever he spent time digging out his tunnels he never really knew what time of day it was until he emerged from his den. It wasn't unusual for his aunt to call for the pack at night considering most of his kin were some form of albino, though he thought about how much of a nuisance it might be for some of them. The sun didn't bother him any, save for making him hot sometimes with his thick earthen fur. He didn't take long to get to the meeting, slipping in among them. He spotted his sire, but didn't even so much as greet him. The youth was still mad at him, because instead of trying to reconcile their relationship, his sire had chosen to ignore the boy. He didn't spend any time with him and at this point, he wasn't sure if he should even care about it anymore. He had an okay relationship with Deathbelle, but the one between him and Hannibal was likely severed before it even formed.

Mojito giggled whenever his father tried to herd them, skittering away from the man playfully but he did allow himself to be lead towards the meeting, settling happily at his father's paws. When Cognac bounces away the white boy splayed himself across his father's paws, tipping his head back with his tongue lolling from his mouth to smile up happily at his dad. For all the disdain he'd already faced the boy was easily made happy simply by being around his family. That didn't mean he was gonna pay much attention to the meeting itself.In fact, right now he was very much not carrying much for anything but playfully wiggling on his back on his father's toes.

He heard belle's call but he took his time. In his head and heart, she betrayed his father. She got knocked up, and he couldn't help but feel all the times she cried over Archon was for nothing more than a show to get sympathy. While he couldn't be sure about that, he didn't remotely have any empathy for anyone else save for Tox. Even when Pestilence had tried to bring him down with her words, he had beat both her and Venom's asses and he'd done it fair and square. On his own. Unlike them. He held no remorse for Pestilence, that much was obvious. And after she tried to claim he was an orphan, he couldn't help but laugh. technically her mom was his mom too, though unrelated, she was his stepmother whether she liked it or not since she had married his father. While he would have loved to shove that fact in Pesto's face that day, she wasn't worth wasting his breath on. The boy finally would arrive at the meeting and he immediately went to sit next to Tox. He glanced down at her healing sleeve, a curious and questioning glance cast towards her as he wondered what all that was about before he turned his attention to the alphess.

She was up late tonight speaking with the spirits that had started to rile up again. She couldn't pinpoint why exactly but she had a feeling it had to do with the pack. She had expected grand conquests and for them to follow in their father's footsteps, but so far...none of that was happening. The gods themselves would sort them out someday, so she reluctantly headed to the meeting where everyone else had gathered. The dual-sided priestess sat near the back, eyes of rose and pitch-black watching the front of the pack but she said nothing as she simply waited for the meeting to start. There was quite the number of pups already, the empire was ready to burst at the seams. She was sure that if they continued to breed like rabbits the pack would surely end up overcapacity, but that wasn't her problem now, was it? Belle was the empress, her former slaves the rulers of another pack and still, nothing was being done. What was the point of it all if they weren't going to try and seize the world with an iron paw?

To say she wasn't exactly happy about her aunt's preganancy would have been an understatement, it filled her both with a seething rage and a quiet bubbling fear, so maybe that was why she was cutting it so close. She had enough respect for her aunt still that she'd show up at least but the girl sulked at the back of the group, not even looking at her father, pointedly keeping her cherry gaze on her aunt and only her aunt. Even then she felt a snarl tugging at her lips. Lilith dozed in her usual spot draped around the girl's shoulder, coiled once around the wolf's neck. Recluse hadn't felt a need to wake up the serpent, anything that really mattered she'd simply pass on. "Speech"

Moonshine’s ivory tail wagged at her hips as she trotted forward with her family. She lagged a little behind, but it was better to watch everyone that way. The young Klein held her head high as she and her brothers tumbled into the meeting with their father and mother. Moo remained close to her mother, the young girl beamed up at her brightly. The little family shuffled into what seemed like seating, but they were far from organized. Mo lay by their father’s feet but Cog sat politely beside him. With her brothers all over Bourbon Moonshine sat close beside her mother, her eyes wide as she took in the biggest gathering of wolves she had ever seen. ”Who’s that, Mom?” She pointed out one of their relatives, her bright blue eyes shifting. ”And that? And that?” She muttered for each wolf she didn’t know as the meeting began.