You Better Be Good To Me

Before long, Neo showed his pathetic face, and though he seemed far weaker than she had ever seen him, somehow he was still seething with anger. She didn't blame him entirely -- he'd left Valhalla for a reason, and certainly wasn't impressed with being dragged back here. She wondered who had done it, and why, but supposed those things would be address in this meeting. Epiphron's gaze followed Neo, eyelids narrowing over sapphire eyes until they were merely slits from which she scrutinized him. She truly had no interest in conversing with him, nor did she want to give him the satisfaction of noticing her fiery gaze, so she averted her attention to Collision as he began to speak. Vibrant blue gaze fixated on her oldest brother as he began to speak. He was certainly following nicely in Cairo's footsteps, his presence strong and uplifting, despite his seriousness. The girl straightened her back, ears perked attentively. For a moment Maverick completely slipped her mind, as the girl was rather curious as to what Collision had to address today.

He first announced that the alliance with Glaciem had been kept. A gentle smile graced her lips -- perhaps she should visit them sometime, with approval, of course. Genesis had seemed an honorable enough creature, and she was certain that if her brother approved of the alliance, the whole lot of them were certainly more than decent. He also explained his own brother had been crowned Alpha. He went on to announce that they had forged an alliance with Seracia. Epiphron's jaw unhinged, a barely audible gasp escaping her throat, a sound she hadn't meant to make and hoped nobody heard. This would be good! The possibilities suddenly seemed suddenly endless, but in the same breath, Collision shattered what felt like all of her hopes and dreams. Her heart had surged in her chest, and then subsequently fell to the ground and smashed into a thousand tiny pieces.

Chrysanthe would be wedded to the Seracian heir. To Maverick. Eyes widened slightly, but she skillfully contained the horribly surprised expression that threatened to overtake her. Her gaze would fall to her sister; as hard as her sister tried to compose herself, Epiphron knew the girl better than most did, and what she knew was that Chrysanthe was not happy. Not at all. She was effectively being traded away, used like a pawn in a game. She knew the honor with which Chrysanthe had accepted the position of Beta, and how dedicated her sister had been to training and assisting the pack to her fullest.

Epiphron felt her own upper lip quiver, suddenly feeling defensive for Chrys. But she dared not to argue with Collision, especially if the marriage would bring the packs a strong alliance that would certainly last for generations to come. Her slight anger soon faded and she felt her posture slacken, her mind whirling a thousand miles a minute. Not only was her sister being given to Seracia, perhaps to someday rule, but the girl would be marrying the very boy she was falling in love with. Did he know? He'd never mentioned it to her. Would it be a surprise to him, or was he simply enjoying her company while he could, before he was wedded off to a stranger? Her outward demeanor was one of slight confusion, but little else showed through her composed expression. Erani and Syrinx were the only ones who knew of her feelings for Maverick, and she hoped neither of them would say a word. She didn't want to think of Maverick or the fact that Chrysanthe would be the one spending the rest of her life with him. Would they fall in love? Have children? Would they coexist, as equals, or would something deeper grow between them? The mere possibility of that was hard to think about.

In that exact moment, Epiphron's young heart broke instantaneously. Maverick, in an instant, was gone, forever out of her grasp. Not only would distance separate them, but something far more strong. Epiphron would never betray Collision's decision, she would never betray her sister.

She knew it was stupid to care so deeply for him in the first place. So stupid to let down her guard, to trust that whatever they had would work out between them. Should she find him, talk to him? It wouldn't soothe the pain she suddenly felt. It would likely agitate it, make it even more unsettling, more unbearable. This was what true loss felt like -- and she was losing the boy she was falling in love with not to just anyone, but to her sister, the sister she envied and cared for so deeply. The sister that probably didn't even want to leave Valhalla, let alone be married off to one of Seracia.

Collision went on, explaining that ranks would be adjusted slightly, that warriors would need to find sparring partners, that Tortuga was now an enemy... and Neo had been the one that betrayed them. The emotion that threatened to take over suddenly appeared as she gazed at Neo, eyes burning with something akin to hatred. She could not afford to cry right now, no, she needed to be strong for Chrysanthe and Valhalla and Collision. But she could glare at Neo, the betrayer, and take out all her anger on him in a single glance. She should've seen it coming. Her brother's words seemed to wash over her, her vision growing blurry as tears welled in her eyes. She held them in, her head bowed slightly toward the ground, hoping nobody saw the emotion that had crept onto her face.

Her attention was snatched away from whatever was lurking in the depths of her mind as her name was spoken. Muzzle jerked towards Collision, eyes once again widening. She would become alpha, at his side, due to Soleil's sickness. It was all wrong, all so wrong... shouldn't Chrys be in this spot, and she in the other? Her stomach turned and her heart thumped weakly in her chest.

Hadn't she always wanted this? She should be honored, should be proud and overjoyed and everything else. But she knew she hadn't worked as hard as Chrysanthe, though certainly Collision saw potential in her, to not only promote her, but place her at his side. As Alpha. Leader. She would never dream of arguing, of questioning his rule -- she would be foolish to deny such a grand opportunity. Epiphron rose to her feet to near Collision, nudging her brother's neck with clear affection and gratitude. There was no smile on her face, but she was able to look her brother in the eye. "Thank you, Collision. And congratulations, my dear brother Preston -- and you too, Chrysanthe." Her sister would surely catch the turbulent storm of emotion in her eyes -- she wanted so badly to talk to her, but not right now. Her congratulations was sincere, though she was fairly certain her sister wasn't thrilled. She would accept her duty with just as much grace as Epiphron. The sisters would grin and bear it, like they always had, like they always would. Chrysanthe's duty was not preferable, but important, and needed; she would not argue, either. She would accept her fate, perhaps with a heavy heart, but with the grace and dignity of a princess.

Erani then spoke up, clearly upset with nearly everything that Collision had said. She flashed the healer a pleading stare, not wanting her to get herself punished for her or Chrysanthe's sakes. They would persevere, as they always had, but Erani's motherly instincts were strong, and she was ridden with hormones from the pups kicking inside her belly. Epiphron lowered her head, eyes cast to her feet as Erani's pained words echoed all around her. This was not helping, not at all...