Not What's Expected [Pack Meeting!]

Vali sighed quietly as her gaze drifted to the ground. He was already gone; leaving at dawn without a final goodbye - though really, he'd said those goodbyes the night prior. There was no need for a second farewell, and it seemed he and his daughter thought that as well. She only hoped they'd return soon. It didn't take long for wolves to start showing up - first Tyranis, the ambitious child, and then... whoops.

Guilt flashing in her eyes, she eyed Storm apologetically, not that the other woman could see it. "There are no wounds," she said quietly. Ah, why hadn't she thought? She had didn't even think about how an urgent call might sound to a healer when called by another healer. She was an idiot.

As each wolf appeared, sans a few, and a questioning glance tossed her way, her heart clenched. She greeted each one respectfully, even the pups; a simple dip of the head each time someone else appeared. Still, though, she wondered. Did he tell no one but her? Was she the only one in the know? Even his children were looking questioningly at her - and Sparrow. Oh gods, Sparrow. Her jaw tightened and she blinked back tears rapidly, though probably not quick enough for Sparrow not to notice. The suspicious look in Sparrow's eyes, her questions. It was clear that Sparrow trusted no one and nothing, and that she was already panicking inside. "I'll answer that in a minute, Sparrow," she replied quietly, her voice only cracking once on the words.

Everyone arrived quickly, including a couple wolves that only roughly scented of Abaven. In the back of her mind, she realized that only two of Storm's remaining 3 pups had appeared. Fear clenching her heart as she hoped that another pup hadn't disappeared, she began.

"It seems... that I was the only one told. I'd like to apologize ahead of time. I had no idea that I was the only one..." Her voice trailed off, and she swallowed hard before continuing. "As you all may have noticed, Bass was spending more and more time outside pack lands with one of his daughters, Finch. Last night I ran into him - and that was when he spoke to me. He said that he couldn't be the alpha anymore, not right now - not until Storm's pups are found. Not until he found the source of all the baseless rumors that we've heard." Coming out of her mouth it sounded worse, so much worse than it actually was. "He wanted to go look for them. Without the duties of a pack, without the duties of anything other than himself. He asked me to temporarily lead the pack until he returned - with Storm's pups. He took with him Finch, who is supposed to act as a messenger between us at times, so I can keep him updated about the pack and he can send information back to the pack. He left... He left early this dawn." Before she woke up. "That's also why it was passed to me. I'm only supposed to hold the pack until he comes back; he isn't supposed to stay gone for very long, I hope." Hope was a very strong word here - she hoped it with all her heart, and all her being.

She fell quiet then, not really knowing what else to say. Perhaps just let others speak? She glanced at Sparrow, the suspicious young woman - who seemed wary and distrustful, though Vali had never given any sign otherwise. If anyone were to say anything or snap, she expected it to be this girl... and she hoped the explanation would be enough.

Due date: July 27th!

***IMPORTANT*** Cloudburst and Starling are being removed from the pack roster! Also, I'm so sorry this is so late. I, uh... might have forgotten that I had this meeting up. This won't be happening again, as it's unacceptable.

"Speech"